Maire Annikki Oliver

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Maire Annikki Markkanen Oliver who was beloved by her family and friends returned home to her Heavenly Father and loved ones who passed before, on Friday April 19, 2024 at the age of 89.

Maire was born on April 4th 1935 to Otto Verner Markkanen and Hilma Pauldanius Markkanen in Kuopio, Finland. She had a younger brother, Matti. Maire grew up during hard times in Finland during World War 2 and remembers sirens, calls to bomb shelters and German soldiers marching down the streets of her hometown. The death of her dear father was a direct result of the war when she was only 10 years old.

Maire was an ambitious young woman and did jobs to help with her family income. She went to college and worked at a shoe store. When she was 19 she met the missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and was baptized soon after. Six months later, Maire was called to serve a mission in her home country of Finland. It was while she served her mission that she met the love of her life, Gordon, who was also serving a mission in Finland. After Gordon returned home he called her and proposed over the phone from Canada. Brave Maire left her home and family and traveled across the Atlantic to an unknown country and culture—what a leap of faith! Theirs turned out to be the most beautiful of love stories and an example to all who knew them.

After their marriage, her and Gordon settled in Lethbridge and had two daughters and three sons. Maire deeply loved her children and grandchildren. She also loved

rye bread, seafood, and donuts. She loved travelling, the color red and birds. Her favorite thing was spending time with her husband.

Maire served the Lord and had a strong testimony of the gospel, always an example of faith and service. She and Gordon served a mission together as a couple in Finland, and loved serving the Lord.

Maire is preceeded in death by her mother and father, Hilma and Otto Markkanen and brother Matti, mother and father in law Howard and Agnes Oliver.

Maire leaves behind her dear husband Gordon, and a grand posterity. 5 children, 25 grandchildren and 55 great grandchildren.

Gordon (Diann) Oliver (6 children and 19 grand children)

Deanne (Mitchell) Robison (3 children and 10 grandchildren)

Mark (Natalie) Oliver (4 children and 4 grandchildren)

Karen (Bob) Kolibar (5 children and 11 grandchildren)

Glen (Onna) Oliver (7 children and 11 grandchildren)

Maire has a strong spirit, she was hilarious and quick witted. She was spicy and sassy right to the end. Maire was adored by all. She will be greatly missed!

Heaven just got a lot more fun with the passing of our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother Maire.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday April 24th 11:00am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FAIRMONT CHAPEL (205 Fairmont Blvd South, Lethbridge).

Friends are welcome to meet with the family from 10:00 to 10:45am prior to the service at the church.  Interment to follow at the Temple Hill Cemetery in Raymond.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Maire Annikki Oliver, please visit our floral store.