Obituary of Maria Oleson

After a lengthy illness, our mom quietly slipped into the presence of her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

She is survived by children Ingrid (Dave), Rick (Diane) of BC, and Bryan (Ardis) of Alberta, sisters Elizabeth and Rosalia, brother Alois of Alberta, sister-in-law Wendy, as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 43 years, Richard (Dick Jr.), parents Frank and Valerie Bisiak, parents-in-law Richard (Dick Sr.) and Kathleen, sisters Hetty and Hilde, brothers Helmut and Frank, brothers-in-law, Heinz Lehmann, John Colburn, and Ivo Podobnik of Slovenia.

Mom came to Canada with most of her family in 1957, and began working as a seamstress at Canadian Star Novelty. There, she met the son of her employer, and she and Dick Jr. were married in 1959. After three children, Mom worked part-time at Eaton's. Moving to St. Albert, Alberta in 1976, she worked at Kresge's/Woolworth's in Edmonton before taking jobs at two different daycares in St. Albert. Going back to Winnipeg in 1987, she returned to work at Eaton's until the store closed in 1999. She taught Sunday School, did respite work with children, got involved with the Pregnancy Crisis Center, Teen Moms, Women's Aglow, a regular Bible study group, and supported Vasantha, a little girl in India, for a number of years. She loved all of the children she came in contact with, and, even 20 years later, she thought of them, and wondered how they were doing.

Nothing was more important to Mom than her relationship with Jesus Christ. She had great faith, and was a prayer warrior. She never stopped praying for family and friends.

Special thanks to Dr. David Reimer, Dr. Paul Daenninck, visiting nurse Suzanne, and the nurses and aides at the Ste. Anne Hospital , who took great care of Mom during the last 18 months.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Life International Outreach to help any of their three passions: water wells, shoes for children, or to rescue children from human trafficking.

Mom was previously laid to rest at the Pine View Cemetery in Marchand, Manitoba, on November 4th, 2022.

A celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Zion Apostolic Church, 305 Machray Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, with Pastor Tom Campbell officiating.

Psalm 71:19-21

Your righteousness, 0 God, reaches to the heights. You have done great deeds. Oh God, who is like You? You who have shown me great distresses and troubles will revive me again from the depths of the earth. You will increase my greatness, and You will encircle me and comfort me.