Arne Gorm Pedersen was born Dec 15, 1926 at home on the family farm near Bollund, in Denmark. He passed away peacefully on November 27, 2020 at the Fairview Hospital, he was 93.
Arne was the third son to Peder Erik and Ane Marie Pedersen, a family that grew to become 10 children; 2 girls and 8 boys.
Growing up on a farm, Dad knew about working hard and did so all his life. As a child in Denmark he helped on the family farm, as he got older he went to work at neighbouring farms, worked at a logging camp in Sweden, milked cows on a dairy farm and at age 21 was in the Danish army.
He went to Agriculture school at age 22 and learned that Canadian National Railway was arranging for Danish workers to come to Canada. He applied & was accepted. On April 4, 1950 at age 23, he boarded the ship M.S. Batory and sailed to New York. From there he took a train out of Grande Central Station to Winnipeg, Manitoba, then on a farm in Little Gem, Alberta. He did not know how to speak English when he arrived, but with the help of the children on the farm he learned.
In 1953 he got a job as a roughneck for Shell Canada. He moved extensively with the rigs and eventually got a job at the Waterton Shell Gas Plant, near Pincher Creek.
He married Babe Johnson, from Valleyview Aug 1, 1955. They had 3 children, Harvey, Barb and Brian.
In 1963 he transferred to the Worlsey Shell Gas Plant and at that time applied to the Government for a homestead. His dream had always been to have his own farm and now that had become a reality. He worked full time for Shell through the day and cleared his land, to make it farmable, during the evenings and weekends.
Dad retired from Shell in 1978 and began his own consulting business working for various oil & gas companies. He did this for 15 years and still farmed, putting his last crop in in 2014 at the age of 88. He always had a few acres of something to workup, tinkered in his shop, helped the neighbours and watched grain prices. He was still driving his tractor to plow the driveway when he was 92.
Dad learned how to downhill ski when he was 60 and loved the sport. He always had a seasons pass and committed to do at least 10 runs each time he was there. He helped at the ski hill whenever he was needed and always enjoyed a bowl of soup, a cup of coffee and a visit with the neighbours and shared a Kitkat bar with his granddaughter Amanda if she was there.
Dad looked forward to a morning ritual of coffee at the Worsley Hotel. The “table of knowledge” was his lifeline to the community and he hated to miss out.
Arne leaves to mourn his wife Babe. His daughter Barb and her husband Darcy, their children Amanda (Mike), Eric (Jenessa), Evan (Erinn). Great grandchildren Cruze, Pyper, Indy and Ember. His son Brian and wife Connie, their children Erick and Daniel.
He was predeceased by all but 2 of his siblings and his son Harvey.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Irvine and the amazing staff at the Fairview Hospital. There are no words to tell you all how much we have appreciated the compassionate care you gave Dad. You are all truly angels here on earth and we will be forever grateful.
Memorial donations, in Arne’s memory, can be made to the Whispering Pines Ski Hill. A place he loved. https://www.skiworsley.com/
Due to Covid-19, no service will be held but please take a few moments over a cup of coffee to think about Arne.
Care entrusted to Peace Valley Funeral Home Fairview
780-835-3306
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Arne Gorm Pedersen, please visit our floral store.