Oe, Gerald "Jerry": July 17, 1938 - December 31, 2025

With deep love and full hearts, the family of Gerald (Jerry) Oe announces his peaceful passing on December 31, 2025, at the age of 87.    Jerry was born on July 17, 1938, in Grande Prairie, Alberta, to Rene and Annie Oe. He spent his entire life on the family farm in Bezanson, where he grew up and later farmed alongside his dad. Jerry eventually took over the farm and expanded it by acquiring additional land. He attended East Kleskun School until grade nine. When he chose to farm full-time, his parents encouraged him to attend Fairview College, where he enrolled in the Agriculture Program—an experience that shaped the rest of his life.    On November 10, 1967, Jerry married the girl next door, Lynne Bulford, the love of his life. You would rarely see one without the other. Together, they moved a small 600-square-foot house from La Glace to the home site where they would build their life. As their family grew, so did the house. It was expanded with lumber from the sawmill Jerry co-owned, and under guidance from his Uncle Bohdan, that same lumber helped build the Oe barn and shop. Together, they raised four children and were blessed with their spouses and six grandchildren.    Over the years, Jerry hauled logs and lumber for Norton’s Mill, but the majority of his life was spent grain farming and raising animals. Gifted in so many ways, he was a true jack-of-all-trades—a skilled farmer, mechanic, electrician, carpenter, and welder who could repair just about anything placed in front of him.    Though small in stature, he was mighty in physical strength, determination, and spirit. His work ethic was unmatched, and he poured his whole heart into everything he did, embracing every aspect of farm life with dedication and pride.    He was a natural teacher, sharing his knowledge with patience and kindness. Whether it was driving truck, rebuilding an engine, repairing equipment, or wiring something from scratch, he passed on his skills freely. He had a way of instilling confidence in everyone around him—especially his children—who learned not just how to do things, but how to believe in themselves.    In his younger years, Jerry enjoyed curling/bonspieling and fishing. Vacations were rare, as the demands of the farm kept him close to home. His joy came from helping others, working outside, and being with family and friends. Always generous with his time, he would drop everything without hesitation to help his children, a neighbor, or anyone who needed a hand. No matter how busy he was, he always had time for a coffee and a visit with anyone who stopped by.    Jerry’s gentle presence shone brightest around animals and children. He was a bit of an animal whisperer and was a big softy when it came to kids. He loved to tease, joke, and make them laugh, and they adored him for it. His playful spirit and warm heart were what everyone loved about him and made him a favourite among the little ones.    He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 58 years, Lynne; his children, Kelvin (Judy) Oe, Michelle (Derek) Stokke, Brad (Carey) Oe, and Laura (Jake) Wasylchew; and his grandchildren, Dayne and Connor Oe, and Jeffrey, Anna, and Taylor Wasylchew. He is also survived by his sisters, Doris Guerette and Gale Mellon; his brother, Don Oe; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and numerous friends.    Jerry was predeceased by his parents, Rene and Annie Oe; brother Ralph Oe; and grandson Cory Melnyk.    The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Margarita Cabrera—our angel sent from above—Jerry’s caregiver for seven years; to Nicole Beck for the cherished breakfast dates with Jerry; and to Dr. Van Tonder and the staff at the Care Centre for the wonderful care they provided over these last years.    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jerry’s memory to the Grande Prairie Care Centre Council (c/o Sheena Ness [treasurer], 63020 TWP Road 711A, County of Grande Prairie No. 1, AB, T8W 5H1) or Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (Box 216, Bezanson, AB, T0H 0G0).    A prayer service will take place on Monday, January 12, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Oliver’s Funeral Home in Grande Prairie (10005 107 Ave). The celebration of Jerry’s life will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Bezanson (10115 – 98 Ave). Interment at Glen Leslie Cemetery in Bezanson. Luncheon to follow at the church. clipped from Oliver's Funeral Home & Crematorium www.oliversfuneralhome.com

