Olof BERTRAM

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BERTRAM: Olof Gudrun Margret Bertram, May 15, 1919–September 4, 2018. Olof Bertram (nee Sigfusson), passed away peacefully at the age of 99 on September 4, 2018 in Brandon, MB. Olof was predeceased by her parents Skuli and Gudrun, siblings Arthur, Loa (Maria), Svein, Skuli, Thomas and her husbands Gerry and Don. As matriarch of the family, Olof embodied the qualities of the Icelandic people: hardworking, independent, self-sufficient, thrifty, stubborn, hospitable and generous. Honouring her loving supportive spirit, courage and tenacity are her children: Christine, Wayne, Brenda (Lawrence Donald), Jamie (Judy Goodman) and Janet (Laurie Penton), grandchildren Erika and Sean Donald, Connor and Erik Penton, and great-grandson Henry. Olof was born on May 15, 1919, and raised on the family farm in Lundar, the sixth of seven children to Skuli Sigfusson and Gudrun Arnason. Her father, Skuli was an original pioneer who became a farmer, businessman, and Liberal MLA for the Interlake for twenty years. Her brothers were well known for founding the Sigfusson Transportation and J. S. Sigfusson companies. Proud of her Icelandic heritage, Olof’s ties to Iceland remained strong through her many trips there to visit her sister Loa and family. Olof graduated as a psychiatric nurse from the Brandon Mental Health Centre in 1940, and then worked in the medical field in Winnipeg. With the shortage of teachers during the war, Olof stepped in for a year, so her younger brother, Tom, could complete his schooling. She continued her teacher’s training and taught in Somerset and Winnipeg. In Somerset she met her husband, Gerry McMahon. They raised five children in Boissevain, where they were active in many community organizations. They moved to Brandon in 1966 when Gerry became Area Manager of Manitoba Hydro. Gerry passed away suddenly in 1967. With five children to support, Olof returned to University, at age 48, completing a B.A. in Psychology and a B.Ed. degree. She was a respected instructor at Assiniboine Community College in Brandon until she retired. She inspired her children and grandchildren to complete university degrees and seek professional careers. In 1979, Olof married her second husband, Don Bertram, a widower with five sons. They retired to Nanaimo, in 1986, where Don passed in 1993. For thirty years, each summer Olof returned to her roots at her cottage on Lake Winnipeg near Gimli. Olof was an active, outgoing person who enjoyed teaching Icelandic, singing in a choir, swimming and exercise classes, attending Unity Church, and dabbling in watercolour painting. She could talk with anyone and had a great memory for genealogy. Her children joke that she could be put anywhere in the world and would find either someone she knew or was related to. Everyone who knew her has an amusing story of time spent with her. The family thanks the Hillcrest staff for the wonderful care and attention she received. A Celebration of Life event will take place at a later date. Góthe nótt elskan mín!

As published in Brandon Sun on Sep 22, 2018