Obituary of Grace Olenick

The family of Grace Olenick of Yorkton, widow of Stanley Olenick sadly announce her passing on Friday, August 18, 2023. Grace was 80 years of age.

The Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, August 24 at 3:00p.m. from Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Crystal Bailey, Certified Celebrant presiding.

The inurnment will follow in the Yorkton City Cemetery.

Memorials in memory of Grace may be made to the Paws & Claws Animal Rescue.

OLENICK - Grace Louise Olenick passed away peacefully on August 18, 2023 at the Yorkton District Nursing Home, surrounded by family. Grace was born in Indian Head, SK on June 17, 1943.  She was the only child of Walter and Edna Stevens.  She grew up and attended school in Indian Head.  After completing high school, she moved to Regina where she attended Business School. After graduating, she started working at the Grey Nuns Hospital in Regina as a Medical Transcriber.  It was at this time she was introduced to Stanley Olenick through his cousin, who also worked at the hospital.  After dating for five years, they were united in marriage on August 13, 1965. Their first child, Robert, was born in 1966, followed by Dione in 1968 and Jacqueline in 1969. In 1971 they moved to Yorkton, where they have remained since. Grace worked various jobs at the Yorkton Union Hospital, starting as a secretary at the psych center, then in the Human Resource department as a confidential secretary and finally as Director of Human Resources.  In 1982 Grace and Stan purchased a lot at Burgis beach where they built their cabin. This became their getaway, spending many weekends and summers with family and friends. This is also when the special trips half way to Cochrane, Alberta started in order to pick up the grandchildren so they could spend time together at the lake.  Grace took early retirement in 2001.  It was at this time she found her love for quilting and joined the York Colony Guild. She loved the challenge of picking just the right colors for each square and seeing it all come together. Her love of quilting led to many special quilts being made, like the one for the grandchild that went through a major surgery or the daughter who just had to have a blue jean and flannel quilt.  After the passing of her husband in 2003, Grace joined different groups to get involved in the community. She was a member of the Legion as well as St. Gerard’s CWL. In 2008, Grace adopted “Jake” the springer spaniel who soon became her favorite child.  The two of them were always on adventures. Whether it was a trip to Weyburn to visit Dione, or the weekend at the cabin, he was always by her side. Every afternoon she would stroll down to her neighbor Vivian’s place, where she would enjoy a cup of coffee and a treat. When football season started, and the Riders were playing, everyone had to be quiet, except for her.  When the Riders had the ball, she would be screaming “Go Man Go.”  With the decline of her health, Grace spent a year at the Gladstone Seniors Residence. In 2018 she was moved to the nursing home where she stayed until her passing.  Grace was predeceased by her husband Stanley in 2003 and her parents Walter and Edna Stevens. She is survived by her son Robert (Cheryl) Olenick, daughters Dione (Jim) Swyryda and Jacqueline (Kordell) Roberts, grandchildren Danielle Olenick (Jesse), Nicole (Nick) Williamson, Krista Olenick, Alyssa Olenick (Andrew), Caitlin and Brianna Swyryda, Colton and Auston Roberts and one great-grandson Nixon Williamson. The memorial service was held on Thursday, August 24^th 2023 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre with Crystal Bailey officiating. Musical selections were ‘Amazing Grace’, ‘Garden’, and ‘My Way’. Son Rob gave the family tribute. Honorary bearers were all of Grace’s grandchildren, Auston Roberts was the urnbearer. The interment took place in the Yorkton City Cemetery. Memorials in Grace’s memory may be made to Paws N Claws. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com