Block 57, Plot 7

Oe, Ralph: September 16, 1934 - March 22, 2025

Ralph Oe    Ralph passed away on March 22, 2025, at the Spirit River Hospital, at 90 years old.    Ralph would explain that he was born “on the first quarter of the farm, off the highway”. He was born to Rene and Annie Oe on September 16, 1934, near Kleskun Hills. He attended the one room East Kleskun School, which is now located at Kleskun Hills Park. At the age of eleven, he began riding his horse, Smokey, to school. Horses were a big part of his life. He used them to round up cattle and drove teams in competitions including horse pulls, fairs as well as plowing matches. His favorite team? It was a toss-up between Mac and Marty, or Jessie and Dixie.    Ralph had started his career as a mechanic, but quickly changed direction to become a farmer. He began farming on Saskatoon Mountain, built a house and moved a barn from the Beaverlodge Experimental farm.  Eventually, he moved to the Cotillion area, near Bonanza, where he farmed for several years. Susan joined him there 18 years ago, where they enjoyed their joint love of horses, farm life, family, and travel. Ralph loved to go on farm tours and traveled as far away as Australia, Cuba, South America, Costa Rica, Hawaii, through the Panama Canal and USA.    Ralph was well known for always lending a helping hand to neighbors and family. He was skilled at repairing machinery, fixing the heat in the neighbor’s house in cold temperatures, buying vehicles for those in need, plowing snow and so many other kindnesses. Even into his eighties he still rototilled neighbor’s gardens. His love of family and friends knew no bounds.    Family and friends, from near and far, came to celebrate Ralph’s 90th birthday party, at Cotillion Hall in September of 2024. It was a great party!    His health had been declining for a couple of years, but he still had the energy to drive the side by side to go feed his fish in the dugout and exercise his dog. Ralph continued to entertain his family and friends with stories from his lazy boy chair.    Ralph is survived by his wife Susan, daughter Marlene (Dan) Nellis, son Ron (Wendy) Oe; Siblings: Doris Guerette, Jerry (Lynne) Oe and Don Oe, Gale (Fred) Mellon; step-daughter’s Shelly (Stan) Davey and Beth James, step-son Rhett (Kim) Humphreys; grandchildren: Jeff and Kenny Davey, Amy (Craig) McDougall, Patrick (Jessica) Davey; Mark (Jolene) Nellis, Cherie(Blake) Tetley; Terry (Lendy) White, Kelly Vanberg and Paisley (Ashley) Ellis. Ralph had 25 Great Grandchildren, one Great Great Grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.    Ralph was pre-deceased by his parents Rene and Annie Oe, wives June Anderson and Doreen Bodnarchuk, brothers-in-law Joe Guerette, Alvin, and George Anderson, sister-in-law’s Irene Peebles, Bev Oe and nephew William Oe. Ralph’s family and friends visited him at home and then in the hospital right up to his last day. Thank you to everyone who came out - Ralph so enjoyed your visits. A special thank you to Ralph’s nurses and “Dr. O,” at the Spirit River Hospital. You were and are amazing.    A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 5th, at the Fourth Creek Hall, Silver Valley (8412 Hwy 681) at 2 pm Silver Valley, Please bring your special memories of Ralph to share at the Celebration (and join us for a cookie on him).    Thank you to Oliver’s Funeral Home as well.

