Kristy Olson

Kristy Renee “Sparky” Olson passed away, still fighting, on Sept. 28, 2013. She was 38 year old.

Kristy was born in Spokane, Wash., on Aug. 16, 1975 to Cindy Harder Olson and Mark Olson.

(Kristy wrote her own obituary with a little help from mom.)

Kristy moved with her family in 1990 to Shepherd, Mont., where she met some great people. Kristy graduated from Shepherd High School in 1994. She moved back to Spokane where she graduated with honors with a degree in web design from Spokane Falls Community College.

In 2003 she vacationed and fell in love with the town and community of Whitefish. That same year she moved to that wonderful town she called home.

Kristy said, “From traveling around (like Ecuador), dealing with breast cancer twice, competing in three triathlons, biking for CASA the Park to Park, embracing kayaking and rock climbing while attending the First Descents Cancer Camp, I always had someone patting me on the back saying ‘Good job’ and ‘you can do it no matter what!’ I have accomplished and beaten many great things in my life, but like all things, they must one day end. It was my time to move on.”

“I would like to write a list of all the things I’d like to do but the top three are hanging out with my “Wonder Dog Jake,” my friends and riding my bike.”

“I would write a list of all the people I’m leaving behind but the newspaper isn’t big enough.”

“If there are words of wisdom I could relay to you it would be, ‘Be kind to one another.”

Kristy, our fearless, amazing, artistic, athletic, playful, inspiring and ever feisty Sparky was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather Duane “Hank” Harder of Spokane. Her paternal grandmother, Lily Mae Olson of Spokane.

She is survived by her mom, Cindy Harder Olson of Columbia Falls; father and stepmother, Mark and Medea Olson of Redding, Calif.; brother, Ryan Olson of Billings; best friend and grandmother, Dorothy Harder Delaney of Spokane; and grandfather, Robert (Bob) Olson of Spokane. Also survived by loving uncles and aunts, Dan and Nettie Harder of Spokane, Darren and Teresa Harder of Spokane, Dick and Mary Harder of Spokane, Ken and Margo Olson of Spokane, Cathy Olson of Colfax, Wash., and Bill and Sue Deline of Spokane.

Numerous awesome cousins and her beloved dog Jake.

Kristy’s family would like to honor her many angel friends all over the world but especially her Whitefish family for your infinite love, prayers, generosity and support of our girl. You gave her “wings” to live her dreams. You gave her hope!

In lieu of flowers Kristy’s last wish was to have her own bench and garden at WAG Dog Park in Whitefish. Donations for her dream can be made to:

Kristy “Sparky” Olson

First Interstate Bank, 306 Spokane Ave., Whitefish, Mt 59937(406) 863-8888.

Kristy didn’t want a funeral but she did want a party. Therefore, a party to celebrate her “inspirational life” will be announced at a later date.