Stanley "Pete" Robert Olafson, also known as "Pops," "went to be with his Lord and Savior" on April 15, 2014. He was surrounded by the people who loved him.
Pete was born on March 13, 1939, to Carl and Violet Olafson in Akeley, Minn.
After elementary school he lived in various places including Westwood, Calif., Grenora, N.D. and White Sulphur Springs, Mont.
In 1961, he enlisted in the Army as a heavy equipment operator. He was stationed in France. In 1969, after the service, he moved to the Flathead Valley. In 1977, he married Joyce L. Topp.
He spent most of his working years in the great outdoors of the Flathead, working for Royal Logging and Plum Creek. During his career with Royal Logging he hauled the very first load of sawdust to the Medium Density Fiberboard Plant in Columbia Falls. After his time with Plum Creek he delivered newspapers for the Daily Inter Lake as well as The Great Falls Tribune.
Pete enjoyed retirement by tinkering in his garage with his gadgets and toys. He also enjoyed camping and getting firewood with his grandchildren which was also an incredibly fond pastime for all of them.
He is survived by his companion and best friend, Joyce; his daughters, Tracy Teigen of Park Rapids, Minn., and Kelly Olafson of Minneapolis; two stepchildren, Perry Topp and his wife Valerie of Kalispell, and Susan Topp and her husband Mark Potratz of Somers; his brother, Joe Olafson and his wife Joan of Warroad, Minn.; two sisters, Kathy Smith of Cardwell, Mont., and Geraldine East and her husband Bill Dawe of Helena; as well as two sister-in-laws, Millie Olafson of Bemidji, Minn., and Carol Olafson of Akeley, Minn. He is also survived by his 12 grandchildren; one great-grandson, and another great-grandchild on the way. His grandchildren are Mark Topp of Kalispell, Brian Topp and his expectant wife Kimberly and son Tristan of Seattle, Sammuel Topp (his tinkering buddy), Shane Topp, Daniel Topp, Matthew Topp (his computer buddy), and Stephen Potratz, all of Kalispell. Also, Nicholas Potratz and his wife Cristie of Missoula, Mike and Jamie Teigen of Minnesota, as well as 29 nieces and nephews. Pops was also "Pops" to several honorary grandboys, Jed Libby, Matt Nelson, Josh Moon and Colin Patton, who have all been near-lifelong friends of his other grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Ralph Olafson and Richard Olafson.
A memorial service is being planned for May 31.
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Pete was born on March 13, 1939, to Carl and Violet Olafson in Akeley, Minn.
After elementary school he lived in various places including Westwood, Calif., Grenora, N.D. and White Sulphur Springs, Mont.
In 1961, he enlisted in the Army as a heavy equipment operator. He was stationed in France. In 1969, after the service, he moved to the Flathead Valley. In 1977, he married Joyce L. Topp.
He spent most of his working years in the great outdoors of the Flathead, working for Royal Logging and Plum Creek. During his career with Royal Logging he hauled the very first load of sawdust to the Medium Density Fiberboard Plant in Columbia Falls. After his time with Plum Creek he delivered newspapers for the Daily Inter Lake as well as The Great Falls Tribune.
Pete enjoyed retirement by tinkering in his garage with his gadgets and toys. He also enjoyed camping and getting firewood with his grandchildren which was also an incredibly fond pastime for all of them.
He is survived by his companion and best friend, Joyce; his daughters, Tracy Teigen of Park Rapids, Minn., and Kelly Olafson of Minneapolis; two stepchildren, Perry Topp and his wife Valerie of Kalispell, and Susan Topp and her husband Mark Potratz of Somers; his brother, Joe Olafson and his wife Joan of Warroad, Minn.; two sisters, Kathy Smith of Cardwell, Mont., and Geraldine East and her husband Bill Dawe of Helena; as well as two sister-in-laws, Millie Olafson of Bemidji, Minn., and Carol Olafson of Akeley, Minn. He is also survived by his 12 grandchildren; one great-grandson, and another great-grandchild on the way. His grandchildren are Mark Topp of Kalispell, Brian Topp and his expectant wife Kimberly and son Tristan of Seattle, Sammuel Topp (his tinkering buddy), Shane Topp, Daniel Topp, Matthew Topp (his computer buddy), and Stephen Potratz, all of Kalispell. Also, Nicholas Potratz and his wife Cristie of Missoula, Mike and Jamie Teigen of Minnesota, as well as 29 nieces and nephews. Pops was also "Pops" to several honorary grandboys, Jed Libby, Matt Nelson, Josh Moon and Colin Patton, who have all been near-lifelong friends of his other grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Ralph Olafson and Richard Olafson.
A memorial service is being planned for May 31.