SVAVA LOIS YOUNG (JOHNSON)

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SVAVA LOIS YOUNG (nee JOHNSON) Svava Lois Young born October 12, 1934, passed away November 29, 2012 in the St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. She leaves to mourn her husband Dr. Kenneth Boyd Young, her sister Thelma Myrdal of Winnipeg, two brothers Frank Gerald Johnson (Verna) of Oakview, Manitoba and Dr. Herman Johnson of Winnipeg, brother-in-law Bill Norberg of Ontario, son-in-law Joel Jesperson and two grandchildren Lars and Hayden Jesperson of Conway, Arkansas as well as many nieces and nephews. Lois was predeceased by her parents Bergthora (Heida) and Johannes Johnson of Oakview, Manitoba, her daughter Heather Jesperson (nee Young), her two older sisters Audrey Norberg and Norma Kristjansson, brothers-in-law Dr. Gestur Kristjansson and Mundi Myrdal. Lois graduated as a registered Nurse in 1956 from the Winnipeg General Hospital (Health Sciences Centre) School of Nursing. She worked at the General on the Medicine and Psychiatry Units and then spent the last few years she was in Winnipeg working in the Emergency Department. In 1961 she traveled to Iceland with her mother and her Aunt Thorun, an enjoyable and memorable trip for all. In 1965 she married Kenneth Young and they had one daughter Heather. In 1966 they moved to the United States initially to Bozeman, Montana where Ken completed his degree in Agricultural Economics and Lois continued to work as a nurse. In 1971 they moved to Lubbock Texas. While there, Lois became interested in the Real Estate field and worked to promote their Real Estate business while Ken worked at the Texas Tech University. In 1981 they moved to Conway, Arkansas, their present address. Their daughter Heather, also a nurse, married Joel Jesperson in 1994, they had two sons Lars and Hayden. Lois continued to work in their real estate business while Ken worked at Winrock International and University of Arkansas. In 1987 Ken's work took him to Indonesia with Lois accompanying him. While there she arranged a class in her own home for about 15 to 20 children from the neighbourhood and taught them English. She was really pleased with the result of her efforts. They returned to Conway in 1989. In 2001 Lois and Ken experienced the tragic loss of their daughter Heather, at age 35, who died suddenly leaving her two young children Lars age three and Hayden age one. Lois concentrated her efforts on helping to care for her grandchildren. Education was imperative to Lois and the boys were off to a good start at a young age playing arithmetic games and reading, reading and more reading. Lois loved the farm in Oakview where she grew up. She had her favourite pet animals who seemed to respond to her attention while ignoring the rest of her siblings. She wasn't afraid of hard work and enjoyed working in the hay field with the rest of us. Lois was a kind and compassionate person and loved working with people. She was truly interested and concerned for the well being of others. Her chosen career in nursing was very fitting. Lois' love and devotion to family, along with her quick wit and down to earth philosophies were always a pleasure. We will truly miss her beautifully, kind smile, little giggle and great laughter. A family gathering is being planned in Winnipeg to pay tribute to her memory.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 04, 2012