Earl Ronald Olson, 81, of Helena was called home to Valhalla on Saturday, May 2, 2020 just before 11 p.m. His last days were spent surrounded by family and friends, talking about the better times and watching old re-runs of Gunsmoke.
Earl Olson was born on August 28, 1938 in Ashland, Wisconsin to Edwin Olson and Mildred (Chapin) Olson. He grew up in Drummond, Wisconsin and graduated from Drummond High School in 1957. He played basketball and ran track. In the fall he would often hunt deer on the way home from school. Earl took a trip out to Montana with a friend after graduation, and made up his mind that Montana was where he wanted to spend his life.
Earl graduated from the Ashland County Teachers College in June of 1960 and soon found employment in Poplar, Montana. He enjoyed teaching there for the next 10 years, and loved hunting deer and antelope as well as pheasants every Fall. Earl fell in love with Peggy Voorhees and they were married on March 5, 1965. Earl and Peggy had one child, Cory, in March of 1969. Earl earned a Bachelor of Science degree in June of 1969 from Northern Montana College, and was hired by the Helena School District in 1970. He taught 5th and 6th grade at Broadwater School for the next 29 years, retiring in 1999. Hundreds of children in Helena had Earl for a teacher, and he sometimes taught several generations of the same family. Kids were always stopping by the house or coming up in public to say hello and thank him for being their favorite teacher.
Peggy ran a daycare for most of the time Earl taught school, catering to teacher’s children so she could have the same vacation schedule as Earl. The family fished and Earl hunted as much as he could, loving nothing more than catching big trout and spending time with his family. He painted houses in the summer for nearly 25 years.
Cory and his wife, Marilyn Wine-Olson, blessed Earl and Peggy with 4 grandchildren that Peggy took care of and often spoiled. Peggy passed away unexpectedly in December of 2005, leaving Earl missing her every day thereafter.
Earl loved all things Wisconsin, amateur photography, aircraft of all kinds, the Green Bay Packers, The Montana State Bobcats and collecting Browning and Ruger shotguns. He had quite the collection and was a well known and loved fixture at the Helena Trap Club. Earl was also very proud of his Norwegian heritage and was proud to teach his son and grandchildren about their Viking background. He loved John Wayne and Clint Eastwood westerns and teaching others to shoot and fish. He was a long-time member of the Prickly Pear Sportsman’s Association, The Helena Trap Club, and was a volunteer hunter’s education instructor for 20 years. He will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, love of children, willingness to always lend a hand, and his sly sense of humor.
Earl never flinched when he learned his life was coming to an end, and showed incredible courage and resolve until his last breath, he never once felt sorry for himself and spoke often about how lucky he was and how great a life he had lived.
Earl leaves behind their son Cory, favorite daughter-in-law Marilyn, grandchildren Tavia Wine, Tianna, Reece and Tashia Olson, brother Rick (Nancy) Olson of Wisconsin, Sister Julie Bray of Minnesota, special Sisters-and Brother-in-Law Jean Anne and Gary Schneider of Billings, Montana, and Iris Riddle of Michigan, numerous nieces and nephews, and best friend Jay Ramlo. He is preceeded in death by his parents, wife Peggy, and niece Karen LaPointe. He will be missed everyday. The family would like to thank Saint Peter’s Hospice for their care of Earl in his last days
A service celebrating Earl’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 27th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home. Earl was laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorials in Earl’s name made to The Helena Trap Club.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
1:00 p.m.
Saturday June 27, 2020
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Celebration of His Life
Saturday June 27, 2020
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
1:00 p.m.
Saturday June 27, 2020
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Celebration of His Life
Saturday June 27, 2020
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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Anita Ann Mehus says
Earl was my neighbor and friend. He was always funny and kind. We talked weekly and I enjoyed planting flowers with him. He will be forever missed by me and my girls. Earl has a such a loving family. He spoke of his grandkids all the time.
GOD BLESS you Earl.
– The Mehus Family
scott Swingley says
Cory, Marilyn and family. Earl was one of the last true great men of his era. I clearly see the legacy he’s left in all of you. I feel very blessed to have known Earl and can only imagine how much you miss him. We are praying for all of you.
Swingley Family
Elizabeth says
Mr. Olson was mine and my older sisters fifth grade teacher and when my son went to Broadwater School, Mr Olson still remembered our names, even though it had been over 20 years. I still remember how he would start his stories with “when I was a little girl” or his airplanes hanging in his classroom and how he would stop class to see what kind of an airplane it was.
You were an amazing man Mr. Olson, they don’t make em like you any more.
Tom Kain says
Cory and Family, I am sorry for your loss. Earl was such a great guy! I have many good memories of growing up in the neighborhood and how great Earl and Peggy were to me and my family. He was such a fixture at Broadwater School for many years, I never had him as an actual teacher when I attended there but everyone knew the positive impact he had on the whole building. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bob Meyer says
. Earl was my neighbor and friend really enjoyed time spent with him. He will be missed. Sorry for your lose.
Lorraine Karwaski says
Cory and family, I’m so sorry to hear about Earl. He was a great guy and a great Hunter Ed instructor. Had many fine memories of him and the crew of Helena instructors over the years. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Cari Hutchison says
Mr. Olson was my 6th grade teacher over 40 years ago and I remember him as clearly as if it was yesterday. Despite his gruff nature, we loved him! He was so witty and funny, once you got past that stern exterior. If anyone had an issue with a bully, Mr. Olson was the guy to fix it. I ran into him about 10 years ago in the grocery store and he remembered not only my name, but also both of my siblings. Truly an amazing and caring man. Sending my heartfelt condolences to the family. He made a difference in thousands of lives.
Constance Cole says
David and I loved Earl. We knew him through the Helena Trap Club where Earl helped out with the POPS organization and with registered shoots. Dave and Earl ran the On Deck board for several years together. Earl would have us laughing with his stories for most of the day. A couple of my favorites were the transparent fish from his teaching days and the bird in the tire shop. He was a wicked story teller! Always kind and supportive, he was never happier than to be with Cory and Reese shooting at the Trap Club. We hope he’s looking down on us from the hallowed halls of Valhalla with his beloved wife at his side. We miss him terribly. Our love to his family, David and Connie Cole
BONNIE says
Cory and Family, I’m so sorry to hear that Earl has passed. He and Peggy were some of the very best next door neighbors.
Randi O'Shea says
To Mr. Olson’s wonderful family-
I had him as my fifth grade teacher at Broadwater Elementary School. He was my all time favorite teacher and even after I went on to middle school and high school I would see him around and we would talk about how his family was and how I was doing and my family was doing. My dad would see him out and about and always talk with him about everything under the sun. I sure loved Mr. Olson. I remember you could get him to talk about planes and he would talk all day about them and we would get out of school work. He would also laugh and tell us stories about giving his grandkids money and he just loved to give one of them a dollar in quarters and give the other a dollar bill and he thought it was so funny that they would fight and argue over the money. He was an amazing teacher and he was a awesome friend. He definitely holds a special place in my heart and he will truly be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.
Derek Oberg says
I’m late to this but he was hands down the best teacher I ever had. A couple years before he retired. Was thinking about him today and people were talking best teachers. He was awesome and made school fun, and interesting.