Mrs. Margret Kristjansdottir Arnar

Arnar, Margrét Kristjánsdóttir (Maddý) loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed away surrounded by family on September 11, 2019. She was born on September 8, 1935 in Ísafjörður, Iceland. She attended the Business College of Iceland graduating in 1954. She was also a student at Tónlistaskóli Íslands (the Music Conservatory of Iceland) studying piano and composition. Subsequently, she held a job at the Maritime Bank in Reykjavík. In 1957, she went to Copenhagen, Denmark to pursue training in commercial window display. Upon returning to Reykjavík, she practiced her trade at the department store Kjörgarður. In 1960, she moved to the United States to join her soon-to-be husband Örn Arnar whom she married in December of that year in Minneapolis. In 1970, they returned with their four children to Iceland and remained there until 1972. Maddý worked at the Dayton's Department Store on Nicollet Mall in the Display Department until 1962, and again briefly in the early 1970s. She was an active member in the Icelandic Community including the Hekla Club, The Icelandic Association, and she assisted Örn in his role as Honorary Consul General of Iceland. In addition, she put her design skills to use at the American Swedish Institute, designing Iceland's room for the annual holiday exhibit for over 40 years. A passionate and informed musician, she also was active in musical circles in the Twin Cities such as Thursday Musical. Last but not least, Maddý and Örn hosted numerous gatherings for generations of Icelandic students coming to the Twin Cities to study at various higher education institutions. She is preceded in death by her parents Kristján Hannes Jónsson (a harbor pilot and owner of a hat manufacturing company), Anna Sigfúsdóttir (a homemaker), her brother Jón Símon Kristjánsson and half-brother Sigmundur Sigfússon. She is survived by her husband of 58 years Örn Arnar, their four children Anna Sigríður, Bernhard, Rannveig and Kristján Örn, their spouses and eight grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Val Björnson Icelandic Exchange Scholarship at the University of Minnesota. Maddý's family would also like to extend a special thanks to those who cared for her during her illness, including Ridgeview Hospice, Legacy Home Care, Dr. Gretchen Rasmusson, Dr. Jason Kallestad and friend Trish.Visitation will be held at Norman-dale Lutheran Church, Edina at 10 a.m. on September 20th. Memorial service at 11 a.m.

Tributes

Mrs. Margret Kristjansdottir Arnar

September 8, 1935 - September 11, 2019

Tributes

Mrs. Margret Kristjansdottir Arnar

September 8, 1935 - September 11, 2019

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