Doris Marie Olson, 92, Richey, MT

Funeral services were Friday Nov. 22, 2024, at 2 p.m. at the American Lutheran Church, Richey, MT, with Minister Sonya Meissner officiating. A luncheon was held after the services at the Senior Citizen and Community Center, Richey, MT. A family receiving friends service was Thursday Nov. 21, 2024, at 5 p.m. at the American Lutheran Church, Richey, MT. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Sidney, MT, is assisting the family. Remembrances, condolences, and pictures may be shared with the family at http://www.fulkersons.com.

Doris Marie Ferguson (Olson) was born June 26, 1932, in Wood River, IL, to Frank and Jessie (Owens) Ferguson. Doris was the fourth of seven children. She was close with her siblings throughout her life. When Doris was 12 years old, her family moved to Wolf Point, MT, where she attended a small country school near Nickwall and then went onto high school. While in high school, she worked at The Sweet Shoppe, Wolf Point. Doris loved to go out dancing with her sister Louise. This is how she met the love of her life, Alton Olson.

Alton and Doris started dating and were married on March 9, 1951. They then moved to Richey, MT, where Alton grew up. Doris was welcomed with open arms into the Olson family. She quickly grew close with her in-laws Lars and Hazel Olson. Doris loved them and was so thankful to be a part of their family. Alton and Doris began growing their own family in 1952 when their first child was born. They would go on to have 5 children: Aldis, Orlan, Darin (who passed away in delivery) Jamie, and Harley. Alton and Doris loved their children greatly and were filled with much joy in parenthood. Doris was a true farmer's wife. Doris and Donna Olson would spend many hours preparing meals and taking them out to the field for all the guys. She kept them well fed as they spent long hours working. While doing all this, she still found time to entertain her children, grandchildren, and all their friends through fishing, swimming, etc.

Doris taught Sunday School at the American Lutheran Church for many, many years, along with being in charge of the Cradle Roll. She was a member and secretary of Ladies Aid. She was involved in various women's Bible Study groups and events throughout her years. She was so talented, finding creative ways to teach the children or putting on cute skits for different events.

Doris's home was filled with children most of her life from her own children and their friends, her nieces and nephews, her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved having her house filled with the giggles and voices of children playing or the conversation of a good friend coming over for a visit. She faithfully wrote birthday, anniversary, and Christmas cards each year, never forgetting one (it may have been a few days late but it was there). She had a servant's heart and loved deeply. Her smile and laugh were contagious to anyone around. She was a beautiful gift to all who knew her.

Doris enjoyed many things in her life. She enjoyed watching her children and grandkids in all different activities, though basketball was definitely one of her favorites. She came to all the games she could and always had a pen and paper in hand to keep stats. She was her family's biggest fan in everything they did. She made numerous birthday cakes for her family and others in the community, each one decorated beautifully. And she loved to take pictures of everything. She would always get multiple copies printed to share with the various people she photographed.

Most importantly, Doris was a believer of Jesus Christ. She knew the Lord and had a strong relationship with Him that she desired to share with others. Her greatest joy was knowing God and giving Him thanks and praise for the many blessings in her life. She knew life was a gift given to us from the LORD, and she lived that way. She didn't have a grumbling heart or negative attitude, she was encouraging, joyful, and loving. It is by grace she was saved and it is by His grace that He has allowed us to know, love, and cherish her.

Doris was brought home to her Lord and Savior on Nov. 16, 2024, in Circle, MT. As Paul reminds us in Philippians 1: 21, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." For the believer, death is so much sweeter than life on earth because it means eternal life with Christ. Doris has greatly gained and we rejoice and celebrate her with heavy hearts as she spends eternity in glory with Christ Jesus.

Doris is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Jessie Ferguson; her husband, Alton Olson; infant son, Darin; mother and father-in-law Lars and Hazel Olson siblings Robert (Arlene) (Roberta), Delores (Gerald), Louise (Chet), Victor, Mary (Hugh) and Ray; her sisters-in-law Aileen Whiteside and Donna Olson; and brother-in-law Don Benedict; and her great granddaughter, Mackenzie Hall. 

Doris is survived by her children Aldis (Dennis) Fischer, Orlan (Tammy), Jamie, Harley (Jana); sister-in-law Linda Benedict; brother-in-law Dale (Sandy) Olson; her grandchildren Coby Fischer, Kirstin (Richard) Hall, Kyla Fischer (Lee), Jeff Seward, Kendra (Colter) Todd, Laken (Jack) Switzer, Shanna (Bailee) White, Ryder (Jaylea) Olson, Haley Olson (Jose); her great grandchildren Jaedyn Hall, Gabrielle Fischer, Tinley Todd, Webb, Hardy, and Whit Switzer, and Karter Olson; along with numerous nieces and nephews.