Fern Oldenborger

OLDENBORGER: Fern (nee Beaulieu), age 61 passed away on August 1, 2021. Fern was 1 of 15 children born in Livelong, SK to Lillian and Hugh Beaulieu. She grew up on a farm and because of how many children there were, she was never short of playmates. They could have nothing but a stick and they'd find something fun to do with it. She never watched much TV growing up, (a trait that stayed with her into her adult life) but on Saturday nights she fondly remembered the family gathering to watch the Montreal Canadiens play on Hockey Night In Canada. Fern moved out at an early age and started working at the Akropol in Swift Current at the age of 17. Although she left the Akropol for a brief time to try a couple of other jobs, she came back shortly after where she spent the next 44 years working. The staff and customers were like family to Fern, and the feelings were mutual. Whether it was your first time or hundredth time visiting the Akropol, Fern would try and put a smile on your face with a joke, or by just being her genuine good natured self. She let it be known that she had no plans to retire, and would have gladly worked at the Akropol for another 20 years. In 1989 Fern moved in with her best friend Maggie to help look after Maggie's two sons, Michael and Terry. No one knew they would end up living together for the next 32 years. Fern and Maggie would become synonymous with each other, and the bond between them was just as strong as any friendship there's ever been. Fern became another Mother to both Michael and Terry, and she was there for every birthday, anniversary, holiday or random get together. She may not have been a blood relative, but she was just as much part of the family as anyone else. Michael's children, Aiden and Kaitlyn, were the light of Fern's eye. The kids would affectionately call her Yai Yai, which means Grandmother in Greek. In Fern's spare time she loved to fish, go camping and play cards. In her younger days she also played lots of baseball where she met many of her friends. Fern spent hours ironing and listening to country music on the radio as a way to relax. Although most people knew her as a waitress, Fern certainly knew her way around the kitchen. Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving couldn't come soon enough, as her turkey and all the fixings were second to none. No one else was allowed in the kitchen unless you were doing a quick taste test for her. At which point you'd tell her, "It's perfect!". Supper would then be another hour later as she made it more 'perfect'. That was our Fern. There is no way to summarize just how much Fern meant to all of us: daughter, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, friend, and wonderful person.
Fern was predeceased by her parents, Hugh and Lillian Beaulieu and her siblings Yvonne Jensen, Ruby Opperman, John Beaulieu, Laurence Beaulieu, Mildred Campbell, Gay Beaulieu and Larry Beaulieu.
She is survived by her best friend Maggie Burns and her two sons Terry (Elena) Burns and Michael (Terrie) Burns; grandchildren Aiden and Kaitlyn Burns; siblings Delrose Lowenberger, Shirley Adrian, Hazel (Rene) Pulkinen, Elaine (Kevin) Carpentier, Marlene (Nathan) Beaulieu, Kim (Alan) Schwartz, Neil Beaulieu, Hughie Beaulieu; Maggie's siblings Terry (Sue) Beverly, Wendy (Dave) Gamelin, and Laurie Anne (Jeff) Chappell; numerous nieces and nephews; as well as John Gannitsos, his family, her very close friend Bev Maxwell and everyone at the Akropol. Donation's in Fern's memory may be made to the Swift Current S.P.C.A. P.O. Box 1163 Swift Current, SK S9H 3X3. Arrangements entrusted to Warren's Funeral Home. For further information please call 1-306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members on the tribute wall.

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