In Loving Memory ofMonte Olson1962 - 2016

"Code of the West"Live each day with courage.Take pride in your work.Always finish what you start.Do what has to be done.Be tough, but fair.When you make a promise, keep it.Ride for the brand.Talk less, and say more.Remember that some things aren't for sale.Know where to draw the line.

Monte was born on May 1, 1962 in Powers Lake, North Dakota, the son of Orrin E. Olson and Larena (Volberg) Olson of Battleview, North Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Powers Lake, North Dakota.

Monte was united in marriage to Pamela (Sundby) Herman on June 20, 1990, in the Hawaiian Islands. With this union, he was blessed with Pam’s daughter, Stacy, and later welcomed two loving sons, Tanner and Trevor.

Monte graduated from Powers Lake High School in the Class of 1980, where he was active in football, basketball, track, and band. He went on to earn a B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering from Montana Tech in Butte, MT, while spending summers working as a roughneck on rigs throughout North Dakota, Montana, and California. He then pursued a career for more than 30 years at numerous positions with ExxonMobil Corporation in various places including North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, California, Alabama, Wyoming, Angola, South Korea, and Australia. Monte was loved and honored by many family, friends, and colleagues. His outgoing and friendly nature attracted people to him. He was a natural leader and was idolized by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him. His employees meant the world to him and his integrity and honesty brought out the best in everyone.

Monte was an amazing husband, father, and grandfather. He took his relationship with each and every one to heart and was always looking out for others. Whether it was a joke, a prank, or just his smile, it always seemed that being around him made you a better person. Everyone who he encountered was proud to call Monte their friend.

Monte had a passion for hunting and loved to spend time with his sons at the hunting camp bagging deer. This he carried on from his early years where he began his childhood hunts on the famous elusive North Dakota gopher. He was a devoted NASCAR fan and would go to many lengths to drive with his friends just to cheer on his favorite driver. Monte thoroughly enjoyed life on the Olson family farm, 7 miles NE of McGregor, where he took immense pride in helping his grandfather and dad with all of the farming activities. He was extremely proud to carry his farm roots with him no matter where he was working in the world. He was hardworking, lighthearted, and had a smile that could put anyone at ease.

Monte is survived by his wife, Pamela, of 25 years; daughter, Stacy (Josh) Massey; sons, Tanner and Trevor Olson; grandchildren, Lily and Talan Massey all of Conroe, TX; mother, Larena McGinnity of McGregor, ND; grandfather, Ralph Greenfield of Lignite, ND; sister, Melissa (Jeff) Philipp of Horace, ND; brothers, Mitch Olson of Vergas, MN and Mel (Dawn) Olson of Cloquet, MN; brother-in-law, Brad (Brenda) Sundby of Rapid City, SD; sisters-in-law, Theresa (Ron) Eutsey of Elizabethtown, PA and Renee Bendixson of Williston, ND; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and loving friends.

Monte was preceded in death by his father, Orrin; his grandparents, Elmer and Gladys Olson; grandmother, Alvina Greenfield; father and mother in-law, Alton and Mary Lou Sundby, brother-in-law, Cary Bendixson.

"Memories of Dad"

We do not need a special day to bring you to our minds.

The days we do not think of you are very hard to find.

Each morning when we awake we know that you are gone.

And no one knows the heartache as we try to carry on.

Our hearts still ache with sadness and secret tears still flow.

What it meant to lose you no one will ever know.

Our thoughts are always with you, your place no one can fill.

In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still.

There will always be a heartache, and often a silent tear.

But always a precious memory of the days when you were here.

If tears would make a staircase, and heartaches make a lane,

We'd walk the path to heaven and bring you home again.

We hold you close within our heart,; and there you will remain,

To walk with us through our lives until we meet again.

Our family chain is broken now, and nothing seems the same,

But God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.

In Loving Memory ofMonte Olson

Date and Place of BirthMay 1, 1962 ~ Powers Lake, North Dakota

Date and Place of PassingMarch 5, 2016 ~ Conroe, Texas

His Funeral ServiceGloria Dei Lutheran Church ~ Williston, ND

Monday, March 14, 20162:00 PM

OfficiatingPastor David Maxfield

Musicians EulogistBrad Sundby ~ Terri Sorenson Mel Olson

Casket BearersDean DeMoe ~ Sam Orr ~ DJ Maruskie ~ Winston Tate

Matt Vines ~ Ed Yount

Honorary Casket BearersTanner Olson ~ Trevor Olson ~ Joshua Massey ~ Mitch Olson

Mel Olson ~ Brad Sundby ~ Ron Eutsey ~ Jeff Philipp

Final Resting PlaceZion Lutheran Cemetery ~ McGregor, North Dakota