Zora Olson
1907-09-30 2008-07-02
OLSON, Zora September 30, 1907 to July 2, 2008
With her children at her side, Zora Olson passed away at Luther Special Care Home on July 2, 2008, at the age of 100 years, 9 months and 2 days.
Zora Beatrice Thompson was born September 30, 1907, in Eden, Manitoba. In 1912, she and her family moved to a homestead near Springwater, SK, where she attended Grassdale School through Grade 8. Because high school classes were not offered at her small country school, she was sent to Saskatoon to attend classes at Bedford Road and Nutana Collegiates. Following her completion of Grade 11, Zora took teacher training at Normal School, returning to teach at Grassdale until she was offered a teaching position in the Plenty school district.
Zora taught at several schools over the next 10 years, until her marriage to Emil Olson in 1938. Settling in Plenty, SK, Zora and her husband raised two children: daughter, Carol and son, Raymond. Zora worked at the local store and was very involved with her family, her church and the community. Once again, she was offered a teaching position, so after 20 years, she resumed her teaching career, finished Grade 12 and upgraded her teaching certificate. She then taught Grade 4 in Plenty until her retirement in 1972, at which time she moved to Saskatoon to help care for her grandsons.
Zora led a very active retirement, filling her days with church activities, crafts, bridge, bowling and traveling. In February of 1986, she and her sister Isabel were returning home from a vacation when their train was involved in a massive head-on collision at Hinton, AB. Isabel was killed and Zora was left in critical condition, sustaining multiple injuries including the loss of her right leg. With her typical determination, positive attitude, sense of humor and hard work, Zora fought her way back from her injuries, learning to walk with a prosthesis at age 78. She also returned to bowling, learned to drive a modified vehicle, and lived independently at the Scott Forget Senior's Complex until her move to the Luther Special Care Home at the age of 99. In September of 2007, family and friends gathered there to celebrate her 100th birthday.
Zora is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Carol Olson (Lanny Price); son, Raymond (Jane) Olson; grandson, Kelly Stadnyk (Sherry Dyck) and their children Zoey, Sydney and Brandy; and grandson, Shawn (Linda) Stadnyk and their children Erin, Jordyn and Maddy. She will be missed by many nieces and nephews from both sides of the family. Zora was predeceased by husband, Emil Olson; brother, Archie Thompson; sister, Isabel Ross; and many good friends.
The family wish to thank the staff of Luther Special Care Home for their loving care of Zora and for their support to the family. A Celebration of Zora's life will take place at Bethel United Church, 1141 5th Street East, Saskatoon at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 7, 2008 officiated by Rev. Helen Mooney. In Zora's memory, the family would appreciate donations being made to Bethel United Church (1141-5th Str. E, Saskatoon, SK S7H 1H4 ), Luthercare (1212 Osler Str., Saskatoon, SK S7N 0T9 ), or The Saskatchewan Abilities Council (2310 Louise Ave., Saskatoon, SK S7J 2C7). Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family through www.mem.com . Arrangements are in care of Chris Nickell of ACADIA-MCKAGUE'S FUNERAL CHAPEL 955-1600. Honoured provider of Dignity Memorial.
With her children at her side, Zora Olson passed away at Luther Special Care Home on July 2, 2008, at the age of 100 years, 9 months and 2 days.
Zora Beatrice Thompson was born September 30, 1907, in Eden, Manitoba. In 1912, she and her family moved to a homestead near Springwater, SK, where she attended Grassdale School through Grade 8. Because high school classes were not offered at her small country school, she was sent to Saskatoon to attend classes at Bedford Road and Nutana Collegiates. Following her completion of Grade 11, Zora took teacher training at Normal School, returning to teach at Grassdale until she was offered a teaching position in the Plenty school district.
Zora taught at several schools over the next 10 years, until her marriage to Emil Olson in 1938. Settling in Plenty, SK, Zora and her husband raised two children: daughter, Carol and son, Raymond. Zora worked at the local store and was very involved with her family, her church and the community. Once again, she was offered a teaching position, so after 20 years, she resumed her teaching career, finished Grade 12 and upgraded her teaching certificate. She then taught Grade 4 in Plenty until her retirement in 1972, at which time she moved to Saskatoon to help care for her grandsons.
Zora led a very active retirement, filling her days with church activities, crafts, bridge, bowling and traveling. In February of 1986, she and her sister Isabel were returning home from a vacation when their train was involved in a massive head-on collision at Hinton, AB. Isabel was killed and Zora was left in critical condition, sustaining multiple injuries including the loss of her right leg. With her typical determination, positive attitude, sense of humor and hard work, Zora fought her way back from her injuries, learning to walk with a prosthesis at age 78. She also returned to bowling, learned to drive a modified vehicle, and lived independently at the Scott Forget Senior's Complex until her move to the Luther Special Care Home at the age of 99. In September of 2007, family and friends gathered there to celebrate her 100th birthday.
Zora is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Carol Olson (Lanny Price); son, Raymond (Jane) Olson; grandson, Kelly Stadnyk (Sherry Dyck) and their children Zoey, Sydney and Brandy; and grandson, Shawn (Linda) Stadnyk and their children Erin, Jordyn and Maddy. She will be missed by many nieces and nephews from both sides of the family. Zora was predeceased by husband, Emil Olson; brother, Archie Thompson; sister, Isabel Ross; and many good friends.
The family wish to thank the staff of Luther Special Care Home for their loving care of Zora and for their support to the family. A Celebration of Zora's life will take place at Bethel United Church, 1141 5th Street East, Saskatoon at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 7, 2008 officiated by Rev. Helen Mooney. In Zora's memory, the family would appreciate donations being made to Bethel United Church (1141-5th Str. E, Saskatoon, SK S7H 1H4 ), Luthercare (1212 Osler Str., Saskatoon, SK S7N 0T9 ), or The Saskatchewan Abilities Council (2310 Louise Ave., Saskatoon, SK S7J 2C7). Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family through www.mem.com . Arrangements are in care of Chris Nickell of ACADIA-MCKAGUE'S FUNERAL CHAPEL 955-1600. Honoured provider of Dignity Memorial.