INGIBJORG (INGA) OLSON (ANDERSON)

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INGIBJORG (INGA) OLSON (nee ANDERSON) Peacefully on Friday, February 9, 2007 in her 96th year, Inga Olson passed away at Red River Place in Selkirk, MB. Inga is survived by her loving son Leonard Olson (Bernadette), grandchildren, Dennis (Diana), Russell (Brenda), Donna (Bruce), Lorna, Karen (Ove), Chris (Sharon), and Kenneth, her great-grandchildren, Freya, Liona, Reanne, Anita, Morgan, Darby, Ryan, Kirsten, Signy, Nina; her son-in-law Paul, grandchildren, Vicky (Lorne), Paula (Bruce), Robby (Julie), Cameron (Nancy), Lisa (Eirik), great-grand-children, Jasyn, Lindsay, Chad, Brittany, Graham, Gavin, Garren, Harlan, Joshua, Samantha, Catherine and Sean. Also survived by brother-in-law Baldi Arnason; sisters-in-law, Sophie, Olga, and Artha Anderson; special friend Ruby Sveinson; and many nieces and nephews. Inga was born in Poplar Park, MB on October 8, 1911. She was predeceased by her parents, thorsteinn and Gudrun; sisters, Anna, Bina, and Runa; brothers, Arthur, Walter, Arni, Thorsteinn, Halli, Bud and Bill. Inga was predeceased by her husband Humphrey, December 1980, and her daughter Sharon in May 2002. Inga grew up in Poplar Park about five miles north of Libau, MB. She was the sixth of 11 children on a pioneer farm. She married Humphrey Olson of Gimli, MB after a whirlwind romance, and moved to Gimli to become a fisherman's wife. She and Humphrey raised their two children, Leonard and Sharon and developed Olson's Fish Market, a Gimli landmark. Inga worked with Humphrey, travelling north on Lake Winnipeg and serving as a cook in fishing camps, seaming and tying-on nets, filleting and gutting fish and knitting the Icelandic mitts which were indispensible to fisherfolk in the winter season. She joined Humphrey in sing alongs and accompanied him to local dances where he played the guitar, the accordian, the piano and the violin. Theirs was a real partnership, each taking a full part in earning their livelihood. After her husband's death in 1980, Inga took over the fishing business, hiring men to fish her licences, filleting and packing fish herself and selling it from the Fish Market. She was a successful fisherwoman, running her own business until she was 80 years old. Inga also worked for several years at the Betel Home in Gimli, where she was a part of the family of workers and dwellers in the nursing home. She was always a part of the community, taking part in socials, curling and helping anyone who needed help. Her circle of friends was huge, and there are few who will not miss her. She spent her final years at Red River Place in Selkirk, teasing the staff, visiting with her new friends, and enjoying her life to the last moment. She lived a long, eventful life that spanned most of the last century and she died as she lived, happy, relaxed and peaceful. Special thanks to the staff at Red River Place for their many kindnesses and special attention. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ronald McDonald House or to a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 14 at 1:00 p.m. at Neil Bardal Inc., 984 Portage Ave. (entrance on Aubrey Street) We Love You Amma Goda Nott NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 11, 2007