OLSGARD: Anthony "Tony" Willard age 61 of Gull Lake, SK passed away on August 9, 2015 in Gull Lake at work. The Funeral Service was held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, August 14, 2015 from St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church with Father Price Kurisinkal officiating. The Interment Serive took place in Gull Lake Community Cemetery. Music was provided by Clara Butler, Alexandra Butler and David Hagel, the eulogy was read by Brandy Bang and Brittany Curtis, and readers were Cara Elson and Alexandra Butler. Pallbearers were Aubrey Winquist, Heath Winquist, Lucas Winquist, Trevor Eyre, Craig Eyre, and Zachary Butler, honorary pallbearers are all of his friends and ushers were Carson Benallack and Nathan Elson. Tony is survived by his mother Betty Zeller; brothers Greg (Linda) Olsgard, and Frank Olsgard; sisters Theresa (Ron) Klassen, Barbara Winquist, and Vanessa (Steve) Butler; nephews Aubrey Winquist, Heath Winquist, Lucas Winquist, Trevor Eyre, Craig Eyre, and Zachary Butler; and nieces Brandy Bang, Brianne Almasi, Brittany Curtis, Carn Elson, Meghan Olsgard, Chantell Benallack, and Alexandra Butler. He is predeceased by his father Willard Olsgard in 1982; grandparents Melvin Olsgard in 1955 and Estelle Olsgard in 1980, Peter Koshney in 1959 and Anna Koshney in 1977; step father Jim Zeller in 1983; brother-in-law Paul Eyre in 2005; half brother Dean Smith in 2009; niece Natasha Olsgard in 1982; and nephew Eric Winquist in 1987. Anthony Willard Olsgard was born April 9, 1954 and passed from the land of the living skies on
Sunday morning. August 9. 2015. His spirit would be humbled by the celebration of his life and the presence of his friends and family. He began his earthly journey in Hazlet, Saskatchewan born to Willard Olsgard and Elizabeth Koshney as their first child. Anthony, or Tony, as most people knew him, had a brilliant mind but never cast a light on his talents which he held in abundance. He endured many crosses in his life with the motto "never give up, never say why
me, never give into the darkness, only the light." He was an overcomer and spiritual in the depth of his heart, with the light of faith always near. Toney loved people, and had a special place in
his heart for the downtrodden. Whether kittens without a home or people down on their luck. Many people have mentioned how Tony was the first to offer assistance to the needy and even pass Grandma's baking around the hospital in Saskatoon. Tony completed grade twelve in Hazlet while farming with Grandpa Willard and living life in
rural Saskatchewan. He attended Kelsey Institute in Saskatoon for two years where he studied the art of Industrial Mechanics. He discovered, by chance, just a few years ago that he had completed the requirements for his degree a few decades prior. He just received his certificate a few months before his death. Tony went on with life completely indifferent to praise yet cared about the achievements of his nieces and nephews and always pointed this out to Grandma Betty. He endured a stroke a few years back, with cancer not far behind. It seemed the burdens of life grew heavy yet he never missed work, when most would have, and was on the job the day of his last breath. He was employed by the Town of Gull Lake and would say how much he enjoyed his work. His brother Frankie was his right-hand man when he needed a ride to the cancer clinic in Saskatoon, always willing to offer his assistance. I believe Tony knew we, his family. loved him and he had a special place in his heart for his mother, our Grandma Betty. Tony enjoyed a masterful game of chess with Frankie and Aubrey over the years; some of those were quite grueling matches. He lost his voice with the removal
of his larynx yet still managed to communicate quite well and telephoned his sister Vanessa on her birthday with a gravelly yet coherent birthday wish. He was rushed to Saskatoon hospital by
Stars air ambulance when near death with severe throat complications. When he was released a few days later, he was back on the job immediately after, with perseverance his motto. He had friends and acquaintances who always asked about him and texted them on a regular basis. He loved being around people and had many friends that served as a second-family. He was not a man of wealth in material possessions but in the tapestry of life he was a blessed man. Donation's in Tony's memory may be made to the Swift Current S.P.C.A. P.O. Box 1163 Swift Current, SK S9H 3X3. Warren's Funeral Home were entrusted with the arrangements. For further information call 1-306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members in our book of condolences.