Wade Jay Olson

Wade Jay Olson, 70, of Cedar Falls, passed away at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester from complications after open-heart surgery on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, surrounded by his daughters and wife. He was born May 5, 1954, in Deer River, Minnesota, son of Henry and Leone (Ulferts) Olson. Wade graduated from Hibbing High School (MN), then earned his Bachelor's of Science in Biology from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and eventually earned two Master's degrees from the University of Northern Iowa, one in Science Education and one in Educational Leadership. He got his first teaching job at Remsen St. Mary's where he taught science, coached basketball, volleyball, golf and softball. It was there that he met and fell in love with the English teacher down the hall, Dianne Eskra. Wade and Dianne were married on July 22nd, 1978, in Akron, Iowa. Wade taught in Sheridan, Oregon, for two years, then in Alta, Iowa, for 8 years. He completed his teaching career at Holmes Jr. High where he taught science from 1988 to 2016. In his free time, for fun and relaxation, Wade taught driver's education for over 40 years. In 2006, Wade was awarded the Gold Star Teaching Award for Outstanding Teaching. He used creative and memorable techniques to help engage kids and encourage their lifelong love of science. In the days since his passing, many former students have reached out with stories of his science and driver's ed classes saying he is the reason they went into science and/or education. He prided himself in being a learner first and a teacher second.

Wade was famous for his storytelling ability, patience, his love for nature, his dry and clever humor, his 6' 6.5" stature, and his gentle, easy demeanor. He was always up for fishing, hiking, reading, stargazing and bird watching. He played basketball into his college years, and yes, he could dunk. Throughout his teens and young adulthood, he worked with his dad and brothers at summer camps in Northern Minnesota to provide fun, inclusive, and adaptive camp experiences for kids with physical and mental disabilities. They were, truly, ahead of their time. In his retirement years, he would go on annual road trips with two friends from college to see historical sites, hike through national parks, visit waterfalls and eat good food.

Wade was an extraordinary father to his three girls and grandfather to his 9 grandchildren. He got to know each one for who they are, and was so intrigued by what they cared about. He was known to do science experiments with the kids, as well as solve puzzles and create fun challenges. He often said he couldn't believe how lucky he was to have the best daughters, the best sons-in-law, and the most amazing grandkids on the planet. The feeling was mutual about him as a dad and grandpa.

Wade was both a man of science and a man of faith. He believed in the beauty of nature and the power of the Unseen. When he was in his final days, he assured us that he had his faith and he knew he would spend eternal life with Jesus.

Wade was preceded in death by his parents.  He is survived by his wife of nearly 46 years, Dianne; daughters: Rachel (Jesse) Henkle of Sioux Center, Rebecca (Grant) Adams of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bethany (Nolan) Hovland of Cedar Falls; 9 grandchildren: Raya, Mikaiah, Shiloh, Adelaide, Louis, Serena, Benson, Laina and Josiah; brothers, Blake (Debra) Olson of Michigan and Kent (Karen) Olson of Minnesota.

Wade's Funeral Service will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Nazareth Lutheran Church with Visitation from 9-10:00 am.  He will be laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be directed to the Family for future designation.