Andrea "Babe" Kallen Olenik left this world and her earthly troubles Dec. 7, 2017.
She was born in Hardin, Jan. 21, 1921, after her mother Dorothea Kessels Kallen rode the train to town from Tolucca. Andrew and Dorothea Kallen were farming on that wind blown prairie at the time.
Later the family moved to a farm in North Valley near the abandoned iron bridge on the Big Horn River. For her first eight years of schooling Mom attended Community School. She graduated from Hardin High School in May of 1939 and married John F. Olenik a month later. Together they put together a farm and ranch across the road from his parents' homestead.
Mom worked with Dad in the fields, along with cooking for harvest crews and raising three children, Jeanette, John A. (Johnny) and Charles. After her husband died in 1969 she continued to help Johnny with the farm. Her other interests included raising a large garden, with often prize winning tomatoes and cantaloupes, and perfect flower gardens. Horseback rides in the hills were another favorite pastime until she wore Penny and Missy, her horses, out. For the last 20 years she fed the wild birds that flocked to her yard. All wildlife was welcome except for the buzzards and hawks who stole the little birds' food.
In spite of her physical limitations, she was able to live alone in her home until five months ago. Her good friend, Gloria, deserves our family's thanks for all of her help, along with Claudine and Judy who helped with the town trips. We would also like to give a special thank you to the staff of the Hardin Hospital Swing Bed Unit and St Johns Fischer Cottage for their excellent and loving care of Mom. There are countless others who did kindnesses that deserve our thanks also.
She is survived by her children, Jeanette Longman, John (Liz) Olenik and Charles Olenik, six grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. A sister, Dorothea (Toots) Schultz and brothers, Bud, Ted, and John preceded her in death, along with most of her old friends from the Valley. They may all be planning a North Star Club Christmas party to catch up on things now that she has joined them.
Services are planned for the spring when the wild roses bloom. Memorials to the charity of your choice can be made as long as they are not to the "Friends of the Buzzards" group.
The Billings Gazette 12-11-2017
Farewell Mom, enjoy your rest and Thanks for Everything.
Published by Billings Gazette on Dec. 11, 2017.
She was born in Hardin, Jan. 21, 1921, after her mother Dorothea Kessels Kallen rode the train to town from Tolucca. Andrew and Dorothea Kallen were farming on that wind blown prairie at the time.
Later the family moved to a farm in North Valley near the abandoned iron bridge on the Big Horn River. For her first eight years of schooling Mom attended Community School. She graduated from Hardin High School in May of 1939 and married John F. Olenik a month later. Together they put together a farm and ranch across the road from his parents' homestead.
Mom worked with Dad in the fields, along with cooking for harvest crews and raising three children, Jeanette, John A. (Johnny) and Charles. After her husband died in 1969 she continued to help Johnny with the farm. Her other interests included raising a large garden, with often prize winning tomatoes and cantaloupes, and perfect flower gardens. Horseback rides in the hills were another favorite pastime until she wore Penny and Missy, her horses, out. For the last 20 years she fed the wild birds that flocked to her yard. All wildlife was welcome except for the buzzards and hawks who stole the little birds' food.
In spite of her physical limitations, she was able to live alone in her home until five months ago. Her good friend, Gloria, deserves our family's thanks for all of her help, along with Claudine and Judy who helped with the town trips. We would also like to give a special thank you to the staff of the Hardin Hospital Swing Bed Unit and St Johns Fischer Cottage for their excellent and loving care of Mom. There are countless others who did kindnesses that deserve our thanks also.
She is survived by her children, Jeanette Longman, John (Liz) Olenik and Charles Olenik, six grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. A sister, Dorothea (Toots) Schultz and brothers, Bud, Ted, and John preceded her in death, along with most of her old friends from the Valley. They may all be planning a North Star Club Christmas party to catch up on things now that she has joined them.
Services are planned for the spring when the wild roses bloom. Memorials to the charity of your choice can be made as long as they are not to the "Friends of the Buzzards" group.
The Billings Gazette 12-11-2017
Farewell Mom, enjoy your rest and Thanks for Everything.
Published by Billings Gazette on Dec. 11, 2017.
