It is with deep sadness that we had to say farewell to Edna Elfreida Olm on the morning of Sunday, November 29, 2015. She was born on July 10, 1927 at Neudorf, SK to Mike and Elizabeth (nee Wirth) Yahnke. Edna was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. At the age of six she moved with her family to Churchbridge, where she took all of her education. When Edna was only 13 years old, her mother passed away, leaving Edna and her siblings the responsibilities of raising and caring for the family and house. Edna married the love of her life, Gordon Olm, on October 15, 1948. Together, they enjoyed many good and bad years of farming, while raising their four daughters. They lived in the town of Churchbridge where they started their family and in 1954 they purchased their farm south of Churchbridge. Gordon and Edna farmed, had a hog farrowing operation and also kept bees. They were fortunate to celebrate 52 years together as husband and wife. Edna always planted a large garden and was kept busy with canning and freezing. She loved to quilt and crochet and made sure that all of her children and grandchildren each had a quilt and afghan to keep them warm. In 1988, they purchased their home in Churchbridge, where Edna resided until the end of July. Declining health forced her into hospital and then into the Canora and later Yorkton nursing homes. Edna will be remembered for her feisty spirit, her home-cooked meals, especially her cabbage rolls and the vinitarta she made every Christmas. Edna had a love for life. She enjoyed bowling, camping and fishing and her soap operas, never to be disturbed while watching! She loved her family and was so thrilled when the grandchildren and great-grandchildren started arriving. She loved to play cards and games, especially Yahtzee, whist, Phase 10 and puzzles. She loved to go for coffee, to sit and visit with neighbours and friends. Edna was a very strong woman and would step up wherever needed. Edna loved her flowers and grew beautiful roses in her yard in town. She was very proud when her yard won an award for its beauty. Edna was a member of the Churchbridge Evergreen Club, volunteered at the Churchbridge Campground and was a member of the Concordia Lutheran Church Altar Guild. Edna was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Gordon; sons-in-law, Elwood Cherry and Larry Ziebart; two brothers in infancy, brothers, Reinhold, John and Ernest; sisters, Evelyn, Pearl, Gladys, Iris, Aradine and Ruth. She leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memory: daughters, Yvonne Cherry, Shirley Ziebart, Donna (Daryl) Bily and Debbie (Blaine) Hussey; grandchildren: Craig (Barb) Ziebart and their children, Logan and Hayden; Kimberley Ziebart; Colin and Jen Ziebart and their daughter, Sadie; Tamara (Sheldon) Sauser and their children, Mitchell, Kaitlyn and Bryce; Tara Bily (Aaron Matileg); Lorne Bily; Brad (Melissa) Bily and their children, Blake, Dallas and Dalton; Kris Hussey (Alexandra Exner); Amanda (Tyler) Robinson; sister, Vera Andrews; brothers, Victor (Marion) Yahnke; Verden (Carol) Yahnke; brother-in-law, Walter Miller; numerous nieces and nephews and cousins. Edna will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 from St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Churchbridge, SK (under the auspices of Concordia Lutheran Church) with Pastor Daphne Bender officiating. The 23rd Psalm was read by Verden Yahnke and the eulogy was delivered by Kris Hussey. The organist, Barbara Sveinbjornson, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling", "In the Garden" and "Amazing Grace". The Interment Service followed in the Churchbridge Town Cemetery with Sheldon Sauser, Mitchell Sauser, Lorne Bily, Brad Bily, Kris Hussey and Tyler Robinson serving as casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, SK.
