GURLI BJORDAMMEN

The family is sad to announce that on December 28, 2002, Gurli Bjordammen reached the end of a long life well spent at Pioneers Lodge where she had resided for the past three years. Gurli crossed peacefully into eternity after a brief period of decline. Born Gurli Aagesen on April 2, 1905, in Copenhagen, Denmark, she was educated and worked there until emigrating to Canada in 1930. She settled in Moose Jaw, where she met Karl Bjordammen who had come from Norway several years earlier. Gurli and Karl were married in Central Lutheran Church on December 19, 1931. Karl was employed by Dominion Fire Brick & Clay Products Ltd., and he and Gurli resided for parts of the year near Claybank, before maintaining year-round residence at their home on Sixth Avenue North West in Moose Jaw. After Karl’s death in 1978, Gurli remained at the family residence until moving to Pioneers Village for the six years prior to her most recent stay in the Lodge. While her main role was as homemaker for her family, Gurli was always interested and curious about the world around her, and her travels were adventures filled with enthusiasm. Family members have her beautiful embroidery works to recall her talent in handiwork. She played piano and for over fifteen years, until she was eighty-eight, led the Scandinavian Singers, a group which performed songs in Scandinavian languages at various multi-cultural events and at many southern Saskatchewan seniors’ homes. This activity gave Gurli immense pleasure, and her love of singing and memory of the old songs remained with her until these last weeks. Gurli’s one sister, Gerda, and only brother, Rolf, predeceased her many years earlier. Surviving family members include daughter, Ruth Noble of Montreal; sons, Rolf of Toronto and John of Ajijic, Mexico; as well as niece, Kirsten Bruun of Copenhagen; and nephew, Bjorn Aagesen of Australia. Gurli’s grandchildren are Janet Noble Fairlie, Eric Noble, Karla Bjordammen - all of Toronto, Jeffrey Noble  - Sao Paolo, Brazil, Krista Bjordammen Barron – Vancouver,  Karen Bjordammen Murgiano - Cleveland, Ohio, Stephen Bjordammen - Wichita Falls, Texas and David Bjordammen - Philadelphia, PA. Oldemor sadly did not get to meet all of her seven young great-grandchildren: Ariane and Stuart Fairlie, Mark and Christina Murgiano, Gwyneth and Joel Bjordammen, and Will Bjordammen. Gurli always shared in the joy of achievements of family members, and we will always remember her support and caring, though distance separated us over many years, and visits were always special occasions. The family thanks Dr. David Gass and the kind staff at Pioneers Lodge for their care for Gurli.  We know she felt happy and secure in her life there. Special thanks to loyal friends who brought joy to Gurli with their visits, even as memories of them faded quickly. We are so grateful to Lois Boyle and Ivy Neff, and Robin Morrin, for their kindnesses, as well as to Irene Assman for her special assistance and care for Gurli’s welfare.  According to Gurli’s wishes, there will be no immediate funeral service following cremation.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 3rd,  at 1:30 p.m. in the Chapel of W.J. Jones & Son, 106 Athabasca Street East, Moose Jaw. Pastor Doug  Shepherd of Central Lutheran Church will officiate. Following the service all are invited to gather at the  W.J. Jones & Son Family Centre to meet the family and to share memories of Gurli. In living memory of Gurli, a tree will be planted in Wakamow Valley by W.J.Jones & Son Funeral Home. Cards sent to W.J.Jones & Son will be forwarded to the family.  

Guest Book

Elsie A. Jensen and Family - Moose Jaw, Sask.: We have many fond memories of visits with Mrs. Bjordammen at Christmas. She was always very charming, good natured and a pleasure to be around. Elsie Jensen,  Nancy & Jeff Barber (Saskatoon),  Christian Jensen (Toronto)

Stephen Rolf Bjordammen - Wichita Falls, Texas:  I will forever cherish the fond memories of my Grandmother.

Jeffrey Noble - Sao Paulo, Brazil: Grandma had a long and vigorous life and I have many memories of wonderful times spent with her and the family.

Bjorn Aagesen - Perth, Australia: Farewell, dear Aunt Gurli. We met but a few times and each time I was struck by your great love of life and cheerfulness. What a beautiful legacy you have left us all .
Patsy , Ingrid, Astrid and Carl join me in offering our deepest sympathies to all family members.

Jack and Shirley Mitchell - Toronto, Ontario: A long life well lived. She leaves an extended family who loved her and will always remember her.  Who could ask for anything more?

Harold and Loretta Anderson - Moose Jaw, Sask.: We have known Gurli for a very long time and I have known from the time of being a young boy. She and my mother were longtime friends and did many things for each other. For me there are many memories, the latest being the fact that she would translate letters I received from relatives in Norway while we would visit with her at Pioneer Lodge. Gurli's mind was always very good and we would have many laughs while we visited with her. We will miss her very much.

Mary Kainer - Toronto, Ontario: Auntie" lived across the street from my family when I was a child and was my babysitter for a couple of years.  She was a wonderful, creative woman and I have many vivid memories of my times with her.  She was very proud of her children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren and would proudly tell me of their talents and achievements.  I grew to know of them almost as family.  Through her I was lucky to get to know her niece Kirsten with whom I am now a friend. We continue to talk of and share our love of Auntie.

Hazel and Laurence Mullin - Moose Jaw, Sask.: We will always remember Gurli for her beautiful singing voice. We spent many hours singing for the Scandinavion club in the basement of our home in Moose Jaw.  Gurli you touched many lives and we will always remember you. 

Jan Bjordammen - Notteroy, Norway I have heard so much about Gurli; from Karl's brother (my grandfather)-Teodor Bjordammen. I always had a dream to come over and visit my relatives including Gurli, but unfortunately that's to late. However, it very nice to see so many positive words describing one of my relatives which were loved so much. I hope to learn more about Gurli's life in the future...

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