Roberta Jean Mikkelsen

Roberta Jean Mikkelsen It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Roberta Jean Mikkelsen on October 1, 2021. Jean was born on September 23, 1945, in Penticton, BC, to parents Dr. Charles and Eileen Morris. Brought up in New Westminster, Jean followed her mother's footsteps and pursued a nursing career. After graduating from St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing in Victoria in 1967, Jean worked in Smithers, BC, and London, England. In 1969 Jean, along with three nursing friends, backpacked through Europe, eventually meeting her future husband, Olav Mikkelsen, in Sweden. After two years of primarily a long distance relationship, in addition to a language barrier, Jean married Olav on July 10, 1971, in New Westminster. They resided in Sweden, where Olav continued his logging business and Jean practiced nursing and studied the Swedish language. In early 1973, Jean and Olav moved to Bremen, West Germany, as Olav scored a major log salvage contract. It was there that they welcomed their first child, Kim, into the world. In 1975, Olav sold his logging business, and Jean's family immigrated to Canada. Starting from Newfoundland in a classic Volkswagen van, Jean and family cruised across Canada and the Midwest United States during the summer months, finally getting to their destination (somewhere in BC). After travelling through Powell River, and having a feeling that this could be home, Jean applied and was accepted at Powell River General Hospital as a nurse on maternity in the fall of 1975. Jean and Olav welcomed their second child Anders in 1977. Jean was an amazing nurse, as her career in Powell River spanned from 1975 until she retired in late 1999. Once Olav retired from active commercial fishing in 2000, Jean and Olav purchased a packer boat, Concord 101, as this was their next part-time career, helping the crew of their mini prawn boat fleet for the next 16 years and enjoying the beautiful west coast life. Jean enjoyed reading, knitting toques for Olav, cooking amazing food for her family and crew, and annual fall camping in their Silver Streak trailer around BC. In her last seven years, Jean joined the Powell River Bridge Club, and really enjoyed her time with her bridge companions. Jean will undoubtedly be remembered for the genuine kindness she showed, always putting so much thought into everything she did for others. Additionally, she will be remembered for the love she had for her family. Jean was so pleased to have become a Farmor (father's mother) to her three grandchildren Malia, Kai, and Finn. She loved spending time with them and loved to spoil them with their favourite foods and baking; Farmor's Mac and Cheese and Monster Cookies will forever be their favourite childhood foods. Jean's two sons, Kim and Anders, daughter-in-law Becki and grandchildren Malia, Kai and Finn will always cherish the many memories of camping, eating, sharing stories and laughing together. Jean was loved by many and will be missed immensely.