We regret to announce the sudden passing of Jens Peder (Peter)
Kristensen of Canim Lake at his home on Nov. 5, 2011.
Peter was born in Hove, Denmark on Sept. 27, 1924. He was the second child and only son of Kristen and Margrethe Kristensen.
Peter was 16 years old and already working as a farm labourer when Germany invaded Denmark in April 1940. Following the war, he joined the Danish Cavalry and served for two years. In 1950, he immigrated to Canada and worked on a farm in Manitoba.
Eventually he found his way to Vancouver, BC, and while on a hunting trip to the Interior with some friends he fell in love with the Cariboo. He moved to Canim Lake in the summer of 1954, and found work as carpenter with George and Marion Kellett, owners of the Shangri-La Resort General Store and Post Office. Later he worked for the Jens Brothers Canim Lake Sawmills. Peter moved back to Vancouver in the late 1950s and worked in the construction industry in North Vancouver. He returned to Canim Lake in 1960 when he built the current Canim Lake Store and again in 1963 when he built the Kellett home on Newell Road. He also built the Martel and Takagi homes on South Canim Lake Road.
Towards the end of the decade he again came back to Canim Lake and until his retirement he worked in the construction business on the 108 Ranch. He eventually built his own home and the Gordon Kellett home on South Canim Lake Road. Peter was an avid gardener and his home became a showplace. He loved to talk to people and right up until the last day of his life, he was a familiar figure on the road. He will be remembered by his neighbours as a helpful and caring man.
He was predeceased by his parents, Kristen and Margrethe Kristensen and his sister Anna Rasmussen. He is survived by his niece Ingelise Rasmussen, and his nephews Jorgen (Helle) Rasmussen, Bent (Maria Gronkjar) Rasmussen, grand-niece Camille and grand-nephew Christian of Copenhagen, Denmark. He is also mourned by his special friends Marion and Gordon Kellett, Eric Klassen and Sheila Nelson, and Owen and Valerie Sallenback of Canim Lake. His niece Ingelise said that while Peter lived thousands of kilometres away, he meant a great deal to his family in Denmark and will be deeply missed.
A special gathering to celebrate the life of the late Peter Kristensen will be held at his home - 7335 Canim Lake South Road - at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 14, 2012. We invite all his friends and neighbours to come and meet his niece Ingelise Rasmussen and share an afternoon of memories and refreshments. Refreshments thanks to the members of the Canim Lake Community Club. Some of Peter’s ashes will be scattered over Canim Lake during the afternoon as was his wish. The rest will be interred next to his parents in Denmark.
Please bring your own chairs.(Gordon Kellett and Ingelise Rasmussen)
Contributions in his memory can be made to the 100 Mile & District Hospital, Mill Site Lodge, The Variety Club, or the Canadian Cancer Society of BC and Yukon Branch.
100 Mile Funeral Service Ltd. entrusted
with the arrangements. 250-395-3243
Condolences can be sent to the family at www.100milefuneralservice.com