Obituary for Josephine Irma Kristjanson
It is with deep sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our dear mother and grandmother, Josephine Irma Kristjanson on May 11, 2021 at the age of eighty years.
Josephine was born in the family home in Geysir, MB. She grew up on the family farm with her parents and three brothers. She attended the nearby Island School in the early grades and obtained her high school diploma in Arborg. She enjoyed one year of teaching at the Island School and then attended the University of Manitoba, completing her first year in the Faculty of Arts; also working at the Bank of Montreal while living in Winnipeg.
Josephine married Ingvar Kristjanson on August 6, 1960 and together they raised three children. They lived on the family farm in Vidir where Dad worked with his brothers in farming and a gravel/concrete business. Mom was very devoted to Dad and recognized that he liked to “keep the home fires burning”, while he respected her need to be out and on the go. And so, they spent 55 years together; supporting each other through each joy and challenge. Dad predeceased Mom on August 23, 2015.
From an early age Mom treasured the books she was given and instilled in us this passion for reading. She and Dad provided for us, supported our educational efforts and allowed us the freedom to make our own life choices. We in turn were very proud of Mom when she completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree – Icelandic Studies Major, in 1989. Ten years later, Mom realized another goal in the form of a trip to Iceland to trace her roots and connect with family.
Mom had a life-long passion to do things well and had many hobbies and interests. Her greatest love was sewing. She learned from our grandmother at an early age and ensured she passed this skill on to us. She sewed everything from wedding dresses to coats with leather trim to fun pajamas and intricate patches on work pants.
There were many links between Mom’s family and their surrounding community. People helped and supported each other when needed. And so, she learned early on the importance of volunteerism in building community strengths and was a life-long volunteer. She recognized the benefits to the volunteer, which to her included: building self-esteem, finding fun and fulfillment, meeting new people and making lasting friendships. Over her lifetime Mom volunteered in many ways, including: working with the Vidir ‘young women’ catering group in support of the Vidir Community Hall and Vidir Ladies’ Aid in later years; the choir, ELW and church council at Ardal-Geysir Lutheran Church, the Vidir 4-H Club and Arborg Seniors Resource. After their move from the farm to Gimli in 2013, Mom embraced her new community quickly, by becoming involved in the Gimli Lutheran Church and ELW, the New Iceland Heritage Museum, the Huldufolk ‘moms’ and the Kaffitimi group that met for conversational Icelandic.
Mom loved people and showed it with her ready smile. She was a wonderful Amma who treasured her grandchildren and was always ready to drop everything to have them come and stay at the farm. As they grew, she paid special attention to what was going on in their lives and stayed connected. Mom counted her extended family and friends as some of her life’s blessings.
Mom’s faith was important throughout her life. It helped her through struggles; instilled a ready empathy for others and gave her a tremendous connection to her community. She felt that she had much to be joyful for.
Mom had always been very interested in and respectful of the elderly and at the age of 55 obtained her Health Care Aid Certificate. She worked in the surrounding areas until her retirement at 65 years of age. She helped people maintain their independence and remain at home and also provided palliative care when needed. She loved her work.
Mom taught us many things, including respect for self and that we all have an important part to play in the lives and well-being of others. From her we learned the blessing of how to forgive and to appreciate people for who they are; remembering to focus on the bright spots.
She will be dearly missed by her children and families: Ingrid (Neil) Stevenson; Ardith (Barrie) Sigurdson, Steen and Brett; Darren Kristjanson, Erik and Hailee.
She is survived by her brothers David (Judith) Gislason, Wayne Gislason and Lorne (Shirley) Gislason and sister-in-law Kristin Kristjanson. Also, many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
A private family service in her memory is planned at the Vidir Cemetery as per Covid-19 protocol.
At this time, we would like to thank all the wonderful staff at Arborg Assisted Living and the IERHA Home Care for the help and support they provided Mom in the years since she returned to her home community. She was able to maintain her independence, plan for this year’s gardening and tend to her plants until the end. In addition, we thank Dr. Donnelly for his respectful care of Mom for the last four years; as well as the staff of the Arborg and District Hospital who provided excellent care until her peaceful passing.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ardal-Geysir Lutheran Church, Box 160 Arborg, MB R0C 0A0, Gimli Lutheran Church, Box 118, Gimli, MB R0C 1B0 or Siloam Mission, 300 Princess Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B 1M3.
