Edith Olive (Olstad) Richards

 Edith Olive Richards

November 27, 1928 ~ September 23, 2016

Edith (Olstad) Richards was born the seventh child of Odin and Nora Olstad in Edberg and was raised in the Rosebush district east of Edberg along the Battle River valley. Edith graduated from Camrose High School.

Edith went on to the University of Alberta and graduated in 1949 and began teaching in the Grande Prairie district in the fall of 1949 as the first teacher at Lucky Tree School. She got married to Albert Richards in 1951 and continued to teach until their children arrived. Edith had six children between 1954 and 1966. This kept her very busy as a hard working mom and wife. In 1973 after her marriage separation she chose to upgrade her teaching to the newer standards and went back to University of Alberta for three additional years specializing in Early Childhood Education. She did all of this with six kids at home. After receiving her degree, she left Edmonton to teach at Lochearn Elementary School in Rocky Mountain House for 12 years until she retired. She worked tirelessly to make every child the best they could be.

In 1988, Edith moved back to Edberg and made it her home until 2010. She especially enjoyed living there as her brothers and sisters were all close by and everyone was her friend.

At age 81 she moved into Camrose to live her twilight years in an apartment across from her sister, Melba and then spent her last years under excellent care in Bethany Meadows in Camrose with other friends.

Edith passed away at Camrose, Alberta on September 23, 2016 at the age of 87.

She is survived by her loving children, Ellen Richards, Christopher (Debbie), Randy (Marlene), Selene Akano, Craig, Darin (Terri); grandchildren, Shola Akano and Dele Akano (Nina), DeAmber (Lee) Symon, Alyssa (Bryan) Emery, Danielle Richards, Kelsey Richards, Tyler Richards, Justin Richards, Sara Richards, Tait Richards, Rowan Tityk; great grandchildren, Taeya, Hudson and Madeline Symon, Eastyn and Berkeley Emery; sister, Edna Kennedy as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Edith was predeceased by her parents, Odin & Nora Olstad; brothers, Leonard (Lois) Olstad, Orville (Ann) Olstad, Everett (Gertie) Olstad, Allan (Violet) Olstad, Glen Olstad; sisters, Ivy (Victor) Karlstrom, Melba Loov; brothers-in-law, Verner Loov and Bob Kennedy as well as numerous in-laws.

Memorial Service: Friday, September 30, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Edberg Community Hall, Edberg, Alberta.

Donations gratefully accepted to Parkinson Alberta 11209 86 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5B 3H7 or the Camrose Women’s Shelter Society PO Box 1405 Stn. Main, Camrose, Alberta T4V 1X3.

 Service Information