VOL XXII NO 2 M4 Y 2002 www.sigdalslag.org Serving People with Ancestry in Sigdal Eggedal and Kmdsherad since 1911

St. Olaf College Chosen For 2002 Stevne July 11-1-3

Sigdalslag invites its members and friends to the campus of St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, for the 7 Lag Stevne July 11-13. The theme, Join Hands and Dance, embodies the spirit of the event with talented Norwegians and Americans coming together for this annual celebration.

Outstanding musicians and d~ncers will perform at three stevne programs. It is the 16th year that groups with origins in Land, Hadeland, Numedal, Ringerike-Drammen, Sigdal, Telemark, and Toten have collaborated to plan the 7 Lag Stevne.

.. . , Vocalist Kristen Bergland, a soprano who A Youthful, Award-winning Fiddler s Club of Ba, Telemark loves to share her songs with audiences, joins the dancers of the Dassell Leikarring, Dassell, MN, Friday night and Saturday evening the Junior Spelemannslag of Ba, Telemark, , will provide the featured entertainment following the 5:30 PM banquet which will be held off campus.

means additional work for the get there. Sign in at the tterboe Hall is the air Y 7 Lag planners, lag volunteers, genealogy desk before you conditioned residence hall with and treasurers; therefore, note begin to use the wide variety an elevator that will be your that after June 28, 2002, all of resource materials and films comfortable home when you fees become non-refundable. that are best accessed during choose to have convenience the stevne. and many amenities on campus. A full meal package Registration envelopes, which includes meals with including your residence hall Genealogy-related classes will beverage and tax is available keys, will be available Thursday be Thursday only, but research from lunch ~Thursday to lunch at 8 AM in the entrance level continues through noon Friday. Saturday. Cash payment for of Buntrock Commons, the new Docents from the Norwegian- individual meals is also activity center built in 1999. American Historical Association available, providing that an (Someone will assist with room will offer tours of NAHA's accurate estimate of which check in Wednesday evening archival holdings both meals you will eat is filled out from 6-9 PM; check the bulletin mornings, but you must check on the registration form, found board at Buntrock for most this:- on the registration form. on page 10. Sunday breakfast current information). is available. For readers not familiar with With vendors of arts and crafts NAHA, here is a paraphrase of Your diligence is asked in near the genealogy research its purpose: It was organized sending all fees by June 18 to space in Buntrock Ballroom, in 1925 to locate, collect, the lag treasurer who is listed most stevne attendees will be preserve and interpret records on the registration form. This headed for the third level as and stories of Norwegian- change from previous years soon after 8 AM as they can Americans,(Continued page 6) FRA PRESIDENTEN This will be the last issue of SA GA under the Norwegian Stevner, Incorporated, and the two current editorlpublisher, Marilyn Somdahl. She representatives to Bygdelagenes Fellesraad shall has done this job and the newsletter mailings be appointed by.the president with the approval since October 1987 and from 1982-1995 she of the other elected officers. was also president. She has set an awesome example of ARTICLEV - MEETINGS, Section 1, change the volunteer service to the word "recommended" to "determined". Sigdalslag. Tusen takk, Marilyn! I feel certain that she ARTICLE VI - EXECUTIVE BOARD, Section 5, will continue to serve in many change "finances" to "non-budgeted ways, including assisting the disbursements". Also, rearrange the sentences new editor. as follows: The treasurer and one other Board Oneof the big tasks facing member shall be authorized by signature card to the Sigdalslag this spring is to disburse funds. The treasurer shall be authorized find a person to take over the to pay all bills approved by the Executive Board newsletter, or by the annual budget. All non-budgeted Our bylaws state that the disbursements shall be approved by the president Lag shall publish three and one other board member before they are paid newsletters (February, May, by the treasurer. October) each year, and I believe that this activity is a "vital sign" of the health of our Lag. The ARTICLE VIII - PUBLICATIONS, to read as editor serves in an appointive position, so I am follows: Editors for special publications shall be contacting persons on a list compiled by the appointed by the president with the approval of Executive Board at their January meeting. Each the Board. one that is interested also needs adequate time to determine how this important job could fit into ARTICLEXI - DISSOLUTION,Section 2, add the their lives. I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm word "monetary" to read: All remaining monetary hopeful, but not certain, that we can have a new assets . .. Add Section 3 to read: The person in time to produce the October SAGA. Executive Boardshall determine the dispositon of Another task facing the Lag is to field a slate real assets. of candidates for six offices and hold the election for these one-year terms Saturday at the stevne. COMING THIS SUMMER As specified in the bylaws, this task falls to the Nominating Committee which Francis Turmo has agreedonce again to chair. Marguerite Meadeand JUNE 15 - The Norwegian Glee Club Hosts Marilyn Somdahl have consented to serve with Regional SANGERFEST 2002 Concert him. If they ask you to stand for one of the open 350 male voices, soloists, positions, I do hope you will give it serious Augsburg Centennial Singers and thought. To date. two current officers (a vice Bloomington Symphony Orchestra president and secretary) wish to retire. 7 PM, Radisson Hotel South. 7800 Normandale Blvd, Once again, the bylaws were reviewed by the Bloomington. MN Send check for $ T5 ticket with SASEnvelope to Gary Rust, T217 E. T32 St, Burnsville, Boardat the January meeting. taking into account MN 55337-3946. Inciude your name and phone number. the motion for postponement which passed. following discussion at the 2001 stevne. The JULY 14 - 70th NORWAY DAY, Minneapolis. MN recommended changes. which will be brought to at Minnehaha Park, (south side of city) a vote in July, appear below. (Note that the • 10 AM Christian worship service current bylaws may be seen on the web site, • Purchase- ethnic & American picnic foods www_sigdalslag.org.1 or bring your own • Arts and crafts display and sales Ha det bral • National anthems led by Nordkap Male Earl Knutson Choir a'\d Norwegian Glee Club • Children'sparadeheadsafternoonprogram Changes Proposed in Bylaws of music, song and dance • Nestog's Old-time Orchestra. 5 piece dancegroupfrom Telemark,Norway ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS,Section 2, to read as The event is sponsored by the Norwegian National follows: The historian, the Sigdalslag SAGA League of Minnesota. editor, the genealogist, the representative to

