America Letter Summer 2007 Vol. XX, No. 4

Your Museum in the An International THE DANISH IMMIGRANT MUSEUM Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Protector Heart of the Continent Cultural Center ® Member of the American Association of Museums BOX 470 • ELK HORN, 51531

Across Oceans, Across Time, Across Generations®: The Lauritzens By Eva Nielsen This story involves – among others – a ship builder, an artist, a banker, and a master painter. It links a house by the sea in Denmark with a bank in Omaha, with The Danish Immigrant Museum in Elk Horn, Iowa. It’s a story connect- ing past to present – and a story about making something beautiful to remember the journey. Let’s start with Bruce Lauritzen. He is the banker, the chairman of First National Bank of Omaha and Bruce Lauritzen’s great-great-grandfather, Carl Christian, would have seen the Honorary Royal this view of the sea from his home in Ærøskøbing, Denmark. Carl Christian Danish Consul for was a ship builder and skipper. He immigrated to America in 1891 at the Nebraska. First Na- age of 77. tional Bank is 150 years building and laid a foundation for the Museum’s future old this year. Established growth. in 1857, it is the largest Now here’s where the artist comes into the story. Ear- privately held bank holding lier this year, The Danish Immigrant Museum contacted company in the U.S. Danish goldsmith and designer Helle Jørvad, commis- Lauritzen and his family sioning her to create a sculpture for Lauritzen, a thank own the Shelby County State you for the role the Lauritzen family and the Lauritzen Bank which has an offi ce Corporation has played in building the Museum – a thank in Elk Horn. His son Clark you, too, that would capture something of the Lauritzen owns Landmands National family’s Danish past. Bank which has an offi ce in Jørvad began to work, starting with a basic concept: nearby Kimballton. “If I was going to make a sculpture,” she says, “I would Further, Lauritzen and his like to make something from the place where Lauritzen’s family’s support through the people had been. I really wanted a stone from the family’s Lauritzen Corporation have garden – because stone would have been there always. been essential to The Danish And I very much wanted to get a fl int stone because I Immigrant Museum. Over know that fl int is usually created where you fi nd it.” the past eleven years, their Jørvad also wanted to fi nd some wood – “…a piece generosity has retired the of wood,” Jørvad says, “that grew up where the family debt on the present museum grew up.” The sculpture created by Dan- To get stone, to get wood, Jørvad needed to fi nd where ish goldsmith and designer Helle Lauritzen’s ancestors had lived. Starting with a few Jørvad. The sculpture is a gift meant to thank and to remember. – continued on page 4 Director’s Corner By John Mark Nielsen Next year The Twenty-five years is not a long new realities, new challenges and Danish Immi- time and yet the world has changed new opportunities. Over the next grant Museum since the Museum became a reality. months and as we enter our 25th celebrates its In 1983 the globe was divided “East anniversary year, I look forward to 25th anniver- versus West” and a “Third World” sharing steps that we will be taking sary. I was a clambering for attention. Despite in- to assure that we continue to fulfill late addition to ternational tensions, travelers passed our mission to share “the legacy and the committee that had been named through domestic airports freely and continuing influence of Danish cul- by the Danish American Heritage were only subject to scrutiny crossing ture as realized in the experiences and Society to investigate the feasibility borders overseas. The internet was contributions of Danish immigrants, of a Danish heritage museum and a only a theoretical idea and computers their descendents and Danes living location. The committee took its work in most homes seemed farfetched to in America.” seriously, debating and discussing many. An important first step is rede- many issues. Ultimately, important Interest in genealogy and ethnic sign of our present exhibit “Across decisions were made that continue heritage among many Americans Oceans, Across Time.” Since 1994 to impact us today: a rural over an was evident, largely inspired by the visitors entering the museum have urban site was selected; the word 1977 television series based on Alex met a photograph of an immigrant “immigrant” was incorporated into Haley’s Roots. Indeed even the word family arriving in America. It is a the name. “immigrant” had more popular con- wonderful picture and reflects an In 25 years we have worked to notations. Rural America was strug- important part of our story. Unfold- build a museum, beginning with an gling to emerge from another “Farm ing on panels on the main floor is a idea and then, through hard work and Crisis,” and though there had been an story of immigration beginning in perseverance, making it a reality. This energy crisis in the mid-70s, paying the mid-19th Century and concluding has been due to the generosity and $3.00 for a gallon gas regularly was in the early part of the 20th Century. loyalty of many, many individuals. unimaginable. Little attention is paid to the experi- Among these are Bruce and Kimball Locating a museum in Elk Horn, ences of World War II and we do not Lauritzen who the Board of Directors Iowa in the heart of a significant explore the experience of the many recognized and thanked at its June Danish American population and Danes who came to this county in the meeting in Omaha. along Interstate 80, a major east-west 1950s, 60s, right up to today. Yes, we The generosity of the Lauritzens thoroughfare acknowledged the im- have Victor Borge’s piano (for which and the Lauritzen Corporation has portance of the rural settlement pat- we are grateful), but it is an artifact enabled The Danish Immigrant Mu- terns of the 19th Century. It was an without a context. seum to retire a debt of over $1.6 investment in a community that had Our plan, as we celebrate our million. Indeed, the last payment demonstrated initiative by moving 25th anniversary year, is to unveil will be made in the early autumn of and reconstructing a Danish windmill two important exhibits. Our annual 2008, 25 years and a month after the as a bicentennial project, and it was exhibit on the mezzanine level will museum was incorporated. I believe a celebration of the pride and spirit be called “Across Oceans, Across the Danish American community, evident in so many individuals living Time, Across Generations” and will whether Museum members or not, in the surrounding communities of narrate the stories of three or four owe the Lauritzens a great debt of Kimballton, Exira, Audubon, Atlantic extended families as examples of im- gratitude. Their confidence and sup- and Harlan. migration and assimilation. The other port has assured the preservation of The factors that led to the selec- will be an expansion of our present over 35,000 artifacts and hundreds tion of Elk Horn for the site of The permanent exhibit, but it will have a of family histories and enabled Danish Immigrant Museum remain, broader focus and incorporate state- thousands of visitors to share in the but twenty-five years later there are of-the-art exhibit technologies. The Danish American story. 2 – continued on page 3 America Letter Director . . . continued from page 1 Published Three Times Annually By possibility of planning for this is due This is not an American experience. The Danish Immigrant Museum to the generosity of Rita Neergaard- Anyone familiar with the social and 2212 Washington, POBox 470 Elk Horn, Iowa 51531 Hansen of Kenosha, Wisconsin who political turmoil arising in Denmark 712-764-7001 800-759-9192 has provided initial funding for this following the publication of the 13 FAX 712-764-7002 Eva Nielsen, editor project, but of course funds will be cartoons depicting the Prophet Mo- www.danishmuseum.org hammad and the subsequent reactions email: [email protected] required to complete this project. elsewhere in the world recognizes it Board of Directors In a global community drawn more President – Kai Nyby, LaPorte, IN closely together by travel, trade, work is global. A museum is more than a Vice-President – Marc Petersen, Omaha, NE and communication, the migration of tourist attraction; a museum should at Secretary – Dagmar Muthamia, Long Beach, CA Treasurer – John Molgaard, Atlantic, IA peoples is a reality. I believe we have once engage, inform and encourage Dr. Ronald Bro, Cedar Falls, IA a responsibility to raise important thought. If we do not inspire informed Carlo Christensen, Glendale, CA refl ection on issues of migration, then Lois Christensen, Elk Horn, IA questions about the opportunities, Ane-Grethe Delaney, Wayzata, MN challenges and even the confl icts that I believe we are failing our visitors. Dr. Gordon Esbeck, Tipton, IA Mark Frederiksen, Papillion, NE arise from the movement of peoples. As we are able to achieve these Kenneth Gregersen, Arnolds Park, IA I hope visitors will leave informed exhibit goals at our Museum, we can Bridget Jensen, Houston, TX Erna Jensen, Des Moines, IA about the Danish immigrant experi- then incorporate them on our website Harold M. Jensen, Ames, IA ence through the redesign of our pres- as we develop our virtual museum. Peder Kirkegaard, Lake Geneva, WI Kurt Klarskov Larsen, Oneonta, AL ent permanent exhibit, but will also Twenty-fi ve years ago that was not Mark Nussle, Palos Park, IL leave, considering the implications of possible. As we realize these goals, I Benedikte Ehlers Olesen, Eugene, OR Lynette Skow Rasmussen, Johnston, IA immigration and how it contributes hope we will merit the faith and the The Honorable Consul Anelise Sawkins, to the reshaping of regional, national trust the Lauritzens and so many of , MN Linda Sloth-Gibbs, Yuma, AZ and global culture. you have placed in us. Harriet Albertsen Spanel, Bellingham, WA Janet M. Thuesen, Sausalito, CA Ex-Offi cio Vern Hunter, Fargo, ND Nils Jensen, Portland, OR Dennis Larson, Decorah, IA Staff Museum Receives Executive Director: Dr. John Mark Nielsen, [email protected] Humanities Iowa Grant Director of Development: Thomas Hansen, [email protected] In late June, The Danish Immigrant ers and selected segments will be General Information & Inquiries About Volunteering: [email protected] Museum received a $4,700 grant from used for public presentations. The Group & Special Tours: Terri Johnson, Humanities Iowa for the “preserva- interviews were initially recorded in [email protected] Wall of Honor, Donations, Memorial Gifts tion of audio interviews.” The letter, 1983 through an earlier grant from & Memberships: Deb Larsen, develop- signed by Christopher R. Rossi, ex- Humanities Iowa. [email protected] Bookkeeping & Financial Inquiries: Jen- ecutive director, states, “Your project Dennis Andersen, a newly re- nifer Winters, [email protected] was deemed particularly meritorious elected member of the Museum’s Collections & Exhibit Questions: Barbara Lund-Jones, M.Phil, curator@ by this select group of Iowans, who Board of Directors, took the lead on danishmuseum.org Artifact Donations & Museum Loans: are charged with the responsibility submitting the grant application with Angela Stanford, M.A., registrar@danish- of promoting and enhancing an un- assistance from John Mark Nielsen, museum.org Museum Shop: Pamela Parker, giftshop@ derstanding of culture throughout the the Museum’s executive director. A danishmuseum.org state.” committee made up of former resi- Donation of Books & Library Questions: Michele McNabb, MLS, librarian@ The grant allows the Museum to dents of Elk Horn, including Sonja danishmuseum.org transfer over 400 hours of recorded Larsen, Karolyn Ortgies, Marc Pe- Genealogical & Translation Inquiries: [email protected] oral histories from cassette tape to tersen (current vice-president of the Volunteer Coordinator: Joyce Petersen digital format. Once transferred, the board) and Dorris Hedgcock, initiated Receptionist: Jane Kite Custodian: Tim Fredericksen data will be available for research- the process, convening to fi nd a way to preserve the tapes. 3 Lauritzens . . . continued from page 1

Bruce Laurtizen pictured with his wife Kimball.

