Franklin Hans Gordon (Pete) Olson, passed away Thursday January 23, 2003 at the Vulcan Community Health Centre at the age of 72 years.
Pete was born October 12, 1930 in Claresholm to John and Christina Olson, the youngest of ten children. Following his education in Stavely he worked on the farm with his brother-in-law Art Sunquist for a few years. In the early 1950’s he moved to Champion to farm for his sister Ruth Ohlheiser and in 1958 he married Marjorie Kurtz at the Champion United Church. He continued to work for Ruth until 1962 when he moved to Warner, where once again he was involved in the farming operation. Returning to Champion in 1964 he began working on the rigs in the oil patch. He also worked for the Village of Champion as Foreman and then the Alberta Wheat Pool . In 1985 Pete returned to his true passion which was farming with Grant Wolfe seeding and harvesting. He also worked for quite a few winters at the Champion Skating Rink where he watched all of his grandchildren learn to skate. After suffering a severe stroke in 1997 he moved into the Long Term Care at the Vulcan Community Health Centre where he has resided since.
Pete was a devoted husband and a loving father. He enjoyed being with his grandchildren and always took an interest in what they did. He also enjoyed ice fishing, trap shooting, hunting birds and camping.
Beloved husband of Marjorie of Champion, loving father of two daughters Sharon (David) Schneider and their daughter Kristin all of Vulcan, Dorothy Olson and special friend Don Gass both of Champion, a son Richard (Gail) Olson and their children Sharyl, Christy and Jennifer all of Champion, three sisters Esther Racher, Clara Louther both of Nanton, Ruby Campeau of New West Minister B.C., a brother Clifford (Norma) Olson of Edmonton , his mother-in-law Martha Kurtz of Vulcan, a brother-in-law Art Sunquist of Claresholm, numerous nieces and nephews.
Pete was predeceased by his son Wayne in 1975, five sisters Norma (Sam) Bailey, Lola (Jack) Eaton, Jessie (Jeff) Godley, Anna Sunquist, Ruth (Edward) Ohlheiser, his father-in-law Andrew Kurtz and his parents.
Memorial Service Tuesday January 28, 2003 at 1:30 P.M. at the Champion United Church with Lee Spice officiating.
Inurement Champion Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers tributes in Pete’s memory could be made to either the Palliative Care Unit Box 299 Vulcan TOL 2BO, the Champion Skating Rink c/o Box 367 Champion TOL ORO or The Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta 1825 Park RD. S.E. Calgary T2G 3Y6.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.