It is with deep sorrow we announce the death of Sirn Morris Michelsen, fondly known as Mitch.
He passed into the loving arms of our Lord on April 5, 2023 at the age of 85 at Langley Memorial Hospital. He had been battling several illnesses in the past few years but faced them all with courage, a smile, and kindness towards his fellow man.
The eldest of five children, he was born to Sirn and Elva Michelsen on April 12, 1937 in Lethbridge, Alberta and raised on the family farm in Stirling, Alberta, now a National Historic Site. Life on the farm instilled a deep love of animals and nature, particularly horses. His exemplary horsemanship served him well after he chose the RCMP as his career and enjoyed many tours with the Musical Ride.
Sirn married Helen Dorothy Arndt in Lethbridge Alberta in 1961. They had two daughters, Carole and Carmen.
The RCMP life meant moving the family to many different locations but this resulted in many close friendships. Being an exceptional scholar, he earned a degree from the University of British Columbia in Psychology and Economics in the interim. After serving in the RCMP and its associated Security Service (later CSIS) for 20 years, he served as the head of corporate protection at NOVA, then later as Regional Coroner in the BC Coroner service.
During his lifetime, he was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend to many. Known for his intelligence and extremely patient, kind and charitable nature, he never bragged of his many good deeds but performed them quietly and happily. He also had a wonderful sense of fun and his daughters and grandchildren have many fond memories of camping, bike excursions, boating, swimming, archery, and building snow forts.
Mitch is survived by his loving wife Helen and daughters Carole Wilson (Colin) in Kelowna, BC and Carmen Faivre-Duboz (Phil) in Surrey, BC, and five grandchildren (Jaime, Scott, Brady, Kristina, and Max) and three great grandchildren (Mari, Penny, and Rosie).
He is also survived by his brother Roy and his sisters Helen, Portia and Beth.
So many others cherish his memory.
Graveside service:
4pm Saturday June 24th
710 1st Street, Stirling Alberta
Memorial and Dinner Reception to follow:
LDS Church 413 3rd Street, Stirling, Alberta
Tours and visiting open at Michelsen Heritage Site after the reception.