Olga Turner Erickson

TURNER-ERICKSON OLLIE TURNER ERICKSON passed away in Raymond on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at the age of 90. Ollie was born Olga Antonuik, on December 13, 1921, in Fort William, Ontario, to George Antonuik and Ida Herchak, joining Peter, Mary, Anne, and Stella as a much loved youngest sister. Her mother died when she was 5, shortly after the family moved to a farm near Stanley, Ontario along the Kaministikwia River. Ollie grew up enjoying the blessing and labours of a simple country life, attending a one room school through grade 8, and working hard on the family farm. At 16 she left school and family to work in Fort William. In 1939, as Canada ramped up its war effort, she trained as a welder at the Canada Car factory in Fort William, where she helped build the Hawker Hurricane and Curtis Dive Bomber airplanes. She developed great skill as an aluminum welder and for the rest of her life she was the one to be called on when something aluminum had to be welded. It was during this time that she met Keith Turner from Raymond, Alberta, who also worked at the factory. Romance blossomed and they were married in November of 1945 at Fort William. In the summer of 1946 Ollie and Keith visited Alberta to meet his family and she saw for the first time the area that was to become her beloved prairies. In the spring of 1949 they moved west and settled in Raymond. In 1957 Ollie joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, finding joy and happiness in worship and service to her Savior throughout her life. She held many Church callings but especially loved working with cub scouts. She loved all kinds of sports and activities, curling, golfing, bowling, horse riding, square dancing. As her children grew, Ollie shared her love and mothering with many foster children, including sisters Francine, Loris and Adele Holloway. Later in life her beloved Keith became very ill and she cared for him for several years before he passed away in 1984. In 1988 she met and married Leroy Erickson. He passed away in 2005. Ollie is survived by 4 children: Reed (Emma) Turner, Cynthia (Ken) Steed, Murray (Lilly) Turner, and Scott (Janet) Turner, many foster children, 17 grandchildren, and 15 great grandchildren. Mom was a great example to us as she faced her own age and health challenges with determination, cheerfulness, and a continuing desire to serve others. We all love her, we will miss her now, and we look forward to a great reunion and eternal life together. Friends may meet the family at the LDS Raymond Stake Centre on Friday evening, January 6, 2012 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. or prior to the service on Saturday, January 7 from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints RAYMOND STAKE CENTRE, Raymond, Alberta. Interment in the Temple Hill Cemetery, Raymond.

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