DANIEL SIGURDSSON HOLM

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DANIEL SIGURDSSON HOLM May 11, 1915 - August 1, 2015 Daniel Sigurdsson Holm, 100 years and two months, passed away surrounded by loved ones in the early hours of August 1, 2015 at the E. M. Crowe Memorial Hospital in Eriksdale, MB. Daniel was predeceased by his beloved wife Thelma (Beech) Melsted, his father Sigurdur Danielson Holm, mother Sigridur Gudny (Borgfjord) Holm, brothers and their wives: Adolf (Audur and Marie) of Gimli, Gustaf Bernard (Grace Victoria) of Lundar, Arnold (Eve and Carol) of Winnipeg, Oswald of Lundar, and by his brothers-in-law, Johann Sigurdson of Lundar and Cameron Mann of Lorette. He leaves to cherish his memory, sisters Helga Sigurdson of Lundar and Lilja Mann of Lorette, four generations of nieces and nephews, special friends Cindy, Ellen, Laurie and Meridith, and Thelma's family. Daniel was born on the family farm near Lundar (Centennial Farm 2006) in the midst of the First World War, the fifth son of hard working Icelandic pioneer parents. Daniel attended Rocky Hill School walking three miles through fields and slough, helped with farm chores, continued his education at Lundar School and later returned to the farm to assist his brother Bernard. Daniel resided in the Icelandic settlement district of Lundar for most of his life, where he worked on the farm and part time for the RM of Coldwell and the R.C.M.P. He enjoyed gardening, deer hunting, visiting family and friends and road trips around the prairies. Daniel treasured the daily phone calls from Lilja and his daily drive to Helga's for afternoon coffee until his 100th year. While visiting his mother at the Betel Home in Gimli in 1980, he met a nurse, Thelma who became his best friend and to whom he was devoted. Daniel and Thelma married on July 23, 1997 when he was 82 years of age. Over their 30 years together they enjoyed life to the fullest with trips across western Canada, the USA and between their homes in Gimli and Lundar. Daniel and Thelma supported their communities' events and fundraisers and were founding members of the Coldwell Lundar Community Foundation. When Thelma's health deteriorated and she moved to the Lundar Personal Care Home, Daniel spent hours everyday caring for her, listening to her favourite music, watching her favourite TV shows and as always, holding her hand. Thelma passed away in 2010. Daniel celebrated his 100th birthday on May 11 by having a party and inviting the whole town. He proudly drove his truck down Main Street with an R.C.M.P. escort. Until his last few weeks, Daniel enjoyed excellent health and did not even wear glasses. Special thanks to the home care workers, the palliative care workers, and nurses at E.M. Crowe Memorial Hospital and especially to Dr. Neil Burnet for his special care that allowed Daniel to stay in his own home until near the very end. Daniel was also grateful to his nieces and nephew, Lloyd and Monique Holm, Pamela Mann and Linda Sigurdson Collette who were on duty in his last months. Family and friends are invited to Daniel's Celebration of Life in the Lundar Legion Hall Thursday, August 27 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Daniel will be interred in the Lundar Cemetery family plot in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lundar Museum or the Coldwell Lundar Community Foundation are gratefully accepted. Goda Nott

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 22, 2015