Johnny Adolf Olson, 76,

of Thompson Falls, passed away peacefully in his sleep Tuesday Feb. 26, 2008. His life will be remembered as a compilation of hard work, strong family values, and a laugh around every corner. In the heart of everyone he met, 'Johnny-O' will never be forgotten.

Born in Archer on April 2, 1931, Johnny-O was the youngest of Adolf and Nora's five children. After moving to Trout Creek with his family in 1936, Johnny-O began to build a lifelong appreciation of life in the Western Montana mountains. From that point on, the longest period of time Johnny-O spent outside of Montana was the time he spent serving his country in Korea.

After returning home from Korea, Johnny-O married Margie Elliot on July 9, 1954. Johnny-O and Margie settled into their lives as a family, having three children, daughters Teresa and Wendy, and son Randy. After different manual labor jobs, Johnny-O found his second home behind the steering wheel of a logging truck. Never afraid of a hard day's work, Johnny-O spent over 50 years providing for his wife and family.

His yellow Peterbilt became a fixture in the local logging community, and as his family grew, Johnny-O would attempt to make every sporting event, wedding, birthday, or reunion that he could. Sharing stories with family and friends always filled Johnny-O's heart, and the chances we had to spend time with Johnny-O filled all of our hearts in return.

Johnny-O was preceded in death by his father and mother, Adolf and Nora Olson; sisters, Frances Shuey and Hazel Irwin; brother, Boyd Olson; and his wife, Margie Olson.

Survivors include his sister Anna, and husband Benny Dickson, of Trout Creek; wife, Ferol Olson, of Thompson Falls; three children, Teresa Taylor and Bryce VandenBerg of Kalispell, Wendy Olson of Polson, and Randy and wife, Kathy Olson, of Polson; five grandchildren, Jared Taylor of Kalispell, Chris and wife, Misty Olson, of Spokane, Raija and husband, Chris Grillo, of Bellingham, Wash., Andy and wife, Dara Olson, of Rathdrum, Idaho, and Kristen and husband, Rik Wurster, of Pablo; and his eight great-grandchildren, Linzee, Mikayla, Chloe, Maggie, Rylie, Carter, Josephine and Blaine. Johnny-O also has numerous nieces, nephews, and friends who will hold a special place in their hearts for him.

A celebration of Johnny-O's life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at the Shec Club in Thompson Falls.