OLGA GESWIN

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OLGA (OLLIE) GESWIN (nee KOTCHOREK) July 17, 1922 - November 1, 2015 With sadness our family announces the peaceful passing of Ollie Geswin at Concordia Hospital with family at her side. Ollie is predeceased by her parents William and Caroline Kotchorek; her loving husband Martin; brothers, Bill, Ed and Roy; sisters, Emma Kurbis, Helen DeLeeuw and Betty Duhamel; and son-in-law Larry Laker. She is survived by brother Walter (Patricia); daughters, Connie Laker and Betty Ann Geswin; grandsons, Larry Laker and Jamie Laker (Lisa), and great-grandchildren Ethan Laker, Braeden Laker and Kyna Burdeniuk. Ollie was born in Thalberg, Manitoba to a hard-working farm family, one of eight children, and throughout her life she remained a farm girl at heart. She had a deep love for countryside, gardens and animals, and she often spoke about the horses back on the farm. She had a very special bond with her rescue dog, Sammy, who was always at her side as well as a fondness for teasing the family budgie. Ollie had a heart of gold and was a kind, gentle, fun-loving soul who preferred to listen quietly rather than take centre stage. In her earlier years Ollie worked at Eaton's Mail Order, and then for her brothers Bill and Walter when they bought the Palma Hotel in Transcona (currently the Pandora Inn). There she met, fell in love and married Martin, the love of her life. Ollie and Martin worked side by side, once again for her brothers, at the general store in Grand Marais, and then at the Lockport Drive Inn where she became widely known for her delicious home-made fries. Later they worked together to build the family cottage at Winnipeg Beach where many family gatherings were made special by Ollie's cooking. In later years Ollie struggled with a heart condition and the onset of Alzheimer's disease. She was fortunate to stay at home, lovingly cared for by her daughter, Betty Ann. By nature a very selfless person, she was always inclined to put the needs of others before her own. She rarely complained, and as her health failed, she could be heard to repeat "I'm okay....I'm happy!" Our family would like to thank Ollie's home care attendants as well as the staff of Concordia Hospital 3rd Floor East Wing for their compassion and caring. Cremation has taken place and in accordance with Ollie's wishes, there will be no formal service. Funeral Arrangements in Care of: Wheeler Funeral Home, Cemetery & Crematorium 1800 Day Street - 204-224-1525 Please sign the book of memories at www.wheelerfuneral.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 07, 2015