Annie Marie Olson earned her wings on Sunday, October 5, 2014 at the Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point. Annie was 93 years old.
Annie was born on October 4, 1921 at Sandcreek, MT in a log cabin house. She was baptized at First Lutheran Church. She was the youngest of 8 in the Stalheim family. She was very close to her brother, Laurence, and he seemed to get his little sister into trouble. One time her brothers were sprayed by a skunk and they got a lickin, her dad asked her if she needed one too but she didn’t get one. One Christmas Laurence and Annie got an orange in their stocking, Laurence said “let’s see who can keep their orange the longest.” Needless to say, Annie’s orange became rotten and Uncle Laurence ate his.
She walked three miles to school both ways for the first four years, with her brothers. In the winter her brothers would hold her hands and pull her through the deep snow as they walked to the Coll School House. When she was around nine, her family moved to a different home homestead about three miles from their first house, their new home was closer to the schoolhouse. When Annie was 13 or 14, she was in 4-H. She took first prize for canned peaches and received blue ribbon at the County Fair in Circle, MT. She had an orange cat as a child growing up. When she was 14, she went to work for the Kelly’s in Old Vida and took care of 9 kids, cooked, and cleaned. She would send her paycheck of 13 dollars a month to her folks. She also worked at the Sherman cleaning rooms.
During the summer in July 1935, she stayed with her sisters, Bernie and Myrtle and worked for them. That’s when she met the love of her life, Lawrence Olson. Her brother in law, told her she might marry him someday and 5 years later, she did. When she was 17, she got a wine colored dress out of a catalog and got to go to a dance at Pleasant Valley School. Her and Lawrence seen each other and he wanted her to go outside for a drink and she said her mama said she couldn’t go outside. So they had their first dance followed by many more.
On November 16, 1941, they were married at the First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point, MT. They celebrated 68 years together and raised nine children, Ruth, Norma, Robert, Diana, Edna, Connie, JoAnn, Donna and Julie. Who gave Lawrence and Ann 19 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
They were proud of their family, whom they dearly loved.
Annie was a very hard worker, never showed having a bad day, and never complained. In her younger years she had many talents; she sewed dresses for the girls and loved helping Lawrence outside. She raised a huge garden and dad made sure we had enough potatoes and vegetables to last the whole year. They also gave some to the neighbors, and they were always happy they could share. Mama cooked potatoes 3 times a day, breakfast, dinner, and supper. I can’t imagine how many potatoes Mama peeled. She always found a way to put enough food on the table even when there wasn’t much. Her granddaughter told her mom, “Grandpa and grandma must be rich because they have so much food!” Well… it all came from hard work, gardening, canning, fresh farm chicken, beef, pork, homemade breads, pies, and sweets. Mom’s apple pie and fried chicken were unbelievable! If she could have opened a restaurant, Colonel Sanders would have went bankrupt! Coming from school and smelling caramel rolls, sugar cookies, chocolate cake, just to name a few; I won’t forget the welcoming smell.
In the later years, dad bought a small camper and they loved to go fishing. Mama was so proud of their camper and kept it spotless. Even while camping, she made big meals. Harvest time was another food feast. When dad helped a neighbor harvest; Mama would make a full meal of potatoes, corn, fried chicken, and desert, and take it 30 miles or more down the road to the field. Us kids thought it was a grand picnic. Mama was the most kind and gentle soul, she had a servant’s heart and always made sure everyone was cared for. No one will ever replace her big heart, and little shoes.
Love you mom! There is much more to be said but here is a glimpse.
She is survived and mourned by her 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 Buxbaum of Ronan, MT, Jo Ann Olson of Rapid City, SD, Donna (Dennis) Torres of New Town, ND, Julie (Randy) Azar of Williston, ND and her only son Robert (Alda) Olson of Vida, MT; well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Annie was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence in 2008, her parents Caroline and Hans Stalheim, her brothers Clarence, Laurence, Omar, Harry, Morris, and her sisters Bernadette Vine and Myrtle Vine.
Service Schedule
Prayer Service
7:00 p.m.
Thursday October 9, 2014
Clayton Stevenson Chapel
102 Custer
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday October 10, 2014
1st Lutheran Church
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Service Schedule
Prayer Service
7:00 p.m.
Thursday October 9, 2014
Clayton Stevenson Chapel
102 Custer
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday October 10, 2014
1st Lutheran Church
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Rynette Coon says
My sympathy to Edna and family. Rynette