INGIBJORG HALLSON BURGESS -

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INGIBJORG HALLSON BURGESS 1913 - 2013 Surrounded by her devoted family, Ingibjorg Hallson Burgess passed away quietly and at peace on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at her home in Winnipeg. She lived her 99 years of life to the fullest, with no regrets. Our world is a little darker today as we mourn the death of our dearest mother, amma and langamma.....a woman who truly exemplified love, kindness and generosity. She showed us how to live life with humility and conviction and how to leave life with dignity and grace. Ingibjorg was born an identical twin on November 26, 1913 and shared a beautiful and amazing 95 years with her much loved twin sister and soul mate Gudrun (d. 2008). Immigrant parents Hallur Jonsson Hallsson and Olaf Olafson were very proud of their Icelandic heritage and built a life, along with their children, on their family farm in Lundar, Manitoba. Together they raised a blended family. Inga outlived her entire root family as she was predeceased by her parents Hallur and Olaf, as well as her brothers Haraldur, Jon, Eirikur, Magnus; sisters Jensina, Olaf and twin sister Gudrun, as well as step-siblings Eirikur, Jonina, Sigifidur, and Gudjon. At the age of 18, Inga moved to Winnipeg. She was a vibrant, beautiful and very fashionable young woman who loved the city life. In 1942 she met and fell in love with the love of her life George Burgess. They married after the war and made their home in Winnipeg. They enjoyed many happy years together sharing a passion for bowling, curling, golf, their rose garden and George's passion for raising canaries and budgie birds. In particular they were a dance duo that was the envy of many. They loved their weekend retreat where they spent many treasured and precious days as well as memorable summers at their quiet cottage paradise at Ponemah Beach on Lake Winnipeg. Inga was renowned and respected for her talent as a seamstress and spent her entire career as an independent entrepreneur designing and creating beautiful gowns and wedding dresses. In her later years, she embraced the hobby of knitting and hand crafted countless numbers of Icelandic sweaters and children's outfits for her precious grandchildren. Recently this past fall, two of her prized sweaters from her vast heritage collection were gifted to her great-niece and nephew in Iceland. She was a wonderful homemaker, recognized for her Icelandic delicacies and proudly handed down her recipes through the generations. Inga was half of the well-known Icelandic pair "Inga and Runa" as together they were lovingly recognized by the Icelandic community both in Canada and Iceland as having been the oldest living twins of Icelandic decent. She told wonderful stories of having lived 99 years and lately she echoed "now I've seen it all" while on her Winnipeg to Iceland Skype conversation with her granddaughter. Her sense of humour, humility, class and dignity made her one of a kind. She lived a full and fruitful life enjoying many pleasures and was always prepared to lend a helping hand. She was a dedicated member of the Icelandic First Lutheran Church where she committed numerous years to sustaining her parish as a volunteer as well as sharing many happy times with her friends at IODE and at the Betelstadur. She will be truly missed by all those whose lives she touched. Inga took immense pride in her family and loved to share in all their accomplishments. She was a loving wife, mother, amma and langamma, aunt, cousin and friend. Ingibjorg was predeceased by her beloved husband George in 1978. Surviving her loss, is her eldest son David (Jeannette), grandchildren Jennifer (Jeff Sarna), Jodi (Brandon Webb), Jarid, Robyn and great-grandchildren Alexandra and Cameron Sarna, William and Signey Webb. She leaves to treasure her memory, her devoted son Stephen (Larisa), granddaughters Christin and Caitlin, grandson Corey (Susan) and great-grandchildren Keira and Jack Burgess. Also, mourning her loss are Runa's daughters Shirley, Margaret and Olivia and their families whom she loved as her own. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Runa Hallson, Leola Hallson, cousin Eleanor Wainwright as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and life time friends. Inga's life was her gift to her adoring family. Our Mother, Amma and Langamma Inga was a beautiful woman with a loving, kind heart and a strong spirit that sustained her in her life. She was the matriarch of our family and will be missed tremendously. To know her was to love her. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m on Friday, March 8 at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue with Pastor Michael Kurtz officiating. Interment will take place at later date at the Lundar Cemetery where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved George. In lieu of flowers, if you so wish, donations in Inga's memory may be made to The First Lutheran Church, 580 Victor Avenue. And so Amma, until the mystery of the resurrection unfolds itself and we meet again, we will keep you alive in our memories and close to our hearts for eternity. Goda Nott Elska. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 www.nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 02, 2013