This is a farm building – part of the Søbygaard estate – on Ærø, the home of Duke Hans the Younger whose brother became King Frederick II of Denmark and whose nephew became King Christian IV of Denmark. The timber Jørvad used in her sculpture was part of one of the estate’s buildings before it was taken out and replaced during restoration. biographical details, Jørvad scoured Bruce Lauritzen’s ancestral homes, old church records and consulted lo- a place to find a stone – if the cur- cal archives, slowly piecing together rent owners would allow it. With Bruce Lauritzen’s Danish heritage. an address as well as the name of a She learned that Bruce Lauritzen’s woodworker who might help her find some wood for her sculpture, Jørvad grandfather, Max, was born in Copen- Clark Lauritzen, son of Bruce and hagen in 1888. And he immigrated to set out for Ærø. Kimball, is a senior vice president and America – to Minnesota – in 1891 as And, then, as Jørvad explains it, division head of investment banking at a 3-year-old, along with his parents, things began to come together. The First National Bank of Omaha. Peter Lauritzen and Nicoline Rønnow current owner of Bruce Lauritzen’s (Lauritzen’s great-grandparents). great-great-grandfather’s home is a garden. And, finally, just at the edge Jørvad dug deeper, discovering director of a folk high school. To Jør- of the old cobblestone pavement in that Bruce Lauritzen’s great-great- vad, this meant he was an open-mind- the garden sat a loose flint stone, just grandfather Carl Christian Lauritzen ed person, a person who wouldn’t waiting for Jørvad’s sculpture. had lived on the island of Ærø. Carl mind an artist poking around, looking And the wood? Well, it turns out Christian was a ship builder and a for a rock in his garden. that the woodworker – the one whose skipper (meaning he owned a ship) Jørvad was invited into the house. name Jørvad had gotten before com- who lived with his mother in a house She got to see things that Bruce ing to Ærø – is the brother of the by the sea in Ærøskøbing until he Lauritzen’s ancestors would have current owner of Bruce Lauritzen’s married in his early thirties. seen: the beautiful brass doorknob great-great-grandfather’s home. Finally, Jørvad had found one of on the front door, the home’s original “Isn’t that fun!” says Jørvad. pump, the view of the sea from the Also, this woodcutter just hap-

4 – continued on page 5 sense of Bruce Lauritzen’s heritage, Jørvad began to design. Thinking both of the family’s 1891 journey to America and their maritime heritage, Jørvad crafted a ship’s sail out of pure silver; she used the timber as a stand. The sail can be turned back and forth in its place. “If Bruce Lauritzen wants to go home,” Jørvad explains, “to fi nd the stone where he came from, he has to go east. You then turn the sail around the other way. That was the way the family went…to the west.” And the fl int stone? Jørvad set it near the base of the timber. “But,” says Jørvad, “I didn’t fasten the fl int; Bruce Lauritzen’s great-grandmother grew up in this home in Rudkøbing, so Bruce Lauritzen can pick it up or Denmark. A statue of Hans Christian Ørsted, the Danish scientist who discovered set it down or put it in another way a connection between electricity and magnetism, stands in the square outside. and have it in his hand and touch it Ørsted’s family lived in the square, too. and know that his great-great-grand- pened to have the perfect piece of Rudkøbing on the island of Lange- father might have walked on it.” wood: a piece of structural building land. Nicoline’s father was a mal- And that is the story of the sculp- timber from an estate on Ærø that he ermester – a master painter – there. ture – the sculpture to remember a was helping restore. “That was coin- And Nicoline’s mother? Her name family’s past and to celebrate all cidence,” says Jørvad. “Sometimes was Martha Mathilde Flindt; “Flindt” they have given in the present. The things happen that have to be.” – yet another reason, Jørvad felt, to in- sculpture that, Jørvad says, made Jørvad also visited the childhood clude a fl int stone in the sculpture. itself. “I was just the worker; I was home of Bruce Lauritzen’s great- Armed with wood and fl int and a not the creator…it created itself.” grandmother, Nicoline Ronnøw, in

Faith, Family Heritage and Future Visions In presenting the sculpture to Bruce Lauritzen, Dr. John Mark Nielsen of The Danish Immigrant Museum noted how the materials of stone, wood and silver convey symbolic meaning. The rock suggests the ballast that fi lled his ancestor’s ships and represents the faith that has provided stability to confront inevitable storms. The oak beam speaks of the family’s heritage, rooted in the Danish islands, and the silver sails communicate an ability to harness the winds of fortune and navigate towards charted goals. A plaque on the bottom reads, “This work created by the Danish artist Helle Jørvad is presented to Bruce and Kimball Lauritzen, their children and the Lauritzen Corporation in grateful appreciation for John Mark Nielsen of The Danish Im- their support of The Danish Immigrant Museum and in celebration migrant Museum, Jørvad, and Lauritzen of the 150th anniversary of First National Bank of Omaha. June 8, surround the sculpture. 2007, First National Tower, Omaha, Nebraska.”

5 Festival Atmosphere Fills Museum

The Danish Villages celebrated an- Steven Jensen of Washington. heart baskets to hang on Christmas trees. other successful Tivoli Fest. Numerous Visitors of all ages were treated to an Annette Andersen of Kimballton, Iowa on-site handcrafters and four new exhib- array of handcraft demonstrators and displayed her papirklip (intricate paper its attracted a record number of visitors exhibits. Upon entering the Museum, cuttings). to The Danish Immigrant Museum. visitors were captivated by the spinning As visitors strolled the lush green Mu- In royal fashion, the Memorial Day of wool by Wayne McFadden of Atlantic, seum grounds, they discovered a small weekend festivities began Friday eve- Iowa. forge set up with third generation Danish ning at the Museum with the crowning The Museum’s featured artist-in-resi- immigrant and master blacksmith Steve of Tivoli Fest’s prince and princess. dence, Danish goldsmith and designer Nelson of Marne, Iowa heating metal and Parents, siblings and friends crowded in Helle Jørvad, performed a popular dem- hammering it into a desired shape. the Museum lobby to hear Tom Potts of onstration. Guests of all ages listened Two new attractions were held in the Elk Horn interview each of the young intently as Jørvad explained her expertise Museum’s Bro Dining Room and the candidates. The moment was tense as while creating a memento name pin for new conference room. The Tivoli Café Potts reached into the hat to announce the spectators. possessed a festive décor for the hungry, the new reigning royalty: Princess Kai- Local artist Melissa Dinesen of Harlan, complete with white tablecloths adorned ley Britton of Elk Horn and Prince Josh Iowa demonstrated her hardanger tal- with fresh flowers provided by the Pettepier of Walnut, Iowa. ents (hardanger is a kind of handwork). Outlook Study Club. In the conference Saturday morning’s sky brought rain, Aveline Marks of Omaha, Nebraska room, the Danish Film Festival’s popular but cleared in time for the popular annual exhibited high quality Danish cross- feature was the 3D computer graphic and parade. Executive Director John Mark stitching. Meanwhile, Bev Mendenhall animated Hans Christian Andersen story, Nielsen rode with Museum member of Atlantic, Iowa and her sister, Nadine The Steadfast Tin Soldier. and driver Norbert Greving in the 1929 Dobbe of Ames, Iowa illustrated how Visitors leaving the Museum were Model A car gifted to the Museum by to make the traditional Danish ribbon heard to say, “That was fun!” and “We’ll stars and red and white woven paper be back.”

