ASGEIR ARMANN MAGNUSSON

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ASGEIR ARMANN MAGNUSSON It is with great sadness that we announce that our dear father and Afi passed away peacefully on July 26, 2009 at the Arborg Personal Care Home surrounded by the love of his family. Dad/Afi has left us with a lifetime of memories, and sadly missing him are his children and grandchildren, son Barry (Coreen), Jenelle (Tomas), Blaine (Kaitlyn); son Michael (Kathy), Gillian, Rebecca, Meghan; daughter Kathy Sigurgeirson (Russell), Adrian and Brock; his extended family, Debbie Brown (Jeff), Scott (Stacy), Jeffrey, Jamie; David Johnson (Judy), Darrell; Diane McNeely-Ritcey (Kurt), Allison, Andrew; Alan Johnson (Janie), Trent, Amy; Carl Johnson. He will also be remembered by numerous nieces and nephews, family and friends. Asgeir was predeceased by his wife Kristin in 1990, and Alice in 2007; his parents, Armann and Asgerdur Magnusson; his brothers, Joe, Kris, Jonas, Magnus Maggi , and infant brother Asgeir; sisters, Caroline Mathiason, Sella Bergman, Halla Magnusson, Emily Lindal and Helga Jonasson. Alice's grandsons Robbie and Kenton also predeceased him. Asgeir was the youngest of ten children and was the last surviving member of his generation. Dad was born on the family farm in Vidir on October 20, 1928. His siblings helped raise him after the death of their mother when Asgeir was only six years old. Asgeir attended Vidir School and as was the custom, started helping on the family farm as a youngster, developing his strong work ethic and lifelong skills. Alongside his father and brothers, Asgeir embarked on the difficult task of clearing land to establish and expand the family farm. During the winter of 1957, he ventured out to Port Alice, B.C. with his brother Maggi and good friend Robbie Martin to work on the construction of a pulpmill. On June 15, 1957, Asgeir married Kristin Finnson of Vidir. Together they built a new home in 1967 on the Magnusson family farm where they raised their three children. Dad took great pride in the farm and to him there was no task too great or small; they all had to be done. He was a no-nonsense, determined and stubborn Icelander who would persevere until the job was done right. Usually what was on Asgeir's mind was freely expressed and one was never left guessing what his thoughts might be. Along with farming, Asgeir owned and operated a gravel truck and worked with the Kristjanson Brothers for several years. He also drove a school bus to transport Lowland kids to the Vidir school. Dad was a huge fan of local sports, watching his children and grandchildren participate in various sports as often as possible until his health prevented him from attending. Many fun-filled hours were spent on his homemade skating rinks and baseball diamonds. He enjoyed the camaraderie shared while goose hunting and fishing with his friends and family. For many years Asgeir enjoyed outings in his camper trailer, and then later at his cottage near Hnausa on Lake Winnipeg. In earlier days, Dad was a hockey and baseball player whose competitive interest continued as a coach in minor hockey. He was an avid fan of professional sports and began his lifelong passion for the Toronto Maple Leafs as a young boy while listening to their games on the radio, and because of his determined nature, he never gave up hope for them! Dad lost his wife Kristin to cancer in 1990 and married Alice Johnson in 1999. He retired in 2001 and moved off the farm to Arborg. Asgeir may have retired from the farm, but his enduring love of farming, including his farm animals and many pets, never left him and he continued to work at the farm until prohibited by health issues. His keen interest in the everyday goings-on at the farm and his grandchildren's activities was endless through to his last days. His family was always of the utmost importance in his life, his grandchildren a special treasure. After Alice's death in 2007 he moved into the Arborg Assisted Living where he enjoyed joking with the staff and greatly valued their companionship. Asgeir will be missed for his sense of humour and wit. For the last few months, with his health failing, he was cared for at the Arborg Personal Care Home. The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank-you for the excellent care and compassion given to Dad by the staffs at Arborg Assisted Living and the Arborg Personal Care Home, the home care workers and Dr. Beukes. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 31 at 2:00 p.m. at the Arborg Community Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Arborg Personal Care Home, Arborg Assisted Living, or a charity of your choice. GODA NOTT Dad and Afi Arborg (MacKenzie) Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 29, 2009