MAGNUS (MIKE) SIBJORN HALLSON

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Tribute to MAGNUS (MIKE) SIBJORN HALLSON April 5, 1922 to August 4, 2004 A well-known personality in the Icelandic community and one who spoke volumes in the Lundar area has died. Magnus (Mike) Hallson passed away peacefully on August 4, 2004 at the Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg and a small, simple memorial service was held Monday, August 9 at the chapel on site. Interment will be at the Lundar Cemetery with a small graveside service to be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 21, 2004. Mike was born April 5, 1922 in Lundar to the late Hallur and Olof Hallson. He was raised on the family farm approximately one mile north of Lundar with his siblings Harold, Johnny, Gudrun (Runa Vopni), Ingabjorg (Inga Burgess), Jensina (Jensen), Eddie, and Olof (Lolly Scaife Buskel). Mike was predeceased by his parents Hallur and Olof; two brothers Harold and Johnny (sister-in-law Anna Borgfjord) one sister Jensina (brother-in-law Don Jensen) two brothers-in-law Raymond Vopni (Runa), George Burgess (Inga) as well as by four stepsiblings from his fathers first marriage Eirikur (Eiki), Jona, Sigga, and Gudjon. Mike is survived by his beloved wife Emily; seven stepchildren - Joanne, Lillian, Susan, Donald, Linda, Stefan and Roberta; sisters, Runa, Inga and Lolly (brother-in-law Walter) brother Eddie (sister-in-law Myrtle) two sisters-in-law Leola (Harold) and Runa (Johnny) as well as by many, many nieces, nephews and their children and grandchildren all of whom hold Mike in a very special part of their hearts. At the memorial service many memories of Mike were recounted: Mike milking cows, carrying a lamb, teaching his young nieces and nephews to feed calves and lambs with a bottle, collecting eggs and helping us paint them at Easter, being the hero and saving these same kids as they explored the farm and sometimes went too far by falling into the water trough or getting chased up the haystack by the ram (or Rover, the affectionate dog Mike worked and played with throughout each day), Mike driving the tractor, driving the big work horses, cleaning the barn and giving us rides on the slippery manure sled (after hed unloaded it), making hay, separating cream down in the basement of the farmhouse, caring for the 100 or so baby chicks which Uncle George would give Mike and Amma every Easter and which they kept on the front porch under hot lightbulbs to keep the chicks warm until they were old enough to go outside, Mike pulling a roast out of the oven and him making the best gravy on the planet as he was a marvellous cook and even better baker.... and on and on it went. Mike spent the greatest part of his life working the family farm and caring for his mother along with his eldest half-brother Eirikur and memories of the three of them together are some of the deepest and most profound and are overflowing with the love they gave to each of us. After Eiki passed away in 1964, Mike continued to work the farm until around 1969/1970 when he sold it and moved, with his mother Olof (Amma), into the town of Lundar proper. A very generous man with his time, talents and compassion, Mike worked tirelessly as a carpenter throughout the Lundar area. Always there to help family, friends, neighbours and the Lundar community in general, Mike worked actively with the Lundar Lutheran Church and the local Elks Club over time holding several different positions in each organization. As a young boy Mike learned from his parents, particularly his mother Olof, to live his faith on a daily basis and this was always an important part of his character. He consistently and actively participated in church life including something as simple but important as ringing the church bell every Sunday from the age of fourteen through adulthood. Later in life he, along with his elder brother Harold, renovated the Church building including a substantial addition complete with new furnishings - pulpit, lectern, and altar, to accommodate the growing needs of the congregation. Also, Mike would often conduct the Sunday service as a layman of the Church if the pastor was unable to attend. In addition, Mike took it upon himself to tend the cemetery showing his love and respect for all those who came before. In 1987, at the age of 65, Mike married for the first and only time. His beloved wife Emily had been widowed twice at a young age and was left with seven children to raise. Marriage was a huge change in Mikes life and could even have been somewhat daunting considering he became an instant stepfather to a large family of children and grandchildren. However, given Mikes easy-going personality, gentle nature, loving character and the depth of his affection for Emily the family blended beautifully. For eight years Mike and Emily had a marvellous time and were always together truly loving and enjoying each others company. How grateful we are for this period of time in Mikes life as he found his beautiful soulmate. But in 1995 tragedy struck. Mike had a life altering accident while helping a friend and neighbour build his garage. For the last eight years of his life Mike lived at the Riverview Health Centre requiring daily nursing care. Emily moved into Winnipeg so that she could help care for him almost daily. We are all very grateful to her for the strength she has shown and for her consistent care and undying love for the man we all love so much. We love you Emily and our prayers are with you and your family. We all have our own memories of Uncle Mike. Some see him as the "gentle giant", a tall, big, strong man who could perform incredible feats of strength and yet be as patient and gentle as anyone could imagine. A man, who when he greeted you with a hug, would envelop you with his big arms and give you an instant feeling that you were safe, protected and unconditionally loved all within the few seconds that hug lasted. What a glorious memory to have! But one of the most outstanding characteristics of Uncle Mike is that he was a true servant with a servants heart. The Bible says, Jesus Christ came not to be served but to serve. So did Mike. He served his family, his friends, his community with his whole heart and his whole life. With this tribute we all remember Mike, and celebrate - not what we have lost - but what we have gained by having known Magnus (Mike) Sibjorn Hallson. Each of us is much richer for having known him and having him touch our lives.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 18, 2004