Arthur Olson, 91

Arthur I. Olson, 91, passed away peacefully with family and friends present on Sept. 26, 2024, in Kalispell. He was born in Wolfpoint on Feb. 18, 1933, to Pete Olson and Ingaborge Norheim Olson. Art spent his youth in Wolfpoint and later moved to the Flathead Valley to farm at Lake Blaine. Art graduated from Flathead High School. He joined the Navy where he repaired typewriters and calculators until a spot opened in watch repair. He then turned his attention to time pieces. 

Upon leaving the service, Art married Florence Christman on Feb. 21, 1952. He then worked at Olson Jewelry with his older brother Ole, at 34 LaSalle Rd. in Evergreen. He spent a decade as an employee and the next thirty-three years as proprietor. At that time, cars became his hobby. He started collecting in 1957. His first car was a 1935 Oldsmobile two door coupe, which he purchased from his brother, Ole. On family outings, as a child, Art used to sleep in the back window. 

Over the years, his collection grew. It had always reflected his love for convertibles. He often sold two lesser models to pursue a real gem. Art was self-taught and learned new skills through the pain staking process of trail and slurp error. To keep the jewelry store running and to feed his passion for cars at the same time, he kept odd hours. He would work at the jewelry store from 8-5 p.m., go home and have supper, and then would be back in the shop. Then at 9 p.m. or so, he would change clothes and go out to the garage, and work until 1 or 2 in the morning. He did that for ten straight years. He also collected motorcycles. One of his favorites was a 1920 Harley Davidson, complete with side car, which he drove over Logan Pass and enjoyed giving out rides. 

His prize, undoubtedly, was the cherry red 1958 Chevrolet Impala convertible. Art later turned his attention back to watches. It takes all day to look through his collection. As far as cars go, his goal was to keep them running. He used to say, "If you don’t use them, they deteriorate." Maintenance was just one excuse to drive those show pieces around town, to show off the hard work, dedication to excellence and countless hours of labor he had invested over the years.

Art held many different titles throughout his life. He was a devoted member of the Moose Lodge in Evergreen. Art and his wife Florence were charter members of the Flathead Pioneer Auto Club in 1960, and he was chairman for ten years of the International Antique Car Meet that is shared between Western Canada and Montana.

He is survived by his sister-in-law Carol Fridly (Richard) of Mesa, Arizona, his grandson Darin Olson of Spokane, Washington, his granddaughter Kasha Olson and great-grandchildren Trenton and Harper Ann of Kalispell. His great friends Roxy Ming, Joe and Julie Musialowski, Bob and Beth Watne, of Kalispell, Russell, Bonnie, and Kevin Alt of Augusta, Keith Robertson of Calgary Alberta, Canada, and many, many friends that are far too numerous to name. 

He was preceded in death by parents Pete and Ingaborg Olson, his brother Ole P. Olson, and sister-in-law Alice Olson, his brother Arnold Olson, of Kalispell, and his beloved wife Florence Olson and son Trent Olson also of Kalispell.

A celebration of life will be held from 1-5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, at the Hilton Garden Inn on 93 South in Kalispell. There will be a specified parking area for antique and classic autos that would like to join. For those wishing to stay, we will have a block of rooms available under the Olson Memorial name.