Raymond Arthur Olver

Raymond Arthur Olver ( Art ) passed away at the age of 77 on August 21, 2017 at the Hot Springs Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hot Springs, Mont. His passing came after many years of Alzheimers and the complications that came with it. Art was born April 5, 1940 in Sandpoint, Idaho, to Felix and Etta Olver. He grew up with a sister and three older brothers. His home at the time of birth was in Noxon, Mont., up until the fifth grade. From birth until the fifth grade, Art resided with his family in the town of Noxon, Mont. The family then moved to Pacific, Wash., where he attended grade school in Algona, Wash., and graduated from Auburn, Wash., in 1958. He was preceded in death by his parents Felix and Etta Olver; siblings Ella Mae, Perley, and Robert Olver; children Kevin Ray and Theresa Rae ( Olver ) Matthaes; and Granddaughter Danielle Rae Matthaesall of whom were loved and missed very much. Art is survived by his wife Dorothy Olver who currently resides at their home in Trout Creek, Mont., daughter Renna (Olver) Mummert (Ben) of Trout Creek, Mont., brother Gene Olver of Pacific, Wash., granddaughter Randi (Austin) Wilson with great-grandchildren Hunter and Caden Wilson of Elko, Nev., grandson Banks Stocking of Fort Bragg, N.C. (currently serving in Iraq with the armed forces), grandson Troy Matthaes Jr. of Bozeman, Mont., Granddaughter Sara Matthaes of Everett, WA., along with many other family members including brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews whom he all loved very much! He met his beloved wife Dorothy ( Molenda ) in Missoula, Mont., and they married Feb. 9, 1962 in Pacific, Wash., at the Methodist church. They attended this church for many years, enjoying listening to his Mother sing in the choir. All three of their children were born in Hot Springs Hospital in between their moves from Washington and Montana. Arts career spanned many years of construction and mill work before finding his passion in woodcarving. When health issues began in 1971 he turned to his artistic side, first finding joy in painting before mastering the art of bark carving and becoming well known for gathering some of the best cottonwood bark around! He and his wife, and even sometimes grandchildren, traveled to many woodcarving-shows; selling his cottonwood bark carvings, cottonwood bark, and sharing his talents along the way of how to carve. He became well known as "The Bark Guy". Art would always find time to spend time in the outdoors of Montana with his family; always cherishing the mountains and what they had to offer. Picking huckleberries, morel mushrooms and evening drives to view wildlife. In his youthful years, his favorite thing to do in the winter was to travel to Arizona, camping in the desert and carving with his older brother Perley and friends. Many a story was told and memories were made. Family was always very important to Art and with so many tragic losses early in life, he learned to cherish time together even more. While in the nursing home he truly enjoyed his visits from all family and friends, and music; to the very end! Through the 55 years of marriage, Art, and the love of his life Dorothy, lived in Thompson Falls, Missoula and Butte, Mont., Kent and Pacific, Wash.., and lastly in Trout Creek, Mont. At these places, he met lifelong friends and stayed close to family. We would like to thank everyone at Hot Springs Rehabilitation who gave Art constant loving care for the past two years and offered continued support throughout. Also Dr. Lovell, Dr. Drye, Dr. Irwin, Sunset Hill Funeral Home of Plains, Mont., and each and every one that was involved with the support and care of Art up until the end. You are all very much appreciated and we couldnt have made it without you! We will miss Art and always love him. He can now be at peace again and use his artistic mind. A celebration of life is planned for a later date.

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