September 20, 1937 - June 4, 2020
On a beautiful spring afternoon, Ivan left this earth peacefully, in the arms of his loving daughters. He was born into the family of Mary and Pete Oglow and was raised in Pavlovka village in the Doukhobor community of Glade, BC eventually moving to Robson. He was the patriarch of his generation and he would want you to smile as you remember him.
Ivan's only sibling, his older brother Peter, was his best friend as a child, youth, and through adulthood. They worked at Oglow Brothers Building Supply, Oglow's Construction, and Carpets by Ivan Oglow, as well as building houses together. Ivan graduated high school at Stanley Humphries and lived in the Castlegar area his entire life.
Though a man of few words, Ivan told some interesting stories in his later years. He was raised a vegetarian, so when his young adult friends would order a hamburger, Ivan would eat bread and a can of corn! A photo album, which was found tucked away, tells many a story of antics with Ivan and his friends, and their travels through British Columbia, Idaho and Montana.
Ivan's family grew in the sixties with his first marriage to Gloria, followed by the birth of his three cherished daughters, Cheryl, Candis and Cynthia. Ivan had a very special bond with his girls and their devotion to their Dad was unwavering. When the marriage ended, Ivan continued raising his girls along with the loving support and guidance of his parents. In the early seventies, Ivan's family grew again with a marriage to Lorene who had four sons. Over time, with brother Peter's help, Ivan built extensive additions onto Lorene's house to accommodate this family of nine.
Ivan worked hard, often late into Christmas Eve so his customers could walk on new carpet Christmas morning. When afflicted with a back injury, Ivan chose to work at Arrow Bldg Supply in customer service. Soon after, he chose to join the Home Hardware family in Trail for a lengthy career of, in his words "going where they pay me to talk to people". Then when Lorene went through difficult health issues later in life, Ivan was devoted to her care.
He loved to travel, including trips to the Canary Islands, Victoria, and road trips to Arizona, Nevada, California and across the USA to the east coast. Three times a year he looked forward to driving to Alberta to visit his daughters and their families. Ivan loved woodworking, and instead of carving the traditional borscht ladles, as his father and grandfather did, he spent many long hours in his happy place ~ his shop ~ building beautiful picture frames, decorative coat racks, clocks, and treasured cedar chests, all with "character". He was one of the "boys" in the A&W men's coffee group, and mornings will be changed forever without Ivan's contagious smile.
Ivan is survived by his daughters Cheryl (Sandy), Candis (Robert), Sammie (Terry), stepsons Don, Dana, Darrin (Suzie), nephews, cousins, his beloved grandchildren Brandon, Ciara (Scawt), Rhys, Brydan, Alicia, Dustin, Skyla, Joey, and great grandson Curtis who brought so much joy and laughter over the last few months! Ivan was predeceased by his parents Pete and Mary, brother Peter, stepson David, and wife Lorene.
We all are thankful that he was discharged on March 19, 2020, after a two-week stay in the hospital, because with Covid 19 having priority over every other health issue, it would have been impossible for family and friends to pour love onto him as much as they did. During palliative care in his own home these last few months, Ivan was continuously surrounded by love and support from his three devoted daughters and that is where he took his last breath, as was his wish.
We'll see you again soon on the other side for a singalong with Merle Haggard and Jesus where you now have all the answers to your questions, even about aliens.
Heartfelt thanks to Doctors Aiken, Scotland, Ksiazek and all their staff; the nurses who regularly poked his arms for blood work; all home support caregivers and nurses who each lifted his spirits in their own unique way; and the staff at the Trail hospital who treated him well during times of severe health challenges as well as Alternative Funeral Services of Trail who were in charge of arrangements.
At Ivan's request, there will be no service. You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence by visiting the family's register at www.myalternatives.ca
Alternative Funeral Services