Lloyd B. Olson

Lloyd Bernette Olson was born March 1, 1897, in Rio, Wisconsin, the son of John and Sena Olson. His family later moved to Stoughton, where Lloyd graduated from Stoughton High School with the class of 1915. He attended the University of Wisconsin and later worked for a time in Mansfield, Ohio.

During World War I, Lloyd served in the U.S. Army as a Private in Company A, 379th Infantry Regiment, 95th Division. His military service extended from September 4 to December 13, 1918.

Lloyd returned to Stoughton in 1920 and entered the restaurant business. He initially operated the News Cafe in partnership with Rolfe Hanson, another future Commander of Otis Sampson Post 59. Lloyd later purchased Hanson's interest and continued operating the business for many years.

The News Cafe also provides an interesting connection between two Post 59 Commanders in the Olson family. Lloyd's brother, Alvin H. Olson, was associated with the business and later advertisements carried both brothers' names. Alvin had served as Post 59's 9th Commander in 1928–1929. Sixteen years later, Lloyd followed his brother into the Commander's position, giving the Olson family the distinction of having two brothers lead Otis Sampson Post 59.

On September 9, 1933, Lloyd married Dolores Malkie in Chicago.

Lloyd remained active in the American Legion and was elected Commander of Otis Sampson Post 59 in May 1944, succeeding Elver Oscar. He was formally installed that September and served as Commander during 1944–1945, an especially important period in the Post's history as World War II approached its conclusion.

One of the most significant developments during Lloyd's leadership was the acquisition and remodeling of a permanent Legion home. A community fundraising campaign brought contributions from individuals, businesses, organizations, and residents who were not themselves Legion members. Contemporary newspaper accounts repeatedly identified Lloyd with the project, first as commander-elect and then as Commander as work on the building progressed.

The new Legion center came at an important moment. Post 59 had been founded by veterans of World War I, but World War II veterans were now beginning to join its ranks. The clubhouse would provide a home for a growing organization entering a new generation of veteran service. Lloyd's obituary later specifically remembered that he had been Commander when the clubhouse was acquired and remodeled.

Lloyd also helped continue Stoughton's Memorial Day traditions. In 1945, he and VFW Commander William Gilbertson arranged the community's wartime Memorial Day observance. The program brought together veterans organizations, Gold Star Mothers, patriotic groups, Scouts, schoolchildren, and veterans from earlier generations for ceremonies at Riverside Cemetery.

In addition to Post 59, Lloyd was a member of the Dane County Voiture 40 et 8.

Lloyd continued operating the News Cafe until April 1945. He later became manager of the Greyhound Inn in Somerset, Kentucky, before eventually returning to Stoughton.

Lloyd B. Olson died August 1, 1948, at Stoughton Community Hospital following a two-week illness. He was only 51 years old. Military funeral rites were conducted under the auspices of Otis Sampson Post 59, and he was laid to rest at Bonnet Prairie Cemetery near Rio.

Although Lloyd's life was relatively short, his command came during one of Post 59's important periods of transition. As World War II ended and a new generation of veterans began returning home, he helped oversee the acquisition and remodeling of a permanent Legion home. His service also continued a remarkable family connection to the Post established years earlier by his brother Alvin.