Obituary
Rita Laura Olafson (Beaulieu)
September 16, 1930 – April 10, 2022
We, the family, are very saddened to announce the passing of our Mom, Rita. With her caring family by her side, Mom left us to be with Dad again as she had been missing him a lot and was always wondering where he was and if we had seen him.
Mom was the daughter of Charlemagne and Alice (nee Gareau) Beaulieu, followed by sister Blanche and brother Raymond. She was the first baby delivered by Dr. Gendreau at the Ste. Rose Hospital. She received her education at Tamarac Lake School, Cayer Convent and Ste. Rose Convent (which was a trial trying to get to and from school back then). Her favourite times were spent helping Pepere on the farm.
Mom and Dad were married on October 8, 1949 at the Cayer church and then went to Winnipeg in a snowstorm for a week long honeymoon. Shortly after their return, Dad whisked her off to his fish camp on the shore of Lake Manitoba in Reykjavik. They moved to Tamarac Lake in 1950 where their daughter, Rae, was born. In 1952, they moved to Lonely Lake and Sheryl was born. They bought Dad’s Uncle Tom’s place in Wapah in 1954 and the rest of the family was born here: Cindy in 1955, Blair in 1956, Neil in 1957 and Jeff in 1964. Her mother in law, Grandma Tobba, who was an excellent seamstress, taught Mom how to sew and through trial and error, Mom managed to keep us all clothed.
Frogs were plentiful in those years, so luckily, with the help of us kids, we managed to pick enough of them to sell so she could have an electric washing machine. A couple of big gardens were necessary to keep us all fed and Mom canned as much fruit and vegetables as she could. She delivered hot meals to the hayfield every noon during haying time as well as bringing a lunch at coffee time.
In 1987, Mom and Dad retired and moved to Ste. Rose. Mom had sold Avon many years before, worked for elections, census taking and spent many years as a board member at the Dr Gendreau Memorial Home. Mom and Dad delivered Meals on Wheels for a time, as well. They made memorable trips to Iceland, Hawaii, Florida, Mexico, and across Canada from the Maritimes to the west coast.
Mom especially enjoyed having all the children and their families together at one time. Christmas was always special and the grandchildren will never forget Grandma’s punch and they soon learned that it packed a powerful kick. Whatever the occasion, there was always more than enough food and no one ever went away hungry.
Mom was quite competitive, whether it was at baseball, golfing, curling or leg wrestling, which, one memorable time, she managed to flip a few men onto their face and was the star player. She enjoyed watching curling on t.v. right up to the end and knew a lot of the players by names. Having her picture taken with Kevin Martin was a highlight. Old time dancing, card games, gardening, camping and going for a drive were favourites.
Mom and Dad’s home was open to everyone with kids, grandkids, great grandkids, friends and neighbors. Coffee was always on and “Happy Hour” at 5 o’clock for those who dropped by at that time, give or take a few minutes, of course, it was close enough!!
Mom and Dad sold their house in 2014 and moved into the Trois Villas where they made more friends.
Once Dad was gone, Mom did her best to carry on alone for a few years. She then moved into the Dr Gendreau Home in November, 2019, where she resided until her passing.
She was very fortunate to continue to have many visitors. Her life was lived to the fullest – A happy marriage, a wonderful family and a loving home. Many life lessons were learnt from our parents by living on the farm – Lessons which we will cherish forever. Mom asked for so little and gave so much. Her legacy will certainly live on in our large family.
Left to mourn and cherish fond memories are: her daughters – Rae Flower (Dale McCargar), Sheryl Pinette (Roland Moreau), Cindy Gallinger (Gerry), her sons-Blair (Debbie), Neil (Michelle) and Jeff (Ben Lucas). Her grandchildren and great grandchildren; Corey Flower -Gavin, Jaret and Sammi Jo; Laurel (Shawn) Luke-Justin and Kurtis; Brad Flower (Candice) -Adisyn, Emery, Crüe; Sharlene Flower-Finley; Kristine (Thor) Erlendson – Lyric (Craig) and Sadie; Tim (Ashley) Pinette – Esme and Eliena; Renee Brunel (Noelle); Chad (Brandee) Olafson – Grace and Blake; Avery (Neil) Triska -Pyper and Rayna Ramsay, Kyler and Taryn Triska; Aaron Olafson (Reena) – Brixson; Jaimie (Steven) Hopfner – Haylie and Ayva; Matthew Olafson (Kacie); Marlee Olafson (Hudson Friesen). Also surviving her are brother Raymond Beaulieu (Chrissie) and sister in law-Freda Olafson as well as nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.Mom was pre-deceased by our Dad, Gudjon, her loving husband of 66 years, her grandsons-Stephen Pinette and Beau Brunel and her son in law Eddie Pinette, her sister Blanche and brother in law Helgi Johnson, in laws-Kari and Vala Olafson, Ragnar Olafson, Vala and Guy Labossiere.
The family wishes to thank Dr O’Hagan for his comforting words and guidance over the years. He commented that Mom was always such a “trooper” and that she never complained. To the staff at the Dr Gendreau Home – thank you for all that you did for Mom. She always said the care was great and everyone was so helpful. As one staff member said on one of our last visits -“Your Mom was always so put together” when she would come over from the Trois Villas.
Once again, a big thank you to Ryan Raffray for his patience and understanding. Mom will be laid to rest in a private ceremony on June 4th in the Wapah Cemetery with Ryan officiating.
Should friends so desire, donations may be made in memory of Mom to the Westlake Community Centre, Box 3, Eddystone, MB, R0L 0S0 to go towards cemetery maintenance at the Wapah Cemetery. Cheques can be made payable to the Westlake Community Centre.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rita Laura Olafson, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Rita Laura Olafson September 16 1930 April 10 2022 (age 91)..
sneath strilchuk funeral services
Death notice for the town of: Dauphin, Province: Manitoba