Obituary

Ralph was born December 5th, 1958 to Joe and Margaret Olson. He was a little brother to Joanne and big brother to Bruce. Ralph attended several schools in Edmonton. While living in the City he attended Belgravia Evangelical Free Church, was active in Sunday school and “Jet Cadets” (???) Ralph loved Bible Camp and growing up attended Ross Haven Bible Camp and later Sturgeon Lake Bible Camp. He attended the Coop during high school. Ralph graduated in 1976 and did one semester at Peace River Bible Institute. Then started working in the oil field. Working at the Simonette and Swan Hills oil plants. Ralph Married Cynthia Cornelsen on August 20,1977. They moved to Swan Hills and eventually Fox Creek where he worked for Chevron. Sarah was born April 22, 1979 and Jeremiah November 16, 1980. From Fox Creek, they moved to Edmonton where Cyndi completed medical school. Ralph worked in instrumentation and later in sales. Ralph was always involved in ministry and joined the Christian Motorcycle Association. He completed a pastoral program and became a chaplain with CMA which took him and Cyndi to Kelowna from 2004-2007. Ralph thoroughly enjoyed mission trips to Guatemala and Columbia with CMA. In 2005 Ralph’s first grandson, Kiev Friesen was born in Edmonton which caused Ralph and Cyndi to look for a place near Leduc to be close to Sarah, Brandon, and Kiev.  They settled in Calmar in Alberta and in 2007 Ralph’s second grandson, Shepherd was born.  Ralph so adored his grandsons and could not get enough of them.  He is one of the most fun-loving grandpas any two boys ever had! While living in Calmar, Ralph and Cyndi got involved in City Life Church, Leduc.  They made many friends and their door was always open.  Ralph worked at dredging ponds and cleaning water plants and lakes.  

Ralph and Cyndi and family enjoyed many holidays in Radium and Penticton making an annual trip of taking the grandsons on holidays before school started each August.  Ralph was doing just that when on August eleventh 2020 Ralph slipped away. While playing in the water at Okanagan Lake, BC.  He stepped onto a new and beautiful shore.

Ralph was fun-loving and an evangelist. One time Ralph picked up a hitchhiker and led him to a new life in Christ then nurtured him and cared for his family.  Another time Ralph planned a family reunion for Christmas where each family put up tents inside Sunrise Community Church in Millwoods and watched the new Ice Age movie.  Another time he brought a large suitcase of candy to an Easter celebration forever endearing him to all the nieces and nephews.  Ralph’s philosophy; Life is short eat dessert first. Ralph is survived by the love of his life Cyndi and his precious daughter Sarah and her husband Brandon, grandsons Kiev and Shepherd and his dear son Jeremiah. In lieu of flowers, Ralph always had a passion for ministry. He, Along with his family, served at the Sturgeon Lake Bible Camp in many roles such as directors, administration, campers and councillors.  Teen Challenge is another ministry that was close to Ralph’s heart. Working with the less fortunate or struggling with addictions for most of his life. 

Donations can be made to: teenchallenge.ca/donate

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