Margarete passed away peacefully on May 29, 2016. Born in Saskatchewan on January 26, 1919, Mom’s early life was on a Meota farm. During her teens, her father found work in Victoria and the family followed. Mom found her paradise! She married a handsome Norwegian, Andrew Gilstein (Andreas Gjelstein), and led an exciting, happy life. They initiated the purchase of Norway House and became Charter Lodge Members of Eidsvold #53, Sons of Norway. While raising a family, they formed a Norwegian “Leikarring” folk dance group, instructing for 30 years. Many concerts featured local artists and their three children performing with their accordions. Son, Rolf, was inspired to become a cellist and fulfill a career in the New Zealand String Quartet. Mom was very active and took pride in mentoring many throughout her life. 
Her love of gardening brought joy to all. The family’s stone covered garage with grass roof soon became an attraction. Her youthful spirit embraced too many interests to mention. Some lifelong pursuits were dancing, painting, bridge and the Victoria Lawn Bowling Club. Andy passed away in 1991 after 51 years of marriage. In 1995, Mom married Julius Sather, a dear family friend since the 1950’s. They enjoyed common interests and sadly, Julius passed away in 2009. Mom remained youthful through varied activities and her passion for gardening. 
In 2011, at the age of 92, Mom walked 3.3km (2miles) in the Victoria Day Parade and then walked back to the starting point.
She is lovingly remembered by daughters, Eleanor Gjelsten and Freida (Finn) Eriksen; son, Rolf Gjelsten (Helene Pohl); grandchildren, Drew Eriksen, Trina Eriksen and Peter Gjelsten; stepdaughters, Lori Sather and Valerie Comber; stepson, Don Sather; stepgrandchildren, Kody Williamson, Ali Comber and Troy Comber; also extended family in Canada, Norway and England.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Norway House, 1110 Hillside Avenue, on Saturday, July 23rd from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations to “Sons of Norway Foundation in Canada” (Margarete Gilstein Memorial Bursary) c/o Eidsvold #53, 1110 Hillside Avenue, Victoria, BC V8T 4A7 or the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 106 – 1001 Cloverdale Avenue, Victoria, BC, V8X 4C9 would be appreciated.
The family wishes to thank the amazing caregivers especially the best doctor in town, Dr. Michael Miles. We would also like to thank Jimmy for helping Mom so much these last couple of years and thank you McCall’s Funeral Home for your special care.
These links show our Mom.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxIE3n1lVcY
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall’s Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
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Joan Bennett
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Norrie Froman, Nilssen Freida & all.
I loved your mom. She gave me sage advice about life’s trials. She was a lovely mentor and I will remember and miss her. Her best advice to me about crap happening was “It’s not worth thinking about. It’s done now”.
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Herb and Linda Our deepest condolences to Freida, Eleanor, Rolf and your families. Margarete was respected, loved and will be missed by so many including us … Herb and Linda
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Nancy Baal My very best wishes to Eleanor, Freida and Rolf that they treasure memories of their mother who was so special to everyone who knew her. I was so very honoured to have her as my aunt. I treasure her artwork at Norway House every Sunday when we attend Folk Music.
Nancy Baal
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a neighbour I did not know Margaret but have lived in the neighbourhood for over 15 years. Have enjoyed her beautiful garden and often exchanged a “hello” with her as I walk by. Very sorry for your loss.
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Linda Maasch Wow – this is a shock – she was always there, in her garden. I live up Robertson from her house, so would walk by daily with my dog. She always stopped to discuss the gardens (I am a “rabid” gardner too), pat the dog and sometimes offer extra plants. She was a passionate and generous gardener – and those dahlias! Some were more than 12″ across.
She told me more than once that her doctor had said she shouldn’t be gardening anymore. “I can’t stop gardening” she would say. I understood.
In the last few years, it was amazing to see her riding the scooter to the food store and to lawn bowling. Decked out in her fur hat and coat in the winter, she was a wonderful sight!
When on our walks, my dog always turned into one of the paths to her garden. They liked each other and she would lean down to give him some pats and tell him how nice he was. He didn’t do that today – I guess he knows that she is not there now. I am sure she has found a new garden to tend.
She was a great person and I will miss her.
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Lisa Tandberg Thackray So sorry to hear of Margarite’s passing. She certainly was a bright light in the world — always ready with a kind word, a smile and a helping hand. She will be missed…
Sincere condolences to her family.
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Mary Humphreys Dear Rolf, Helene and Family Gilstein,
May you treasure all the wonderful moments that you have shared together with your mother Margarete.
I look forward to her Celebration of Life in July, as I know her spirit will be with you and all the people gathered together to remember her.
Take care and love to you all,
Mary Humphreys
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Carol Hopky (Myhre) Margarete has been an inspiration to me all my life. She was a beautiful person, inside and out. I will miss her. My visits with her when I came back to Victoria were very special. My sincere condolences to Eleanor, Freida, Rolf and all the family.
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Lynn Margarete was such an inspiration to me. I have been thinking of her lately with spring in the air, hoping to stop and visit her soon when I saw the obituary. I enjoyed the talks she and I would have either while I was helping her paint her fence, while assisting her plant geraniums last year, or just when we would pass by each other’s houses in the neighbourhood and stop to say hello. She would talk of when she made the garage, planted the original begonias, pride in her children, and also gave me practical advice for gardening or life. She was a beautiful woman and the rest of us can only hope to live life as fully as she did. Terribly sorry for your loss and that of the neighbourhood.
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Fred Durrand Margarete, a wonderful, active, energetic lady, an avid lawn bowler along with Andy with the Victoria Lawn Bowling Club.
She was the ‘flower lady’ always providing settings for each luncheon table at the clubs events from her own garden as well as looking after the club’s flower beds.
Whenever you played with Margarete you would want her on your team rather than the opponents as she was a great bowler.
I remember how dissapointed she was when she had to give up her driving license through some silly test of having to drop a ruler held at shoulder level and catch it again before it hit the floor. But she was quick to get over it and soon was buzzing around on an electric scooter so much that I kidded her that I overheard some
Victoria Policeman saying they were looking for a lady in the vicinity of the bowling green who was riding the scooter and breaking the speed limit.
My late wife Josie and I were very lucky to have been a part of her life.
Fred Durrand
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Pat Chauvin Your mother was such a delightful free spirit, Freida. My deepest sympathy in your loss, but in so many ways she will always be with you.
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Greta Engqvist Beautiful memories – beautiful lady.
Blessings,
Greta Engqvist
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Dave and Kathy Cropp Please accept our condolences on the passing of your mother, Freida.
Dave and Kathy Cropp
Dear Eleanor and Family, I was so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. She was always at Norway Hall and I just assumed she would be there forever – in a way she will be as she will continue to be with all of you.
Thank you for your lovely note and the attachments, Eleanor. We both enjoyed seeing them so very much.
It was also a lovely send off you gave your mother, and we thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful music and seeing everyone at the hall again.