GOMUWKA Olive—Edson, AB, passed away at the age of 86, on Dec 18,2010 at the Edson Hospital after a brief illness. Olive was born on the family farm near Leduc, AB in March 1924 to parents Mike and Annie Yaremko. She was the youngest of ten children and the last surviving member of her immediate family, having been predeceased by six brothers and three sisters. She grew up on the farm and attended a small country school before completing her grade twelve in Leduc. She went on to Normal school in preparation for becoming a teacher. It was the teaching profession that brought her to Edson in the mid to late ‘40s, where she taught in a portable classroom before moving into the Red Brick School. Shortly after her arrival in Edson she met the love of her life Mike Gomuwka and they were married in 1949. They enjoyed a happy and prosperous life together until Mike passed away following a motor vehicle accident in 1976. Olive never remarried always having said that her husband could never be replaced. She lived independently in her own home until she decided to “retire” and moved into the Parkland Lodge two years ago. She thoroughly enjoyed living at the lodge taking part in their field trips, entertainment events, bingo games and the companionship of her many friends.
Left to mourn her loss are her son Gary (Heather) Fox Creek, AB and daughter Leslie Vancouver, BC. She is also survived by her precious grandchildren and five great grandchildren; Bonnie (Devin) Paige and Nathan Ekdahl Edson, AB, Mike (Robyn) Gavin and Aizik Gomuwka Hinton, AB, Cody (Stacy) and Reid Gomuwka Fox Creek, AB and Derek Patterson, Vancouver BC
The funeral for the late Olive Gomuwka was held in the Foothills Memorial Chapel on Dec 23, 2010 with the Rev Kent Horsman officiating. The family would like to thank the staff at the Edson Hospital for the exceptional care Grandma received in her final days and also to the staff and residents of the Parkland Lodge who became her extended family and made her life complete. Anyone wishing to make a donation in memory of Olive may do so to the Matamao Craft Club, c/o Parkland Lodge, 4619 – 9th Avenue, Edson, Alberta, T7E 1R7 or to the charity of your choice.
The Edson Funeral Home Ltd. (780-723-3575) entrusted with all arrangements. To leave a condolence online, please visit our website www.edsonfuneralhome.com
The Foothills Memorial Chapel
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