Tribute

Born in Lem, Danmark, December 7, 1918

Passed away November 13, 2012 – Osoyoos, BC

Mads and Grethe, along with their two year old daughter, Karin, immigrated from Danmark in 1951.

They were employed by Max Kohler on his orchard in Cawston, BC.

In 1953 Mads moved his family to Osoyoos, where they started their life on a 10 acre farm, planting ground crops in the beginning, then planting fruit trees. As his family grew, so did his home, adding rooms when needed. During this time, Mads was hired for the position of foreman for the Village of Osoyoos, a position he proudly held for five years. He was instrumental in changing the face of Osoyoos. Planting trees to beautify the Village, repairing the leaks in the old wooden water tower, and building an underpass from the Jack Shaw Gardens, to the Legion Beach, so children could safely get to the lake. These projects and more, were all accomplished by Mads himself and his crew of one, Jack Patt.

When the opportunity arose to become self-employed, Mads purchased the Osoyoos Tile Works from Kurt Grindler. Over the years he expanded the business to include the Ready Mix and Water Well Drilling. His many employees included Chris Piotz, Kenny Handberg, Melvin Height and Frank Toth.

Mads loved to take his family on Sunday picnics to Haynes Point and the Osoyoos Indian Reservation and camping and fishing to any remote lake he could find. He was a member of the BC Wildlife Federation and President of the Osoyoos Wildlife Federation at one time.

In Mads and Grethe’s retirement years, they enjoyed traveling to Mexico and Arizona in their motor home, each winter.

To say Mads loved his family is an understatement…they meant the world to him. He was predeceased by his first born infant, Eric, and five siblings in Danmark. He leaves to mourn his passing his loving and devoted wife of 66 years, Grethe; Daughters, Karin (Rob) Brown, Lena (Keith) Sheardown, Mary-Ann (Jim) Muskett, and his son, Robert (Terri) Jensen; also survived by one sister in Danmark, Stinne Mikkelsen;  Grandchildren, Rob and Kristen Brown, Lacey and Kevin Sheardown, Tayler and Dana Muskett, Gordon and Brian Jensen; Great-Grandchildren, Nick, Eric, and Kalyn Brown, Kristoffer and Katrina Brown, Mateja Wiltse, Jordyn Kemp, and Kelvin Sheardown.

Rest in Peace, we all love you….

A private family memorial will be held at a later date.
Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com
Arrangements entrusted to Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium, Oliver & Osoyoos.