Sigurður (Sam) & Guðlaug (Lauga) Peterson

By Gordon Peterson

Sigurður’s father, Pétur Guðmundsson, was born in Húnavatnssýsla, Iceland on Aug. 15, 1866. His wife, Sigriður Þorsteinsdóttir, was born in Ragnárvallasýsla on Feb. 1, 1870. The family journeyed to Canada in 1900 and settled in Gimli. Pétur had been a fisherman in Iceland and shortly after his arrival started fishing on Lake Winnipeg. Pétur died in 1918, and Sigriður followed him in 1934. They had a family of 4 sons and 3 daughters. The sons were fishermen who operated fishing stations at Black Bear and Spider Islands until 1969. Sam’s brothers were Guðmundur (Jim) (d. 1994), Halldor, and Oli (d. 1931). His sisters were Olavia (d. 1994, m. to John Hokanson), Mickey (d. 1987, m. to Gus Ingimundson), and Victoria (d. 1993, m. to Jack King). Sigurður (Sam) was born in Gimli in 1900 (d. 1991). His wife, Guðlaug (Lauga) Kristine Brandson, was born in Arborg. Lauga’s father was Sigurður (Siggi) Brandson who was born at Ólafsvík, Iceland in 1886 (d. 1975). Lauga’s mother was Jódis (Disa) Brandson who was born at Svold, North Dakota in 1892 (d. 1982).

Siggi and Disa raised 11 children in the Arborg area. They are Helga, Guðlaug (m. Sam Peterson), Sigrún Thóra (m. Glenn Scbriner), Margrét (m. Bill Page), María (m. Henry Lawrence), Jónína (m. Eggert Borgfjord), Matthias (m. Agnes Oddleifson), Oscar, Thordur (m. Marie Onraet), Freeman (m. Lillian Snifeld), and Halldóra (m. Jack Low).

Sam commenced commercial fishing as a teenager with his father. He spent many Summers on sailboats, and winters on sleigh dogs, horses, tractors, and finally, Bombadiers. He toiled with the hazzards of Lake Winnipeg for more than 50 years. Lauga was employed as the Head Cook at Betel for many years, as well as playing the organ for Sunday Services for more than 40 years. Sam and Lauga, who were married in 1931, were well respected in the community. They made two trips to Iceland which were highlights in their lives.

Sam and Lauga raised 7 children.

One daughter, Valerie Ruth, passed away in 1940 at 7 months.

Lucille (b. Sept. 16, 1932-d. 1997, m. Ian Lane) lived and worked in Calgary.

Mekkin (b. Aug. 23, 1933-d. 1982) married Don Shaw, the son of the late Dr. Frank Shaw who practiced Medicine in Gimli for a number of years before passing away at an early age. Macklin and Don raised 5 children.

Robert ( b. Feb. 15, 1945, m. Brenda) received his B.A. and B.ed and has been teaching High School for more than 30 years. Robert has 3 children.

Karen (b. Feb. 15, 1943) married John Smith. John is retired from a career with the Canadian Armed Forces. Karen just returned from a most enjoyable trip to Iceland. They have 4 children.

Kathleen Valerie (b. May 18, 1951, m. Ted Maier) was the athlete in the family and received numerous awards including the Canadian Jr. + Sr. Javelin championship, and a bronze medal in the Canada Summer Games. In shot put she was the Canadian Jr. Champion. In Long Jump she was second in the Manitoba Senior Championship. Throwing the javelin, she represented Canada in Italy and at home at a tri-country meet with Norway and Sweden. She received a BA in Phys. Ed and is a registered psychiatric nurse.

Gordon (b. Jan. 8, 1936) is retired from Transport Canada after 30 years of service. He is a Lifetime member of the Icelandic Festival Committee, and served on the board and various chairs for more than 25 years. Gord married Joyce Darechuk of Yorkton, Sask. Joyce retired after 28 years with Lakeview Development Inc. as Vice-President of their Real-Estate and Hospitality Division. They have one son, Cameron, who graduated in 1992 with a doctorate in Medicine Bsc., MD, C.C.F.P. (EM). He joined the Health Sciences Emergency Partnership in 1995.

The Sam & Lauga Peterson Family
Back row (L to R): Lucille, Mickey, Gordon, Karen, Robert, Valerie; Front row (L to R): Lauga and Sigurdur.