Obituary of Rev. Olaf Poulsen, Sr.

Passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 14, 2017 at the age of 92 years. He is survived by his children Olaf J. and Valerie Poulsen of Waterloo and Ellen and Robert Wade of Durham, North Carolina and his cherished granddaughters Kristen Wade and Rebecca Wade. He was predeceased by his wife Rigmor Elisabeth Poulsen (2010), his daughter Else Marijanne Bogh Poulsen (2016) and his parents Olaf Carl Poulsen and Martha Andersson.

He was a graduate of the University of Copenhagen (1950) majoring in Hebrew Bible and Semitic Languages. His ministry focused primarily upon the global work of the National Church of Denmark. As founding pastor of the Danish Seaman's Church in Baltimore, Maryland, he served the seafaring community on the Atlantic seaboard (1951-1965). Subsequently, he served with the Danish Lutheran Church of the Niagara Peninsula, Grimsby, Ontario (1966-1986). The sojourn with the Danish-Canadian community was an immense passion for him. In retirement he became a member of the Heidelberg-Erbsville Lutheran Church. He pursued Biblical studies, writing, model railroading and stamp collecting.

Friends are invited to share their memories of Rev. Olaf with his family during visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo, on Tuesday, December 19, 2-5 p.m. A Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2:00 p.m. at the Danish Lutheran Church of the Niagara Peninsula, 130 Main St., East, Grimsby ON with Revs. Claus Franck and Olaf J. Poulsen officiating. Reception to follow.

Condolences for the family and donations to St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Heidelberg, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Erbsville or the Danish Lutheran Church, Grimsby may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.