Axel Thestrup Hansen

Axel Thestrup Hansen

     Following a brief illness, on December 3rd, 2019, Axel Hansen passed away at Heritage Life Personal Care Home surrounded by his children and many friends at the age of 95 years.

     Born on June 25th, 1924 in Copenhagen, Axel grew up during the Depression and the Nazi occupation of Denmark. He went on to serve in the Royal Danish Horse Artillery.  He emigrated to Canada in 1951, working his way across Canada, primarily at Banff Springs Hotel and forestry work in British Columbia. He finally settled in Winnipeg, where he met his wife, Beryl, after being set up on a date by their mutual employer. Together, they raised 3 children in Winnipeg, then Portage la Prairie, where they lived for many years.     

     Once in Portage, Axel first worked at Wallace Nurseries, then moved on to the Manitoba Developmental Centre, but his true passion was working in horticulture and landscaping. He opened Southport Nurseries at the family hobby farm to sell bedding plants and perennials that he lovingly raised from seed in the greenhouses he built by hand. Axel also had a great love for animals, and a steady stream of furry and feathered friends - guinea pigs, zebra finches, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, cats, and fish - made their way in and out of our lives over the years.

     Axel loved the outdoors, and enjoyed taking the family camping and fishing. He rode his bicycle into town well into his 80s, and spent the majority of his time outdoors, especially after his retirement in 1989.

     Predeceased by his wife Beryl Hansen (nee Williams) in 1999, his brother Jorgen, and sister-in-law Grethe, he leaves to mourn his passing two sons, Jayson (Laurie) and Robert; one daughter, Tanya (Gordon); four grandchildren, Madison, Rebecca, Asher, and Caitlin; niece, Maien, nephew Ole; and numerous friends and family in Denmark and Canada.

     Memorial donations may be made to World Vision Canada, 1 World Drive, Mississauga, ON, L5T 2Y4.  (Buy a goat for a family in need!) www.worldvision.ca.

     Funeral service will be held at Omega Funeral Home, 83 Royal Rd. S. in Portage la Prairie. Viewing will be held at 1:00 pm, followed by the service at 2:00 pm with Father Gerry Ward officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.

 Messages of condolences can be made online at www.omegafuneralhome.com

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