The Danish Immigrant Museum: Upcoming Events

The Danish Immigrant Museum is participating in or sponsoring the following up- coming events: July 25 ...... Western Iowa Tourism Region Bi-Monthly Meeting, Atlantic, Iowa August 15-19 ...... Danebod Fall Folk Meeting, Tyler, Minnesota August 26 ...... Our Savior Lutheran Church Anniversary, Plainview, Nebraska September 2 ...... Danish American Fellowship, Minden, Nebraska September 9 ...... Scandinavian Day, Vasa Park, South Elgin, September 23 ...... Cedar Valley Danes, Cedar Falls/Waterloo, Iowa October 6 ...... Car Show in The Danish Immigrant Museum parking lot October 10-13 .....Høstfest, Minot, North Dakota October 18-20 .....Board of Directors Meeting, Elk Horn, Iowa October 26-28 .....National Convention of the Danish Sisterhood in America in Chicago November 10 ...... Scandinavian Club of Sun City, Arizona

6 A glimpse of the exhibit at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art in Omaha. The Danish Immigrant Museum and the Funen Graphic Workshop of Odense, Denmark cosponsored this traveling exhibit. “Immigrants: Graphic Images from the Funen Graphic Workshop” Concludes In late June, The Danish Immigrant and staff began unpacking the crates. “It Museum Shop at a cost of $10 plus Museum concluded a successful partner- was like Christmas. What was amazing shipping and handling. ship with the Funen Graphic Workshop was the range and quality of the work.” This partnership marks the first time of Odense, Denmark, and museums and He was especially pleased to discover The Danish Immigrant Museum has galleries in Des Moines, Minneapolis, prints by Eli Ponsaing, an innovative cosponsored such an extensive travel- Omaha, Seattle and Solvang. The exhibit Danish printmaker who developed the ing exhibit and the first time the Funen was so successful that when officials technique of using polymer plates in the Graphic Workshop has exhibited in the in Columbus, Ohio—Odense’s sister intaglio process. . Staff members at both city—learned of it, arrangements were A 48-page catalog including 31 full institutions have learned much from made to add Columbus to the tour. On color prints has been published with es- the experience and plans are already its return to Europe, the exhibit will be says by Søren Møller, president of the underway for future traveling exhibits. seen in Sweden before closing at the Danish Cultural Institute; Ole Lejbach, The organizers are most grateful for the Workshop’s gallery in Odense. artist and exhibit organizer; Torben Grøn- generosity of Steen Sanderhoff and Le- The exhibit of over 240 works by 84 gaard Jeppesen, director of the Odense man USA for making arrangements and artists represents a wide range of styles City Museums, and John Mark Nielsen providing transportation from Denmark and print making techniques. Jeremy of The Danish Immigrant Museum. It is and throughout the United States. Stern, curator and assistant director of available from The Danish Immigrant the Bemis Center for Contemporary Art in Omaha, said that he really didn’t anticipate the scope of the show until he

Eli Ponsaing, a former faculty member at Denmark’s Royal Academy of Art, created This card from an Audubon Elementary School student was one of many thank you the process of using polymer plates in the notes the Museum received from children who experienced the music of the Maia String intaglio process. This is an example of one Quartet. The quartet recently completed an extended residency with The Danish Immigrant of his prints featured in the exhibit. Museum. 7 From a Curatorial Perspective By Barbara Lund-Jones In this column, I am extending to location is not an issue as computers Elim Children’s Home in Elk Horn. Little readers an invitation and a challenge and phones allow immediacy of com- of this Danish American institution’s wrapped in one. Are there adventurous munication. Topics will relate to upcom- history is publicly available; the home souls among you who will take up my ing exhibits, but in some cases, may be has been closed for several decades. challenge for intellectual exploration and suggested by the researcher if they think The researcher committed to this exhibit growth? a particular topic is especially relevant is gathering information from private The crux of the matter is this: we need to an upcoming exhibit. sources and arranging for interviews of research assistance in the development There are two exhibits currently being former residents. The end result will be of our exhibits. Our exhibition program researched in this manner. One exhibit an invaluable gathering and preservation has grown dramatically within the last focuses on Denmark’s remarkable con- of historical data—a key aspect of the two years, creating new needs as we tributions to hearing aid technology. Museum’s mission. plan our exhibits further and further into The researcher for this exhibit has put There are many other exhibit proj- the future. One area in which the need together initial information and has made ects under consideration that require is particularly strong is that of research. remarkable contacts in Denmark, secur- research. If you are an individual who Research is required in the preliminary ing for the Museum actual examples of loves this kind of challenge and enjoys planning stages as well as throughout early Danish hearing aid technology. making contributions to the gathering the development of an exhibit. Development of the exhibit continues as and presentation of history and culture, In consultation with the curator, spe- more hands-on aspects of the technology then I urge you to contact me and we cific research topics will be undertaken are sought for public presentation. will discuss possible projects. Take the on a volunteer basis. An individual’s The second exhibit focuses on the leap and give me a call! I would love to hear from you.

Museum Strives to Preserve Rare Banner In June of 2006, the Danish Ameri- heavy creasing from the fabric being can Athletic Club in Illinois loaned the puckered or pinched as it was rolled for Museum a club banner dating from storage years ago. 1922 for use in the exhibit, “Fitness, At the end of June, the banner will be Form and Rhythm in Motion: the Dan- delivered to the Midwest Art Conserva- ish Gymnastics Tradition in the United tion Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota States.” Unfortunately, its poor condition where a technician will examine it, pro- prevented its inclusion and it remained vide a current condition assessment, unseen by the public. offer a suggested treatment plan, and an At the close of the exhibit period, the estimated repair cost. The estimate will be DAAC converted the loan into a dona- reviewed by the Museum’s development tion and the Museum happily accepted department so that funding avenues can the banner into the permanent collec- be explored. Conservation projects that involve this level of repair can easily tion. The banner is unlike anything in The Danish American Athletic Club cost several thousand dollars. the Museum’s collection; it is a piece of Illinois donated this rare 1922 banner Eventually, after conservation work of the athletic club’s history. However, to the Museum’s collection. In order to has been completed and the banner’s preserving this special artifact properly preserve and display this artifact, major condition stabilized, this textile will will require care and funds. repairs are needed. The banner is made primarily of be stored flat and unfolded on a stiff, silk, a large part of the challenge. Silk archivally sound surface so that no Athletic Club poses challenges both in becomes increasingly fragile as it ages. folds are necessary. Ideally, this surface its care and in determining how best to The weight of the banner has put ten- will be reasonably mobile so the piece share it with the public. Preservation and sion on the threads of silk and stretched can be transported from storage into an conservation work also can be expensive, them until they have broken, creating a exhibit space without direct handling of but it is our responsibility to all artifacts “shattering” effect on both the front and the banner itself. in our collection to provide this care as back of the banner. In addition, staining The banner from the Danish American best we can when it is needed. is visible on both sides, and there is some 8 Matwijkiw’s Work Enlivens Bro Dining Room

This summer the Museum’s Bro Dining Room is awash with color and vibrancy. It is filled with original artwork by Edward Matwijkiw, a contemporary Danish artist. The exhibit’s title, “Kalei- doscopic Colors of Scandinavia—Art- work by Edward Matwijkiw,” conveys some of the energy generated by the display. On a trip to the U.S. last summer, Matwijkiw visited the Museum and studied its spaces. He offered to do a special exhibit that would be featured Jørvad (seated) at work at the table she had built for the exhibit. This table in the Museum’s dining area so that closely resembles the worktable in her Ringsted, Denmark workshop. visitors could relax and enjoy their cof- fee and pastries surrounded by art. His original oils, acrylics, watercolors and Museum Exhibits Work photographic studies arrived in late May and have transformed the coffee area. Matwijkiw was born in Denmark of Helle Jørvad and received his formal education as an Those who admire fine jewelry and communication. Jørvad travels to the artist from The Royal Academy of Fine superb craftsmanship will be delighted by United States frequently in her capacity Arts in Copenhagen, Denmark and Ac- their visit to The Danish Immigrant Mu- as a liaison in this sister city relation- cademia Di Danimarca in Rome, Italy. seum this summer. Gold and silver rings ship. He works in several mediums including share the stage with handcrafted silver Because of these travels, Jørvad will oil, watercolor, drawing, lithography, bowls, pendants, elegant hand-wrought be spending time at the Museum as an sculpture, photography, and ceramics. metal bookmarks and a gathering of tools artist-in-residence. She commissioned Matwijkiw has the distinction of being used to make these unique pieces. a worktable to be built for the exhibit, in Kraks Blå Bog (Krak’s Blue Book). The Museum is pleased to exhibit the which closely resembles her worktable The book is an annual Danish publica- work of Helle Jørvad, an independent in Ringsted, Denmark. During her visits tion listing prominent living people in Danish goldsmith and designer. She has to the Museum, she will work at this Denmark who have influenced Danish produced commissioned one-of-a-kind table, demonstrating to visitors various society culturally, politically or through works for the royal Danish family and aspects of her craft. Her demonstrations business. To be chosen for such a listing for members of the Danish government during the Tivoli Fest were exceptionally is a high honor. (prime minister, secretaries of state). popular. The artist and his work are featured Photographs of some of these commis- in a large number of catalogues, books, sions are featured in the exhibit. articles, interviews, dictionaries and bi- Jørvad is a member of the associa- ographies. Among the prestigious honors tion of Danish silversmiths approved to and awards that Matwijkiw has received carry out works of art for churches. The are The Georg Jensen Silversmith’s Art exhibition includes miniature reproduc- Award (1964); HRH Queen Ingrid’s tions as well as photographs of some of Foundation (1970); The Danish Institute her remarkable work for churches on the in Athen’s Fellowship (2001); Emma islands of Sjælland and Fyn. of Frederik Kragh’s Memorial Foun- Jørvad has studied her craft in Den- dation (2004); Grosserer L.F. Foght’s mark, Germany and Scotland. Her work- The work of Danish goldsmith and Foundation, Montana Foundation, Ve- shop and studio is located in Ringsted, designer Helle Jørvad displayed at the lux Foundation, and Knud Hoejgaard’s Denmark, a sister city to Ringsted, Iowa. Museum. Jørvad has created numerous Foundation (2005). The two Ringsteds maintain ongoing one-of-a-kind pieces for the Danish royal The Museum Shop offers two publica- family. tions focusing on Edward Matwijkiw’s 9 artwork; They are artist-signed edi- tions. Jens Dixen House Opens to Visitors

