Keith’s Obituary
Keith “Oly” Martin Olson
On the afternoon of Wednesday, May 20th, 2020, Keith passed away at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake, WA as a result of a cardiac arrest due to a sudden gastrointestinal bleed. Keith was 37 years old.
Keith Olson was born in Billings, MT on January 17th, 1983. He was the first child, and only son, of Connie Louise and Thomas Martin Olson.
Keith spent his childhood years in Glendive, MT. His family spent many weeks each year camping, fishing, and hunting, which fostered his deep love for the outdoors. He participated in Boy Scouts through Middle School. He also enjoyed shooting archery and rifle, having bonfires, helping at friend’s ranch brandings, and helping friends on their farms. He was also very involved in high school athletics at DCHS, including football, wrestling, track and field, and weightlifting.
After high school, Keith moved to Bozeman and attended classes at MSU- Bozeman for Engineering. He described this period as “taking the frontage road of life” to his true passion, which ended up being attending Helena College and earning his AAS in Aviation Maintenance Technology. After a couple career changes, he ended up working as an Aircraft Maintenance Tech and Team Lead for Boeing. While he was on the Flight Test Crew, he was able to visit multiple countries.
The love of Keith’s life were his children, his son Hawken who was born in 2014, and his step-daughter Bailey, who came into his life in 2010. He loved both children so much he got tattoos representing their names over his heart. He lived to spend time with them and give them experiences. He took them fishing, swimming, flying kites, to Seahawk games, on outdoor adventures to the mountains and to the beach, bowling, and many others too numerous to mention.
Keith also had a way about him of making friends into family. Even though he went through many trials, he lived with an open heart. He was exceptional at shooting the breeze and finding common ground, and then entertaining them with his unique personality. He had such a fun sense of humor that he expressed through creating and posting inappropriate memes, karaoke, and dancing. He also enjoyed philosophizing, teaching, and encouraging others to widen their horizons and experience the good things in life. Keith was always about the journey, not the destination. He made the most of each phase of life, and lived each moment to its fullest.
Keith is survived by his son, Hawken Olson, step-daughter Bailey Eden, mother Connie Olson, sister Angela Wubben, brother-in-law Mike Wubben, nephew Kal Wubben, niece Kailee Wubben, aunt Jane Omdahl, uncle Richard Olson, aunt Carol Olson, cousin Adam Omdahl, and many relatives in South Dakota. He is also survived by many special friends he considered family. He will be deeply missed.
Keith was preceded in death by his father Thomas Olson and nephew Jace Wubben.
Memorials suggested to: Connie Olson, 1108 Prospect Ave, Helena, MT, 59601.
A Private family service will be held, and livestreamed on Facebook. A public bbq on June 1st from 12:30 to 5:00 pm at the Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds Pavilion.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
Facebook Live at 11:00 am
Monday June 1, 2020
Helena , Montana 59601
Reception
12:30 to 5:00
Monday June 1, 2020
Lewis and Clark Fairground Pavillion
Helena , Montana 59601
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Gloria Buhring says
Connie and family sending you prayers and words of comfort for the loss of your son and brother. May he Rest In Peace. God Bless You All.
Shanna Littrell says
He was an absolute shining light! Gone way to soon, I feel lucky to have known Keith
for the short time I did, but he was always genuine and happy to help. Will miss him and his fun spirit around here, hope he is fishing and hunting with his daddy!
Ginger Pulse says
Connie and family – Our thoughts are prayers are with you all. His smile and spirit are always with you in your heart. Take Care and God Bless!
Joe Scanlan says
My Heart breaks for your family, I worked with Keith for a time and he was such a great guy. Keith always brought a smile on the face of everyone who he was around. I found a immediate kinship with him, being a fellow Montanan and a fellow alum of the A&P school in Helena. We would go a time with out talking to each other, but it was like no time had gone by when our paths would cross again. May he Rest in Peace, my prayers for his family.
Linda L Hoenigsberg says
I read Keith’s obituary in the IR this morning. Although I never met Keith, I couldn’t help but read it when I saw the photo of this smiling young man. The obituary was so touching and a wonderful tribute to Keith. I know all who knew him on earth will miss him. I am so sorry for your loss.
Bonnie B Omdahl says
He certainly had a larger than life personality. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Michael Evans says
Keith never shied away from anything, and at the same time, he could be so humble you’d think he was a monk. I remember when we all begged him to take the Lead spot, “Dude, you HAVE to become a Lead, and when you do, please transfer me to your team!”
Of course, the entire shift wanted to be on Keith’s team. And every time, his answer was, “Oh, nah I wouldn’t be a good lead, that’s not for me….”
And so, he became one out here in Moses Lake finally, because of popular demand. The following day, we all compared with each other, “Did you make Keith’s team?”
I will miss my brother. Introducing my son to him and his son to me was something we always wanted to do; my sons name being Ethan, and his sons name being Hawken, we thought it’d be funny to have Ethan Hawken running around causing trouble. To Angela, Hawken and all the rest of Keith’s family- the world felt his loss, we will miss him sorely.
