Obituaries

HANK (HENRY) BJORN GUDNASON
   With deep sadness Hank’s family announce his passing on Monday, May 2, 2016, at the age of 84 years, after a brief hospital stay.   Hank was born on the family homestead near Kandahar, SK on July 14, 1931; the son of Sigurbjorn “Barney” and Mabel (Detta) Gudnason. He attended Big Quill and Bertdale country schools and Wynyard High School. After graduating in 1950 he found work at Flin Flon, MB; first with Hjalmarson & Einarson contractors, then at Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting working in the smelter with hot molten metal. He obtained his 1st Class power engineer certificate to work with high pressure boilers. While in Flin Flon, he was in the Reserve Army – Royal Canadian Engineers where he received top marks.   In 1957 after attending the University of Saskatchewan, Hank and his family moved to Brandon, MB where he started a long career with Manitoba Hydro. He worked at the Brandon Steam Generating Station then in 1959 was transferred to Selkirk to help get their new plant up and running. He started at Hydro’s Winnipeg head office in 1967 and became an Engineering Technologist with Engineering and Construction. After retiring in 1991 he enjoyed travelling and touring through Europe, Mexico, Alaska and Cuba and spent many winters in the southern USA. He especially enjoyed visiting Iceland, his father`s birthplace, where he met many relatives. Another highlight was flying to Churchill where he had many wonderful memories of the polar bears.   Hank was a dedicated worker; he had a natural ability for carpentry and attention to detail. He built his own house in Creighton, SK while working full time. He cut down the trees himself and hauled them to a sawmill on a trailer behind his Model A car. The second home he built for his family was in Selkirk, MB.   Hank was quick to give a helping hand to others especially using his talents for building and fixing things. In the 1950’s and 60’s he would take holidays to go back home to Saskatchewan to help his dad on the farm at seeding time and always brought his tools (and his dry sense of humour) along when visiting his five sisters in Saskatchewan. He enjoyed dancing, fishing, camping, card games, curling, golfing and in recent years watching the birds, squirrels and rabbits at his backyard feeders. Hank loved music and had the natural talent to play by ear. He was interested in current affairs and faithfully read the daily newspaper. In recent years, Hank also enjoyed volunteering and sharing his knowledge at the Manitoba Electrical Museum and Education Centre.   Hank’s family is very appreciative of his kind and caring neighbours on Neptune Bay where he lived for over four decades, carefully tending his yard and home.   Hank is lovingly remembered by his children Ferne Gudnason, Charlene (Jim) Charette, Lawrence (Cynthia) Gudnason and their mother Maxine (Scott) Gudnason; grandson Jared (Lisa) Gudnason and great-grandchildren Kailie, Kayden and Kyler; step-grandsons William and Arthur Kendall; sisters Shirley (Lorne) MacPherson and Marilyn Walton; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Barney (1977) and Mabel (1999) Gudnason, and sisters Irene (Jim) Holderness-Clubb (2009), Evelyne (Hank) Anderson (2010) and Euphemia (Albert) Rozdeba (2013).   The family wishes to thank Dr. Abraham Mare, the staff of the Westhaven Retirement Home and the Grace Hospital staff for their kindness and care as well as Wojcik`s Funeral Chapel.   In compliance with Hank`s wishes, no Funeral Service will be held. Interment will be held at a later date in the Kandahar Cemetery, Saskatchewan.   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Hank’s memory to the Red Cross – Fort McMurray Fire Relief or the charity of choice.   Wojcik’s Funeral Chapels & Crematorium, Winnipeg, 2157 Portage Avenue, 204.897.4665 www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com 
“We will always carry your memory in our hearts.”