The Icelandic Canadian - 01.06.1982, Page 47

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
45
room. Their first home was a log cabin
built by an earlier settler in Cavalier
County. Later they built a comfortable two-
storey house in Pembina county. Their five
children grew up in North Dakota and
became worthy citizens.
Vigfus had a well-stocked library in-
cluding the Icelandic Classics. Every day
he read for the family gathered in the large
kitchen. He read good literature in English
such as ‘Ivanhoe’. Snaebjom and Solveig
enjoyed reading poetry, which was often
memorized by the children. They cut pic-
tures from newspapers of many great poets
featured there, glued them on stiff backing,
framed them and displayed them around
the house. Just looking at these pictures
often got the family, and visitors as well,
launched into spirited discussions re-
garding poetry.
Hospitality was a way of life. Visits of
kin and friends — some of them being
childhood associates — were looked for-
ward to and enjoyed with little feasts of
Icelandic delicacies, resulting in relaxed
comradeship.
There were joys and sorrows. One joy-
ous memory was the house-warming party
given for Snaebjom and Solveig when they
moved into their new house. They were
presented with a beautiful Chippendale
mahogany grandfather clock. Every eighth
day Vigfus would ceremoniously pull the
weight of this elegant time-piece, and it
would sound the hours and half-hours with
its melodious chimes heard all over the
house. One tragedy was the accident that
caused the death of Vigfus’ youngest brother,
Oliver. He was thrown from a mower and
trampled to death by the horses.
This pioneer who came with his dreams,
energy and aspirations to Canada and later
to the U.S.A. did his faithful share in the
creation of the history of our countries. He
lived a good productive life, loved his
country, his family, rejoiced in the suc-
cesses of his children and grandchildren.
Having served in the Northwest Rebellion,
he carried himself with a smartly erect
military bearing.
In his early seventies he developed a
fatal illness. When all hope had faded, he
braced himself to take the long trip to
Philadelphia to consult with his son, a
medical doctor. The morning he was about
to leave his chronological clock stopped.
His life flickered away as does the last light
of evening. Thus ended the life of this
man, whose faith and determination enabled
him to surmount the many obstacles that
came his way. His cheerful disposition and
sense of humour held him up in all his
struggles. His buoyant spirit shone around
him making the path easier for others.
THE EMILIA PALMASON
STUDENT AID FUND
(Formerly the Pjetur Palmason Family
Memorial Scholarship)
Two bursaries in the amount of $500.00
each are to be awarded. The recipients
must be of Icelandic descent, good moral
character, college calibre and primarily in
need of help to continue their studies at
High School, College or University level.
The recipients will be asked to sign a
pledge that “somewhere along the highway
of life they will try to provide comparable
help to another needy student.”
Students applying for these bursaries are
asked to submit applications with support-
ing documents by June 30, 1982. Informa-
tion and application forms may be obtained
by telephoning 475-8064 or by contacting:
CANADA ICELAND FOUNDATION
c/o Mrs. M. Westdal, Secretary
40 Garnet Bay
Winnipeg, Man. R3T 0L6