STEFANIE JOHNSTONE (BJARNASON) -

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STEFANIE JOHNSTONE (nee BJARNASON) 1908 - 2009 It is with great love and fond memories that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, nana and great-nana, with her daughters by her side, on September 15, 2009 at the Betel Home in Gimli in her 101st year. Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters: Carol Aitken (Bill), and Debbie Tustin (Barry); and son-in-law Bill Mutala (Jean). Grandchildren, Cathie Mutala (Gary Shotton), Karen Olson and Heather Oddleifson; Bob Aitken (Sharon Firman), David and Michele Aitken and Brian Aitken; Paul and Jacquie Tustin, Craig Tustin (Francoise Cassidy) and Lisa and Derek Litke. Great-grandchildren: Christine, Mark and Michelle Olson, Jessica Oddleifson, Michael, Tim and Connor Aitken, Brett and Katie Tustin and Kaylee Litke, plus several nieces and nephews and their families. Predeceased by her husband David Johnstone in 1969, eldest daughter Pat Mutala in 1997, parents, Fridrik and Helga Bjarnason (who died in 1912 when Stefanie was four years old) and stepmother Bjorg Bjarnason. Her two brothers, Jon Bjarnason and his wife, Emily, Magnus Paulson and his wife, Lillian and her sister Laura and her husband Arni Arnason; also her loving companion of many years Jim Wilson. Stefanie was born in Winnipeg on February 27, 1908 and attended Principal Sparling and Daniel McIntyre Schools, graduating in grade 12. She married Dave in 1932 and lived in Winnipeg all her life except for brief stints in Yorkton and Brandon and these last five and a half years in Gimli Betel Home. Most of her working life was in Ladies Fashions at Eaton's where she worked until she was 70 years old. Mom was a devoted mother and grandmother who dearly loved her family and took great joy sharing in family gatherings. She loved clothes and took great pride in her appearance, had her hair done weekly and was always colour co-ordinated, disliked the colour green and loved to dance. She was a very generous woman, loved to bake and shared her cakes, cookies and muffins with her many friends. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting and travelling. She went to Hawaii several times, took a Caribbean cruise and travelled to Iceland with her eldest daughter Pat and granddaughter Heather. She was extremely proud of being the granddaughter of Rev. Jon Bjarnason and his wife, Lara. The Reverend was the first minister at First Lutheran Church and Lara and the ladies group from the church founded the Gimli Betel Home. She was a life long member of First Lutheran, baptized, confirmed and married there and referred to the church as my Afi's church. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in the First Lutheran Church, 580 Victor Street with Pastor Michael Kurtz officiating. Many thanks are extended to Pastor Michael Kurtz, Dr. R. Gera, and the loving, compassionate staff at Betel Home. Betel was her home where she received excellent care and the staff became our extended family. Also thanks to Eirik Bardal of Neil Bardal Inc. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Lutheran Church, 580 Victor St., Winnipeg, MB R3G 1R2 or to the Betel Home Foundation, Box 10, Gimli, MB R0C 1B0. Because of the happiness she brought, The understanding she showed, And the love she gave so freely, Our mother will always be that someone special In the hearts of those who loved her. NEIL BARDAL INC. 204-949-2200 - 204-642-7124 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 17, 2009