Donalda Martha Georgina Olson, 74, of Rainycrest Home for the Aged in Fort Frances, Ont., passed away Friday, Nov. 2, 2007 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances.
Donalda Olson, more fondly known as Donna, was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving diligently with both the children and adults.
Though her family was always a top priority, she also was known as a devoted wife who was never seen very far away from her lifelong sweetheart and husband, Ken.
They spent their many happy years together raising their family and gardens, working their trapline and fishing poles. Some say they were joined at the hip, I say they were best friends.
She gave a life of service to her family and friends, and always had a quick smile and an honest compliment.
Donna was rich in talent that she shared with those around her. She quilted and crocheted blankets for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She sang beautifully for many years in church, with her friends in a group named “HIghway 621,” and at several public gatherings. Any craft project presented to her, she would give it her all.
The neighbourhood children often were drawn to her home, greeted with homemade cookies, wonderful bread, and fruit leather she made herself from the fruit and berries in her own back yard.
Her pantry was always full of her own canned vegetables that she shared with love. She lived her life by the motto: charity never faileth.
Donalda is survived by her three sons, Kenneth (Jo) and Douglas (Patsy), all of Fort Frances, Ont., and Kurtis (Val) of Guntown, Mississippi, and her four daughters, Debbie (Don) Wagner of Fort Frances, Ont., Katherine (George) Nyberg of Cass, Lake, Mn., Dawn Olson (Warren Giles) of Baudette, Mn., and Kaylene (Bob) Johnson of Bergland, Ont.
Also surviving are numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one brother, Leonard (Linda) Patterson of Edmonton, Alta.; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Edward Kenneth Olson on May 25, 2004; son, Danny; parents, Donald and Linda Patterson; two brothers, David and George; and grandchild, Lesley.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007 at 2 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Bergland, Ont., with Mr. Robert Olson officiating.
Friends may visit prior to the funeral service on Wednesday from 1 until 2 p.m. at the church.
Interment will take place in the Bergland cemetery in Bergland.
The pallbearers will be Connie Hendrickson, Mandi Olson, Kristina Olson, Kimberley Rosengren, Nadia Johnson, Aislinn Johnson, Crystal Smith, and Sheri Humphry.
The honourary pallbearers will be her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
LLOYD GEORGE McGOWAN
Mr. Lloyd George McGowan, 80, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007.
Lloyd was born June 24, 1927 in Sioux Lookout, Ont. and married Eilleene (Bertha) Dowson in Fort Frances, Ont. on April 22, 1949.
Lloyd was employed as a caretaker for the Rainy River District School Board (McIrvine School and Alexander Mackenzie School), and for Canadian National Railway as a bridge tender on both the Bear Pass bridge and the Five-Mile bridge, retiring from both positions in 1992.
Lloyd loved the outdoors, especially puttering around his cabin at Bear Pass. His greatest joy in life was his grandchildren.
In 2003, Lloyd became ill and eventually was put on dialysis. He was a stubborn man who managed to live almost five years longer than the specialists expected him to.
For this, his family is eternally grateful.
Lloyd will be sadly missed by his wife, Eilleene; son, Brent (Julie) of Thunder Bay, Ont.; and grandchildren, Jason, Gwendolyn (Leslie) Harding, Bryan, and Brenden.
Also surviving are his brother, Mervin McGowan of Atikokan, Ont.; as well as numerous nephews across Canada.
He was predeceased by his parents, George and Hilda McGowan; sister-in-law, Helen McGowan; and son, Warren McGowan.
A memorial service to celebrate Lloyd’s life will be held Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007 at 1 p.m. at the Evangelical Covenant Church, 1027 King’s Highway, Fort Frances, Ont.
A private family interment of ashes will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Kidney Foundation of Canada or to the charity of your choice.
“God saw he was getting tired, and said come on home to Me.”
ALICE MARIE HOARD
(Ah Kway Way)
Alice Marie Hoard (nee Kelly), 79, of Atikokan, Ont., passed away Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007 at the Atikokan General Hospital in Atikokan.
Alice was born March 10, 1928 in Kenora, Ont. to the late Harry and Mary Kelly. She moved to Fort Frances, Ont., where she lived until moving to Atikokan in 1963.
She loved crocheting and sewing, and had a great love for her cat “Tom.” She was a dedicated mother and her family was very important to her.
Alice is survived by her five children, Babes (Rory) Rusnick, Nicole (Dave) Klatt, Sandra Ui, Sylvia Halifax, and Tina Morrison.
Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, Charles, Kevin, Eddy, Shannon, Sheila, Jennifer, John, Mike, Chris, Michelle, Tammy, and Aaron; several great-grandchildren; siblings, Mary Kelly, Bobby Kelly, Colin Kelly, and John Jim Kelly; and nieces and nephews.
She was united in marriage to Dan Hoard, who predeceased her on Feb. 2, 2006. She also was predeceased by her daughter, Victoria; siblings, Eddie, George, Jim H., and Victoria; and grandchild, Serena.
A traditional service was held Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Onigaming First Nation gymnasium.
Elder Fred Kelly officiated, followed by interment in the Onigaming First Nation cemetery.
The pallbearers were Alice’s family.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Atikokan General Hospital c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
MARIE BROWN
Marie Brown, 85, of Emo, Ont., passed away Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007.
Marie was born Oct. 30, 1921 in Swan Lake, Man. to the late George and Helen DeVos. She was married to Wes Brown in 1942 in Winnipeg, Man. and lived the first years of marriage in Churchill, Man. on the military base.
