Mark Edward Olson 40, passed away surrounded by his family on Aug. 14, 2011.
Mark was born July 21, 1971, in Sioux Falls, S.D., and at the age of 5 moved to Northwest Montana.
One day while cross-country skiing at a park, he pointed up at the ski resort and said, "Dad, I need to be there," and from that point until he finished high school he practically lived up there.
He later graduated from the University of Montana with a finance degree and also obtained his Certification of Risk Management.
Mark began his career in mortgage banking in Minneapolis, but his love of skiing drove him to Portland where he could be closer to his brother and Mount Hood.
Mark had an uncanny ability to excel at individual sports and activities. Besides being an avid alpine and telemark skier, he was a natural snowboarder, golfer and guitar player. He loved biking and long-boarding on the streets of Portland and could unassumingly walk into a billiard hall and clean house. He was a deep thinker, well versed and well read in diverse topics, such as philosophy, psychology and religion.
But Mark was most known for his kindness. He accepted all people and was known to literally give the shirt off of his back to people in need.
He is survived by his daughter, Sophie, the love of his life. He is also survived by his parents, Steve and Elaine Olson; his brother, Bryce, and his sister-in-law and niece. Mark also had numerous cousins, uncles and aunts.
The family would like to thank the staff at Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland for their care of Mark. Mark also provided the gift of life through organ donation.
There will be a memorial service for Mark at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, St. Matthew's Parish.
Memorials may be sent to the Samaritan House, P.O. Box 592, Kalispell, MT 59903; or a charity of your choice.