ESSIE MAE DEES OLAFSON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ESSIE MAE DEES OLAFSON A Celebration of a Life Well Lived Essie Mae was born on March 21, 1909 to Andrew Arthur Dees and Margaret Ellen Patton who settled in Oklahoma prior to statehood while it was still the Choctaw Nation. The Dees family were from the south and the Pattons were from Missouri. Four of Margarets uncles fought on the side of the "Damn Yankees". Following the premature death of her father, life changed dramatically for Essie and her three siblings: Virgil, Lora and Ruth. Essie remained in Oklahoma with her grandmother Dees, while the rest of the family travelled by train to Harris, SK where her mothers family homesteaded. Essie later exchanged places with Virgil, sadly leaving behind her beloved grandmother who had taught her to fish and instilled in her a life-long love of gardening. In Harris, Essie met Ella Cram, a nurse, who became a powerful influence in her life and career. Essie entered nursing training at St. Pauls Hospital in Saskatoon, and graduated in 1933. She found work in rural Saskatchewan during the Depression, and it was there that Olafur Olafson spotted her walking on the opposite side of the street. He informed his friend that he "was going to marry the gorgeous gal with the great gams". He persisted until Essie "turned around and caught him", and they were married in a friends rose garden in Saskatoon. Frances Ann was born when they lived in Melfort, Olafur John Dees (Linda) joined the family in Rosthern and Sandra (Ron) followed in Birtle, MB. Essie worked as a nurse until her retirement at age 70. She served on the staff and as the Matron at the Birtle Hospital, and was a member of the Eastern Star. She travelled extensively, and her life was filled with many wonderful friends. She had a deep and everlasting love for her family and a special fondness for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and loved being Grandma "O" to Chris, Gwen, and Paul and "My Essie" to Kristina. She loved Adelaide Hoodless roses, baking buns as light as air, and making raspberry jelly that sparkled like rubies. In her later years Essie resided at the Sunnyside Manor in Birtle and was well cared for by the staff and her family of the heart. Shortly after her 94th birthday, surrounded by her family, Essie slipped into a deep sleep and died on April 3, 2003. A memorial service was held at Birtle United Church and she is buried at Brookside Cemetery in Winnipeg beside Olafur. Donations may be made to the Arboretum Project, care of Town of Birtle; the Garden Project, care of Lorraine at Sunnyside Manor; or the Palliative Care Library Fund, care of Birtle District Hospital.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 30, 2003