Owen Eyolfson Obituary, Death – Owen Victor Thorstein Eyolfson’s death has been declared. Pat (Palsson) and Victor Eyolfson’s youngest child, Victor Thorstein Eyolfson, died with shattered hearts and sad eyes. Owen was born on April 8, 1985, in Arborg, Manitoba, and died on December 16, 2022, as a result of diabetic complications. Despite the fact that he died far too young, he left our earth in far better shape than he found it. Owen is survived by his two sisters, Tracy Eyolfson (Sebastien Tremblay), Magnus and Thorstein, and Michelle Eyolfson (Rick Slaney), Nickolas, Henrik, and Willow, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, staff, and worldwide friends. His grandparents, Afi and Amma Eyolfson, Steini and Swanlaug (Swanbergson), as well as his parents, Afi and Amma Palsson, Pall and Sigurros (Vidal), and Uncle Raymond Palsson, all died before he was born.
Owen grew up in Arborg and attended school from kindergarten to grade twelve. He was quick-witted and clever, and he excelled in all sports. He coached several younger teams and captained volleyball and basketball teams. During his senior year, he was a member of the Arborg Collegiate Student Council and a Youth Member of the Arborg Town Council. After graduating, Owen attended the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Science before returning to Arborg to purchase the Arborg Hotel, which had been destroyed by fire in 2006. He developed the new Arborg Hotel and Eldhus Restaurant on this site, which opened on September 15, 2009. Owen, ever the entrepreneur, bought the Travelling Inn in 2014. At the time of his death, he was the owner and general manager of both businesses.
Owen was a visionary, ambitious, and community-minded man who was proud of his hometown’s heritage and future plans. He did everything he could to make the area a better place. He has served on several boards and been an active member of the Arborg Chamber of Commerce, serving as President and Vice-President, and he was influential in the founding of the Central Interlake Chamber of Commerce since launching his company. Owen worked hard to construct the Arborg Central Interlake Training Centre. He was the East Zone Director of the Manitoba Hotel Association, President of the Manitoba Progressive Conservative Party’s Interlake-Gimli Constituency, and Past-President for the previous six years. Since its beginnings, he has been an active supporter and volunteer at the Arborg & District Multicultural Heritage Village, assisting his mother with various projects.
Owen was a natural adventurer, with a passion for history and collecting artifacts from his journeys throughout the world. He quickly made and maintained friendships with people from all over the world, having an impact on countless lives. Friends have reached out from all around Canada, Iceland, Denmark, Australia, Argentina, Italy, London, Minnesota, and North Carolina since his death. Owen had a magnetic charm that captivated everyone he encountered. He was a caring, loving son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. Owen was known for his enormous heart and kindness, and he was really committed to helping people. He was a trustworthy, empathetic, and objective listener, as well as an informed advisor. He thrived on heated debates and the exchange of ideas with friends, family, and colleagues, whether they were challenging, radical, or inventive.
Owen and his gorgeous, compassionate personality were cherished by children. As a “animal-whisperer,” he used his calm and sympathetic attitude to create the same spell on animals.
Owen is deeply attached to his Icelandic ancestors, culture, and artifacts. He helped organize different Icelandic events throughout the neighborhood. Owen adored his home, which he designed to reflect his personality and highlight his eclectic tastes, treasures, and collections, which included Icelandic antiquities, Egyptian and Italian antiques, crystal, paintings and photos, repaired furniture, and plants. Everyone adored him for his contagious smile, big bear hugs, and funny banter.
Owen liked imparting unusual and quirky nuggets of knowledge, often leaving you guessing if it was reality or fantasy, with a twinkle in his baby-blue eyes and a sense of humour like his Afi Pall. His mind and heart were filled with thoughts and ambitions, some of which were just waiting to be realized and many of which were now mere delusions. In the spirit of Owen’s grace and selfless caring personality, his desires were respected with love and dignity, and he gave the ultimate gift of life by donating his organs. Life with our sweet Owen was never dull, and it will never be the same without him. Owen will be remembered lovingly and proudly by his family, especially for his loving embraces and reassuring bear-hugs. We will always love, mourn, and never forget our sweet, dear Owen.
We’d want to thank the Arborg Health Treatment Centre and its staff, especially Dr. Donnelly and RN Tammy Jonasson, for their expert and kind care and for accompanying Owen on his ambulance transfer to Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre (HSC). Arborg & District Ambulance EMTs, thank you for your competent and kind response. Finally, I’d want to thank the doctors and nurses on the 4th Floor Critical Care Unit at HSC for their professionalism, warmth, and compassion. A “Celebration of Owen’s Life” will be held in 2023. Please leave your condolences on Owen’s Tribute Wall at www.neilbardalinc.com. Donations can be given in Owen’s memory to the Arborg and District Multicultural Heritage Village, Box 4007, Arborg, MB R0C 0A0, or Diabetes Canada, 1300-522 University Ave., Toronto, ON 5G 2R5.