Ingrid Marie Olson Bossler, 85
Ingrid Marie Olson Bossler died May 22, 2014, in Helena, with her children and grandchildren at her side.
Ingrid was the beloved daughter of Jessie McDougall Olson, a school teacher and certified public accountant, and Ernest Victor Olson, a Swedish sea captain. She was born on Nov. 19, 1928, in Seattle. Her early childhood was lived in Bothel, Wash., on the family's small farm, which her father named “En Sjömans Dröm” — “A Sailor's Dream.”
Ernest was killed while driving to his ship when Ingrid was 4 years old and Jessie moved with Ingrid and her older brother, Ernest Victor Olson II, to Portland to live with family. After four years, they returned to the Bothel farm. The family later lived in Yakima, Wash., where Jessie's asthma would improve in the drier air.
Ingrid started nursing school at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle in 1947. As a student, she contracted tuberculosis and was treated for four years at Firland TB Sanatorium. She graduated nursing school in 1953, and worked at Virginia Mason Hospital as head nurse on the surgical floor. It was there that she fell in love with Dr. David Bossler, a surgical resident. They married in 1955, and moved to Helena three years later.
It was then that Ingrid's greatest work began — the raising of her five daughters and her son, and later helping when able in the raising of her 11 grandchildren.
She spent hours stitching yards of fabric into school dresses, and the annual Easter dresses and Christmas nightgowns and dresses. There were weekly trips to the library to pass on her great love of books. Excursions in spring to gather pussy willows; in summer, wild flowers; and in fall, cattail bouquets. Holidays were consistently unforgettable. Christmas, her specialty, was magic. Never athletic but a Viking in spirit, she learned to ski a graceful stem Christie to join her family on the many ski trips. At age 43, she learned to ride a bicycle and the family spent two months riding through Europe. She also drove countless miles to move her children into and out of colleges and new homes.
Ingrid was always classy, always perfumed, lipsticked and coiffed. She had a soft spot for pets and became attached to each and every family dog or cat. A great cook, her dinner parties were legendary. She was also a great reader and loved to discuss the latest world events. She loved to travel and took many trips to Europe, as well as China and Mexico.
When David retired from his practice in Helena in 1988, he and Ingrid with her beloved black lab settled into their place on Angel Point of Flathead Lake. She became increasingly crippled by arthritis, but always kept most of her pain to herself and stayed as furiously independent as possible. She lived her last three years in Helena at Aspen Gardens, where she was well attended and closer to her children.
She will be greatly missed. But her family's lives, our hearts and our minds, are richer because of her.
With love from her children, Kristine and John Wilkinson, Kathy Bossler and Shull Lemire, Karen Bossler and Brian Smith, Karol Bossler Cady, Karla and Jay Hart, and “her favorite son” Bill Bossler and Shaunna Wing.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the American Red Cross, where Ingrid frequently volunteered, or to your charity of choice.
A private family gathering will be held at a later date. Please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com to offer condolences or share a memory of Ingrid.