Anita Kay Olson

1943-2007

Anita Kay Olson, 64, who lived most of her life in Billings, died May 30 of ovarian cancer.

Anita was born in Billings in 1943 to Adam and Kay Walters. She attended Lewis and Clark Junior High and graduated from Billings Senior High in 1961. After high school, she attended the University of Montana in Missoula, where she was a member of the Tri Delta Sorority. She graduated from Eastern Montana College in Billings with a degree in history. She later continued her education and had nearly completed her master's degree in special education.
In 1964, Anita married Thomas Neal Olson, her high school sweetheart. Anita and Tom were married for nearly 42 years. They had two daughters - Laura and Kathleen. They were an extremely close family that enjoyed traveling, spending time outdoors and being together. In 2005, Anita and Tom moved to Las Vegas to be closer to Laura and Kathleen and their grandson, Thomas.

Anita spent the first years of her career as a social worker for Yellowstone County. She later worked for Youth Services Center helping at-risk youth. Anita then joined the staff of Riverside Middle School, where she developed strong friendships with the staff and had a huge impact on the students who turned to her for support and guidance. Anita loved worked at Riverside and was extremely happy working with the students.

Anita was admired and loved by her family, friends and everyone with whom she came into contact. She always had a smile on her face and never failed to offer compliments and take the time to ask about others. She was an incredibly selfless, humble, beautiful person.
During her life, Anita enjoyed gardening, walking, reading and spending time with family. She was an extraordinary cook and loved nothing more than entertaining friends and family and seeing them enjoy her meals. When her grandson was born, Anita played a key role in helping raise him - he loved his Nana.

Anita is preceded in death by her husband, Tom; her parents, Adam and Kay Walters; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Theodore and Enid Olson; and her brother-in-law, Robert Brown. She is survived by daughters Laura Olson-Reyes and Katie Olson of Las Vegas; grandson, Thomas; son-in-law Robert Reyes; her brother and sister-in-law Rich and Kathy Walters; sister-in-law Karen Brown of Bozeman; her brother and sister-in-law Ted and Barb Olson of San Jose, Calif; nieces Debbie Upton, Tammy Henrich and Sara Walters; nephews Jeff Olson, Steve Brown, Kevin Olson and Josh Walters; and numerous other loved ones.

Services will be held Saturday, June 9, at 1 p.m. at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park, 3605 Grand Ave. in Billings. A reception will follow immediately afterward (TBA at service).
Memorials may be made to the Anita Olson Needy Student Fund to benefit Riverside Middle School students, c/o Summit Credit Union, 111 24th St. W., Billings, MT 59102, or the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, 500 NE Spanish River Blvd., Suite 8; Boca Raton, FL 33431; www.ovarian.org.