Phyllis Elaine (Lofgren) Olson

Phyllis E. Olson
June 7, 1923 - May 13, 2023

Phyllis Olson passed away peacefully at the Red Deer Hospital, on Saturday, May 13, 2023. She had succumbed to a fall and surgery the previous weekend. She was 24 days from reaching 100 years of age.
 
Phyllis is survived by her son, Garry (Susan) Olson and her grandchildren, Scott (Meghan) Olson;  great-grandchildren, Max, Stella, Matteo; grandson, Steven Olson; granddaughter, Kyla Olson (Scott); great-grandchildren, Griffin, Sawyer, Ellis, Hayden and Mason. She has one surviving brother, Robert (Bob) Lofgren, in St. Catherines, Ontario.  

Phyllis was predeceased by her loving husband, Archie Olson in 2011. Archie was 94 years old, and they were married for 64 years; as well as her immediate family: father, Harry Lofgren; mother, Annie (nee Anderson); brothers, Ken (Ivy), Melvin, Norman (June), and Freeman (Rose); sister, Gwen (Clarence) Dyberg, and sister-in-law, Rachel (Robert).

Phyllis was born on the Lofgren farm seven miles east of Wetaskiwin on June 7, 1923. Her education started at the local country school called Nashville and completed at Wetaskiwin High School. Wetaskiwin was also the town where she started working, and for two years she worked at the Northern Alberta Dairy Pool. Her next job was at Montgomery’s Department Store where she worked in the office in the mornings, and worked on the floor in the afternoon. In 1945, Phyllis lived in the Falun area for two years. She married Archie Olson, and then moved southeast of Wetaskiwin where they bought and ran the Malmo Store. She ran the store for 11 years. Archie would pick up supplies in Edmonton and Wetaskiwin while doing commercial trucking. Phyllis enjoyed the people and community. Living sixteen miles out from Wetaskiwin on often poor country roads did not stop the change coming to the business. People were shopping more in the bigger towns and stores. The next business was turkey farming which kept them busy until retirement at centennial in Wetaskiwin. 

Phyllis was involved with the Alberta Women’s Institute, being standing chair for Health and Home Economics Federated. “I made a few trips to Ottawa and also a long trip to Lansing, Michigan for the Associated Country Women of the World” she said, “So interesting and I met so many nice people.” Phyllis was an active canvasser for the Red Cross for years.  Always saying “Life can be very busy, and can be fun also. I hope to be a good neighbour and a friend” . 

God bless you mom. You are already missed. Love Garry, Susan and family. 

So many thanks for the great caregivers at Madyson Manor, the excellent medical care from Dr. Nicol of Camrose, the fine staff at Red Deer Regional Hospital, and Pastor Dan Sudfeld and the congregation of Wetaskiwin Mission Church.  

A private service has taken place. 

Donations in memory of Phyllis can be made to the Wetaskiwin Mission Church (3610-56 Avenue, Wetaskiwin, Alberta, T9A 1X1)
 

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