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Mary Frances Olson

Mary Frances Olson (MacDonald-Morrison) passed away after a short illness on Nov. 2, 2018 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Mary was born in Great Falls on Aug. 18, 1954 to Mary and Francis MacDonald.

Growing up and attending school in Whitefish, Mary loved riding horses and spending summers at Whitefish Lake. On Jan. 17, 1975, she married John Morrison with whom she had three sons. John passed away suddenly in 2006.

Mary spent many years employed at Meadow Lake Resort, where she was awarded Employee of the Year and won the trip of her dreams — a photo safari in Africa. On Sept. 24, 2008, while on her trip to Africa, she married Ken Olson — a good friend of many years. With that marriage, she gained three stepsons. She and Ken were enjoying retirement at the time of her passing.

Mary loved her family and friends immensely and was generous to a fault. She always enjoyed family gatherings, attending John Dunnigan shows with Ken, trying new restaurants, and going on drives up the North Fork. She loved being outside and, depending on the season, could frequently be found riding four-wheelers or snowmobiles. She loved giving gifts, and always had themed towels for every holiday that she would gift to her daughters-in-law. She never forgot a birthday or occasion, and her tinsel-bearing Christmas cards, candles, and lovingly crafted plates of homemade goodies were always eagerly anticipated and appreciated by her family members and close friends. Other than spending time with her boys and their families, her favorite activity of all was staying in the boat on Flathead Lake; Ken lovingly refers to her as his “First Mate.”

She was also an avid amateur photographer and always had a camera handy to document scenery, animals, and family adventures. She waited every year to watch the Triple Crown (inviting family/friends over, serving snacks, and having everyone pick their top three). When it was still on, Mary’s guilty pleasure was watching Desperate Housewives (with a tray of shrimp as a viewing snack), and she always loved watching The Young and the Restless with her granddaughters after school.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Mary MacDonald and her late husband John Morrison. She is survived by her husband Ken Olson; her sisters, Jeanie (John) and Megan (Marty); her three sons, James (Heather), John (Breanna), and Josh (Nikki) Morrison; and stepsons, Cy, Cean, and Dylan Olson. She will also be dearly missed by her grandchildren Jessica, Amanda, Matthew, Vivica, Luxeen, Kira, Ryleigh, Harper, Carter, and Jaxon. Mary was also anxiously awaiting the birth of her first great-grandchild, Lincoln, who is due to arrive in January.

A celebration of Mary’s life is planned for Friday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. at St. Richard’s Catholic Church in Columbia Falls. Please come dressed as you are most comfortable; Mary wouldn’t want it any other way.

Columbia Mortuary is caring for Mary’s family.