CARL PEDERSEN

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CARL PEDERSEN Peacefully, with his family by his side, Carl Pedersen passed away on December 10, 2007 at the Grace General Hospital in Winnipeg. Carl fought a brief but valiant battle with cancer. Carl was born in Astrup, Denmark on March 10, 1928. He was one of five children of Julie and Peder Pedersen. Carl's childhood and early adulthood was spent in the environment of the family mixed farm. This is probably where he learned to really love and appreciate animals, nature and especially plants. Carl chose to make a lifetime career in horticulture in his early twenties. He trained and apprenticed at Rolskov Nursery in Solbjerg, Denmark. In 1954, Carl decided he needed to see and experience more of the world. He took a summer trip to Canada to explore employment and living options. He ended up in Winnipeg, where a friendly Danish immigrant suggested that he try to apply for work with a gentleman named Walter Shelmerdine who had a small nursery in Charleswood. Dad and Walter hit it off right away, and Dad became Walter's first full-time employee and eventually co-owner. Dad went back to Denmark at the end of the season, but returned to work with Walter each of the next few summers. In Denmark, in the winter of 1956-1957, Carl met the love of his life, Ruth Christiansen. They made plans to re-connect in Canada that spring, and well, the rest is romantic history! Carl and Ruth married on December 14, 1957 in Winnipeg. The following year, they had a son, Jan and in 1962, along came their daughter, Connie. Dad and mom stayed committed to each other for 50 years of love and marriage. Raising a family while establishing and maintaining the growing business, Shelmerdine Nursery was at times challenging, but their love for each other made it all work out. Carl's large strong hands suited his profession of choice and enabled him to provide beauty in landscaping still seen today in many Winnipeg homes and businesses. He was proud of his profession, and upon his retirement in 1981, he continued his plant passion by creating a masterpiece garden with Ruth in their Charleswood home, and tree farming in St. Francois Xavier with Connie and Ted. Carl and Ruth really loved to travel. They were fortunate to see most of Canada and USA by car. They also made trips to far away places like China, Mexico, Thailand, Egypt, Australia and Brazil. They also made several trips home to Denmark so they could remain close and connected to their families in Denmark. It seems wherever they went, they made new friends that lasted a lifetime. That was the special magic of Carl's gift of friendliness and kindness to any person he and Ruth met. Over the years, six wonderful grandchildren came into their lives and these young people remain an important part of Papa and Grammy's life. Carl is survived and will be missed by his beautiful wife and best friend, Ruth, son Jan, daughter-in-law, Charllene, daughter Connie and son-in-law Ted. Grandchildren, Kyla, Ryan, Brett, Alia, Thea and Dayna and special friends Sharon and Walter. In Denmark, Carl is left to pass by his sisters, Marie, Ruth, Erna and Tove. He also leaves behind nieces, nephews and cousins. Carl will be sadly missed by his so many friends in Winnipeg. The Winnipeg Danish community was really an extended family that have always been an important part of Carl and Ruth's life. Carl taught us how to appreciate the little things in life, beauty in nature and plants. Carl had a gift of treating friends and family with patience and kindness. He avoided unnecessary drama, and really just wanted everybody to look beyond their differences and just get along. We are still trying to learn to have your patience and forgiveness Dad and Papa. Carl's last two weeks were spent in the Grace Hospital, where he received wonderful and compassionate care. Our family salutes all the nurses, doctors, spiritual caregivers and administration at the Grace that made Dad (Papa's) last days peaceful and comfortable. There will be a celebration of life at Chapel Lawn, 4000 Portage Avenue, Sunday, December 16, 2007 at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow In lieu of flowers, donations to The Grace General Hospital Foundation, 300 Booth Drive, Winnipeg, MB, R3J 3M7 or visit their website at www.gracehospital.ca would be appreciated. Tak For Alt Arrangements entrusted to: Chapel Lawn Funeral Home 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 14, 2007