Elna was born November 18, 1929 in Powers Lake, North Dakota, the youngest of 8 children born to Charley and Lizzie Olson. She grew up on the family farm until the age of 4 when her father died. Following his death, she and her mother moved into Powers Lake. One of her favorite memories was a trip to California with her brother, Ralph, her sister, Laura, and her mother to visit another sister. Music has always been a huge part of her life. Elna started taking piano lessons at a very young age from a woman who stayed with Elna and her mother in exchange for payment of the lessons. Her daughter, Paulette, was born in Williston, North Dakota and soon after the family moved to Miles City where her second child, Carter, was born 4 years later.
Upon arriving in Miles City, they joined First Lutheran Church where she met many lifelong friends. She was a stay at home mom until her children were in grade school. She then went to work for Mountain Bell becoming a service representative. After taking early retirement, she learned to play bridge and golf. She was honored to be a member of the Miles City Music Club. One of the greatest joys in her life was when her granddaughter, Megan at the age of one year old moved with her parents to Miles City. Megan and her grandma had a special bond and did many activities together. Eventually, Elna moved to Billings and lived with her daughter, Paulette, who had moved to Billings from Texas. Shortly thereafter, Carter, Betsy and Megan moved to Billings where Elna was able to continue her special bond with Megan, attending all of her high school activities. Megan was the light of her life! Elna had a very active life in Billings playing bridge with her friends, volunteering at the First United Methodist church, playing the piano as a volunteer in the cafeteria at Billings Clinic and going for walks with her dog. The last year of her life was spent at Highgate Senior Living where she continued her love of cards playing with friends. On the morning of February 22, she passed away peacefully. Her family was blessed that she was pain free throughout the last year of her life. Throughout her life she survived many battles with cancer and attributed part of her survival to being a stubborn Norwegian and her positive attitude.
She was preceded in death by her parents, all of her brothers and sisters except her closest sister, Laura. She also lost a baby boy at birth. She is survived by her daughter, Paulette Mollgaard, son and daughter-in-law, Carter (Betsy) Mollgaard, and her granddaughter, Megan (David) Model and many nieces and nephews.
A private family service will be held on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at the Billings Clinic Chapel in Billings. Interment will follow in the Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park Cemetery in Billings. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Memorials may be made to the Billings Clinic Foundation or the charity of one’s choice.
Jim & Cathy Bastian says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Carter and family. Your mom was a special lady!
Pam Rogge says
Carter and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time as you remember a life well lived. I always enjoyed my visits with Elna.
Sheila and Jerry Christopherson says
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time.
Mary Ann Stockhill Liles says
Dear Paulette, Carter, Betsy & Megan, This was one special lady. I loved her! My sympathy to you, as she will be missed on this earth. Blessings to you all. Mary Ann Liles
Mark Browning says
Carter and family,
I’m sorry to learn of the loss of your Elna. I enjoyed the company with her attending the many Art Center events.
Ron Hathaway says
Carter, so sorry for your loss. What a full life your mom had.
Linda & Sarah Taylor says
Carter and family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. I have memories of you mother from my youth and whenever my mother or I meet out and about she was so kind and gracious. Please accept our condolences, and may you find peace from the God of all comfort, memories and family.
Linda, Curtis, Steve and Sarah Taylor
Kent Frette says
Paulette and Carter: Sorry to hear of Elna’s passing. Many good memories of Elna and both of you growing up in Miles City. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ladd Coates says
I first met the Mollgarrd’s when they lived on Tompy. They were always very nice to me. But later on, when I spent many visits to Deaconess ( oooooops Billings Clinic ) I would see Elna playing the piano in the cafeteria area. We would always say hello or wave
Jan Munroe says
Elna was such a delightful lady. MY condolences.
Ginger Huckins says
Please know how sorry I am for the loss of Elna. She was a very lovely and dear friend.
Jessie Leidholt says
Elna was such a thoughtful and gracious lady. A special person.
Dave Stensrud says
Carter, Betsy, Our thoughts are with you and your entire family.
Kathryn Broyles says
Elna was a lovely lady. I always enjoyed her personality and sense of humor. I know she will be greatly missed.
Carol Callen says
Condolences to your family. Elna was special to me. She was so gracious and inviting to me when I moved to Billings, and started attending First United Methodist church. We spent many Sundays sharing a “pew”, and a getting to know each other. I missed her when she was unable to come. God bless.
Elaine Schieffer says
To Elna’s family
I am so sorry to read of Elna’s passing. I didn’t know her well but she must have been very special to have such a nice son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Megan, I think you were twice blessed by her – once to have her love and attention as you were growing up and a second time knowing how much your love and attention meant to her. My thoughts are with you all at this time.
Donna Sweeney says
Dear Paulette, Carter, Betsy and Megan.
I am so sorry to learn that you lost your mom/grandmother. Elna and I have been friends for decades, beginning in Miles City at First Lutheran Church. Paulette and Carter, you were just young children then! Our friendship continued on in Billings, where we both moved to. I went to the Billings Clinic cafeteria many times on Thursdays at lunch time, just to hear Elna play the piano. What a gift she gave to the people who were there having lunch.
You have my most sincere sympathy.
Tom Lillian Ostendorf says
Sorry to see Elna passed. It is comforting to know she passed pain free.
Our sincere condolences. Tom and Lillian
Lloyd and Jan Sohl says
Carter, Betsy and family. Our sympathy to you in the passing of Elna. A first class lady.
Lloyd and Jan Sohl
Charlotte Grover says
So sorry to learn of Elna’s passing.
Always enjoyed our visits.
Will Selph says
Carter, Betsy, and Family,
I am so sorry to read of Elna’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all now.
DeMaris Burt says
Paulette and Carter and Family,
So sorry to hear of your Moms passing. She was such a beautiful kind and classy lady!! Was very happy to run into her a few years ago and catch up.
Hugs and prayers to you all
DeMaris Ruffatto Burt
Pam Griffin says
Paulette, Carter, Betsy, and Megan,
So sorry to hear of Elna’s passing. What a beautiful lady she was, both inside and out. She was such a great friend to Mom and they sure had fun going to dances, etc! And reading her obituary, they had so many similarities in their lives. Keeping you all in thoughts and prayers of strength and God’s peace in the days ahead. Our sympathy, Pam and Don
Ladelle Lucy says
So very sorry to hear of Elna’s passing. I remember her as a sweet, kind lady. I always enjoyed our visits with your family. May she Rest In Peace.