Nels George Hagenson, 83, of West Vancouver, passed away peacefully in Lions Gate Hospital on July 18th, 2024 surrounded by family.
Nels was born on March 20, 1941 to Lars and Ada Hagenson in Edmonton, Alberta.
He was raised on the family farm in Edgerton, Alberta with his parents, older sister Loretta and younger twin brother and sister Merlin and Marilyn.
Nels enjoyed a happy childhood, playing, hunting, helping around the farm and going to school with his siblings.
He always said he lived a wonderful life doing what he enjoyed best. After serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force in his early 20’s where he earned his wings, he had a fulfilling lifelong career flying for Air Canada for almost 35 years. Nels retired in 2000 as a Captain on the Airbus A340. His last flight was to Shanghai China surrounded by family.
In retirement he and the love of his life, Linda, travelled the world and sailed the winters away in the British Virgin Islands aboard their sailboat “Tarawna” where they also owned a second home. He also owned a small plane there which he would volunteer to fly patients to medical appointments in Miami and even helped fly aid to Haiti in the aftermath of the terrible earthquake of 2010. Nels was also a dedicated volunteer teaching kids to sail and an active Rotarian. Later in life he enjoyed skillfully tending the vast garden at the family home in West Vancouver.
Nels will forever be remembered for his kindness, hard work, generosity, sense of humour, love of life, positive outlook and joy he brought with him wherever he went. He was always there to lend a helping hand or offer words of wise advice to family, friends and anyone who needed it.
He was loved by his family, friends and everyone he came in contact with during the 83 years of his charmed life. He will be forever missed.
Nels is survived by his wife Linda, sister Loretta, sons Mark and Will, daughters Michelle, Jennifer and Joanne and 11 grandchildren.
The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to their favourite charity in Nels’ honour.