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JUNE / JULY 2020 • IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT SPOTLIGHTS PAGE 15
Keeping Farm Memories Alive
DORMAN OLSON’S PRIZE-WINNING REPLICAS
replicas, thumbing through farm toy cata-
logs to pick the basic model he wanted. Then
he customized it to make it look realistic
and even built implements from scratch,
including blades, mowers, discs, and plows.
“I enjoy making just about anything
from metal,” he said.
A self-described perfectionist, he said,
“If the paint wasn’t right, I’d start over and
do it again until I was satisfied. Marilyn
liked to say I was fussy.”
One of his most satisfying projects was
building a John Deere 8850 tractor.
“You couldn’t buy one from a toy com-
pany in the 1/16 scale, so I bought an 8650
and rebuilt everything from the cab forward
to make it realistic,” he said. “I enjoyed
making that model so much that I made four
and sold three, including one for $1,000. I
had to keep one for myself.”
After retiring in 1998 and leasing out his
land, Olson devoted more time to his hobby.
Two years later, he sold the farm and kept
Dorman Olson built replicas of farm equipment he used in Montana. His tractors won trophies at shows. their five-acre farmstead with their house,
Photo by Dianna Troyer.
shop, and outbuildings.
toys, including a friend’s collection,” Olson “I’m not the type to sit and watch TV,
BY DIANNA TROYER said. “I haven’t sold any since then because so I kept making the farm toys,” he said.
she handled all the technology.” Although some collectors have offered
While raising grain in remote northeast- The onset of macular degeneration sev- to buy his replicas, Olson declines and said
ern Montana, Dorman Olson could never eral years ago has prevented Olson from they are priceless.
tolerate idleness once his chores were done. making any more replicas. “They’re still sentimental to me and not
He channeled his energy and perfectionist He is among thousands of farm toy for sale.” ISI
personality into building replicas of toy collectors nationwide. Ag equipment man-
tractors and other ag equipment for himself ufacturers began selling farm toys in the
and farm toy collectors worldwide. early 20th century as a way to promote their IF I ONLY HAD A BRAIN
His meticulous craftsmanship and machinery. In the early 1970s, people began Submitted by Julie Fink Brantley
attention to detail paid off. His 1/16th-scale collecting farm toys as a serious hobby, As a scarecrow, people say I’m out-
reproductions won trophies at farm toy according to collectorsweekly.com. Collectors standing in my field.
shows, and his eBay customers repeatedly began organizing shows nationwide and But hay, it’s in my jeans.
ordered from him. established the National Farm Toy Museum
“Everything I made was based on in Dyersville, Iowa in 1986.
machinery I used on the farm,” said Olson, “Some collectors have told me the toys Clarkston Denturist Clinic
91. He raised wheat and barley for nearly a are sentimental, because they remind them • Over 55 years of making, relining,
half century on his 3,000-acre farm near of their childhood,” Olson said. and repairing Dentures
Peerless, a village of 80 residents in remote He said his collection triggers memories • Full service for all your Denture needs
northeastern Montana. “To make a piece of growing up on a farm in Minnesota and • Licensed Denturist on duty
look realistic, I’d customize it with things eventually owning his own farm in Montana. Eldred D. Olson, L.D. • Clinton J. Olson, L.D.
Only Denturists in the Valley
like hitches, lights, hoses, and railings.” Discharged from the Army Rangers For prompt service call 509-758-7805
Last year, when he moved to Mackay, after World War II, Olson found a job on 1346 12th St, Clarkston WA
Idaho, to be near his son, Olson, brought his a Montana farm and worked there until
favorite pieces with him. In a lighted glass he could afford to
display case in his living room, replicas of buy his farm near
John Deere equipment, with the company’s Peerless in 1952.
distinctive green and yellow paint, are With the near-
parked in precise rows on shelves. est ag dealership
“It was a good pastime in the evenings,” selling John Deere
Olson said. “My wife, Marilyn, and I didn’t equipment, he nat-
get rich selling them on eBay and at shows, urally chose to buy
but we met a lot of wonderful collectors. We their products. In A leading healthcare provider in rehabilitation and skilled
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his 800 replicas, some he had handcrafted purchase, which
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“Before Marilyn passed away five years He soon began 601 West Cameron Avenue • Kellogg
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