Gloria Davis says
Dear Connie and Family, our family shares in your sorrow. We loved him when he was apart of our family. He was a wonderful young man. Joe has very fond memories of him and holds Keith in a special place in his heart. We will be praying for you all. God bless.
Laurie Kops says
Connie….I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your son. I can’t imagine what you’re going through….just know there are so many who care deeply and are here to support you. Much love to you and your family.
Laurie
Derik McClintock says
No matter what he was going through, he would always bring a bigger than the world smile to where ever he was and what ever he was doing..
Not afraid to enjoy every moment!
A huge beacon of how life is supposed to be lived Taking challenges head on. And beating them and saying whats next.
A man I am proud to call brother.
Jill ebner says
Keith sure enjoyed Life and as Lee’s wife, I was very lucky to be able to meet him and spend some time with him while the guys were working on remotes! Keith will be missed. Sorry for your loss!
Lee Ebner says
Keith was such a nice guy to know and work with it’s like loosing a brother for me and most of the people that we worked with in flight test at Boeing.
So so sorry for your loss, there will be a hole in our hearts for ever, I only have good memories of Keith.
Lee
Jahmal Bethel says
Truly, I say, an awesome person has left the Boeing family. Gone to soon. Rest in Peace brother.
My heartfelt condolences to his children and family.
John O’Brien says
I’ve had the privilege of being one of Keith’s manager’s in Flight Test. I have so many memories of Keith but one that sticks out is him running up to me one morning when we were in Barbados with a baby sea turtle in his hand with the biggest smile on his face showing me what he’d found. He was such a gentle soul and kind to everyone. Broke my heart when I heard Keith had passed away. Keith was more like family to me than an employee and I’ll miss our early morning conversations after shift was over on remote just hanging out and because of those talks I know Keith’s just fine. My condolences to his family …. just remember him and that smile he always had and know it’s even bigger now. I pray for the peace of God to surround you all during this hard time.
Tyler Pust says
Keith was my classmate.
Sorry about your loss.
Dennis Reindl says
Keith was one of the most generous and nice persons that I’ve ever worked with. I will always remember the conversations we had the few times we went and had lunch at work.
My condolences go out to his family. He will be forever missed.
Dennis
Brad Bantilan says
Keith was young, ambitious, hard worker, team player and a good friend. Keith was my Team lead on one of the test programs. What I liked about Keith was willing to learn and help one another. When he wasn’t busy he did not mind getting his hands dirty with his crew, it was about getting the job done. After work sitting around drinking a beer with coworkers or just smoking a cigar going over what was accomplished and what to expect the next day was gratifying it showed he cared and was ready for the next day. Keith had this smile always will remember he will be missed by friends, coworkers, and by me. My condolences to your family.
Aloha Brad
David Omdahl says
Words cannot express my sorrow and condolences to my sister Connie and my niece Angela and her family! I’ve always been so proud of Keith and will miss his dynamic personality, smile, and the person he was. We will miss him. I pray that God gives you strength in this most difficult time. God Bless!
Adam Omdahl says
Growing up, Keith and I always shared a fondness for nature, the outdoors, and bugs specifically – although the last one might’ve been more of my favorite than his…but of course you’d never know because Keith was such a go-with-the-flow kind of guy. One particular summer during our childhood, I think we spent every waking hour outside; playing basketball, exploring, and having fun. Oh, and we would laugh until our faces hurt. ALL. THE. TIME. Keith had a unique and witty sense of humor and he always knew how to make anyone around him smile. Although our distance apart and life in general always made visits challenging, I knew, every time we reunited, we picked up where we left off. You were a cousin to me and although I grew up as an only child, you always felt like a brother. Someone I could relate to in so many ways. You were an amazing father and beautiful soul. I love you bro.
Seth Newton says
I’ll always remember the many times he came out to the ranch to help. One time in particular, Keith and a few other friends helped roll up miles of an old barbwire fence. Was quite the backcountry trek to get there then working up and down rough country all day. Keith made the day go so great and turned a grueling job into a good time. I’ll always be thankful for knowing him and how good he was.
SaintJohn says
Keith was a great personality to have around us flight test workers. He never tried to hog the spotlight nor did he ever sit back and do nothing. Keith was just always there with a smile and ready to help whomever with any situation they are involved with. During my last flight test remote to Roswell New Mexico, Keith and I shared a rental car together and had much time to share our thoughts . We were both Born in Montana and that gave us a Shared feelings , when we would call Each other Montana brothers. One night while driving home from a Long days work remote … I asked Keith a typical question Of “ What are we doing here Keith ? His response was that we were “living the Montana dream”. and that was so true to the heart of us Montana brothers.
Rest in peace my friend
SaintJohn
Fran Ohara says
Connie – sorry for your loss.
Beckie Furrow Casey says
Dear Connie and Keith,
I am truly sorry for the loss of your son! Sounds like he was a bright light in the world. May you find comfort.
Beckie, Old college friend