IRENE MIDDLESTEAD

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IRENE MIDDLESTEAD (nee GUNNLAUGSON) Peacefully on Monday, April 24, 2017, with her family at her side, Irene, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother passed away at the age of 84. Irene will be deeply missed by her children Janice (David) Godfrey, Lorraine Kitchur, Della (Kevin) Lawrence, Tammy (Andrew) Duncan and Garth (Trudy) Middlestead; grandchildren Scott Godfrey and Tyla (Mario) Ronzone, Ashton and Kali Kitchur, Jeffrey and Emily Lawrence, Laura and Sarah Duncan, Kyle and Alex Middlestead; and great-granddaughters Alyssa and Kayla Godfrey, and Madison and Rylan Ronzone. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 48 years, Walter, parents John and Helga Gunnlaugson, son-in-law Alvin Kitchur, brother Robert Gunnlaugson, and sister Evelyn Stoneham. Irene grew up at The Narrows, Manitoba. In the early 1950s Irene worked at Lloyd's snack bar and Ashern Hospital before marrying Walter in 1958. While living in Winnipeg, she worked at the Man with the Axe and Kay's Wholesale. Together as a family they farmed in the Carnridge and Faulkner Districts before moving to Ashern in 1999. As a fisherman's daughter, Irene was a skilled net seamer and supported many local fisherman through the years before her retirement. While in Ashern, she spent many hours volunteering at the Women's Resource Centre and enjoyed regular card games and birthday celebrations at the Pioneer Manor. Mom took great pride in her children and their accomplishments, often travelling across Canada to visit and try new adventures from elephant rides to hot air balloons. Mom loved nothing more than gathering with her children and grandchildren, phone visits with her friends to catch up on the local news and in true Icelandic fashion, having a good cup of hot coffee. Mom is fondly remembered for her love of gardening, along with her homemade bread, donuts, and prize winning apple pie. Following Irene's wishes, there will be a private family service at a later date. Special thanks to Helen Webster and the Ashern Health Care Aides, Ashern L.I.F.E., Winnipeg Palliative Care staff and St. Boniface Hospital Palliative Care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ashern L.I.F.E. Office, Box 684, Ashern, MB R0C 0E0, or to the Lakeshore Hospital Guild, Palliative Care, c/o Julie Bergner, PO Box 721, Ashern, MB R0C 0E0. Arrangements by: ARNASON FUNERAL HOME Ashern - Lundar 1-204-768-2072 1-866-323-3593

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 01, 2017