In Memorium: THORDIS WILSON (nee Sigvaldason) November 11, 1919 - August 16, 2020

                                                                                                                

Thordis Wilson (nee Sigvaldason) was born on November 11, 1919 in Vidir, MB and died on August 16, 2020 in Langley, BC at the age of 100.  

She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Arlene, Robert and Laurie; her grandchildren, Craig (Crystal), Katherine, Kristine (Jerrod), Marla (Shaun), Jeff (Deana), and Carly (Chris); her great grandchildren, Micaela, Canon, David, Adalynn, Jacob, Paige, Georgia, Morley, Brooklyn, Montana, Londyn and Irelynd; her sisters, Valdine and Olof; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Emil; her parents, Bjorn and Lara; her brothers, Gudni, Bjorn, Ingvar, Jonas, Gunnar, and Einar; and her sisters, Inga, Anna, Gudrun, Lara, Kristiana, Beatrice, and Margaret.

Thordis worked hard and loved to garden, cook, bake, sew, quilt and read.  She loved to have family and friends around, and Thordis’ and Emil’s home was always open for those much loved visits.  

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, there are no plans for a Celebration of life at this time.

WALLY JOHANNSON receives Historical Preservation Award

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR PRESENTS HISTORICAL PRESERVATION AWARD TO FIVE MANITOBANS

May 15, 2018

Lt.-Gov. Janice C. Filmon will present the Lieutenant Governor’s Historical Preservation and Promotion awards today at Government House to five Manitobans for their prolonged, meritorious service in the preservation and promotion of the province’s history and heritage.
Recipients are:

• Gerald ‘Gerry’ Clark (Flin Flon);
• Wally Johannson (Gimli);
• Christopher Kotecki (Winnipeg);
• Maria Lodge (Winnipeg); and
• Donald Peake (Flin Flon).

“These awards provide a wonderful opportunity to celebrate those who dedicate significant time, energy and creativity to ensure the province’s rich history is kept alive,” said Lt.-Gov. Filmon.
“Whether through stewardship of the provinces historic buildings, museums and archives, the writing of books or creating programs to engage and inspire future historians, these outstanding Manitobans care deeply about the communities in which they live. It is a pleasure to recognize their efforts and achievements.”

The MHS receives award nominations from the public and recommends up to five people to receive awards each year. Nominations are welcome at any time.
Further details of the award program along with a nomination form are available on the Manitoba Historical Society website at www.mhs.mb.ca and can also be accessed through the website of the lieutenant-governor at www.manitobalg.ca.

Contact: Gordon Goldsborough, 204-782- 8829

Kate Gameiro, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, 204-945- 2752

In Memorium: KRISTJANA MAGNUSSON CLARK (nee SIGVALDASON) February 8, 1918 - August 23, 2016.

KRISTJANA MAGNUSSON CLARK (nee SIGVALDASON) On August 23, 2016, in White Rock, BC at the age of 98, Kristjana slipped into the spirit world. Predeceased by husband Albert in 1992 and second husband Alder in 2008, six brothers and six sisters. Survived by children Lynne (Jean) and Larry (Nicole), four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and three sisters. She grew up in Arborg, MB, then attended Normal School in Winnipeg to become a teacher. In 1941 she married the love of her life Albert. With a General Store, Albert's fishing business and two young children, she found time to participate wholeheartedly in numerous community groups. In 1966, they moved to Surrey, BC where they owned a motel for several years before retiring to White Rock. There she was active with the Icelandic Canadian Club of Vancouver and Solskin. A long-standing member of the White Rock Writers' Club, she prepared histories and family trees for both her and Albert's families. Dad and her returned to Manitoba each fall for over 20 years to operate Dad's fishing station. After Albert's death she pursued writing with increased vigour, poetry becoming her passion. A chance encounter led to her marriage to Alder; they complemented each other well. A beautiful smile, a welcoming hug, hot coffee, good conversation and a competitive card game led to irreplaceable memories. Interment October 8, 1:00 p.m. at Hnausa Cemetery followed by coffee and remembrance at Fellowship Circle Church in Riverton.

