Ivan Mikalson

1943 - 2017

Ivan Orville Mikalson, beloved husband of Christine Mikalson, passed away in Taber on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at the age of 73 years.

A service was held at the Heritage Inn, 4830 - 46 Avenue, Taber on Thursday, August 24, 2017 at 2:00 P.M.

Besides his loving wife Chris, Ivan is survived by their children Rhonda (Wil) Klok of Barnwell and their family Kayden and Cole; Denise (Jason) Sadlemyer of Redcliff and their family Bradie Jensen (Amanda Myers) of Lethbridge and Shondie Jensen of Medicine Hat. He will also be remembered by his honourary grandson Josh Lawlor (Samantha McPherson) of Lethbridge; sister Brenda (Terry) Rombough of Taber; brothers Clarence (Judy) Mikalson of Wetaskiwin, Gary (Kim) Mikalson of Redcliff and Bill (Karen) Mikalson of Coaldale; sister-in-law Agnes Mikalson of Bassano. He is also survived by Chris' family, Tony (Shawne) Halvorson of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Dorothy (Tom) Larsen of Kelowna, British Columbia, Bob (Marie) Halvorson of Lethbridge, John (Marilee) Halvorson of Raymond and Pauline Halvorson of Lethbridge; seventeen nieces and nine nephews including his special nieces Jamie, Sheridan and Serenity Peirens of Okotoks. Ivan will be remembered by many wonderful friends, especially Dick and Lynda Murray of Lethbridge.

He was predeceased by his parents Regina (nee Bendicson) and Birger Mikalson; infant son Peter Martin Mikalson; brother Wayne Mikalson; Chris' parents Sarah and Peter Halvorson.

Ivan was born in Vulcan on November 24, 1943, the second oldest of his siblings. He grew up on the family farm near Enchant. On October 28, 1967, he married Christine Halvorson in Coaldale.

Ivan ran the seed cleaning plants in both Turin and Enchant before returning to school to become a licensed Heavy Duty Mechanic. Ivan and Chris moved to Taber in 1976 where they raised their daughters and have resided for forty one years.

Ivan was a camping enthusiast. Dutch Creek was where you could find him during most summers after his retirement from Lucerne Foods in 2004. His grandchildren were a sense of pride for him. His sense of humour and quick wit will be missed by all who knew him.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Ivan’s name may be made directly to the Taber and District Health Foundation, 4326 - 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9 or to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200, 325 Manning Road NE, Calgary, Alberta T2E 2P5 www.cancer.ca.