Tammy Axelsson 2023-2024 Fjallkona

Tammy Axelsson (Sigmundson) was raised in Gimli, Manitoba.  Her parents were Daniel and Lillian Sigmundson (Sigurdson)

Tammy worked in the recreation department of Gimli Betel Home from 1983 to 1985 alongside Benna Martin and Anna Stevens.  Little did we (they) know then that all three would one day share the honour of being the Fjallkona for Íslendingadagurinn.  Many of the residents at that time were of Icelandic descent or had immigrated with their parents.  They spoke often of Iceland, the beauty of the countryside and the language and of the indomitable spirit of the people.  Several encouraged her to go and discover the country and its people for herself.

In the late fall of 1985, Tammy took their advice and set off on her own to discover Iceland, with the intention of being there for three months long enough to learn Icelandic, or so she thought, and then to continue on to see a bit more of Europe before returning home.  Three months became three years, and Iceland became an integral part of Tammy’s life. She studied Icelandic at the University of Iceland for two years, and her life’s path was thereafter defined in many ways by this land of her ancestors.

She met her former husband Jon Gretar Axelsson and they have two children together Daniel Jon Axelsson and Fiona Lillian Axelson.  She became a step-mother to Guðmundur Axel and Inga Jóna.  Jon Gretar and Tammy have five grandchildren – Anton Levi, Jon Axel, Baltasar, Jaspur and Luna. 

After coming back to Canada with her family they lived in British Columbia for a number of years and returned to Gimli in 1995. Tammy served as a volunteer on many committees and boards for multiple organizations over the years including - the Icelandic National League of North America, Gimli Icelandic Canadian Society, Gimli´s 1999 Millennium Celebration, Icelandic Festival of Manitoba, Gimli’s SuperWalk for Parkinson’s, Gimli Film Festival; Gimli Ice Festival, Interlake Tourism Association, the Association of Manitoba Museums, Gimli & District Chamber of Commerce, Gimli Tourism Destination Brand Committee and Co-Chair of Pride Gimli.

Her strong connections with Iceland led her to become actively involved in the development of a new museum presence in Gimli.  First as a volunteer on the Planning and Implementation Committee in 1995 and later as the Executive Director of the New Iceland Heritage Museum from 1997 to 2017.  Her years working at the museum gave her the opportunity to experience a job that never really felt like work, and that enabled her to develop a network of friends and colleagues throughout Manitoba and in Iceland.

Tammy acknowledges the mentorship of many wise and great individuals along the way to whom she is eternally grateful including, Leo and Larry Kristjanson, Stefan Stefanson, Neil Bardal, Kris and Dennis Stefanson, Atli Asmundson and Hjalmar W. Hannesson and Janis Johnson.

She was appointed and served as Honourary Consul of Iceland in Gimli from 2003 -2006 until being elected mayor of Gimli 2006 -2010. She was appointed Honourary Consul of Gimli once again in 2021 to the present day.  She is currently Constituency Assistant for Derek Johnson, MLA for Interlake-Gimli.

Community service has been a long-standing tradition in Tammy´s family. 

Her afi Gisli Sigmundson was the Reeve of Bifrost; her father Daniel Sigmundson was mayor of Gimli, her brother Danny Sigmundson and niece Melanie Specula both served on Gimli council and her nephew DJ Sigmundson served as Chief Administrative Officer in three Manitoba communities for 25 years.

She is a recipient of Toastmasters International Communication & Leadership Award, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Queen Elizabeth ll Platinum Jubilee Medal, both for community service.

Today, Tammy is happiest when spending time with her children, her large extended family and friends, and her partner Ross Romaniuk and his family. She is in her element when creating memories and looking for new adventures great and small, and when aspiring to make our little corner of the world on the shores of Lake Winnipeg a better place to be. 

2020

• Ainsley Gretchen
• Hailey Jones

2017

• Rhys John Welham
• Carly Constance Welham

2004

• Thelma Bjork Wilson
• Anjolene Rose Kathryn Hunt

2001

• Gillian Robinson
• Anna Davidson

1998

• Reyna Lois Jenkyns
• Victoria Sparks

1995

• Erin Gudmundson
• Lauren Palsson

1992

• Fern Alexandra Cronshaw
• Jenna Lynn Rempel

1989

• Sandra Dorothy McEwen
• Michelle Karen Wilcox

1986

• Joanne Lynn Lindal
• Marlene Gladys McGill

1983

• Bonnie Martin
• Nielle Johnson

1980

• Not available at this time.

1977

• Cheryl Riglin
• Jona Riglin

1974

• Thora Jakobson
• Irene Jakobson

1971

• Not available at this time.