Joyce Lenore Benedictson (nee Sigurdson)
March 16, 1934 – December 3, 2021
Peacefully with her children by her side, our dear Mom, Amma and Lang Amma, Joyce passed away Friday Dec.3rd at the Betel Home in Gimli.
In 2019 Joyce was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She faced this disease with grace, good humor and a resilient spirit.
Joyce was born in Winnipeg and raised in Riverton, the eldest of a large and loving blended family. After high school, she attended a business college in Winnipeg and went to work as a secretary at the MacDonald Tobacco Co. In 1953 she married Ray and together they built a life and raised their family in the community they had grown up in. Joyce was always the consummate homemaker. She created a warm, loving home where friends and family were always welcome. There was always supper on the table, dainties in the freezer and coffee in the pot. She enjoyed sharing in her children’s lives and fully supported all their activities which mainly revolved around figure skating and hockey. Joyce had always been very community minded and volunteered on many committees and clubs throughout the years including the Riverton Ice Club, Skating Rink, Minor Hockey, Curling Club, Women’s Institute and was a member of the Lutheran Church. She had a special talent for baking, knitting, crocheting and especially sewing and sewed many ice carnival costumes over the years. Along with this, Joyce did the bookkeeping for Ray’s business and also worked as a secretary at the Village of Riverton. In 1982, they moved their family to Winnipeg where she worked at Richard Wayne Insurance Co. for 12 years. She made many new friends while in Winnipeg, eventually retiring in 1996. Prior to retirement she and Ray purchased a home on 3rd Avenue in Gimli. It was here that her family and friends again enjoyed her never ending hospitality and their house was often filled to capacity every weekend during the summer months. In her retirement she kept busy by baking and selling her well loved vinatartas and ponnokukur. She joined line dancing, volunteered with the New Horizons Seniors’ Club, attended many Old Time dances, was a regular at Curves Fitness and always had a knitting project on the go.
Her heart was most happy though when she was with family at the many family gatherings where she loved a good sing-a-long, music, laughter and of course dancing. Joyce leaves behind to cherish her memory, 4 children and their spouses: Alan (Joanne) Benedictson, Jan (Rick) Brownlee, Elaine (Darrell) Klym, Brian (Gabbi) Benedictson, Grandchildren: Shawn Klym (Kirsten), Kolby Klym (Kaya), Trent Brownlee, Jada and Luc Benedictson, along with the most recent and welcome addition to her family, her great grandson, Cosmo Ray Klym (6 weeks old). She also leaves behind her only brother Johnny (Shirley-Ann), sisters Shirley, Darlene (Elert), Carol (Wilfred), Lorraine (Lorne),Shirely (Morley), brother-in-law Gilbert and sister-in-law Sella. She was predeceased by her parents Jonina (nee Sigmundson), S.R. Sigurdson and step-mother Aurora (nee Briem), her husband of 56 years Ray, brothers-in-law Allan, Don, Fred, Bob and Laugi, sisters-in-law Anna and Fran and niece Lori. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and friends of her children whom she loved as if they were her own.
As represented in the poem below we will cherish all our memories and times spent together. Joyce’s family thanks the Betel Staff for their loving care during a very trying time.
As per Joyce’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a Celebration of LIfe is planned for the spring of 2022.
Condolences may be left at www.neilbardalinc.com
The Fallen Limb A limb has fallen from the family tree. I keep hearing a voice that says, “grieve not for me” Remember the best times, the laughter, the song. The good life I lived while I was strong. Continue my heritage, I’m counting on you. Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through. My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest. Remembering all, how I truly was blessed. Continue traditions, no matter how small. Go on with your life, don’t worry about falls, I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin. Until the day comes we’re together again. (Author Unknown)
Goda Nott Elskan Mín
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Joyce Lenore Benedictson Friday December 3rd 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba