Sigurd Christensen of Edmonton and St. Albert Alberta passed from this life on Tuesday,October 27, 2020.
He spent most of his 102 years living and working as a gardener in Edmonton, AB after immigrating to Canada from Denmark.
He leaves behind his children, John Christensen, Anna (Peter) Iltis, Kirsten (Lorne) Eidick, grandchildren John(Lauren) Iltis, Kirsten (Jon-Mark) McLaughlin, Stephen Eidick and Phillip Eidick. Seven grandkids and many friends.
He is predeceased by his son, Alfred; wife, Johanna; brother, Albert; and sisters, Anna, Maria, Ingeborg, Severine.
As he would say, “I am ready to go!” His family would like to say a special thank you to all the healthcare workers who have become part of his last few years, especially those who are working through this covid crisis. We are in awe of the care dad, and our family received during such a scary and stressful pandemic. You are our hero’s.
A private service will be held for immediate family.
Eulogy by Sigurd’s Daughter Anna Iltis
Dad was born in Denmark on July 7 1918. He was the sixth and youngest sibling to a hardworking farming family. Their farm was on land that was very inhospitable and had to be worked before it could produce crops for them. The children were involved with helping with the work from a very young age and they bonded over shared goals and working together. They remained close in spite of distance and through many years!! Dad remembered his mother telling them, that they needed to learn to enjoy work; because they were going to have to do that the rest of their lives. Dad learned this lesson well. He was always working in the garden or tinkering with something in the garage. As Dads living situation changed-one of the hardest adjustments for Dad, was not having something to do all the time. Work was what he thrived on.
Dad married Johanna Maren Rusgaard Feb 20 1945 and they started out farming just after the war. They had John and Alfred while in Denmark. Life in Denmark was difficult after the war. Our mother’s family immigrated to Canada as many people did at that time for the chance of a better life. When they sold their farm they gave my folks money to make it possible for them to emigrate as well, Dad and mom then moved to Canada in 1952. With hard work they began to make a life for themselves! It was very difficult at first- living in a renovated chicken house and then in a garage over the winter when Dad and the boys got pneumonia. Mom said that for the first 2 years she would have given anything to go back to Denmark but Dad said that he never regretted their choice. He worked as a gardener, soon taking over his boss’s business. He was able to make a living and provide for his growing family. Dad was one of those rare people where his work was also his hobby- he loved gardening and had learned to enjoy working hard. Anna and Kirsten were born in Canada.
Mom and Dad’s relationship was one that was characterized by mutual respect and commitment to each other, to their family, and to their promises. There was an appreciation for what they each brought to the family. They had a mutual desire for their home to be hospitable and open to others. Visitors were always welcomed. Family from Denmark came to visit, friends were welcome and holidays were all about extended family joining us. Mom cared for the family and kept a spotless and comfortable home. Dad worked long hours to provide for our needs and took care of the yard. Together they provided a wonderful home for us to grow up in, very secure in the fact that we were loved.
Probably the hardest chapter in our families life was when Alfred was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1970.I remember Dad coming home in tears and asking “What are we going to do??” It was a hard period in our lives!! But faith grew out of the pain and together we continued with life because we had to.
Kindness to others was important and expected. Dad was always willing to help people. As an example he always shoveled the neighbors sidewalk on either side of our property…. just because he wanted to. He would often take care of neighbor’s yards and homes when they were on vacation. It was things like this that fostered friendships with neighbors. These friendships were a blessing to Dad and a huge comfort to us as a family as the years went by!!
Mom passed away in 2007. Dad took care of her at home with the help of home health care and his family, so she was able to stay in her home longer than she might have. When she went to long term care, Dad visited her 3 times a week. His commitment to her continued to the end. It was an amazing example for us to watch. He said that for the first year and a half after she died, he didn’t feel like he belonged anywhere. He was encouraged by Pastor Allen to get away and enjoy something special. He decided to spend his 90 birthday in Denmark with his 2 sisters. There he was treated as royalty and basked in family love. He said that it was after that that he felt like he could live again.
Faith was a big part of Dad’s life. His parents believed in and taught their children to love God. It was after Alfreds death that his faith flourished. You can hear his story from an interview that Darren Herbold from Beulah Alliance Church had with Dad on the Connery McKinley website. He trusted God and to the end would remind himself that God had been with him through his whole life and that he knew God would not leave him through the changes that came his way. If he was discouraged he would ask for prayer and always felt encouraged by scripture and prayer.
Just the week before he passed Dad asked a caregiver to pray for him- which she did. She came in while we were with Dad in his last hours and told us about this and of how much she loved him. She told us that she was Catholic and that she had brought her rosary beads with her to really pray with him. It had us in tears to hear this sweet caring women’s kindness.
A special thank to Charles …..who faithfully visited dad every week for many years wherever he was living. He prayed for Dad and read scripture. He were a special encouragement to him. Pastor Allen we also want to thank you so very much for your love, support, and spiritual care for Dad- he would often call you with questions and you were always there for him!
Dad lived at Shepherds Care Kensington for a little over a year and then 2 1/2 years at St Albert Retirement Residence. Both places have been a blessing. Dad was an easy resident; always very appreciative and wanting to do as much for himself as he could. It was so comforting to visit him and hear the caregivers say how much they liked him. Walking down the hall, people would greet him, with a ‘hi Sig” and often a kind world to say. He was treated a something of a celebrity because he was the oldest resident in the facility. Such care was so comforting to us as a family!! The nurse who cared for him in his last hours said that he was always positive and grateful and that he was never rude to anyone. Everyone loved him” We have nothing but praise for the care Dad received!!
Though Dad’s memory and cognition declined his personality remained positive and thoughtful. Phrases that were always repeated were “ How are you or your family doing? Are you happy and healthy? That is the main thing” When we told him that we loved him his response was- “It goes both ways! Absolutely!” “Thank you for calling/coming- I really appreciate that” “Have a beautiful time” “Say hi to anyone who knows me and would like to have a greeting.” So here’s a “Hi” to everyone who is here – from him and thank you for your part in blessing my Dad with a wonderful life!!!!
I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain:
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
I’d stay in the garden with Him,
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Sigurd Ludvig Christensen 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Edmonton, Province: Alberta