2 English Translation of 1949 Book stevner, this volume is poignant because it Will Be First Sold at Northfield contains much about American descendants in military service in World War II. 1949 will be available at the Sigdalslaget - It also describes life during the occupation in Northfield stevne! Norway with the grand jubilation May 8. 1945, when the war in Europe ended. and again May At its ;neeting in January, the lag board heard a 17, the first time in five years when every report that the text and pictures had been Norwegian flag was flying simultaneously. submitted to the publisher for printing. A decision was made that the date of first sale would be Poems and verse written for annual meetings or made at the 2002 stevne at St. Olaf in July. special occasions occurred fairly frequently in the original volume, and are often best left in their As in the past, books will be for sale at the first language. Eva Aasand penned many of them SIGDAL registration table where you pick up your and set a few to music as well. She also wrote badges (and Ytterboe Hall keys this year). Try to a charming autobiographical account in prose. arrive before Friday noon or purchase one at the She had lived in Bellingham, WA, but she did not Sigdalslag annual meeting on Saturday. The stay in America; she returned to live in Norway. registration will be consolidated for all lag at noon Friday. Several articles from the book have appeared in earlier issues of this newsletter, including the Because the lag has been steadily gaining episodes of the fighting at Haglebu. Eggedal, members, the board authorized printing more during the last days of April 1945 when lives copies than for earlier books. In addition there are were lost. Another compared life in Eggedal many people who sent in material, so the length decades earlier with that of the 1940s. of the 1949 book fills the third volume by itself. Sigdalslag also published "yearbooks" in the This hardcover book will match earlier ones in language and tradition of Norway in 1914. 1920, size. color. and $25 in price, Dianne Enger Snell. 1929, 1932, and 1941. The first volume 'in Auburn, WA, did the word processing and Debbie English translation contained the two first books Jackson Shortino, Bellevue, NE. was the editor. and the remaining three are in the second volume. Dean Skadeland, Kansas City. MD, served as a Both volumes have sold out, but they are consultant. available at several college libraries and research centers, including Sigdal and Kmdsherad Lag History in English kommuner. Other locations that have earlier books are the National Library, the Emigrant Rosella Goettelman. Decorah. who is our principal Museum near Hamar and the regional archives in translator, undertook this most recent book as her Kongsberg, Norway. first project, possibly because she had a copy in hand or because it did not have the old, wiggly If you would like to have a copy reserved for you Gothic type that is difficult to read. Many find at the stevne. e-mail your intentions to our that the Gothic style of certain letters requires treasurer. If you are certain you can not come to quite a bit of detective work to be sure you have Northfield. you may order by sending a check the right letter so words are more readily found payable to Sigdalslag @$31 POSTPAID for each in a Norwegian-English dictionary. Words in local book to Don Skadeland, 10642 a Street, Omaha, dialects, which give colorful expression, may not NE 68127. They will be shipped following the be found in printed dictionaries either. stevne.

Not content to rest on her laurels, Rosie re-visited her manuscript to be sure her work was up to the caliber of the more experienced translator she name had become during the completion of subsequent translation projects. Coming generations now address have an opportunity not only to learn about their ancestors who left Sigdal, Eggedal, and city, state, zip Kr0dsherad, but also read in a language they can understand. e-mail or phone

