Pius "Ole" Ehli, beloved husband of Bonnie Ehli and father and grandfather to many, died at his home in Billings Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2006.
Ole was born Feb. 7, 1922, in Grand Forks, N.D., to Mary and Christ Ehli. Growing up in Rugby, N.D., he was one of 11 children. Later in life he often joked that while growing up he thought that his name was "Hoe The Garden."
Ole enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and was especially proud of his service with the Amphibian Corps. This last summer, Ole received several commendations for his heroism and valor during several major battles in the South Pacific.
When the war ended, Ole was headed from his home state of North Dakota, bound for Seattle, when he ran low of money and stopped in Helena. There, he met his future wife, Bonnie, who was working with war veterans at Fort Harrison. They married Aug. 3, 1946, and together celebrated 58 years of marriage before Bonnie passed away in 2004.
Living in Helena and later in Billings, together they raised seven children. Ole also had a son, Ron, from an earlier marriage.
During his younger days, Ole held a variety of jobs, including pin setter at a bowling alley, hotel bellboy, mail man, taxi driver, stock-car racer, clown and truck driver for the Kessler Brewery.
Later on, Ole' business savvy and entrepreneurial spirit served him well in his career as a securities broker. He partnered in a few different firms before starting his own company. Each Christmas, he dressed up as Santa Claus for his children, grand children and the children of his many employees.
Ole always had an idea in his pocket, and in 1982–after one of his many retirements–he opened Big B Bingo, the first casino in Billings, and later Ole' Little Nevada Casino and the Midas Touch casinos.
He helped to found the Gaming Industry Association of Montana and was proud to have served a term as the organization' president.
Ole was a card shark ("If you can't count 52 cards you've got no business playing") and was especially happy when defeating his wife, Bonnie, in a game of gin.
He also enjoyed watching the Billings Mustangs baseball squad at Cobb Field and his many new gadgets, including his cell phone and his remote-control fart machine, both of which helped him to stay close to his many friends.
In his later years, he and Bonnie wintered in Arizona. His heart, though, was always in Montana.
Ole will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched, especially his children: Ron Ehli and his wife, Norma; Sharon Thompson and her husband, Loren; Patty Bradshaw and her husband, Gary; Claudia Ehli and her partner, Rose Beck; D'Arlyne (Dee) Dorman and her husband, Jim; Mark Ehli and his wife, Val; and Nicholas Ehli and his wife, Crystal. Ole's and Bonnie' Christmas baby Mary Carole died in 1986.
He had 17 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ole is also survived by his sisters Barbara, Marion, Helen, Issy, Dorris and Delores and his brother Walt. His sisters Odella, Stella and Clara preceded him in death.
Five aces to you, Ole.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, April, 2006, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.