THUNE ROBERT JENSEN RAISE YOUR GLASSES MY FRIENDS

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THUNE ROBERT JENSEN RAISE YOUR GLASSES MY FRIENDS Those of you who knew Thune will have no trouble in joining us in a toast to the life and times of this remarkable man. Years ago Thune took a chance coming to Canada as a young Danish journeyman blacksmith to find fortune, success and adventure. These things found Thune, not only in a material sense, but also in the quality of his relationships with family and friends, which he developed and nurtured throughout his life in Canada. Holding tightly to his Danish roots he married, raised a family and became a grandfather, then retiring to live out his dreams on his acreage in Birds Hill. Thune started work on a Manitoba farm where he won the heart of the beautiful, young, German farm girl to be his own Annemarie for life. They headed into Winnipeg to live and Thune's good friend, Martin, helped him land employment at CN Rail. In the absence of immediate family, Thune became involved in the Danish-Canadian club and the Scandinavian Centre, serving as secretary-treasurer. Here he established endearing lifelong friendships among a merry troop of Danes, creating an extended family which has wound itself around them and the lives of their children as they all became new Canadians. Life was sometimes hard with working and raising a family so far from the familiarity of Denmark but Thune knew the value and importance of good friends. The pictures and stories from the all day smorgasbords and many celebrations so many of you shared fill his albums and our hearts. With the arrival of first Bruce, then Brian and Brenda, Thune had his large hands filled with the joys and trials of parenthood. Ever there, he was always willing to listen and give advice for dealing with life's ups and downs. He had the remarkable ability to bring calmness, sincerity and compassion to the most urgent of situations, all taken in stride by Thune and handled with that practical, down to earth manner which left people of all stripes feeling glad to have known him and us all so proud to have been part of his life. Retirement brought Thune the gift of being able to spend his days with Annemarie. Together they used the freedom of time to enjoy their role as grandparents, landscape and sculpt their beautiful property, and to travel. Grandchildren, Katrina, Marietta, Theresa, Julia and little Gabrielle were of supreme importance and considered the most perfect granddaughters any man could ever have. His daughters-in-law Isabelle and Sylvia, and son-in-law Carl, were loved and respected as if they were his own. Thune and Anne spent time visiting friends and relatives in Canada, the USA, Germany and Denmark whom they had continued to include in their lives despite the distance and passage of time. Time at home was spent working on perfecting his yard where he maintained a tall flagpole topped with a Canadian flag. Thune was a boldly dignified and independent man, so traditionally Danish, yet so fiercely proud to be Canadian. He was full of heart and character, with arms and hands like anvils, forging his life across two continents to leave us all a legacy of love to remember him by. Today his flag rests at half-mast. SKOAL THUNE Lovingly remembered, always cherished. Donations may be made in Thune's name to the Scandinavian Cultural Centre, 764 Erin Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3G 2W4. A funeral service will take place on Monday, September 17, 2007, at 12:00 noon at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 401 Kildare Avenue West at Madeline Street in Transcona. Pastor Dan Abraham officiating. Arrangements entrusted to: Glen Eden Funeral Home 4477 Main Street 338-7111 Family and friends are invited to sign the Book of Condolences at www.gleneden-mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 15, 2007