Obituary of Leo Lester Olson

Leo Lester Olson, 84, the artist, the teacher, the husband, the father, the grandfather, the grandpa and great grandpa, the lover of classical and jazz music, the lover of Ivar’s clam chowder, the family photographer, the history buff, lover of great wine and one of the most amazing men we have known, passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2020 beside the love of his life, Bonnie and his son David. Leo passed away on hospice at the house of his son David Olson in Salem, Oregon. Leo was born in Billings, Montana in 1935 to Floyd and Irene Olson. He graduated from Senior High. He then joined the Marine Corps. After, he received a Bachelor’s degree from MSU Billings and a Master’s degree from MSU Bozeman. After a short stint as a commercial artist, he taught at Lewis and Clark Junior High School. There, he pioneered animated film making in the school. He then moved to Billings Senior High. During his years at Senior High, he was able to convince the administration to put in a Ceramics Lab where he taught Ceramics and Sculpture until his retirement. While he was teaching he also produced art in a variety of media. A prolific potter, he produced thousands of pots. Including special Cream of Wheat bowls that you could buy from the company. Also, he did some noteworthy sculptures, many which were on a very large scale. The ones he was most proud of were a life size buffalo for the Greybull Wyoming museum, a life size bronc on the road out of Greybull to commemorate the wild horse refuge, a big horn sheep for the bank of Greybull, a 12 foot tall Christ figure for a church in Sheridan Wyoming, the bronc on the outside wall of Senior High School in Billings, Montana, the shepherd and sheep outside of Good Shepherd Church in Billings, Montana and the scout outside Lewis and Clark in Billings, Montana. He also had several pieces throughout Montana, Oregon, Washington and North Dakota. He had a life size Christ sculpture in Beaverton, Oregon that he was very proud of as well. He was also very accomplished at painting. He loved to paint with watercolors and oils. Once he retired, he become interested in printmaking, etching, making home videos and sharpening up his photography skills. In retirement, he also became a co-director of the Sandstone Art Gallery in Billings. In 1957 Leo married Bonnie Polesky. Together, they had two children, Nanci Lynn Olson and Dr. David Lawrence Olson. From those two children they were blessed with 3 granddaughters, Heather, Kathryn and Elizabeth . Leo also was a great grandfather to Halle and Ryleigh . Leo is survived by his wife of 62 years, Bonnie; his son Dr. David Olson of Salem. His siblings Jeff Olson, and Pastor Steve Olson. His granddaughters Heather, Kathryn and Elizabeth. As well as his two great-granddaughters Halle and Ryleigh. Leo was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Irene Olson; sister Donna, brother Norm and daughter Nanci. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers a memorial donation may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation in honor of his son David and daughter Nanci.