Katharina Olfert

1920 - 2025

 Katharina Olfert, beloved wife of the late Abram Olfert, passed away in Lethbridge and went to glory on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at the age of 105 years.

Also known to many as Tena, Katharina was born in Hague, Saskatchewan on September 27, 1920, to Peter I. and Sarah Fehr. She is survived by her five children Ernest (Janet) Olfert, Edna Katherine (Howard) Rymes, Thomas (Esther) Olfert, Shirley Vanderveen and Sandra (Herb) Maekelburger and son-in-law Denny Morgan. She will be remembered by her nineteen grandchildren Jonathan (Latavia) Olfert, Kaleb Olfert, Bill (Chrissy) Morgan, Jeff (Barb) Morgan, Rob (Liz) Morgan, Cristina (Matt) Unruh, Aaron (Sarah) Olfert, Andrew Olfert, Sara (Chris) Siemens, Amina Olfert, Cassandra Olfert, Jesse (Judy) Olfert, Bryce Olfert, Josh (Cassie) Olfert, Erika Olfert, Sharon (Mag) Mailloux, Mike (Jessica) Maekelburger, Krista (Jordan) Forget, Heather (David) Schultz and by thirty six great grandchildren. She is also survived by her youngest brother Ben (Mary) Fehr and her sister-in-law Sarah Fehr and by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Abram Olfert, her parents, nine brothers and five sisters and daughter-in-law Linda Olfert.

Katharina grew up on a family farm in Hague, Saskatchewan in the roaring twenties and dirty thirties and attended a one room country school with her many siblings. She baked bread and milked cows as part of her daily chores. Katharina did a lot of babysitting for her older married siblings. As a young adult she began to sew clothes, after taking a seamstress course. In time, she sewed her own wedding dress.

Two Olfert boys from Rosthern, Saskatchewan came “visiting” and subsequently Katharina and her sister Mary had a double wedding June 24, 1945. Each couple moved to their own parcel of land east of Rosthern, began farming and started a family. Life was hard on those yellow sand hills. Abram worked with his brother Henry on the railroad in the summer, as well as maintaining the farm. In the 1950s, the PFRA (Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration) developed the Hays irrigation project. Here, land was offered to families in exchange for unproductive land elsewhere. 1957 was a pivotal point for Katharina, when her family moved to this area of “milk and honey”. Cutworm and hail took their toll in the startup years. Planting a shelter belt was a priority to counter the never ending wind. Learning to flood irrigate was a challenge in itself. The days were filled with milking cows, raising pigs, calves, chickens and gardening. Together with their five children, they managed to make a go of it.

Katharina was a very social person and at times felt tied down by the farm. She did not hesitate to speak her mind. She kept her house clean and never allowed dogs or cats into the house. She baked the best buns and apple pies. Katharina impressed upon her children the importance of Scripture reading, which she initiated with supper time devotions. She faithfully listened to the “Back to the Bible” radio broadcast. She got her driver’s license at age fifty and kept driving until age ninety one.

In the fall of 1981, Abram and Katharina retired and moved to Taber. Relatives from Hague, Saskatchewan frequently visited. They did some traveling to Hawaii, the USA, Brazil, Guatemala and Alaska. There were many wonderful family gatherings and birthday parties at their home in Taber. Katharina appreciated visitors anytime, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In 1998, Abram developed colon cancer and passed away that October. Katharina now had to rely on her faith, alone, as a widow.

Katharina remained in her own home until 2009 when she moved to Homestead Manor. In 2015, at age ninety five, she moved into Clearview Lodge. She loved being at Clearview, with the good staff, many interesting social activities and great food. The 2020 Covid isolation nearly caused her death. After some recovery in hospital, she moved to her daughter Edna’s house for recuperation. In 2022, she moved to St. Michael’s Health Centre long term care, in Lethbridge. She endeavored to stay active to the end. She loved playing ball with her large soft bright pink ball. Singing and a good laugh were part of most visits. She had a full life of family, faith and friends, and died of old age at one hundred and five years. 

Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Friday, January 2, 2026 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.

The Funeral Service was held at the Vauxhall Community Church (formerly the Vauxhall Mennonite Brethren Church), 320 - 9 Street North, Vauxhall on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. Burial followed at the Vauxhall Mennonite Cemetery. 

To view a recording of the service, click on the 'livestream link' on this page.

The family expresses gratitude to Clearview Lodge and St. Michael’s Health Centre for their compassionate care of their mother.