MARGARET ROBERTA OLSON (PATERSON)

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MARGARET ROBERTA OLSON (nee PATERSON) It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Margaret Olson, aged 83 years, of Gimli, Manitoba, at the Gimli Community Health Center on December 9th, 2009. Remaining to forever cherish her memory is her loving husband Paul; children, Karen, David (Wendy), Robert, Kris; daughters-in-law, Dilly and Carla; grandchildren, Kai, Kena, Fraser, Liam and Thea; sister Grace (Ivan Mealy); sister-in-law Gladys Paterson; brother-in-law Ted Olson (Alison); many nieces and nephews; and countless friends. Margaret was predeceased by her parents, William and Bertha Paterson, sister Jean (George McGuire), brother Guthrie, and son Ken. Mom was born at home on July 28th, 1926 near Keyes, Manitoba. She spent her youth in the Gladstone and Portage la Prairie districts. It was during this time, under the tutelage of her mother, that she honed her culinary skills preparing meals for local threshing gangs during harvest. A lifelong proponent of learning and education, she completed grade twelve at the age of 16 and graduated from Normal School in the spring of 1945. That fall she arrived in Gimli, Manitoba as a teacher. According to her, Saturdays were the highlight of the week and in good weather she and some of her students would bike to Loni or South Beach to bond over stories and wiener roasts. Soon after her arrival she met a handsome young man at a reception for returning veterans held at the Parish Hall. Margaret and Paul were engaged in 1950 and married on March 28th, 1951. They raised their five children on 82 Fourth Ave. and later moved to the family homestead on 63 First Ave. To mom, family always came first. She devoted her life to her husband, children and grandchildren and, knowing that her love was eternal, there was never a seed of doubt in our minds that we were not incredibly important to her. In 1966 Paul and Margaret created Dockside Fish Products. For twenty three years she distinguished herself as an agent for the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation of Manitoba and served as Advisory Board Director from 1984 to 1986. The coffee room at Dockside was always well stocked and the unfailing hospitality she extended to visitors was rivalled only by the warmth she showed guests in her own home. For Mom community service was not a task but a pleasure. Over the years she dedicated innumerable hours to many organizations. Mom was a committed member of the Gimli Lutheran Church who acted as Sunday School Superintendent, sang in the choir and devoted both time and baking to the Lutheran Ladies' Aid. She also served as a school trustee, hosted exchange students from Canada World Youth, acted as director of the Manitoba Housing Board and was a member of both the Manitoba Council on Aging and the Gimli Community Cemetery Association. For her numerous contributions to community life she was awarded the Commemorative Medal, which marked the 125th anniversary of Canada's Confederation, in 1992. A farm girl at heart, her garden was always lush with flowers and her lawn well kept. Mom was a woman of simple pleasures with an optimistic outlook and a great sense of humour. Never one to judge, she aged like a fine wine and grew sweeter over time. Her presence was a gift and will be cherished by all. As the matriarch of our family, she will be remembered without end for her unyielding stoicism, sharp wit and compassionate nature. I've loved you for 60 years and will miss you more than words can say. Goda nott elskan min. A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 14th at 1:00 p.m. at the Gimli Lutheran Church. A private interment will precede the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gimli Community Cemetery Association, Box 1246, Gimli, MB, R0C 1B0. NEIL BARDAL INC. (204) 949-2200 Gimli 642-7124 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 12, 2009