Raymond Kjartanson

Obituary

Passed on

Oct. 26, 1934 – Jul. 19, 2017

The break of day shone with a brilliant sunrise, as Raymond’s bright smile and twinkling blue eyes became a loving memory. Not long after the light morning rain seemed to honor our tears. His wife, soul mate, best friend and lifelong dance partner Gladys misses him terribly. He was her hero who stood up to his promise of “till death do us part” As a Dad and an Afi he will always be lovingly remembered and missed by his daughter Candyce, son-in- law Scott Paterson, daughter Gae Lynn, son-in-law Bob Labossiere, granddaughters Meaghan and her husband Adam McCullough and Emma Labossiere and Brock Zimak. Ray was born to Jon and Kristjana (nee Grimolfson) Kjartanson on October 26, 1934 as a first generation Vestur-Íslendingar on Hecla Island, MB. He was the third of seven children, Joe, Bennetta, Oskar, Ben, Sylvia and Phillip. There he attended school, commercial fished, worked on the tug hauling silica sand from Black Island to Selkirk, worked along side fellow islanders to build foundations across the lake to bring electricity to Hecla. He married Gladys on November 5, 1960 and they raised their 2 daughters there until they moved to Winnipeg in 1966. He worked for Manitoba Hydro operating the Pettibone machine in the pole yard until his retirement in 1991. He and Gladys spent many summers travelling with their 5th wheel around Manitoba attending fiddle fests and old time dances with good friends. But his favorite place to park the trailer was on his beloved Island. He was so happy and proud to be able to restore his family house in the historical village of Hecla as it truly was his home. His granddaughters loved spending time every summer at Hecla with their Afi and Amma. Ray was such a likeable man, always quick with a smile and a laugh. As a self-taught, incredibly talented woodworker he built many beautiful items from the cedar logs that were hewn at his own sawmill. He loved to bake and made a mean vinaterta every Christmas. Everything about him will be missed, but never forgotten. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Cancer Care MB. A celebration of his life will be held on Hecla Island at the Lutheran Church, Friday, July 28 at 11:00 am.

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