Besides family biographies and accounts of earlier

3 Delphin M. Johnson Wrote An Ancestral Story: FINDING 'PREST' MADS HANSEN PORS and his wife, DORTHE LAUGESDATTER

Mads Hansen Pors was born about 1570; he was with timber plus pay the cost of rebuilding those prest (the pastor) of SigdaI church in 1617 when houses. She must have retained much of her he died. His wife, Dorthe Laugesdatter, was husband's wealth in timberlands after his death. born about 1582 in Modum and died in 1666 at the OJberg farm in Kmdsherad. They are my The granddaugher of Dorthe Laugesdtr, Marthe direct line ancestors. It is not often we find so Torgeirsdtr, born in 1657 at Skinnes, married Ola much written about ancestors so far back and I Eivindsen Vassendrud (1655-17321. grandson of want to share some of this information with Ola Nilsen Vassendrud. So all ended well after other Sigdalslag readers. all and this dispute between the grandparents was long forgotten. We do not know the ancestry of Prest Mads Hansen Pors, but we do know he had very good Dorthe's father was Lauge Thomassen, parish connections. In Denmark there was Old Nobility pastor at Modum from before 1576 to his death named Pors and it may be that he is from that in 1602. Her mother was Ragnild Andersdtr. At line, but to date it has not been proven. this time, we cannot be sure of the ancestry of either Lauge or Ragnild. In 1593 he was a student at the Latin School and in 1596 he asked King Christen IV to help The Drammen Museum has a painting of Prest him find a job with good pay. From 1596 to Lauge Thomassen together with his wife, six sons 1605 he was Curate in Tune, 0stfold. The very and three daughters. The children were 1) Thomas fact that the king was involved indicates he was Laugesen 2) Christoffer Laugesen 3) Jens from an important family with connections to Laugesen 4) Daniel Laugesen, pastor at Modum royalty. from 1602 to about 1633, married Ase Olufsdtr, sister of Margrethe Olufsdtr, 5) Laures Laugesen From 1605 until his death in 1637 he served as 6) Lauge Laugesen 7) Marret (Margrethe) the priest of the SigdaI Parish. He was one of Laugesdtr, married Peder Buskerud, 81 Maren the first pastors to be in the timber business and Laugesdtr 9) Dorthe Laugesdtr. did much trading in lumber. Dorthe's brother Thomas Laugesen (1565-16301 We know more of Dorthe Laugesdtr. At the time was parish pastor at Toten in 1593 and in Oslo she died in 1666, the Olberg farm was owned from 1602 to 1630. In 1594 he married by the Holmen Church in Sigdal. It was used as Margrethe Olufsdtr (1565-1630). Her parents a retirement home for pastors and widows of were Oluf Reirsen Holter (ca 1530-1474) who pastors. In 1637 after the death of her husband, was city manager of Oslo, and Gunhild Mogensdtr Mads Hansen Pars, Dorthe Laugesdtr moved to Store-Stange. the Olberg farm where she spent the remainder of her life. It seems the life of a widow, even The wedding of Thomas and Margrethe Olufsdtr when under the protection of the church, was was a grand affair such as had not been seen in not always easy. As a widow, Dorthe was given Norway since the wedding in in 1565 of 8 (td) of grain each year by the church. The Eric Sch0nning and Brynild Trondsdtr Benkestok. parish pastor tried to cut off her grain supply The wedding took place at the farm Hallinstad in after 20 years because he did not like her and 0stre Toten. The ceremony was performed by she was living such a long lifel (He was not Bishop Jens Nielsen. Wedding guests were from successful because she lived another nine years.) noblemen's families and included pastors and prominent citizens from the towns and farms in Dorthe Laugesdtr, in about 1655, fired up the Norway. baking ovens on the Nore farm. The houses burned when the fire got out of control. The The marriage of Dorthe Laugesdtr and the pastor, owner of Nore farm was Ola Nilsen Vassendrud Mads Hansen Pars, produced these children: (who is also an ancestor of mine). Ola Nilsen 1. Lauge Madsen Pars (ca 1621-1707. He was said she had fired up the ovens without his parish clerk of Sands"",,, for 36 years. He had permission. Dorthe promised to bring him timber married three times, b'ut had no children. and pay 80 rd so he could rebuild the houses. 2. Mari Madsdtr Pars, born ca 1615 in Modum, But Dorthe did not follow through on her promise, died ca 1669 at Skinnes in Kmdsherad. She so she had to go to court in 1656. This seems married Torgeir Knutsen Skinnes, Kmdsherad (ca to indicate she was a person of considerable 1615-1696). Mari and Torgeir had five children. means--to be in a position to supply Ola Nilsen Thanks to Del's family of Superior, WI. See p. T 1

4 Genealogy News & Views The US Ambassador's Residence in Oslo by lee Rokke ~ - We must say a special thanks to Dr. Sidney A. ~.. Rand who has given the Sigdalslag an entire five- volume set of the Sigdal bygdeboker! The books were !Jresented to him by the Sigdal kommune when he served as the Ambassador to Norway during the Carter administration.

