JÓN JÓNASSON - September 2008

Jon Jonasson was born 24 September 1857 at Rimakot, Kross, Rangarvalla, the son of Jonas Jonsson, born 1 February 1823, died 27 October 1885; and Gudrun Thorkelsdottir, born 4 August 1825, died 23 February 1899. Jon’s father Jonas Jonsson was the director of the poor-law district of Onundastadir, Kross, Rangarvalla. Jon joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized by Elder Einar Eiriksson 18 June 1886. Jon immigrated to Spanish Fork, Utah later that month.

Jon married Gudny Sigurdardottir, born 22 November 1860; her parents are Sigurdur Sigurdsson, born 6 August 1833, died 29 October 1885; and Sigridur Petursdottir, born 30 August 1830 at Holmahjaleigu, Kross, Rangarvalla, died 26 December 1903 at Olafshus, Vestmannaeyjar. They were married 29 November 1886 in Spanish Fork, Utah. Their first home was a dugout or a hole in the ground covered with a thatched roof. Jon followed the sheep-shearing business, where he earned enough to meet his expenses. He then purchased a farm in the river-bottoms at the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon; he farmed there for a few years and then sold the land and bought a farm in Palmyra, Utah.

Through the years Jon worked not only as a farmer but also as a carpenter. He was known as a man that everyone could trust. He was a devout member of his church and attended his meetings faithfully. He had an excellent voice and spent many evenings singing from his hymn book. He also sang songs from his childhood in his native tongue.
Jon and Gudny had nine children: John Karl, Ellen Olive, Samuel, Sara Ann Margret, Eystein, Joseph Franklin, Daniel, Sigurosa and Gudrun Jane. All the children died while still young, John Karl lived the longest, he was fifty when he died.

Jon, an industrious man worked continually until a few weeks before his death. While working on a new home he fell, seriously injuring his back, which resulted in his death, 17 October 1929. In Utah Jon went by John C. Johnson, he is number 182 in Icelanders of Utah.

Some of the descendants of John C. Johnson are: past presidents of the Icelandic Association of Utah, John K Johnson and Michael Hutchings; Pamela Helsten; and Carol Johnson. If you are a descendant of John C. let me know and I will add you to the list.

Robert A. Hutchings

Robert A. Hutchings, of Spanish Fork, died August 15, 2008, in Payson, Utah, at the age of 81. He was born May 27, 1927, in Springville, Utah to Shepherd Birgus and Ellen Olive Johnson Hutchings. He married Mary Lou Milner on February 9, 1945 in Spanish Fork, Utah. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on May 22, 1945.
His early education was in Spanish Fork, Salem, and Payson, graduating from Payson High School where he played football, basketball, and baseball. He joined the Navy June 1, 1945 and served at the 12th Naval District Headquarters in San Francisco during WWII. He later served on the USS Valley Forge during the Korean Conflict. After the war, Bob and Mary made their home in Spanish Fork.
Bob took a course in Commercial Art at the Trade Tech in Provo, where he learned the skill of sign painting. For years, he painted many of the business signs in Central Utah. He worked at Geneva and for the Bureau of Reclamation. He worked 27 years for the United State Postal Service as a letter carrier in Spanish Fork.
Bob was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he had served as a scoutmaster and Elder's Quorum President.
He like to build and always had a project adding on a room, building a garage, or building a cabin or "fort" up the canyon. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. He owned and restored antique cars and for years was actively involved in the Utah Valley Old Car Club, serving for a time as its president.
Bob was a member of the American Legion and for many years served as Adjutant. He was instrumental in the design and construction of the Veterans Memorial Monument at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery. He loved Spanish Fork and was honored to be chosen along with his wife as Grand Marshall of the Fiesta Days Parade and as Spanish Fork's Citizen of the Year.
He was proud of his Icelandic and pioneer heritage.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou; two sons, Gary Robert (Ethel), of Spanish Fork; and Michael A. (Christine), of Payson; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; one brother, Carl; and one sister, Barbara. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Verl, Cliff, and Jack; two sisters, Bertie, and Velma; and one grandson, Karl.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the 19th Ward Chapel, 590 North Main, Spanish Fork. Viewings will be held on Friday, August 22nd from 6:00-8:00 p.m at Walker Mortuary, 187 South Main, Spanish Fork and on Saturday one hour prior to services at the church. Military rites will be provided by American Legion Post 68. Interment will be in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.

