Lawrence S. Olson, age 92, of Vida, Montana, departed from this world at Rancho Springs Medical Center in Murrieta, California on March 12, 2008.
Lawrence was born in a small log cabin on February 6, 1916, in Vida MT, where he grew up with his 6 siblings.
Lawrence was a lifelong, hardworking farmer, gardener and carpenter, among many other occupations. He did all of his own mechanic work, never taking any equipment into the shop to be fixed. As a young man, he helped build Fort Peck Dam, working with the CCs in Ekalaka, MT. He worked on a dairy farm in Langdon, North Dakota.
He met his beloved wife, Ann Stalheim, in July of 1935; in 1938 they shared a dance together at Pleasant Valley School. They married on November 16, 1940. Together, they raised 9 beautiful children: Ruth, Norma, Robert, Diana, Edna, Connie, Jo Ann, Donna and Julie, who gave Lawrence and Ann 19 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild, and special daughter, LoraLee Donavan of Great Falls, MT. He was proud of his family, whom he dearly loved.
While farming and raising his family, Lawrence also clerked at Longview School for 21 years and worked all the general elections.
Lawrence loved to travel, especially to western Montana, where he enjoyed picking apples. He was a very honest man, always telling others to, “Just be your self” and to always “Be real.”
He is survived and mourned by his wife, Ann; daughters Ruth (Milo) Borg of Sidney, MT, Norma (Dan) Pawlowski of Murrieta, CA, Diana Lawson of Spokane, WA, Edna (John) Niccolls of Spokane, WA, Connie (Daryl) Buxbaum of Sidney, MT, Jo Ann Olson of Rapid City, SD, Donna (Dennis) Torres of New Town, ND, Julie (Randy) Azar of Williston, ND and his only son Robert (Alda) Olson of Vida, MT; his sister, Clovie Kuehne of Wolf Point, MT; his brother Eddie Olson of Vida, MT; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents, Olga and Chris Olson; 2 brothers Clarence and Harry Olson; and 3 sisters, Wilma Bernard and Ella DeShaw, and Ruth Olson at infancy, and two sons-in-law Milton Schlenker and Neil Lawson.
A Family Service will be held Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point, MT with visitation to follow until 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 20, 2008 at the First Lutheran Church, Wolf Point, MT. Interment will be in Vida Cemetery, Vida, MT.
Memorials may be given to the donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.