The community of Peoria, Illinois, is mourning the tragic loss of Marcus “Mark” M. Olson, who passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Buehler Home, surrounded by his loving family. He was 98 years old. Mark’s long and distinguished life spanned an era and left a permanent mark on the sporting landscape of central Illinois, particularly through his foundational work in bringing hockey to the region.
Mark was born to Frank and Ida (Anttila) Olson in Marquette, Michigan, on October 9, 1927. He was a successful player at Michigan Tech, where he was a four-year letter winner, a three-time most valuable player, and the team captain for two seasons. His individual hockey skills were impressive. He played seven seasons of semi-professional hockey after scoring fifty goals and dishing out sixty-eight assists during his time in college. He relocated to Peoria in 1963 to work for Caterpillar Inc., but his love of hockey would end up being his greatest legacy.
Mark is regarded by many as a great pioneer of amateur and youth hockey in central Illinois. In 1971, he and Pete Bardez-Banian co-founded the Peoria Blades, which introduced organized hockey to the community through the Continental League. Prior to that, he and BardezBanian worked with teams like the Peoria Stars and the Pekin Stars, putting in thousands of hours to promote the sport.
His work was crucial in fostering the community’s passion for the sport, which now has a professional franchise and first-rate ice facilities. In addition to hockey, he was a lifelong member of the Rivermen Booster Club, the Old Timers Baseball Association, and the Independent Sports Club of Peoria.
To honor his life, visitation will be held from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Peoria Heights. A Funeral Mass will take place at 10:30 AM on Monday, January 12, 2026, at the same church, with a one-hour prior visitation. Fr. Daniel Dionesotes will officiate, and entombment will follow at Resurrection Mausoleum in Peoria. His family, friends, and the entire sports community remember a man whose dedication built the rinks upon which generations have skated, ensuring his spirit will live on in every game played in Peoria.