JONINA INGIBJORG JONASSON -

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JONINA INGIBJORG JONASSON 1923 - 2011 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our Mom, Amma, Auntie and friend, Jonina Jonasson (Gudmundson), on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at the age of 87 years. Mom left us peacefully, in her sleep, while in the Arborg Memorial Hospital where she had spent her last several months. Mom was the daughter of Sesselja (Johannesson) of Svold, North Dakota and Sigurdur Gudmundsson of Skogar (by Riverton). Mom was born and raised in Framnes, MB, where she lived with her family and attended school. Leaving home at a young age to begin working, she met and married our Dad, Hafsteinn Jonasson, in 1941. Mom and Dad built a new home in Riverton at Engimyri, where they raised their eight children. Summers were usually spent at a variety of fish camps and construction sites to be with Dad wherever he was working, where Mom also took on job of cook. She always worked very hard, taking on a variety of odd jobs throughout the years. Mom loved to write, and did an outstanding job as the Riverton reporter for the Lake Centre News for many years. After Dad passed away in 1972, Mom completed her grade 12 education and entered the workforce full time at Riverton Co-op, where she worked for 15 years before her retirement in 1987. Retirement didn't keep her at home, she continued working on and off for the next several years. In 1987 Mom made her home at the Icelandic River Lodge in Riverton, where she lived until her passing. Mom was truly an independent Icelander . She was the epitome of strength and a constant source of inspiration to both her friends and family. There was no obstacle she couldn't overcome; there was no challenge she didn't meet head-on. She didn't know what it meant to give up and she never complained, no matter the situation. Her coffee pot was always on and her open-mindedness, sense of humour, empathetic and compassionate demeanor led to a constant revolving door of visitors, dropping in for Mom's counsel at her home at the Icelandic River Lodge. Her friends were people of all ages, and all walks of life and she had a particular affection for all the kids that came to see her. Mom was predeceased by Dad, Hafsteinn, parents, Sella and Sigurdur, stepfather, Eddi Gudmundson, brothers Kristinn and Sveinn, sisters Sigurros and Inga, as well as many in-laws on both Mom and Dad's side of the family. She is survived by her eight children, Brian (Shirley), Karen (Arthur), Harley (Sharon), Dale (Pat), Gary, Tracey (Donny), Murray (Christine), Robyn (Doug); by her grand-children Cheryl (Neil), Corinne (Tommi), Terrence, Svany, Wade (Stacey), Marla, Billy, Beverley, Cathy, Shelley (Neal), Bradley, Jennifer, Justin (Mihaela), Sarah, Jared, Daran and their mother Heather, Devon, Asia, Erik, Jordan, Cydnee, Madison, Morgan, Lyndsee, as well as 19 great-grandchildren, her sister Toby (Earl) Gudmundson, brother Kris (Heather) Gudmundson, sisters-in-law Lorna Holtzman, Inga Evans, Amy Macdonald and brother-in-law, Baldwin Jonasson, as well as many nieces and nephews who she was very close to. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Drs. Gerges and Donnelly, the nurses, and all the staff at the Arborg Hospital for their wonderful care during Mom's long stay in hospital. Celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at Riverton Hnausa Lutheran Church in Riverton, Manitoba at 1:00 p.m. Private interment. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Icelandic River Heritage Sites, Box 555, Riverton MB, R0C 2R0 in memory of Mom. NEIL BARDAL INC. FUNERAL CENTRE (204) 949-2200 nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 18, 2011