It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Oddney Sager on November 5, 2022. Oddney is survived by her loving husband Howard, her three children Stephen (Jennifer), Wayne (Shelley) and Jennifer. Her grandchildren Bailie (Eric), Riley, Abbey (Aleksei), Beau, Michael, Owen, Easton, and Mitchel.

Oddney Sager nee Olafson, was born October 31, 1942 to Bill and Ranka Olafson. She was the youngest of six children. Raised in the Icelandic community of 1-6, south of Morden, Oddney always referred to this area as “God’s Country”. Oddney attended elementary school in 1-6 and high school in Morden. After graduating, she worked at the Royal Bank of Canada in Winnipeg for a year until her mom and dad convinced her to go to nursing school. She trained as a Licensed Practical Nurse at the Misericordia. She then went to work at the Ninette Sanatorium before ultimately moving back to Morden and dedicating her career to the Morden Hospital.

Oddney was very sports minded and was extremely competitive. She loved all sports especially baseball, curling, ringette and hockey. During her younger years, she played for Lindal Ball Club and was a proud left-handed back catcher. While playing at one of the multiple travelling tournaments in Southern Manitoba, she caught the eye of a young Howard Sager. They courted for three years before getting married on November 2, 1963. Howie and Oddney lived in the town of Morden for two years before moving back to the Sager family farm where she lived the rest of her life.

Oddney loved her children dearly and would always say to “call her 24/7 and she’d be there for them no questions”. She supported and encouraged her children to do their best and follow their dreams. If they ever fell short, she encouraged them to continue going and challenged them to be the best version of themselves. All she wanted was for her children to be happy and was always proud of them.

She loved living on the farm and was proud to be a farmer’s wife. Some of her fondest memories were with her family. She enjoyed skating on the pond, playing pick-up baseball, practicing her chipping skills for golf, bird watching, fishing in the ponds, playing on the hay bales, collecting rocks, and bonfires. She was passionate about her gardens where she grew her favourite flower, Zinnia’s.

She enjoyed her free time and doing the things she loved such as: lunch with friends, enjoying a cold beer or two at the Legion, playing the piano, sewing, Sudoku, crossword puzzles, and baking for her family and friends using her famous “secret” recipes. Her puffed wheat cake, Sunday morning pancakes, butter tarts, and raspberry jam will all be missed. Oddney was fortunate enough to travel to various places across the world. Some of her favourites included two trips to Mexico with her family, Hawaii and Taipei.

Oddney dedicated her life to helping those around her including: the 1-6 community, City of Morden, the Legion, Royal Purple and supporting Howie with the Elks. Oddney enjoyed coaching and managing various sports teams and volunteering at special events such as the Manitoba Men’s Curling Championships and sport provincials. In 2013, Howard and Oddney were awarded the Outstanding Sport Volunteer for the City of Morden. She won many championships in curling, golf, ringette and baseball. In 2019, her most recent accomplishment was the Sager Family induction into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame.

Known as both Amma and Grandma, Oddney could not be more proud of her eight grandchildren. Oddney enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren participate in all their events. She was their biggest cheerleader.

Daily walks and frequent coffee times with family and friends were a regular part of her life. Oddney had many nieces and nephews, all special to her as were their families.

Oddney is survived by her sister Anna, brother-in-laws Mack, Gordon and Ted, sister in laws Sharon, Ruth, Betty and Betty.

Oddney is predeceased by her sister Sally, her brothers Jack, John and Paul, her brother-in-laws Harold, Lawrence, Donald, Bill and sister-in-laws Gladys, Ruth and Evelyn.

We would like to thank the staff of the Boundary Trails Health Centre and the Emergency Response Team for their wonderful care and empathy.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pembina Valley Child Care Centres Inc. They are located at 5 Rampton Street, Morden, MB, R6M 1V8. (etransfer - srichards.pvccc@@outlook.ca.)

She lived by positive quotes that she kept over the years and shared with many of us. On her bedside table, she had a book by Declan Coyle, The Green Platform. Her favourite quote from the book was, “If it is to be, it’s up to me”.

In keeping with her wishes, cremation will take place and a Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 2:00 pm at the Morden Royal Canadian Legion 285 N Railway Street.

No one wants to say good-bye and it is always too soon. Our Oddney, Mom, Grandma and Amma will always be missed.

“Mom, you left us beautiful memories, your love is still our guide, although we cannot see you, you’re always at our side”.