Sadly, we announce Barney’s passing on December 21st at the Arborg Personal Care Home with family by his side. After a battle with Parkinson’s Disease he has found his rest.
Left to mourn his passing are his loving wife, Ethel; his son Grant (Tannis) and their family, Craig (Nicky), Shane (Caitlyn), Neil (Laura), and Nori; daughter Shauna (Wayne) and boys Jake and Johann; brother Ingi (Mae), sister Emily and Kristin, sisters-in-law Colleen and Ivy; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents Valdimar and Ingibjorg; sisters Solla and Margaret, brothers Marino, Lawrence and an infant brother Marino Sigvaldi, brothers-in-law Steini, Magnus, Bob, Kris; mother and father in law Einar and Gudrun, sister and brother in law Dora and Victor.
Barney grew up on the family farm at Framnesi in Geysir. He attended Geysir School and then Arborg Collegiate. He worked at Sigurdson’s Esso in Arborg and Atomic Transfer in Winnipeg.
After High School Barney took an electronics Course and worked at Radio and TV Repair in Kenora, Ontario for 4 years. He serviced radios on boats and airplanes as well as TV’s and radios in homes.
He married Ethel Vigfusson in 1961 and she moved to Kenora with him. After 2 years, they moved to Winnipeg where he worked at Advance TV.
In 1964, Barney went into partnership with his brother Marino in the family farm operation. His electronic training and aptitude for mechanical repairs were an asset on the farm. He also looked after the farm’s bookkeeping. He took pride in a job well done, whether it was seeding a straight furrow or repairing the tractor.
Barney was active in the community. For several years, he worked with the Agricultural Society which promoted agriculture and put on a Fair, Rodeo & Tractor Pull Weekend. He was a member of the Ardal Geysir Lutheran Church serving on the Council, singing in the choir and helping with maintenance and repairs.
He was very musical and loved jamming with friends at someone’s home or at the Legion. He spent hours playing his guitar along with his favorite cassettes & CD’s. He loved dancing and he and Ethel attended many dances over the years. They rarely sat out a dance.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, he played hockey, baseball and badminton, and enjoyed curling and cross-country skiing. He and Ethel were in the mixed curling league and usually took part in the Northern lights and Farmer’s Bonspiels.
He was a kind and gentle man who loved his children and grandchildren; his siblings; his in-laws; and their families. He was very supportive of all their accomplishments. Whether is was Academic Awards, Dance, Band, or Sports he wanted to be on hand to show his support.
When it became apparent that Barney would require Home Care to remain in his home, he reluctantly accepted their assistance. He very quickly came to look forward to their cheery conversations. A game of cribbage during respite was special.
Thank you to the wonderful home care workers. Thank you to Dr. Siddiqui for his care over the years. Thank you to the Staff of the Clinic and Hospital for their efficiency and care. Thank you to the staff at the Personal Care Home for all the care they provided for Barney and the compassion shown him and our family. Everything was done to make him comfortable. The Activity Department tried to include him as long as he was able.
Thank you to family and friends for cards, condolences, phone calls, visits, flowers, baking and other gifts. We all appreciate your sympathy.
Thank you to Pastor Gary Schenk for his visits at the home and at the Care Home. Our family thanks you for your prayers.
A Celebration of Barney’s life will be held Friday, April 28th, 2017 at 2:00 PM in Ardal Geysir Lutheran
Church in Arborg.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barney’s memory to the Ardal Geysir Lutheran Church, Box
160, Arborg, MB, R0C 0A0, or Arborg Personal Care Home, Box 10, Arborg, MB, R0C 0A0.