Darlene Joy Olson, 82

Darlene Joy Olson passed away on the evening of July 10, 2021, at her home in Whitehall. She was born to Mildred (Erickson) Stadem and Severt Stadem on March 23, 1939, in Bryant, South Dakota. She graduated from Bryant High School in 1957. On May 1, 1957, she married Roger Odean Olson in Bryant. They worked the family farm, and it was there they started their family of three boys, Jeff, Jay, and Merle.

In 1964 the family moved to Montana where Roger worked bridge construction and mining. In March 1968 Roger was killed in a mining accident near Drummond, Montana. Darlene was left raising her boys by herself until she met and married Richard (Dick) Robbins in 1971.

Together they raised their blended families in Whitehall, Montana. Darlene and Dick owned and operated Robbins Post & Pole; in later years they operated Dick's Department Store. In 1996 Dick and Darlene divorced.

Banna D had many loves: her family, baking, bowling, dancing; not to mention her love of people, her Norwegian heritage, and her devotion to her faith.

In 1994 Darlene started her twenty-five years with Town Pump, working at many different facilities. Her goal was not to retire from the Town Pump until she was 80 years old. She did just that and was extremely proud of it. After battling cancer, she left retirement to go back to work at the Family Dollar in Whitehall.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, Severt and Mildred Stadem; her husband, Roger; and son Jay. Survivors include sons Jeff (Roxann) Olson, Merle (Melissa) Olson, Dean (Crystal) Robbins, Doug (Kathy) Robbins, and daughter Darlene (Mark) Hamilton. Also, grandchildren Taylor and Michaela Olson, Nicole and Jade Robbins, Kristen and Curtis Robbins, Nick and Jenica Hamilton, and seven great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 23 at 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Whitehall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church of Whitehall.