Mack C. Olson

ST. IGNATIUS — On Dec. 10, 2007, Mack C. Olson died due to injuries received in an auto accident.

Mack was born to Lloyd and Jo Ann Olson in Grinnell, Iowa, on Jan. 5, 1966. He graduated from BGM High School in Brooklyn, Iowa, in 1985. Mack's interest in the beef industry drove him to enroll in the beef program at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho. During college, Mack did internships at various ranches including Nelson Angus Ranch in Salmon, Idaho, and Sitz Angus Ranch in Harrison. After graduating from college, he went to work for B & L Angus Ranch in Shawnee, Okla.

In 1988, Mack went to work for Stewart Angus Ranch where he met his true love and companion forever, Wendy Stein. On Nov. 24, 1990, Mack and Wendy were married in Lewistown. For the next few years, Mack had his own Custom Feeding and Fitting Business, traveling to various shows to fit show cattle. In 1991, Mack and Wendy moved to Midway, Utah, where Mack managed River Meadows Ranch and later Duncan Angus Ranch in Aberdeen, Idaho. In September of 1992, they were blessed with their first child, Kyla Shelby.

The Olsons moved to St. Ignatius in 1994 to manage the Inniway Angus Ranch for their dear friends, Bill and Pert Wunderlich. It didn't take long for Mack and Wendy to fall in love with the Mission Valley. They thought it would be the perfect place to raise their family. Their son Kane Tanner was born in January of 2000.

After the Inniway Angus Ranch dispersed in 2002, Mack had the privilege of joining the Mytty Angus Ranch program. With cattle spread from the Bitterroot Valley to the Mission Mountains, Mack and Kevin Mytty established a herd of Registered Angus Cattle that are known worldwide.

Mack was a proud member of the American Angus Association, the Montana Angus Association, the Western Montana Angus Association and was a director for the Western Montana Stockgrowers Association. He was also a beef superintendent for Lake County 4-H. Mack was very involved in the local 4-H club and truly loved working with all of the kids.

Mack had a passion for cattle and an eye to fit the champion of champions. He was always willing to share his knowledge as well as his smile with all of his friends. In 1995, one of Mack's greatest accomplishments was winning the Herdsman Award at the Western National Angus Futurity in Reno, Nevada.

Mack lived for his family and touched the hearts of many. He will be missed by all who were blessed with the opportunity to know him.

Survivors include his wife Wendy; daughter Kyla; son Kane; parents, Lloyd and Jo Ann Olson; brothers, Marc (Lori) Olson, Matthew (Lori) Olson, sisters, Mindy (Dean) Huls and Molly (Tom) Judy, all from Iowa; father-in-law Tony (Lori) Stein; brother-in-law Wade (Debbie) Stein of Lewistown; sister-in-law Rachel Stein of Seattle, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Dec. 15 at the United Methodist Church north of St. Ignatius. Interment was Dec. 18, at the Family Cabin in Utica.

A memorial in memory of Mack has been set up at the Lake County Bank, PO Box 664, St. Ignatius, MT 59865.