Inga Julia OlsonInga Julia Olson passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 8, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home. She was 92.

Inga was born in Malta on Feb. 28, 1918, to Alfred and Marie Higdem. She grew up on the family homestead, where she went to country school in the Bennett Lake community and attended Malta High School.

On Nov. 27, 1952 she and Dewey Olson of Scobey were married and bought a house in Hungry Horse. Later they moved to Columbia Falls, where they owned and operated "Olson's Sand & Gravel" for more than 25 years.

Inga worked in a dry-cleaning business, a grocery store, was a nurse's aid and a bookkeeper for their gravel business. She enjoyed painting, baking, crocheting and being with friends. She was active in Our Savior's Lutheran Church and Stillwater Free Lutheran Church. Many ladies have taken part in the Bible studies Inga held in her home. Inga loved studying God's word and loved the Lord with all her heart.

Inga moved into Immanuel Lutheran Home in October 2003 and soon became the resident "welcoming committee." She took part in the many activities there and continued having Bible studies in her room with other residents and visiting friends.

Inga was preceded in death by her husband Dewey, daughter Eileen Berglund of Burnsville, Minn.; granddaughter Jennifer of Abilene, Texas; her parents; brother Elmer Higdem of Sun City, Ariz.; brothers-in-law Victor Lyon of Seattle, Wash.; and William Dove of Malta; and former husband Clifford Bergsagel of Malta.

She is survived by one daughter, Miriam Erdahl and husband Bill of Gresham, Ore.; three sons, Irvin Bergsagel and wife Kay of Minnetonka, Minn.; Norman Olson of Columbia Falls and Ron Olson of Scottsdale, Ariz.; sisters Evelyn Lyon of Seattle, Wash.; Alice Dove of Helena and sister-in-law Verda Higdem of Sun City, Ariz. Inga has eight grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial services will be held Saturday, Sept. 25, at 1:30 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Home, 435 Crestline Ave. in Kalispell, with Pastor Kathleen Larson Phillips conducting the service. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to Immanuel Lutheran Home.

Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls is assisting the family.