Obituary of Charles Robert Mikkelborg

June 28, 1935 - Rosetown, Saskatchewan

March 30, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Charles Robert Mikkelborg of Calgary, Alberta, age 87 on Thursday, March 30th, 2023.  He was a faithful, loving, and devoted husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend.

Charlie was born in Rosetown, Saskatchewan June 28th, 1935, to Mary and Kristian Mikkelborg.  He was predeceased by his parents, also his brother Gordon, and sisters Freda, Edith, Mildred, and Doris.

Charlie grew up on the family farm in Zealandia, which was homesteaded by his father from Norway, and his mother from Ontario.  He learned the value of hard work and a need to survive without a safety net; working on the crops, milking cows and collecting eggs, and helping maintain the farm.  Their success and survival depended on the family effort, and that farm managed to put all 6 of the Mikkelborg kids through university and provided a retirement for his parents.

After high school, Charlie attended the University of Saskatchewan, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English, and a Law Degree.  From there he articled in Rosetown and launched his long and successful career.  He moved to Alberta to work in the oil industry, starting as a land man, and ending up as Senior VP of Oil and Gas Production and New Ventures for Canadian Occidental, and sat on the Board of Directors for Syncrude and Keyano College in Fort McMurray.

Charlie met the love of his life, Gwynedde Ann Jones while at U of S, and they were married April 10th, 1961 in Prince Albert.   They lived their entire happily married life in Calgary raising their three children Louise (Scott), Kristian, and Eric (Karen). 

His real joy were his grandchildren, Charles, Linnea, Piper, Gwynedde and Nathan.  Whether teaching them to drive little tractors, working with them in his wood shop, or enjoying countless hours and days at the cabin, Charlie was a source of love, learning, patience and kindness.  The kids also grew up to love the smell of cigars, because it meant that their beloved grandfather was nearby, and happy times were there too.  Upon learning of the death of their grandpa, one of the children said “we had such a big Grandpa”.  He really was, in every way.

Charles was very fortunate to enjoy a long, happy and active retirement with Gwyn.  It was a time of travel, family and friends; he even reluctantly picked up the game of golf.  He spent many hours at his beloved cabin entertaining many people over the decades.  Charlie also enjoyed a “project”!  Whether re-building his father’s 1935 Ford Truck, building, and maintaining a solar water heater, constructing a hydraulic ram pump for water to the cabin, or taking up the bagpipes in retirement, he loved a challenge.  He was a true renaissance man, who reached self-actualization.

“The man is a success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much…”

Charles Robert Mikkelborg will be missed, but not forgotten.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Charles Mikkelborg, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.

Click Here to View Charles Mikkelborg's Memorial Card