Obituary of Olav Johannes Haakon Welde

 Olav Johannes Haakon Welde

(December 21, 2001 - February 20, 2020)

Olav "Ole" Johannes Haakon Welde of Hay Lakes, Alberta, passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at the age of 18 years.

Olav Johannes Haakon Welde was born December 21, 2001 to Alan and Ilene Welde.

Olav was the youngest of five children raised on the family farm southwest of Miquelon Lake. Olav attended Kindergarten through Grade Two at Round Hill School in Round Hill, and then attended Grades Three through Ten at Cornerstone Christian Academy in Kingman. Olav was a Grade Twelve student at Hay Lakes School in Hay Lakes at the time of his passing.

Ole had a variety of passions. He loved reading; many childhood evenings were spent reading with Mom, big sister Annelise or big brother Lars. His personal library included history, historical fiction, and science fiction.  With three older brothers and an older sister, there were countless opportunities to build and play “Chase” and “Hide and Seek.”  His love for board games with Mom and siblings grew to having friends over for “Board Game Evenings” or visiting the Fox and Fable Book and Game Cafe in Camrose. Olav was an avid participant in Cornerstone Shakespeare productions. His intrigue with the strategy of chess led into online chess matches with players from across the world. Sports activities included years of baseball with the Round Hill Eagles, junior high basketball at Cornerstone, cross country running with both the Cornerstone Run Club and the Hay Lakes Cross Country Running Team, and a year of curling with the Hay Lakes High School Curling Club.

Other interests included art and piano. He especially enjoyed his Art classes at Cornerstone and Hay Lakes, in particular projects with pastels and charcoal. His eclectic choice in music ranged from Classical to Country to Big Band. The house is so quiet without “Can you recommend a good book to read?”, “Why do you like this author?”, “Heh, have you heard this song?”, and his many deep questions about history and current events. 

Olav was gifted with a keen mind, and found great delight in Social Studies and Language Arts classes. His plans for post-secondary education included a Bachelor of Arts in History at Augustana, and possibly Law at the University of Alberta or seminary at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon.

Olav’s first venture into the work world was as a flatbread maker at The Lefse House in Camrose, where Olav worked weekends since Grade Ten. Olav thrived on the camaraderie and the fellowship of the “Lefse Team.” Olav enjoyed connecting with the Hay Lakes school staff and with the students in his Work Experience class. He treasured the times spent with Grandma Miller and with his dear friend Mrs. Karen Johnson.

Olav was baptized into the Christian faith on July 21, 2002 at St. Joseph Lutheran Church by Pastor Bill Harder. Olav was confirmed by Pastor Charlotte Strecker-Beseler on May 11, 2014. Olav was an active member of the congregation; he assisted with Vacation Bible School and taught Sunday School. He was a young man of deep conscience, and his faith was informed and sincere.
We remember Olav as a loving brother and uncle, as a young man with a gentle heart, as someone whose desire was to help and include others. 

The loss of Lars when Olav was 10 impacted Olav profoundly, as did the passing of Grandpa Miller in 2016. Olav struggled with Depression for the last four years; he was under medical care and worked so hard to be well. We grieve that on the afternoon of February 20 in a moment of darkness a decision took Olav from us far, far too soon.

Olav was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Helen and Donald Welda, his maternal grandfather, Harold Miller, and his oldest brother, Lars Welde. Olav leaves to mourn his parents Alan and Ilene; grandmother Shirley Miller; brother Jacob [Alix]; sister Annelise [Kris Lyseng]; brother Nels; nephews Evan Welde and Freddie Lyseng; niece Ellie Welde; his uncles Craig, Grant, and Blayne Welde and their families; his uncles Fred and Kevin Miller and their families; his aunts Cathy Pickard and Linda Berghs and their families; his St. Joseph family; and numerous friends and relatives.

Beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, no words can express how much we love you and miss you. Peace eternal, Olav. We long for the day when we are together again. 

A Funeral Service was held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, February 28, 2020 from the Messiah Lutheran Church, with Rev. Mike Harmon officiating.

If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Olav's memory may be made to St. Joseph's Lutheran Church, Cornerstone Christian Academy, or to the charity of one's choice.