Howard J. Olson

In the arms of angels, Howard James Olson, left this world late in the evening, Saturday, June 28th, 2025. His battle with heart disease and COPD was finally over.

Howard was born on March 28th. 1950, in Livingston, Montana to Bobbie and Roy Olson joining his brother Gary and later adding younger brother Dan. His father Roy had the first home built on the Northside hill and Howard's grandfather Al Olson helped plant evergreen trees at the homesite. That home and now very large trees can still be seen while traveling west towards the Livingston truck stop. When Howard started kindergarten, he would walk down that hill on a path the family used. He decided after the first day, that was enough of school, and for 4 days, stopped to play at a creek and when he saw the other kids leaving the school, he would walk home for lunch. His mother finally got a phone call and that was the end of playing hookie.

The family moved to Laurel, Montana when Howard was six when his father transferred with the Burlington Northern Railroad. Their home was one of the few that was on Pennsvlania Avenue when they arrived and so there was nothing but a big open field of grass west of their home, where Howard and his brothers had many adventures. The family hunted, fished, camped and were involved with baseball and other sports. Howard's favorite sport in high school was wrestling and he was second place winner at the state tournament. Their home on the corner was always busy with friends and neighbors stopping by. Howard’s father Roy was artistic and the den downstairs was where he painted and did taxidermy work. That den had many visitors. Howard, like his father, never met a stranger and I was never sure who might show up at my dinner table. My father-in-law also had little nicknames for everyone. Howard was Scruff, Susan was Sue bear, Bret was Whoa boy, Jacob was Jakey, and Howard’s mother Bobbie was Bobcat.

Shortly after graduating from High School in 1968, Howard signed up for the military and followed his father, joining the Navy. He was stationed in Hawaii as a store man and when he returned to Montana he began working for the railroad. Later he followed his dream of becoming a taxidermist.

In the summer of 1973, Howard met his future bride at a rock concert at Pioneer Park in Billings. On their first date, Howard took Susan to Emerald Lake to go fishing. After five years of adventures fishing, hunting, and camping, Howard proposed and they were later married on June 18th, 1978, near Dagmar Montana at her family's home, Nielsen Family Farms. Howard and Susan eventually moved to Old Chico, Montana where Howard started his taxidermy work. On March 29,1982, their adopted son Bret Matthew was born. When Bret was 4, Howard and Susan left Old Chico and moved to their present home and business in Paradise Valley, where it was more visible to the public at 10 Sundance Drive. Howard’s business grew and son Jacob joined family on February 20, 1989.

Howard always wanted a daughter, and that came true with Jacob’s daughter Chloe Lynn Olson born September 10. 2014. Grandpa Howard holds a special place in her heart. Our family grew again when grandson, William Jacob Olson was born on March 10th, 2025. One last time, Howard followed his Dad and nicknamed Chloe, Buttercup and William, Little Wills. We also have 3 step-children Sara, Ryan and Lane whose parents are Bret and Shawna Olson in Billings.

Howard was a good businessman, teacher, friend, husband, father, grandfather and will be dearly missed. God has been good to this Olson family.

A memorial service has been scheduled for the end of August.

To offer a condolence, please visit below. Franzen-Davis Funeral Home has been honored to care for Howard and his family.