RICHARD LORNE THOMAS BJORNSSON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

RICHARD LORNE THOMAS BJORNSSON April 2, 1935 - May 2, 2005 Peacefully on Monday morning, May 2, 2005, with his family by his side, Dad (Afi) passed away at the Gimli Community Health Centre, after a year long battle with lung cancer. Dad leaves to mourn and cherish his memory, Valdine, his loving wife of 45 years; his children, Kent, Shawn (Sherry), Blair (Valerie), Dean (Wendy); as well as his precious grandchildren, Ashleigh, Svein, Morgan and Xander; and his special four legged daughter Munchkin. Dad is also survived by his four sisters, Olivia Stanley, Laura Schappert, Elizabeth (Mercil) Corkal, Aldis Bjornsson; brother-in-law Leslie (Sheryl) Geirholm and sister-in-law Francine (Douglas) Albertson; as well as aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Larus and Margaret Bjornsson; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Kjartan and Gudny Geirholm; his brothers-in-law, Ervin Stanley, Grant Schappert and Vincent Palson; as well as numerous aunts and uncles. Richard was born in Winnipeg and raised in Arborg, where he attended school. As a young man he began work with his father at the Arborg North Star Co-op Creamery until 1953 when his parents purchased the Fraserwood Creamery and the family moved to Fraserwood. He attended university and took a dairy course and after his father's death in 1956 he ran the creamery with his mother and sister Aldis until is closed in 1995. He and his wife resided and raised their family in Fraserwood until he passed on. He was active with the Fraserwood Volunteer Fire Department from its inception until he became ill. He was a member of the ARDA Board and the Fraserwood Hall Committee. He was a long time member of Viking Masonic Lodge No. 175 and Selkirk Chapter No. 35, OES. Richard was proud of his Icelandic Heritage and he and Valdine visited Iceland four times, where he enjoyed his time with relatives and friends and his travels around the country. They also enjoyed their many vacations and travels in their motor home. As a young man he enjoyed curling and entered many bonspiels through the years. His greatest joys were spending time with his grandchildren, fishing, hunting and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He loved to go on fishing and hunting trips with his boys, his brother-in-law Grant and cousin Siggi, as well as his other buddies. He was a season ticket holder for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for many years and attended numerous Grey Cup games with his family. Cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held at the Gimli Lutheran Church on Saturday, May 7 at 2:00 p.m. with Mona Johnson officiating. A private family burial of the Urn will be held prior to the service. All family and friends may consider themselves his honorary pallbearers. A special family thank you for taking such great care of our Richard is extended to Dr. Chapnick, his staff, doctors on call, nurses, lab technicians and all staff at the Gimli Community Health Center. Also thank you to Brenda Krulicki and her homecare staff. We would like to thank Dr. Unrau, Dr. Maksymiak, Pat Gray and all staff at Health Sciences Centre and CancerCare Manitoba for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Richard's memory may be made to CancerCare Manitoba, P.O. Box 2248 Station Main, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9, or a charity of your choice. Pabbi, hope the big ones are biting. Goda Nott Pabbi Minn Allt I Besta Lagi Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli, in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 05, 2005