On behalf of our dad, Leonard Kettner, and our entire family, as children of Olga Kettner, it is with a sense of profound loss that we share our collective sadness following the passing of a truly wonderful wife, mom, and grandmother - who died this past Tuesday morning, October 28, following a time of illness. A brief memorial service to honour and celebrate her life was conducted at the Salmon Arm Seventh-day Adventist Church, Saturday, November 1st at 4:00 PM.
On March 16, 1925, our mom was born in Dubna, Poland, the 2nd of what would ultimately be a family of 12 children. Five months later she came to Canada with her parents and older sister, settling in Morden, Manitoba. During Grade 7, circumstances caused her to leave school to help support the family financially. This experience had a profound effect in energizing her around supporting her children in their educational and professional pursuits.
On October 25, 1944, she married our father, Leonard Kettner in Inglis, Manitoba. Three days before her passing they achieved their 64th Anniversary milestone, which was celebrated by a personal visit with each of us children and our spouses.
Our Mom will always be remembered as the loving, tireless, and generous centre of our home. She was ever-patient and always there for our dad and each one of us. Her gardening and her flowers, especially the roses, were a great source of fulfillment for her. Both her roses and her vegetable garden produced a bounty which was generously shared with friends and neighbours. Mom’s giving spirit extended to her community and church through countless hours of volunteer time.
Of paramount importance to Mom was love of God. That combined with her selfless spirit were at the core of who she was. Her faith and her courage
in the face of physical adversity has been an inspiration for us all. We will deeply miss our mom and at this time of sadness and loss we all take great comfort in knowing that we will see her again in the heavenly Earth made new.
Reflecting on our mother’s lifelong interest in supporting Christian education, the family requests that in lieu of flowers there be consideration of a donation to the Shuswap Seventh-Day Adventist Church School [3270 60th Ave NE, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 2A9].
The Kettner Children: Dorothy (Holland), Howard, Calvin and Dean.