GUDNY THORUNN JOHNSON

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GUDNY THORUNN JOHNSON February 22, 1926 - August 24, 2014 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our Mom, Amma, sister, auntie and friend, Gudny Johnson, on the afternoon of August 24, in her 89th year. She left us peacefully, with her son Lorne at her side, at the Arborg and District Personal Care Home where she had spent the last three years. Gudny was born February 22, 1926, the middle child of Valdi and Ninna Jonasson, on the family farm, Olafsdal, in the Geysir district where she grew up and attended the nearby Laufas School. Her formal schooling was completed with a dressmaking course in Winnipeg where she acquired knowledge and skills that she would draw upon throughout her life. On June 17, 1948 Gudny married Snorri Johnson. Together they lived and worked on the family farm in the Framnes district and it was there that they raised their three children. In their nearly 55 years of marriage, Gudny and Snorri will be remembered as a mutually supporting couple, managing their responsibilities well and serving as role models to their children and grandchildren. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, as the seed business aspect of the family farm operation evolved into Johnson Seeds, Gudny served as bookkeeper for the business. Gudny lived a full life. She took pride in her family, home and community. She was a gifted chef, baker, seamstress and horticulturalist. She was successful in creating a park like yard around the family home and gardens aplenty nearby. Gudny also contributed to her community in various ways including serving as a 4-H leader, a director on the board of the Arborg and District Agricultural Society and volunteering at the Ardal-Geysir Lutheran Church. Although she was very much a homebody Gudny together with Snorri enjoyed visits to Iceland in 1977 and 1998, a holiday in Europe in 1982, and often accompanied Snorri on his long drives to "inspect the crops". Gudny was always happy when visitors dropped in for a cup of coffee. She is remembered for her hospitality, kindness and genuine interest in people. She had a great many friends. As "Amma" she will be remembered for her interest in and encouragement of her grandchildren's accomplishments, and of course, for the never-ending supply of ponnukokur, vinarterta, datebar and oatmeal cookies. Gudny remained in her own home until the age of 80 when she moved into the Arborg Assisted Living Centre where she enjoyed the camaraderie of old friends and new for several years. Gudny was predeceased by her husband Snorri, her parents, infant grandson, Andrew Neal Johnson Sproule, brothers (and their wives), Hermundur and Thora Jonasson, and Alli and Bjorg Laxdal and brother-in-law, Kristjan Johnson. Gudny leaves a lifetime of special memories to be cherished by daughter Sigrid Johnson (Rob Sproule), grandchildren Meghan, Michael and Matthew, and sons, Brian (Loretta Kermaschuk) and Lorne. She also leaves her sister Valdina (Kjartan, Snorri's brother), several nieces and nephews, and many friends. The family would like to extend a special thank you to all those who had a part in Gudny's care during years spent at the Arborg Assisted Living Centre and at the Arborg and District Personal Care Home. A memorial service in celebration of Gudny's life will be held on Saturday, August 30 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ardal-Geysir Lutheran Church on River Road in Arborg with Pastor Claire Speary officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ardal-Geysir Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 160, Arborg, MB, R0C 0A0. "Love you Amma" Goda nott elsku Gudny MacKenzie Funeral Home in care of arrangements (1-204-467-2525) mackhome@mts.net
Publish Date: Aug 30, 2014

GUDNY THORUNN JOHNSON February 22, 1926 - August 24, 2014 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our Mom, Amma, sister, auntie and friend, Gudny Johnson, on the afternoon of August 24, in her 89th year. She left us peacefully, with her son Lorne at her side, at the Arborg and District Personal Care Home where she had spent the last three years. Gudny was born February 22, 1926, the middle child of Valdi and Ninna Jonasson, on the family farm, Olafsdal, in the Geysir district where she grew up and attended the nearby Laufas School. Her formal schooling was completed with a dressmaking course in Winnipeg where she acquired knowledge and skills that she would draw upon throughout her life. On June 17, 1948 Gudny married Snorri Johnson. Together they lived and worked on the family farm in the Framnes district and it was there that they raised their three children. In their nearly 55 years of marriage, Gudny and Snorri will be remembered as a mutually supporting couple, managing their responsibilities well and serving as role models to their children and grandchildren. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, as the seed business aspect of the family farm operation evolved into Johnson Seeds, Gudny served as bookkeeper for the business. Gudny lived a full life. She took pride in her family, home and community. She was a gifted chef, baker, seamstress and horticulturalist. She was successful in creating a park like yard around the family home and gardens aplenty nearby. Gudny also contributed to her community in various ways including serving as a 4-H leader, a director on the board of the Arborg and District Agricultural Society and volunteering at the Ardal-Geysir Lutheran Church. Although she was very much a homebody Gudny together with Snorri enjoyed visits to Iceland in 1977 and 1998, a holiday in Europe in 1982, and often accompanied Snorri on his long drives to "inspect the crops". Gudny was always happy when visitors dropped in for a cup of coffee. She is remembered for her hospitality, kindness and genuine interest in people. She had a great many friends. As "Amma" she will be remembered for her interest in and encouragement of her grandchildren's accomplishments, and of course, for the never-ending supply of ponnukokur, vinarterta, datebar and oatmeal cookies. Gudny remained in her own home until the age of 80 when she moved into the Arborg Assisted Living Centre where she enjoyed the camaraderie of old friends and new for several years. Gudny was predeceased by her husband Snorri, her parents, infant grandson, Andrew Neal Johnson Sproule, brothers (and their wives), Hermundur and Thora Jonasson, and Alli and Bjorg Laxdal and brother-in-law, Kristjan Johnson. Gudny leaves a lifetime of special memories to be cherished by daughter Sigrid Johnson (Rob Sproule), grandchildren Meghan, Michael and Matthew, and sons, Brian (Loretta Kermaschuk) and Lorne. She also leaves her sister Valdina (Kjartan, Snorri's brother), several nieces and nephews, and many friends. The family would like to extend a special thank-you to all those who had a part in Gudny's care during years spent at the Arborg Assisted Living Centre and at the Arborg and District Personal Care Home. A memorial service in celebration of Gudny's life will be held on Saturday, August 30 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ardal-Geysir Lutheran Church on River Road in Arborg with Pastor Claire Speary officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ardal-Geysir Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 160, Arborg, MB, R0C 0A0. "Love you Amma" Goda nott elsku Gudny MacKenzie Funeral Home in care of arrangements (1-204-467-2525) mackhome@mts.net
Publish Date: Aug 29, 2014

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 30, 2014