Obituary for Alfred Stengrim Olsen
Early on the morning of August 13, 2021, Dad, Alfred Stengrim Olsen left this world and entered into the presence of Jesus. Dad was born on July 20,1932 to Stengrim and Sylvia Olsen in Barnhart, just north of Emo. He was the oldest of six children. He attended Carpenter #3 school and graduated from grade eight but was eager to get to work.
Dad worked at a number of jobs in the years that followed including mining, road construction, mechanics, welding, and on the Dew Line near James Bay. He finally settled on a logging career working closely with his brothers Art and later Paul. Dad and Art formed Olsen Brothers Timber Co. in 1975. They logged extensively throughout the district often east of Fort Frances, hiring many men in the process. Dad had a gift for sharpening a saw, felling trees, cruising and estimating timber and laying out roads. He loved the woods and was a keen observer of nature.
Dad was united in marriage to the love of his life, Shirley Norma Draper on August 23, 1957. They were just a few days shy of their 64th wedding anniversary when dad passed on. Together they raised the three of us: Kendall Olsen, Katherine Olsen and Jo-Anne Griffiths and we are forever grateful.
With the exception of a year spent in Prince George, BC (1970/71) and a retirement move to Princeton, BC (1996-2000), Dad and mom spent their life together in Emo. In 1980, Dad bought his first motor home and until last summer they spent at least four months of the year living in it. They have been all over North America but had a particular love for BC and The Yukon, returning there many times. They also spent much time camping throughout the region especially north of Rainy River at the camp site created by their niece Darlene Smith and husband Gary.
While Dad was not particularly vocal about his faith he lived it out each day by loving those around him, by serving at Calvary Baptist Church and by spending time with mom in Bible reading and prayer. Dad’s kindness and generosity were hallmark traits, as were his firm handshakes and hugs. After retirement, Dad was never too busy to invest time in the lives of his grandchildren and he impacted them deeply.
He will be greatly missed by his wife Shirley Olsen, his children: Kendall Olsen and wife Gwen, Katherine Olsen, Jo-Anne Griffiths, his grandchildren: Brittany Lindsey (Adam), Brandon Olsen (Emily), Erin Touchette (Patrick) and Nicholas Olsen (Nichelle), Tyler Smith and Blair Elliot, his five great grandchildren: Eleanor and Alfred Olsen, Odette, Ivan and Valerie Touchette, his siblings Beverly Sandmoen (late Stan), Arthur Olsen (Ida), Evelyn Barker (late Dave), Dean Olsen (Lois), Paul Olsen (Bonnie) and by the many lives he touched along life’s pathway.
In Memorium donations may be made to Calvary Baptist Church or Emo Health Centre.
A service of remembrance and celebration will take place at Calvary Baptist Church, Emo on Wednesday, August 18th at 11:00 am. If you are unable to attend or would prefer to watch online please email emocbc@gmail.com for a Zoom link to the service.
Dad worked at a number of jobs in the years that followed including mining, road construction, mechanics, welding, and on the Dew Line near James Bay. He finally settled on a logging career working closely with his brothers Art and later Paul. Dad and Art formed Olsen Brothers Timber Co. in 1975. They logged extensively throughout the district often east of Fort Frances, hiring many men in the process. Dad had a gift for sharpening a saw, felling trees, cruising and estimating timber and laying out roads. He loved the woods and was a keen observer of nature.
Dad was united in marriage to the love of his life, Shirley Norma Draper on August 23, 1957. They were just a few days shy of their 64th wedding anniversary when dad passed on. Together they raised the three of us: Kendall Olsen, Katherine Olsen and Jo-Anne Griffiths and we are forever grateful.
With the exception of a year spent in Prince George, BC (1970/71) and a retirement move to Princeton, BC (1996-2000), Dad and mom spent their life together in Emo. In 1980, Dad bought his first motor home and until last summer they spent at least four months of the year living in it. They have been all over North America but had a particular love for BC and The Yukon, returning there many times. They also spent much time camping throughout the region especially north of Rainy River at the camp site created by their niece Darlene Smith and husband Gary.
While Dad was not particularly vocal about his faith he lived it out each day by loving those around him, by serving at Calvary Baptist Church and by spending time with mom in Bible reading and prayer. Dad’s kindness and generosity were hallmark traits, as were his firm handshakes and hugs. After retirement, Dad was never too busy to invest time in the lives of his grandchildren and he impacted them deeply.
He will be greatly missed by his wife Shirley Olsen, his children: Kendall Olsen and wife Gwen, Katherine Olsen, Jo-Anne Griffiths, his grandchildren: Brittany Lindsey (Adam), Brandon Olsen (Emily), Erin Touchette (Patrick) and Nicholas Olsen (Nichelle), Tyler Smith and Blair Elliot, his five great grandchildren: Eleanor and Alfred Olsen, Odette, Ivan and Valerie Touchette, his siblings Beverly Sandmoen (late Stan), Arthur Olsen (Ida), Evelyn Barker (late Dave), Dean Olsen (Lois), Paul Olsen (Bonnie) and by the many lives he touched along life’s pathway.
In Memorium donations may be made to Calvary Baptist Church or Emo Health Centre.
A service of remembrance and celebration will take place at Calvary Baptist Church, Emo on Wednesday, August 18th at 11:00 am. If you are unable to attend or would prefer to watch online please email emocbc@gmail.com for a Zoom link to the service.