Sidney's maternal grandparents, Anders Pedersen Bratelien and J0ran Olsdatter VatnAs, were emigrants from Sigdal who settled at Rothsay, Minnesota. His grandfather, Anders B. Pedersen, was one of the founders and the first president of the Sigdalslag. Thecabin known as "Sigdal House" at the Scandinavian Park in Minot, North Dakota, MEMBERS SEND IN SIGDALSLAG SURVEYS was moved to the US from his grandmother's ancestral farm, VatnAs, and dedicated at the 1991 ·Roger Dudley, Denver, CO, on the the family of Norsk H0stfest, Mari Nilsdtr Enderud who married Gullik Kravik *Phyllis Greer, Tioga, ND, on the descendants of The picture, right, appeared in March in the Reier Knutsen Rugland Western Viking in connection with the new US ·Joyce Narveson, LeSueur, MN, on the family of Ambassador John Doyle Ong assuming his post Narve Olsen Nordlie . at the direction of President George W. Bush. ·Sigrid and Harold Medalen, Petersburg, AK, on The residence with its stylized Art Nouveau the family or Turi Kristiansdtr Medalen Odden. motifs has provided a suitable home for 17 They also sent pictures of the Odden family and American ministers and ambassadors to Norway the Sigdalslag stevne in Grand Forks, ND, in since the grandiose house and gardens were sold 1950. Some of the people on the picture were to the US government in 1924 by the widow of identified. It is not often that we are fortunate its original owner. enough to learn the names of people on the lag pictures. It was designed by Norwegian architect Henrik *Cynthia Clemmentson Parris, Hollister, CA, on Bull and built in 1911 for Hans Andreas Olsen, the descendants of Klemet Torgersen S01and then Norway's Consul General at St. Petersburg, (Asendeie) . and his wife, Esther Wilhelmine Olsen, the niece *Kay Marie Olson-Bowers, Amherst, SD, an of Alfred Nobel. Ahnentafel chart for Ingeborg Olsdtr Vatnas. *William Syverson, Lakewood, CA, on the Five Cousins Memorialize descendants of Reier Ellingsen Veggesrudeie. Guri and Halvor Plettenhagen *Charlotte Linden, Mason City, lA, on the descendants of Haldor Narveson Gronhovd. Great-great grandchildren of Guri Jakobsdatter *Jule C. Tukua, Santa Ana, CA, has donated a (1804-1859) and Halvor Olsen Plettenhagen (1795- large updated three-ring binder of the Ole and 1859) decided a bronze plaque in their memory Gunhild Tukua family, both descendants and would be fitting. Before a cemetery could be anacestors. established, they were buried in Sec 19, Hartland ·Marcia Garner, Pendleton, IN, on the family of Twp, Worth Co, Iowa. Unnamed grandchildren Anders Olsen Medalen and Berit Olsdtr were later buried at this site at Rugland farm. Gronhovd. Her pack included many wonderful pictures. lag members Robert Towne, Art Peterson, Carol *LeRoy Flagstad, Rapid City, SD, on the family Rugland Meade, Walter Rugland and Archie Rugland of Jacob Olson Tangen plan to affix the plaque to the back of an existing *Ivan Brattelid, Marcell, MN, on the family of monument in Silver Lake Cemetery, near Rugland Jakob Jansen Jellum farm. Look for the stone of Gusta Wikko Peterson, ·L1oyd Svendsbye, St. Louis Park, MN, on the of Art's grandma's family (2/1 0/1 870-2/15/19501. family of Svendsbye ·Ann Osmundson Berrie, Emporia, KS, on the Daughters of Halvor and Guri were Astrid Reiersen, family of Kristoffer Fingarsen Hov (Strand) Sigrid Rugland, Ingeborg Halvorsdatter, Guri Langen, Beret Wikko, and Ole Halvorson, the son.

5 BUNTROCK OFFERS (2002 ST. OLAF STEVNE continued from p.1) FOOD SERVICE and their settlements in our country. This is intended to affirm AT ST OLAF COLLEGE present day identities in relation to the contributions made by these immigrants. Full meals are served the following hours at There are several categories of NAHA membership and automatically the STAV Cafeteria. include the annual publications of books, newsletters, discounts on Breakfast - 7:15 ·8:15 AM purchases of previous publications, and priority use of the archives. Lunch - 12 - 1 PM The Norwegian American Historical Association is located in the Ole Dinner - 5 - 6 PM E. Rolvaag Library which adjoins Buntrock Commons,

Beverages, snacks, soups, Enjoy the Entertainment salad and sandwiches are available at the following Excellent stevne entertainment is one of the delightful reasons hours weekdays at people enjoy coming to the 7 Lag Stevne year after year. This year The CAGE our featured entertainers include vocalist Kristen "Kristi" Bergland Mon-Thurs 7:30 AM who performs at the opening program Friday afternoon at 2 PM in closes 4:30 PM the Buntrock Ballroom. Friday 7:30 AM closes 1:00 PM For the evening performance Friday at 7:45 PM, also in Buntrock Ballroom, Ms. Bergland joins the featured Norwegian-American dancers of the Dassel, MN, Leikarring. Don't miss them!

