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Florence Olson Obituary
ANACONDA - Florence H. Olson died peacefully of congestive heart failure Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2007, in the Waterford in Butte.
Flo was born in Anaconda on March 28, 1915, the second oldest of a family of seven girls and one boy, born to Charlotte and Ray Reardon.
She attended school in Anaconda, graduating from Anaconda High School at the age of 16. While in high school, she worked at the Bluebird Theater as an usherette and played the French horn in the school band. She attended Montana State Normal College in Dillon for two years, where she earned a lifetime teaching certificate. She then taught four years in the rural schools of Deer Lodge County, her first assignment being the one-room Quinlan Schoolhouse in Racetrack.
In December 1936, she married Roy Olson, who was an IBM supervisor in the payroll department at the Anaconda Smelter. Together they raised three sons and one daughter.
After the war in 1947, she taught four years in the Anaconda parochial schools, and then became Deer Lodge County Superintendent of Schools. When her husband died in 1959, she returned to the classroom, teaching in the Anaconda elementary schools. She earned her bachelor's degree in education in 1970 by attending Western Montana College, Dillon, evenings and summers.
After retiring in 1978, she enjoyed seeing her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, traveling to their many graduations, weddings, and family affairs.
In 1999, due to poor vision caused by macular degeneration, she moved to the Waterford in Butte, where she enjoyed socializing with the staff and her multiple friends and family.
She was best known for her phenomenal memory, serving as the unofficial family historian who never forgot names, dates or facts. She was also known and remembered by the many students she taught in Anaconda, often described as "the best teacher I ever had." She is particularly admired by family and friends for her remarkable attitude in dealing with the loss of vision, commenting that she thanked God every morning for what she could see, rather than complaining about what she could not see.
Besides her husband, Roy, she was preceded in death by her son, Charlie; grandson, Scott MacDonald; and sisters, Marie Reardon, Eleanor Merrick, Rita Solan and Jerry Jenkins.
Survivors include her son, Dr. Don (Joanne) Olson and their children, Dr. Kevin (Lisa) Olson, Dr. Terry (Jennifer) Olson, Laurie (Jeff) White and Michelle (Tomas') Navarro, all of Portland, Ore., and Paul (Tammy) Olson of Omaha, Neb.; daughter, Charlotte MacDonald; son-in-law, Fraser MacDonald, and their children, Lynn (Leo) Myers, Laurie (Perry) Hawbaker of Butte and Terry (Alyssa) MacDonald of Missoula; son, Jim (Colleen) Olson, Carson City, Nev., and their children, Greg (Denise) Olson of San Diego, Karey (Gordon) Conn of Helena, Jamie Olson of Washington, D.C., Molly (Kyle) Walt of Carson City, and Brien (Tyler) Hangas of Missoula; and daughter-in-law, Jeanne Olson of Phoenix, and her children, Lisa Olson, New York City, Michael (Natalie) Olson, Flagstaff, Ariz., Craig (Jennifer) Olson, San Antonio, and Karen (Chris) Osborn, Mill Valley, Calif.; and 34 great-grandchildren, whose names and birthdays she never forgot. She is also survived by her sisters, Gertrude Flynn of Anaconda, Charlotte Stensvold of San Francisco; brother, Jim Reardon of Napa, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews, who were also a very big part of her life.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday in St. Peter's Church in Anaconda, with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. in the church.
Memorials: Scott MacDonald Memorial Fund, 36 St. Andrews Drive, Butte, MT 59701, or a charity of choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Florence Olson
Bill Haffey
January 31, 2007
Our sincere sympathy to all the Olson families.
Charlie & Diane Delaney
January 29, 2007
Dear Charlotte & Family
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We know you and your Mom had a special bond - may treasured memories give you peace.
