DR. JONAS GUDMUNDUR LEONARD JOHNSON

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DR. JONAS GUDMUNDUR LEONARD JOHNSON January 22, 1923 - October 13, 2014 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jonas Johnson on October 13, 2014 at the Gimli Community Health Centre in Gimli, Manitoba. A beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend, he passed away after sudden heart complications at the age of 91. Jonas is survived by his sons Bjorn Johnson (Katrina), Randy Sackney, Brian Sackney (Karon), his grandchildren Skip, Grant (Pam), Carla, Paul, Kristjan, Daniel, Kyle, Jeremy, great-grandchildren Anna, Katya, Lily, Austin, Ehren, Jade, and brother Ray Johnson (Norma). Jonas was predeceased by his parents Bjorn and Gudlaug, brothers Stan, Les, Conrad and Marvin, his first wife Elizabeth-Ann (Peters), second wife Stella Annette, daughter Judy, and daughters-in-law Debbie and Heather. Born in Lundar, Manitoba, Jonas attended school in Eriksdale and Siglunes Public Schools up to Grade 9. He completed his Grade 10 and 11 studies by correspondence on the farm, finished high school and pre-med studies at United College. At University of Manitoba, he completed his Medical College studies in 1948. Jonas had military training and likely would have had to join the physicians and surgeons in Korea, but was required to help out with the acute shortage of country doctors, as many had been taken away for the war efforts. Jonas filled vacancies in rural Manitoba at Vita, Rossburn and Angusville and married Elizabeth-Ann (Betty) who was a RN. Jonas moved to Gimli to work with Dr. George Johnson. After being widowed, Jonas married Stella in 1970 and welcomed son Bjorn in 1971. "Dr. J" as he was known had not only a keen interest in family practice, but also obstetrics and geriatrics - both ends of the age scale. He said that he loved bringing people into the world (thousands of babies delivered on record to prove it), and he liked helping the elderly near the end of the journey. He was one of the last prairie doctors who made house calls by bicycle, snowmobile, cross-country skis and car. Jonas was involved in service clubs like Rotary, Knights of Columbus and Chamber of Commerce. A man of strong Christian faith, he was a member of St. Michael's Church and sang in the choir. Jonas was given a lifetime membership to the Manitoba Medical Association with distinction. His hobbies included singing, playing the piano and guitar. He loved golf, sailing, hunting and travel. He wrote an independently published book titled "Stories of a Country Doctor" where he mused about his experiences, such as being chased up a tree by wild dogs on a house call, delivering a baby at gunpoint, and even his views on what constituted a proper breakfast. As mobility issues kept him closer to home, Jonas and Stella devoured books from the local library. Most of all, Jonas will be remembered for his kind spirit, his service to his community, and his love for his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tudor House Personal Care Home Donation Fund, 800 Manitoba Ave., Selkirk, Manitoba R1A 2C9. An evening prayer service will be held at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 113-7th Avenue, Gimli on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at St. Michael's Church on Wednesday, October 22, at 10:30 a.m., with a luncheon to follow at Lakeview Resort, 10 Centre Street, Gimli. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 18, 2014