Clovie Olson Kuehne, 108, passed away on Nov. 17th, 2020 at Faith Lutheran Home, where she resided for the past 10 years. She was just 5 days shy of her 109th birthday. Born in a log cabin off of Hwy 201 on Nov. 22, 1911, Clovie was the oldest of Chris and Olga Olson’s eight children. There were no hospitals in those days, so her father hitched up the team of horses to travel 25 miles to fetch a doctor from Poplar. She had quite a time entering this world, so she enjoyed every minute of her 108 years.
Clovie started school at age 8; she did not speak English, as Norwegian was all they spoke at home. She attended school until the eighth grade. In her early years, she helped on the farm and worked for several neighbors caring for their families.
In 1933, at age 22, Clovie married Paul Kuehne. This was the start of their 61 years of marriage. Working side by side, they built their farm on Redwater, where they raised their 6 children. In 1949 they built a house near town so their children could continue their education through high school. In 1977 they retired and moved to Wolf Point.
Through 109 years, Clovie has witnessed a lot of change. Electricity, plumbing, and heating were great additions to everyday life. Clovie’s joy was her family and dear friends, she loved to visit and hear all about your family. She enjoyed fishing, gardening, playing cards, the Lawrence Welk Show, and going to the senior center. In her later years, she attended activities at the home, played bingo and visited with anyone that had the time.
Survived by two children Doris (Frank) Whitmus of Wolf Point, Jerry (Raema) Kuehne of Mesa, AZ, Son-in-law Jack Tolan of Great Falls, 11 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren, 38 great-great grandchildren and numerous very special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Paul; Children -Loyd and Lucille Kuehne, Carol Rensvold, Leonard Kuehne, and Virginia Tolan; Grandchildren – Leland and Blaine Kuehne; Siblings – Clarence, Lawrence, Eddie, Harry Olson, Ella DeShaw, and Wilma Bernard.
Due to COVID-19 guidelines we are asked to keep attendance at the services limited to 30 individuals. Masks are required for all public services.
Condolences for the family can be left by using the form below.
Service Schedule
Viewing
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday November 24, 2020
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Wednesday November 25, 2020
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Service Schedule
Viewing
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday November 24, 2020
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
1:00 p.m.
Wednesday November 25, 2020
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Daryl & Brenda Sievers says
So sorry for your loss Whitmus family. God rest her soul.
Donna Mann says
Clovie was one of the sweetest ladies I have known. May she rest in peace and probably has her computer with her. Wish there was more people like her and I would bet she was one of the oldest from Wolf Point, My condolences to her family and many friends.
Donna Mann
Beverly Evans says
We are so sorry to hear Clovie past she always knew me when I visited did not get to see her this past summer.
Karen & Tim Sorley says
Oh Clovie, what a wonderful lady! She was absolutely a joy to visit with, and that memory of hers was nothing less than mind blowing! When I saw that she only missed her birthday by 5 days it made me so sad knowing how much she loved celebrating with all of her family and friends. After thinking about it I realized how wrong I was, this year she gets to celebrate with all of her loved ones that have passed on before her, and best of all celebrating with our loving God, it doesn’t get much better than that! Our sympathy is extended out to all of Clovie’s family, she was an absolute gem!💕
Connie Dahl says
I will miss Aunt Clovie. She was my grandmothers favorite aunt and my favorite great great aunt. Her compassion and concern for others was evidence of her caretaker heart. Love and prayers to all.
JOHN DOUGLAS says
To the family of Clovie, she was a very sweet lady and will be missed. God has a very great helper up there because she was a hard worker on earth. Prayers to the family. Sincerely Phyllis and Sonny Douglas
Darron Tolan says
Clovie Olson Kuehne, my grandmother, passed in the early morning of the 17th of November 2020. She was just a few days shy of 109 years old, was 2nd generation and 100% Norwegian, farmer her entire life and proud card-carrying Democrat. On one of my visits with her, I brought her Stawberry ice cream, and she showed me a letter that the Obama’s sent her honoring her status as a Centenarian and her Democratic National Committee card. On another visit with her, she emphatically stated, “I never voted for a Republican and never will!”(she was about 101 at that time). She always talked about how the Works Progress Administration (WPA) – part of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal – put Paul Kuehne, her husband and my Grandfather, back to paying work that saved their farm in Eastern Montana during the Great Depression. She lived during WWI, The Flu of 1918, Electrification, The passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, The Great Depression, WWII, The Berlin Airlift, the UFO crash at Roswell, and establishment of the Department of the Air Force and the CIA in 1947, McCarthyism, The Cold War, Vietnam, The Sputnik 1 and 1st Man on the Moon, Watergate, the OPEC fuel embargo and Peace Divided years, Glasnost and the tearing down of The Berlin Wall, The Global War on Terror, and of course was very lucid even through this year’s Presidential election. Throughout it all she kept her family together, communicating through Letters and Christmas Cards until she just couldn’t write anymore. She knew all the details of her kids’, grandchildren’s, and great grandchildren’s lives and always supported them with words of encouragement and soft-spoken advice. Matriarch of her ever growing family, she always had a home-cooked breakfast and dinner on the table where all her guests gathered and nobody went hungry. Her home was a home of warmth and love. Of course, Lefse (and Sanka dehydrated coffee) were always available as a staple and cold beer was the refreshment on all those afternoons from seeding through harvest and bailing. Mello Yellow was her favorite soda-pop. She was a steadfast Lutheran and an expert pinochle player, often frequenting the senior citizens center with her Husband Paul, who preceded her in death in 1992. Christmas was always filled with lots of presents, a large family meal with traditional turkey, and all of the ‘fixings’, with joyful holiday cheer – and yes – this is all a true story. She had a happy life of 109 years – not without sorrow or loss or pain – but a life well lived complete with a loving legacy. I love you Grandma Clovie ♥️.
Lynnette DeShaw says
Best memories: Even if you popped in unannounced she had to cook for you. The table was always set. Best old fashioned fried chicken ever! She aways welcomed everyone. Felt so homey and comfortable there.
Ed Cheeney says
It is with great sadness upon hearing of Clovie’s passing. What a wonderful kind and generous woman who always treated me personally as if I were one of her own. Baked goods and huge gardens down on Redwater was her specialty and was more than willing to share her bounty. I will always fondly remember Clovie’s neighborly friendship and joy that she brought to myself and my family.
Carroll & Lorna (Kuehne) Lambrecht says
We were so sad to here of Clovie passing . Our whole Minnesota family had many great times together with them. They always wanted to know how everyone was. Loved to play cards and make a meal . She was a very special lady.