GUDFINNA LILJA OLAFSON

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GUDFINNA LILJA OLAFSON June 20, 1910 - October 31, 2006 Our beloved mother and Amma, Lilja passed away at Betel in Gimli, MB where she resided for the last number of years. Predeceased by her loving husband Arni, Lilja leaves to cherish her memory her three sons and daughters-in law, Brian and Kathe, Douglas and Dorothy, and Donald and Linda. She will be sadly missed by her grandchildren, Kristjana (Brent), Johannes, Devon (Karen), Donica (Joi), Kristine (Kieran) and Erica, her great-grandchildren, Cassie, Jordan and Colton and her nieces Elva, Stjana, Eileen, and Margaret and many great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Born and raised in Gimli, daughter of one of the leading Manitoba Suffragettes, Kristjana Thordarson, and a former Mayor of Gimli, Bergthor Thordarson, she was quietly proud of her Icelandic heritage. Lilja was a lifelong member of the First Lutheran Church of Winnipeg. As matriarch of the Olafson family, she was always visiting and being visited by many friends and family interested in the family history from both Iceland and Manitoba. After completing her education in Gimli, MB, Lilja trained as a registered nurse at the Winnipeg General Hospital. She graduated in 1933 and then completed a year of post graduate work in psychiatric nursing in Brandon. She worked for two years selling medical supplies for Fisher and Burpee all over Canada mostly by train. She married Arni Olafson of Baldur, MB in 1941 and together they raised Brian and the twins, Donald and Douglas. Summers were spent at Gimli at Larakot with her boys. When her sons were old enough she returned to work in conjunction with the Alcoholic Foundation of Manitoba at the Health Sciences Centre until her retirement in 1975. Special thanks are given to Dr. Jacquie Montoedi and the staff at Betel for their exceptional care and kindness. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. If desired, donations to Lilja's memory can be made to the Gimli Betel Home Foundation in lieu of flowers. Neil Bardal Inc. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 04, 2006