Glenn Olson
Glenn Olson, age 85, of Glendive, passed peacefully Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, at the Glendive Medical Center Extended Care where he had been a resident since February.
B orn May 8, 1935 (his father's 50th birthday), Glenn was the second child of Sigurd and Johanna (Rise) Olson of Oberon, N.D. Raised on the family homestead in Lallie Twp, Glenn and his brother Sigurd Jr. quickly learned the lessons of early rising, early to bed and numerous chores. As was often the custom, only Norwegian was spoken in the home so they knew little English early on. The brothers attended nearby Lakeview country school, riding a horse-drawn cutter to school in winter months. At home, they helped to raise crops, hay, cattle, horses, pigs and chickens and were active in 4H for many years.
Theirs is the last generation to witness the fading era of steam engines, threshing bees, implements driven by actual horsepower and magnificent Norwegian feasts. By their teens, modernization was well underway, with the family moving into a newly- built home in 1948 — fitted for electricity and running water. The first combine on the place was a John Deere 25 Turtle Back Sigurd Sr. bought in 1953. Not much larger than a couple garden tractors, two people standing either side could reach over the top and shake hands. When Glenn was 22, he and Sigurd took over full operation of the farm. Glenn ran it solo (with the aid of his brother-in-law Gene Garske) while Sigurd left for the Army in 1958.
On Sept. 21, 1957, Glenn married Lorraine Garske of Devils Lake, N.D., at the Benson County Courthouse in Minnewaukan, N.D. They took residence on the farm until the return of Sigurd in 1961. Glenn and his growing family then followed the ‘60s oil boom across the Hi-Line of North Dakota and Montana as he worked the oil rigs. Glenn and Lorraine settled in Wolf Point in 1963 where they remained for 23 years to raise their five children (except for a brief residence in Kettle Falls, Wash., 1969-70). Early in this period, they renewed their wedding vows at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wolf Point.
After four years in the oil field, Glenn tried his hand at trucking for Tesoro (later Kenco) Refinery in 1965, hauling fuel and crude for several operators including John Ille, Norv Langager and Rice Trucklines. Around 1978, Glenn went into business for himself, forming Glenn Olson Trucking. He and Waldo Wall split driving duties running jet fuel to Minot AFB. During 40+ years on the road, Glenn made full use of the nine lives afforded a fuel hauler — whether it was saving his truck from sliding backwards on icy roads and down a ravine, or racing his Ford pickup at top speed to deliver a badly burned co-worker to the emergency room 10 miles away, or he and Waldo running in four directions at once as the tanker truck they stood next to exploded in a fireball under the refinery loading rack. Following the ‘85 refinery shutdown, Glenn and Lorraine relocated to Glendive in 1986 where they remained. Glenn's last years on the road were with Dixon Bros.
Glenn and Lorraine loved traveling, landscaping, gardening, working on projects in and around their dream home, bowling and playing cards with family and friends into the wee hours. They particularly loved laughing and swapping tall tales with anyone dropping in for a visit. Glenn also enjoyed country music, an occasional backroom poker game and hunting and fishing in his earlier years. They were members of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Glendive and formerly First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point.
Glenn is lovingly remembered by his brother, Sigurd of Oberon, N.D.; daughters, Victoria Rice of Spokane, Wash., and Rebecca (Bruce) Williams of Billings; sons, Jerry of Louisville, Colo., and Steve of Glendive; grandchildren, Andy Kastner of Aurora, Colo., Jennifer Kastner of Gillette, Wyo., and Kiko Lopez of Rapid City, S.D.; and seven great-grandchildren.
His wife, Lorraine, preceded him in death Nov. 7, 2019. Also preceding him were his parents; daughter, Sandra Lopez; and granddaughters, Rikki Kastner and Crystal Boysun.
Cremation has taken place and memorial services will be held in 2021. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with arrangements. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.silhafuneralhomes. com.
(Paid Obituary)