Following ABOUT YTTERBOE HALL graduation • Air conditioned from St. Olaf, ·Parking nearby Bergland ·Campus convenience studied ·NSI Recommended Norwegian choral music and folk music NORTHFIELD MOTELS traditions as a Fulbright Americlnn Motel & Suites scholar in 800-634-3444 , 507-645-7761 Norway. Singing Archer House Historic Inn professionally 800-247-2235 in the Twin 507-645-5661 Cities, she is also currently College City Motel pursuing a 507-645-4426 doctorate in V 0 c a I Country Inn Performance 800-456-4000 and Pedagogy 507-645-2286 a t the University of How many Dassel dancers do you know? Riverview Legacy Motel Minnesota. 877-787-5335 507-645-9980 The Dassel Leikarring was organized 20 years ago under the leadership of Kjell and Elaine Nordlie who were folk dancers in Super 8 Motel Norway before moving to Dassel. (Kjell was a dance instructor in 800-800-8000 his native Norway.) Eighteen Dassel residents, who come from 507-663-0371 various walks of life, spend two hours rehearsing on Sundays with the gentle but energetic music of Scandinavia.

6 SIGDALSLAG MEETS SATURDAY JULY 13 8: 15 AM Board Meets 9:30 - 8usiness Meeting Elections Bylaws 1949 Book Sales 10,30 AM Refreshments 11 12:30 PM Cultural portion of the program

The Dassel dancers have hosted their sister leikarring in RAde,0sHold, Norway, as well as a Swedish group and one from Lindsborg, Kans~s. They traveled to Norway to compete in " day-long competition to perform the fJsrfold springar in four towns. Fiveof seven NSIreps met last Novomber, Fromlelt are Narv Somdahl- ROD;Marie Brown, TOten;C.rol M""de, sec.lSigdal;Sandra Hendrickson, chairlland; and Arnold Among over 50 dances in its N... , 2002 coordinator/Telelag, repertoire are several from all of Scandinavia·" the LIi'rpu Larpu from Finland, Northfield, situated on the Cannon River, is .Iso the Swedish Jamslpolska, the Danish Tuppede home to Carleton College and offers interesting Hfme bes;des eight variations of the Norwegian shops and cafes downtown, gamme/ reinlender alone, They have been danced at Scandinavian festivals throughout the US SAGA Editor Bids Farewell

Telelag celebrates if. 95th anniversary ano NSI is Upon learning last July that Ringerike Drarnmens fortunate to have the So Junior Spe/emann.lag Distr;cts Lag had found a new editor during its (fiddlers' clubl trom Telemark, Norway, to lidole, business meeting at Rapid City, your sditor sing and dance at Northfield. Johannes Sunosvelen immediately notified Earl Knutson to look for a has been mentor and leader for the past 10 years replacement. Her husband, Narv Sorndahl, edited Per Anders Buen Garnaas and Torgei' Strand are the RDD BREV for nine years. She has edited 45 champions in the junior division of the national 112 pi issues for Sigdaislag since October 1987. competitions or kappleik. Moreover, So as a city produces excellent Hardanger t;ddles, violins, and An aging PC and software with non-functioning people interested in pursuing the best of the features like spell-check are other factors, but the playing tradition. news still was published on time Back a couple decades are evidences of dot-matrix type on my This fiddle group itself exoels in contests. It is articles and presidem's columns during Elaine expected to perform for about 350 Saturday Schulstad's excellent editorship, {1980-19871. evening following the banquet at 5:30 PM 8t the American Legion Ballroom, just north of downtown Sigda/slag SA GA has received its kudos for content Northfield on H;ghway 3. Take St Olaf Street la and promptness over the years, News and cultural road downhill in front of Buntrock Commons) to articles thought to interest more members took intersect w;th this road, Social dancing will be later precedence. Our members liked pictures, too, in the evening. There is ample seating tn invite Feedback;s good; articles, obituaries, and historical guests to order tickets for tables of eight. You pieces to share are even betterl Support the next must wear your badge and present a ticket fo, the ed;tor..'s, as befits the Slgdal tradition. banguet. Th,nks for the memor;es, friends' Eoch lag will arrange ilS own rides to the banquet at its annual meeting. Individual lag will meet to Marily~ Dahlen Somdahl, retiring editor elect officers and enjoy a cultural program Room size will be based on the numbers registered.

