Anne Olson

A limb has fallen from our family tree. Anne Olson passed away at the Good Samaritan Garden Vista Memory Care Cottage in Magrath, Alberta, on Saturday, December 7, 2019, at the age of 93 years.

Anne Olson began her journey in this world on August 18th, 1926 in Soszno, Pinsk, Poland. She was the youngest of two children born to Aleksander and Viera Malyszcziki. Anne’s older brother Nick, 4 years her senior, sadly was a casualty of the second world war, passing two weeks before the war ended. Anne was educated in Poland and worked in Germany. While living in Europe, Anne learned to speak Polish, German, Russian and Ukrainian. Living through the hardships of World War II prompted Anne to emigrate to Canada.

She travelled across the Atlantic Ocean, landing in Halifax on April 23rd, 1949 with her young son Genady (Ken). Traveling even further across Canada Anne chose to settle in Southern Alberta. Unable to speak English initially, Anne found work as a laborer in the sugar beet fields before moving to a farm in Warner in 1950 where she lived until 2017. Warner was where she learned to speak English and she found her true calling - Farm life.

Anne loved gardening, growing a large vegetable garden every year. Flowers were her joy with Gladiolas being her favorite flowers. She raised a variety of animals and even picked rocks in the fields. She also loved to quilt and crochet. Her pieces were works of art. Anne also loved to sing and dance. Anne was truly fearless, a hard worker and one of a kind. There is nothing she would not attempt. Including making homemade wine. Anne was also an amazing cook. She was well known for her ability to set a feast on her table when company came calling. Anne had a gift for making the most delicious cabbage rolls and perogies. Her grandchildren loved Grandma’s homemade bread and homemade jam.

Anne Olson was a mother, grandmother, great grandmother and a great, great grandmother. She was a complex personality who was strong willed, feisty and passionate in her views. She either liked you or she did not. Some still wonder on which side they stood.

After 63 years on the farm, June 2017 Anne moved into The Good Samaritan’s Garden Vista Assisted Living residence in Magrath Alberta. February 2019, Anne was transferred to the Good Sam’s Memory Care Cottage where her journey across two continents ended.

Anne Olson’s family wish to extend their heartfelt gratitude to everyone associated with Good Sam’s in Magrath for the extraordinary care, love and compassion shown her during her years at the facility and in her final days. Thank you also to Dr. Kenneth Dahl and the on-call doctors for their support.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at 11:00am, on Saturday, December 14, 2019, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta.

Anne requested a Graveside Service with family and close friends. This will be held at 1:00pm, on Saturday, December 14, 2019, at the WARNER CEMETERY, Range Rd 173, Warner, Alberta, with Pastor Jason Carroll officiating.

Flowers are gratefully declined. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Good Samaritans Garden Vista Magrath Memory Care Cottage - attention Lori Sanford, 37 East 2 Ave N, Magrath AB T0K 1J0.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anne Olson, please visit our floral store.