[ 199 ] Notes on Marie Skaarup Jensen, by Neal Jorgensen. My mother Maud B. Jorgensen researched Marie Skaarup Jensen with assistance from Diane Haglund of Prarie Connections, Historical Research Consultants, as follows. Marie Skaarup Jensen emigrated to Canada and was married to Peter Toftgaard, who was also from Denmark. He died 9 years later. She married Jacob Pederson about 1919 or 1920 and he also passed away about 6 years of marriage. Peter and Marie had two children, Carl Toftgaard Peterson and Marion Toftgaard. Carl died at age 47, and Marion at age 8 of diphtheria. Carl married Lillian Cameron who had a daughter Lorraine (Mrs. A.R.) Henderson, a child of her first marriage. She and Carl did not have children. Lillian had a niece Edith Herbert (or Herman), and a nephew Charles Johnson, who had a son Ken. PRAIRIE CONNECTIONS Historical Research Consultants June 29, 1987 Maud B. Jorgensen 68 South Olive Mesa AZ 85204 USA Dear Mrs. Jorgensen: The mystery of Carl has finally been solved. It turns out that he used the name PEDERSON from childhood. Mary married Jacob Pederson in 1919 or 1920. I have no doubt that Carl Toftgaard and Carl Pederson are one and the same. My search these past weeks has centered on the name Pederson. I surmised that if Mary had remarried it was to the Jacob Pederson who was the informant for her daughter's death and who is buried with the child in Elmwood Cemetery. The search centered largely on Henderson's Directory for Winnipeg 1920-1986. There is no listing for a Mary Pederson until 1927, the year after Jacob's death. (Only single women and widows are listed by Henderson's in these early years). In 1928 Mary is listed as "widow of Jacob". In 1939 a Carl Pederson, clerk, is listed with her. From 1943-1946 there is no listing for Carl. These are probably the years he served overseas. Mary and her son lived together from 1947-1952. In 1953 the listing is "Carl (Lillian)" and Mary is shown at a separate address. In 1957 Carl and Lillian purchased a house at 444 Arlington Street. After 1959 Lillian is listed alone. Carl died in March of that year. Mary lived from 1953-1967 at 972 1/2 Main Street. As you will see from the enclosed obituary she spent her last years in a nursing home. She died in 1971, twelve years after her son and after losing her daughter and two husbands. Life in Canada was not kind to her. Carl's widow lived at the Arlington Street address until 1985. In the 1986 Directory she is shown as living in an apartment-hotel for seniors on Stradbrook Avenue. However, the letter which I sent to that address was not answered. When I phoned the manager of the complex, I learned that she had moved. He was able to give me the name of her married daughter (Carl's stepdaughter) but no addresses. While tracing Mrs. Pederson through the Directory I had noted the name of her immediate neighbour each year, always the same person. Fortunately, I was able to contact this person (who still sees Mrs. Pederson from time to time) and she was able to give me the phone number of the daughter, Mrs. Lorraine Henderson. Mrs. Henderson was very helpful when I called. I asked if Carl had had any brothers or sisters. She told me that there had been one sister who had died of diphtheria as a child. I knew then that this was your Carl. Yesterday afternoon I visited Lillian Pederson. She is 75 years old and has advanced Parkinson's Disease. The visit was difficult for her but she was very gracious. Carl was her second husband. Lorraine Henderson is the child of her first marriage. She and Carl did not have children. Lorraine has three grown children. Her husband is a pilot with Air Canada. Mrs. Pederson told me that when Mary and Jacob married, a lawyer told them that because the children of the first marriage were so young they could use their stepfather's name. As we know Marion is buried under the name Toftgaard. At some point after her death Carl began to use the name Pederson. There does not appear to have been a legal adoption. However, regulations were much less strict in those days. Mrs. Pederson also told me that there were still relatives of Mary's in Denmark (which you know) and that Carl had visited them after the war. She was overcome with emotion at this point and not able to tell me much else. She had been very kind to see me and I did not want to tire her more than I had. I offered to leave but she did give me two other pieces of information. She said that for some years Mary ran a boarding house which was used by new immigrants from Denmark. She also told me that Mary had two cousins, Edith and Charlie Johnson. This family changed their name to Johnson from Jorgensen after coming to Canada. Edith Johnson is probably the Edith Herman (or Herbert) mentioned in the enclosed obituary. Charlie Johnson is also mentioned. He had a son, Ken, who is living in Winnipeg or Edmonton. As you can see from the enclosed obituary, Carl was credit manager with the J.H. Ashdown Company, a major hardware concern. He was also active in community affairs. I have enclosed addresses for Carl's widow and step-daughter on a separate page. This search has taken a long time and you have been most patient. I was happy to be able to bring it to completion as I know how much it means to you to know this family's fate. Best wishes for every happiness. Sincerely, Diane Haglund DIANE HAGLUND 368 MAPLEWOOD AVE. WINNIPEG. MANITOBA R3L 1A9 (204)284-0379 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS March 17 1959 Carl Pederson died on March 15 1959 at the Winnipeg General Hospital. Carl Pederson, aged 47 years, beloved husband of Lillian Pederson of 444 Arlington St. Funeral service 3:30 P.M. Tuesday at the Clark Leatherdale Funeral Home 232 Kenedy St. Interment in Elmwood Cemetery. WINNIPEG TRIBUNE March 16 1959 Carl Pederson, 47, of 444 Arlington St., died Sunday in Winnipeg General Hospital. Born in Winnipeg, he had been Credit Manager with J. H. Ashdown Hardware Co. for 30 years. Mr Pederson was past President of Winnipeg Junior Chamber of Commerce, past President of Canadian Credit Men's Trust Association, a member of Winnipeg Rotary and Fort Garry AF and AM. He is survived by his widow, Lillian, a daughter, Mrs L. Hendersen, his mother, Mrs. Mary Pederson, a grandchild. Funeral service will be held at 3:30 P.M. Tuesday at the Clark Leatherdale Funeral Home, Reverend P. Petursson officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery. WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, pg, 35 Feb. 5, 1971 Mrs. Mary Pederson, age 85, on Wednesday February 3rd 1971, passed away at the Golden Door Nursing Home. Born in Denmark. Mrs. Pederson was predeceased by husband Jacob in 1935 and a son Carl in 1959. She is survived by a daughter-in-law Mrs. Lil Pederson, and a niece Mrs. Edith Herbert, a nephew, Mr. Charles Johnson, both of Winnipeg. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday February 6th in Mordue Bros. Funeral Home, Broadway and Edmonton. Rev. H.K. Parno will officiate. Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery. Lorraine Henderson (Carl's step-daughter) (Mrs. A. R. Henderson) 271 Barker, Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada (204) 895-1989 Mrs. Lillian Pederson (Carl's widow) Holiday Haven Nursing Home 5501 Robin Blvd. Winnipeg MB. R3R 008 Manitoba, Canada 1987