Obituary of Eunice Olson

OLSON – Dorothy “Eunice” Olson (nee: Wilson) age 85 passed away peacefully on May 7, 2011 at Cypress Regional Hospital after a short illness. Eunice was born in Dolores, Colorado on July 25, 1925 at home with Eunice Hammond acting as mid-wife. Her father Stanley Cecil Wilson was a member of the U.S. Navy. At 20 months of age Eunice and her Mother Ruby moved to Canada to Ruby’s parents (Atkinsons’s) farm at Neville. At 3 years old Eunice went to live with her step grandparents Ethel and Bill Butcher in Moose Jaw. She received her education at Empire School in Moose Jaw and Titanic School at Neville. While living in Moose Jaw Eunice worked at S.S. Kresge Co. Ltd. ($14/week and as a clerk at the Badminton club ($32.50/month). On July 26, 1944 Eunice was united in marriage to Cliff Olson of Val Marie. She resided in the Village of Val Marie for 60 years. Her life as a farmer/rancher’s wife and raising 5 children was a fulltime job. Eunice played an active role in driving her kids to hockey, figure skating and 4-H. She loved to sew and it was rare to find a store bought item in the Olson household. Figure skating costumes were hand made by Eunice. Every spring Eunice and her sister –in-law Orla spent hours cooking and baking for brandings. All the food had to be packed up and kept warm and hauled 15 miles east of town to the lease. One of their food specialties was “lefsa” Eunice spent hours sewing, baking and cooking, often cooking for hired men and adding one more plate to the table for any visitors who might happen to stop in. She was a member of the United Church women’s group and very active in all church activities. Eunice and Cliff enjoyed dancing and were members of the Val Marie square dance club. Mom’s hobbies were restoring old furniture, crocheting, knitting and paper tole. She curled in the square draw and ladies bonspiels. Mom helped look after her grandkids and got a lot of enjoyment from attending their Christmas concerts, 4-H shows and hockey games. Mom worked part-time at Dunand’s telephone office, Sharpe’s store and noon hour supervisor at the Val Marie School and library. In the mid 90’s Eunice’s eyesight started to fail. When she was no longer able to drive, her circle of friends and extended family members, helped her immensely, making it possible to stay in her own home as long as possible. We, Eunice’s family are very grateful to all of you. In 2006 Eunice sold her house in Val Marie and moved to the Prairie View Lodge in Swift Current. Once again, friends and family helped Mom by delivering meals to her and inviting her to their homes for meals, getting her groceries, running errands. Her newfound friends at the Prairie View looked out for her and treated her like gold. Her precious niece Sharyn Erne became Mom’s eyes and legs making it possible for Mom to remain in her own suite until the time of her passing. Mom was fortunate to have her Sister Leone and brother-in-law Elwood living in Swift Current to be there for her. Whenever we went to visit mom at the Prairie View we would start washing the dishes and cleaning and she would say, “leave the dishes, just sit and visit”. We are grateful that Mom had her phenomenal memory right to the end. After 5 days in the Swift Current hospital, Mom passed away peacefully with family by her side on May 7, 2011. Doctor Bon Issa and the staff on second floor are commended for their personable, compassionate care of Mom. .Eunice is survived by her children, Sandra Olson, JoAnn Olson, Myrna (Randy) Foster, Neil (Tracey) Olson. Her grandchildren, Monty Selanders, Derek Selanders, Heidi (Bryan) Jakubec, Wade Strong, Dana (Trevor) Murphy, Travis (friend Kealey) Foster, Dillon Olson, Morgan Olson, Riley Olson. Great granddaughters Krystal Selanders, Taylor Selanders, Chloe Jakubec, Ty Murphy, Kane Murphy, Sydney Murphy. Sisters, Muriel Meloche, Leone (Elwood) Leoppky, Marion Fisher, brothers, Jim (Marg) Butcher, Jerry (Pat) Butcher. Her special cousin Doreen (Mel )Forrester. Many nieces and nephews and 2 special friends Brenda and Linda from Ontario. Eunice was predeceased by her son Carl Edwin Olson (June 5, 1972), niece Cathy Main, one great grandson, her parents Ruby and Bill Butcher, Her parents –in-law, Ed and Alma Olson, brother-in-law Francis Olson, sister –in-law Orla Olson, Brother –in-law Gordon Fisher. Those wishing may make memorial donations to the Val Marie Cemetery Lunch Committee. A “celebration of Eunice’s life” will be held at a later date. For further information or to sign the family book of condolence, visit our website at . Arrangements were entrusted to Parkside Memorial Funeral Home.