Olga was born March 6, 1930 in Portsmouth, Virginia to her parents Ancel Baxter and Jane Fay Barbour. She was the older of a fraternal twin sister, Ollie. She graduated in 1948 from South High School in Denver, Colorado.
As the daughter of a U.S. Navy officer, the family sailed on a ship through the Panama Canal as they moved from Portsmouth to Los Angeles, California. They were living in Long Beach, where they survived the deadly 1933 6.5 earthquake. She was injured by falling fireplace bricks when she ran back into the house to get her treasured new patent-leather shoes. The family lived for a short time in Ocean Beach prior to sailing on a luxury cruiser in 1934 to the next duty station. They sailed, with stops in Hawaii and Pago Pago, to American Samoa, where they lived on the Island of Tutuila Village of Amouli. There, they were home schooled by their mother.
In 1937, they returned to the United States and settled in Denver, Colorado. Interestingly, Olga and her sister attended a grade school that sent all students home for lunch; but, since they had to walk 1 mile to the house and 1 mile back, that left little time to eat. Their mother convinced the school principal to allow them to bring their lunch to school and eat. This brought a welcome change to many other students who lived far away, and the school opened up a lunch room.
After high school graduation, Olga attended Colorado State College in Greeley, Colorado, where her sorority sister, Donna Rea Montgomery introduced her brother, Bob to Olga. This meeting would lead Olga and Bob to marry in 1950. They moved to Merino, Colorado, where they farmed the family farm for several years. In the 1960's, Bob began his career in the cattle industry, and Olga finished her Bachelor degree in Elementary Education. Later, she pursued a Masters in Special Education.
As a special education teacher, she was well-suited for the role, as she was patient, kind, and creative in helping her students learn. She was pleased that many of her students and their families maintained contact with her throughout the years. She retired from teaching in 1990, and began her second career at the Finney County Historical Museum as a researcher. She thrived there until retiring again in 2010.
Mrs. Montgomery is survived by daughter, Susan and son-in-law, (Mark) Hatler; daughter, Nancy Montgomery; granddaughter, Laura and husband, (Matt) Roy; grandson, Tony and wife, (Audrey) Hatler; sister, Avis and husband, (Curtis) Cook; five great-grandchildren: Taryn, Annabelle, Jaxson, Autumn, and Brooks, plus treasured many nieces, nephews and their families – all who will miss her dearly. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert (Bob); twin sister, Ollie; brother, Alton; niece, Meagan; and her parents.
A Celebration of Life will take place later this summer. A private burial will take place at Leavenworth National Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest with her husband. The family would like to express their gratitude to the many neighbors and friends who loved and cared for Olga and Bob over the years. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.
