WALTER (VALDIMAR) OLSON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

WALTER (VALDIMAR) OLSON
1921 - 2020

In the early morning of Wednesday, December 9, 2020 Wally fell asleep in death at the Charleswood Care Centre at the age of 99 years.
Wally was born in Selkirk, Manitoba to Sigurjon Holman and Kristin Ingebjorg Olson (nee Kristjansson) on April 1, 1921, which would often prompt him to say when asked his birthdate: "And I'm not fooling."
Wally told us that although his parents little home on Superior Avenue was very modest, it was always filled with music. This obviously influenced his love of singing and whistling throughout the rest of his life. Wally quit school at a young age and started working in order to help his parents during those hard economic times. Even though as his brother said, "Wally was a man at 15 years old," he still did some youthful things such as diving off the bridge in Selkirk; a story he often related.
While Selkirk and Gimli (where his mother was from) were very dear to him, Wally also lived in Thunder Bay, Toronto, East Selkirk and Winnipeg, where he made and maintained many friendships. Wally was very outgoing, happy and kind. He would often strike up conversations with strangers and always tried to get a chuckle out of people.
Being such an outgoing person, Wally was well suited for his main occupation in sales; working for a number of years at Imperial Motors in Selkirk and also at The Business Digest in Winnipeg. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses since 1942, he derived great pleasure and satisfaction working along with his spiritual brothers and sisters, teaching people Bible truths and serving in the congregation.
Over his full and lengthy life, Wally had many interesting experiences and privileges; but also sorrows. He was predeceased by his first wife Anne (Walonchuk); second wife Anna (Thorgilsson-Stuart); daughter and son-in-law Marilyn and Dennis Little; sister and brother-in-law Olive and Bill Cholosky; along with many other relatives and dear friends. But Wally had strong faith in God's promise, as recorded in the Bible, to restore the earth to a paradise where there would be no more sorrow, sickness or pain and where the dead would be brought back to life. (Revelation 21:3,4 John 5:28,29).
Wally will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his stepdaughter Muriel (Scott) Broadfoot and his stepson John (Sonia) Stuart; his grandchildren, Tiffany (Dave) Nerada, Chantal (Mark) Grindle, Priscilla Stuart, Kerianne (Shawn) Robinson, Cody Stuart; great-grandchildren, Delaney (Nathan) Amerongen, Magnum Grindle, Edgar Lacasse, Blake and Holt Robinson. Also left to treasure his memory are his brother Holman (Olivia) and their children, Joanne, Cynthia and Geir; his brother-in-law Bill Walonchuk; niece Laverne Hutzalac and his large spiritual family.
Because of the current restrictions, a memorial service will not be held at this time. Please share your funny stories and fond memories of Wally with one another.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 19, 2020