"I first met Ole at Lake Louise 30 years ago when are children were in the Nancy Greene ski program and have been friends ever since. Ole and his family bought a place at Kicking Horse which became his home-hill. I shall miss his constant smile." Keith W Hern
It
is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ole Hansen, husband,
father, friend and mentor on July 14th, 2023. He leaves behind his wife Alex of
47 years, daughters Tanya (Garrett) and Ellyse (Mark), brother Jens (Christine)
of Ottawa, sister Grethe and many nieces and nephews.
Ole
was born in Gessing, Denmark in 1946 and at the age of five moved with his
family to Canada, where his father continued his farming tradition. They
settled in the Belleville area of Ontario. His Danish roots never left him,
especially during Christmas when we all had to endure his love of Acqavit and
pickled herring!
At
the age of nineteen, Ole lost his leg in a tragic car accident on his way
skiing. While in the hospital, Ole heard that an Austrian skier had mastered
skiing on one leg and from that day his passion for the sport never waivered.
While hitch hiking out west during his university days, Ole discovered the
mountains – as the saying goes “the mountains are calling…” When a position
became available for State Farm Insurance, he headed west to Calgary. There was
one hitch, while skiing at Blue Mountain in Ontario, he met the love of his
life Alex. Seems he caught her eye with his ‘John Denver’ good looks. She soon
followed and after a two month courtship, they were engaged and married within
the year.
Ole
started his insurance adjusting career with State Farm, eventually starting his
own adjusting firm with Don Bauer, and later with Glenn Labelle. Ole gained the
respect of his peers through his knowledge, honesty and integrity. His annual
golf tournaments were legendary, especially his off colored jokes and sense of
humor.
Ole’s
greatest love was for his girls, Tanya and Ellyse in whom he instilled his
passion for skiing and the mountains. He became somewhat of a legend at Lake
Louise, not only as an inspiration to young skiers but to a group of twenty
somethings known as ‘Jack’s Gang’. He was given the name ‘the stick man’ which
endured to this day, along with the deep friendships and bonds that were
created on the ski hill in the 80’s and 90’s.
Ole
loved to travel with his family on countless trips to Whistler, Europe and
particularly to Palm Springs’s where he honed his amazing golfing skills. His
favorite place however was on top of the world above the clouds at Kicking
Horse with his girls, anticipating the next run down.
He
continued biking, golfing, walking and still did fifty sit ups every morning!
He will be greatly missed by all those whose lives were touched by this
remarkable man!
Ole and Alex were perennial supporters of the Friend of the Golden & District Hospital
To Donate, click the link below
$25, $50, $100, $250, or more
Keith W Hern,
Friend of the Golden & District Hospital
250 344 0233
