Sven Gunnar Person

Gunnar is survived by his wife Edythe “Edie”, children; Brian and Susan Person, Sharon Person and Joel Smith, John Person and Christine Jansen and his grandchildren Thea and Saskia Person. He was heartbroken to be pre-deceased by his grand-daughter Maya Karin Person in 2016. He was also pre-deceased by his sisters Dagney Person and Solveig “Sylvia” Fai and parents Karin and Peter Person, sister-in-law Marge Eros, brother-in-law Willie Eros, Mother-in-law Marion Wildfang and father-in-law John Wildfang.

Gunnar was always proud of his small town roots, growing up in Kelliher Saskatchewan.

Dad joined the RCMP in 1954 serving until 1979. His first posting was in Portage La Prairie where he met our Mom, Nurse Edythe Wildfang and they started a life together which would take them to many destinations.

Other postings included Sprague, Dauphin (where Brian and Sharon were born), Churchill, Windsor, Chicago, Kitchener (where John was born) and finally Ottawa where Dad received his honorable discharge from the force. These years, were filled with precious moments with so many lifelong friends. Gunnar shared a deep bond with his RCMP family and often recounted stories of their many exploits. He cherished their friendship and the strong connection they all had with each other.

In 1979, Gunnar began a second career with the Province of Manitoba as the Chief Compliance Officer. The promise was to spend 2 years in Winnipeg and then move to Kelowna. Thirty-nine years later they still live in the same house in Fort Richmond.

Family was of the utmost importance to Dad, he came from Swedish stalk, Swenson on his Mother’s side and Person on his father’s. He had 67 first cousins and family reunions to Kelliher were filled with lots of memories, laughs, tears and stories. Gunnar loved taking the opportunity to visit with his and Edythe’s many cousins.

Equally important were Edie’s sister Barb and brother in-law Jim Lamoureux and his nieces and nephews on the Eros, Lamoureux and Fai sides of the family.

More than anyone else, Gunnar loved Edie and their children and grandchildren. He was always eager to help them in any way he could and was always curious about the events in their lives. He had a heart as big as they come and even larger. He was private but very emotional when he was surprised by visits, unexpected good news and special gestures.

Dad enjoyed spending time at the cottage at Falcon Lake and sharing those times with family and friends. He loved to see his grandkids enjoy boating, swimming and hiking. Dad was fortunate to spend many years travelling with Mom all over the World to place such as China, Australia, Europe, Iceland, South America, Africa and coast to coast across Canada. Dad particularly loved treating the entire family to warm winter vacations in the Caribbean and Mexico.

He was an active member of the RCMP Veterans Association and quietly proud of his years of service. He worked on the committee which raised the funds to create the North West Mounted Police statue and artifacts which commemorates the NWMP March West and is located at the Travel Manitoba Centre at the Emerson Canada/USA Border. On behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, he was presented with the Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.

He was also very active at the Royal Canadian Legion Ft. Garry branch #90, having served in many roles. It is fitting that Dad’s last act for the Legion was delivering poppy boxes to Pembina Hwy businesses in anticipation of Remembrance Day. He liked to enter his name in for the daily attendance draws which until last month he could comment that his name was never selected. He was happy to finally have his name drawn in October. Dad was a frequent attendee of the legion weekly meat draws and regularly he held winning tickets. A visit to Winnipeg for family and friends was not complete without a visit to #90.

That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much;

who has gained the respect of fellow men and the love of children;

who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;

who leaves the world better than he found it;

who has never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty or failed to express it;

who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had.

That man is you, dear Gunnar

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