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GRACE FRIDFINNSON
Born: Jul 03, 1928
Date of Passing: Sep 20, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryGRACE FRIDFINNSON
Grace was born July 3, 1928, at the family farm ’Engihlid’ in Geysir Manitoba and passed peacefully September 20, 2025, at the Simkin Centre at the age of 97. She was the first child born to Gunnlaugur and Ruby (Jonasson) Johannson. Grace is predeceased by her husband Leifur, daughter Connie, her parents Ruby and Laugi, and siblings Harold, Rosalind, Frances, Baldur and Irvin.
Grace is survived by her children Barry (Liberty), Robert (Ana), Lance (Mandy), Tamie (Chris); grandchildren Trevor (predeceased wife Geeta), Catherine (Harry) Keith (Amra), Lori (Marc), Jason, Caitlin, Logan (Kelsie) and Breanna (Carlo). Also, great-grandchildren Riley, Calder, Tina and Carter, Jackson and Bennett.
Early in life Grace developed a strong, hard-working, caring sense of life. She embraced music as a young girl and piano became a lifelong passion for Grace. She generously gave her time to play at local churches, weddings, showers, country fairs and other community events.
Grace went to Winnipeg for employment opportunities and to improve her job skills took a course on comptometer. This earned her a position in accounts at Swifts and later helped prepare her for a long career first with Leifur as bookkeeper and Jill of all trades at Viking Motors. She was indispensable and accurate to a tee.
In 1949 she married Leifur Fridfinnson and they shared a beautiful, busy life together for the next 56 years. After a few moves they decided to settle in Arborg to raise their family. Grace and Leifur were a unique, loving couple who blended home life and work life so successfully.
Grace loved to learn at every opportunity, picking up even the most difficult tasks often with ease and always with tenacious determination. She was able to balance the incredibly difficult task of working full time, raising a family as well as making meaningful contributions to their community. We all remember her incredible meals, especially if they included pumpkin pie. Doing the newspaper jumble was a favourite of hers that continued to delight her right to the end. Family pets were spoiled unmercifully with her salmon juice treats. They paid her exclusive attention. Grace was a passionate woman who knew the value of hard work and enjoyed good times with family and friends. She was generous to a fault, kind, and always placed family first. True to her name, mom lived and passed with incredible grace. She will be deeply missed.
Thank you to Simkin Centre for their dedicated care of our mom in her last years. Special thanks to Sheryl, Sergio, Kelly, and Dr.Tandon. You made all the difference!
Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba on October 10, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 27, 2025
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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Dear Auntie Grace was a kind and gentle soul. I have many fond memories of our visits with Grace, Leifur and family. My deepest sympathies to the family. May she rest in peace. - Posted by: Dianne Grocholski (Niece) on: Oct 05, 2025
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Grace was my Amma, a role she took very seriously. I, along with my other first cousins are among the lucky few that can say that they were blessed to have an Amma to love them. Everyone has a grandmother, but Amma’s are a different breed. Amma Grace was one of the best of them. Although she didn’t always like smiling in pictures, her whole face lit up when she saw someone she loved. This infectious joy could melt even the gloomiest of moods and make you feel like you were lucky to be in her presence. Amma showered us with love: whether it was from her amazing cooking, her masterful piano playing, or just her genuine pride at the accomplishments of those around her. A visit to Amma’s house was comprised of three main parts: Playing pool with Afi in the basement, singing along while Amma played piano, and having a nap on that amazing water bed while she watched One Life to Live or All My Children. I learned to count by picking raspberries with her in the garden. My count was always off because I was too busy eating them right off the plant. One of my favorite memories is her love of the rose bushes just outside the back door of her and Afi’s house. She was so happy to announce the number of roses that day, as well as the number of buds that were still coming. This taught me to always be grateful for the roses in my life, and the importance of looking forward to the future. Less profound but still important, I learned the about precision. According to Amma, there was a right way and a wrong way to make Vinarterta, and it all came down to the number of layers you made it. Anything other than 7 was wrong. Amma taught me too many lessons to recount here, but I carry them all with me in my heart. I wish she could have met my daughter (her newest great grandchild) but I take comfort knowing that she’s finally back with Afi, and they’re probably out for a cruise in the Park Avenue right now. Amma, I will miss you everyday and love you forever. I promise that I will always count the roses, just like you taught me. - Posted by: Breanna Iannuzzi (Grand daughter) on: Oct 03, 2025
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I was so heartbroken to hear this news. Grace was a profoundly special woman whose warmth and wisdom touched so many lives. She faced every day and situation with a quiet resolve that is a legacy to us all. What I will cherish and attempt to emulate is her unwavering belief in those she loved. It gave us all an inner strength to overcome perils and strive to be our best because she believed in us unconditionally. Many of us will continue to reflect on the quiet moments we shared with Grace over the years. She will always live on in our hearts and her character is emulated in many of our children. May God keep you with him until we can walk together again. - Posted by: Caroline Staples (Family) on: Sep 30, 2025
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Our condolences to the Fridfinnson family on the loss of your Mom & Grandma. Grace indeed lived up to her name but I would also add kind, friendly, hospitable, with a delightful sense of humour. Whenever I'd come into the dealership to service our vehicle, she would stop & chat, ask how our family was including family members from Eriksdale who also purchased vehicles there. She was an amazing ambassador for the business. She was VERY proud of all her children & grandchildren. Our love, hugs, thoughts & prayers are with you all as you mourn the loss of such a beautiful, sweet, gracious lady. - Posted by: Jeff & Cindy (Smith) Plett (Viking Motors customer & friend) on: Sep 27, 2025