Thora Leifson Shaw

Thora Arvella Leifson Shaw passed quietly from this earthly life on August 11, 2008 at the age of 73. Thora was born February 12, 1935 to Leo and Thursa Arvella Davis Leifson in Spanish Fork, Utah. She married James (Jerry) Shaw on September 7, 1957 and their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Utah Temple on January 22, 1964.
Thora graduated from Spanish Fork High School where she was always considered a top student. She attended Brigham Young University for a short time but chose not to finish her own schooling to take care of her growing family. Later she built a career in the insurance industry as an agent/broker. She achieved the status of Professional Secretary and served as president of her local chapter of Professional Secretaries International and later as Regional President. She was a life-long learner and took joy in seeing her children and grandchildren find success in their own studies.
She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served as a teacher in Primary, Young Women's, and Relief Society, as well as serving as Historian in the Spanish Fork 15th Ward. She especially loved the young women and they loved her. These special young ladies remained her friends throughout her life.
Thora loved and supported the arts all of her life. She made sure that her children and grandchildren had opportunities to attend plays, musicals, and other art exhibits. Many fond memories involve a night or afternoon at the theater in Salt Lake City or Tuacahn in St. George.
The welfare of the City of Spanish Fork and its citizens was always on her mind. She was the first female member of the City Council in the history of Spanish Fork and served 14 years in that position as well as five years on the City Library Committee and five years on the Planning and Zoning Commission.
She took great pride in her Icelandic heritage and served as Chairperson of the Icelandic Sesquicentennial Celebration of the immigration of Icelanders to Spanish Fork. She was an active member of the Icelandic Association of Utah and was recently honored as an Outstanding Icelander.
She will be sadly missed by the ladies of her woman's club who were all 1952 graduates of SF High and have met together monthly for almost 40 years.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father and two brothers. She is survived by her eternal companion, Jerry; and her three children, Jay (Jeralyn) of Reno, NV; Tanya (Laird) Campbell of Cedar City, UT; and Kelly (Corie) of Selah, WA. Her nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren were the special stars of her life. There was nothing she wouldn't do for them if it was in her power. She is also survived by her two sisters, Rayona (Harry) Humphry; and Mildred Longo.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Spanish Fork Stake Center, 1006 East 200 South, Spanish Fork, Utah. Family and friends may call on Friday evening, August 15, 2008 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Walker Mortuary, 187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, or on Saturday morning at the church from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to funeral services. Interment will be in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please donate a book to the Spanish Fork City Library.

In 1990, being prompted by my mother, I became a member of the board of directors of the Icelandic Association of Utah. Without much excitement I agreed to serve on the board. While serving they asked me to be over publicity. This assignment necessitated research into the history of the Icelandic Association and, as a result, to learn more about Iceland. While serving in this capacity I found a love for my Icelandic Heritage.

I have served in various capacities while on the board of directors, president twice 1994-1995 and 1999-2000, photographer, director of publicity, director of public affairs, director of sales, director of Icelandic relations, and director of membership.

I have helped with several large projects of the Icelandic Association of Utah. Serving as president of the association in 2000 when the association placed a monument on Vestmannaeyjar and an exhibit at the Iceland Emigration Centre at Hofsos, Iceland. I was the Co-Chair of the Icelandic Memorial project in 2005, and a member of the sesquicentennial committee for 150 years of Icelanders in Utah. I also served as fundraising chairman for both the 2000 and the 2005 projects.

I will forever be grateful for many experiences that I have had while serving the people of Icelandic descent in Utah. It has been an exciting ride, with many memorable experiences. The friends I have found along the way are some of the best that anyone could have. Although I will not any longer a member of the board of directors of the Icelandic Association of Utah or attend their monthly meetings and be involved in the planning of their many activities, I will remain a supporter of this organization.

Thanks!

Icelandic Association of Utah

Icelandic Association of Utah
P.O. Box 874
Spanish Fork, UT 84660, USA

The purpose of the Icelandic Association of Utah, Inc. is to: celebrate and perpetuate the common interest in culture and heritage of Iceland through activities and continuing education; promote closer and better relations with the people of Iceland; preserve the memory of the early Icelandic pioneers who established the first permanent Icelandic settlement in North America at Spanish Fork, Utah.