7 •

Bj0rndalen Wins 4 Gold Medals exhibit. The Norwegian Church Abroad even held In Olympics church services there. It was a place to watch the games on a big screen, meet athletes, celebrities, and media representatives of the Norwegian Gold. Gold. Gold. Gold! Each of those 2002 Broadcasting Corporation (NRKI. Olympic medals belong to Norway's Ole Einar Bj0rndalen (pictured below), who grew up in Simonstranda in Modum, a mile from Sigda!. His 1952 Oslo Winter Olympic Medalist father, Hans, was from Bj0rndalen farm in Sigdal, and he is a first cousin of Canadian members, Honored in in February Einar Bjorndalen and Sonja Bjorndalen Minchau. , winner of the grand slalom gold Bjorndalen, now living in Trondheim, won all the medal at the 1952 Oslo Winter Olympics held at men's biathlon races, bringing Norway's total to the Norefjell venue in Kr0dsherad, was remembered 11 gold, 7 silver and 6 bronze. Eleven was a at Resort, Park City, Utah, 50 years national record for Norway, and only American later, just prior to the 2002 games. speed skater Eric Heiden has won more gold Born into a family of Norwegian athletes, Eriksen medals (5 in 1980) in the same . learned gymnastics from his father, Marius who Look at web page www.bjoerndalen.com> < competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics in Norway. He and his brother, Marius Jr, learned to Even after missing two shots, ski and to walk about the same time. Training in Bj0rndalen skied faster than gymnastics provided agility and flexibility. anyone else in the biathlon 20k and in the 10k he was "Skiing is one of the greatest joys in my life," unbeatable. Then there was Eriksen is quoted as saying. But like Eriksen, the 12. 5k pursuit, and with Olympic contenders today still need a good mental three others, he won the 4 x attitude and training--hard work, courage and ,<.,.. , 7.5 relay. determination--for a good outcome. :.,'" ) As one of the best alpine skiers of all time, Kjetil Fame grew in 1954 as he became the first alpine Andre Aamodt captured two gold medals. Norway's skier in the world to win triple gold in the slalom, other gold awards: men's curling (over Canadal, and combined races at the World men's cross country relay (over Italy), skier Tor Championships in Aare, . Eriksen moved Arne Hetland won gold for cross-country sprint (a to the United States in 1954 and became a ski first-time Olympic categoryl, in school director at many places before designing and women's cross-country 10k, and Kari Traa as developing the Stein 'Eriksen Lodge at Park City women's mogul winner. Mountain Resort, Park City, UT, with his business partner, Edgar Stern, in the mid-1980s. Norway moved up in the standings behind Germany twice: into second place when the Russian According to an account in Western Viking, the women's cross country relay team was disqualified namesake hotel offers 'lavish accommodations, and to bronze when cross-country skiers from fine dining and excellent service'. A mannequin Spain and Russia were caught using the illegal substance, NESP. in one of the boutiques displays the ski clothes Eriksen can be sighted wearing that day for the Eggedal was represented in the 2002 Games by watchful looking out at the slopes from the fine Ingeborg Helen Marken in downhill and grand restaurant, Glitretind. slalom events. In all 81 athletes from Norway participated and many interested members of the Eriksen was awarded Knight First Class by the royal family attended the Olympics. King of Norway in 1997 for contributions to the world of sport and his commitment to people of HRH Crown Prince Haakon and his wife, HRH Norway. He also holds a St. Olav's Cross, which Crown Princess Mette-Marit, spent the first week is given for outstanding service to Norwegian at the games, followed by HM King Harald who citizens who permaneptly live abroad. stayed in Salt Lake City until the end of the games. Princess Martha Louise took in the Paralympics in Tennis, hunting, fly fishing and archery are March. pursued off-season. Calling both Utah and home, he and his wife, Francoise, have Culturally, the Norway House in Park City was a one child, Bjorn, and he has three children from a big hit for social gatherings, dining and previous marriage: Julianne, Stein Jr, and Ava. entertainment, or a visit to a Norwegian ski history