The Jens Dixen House opened to visitors during Tivoli Fest and will remain open throughout the summer and early fall. The official dedication will be held during the Museum’s October board meeting. A long period of preparation went into the opening of the Jens Dixen House with different individuals contributing their time and talents at various stages. Dr. James Iversen’s contributions were invaluable in pin- pointing the interpretative time period for the house. Iversen currently serves The Jens Dixen House, moved to the grounds of The Danish Immigrant Museum as president of the Danish American from North Dakota, is now open to the public. Jens Dixen, a Danish immigrant, Heritage Society and has previously lived in the shanty around 1906. served as president of the Museum’s Board of Directors. A retired professor is a member of the Museum’s Board committed religious man, such as Jens of engineering (Iowa State University), of Directors and a retired professor of Dixen. he has long delved into aspects of Dan- industrial arts (University of Northern ish American history. Iowa); Mary is a retired teacher. Ron Iversen carefully researched land has been a key force in the Jens Dixen claims for Dixen in North Dakota and House restoration from the begin- property titles in Dixen’s name in the ning. area of Coulter, Iowa. Although Dixen Based on the Bro’s research, Ron lived in the Kenmare, North Dakota made a special wood bed with a wo- area earlier, he didn’t come into pos- ven rope support for the mattress. He session of the shanty house (now on also compiled a detailed list of items Museum grounds) until around 1906, needed for the rest of the house and after the nearby Brorson Folk School solicited what he could from the Cedar had been built. Valley Danes, of which he is a member. It was originally thought that Dixen Thanks to this group, the Dixen House owned the shanty earlier, using the is now equipped with some wonderful cabin as a place to house some of old flour sacks, mattress ticking, cloth- the schoolboys he taught. Iversen’s ing and odds and ends appropriate to research indicated that this was not a Great Plains shanty of that period. the case and the house has now been The rest of the furnishings were either interpreted as Dixen’s residence dur- bought in local antique stores or hand- ing a time he was very involved with made by Ron himself. The furnishings, in their entirety, the Brorson School, but prior to his Ron and Mary Bro researched and remarkably transform the small space marriage. secured appropriate furnishings for the Once the interpretative framework of the shanty. The Dixen House now Jens Dixen House. Ron made this wood was fixed, Ron and Mary Bro were conveys a sparse feeling of life as it bed with woven rope support. indispensable in researching and secur- was once lived on the Great Plains, ing appropriate furnishings. Ron Bro particularly by an austere and deeply

10 “From Postcards to Instant Messaging: Friends and Family Stay in Touch” Opens at the Museum Museum visitors during the Tivoli and Sankt Hans Aften festivals were treated to the distinctive sounds of Morse Code – metal telegraph keys communicating the characteristic dot-dash-dash-dot-dot- dash of the code. In connection with the Museum’s 2007 exhibit “From Postcards to Instant Messaging: Friends and Family Stay in Touch,” Loys and Marjorie Rowens of Denison, Iowa demonstrated how com- munications were once sent by telegraph. Visitors wrote brief messages, which were sent by Morse Code and translated back into words by the telegraph operator on the receiving end. The exhibit features four modes of communication: telegraph, postcard, telephone and computer messaging. Each of these communication systems reflects the fundamental desire to communicate as quickly and as directly as possible. Communication by telegraph es- Loys Rowens of Denison, Iowa demonstrates to Karolyn Ortgies, a museum member, tablished itself as a viable means of how telegrams were once sent. The Museum’s new exhibit explores how people in different communication around the 1840s. It times and places have tried to keep in touch. was negotiated on a per-word cost, contributing to the development of the following the company’s history through exhibit concludes with a computer station clipped, abbreviated language unique to the many artifacts displayed, including set up for Instant Messaging. Visitors are telegrams. an early telephone switchboard. invited to join with friends and family The postcard, popularized in the The computer, developed in the last members to participate in the ongoing 1870s, was clearly a departure from the quarter of the twentieth century, has Instant Messaging dialogue between long established tradition of letter writing redefined time, particularly work-time, Denmark and the U.S. at the time. In fact, writers of early cards compressing the distances and the time The exhibit runs through February often mentioned that their communica- traditionally involved in the organization 25, 2008. tions were “stand-ins” for letters, due to and communication of information. The time and circumstance. The telephone, also developed in the 1870s, allowed business transactions to be done quickly – with a previously un- Consider This… imagined speed. In the personal sphere, long distance usage was, for decades, As a tax-deductible donation, give your family members an annual a carefully budgeted luxury for many “gift membership” to the Museum. Help us grow our membership families, establishing de facto the rule and care for and preserve our collections. of short verbal communications over long distances. For more information contact Deb Larsen, membership coordina- The story of the telephone is told tor, at 800-759-9192. through the Marne Elk Horn Telephone Company, which this year, has been in business for 105 years. Visitors will enjoy 11 Museum Shop Features Elin Borg Peace Pendant Elin Borg Hvidt Feldt, a Danish citizen, has designed a beautiful peace sign pendant in which three monotheistic religions are represented: Islam by the hand of Fatima, Christianity by the cross and Judaism by the Star of David. Blending symbols of Christianity, Judaism and Islam in this piece is meant to express a wish – a wish for a world in which we can live in coexistence with re- spect and tolerance for our differences. The surplus proceeds go to the Peres Center for Peace Children’s Program – a program where Palestinian and Is- raeli doctors treat Palestinian children at Israeli hospitals. These magnificent pieces can be purchased in the Museum Shop in either gold or silver. The gold pendant costs $80.00, $60.00 of which goes to the Peres Center; the silver pendant costs $60.00 with $40.00 going to the Peres Center. To purchase a pendant, contact The Danish Immigrant Museum at 800-759-9192 or e-mail [email protected]. Additional shipping charges may apply. Please note Viola Sanders of Elk Horn cares for Bedstemor’s House three afternoons that chains are not included. each week. Volunteer Spotlight: Viola Sanders

Viola Sanders was born and raised Bank. in Elk Horn, Iowa and has lived here Sanders was married in 1944 and her entire life. When Viola was 10- had three children. She now has eight years-old, her mother died; three years grandchildren and eight great-grand- later her father died. So Sanders lived children of whom she is very proud! at the Elim Lutheran Children’s Home Sanders has been a docent at until she graduated from Elk Horn High Bedstemor’s House for several years School. and now works there three afternoons a After graduation, Sanders worked week. She enjoys sharing the story and at the children’s home and later at the history of Bedstemor’s with visitors. creamery in Kimballton, walking by And the Museum staff appreciates her herself both ways every day. She also dedication, cheerful smile, and willing- worked at the Elk Horn Egg Company, ness to help. Thank you, Viola, for all Elin Borg Hvidt Feldt, a Dane, designed at Salem Lutheran Home and – for that you do for Bedstemor’s and the this pendant. It can be purchased in the Mu- 25 years – at the Shelby County State Museum! seum Shop with portions of the proceeds ben- efiting the Peres Center for Peace Children’s Program. 12 From Our Development Director

By Thomas Hansen Iowa residents, J. Emory and Edna selected Danish With the recent completion of a pro- Frederickson. Both were long-time American newspa- ductive Board of Directors’ meeting in members and dedicated volunteers pers; adding Dan- Omaha preceded by a successful 2007 at the Museum, and had shared with ish Brotherhood Tivoli Fest celebration, Deb Larsen and us several years ago their wonder- lodge material to I, along with our colleagues, now turn ful intention to support our growing our webpage, and our attention to ending the 2006-07 Fiscal educational and cultural programs. to electronically Year on a strong note. • If you are age 70 ½ or older, new catalog a growing We are most grateful to the thousands legislation now allows you to make collection of books and other materi- of Museum members and donors who re- cash gifts totaling up to $100,000 a als. Please contact FHGC Manager new their membership annually. Since we year from your traditional or Roth Michele McNabb, [email protected] are a non-profit organization, we rely on IRA to qualified charities (The Dan- or 712-764-7008 or Thomas Hansen, your membership and general giving to ish Immigrant Museum is a 501(c)(3) Director of Development, dkdev- operate The Danish Immigrant Museum non-profit charitable organization) [email protected] or 712-764-7001 for on an on-going and continuous basis. without incurring income tax on the more information or how to make a Thanks to you and the diligent work of withdrawal. This is good news for contribution towards the FHGC 10th our Board of Directors, volunteers and people who want to make a chari- Anniversary Fund. staff, we are making good progress in table gift during their lifetime from I would like to take this opportunity growing your Museum today and into their retirement assets, but have been on behalf of our Board of Directors, staff, the future. discouraged from doing so because of and volunteers to especially thank you for We do encourage your financial sup- the income tax penalty. The Pension your membership, your Wall of Honor, port here in the last months of our Fiscal Protection Act of 2006 is effective memorial and general contributions in Year. First, if you have not yet renewed for tax years 2006 and 2007 only, so recent months and throughout this past your membership this year, we would you must act by December 31 as this fiscal year. As I travel around the country appreciate hearing from you. Second, by opportunity may be to your advantage. meeting with our current and prospective the time you have received the America Check with your tax advisor or contact members, I am constantly reminded how Letter you will have received our 2007 us for more information. important the work of The Danish Im- Summer Appeal. In 2006, we received • This is the 10th anniversary of the migrant Museum is to you! We have an over $50,000 in contributions and it is Family History and Genealogy Center exciting future ahead of us and we look my sincere hope that we may get close to and as we look to celebrate this im- forward to working with you in making that amount or perhaps even exceed last portant milestone, we wish to provide our ambitious goals a reality. Come and year’s generous response. Lastly, I’d like members, researchers and the general visit us during the summer months when to highlight a special gift and to share public with improved research capa- you are in the Danish Villages. You can with you several recent opportunities: bilities in future years. To that end, we also find us onwww.danishmuseum.or g. • In the month of April, we were have raised $11,000 toward a goal of Tusind tak for your involvement! Have the recipients of a generous gift of $25,000 to achieve several projects, a great summer. $46,000 from the estate of Elk Horn, including purchasing microfilms of

