Mary Louise Olree
May 16, 1928 ~ Sept. 14, 2018
Mary Louise was born to Rush and Gladys Montgomery on May 16, 1928. She was raised in Jack County, Texas, with her three sisters and three brothers: Lina Belle, Mildred, Dotty, John, Lewis and Guy.
She met the love of her life, Doyle Olree, at a basketball game between their two small town rival teams. She used to tell the story that she spotted him sitting with another girl and began shooting spit wads in his direction. She told her friend that the next time he came to town, he would be coming to see her. Lou and Doyle were married on July 1, 1944, when she was 16 and he was 18. They spent the next 74 years together in love. Lou wrote that “my first love was and still is my wonderful husband, Doyle.”
They were blessed with four children who love them beyond words: Doyle Jr. (Sherry) of Montrose; Donna (Barry) of Wright, Wyo.; David (Sue) of Grand Junction and Paula of Jenks, Okla.; eight grandchildren: Jennifer, Jolene, Kyle, Rebecca, Jeff, Amanda, Sara and Daniel; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Lou and Doyle left Texas in 1946 after his return from World War II, living in northwest Colorado and raising their family in Rangely. They transferred to eastern Montana in 1980 with Doyle’s job at Chevron; retiring in 1985 when they moved to Palisade.
Lou and Doyle enjoyed many years of retirement, traveling to Hawaii, adventures in their motor home, fishing and experiencing many fun times with Doyle’s sisters, who Lou loved as her own: Sarah (Mike); Pauline (Coy); and Bernice (Paul).
Lou enjoyed cooking, tending her flowers, catching the biggest fish, watching the Oklahoma Sooners, Denver Broncos, and with a little smile, she’d admit that she always liked the Dallas Cowboys. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family. Lou was a faithful member of the Church of Christ since she was 13 years old, attending services regularly.
On Sept. 14 at the age of 90, Mary Louise Montgomery Olree peacefully left this world, entering the Kingdom of her Lord and Savior. And while it’s hard to imagine a world without her and we will forever miss her, we are at peace knowing she has triumphantly entered her heavenly home.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Mountain States Children’s Home, 14780 N. 107th St., Longmont, Colo., 80504 or HopeWest Hospice in Grand Junction.
