Marilyn Susan Orr-Olson

Marilyn “Susie” Orr Olson, age 74, left us to take her seat at the Lord's table on Monday, November 18, 2024, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Polson. To know her was to love her. She was born Thursday, Aug. 17, 1950, in St. Ignatius, MT, to Leroy (Mid) Orr and Laurina (Trahan) Orr, Susie was the third of eleven children. 

She was a member of the Confederated Salish, Kootenai, and Pend Oreille Tribes and lived on the Flathead Indian Reservation for most of her life. Susie's family moved to Polson in the mid-1950s and lived on Kerr Dam Road until a fire destroyed their home in 1960. After the fire, Susie and her sisters Bobbie and Cyndy were taken in by foster parents Bud and Vesta Peters and lived with them on Hillcrest.

In 1968, Susie married David Nowotny and gave birth to her first daughter, Brenda, on her 18th birthday. During their brief marriage, they lived in Polson, Gold Beach, Oregon, and Fort Rucker, Alabama.

Susie started waitressing at Richwine's Burgerville in 1969 and worked for Lucy and Enoch for several summers. She was featured in the Burgerville documentary film, Burgers and Fries, and Family Ties, where her smile stole the show. Her daughter Anna and granddaughter Ashlee would later carry on the Richwine tradition.

In the late 1970s, Susie met and married Chris Olson, and they remained married for 46 years until his passing in 2023. In their early years, they enjoyed life at the lake house in Elmo, where Chris taught school and later worked in traveling sales. Many family get-togethers were held there, always highlighted by Susie’s famous fried chicken. During the Elmo years, Susie was also a proud member of the Chief Cliff Fire Department—nothing thrilled her more than driving the fire trucks!

In 1988, Susie's first grandchild, James, was born, and they quickly became best friends. Just six months later, Susie and Chris welcomed their youngest daughter, Anna, who became a loving and devoted auntie at an early age. In 1990, her first beautiful granddaughter, Ashlee, was born, followed by Anna’s daughters, Gracie, Nika, and Marlie, who joined the family in 2007, 2008, and 2011. Susie was an incredible grandmother and cherished all of her babies throughout their lives, including the four great-grandchildren who came in recent years.

In 1994, Susie, Chris, and Anna moved to Rocky Point Road in Polson, where they remained until their passing. Susie was active in her children’s schools and was known all around town for her beautiful smile and the kindness she showed to everyone she met. She was a dedicated homemaker and an exceptional cook.

Susie furthered her education and passion for helping others by opening her own business, Nature's Touch, offering craniosacral and massage therapy. She touched countless lives and taught her family and friends about the benefits of essential oils.

Susie was baptized on Oct. 5, 2003, in the Flathead River by Pastor Rud Knudson and became a devout and enthusiastic member of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Polson. Her relationship with the Lord was a joy to witness. Many people came to recognize her by her modest dresses and skirts and the radiant joy of Jesus she shared with everyone she encountered.

 Susie was preceded in death by her treasured father, Mid, her mother Laurina, foster parents Vesta, Bud, and Bernie, little brothers Curtis, Tedd, and Gordon, and her beloved husband of 46 years, Chris.

She is survived by her brother Dan; sisters Bev Richards (Dewey), Bobbie Orr, Cyndy Clairmont, Tina Orr, Teri Aldrich (Mike), and Laurel Bulson (Chuck); daughters Brenda Steiner (Jim) and Anna Olson (Chris); grandchildren James Steiner, Ashley Cordier, Gracie Waterman, Nika Waterman, and Marlie Starkel; great-grandchildren Anders, Emi, Wren, and Kash; and numerous nieces and nephews with whom she remained close. Susie was a grandmother to all children, and her memory will live on in the giggles and hugs she so generously shared throughout her lifetime.

She was small but mighty and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Viewing will be Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, from 1–5 p.m., with a memorial service on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at 11 a.m., all at The Lake Funeral Home in Polson.