September 19, 1921 - January 10, 2022
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Fern Gloria Olson on January 10, 2022 at 100 years of age.
Fern was born in Veteran, Alberta, on September 19th, 1921. She was the youngest of four children, raised in the Depression, money was scarce and it was a difficult time. She completed her schooling with her favorite subjects being Latin and History. She loved school, skipped Grade 4, participated in sports, made many lifelong friends, and dared to be the first girl in the small town to wear shorts.
During the war years people would gather at the train station to send off the young men and women going to war. This included her two brothers and many friends. In remembrance of this Fern had the honor to play the Last Post and Reveille on her trumpet at the Olds Legion on Remembrance Day for over 20 years.
Fern married Bert Olson from Loyalist, Alberta, and they relocated to the Olds area. They worked and saved until they could fulfill their dream of buying a farm. Bert worked for the Central Alberta Dairy Pool and together they mixed farmed and transitioned to a good sized dairy operation. Fern worked alongside Bert in all aspects of the farm including driving the combine in her dress during harvest time. She loved her large gardens and flower beds, her pets, and life on the farm. The grandchildren were always welcome and have fond memories of "the farm". Fern continued to live on the farm for a number of years after Bert passed away and then moved to a condo in Seasons in Olds. She enjoyed her years there, the social activities, wonderful staff and residents and close proximity to the hospital where she dedicated much of her time volunteering in Long Term Care and the gardening group. A small corner of the Hospital Garden is named Fern’s Corner to commemorate her philanthropy.
Fern was very well known in the Olds Community. She was the librarian at the Olds Library and initiated the preschool story hour. She later worked at the Olds College Library and enjoyed working with the students and instructors. She was an active volunteer for many years at the Olds Hospital, Olds Long Term Care, Olds Lodge, Olds Music Festival, Olds Agricultural Fair in the Fine Arts department, and several Library Boards. Fern received many awards at all levels for her volunteering and dedication. She belonged to The Didsbury WI, the Olds Evergreen Club, Olds Legion, and the Handicraft Society. She taught English as a second language to newcomers to Canada, organized class reunions, and loved to entertain. She loved to bake and generously gifted countless dozens of cookies and home made candy. Every resident in Seasons was the recipient of cookies and candy on their birthday.
Music was a very important part of Fern's life. She grew up in a musical family and played her cornet in a dance band with her brothers from the time she was 14. This was a highlight of her youth as she was paid a small amount, was involved in the social scene, and met her husband Bert. She was an accomplished pianist, yet her cornet and trumpet were her favorites. She played the trumpet in the Olds Community Band and the Olds Evergreen Dance Band and sang in the Olds Community Choir, the Evergreen Choir, and the Anglican Church choir. In later years she became an avid supporter of the music jams at the Olds Legion and made many wonderful friends. She danced every dance and enjoyed the Thursday night camaraderie.
Fern leaves behind her a legacy of kindness and caring for others, the importance of community and the value of volunteering, lifelong learning, mentoring and compassion. Always well dressed in a coordinated blouse and skirt and high heels, Fern was a great sport, independent, adventurous, and tenacious. The word people most often used to describe her was amazing, which of course she would deny. She enriched many lives.
Fern was predeceased by her husband Bert and is survived by her children Gloria Olson, Grant Olson, and Glad St John, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Special thanks to the friends and family who supported Fern in her last days. She treasured your phone calls and acts of kindness.
