Ralph passed away on March 22, 2025, at the Spirit River Hospital, at 90
years old.Ralph would explain that he was born “on the first quarter of the farm, off the highway”. He was born to Rene and Annie Oe on September 16, 1934, near Kleskun Hills. He attended the one room East Kleskun School, which is now located at Kleskun Hills Park. At the age of eleven, he began riding his horse, Smokey, to school. Horses were a big part of his life. He used them to round up cattle and drove teams in competitions including horse pulls, fairs as well as plowing matches. His favorite team? It was a toss-up between Mac and Marty, or Jessie and Dixie.
Ralph had started his career as a mechanic, but quickly changed direction to become a farmer. He began farming on Saskatoon Mountain, built a house and moved a barn from the Beaverlodge Experimental farm. Eventually, he moved to the Cotillion area, near Bonanza, where he farmed for several years. Susan joined him there 18 years ago, where they enjoyed their joint love of horses, farm life, family, and travel. Ralph loved to go on farm tours and traveled as far away as Australia, Cuba, South America, Costa Rica, Hawaii, through the Panama Canal and USA.
Ralph was well known for always lending a helping hand to neighbors and family. He was skilled at repairing machinery, fixing the heat in the neighbor’s house in cold temperatures, buying vehicles for those in need, plowing snow and so many other kindnesses. Even into his eighties he still rototilled neighbor’s gardens. His love of family and friends knew no bounds.
Family and friends, from near and far, came to celebrate Ralph’s 90th birthday party, at Cotillion Hall in September of 2024. It was a great party!
His health had been declining for a couple of years, but he still had the energy to drive the side by side to go feed his fish in the dugout and exercise his dog. Ralph continued to entertain his family and friends with stories from his lazy boy chair.
Ralph is survived by his wife Susan, daughter Marlene (Dan) Nellis, son Ron (Wendy) Oe; Siblings: Doris Guerette, Jerry (Lynne) Oe and Don Oe, Gale (Fred) Mellon; step-daughter’s Shelly (Stan) Davey and Beth James, step-son Rhett (Kim) Humphreys; grandchildren: Jeff and Kenny Davey, Amy (Craig) McDougall, Patrick (Jessica) Davey; Mark (Jolene) Nellis, Cherie(Blake) Tetley; Terry (Lendy) White, Kelly Vanberg and Paisley (Ashley) Ellis. Ralph had 25 Great Grandchildren, one Great Great Grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ralph was pre-deceased by his parents Rene and Annie Oe, wives June Anderson and Doreen Bodnarchuk, brothers-in-law Joe Guerette, Alvin, and George Anderson, sister-in-law’s Irene Peebles, Bev Oe and nephew William Oe.
Ralph’s family and friends visited him at home and then in the hospital right up to his last day. Thank you to everyone who came out - Ralph so enjoyed your visits. A special thank you to Ralph’s nurses and “Dr. O,” at the Spirit River Hospital. You were and are amazing.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 5th, at the Fourth Creek Hall, Silver Valley (8412 Hwy 681) at 2 pm Silver Valley, Please bring your special memories of Ralph to share at the Celebration (and join us for a cookie on him).
Thank you to Oliver’s Funeral Home as well.
Annie Oe (Hawryluk), longtime resident of Grande Prairie and previously of
Bezanson, passed away peacefully with family at her side on November 2, 2006, at
the age of 93 years. Annie leaves to mourn: her five children: Ralph, Doris,
Gerald (Lynne), Donald (Beverly) and Gale (Fred); one sister, Nellie Smashnuk;
12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Annie
was predeceased by: her parents; two brothers; two sisters; her husband, Rene Oe;
one grandson, William Oe; her daughter-in-law, Doreene Oe and son-in-law, Joseph
Guerette. Annie was the heart of the family - the stopping off place for all to
meet and visit, to share stories, sleepover, just to drop in anytime - everyone
was welcome. She will be sadly missed by all. A viewing will be held an hour
prior to the funeral service. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday,
November 8, 2006, at 10 a.m., from Oliver's Grande Prairie Funeral Chapel
(10005-107 Ave.) Grande Prairie. Interment to follow in the Glen Leslie
Cemetery.
