LOIS LILLIAN OLAFSON

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LOIS LILLIAN OLAFSON Lois Lillian Olafson (nee Sigurdson) passed away peacefully; February 27, 2015, with her loving husband holding her hand- as he had for almost all of her life. They were childhood friends and then sweethearts. In fact Lois declared her intention to marry Irvin when she was twelve years old! Lois was born December 31, 1931 into a large, prominent, Icelandic pioneering family at the village of Riverton, Manitoba. Her parents, Sigurdur Victor (S.V.) and Kristrun Sigurdson provided a loving home for their eight children. Lois was the treasured baby girl of the family! She was predeceased by her parents, her brothers; Stefan, Gordon, Victor and Ralph, her brothers-in-law; Sveinbjorn (Bud) Bjornson and Vern Peterson. She leaves behind her sisters Helga (deceased), Valgerdur (Val) and her husband William (Bill) Atkinson, and Gladys, and her sisters-in-law Sylvia (Stefan), Judy (Victor) and Alta (Gordon). Lois chronicled her early life in Riverton in many letters to her favorite aunt Freda. Her frank, innocent, observations of her world show us a Lois who embraced whatever came next with great vitality. She vividly describes all the activities of a busy close knit family; their summers spent on George Island, as S.V. was involved in transportation and fishing on Lake Winnipeg, celebrations such as the weddings of her older siblings following the war years, and everyday life at home and school. She was a tomboy and seemed to relish telling her aunt about hitching rides on horse teams and then later tractor teams, skating every night on a small open-air rink, sledding down the river bank, playing knock-the-tin can, and softball. Lois never lost that fresh open outlook on life even as she became a wife, mother, and amma. Irvin and Lois were married December 31,1951. Children: Kristin (Mark Jenkyns), Steven, Laurie (Brent Jervis), Eric (Jaye) and Marno, Grandchildren: Mackenzie, Reyna, Spencer, Victoria, Olivia and James, Great-grandchildren: Lara, Erik and Eric (B.E.) As a family we benefited from her many accomplishments. She was a creative seamstress who made dresses for her daughters and herself. She had an artistic eye and interest in decorating that she shared with Irvin, as she did everything else. She loved playing the piano for sing-a-longs (Toronto Conservatory Grade IX), and she was an innovative cook we looked forward to dinner! Lois and Irvin had a longstanding love for Lake Winnipeg. Lois had spent many summers at her family's fish stations, and Irvin also knew the lake well from his experiences fishing, falls and summers, during his high school years. They nurtured this love for the water in all their children and grandchildren. The family owned boats Ljomandi and Black Hawk VI hold very special memories of family adventures together. Most important to Lois was her family and friendships. She loved to entertain and her wit and style shone through at the many gatherings she held in her homes and on the Black Hawk. She was proud of her Icelandic heritage and embodied the genuinely warm tradition of hospitality that has always been important to the Icelandic people. She was honoured to be chosen as the Fjallkonan (Maid of the Mountain), for the Islendingadagurinn (Icelandic Celebration) August 1998, because of her contribution to the Icelandic community. When searching for the best words to describe our Lois we inevitably think of her indomitable spirit in the face of challenges, her determination and creativity to help us achieve our goals, her compassionate strength and not least her fun-loving infectious laughter! Please join us for Remembering Our Lois Sunday August 2, 2015 at Johnson Hall, Betel Waterfront Centre, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. Goda Nott NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 04, 2015