Jon Orn Jonsson

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend Jón Örn Jónsson, Professor and Economist. He passed away on May 21, 2020 in the Regina Pasqua Hospital with his wife and son at his side.

Jón Örn was born in Viborg, Denmark on March 30, 1938 to Icelandic parents
Professor Jón Sigtryggsson and Lóa Tynes. His father was studying dentistry on request by the Icelandic Government.

They moved back to Iceland in the fall of 1940 on a famous trip from Petsamo,
then in Finland to Reykjavík.

Jón Örn was oldest of 5 siblings, 4 boys and 1 girl.

He took all his early education in Iceland. In 1960 he went to Madison, Wisconsin
on a Brittingham Scholarship and studied Economics.

In 1970 he came to Saskatoon as a visiting professor at the University of
Saskatchewan. While in Saskatoon, he was very involved in the community coaching hockey, baseball, and soccer. He was also very involved in the Scandinavian Club of Saskatoon.

In 1974, he moved to Regina and worked within the Department of Agriculture in several positions as Executive Director of Agriculture, Assistant Deputy Minister of Rural Development, and Executive Director of Special Planning and Projects in the Premiers Office. While in Agriculture he was on the Egg Marketing Board and met Colonel Sanders!

He dined with Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward Earl of Wessex and the Queen Mother all at different times.

Jón Örn received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
He also received the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal on the 100th year of
Saskatchewan Confederation in 2005.

In 1990 he was appointed the 1st Honorary Consul of Iceland in Saskatchewan,
which he served for 27 years.

In Regina he became involved in many things. He served on the executive of the
Scandinavian Club and became president of the club. He produced the Newsletter for many years. He was a convener for Mosaic for the club.
He was a director and president of the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan
and was on the Board of Directors for the Regina Multicultural Council. He served as a chairman for Mosaic for the City of Regina.

He served as a Director on the board of the Lögberg Heimskringla which is the
oldest ethnic newspaper in Canada.

He was on a Scholarship Committee for Canadian and USA students to study
in Iceland.

He loved his Football. He was a beloved fan of the Green Bay Packers since he came to Madison in 1960 and of course a Big fan of the Riders.

His home was always open to people of Icelandic decent helping with all kinds of
translations, genealogy, and finding relatives for people in Iceland. He enjoyed giving advice to many people in what to see while visiting Iceland, this was before the internet.

As an honorary Consul of Iceland, he helped organize the official visit for President Olafur R. Grímsson in July of 1999 to Saskatchewan; both here in Regina and to the Icelandic Settlement in Saskatchewan. He brought many groups of different Icelandic Artists to Saskatchewan.

He was very well respected in the community.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 56 years Gudrun Mjöll, son Haukur Hávar, grandson Jordan Szeponski, In Iceland two brothers Ingvi Hrafn and Sigtryggur, sister Margrét, sisters-in-law and numerous cousins, as well as many friends.

Those who wish to donate may donate in his memory by mail to Grunthal Youth Drop-In Center, P.O. Box 119, Grunthal, MB R0A 0R0 or online at dropzonedonations@gmail.com or to a charity of your choice.