In 1897 the Icelanders of Utah held their first Icelanders Days. Poles and willows were gathered from the river bottoms near Spanish Fork and a bowery was built on the north side of the Icelandic Amusement Hall. The Icelandic Amusement Hall had been built by the Icelanders in Spanish Fork on 700 East between 200 and 300 South. The first Iceland Day was held on August 2, 1897. The entire program was in Icelandic.

Early Iceland Days were held at the same time as the Iceland National Holiday celebrated in Iceland on 2 August. Iceland’s National Holiday was later changed to June 17th, yet Iceland Days in Spanish Fork continued to be held on the first weekend in August until it was officially changed to the third Saturday in June in 2003. It soon became apparent that the third Saturday in June presented a conflict with Fathers Day so it was moved to the fourth Saturday in June in 2004.

Steinvör Lárusdóttir - August 2008

Steinvör Lárusdóttir (Steinvor Larsdottir) was born in July 1867. Her parents are Larus Jonsson, born 30 January 1839 in Dyrholar i Myrdal, Vestur Skaftafell, died 9 February 1895; and Kristin Gisladottir, born 13 January 1843 at Petursey, Solheimur i Myrdal, Vestur Skaftafell, died 30 December 1921 at Buastadir, Vestmannaeyjar. Steinvor’s christening took place in Vestmannaeyjar 15 July 1867.
Steinvor married Einar Bjarnason, born 21 May 1861at Kalfholt, Rangarvalla. They were married about 1887. Three children were born to them in Iceland: Gisli Johann, Kristin Ingunn, and Larus Einar. Einar immigrated to Spanish Fork, Utah in 1891 and Steinvor followed the next year with the three children. Two of her children died shortly after she arrived in Utah. Larus Einar died 31 December 1892 and Gisli Johann died 1 July 1898, both children were buried in the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.
Apparently three more children were born to Steinvor and Einar in Utah. Sometime after 1900 the family moved to Blaine, Washington. Steinvor is number 33 in Icelanders of Utah.

Utah Icelandic Settlement

Two natives of Iceland, Þorarinn Hafliðason and Guðmundur Guðmundsson, while studying in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1851, met two Mormon missionaries from Utah. After careful investigation, they converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They returned to their homeland to share their newfound faith. In 1852, Þorarinn drowned at sea. Guðmundur carried on the proselytizing activities. Many converts were baptized on the shore of Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland.

Samúel Bjarnason and his wife, Margrét Gísladóttir, and a traveling companion, Helga Jónsdóttir, were the first converts to leave Iceland for Zion, in Utah. They sailed from Iceland in the fall of 1854 to Liverpool, England, on the ship James Nesmith. From England, they continued on to New Orleans, where they boarded a riverboat headed to St. Louis, Missouri. After passing through Mormon Grove, the group arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley 7 September 1855, three hundred days after their departure from Iceland. Brigham Young, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, directed Samúel, Margrét, and Helga to settle in Spanish Fork, Utah. With a foundation of sixteen Icelandic pioneers, the first permanent Icelandic settlement in the United States was established in Spanish Fork.

Nearly four hundred Icelanders immigrated to Utah from 1854 to 1914. Before 1869, Icelanders made the trip to Utah by sailing on ships, traveling in wagon trains, and pulling handcarts. After that time, they traveled to Utah by steamship and train. Because the pioneers had very little money to help themselves or others, they found it necessary to work together as they settled in their new homes. In 1897 the Icelanders in Spanish Fork held their first Icelanders Day. Kate B. Carter wrote, “The Iceland people in Utah are said to have preserved the folklore and customs of their mother country more than any other nationality that pioneered in Utah.”

Icelanders that returned to Iceland, as missionaries, after immigrating to Utah were; Loftur Jónsson, Magnús Bjarnason, Þórður Diðriksson, Samúel Bjarnason, Einar Jónsson, Jón Eyvindsson, Jakob Baldvin Jónsson, Gísli Bjarnason, Pétur Valgarðsson, Eiríkur Ólafsson, Einar Eiríksson, Halldór Jónsson, Halldór B. Jónsson, Þórarinn Bjarnason, Jón Jóhannesson, Loftur Bjarnason and Jón Júlíus Sveinsson. Elias W. Eiriksson son of Einar Eiríksson went to Iceland with his father in 1913. Johan P. Lorentzen was sent to Iceland, in 1853, to assist Guðmundur after Þorarinn died at sea.