Gifts Help Make Facilities Improvements Thanks to a generous gift from Bill and Berniece Grewcock of Omaha, Nebraska, the last unfinished space in The Danish Im- migrant Museum has been completed. A conference room with windows overlooking the grounds and a kitchen with spacious storage cabinets has been added. With the addition of Danish furniture and lighting, the project is complete. At Bedstemor’s House, a heat pump has been installed, allowing guests to visit throughout the year without staff having to fire up the wood stove. This addition was made possible through a gift from the estates of Louie and Elsie Hansen of Atlantic, Iowa. Staff members from left Terri Johnson, Jane Kite and Angela Stanford make use of the finished kitchen. A serving window and door to the left provides access to the conference room. 13 Board members (past and present) celebrate with Bruce Lauritzen and Helle Jørvad (left and right of the sculpture pre- sented to Lauritzen, his wife Kimball and the Laurtizen Corporation). Seated in the front row are (from left to right) Marc Petersen, current board vice-president; Kai Nyby, current president; Charles Frederiksen, past board president; and James Iversen, past board president. Board of Directors Meet in Omaha The 76th regular meeting of the Petersen and his wife Carlene. the 76th Regular Meeting was convened. Museum’s Board of Directors was held On Friday between committee meet- A key issue decided was the acceptance in Omaha, Nebraska from June 7-9, 2007 ings, board members and their spouses of a recommendation from the Facilities at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown gathered at the Bemis Center for Con- Committee to retain the architectural Omaha. Honorary Royal Danish Consul temporary Arts in Omaha’s Old Market firm AHTS Architects of Cedar Falls/ Bruce Lauritzen, who is also Chairman to view the exhibit by the Funen Graphic Waterloo, Iowa to develop schematic of First National Bank of Omaha, saw Workshop. plans for expansion of the Museum’s to it that the Danish flag was flying at Lauritzen, his wife Kimball and facilities. The meeting was adjourned at the bank’s headquarters across Dodge the Lauritzen Corporation have been approximately 12:15, and was followed Street from the hotel to welcome board major benefactors of the Museum, by a luncheon attended by invited guests members. providing annual contributions to retire from the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. Thursday was a daylong meeting for the Museum’s debt. To celebrate their Service on the Board of Directors is the Executive Committee, and then later generosity and the 150th anniversary a volunteer commitment. Not only do the Endowment Committee met with of First National Bank of Omaha, the board members support the Museum representatives of First National Wealth Museum commissioned a sculpture by financially, but they also give the gifts Management who oversee the Museum’s Danish artist Helle Jørvad. The gift was of time and expertise. All expenses Holger Danske Endowment. In the presented to the Lauritzens at a reception incurred during the course of the board evening the full board was hosted for held on the fortieth floor of the bank’s meeting are paid for by board members dinner at the Ironwood Golf and Country headquarters. themselves. We are truly grateful to have Club by the board’s vice-president Marc At 7:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, such a dedicated and supportive board of directors to lead us into the future. Memorials – January 16, 2007-May 31, 2007

Memorials have Donald M. Esbeck Wisborg Laursen Emmert Nelson Esther L. Riis been received in loving Laverne N. Esbeck Eivind Lillehoj Inger Marie Faaborg Mrs. James C. (Shir- memory of the follow- Edna Fredrickson Margaret “Muff” Noelck ley) Rosse ing individuals: Marvin Graveson Lykke Pauline Grauteer Helen Shahan Leota Andersen Selma Gremstrup Dan Madsen Olesen Ida Smith Merlyn Bald Marilyn Jensen Anna Marie Marck Ollivene Olsen James (Jim) Sorensen Verlee Bernard Roger L. Johnson William Meehan Frieda Petersen Marvin Stakey Jan Christensen Ed Krause Lillian Johnson Moody Mae Petersen Edward Terkelsen Viola Cook Alfred J. Laursen Martha M. Petersen Holger Thompson Bernhard & Kathrine 14 Thank You Businesses and Organizations

These businesses and organi- Danish Brotherhood Lodge #268, KNOD, Harlan, Iowa zations have contributed annual Eugene, Oregon Knudsen Old Timers, Glendale, memberships of at least $100. We Danish Brotherhood Lodge #283, California recognize their generosity and sup- Plentywood, Montana Marge’s Hair Hut (Kent & Marge port in each newsletter during their Danish Brotherhood Lodge #341, Ingerslev), Elk Horn, Iowa membership. Kimballton/Elk Horn, Iowa Marne & Elk Horn Telephone Co., Danish Brotherhood Lodge #348, Elk Horn, Iowa A & A Framing (Annette Ander- Eugene, Oregon Midwest Groundcovers (Peter & sen), Kimballton, Iowa Danish Club of Tucson, Tucson, Irma Orum), St. Charles, Illinois American-Scandinavian Founda- Arizona Nebraska District of DBIA, Kear- tion, Central Iowa, Des Moines, Danish Countryside Vines & Wines ney, Nebraska Iowa (Allan & Carol Petersen), Exira, Nelsen & Nelsen, Attorneys at AmericInn, Elk Horn, Iowa Iowa Law, Cozad, Nebraska Answers (Rick Tighe), Atlantic, Danish Ladies Relief Society, Santa O & H Danish Bakery, Racine, Iowa Rosa, California Wisconsin Atlantic Friends of The Danish Im- Danish Mutual Insurance Associa- Odense City Museums (Torben migrant Museum, Atlantic, Iowa tion, Elk Horn, Iowa Jeppesen, Director), Odense, Carlson Wagonlit Travel (Ted & Danish Sisterhood Lodge #102, Denmark Barb Stenberg), Omaha, Ne- Johnston, Iowa Olsen, Muhlbauer & Co., L.L.P., braska Dike Danish Sisterhood #176, Wa- Carroll, Iowa Carroll Control Systems, Inc., Car- terloo, Iowa Outlook Study Club, Elk Horn, roll, Iowa Elk Horn Pharmacy (Tim & Mary Iowa Cedar Valley Danes, Cedar Valley, Waymire), Elk Horn, Iowa Pacific NW District Lodges Danish Iowa & surrounding communi- Elk Horn-Kimballton Community Brotherhood, Spokane, Wash- ties School, Elk Horn, Iowa ington Childs & Hall, P.C., Harlan, Iowa Elk Horn-Kimballton Optimist Proongily (Cynthia McKeen), St. Cutler Funeral Home (Bob & Club, Elk Horn, Iowa Paul, Minnesota Cindy Cutler), LaPorte, Indiana Elverhoj Museum of History & Art, Rebild National Park Society, Danebod Lutheran Church, Tyler, Solvang, California Southern California Chapter, Minnesota Exira Family Medicine Clinic (Dr. Glendale, California Danish American Club in Orange Dana & Joan Shaffer), Exira, Rebild National Park Society, Up- County, Huntington Beach, Iowa per Midwest Chapter, Maple California Faith, Family, Freedom Foundation Plain, Minnesota Danish American Club of Milwau- (Kenneth & Marlene Larsen), Red River Danes, Fargo, North kee, West Bend, Wiscosin Calistoga, California Dakota Danish American Vennelyst Club, Haldor Topsoe, Inc., Houston, Ringsted Danish American Fellow- Omaha, Nebraska ship, Ringsted, Iowa Danish Brotherhood Lodge #1, Hardi Midwest, Inc., Davenport, Royal Danish Embassy, Washing- Omaha, Nebraska Iowa ton, DC Danish Brotherhood Lodge #14, Harlan Newspapers, Harlan, Iowa Shelby County State Bank, Elk Kenosha, Wisconsin Heartland District of the DBIA, Horn, Iowa Danish Brotherhood Lodge #15, Ventura, Iowa Symra Literary Society, Decorah, Des Moines, Iowa Jacquelyn’s Danish Bake Shoppe, Iowa Danish Brotherhood Lodge #39, Elk Horn, Iowa The Viking Club of Orange Coun- Hayward, California Goldsmith Helle Jørvad, Ringsted, ty, Seal Beach, California Danish Brotherhood Lodge #56, Denmark Westergaard Farms and Scandi- Lawrence, King of Kings (Richard & Bonnie navian Bed & Breakfast (Dale Danish Brotherhood Lodge #84, Andersen), Anchor Point, Arkan- & Ellen Westergaard Jackson), Lincoln, Nebraska sas Whiting, Iowa Danish Brotherhood Lodge #144, Waterloo, Iowa 15 New Additions to the Wall of Honor January 16, 2007 – May 31, 2007

