Nancy J Olson

Nancy Jane Olson was born June 29, 1951 to Seval Donald Olson and Alice Elizabeth Hively. She passed away Wednesday, September 24 at the Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital in Portage, Wisconsin of an acute cardiac event at the age of 74. 

Nancy graduated from Carroll (Iowa) High School and earned her Bachelor of Science as a Panther at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. 

She married Tom Sehnert in 1974 and they moved to Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. They were divorced and she married John ‘Jack’ Webb on October 18, 1992. They purchased an historic Victorian home in Fort where they enjoyed returning it to its glory with beautiful and authentic décor. 

Nancy worked in Fort Atkinson at Nesco and then Metal Container Corp./Ball for 22 years retiring in 2014. 

Long before she became a Master Gardener, she created beautiful and unique gardens all around her home. She was inspired by books, magazines and other research and there were countless plant shopping trips with her sisters and friends. With a love and passion for cooking, there was never a cookbook she couldn’t tackle or a recipe she couldn’t master. She was a generous and creative hostess and loved to share her creations and often as a mix of new trials and tried and true favorites. 

Her creative flair and sense of detail were used for indoor and outdoor decorating, soap making and other specialty craft projects. As a tenacious reader and a life-long learner, her library was filled with fiction, history, gardening, and yes, she counted them ‒ nearly 200 cookbooks. 

She loved adventures both big and small. Her interests were broad and many became passions. When she discovered something she liked, she was all in. From a love for pottery and fine China, to collecting a hosta to represent every letter of the alphabet, it seemed her knowledge and energy were endless. 

She was a true Green Bay Packer fan, enjoyed a visit to Lambeau Field and rarely missed watching a game made even better when shared with family and friends.  

For many years she studied and researched genealogy and after tracing the line to the family patriot, she was honored to become a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution in May 2018. Her energy went to serve as the President of the Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter devoted countless hours of time and talent to the Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters and other local and state functions. She planned well in advance for the two trips she made to the Continental Congress in Washington D.C. In June of 2025 she was elected to the position of DAR State Curator and plunged into developing plans, ideas and organization to enhance and grow the historical Surgeons Quarters in Portage. 

She was preceded in death by her mother and father and husband Jack who died November 28, 2007. 

As a proud and dedicated older sister, she leaves behind her brother Jeffery Lynn Olson and sisters Connie Jo (Benson) Reinert (and Mike) of Lost Island Lake, Iowa; Carolyn Joy (Benson) Ricklefs of Gilmore City, Iowa; also a nephew Justin M. Reinert (and Ryan) of Chicago; a niece Abby J. (Ricklefs) Tucker (and Brian) of Manson, Iowa; a nephew Joseph Olson of Centerville, Tennessee; also two grand-nephews Alan and Lucas Tucker. 

Following cremation, the family invites friends to join in a Celebration of Nancy’s Life at a come and go event Friday, Oct. 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the American Legion Post 166 at 201 S Water St E in downtown Fort Atkinson. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution; the Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters in Portage; or the local AAUW Fort Atkinson Branch. 

Her garden and home were as beautiful as her smile. May her roots live on forever. 

Nitardy Funeral Home of Fort Atkinson is honored to be assisting Nancy's family.