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Thorkell Wallace (Wally) Johannson
Born: Apr 10, 1936
Date of Passing: Sep 02, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryThorkell Wallace (Wally) Johannson
Wally Johannson passed away peacefully at Betel Personal Care Home in Gimli, Manitoba, at the age of 89. Born in Arborg, he was a lifelong educator, teaching History and Geography for 31 years across Manitoba.
A passionate democratic socialist, Wally served as NDP MLA for St. Matthews from 1969 to 1977, contributing to housing development and key legislative reforms including the Landlord and Tenant Act and legislation that looked to unify the City of Winnipeg. He later devoted himself to heritage preservation, serving on the Manitoba Heritage Council and chairing the Gimli Heritage Committee. Wally was also president of the Gimli Rotary Club and a recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Heritage Preservation.
He is survived by his wife Sandra; daughter Jessica and her mother Cheryl Yurchuk (George); stepchildren Jeffrey (Amanda) Burt and Jennifer (Brunel) Sabourin; granddaughters Abigail, Brooklyn, Rebecca, and Stephanie; sister Barbara (Bernest) Orbanski; sisters-in-law Carole and Denise; and many extended family members. He was predeceased by his parents Thorkell and Gudrun, siblings Eleanor, Ron, Lawrence, and sister-in-law Norma. His youngest brother Neil passed away one day after Wally.
Wally will be remembered for his intellect, generosity, love of travel, sports, and his deep appreciation for great food—whether enjoying Sandra’s exceptional cooking or exploring restaurants near and far.
An opportunity to share stories and remember Wally with family and friends will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Johnson Hall, Waterfront Centre, 94 1st Avenue, Gimli, Manitoba.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 20, 2025
