JOHANNES (JOE) BESSI VIGFUSSON

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JOHANNES (JOE) BESSI VIGFUSSON Peacefully on Monday, April 11, 2005 with family by his side Johannes (Joe) Bessi Vigfusson, aged 74, of Gimli, MB, passed away at the Gimli Community Health Centre. He will be missed and fondly remembered by his wife Nancy of 53 years, his three children and his many grandchildren. Son Kenneth Vigfusson Sr. (Sheila), children, Michelle Lefko (Doug), Shawna Robinson (Daniel), Kenneth Vigfusson Jr. (Jenifer), and Sandra Borlase (David); daughter Jo-Ann Lowen (Randy), children, Nancy Bomberak (Bob) and David-Johannes Lowen; son Gordon Vigfusson (Wendy), children, Chelsea, Karli, and Joseph. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, Danielle, Jordan, Dillon, Timothy, Breyden and Wyatt; his two brothers, Kriss and Kari Vigfusson; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Johannes and Jarnbra; sisters, Halldora (Kristberg) and Peggy (Etienne); and nephew Steini. Joe was born on March 12, 1931 in Lundar, MB at the family homestead. Throughout his life he wore many hats. He was a farmer, meat cutter, a carpenter, and a gardener, to name a few. He was an instructor at Red River Community College in the Carpentry Department and advanced to Department Head before his retirement in 1986 after educating for 16 years. Throughout his life he built five homes that he and his family lived in. He enjoyed spending time with family at the cottage in Ponemah, where Joe and Nancy also ran a corner store. After living in Winnipeg for many years, Joe and Nancy moved out to Sandy Hook into the last home that Joe built. He was involved with numerous activities throughout his life playing baseball, hockey, curling and golf. He spent many hours coaching hockey for his two sons as well. He spent many hours pegging points on the crib board and loved to dance anytime that music was played. Joe and Nancy spent time travelling throughout their retirement together to Texas, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Australia, Arizona, an East-West coast Canada trip, and to his favourite place, Iceland. Joe also enjoyed hunting, fishing, long walks through the bush, campfires, ice cream walks with his grandchildren and carving walking sticks and other wonderful items for all the family to enjoy. Joe was a very handy man, a jack-of-all-trades, and could fix anything. He was also a great storyteller and never needed a book to entertain his family. With the most famous story being about Ping the Chinese Duck. Some memorable words of wisdom that Joe passed on to the family include: Life has seasons just like gardening. Do it once; do it right. Look after the pennies and the dollars will follow. The family would like to thank all the staff at Selkirk Betel, Gimli Betel, Gimli Community Health Centre, and Dr. Mantoedi for all the on going care for Joe in the last four years of his life. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, April 16 at Gimli Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m. Cremation has taken place and a private family burial will be held at Otto Church in Lundar at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 200-6 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6 would be greatly appreciated by the family. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 13, 2005