Block 40, Plot1

OE, Rene J.: 1864 - 1934

Block 40, Lot 4

OE, Agatha: 1888 - 1957

Block 40, Lot 3

OE, Rene: 1906 - 1981 {also on Hawryluk grave stone page}

OE, Anna: 1913 - 2006 {also on Hawryluk grave stone page}

Annie Oe (Hawryluk)    Annie Oe (Hawryluk), longtime resident of Grande Prairie and previously of Bezanson, passed away peacefully with family at her side on November 2, 2006, at the age of 93 years. Annie leaves to mourn: her five children: Ralph, Doris, Gerald (Lynne), Donald (Beverly) and Gale (Fred); one sister, Nellie Smashnuk; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Annie was predeceased by: her parents; two brothers; two sisters; her husband, Rene Oe; one grandson, William Oe; her daughter-in-law, Doreene Oe and son-in-law, Joseph Guerette. Annie was the heart of the family - the stopping off place for all to meet and visit, to share stories, sleepover, just to drop in anytime - everyone was welcome. She will be sadly missed by all. A viewing will be held an hour prior to the funeral service. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2006, at 10 a.m., from Oliver's Grande Prairie Funeral Chapel (10005-107 Ave.) Grande Prairie. Interment to follow in the Glen Leslie Cemetery.    In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta or the Alzheimer's Society of Alberta,    OLIVER'S GRANDE PRAIRIE FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM CLIPPED FROM - The Daily Herald-Tribune, Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada, 07 Nov 2006, Tue - Page 7

Anna Hawryluk married Rene Oe (1933)

˿click for articles in the paper

Block 57, Lot 6 & 7

OE, Victor: 1908 - May 24, 1967

Block 40, Lot 2

GUERETTE, Doris: 31 July, 1936 - May 2, 2026

Doris Guerette (née Oe), resident of Clairmont, AB, passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Grande Prairie, AB, at the age of 89 years.   Doris was born in Grande Prairie, AB, on July 21, 1936. She grew up on her family’s farm near Bezanson, the second oldest of five siblings. The Oe children walked or rode horseback to attend East Kleskun Hills School. Doris completed high school in Grande Prairie, boarding at the Wapiti Lodge, where she lit her room with a kerosene lamp she kept for the rest of her life.   After high school, Doris enlisted in the Canadian Army. A long train ride east took her to Camp Borden in Ontario, where she trained as a nurse’s aide. During her first posting at a hospital in Whitehorse, she met the man who became her husband. In the early years of their marriage, Doris and her family lived in different parts of Canada. Along the way, she welcomed four children, born in four different cities across three provinces. Raising her children was a central and deeply meaningful part of her life, filled with both the joys and challenges of motherhood.   When her children were grown and had left home, Doris began to pursue work outside of caring for her family. She started as a store clerk and quickly moved into more senior roles before finding especially meaningful work as a youth support worker and program manager. Doris deeply valued her work with young people, and her compassion and lively presence were evident in the appreciation she received. This included a ten-year anniversary album filled with stories and photographs from those she worked alongside.   Becoming a grandmother and great-grandmother brought Doris immense joy. She cherished creating special memories with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A loving and devoted mother, Doris was always there for her children, and she was truly the very best Grandma. Time spent with her was never just a visit—it was a full day of crafts, baking, playing in the dirt, painting pictures, or building birdhouses. She taught her grandchildren how to drive the lawnmower and, eventually, her car. Those busy, happy days often ended with a much-needed warm bath, a cup of “Grandma Tea,” and a sweet treat. There was always a cookie waiting in the cookie jar, ready to be dunked into tea.   Doris had a strong sense of duty and was a loyal, fun, and genuine friend to the many people she met throughout her life. Her creativity shone through an impressive range of artistic pursuits, including epoxy work, needlework, pottery, carving, woodworking, knitting, crocheting, and, most especially, painting. After retirement, she renewed her passion for painting, and her artwork remains treasured by her children and grandchildren.   Known for her fierce independence, strong work ethic, and “let’s get it done” attitude, Doris lived a life rooted in gratitude, generosity, and kindness. She deeply valued the people in her life and carefully kept every birthday, thank you, and friendship card she received, beginning with those from her hospital posting in 1956. Doris also had a mischievous sense of humour and a love of adventure. She delighted in exploring new places and travelling with family and friends whenever she could.   Doris was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Guerette, and her brothers, Ralph and Gerald Oe. She will be dearly missed by her children, extended family, and many friends.   Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Oliver’s Funeral Home in Grande Prairie (10005-107 Ave). Following the service, friends are invited to join the family for a luncheon in Oliver’s Tea Room. A private burial will take place at Glen Leslie Cemetery. clipped from https://www.oliversfuneralhome.com/

Doris Oe married Joseph Guerette

Block 40, Lot 8

Back to Names | Home