Lillian Kulbergs retires at age 91
By Diana Walker
Lillian Kulbergs, owner of Blue Mountain Crafts, has provided knitters, crocheters, sewers, crafters and quilters with fabric, patterns and notions for almost four decades.
Lillian Kulbergs retires at 91, after 38 years in business: from left, Brenda, Lillian and Elaine. Lou Melvill created the delightful centrepiece using silk flowers, spools of thread (both full and empty), bobbins, yarn and needles. Photo by Diana Walker/Oyen Echo
On behalf of Lillian and her daughters, Brenda thanked the crowd for the wonderful attendance, the sumptuous lunch, the cards, flowers, centerpiece, gifts and well wishes for Lillian’s retirement. “Most of all,” she said, “Mom cherishes your friendship.” Photo by Diana Walker/Oyen Echo
The Rev. Dr. Catherine Holland shares the sentiments of the crowd for Lillian’s many years of dedication and service to Oyen and area folk and everyone’s best wishes for health and happiness in retirement and her new home. Photo by Diana Walker/Oyen Echo
Ronnie and Lillian opened Blue Mountain Crafts in 1986, located in an old building on the north side of First Avenue East. The building housed many businesses from 1918 until Kay and Doug Dingman built KD’s Fine Wine & Spirits in 2013. Hoping the community would enjoy a fabric and craft store, Lil carried a wide variety of fabrics and notions and shared her sewing knowledge with customers. Whatever they needed, she brought it in. After numerous requests for advice and assistance, Lil added mending and altering clothing to her repertoire. The business grew. In 1989, Blue Mountain Crafts moved to the west side of Main Street, to a building formerly occupied by Carol’s Apparel and Renata Fashions/Den’s Shoes. When it came to window displays, Lil called on daughter Elaine who owned a clothing and fabric store in Brooks. Lil enjoyed the children and often gave them something from the store. As Ronnie neared retirement, Lil added custom framing. She had an eye for choosing the right matting and frame to enhance the subject. Ronnie provided the carpentry and mat-cutting skills. After Ronnie’s passing in 2014, Kerry helped his mom with the framing.
A wife, mother, and business owner, Lillian was also a member of the All Saints Anglican Church. Although not a member of the Big Country Agricultural Society or the Oyen & District Chamber of Commerce she often helped behind the scenes. She did not want to be in the spotlight.
Lillian went to work every day not concerned about making a huge profit; she wanted to make enough money to keep the doors open. She cherished each customer, not for their purchases but their outstanding friendships that deepened each time they came to shop or visit. They shared stories about sewing, knitting and quilting. She loved working with customers one-on-one whether it involved fixing a zipper, choosing the right fabric and notions for a project or life in general.
She loved her work and she loved her customers. Not many people can say that and still show up to work daily at 91.
I’m sure it was one of the hardest decisions to make when she decided a couple of months ago that she would close the doors. Her daughters helped her decide to retire and move to Red Deer where she will be close to family and have more opportunity to spend with her great-grandson.
To show the communities’ admiration and love, Lou Melvill spearheaded a farewell tea on September 14 hosted by the All Saints Anglican Church and Oyen & District Chamber of Commerce. More than 60 people came to bid farewell to this amazing lady. The room filled with friends, old and new, sharing best wishes for a smooth transition into retirement over refreshments, squares and fruit.
We will miss you, Lillian!
A bit of history:
Calgarians Ronnie and Lillian Kulbergs and daughters Wanda, Brenda and Elaine moved to Oyen in 1962 through the encouragement of Charlie Greenwood. Charlie and Ronnie grew up in Latvia. During WWII, they were taken from their homeland to a concentration camp in Belgium. The Kulbergs found a home on the south side of Sixth Avenue East, across from the Legion Hall. Kerry completed the family in 1964. With the growing family, Ronnie built their new home on Railway Avenue the same year. They lived in the basement and he worked on the upstairs in between jobs. Lillian still resides in the house. Ronnie was an excellent carpenter and built more than 60 homes in the town and surrounding area.