Pola Gislason passed away peacefully on September 5, 2017 with her sisters by her side. She was 70 years old.
Pola was born in Ste Rose du Lac, MB, on October 14, 1946 to Peter and Agnes VanJoff. Pola was the third of four daughters, and part of a close knit extended family. Pola grew up in Ste Rose, and completed high school in Langenburg, SK. She trained as a nurse in Winnipeg, and nursed in Dauphin, MB and Russel, MB. After nursing for a few years, Pola returned to Langenburg to help her dad run the local IGA.
Pola married Bjorn Gislason on May 22, 1971 in Churchbridge. They moved to Hudson Bay, where over the years Pola was a stay at home wife and mother, teachers' assistant, activity director for Churchill Place, and Justice of the Peace. Pola and Bjorn were blessed with 2 children, Sandra and Michael.
Throughout her life, Pola was an active community member, serving on church council and LWML; as a Sunday School teacher; as a volunteer for the crisis centre, Churchill Place and with a variety of other groups. Pola was an avid gardener and spent many hours tending to her yard, flowers, and garden. She enjoyed crocheting and other crafts, and was a bargain hunter who loved shopping and garage sales. Pola was an excellent cook, and enjoyed cooking for family and friends. In her spare time she was a curler, golfer and enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. Pola enjoyed camping, travelling with her sisters, and visiting the east coast.
Pola's life revolved around her family, who will miss her dearly. She was a loving companion and caregiver to her husband Bjorn, and played an active role in her children's and grandchildren's lives and activities. Pola was a trusted friend to many.
Pola was predeceased by her parents and parents-in law, husband Bjorn, and brother-in-law Kelly Yeske. She is survived by her daughter Sandra (Terry) Derenisky and son Michael (Alanna) Gislason; granddaughters Kathryn and Karrah Derenisky; grandsons Jorey and Brayton Gislason; sisters Verna (Charles) Polcyn, Carol (Kees) VanTeeling, and Fran Yeske, nieces and nephews and their families Cindy Furlong, Peter VanTeeling, Asmara Polcyn, Tania Polcyn, Neil VanTeeling, and Erin Sailer, as well as many friends.