Sylvia Christine Olson, 95

Sylvia Christine Olson, 95, passed away peacefully on Jan. 6, 2026, in Kalispell. She was born on Jan. 31,1930, to Herman Engstrom and Agnes Thor in Wilton, North Dakota on a cold and wintery day. Her sister Audrey was born 13 months later, so they grew up best of friends which continued throughout their lives.

In 1939, the Engstrom family moved West. They first lived in Marion where Agnes and her two young daughters lived in a one room schoolhouse while Agnes taught school and Herman was away working in the logging trade. The Engstrom family eventually settled in Kalispell where Sylvia attended school, graduating from Flathead High School in 1948. Sylvia met Ray Olson, through mutual friends at a Halloween dance and were married the next year on Nov. 25,1949.

The couple made Kalispell there home for life and their two children were born there. Diane first and then Mark a couple years later.  

Sylvia and Ray built their retirement home at Village Greens where he learned to golf, and Sylvia had many close friends. She golfed one time and thought it was stupid!

Sylvia and Ray were very active members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church; their faith was important in their lives. They were members of Sons of Norway and 100% Norwegian, she loved lefse, lutefisk and all the baked goodies. They went to Hoosta Fest in North Dakota more than once and even went on trip to Norway and Sweden with sister Audrey and her husband Cliff to see some of the heritage. Throughout the years they traveled to Hawaii, Mexico and Branson, Missouri and spent most of their weekends from 1967 to 1990 at the family cabin at Bitterroot Lake. The couple were also snowbirds for 20 years in Apache Junction, Arizona. Sylvia loved to play bridge, knit, sew and baked wonderful pies. She also could do the daily New York Times crossword puzzles in ink and never have an error. Over the years as her and Rays parents got older, she was a constant fixture at the nursing homes to see them.  

She was a loving friend to all who knew her. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who leaves a legacy of love of family and friends. Both Sylvia and Ray valued their family, and they kept in touch with many nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout the country. She will be remembered for her positive attitude, genuine caring, always friendly, willing to help others, her quiet strength and strong faith. 

Sylvia and Ray were married 68 years at the time of Rays passing. She taught her children many lessons:

Never say something about anyone that you wouldn't say to their face. No gossiping. Work hard and do your best job. Follow the golden rule, be kind and help others.

Sylvia stayed in her home until she was 94 years old and then moved to Echoview Assisted Living. She suffered a stroke after Christmas and transferred into hospice care. We want to thank the staff at Echoview and the Enhabit hospice nurses for their loving care.

She is survived by her son, Mark (Julianne) Olson, Billings; grandsons, Robbie (Abigail) Torgerson, Ryan Torgerson and Jarrett Olson, all of Kalispell; great-grandchildren, Bella and Bryn Torgerson of Kalispell, numerous stepchildren and step grandchildren; nieces and nephews; Gail Blegen-Frost (Ed) Kennewick: Ron (Cindy) Blegen, Scottsdale; Ann (Craig) Massie, Corvallis and all their families; Jerry Homuth (Genelle), New Orleans, Mary Katherine Maloney, Missoula, Leslie (Gary) Rose, San Diego and their families. 

Sylvia was preceded in death by, husband Raymond Olson; daughter, Diane Wiggin; sister, Audrey Blegen, son-in-law, Tom Wiggin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 603 S. Main St. in Kalispell. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be given in Sylvia's memory to the Kalispell Sons of Norway or Bethlehem Lutheran Church.