The Icelandic Canadian - 01.11.2006, Qupperneq 13

Vol. 60 #3
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
99
A1 Arnason was born at Kristnes, near
Foam Lake, SK, September 26, 1915. His
parents, Jon Arnason and GuSbjorg
Sigridur Baldwinsdottir were born Iceland,
Jon at Vopnafjord and Gudbjorg at
Skagafjord. A1 and his wife Martha raised
two children, Arni and Marion who still
reside in the Edmonton area.
As Honorary Consul, he organized the
itinerary for the visit to Edmonton of the
President of Iceland, Vigdis Finnbogadottir
and other dignitaries. Prior to having our
own consulate office, consular matters
were handled from Winnipeg.
Gordon Reykdal was appointed to fill
the post in 2001, after A1 Arnason retired.
He has been very generous in helping the
Icelandic community and Logberg-
Heimskringla.
To paraphrase ‘Alberta Venture’,
Gordon Reykdal is a Phoenix who has
risen from the ashes. He started renting
furniture and appliances out of a single
Edmonton store in 1980, went bankrupt
and lost Rentown in 1991, started his own
rival Rent To Own chain that same year,
bought back Rentown in 1994, severed his
ties with the amalgamated company in 2000
after a failed attempt to go public, and in
2001 launched Rentcash, which today
operates more than 330 stores in nine
provinces (payday loan brokers The Cash
Store and Instaloans as well as Insta-rent
rental outlets). During this roller coaster
ride he was named one of Canada’s top 40
under 40 executives.
Gordon is the son of Margret Johnson
(Lundar MB) and Walter (Oak Point MB)
Reykdal. He is well suited for the consular
position.
Gordon is dynamic and energetic and
he has taken the lead for promoting the
Icelandic - Canadian Chamber of
Commerce. Edmonton individuals have
many talents and energy and when there is
a project, people pitch in and get things
done.
Lil Sumarlidason
Woman’s Group
Lillian Sumarlidason reported in the
1964 April issue of the Scandinavian Centre
News that the women met to formally
organize a group for raising funds and
helping worthy causes in the Icelandic
community in Edmonton.
Following much discussion as to ways
and means, a slate of officers was elected as
follows: Chairman, Thora Orr; Secretary,
Lucille Oddson; Treasurer, Pearl
Valgardson; Phoning, Mickey Shaw;
Shopping, Freda Smith.
A Tombola and a Bazaar were planned
for early fall.
Fjallkona 1957 - 2006
The queen crowning ceremony was at
first only for Edmonton and the corona-
tion held in May. Since 1978, the Fjallkona
or Maid of the Mountains has been
crowned at Markerville in June and reigns
for all of Alberta for one year. Donna
Nelson’s term was extended to the follow-
ing year to enable her to participate in all
activities as Markerville celebrated the
100th Anniversary of Settlement in 1988.