Olaf William Winters Gilje

Olaf William Gilje passed away peacefully on June 18, 2025, at the age of 92. He was born in Saskatoon to Oscar, a Norwegian immigrant and Kathleen, an English immigrant and he spent the majority of his life on the family farm, in between Vanscoy and Pike Lake. Olaf attended the high school in Vanscoy and at a later date, that was where he met the attending teacher, Marian Kruesel. They married in 1954 and had 4 children. Until Marian’s death in 2015, they enjoyed many mutual interests often centered on their Appaloosa horses, the farm animals and pets. They also enjoyed bird watching and the company of their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He is lovingly remembered by Karen (Scott) Cranston, Brian (Cathy) Gilje, Beth Gilje, and Mary (Scott) Gilje-Allan; by grandchildren, Adam, Eric (Desire), Emily (Ryan), Anja (Max) and Dylan (Chelsy) and by great grandchildren, Chloe, Caelan, Maximus, Zachary, Kaleb, Sawyer, Astrid, Mabel and Flora.

Although Olaf has always been known as a “character”, his advancing age enhanced this character and we all experienced his ability to make us laugh, despair, or roll our eyes at something he said! Still, the women in his life will miss being called “sweetheart”.

Our family extends sincere thanks to Dr. Roelens at Mount Royal Physicians and the wonderful staff and nurses at Porteous Lodge and previously at Columbian Manor for their heartfelt compassion and dedication to our father.

The Funeral Mass will be offered at 2:00 pm on Thursday, June 26 at St. Anne’s Parish, 217 Lenore Drive, Saskatoon. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Jubilee Residences, 2602 Taylor ST East, Saskatoon.

Arrangements entrusted to Ryan Lensen