Sophie was born on Oct. 14, 1909, in Litchville, N.D., to Hans and Elsie (Rynning) Olsen. She was raised near Temple, N.D., where she attended a country school.
On Aug. 9, 1931, she married Arthur Barman in Tioga. They made their living farming in Rainbow Valley just north of Ray and together they had one son and two daughters.
After Art died in 1953, Sophie moved to Williston to raise the children. While there, she worked for Piggly Wiggly in the meat department. In 1966, she went to work in Montana in Yellowstone Park in the Old Faithful area. In 1976, she went to Jackson Hole, Wyo., where she sold Stetson hats. Sophie enjoyed both of the seasonal jobs. Yearly, she had fall and winter visits with each of her children’s families.
Sophie’s favorite pastimes were dancing, going to rummage sales and giving advice to her grandchildren. We will miss the strong, wonderful woman who taught us all so much.
Sophie is survived by her son, Duane Barman of Billings; her daughters, Sharon Sandow and DeLaine Ault of Poplar, Mont.; a brother, Orville Olsen of Bismark; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur; an infant son, Dennis; two sisters, Lillian Haustveitt and Edna Fretland; two brothers, Howard Olsen and infant brother, Ralph; a daughter in-law, Marie Barma;, two sons in-law, Randy Sandow and Al Ault, and a grandson, Bryan Barman.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 5, 2008, at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Interment will be at Rainbow Valley Lutheran Church Cemetery north of Ray.
In lieu of flowers, send memorials to: Rainbow Valley Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 18, Ray, N.D., 58849. Condolences may be sent to the family at csmc@nemontel.net or www.stevensonandsons.com.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Comments