JORGEN (JOHN) OSTENFELDT

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JORGEN (JOHN) OSTENFELDT It is with great sorrow and regret that we announce the passing of our husband, father and grandfather, John Ostenfeldt, on Saturday, October 6, 2001, at the Portage and District General Hospital. Funeral service will be held at Trinity United Church on Thursday, October 11 at 1:30 p.m. Reverend Julie Baker officiating. Predeceased by his father Einar in 1946 and his mother Karen in 2000, he leaves to mourn his passing his loving wife Marian; son Ian and his wife Maureen, their children, Bayley and Erik; his daughter Karen and her husband John Benell, their children Joshua and Christopher. John was born on October 29, 1935 in Slagelse, Denmark and he lived in Kalundborg, Denmark. After graduating from high school he served two years in the Danish Army. In 1957, he came to Canada for the freedom and opportunity available in this country. He became a Canadian Citizen on December 7, 1964. John brought with him experience as a licensed carpenter and electrician and took a job building boats with Sheppard Boats in Niagra-on-the-Lake, ON. Shortly thereafter, he became an electrician for Canadian Westinghouse which brought him to Arnprior, ON, where he met his true love, Marian. They had their first date on October 12, 1958, they became engaged on August 1, 1959 and were married on May 7, 1960. After their wedding, and over the next eight years, they moved several times and were blessed with their two children, Ian and Karen. They settled in Portage la Prairie in June of 1968. In 1976, John began his career as the entrepreneur many of us will remember. He began as a life insurance agent. 1980 marked the beginning of Capital Insurance when he bought out Vanguard Agencies. He worked tirelessly to build the business with his wife Marian. They forged many strong friendships over the next 33 years in Portage. His family cannot remember a time when John was not involved in the community volunteering his time. He spent many years as a prominent and active member of the Portage Lions Club. John was also involved as a Boy Scout leader for many years, was a school trustee, and helped others in the community get Project S.A.M. up and running. He assisted many of our local politicians in their election campaigns. More recently, John had volunteered his time with the Royal Manitoba Yacht Club in Winnipeg. After purchasing their first boat in 1990, John and Marian began exploring Lake Winnipeg in their boat, Dreamer. In 1995, they purchased Dreamer II. John often referred to this boat as "his baby". After retiring in March of 1999, they spent three very enjoyable summers sailing the waters of Lake Winnipeg. John was rarely seen between May and August, unless you were willing to travel to the boat. John was preparing their house for the coming winter when God suddenly called him home. Friends may call at the funeral home for visitation Wednesday, October 10 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Should friends so desire memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 103 Wilkinson Cres., Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 1A7. The Omega Funeral Home in care of the arrangements. Friends may leave a message and sign the register book at our web site www.legacy.com "Where life stories live on".

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 10, 2001