Árdís - 01.01.1955, Síða 65

Ársrit Bandalags lúterskra kvenna
63
Gislina Olson
Born October 3, 1868 — Died February 8, 1955
When at dusk on that bleak
October 22, 1875, a group of 250
men, women and children from
Iceland reached the desolate reef
on the south arm of Gimli harbour,
among them was a little girl of six
named Gislina. They had spent the
previous winter in Kinmount and
were the first of many such parties
who came to colonize the west.
Gislina was the daughter of
Gisli Kristjansson and his wife
Sigridur, from Holar in south
Thingvallashire. This child was
destined to outlive all women in
the group. Her fellow travellers
remembered her afterwards for
her buoyant spirit, her eagerness
to be of help to others according
to her small might. This inner gladness and good will to others
characterized her all the days of her long life.
Gislina grew up in the new colony at Gimli and eventually
came to Winnipeg to seek employment. There, at eighteen, she
married Gudmundur Eyolfsson Olson, who was later to become
known as the first of many Icelandic builders and contractors.
Some of his buildings still stand as a memorial to his skill and
honest workmanship.
Whether this couple lived in Winnipeg, Glenboro, Gimli or
Victoria Beach, their home was always a centre of hospitality, for
it had warmth and friendliness. It was made bright and attractive
with the many pieces of fancy-work which Mrs. Olson turned out
in her spare moments.
Besides rearing six children of their own and two more whom
they adopted, Gislina found extra outlets in manifold services to