Artist, historian, community activist.
Born at Lundar on 7 July 1920, daughter of Icelandic immigrants Sigridur Gudny Borgfjord and Sigurdur Danielson Holm, she trained as a nurse at the St. Boniface Hospital but rheumatic fever forced her to cancel those plans and return home for bed rest. On 31 October 1942, she married Johann Straumfjord “Joe” Sigurdson (?-1985) and they had four children.
She is best remembered for her work on Wagons to Wings, a history book about the Lundar area published in 1980. Over a period of five years, she sketched its cover, arranged the material, edited the content, and proofread the final product. She also served as President of the Women’s Section of the Lundar Agricultural Society (1966-1967, 1970-1975) and was a director for over 50 yars. She was also a 4-H sewing instructor and was active with numerous local community groups. In 1988, she was named “Maid of the Mountain” at the 99th Icelandic Festival at Gimli. She was a member of the Icelandic National League of North America for over 70 years and led the Lundar Chapter for 15 years. She contributed to the Lögberg-Heimskringla newspaper board.
An artist throughout her life, she was accomplished as a ceramicist. In 1977, she won the Athena Award from the Ceramic Art Association of Manitoba, and became a certified ceramic teacher for students and seniors. Her ceramic Canada Goose pairs are display in the residence of Iceland’s president, and were presented as the annual trophy at the All Canada Goose Shoot first held in Lundar. She designed the Lundar centennial plate and pins, painted Lutheran Church confirmation cups for thirty years, and made ceramic lambs for the Fair Baby Show for more than twenty years.
In recognition of her community service, she received a Manitoba 150 Award.
She died at Lundar on 31 July 2026.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 22 August 2026.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 22 August 2026
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