Annie established this fund in loving memory of her husband Joe and their shared commitment to help educate local rural youth.
Joe was born and raised in the 1-6 farming district just south of Morden, Manitoba. He finished school at Grade 8 to work on the family farm. At age 20, Joe enlisted in the army and toured Italy, France and Germany during World War II. After the war, Joe returned home to work the family farm with his father and brother. Eventually Joe took over the farm, married neighbor girl Annie Holenski, and together they raised one daughter and three boys while working hard to run a very efficient and productive farm.
Annie was a farm girl at heart and was raised in the 1-6 farming district as well. Annie finished school at Grade 6 to work the farm with her father and loved every minute of it. Annie always dreamed of becoming a nurse but living and working on a farm, raising a family, volunteering in the community all kept her very busy. Annie’s dream now is to support today’s youth accomplish their education goals.
The Joe (Johannes) and Annie Olafson Scholarship Fund is awarded to a rural student who is a Grade 12 graduate within the Western School Division catchment area with an average of 80% or higher who demonstrates a positive attitude and intends to pursue post-secondary studies in the nursing field. If there is no application for nursing studies, then a graduate who intends to pursue an interest in post-secondary studies in an agricultural field will be accepted.
- 2023 Keira Cosio
- 2022 Vanessa Metzler
- 2021 Dylan Smart
- 2020 Dmitriy Sharapov
- 2019 Tyra Penner