Stefán Einarsson, editor of Heimskringla, published the following obituary in the paper on August 30, 1839
Sigfús Björnsson, a farmer at Fagranes near Riverton, Man., died at the Winnipeg General Hospital on July 21st this year after a short stay there, after a long illness at home progressed. He was born in Ketilsstaðir in Hjaltastaðaþinghá, on May 18, 1863. His parents were Björn Jónsson and Björg Halladóttir, they came from prominent families in the East. Sigfús grew up with his parents but went to the West in 1888, a year before his parents and siblings. He worked for years at various jobs and in various places, on the lakes and at railway construction, but considered himself to be at home in Fagranes (his parents lived there and settled there in 1898). In 1900 he married Margrét Sveinborg Jóhannesdóttir, the daughter of Jóhannes from Vindheimar in Skagafjörður and Margrét Sigurgeirsdóttir. Sigfús lost his wife while their children were young on Jan. 16, 1912. Their children are: Margrét Elinborg, married to Hermann Thorsteinson, a farmer in Riverton, Man.; Björn, a farmer in Fagranes, unmarried. Björg, married Jón Aðalstein Laxdal, they live in Fagranes. Jóhanna Vilborg, tradeswoman, d. 8 Dec 1931, Ingibjörg Sveinborg, married Kristján Thorsteinsson, Riverton. Sigfús’s siblings are Ingibjörg, wife of Sigurður Jónsson Olson, a farmer in Kelduland near Riverton, a generous woman and kind, and Halli, a fisherman and fishmonger in Vindheimar, now deceased, an unforgettable professional and entrepreneur and a ruler by heart and demeanor. There was always the dearest friendship with those siblings, and they stood by Sigfús when he was left behind with his group of motherless children, Ingibjörg took his daughters to stay for a year, and she raised one of them completely. He also had great help from his cousins Sigfús and Hildibrandur, the sons of his cousin Jón Hildibrandsson, who supported him in various ways with faithful and noble kinship when his circumstances were difficult and the rowing was heavy. Sigfús, came from a prominents family, and showed it in his appearance and demeanor as did his sibling. He was a rare and vigorous man, a man of manners and a hard-working entrepreneur in his younger years, but liveliness in thought and movement and demeanor characterized him to the highest levels of standing. His lightness and humor made him unforgettable, his whole demeanor was blunt, frank and straightforward. It was clear to everyone who knew him that he did not tie his bags with the same dexterity as his fellow travelers. His temperament and demeanor were very Icelandic, his feelings, which I think were great and hot, he often seemed to take care to hide, with jokes or superficial comments, but upon close inspection, no one could hide the gold that lived in his soul. He often seemed to me to be a combination of a child and a viking. Helpfulness to others characterized him. He was very fond of his family´s background and history, and it was his pleasure and delight to talk about those subjects. His ideal of being able to raise his children and stay with them, became a triumphant reality, the bonds between father and children strong and deep. He enjoyed their co-operation—and care in his disease —the consequences of a long-lasting illness, and he was never in perfect health as a result and so in the last fight. They thank him with gratitude and reluctance. A large group of relatives and friends and fellow countrymen attended his funeral on July 26. The ceremony took place at the Fagranes home and the Brethren’s church (Bræðrasafnaðar) and many people attended. Farewell you happy, playful, knowledgeable and loyal Icelander! S. Ólafsson
English version by Thor group.