H. James “Jim” Oleson died peacefully with his wife Jeanne by his side on March 21, 2016.   Jim was born in Lemmon, South Dakota on May 24, 1934 to Rose and Charles Oleson.  He was raised with two sisters, June and Kay.  He attended Mobridge High School.  After high school he went to South Dakota State where he graduated with an engineering degree.  During college Jim worked as a smoke jumper and he often talked fondly of his time fighting fires.  After college he enlisted in the Navy, where he served for three years.  He attended law school at University of Montana when his time in the military had ended.  He went back to being a smoke jumper to pay for his law school, a fact he was very proud of.  He met his bride, Jeanne Rae, on a blind date in Helena in 1963 and they were married in June 1964.  They started their married life in Arizona where they added a daughter, Robyn, to their family.  They moved to Kalispell shortly after her birth in May of 1965 and soon Eric, their son, and Jana, their daughter, were born.  Jim started his career in Kalispell and worked here as a lawyer until December 2013.  During that time he was a Flathead County Attorney and a US Magistrate, along with having his own private practice.  He interests were many and varied, including: collecting coins, SCUBA diving, making wine, flying, reading about and discussing military history and playing games with his grandchildren.  He also took pride in being a Shriner.  In addition to his wife Jeanne and beloved dog Tinker, he is survived by his daughters Robyn Fiedler and Jana Warnell and son Eric Oleson, their spouses, and his grandchildren Alexandra and Samantha Fielder, Zachary and Logan Oleson and Carter and Max Warnell.  The service will be held at Epworth United Methodist Church on April 2 at 11:00 am.  In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Jim’s name to Epworth United Methodist Church: 329 2nd Ave. E, Kalispell, MT, 59901; The Shriner’s Children’s Hospital: 911 W 5th Ave, Spokane, WA, 99204; The Sparrow’s Nest: PO Box 8384, Kalispell, MT, 59903;  or to the charity of your choice. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family.

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