Before 1869, Icelanders made the trip to Utah by sailing on ships, traveling in wagon trains, and pulling handcarts. After that time, they traveled to Utah by steamship and train. Because the pioneers had very little money to help themselves or others, they found it necessary to work together as they settled in their new homes. In 1897 the Icelanders in Spanish Fork held their first Icelanders Day. Kate B. Carter wrote, “The Iceland people in Utah are said to have preserved the folklore and customs of their mother country more than any other nationality that pioneered in Utah.”

In 1887 the Icelandic members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints built a meetinghouse, where they conducted church services in Icelandic because many of them found it difficult to learn English. In 1892 the Icelandic Lutherans of Spanish Fork built a small frame church where the sermons were taught in Icelandic and English. Runolfur Runolfsson, who had joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Iceland and immigrated to Spanish Fork, converted back to Lutheranism and led this congregation.

A lighthouse monument honoring the Icelanders who settled in Utah was built on the east bench of Spanish Fork at 800 East and Canyon Road in 1938. Andrew Jensen, a historian for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dedicated the monument on August 2, 1938, as part of the Iceland Days celebration. J. Victor Leifson and Eleanor B. Jarvis were co-chairs for the monument project. Gesli Bearnson donated the land and John K. Johnson designed the monument in the shape of a lighthouse, reflecting the seafaring background of the Icelanders. Fred Wilson built the original Viking ship on the monument.

The centennial celebration of the first Icelanders coming to Utah was held on June 15–17, 1955. Elder Anthony R. Ivins of the First Council of Seventy, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, opened the celebration as a keynote speaker during a religious service on Wednesday, June 15. Elder Ivins replaced Elder Henry D. Moyle of Twelve Apostles, who had been called to Texas on Church business. The celebration concluded with a parade on Friday, June 17, a national holiday in Iceland.

Byron T. Geslison, his wife, Melva, and their twin sons, David and Daniel, were called to Iceland in 1975 to renew the missionary effort of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When the Geslisons arrived in Iceland there were no missionary discussions or tracts in Icelandic. Byron had the Voice of Warning and Truth, written by Thordur Didriksson in 1879, re-printed to use as a missionary tract. The Icelandic government officially recognized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1 November 1983.

The centennial celebration of Iceland Days was held in Spanish Fork, Utah in 1997. Iceland’s President, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, and his wife, Guðrun Katrín Þorbergsdóttir, attended the event. President Grímsson and his wife were honored by Spanish Fork City as the grand marshal of the Fiesta Days parade on July 24th. President Grímsson and Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke at a pioneer heritage fireside.

The first Þorrablót was held in Utah in the spring of 1998. It was at a board meeting that the possibility of having Thorrablot came up, and the board of directors voted to try this Icelandic event. Oli Olafsson was at the board meeting and made arrangements for the thorramatur to be brought in from Iceland. The event was held at the Spanish Fork Veterans Memorial Building.

On 30 June 2000, in Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland, a monument honoring the nearly four hundred emigrants from Iceland to Utah was dedicated by Elder William Rolfe Kerr, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The monument overlooks the North Atlantic Ocean and what was is known as Mormon Pond the location where many early Mormon converts were baptized.

At Hofsos, Iceland the exhibit “The Road to Zion” was opened by Iceland’s President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson on 3 July 2000. The exhibit shows how Icelanders joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and went to settle in Utah in the mid nineteenth century. It tells the tale of the first settlers, their difficult journey over sea and land, and their lives and those of their descendants to the present day. This exhibit was moved to the Culture House in Reykjavik, opening 5 May 2005.

A sesquicentennial celebration was held on 23–26 June 2005, 150 years after the first Icelanders arrived in Utah. The Icelandic monument in Spanish Fork, Utah was given a face lift for the occasion. Major additions to the new Icelandic Memorial include 1) a rock brought from the shores of Vestmannaeyjar, 2) eight bronze plaques describing the history of the Icelanders of Utah, 3) a new granite monument to all the Icelandic emigrants, listing the names of nearly four hundred Icelanders who traveled to Utah before 1914. The new Icelandic Memorial was dedicated by Gordon B. Hinckley, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on 25 June 2005. Iceland’s President, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, also spoke at the dedication of the new memorial.