JOSEPHINE (FINA) GUDRUN LASSON (LINDAL)

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JOSEPHINE (FINA) GUDRUN LASSON (nee LINDAL) After a brief stay at Seven Regions Health Centre in Gladstone, Fina passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at the age of 96. She leaves to cherish her memory sons Ed (Helga) Lasson and Frank Lasson; grandsons Dale, Rob and Bryan Lasson, and daughter-in-law Marsha Lasson; sister Svava Cumber (Bert) of Winnipeg; sisters-in-law Alice Lasson of Portage and Bertha Teward of Kelowna, BC along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband Joseph Lasson; parents Frida and Carl Lindal; brothers Bjossie, Soffie and Vinnie Lindal; son Joe Lasson; grandson Ian Lasson; infant granddaughter Katherine Yvonne Lasson, and granddaughter-in-law, Cheryl (Dale) Lasson. She was born on January 4, 1914 in Markland in the municipality of Coldwell near Lundar. At the age of five months, she and her family moved to a Langruth farmstead, then later into town. In her younger years, she worked at her father's butcher shop - Grandma always said her job was to stir the blood to keep it from curdling. This would later be used to make a favourite Icelandic delicacy: blomur/slautur (blood sausage). She was remembered as being very athletic in her high school days, a highlight for her being a chance to skate with Earl Doell, a local professional figure skater. On November 25, 1939 she married Joseph Lasson of Langruth. Joe and Fina started their own farm where she remained for 71 years until the last weeks before she passed. In the earlier years (all with three little boys underfoot) it was not unusual to see her preparing three meals a day for a thrashing gang of anywhere from 15 to 25 workmen during the harvest. Fina was known for her musical abilities and her strong faith in God. She was baptized and confirmed in the Grace Lutheran Church where she took over playing the organ in her teen years after her father passed away. Later in life, she sang in the choir and served several positions on the church council and ladies auxiliary. One of her other favourite pastimes was knitting which occupied her during the long winter months, making dozens of beautiful layettes, sweaters, mittens and booties donated annually through the Red Cross. She was blessed with good health for the majority of her days with the exception of a debilitating bout of rheumatoid arthritis which resulted in multiple stays in Winnipeg's Rehab Hospital in the 1960s. Although she recovered, she later had to give up her knitting and her duties as organist which we know she dearly missed as years passed. Her faith and her home were the most important parts of her life; any time she would go away for a visit, she would not settle until she had comfortably returned to her farm. Her passing marked the end of an era and generation of Icelanders in the Langruth community and she will be dearly missed by those who loved her. Memorial Service was held at Grace Lutheran Church in Langruth on Wednesday, December 29 at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Phyllis Thordarson officiating. As cremation has taken place, a private family interment is being held later in the spring. Eldest grandson, Dale was urn bearer and honorary pallbearers were Norman Arnason, Jim Bohm, Garry Hill, David Huyber, Mark Ingimundson, Joe Johnson, Roger Leclerc and Asgar Sigurdson. Family and friends gathered at the Langruth Community Hall following the service. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to Langruth Grace Lutheran Church. Clarke's Funeral Home, Gladstone in care of arrangements. www.clarkesfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 31, 2010