Obituary for Oli Narfason
Oli Narfason
(Aug. 29, 1925 – April 14, 2023)
On April 14, 2023, Oli passed away peacefully at 97 years of age. Even at 97, Oli was an amazing storyteller and continued to enjoy a full life of love, laughter, and independence with his wife Marjorie of 35 years.
Oli leaves to cherish his memory, a large and loving family: his loving wife Marjorie; his caring children, daughters Candace, Janice (Cameron), Laureen and son Clifford (Shelley) along with Marjorie‘s children, Jim (Melanie), Stan (Linda), Rob (Valerie) and Rick (Catherine) Gendron; sisters Gerða Harris, Dilla Narfason and Ólán Isfeld; along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Oli was predeceased by his first wife Guðný (Gwen) nee Johnson , sisters Emma Wilkinson and Alda Mackenzie, sons-in-law, Bob Savage and George Hamilton; brothers-in-law; Jim Harris, Joe Wilkinson, Jim Mackenzie and Paul Isfeld.
Oli grew up at Viðirvödllur in Minerva, near Gimli, the grandson of Icelandic immigrants. He maintained his cultural connection to Iceland throughout his life, never losing the ability to converse in fluent Icelandic. He loved his frequent conversations with relatives and friends in Iceland and was an active member of the Icelandic National League. Oli had a wealth of historical knowledge and loved to tell stories of the Icelandic immigrant people in the area where he grew up. He was often called upon by the Icelandic Consulate General in Winnipeg to be a tour guide for Icelanders visiting ‘New Iceland’. For the 125th Íslendingadagurinn in 2014, Oli was invited to give the Toast to Iceland. He was interviewed frequently by radio and television and was featured in video documentaries prepared by the Canadian Immigration Museum and Iceland TV. He served on the Canada Ethno Cultural Council and was a member of the Multicultural Organization in Ottawa.
In the 1950s, Oli started developing a purebred Holstein herd of cattle. His success with this endeavour won him a two-time Canadian Master Breeder Award. Later he was sought after for Holstein judging assignments both nationally and internationally. After leaving the dairy business in the late 1990’s and his home farm, Oli began acquiring many acres of land to farm, working these until the age of 93. He served as National Director of the Holstein Friesen Association of Canada, was president of the Holstein Association of Manitoba, the Manitoba Dairy Association and the Holstein Breeders Association. Oli was visited by dairy groups from the United States, Brazil, Russia, Japan and Iceland.
Oli was an amazing entertainer! Throughout his life, whenever there was a piano or accordion,
(which he learned to play by ear), Oli was on it, brightening up any social occasion. He continued to entertain into his 90’s. Family and friends loved going for the ‘Happy Hour’ at Betel Home in Gimli on Friday nights to listen to Oli entertain the elderly residents who eagerly looked forward to his music and song. He did this right up until March of 2020.
Oli was an active choir member of the Gimli Lutheran Church where his beautiful tenor voice could be heard. He supported all his children with piano lessons and encouraged them to participate in the Icelandic Children’s Choir. He never missed a recital or concert. His passion for music is a legacy eagerly embraced by many of his children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Oli was a founding member of the Evergreen Festival of the Arts and has been a significant donor and supporter of the Evergreen Band Boosters. Concerned about the sustainability of music programs in the Evergreen School Division, Oli and Marj set up a Community Arts Fund through the Westshore Foundation. Oli and Marj understood the importance of enrichment of the Arts in children‘s lives.
Oli’s philanthropic spirit led to the development of the Westshore Community Foundation, whose vision is to help community organizations and students in the Westshore Community Foundation catchment area.
In 2024, The Westshore Community Foundation will celebrate its 25th year, and Oli was very proud that it has recently surpassed $5 million in managed funds. With what started as a vision has now granted out hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants and scholarships, and has surpassed $5 million, a vision that has come true due to Oli’s dedication and commitment. The Foundation is a shining star in Oli’s legacy.
In 2021 Oli was a recipient of the Manitoba 150 Volunteerism Award for this and countless other community endeavours. He was a man who gave not only financially but also of his time, energy, appreciation, and care for many deserving organizations.
Oli was a dedicated husband, father and community member who lived a long fruitful life which is testimony to the rewards that are inherent in a life well lived.
The Logberg-Heimskringla wrote in October, 2005, “There are few people around who do a great deal, are very important for their families, friends, neighbours and community, but they walk quietly through life despite the fact that they deserve notice more than most. Oli has lived in the Gimli area all his life, as a school boy, as a fisherman, as a farmer, and as a community man. He loves the area, and the area loves him. He is an important part of it.” Oli’s main ambition was to leave the world a little better place than when he entered it. He felt strongly that the common good had to come first and you had to think of your neighbours and your community.
Oli has left a vital and enduring legacy. He will be greatly missed.
Góða Nott elskan, pabbi og afi
A funeral service will be held at the Gimli Lutheran Church on Saturday, May 6 at 1:00 p.m.
For those who wish, donations can be made in memory of Oli to the Westshore Community Foundation at www.westshorefoundation.ca
Honorary pallbearers: Raymond Sigurdson, Dennis Carlson, Rob Gendron, Joe Wilkinson, Duncan Harris and Robin MacKenzie.
