Hildur Ann Olson Pettis, 95

Hildur Ann Olson, 95, passed away on Sept. 19, 2011, at Immanuel Lutheran Home, with her son Jim at her side.

Anna Hildur Olson, who later changed her name to Hildur Ann Olson, was born to Helga Braaten Olson and Ole Olson on the farm in McGregor, N.D., on March 6, 1916, the second of four children. Oscar, Algot and Clara were her siblings and all are deceased. She grew up on the farm where her parents from Norway and Sweden homesteaded.

Hildur’s children all were able to spend time on the farm as kids, enjoying the place where their mom grew up, viewing it as an adventure since the farm had no electricity or running water. Hildur attended the Merrifield country school and graduated from Wildrose High School in North Dakota in 1933.

After high school, Hildur worked as a waitress at the Crystal Cafe in Crosby, N.D., earning $25 a month, then moved to Williston, N.D., to work at Ludowe’s Coffee Shop while she took a business course at Steinmitz Business School.

After completing her business course in 1936, she worked in the office of the Coca Cola Bottling Company where she met Elmer Pettis. She and Elmer were married on Dec. 3, 1938, and lived in Williston until 1960. It was in Williston where their children Ron, Jim, Rick, Michael and Debby were born. Off to Whitefish they went where Elmer was employed by the Railway Express Agency.

In 1972, Hildur and Elmer moved to Missoula where they lived for over 30 years. During that time her grandsons Brandon, Aaron and Ben were able to spend lots of time with Grandma and Grandpa. They still fondly remember Grandma’s apple pie.

They were snowbirds in Mesa, Ariz., for a few years, enjoying the warm sunshine in the middle of winter. Church always played an important part in Hildur’s life, having been a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Missoula. She spent many hours reading the Bible and studying it.

Family was always also very important to Hildur and she delighted in spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It made her happy to share her homemade apple pie, cinnamon rolls and cookies with anyone who stopped by.

Towards the last years of her life, she lived with her son, Ron, who made sure she was lovingly cared for. When she needed more care she moved to Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. As a testimony to the importance of family that she taught her kids, her son Jim, spent time every day with her in those last years, and her son Ron made a twice weekly trip to Kalispell to see her.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Immanuel Lutheran Home for the care they showed Hildur.

She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 60 years, Elmer Roy Pettis, on Feb. 2, 1999; and her son, Michael Wayne, on April 10, 1951.

She is survived by her children, Ron and Mary of Missoula, and children, Anna and Phil; Jim and Cathy of Whitefish, and children, Kim, John, Marcey and Rod; Rick of Bemidji, Minn., and children Kari and Kristen; and Debby Pettis Vande Ven of Missoula, and children, Brandon, Aaron and Ben; and their extended families.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Immanuel Lutheran Home, Kalispell, MT 59901.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 23, at Sunset Memorial Cemetery, Missoula.