John Morris Vigfusson

JOHN MORRIS VIGFUSSON

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Johnny on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at The Betel Home in Gimli, MB.

 Johnny was born on June 29, 1931 at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, MB. He was the first of ten children born to Jon and Jonina (Ninna, nee Gislason).

He was predeceased by his parents; his first wife Joan; his second wife Judie; his sisters Thora, Margaret,  Daisy; his brothers-in-law Hermunder Jonasson, Rudy Geske, Lorne Magnusson; his nieces Kendra Isfjord  and Cindy Johnson (nee Magnusson).

He is survived by his sisters Doreen, Shirley (Les Kudor), Barb (Ken Rindall); brothers Gilbert (Betty), Raymond (Lorraine), Donald (Peggy); brother-in-law Elert Isfjord (Darlene); Louise Tower, Kerrine and Tom Adair (who were his caregivers) and many other nieces and nephews.

John was the third generation to live on the family farm Ósland at Howardville and he lived there until he was 82 years old when he moved to Gimli. He farmed the land with his father, Uncle Steve and siblings, then in later years, with his brother Donald and his nephew Kevin.

John paid $100 to attend a welding course at the Musker Engineering Institute in Winnipeg in 1957. He  was very proud that many of the boats he worked on at Riverton Boat Works are still in use today.  His expert welding skills often lead to him being asked to do special work for many projects. He even went as far away as Great Slave Lake, North West Territories.

John was an expert heavy equipment operator and worked for Orbranski’s Construction,  Sigfusson’s Freighting and in the diamond mines in Thompson.  Using a dragline, he built the only independent dike on Lake Winnipeg to save the homestead from the high waters in 1960s and 70s and then reinforced it in the early 2000’s.

He was proud of his Icelandic heritage, was fluent in the language and spoke it to his last day. John and Joan enjoyed a trip to Iceland where they met many relatives. Íslendingadagurinn was a highlight every year. Last year he had the honour of speaking with Halla Tómasdóttir, the President of Iceland. He always sought out people who spoke the language as he enjoyed speaking it very much.

 John and Judie spent 19 winters at Pine to Palm Resort Park in Weslaco, Texas where he found his hobby of playing pool. You could be assured that he would be in the Pool Hall from 9-Noon and 1-4 pm every day but Sunday. We would tease him that he was going to the “office” as he drove off on his bicycle with his pool cue. His photo still resides in the Pool Hall as the 2004-05 101 Champion. He was very proud to bring home a hand full of nickels, one for every game he won. In later years, he always asked Louise if there was anyone in the Pool Hall. He was very competitive whether it was at pool, playing checkers or cards, he loved to beat his opponent. He loved watching the Winnipeg Jets play hockey “Go Jets Go“, eating ice cream, a good buffet and a great bargain.

He was a very quiet man, coming across as rough and gruff at times. Both of his wives brought him out of his shell and opened up the rest of the world to him outside of the farm. He certainly mellowed a lot in his later years and appreciated small things like watching the crops grow behind their home in Aspen Park, the squirrels playing in the yard and the birds at the birdfeeder. He especially liked it when hummingbirds came to drink. John loved all dogs and had many over the years. Most recently he enjoyed when Donald brought Buddy to Betel.

John was always so appreciative of visits. He would say how grateful he was that you came and asked you to please come back again, adding “I look forward to seeing you and I love you”. When asked what you could do for him he would respond, “get me a new body”.

John moved to Gimli Betel from the hospital on February 24, 2025. He told everyone that he was very well cared for and couldn’t want for anything more. He was amazed that he didn‘t have to pay for his meals, haircuts or entertainment at Betel.

To all the staff at both the hospital and Betel: doctors, nurses, aides, housekeeping , recreation, food services and volunteers  -  you are all angels, thank you for your loving care of John. We greatly appreciate you.

Funeral service will be held on Monday, February 2 at 11:00 a.m. at the Riverton Community Church of the Nazarene with Menno Friesen officiating. Pallbearers will be his nephews: Kevin Vigfusson, Dennis Vigfusson, Mark Isfjord, Tom Adair, great nephew Tyler Adair and friend John Ingalls.  Interment in the Riverton Cemetery, lunch to follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Gimli Betel Home Foundation, Cancer Care Manitoba or Heart and Stroke Manitoba.

góða nótt elskan, hvíla í friði

Tributes:  www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

 Gilbart Funeral Home, Gimli in care of arrangements.

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