Louran Harvey Olstad

LOURAN (BUD) HARVEY OLSTAD – AUGUST 7, 1925 – MAY 14, 2022

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Louran Harvey Olstad, the morning of May 14th, 2022, at the Sechelt Hospital.

Bud was born September 7th, 1925 to Alma (nee Bjorgi) & Louis Olstad, on a farm in Edberg, Alberta. Bud & his 4 siblings were born and raised there. When Bud was 18, he followed his oldest sister, Beatrice & her husband, Roy Williamson, when they moved to Port Alberni, on Vancouver Island, in B.C. Within two years the rest of his immediate family made their homes there as well. 

Bud met the love of his life, Doris Lind, in Port Alberni – they requested permission, from Doris’ father, to marry before her 18th birthday, and while Martin Lind, happily, gave them his blessing, he insisted they wait until Doris was of age. The sun was shining in Port Alberni, on June 16, 1951, when Louran (Bud) Harvey Olstad married Doris Syneva Lind – one day after her 18th birthday.

Their lives took them from Port Alberni, to Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, North Vancouver, and then to Gibsons. They were blessed with 3 children, Susan (Ken) Miller, Vicky (David) Williamson, & Randy (Emma) Olstad; five grandchildren, grand-daughters, Kelly & Cindy Miller, grandsons, Christopher Williamson, Nicholas & Ethan Olstad; and one great-grandson, Kenny Baumgard.

In Port Alberni, Bud started his working years in the Lumber Industry but his lifelong career was as a Foundryman Molder. He worked at 3 different Foundries in the Lower Mainland – he started out at Bird, moved to Advanced, when they opened, and then to Thompson Foundry, until he retired. We learned from other Foundrymen that Bud Olstad’s name was known in every Foundry throughout British Columbia. During his career, he was considered the best, and most talented Molder in the province.

Family was very important to Bud & Doris - they were always close and very involved. Friendships were also to be cherished – proof of this was in their longstanding friendships with Ray & Maxine Tweedie, and Doug & Eileen Wylie. They all socialized and holidayed together - creating a lifetime of beautiful memories. The Olstad & Tweedie children grew up together – they may not have been related, but the bond between families was just as strong. 

Life was never boring for Bud & Doris – whether it was work, family, or play – they lived every moment well. Things weren’t always easy, but there was always much love and laughter.

Besides camping, & holidaying, Bud enjoyed boating, fishing, golfing, cooking, and gardening – he grew the BEST tomatoes, and his smoked salmon was loved by all. 

Bud was predeceased by his parents, Louis & Alma Olstad, all of his siblings – sister Beatrice & brother-in-law, Roy Williamson, sister, Eileen, & brother-in-law, Len Colibaba, his two brothers, Dennis, & Dale, his sister-in-law, Clarice, and brother-in-law, George Pownall, his brother-in-law, Bryan Lind, his son-in-law, Ken Miller, and his dear friends Ray & Maxine Tweedie. He felt these losses & the losses of other cousins, nieces, and nephews, deeply. In January of 2021 he was broken hearted over the loss of his wife, Doris, and then devastated in July, 2021, when his daughter, Susan Miller passed away. We take comfort in the fact that Bud & Doris are together again, and reunited with so many loved ones. 

Bud was a beautiful, gentle man, with a loving, kind heart, and a great sense of humour. He was a wonderful son, brother, husband, Dad, uncle, Papa, and friend. Our lives were richer for knowing him.

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