As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 01, 2016

SIGVALDASON REUNION Review by Wally Johannson

The reunion was a great success with over 120 descendants of Bjorn and Lara Sigvaldason in attendance at the Arborg Heritage Village during the weekend of August 7 –9 th. 

It featured a Meet and Greet dinner Friday evening, the dinner Saturday evening and farewell breakfast Sunday morning. Saturday activities included golfing at Hecla, tours of the Heritage Village (including the Sigvaldason House) and a tour of Arborg and Vidir Cemeteries. We enjoyed viewing the many family photo boards.The Saturday evening program included dancing by Olivia and Jemma Orbanski, a humorous family quiz by Reid Rasmussen, an In Memoriam for family members who have passed on since the reunion of 2010, and wonderful nostalgic music by the Kozub and Wilson families - Elma, Wes, Drew and Allie, and Lauren. 

 

The only one of the aunts and uncles who was able to attend was Eric Rasmussen. Eric and Margaret hosted the last Six reunions at their home in Invermere. Eric donated to the Sigvaldason House Amma’s spinning wheel, which Sigvaldi and Ingibjorg brought from Iceland in 1883. People came from as far away as Victoria, BC to St. Catherines, ON., to Dallas, TX. For their family loyalty we owe them our profound thanks. 

 

These reunions are a wonderful means of holding together a family scattered across a continent. We do not forget who we are and where we came from.

 Wally

Biographical Information of BJORN INGVAR SIGVALDASON 1878 – 1947

Bjorn Ingvar Sigvaldason was born 14 April 1878 at Audunarstadir i Vididal, Thorkelsholshreppur, Vestur-Hunavatnssysla, Iceland, the eldest child born to Sigvaldi Johannesson, a farmer, and his second wife Ingibjorg Steinnun Magnusdottir, married in 1877 according to family records. Sigvaldi’s first wife, Gudrun Thorsteinsdottir, died following the birth of their son, Johannes Lindal Sigvaldason in 1876.

Biographical Information of GUDJONA LARA JOHNSON 1891 - 1986

Gudjona Lara Johnson (1891-1986)

·        Born 4 February 1891 at Churchbridge, Saskatchewan, Canada, the eldest of two children of Gudni Jonsson (who took the English surname of Johnson after arriving in Canada) and Thora Jonsdottir.  Gudjona Lara Johnson’s only sibling was a brother, Kristjan Thordur Johnson (ca.1892-1943), who married Halldora “Dora” Johannson Nielson, a widow from Copenhagen, Denmark with a daughter whom Kristjan adopted.

A STORIED PAST by Kristjana Magnusson Clark

During a trip to Arborg, Manitoba last October, I walked through our old family home, the Sigvaldason House, which is now awaiting restoration at The Arborg & District Multicultural Heritage Village. The original owners of this home had been The Oblate Fathers who were affiliated with the St. Benedict’s Convent. My parents, Bjorn and Lara Sigvaldason, were the second owners, followed by my brother Bjossi Sigvaldason and his family, then by the Frank Koblun family and lastly, the David Smolinsky family, who so generously donated the house to the Arborg & District Multicultural Heritage Village. As I stepped into the house a flood of memories assailed me, for it has been said that every old house attains a certain mysterious beauty, with its storied past. I was now reminded of some special events that had taken place during the many years when we sixteen children, ten girls and six boys, had lived there.As I stepped into the house a flood of memories assailed me, for it has been said that every old house attains a certain mysterious beauty, with its storied past. I was now reminded of some special events that had taken place during the many years when we sixteen children, ten girls and six boys, had lived there. When I walked into Dad’s office room upstairs, I was reminded of how I loved to sit by the sunny west window, reading for hours on end. This small, sunny room, where the dappled afternoon sunlight cast tender ripples of light and shadow, was conducive to reading. The wonderful set of Book of Knowledge on the shelves in Dad’s office opened up a completely new world to me.

Coming SOON ~ The SIGVALDASON REUNION 2015

Make plans for the Sigvaldason Reunion in August!

Date – Friday, Aug. 7 – Sun. Aug. 9, 2015

Place – Arborg Heritage Village Hall, Arborg, Manitoba

SIGVALDASON FAMILY PHOTOS

Family Photo 1940

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The SIGVALDASON Heritage House in Arborg, Manitoba CANADA

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