Othelia Leelyla 'Lee' Olson
February 23, 1918 - June 8, 2013
Othelia “Lee” Olson, died peacefully, with her family by her side, on June 8, 2013, at St. Peter's Hospital. She was 95 years old.
Lee was born to Mathilda and Ludwig Roth, on a farm in New Leipzig, ND, she moved to Missoula to live with an aunt where she finished her education.
Lee married Barney Olson in Helena on February 8, 1941. They had five children.
Lee enjoyed her baking, needlepoint, crocheting, her yard and walking. She would walk several miles a day for most of her life and participated in the governor's cup 10k, taking 2nd place in her age group at 78 years old.
Surviving her are her five children, Barney (Peggy) Olson Jr., of Omaha, NE, Arlene (Wally) McHenry, of Conrad, MT, Janice (Dick) Pallach, of Story, WY, Dixie (Ron) Brookings, of Sun River, MT, and Greg (Mary) Olson of Missoula, MT. Also surviving Lee are three sisters, Helen Schneider, Olivia Ellingson, Mabel Thompson, and one brother Richard Roth. Lee had thirteen grandchildren and twenty-nine great grandchildren.
Preceding Lee in death were her parents, four sisters, four brothers, her husband Barney, grandson Gary Jennings McHenry, and great granddaughter Emma Grace Madsen.
Family will begin to receive friends from 4-6 pm, Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at Retz Funeral Home, 315 E. Sixth Ave. A memorial service celebrating Lee’s life will be held at 10 am on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at St. Paul's Methodist Church, 512 Logan Street, Helena. A reception will be held downstairs in the social hall of the church following the service with burial to follow the reception at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Memorials in Lee’s name may be sent to an organization of donor’s choice. To offer a condolence to the family or share a memory of Lee, please visit below.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10 a.m.
Wednesday June 12, 2013
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan Street
Helena , mt 59601
Reception
10:50 a.m. to 12:30 pm
Wednesday June 12, 2013
St. Pauls United Methodist Church
512 Logan Street
Helena, Mt 59601
Graveside Service
12:30 p.m.
Wednesday June 12, 2013
Sunset Memorial Gardens
Helena , Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10 a.m.
Wednesday June 12, 2013
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
512 Logan Street
Helena , mt 59601
Reception
10:50 a.m. to 12:30 pm
Wednesday June 12, 2013
St. Pauls United Methodist Church
512 Logan Street
Helena, Mt 59601
Graveside Service
12:30 p.m.
Wednesday June 12, 2013
Sunset Memorial Gardens
Helena , Montana 59602
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Mary says
Lee was quite the baker. She made the best date cookies at Christmas time and she loved to decorate the house from top to bottom. Her parker house rolls were second to none and something I would love to learn. Mom, we will miss you.