Carl Pedersen

September 30, 1930 - April 8, 2019
Carl Pedersen, age 88, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2019, in Chilliwack, BC. Carl is survived by his wife Marlene (nee Yanke), his children Elizabeth (Blair), John (former spouse Karen) and Ellen (Mark); his grandchildren, Sonya, Jamie (Margaret), Sara (Jerone), Mark, Michelle (Austin), Stephanie and Jordan; and, his great-grandchildren Clara, Lydia and Ben. He was predeceased by his nine siblings and his first wife, Else (nee Christiansen).

Born on September 30, 1930, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Carl spent his formative years in Denmark and Norway before embarking on a new adventure in 1956 when he immigrated to Canada along with his new bride, Else. Together they had three children.

Carl's spirit of adventure was rooted in his enthusiasm to embrace change. As an immigrant, he was passionate about his new country and reminded his children that they had won the lottery - simply because they were born as Canadians.

To describe Carl as a hard worker would be an understatement. Building on his love of trains, Carl worked his way from the rail yard to the executive offices of BC Rail. Upon transferring from Vancouver to Prince George for work, Carl, an electrician by trade and accomplished wood worker, directed his skills to building the family home. It was a remarkable accomplishment that took seven years working on his time-off. Later, he focussed his considerable talents on building treasures for his family. Amongst them, his family will most cherish the oak roll top desk; the rocking horses for his grandkids; and, the intricate replica ships lovingly built for each of his children over thousands of hours.

Always one to step up, Carl lent his skills, time and talents to whomever needed help. More importantly, it was his joy to help. Whether he was at the office, doing chores, helping friends, getting his family out of a jam, or giving away his van to the family who needed a vehicle, he was always there to help.

In early years, when he wasn't fixing or building something, Carl enjoyed his other great love, horses. Alongside his eldest daughter Elizabeth, they rode together and shared this everlasting bond.

After the passing of his wife, Else, Carl had a second chance at love and he married Marlene. With Marlene at his side, Carl seized the next chapter of life and set out to experience the joys of travel, time with friends, singing in the choir, and acting as 'skip' on his carpet bowling team. Ever the athlete, he continued to down-hill ski with his best friend Art until he was 85 years old.

Carl will be lovingly remembered for many things. The gentle sound of his ever-present, and ever-lovely whistle and his voracious appetite for reading. But most of all, he will be remembered for his quiet, deep and enduring love for his wife, family and Christian faith which was the foundation from which he lived his life.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 pm on Monday, May 6, 2019 at the Chilliwack Alliance Church located at 8700 Young Road.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Ruth and Naomi's Mission or The Gideon Society.