Nellie Olson

Nellie Olson (Zarowny) was born April 7, 1919, on her father’s homestead in the Ponass Lake district to John and Vera Kinal (Sowtis) Zarowny. She was the fourth of six children. She passed away peacefully with her family at her side on March 3, 2017.
Nellie had an incredible work ethic and started working at a very young age. She married Hannes Wick and became a stepmother to three children. To this union seven more children were born.
Nellie worked very hard on the farm, raising a large family before moving to Wadena, at which time Hannes passed away. Nellie then became a cook at Dave’s Diner and at the Wadena Hospital.
Nellie met and married Alfred Olson and they were blessed with a daughter, Vivian. They lived on the farm west of Wadena for several years before retiring in town. Nellie continued to be very busy with her hobbies of gardening, her flower gardens, canning, crocheting and her love of African violets.
Nellie was an angelic soul with a strong faith. She loved her family unconditionally and had an incredible love for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She made sure they always went home with a care package of homemade buns, perogies and cookies. She loved them dearly and was so proud of them. She was so young at heart and always involved in their lives. She was such an inspiration and will continue to be an inspiration always.
The large family gatherings and celebrations were the highlights of her life. Christmas was her favourite time when the family would gather and she would make her traditional meal, preparing it well in advance and making extra so the children would have plenty to take home. Her nieces, nephews and extended family were very dear to her. Her door was always open to friends and neighbours. She greeted everyone with a warm welcome, with a cup of coffee, cookies, pies and, if it was close to meal time, she insisted they have dinner. When Nellie became a resident at Pleasant View Care Home, she continued with the same concern that everyone would have a meal. Vivian always reassured her that supper would be ready. She will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and all who knew and loved her.
Nellie was predeceased by her father John Zarowny; mother Vera Kinal; first husband, Hannes Wick, and second husband, Alfred Olson; her children, infant son Alvin Wick, Serena (Adolph) Kanak, Diane Nygaard, John Wick, Alice (Bill) Chorney, Adolph (Edna) Wick, Frieda (Quinton) Heistad; grandsons, Dean Wick and Gordon Chorney; siblings, Annie (Jonas) Qually, Pauline (Nick) Dvernechuk, brother-in-law Andrew Chorney, Margaret (Earl) Johnson, Joe (Annie) Zarowny, brother-in-law John Lazaruk.
Nellie leaves behind to mourn Vivian Olson (Shawn), Agnes (Joe) Swejda, Carl (Loretta) Wick, Jeanette (Dave) Witzko, son-in-law Ed Nygaard and daughter-in-law Donna Wick; 25 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, 14 great, great-grandchildren; her sister Judy Lazaruk; numerous nieces and nephews, neighbours and friends.