Obituary of Keld Rudkobing Jensen

It is with sadness that we announce our father, Keld Jensen, has answered his final Last Call, has put away his watch and remote, and has set sail for Valhalla to join our Mother. Keld died peacefully on December 26, 2018, comfortably in the embrace of his family. He succumbed to a brief illness, which he fought with the same cantankerous stubbornness that took him and his beautiful bride around the world, living in exotic locals, and braving a new and unfamiliar land to build a home for their family. Keld Rudkobing Jensen was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, to loving parents, Asta and Kai Jensen. He followed his older brother into the world of Hotel and Restaurant Management, and made a life of serving others. He worked in the finest Hotels in Copenhagen, and served the Queen of Denmark aboard the Royal Yacht during his short time in the Navy. He married a beautiful country girl named Erna, who fell for this loud talking, confident city boy with big plans. He traveled the world as a Flight Steward with SAS Airlines, living in different locations such as Greece and Thailand, looking for the perfect spot to settle his new family. Keld, his brothers, and their wives, ultimately chose southern Ontario to plant their roots. Initially managing the Limberlost Lodge outside of Huntsville, the Jensen’s skied in winter, and went boating and rode horses in summer, instilling a persistent love of the Canadian outdoors in our family. After a couple of years, Keld and Bert moved their families to St. Catharines, where, with their wives, Erna and Grethe, opened the Ocean Pearl Seafood and Steak House. Their successful restaurant and lounge prospered for many years, entertaining the notable lawmakers and business people of the day. It was here that Keld and Erna established the many loving friendships they would cherish throughout their lives. Keld went on to work many years at John Bear from which he retired in 2003.

Keld will be missed by his children, Ken Jensen (Lisa) and Betina Brens (Todd). Farfar/Morfar will be loving remembered by his grandchildren; Christopher (Luiza), Katharine, Joshua (Chloe), and Lukas. Keld was predeceased by his wife Erna, his brother Bert, and his sister-in-law, Johanna. He is survived by his brother Willy and his sister-in-law Grethe, and all his nieces and nephews and friends.

Please join us for a Celebration of Keld’s life on Saturday, January 26, 2019. We will be hosting an open house between 2 and 5 p.m. at the Merritton Canadian Legion, at 2 Chestnut St. E. in St. Catharines.

If so desired, donations can be made to Heart Niagara.