Elmer Adolph Olson, Sr.

KALISPELL — Former St. Ignatius resident and school official Elmer Adolph Olson, Sr., 94, died on April 27, 2005, at his residence in Kalispell. He was born on June 21, 1910, at Ray, N.D., the fifth of 10 children born to Alfred and Emma M. (Johnson) Olson.

He attended schools in Ray, N.D. and graduated from Ray High School is 1929. He attended Minot Teachers College majoring in history with a minor in English. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1931; he received his master's degree from Western Montana College in Dillon. He later attended the University working on his doctorate. He received his doctorate from the University of Illinois.

On June 21, 1932, his 22nd birthday, he married Irene A. Hartsoch in Williston, N.D. He farmed and taught school in North Dakota until 1954 when the family moved to Montana.

He was principal and superintendent in various locations in Montana, including Baker, Glasgow, Frazer, Stevensville, and St. Ignatius where he and Irene had purchased a small ranch where they lived while he taught in St.Ignatius and following his retirement.

They moved to Kalispell in 1976. He was an avid reader.

He loved to read and study, a trait that he passed on to his children. He was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and also a member of the Montana Education Association.

He is survived by his wife, Irene Olson, of Kalispell; son Gerald M. Olson of Clarkston, Wash.; daughters Carole M. O'Donnell of Baker, and Virginia Perzinski of Kalispell; a sister, Ruth Whitesell, of Grangeville, Idaho; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held May 2 at the Johnson Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Tom Glatts of the Seventh Day Adventist Church officiating.

The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to the American Cancer Society, 3550 Mullan Road, Ste. 105, Missoula, MT 59808, or to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Rocky Mountain Chapter, 600 N. Curtis Road, Ste. 245, Boise, Idaho 83706. Burial will follow at C.E.Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Elmer's family.