Obituary: Arlyss Loe

Arlyss Loe

Billings, Mont.

Arlyss Faye Loe, 90, of Billings, Mont. died Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at Sweetwater Retirement Community, attended by the compassionate personnel of St. John's Hospice. She was born June 15, 1933, in Carrington, N.D., to Inez and Folke Borgeson. She was baptized in Augustana Lutheran Church in Sheyenne, N.D.

After attending college in Minot, N.D., she began her teaching career at Augustana Country School and then taught in Kloten, N.D. She married Bob Olson April 15, 1954, in Sheyenne, N.D. They taught for one year in Orr, N.D., eight years in Hanks, N.D., and 25 years in Dagmar, Mont. After retiring from 36 years of teaching in 1989, Bob and Faye moved to Billings where they continued their summer job of long distance trucking, leased to Raymond Corcoran, until 1994. Bob died in July of 1995.

Faye (Mrs. Olson) touched many students and parents with the annual Mother's Day Program she directed, where her students sang songs in honor of their mothers and presented them with flowers. A former student of hers currently carries on this tradition and acknowledges Mrs. Olson each year.

Faye married Marlin Loe in August of 1996 and was blessed by two more sons, a daughter, and seven more grandchildren to add to her existing 10. Marlin died in 2006.

Faye accepted, welcomed and loved all those who became a part of her life. She was the foundation of a large extended family. "A family is a circle of love, and you are the center," is a saying her family dedicated to Faye at her 75th birthday celebration.

Over 150 family and friends joined Faye to celebrate her 90th birthday in June of 2023, where Faye greeted guests at the door and meandered through the crowd all evening to visit with those who came to show their love. A group of her former students sang to her two of the Mother's Day anthems she taught them.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Bob and Marlin, two sisters, Marilyn and Bev, her son Danny, and grandson Christopher.

She is survived by her son Barry Olson (Cheryl) of Olympia, Wash. and children Ryan Olson and Sarah Olson; her daughter Joni Olson and three sons: Chase Justice (Falon) of Casper, Wyo. and children Malakai, Harlow and Soren; Ricky Justice of Medicine Lake, Mont. and son Emmett; Colton Justice (Devyn) of Medicine Lake, Mont. and children Jentry and Trigyr; children of her late son Danny: Mark Olson (Susan) of Plentywood and children Madison and Henley; Rebekah Pfaff (John) of Bismarck, N.D. and children Jake, Joe, Josh, Ava and James; Allen Olson (Erin) of Fargo, N.D.; and Tylor Olson of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; step-daughter Karlene Doupé (Joe) of Auburn, Calif. and sons Adam Doupé (Rebecca) and Austin Doupé; step-son Kevin Loe (Carre) of Stevensville, Calif., and children Logan (Tina) and son Lucas; Laurel (Steven) and children Rorry, Evelyn and Maloni; Macy (Tiler) and Tony; step-son Kirk Loe (and ex Neil Hornish) and children Joe, Jenn, Emma, Neil Jr. and Skylar; and brother Feryle Borgeson (Betty) of St. Paul, Minn.

Funeral services were held on Monday, May 6, 2024 at American Lutheran Church in Billings, Mont. Interment will be at Nathanael Lutheran Church Cemetery in Dagmar, Mont., at a later date. Smith Funeral West handled the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project.