Olga Annie KIELPINSKI

Olga is survived by her brother Edward Cutts; her two children Chris (Rhonda) Kielpinski, and Lori (Vince) Paulino, and her greatest pride and joy, her granddaughter, Cynthia Jan Kielpinski. She dearly treasured Cynthia’s visits and enjoyed watching her swim competitively.  “Aunty Olga”, as she was affectionately known, will greatly miss the many, many offspring of her brothers and sisters. Olga also wished to acknowledge the close “family” connections with the families of Ernie and Sarah Rawson.

Having lost her father at a very early age, Olga spent her early life in the Cokato in the home of her brother “Chappy” where she helped her mother manage the house. She often said, “It was a hard life, but a good one.” During that time she gardened, put down preserves, cut firewood and engaged in creating the necessities of life. Most notably, she used her “brownie” camera to preserve family history with well annotated photographs. During these early years, she developed a bond with her eldest niece Shirley Greffard (nee Vandenberghe) that endured through time and over distance.

She graduated from Fernie Secondary School in 1950 and remained close to Cokato until her marriage.  John and Olga moved in to a small house in the “north end” of Fernie, Chris was born, and they both supported Olga’s mother until her passing.  In 1964, they moved to their permanent home on 3rd Ave in Fernie where Lori was born, and Olga resided for 52 years. Paddy, the Welsh Pembroke Corgi, was a constant companion and well made up for the times when the kids were not at home.

During that time, she crocheted (mainly doilies) and knitted prolifically. Television was her passion and she enjoyed soap operas, sports, old westerns and game shows.  Old country and western music was frequently playing.  She particularly enjoyed attracting birds to the feeders placed in or under the large ash tree that provided her summer shade.  She was always busy cleaning the house, cooking, tidying up the yard or going on her daily walks.  She was quiet and reserved but loved when company came to visit.  Annually, Olga and John were known to have discussions about how much space in John’s vegetable garden should be set aside for her flowers.

Most treasured by Olga was the Christmas season, a time when she took great delight decorating her home and, with her antique ornaments, trimming the tree to perfection. She was best known for her traditional cooking, and no more was this true than in the sumptuous meals that she planned and prepared days in advance of Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

The family would like to thank all those who provided their love and support to Olga, especially since her fall in the summer of 2016. A very special thanks to her niece, Wendy Charlton (and family) who skillfully aided her son, Chris, and daughter-in-law, Rhonda in her care and recovery. Thank you to Dr. Shayne Soetaert and staff at the Leroux Clinic; the wonderful doctors, nurses and staff at the Fernie Hospital; the entire teams and Lilac Terrace and Rocky Mountain Village who provided her with comfort. A final thanks to John and Lynda Gawryluk, “neighbours across the street”, in helping mom on her final journey.

A final viewing was held on 6 December 2022 followed by cremation. Olga and John’s ashes have now been joined. In the summer of 2023, in a nondenominational ceremony, they will be laid to eternal rest with her mother at St. Margaret’s Cemetery in Fernie.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Society or Fernie’s Twin Meadows Animal Rescue Society.

www.cherishedmemoriesfs.com