Gudrun Kristbjorg (Reykdal) Blackport

Gudrun was born on March 7, 1928, on her parent’s farm, three and a half miles east of Dafoe and grew up there.  Her parents were Jonina Kristjana (Gislason) and Jon Asgrimur Reykdal.  She went to Mimer and then Dafoe School until completion of Grade Ten when her mother, a widow since age 39, sub rented a house in Wynyard to send Gudrun and her sister Bina there to complete Grade 12.  It was their Mother’s desire that her daughters would be educated and independent as she herself had been widowed early in life.  The Reykdal family often entertained themselves by singing and accompanying themselves on the piano and other instruments they had accomplished.  The family became involved in playing for dances.  While living in Wynyard, Gudrun and Bina played with the Elfros Orchestra, sang in the church choir and at local showers and programs together.  After completing a summer at Normal School, Gudrun took a teaching position at Howat School, near Lockwood, attended University of Saskatchewan 1950 – 51, then returned to teach that autumn.  Gudrun and William Henry Blackport (always known as Bill) were married July 17, 1951.  By 1954, they had settled their personally built house 2 miles south of Lockwood and 5 miles east where they farmed until 1972, then moved to Lanigan in 1976.  Together Gudrun and Bill travelled to most Provinces and Territories of Canada, and into the United States including a Square Dancing Convention/Jamboree in Hawaii.  Round dancing, social dancing, and playing cards were also enjoyed with friends and neighbours.  Gudrun spent time teaching piano and voice lessons while on the farm and also in Lanigan.  Executive Positions were held at the Local and Provincial levels of Prairie Rose Homemakers Club and Women’s Institute.  After 1986, she relished her “snowbird” winters to Mesa, Arizona for the next 22 years, again participating in musical groups and programs.  Included in her hobbies were reading, curling, crocheting, knitting, sewing and eventually quilting.  Gudrun is survived by her two children and their spouses:  son Douglas Blackport (Lois Davidson): Kate Blackport (Lee Vermeulen); daughter Maureen Bartel (Lorne): Kelsey (Cory) Shiloff, Alexis, Klay & Colton, Brett (Karly) Bartel, Nash & Callie, Jolene (Ryan) Dieno, Emma, Lauren & Levi, W. Bryce (Rachel) Bartel, Lincoln, Merit & Nora, and Rebecca (Carter) Lamont, Slade and Anders.  She is also survived by her sister-in-law Katherine Blackport, brother-in-law Richard Blackport, nieces Beverley Keyser & family, Marjorie Keyser & Patricia Keyser, sister-in-law Opal Reykdal and the families of Allen Limin & Brenda Christianson as well as Charlene Brown & Lori Fogg.  Gudrun was predeceased by her father (1935), her mother (1968), her husband of 34 years, Bill (1986), her siblings: Egill, Bjorn, Gisli Reykdal, Bina Keyser & brother-in-law George Keyser and her brothers-and-sisters-in-law:  Ralph, John and Edna Blackport, niece Brenda Christianson (2021) and Edna’s son Jim McKenzie.  Gudrun passed away on July 12, 2021.  As per her wishes a Family Graveside Service will be held. Memorial donations in Gudrun’s memory may be made to the Kandahar Cemetery (Box 177, Wynyard, SK, S0A 4T0).