Mary OLIVER

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

OLIVER: Mary Jean (nee Ringdahl). Mary Jean passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side March 25th, 2016. Mary Jean was born December 8th, 1956 to Jack and Doris Ringdahl of Sunnynook, Alberta. Mary Jean started her formal education at the one room school at Square Deal for grades 1 and 2 and then went to Cessford School for grades 3-12. After graduation in 1974 Mary Jean had to wait a year until she turned 18 to enroll in nurse’s training. She was accepted into Lethbridge Community College Registered Nursing Program in 1975 and graduated with honours and received the award for best patient care in 1977. Nursing jobs were scarce at this time in Alberta but Mary Jean found a full time job at the Coronation hospital. In 1979 Mary Jean met Brian Oliver and they were married October 18th, 1980. In the spring of 1981 Brian and Mary Jean moved back to Brian’s hometown of Miniota to farm. Mary Jean worked causal at the Virden hospital over the summer and got a full time job on 400 East medicine at the Brandon General Hospital that fall. Mary Jean worked here until a full time position opened at the Hamiota District Health Centre in February of 1982. Mary Jean spent 34 years as a nurse in Hamiota; 10 of which she was the head nurse from 1993-2003. Over the years in Hamiota she touched many lives with her compassion and nursing skills. She acted as a mentor to many nurses and was a wealth of knowledge and a wonderful support to patients, families and staff. In 1986 Brian and Mary Jean welcomed Daughter Stacy and in 1990 the family was complete with the arrival of son Travis. Mary Jean was a wonderful support to her family. She taught her family life is not always easy or fair but perseverance and attitude will make a difference in any situation. Higher education for her children was important and Mary Jean was a very proud mother seeing her children graduate from college and university. In 2013 the family expanded when daughter Stacy married Jared Bauereiss; and then again in 2015 when Mary Jean got promoted from mother to grandmother with the arrival of grandson Callan. Any time Mary Jean talked about her grandson her face lit up and she had an ear to ear grin. In 2000 Miniota residents were concerned about getting timely access to emergency care services. The Miniota Fire Department decided they needed the support of some local nurses to take the Emergency First Responder training. Mary Jean was one of the nurses asked and joined the fire department in July of 2000. Mary Jean wore her pager with pride and soon became the emergency medical officer on the Miniota fire department. Mary Jean was a dedicated Registered nurse, mother, grandmother, and fire department member. Family and friends gathered on April 9th to celebrate a life well lived. Urn bearer was Lenora Argue, honorary urn bearers were Susan Allen, Dienna McConnell and Sharon Armitage. Internment followed at the Miniota Cemetery, followed by a reception at the Miniota Hall. Mary Jean is survived by husband Brian, daughter Stacy (Jared), son Travis, grandson Callan, mother Doris Ringdahl, brother Ross Ringdahl, sister Judy (Kevin) Swanson and Aunt Florence Haynes along with numerous nieces and nephews. Mary Jean was predeceased by her father Jack Ringdahl, Uncles Earl, Ralph and Carl Ringdahl, Aunt Muriel Henning and Uncle Gordon Haynes.

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 16, 2016