VIRGINIA BJORNSON

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VIRGINIA BJORNSON (GINNY) 1931 - 2015 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dearly beloved mother, Virginia Bjornson on Monday, November 30, 2015, at the age of 84 years. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters Julianna (Tim Vuorela) and Valdine (Barry Namaka), and her dearest grandchildren: Kai, Braden; Bryndis, Devry, Daelyn; siblings Georgina Pinette, Marie Brandt, Ken Schmidtke, and Eloise (Larry) Auch; sister-in-law Margery Bjornson, and many nieces, nephews and dear friends. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Bjorn Bjornson, and by numerous sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Marcel Pinette, Ed Brandt, Betty Schmidtke; Gudrun (Jim) Chapman, Valdi Bjornson, Harold Bjornson, Alice (Bob) Arthur, Norma (Lawrence) Kirby, and Gerri (Harold) Finnson. She was predeceased by her parents, Eduard and Juliana (Ott) Schmidtke, and parents-in-law, Gudjon and Juliana (Johnson) Bjornson. Mom was born on February 10, 1931, two and half months early weighing less than four pounds. She was not expected to live but defied all odds. She has lived her life with that same tenacity and resilience. In September 1950, she enrolled in the Manitoba LPN program training in Swan River and Brandon and received her certificate in 1951. Her nursing career took her to positions at Toronto Hospital for Sick Children and Winnipeg Children's Hospital in the surgery and emergency wards. She also worked in geriatrics at the Deer Lodge Veteran's Hospital and at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital as well as general nursing at the Kitchener-Waterloo Hospital. In 1964, the Children's Hospital requested that she head a new Inhalation Therapy Department in Winnipeg. For two years she received on-the-job respiratory training and courses at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. She was a member of the first class of Inhalation Therapy students to graduate in Canada. She worked as a Respiratory Therapist in Health Sciences Centre and then became Department Head of the Inhalation Therapy Department at the Misericordia General Hospital. Throughout her life, she held many positions including secretary-treasurer for the Tigerettes Senior A softball club; treasurer for the Tigerette bowling league; secretary for the Manitoba Association of Respiratory Technologists; secretary, council member and superintendent for Sunday school at the Riverton-Hnausa Lutheran Church; Director of the local agricultural society; and then an Evergreen School Division Trustee from 1981 to 1989. Mom married the love of her life, Barney (Bjorn), on July 22, 1967. Together they built a family based upon love, caring and goodness. She taught her daughters the importance of advocating for others, and being open to experience what life has to offer. She was always excited about debating ideas and world affairs. She travelled on her own and with family to many different parts of the world. She inspired her children to do the same - to be inquisitive, understanding and compassionate locally and globally. She was generous and caring, always looking for ways to contribute. Our parents worked as a team to develop our farm and environment. They supported each other and took great pride in their yard, garden and surroundings including the many drives to look at the crops, watch for birds, and look at flowers. She won numerous awards for her landscaping and home grounds. In later years, she moved back to the city after her dear husband's passing, and began to bowl and spend more time with friends and family. When she experienced grandchildren, her heart further expanded with admiration and love. She was fervently protective of each of her grandchildren and absolutely adored every precious moment she spent with them. We were blessed to have her live with each of her daughters, in latter years, to share in all of the chaos and joy that came with grandchildren and busy households. She had a strength of character and conviction in high ideals that will be our constant inspiration. We want to thank especially all of those who gave us loving words of support and visits during her short stay at the Victoria General Hospital. We also want to especially thank the staff at the Victoria General Hospital (fourth floor) for their incredible warmth and care. A funeral service will take place on Friday, December 4, 2015 at Faith Lutheran Church, 1311 Dakota Street at 1:00 p.m., with viewing at 12:15 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice, CancerCare Manitoba or the Victoria General Hospital. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 03, 2015