Emily Stenson - Waterford
January 29, 2007
Dear Charlotte & Family-
On behalf of all staff & residents at Waterford, we are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear "Flo." She was a fabulous woman in so many special ways. She could turn your day around for the better with a simple phrase. She taught us so much. She will be sincerely missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
Bobbie Hiner
January 29, 2007
Dear Charlotte,Jim and families,
Sincere condolences at the death of your mom. She was most certainly a wonderful lady! I spent many a summer day with the MacDonald kids at Flo's house...wonderful memories of all of you! Bobbie (Tracy) Hiner
Rex & Marlene Lewis
January 28, 2007
Dear Charlotte, Don, Jim & Family,
We will remember all of you in our hearts and prayers. So sorry we will not be able to offer our condolances in person, but Rex has an appointment in Bozeman and we will be out of town. Your mom was a super woman and raised a wonderful family. God Bless You All ~~
Mary Ellen Jacques
January 28, 2007
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Flo was very special to me as we grew up around the Gert Flynn house!
Mary Ellen & Mick Jacques
Tisha Talikka
January 27, 2007
My deepest sympathy is extended to your family in the loss of your Mother.
Kate Stetzner
January 27, 2007
Charlotte,
You were so good to your mom. She was a very special lady! Love you, Kate
Bonnie Wilson
January 26, 2007
Auntie Flo- You taught us well; "take each day ss it comes and make the best of each day". Wise words from a "very special" daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, friend and teacher. You are missed!!
Joe Dziak
January 26, 2007
Such fond memories of the Olson house hold growing up in Anaconda.My condolences to all. Joe Dziak.
Bert & Katy West
January 26, 2007
Dear Charlotte & Family.
Our deepest sympathy to you all on the loss of your dear Mom.
May God Bless you all.
Mick and Mary Lou Sullivan
January 26, 2007
Dear Don, Charlotte and Jim:
Please accept our deepest sympathies in this time of your loss. We know it has been rough for your mother and for you kids too for the past few months. She is truly in a better place today. So while we mourn her passing we know she is at peace. She and your families will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Tom Solan
January 26, 2007
Charlotte, Don, Jimmy and all of the family. In my mind Flo will always be an Anaconda Legend. What a wonderful lady. Rita Solan was my Aunt. I still recall Flo teaching Irish History in the 8th grade at St. Pauls in 1952. Also at Bingo with my Mom Jean. My praysers and best to all the family. Tom Solan
tricia myers
January 26, 2007
Flo was a special lady. She is in my thoughts and prayers.
Bonnie Joseph
January 26, 2007
Charolotte,
I am so sorry to read about the passing of your mom. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers!
Ty Myers
January 26, 2007
She was my Grandma.She put the GRAND in grandma.She would always be happy.If you were down she would always entertain you with her stories.I loved her very much and she'll be in our hearts forever.
Linda Redfern
January 26, 2007
Flo and I shared many laughs at the teas I held at Waterford years ago. She was a wonderful, delightful lady and I will remember her fondly. God Bless you Flo.
Law Risken
January 26, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Olson's family. She was a remarkable Lady and is now in a better place.
Michael Reardon
January 26, 2007
May the angels lead you into Paradise, with much love and with so many wonderful memories,
Ron & Mona Kriskovich
January 26, 2007
With deepest sympathy to the olson family. Dr. Don your mother was a great lady i know you and the rest of the family will miss her dearly. May she rest in peace.
Pamela Cunningham
January 26, 2007
I know words can not take away the pain, but please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. May God bess you all. My condolences are with you during this sad time.
Jean Lalonde-Ziober
January 26, 2007
I was fortunate to have visited with Mrs Olson this past summer. What a wonderful conversation we had. Her memory was so exceptional, it was like talking about yesterday. I treasure that visit and offer Don, Char, Jim and their families my deepest condolences. May she rest in peace.
Joe Powers
January 26, 2007
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Grandma Flo was always very sweet and kind to me and my family.
Nancy Stavanja
January 26, 2007
No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.
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