Hans Mikkelsen

Hans Mikkelsen passed away peacefully in his sleep in the wee hours of February 28, 2020 in his 99th year. He will be so missed by his loving wife of 73 years Grethe, his children Jan (late Maria, Mary Ellen), Preben (JoAnne,) Marilyn ( Ralph), and Allan (Jayne), his grandchildren Jamye (Noelle), Daryn, Tania ( Brian), Carrie (Ryan), Sarah (Ben), Nicole, Conor, and Mieke ( Emily). And great grandfather to Emma, Patrick, Sophie, Avery, Jordyn, Carter, and Logan.

Hans was born in Denmark on September 25, 1921. He left Denmark with Grethe, Jan and Preben in search of a better life after the war. Canada became home and he never looked back. He loved to visit with family and friends in Denmark but always came ‘home’ to Canada. His first job was in a gold mine in Val d’Or and when that took a toll on his health, he moved the family to Huttonville and then to Brampton, Ontario where he and Grethe worked for the city until retirement. They took up golf and went South every year to Texas to enjoy the Golden years. They travelled to Denmark every couple of years and travelled extensively around the States and Canada.

Family was always of utmost importance with many gatherings when they moved to Rockwood, Ontario. One of the best decisions Mom and Dad made was to buy a cottage for the family. They handed over the cash for their kids to buy a family cottage so the Mikkelsen family could have a place to gather. And that has been going on for 35 years. Dad loved it on Chandos Lake. He helped with all the repairs, construction, tree uprooting, and whatever else had to get done. He was up in the morning three short years ago, making a fire in the morning so Mom could get up to a warm and cozy cottage.

To say that Mom and Dad were a team is redundant. They raised a family together, worked together, gardened together, sold hostas together, and finally moved into a retirement place so they could stay together.

We will miss this man who seemed to defy the laws of nature. I think we all assumed he would live forever. He will do that in our hearts.

A Celebration of Hans’ life will be held in the Spring.