October 12th, 2016

​Martin Patrick Olsen
Martin Patrick Olsen lived a long, adventurous, full life - born and bred, lutefisk eating, 100% Norwegian!  He died October 2, 2016.
Martin was born December 20, 1922 in Lennep, to Norwegian immigrant parents Ole C. and Inga (Nelson) Olsen. The family purchased the Viking Dairy in White Sulphur Springs where Martin spent his  youth. At nine years old, Martin tended sheep in the Castle Mountains with his brother, Clifford. A highlight during high school was travelling to National 4-H Congress in Chicago at the age of 16 with his money pinned to his underwear! As a young adult he worked for McDonnell Douglas in California building Douglas Dauntless Dive Bombers during WWII. Shortly after returning to White Sulphur Springs, the new school marm caught his eye. Martin and Marvel (Fossen) married on June 2, 1945 in Joplin. Dad held on tight to his Marvel until her death in 2007. They resided at the Olsen ranch in White Sulphur Springs raising Champion Hereford bulls. During this time they welcomed David in 1946 and George in 1948. 
Deer Lodge became home in 1948 when the couple purchased Trask Hardware. Susan joined the family in 1952, Jan arrived in 1958. After selling Trask Hardware, Martin sold John Deere implements with partner Frank Shaw. Upon the death of Marvel’s father in 1957, the family purchased a farm in Joplin, where they spent summers farming for eight years.  Deer Lodge again became their full time home when Martin became a partner in Haviland Insurance Agency. He obtained his real estate broker’s license and sold real estate until his retirement. He served on the board of Pioneer Federal Savings and Loan. 
Martin and Marvel cherished the friendships they made during their many years in Deer Lodge. They also enjoyed the winters they spent in Mesa, Ariz., especially their times spent with Errol (Marvel’s brother) and Tessie Fossen. 
His civic involvements included Kiwanis, Rotary, Elks, Deer Lodge school board, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Tax Appeals Board. Martin was instrumental in bringing the Towe Antique Ford Collection to Deer Lodge.  
Martin enjoyed fly fishing, hunting, hiking, golfing, skiing, bridge, and travel, including three Norway trips! His special place in the universe was Glacier National Park, where he loved camping, hiking, and picking huckleberries. Marvel often referred to him as “Huckleberry Hound.”  He took the “road less traveled” and rarely took the same route twice. By his example his children learned to fish, hike, play bridge and whist, golf, put his tools away (George), and to have “sense enough to pound sand in a rat hole!” Traveling Montana with Martin was a ‘lesson’ in geography, history, ranch families, and who bought his Hereford bulls!  
Martin was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Norma, Clifford, and Orrie; Marvel, his wife of 62 years; son-in-law John Dostal. In reference to his family, Martin said, “I am a lucky man.” Survivors include David (Anita Braker), George (Ellen Vogelsang), Susan Dostal (Bob Wood), and Jan Bowers (Chris); grandchildren Jamie (Christian Simamora), Brian (Maria), Kara Libster (Michael), Nathan Dostal (Grace), Daniel Dostal (Jenny Bennett), Mark Dostal (fiance Tia Hunter), Rebecca Punch (Paul), Eric Bowers (Kate), Alison Bowers, Sara Bowers; great-grandchildren Madelyn, David, and Olivia Olsen; Christian, Angelis, and Samantha Libster; Amelia and Wesley Bowers; and Paxton Simamora. Martin is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, all whom were very special to him and Marvel.
Thank you to the caring staff of Shelby House and Rocky Mountain Hospice.  
A memorial service celebrating Martin’s life will take place at 12 p.m. on Saturday, October 15 at Hope Lutheran Church, 2152 Graf St., Bozeman. A reception will immediately follow the memorial service at the church. A private family burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Martin’s name are suggested to Reach Inc., 322 Gallatin Park Dr., Bozeman, MT 59715 or to Rialto Theatre,  418 Main Street, Deer Lodge, MT 59722. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Martin.

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​Pamela Joan Wahl
Pamela Joan Wahl, 66, passed away on September 30, 2016 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She was born in Deer Lodge on January 22, 1950 to Earl and Ramona Wahl. She was the fifth of six children. In her younger years she was a barrel racer, loved horses, led the choir in church, was a rainbow girl and worked at the local A&W. She graduated Powell County High School in 1968 and went on to study at Mary Kawakami’s College of Beauty in Provo, Utah where she met and married Wayne Peterson. They had two daughters together. 
Our mom was a free spirit of sorts, always willing to try something new. An avid reader, Stephen King was among her favorites. We will miss seeing her in the chair with a good book. She loved to garden. Always had a green thumb. She was a beautiful seamstress and even had her own sewing business making lingerie. PJ’s by P.J. She was a talented artist, a beautician and a great travel companion. Always up for the scenic route which was taken often. She made wonderful food. Scones were a family favorite. She loved tea, watching movies and playing cards with the family. 
She had a sarcastic, sneaky sense of humor. We will miss that. She had a good laugh and gave great hugs. She was strong and a fighter. She had a long battle with COPD and this last year was the hardest. She gave up a lot to be where she was but took everyday as it came. She would say “it is what it is.”
Pam is survived by her sister Gayle Donich, brothers Earl and Charles Wahl, daughters Jeena Rooney and Kimber Peterson, granddaughters Caitlin, Isabelle and Emma Rooney and beloved pets Seemore, Ernie and Baby Bird. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Darlene Wahl and Vicki Zabriskie.
As we write these words, they only hint at the kind of person she was. Words could never fully describe her life and just how much her loss is felt. We love you mom, wave wave. And, to all that called her a friend, thank you.
We have decided not to have a memorial service. Please remember her in your own way. Celebrate your friendship and her life. Remember her fondly and with love. A few months ago she found a poem that reflected how she felt about dying. ‘Death is nothing at all’ by Henry Scott-Holland. She told us this is how she felt and hoped it would bring us comfort. 
Her urn will be placed at Hillcrest Cemetery in Deer Lodge with her family. A dedication will take place in spring 2017. 
Instead of flowers we ask that you do some unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for someone in her name. We think she would of liked that.

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