ALAN DAN CHRISTENSEN

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

ALAN DAN CHRISTENSEN

Alan was born 2 December 1959 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, eldest child of Borge and Birthe (Hansen) Christensen. Proud first generation Canadian, he celebrated his Danish heritage. His first language was Danish, and he improved his fluency throughout his life, teaching himself Danish to write family in Denmark and research his family history.

Alan spent his early years in Nova Scotia and at the age of five welcomed his siblings, Annette in 1964 and Sandra in 1966. Shortly afterwards the family moved to Moncton, New Brunswick, later settling in Riverview. Memories of childhood were enriched with his experience in Scouting, summers at Grand Lake, trips to Denmark and Expo '67.

Alan attended one year at Dalhousie University, Halifax, before being accepted into Canada World Youth, volunteering at Elliot Lake, Ontario and then Haiti. The placement in Haiti was marred by the Duvalier's corrupt regime and after protesting the misuse of the participants by "Baby Doc", their program ended early.

The family moved to Winnipeg in 1980. Here Alan met his future wife, Kathleen Johnston at the University of Winnipeg. He completed his Master of Public Administration, and they were married 5 October 1985. They moved to Red Deer, Alberta where Alan began work at Corrections Canada facility at Bowden.

They welcomed Christina Christensen on 1 April 1987 and then Ian on 1 April 1989. Yes, the same date, two years apart. A move to Lacombe in 1993 and their third, AnnaMarie, was born 10 September 1994.

Opportunities in Alan's Correctional career beckoned from Muskoka, Ontario in 1997. After 9 years, they moved back to Manitoba in 2006 for Kathleen's career. Alan worked at Stoney Mountain, the Brandon Parole Office and Manitoba Corrections. Corrections Canada presented Alan with an Exemplary Service Medal in 2006. After 35 years in Corrections, Alan retired and they moved back to Winnipeg.

Throughout his life, Alan volunteered with many organizations, including Scouting, the NDP, and teaching English as a second language classes to +55 immigrants. Alan's life touched so many people in his career, inmates and staff, and in his volunteer efforts in all the communities he lived.

Alan was proud of the accomplishments of all his children; Christina in her Surveying career and her personal journey as a trans woman, Ian in his career in the Community Service sector and AnnaMarie in her career in the Signals Corps with the Canadian Armed Forces. He was truly excited when AnnaMarie joined her life with fellow soldier, Malcolm Bruce on 9 May 2026.

With a life that had been filled with camping and hiking adventures, travels across every province and one territory, and trips overseas, he faced the hardest journey in the spring of 2026 when he was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer just before AnnaMarie and Malcolm's wedding. It was only because of his courage and determination that he accompanied his daughter down the aisle and partnered her in the Father /Daughter dance at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

Alan passed away, 21 May 2026 at Victoria Hospital with his love of his life, Kathleen by his side. He leaves to mourn him, his wife, Kathleen (Johnston), his children, Christina, Ian and AnnaMarie (Malcolm); his sisters, Annette (Paul) and Sandy; his father, Borge/Chris; his mother-in-law, Laura Johnston. He was pre-deceased by his mother Birthe Christensen. His father-in-law Bruce Johnston passed 31 July 2026.

Alan's internment took place on 28 May 2026 at Brookside Cemetery in Winnipeg. Two members of Corrections Canada and his children served as pallbearers. A memorial will take place at 1100 at the Scandinavian Centre, 764 Erin Street, Winnipeg, on 26 September 2026. Danish luncheon will be served.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations in Alan's name to Doctors Without Borders or Prison Libraries Committee through the Manitoba Library Association.

As published in Brandon Sun, Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 05, 2026