FRANKLIN JOHNSON (JONSSON)

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FRANKLIN JOHNSON (JONSSON) On December 10, 2001 in Iceland, Franklin Johnson, aged 81 years, son of the late Magnus and Maria Johnson. Franklin was predeceased by his sister Lilja Johnson and by his brother Einar Johnson. He is survived by his sisters, Kristin Magnuson of Hnausa, MB and Elin Hood of Winnipeg; numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. Franklin was born in the Geysir District and lived at the family farm Oddi (Odda). He moved to Iceland in 1994 and was granted honorary citizenship there by Vigdis Finnbogadottir, who was then the President. Franklin was widely known as the farmer/poet of the Geysir district. His knowledge of veterinary medicine helped many farmers in the area at calving and other times with their animals. His poetry is legendary and of a unique writing style that had scholars and laymen alike listening to and reading over and over again. His grasp of the Icelandic language for someone born here often amazed Icelanders from Iceland. He was often called upon to write a poem to mark an occasion and on the visit of the President of Iceland to Arborg in 1989, Franklin composed a poem in her honour. He felt a keen kinship for Iceland and its people and expressed a desire to finish his days there. This was accomplished and he died in the presence of good friends and relatives he met there. His legacy is his poetry that will live in the hearts of his readers for all time to come. Franklin will be buried in the land of his choice, Iceland, and a memorial service will be held here at a later date. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 15, 2001