James Olson

Olson, James On May 28, as winds gusted and dark skies thundered overhead, James Lewis Olson died peacefully in his home, surrounded by the love of family members. He is deeply mourned by his steadfast wife, Joanie, of 55 years, and his large family and many friends. Born youngest of four on a Hysham, Montana, farm, James grew up fishing the Yellowstone, hunting birds, and working hard to help his family make ends meet. His mother died when he was 15, shortly after the family moved to Bozeman, and his father was disabled by Parkinson's, so he and his siblings depended on each other to survive. After graduating from Bozeman Senior High, James joined the navy for a two-year tour of duty just as the war was ending. He returned to Bozeman, attended MSU, and earned a teaching degree. There he met Joanie Lefevre whom he married shortly after graduating. He spent the next seven years in Fairfield, Montana, teaching, coaching, serving as Assistant Principal, building houses all over the state during the summers, and welcoming four children. In 1959, the family moved to Bozeman where James completed a master's degree at MSU. He was hired at Bozeman Senior High School where he worked as a teacher and guidance counselor until he retired in 1992. During the Bozeman years, four more children were born in Bozeman. James was known as a hard-working, gentle, devout, and creative man whose family was the center of his life. He was happiest when working with his hands, whether that involved photography, building, gardening, helping neighbors, or fixing anything and everything for his kids' homes. He was a behind-the-scenes man, not wanting praise, preferring instead to perform his many acts of kindness quietly. A member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church for most of his life, he maintained a deep and private faith. And, though he worked tirelessly and raised eight children, he somehow made time for fun; he was an avid sports fan, and fishing and golfing were two of his many passions right up until his devastating stroke on August 1, 2007. James's family had the good fortune to serve him the last 10 months of his life as he coped with his physical limitations. In spite of his helplessness, he rarely stopped smiling through this tremendous ordeal, and though unable to speak, he communicated volumes of love and gratitude to us. We send him now to the thundering heavens, our own hearts full of both sadness and peace. James lost his much-loved sisters, Eileen and Cecelia, in January and April this year, and is survived by his brother, John, who still farms in Hysham. James also leaves Joanie, his children: Mitch (Carolynne), Jenny Strother (Neil), Kerry Kain (Dan), Julie Jarosz (Bill), Greg, Laurie Olson-Horswill (Michael), Shelley Martel (Jason), Shane Borden (Mark), 19 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and many dear relatives and friends who meant the world to him. James's family members cannot express adequately their appreciation for the many health care workers who have assisted us, and special heartfelt thanks goes to Calvin Stiff, a young man truly sent by God to us. Memorials in James's name may be made to World Vision, P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063-9716, or to the charity of one's choice. A public visitation will be held at the Dahl Funeral Home from 3 to 5 P.M. on Monday, June 2nd. Funeral services will be held at Holy Rosary Church at 11 A.M. on Tuesday, June 3rd. For those who wish, there will be a rosary at 10:15 in the Chapel prior to the funeral. Ashes will be interred at Sunset Hills Cemetery