George Olind

Celebration of Life for George Olind, 96, will be 1:00 pm Monday, May 13, 2024 at Stevenson Funeral Home Baker. Burial will follow in Bonnievale Cemetery. 

George E. Olind saddled his horse and pack string and rode through the gates of Heaven on January 3, 2024.  God needed a story telling cowboy and he selected a good one.

He was born May 13, 1927 in Three Forks, Montana to Ed and Edna (Parsons) Olind.  He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

George attended school in Harrison, Montana until the age of 17 but quit due to the death of his father.  He felt he would not catch up on his schoolwork as he had missed too many days.  He worked a few odd jobs and finally asked his mother to sign for him to enter the Navy during WWII.  George served on the USS Benevolence and spent most of his time in the Pacific Islands.  His military occupation was Medic.

He married the love of his life, Barbara Polson, on November 12, 1955.  

George ‘Cowboyed’ at several ranches in his lifetime, most notably Campbell Farming Corporation (CFC) at Camp 4 near Yellowtail Dam/Fort Smith, Montana. When he left CFC he began his veterinary assistant career with Dr. D.L. Van Zant, DVM, Hardin MT.  In 1974 the family moved to Baker where he worked with Dr. R. L. Cornelius, DVM.  He finished his career alongside Dr. Don Beck, DVM and the two became best of friends.

George was a member of the VFW Legion Post 142 in Idaho City, Idaho and the American Lutheran Church in Baker.

He restored several wagons and sleighs and broke many teams to drive.  He had a passion for reading and reading historical books was a personal favorite. 

His keen sense of direction and knowledge of specific landmarks enabled him to expertly navigate vast areas of multiple regions.  He could tell one how to locate any ranchers’ corrals in multiple states.

George was a licensed Guide in Yellowstone Park until he aged out at 83 and no longer qualified for a license.  He enjoyed those trips and the people he met immensely.  He created ‘props’ in the park and one of his props was an old bison skull positioned just so beside a downed tree.  He’d stop the group and raise himself in the saddle and say let’s ride down there I think I see something.

His knives were as sharp as his wit and his ability to tie a knot was a work of art.  His most common retort was typically, “The Hell you say” or simply, “The Hell.” 

George was a bit of a prankster.  His children’s report cards were typically signed, “her/his father”, or the occasional title Esq. behind his name and they were never returned by the school requesting actual signature.  The absent for illness notes typically included exacting medical terminology for whatever ailed the kids.

Once at a doctor’s appointment he was asked if he had anyone assisting him performing heavy physical tasks (trying to figure out the reason for his back pain).  He paused, and said, “Just me and God and God was already a little busy.”

He was on a wagon drive in Wyoming and had a young team he was breaking to drive.  The one mare became skittish and Dad circled the team out to an open field near Fort Phil Kearny and that’s when the show began, once the wild ride ended the group of tourists applauded feeling they had just been given a performance.

He was simply known as George at the Vet Clinic in Baker. 

Special Thank You to Michelle Shumaker and ALL of the staff at Superior Care Villa for the EXCELLENT CARE that Dad received.

He is survived by his son, Casey (Loretta) Olind, Rhame, ND, daughters, Joene (Walt) Patterson, Frostburg, Maryland, and Wendy Olind, Miles City, MT.  His sister inlaw, Carol (John) Williams, Boise, ID, and a Brother in Law, James Polson, Seattle, WA, Grandchildren, Joe Patterson, Jodi (Clint) Anderson, Kayla Olind, Jesse (Sara) Olind.  4 great grandchildren, and several loved nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Barbara Olind, son, Jim Olind, Grandson, Thomas Patterson, and an infant great granddaughter, Saylor Anderson, his in-laws, Clarence and Peggy Polson, sister inlaw, Joan Hicks, all his siblings and spouses, Ed (Marion) Olind, Kay (Ernie) Maack, Jim (Betty Jo) Olind, Rose (Fred) Zier, Inez (Bill) Reynolds and an infant brother, Theodore, and a few beloved nephews.