By HDN Staff
CHESTER Olney Raymond Oswood, 84, died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2002, at a Chester nursing home.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the Rockman Funeral Chapel in Chester. Burial will follow at the Chester Cemetery.
Olney was born April 14, 1917, in Chester to Canute and Christine Oswood. His father was a Norwegian immigrant who settle in the Sweet Grass Hills and raised his family. Olney received his formal education at the Roke School near the farm.
Olney and his brother Frank took over the family ranch in 1931. When Frank was inducted into the U.S. Army during World War II, Olney operated their cattle business. After Frank's return, the two bachelor brothers continued to live and work together until their retirement in 1976. They leased the place out, but continued to live on the ranch. Olney moved to the Sweetgrass Lodge in Chester in 1983. Frank died in 1988.
Olney could best be described as a quiet and private man who enjoyed living the simple life. He liked to read, watch television and listen to music. His favorite TV shows were "Lawrence Welk" and "The Price is Right." He enjoyed the old time music, especially polkas and country western. During his years on the ranch, Olney did the gardening, sewing and cooking. Of interest was the fact that the brothers produced their own wind-generated electricity. As a hobby, Olney enjoyed fixing clocks and watches, and he also collected Indian arrowheads. He kept a spotless and well-organized house.
After moving to the nursing home, Olney enjoyed his daily walks around Chester, where he frequently picked up litter and cans. He developed several personal missions: delivering the daily mail to the lodge, helping with the tidiness at the lodge; and controlling evening traffic in and out of the lodge. He enjoyed the comfortable facilities and appreciated his friendships there.
Olney was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Frank and Clarence; sisters, Elsie, Caroline and Agnes.
Survivors include several nephews, nieces and cousins.
