Aksel Bendix (Ben) Larsen

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Aksel Bendix (Ben) Larsen on January 14 in Edmonton, Alberta, at the age of 84.

Born on February 21, 1941, in Denmark, Ben was one of five children of Vigo and Oda Larsen. He spent his early years working on farms in Denmark, but dreamed about moving to Canada. In the 1950s, he sailed to Canada and travelled west, working on farms in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. He made many lifetime friends in both provinces, but continued the journey to lay down roots in Edmonton, Alberta. He became a journeyman welder and spent decades working hard on many types of job sites. He had a huge circle of good friends and made a ton of great memories along the way.

In 1975, he married Chano and was warmly welcomed into her family in Trinidad. He loved the Trinidadian culture, food and people, and made many great memories there. Over the years, he often travelled to Denmark, Trinidad, and many other places around the world to visit family and friends or to experience new adventures.

Ben is lovingly remembered by wife of 50 years, Chano, daughter Jody, son-in-law Matthew, granddaughters Makaya and Sofina, in-laws Pete and Louise, and many other family, friends and neighbours. His brothers and sisters, Hans Peder, Frank, Karen and Hanne, and his large family in Denmark will dearly miss him.

Ben was the life of the party and knew how to light up the dance floor. He was a great storyteller and always had sound advice. Some of his favourite pieces of advice were: always look out for the person directly behind the person in front of you; pretend you have an egg between your foot and the gas pedal; count your pennies because the millions will count themselves.

He had a hilarious sense of humour and was a true family man. He had a brilliant mind, was always inventing and building things and could fix almost anything. A hard worker throughout his life, he volunteered hundreds of hours and helped countless people.

He showed up to every school event, birthday party and dance performance. He loved peace and quiet, spent hours looking out the “big picture window” in his living room, and cherished being outdoors and at the lake. His favourite place to be was on his houseboat in the middle of the lake, hosting family and friends.

No challenge was ever too big, no favour ever too much, and no project too huge. A true Viking to the end. image.png Skal!

A celebration of life will take place on a future date.