SHIRLEY ELLEN JUNE JONSSON (ROBERTS)

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SHIRLEY ELLEN JUNE JONSSON (nee ROBERTS) June 8, 1932 January 30, 2019 Shirley passed away peacefully January 30, 2019, at the Ste. Rose General Hospital, in Ste. Rose du Lac, MB, at the age of 86. She is survived by her children, Thor (Gudny), Lynn (Larry), Kimberly (Bradley); grandchildren, Burke (Vanessa), Kristy (Ryan), Quinn (Dena), Jennifer (Luke), Katelyn (Geoff), Kent, Jon; great-grandchildren, Koen, Kiersten, Finleigh, Easton, Thea and Tucker; sisters, Beverly (Bob) and Joan; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Gummi; parents, Phyllis and Jack Roberts; stepfather Kari Palsson; sister June (Buddy). Shirley married Gummi on November 25, 1950, and they were married for 63 years before he passed away in 2014. Early in their marriage, Gummi would sometimes leave the farm briefly to cut cordwood, threshing in the fall and trapping. She would milk up to 21 cows by herself using a gas motor milking machine and the cream was kept in eight gallon pails down deep in the well to keep it cool until it was sold. She had a big vegetable garden every year and like many in the area, canned and froze the produce to take them through the winters. Shirley enjoyed many aspects of life, but none greater than that of her family and traditions were very important to her. The amount of huge meals she'd cook up in her little kitchen; well, it seemed like she could feed any number of folks. Her niece's husband accurately called Shirley the family quarterback and this was a very good description for her, as she always kept up with where everyone was. During a major hurricane in the Caribbean, she provided valuable information to her daughter in the middle of the night, when all other communication had gone out. She enjoyed curling with her friends and very much enjoyed her family team. Along with Gummi, she encouraged their children to partake in the sports that were available in the area including baseball, curling, football and volleyball. She was very good at knitting and spent many hours doing this. Whether it was the Icelandic mitts that kept so many folk's hands warm during the winter months (especially the ice fishermen), or beautiful Icelandic sweaters, but especially little baby sweaters that came complete with knitted bonnets and booties all with ribbon ties. For years many newborn babies in the community would receive such a handmade gift from her. Shirley and Gummi were members of the Manitoba Farm Vacation for many years and met wonderful, lifelong friends through this business. Returning visitors sometimes confessed it was Shirley's good cooking that kept bringing them back. Shirley was always up to travelling and along with Gummi, visited places such as Iceland, England, Wales, the Netherlands, the USA, Canada and they spent several Januarys in the Cayman Islands with her daughter and her husband. There were many road trips also taken to watch grandchildren playing their sports. And when she couldn't actually attend a game in person, she would listen to it if it was broadcasted on the radio or the internet and keep very detailed accounts of what happened in each game! She was fearless when it came to technology often being the only one in the house who knew how to use all the remotes needed for the T.V. and in later years, learning how to use a computer. She was 85 years old when she received her first iPad and it only took three weeks before she said how happy she was with FaceTime! Shirley was very dedicated to her grandchildren and although driving in the city was terrifying for her, she'd learn whatever route she needed to which would allow her to drive them to their sporting camps or to visit her youngest daughter. "I will always be able to drive to wherever you live." She was a very determined woman. Shirley and Gummi moved to Ashern in October 2013 and have enjoyed the friendships of those living close by and those who would come in for a visit. Shirley enjoyed going for morning coffee when she could and when that was no longer possible, she often had coffee in her place where her sister, Joan and her close neighbours would come. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the home care staff, which provided such wonderful care to allow Shirley to stay at home for as long as she could, as well as Dr. O'Hagan and the palliative care staff at the Ste. Rose Hospital, Dr. Kasher and staff at the Lakeshore General Hospital. In keeping with Shirley's wishes, a private family graveside service will take place. Coffee will be served at the Ashern Legion on Sunday, February 3, 2019, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley's memory can be made to the Lakeshore Hospital Guild, P.O. Box 721, Ashern, MB R0C 0E0 or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements Entrusted To Anderson Family Funeral Home Ashern, Manitoba 1-204-768-3606

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 02, 2019