The Danish Immigrant Mu- Kirsten Eastergard Cundiff, R. Carl Ingward Jessen, Pauline seum’s Wall of Honor provides Edith Eastergard, Waterloo, Iowa Honan, Big Flate, New York John Johnson & Anna Marie families and friends with a means R. Edith Eastergard, R. Edith Nielson Johnson, Annette of preserving the memory of those Eastergard, Waterloo, Iowa Christian Rasmussen Enewold & Carlson, Blencoe, Iowa; Gene who emigrated from Denmark to Karen Marie Jensen Enewold, David Carlson, DeWitt, Iowa; America. Over 4,500 immigrants Jacqueline Johnson, Council Ronald Gray Carlson, Oklahoma are currently recognized on the Bluffs, Iowa City, Oklahoma; Jo Ellen Carl- Wall. Their stories and the stories Robert Christian Enewold & son Lage, Atlantic, Iowa; Chris- of their families contribute impor- Anna Mary Knagh Enewold, topher David Carlson, Ankeny, tantly to the growing repository of Jacqueline Johnson, Council Iowa; Erica Kirsten Carlson, family histories at the Museum’s Bluffs, Iowa Ralston, Nebraska; Jennifer Family History and Genealogy Carla Jorgine Rasmussen (Erik- Ellen Carlson, DeWitt, Iowa; Center. sen), Esther Larsen, Broomfield, Sarah Rebecca Carlson, Water- loo, Nebraska and Faye Ellen If you would like to memorial- Lage Dreyer, Atlantic, Iowa ize your forbearers by adding their Peter Martin Eriksen, Esther Larsen, Broomfield, Colorado Anders Peder Helbeck Knudsen, names to the Wall of Honor, contact Arne Goddik, Johannes and Roelie, D. Smith & Nancy E. Zuber, Debbie Larsen, development as- Dayton, Oregon Roseville, Minnesota sociate. Helle Goddik, Johannes and Roelie, George Kyhnn, LeRoy & Sharlene Dayton, Oregon Albertsen, Carroll, Iowa; Mark Albert P. Albertsen, LeRoy & Lisbeth Goddik, Johannes and & Thea Kyhnn, Atlantic, Iowa Sharlene Albertsen, Carroll, Roelie, Dayton, Oregon Royal Danish Consul John Iowa; Alvin Albertsen, Audubon, Henrik Hansen, Danish Broth- Larsen, John Larsen, Scottsdale, Iowa erhood Lodge #56, Lawrence, Arizona Hakon Sigvard “Andy” Andersen Kansas Jens Rasmus Hansen Myrthu, & Elly Andersen, Hakon Ander- Mads Nielsen Hansen, Doris Diane Aylesworth, Calgary, sen, Artesia, California Miller, Alexandria, Minnesota Canada Jorgen K. Andersen, Jorgen & Niels Chr. Hansen, Danish Broth- Niels Nielsen, Delmar D. Smith & Donna Andersen, Arcadia, Cali- erhood Lodge #56, Lawrence, Nancy E. Zuber, Roseville, Min- fornia Kansas nesota Kirsten Rafn Petersen Blaemire, Tor Jensen, Tor & Jeanette Jensen, Thomas Nissen, Danish Brother- Kirsten Blaemire, Los Angeles, Wilmette, Illinois hood Lodge #56, Lawrence, California Andrew Jepsen, Kathryn Hap- Kansas Kristine Pedersen Christensen, pel, Hampton, Iowa; Mary Johannes Marius Sorensen & LeRoy & Sharlene Albertsen, Hewitt, Allison, Iowa; Alice Jensine Elizabeth Sorensen, Carroll, Iowa; Mark & Thea Merfelt, Sun City, Arizona; Ruth Jimmy & Esther Sorensen, Wood Kyhnn, Atlantic, Iowa; Lenise Wirnsch, Greene, Iowa; Paul Dale, Illinois Nissen, Audubon, Iowa Jepsen, Greene, Iowa; Lee Jepsen, Gerda Martine Vadsager (Wad- Carl Christoffersen, Danish Waudon, Iowa; Helen Judas, sager) Starr, Betty L. Svendsen, Brotherhood Lodge #56, Law- Decorah, Iowa; Ruth Ann Bellmer, Grayslake, Illinois rence, Kansas Cedar Falls, Iowa; Davis Jepsen, Thorkild Svendsen, Betty L. Anker Christian Eastergard, R. Iowa City, Iowa; Charles Jepsen, Svendsen, Grayslake, Illinois Edith Eastergard, Waterloo, Iowa Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Fern Lind- Walter Westergaard, Norman George Edward Eastergard, R. vall, Atlantic, Iowa; Larry Jepsen, Westergaard, Sloan, Iowa Edith Eastergard, Waterloo, Iowa Charles City, Iowa; Kay Callo- way, Wisconsin

16 Tribute to the Rescuers Essay Contest: 2007 Winners

Again this year, The Danish Im- migrant Museum was pleased to spon- sor The Tribute to the Rescuers Essay Contest. While the rescue of the Danish Jews during September and October of 1943 inspires the contest, many of the essays focused on individuals who have demonstrated moral courage in other situations. Aaron Nissen, a tenth grader at Audu- bon High School, explored the courage of Emilie Schindler who, like her more famous husband Oskar, worked to save the lives of Jews in their employ. His essay “Saving Her Jews: the Emilie Schindler Story” took first place in the ninth-tenth grade category. Crystal Gardner, an eleventh grader at Elk Horn- Kimballton High School, submitted the winning essay in the eleventh-twelvth grade category entitled “The Hero That Lies Within.” Her essay focused on Kurt Gerstein, a Waffen SS officer who, upon The winners of the 2007 Tribute to the Rescuers Essay Contest are recognized. discovering the existence of Nazi death Standing in the front (left to right) are Erica Frederiksen, Nicole Bruch, Erin Greve camps, informed diplomatic representa- and Crystal Gardner (first place 11th/12th). In the back are Aaron Nissen (first tives of Sweden and the Allied countries place 9th/10th) and Dr. John Mark Nielsen, executive director of the Museum. Not in the hopes that actions could be taken pictured: Tyler Jensen. to destroy the camps. Both first place winners received a prize of $750 each. This year’s contest was again made Nicole Bruch, a tenth grader, and possible by a gift from the Eric and Joan Erica Frederiksen, a ninth grader, both Norgaard Charitable Trust of North- of Audubon High School took second brook, Illinois. In addition to making the and third places with their essays, “To awards possible, the trust also provided Be Captured or to Go Free” and “Taking funds for “toolkits” containing books, a Stand.” Two eleventh graders from Elk videos and learning materials about Den- Horn High School received second and mark during World War II and the rescue third place awards. Tyler Jensen’s essay of the Danish Jews in 1943. These toolkits was entitled “Patrick Daniel Tillman: A will be presented to the Red River Danes True Hero” and Erin Greve wrote about in Fargo, North Dakota, and the Cedar Todd Beamer, who on September 11, Valley Danes of Cedar Falls/Waterloo, 2001, as a passenger on United Airlines, Iowa for use in local schools. Flight 93, sought to take over the cabin from the terrorist hijackers. Second place Aaron Nissen, a tenth grade student at prize winners received $500 prizes and Audubon High School, won first place third place winners, $250. Joni Madsen for his essay about Emilie Schindler, the and Randy Spies, both teachers at Audu- wife of Oskar Schindler who many know bon High School and Linda Peterson, a from the filmSchindler’s List. teacher at Elk Horn High School, each received gift certificates of $50 for the purchase of resource materials for their classes. 17 Saving Her Jews: The Emilie Schindler Story Aaron Nissen, Audubon High School, 9th & 10th Grade First Place Win- nerRisking one’s own health and well members of the Nazi Party and SS. Oskar women onboard. The women were sick being to save the life of another human and Emilie did not share views about and extremely malnourished from their being shows courage above all other ac- Jewish people with the Nazi Party, but short stay at Auschwitz; they had to be tions. Those who have the courage to do Oskar and Emilie needed the money. carefully nursed back to health. The Jews this are regarded as heroes; without these They also knew that Oskar’s job could were now safe as long as they were in extremely courageous people during the provide them with adequate security. the munitions factory, but now Oskar Holocaust, many more innocent Jewish Oskar and Emilie soon moved to a new and Emilie were like prisoners also. If people would have perished in the Nazi home in Cracow, Poland for Oskar’s they ever tried to escape they would be concentration camps. One such heroine job. executed. was Emilie Schindler, wife of Oskar In the spring of 1942, Oskar and Emilie had the task of securing extra Schindler; she helped her husband save Emilie were given an opportunity to food rations for the workers. She went over 1,200 Jews from the horrors of the buy an enamelware factory in Cracow. to a rich lady who had a mill near their Auschwitz death camp. The Jewish owners were forced to sell factory. Emilie asked for some grain to Born as Emilie Pelzl on October the factory and Oskar thought it would feed her starving workers and after some 27, 1907, she grew up on a farm near be a good business opportunity. Emilie talking, the lady agreed to let Emilie Alt Moletein, Behemia. As a child, she had to go and get a permit so that they have what she needed from her stores. developed a great love for animals and could acquire workers from the Cracow Without this extra grain, the Jewish the outdoors. Emilie also learned many ghetto. Any time that one of the Jewish workers probably would have starved. lessons from her grandmother, whom workers had a problem, Emilie would Oskar and Emilie continued to take care she looked up to and adored. Her grand- try to help. When one of the Jewish men of their Jews until the end of the war. mother taught her to be respectful, hard- broke his glasses, Emilie made sure that When Germany surrendered, Oskar and working, as well as to stand up for what he received a new pair so that he would Emilie had to flee, as Oskar was now a she believed was right. When Emilie be able to work. Emilie was always target for the Russian army. was a child she saw and experienced the frightened that she may be caught helping After the war, Oskar and Emilie fled, effects of World War I. Her father, who the Jews, but she knew she was keeping with many others from Germany, to the served in the war, developed a bad case them alive. Emilie would fiercely argue neutral country of Switzerland. From of malaria which led to heart disease. He with any German soldier trying to harm there they crossed the Atlantic and ar- was never the same again, as he couldn’t one of her Jewish workers. She would rived in Argentina. After some time, work and required a lot of rest. Emilie also sneak extra food to the workers Oskar left Emilie to return to Germany. also witnessed the rise of the Nazi Party whenever she got the chance. Their relationship had grown apart and Adolf Hitler in Germany. In the spring of 1944, the Schindlers because of Oskar’s drinking problem At the age of 19, Emilie met the love of faced a great problem. The Plaschow and his many relationships with other her life. Oskar Schindler had come to Alt concentration camp near Cracow was women, which had been ignored by Moletein with his father to sell electric shutting down and all of the Jews being Emilie up to this point. Emilie continued motors; as soon as Oskar saw Emilie, he held there were being shipped straight to live and work in Argentina until she fell in love with her. On March 6, 1928, to Auschwitz. If Oskar and Emilie didn’t was an old lady. In May of 1994, Emilie Oskar and Emilie were married and they act quickly, the 1,200 Jews working for received “The Righteous Amongst the soon moved in with Oskar’s parents in them would also be taken. This triggered Nations” award along with Miep Gies. Zwittau. Emilie was unhappy living there the formation of “Schindler’s List,” a list Emilie died on October 5, 2001 at the because she had to care for Oskar’s whole of all workers at the enamelware factory age of 93-years-old. family. Oskar’s mother was sick and had that would be transferred to a munitions Emilie Schindler helped to save 1,200 to stay in bed and Oskar’s father was an factory in Brunnlitz, Czechoslovakia. Jews from death at Auschwitz. It took alcoholic. Oskar and Emilie soon moved When the transfer was made from great courage to risk her life to help these to their own house in Zwittau. Cracow to Brunnlitz, there was a terrible people who were so unfairly persecuted Oskar then got a job working for the mistake; the train hauling the female because they practiced another religion. German Counterintelligence Service. He Jewish workers had been diverted to The good deeds of Emilie are forever was stationed in Cracow, Poland and it Auschwitz. Oskar sent messengers to imprinted in the memories of many, and was his job to help capture and persecute Auschwitz and some time later the train I only wish that I could help others as Polish spies. Emilie often feared for her was finally sent to Brunnlitz with the much as she did. husband’s life as he was working with

