Obituary of BRYNHILD (BRYNELL) ANNA HIEBERT

Brynhild (Brynell) Anna Hiebert (nee Gundersen) passed away peacefully on September 8, 2023, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, at the age of 75 years.  She was predeceased by her father Gunner Gundersen, mother Eline Gundersen (nee Nilsen) and her infant brother Otto Gundersen.

Brynell is lovingly remembered by her husband John, sons Kristofer (Susan), Nathan and Erik and her granddaughters Anika and Holly.  She also leaves her siblings Karen Fimrite, Ingrid (John) Zukiwski, Gun-Eli (Bud) Fink, Olaf (Rose) Gundersen, Katherine (Don) Mayer, and Kenneth (Judy) Gundersen and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

Brynell was born in Harstad, Norway, in 1948 and spent her early years living on the island of Dyroy.  In 1953, the family emigrated to Canada and eventually settled just outside La Glace, Alberta, on a small farm where her favorite job as a preschooler was gathering the eggs and bringing them to the house, sometimes three or four times a day.  Once she started school, she learned English very quickly.  On Sunday she and her family would pile into their 1941 Chevy and drive the three miles to the Bethel Pentecostal Church.

Brynell married John in 1973 and they lived in Prince George before moving in 1976 to 5 acres just north-east of Winnipeg.  Brynell was a dedicated mother when it came to her three boys and she took their education very seriously. She was interested in art and took up oil painting as an outlet for her creative talents.  She loved creating paintings for her family and to hang in the family home. Once the children were a bit older, she started her own small business and also became a Health Care Aide, working with home care clients in Sydney, Australia (when the family had relocated there) and then in Winnipeg. She loved meeting and talking with her elderly clients in the River Heights area.

In her later years, when she was less mobile due to a stroke, she loved staying on top of current events and discussing national and international politics and sports such as curling and golf.  She always had a keen interest in family events and would always be ready to share the latest stories. Her two granddaughters were very important to her and she would sit front and centre when they would perform school concerts at her care home.

The family wants to especially thank the wonderful care team and residents at the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg. The care and compassion shown by the staff in the last days of her life was incredibly important to her and the family. Moving to the home in the last year of her life was a blessing beyond measure and she enjoyed deep human connections with staff and fellow residents.   

Funeral Service will be held on Monday, September 18, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba with Rev. Robert Polz as presiding minister.  Interment of her ashes will follow at a later date in La Glace, Alberta.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Brynell's name to the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg, 276 Hugo Street North, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3M 2N6 or via CanadaHelps.org, or to a charity of your choice.