OLSON
Glenn Earl Olson was born in Rimbey on May 12, 1943 to his parents, Elmer and Ragna Olson. At that time the family lived in the Symonds District south of Rimbey and later in 1949 they moved to the Wooddale district where they farmed and operated an oilfield wireline company.
During his high school years at the Rimbey School, Glenn was a member of the school marching band as a drummer. An active member of community groups from a young age, he belonged to the Rimbey 4-H Beef Club for six years and the Boy Scouts of Canada for five years; but his greatest passion was always for the cattle. He purchased his first purebred Hereford cow from Jack Beatty when he was thirteen years old. He also had a keen interest in horses and an eye for good confirmation in a breed. When Glenn was just eighteen, he travelled with Howard Trautman by CP Railway to the Toronto Royal Winter Fair with Glenn’s yearling palomino filly. His horse won the Championship prize! This fall Glenn, Kay, and granddaughter Jenna travelled again to the Toronto Winter Fair where Glenn was able to find the same barn in which he had stalled his horse, Secret Pride, in 1961.
Glenn farmed with his father until 1963 when he married his loving wife of 53 years, Kay Evernden (nee Muddle). Together they purchased the Alfred Vetsch land and continued farming. He was intrigued with the Simmental cattle when they were introduced in Canada so in 1972 he travelled to Scotland to purchase a Simmental bull. Later he imported two Simmental heifers from Switzerland and began replacing the polled Herefords with Simmentals. Glenn was very knowledgeable about blood lines; the continual improvement of his herd of 300 was his priority. He attended many stock shows and sales and always enjoyed talking with people there. In all his years of farming, it was important to get to town “a few times a day” for a cup of coffee with his friends and the latest news.
During the years the family belonged to the Central Alberta Light Horse Association, they spent most summer weekends at horse shows with friends. Glenn later became involved with the Alberta Quarter Horse Racing Association, an exciting challenge in racing their horses, and an opportunity to travel and meet new friends. Also an avid rodeo fan, he attended most of the major rodeo events on a regular basis.
Glenn was very proud of his children and grandchildren and their many achievements. Since he liked to travel, as his grandchildren graduated from high school, he and Kay took each of them on a trip to the Maritimes, making happy memories for his family to cherish.
On February 23rd, 2017 at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, Glenn passed away peacefully in the company of his family.
He will be sadly missed by his wife Kay, sons Garry Evernden (Sandy), Kim Olson (Tasha Darby); grandchildren Christopher Evernden, Cameron Olson, Candice Evernden, Nicole Grocock (Nickolas), Jenna Olson, and step-grandchildren, Brandyn and Zackary Darby; one brother Allan Olson (Grace) and one sister Verlie Algar as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Glenn was predeceased by his parents, Elmer and Ragna Olson, and one brother, Lorne Olson.
A Memorial Service in Celebration of Glenn’s life was held at the Peter Lougheed Community Centre, Rimbey on Friday, March 10th, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend David Holmes officiating. Cremation took place at the Central Alberta Crematorium, Red Deer. If friends desire, donations may be made to the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre – Administration, Box 440, Rimbey, Alberta T0C 2J0 (www.rimbeyhealthdonations.com); or to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Central Alberta Cancer Centre, Bag 5030, Red Deer Regional Hospital, Red Deer, Alberta T4N 6R2 (www.albertacancer.ca). Condolences to the Olson Family may be sent by email to: special_reflections@telusplanet.net
Service and Cremation Arrangements for the Late Glenn Earl Olson entrusted to the care of