Clifford Olson

Cliff Olson, 91, of Wilsall passed away at the Livingston Health Center on February 19, 2015, after a short illness. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at the Wilsall Community Church on February 28th, at 2:00 p.m. a graveside committal and burial will follow at the Wilsall Cemetery. A coffee hour will be held at the multi-purpose room in the Wilsall School following burial (in the red building). Cliff was born on March 21, 1923, on the Olson homestead northeast of Wilsall, to Oscar and Minnie (Bates) Olson. He attended country schools for his early education and graduated from Wilsall High School in 1941. On November 15, 1941, he married Stella Palmer and together they resided and worked on the family ranch on Elk Creek for 56 years. They raised two sons, Gerald and Dennis, on the ranch. Stella passed away in 1997 and in 1999 he married Donna Walker. Donna passed away in 2000. In 2006, due to health issues, he moved in with his son, Jerry, where he lived the remainder of his life. Cliff was a rancher at heart and he loved cattle and horses. He raised good quality horses which he either sold or passed onto his family. Two of his great-grandsons are currently riding horses he produced as they pursue their rodeo careers. As his memory got worse he would look at a photo and say "I dont know the cowboys, but I recognize the horse". He helped form the Wilsall Rodeo Association and was an officer for the Montana Chariot Racing Association. He also served six years as a Park County Commissioner. Cliff was a very loving and giving man. He was very proud of his family and did anything he could to help them. He especially loved rodeo and basketball and attended every event he could to watch his great-grandsons participate. Cliff is survived by his son Gerald Olson and his wife Shirley of Wilsall, Daughter-In-Law Dixie Olson of North Carolina, six grandchildren, Shawn Olson of Pheonix, Rhonda (Ken) Lahaye of Wilsall, Kim (Wayne) Spiroff of Helena, Shannon (Jim) Hadley of Helena, Jinell (Brian) Bruso of New York, and Jade Olson of New York, 7 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, wife Stella, wife Donna, son Dennis and 3 sisters. If so desired, memorials may be sent to the Wilsall Rodeo Association, The Wilsall Scholarship Fund, or to the donors choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory in Livingston