8 Norwegian Americans Also Celebrate Syttende Mai How will you spend May 17, the day to celebrate Norway's Constitution? Here are three options. Spring Grove, MN - May 18 The big day in this community near the border with Iowa will be Saturday, May 18. It is noteworthy because the characters, ala og Per, from one of the longest running comic strips to appear in newsprint, will be immortalized in bronze at an afternoon unveiling and dedication ceremony at Viking Memorial Park. The sculptor, Craig Bergsgaard, Littleton, CO, grew up on an Iowa farm but graduated from Spring Grove High School. Created by Peter Julius Rosendahl between 1918 and 1935, the comic strip, "Han ala og Han Per", used clever dialogue of the characters well suited to the rural predicaments he drew. It was an everyday mix of immigrant talk neither American English nor Norwegian! It originally ran in Decorah Posten and it is currently carried by Western Viking, Seattle. The celebration begins at 8 AM breakfast and goes throughout the day with distinguished speakers and activities, in'eluding a meatball dinner (reservations 507.498.5617) and a dance to the music of the Footnotes. (Also see www.springgrovemn.comJ .;~ "",_J 'o,,..., .. r , Brooklyn, New York - May 19 The May 18 Loring Park Festival (near the If you live in New York City, the Committee Basilica on Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis) begins for 17th May of Greater New York plans one of at noon with wreath laying at the Ole Bull statue the oldest festivals to mark Norway's 188th year where Bjorn Hernres will speak, followed by the since its Constitution Day. The 51 st Constitution parade. Children's games will be led by ANSA Day Parade will take place Sunday, May 19 at (Ass'n of Norwegian Students Abroad). Choral, 1:30 PM on 3rd Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. dance and fiddle groups will perform along with The theme of the NY parade is, "Norwegian- SkalMusik, Brainerd, MN. Come and explore Americans Salute the Heroes," dedicated to all supporting organizations, (including Bygdelagenes who lost their lives or worked to help others Fellesraad with its new banner), vendor tables; during the terrorist attacks last September 11. have some norsk food and watch skilled artists The visiting band from Norway, Arendal demonstrate acanthus-, chip-, and figure carving, Veterankorp, will be joined by local bands to knitting, weaving, rosemaling, bentwood and stav provide music along the parade route for an containers, and Viking crafts. $3 (exact change) expected 100,000 spectators. (Contact Evald parking is available in the ramp near MCTC. But Olson 718.745.6653 or Christine Thorsen you can ride a Metro Transit bus FREE May 18 718.442.1881 for route information.) A short by wearing a Syttende Mai button! It costs $1 program follows at the reviewing stand on the and is sold by individuals and Sons of Norway. south side of Leif Erikson Park. Dr. Paul Qualben Wreath laying at the bust of Henrik Ibsen will speak (among others) with additional musical occurs May 18 in Como Park, Lexington at performances. Atle Leikvoll, the Consul General Kaufman in St. Paul, from 3:30-4:30 PM, with of Norway in New York, will place the crown on entertainment by the Peer Gynt Youth Dancers. the head of Miss Norway, Alison Leah Nerjes. May 19 Mindekirken ([email protected]) serves Minneapolis-St. Paul - May 17 -19 breakfast, holds 11 AM Syttende Mai MN hosts a banquet May 17 services, offers a with two guests from Norway: Elisabeth neighborhood parade at Tandberg, soloist, and speaker Bjorn Haenres, a 12: 15 PM and a 4 PM member of the Norwegian (parliament), concert: soprano at the Doubletree Park Place Hotel, 1500 Park Elisabeth Tandberg Ileft!. Place Blvd, St Louis Park. Social hour 6 PM and James Reilly, piano; with dinner at 7 PM. A drawing for two tickets to Shirley Lillehaugen Scandinavia via Icelandair happens just before Santoro, violin, and Mike the 'final-hurrahs'. Checks of $45 per person Santoro, piano. 1$10 payable to Syttende Mai MN must be received donationl. Pastor Jens May 10, c/o Sons of Norway, 1455 West Lake Arne Dale bids you St, Minneapolis, MN 55408. welcome (612.874.0716).

9 IN MEMORY CAMPUS MAP of St. Olaf College. Take 51. Olaf Ave west from downtown Northfield or from 1-35W take Highway 19 east until you turn N. at the main entrance to the campus, (lower left on map). OELPHIN "Del" JOHNSON (June I • 28, 1931-April 27, 2002), a I Sof!blill I Freid long time resident of Superior, , Wisconsin, died at St. Mary's Medical Center, Duluth. Services were May 1 at the Darrow Road Weslayan Church, Superior, with burial at Minong Cemetery where military honors were accorded by American Legion Post 465.

Born at Gull Lake, WI, Del grew up there and in Chittamo, WI. He graduated from Minong High School in 1948 and attended WI Indian-head Technical College, Superior.

He enjoyed membership in

Sigdalslag and Hallinglag, MeIltly klence Cenler Disabled American Veterans, and C,Ila.-on Darrow Road Wesleyan Church. iii) }' "'"Hell .;~ l II For many years he worked with !UIIUUj President' •• Hoyme W.i,_,tall .1, •..." • his wife in Child Evangelism, re'lilis "'- COU(/S traveled twice in Norway, and Old f ". J 1.000Meln M",lc Manitou , I" wrote family articles Ip.8l on No Hwl Cott"P genealogy. Fl.len',....,.-H"I t Uld M.aln .....n.~ , " • y Studio "'-It ", " Del served stateside in the Korean conflict with the US Army and LJ ~i ,' married Lois Wilcox Oct 6, 1956, in Shell Lake. For 17 years he MN HIGHWAY 1.9 • ",.. i i was a superintendent for Duplex Manufacturing Company and for World Famous Norwegian Explorer Dies In Italy Lakehead Constructors as a heavy equipment operator for 13 Services for Thor Heyerdahl, 87, were held in Oslo, Norway, years, retiring in 1986. April 26 in the 17th century Lutheran cathedral with Bishop Gunnar Staalsett presiding and with the royal family attending. Survivors are Lois, his wife of 45 But burial was to be in Italy, where he died in his sleep April 18 years, Superior; two sons, Jeffrey at his home in Cola Michari. D. Johnson, Seattle, WA, and Heyerdahl, the Norwegian who gained worldwide attention by Jon IKimberli) Johnson, Lindale, crossing the Pacific Ocean on a balsa reed raft in 1947, became TX, and one daughter, Julie ill and was hospitalized In Italy during the Easter holidays. Krisak, Superior; grandchildren: Kjell Magne Bondevik, Norwegian prime minister said, "Norway Holly, Jennifer, Daniel and Nathan has lost an original and spectacular researcher, explorer and Krisak; Cody and Matthew adventurer. " Johnson; brothers John (Bev). Heyerdahl's book, Kon- Tiki, revealed how his expedition over Kalispell, MT; Gilbert, 101 days and 4,900 miles disproved his critics who said such Minneapolis; Melvin (Irene), a feat was impossible. He set off from Peru and reached Wauneta, NE; Helmer (Betty). Polynesia in a bid to prove his theories of human migration. Superior, WI; Arlen (Sandy). Other expeditions IRa liRa II) were alsll aboard reed rafts. Spooner, WI; sisters Marjorie His archeological research was often controversial, but Smith, Minong, WI; Del's twin audiences of people kept coming to hear lectures of his latest Delores Tietz' and Marlene research. His third wife, Jacqueline, said he had made 70 Johnson, both of Superior. He airline trips last year. was preceded in death by his parents, John E. and Myrtle Thanks for sending notices for this page in a timely fashion. This is the way (Haynesl Johnson, a daughter, our lag chooses to honor departed members, according to bylaws. (Send news or stories to the genealogist or president between editorsl. Diane, and two brothers.

