This page is a tribute to the Log Truckers that are no longer with us, but we will always remember them.

From the Montana Log Trucking News March 1997

Everyone seem to know and Love John in some way or another and seemingly, they all showed up at his funeral to pay their last respects. John was born in Hunters, Washington and he passed away in Kalispell, January 1, 1997. He spent 40 of his 71 years married to his wife Darlene, who survives him at the family home.

John was raised in Peach, Washington, the oldest of nine children. He moved to Ellensburg, Washington, where his father owned a trucking company, thus spawning his interest in trucks. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He drove tanker trucks for Bill Hathaway in the mid-1950's and then began a successful log trucking business, which he ran until his health failed.

John will be remembered by so many and in so many different ways, but he will best be remembered for his contributions to the timber industry. Those who knew him best used words like hard- working, honest, generous, funny, and doing things his way to remember him by. John died as he lived - in his own way with his family and friends. He will live on in the memories of his family, friends, business associates, local waitresses and other acquaintances as a tough but a genuinely concerned and loving man. John belonged to the Log Truckers Association since its beginning. He also belonged to the Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years. John will be greatly missed by many people.

On December23,1959, he married Lauretta Hutchens in Kalispell and is survived by her at the family farm. He established Arden Olsen Trucking in 1961, which he operated until retiring in 1995. His favorite things in life were his family, especially his grandchildren, flying his own plane, road construction and heckling salesmen.