Obituary of Boyd Cornelius Lensen

July 30, 1929 – Vanscoy, Saskatchewan

January 27, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

Boyd Cornelius Lensen, beloved husband of Doris Mary Lensen (nee Waters) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, January 27, 2022, at the age of 92 years.

Boyd was born in Saskatoon, SK, to George Cornelius and Doris (nee Boyle) Lensen, on July 30, 1929, and lived on the Lensen Homestead, in Vanscoy, SK, as the oldest son of eleven children.

As a youth, Boyd attended the Krumpleman School, located a mile from the family farm, where he carried the school’s supply of water and lit the wood and coal stoves.  He made twenty-five cents a day and saved enough to purchase his first bicycle. Once he and his siblings moved to school in Vanscoy, he drove everyone around in a horse-drawn buggy. He was very active on the family farm with his father, mother, and siblings.

Boyd joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in March 1949, and was stationed in Lethbridge, AB. On a blind date he met, fell in love, and married his adored wife, Doris, in 1951. They would have been married for seventy-two years February 17, 2022. His love for his wife was always apparent and they lived their lives together very much in partnership. His position in the RCMP, took him to Lethbridge, Ottawa, North Bay, Ottawa, Germany, and back to Ottawa, where after twenty-five years and receiving a Long Service Medal, he retired from the RCMP and took the position of Head of Physical Security at Transport Canada in Ottawa. He retired at sixty years old, and moved with Doris to Calgary, AB, in 1995 to be closer to family.

Boyd served as President of the Parent Teacher’s Association at the St. Mary’s Elementary School in North Bay, ON, and as President of the Catholic Church Council in Bad Godesberg, Germany.

Boyd accomplished much throughout his life and was loved by all who knew him. His quiet, gentle, and diplomatic nature was admired and respected by all. He was a kind and compassionate husband, father, son, uncle, granddad, and great-grandfather. His fashion sense was noteworthy, he had over one hundred business suits, which he wore with class and style.  He was meticulousness with everything he did, especially as a true handyman. He could fix anything from vehicles, to plumbing, to construction. He enjoyed the outdoors, and his roses were always beautiful. His sense of humour and playfulness was loved by his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was passionate about his wee dog, Sharkie, and carried him everywhere until the passing of his companion pup after many long years together.

Boyd enjoyed a wide variety of sports and participated in many, including golf, softball, bowling, cycling, curling, squash, badminton, and square-dancing. He and his youngest daughter were often seen early mornings playing tennis at the Embassy Club in Germany. He and his wife Doris played on numerous bridge and curling club teams, and they also enjoyed playing Joker and boardgames with their family. Boyd will be most remembered for his quiet, kind, and humble nature. He was a role model for so many.

Besides his beloved wife, Boyd is survived by his three daughters, one son and their spouses: Anne and Uwe Borgmann of Nanaimo, BC, George and Sharon Lensen of Calgary, AB, Cindy Lavergne and Rick Shire of Calgary, AB, and Elizabeth Lensen and Doug Jessen of Calgary, AB. Boyd loved his ten grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren, who have many special memories of him. To a precious few, he was known as “Grandpa Bird” because of his “special” bird whistles, and the joy it brought them. Boyd is also survived by three brothers and three sisters as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Boyd Lensen, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.