Regina Olson

Funeral Service

Saturday August 2, 2014

11:00 a.m.

Invermay Community Hall

Mom was born on October 12, 1926, in Corning, Sask. to Charles and Emma Bedford. At an early age with her mother, father and two brothers, they moved to Invermay, Sask. Shortly thereafter the family farm burned to the ground.

On April 22, 1947, she married John Carl Olson and moved to his parents' homestead. They farmed there for many years. Eventually they built a house on Grandma and Grandpa Bedford's homestead. Dad went away to work on the railway while Mom stayed behind to run the family farm.

You will never meet a stronger lady, she worked harder than any man. Planting crops, harvesting, taking care of livestock and planting a garden were just parts of her daily routine. On top of all this, Mom took time to volunteer for the hospital auxiliary, Masson School reunion, and many other community functions. In February 1992, Mom received the "Volunteer Recognition Award" in appreciation of her community service.

Mom was also an avid crocheter, she made many afghans that decorate all our homes. Mom was known to whip up a pot of homemade soup in no time. It seemed that she could take an onion and some water and turn it into gourmet soup.

At home on the farm one day, the rooster took after Lynn while Mom happened to be standing by the wood pile. Needless to say we had chicken for supper that night. Dad was driving by on the tractor and realized never to anger her while she had an ax near by. One day Lorna and Mom were out berry picking in the middle of no where, all of a sudden Lorna was scared silly by what she thought was a wild rooster when she turned around, there was Mom perched on a huge rock crowing like a rooster. Mom said Lorna's eyes were as big as saucers.

Mom was always a feisty lady, one day she said I was annoying her and she threatened to toss her hot coffee at me. She backed me out the door and let me have it anyway. As she was laughing, she told me at least this way it didn't make a mess of her floors.

Mom came to stay with us after Lorrie had surgery. She wanted to go to a craft show and Lorrie wasn't able to drive so Mom did. Mom missed the arrow to turn left and the cars behind her started to honk, on the spot Mom rolled down her window and yelled at them, "If you were in such a hurry you should have started out five minutes sooner."

In later years, Mom got into old-time dancing. She and her friends travelled the countryside hitting up any dance they could find.

Together Mom and Dad had the three children, Lynne, Lorna and then there was the afterthought - me. Mom was the one in the family who took on the strong parenting roll. She was the one who taught us how to drive, how to run the machinery, how to bake and other household or farm chores that needed to be done.

Regina Elizabeth Olson passed away peacefully in Invermay Lodge on July 29.

She was predeceased by her husband John; parents, Charles and Emma Bedford; and brothers, Don and Clarence.

She leaves to cherish her memory Lynne Olson, Rhonda, Lisa (Joe) and Brian; Lorna (Ernie), Bradley (Shelly), Darcy (Kaweah) and Melisa (Jason); Ivan (Lorrie), Kelsey (Chad), Kelli (partner Deanna) and Jesse; and nine great-grandchildren, Amanda, Samantha, Jessica, Duncan, Chloe, Nikolas, Mason, Brielle and Elle, and good friend Leonard Pocock.

The family would like to thank Invermay lodge for their compassionate care of our mother.

Mom we love you and miss you.