LAURENCE (LARRY) STEINGRIMUR GUDNI JOHNSON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

LAURENCE (LARRY) STEINGRIMUR GUDNI JOHNSON We have lost a special husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Suddenly on May 24, 2001 at his home in Selkirk, MB, Larry beloved husband of Edith for 47 years passed away at the age of 72. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Edith, son Larry (Noreen) of Medicine Hat, AB, daughter Patricia (David) Zdrill of West St. Paul, MB, daughter Kathleen (Daniel) Dahlin of Selkirk, MB, grandchildren Lorelei and Eric Johnson, Jeremy and Laura Beth Zdrill, Zackary and Benjamin Dahlin. He is survived by his brothers and sisters, Elma (Charlie) Cheyne of Teulon, MB, Lenny (Margaret) of Riverton, MB, Melvin (Angela) of Mississauga, ON, Cliff (Barbara) of Victoria, BC, Arlene (Brian) Robbins of Rivers, MB, Don (Fran) of New Westminster, BC. He is also survived by in-laws Jean Spence of Burlington, ON, Bernard (Mary) Spence of Timmins, ON, Norma Butler of Iroquois Falls, ON, Clifford (Pierette) Spence of Ottawa, ON, Edward (Rita) Spence of Ste. Julie, PQ, Evelyn Samms of Kitchener, ON. He was predeceased by his parents Einar and Capitola Johnson, in-laws Bernard and Freda Spence, Maurice Spence of Burlington, ON, Jean and Bill Turner of Iroquois Falls, ON, George Spence of Iroquois Falls, ON. Larry was born in Hnausa on June 29, 1928, raised and educated in Riverton, MB, and completed his grade 12 in Stonewall, MB. After graduation he built the roof on the school on Hecla Island and taught in the one room school for one year. Following that, he became a Carnie and travelled throughout northern Ontario running rides for a carnival. After a flood floated his suitcase past him, Larry took that as a sign to change jobs and became the foreman of a logging camp for Abitibi in Kapuskasing, ON. It was then that me met the love of his life, Edith, and they married on September 26, 1953. They subsequently moved to Timmins, ON, where Larry became a motorcycle cop with the Timmins Police Force. Never scared of a challenge, over the years he enjoyed a number of different occupations, including sales, and motel and retail management. In 1962, Larry returned to his roots and moved the family to the Riverton and Arborg area, working in retail management. He also returned to school, taking teacher training courses at Red River Community College. In 1968, Larry returned to school full-time at the age of 40 to retrain as a teacher. Upon graduation 2 years later he started teaching accounting and retailing with the Lord Selkirk School Division in Selkirk, where he worked until his retirement on his 60th birthday. A natural teacher, he went to night school to earn his Bachelor of Pedagogy from the University of Manitoba, graduating in 1975 on the same day as his son. After his official retirement, he continued to teach night courses in Selkirk for R.R.C.C. His influence is felt by many, many former students. Over the years Larry volunteered his services to the Selkirk & District Chamber of Commerce, Selkirk & District Hospital Board, the Manitoba Health Organization, the Interlake Health Network, the Selkirk Community Library Board, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Selkirk Arts Festival, the Heart & Stroke Foundation and the Icelandic National League. Larry was very proud of his Icelandic heritage and was extensively involved in Icelandic cultural activities throughout North America and Iceland. He was a long-standing member of and was currently Past President of the Selkirk Bruin Chapter of the Icelandic National League, and he was Past President of the Icelandic National League of North America. While serving as president, he travelled to Iceland on numerous occasions to represent the INL at cultural functions. At the time of his death, Larry was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the New Iceland Heritage Museum in Gimli. For his extensive community service, Larry was honoured as Selkirks Citizen of the Year for 1993. In 1994, the Year of the Family, Larry was proud that his family was honoured as a Family of the Year by the Province of Manitoba. Larry loved to travel with Edith. In addition to their trips to Iceland, they had also been to Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and across Canada and the United States. One of Larry and Ediths favourite pastimes was Old Time Dancing. They often drove through the night returning from a dance, and were recognized in halls throughout Manitoba. They were recently featured in an episode of Cross-Country Canada. Dad also enjoyed working on home improvements, gardening, painting, and reading. Larrys first priority was his family. His world revolved around Edith and they did everything together. Dad was the best father in the world and set a wonderful example as a parent. He spent many hours playing crib and board games, talking to his children and guiding them through their lives. Dad spent much of his time with his grandchildren, singing babies to sleep with Icelandic songs, going to many soccer and hockey games, swimming lessons and dance recitals as possible. Grandpa would do anything to get a laugh out of his grandchildren and they have many wonderful memories of their Afi. A man who touched many lives and left us all the better for it, we miss him deeply. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Honorary pallbearers are his brothers and sisters and his grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 28, at 2:00 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Selkirk, MB, 6088 PTH 9A, just south of Selkirk. "Till I waltz with you again." Love, Edith NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 26, 2001