Obituary of Velma Irene Wedgwood

Velma Irene Wedgwood

(March 3, 1936 - June 29, 2021)

Velma was born on March 3, 1936, in Kelsey, Alberta to Oscar and Margaret Olson.  She was the oldest of seven children.

One of Velma’s first jobs was a babysitter/housekeeper at the store in Kelsey, Alberta, while she stayed with her grandma. It was there that Velma met her handsome and future husband. After, Velma went to Edberg to work for the Odegard’s, babysitting their three children.

Velma and Tom were married on August 17, 1953, at the Kelsey United Church. Shortly after, they moved to Medicine Hat and began their family. Doug, David, Judy, and Norma had completed their family and began many adventures.

Velma loved to babysit and did so for many families over the years.  It was a way to continue being at home with her children and having the opportunity to do the things she loved.

One of Velma’s favorite hobbies was sewing and sewing on her Singer treadle sewing machine. Making shirts for the boys and Tom, and dresses and barbie doll clothes for the girls were her specialty.

Camping and traveling Alberta with Tom, was one of her favorite things to do.  Loading up the motorhome and hitting the open roads with a little Wilf Carter playing, meant that they were free to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.
Anyone who knew Velma, knew her love of playing cards. Norwegian Whist and Skip-Bo were her games of choice and losing was never an option. Card parties were a regular occurrence, that sometimes lasted into the early hours of the morning. 

Left to cherish her memory are her husband Tom; children Doug of Wildwood, Alberta, David (Wanda) of Wetaskiwin, Judy (Byron) Olson of Wetaskiwin, and Norma (Joel) Coykendall of Bawlf; eleven grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; siblings Victoria Stenlund of Camrose, June Johnson of Camrose, and Roger Olson of Faust, Alberta; and half-sister Louise Feth of Edmonton.

Velma was predeceased by her infant sister Shirley, as well as sister Grace Sawers, brother Vernon Olson, and half-sisters Barbara Lede and Elaine Hughes.

She will be greatly missed by all that knew her, however there is peace in knowing she has now joined her family that departed this earth before.

A Funeral Service was held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 5, 2021 from the Burgar Memorial Chapel with Rev. Brian Hunter officiating. Interment has taken place in the Camrose Cemetery.

If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Velma's memory may be made to STARS, Alberta Diabetes Foundation, or to St. Mary's Hospital Palliative Care.