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MARY OLIVIA OLSON
Born: Sep 30, 1929
Date of Passing: Sep 17, 2026
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryMARY OLIVIA OLSON
Olivia passed away on September 17, 2026, surrounded by family in her final few days.
Born in Winnipeg on September 30, 1929, to Ragnar and Karolina Swanson (nee Thorgeirsson), she grew up in Norwood, making life long friends.
Married for 61 years, she was the beloved wife of Holman Olson (1928-2021), mother to Cynthia (Robert Dowhan), Joanne (William Rennie) and Gary/ Geir (Jacqueline Olde Scholtenhuis), as well as Amma to Victoria and Christopher Dowhan, and Svava and Freyja Olson. She is also survived by her niece Linda Meyer (nee Swanson) and family.
Predeceased by her sister Sylvia Swanson, as well as her brother and sister-in-law, Arni (Bob) and Marjorie Swanson.
For most of her life she attended First Lutheran Church on Victor Street. A member of the women’s group, she enjoyed their fellowship and the teas they organized. She sang in the choir in her youth.
Being of Icelandic descent, Olivia and Holman enjoyed visiting Iceland twice where she had cousins, some of whom came to visit Winnipeg.
Loni Beach gave them decades of happiness. They added to the cottage that Ragnar had built in the 1950s. There was always her excellent vinarterta during the Islendingadagurin weekend. Holman and Olivia first met at the Gimli park pavilion at a dance.
Olivia worked at Great West Life in her 20s until marriage in 1959. They moved to Mohawk Bay in Niakwa Park as they started their family. In 1971 they built their home on Salme Drive in St. Vital.
Olivia spent many good years at the Canoe Club, where she felt at home with fellow residents and staff.
Thank you to the compassionate staff at Tuxedo Villa who provided heartfelt care.
A private interment for Olivia and Holman will take place at Brookside Cemetery.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 03, 2026