Slideshow image

Lydia Christena Olafson (nee Mueller) passed away peacefully on December 11, 2017 at the age of 80, after a long battle with dementia. Lydia was born in Abernethy, SK, eventually moving to a farm just outside Wolseley, SK with her parents and two sisters.   Lydia attended Luther College in Regina for most of her high school education, where, as well as playing basketball and running track, she met her future husband, Don. After working at Chrysler in Regina, she and Don married in April 1958, living initially in Swift Current and Coleville until settling in Regina about a year later. A number of years and three children later, the family transferred to Calgary in 1973. They joined the Hope Lutheran congregation in 1994. An avid bridge player, Lydia also enjoyed international travel. She accompanied Don on business or family trips to Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Australia, as well as all over North America. She loved the Columbia River Valley in southeast BC, where she and Don maintained their mountain retreat at Fairmont Hot Springs, and Las Vegas where they had their winter home close to their daughter and her family. Lydia was a voracious reader, a skilled debater, a crossword puzzle enthusiast, a dedicated homemaker, and a tremendous baker. Lydia loved children and could calm any baby. Her grandchildren were a source of tremendous joy to her as they grew up. Even after her memory had faltered, a visit from or a picture of one of her great-granddaughters never failed to bring a smile to her face.   Lydia was pre-deceased by her parents Karl and Eleanore Mueller; her sister Carolina Eleanore Kraushar; and son-in-law Gregory Schraw. She is survived by Don, her husband of 59 years; her sister Lillian Dahlman of Moose Jaw, SK; son Kelly and daughter-in-law Barbara of Singapore; daughter Lori of Las Vegas, NV; and son Tim and daughter-in-law Julie of Calgary; grandchildren Robert Miller (Crystal), Kristin Trenholm (Jeremy), Karin (Dakota) and Andrea Olafson, Jeremy Schraw (Sarah) and Jackie Oppegard (Casey), Eva, Jonas and Rowan Olafson; as well as great-granddaughters Keira Trenholm and Avery and Wyatt Miller; and numerous nieces and nephews.