John "Ole" Olav Royland

John “Ole” Olav Royland was born on April 4, 1950, in Rolette, North Dakota to parents Anne Faye Royland and Olav John Royland. He was an addition to siblings Ronald and Linda. His mother loved to call him “Babe” for being the baby of the family. He was nicknamed Ole after his father whom he resembled most. Ole is the name he would be known by close friends and family throughout his life. The family moved to Montana when Ole was only 6 months old. During his childhood and young adult years he was a good student excelling in mathematics. From an early age he enjoyed fishing and had a great love for animals. His father taught him auto mechanics which became a lifelong talent. He loved rebuilding engines and owned several classic muscle cars as a young man. Ole graduated from C.M. Russell High school in 1968. Shortly after he received a draft notice for war. He joined the Marine Corps and served a tour of duty in Vietnam from 1969 to 1971. He was honorably discharged in 1972. He would return haunted by what he witnessed. He had two daughters by his second marriage. Ole said that Tiffany Dawn and Jerri Faye were the light of his life. He was described by all who knew him as having a big heart and a gentle soul. He was always there to help those in need and was very generous. Ole was survived by his sister, Linda Finney; daughters, Tiffany Cascell and Jerri Royland; nieces, Ronda Guza, Cindy Godak, Melissa Smerker, Julie Robertazza, and their children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anne Royland, Olav Royland, and brother, Ronald Royland.