Obituary of George Osness

George Norman Osness of Kelowna, BC, formerly of Camrose, passed away on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at the age of 94 years. George was born on November 29, 1921 to Victor and Lillian Osness on the farm southwest of Camrose, AB. He was baptized and confirmed at Camrose Lutheran Church. George married Gladys Rasmussen on November 16, 1947 and together they raised five children. Gladys passed away peacefully, Dec. 14, 2006 in St. Mary's Hospital at the age of 77 years. Growing up on the farm 4 ½ miles southwest of Camrose, George liked to play baseball, hockey and go skiing. When he was 19 years old, George travelled to Trenton, ON and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and became a Hurricane Fighter Pilot. After obtaining his Pilot Status, he was sent to England and was stationed at Oban, Scotland where he served for three years from 1940 to 1943. Upon his return to Canada, he was stationed at Shepard Field in Calgary and released from duty upon the end of the war in 1945. George and his family lived and farmed near his childhood farm, until he and his sons began a construction company, building custom residential homes in Camrose. Following Gladys' passing, George moved to Kelowna to live with Doug's family for 2 years, where after he moved into the Lake Country Manor, a home near Doug and Gwen, where he lived for the past 8 years. George and Gladys enjoyed spending their winters with their many friends and family in Arizona. George enjoyed his trips to Hawaii, North Dakota and Norway. He especially loved to play chess and was a member of chess clubs in Camrose and Kelowna. He and his father Victor it could be said were fantastic fanatics! While on a trip to visit his sister Gladys Snowden and her family when he was younger, he found a place to play chess in downtown Toronto challenging his expertise. George also loved his dog, Idgy, a large and loveable boxer who was always up for a visit to the Lake Country Lodge. George will be lovingly remembered by his family: 4 children, 15 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. George's son, Bob (Rhonda) of Calgary, and family, Kayleigh (Jules), their children Theo and Vesper of Peachland, BC; Mindi (Cory), their sons Dane, Leif and Bryn of Cochrane, AB; Brett (Cherisse), their children Violet, Roland and Thoren of Cochrane; and Lael of Los Angeles. George's son, Norm (Joanne) of Thorsby, AB, and family, Richard and his son Riley of Spruce Grove; Courtnay (Amie), their daughters Mila and Safira of Calgary; Michael (Dawn), their sons Sawyer and Cohen of Thorsby; Matthew (Renee) of Vancouver; Jenay (Luke), their daughters Jessie and Leah of Thorsby. George's daughter, Joan (Hans Skinstad) of Camrose, and family, Kirsti (Rob), their children Haaken, Lillianna and Aksel of Crossfield, AB; Carl (Alissa), their children Ava, Tor and Kohen of Norway; Jon of Norway; and Kai of Norway. George's son, Doug (Gwen), and family, Amanda; Kelsey (Nick), and son James; all of Kelowna, BC. George will be missed by his sister Dorothy Pfotenhauer and many nieces, nephews and in-laws. George was predeceased by his mother and father, son Warren, wife Gladys, sisters Gladys and Bernice, and brother Lloyd. We give thanks to our Lord for the life of George, the joy, laughter and love that he brought to our lives. May he rest in God's peace. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. from Messiah Lutheran Church in Camrose with Rev. Calvin Skriver officiating. Inurnment will take place in the Camrose Cemetery. Memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to the Arthritis Society.