18 The Hero That Lies Within Crystal Gardner, Elk Horn-Kimballton Community School, 11th & 12th Grade First Place Winner During the reign of Hitler, everything naked children, the men, and women, reports on murderous acts in Belzec and changed. Innocent people were murdered naked. They enter into the death cham- Treblinka to a French intelligence team. and many lives were torn apart. But in ber, pushed by the leather whips of the The report provided the Allies with their the midst of it all, a few people stood SS. ‘Pack well,’ that is what the captain most detailed records of the Nazi death out; people who wanted to help; people ordered. Seven to eight hundred persons camps and was later used in trials at with moral courage. Kurt Gerstein was on twenty-five square meters. More than Nuremberg. Kurt Gerstein’s report was one of those people. He and many others half are children . . . .” thought to be believed as the most horrific like him, in the eyes of the world, were On his way back to Germany on Au- eyewitness story told of the Holocaust. true heroes. Individuals with such moral gust 21-22, 1942, Gerstein came across Three months later, the French took courage don’t come along very often. So the Secretary to the Swedish Legislation Gerstein to the Cherche-Midi Military when one does show up, we have to hold in Berlin, Baron Göran von Otter. He Prison where he was, twenty days later, on to them and never forget the things flooded the Secretary’s mind with stories found dead in his prison cell. They don’t that they’ve done for us. about the Nazis committing extreme know the exact reason for Gerstein’s Kurt Gerstein, born into a Prussian atrocities against the Jews, including death. But some theories they came up family on August 11, 1905, graduated the request to inform the Allies and the with were that he might have committed as a mining engineer in 1931. In 1933, outside world. suicide because he felt guilty about not he joined the Nazi party, but was later Von Otter believed Gerstein, and took being able to discontinue the Holocaust, expelled in 1936 because of his critical measures to file a report to inform his or that he was murdered by one of the beliefs on Nazi blasphemies. In order to government of unbelievable actions the SS officers in the prison. gather information about the Nazis and Nazis were taking upon the Jews. But, Gerstein was buried in the Thiais cem- infiltrate the Third Reich, he applied to they found it too peculiar to be credible, etery under the name of Gastein, which the SS after the Bishop of Stuttgart told so measures of this matter weren’t taken. was later destroyed in 1956. Gerstein is him that mental patients were being But, Gerstein didn’t give up hope. He just a memory now, a memory that we killed at the institutions of Hadamar and maintained contact with the Swedish all should acknowledge and remember. Grafeneck. One year after he applied, embassy and kept them informed on the I think Kurt Gerstein shows moral Kurt Gerstein was admitted to the Waffen termination procedures. courage because he knew deep down SS on March 10, 1941. But, toward the Gerstein continued to tell individuals, in his heart that what the Nazis were beginning of that year, his sister-in-law, including members of the Dutch under- doing to the Jews was, on many levels, Bertha Ebeling, died mysteriously in ground to broadcast the information by extremely wrong and demonic. He tried Hadamar. This encouraged him to pursue radio to Great Britain about the death on numerous occasions to inform the the mystery of Bertha’s death and he camps and what went on there. Hoping Allies, churches, and other organiza- was determined to find the truth about that at least one of them would inform tions about the atrocities the Nazis were the many others who may have died at the world about the genocides the Nazis performing on the Jews, but when he Hadamar and similar institutions. were committing; he was unfortunately was turned away, that didn’t slow him Chosen as the head of the Technical ignored. down or stop him from trying to save Disinfection Department of the Waffen Gerstein didn’t give up hope that some those innocent people. His bravery and SS, Gerstein was responsible for procur- day someone would inform the Allies devotion to make sure the whole world ing Zyklon B, a highly toxic prussic acid, about the death camps. Because of this knew about the death camps resulted to improve the effectiveness of the gas dedication, he became hysterical and in his death. But it wasn’t a death that chambers. Then in 1942, Gerstein was pushed himself even harder to inform ended with no meaning. It was a death he sent to Poland on a mission to introduce the world, risking his life every step of took in order to save men, women, and Zyklon B gassing, in place of the Nazi’s the way. His actions included destroying children he scarcely even knew. Not very gas engines. Once Gerstein infiltrated shipments of Zyklon B gas that were many people have moral courage, but if the institution, his observation brought headed for the death camps during the it ever came to an individual’s family, a desire to gain insight on the Nazi death war. The gas was buried after the deci- I guarantee that moral courage would machinery and then tell the world. sion was made that it had spoiled while increase dramatically. Those with moral Kurt Gerstein later informed the Al- being transported. courage don’t come along very often. lies of the Nazis’ atrocities, knowing Towards the end of the war on April So when one does, we have to embrace that he was risking his life giving them 22, 1945, Kurt Gerstein was arrested, by them and never let the memory of their the information he obtained. His exact the French for being an alleged war crimi- heroic actions die. words were, “I see everything! The moth- nal. While in prison, he gave detailed ers, their babies at the breast, the little 19 Fa m i l y Hi s t o r y & Ge n e a l o g y Ce n t e r Stamtræ [email protected] News from the Family History & Genealogy Center By Michele McNabb, librarian Danish Roots – American Branches “My Flowers are Fading and Dying:” The Gardener of Omaha Looking for ancestral family mem- his wife Ane Kirstine Christensen, with bers nowadays frequently starts with whom he is found living in the 1880 and computer searching. If one does not go 1890 censuses. Following his confirma- beyond the keyboard, however, much tion he apprenticed as a gardener and valuable information can be missed apparently worked in that profession that can fill in details or add color to a until his decision to immigrate. person’s life. And one never knows what When the Family History and Gene- will turn up! alogy Center was initially contacted by Such was the case with the search Erik Høgsbro Østergaard, whose children for information about Peter “Maribo” descend from one of Peter’s half-siblings, Jensen, one of the passengers on board he had researched Peter’s mother’s family the S.S. Norge when it sailed for the in great detail; but all he knew about her United States in March, 1893. A 22-year- oldest son was his emigration in 1893. He old gardener, Peter left Lisbjerg in Ribe wondered whether we might be able to County for Blair, Nebraska in March, discover anything about what happened 1893, and arrived in New York City on to Peter in subsequent years. April 3, intending to stay permanently in At that time—just a few years ago— the U.S. Why Blair was his destination nothing in the FHGC was computerized is not known. and there were no online census indexes. Peter was born on January 30, 1871, It did not appear that we had any infor- Peter Mariboel Jensen’s funeral notice. on a small farm-holding called “Mari- mation on Peter, so we suggested that boelhus,” in Hove parish, not far from Erik contact the Washington County, oldest church register, which—because Lemvig in Ringkøbing County; he was Nebraska, Historical Association for pos- it was written in Danish—no one on staff baptized in Hove Church on April 6 that sible assistance. This organization was could read. We were able to confirm that same year as Peter Mariboel Jensen, after able to find Peter in the 1900 census for “Mr. and Mrs. Maribo” were members his place of birth. His mother, Christiane that county and report that around 1898 of the congregation and found baptismal Jensen (1848-1921), was not married he had married a fellow Dane named records between 1901 and 1905 for three at the time. Following the custom of Pouline M., who had come to the U.S. additional children: Jens Christian, Hans the day, his alleged father—one Peder in 1895, and that he was working as a Ingerholt, and Theodor Ingeholdt. From Jensen Strande, who worked on a nearby day laborer in Blair. The couple had a these records it was established that farm—was named in the baptismal 1-year-old daughter, Anne C., and Peter Pouline’s full maiden name was Pouline record, but nothing more is known of had applied to become a citizen. No mar- Marie Hansen. him. riage record was found in Washington Shortly thereafter, the first online Following the birth of a second il- County nor was the family found in later censuses became available, which made legitimate child (Ane Petrine in 1874), Washington County censuses. searching for the family much faster. It Christiane moved to adjacent Dybe Erik then turned to us, and asked was discovered that some time between parish, where she married a smallholder if we might look for other sources. A 1905 and 1910 Peter M. moved his fam- named Gregers Houdam Pedersen, call to First Lutheran Church in Blair ily to Omaha, where he was found listed settled down and had seven additional confirmed that it was the former Danish as “Peder Jensen” in the 1910 Douglas children. Evangelical Lutheran congregation, so County census. Living on Gordon Street Peter, however, remained behind and a trip was made to Blair to consult the were Peter, wife “Poulina,” and four was raised by his maternal grandparents, master mason Jens Christian Nielsen and 20 – continued on page 21 years, and…that his death was caused by his grief for dying trees and flowers. This interesting aside led, in turn, to a perusal of preceding days’ issues of the Omaha newspapers in hopes of finding further mention of his death. Front-page stories in both the Omaha World-Herald and the Omaha Bee-News were found with the headlines “Grieving Over Wilting Flowers, Trees, Hanscom Park Florist Kills Himself” and “Drouth Given as Cause of Park Suicide.” According to the articles, Jensen had designed many of the flowerbeds in the city parks as well as personally design- ing and supervising the orchid house in Hanscom Park. Unfortunately, 1936 was a dry summer. After working 10 to 12-hour days to preserve his plants and after suffering sunstroke a month or so earlier, Peter had grown increasingly despondent over the loss of the flowers and plants; he hanged himself in one of the park greenhouses. He was quoted in one article as having remarked to his wife shortly before his death, “My flow- ers are fading and dying. I cannot keep them fresh. And I feel that, like them, I, too, am wilting away in this heat.” Further research in the Omaha ge- nealogy indexes and local history files turned up obituaries for most of Peter’s children, leading to present-day descen- dants whom Erik Østergaard was able to The ran a front-page article about Peter’s unusual death. Omaha World-Herald contact. Newspaper clippings from the 1920s showed some of the greenhouses – continued from page 20 Danish Roots . . . and the conservatory where Peter Mari- children: Ane K., Jens C., Hans S., and which she too disappeared. boel Jensen worked. Theodore R. Peter had become a citizen Thus we had learned an approximate But what was found only scratches and was working in a public park. date of death for Peter, between 1936 the surface of what might still be found In 1920 and 1930 he was respectively and 1939, and that one of his workplaces on this Danish immigrant who worked listed as “Maribo Jensen” and “Peter M. was Hanscom Park—about 10 blocks so hard to create and care for a beauti- Jensen,” living with his wife and vari- from his residence. A local map noted ful environment for his fellow citizens ous family members at the same address that the park is located just south of the to enjoy. Peter was buried in Hillcrest- and still working as a florist in a park birthplace of President Gerald Ford. Westlawn Memorial Park in Omaha. greenhouse. The Omaha Public Library has an Children of Peter Mariboel Jensen A trip to the genealogy room of the extensive index to obituaries and death (1871-1936) and Pouline Marie Hansen Omaha Public Library resulted in ad- notices in local newspapers, and a search (1872-194?): ditional information. In city directories of this found a citation for the death 1. Ane Kirstine/Anne C. Jensen there were listings for Peter M. Jensen in of P. M. Jensen in the Evening World- (1898-1918)—2 children Omaha from 1907 to 1936. From this it Herald of August 21, 1936. This led to 2. Jens Christian ”Chris” Jensen was learned that he worked in Hanscom a brief article about his funeral which (1901-1992)—4 children Park and that the family resided at 3814 included a photograph and mention that 3. Hans Ingerhold Jensen Gordon Street from 1915 on. Pauline Peter Jensen had worked as a florist and (1903-1987)—7 children Jensen, widow of Peter, appeared at the gardener in the Omaha city parks for 30 4. Theodor Ingerholdt Jensen same address in 1939 and 1945, after 21 (1905-1990)—no children Activities and News from the Family History & Genealogy Center

