BIOGRAPHY

Jaman was born in Miami, Manitoba, Canada, on 21 July 1913, to parents Thordur Olson (1884–1972) and Gudrun “Runa” Arnason (1896–1984). Her father was born in Iceland, while her mother was born in North Dakota to Icelandic parents. She grew up in the Arbakka district.

After graduating from Normal School, she spent the next 14 years teaching in Southeast Manitoba. In 1938, she married George Jaman in 1938, and they operated a farm in Arbakka until 1955 when they moved to Harwood, North Dakota. In 1956, they returned to Manitoba and acquired a grain farm in Dufrost, where they resided until retiring to Steinbach.

Jaman passed away in Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada, on 18 September 2023, at the age of 110 years, 59 days. She was survived by her daughter Shirley, her son Richard, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren, and two great-great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

At the time of death, she was the second-oldest living person in Manitoba, after Hazel Skuce.

At the time of his death, Jaman was the oldest known person of full Icelandic descent on record. Nonetheless, Hazel Schultz, who was six months older, had a mother who was born in Iceland.

ATTRIBUTION

* “Thordur Olson” – FindAGrave

* “Obituary of Margaret Jaman” – Birchwood Funeral Chapel, September 2023

GALLERY