Anna Johanna Olson completed her service here on Aug. 29, 2008, and has been welcomed by family and friends on the other side of life’s veil. She was born to Norwegian immigrants John and Raghnild (Fagervik) Sorley on Feb. 20, 1915, in Hendrum, Minn., and came to Montana that spring when her parents homesteaded on Cow Creek in McCone County. She grew up with brothers Carl, Hank and Roy and was the last surviving member of the family. Anna was a “Daddy’s Girl,” never interested in fancy needlework but preferring to do outdoor chores with horses and cattle. She attended Florendale Grade School and graduated from Circle High School. Anna had a gift to serve others and enhanced it by obtaining a RN degree at Montana School of Nursing in Havre.
Anna married Harold Olson at the Sorley Homestead in 1939, and together they raised their children, John (Bertha) of Billings, Joan Pederson (Wallis) of Billings and Jim of Bozeman. Harold died in 1985. The family farmed in the Vida community over 50 years during which Anna also returned to nursing at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point and Memorial Hospital in Circle. She was always available for neighbors who called on her for “ask-a-nurse” service.
Anna was very proud of her seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She enjoyed visits with family and friends and greeted all with a happy smile.
Anna spent three years in Glasgow and five years at Eagle Cliff Manor in Billings following a stroke that allowed her to receive and appreciate the level of care she had provided her patients over her years as a nurse. Her family thanks those nursing home personnel for their kindness.
Her funeral service will be Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point with visitation one hour before the service. Rev. Greg Holler-Dinsmore will officiate and interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Wolf Point.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point is in charge of arrangements.