Olivia was born in Skodje, Norway on April 24, 1903, to Sofie and Ole Ekrol.

She took her schooling in Norway and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church.

She moved to Canada in 1935 and on April 23, 1935 married Lars Ekrol in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Together they moved west and came to live on the farm north of the Nose Hills.

To this union two children were born, Johan and Sophie.

Olivia and Lars farmed there until 1964 when Lars passed away.

Olivia remained on the farm until 1973 when she moved into Coronation.

It was then she began to attend the United Church.

She lived in her own home until moving into the Kings Court apartments.

In 1992 she moved into the Assisted Living Complex in Coronation and remained there until her passing.

Olivia enjoyed the farm life and continued to take an interest in this.

Family and friends were very important to Olivia. She always showed great caring and concern for all those close to her.

She was predeceased by her parents Ole and Sofie, husband Lars, four brothers and one grandson David Nelson.

Olivia is survived by her son Johan (Mary) Ekrol of Lacombe, daughter Sophie (Tom) Nelson of Coronation, three grandchildren Ronnie (Dina) Nelson, Johnnie Nelson, and Debbie (Dave) Wales, six great grandchildren Ryan, Cody and Hailey Wales, Zane and Emma Nelson, and Jaron Nelson.

Olivia is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews in Norway and a host of many friends.

Funeral services were held on Monday, February 3, 2003 at 2 p.m. in Trinity United Church, Coronation, Alberta, with Rev. Mervyn Penfound and Lea Weisser officiating.

Granddaughters Debbie Wales and Dina Nelson gave a loving tribute in memory of their grandmother.

Mrs. Margaret Merchant played the organ for the congregational hymns “The Old Rugged Cross” and “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.” Tanya Nydokus sang the solo “How Great Thou Art”.

The active pallbearers were Debbie Wales, Johnnie Nelson, Dina Nelson, Dave Wales, Ronnie Nelson, and Nester Nydokus.

The honourary pallbearers were “All of Olivia’s Family and Friends.”

The interment will take place later in the spring in the Veteran Cemetery, Veteran, Alberta.

Following the funeral service, family and friends gathered together in the lower hall of Trinity United Church for a time of fellowship and light refreshment with the luncheon prepared and served by the Trinity United Church Women.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made in Olivia’s memory to the Assisted Living Complex c/o the Coronation Health Care Complex and would be appreciated by the family.

Parkview Funeral Chapels "Families Serving Families" were entrusted with care and funeral arrangements. For further information please contact 578-3777

Tribute
A Grandma is someone who’s dear in every way.

Her smile is like the sunshine that brightens each new day.

A Grandma is someone who plays a special part in all the treasured memories we hold within our heart.

It is a honour to give the tribute to Grandma. Grandma lived a long, fullfilling life.

Before coming to Canada, Grandma lived on a farm in Norway. She was a very hard worker. For 15 summers she milked cows every morning and evening.

She had to climb a mountain, milk the cows and then carry the pails of milk down the mountain in the evening.

This hard work, I’m sure, contributed to the strong will and determination that Grandma had.

She came to Canada in 1935 from Norway.

It was a long, adventurous journey by boat and train for a young woman travelling all alone, seasick the whole time and not knowing any language other than Norwegian.

She travelled to Winnipeg, Manitoba where she had arranged to rejoin Grandpa, whom she had met in Norway, to be married.

To live almost 100 years and not have a driver’s license is unimaginable to me. I was told of Grandma’s first driving experience the other night.

Apparently, Uncle John found himself in the middle of the pasture with two vehicles to drive home. Grandma was settled into the driver’s seat while he put the car in gear and explained to step on the brake when she got to the gate.

Grandma lived in the Nose Hills until she moved to Coronation in 1973. She enjoyed the farm life, her chickens, milk cows and big gardens.

I can remember the trips up into the Nose Hills to pick saskatoons. Unlike my brothers, I wasn’t fond of these trips, although they were very important to Grandma.

Grandma tried to carry on her heritage through her grandchildren.

Johnnie can recall when Grandma tried to teach him to speak Norwegian. Apparently without much success.

She also tried to teach us her wonderful talent of crocheting. Again, not much success. She resorted to buying us all hook rugs.

Grandma was always there. Living so close to the school, many lunches were enjoyed at her house. Not only when we were small, but even as we grew older.

Ronnie was very happy that Grandma had Channel 12 and the Flintstones through his high school years.

The many sleepovers and visits to Grandma’s house were an imperative part of our lives.

Grandma had the unique talent of knitting and crocheting.

Many, many afghans, doilies, blankets, slippers, dickies and sweaters have been made, not only for her family, but many friends as well.

Even at the age of 99, you would have found Grandma sitting in her chair in her room creating some beautiful piece of work.

A large storage box holds the many red ribbons she won at the fair for her many entries over the years, which of course included her crocheting along with baking items, which were made at the Assisted Living.

Lefsa, a Norwegian tradition, was another of Grandma’s fames.

Remembering the many times we would gather in Mom’s kitchen, or mine, to make the delicious treat we all loved.

Of course Grandma had to mix it and get it to the rolling out stage, and even at 98 she offered to finish the rolling as she thought Mom’s back must be getting sore.

One of the men was usually recruited to do the flipping so it became quite a family time.

Grandma was very adamant about being picked up early enough before any family gathering so that she could peel the potatoes.
T

hanksgiving was the last big pot of potatoes she peeled.

Dave forgot and peeled them at Christmas, sorry Grandma.

Grandma enjoyed being driven out to see the cows and baby calves in the spring and to see the crops in the fall.

It must have been amazing for her to see the changes that occurred in her 99 plus years.

Grandma never forgot a birthday or special occasion.

Not going out in her later years to do her own shopping, she would ask Mom to pick up her own birthday card, she would start asking me about a month before her birthday.

She had a better memory than me. Often she’d ask several times if I’d forgot and usually the day before Mom’s birthday, rush in with a card. She was very sharp and keen to her last day.

Grandma was very comfortable and enjoyed her life at the Assisted Living. She helped to wrap the cutlery for the meals and was very involved in the baking activities.

Grandma enjoyed keeping busy and helping out in whatever way she could.

She always had a drawer full of treats for the great grandchildren and the adults for our many visits long or short which she enjoyed and appreciated so much.

Many enjoyable afternoons and evenings were spent sitting around the table with her friends at the Assisted Living playing Skippo, Bingo or just visiting.

Family and friends were very important to Grandma.

Her great grandchildren were her pride and joy. She loved for them to crawl up on her knee or simply to sit and watch them play.

The baptisms of her grandchildren and great grandchildren were very important times for Grandma with the youngest being baptized this fall with her in attendance.

Grandma was a permanent fixture in our lives. She was a kind, caring and compassionate person, and as many people have said to me, “a wonderful woman.”

She has always been here and even though it was time for her to “Go home” there will always be a void for all of us.

Grandmas radiate warmth and love. They encourage, hug, comfort, understand and teach us that we are loved.

You have done all of this Grandma and so very much more. We love you.
- by Debbie Wales and Dina Nelson

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