Dane Jordan Nicolajsen
November 21, 1996 – July 14, 2018
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Dane Nicolajsen on July 14th, 2018. He will be fondly remembered by his parents, Jeff and Joyce (Foote) Nicolajsen, siblings Erin and Jason Dunn, Adam and Karin Nicolajsen, and Colin and Taylor Nicolajsen. He also leaves behind nieces Kate and Emily, whom he loved to tease, as well as Anna Dunn, Alice Nicolajsen, and nephew Reid Nicolajsen. Dane will also be remembered by his grandma Olive Foote of Elm Creek and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Dane was welcomed into the world by his parents and older siblings on November 21st, 1996 and was raised on the family farm near Sperling, Manitoba. Dane’s obsession with cattle was evident at an incredibly early age, when he carried his daddy cow in his mitten everywhere he went. Dane had unconventional birthday parties with his fellow cattlemen at the young age of nine, even though their average age was closer to sixty. When he wasn’t being tormented by his older siblings, his early days were spent on the kitchen floor having parades with his collection of toy cows. It was a unique experience for classmates at Carman Elementary to have a trailer load of Dane’s bottle-fed calves brought in for show-and-tell.
Dane enjoyed hunting with family and played many sports with his friends; especially competitive curling, baseball and volleyball. After graduating from Carman Collegiate, Dane completed the Agricultural Diploma Program at the University of Manitoba, specializing in livestock. Dane’s dreams came true when he was able to purchase a herd of registered Black Angus cows in 2015. In 2017, he was just as excited to establish his own yard, right next door to the home farm. Just this spring, he purchased a quarter section of land with hopes of expanding his herd. For some reason Dane even smiled when he received his first tax bill from the RM of Grey. With much planning, discussion and endless hours of negotiation, Dane and his dad planted their first crop together this spring. In addition to farming, Dane also loved the time that he spent working at the family business Sperling Industries. He had a high level of appreciation for his coworkers in the field and was continually learning in every position he held.
Dane will be greeted by his grandma Thelma Shields, grandpa Sid Foote, uncles Nelson Leask, David Nicolajsen, and auntie Carol Banman. His kindness, generosity and easy-going demeanour had an enormous impact on everyone he met. Although he left us too soon, he will always be remembered with love.
The service will be held on Thursday, July 19th at the Sperling Arena at 4:00 PM. Private interment will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Carman Area Foundation.
