Donald Elliot Olsson Jr.

Donald Olsson Jr., lifetime community leader and beloved husband and father, died on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at St. Luke Extended Care in Ronan, surrounded by family and friends. 

Don was born on June 22, 1947, at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, MT. He spent the first few years of his life in student housing at the University of Montana while his father, Don Sr., completed law school. Perhaps it was this experience that launched him into his later community banking career. He had to learn early how to get along with and care about neighbors—the walls of the old strip houses, as they were called, were paper thin. Crying and complaining didn’t go over well.

Don’s family moved to Ronan in 1950 and Don Sr. began work with Ronan State Bank where his father, Harald, was president. Growing up in Ronan suited Don Jr. very well. He and neighborhood friends roamed Spring Creek and the neighborhoods of town, occasionally enlivening things with antics like lighting off fireworks on Spring Creek Bridge. Some went on hikes with him in the Missions to Mollman, Piper, Swartz and Grey Wolf Lakes. In school, Don played a few sports for the Ronan Chiefs, participated in all available activities, and spent time skiing at Big Mountain with his friends & family. After high school, Don moved on to Montana State University where he again became involved in many organizations, including student government and service. He also served as president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Don met many lifelong friends at Montana State University & became a devout Bobcat fan. 

Don was a man of many quotes. One hanging on the wall in his office says, “you can’t change the wind, but you can adjust your sails.” Don adjusted his sails in 1969 when he graduated from MSU and moved to San Francisco to work for Wells Fargo Bank. He completed the management training program in 1971 but could hardly wait to return to Montana. As Don said, “I don’t think there is a greater place to live than Montana. I’m lucky to be a fifth generation Montanan and I’m hoping my grandchildren will love this place as much as I do.”

Back in Montana, Don went to work with his father at the Ronan State Bank and reconnected with an old childhood friend, Annette Arrington. Her father, Owen, had been the Methodist minister in Ronan and the Arrington family had a cabin close to the Olssons’ on Flathead Lake. Don’s sister, Debby, and Annette were childhood friends and had played paper dolls together...so, when Don and Annette started dating the girls said, “it’s destiny!” Don and Annette were married in 1973. 

Don & Annette's lives were full during the following years. They raised three children, Karli, Donnie and Abby. Don enjoyed hauling his children to ski races and other various sporting events. In his down time, he worked on boats, planted a small forest at their house on spring creek, and very much enjoyed riding motorcycles & snowmobiles around Montana. Don maintained his enthusiasm for community and jumped into many local and professional organizations. He became the first chairman of the Lake County Planning Board and founded the Lower Flathead Community Foundation, dedicated to helping communities on the Flathead Indian Reservation. 

Don’s leadership also led him to serve a term as president of the Montana Bankers Association. He also served on the Federal Reserve Board of Minneapolis from 1992 to 1996. He was named president of Community Bank (formerly Ronan State Bank) in 1990.

When asked what qualities are important for community banks, Don said “They are the same as they were 100 years ago. A good bank must be focused on people and not just the bottom line. There are bankers that eat well and bankers that sleep well. We need to manage our money conservatively so we can sleep at night and be there for our customers in the morning to help them make good decisions.”

Two things surpassed Don’s devotion to community--family and boats. From childhood on, Don liked getting people together and he and Annette have always had an open door, especially at their cabin on Flathead. It’s a gathering spot for their expanding family which now includes 6 grandchildren, Wyatt (19), Piper (17), Harper (16), Violet (15), Kennedy (15) and Saylor (15). Don has definitely passed on to them his favorite passion, boats. They love Flathead Lake and whenever they can, they are on it or in it. Many times, they have enjoyed Don’s famous “three hour tours.” He was always up for a ride and you never knew when you would return. As Don used to say, “sail fast, live slow” and regularly reminded us all, “this is not a dress rehearsal”.

Don is preceded in death by his parents, Donald & Mildred (Pete) Olsson,

Don is survived by his wife Annette, daughter Karli & Ryan Graves (Wyatt & Harper), Son Donnie & Carly Olsson (Piper & Violet), daughter Abby & Gordon Zimmerman (Kennedy & Saylor), Sister Debbie Olsson McClenahan & Sister Shelley & Tim Geiszler.

Celebration of Life to occur at (TBD 11:00AM) on (June 21, 2025) at Ronan Faith Lutheran Church, followed by a reception from 12:30-4:00 at The Knot at Sky Ridge Ranch: 35414 Timberlane Rd. Ronan, MT 59864.

Special Thanks to the Ronan St Lukes Extended Care Facility. They took such good care of Don & his family. We are so grateful to everyone there. 

Donations may be made to Lower Flathead Community Foundation. Checks can be mailed to: LFCF PO BOX 255 Ronan, MT 59864.