Gudrun Lilja Thordarson (Gudsteinsdottir) was born on Christmas Day in 1937 in Vestmannaeyjar, a small island off the southern coast of Iceland. She passed away on Good Friday, April 2, 2010, at her home in LaPorte, surrounded by her family.
She was born into a large family with five sisters and three brothers. On Easter Sunday, April 1, 1956, Lilja married Steinthor (Steini) Thordarson. They were blessed with four children, Throstur (Jona) of South Bend, and Smari (Lori), Thor (Lori) and Harpa Huntress (Tom) of LaPorte, and 11 grandchildren.
After many busy years as a dedicated pastor’s wife and raising her children, she returned to school and earned a bachelor of science degree in Elementary Education Magna Cum Laude, and then a master of arts in Teaching at Andrews University, completing all the required coursework for both degrees in only three and a half years. She taught elementary school in Iceland for many years, helping children overcome dyslexia and other learning disabilities. She helped compile and translate material for an Icelandic teachers’ manual for the learning disabled.
Lilja and her husband went as missionaries to Nigeria for four years and to Zimbabwe for three years. She recorded several hundred devotionals and children’s stories for broadcast on an Icelandic Christian radio station established by her husband. She translated a large amount of material for these devotionals from English into Icelandic. Her name and voice are well known to most Icelanders.
Lilja has touched the lives of thousands of people on several continents with her talents, bright smile, and loving kindness. She was an amazing wife, mother and grandmother.
The funeral will be at the LaPorte Seventh Day Adventist Church on Friday, April 9, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m. There will be a private family burial at Pine Lake Cemetery, LaPorte, following the service. Cutler Funeral Home, LaPorte, is handling arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Iceland Outreach (a Christian radio ministry) at PO Box 591, LaPorte, IN 46352-0591; or to the LaPorte Hospital Foundation, 1007 Lincolnway, LaPorte, IN 46350.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.cutlerfuneral.com.
