OLAH: James
Sept. 5, 1924 – Nov. 17, 2013

James (Jim) Olah passed away peacefully at the Watrous District Health Complex on Sunday November November 17, 2013 with his family by his side.

Jim was born on September 5, 1924 to James and Mary Olah in Herczegfalva, Hungary. In 1926, he came to Canada when he was 1 ½ years with his mother Mary – reuniting with his dad who immigrated before them. In 1928 his dad was killed in a farm accident. This resulted in his mom working as a labourer for different famers in the area. Because of this, Jim attended many different schools – the last being Eltham School.

In 1950 he married Jean (Boon) of Venn at Plunkett United Church. They had two children, Gerald and Sharon. Together they farmed south of Plunkett until they moved to Watrous in 1995 – house and all!

Jim loved his teams of horses and had many horse stories he shared with family and friends. He also loved baseball. He was a member of the Prairie Rangers and Plunkett baseball teams, and was an avid fan of the L.A. Dodgers. He enjoyed all sports and loved to spark controversy by wearing his Eskimos cap!

Jim drove the school bus for many years, was the Beef 4-H leader in the Plunkett Beef Club and was a member of the National Farmers Union, travelling far and wide to attend conventions.

Jim and Jean spent many a Saturday night at the dances in Plunkett. They two-stepped until 2011 when they shared their last dances at their granddaughter Kailey’s wedding.

Jim became part of coffee row when they moved to town. He enjoyed socializing with old and new friends. Due to failing health in 2012 he was moved into Lanigan Central Lodge and later was relocated to the Watrous District Health Complex. In the last year he still enjoyed visiting and teasing and he’d “Hi-5” the nurses as he cruised the hallways.

Jim is survived by his wife Jean of 63 years; son Gerald (Inger) of Watrous and daughter Sharon (Moe) Kaminecki of St. Albert, AB; 5 grandchildren Karla (Chris) Roppel; Carmen (Ryan) Palfy; Curtis (Lindsy) Olah; Kelsey (Trevor) Shepard; Kailey (Mike) Hutton: 8 great grandchildren Wade, Courtney, Alexys and Tyson Roppel; Jordyn and Jax Palfy; James Olah and Payton Shepard. Sister Ethel (Merlin) Wilson of Arizona and many nephews.

Jim was predeceased by his father, step-father and mother.