Gertrude Eloise Olmstead

Gertrude Eloise Olmstead, daughter of Alden Weston and Bessie Elberta Bradford, was born on June 10th, 1925 in Iola, AB and passed away in Moose Jaw on December 23rd, 2015. Together with her six siblings (Raymond, Gerald, Winona, Vernal, Hugh, and Shirley), she grew up on a farm just east of Three Hills, AB, where, after her mother passed away, she helped to care for the younger children. Her elementary school years were spent in a nearby one-room country school. After graduating from Prairie High School in Three Hills, she attended Prairie Bible Institute.  In December 1946, she married Gordon Olmstead, with whom she would raise four children and share life for nearly 68 years.  In the early years of their marriage, they lived in Edmonton, in Saskatoon, and in Cut Knife, Gordon’s first teaching post. In 1951, she and Gordon moved to Caronport, which would be home to them for more than sixty years until, in 2012, they became residents at Chateau St. Michael’s (Moose Jaw).  For most of her adult life, she worked as a mother and homemaker but she also worked for Canada Post for fourteen years, retiring as the Postmaster at Caronport. She enjoyed various hobbies—quilting, knitting, and crocheting among them. An avid sports fan, her loyalty to the Riders and Blue Jays bowed only to the teams for which her children and grandchildren played. More than anything, she enjoyed being with people. She was a woman of infectious joy, deep faith and extravagant love.  She was predeceased by both parents; her husband Gordon; her brothers, Ray, Gerald and Vern; and her sister, Winona.  Eloise is survived, and deeply missed, by her children, Doug, Bettie (Dan), Wesley (Faith) and Joyce (Russell); eight grandchildren: Courtney, Chad (Charissa), Melissa (Geoff), Bryndon, Brooke, Conner, Carson and Joelle; seven great-grandchildren: Lane, Cienna, Ryder, Grayson, Chayse, Carter and Theodore; numerous nieces and nephews; brother Hugh (Tisha); sister, Shirley (John); and sister-in-law, Sarah.  The Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. in the Edwards Chapel, Caronport. Dr. Blayne Banting and Dr. Calum Macfarlane will officiate and a private family interment will take place in Caronport Cemetery.  As expressions of sympathy, donations in Eloise’s name may be made to the ‘Gordon and Eloise Olmstead Biblical Studies Scholarship’ at Briercrest College, 510 College Dr, Caronport, SK S0H 0S0.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Gary McDowell, Funeral Director 306-693-4550