Valgerður Jónasson

Vesturfarar

Valgerður Jónasson

Born Jan. 11, 1888 – Died June 1, 1957

Valgerður Jónasson born at Syðri-Neslöndum, Mývatnssveit, Iceland came to Canada with her parents Thorlákur Jónasson and Kristrún Pétursdóttir in 1893. Being deeply attached to her family, she made her permanent home with them, first near Baldur, Man., then at Dafoe, Sask., and since 1923 at 693 Banning Street, Winnipeg. Three brothers survive her, Björn, Silver Bay, Man., Kristján and Jónas, Winnipeg. After attending Baldur schools and Winnipeg Normal School, she taught in various communities in Manitoba and in Winnipeg from 1913 till her retirement in 1948. Her health gradually failed til her death at her home, June 1, 1957. She became a teacher of such skill that problem children from various classrooms were frequently entrusted to her and proved scarcely more difficult than ordinary pupils …. with her. She was a loyal and generous member of Jón Sigurdson Chapter, I.O.D.E. She belonged to the First Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School for years and served on the Board of Deacons. Her funeral was conducted at the church by Dr. V. J. Eylands. Those already impressed by her serenely calm, cheerful, warmly sympathetic personality, and by her unfailing loyalty were even more so in later years by the quiet, uncomplaining courage with which she met life’s problems. Sigurbjörg Stefánsson (Árdís, 1957).