Ralph James Keith Oslund

Ralph is survived by his wife of 68 years, Sharlene, and by his children Bonnie (Kelvin), Cheryl (Rob), LeAnne (Mehzad), and Brent (Jodi). He was predeceased by his son Darren in 2021. He is also survived by his grandchildren—Matt, Alec, Erin, Steven, Spencer, Jenna, Sydney, and James—and his great grandchildren McKenzie, Jayce, and Coen.

Born in Cereal, Alberta, Ralph moved to the Okanagan Valley as a child. In 1955, he began working in the Alberta oil patch, and in 1957 he married Sharlene. The couple lived in Drayton Valley and later Regina, where Ralph worked for Birks Jewellers as the assistant manager.

In 1963, Ralph declined a promotion with Birks to their head office in Montreal after realizing that accepting it would likely mean never returning to the Okanagan Valley, where his heart was. In 1965, he and Sharlene settled in Penticton, where they opened Ralph Oslund Jewellers, a business they operated for 57 years. Ralph was a proud member of the Penticton Rotary Club for 54 years and enjoyed participating in the Rotary International Student Program. He was also one of the founding members of the “Knowledge Network” downtown coffee group.

In 2022, Ralph and Sharlene moved to Nanaimo to be closer to family.

If so wished, and in lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Penticton Regional Hospital in Ralph’s memory.

A private family gathering will take place.