Educator, municipal official.
Born within the Framnes School District in the Rural Municipality of Bifrost on 1 March 1910, son of Magnus Gislason (1888-?) and Astridur Stefansson (1888-?), he resided in the Arborg area for his entire life. He completed his schooling, attended Central Normal School, and taught 11 years in the region, mostly at Vestri School (1929-1933, 1935-1940, 1945-1946).
During the Second World War, he served with the Canadian Forces before returning to his teaching career. He worked as Secretary-Treasurer for the Rural Municipality of Bifrost (c1950s-c1970s, 37 years) and held the same position for the Village of Arborg (1964-1965). He was also heavily active in his community, as a board member of the Ardal Lutheran Church, Treasurer of the Arborg Historical Society (?-1983), Secretary of the Arborg Curling Rink, Vice-President (1970-?) and Secretary (?-1983) of the Arborg Branch No. 161 (Royal Canadian Legion), Secretary-Treasurer of the Arborg Consolidated School District No. 2441, Secretary-Treasurer of the Arborg Elks Lodge, and Trustee of the Finns School District (1937-1940), among numerous others. In 1984, it was stated by Arborg Mayor Ken Reid that “I don’t think there was an organization in Arborg that Einar didn’t serve on.” His contributions were recognized with a Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977).
He married Lilja Margaret “Lily” Eyolfson (1918-2004) and they had four sons: Clifford Gislason, Robert Gislason, Bruce Gislason, and Leslie Gislason.
He died at his Arborg residence on 19 December 1983 and was buried in the Arborg Cemetery. On 11 July 1984, he was commemmorated with the naming of Gislason Drive, the western boundary road between Arborg and Bifrost (north from the junction of PTH #7 and PTH #68), flanked by the two communities to which he dedicated himself.
Birth registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.
1911 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.
“Notice under The Municipal Act,” Winnipeg Tribune, 4 August 1950, page 23.
“Arborg&rsoquo;s Town Council holds first meeting,” Arborg Lake Centre News, 10 January 1964, page 1.
“Arborg Village Council holds first meeting of New Year,” Arborg Lake Centre News, 15 January 1965, page 1.
“Tender,” Arborg Lake Centre News, 22 July 1966, page 7.
Obituary [Stefan Thorstein Eyolfson],” Winnipeg Free Press, 25 April 1967, page 25.
“Legal notice,” Arborg Lake Centre News, 19 January 1968, page 6.
“Arborg Legion re-elects Johnson,” Winnipeg Free Press, 14 March 1970, page 12.
“Photo caption],” Arborg Lake Centre News and Manitouwapa Times, 13 November 1970, page 1.
“Einar Gislason honored by R.M. of Bifrost,” Arborg Lake Centre News and Manitouwapa Times, 27 June 1972, page 1.
“Under the Municipal Act,” Arborg Lake Centre News, 15 May 1979, page 14.
“Village Council of Arborg meeting [Historical Society],” Interlake Spectator, 31 August 1983, page 11.
“Arborg Royal Canadian Legion newsletter,” Interlake Spectator, 14 September 1983, page 2.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 21 December 1983, page 18.
“Honor for Arborg man,” Interlake Spectator, 18 July 1984, page 1.
“Street named after resident,” Interlake Spectator, 2 January 1985, page 17.
“Village of Arborg incorporated in 1963,” Interlake Spectator, 3 August 1993, page 3.
Obituary [Lilya Margaret Gislason], Interlake Spectator, 17 July 2004, page 32.
Hnausa Reflections: A History of the Breidavik District, 1876-2004 by Hnausa History Book Committee, 2004, page 41.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 14 November 2023
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