Olaf John Brekke

Olaf John Brekke, 90, died on August 3, 2010 at the Pioneer Medical Center in Big Timber. He was born near Lennep, Montana on December 28, 1919, the son of Morten and Gina Marie (Stene) Brekke. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lennep. Olaf was raised on the family ranch and attended rural elementary schools in Meagher County. He graduated from Ringling High School in 1937. Olaf rode a freight train to attend St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. After two years at St. Olaf, he transferred to Iowa State University and earned a bachelor's degree in animal science in 1942. He returned home to Ringling and worked at several area ranches, becoming a herdsman for Higgins Brothers Herefords. He oversaw a registered herd that grew to 800 cows. Higgins Brothers maintained the third largest registered Hereford herd in the nation. Olaf raised calves that went on to win numerous awards at the Montana Winter Fair in Bozeman. Olaf volunteered as a local Meagher County 4 - H leader and met Esther R. Rugland. Olaf and Esther were married on June 17, 1956, in Missoula. Olaf joined the Montana State University (MSU) Cooperative Extension Service in 1960 and served as the extension agent for the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Olaf earned a master's degree in animal science from MSU in 1965. The family moved from Chinook to Big Timber in 1968 where Olaf was the Sweet Grass County Extension Agent. Olaf worked with 4 - H Youth Developement and International Farm Youth Exchange programs, the Sweet Grass County Weed Department, the Sweet Grass County Wool Growers Association & Stockgrowers Association, the Lamb Pool Board, the USDA Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) & Soil Conservation Service as well as the MSU Agricultural Experiement Stations. He retired in 1984 and partnered with his brother martin Brekke and nephew Bob Brekke to operate a Hereford cattle ranch with 65 cows. Olaf enjoyed many trips to the ranch to check on his well-trained cows and calves. Olaf was a member of the Big Timber Lutheran Church where he and his wife shared many interests. Olaf was the primary caregiver for Esther during her long battle with Alzheimer's disease, making twice daily trips to Pioneer Medical Center to help Esther eat lunch and dinner. Olaf is survived by his son Doug; brother Martin (Tressa) Brekke; sister Nellie (John) Liston; a cousin John Brekke and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Lawry and Maynard; sisters Alice Brekke and Edith Brekke. Graveside Services were held 1:00PM Monday August 9, 2010 at Mountain View Cemetery in Livingston followed by Memorial Services at Big Timber Lutheran Church.

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