Genevieve Olsen

Genevieve passed away peacefully at the Raymond Hospital Friday, January 16, 2009 at the age of 94. Gen was the 7th child of 15 born to David Alma Bennett and Elna Augusta Ericksen. She was predeceased by her parents and 12 of her siblings. She is survived by 2 sisters, Catherine Masters of University Place, WA and Elouise Walker of West Vancouver, BC and her 3 children, their spouses, and 12 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Southern Alberta has lost one of its music icons. Gen began her singing career at age 4 with her sister Bernie who was barely 2. Gen sang harmony which came to her naturally. She continued to sing with her sisters Bernie and Catherine and later Molly. They sang all over Southern Alberta and even Northern Montana. They sang with the Kings Canadians at a lot of the dances. Gen married Leroy (Poley ) Hawkins and they had 3 children - Roger (Deanna) Hawkins, Heather (Nels) Sather and Dana (Bill) Letcher. As the sisters grew up and disbanded Gen continued singing - first with Laura Watson and later joined by Jeannine Jensen, Ethel Hicken and eventually by Velma Bigelow. Gen was active in the LDS Church and held many different music positions as well as leadership positions. She conducted many ward and stake choirs and youth choirs as well as operettas. After Poley died Gen married Orville Olsen and moved to Provo, Utah where she began her working career. She worked in Albertson's Bakery and then at ZCMI Bakery and Snack Bar - a position which she held for 15 years, working well past retirement age. Several of those years she worked simultaneously for Smitty's Bakery.

It was in Provo that Gen became acquainted with Barbizon and started creating some beautiful satin comforters and pillow cases. She has made virtually hundreds of them for family, loved ones and friends. She returned to Canada at age 80 and built a new house. She continued making comforters until age 93. Not only was Gen a hard worker, she was a delightful person to know and was always so appreciative and kind. She will be sadly missed by her family and close friends.

Friends may meet the family prior to the funeral service at the church from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m.

The Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, Knight Street Chapel, Raymond. Interment to follow in the Temple Hill Cemetery.