Memorable Manitobans: Thorkell Wallace “Wally” Johannson (1936-2025)

Thorkell Wallace Johannson Click to enlarge

Educator, MLA (1969-1973), MLA (1973-1977).

Born at Arborg on 10 April 1936, son of Thorkell and Gudrun Johannson, for 31 years he taught History and Geography at schools around Manitoba. In 1969, he was elected to the Manitoba Legislative, representing the St. Matthews constituency, and was re-elected in 1973. He was defeated in the 1977 general election.

From 2006 to 2015, he was a member of the Manitoba Heritage Council, the senior advisory body on history and heritage matters to the provincial government, and was its Deputy Presiding Member for a time. Since 2007, he has chaired the Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee for the Rural Municipality of Gimli which has prepared numerous books on the history of Gimli, selected municipal heritage sites, and installed commemorative markers.

In recognition of his community service, he received a Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal (1977) and a Lieutenant Governor's Award for Historical Preservation and Promotion (2018).

He died at Gimli on 2 September 2025.

Sources:

Members of the Legislative Assembly (living), Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 20 September 2025.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 10 February 2022

Memorable Manitobans This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations. Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text: Custom Search Browse surnames beginning with: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z Browse deaths occurring in: 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 Send corrections and additions to this page to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements Help us keep history alive!