Fern L. Olson

Fern L. Olson passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 24th at the age of 104 at her home in Sun City, AZ.  She was born in Wadena, MN on October 7, 1913 to Mathilda (Lahrmann) and Andrew Buchanan. Fern’s funeral will be at the First Presbyterian Church, 1315 Central Avenue, in Great Falls on Thursday, July 12th at 11:00 a.m.  A reception will follow the service.

 The family moved to Govenlock, Saskatchewan, Canada when Fern was 4 years old.  She lived her childhood on a ranch there with her siblings, Luella, Chester, Myrtle, Howard, Dorothy, and Ivan.  She attended high school in Havre where she met her future husband, Lester Olson.  They were married on June 20, 1932 in Havre.  They had a wonderful and loving life and were blessed with two children, Richard and Andrea.  They moved to Fort Benton and then Great Falls where Lester founded Bison Motor Co., which has been passed on to their son Richard and his daughter Whitney.  Lester and Fern began spending their winters in Sun City, AZ in the 1960’s and summers at their cabin on Swan Lake, MT.  Fern and Lester loved traveling to many foreign countries, playing golf, boating and spending time with their grandchildren, Whitney, Lindsey and Allison, and their many relatives.  Lester passed away in 1995.  Fern was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Great Falls and Faith Presbyterian Church in Sun City.  Fern was an avid reader and gardener, known for her beautiful roses.  She asked her caregivers to bring in some roses from her garden just before she died.  She also talked about looking forward to seeing Lester again.

 Fern will be missed by her children, Andrea (Bert) Niehuis and Richard (Debbie) Olson; grandchildren, Whitney Olson (Doug Little), Lindsey (Shea) Stewart, and Allison Olson; great- grandchildren, Aliona & Lucia Little and Arlo Stewart, and many relatives in Montana and friends in Sun City and Great Falls.  She led a long and happy life with her family and friends that were blessed to have her around them for so many years.  The family requests that donation be made to the Great Falls Library Foundation or the donor’s favorite charity in lieu of flowers.  Condolences may be shared with the family online at croxfordfuneralhome.com.

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