It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of John “Sam” Pettersen, resident of Hythe, AB, formerly of Evje, Norway. He was a respected and loved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend. He passed away peacefully at the age of 92 years, with Gena, Doug, Johnny and Tanis by his side in the Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.

John was born on February 7, 1932, to Ingvald and Kari Pettersen. He belonged to a family of seven siblings with two brothers and four sisters. Together they all grew up on the family farm near Evje.

In his teen years, he got the urge to travel, and Canada looked like a very promising place to earn a living. So, in 1953, he and his cousin Andy Haugen, along with one hundred other Norwegians, boarded a boat in Stavanger and then he headed to Canada to seek his future and fortune. On April 19, at the age of 21, he landed at Pier 31 in Halifax, NS. From there, he and Andy travelled by train to Hythe, AB, where Andy’s uncle Oscar Haugen resided, He immediately put them to work, and they began their lives in Canada.

He started making friends and it wasn’t long before a young lady named Georgena Hawthorne caught his eye, and soon after they were married. They had their first child Gena on December 29, 1957 however, times had become difficult in Canada and it wasn’t long after that they all returned to Norway. They lived on the family farm in Norway until life became difficult and they returned to Canada to find work. John and his family spent some time in Calgary where John drove a taxi. Soon they returned to Hythe, to the family farm where John tried his hand at farming and keeping animals. There were many adventures to be had on the farm. Brian arrived on the farm in July of 1960, and Johnny soon after in November 1961. It was during these years that John worked many different jobs to support his family. He built bridges around the Peace region and powerlines in northern British Columbia. He drove a school bus and grader for the County of Grande Prairie before finally, settling down and starting his own trucking company, Hythe Transfer. He had finally achieved his dream of a thriving business.

John also loved to travel, he visited much of the United States as well as Ireland, Mexico, England and Germany to name just a few countries. He travelled to Norway annually once he was able, and each of his siblings travelled to Canada to visit him on a few occasions. He was an active member of the Sons of Norway and often participated in Host Fest in Minot, North Dakota. He was a lifetime veteran and member of the Hythe Legion.

John will be missed by his daughter Gena Jones and her husband Doug, along with grandchildren: Amber Roselle (Jessi), Linsy Riendeau (Dustin), Braden Jones (Sheena), and Taylor Jones (Alex). He will also be missed by his son John A. Pettersen and his wife Tanis, along with Brian Pettersen (Brianna), Kari Prince (Adam), Brad Pettersen, and Kurt Pettersen (Samantha); and his 10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews in Canada and Norway.

John was predeceased by his wife Georgena on July 24, 2008, and his son “George” Brian Pettersen on October 30, 1977. John was also predeceased by his brothers and sisters, which had brought him great sadness.

A private family interment will be held at the Hythe Cemetery with a Celebration of Life to follow at the Hythe Legion Hall on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 2:00 PM.

Donations may be made in John’s memory to the Mountview Health Complex. (Cheques can be mailed to Box 30, Beaverlodge, AB, T0H0C0 – Please write “In memorial of John Pettersen” in the memo)

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.oliversfuneralhome.com.