Ole Viborg dies at 84
Service will be held Oct. 1
–Ole Viborg died peacefully with his family by his side on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016. Ole was born in the rural town of Dybe, Denmark on October 24, 1931 to Paul and Marie Viborg. He grew up on a small family farm milking dairy cows, feeding pigs and tending the farm a few miles from the North Sea. Ole survived a harsh WWII as a boy, and then set his sights on America. With just a small suitcase to his name he sailed into Ellis Island, New York. Ole worked hard to buy his first car and began working his way west, first to Solvang, California and then onto Paso Robles, where he met the love of his life Sandra Woodland at a Grange Hall Dance in Atascadero.
Ole and Sandy Viborg were married for 57 years, raised a family and lived here in Paso Robles for the remainder of his life. Ole’s work visa only allowed him to stay in the United States for a set period of time. He then had to leave the country for two years before he could become a US Citizen, which he did in 1963. Ole was extremely proud of becoming an American and always said the “Pledge of Allegiance” louder than anyone in the room. Ole lived the “American Dream” right down to the cowboy boots he wore every day.
In 1967 he started his paving business, Ole Viborg Inc., after learning the construction trade while living in Canada for the two years he was out of the country. Ole worked in the North County for almost 50 years. Hundreds, if not thousands, of driveways in our area bear his mark. The Viborg name is synonymous with the color of Caterpillar Yellow, which every piece of his equipment was painted. Ole had ventures in all areas of business. Ole was one of the founding Board Members of Heritage Oaks Bank, contributing greatly to its early success and the bank as we know it today. He also partnered with a few local Paso Robles residents, and they founded the “Saint Springs Bottle Water Company” in Saint Petersburg, Russia at the break out of the Soviet Union. This group partnered with the Russian Orthodox Church, and they produced millions of bottles of water before selling the company.
Our community was blessed by Ole’s spirit and generosity. There was not a community project in the Paso Robles area that he did not have his hands in, one way or another. He loved Paso Robles and always said that the town and people had been good to him, and he wanted to give back. His name will always be remembered as a pillar of our community both as a supporter and leader. Ole was a proud member of the Paso Robles Lions Club, receiving numerous Awards and Citations for his years of service. Ole was a long standing member of the Paso Robles Elks Lodge, The Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, and the Pioneer Day Marshal in 2014. Ole received the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award, the highest award in the nation bestowed on a supporter and the BSA Silver Beaver Award. Ole was also a lifetime member of the Paso Robles Trail Riders, and was the Templeton 4th of July Parade Marshal. Ole and Sandy have been huge supporters of our local 4-H and FFA groups. Ole never missed a livestock auction, and helped put many kids through college with his purchases at the fair each year. Sandy and Ole were long time supporters of the North County Boys and Girls Club. Many people in our community will remember that TEF, Templeton Education Foundation, hosted their annual fundraiser, Denim & Diamonds, at the Viborg Ranch on El Pomar. At the height of TEF history, the event served over 1,200 dinners and was one the most memorable and talked about events of the year. Ole and Sandy were very gracious hosts and the schools in Templeton will always be grateful for their support.
Ole purchased the “Circle V” Ranch in San Ardo, located in Southern Monterey County in 1987. It was originally called the Paris Valley Ranch. He restored the old adobe house that was built in 1842, and the ranch hand bunk rooms on the site as well. He, Sandy and all of the Viborg Family enjoyed the ranch and its’ many amenities. Ole loved this ranch, and in the latter years of his life, spent many days checking the cattle water troughs and grading the ranch roads. Ole wanted to ensure that the ranch’s legacy would be kept for all to enjoy. This year, the ranch was highlighted in the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce’s Ag Tour, and over 400 people were able to walk the ranch and enjoy its beauty and rich history.
Ole is survived by his wife Sandra Jean Viborg, son Paul and wife Debbie, grandchildren Daniika and Ole, and his daughter Katrina (Viborg) Davis and husband Scott, and grandchildren Karalena and Kassandra.
Graveside Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at the Paso Robles District Cemetery. Reception to follow at the Paso Robles Elks Lodge at Noon.
In lieu of flowers, the Viborg family asks that a donation be made to Ole’s latest project, the new Troop 60 Boy Scout House being built at 23rd St. and Oak St. in Paso Robles, or The North County Boys and Girls Club in Paso Robles.
BSA – Troop 60 Boys and Girls Club of Northern SLO County
P.O. Box 3828, 600 26th Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446 Paso Robles, CA 93446
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