Stig Åke Ingemar Karlsson

January 28, 1926 - December 19, 2022
Ingemar, a man whose name was well known across the Cowichan Valley, passed peacefully in Duncan, at the age of 96. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Predeceased by sons Per and John, he leaves his wife of 53 years, Theresa, daughter Maja, grandchildren Alexa, Maude, Darwyn and Magnus and many beloved relatives in Canada and Sweden.
Born in Sweden, Ingemar grew up on a farm with 2 brothers and 2 sisters. His first and longest loves were trees and dogs. After graduating from high school (the first in his family) he worked in many forestry jobs across Sweden, ultimately attending post-secondary Forestry School.
Ingemar immigrated to Canada in 1964, working as a Forester at the Mesachie Lake Research Station near Lake Cowichan. Initially living between Mesachie Lake and Nanaimo, he met Theresa in Nanaimo and they settled in Duncan in 1969. He became a Registered Professional Forester and in 1970 took on the role of Manager of the Research Station, a role he continued until 1985. After leaving the BC Forest Service he ventured into entrepreneurism, focusing on growing cuttings and seedlings, collaborating with various universities as a researcher, and growing Christmas Trees.
Ingemar was perhaps best known by many for selling Christmas Trees. This began in the 1970s, with Lakes Road Christmas Tree Farm being established in 1985, ending this year in 2022 after 37 successful years. Countless families have memories of coming year after year, picking the perfect tree from the farm, and having a visit with the "old Swede" who had a quiet manner and twinkle in his eye.
A well-travelled man, Ingemar knew he had found a home on Vancouver Island. He was a proud ambassador to family, friends and work colleagues from around the world. He adventured throughout his life, not letting age hold him back - he waterskied for the first time at age 70, hiked the West Coast Trail in his mid-70s, and bought a new tractor at 92 to ensure he could continue to properly care for his farm.
We say goodbye to Ingemar, much loved by his family, a strong member of the community, and a man who lived life to the fullest - never letting fear hold him back from trying new adventures!
A celebration of Ingemar's life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2704 James St, Duncan, BC V9L 2X7 on January 28th at 11 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the BC Children's Hospital Foundation, a charity Ingemar and his farm has supported over the past years.