OLIVIA (OLLA) SVANHVIT STEFANSON

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OLIVIA (OLLA) SVANHVIT STEFANSON (nee EINARSON) Born at Thorsmork on July 18, 1917 to Maria and Sigurdur Einarson, Olla was part of a large family. She is predeceased by her siblings, Vilhjalmur, Einar, Haraldur, Thoroddur, Stanley, Palmi, Ingvar, Kristjan, Karl, Bergthora (Tait), Gudbjorg (Holm), Adalheidur (Bonser) her grandson Soren Tergesen; daughter-in-law Carolyn and sister-in-law Lulu Gudmundson. Raised and educated in Minerva, she married Stefan Stefanson on February 4, 1936. Their children and families lovingly remember Olla: Lorna (Terry) and their children, Svenn (Amy), Stefan (Joanne), Johann (Angela) and Tristin. Ernest (Claire) and daughter Sigrid. Maria (Gerald) and their children, Laura and Morgan. Valdi and daughters, Jackie and Tara. Eric (Barb) and their children, Brynna, Aiden and Logan. Five great-grandchildren; sisters, Gudrun Ingimundson and Sigridur Benediktson and sister-in-law Ella Angevine; numerous nieces and nephews and special family friends, Winston (Joy) Stranger and Della Marek shall remember Olla. Ollas life work was raising her family. She operated the family farm in partnership with her husband and father-in-law. She was one of the original owners of Viking Travel Ltd. which led to extensive travel around the world. She shone as a tour director both in Iceland and Canada. The government of Iceland bestowed honours on Olla for fostering relationships between the two countries. She was chosen as Fjallkona in 1979. Olla had a life membership in the Icelandic National League and the Minerva Ladies Aid. With her husband she was very active in founding the Gimli Museum and they maintained it for a quarter of a century. Anyone who knew Olla soon realized that under her soft demeanour lay a strong and generous spirit. She will be remembered by everyone that she touched. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 22 at 2:00 p.m. at the New Horizons Inc., Gimli. The family would like to thank the staff and administration at Betel for their compassion and hard work. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Betel Waterfront Centre. Neil Bardal Inc. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 21, 2000