Obit: Harold Jacob "Ole" Ollila

Harold Jacob “Ole” Ollila, 92, passed away April 9, 2019 in Clancy, Montana at Elkhorn Health and Rehabilitation.

He was born March 13, 1927 in Cloquet, Minn. to Jacob and Melita (Penttila) Ollila. He graduated from Cloquet High School in 1945 and from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a degree in English in 1945. Ole served in the U.S. Army 1952-1954, during the Korean War. Upon returning to civilian life, he attended the University of North Dakota, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He worked for the Federal Highway Administration in numerous states including Illinois, Michigan, Alaska and Montana until his retirement in 1982. In 1996, he moved from Michigan to his beloved state of Montana, where he built his home near Helena to pursue his many varied interests. He was a talented woodworker, and built and refurbished boats and canoes. He loved to hunt and fish, worked on the ski patrol, and was an airplane owner and pilot. Ole was an avid gun collector, NRA Life Member, and active member and past president of the Weapon Collectors Society of Montana. Ole was very proud of his Finnish heritage, attending numerous Finn Fests and the Minnesota Salolampi Language Village camp in Bemidji, Minn.

Ole was the best joke teller — usually with a straight face that trapped you into his dry Finnish humor.

Ole is preceded in death by his parents Jacob and Melita Ollila; a brother, Edward Ollila; and sisters Shirley Johnson and Ethel Skarp.

Ole is survived by nieces and nephews, many great-nieces and -nephews, and many longtime friends, including Dave Mason. His many friends from his gun show days will miss him dearly.

We would like to give our greatest appreciation and thanks to Shelby House in East Helena, Mont .; the Elkhorn Rehab center in Clancy; and the VA Center of Fort Harrison, Mont. for their exceptional love and care. Ole’s family would also like to give a special thanks to Dave Mason for all his dedication and special care given to carry out Ole’s wishes. He was Ole’s guardian angel on Earth.

No memorial service will be held.