(Aug. 29, 1925 – April 14, 2023)
On April 14, 2023, Oli passed away peacefully at 97 years of age. Even at 97, Oli was an amazing storyteller and continued to enjoy a full life of love, laughter, and independence with his wife Marjorie of 35 years.
Oli leaves to cherish his memory, a large and loving family: his loving wife Marjorie; his caring children, daughters Candace, Janice (Cameron), Laureen and son Clifford (Shelley) along with Marjorie‘s children, Jim (Melanie), Stan (Linda), Rob (Valerie) and Rick (Catherine) Gendron; sisters Gerða Harris, Dilla Narfason and Ólán Isfeld; along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Oli was predeceased by his first wife Guðný (Gwen) nee Johnson , sisters Emma Wilkinson and Alda Mackenzie, sons-in-law, Bob Savage and George Hamilton; brothers-in-law; Jim Harris, Joe Wilkinson, Jim Mackenzie and Paul Isfeld.
Oli grew up at Viðirvödllur in Minerva, near Gimli, the grandson of Icelandic immigrants. He maintained his cultural connection to Iceland throughout his life, never losing the ability to converse in fluent Icelandic. He loved his frequent conversations with relatives and friends in Iceland and was an active member of the Icelandic National League. Oli had a wealth of historical knowledge and loved to tell stories of the Icelandic immigrant people in the area where he grew up. He was often called upon by the Icelandic Consulate General in Winnipeg to be a tour guide for Icelanders visiting ‘New Iceland’. For the 125th Íslendingadagurinn in 2014, Oli was invited to give the Toast to Iceland. He was interviewed frequently by radio and television and was featured in video documentaries prepared by the Canadian Immigration Museum and Iceland TV. He served on the Canada Ethno Cultural Council and was a member of the Multicultural Organization in Ottawa.
In the 1950s, Oli started developing a purebred Holstein herd of cattle. His success with this endeavour won him a two-time Canadian Master Breeder Award. Later he was sought after for Holstein judging assignments both nationally and internationally. After leaving the dairy business in the late 1990’s and his home farm, Oli began acquiring many acres of land to farm, working these until the age of 93. He served as National Director of the Holstein Friesen Association of Canada, was president of the Holstein Association of Manitoba, the Manitoba Dairy Association and the Holstein Breeders Association. Oli was visited by dairy groups from the United States, Brazil, Russia, Japan and Iceland.
Oli was an amazing entertainer! Throughout his life, whenever there was a piano or accordion,
(which he learned to play by ear), Oli was on it, brightening up any social occasion. He continued to entertain into his 90’s. Family and friends loved going for the ‘Happy Hour’ at Betel Home in Gimli on Friday nights to listen to Oli entertain the elderly residents who eagerly looked forward to his music and song. He did this right up until March of 2020.
Oli was an active choir member of the Gimli Lutheran Church where his beautiful tenor voice could be heard. He supported all his children with piano lessons and encouraged them to participate in the Icelandic Children’s Choir. He never missed a recital or concert. His passion for music is a legacy eagerly embraced by many of his children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Oli was a founding member of the Evergreen Festival of the Arts and has been a significant donor and supporter of the Evergreen Band Boosters. Concerned about the sustainability of music programs in the Evergreen School Division, Oli and Marj set up a Community Arts Fund through the Westshore Foundation. Oli and Marj understood the importance of enrichment of the Arts in children‘s lives.
Oli’s philanthropic spirit led to the development of the Westshore Community Foundation, whose vision is to help community organizations and students in the Westshore Community Foundation catchment area.
In 2024, The Westshore Community Foundation will celebrate its 25th year, and Oli was very proud that it has recently surpassed $5 million in managed funds. With what started as a vision has now granted out hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants and scholarships, and has surpassed $5 million, a vision that has come true due to Oli’s dedication and commitment. The Foundation is a shining star in Oli’s legacy.
In 2021 Oli was a recipient of the Manitoba 150 Volunteerism Award for this and countless other community endeavours. He was a man who gave not only financially but also of his time, energy, appreciation, and care for many deserving organizations.
Oli was a dedicated husband, father and community member who lived a long fruitful life which is testimony to the rewards that are inherent in a life well lived.
The Logberg-Heimskringla wrote in October, 2005, “There are few people around who do a great deal, are very important for their families, friends, neighbours and community, but they walk quietly through life despite the fact that they deserve notice more than most. Oli has lived in the Gimli area all his life, as a school boy, as a fisherman, as a farmer, and as a community man. He loves the area, and the area loves him. He is an important part of it.” Oli’s main ambition was to leave the world a little better place than when he entered it. He felt strongly that the common good had to come first and you had to think of your neighbours and your community.
Oli has left a vital and enduring legacy. He will be greatly missed.
Góða Nott elskan, pabbi og afi
A funeral service will be held at the Gimli Lutheran Church on Saturday, May 6 at 1:00 p.m.
For those who wish, donations can be made in memory of Oli to the Westshore Community Foundation at www.westshorefoundation.ca
Honorary pallbearers: Raymond Sigurdson, Dennis Carlson, Rob Gendron, Joe Wilkinson, Duncan Harris and Robin MacKenzie.