Obituary of Bernard Paul Ollenberger

After a lengthy battle with diabetes, Bernard Paul Ollenberger passed away peacefully at St. Joseph's Health Centre in Macklin, Saskatchewan on August 27, 2012 at the age of 89 years. Bernard was born on December 21, 1922 on his parents, George & Agnes (nee Butvilofski), homestead - a half mile north of St. Anthony's Church near Grosswerder, Saskatchewan. He was the third oldest of ten children and attended St. Anthony's Church where he received his sacraments and celebrated his 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries. It was also in this area that he attended Palm School and where he would gain a lifelong work ethic and strong will, from the long walks to school. When Ben was 21, his parents and siblings moved to British Columbia leaving him and his 18 year old brother, Albert, at the homestead to continue farming. They were grateful for relatives and friends who helped them and invited them to home cooked meals and to their mother who came to help out during harvest. Bernard had a quiet dignity, he believed in honesty and hard work. He was a kind, good hearted man. On September 10, 1956 he married Clara Tetzlaff, a school teacher from Viscount, Saskatchewan. He was a faithful husband and expressed his love to his wife daily. They were blessed with five children, thirteen grandchildren and fifty six years of wonderful love, laughter and friendship. Farming was Ben's first and life-long passion. He never strayed far from his roots, only moving one mile from his father's homestead to his grandparent's homestead, Henry & Sophia (nee Knorr) Ollenberger. Together with his wife and children they worked hard to maintain a mixed farm and dairy operation. They experienced many tough times and hardships, much like his parents endured a generation earlier. He retained his land until 2010 when he gave it to his children. Ben was a man who valued hard work but knew how to have a good time. He enjoyed singing, playing the guitar, piano, harmonica, dancing, visiting and playing cards with relatives and friends. He loved his family and taught them to work and enjoy life. He loved to joke and tease and make up stories which his children and grandchildren really enjoyed. He was proud of their achievements and was a wonderful "Canadian Father" to fifteen American Scandinavian exchange students which they hosted. They played instruments, games or compared countries sometimes until 3 a.m. There was always lots of fun and laughter. In November 2009, Bernard moved to St. Joseph's Health Care Centre where he was given excellent care until he passed away. Bernard will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by his loving wife of 56 years, Clara; children, Kelvin (Sally), Clara (John), Loren (Sherie), Rene (Karen) and Wayne (Darla); grandchildren, David, Cathy, Brennon, Jordan, Nolan, Spencer, Dylan, Alyssa, Cassidy, Jonathan, Natasha, Brant and Rylan; sisters, Eleanor Hopkins, Rita Nanos and Dorothy Bakker; brothers and sisters in law, Mary, Marg, Dolores, Lovella, Loretta, Helen, Herbert (Loretta), Norbert (Louise) and Larry (Susan); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, friends & students. Bernard was predeceased by his parents, Agnes & George; brothers, Joseph, Edward, Albert, Arthur, Larry and Karl.