Ossian (Oscar) Sexton Bystrom was born on November 26, 1917 on a homestead near Kamsack, Saskatchewan to Gustav and Maria Bystrom, immigrants from Sweden. After the births of a brother, Terry, and sister, Alma, the family moved to Kenora, Ontario where another sister Elvy was born. When Oscar was 10 years old his mother Maria was diagnosed with a brain tumour and passed away. Gustav then moved the family to Winnipeg, eventually making the difficult decision to enroll the two boys in the Knowles School for Boys and the girls in a similar institution. At an early age Oscar committed his life to the Lord. He was an active member of the young people’s group at Grant Memorial Baptist Church where he met Hilda Berglund, also of Swedish background. They were married on April 4, 1942. Raymond Ossian was born the following year. In 1944 Oscar was called into service with the Royal Canadian Air Force and was stationed in England and Germany. After a period of two years he returned home. Daughters Lynda, Dorothy, Marilyn and Sharon were born in the following years. His employment with the Department of Transport took him to northern Manitoba and the Northwest Territories where he developed a deep love and respect for the “Eskimos.” Later he was employed at the Winnipeg International Airport as building maintenance supervisor. During these years Oscar was actively involved in church life. He served on the board of deacons and dedicated countless hours to the maintenance and upkeep of the church building. He enjoyed being in the outdoors and spending time at the family cottage near Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba. He also enjoyed working in his extensive vegetable garden at home on Knowles Avenue. In 1983 Oscar retired and moved to Abbotsford where he and Hilda quickly settled into their new home church, Abbotsford Baptist, and made many new friends. In his retirement, Oscar involved himself in the painting and maintenance of the church building. In August 2003, after years of declining health, Hilda passed away. The loss of Hilda was very difficult for Oscar but he continued to lead a very active life. He enjoyed spending long summer days at Cultus Lake, volunteering in maintenance of the church and visiting family in California and Manitoba. In February 2010 he was diagnosed with cancer. With the support of his good friend and neighbor, Verna Collum, he was able to remain living at home in spite of serious health issues. After a brief stay in the hospital he died peacefully on March 10, 2011.
A memorial service will be held at Abbotsford Baptist Church, 33651 Busby Street, Abbotsford on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 1:30 pm. Visitation will be held at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 2310 Clearbrook Road that same evening, from 7-8 pm. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to do so may make a donation to Action International www.actionintl.org. Arrangements under the direction of Woodlawn Funeral Home, Abbotsford, BC.
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