Stanley Olafson

Stanley ‘Pete’ Robert Olafson, 75, passed away on April 15, 2014, surrounded by the people who loved him.

He was born 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.

In 1961, Pete enlisted in the Army and served 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.

Pete 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 Plum Creek’s 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.

He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Ralph Olafson and Richard Olafson.

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 wife Valerie, of Kalispell, and Susan Topp and husband Mark Potratz, of Somers; his brother, Joe Olafson and wife Joan, of Warroad, Minn.; two sisters, Kathy Smith, of Cardwell, and Geraldine East and husband Bill Dawe, of Helena; two sister-in-laws, Millie Olafson, of Bemidji, Minn., and Carol Olafson, of Akeley, Minn.; 12 grandchildren; one great grandson and a great grandchild on the way.

A memorial service is being planned for May 31, 2014.