Josephine was born in the family home in Geysir, MB. She grew up on the family farm with her parents and three brothers. She attended the nearby Island School in the early grades and obtained her high school diploma in Arborg. She enjoyed one year of teaching at the Island School and then attended the University of Manitoba, completing her first year in the Faculty of Arts; also working at the Bank of Montreal while living in Winnipeg.
Josephine married Ingvar Kristjanson on August 6, 1960 and together they raised three children. They lived on the family farm in Vidir where Dad worked with his brothers in farming and a gravel/concrete business. Mom was very devoted to Dad and recognized that he liked to “keep the home fires burning”, while he respected her need to be out and on the go. And so, they spent 55 years together; supporting each other through each joy and challenge. Dad predeceased Mom on August 23, 2015.
From an early age Mom treasured the books she was given and instilled in us this passion for reading. She and Dad provided for us, supported our educational efforts and allowed us the freedom to make our own life choices. We in turn were very proud of Mom when she completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree – Icelandic Studies Major, in 1989. Ten years later, Mom realized another goal in the form of a trip to Iceland to trace her roots and connect with family.
Mom had a life-long passion to do things well and had many hobbies and interests. Her greatest love was sewing. She learned from our grandmother at an early age and ensured she passed this skill on to us. She sewed everything from wedding dresses to coats with leather trim to fun pajamas and intricate patches on work pants.
There were many links between Mom’s family and their surrounding community. People helped and supported each other when needed. And so, she learned early on the importance of volunteerism in building community strengths and was a life-long volunteer. She recognized the benefits to the volunteer, which to her included: building self-esteem, finding fun and fulfillment, meeting new people and making lasting friendships. Over her lifetime Mom volunteered in many ways, including: working with the Vidir ‘young women’ catering group in support of the Vidir Community Hall and Vidir Ladies’ Aid in later years; the choir, ELW and church council at Ardal-Geysir Lutheran Church, the Vidir 4-H Club and Arborg Seniors Resource. After their move from the farm to Gimli in 2013, Mom embraced her new community quickly, by becoming involved in the Gimli Lutheran Church and ELW, the New Iceland Heritage Museum, the Huldufolk ‘moms’ and the Kaffitimi group that met for conversational Icelandic.
Mom loved people and showed it with her ready smile. She was a wonderful Amma who treasured her grandchildren and was always ready to drop everything to have them come and stay at the farm. As they grew, she paid special attention to what was going on in their lives and stayed connected. Mom counted her extended family and friends as some of her life’s blessings.
Mom’s faith was important throughout her life. It helped her through struggles; instilled a ready empathy for others and gave her a tremendous connection to her community. She felt that she had much to be joyful for.
Mom had always been very interested in and respectful of the elderly and at the age of 55 obtained her Health Care Aid Certificate. She worked in the surrounding areas until her retirement at 65 years of age. She helped people maintain their independence and remain at home and also provided palliative care when needed. She loved her work.
Mom taught us many things, including respect for self and that we all have an important part to play in the lives and well-being of others. From her we learned the blessing of how to forgive and to appreciate people for who they are; remembering to focus on the bright spots.
She will be dearly missed by her children and families: Ingrid (Neil) Stevenson; Ardith (Barrie) Sigurdson, Steen and Brett; Darren Kristjanson, Erik and Hailee.
She is survived by her brothers David (Judith) Gislason, Wayne Gislason and Lorne (Shirley) Gislason and sister-in-law Kristin Kristjanson. Also, many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
A private family service in her memory is planned at the Vidir Cemetery as per Covid-19 protocol.
At this time, we would like to thank all the wonderful staff at Arborg Assisted Living and the IERHA Home Care for the help and support they provided Mom in the years since she returned to her home community. She was able to maintain her independence, plan for this year’s gardening and tend to her plants until the end. In addition, we thank Dr. Donnelly for his respectful care of Mom for the last four years; as well as the staff of the Arborg and District Hospital who provided excellent care until her peaceful passing.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ardal-Geysir Lutheran Church, Box 160 Arborg, MB R0C 0A0, Gimli Lutheran Church, Box 118, Gimli, MB R0C 1B0 or Siloam Mission, 300 Princess Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B 1M3.