Sigurbjorn Sig Z.B. Johnson
November 24, 1920 - June 6, 2011
Obituary
Sigurbjorn “Sig” Johnson was born November 24, 1920 in Seattle, WA to Lillian Nordal and Zophoneas Johnson, both immigrants from Iceland. When Sig was just ten years old, his father passed away due to illness. Sig’s mother was very resourceful and operated several apartment buildings in downtown Seattle, and worked as a seamstress to support the small family during the Great Depression. In 1932, Sig and his mother moved to Iceland for a year, where Sig attended sixth grade. After returning to Seattle in 1933, Sig remained in close correspondence with his Icelandic relatives and friends. He was fluent in Icelandic and visited the small country many times during his life to visit his extended family and friends. Sig’s Icelandic heritage was very important to him and played a central role throughout his lifetime.
Sig attended Seattle University and received his bachelor’s degree in business. He began his career as a salesman, first in the produce industry and later in the grocery and beverage distribution business. Soon after starting his career, Sig met Olga Raykovich while skiing at Snoqualmie Pass, and after a two-year courtship they were married on July 5, 1947. They remained happily married for almost 60 years until Olga’s death in 2007. Sig and Olga had one son, Mark, a daughter-in-law, Shaun, and two grown granddaughters, Bryn Kirk Kimberly and Brooke Johnson. Sig loved them all dearly.
Sig was also an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. He was a member of The Drifters, a Seattle salmon fishing club, for many years. Sig owned a small boat and would take fly fishing trips with family and friends frequently during the fishing season. He especially enjoyed teaching his two granddaughters to fish for rainbow trout in Eastern Washington each summer when they were young.
Sig was also an expert gardener and enthusiastic participant in the Interbay P-Patch. He was legendary for his beautiful Walla Walla sweet onions, tomatoes, fingerling potatoes, and giant sunflowers.
When he wasn’t outdoors, Sig dedicated much of his time after retirement to the preservation of Scandinavian history and his love of Iceland and Icelandic culture. He volunteered frequently in the Icelandic Room of the Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard. He was also quite active in the Icelandic Club of Greater Seattle, having served as President for several terms. An avid reader, Sig loved to read books on Icelandic history and their immigration to North America. He was very proud of his heritage, and even compiled a family tree dating back to 900 AD.
Sig was a loving father, grandfather, and friend who will be missed by all, but never forgotten.
The family would like to thank the supportive friends and staff of the Norse Home, and the compassionate staff of the Columbia Lutheran Home for all their kindness and loving care.
At Sig’s request, there will be no public services. Donations may be made to either of two organizations that were dear to his heart: The Icelandic Room, Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 NW 67th Street, Seattle, WA 98117; or the P-Patch Trust, PO Box 19748, Seattle, WA 98199.