11 Join NOW for 2002 -- our 91st Year RESIDENTS OF CANADA may send checks Dote _ for lag dues payable to GARTH ULRICH. Box Full Namels _ 28. Spalding. SASK SOK 4CO, CANADA Ito reduce exchange fees on every transaction). Street _ Write Sigdalslag dues !3 yr or 1 yrl on the ______Z1P _ memo line of the check. Dues in Canadian Dollars will be' at applicable rates for US dollars E-mail Phone _ on the date written.

BUSKERUD family origin in .!I0DAL - ~GGEDAl . ~R00SHERAD;. Garth chairs the committee publishing a An~&1or's nome _ pictorial directory of the members. Contact him before May 30, 2002. if you still plan to Farm ntmle _----'-_------furnish a head and shoulders picture or have a Circle IS) IE) (Kl Year emigr8ted _ question about being included. The release form is also on the lag web site. His e-mail is [email protected] DUES paid In 2002: USICANADA·$10JYR.or $ 25/3 VR in US$$

B.SEWHBf:E $ 12/YR or $ 30/3' VR, in US dollars. Send all other applications for membership to VP Ruth Manning. as shown (left). SAGA is MAIL checks by June 15, 2002. payable to Sigdal Lag to published in February, May and October for two adults at the same address. RUTH MANNING, 4816 RugglesSt. Omaha. NE 68104 • • • Welcome, New Members 2001-2002 Sigdalslag Officers Kay Marie Olson Bowers, President Amherst, SD EARL 0 KNUTSON, 973-993-1613; DON SKADELAND, Treasurer Ivan S. Brattelid. eoknu/[email protected] 4fJ2-331-5Y06; [email protected] Marcell, MN 7 Woods End Road 10642 "0" Street Gilbert & Lucille Bjore Churchill. MOl'ris Plains, NJ 07950 Omaha. NE 68127 Underhill, VT Roger & Dorothy Ellefson, RUTH MANNING, VP (Finance) MARILYN SOMDAHL, Edilnr 402-455-7221: rmanning@novia,net 952-83/-4409; nmsomdah/@juno.com Brooksville, FL 4816 Ruggle.~ Street JOJ29 GOOdlich Circle Christine Fenton,. Omaha, NE 68104 Bloomington, MN 55437 Regina, SK, Canada Janice Lee Gronhovd. CAROL MEADE, VP (He>ilage/NSI) LEE ROKKE, Genealogist Oakland, CA 612-827-6139; [email protected] 952-432-9767; [email protected] 4133 Lyndale Ave South J 3465 Garden View Drive Roland & Jackie Miller. Minneapolis, MN 55409 AppleVaUey, MN 55124 Fort St John, BC. Canada David & Joyce Narveson, GARTH ULRICH, VPlMembership DEB SHORT/NO, Historian Le Sueur, MN [email protected])'mp01U:o.ca 402-293-5498; [email protected] Lloyd Svendsby, )06-633-2274, Box 28, 2804 Jack Pine Street ., Spalding, Bellevue, NE 68123 St Louis Park, MN Sask SDK, 4CO, CANADA CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTICES TWILA HAL fORSON, Secretary to the edi10r are the responsibility of 218-847-5313 each member. Keep SAGA '5 return ]005 North Shore Drive address in your own address book.

Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 Pencil in the IIpaid thru 1/ year (on the label after your name below).

SOMDAHL PUBLISHING FlRSTCLASS MAlL SigdBlslagSAGA 1.0 729 Goodrich· Circle. Bloomington,. MN 55437

Earl O. & Betty Knutson 2002 7 Woods End Road

Morris Plainsr NJ 07950

!l;iii!!:' IIBn!l!!l'I! I'!ll IIHIHl.n!lII I'lliii Iij HI'IH!IIi! IIIflil'