• Until the end of October the FHGC is Ron, his wife Mary, and Michele for Archive(s) at Grand View and Dana on summer hours, Tuesdays, Wednes- the weekend at their lakeside retreat colleges. The goal is to facilitate days, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 outside the city. Mange tak! coordinating and sharing informa- p.m., and the first and third Saturdays • At the June board meeting the green tion about our institutions and their each month at the same time. light was given to begin the process holdings. We hope to get started on • On a beautiful spring weekend in of cataloging the FHGC collection several collaborative efforts in the late April FHGC board committee in PastPerfect™. In preparation, near future. members Mark Nussle and Ron Gail Hueting, senior monographic • The 10th Anniversary Fundraising Bro accompanied Michele McNabb cataloger at the University of Il- Campaign is coming along nicely and to Madison to visit the Norwegian linois, Urbana-Champaign Library we very much appreciate those of you American Genealogical Center and spent two days in Elk Horn, helping who have donated or made a pledge Naeseth Library to get an idea of refamiliarize Michele with cataloging to date. Our ambitious goals for the how this well-established research procedures and rules, looking at the campaign are to fund cataloging of library is organized and run. Execu- library component of PP, assessing the FHGC collection, add Danish tive Director Blaine Hedberg gave a the various types of books in the Brotherhood lodge material to the detailed tour and also a peek at the collection, and making suggestions Museum webpage and to purchase Danish collections at the University about cataloging entries. After some microfilms of selected Danish Ameri- of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin His- additional training Michele will begin can newspapers and Danish church torical Society. We came back with the cataloging process, and we will be registers. You can help us realize our a number of useful ideas that will be looking for a library cataloging intern dreams through a gift of any amount implemented in the near future, par- or part-time assistant in the fall. ear-marked “FHGC 10th Anniversary ticularly as staff and volunteers begin • The Museum webpage now links Fund.” A listing of all donors will ap- to catalog the FHGC collection. to the Danish American Heritage pear in the next issue of the America Mark and Lori Nussle kindly hosted Society and to the Danish Immigrant Letter.

Database Updates

Thanks to the staff at the Danish Im- migrant Archives at Dana College and Lisa Petersen, genealogy columnist with The Danish Pioneer, who spent a day at the National Archives, we have now filled in the missing years from the 1930s of Danish Brotherhood member deaths published in the DB magazine. As soon as the new data is input we will have a complete listing from 1916-1995 avail- able in the library. We hope to get this valuable material added to our webpage in the near future.

In May Gail Hueting of the University of Illinois library worked with Michele McNabb to figure out an efficient way to catalog the FHGC collection.

22 Wish List Family History These are materials that we would & Genealogy like to add to the library collection. The following items are currently at Center the top of the FHGC Wish List. If you would like to make a donation Exhibit of any of them or contribute toward their purchase as part of our 10th Highlights Anniversary Fund-raising Campaign, Armed Forces please contact Michele McNabb at [email protected] or This year’s Tivoli Fest photo exhibit, 712-764-7008 or Thomas Hansen at “In Service to Country: New and Old,” 712-764-7001. features 50 photographs and vignettes • With a Brush and Muslin Bag: of Danish immigrants who served in the the Life of Niels Ebbesen Hansen armed forces in either Denmark or the (2003), by Helen H. Loen. U.S. (and sometimes both places!). Dan- • A Global Citizen: Letter to my ish veterans range from several soldiers Descendants, part II (2006), by from the Dano-Prussian War era through Thorkild Svendsen, who served in the Niels Aage Skov. Danish underground. Examples from • Ib Melchoir: Man of Imagination, America include Revolutionary War by Robert Skotak. ($35). participant Christian Febiger through • Among the Danes, by F. M. Butlin legendary Iowa wrestling coach, Finn (available from abebooks.com for Bjorn Eriksen, who served in WWII, as $50.) well as Captain Erik Larsen, who saw • Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska Civil action in Korea. War Veterans: Compilation of the The exhibit concludes with several Death Rolls of the Departments examples of the many individuals of of Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, Danish descent who have served in the Grand Army of the Republic, 1883- military, including shadow boxes of souvenirs from two Elk Horn brothers 1948, by Dennis Northcott (2007) who fought in WWII. The exhibit will ($30 + shipping and handling) be on display through the end of July at • Microfilmed Danish Lutheran the FHGC. church records from various locali- ties. One area of particular interest At left are two of the many pho- is the church in Tyler, Minnesota. tos included in the FHGC’s exhibit. Microfi lm pricing varies, but the Sigrid Bro (top) joined the Army average cost is $50 per roll. Nurse Corps during WWII, serving Are you thinking of donating some in England and France as well as books to the Museum? If so, please stateside. S.D. Rodholm was teaching contact Michele McNabb before at Grand View College when the U.S. sending or bringing them. Although joined WWI. Initially turned down we appreciate the underlying thought- due to his age, he eventually joined fulness of donations, often we receive the Army as a chaplain. duplicate books or ones that do not fi t our collection guidelines. An advance list of titles sent by mail or e-mail or a phone call can save both potential donors and FHGC staff time and money. 23 PRSRT STD NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 13 ® Elk Horn, IA The Danish Immigrant Museum 2212 Washington Street • PO Box 470 • Elk Horn, Iowa 51531-0470 (712) 764-7001 • Toll Free (800) 759-9192 • FAX (712) 764-7002 E-Mail: [email protected]

Family History & Genealogy Center 4210 Main Street • PO Box 249 • Elk Horn, IA 51531-0249 (712) 764-7008 • Toll Free (877) 764-7008 • FAX (712) 764-7010 E-Mail: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.danishmuseum.org