Walter Abraham Jansen passed away suddenly on Friday evening, December 15, 2023, but just as he would have wanted, he was peacefully in his chair with his children at his side.
Walter was born on a farm in Winyard, Saskatchewan, on November 25, 1934. He loved the farm and always had wonderful stories about his life on the land
and antics with his brothers (John and Raymond), sisters (Eva and Erlene), and many cousins.
In 1952, Walter moved to Banff and began working as a Bell Boy at the King Edward Hotel. Like many who call this mountain town home, Walter fell in love with the mountains, the people, and the community. Life got even better when, one day in 1956, he met a beautiful young woman from London having lunch at the Eddie. It didn’t take long for him to ask Jean out, and in 1957, they were married in London.
When the couple returned to Banff, Walter started working for Parks Canada, where he remained for his entire career. During this time, Walter was very active in the community. He was Chair of the School Board, coached and refereed hockey, played on numerous baseball teams, started the Banff Youth Club, was a committed member of the Canmore Golf Club, and was awarded the Winter Samaritan Award two years running. You could always count on the 200 block of Muskrat Street being snow-free!
Walter was a storyteller with a memory for detail. He could spend hours telling you about life on the farm or regaling you with stories of Banff in the early days or tales about the many places he and Jean visited.
Walter was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Bennett Jansen (2012), and survived by children Karen (Wayne), Ross (Neda), and Tova, along with his much-loved grandchildren (Reid, Ainsley, Kelsey, Ryan (Alexis), Hanna (Sebastian), Kohinn (Lyle) and great-grandchildren (Waylon, Lainey, and Layla).
There are no words to express the immeasurable hole this man leaves behind in our hearts and lives. Walter was the kindest man, with a gentle spirit and caring heart. His love for his family and friends was evident and felt. He enjoyed simple walks along the river, road trips, searching for bears, games of Crib and Yahtzee, Wednesday lunch with his friends, watching sports on TV, backyard visits, storytelling, and sneaking treats to the dogs and great grandkids.
Walter was an example of a life well lived. His legacy reaches beyond his immediate family to all whose lives he touched. A good man is gone but his spirit lives on in each of us.
There will be a friends and family gathering (time and location to be announced).
