It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of their dear loved one Gordon Donald Olson on March 3, 2021 at the Rainy River Hospital.
Gordon was born in Emo Ontario on June 7, 1944 to Art and Thelma Olson. He grew up at the family homestead in Arbor Vitae until moving to Dryden at the age of 17 to work.
He was united in marriage to Anita Cote on May 29, 1965 in Dryden Ontario.
Gordon and Anita lived in Dryden until 1975 when they moved their family to Thompson, Manitoba - where Gordon got a job with Scott National. In 1977 Gordon and Anita moved to Bergland, Ontario where they had purchased the community store “Olsons”. They worked and raised their family in Bergland for the next 40 plus years.
Dad was an avid gardener, well known for growing his giant pumpkins, and won the first annual “Golden Hoe” in the Rainy River pumpkin festival. He loved to hunt spending many hours with his brother-in-law John, nephew Michael and grandson Kyle. In the last few years he was happy to drive around with his kids looking for that perfect 30 point buck.
Dad will be remembered especially for two things - he loved to tell stories and was well known for his knowledge of the history of the area. He loved to go for drives and point out the different Homestead’s, who had lived there and knew all the most interesting tidbits. Secondly, he was known for being an exceptional butcher who only sold the highest quality meat. He started cutting meat when they purchased “Olsons” and ran his business using a saying he had heard somewhere...”anyone can sell a can of beans, you gotta have good meat”. People would come from all over the area to the little country store in Bergland just for dad’s meat. People would always comment that Gordon cut the best steak!
More than anything Dad/Papa loved his family. He was so proud of his kids and his grandchildren - they were truly the light of his life. He valued family above everything.
He is survived by his children - Scott (Janice), Kelly (Kim), Shannon (Jason), Brother- Ralph (Adrienne), sisters - Ann (Marvin) and Laurie (John). BIL- Leo (Rachel) and SIL- Carol. Lovingly remembered by his grandchildren Kyle (Hailey), Kira, Emma, Ben, Lucas, Sam, Jake and great grandson Nash.
He was predeceased by his wife and best friend of 50 years Anita, his father and mother Art and Thelma Olson, his father and mother-in-law Paul and Matilda Cote, brother Ronnie, sister Vivian, Brother in law Dennis Cote and nephew Jimmy.
The family would like to thank the Rainy River hospital staff for their care and compassion for our dad over the last 18 months, in particular Jon Stamler who dad was especially fond of.
In memorial donations can be made to the Rainy River Hospital, c/o Northridge Funeral Home Ltd., Box 89, Emo, ON P0W 1E0.
A Service will be held at a later date.
Dad we hope you have been reunited with Mom - you will forever be missed.