Andrea "Babe" Kallen Olenik left this world and her earthly troubles Dec. 7, 2017.
She was born in Hardin, Jan. 21, 1921, after her mother Dorothea Kessels Kallen rode the train to town from Tolucca. Andrew and Dorothea Kallen were farming on that wind blown prairie at the time.
Later the family moved to a farm in North Valley near the abandoned iron bridge on the Big Horn River. For her first eight years of schooling Mom attended Community School. She graduated from Hardin High School in May of 1939 and married John F. Olenik a month later. Together they put together a farm and ranch across the road from his parents' homestead.
Mom worked with Dad in the fields, along with cooking for harvest crews and raising three children, Jeanette, John A. (Johnny) and Charles. After her husband died in 1969 she continued to help Johnny with the farm. Her other interests included raising a large garden, with often prize winning tomatoes and cantaloupes, and perfect flower gardens. Horseback rides in the hills were another favorite pastime until she wore Penny and Missy, her horses, out. For the last 20 years she fed the wild birds that flocked to her yard. All wildlife was welcome except for the buzzards and hawks who stole the little birds' food.
In spite of her physical limitations, she was able to live alone in her home until five months ago. Her good friend, Gloria, deserves our family's thanks for all of her help, along with Claudine and Judy who helped with the town trips. We would also like to give a special thank you to the staff of the Hardin Hospital Swing Bed Unit and St Johns Fischer Cottage for their excellent and loving care of Mom. There are countless others who did kindnesses that deserve our thanks also.
She is survived by her children, Jeanette Longman, John (Liz) Olenik and Charles Olenik, six grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. A sister, Dorothea (Toots) Schultz and brothers, Bud, Ted, and John preceded her in death, along with most of her old friends from the Valley. They may all be planning a North Star Club Christmas party to catch up on things now that she has joined them.
Services are planned for the spring when the wild roses bloom. Memorials to the charity of your choice can be made as long as they are not to the "Friends of the Buzzards" group.
The Billings Gazette 12-11-2017
Farewell Mom, enjoy your rest and Thanks for Everything.
Published by Billings Gazette on Dec. 11, 2017.
She was born in Hardin, Jan. 21, 1921, after her mother Dorothea Kessels Kallen rode the train to town from Tolucca. Andrew and Dorothea Kallen were farming on that wind blown prairie at the time.
Later the family moved to a farm in North Valley near the abandoned iron bridge on the Big Horn River. For her first eight years of schooling Mom attended Community School. She graduated from Hardin High School in May of 1939 and married John F. Olenik a month later. Together they put together a farm and ranch across the road from his parents' homestead.
Mom worked with Dad in the fields, along with cooking for harvest crews and raising three children, Jeanette, John A. (Johnny) and Charles. After her husband died in 1969 she continued to help Johnny with the farm. Her other interests included raising a large garden, with often prize winning tomatoes and cantaloupes, and perfect flower gardens. Horseback rides in the hills were another favorite pastime until she wore Penny and Missy, her horses, out. For the last 20 years she fed the wild birds that flocked to her yard. All wildlife was welcome except for the buzzards and hawks who stole the little birds' food.
In spite of her physical limitations, she was able to live alone in her home until five months ago. Her good friend, Gloria, deserves our family's thanks for all of her help, along with Claudine and Judy who helped with the town trips. We would also like to give a special thank you to the staff of the Hardin Hospital Swing Bed Unit and St Johns Fischer Cottage for their excellent and loving care of Mom. There are countless others who did kindnesses that deserve our thanks also.
She is survived by her children, Jeanette Longman, John (Liz) Olenik and Charles Olenik, six grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. A sister, Dorothea (Toots) Schultz and brothers, Bud, Ted, and John preceded her in death, along with most of her old friends from the Valley. They may all be planning a North Star Club Christmas party to catch up on things now that she has joined them.
Services are planned for the spring when the wild roses bloom. Memorials to the charity of your choice can be made as long as they are not to the "Friends of the Buzzards" group.
The Billings Gazette 12-11-2017
Farewell Mom, enjoy your rest and Thanks for Everything.
Published by Billings Gazette on Dec. 11, 2017.
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