04/03/2026
A Celebration of Life for Joyce Olson will be held April 11th, 2026 at 2:00pm in the Royal Canadian Legion, Fort Qu'Appelle, located at 197 Company Ave.
Joyce Marlene Olson.
April 15th, 1940 - February 14th, 2026
Leaving behind beautiful memories & a family who loved her beyond measure, Joyce passed away after a brief illness. She lived life to the fullest — a life shaped by courage, resilience, kindness, and the steady rhythm of her hardworking hands.
Born to Janet & Adam Hilderman, and raised on the farm near Govan, Joyce worked at Sask Wheat Pool after graduating. She married Cliff Olson in 1958 and they settled on the farm, welcoming three children: Jo-Anne, Shelley and Boyd. In 1966, the family moved into town and purchased a café. While operating a café & sewing the kids matching outfits, Joyce still found time to pitch for the local women’s fastball team and what an arm she had! She had an ear for music, loved to dance and was self taught on the accordion and keyboard. Granny often joined her on the harmonica for some rockin’ jam sessions.
The family relocated to Fort Qu’Appelle in 1974, where Joyce pursued her true calling in natural health. She opened JayCee Health Hut, and immersed herself in studies of Remedial Massage, Reflexology, Reiki, and Iridology—becoming a trusted source of healing and comfort. Her entrepreneurial spirit flourished with the launch of Echo Fashions in Fort Qu’Appelle, later expanding to summer boutiques at Regina Beach and Katepwa, and hosting many fashion shows through the years. In the 1980s, she built a new store and, always up for a challenge, she added custom embroidery and screen printing to the mix, becoming Echo Fashions & Designs.
Joyce moved to Sandy Beach with Mel in the mid 80s & they spent many happy years together, dancing, hosting family celebrations & camping in the motorhome. They spent many winters in Arizona & motor homed through Alaska & the Maritimes.
Joyce had her dream home built in 2011, a gathering place filled with family, friends & treasured memories.
When Joyce retired in 2014, she was often seen in her sewing room at Echo Fashions, hemming & fixing. She spent time travelling, went on her first cruise then decided to stay closer to home. She bought a motorhome & enjoyed local camping well into her 80’s. As mom would’ve wanted it, she hosted & attended family dinners, drove too fast & continued to get speeding tickets until the end. Lucky she was a good driver!
Mom wore many hats through the years as she grew her businesses & enjoyed the friends she met along the way. She handled the tough times with grace & made the hard work & sacrifice look effortless. Young at heart, willing to learn & fearless, she lived life to the fullest & made us so proud.
She is survived by her children:
• Jo Anne Kline (Darren), grandson Trevor Huber
• Shelley Wright (Swayde), grandson Jayden Wright (Shanelle) and great-granddaughter Calixte, granddaughter Nightli Wright
• Boyd Olson, granddaughter Raina and grandson Austin Olson
She is survived by siblings Anita Olson, Vivian Horosko (Don), and Murray Hilderman (Pat).
Joyce was predeceased by her partner of 27 years & friend, Mel Anderson, her friend & father of her children, Cliff Olson, parents Janet and Adam Hilderman, sister Eileen Brewer (Roland), sister & brother-in-law, Elsie Buchanan & Allan Olson.
Celebration of Life: Fort Qu’Appelle Legion, April 11, 2026, 2:00 pm
"You stitched our clothes, you stitched our wounds, you stitched our family together with threads no one could see but we could feel.
You taught us that strength can be gentle, that love can be practical, how to laugh through the hard parts, and how to make something good out of whatever life placed in our hands. Your love— quiet, steady, and always there even when life felt too heavy to hold."
Arrangements entrusted to Conley Funeral Home, Fort Qu'Appelle, SK, 1-306-332-0555