Obituary of Solveig Johansen

Mrs. Solveig Johansen of Camrose, formerly of Lethbridge, passed away on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at the age of 88 years. Born in Norway on November 4, 1919, Solveig was the second daughter and fourth of seven children born to Rev. Trygve and Clara Bergh. She grew up in a close and loving family on Rennesøy, outside of Stavanger in southwestern Norway, where her father served a four-point parish between the wars. During the Second World War, she trained as a nurse in Stavanger, and after the war moved to Egersund where she met and married her husband, Ingvald, in 1948. In 1956, two years after her husband, Solveig moved to Canada with her three sons, Jan Geir, Terje, and Svein Inge. A fourth son, Arild Norman, was born in Lethbridge in 1957. From 1961 to 1981 she worked as a nurse's aide at St. Michael's Hospital in Lethbridge, and until her retirement in 1984, at Extendicare. Solveig and Ingvald were founding members of Good Shepherd Lutheran in 1957 and she was an active member of the congregation until she moved to Camrose in 1998, three years after her husband's passing. Solveig was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Ingvald, one son, Norman, an infant grand-daughter, Elisabeth Anne, two brothers and two sisters. She is survived by her loving sons, "John" Jan Geir of Camrose, "Terry" Terje (Merle) of Black Diamond, Svein Inge (Judy) of Calgary; seven grandchildren, Michael (Laura), Kari, Kristina, Emily, Elinor, Anna, and Trevor; and three great-grandchildren, McKenzie, Kaycee, and Maya. Also surviving her are her sisters Astrid and Klara of Porsgrunn, Norway, two brothers-in-law, Lars (Halldis) and Johannes of Egersund, Norway, and over 40 nieces and nephews in Canada and Norway. Solveig was friendly and open-hearted, energetic and resilient, generous and hospitable, always able to find a silver lining and to live each day as it came. At home in this life and assured of the next, Solveig provided listening ears, encouraging words, and helping hands to children, grandchildren and extended family, as well as to many friends, co-workers, and neighbours wherever she lived. All who knew her will miss her profoundly and cherish her memory. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 23, 2008, at 7:30 p.m., from Messiah Lutheran Church with Rev. David Eriksson officiating. Cremation has taken place. Inurnment wil take place in Lethdridge at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.