ANKER PEDERSEN

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ANKER PEDERSEN June 25, 1931 - September 25, 2006 It is with the very deepest of sorrow that we announce that Anker has gone to greet his Lord and Saviour after a courageous battle with leukemia. Anker passed away peacefully and with dignity at his home surrounded by his loving family. Left to mourn Anker's passing are his loving and devoted wife of 52 years, Lorraine; his four children, Suzanne Helmich (Ben), Darryl Pedersen (Donna), Kim Pedersen and Tara Richardson (Darcy); his five grandchildren Aaron Frederickson (Cheryl), Carmen Gregoire (Maurice); Lorissa Helmich, Kristina Pedersen and Kurt Pedersen (Shawnessy); and his 9 great-grandchildren. Also surviving Anker are his sister Ruth Vanderkerchove, brother-in-law Gordon Demers (Linda), sister-in-law Maureen Pedersen and numerous nieces and nephews. Anker was predeceased by his parents Alfred and Kristina Pedersen and his brother Henry Pedersen. Anker was born in Wadhope, MB out of Bissett. Shortly thereafter the family moved to Beresford Lake so his father could work in the gold mine. The mine shut down in 1940 and in 1942 the family moved to Stony Mountain. Anker's dad found work in Great Bear Lake, Port Radium Eldorado, Northwest Territories where he would be away from home for a year at a time, only spending three weeks a year at home with his family. At the age of 16 Anker went to work with his dad enduring extremely hard, back-breaking work and intense homesickness. However, because Anker's father got sick and passed away, Anker persevered because the duty of providing for his mother, sister and brother now fell on his shoulders. Finally in 1950 Anker got a job working for the CN Railroad where, in the winter of 1951, he met the love of his life, his wife of 52 years, Lorraine. Anker left CN Rail in 1957 and went to work for BA Construction working on the Trans Canada Highway as well as many locations in the north. During all of these years, because of the type of work he did, Anker was unable to spend very much time with his growing family. He would often only be home every second weekend, or sometimes, only every 3 or 4 months for a few days at a time. Anker stayed with BA Construction until 1984, after which time he went to work for Standard Limestone Quarries in Stonewall where he remained until his retirement in 2001 at the age of 70 years. The last 22 years of Anker's life were his happiest. He got to spend every night at home with his wife and family. The greatest and most passionate love of Anker's life was his wife Lorraine. After 52 years of marriage Anker said that she was just as pretty as the day he met her and he loved her more and more every day. Anker loved his children deeply and was extraordinarily proud of them and their accomplishments. Having quit school at a very young age, Anker stressed to his children the importance of education so that they would not have to endure the type of work and circumstances he did in order to earn a living. Anker also instilled in his children the love of life, a sense of humour and a very strong work ethic. Next to his wife and children, Anker had a great love for music and enjoyed playing his harmonica and singing in church. At the age of 70 years Anker was able to use his music in ministry and enjoyed singing and attending senior homes to entertain the residents there with his talents and his favourite gospel songs. Anker was also a very gifted woodworker. There were no limits to the masterpieces he could create with a piece of wood and a lot of patience. Anker enjoyed nothing more that a good practical joke and a good laugh even if it was at his own expense. He always had a warm smile, a ready handshake or a big hug for everyone he met, which is one of the reasons why he was such a popular door greeter at church. Anker's warmth, kindness, generosity and deep and abiding and unconditional love will be extremely missed by not only his family, but by everyone whose lives were touched by this gentle giant. We love you and we know that you are home now where you belong and that you are still watching over us. WE LOVE YOU! Psalm 91: Verses 1 and 2: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God in Him I will trust. Prayers will be held on Thursday, September 28, 7:00 p.m. at the Mackenzie Funeral Chapel, Stonewall. The funeral service will take place on Friday, September 29 at 2:00 p.m. at the Stonewall Christian Assembly, Pastor Bruce Ford officiating. Interment will take place at the Stony Mountain Cemetery. Pallbearers are Aaron Frederickson, Kurt Pedersen, Maurice Gregoire, Jeff Pedersen, Shane Pedersen and Todd Demers. Honourary Pallbearers are: Earl Irving, Mark Grindy, Keith Assels, Kevin Wares and Greg Wyatt. The family would like to thank the Interlake Regional Palliative Care and Home Care Staff with a special thanks to Michelle Lohmer and Vera Appleyard for the caring and support. To Dr. Houston of the Cancer Care Clinic for his kindness and compassion and to the Stonewall 55+ Centre. The family wishes to extend a very special thank you to Dr. Mark Kristjansson for his caring above and beyond the call of duty and for taking the time to pray with Anker. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Anker's name to the Stonewall Christian Assembly. McKenzie Funeral Home, in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 27, 2006