SIGURDUR JON (SIGGI) SIGFUSSON

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SIGURDUR JON (SIGGI) SIGFUSSON Hard Country grows pioneers with rough exteriors and big hearts. The footprint of these pioneers has given many the opportunity to stand tall. Siggi left more than his footprints, he left his memories, knowledge, commitment, work ethic, his laughter, and most of all he left us his love. Sigurdur Jon (Siggi) Sigfusson of Lundar, Manitoba, left us on January 16, 2010. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 67 years, Mattie, his son Thomas, grandson Brent, parents Skuli and Gudrun, brothers Arthur, Svein, Skuli, Thomas, and sister Loa (Maria). Remaining to forever cherish his memory are his children Brian (Hope), David (Pat), and Ellen (Jim) Gleich, grandchildren Dwayne (Trudi), Grant (Michele), Warren (Cheri), Wade (Jennifer), Curtis, Kyle and Vanessa Gleich, great-grandchildren Brett, Teneille, Tatum, Blake, Alexis, Ashley, Emily, Leif, Hayley, Abbey, and Colby, as well as sister, Olof Bertram, in Nanaimo, BC. Sigurdur Jon (Siggi) Sigfusson was born July 17, 1916 at the family farm in the Maryhill District near Lundar, Manitoba. Siggi attended school at Mary Hill for his early years, but in the twenties the family sold the farm and moved to Lundar. After four years in town the family returned to the farm, and Siggi worked and completed his Grade 9 at Mary Hill by correspondence. This was the end of Siggi's formal education as duties on the family farm took priority. He and his brothers resorted to baling hay for export to Saskatchewan and winter fishing on Lake Manitoba as a means to save the family farm from the grip of the depression years. Siggi met the love of his life, Mattie Oddson, and were married June 1, 1940. They lived on the family farm and began to raise their family; sons Brian and David attended Mary Hill School. Their youngest son, Thomas passed away at the tender age of five years. In 1951 the family moved into town and the following year their daughter Ellen was born. The children finished their schooling in Lundar. In 1945 Siggi saved enough money to buy his first crawler, a TD 18. Together with his older brother Arthur he began the partnership of Sigfusson Brothers, with Arthur doing the farming and Siggi taking care of the construction. This lasted until 1963, when his sons joined him in the business that became J. S. Sigfusson and Sons Ltd. During the forties and fifties Siggi's summers were spent supervising road construction in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba in association with Sigfusson Transportation. He supervised the Sigfusson Transportation Winter Roads operation in Pickle Lake for three winters, Dog Head for two winters and Winnipeg for five winters. Siggi built roads throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan, but his focus was the Interlake region. In the early 1970s, Siggi returned to fishing during the winter on Lake Manitoba and continued this for another 15 years. By the late eighties Siggi left the construction work to his sons and grandsons. He considered looking after a 200 cow calf operation his retirement. In 2005, poor eyesight forced him to give up farming and truly retire. When Sigfusson Northern Ltd. purchased J. S. Sigfusson and Sons Ltd., he was very proud to have his grandsons carry on his legacy. In his last years Siggi, who liked to be independent, used his motorized scooter to get around town and it was good to know that many local people looked out for him. After Mattie passed away Siggi began attending the New Horizon's club for dinners and also enjoyed the socializing. The local Legion was another place Siggi enjoyed spending his time as he often met up with old friends. At home he enjoyed the companionship of his cat Purry . Siggi was interviewed for the Icelandic paper in 2005 and the following statement sums up his lifetime work ethic. There is no way that I can spend my time at home doing nothing; I have come here to do something. Siggi helped pioneer the building of winter roads half a century ago, when it was a lot different from what it is now. He recalled that they had no radios or telephones and had to bring everything they would need for a very long time with them to work. But he said that they had good men and that's what made the difference. A Celebration of his Life will take place at 2:00 pm., Sunday, June 27 at the Lundar Lutheran Church with Pastor Terry Throndson presiding. Interment to follow in the Lundar Municipal Cemetery. The pallbearers will be, Dwayne Sigfusson, Grant Sigfusson, Warren Sigfusson, Wade Sigfusson, Curtis Gleich and Kyle Gleich. In lieu of flowers, please visit your local Legion and have a drink in memory of Siggi. SKAL . Arrangements by: Arnason's Funeral Home Ashern - Lundar (204) 768-2072

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 19, 2010