Marilyn R. Olson

Marilyn R. Olson

Marilyn Rose Olson, 73, of Neillsville, WI, passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at the Marshfield Medical Center in Marshfield.

Marilyn was born Sept. 10, 1952, in Marshfield, WI, the daughter of Merlin “Merlie” and Florence (nee Scheuer) Lindow. She spent her younger years living in Chili, WI, before moving to Neillsville. During that time, she grew up at the Wildcat Inn, loved her horse, Prince, and snowmobiling with her dad.  She graduated from Neillsville High School in 1970.

In May of 1973, she was united in marriage to Richard “Rick” Hoffmann, and in May of 1975, they purchased the Moonlite Inn. It was here she became “famous” for her Reuben Soup, Potato Salad and many other dishes following the formula of “a pinch of this and a pinch of that.” They operated the Moonlite for 17 years until Rick’s passing Sept. 10, 1992.

On June 25, 1994, she was united in marriage to Richard “Dick” Olson, and after selling the Moonlite, Marilyn worked for her parents at the Riviera and Wildcat Inn. Later, she worked for Cummins Filtration and retired from there after 20 years.

Marilyn loved her flowers and her grandchildren, especially watching the oldest, Gunner, wrestle, and watching Brynn and Kade grow up. It was at one wrestling tournament that she was labeled the “trash-talking grandparent” after a broadcaster picked Gunner to lose a match.

She is lovingly survived by her husband, Dick; her children, Dawn (Aaron “Trog”) Griepentrog and Ryan (Melinda) Hoffmann all of Neillsville; grandchildren, Gunner (Kylee Flanders) Hoffmann, Brynn and Kade Griepentrog; her sisters, Bonnie (Steve) Lipscy and Brenda (Scott) Garlach all of Neillsville; her mother-in-law, Maryanne Olson of Loyal, WI; and siblings-in-law, Bob (Donna) Olson, Annmarie (Eddie) Wolf, Roseanne (Jon) Bauer, Missy (Harlan) Hinklemann, Mike (Heidi Michaelis) Olson, Heather (Dick) Bravener, Ben Olson, Diane Thompson and Shannon (Jason) Toufar. Marilyn is further survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rick Hoffmann; her parents, Merlie and Florence Lindow; father-in-law Noel; sister-in-law Barb Olson; father- and mother-in-law Carl and Nelda Hoffmann; a brother-in-law, Lewis Hoffmann; and a sister-in-law, Mary Sue Kyle.

A celebration of life for Marilyn will be held from 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday, June 7, 2026, at the Apple Valley Road Haus and Event Center in Neillsville.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Marilyn’s family with Funeral arrangements.