Duella Esther Olson

DuElla Esther Olson, 101, of Great Falls, MT, passed away peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family on February 25, 2020, at the age of 101. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. DuElla was born on September 13, 1918, in the railroad station in Slayton, MT, where her father was the railroad agent. She lived with her parents George and Phylinda Rediske, and her four siblings, Sheldon, Harold, Paul, and Pauline. She grew up near her Aunt Violet, Uncle Bill Rediske, and her cousin, Dorothy (Rediske) Curry, currently of Valier. All but one year of grade school was in nearby Cushman, MT. She spent third grade in Crocker Lake, WA, on the Olympic Peninsula, where her father and his brothers ran the local business for the Lumber Camp Company. George owned the dance hall and the silent movie theater in “Rediskeville” as it was known. DuElla played sax in the family dance band there. After his one year furlough from the railroad, George and his family headed back to Slayton, MT. DuElla's high school years were spent in Ingomar and Plevna, MT. She graduated from high school at age 16 as the class valedictorian and was awarded two college scholarships. She was encouraged to go the Great Falls Commercial College, which led to a 19 year career at Johnson Controls as the secretary and office manager. DuElla married Ogden Olson on June 6, 1938, in Terry, MT. They had two children, Duane and Mary. As a family, they loved to fish, camp, garden, and shoot skeet. They were also active members of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Great Falls. DuElla grew up in a musical family where she played piano, soprano sax, and trombone. Her love of music lasted a lifetime. After retiring, DuElla and Ogden traveled many places together. Theywere lifelong learners and attended 10 Elder Hostels, proctored university lectures, attended travel logs, played bridge, and participated in Bible study. They loved to be active. They worked out at the Great Falls Spa, played golf, and went out dancing multiple times a week. DuElla was social and she was a member of many organizations in Great Falls, including, Eastern Star, Elks Club, Great Falls Senior Center, and the Pan American Study Club. After Ogden passed in 1992, DuElla met Earl Thompson at the Great Falls Senior Center. They enjoyed dancing, fishing, hiking, attending church, and working out at the gym together. After Earl passed in 2010, DuElla moved to The Lodge, where she continued to make friends and participate in the programs. As DuElla's vision declined, she reached out to the Montana Association for the Blind to tap in to their audio library services to continue her quest for knowledge. Shortly before her 100th birthday, she transitioned to Highgate, where she made new friends and continued to enjoy bingo and exercise programs. DuElla was preceded in death by her parents; siblings and their spouses;husband, Ogden; and treasured friend, Earl. DuElla is survived by her son, Duane (Elizabeth “Libby”) Olson of Great Falls; daughter, Mary (Robert) Stromberg of Bellevue, WA; granddaughter, Mikel (Stephen) Milton of Mercer Island, WA; grandson, David (Amy); and great-granddaughter, Morgan Stromberg of Bellevue, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to McLaughlin Research Institute, Great Falls First Congregational Church of Christ, or the United Way.