Later, Wes and Marie moved to Winnipeg and Wes took up a career as a millwright, which led to them living throughout Canada for the next decade.
Upon retirement, they purchased and ran the Barwick Hotel in the early 1970s and then purchased Brown’s Service in Emo, where they lived until Wes’ death in 1979.
Marie returned to Winnipeg in 1983 to care for her mother, then returned briefly to Queen Street Manor in Emo, Ont. before returning again to Winnipeg until 2006.
At the time of her passing, Marie resided at the Emo Health Centre in Emo.
Marie loved to reminisce about living on the farm in Swan Lake and her horses, as well as her years in Churchill.
She is survived by her son, Frank (JoAnn) Brown of Winnipeg, Man.; and daughter, Joan (late Fred) Buttazoni of Barwick, Ont.
Marie will be sadly missed by her grandchildren, Bonita (Melvin) Wilson, Cathy Buttazoni, Wesley Buttazoni, Michael Brown, and Jennifer Brown; and great-grandchildren, Cartier and Joshua Wilson, Jessica and Joshua Settee, and Jordan and Miranda Brown.
She was predeceased by her husband, Wes; her parents, George and Helen DeVos; brother, Marc; and son-in-law, Fred Buttazoni.
As per Marie’s wishes, a graveside service will be held at the Emo cemetery in Emo on Friday, Oct. 12, 2007 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Frances Flook officiating.
If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
ASHLEY SMITH
Ashley Smith, 18, passed away Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007 at Northwest Bay First Nation. She was born May 9, 1989 in Fort Frances, Ont.
Ashley spent the majority of her time “on the computer,” and like all girls had total control of the phone. She liked spending time with her cousins and enjoyed family get-togethers.
Ash had high hopes of graduating and then going off to college.
Another dream of hers was to work in a clothing store. She also was “very excited” about expecting her first niece or nephew in January.
Ashley talked her way into getting what she wanted, and in the end she came out being the winner!
She was very close to her “only brother,” Jeff, and called him “My Baby Peter.” Ashley will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her, and will always remain very close to our hearts.
Ashley leaves behind her sisters, Candace, Chelsea, and Tianna; brother, Jeffrey; and mother, Barb and her family, including grandparents, Tommy and Lorraine Smith, aunts, Rhonda (George), Raechel (Adrian) and Tara (Darryl), uncles, Waylon (Amanda), Chris, and Jon (Janine), and cousins, Shayla, Danessa, Cassidy, Camryn, Daman, Isaiah, Taylor, Nathan, Savanna, Jasmine, Skylar, Darnell, Jayden, Gavin, Darryl Jo, Craig, and Colby.
Also surviving are her father, Darryl Snowball and his family, including grandmother, Josephine Arvelin, aunt, Brenda (George), uncle, Dean, and cousins, Kirara and Alayah.
A wake was held Thursday, Nov. 1, 2007 from 3 p.m., followed by a funeral service on Friday, Nov. 2, 2007 at 10 a.m. at the Northwest Bay First Nation gymnasium.
Pastor Sean Ward officiated, with interment in Northwest Bay First Nation.
The pallbearers were Waylon Smith, Christopher Smith, Jonathan Smith, Adrian Snowball, Darryl Sakchekapo, and Moyen (George) Meekis.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the charity of your choice c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
DONALDA MARTHA GEORGINA OLSON
Donalda Martha Georgina Olson, 74, of Rainycrest Home for the Aged in Fort Frances, Ont., passed away Friday, Nov. 2, 2007 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances.
Donalda Olson, more fondly known as Donna, was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving diligently with both the children and adults.
Though her family was always a top priority, she also was known as a devoted wife who was never seen very far away from her lifelong sweetheart and husband, Ken.
They spent their many happy years together raising their family and gardens, working their trapline and fishing poles. Some say they were joined at the hip, I say they were best friends.
She gave a life of service to her family and friends, and always had a quick smile and an honest compliment.
Donna was rich in talent that she shared with those around her. She quilted and crocheted blankets for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She sang beautifully for many years in church, with her friends in a group named “HIghway 621,” and at several public gatherings. Any craft project presented to her, she would give it her all.
The neighbourhood children often were drawn to her home, greeted with homemade cookies, wonderful bread, and fruit leather she made herself from the fruit and berries in her own back yard.
Her pantry was always full of her own canned vegetables that she shared with love. She lived her life by the motto: charity never faileth.
Donalda is survived by her three sons, Kenneth (Jo) and Douglas (Patsy), all of Fort Frances, Ont., and Kurtis (Val) of Guntown, Mississippi, and her four daughters, Debbie (Don) Wagner of Fort Frances, Ont., Katherine (George) Nyberg of Cass, Lake, Mn., Dawn Olson (Warren Giles) of Baudette, Mn., and Kaylene (Bob) Johnson of Bergland, Ont.
Also surviving are numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one brother, Leonard (Linda) Patterson of Edmonton, Alta.; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Edward Kenneth Olson on May 25, 2004; son, Danny; parents, Donald and Linda Patterson; two brothers, David and George; and grandchild, Lesley.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007 at 2 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Bergland, Ont., with Mr. Robert Olson officiating.
Friends visited prior to the funeral service on Wednesday from 1 until 2 p.m. at the church.
Interment took place in the Bergland cemetery in Bergland.
The pallbearers were Connie Hendrickson, Mandi Olson, Kristina Olson, Kimberley Rosengren, Nadia Johnson, Aislinn Johnson, Crystal Smith, and Sheri Humphry.
The honourary pallbearers were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
