Obituary of Kurt Olsson
The family of Kurt Olsson of Sheho, beloved husband of Vivian, sadly announce his passing on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. He was 89 years of age.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. from the Gallagher Centre National Bank Convention Place.
CLICK HERE to register to view the live-stream.
To honor Kurt Olsson and his deep love for his family, memorial donations may be made (in lieu of flowers) to Jim Pattison Children's Hospital Foundation, in gratitude for the exceptional care provided to his great granddaughter Ava, who continues to receive their care and support.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Bailey's Funeral Home and Cremation Care.
Kurt Olsson’s life was a remarkable journey shaped by determination, hard work, and a deep love for the land and his family. He passed away peacefully at Yorkton Hospital on March 31, 2026, at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy built from courage, perseverance, and purpose.
Kurt was born on May 21, 1936, in Trelleborg, Sweden, the second child of Gösta and Jenny Olsson. He grew up in the small community of Söder Åby alongside his older brother, Gert, and his younger sisters, Anita and Kerstin. From an early age, Kurt dreamed of owning land and becoming a farmer—an ambition that would ultimately guide the course of his life.
That dream began to take shape in 1953, when relatives from Canada visited Sweden and spoke of farming opportunities abroad. At a time when purchasing land in Sweden was difficult, the idea of Canada made a lasting impression on Kurt. Determined to see this dream through, he worked for three years at a factory in Trelleborg, saving every dollar he could for the journey ahead.
In March 1956, with one suitcase, $85 in his pocket, and no English, Kurt left his family and travelled to Saskatchewan. He arrived in Regina during a snowstorm; it was bitterly cold and he wondered, “Where the hell am I?” Here he was met by members of the Martinsson family, who took him to Assiniboia, where he stayed for three weeks and began learning English before moving to a farm near St. Victor to work for Bernt and Irene Loken as a farmhand.
Kurt’s strong work ethic soon opened new opportunities. In 1958, he began working for the Canadian Pacific Railway, where he formed lifelong friendships. It was through one of these connections that he learned of land for sale near Sheho, Saskatchewan. In 1963, he purchased his first farm—an important milestone in achieving the dream he had carried since childhood.
That same year, Kurt met Vivian Thorhaug of Willow Bunch at a dance in St. Victor. Their connection was immediate, and they were married on July 18, 1964. In the early years of their marriage, Kurt balanced railway work during the week with farming on weekends. The railway took them to several communities across Canada including Brandon, Manitoba, Fort William, Ontario (now Thunder Bay), Indian Head and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; but farming remained the goal.
After the birth of their son, Kent, Kurt and Vivian decided that Kurt would step away from the railroad and dedicate himself entirely to farming.
Their early years on the land were modest, beginning in a log home and later a small two-room log house. During this time, they welcomed two daughters, Susan and Krista. As their family grew, so did their vision. Kurt purchased a one-room schoolhouse—the Ashdown School—and transformed it into their family home, where they raised their children and lived for the rest of his life.
Kurt was involved in his community, serving as a municipal councillor for RM 275 and as a member of the Insinger Pool Committee. He had a natural ability to fix almost anything and spent countless hours in his shop fixing and restoring antique tractors, equipment and building garden sheds. His love for animals and farming was evident in the crops he grew and cattle, pigs, chickens, and geese he raised over the years.
One of Kurt’s greatest passions was auction sales. He loved the thrill of a live auction and travelled throughout Saskatchewan in search of a good deal. His yard became a reflection of this passion, filled with the treasures he collected. Even later in life, Kurt adapted to online auctions, continuing his pursuit of a bargain from the comfort of home.
Though Canada became his home, Kurt never lost touch with his roots. Over the years, he returned to Sweden eight times, sometimes alone and often with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He also welcomed many family members from Sweden to the farm, proudly sharing the life he had built.
Kurt’s journey—from a young man leaving Sweden with little more than hope, to a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and farmer—was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. He worked side by side with his wife, children and grandchildren, passing on values of hard work, resilience, and love of the land. His legacy lives on in the farm he built, the family he raised, and the many memories shared across generations.
Kurt is predeceased by his parents, Gosta and Jenny Olsson; his brother-in-law Karl Erik Petersson; his mother and father-in-law, Yvonne and Norton Thorhaug; brothers-in-law Larry Thorhaug and Leo Thorhaug; sister-in-law Darlene Thorhaug; and cousins John and Christine Martinsson, Magny and Lila Martinsson, Ruben and Annette Martinsson, Josephine and Thelmer Ashlund, and Marlin and Velma Martinsson.
Kurt is lovingly remembered by his wife Vivian; his son, Kent (Kathleen), and daughters, Susan (John) McJannet and Krista (Gregg) Campbell; his grandchildren Kourtney (Dustin) Wilcocks, Kristopher Olsson, Aiden (Reid) McJannet, Elise (Dylan) McJannet, Liam (Jess) McJannet, Gareth Campbell, Ethan Campbell, and Tomas Campbell; and great-grandchildren Nora, Ava and Koen Wilcocks.
Kurt is remembered by his Swedish family: brother Gert (Lilian) Olsson, sister Anita (Ake) Wallden and Kerstin Petersson; his nieces, nephews and families - Christer Olsson, Carina Olsson, Per-Ake Wallden, Sebastian (Camilla) Wallden, Frans (Sandra) Wallden , Rickard (Eva) Petersson and Magnus (Lotta) Petersson, as well as cousins and friends.
Kurt is remembered by his Canadian family: Marcel (Bev) Thorhaug, Ann (Bob) Heit, Don (Jean) Thorhaug, Dawn Thorhaug, Wayne (Madeleine) Thorhaug, Ken (Dodi) Thorhaug, Val Thorhaug, Ron (Patsy) Thorhaug, along with numerous nieces and nephews, as well as many friends and neighbours.
