Obituary of Dennis Carlstad

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dennis Carlstad. Dennis passed away peacefully on June 18, 2008 in Dawson Creek, B.C. at the age of 71 years. Dennis was born in Wetaskiwin, Alberta on February 27, 1937. He was the youngest of eight children born to Hans and Otilie Carlstad. In 1944 the family moved to Valhalla Centre where there was more land and more opportunity. Dennis attended school at Odin, La Glace and Blooming Valley. He joined the workforce at the age of 15 and worked in construction and in the oilfield. Jobs took him to Dawson City, the Fraser Valley and Saskatchewan, etc. In 1954, he and his brother Stanley, filed on a homestead in Bear Canyon, Alberta. Thus began Carlstad Farms. In 1960, Dennis married his sweet-heart, Gloria and together they raised two children, Randy and Sharla. Dennis and Gloria made Bear Canyon their home for the next 32 years. Dennis took great pride in watching his family, his farm, and community prosper. In 1992, Dennis and Gloria retired to Dawson Creek and spent the next sixteen years traveling, wine making (wine tasting), and making special memories with family and many friends. Dennis was a strong and supportive member of the local Sons of Norway Lodge. He and Gloria enjoyed meeting friends for coffee at the Co-op and loved a good game of crib. Dennis was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed watching hockey, baseball, football and especially curling. Dennis and Gloria appreciated the outdoors and enthusiastically embraced camping with their motor-home, gardening and fishing. Dennis' grandsons were his pride and joy and he would follow them anywhere to watch them compete and perform their many activities. Dennis will always be remembered for his sense of humour, his pride of family and his zest for life. He will be greatly missed but his spirit will live on in our hearts forever. Dennis was predeceased by his parents, Hans and Otilie Carlstad, his brothers Alvin, Jenning, Edgar, Ordian and Stanley and his infant sister, Mary. He leaves to mourn his best friend and loving wife of 48 years, Gloria, son Randy (Janina) Carlstad, daughter Sharla (Kirby) Krupka, grandsons Bjorn and Anders Carlstad, and Bryan Krupka, sister Violet (Ronnie) Dreyer, sisters-in-law Ruth A. Carlstad, Mildred Carlstad and Ruth M. Carlstad, and numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. A celebration of life was held at the Cherry Canyon Hall, Bear Canyon, Alberta on Monday June 23, 2008. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Dennis to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Very respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium, Dawson Creek, B.C.