Obituary of Henny Kirstine PEDERSEN

Ditte passed away peacefully at the age of 87, in her home in Calgary, Alberta. Ditte was a nickname her father gave her as a child but at the age of 83 she started to introduce herself as Henny. Her husband Kjeld lovingly called her Ditte Pige (Ditte Girl). Ditte was born to Jens and Vita Jensen, the 5th of 8 children, she would say, "I'm number 5!" As a young girl, she loved cycling, handball, gymnastics going to dances, and had always dreamed of becoming a hairdresser. Ditte met Kjeld when she was 13, and he would be by her side for the next 70 years. In 1949, they both set sail for Canada with their 2 year old twins and a 4 month old baby. Life was hard and she missed her family, but they built a wonderful life in southern Alberta. She and Kjeld raised their kids faithfully in the Lutheran church and her trust in God was unshakable. From Parkland to Lomond to Vulcan, they moved their growing family, eventually putting down roots in Strathmore for 25 years. In 1996, Ditte and Kjeld returned to the foothills to enjoy their last home together in Claresholm. After losing Kjeld in 2011, Ditte moved to Calgary to be closer to family. She always looked forward to a good visit and had frozen frikkediller (Danish meatballs) on hand for people dropping in, especially the grandkids. She was a voracious reader and was consumed with current affairs. She enjoyed sewing, and in her past few years she has knitted hundreds of hats. Her true passion was gardening and she was known as the resident gardener in her building. Ditte loved pictures, especially of family and she had them everywhere in her home. She was so happy to have one last trip to Denmark in 2012 to see her two sisters, Lilly and Iris. She enjoyed exploring the back roads leading to her childhood home, primary school, family church, and the dance hall where she danced many hours with Kjeld. Ditte was a kind and caring soul who loved her family with all her heart. She loved the simple things and she embraced all things. She will be dearly missed by all that knew her, but she is now with her one true love. She will be dearly missed by her children Henning (Bev), Leif (Veronica), Bent (Barb), Anne (Denis), Tim (Gloria), Cindy (Rene') and a special chosen son Kenneth (Grace) Wong and family. She also leaves 15 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and 4 incredible great great grandchildren. Ditte was predeceased by Kjeld, her loving husband of 65 years; son-in-law Richard, daughter-in-law Patricia; Grandsons Kent and Ethan and Great Granddaughter Darby. A celebration of life will be held at the Sharon Danish Lutheran Church, 210 – 10th Avenue NE Calgary, Alberta on Saturday August 29, 2015 at 11 a.m. Please forward condolences through www.calgarycrematorium.com