America Letter the danish immigrant museum

® An internAtionAL CuLturAL Center Spring 2010 • Vol. XXIII, No. 1 2212 WASHINGTON STREET • ELK HORN, IOWA 51531 • 712-764-7001 • www.danishmuseum.org

Across Oceans, Across Time, Across Generations: The Krogh Nielsen and Finsen Family Director’s Corner In the last America you can view elements of recognize that strategic Letter (Winter 2009, it online. After the exhibit planning needs to be XXII:3), I announced the opens in April we will add ongoing. Consequently, I pages to our website, am pleased that the board comprehensive campaign, so you can discover the of directors at the February Across Oceans, Across Time, unusual and downright 2010 board meeting in Across Generations, which we strange things we have in Tucson, Arizona, passed have been quietly working on our collection, no matter a motion to create a new for several years. To date, we where you live! strategic planning effort. have raised over $9 million on A major outreach from We are fortunate to have The Danish Immigrant staff and board members, the way to our $15 million goal. both past and present, who Many of the gifts are deferred Museum will occur from October through December are experienced in strategic and designated for endowment of this year. Our museum planning. These individuals growth; this has been the highest is the national sponsor will work to establish broad priority as we work to assure for the American portion goals as we look fi ve and ten years into the future. the museum has a fi rm fi nancial of the National Danish foundation. Performance Team’s world In closing, let me just tour in 2010 and 2011. This reiterate this. We at Another goal of the campaign is to is the gymnastics team of The Danish Immigrant expand the museum’s outreach through the Danish Gymnastics Museum often describe our website and traveling exhibits. The and Sports Association. this institution as “Your Victor Borge: A Smile Is the Shortest Beginning in Washington, museum in the heart of Distance traveling kiosk exhibit and our D.C. and Atlanta, Georgia, the continent.” We may be redesigned website are two examples of and crossing the country located in the small town our efforts to achieve this goal. to Portland, Oregon and of Elk Horn, Iowa, but as Already, you can go to our website and Los Angeles, California, Tova Brandt, curator of see a change. In the upper right-hand the team will perform in exhibitions, put it at the corner, you will fi nd the Facebook logo sixteen cities. The Danish recent board meeting, “We and an invitation to visit our Facebook Immigrant Museum is are not a small museum!” page. Please, do so! In fact, I invite creating a traveling exhibit Our efforts span the you to become a fan of the museum. that will accompany the continent. (Already, we have almost as many team on their U.S. tour. In This, of course, happens fans as the Danish Embassy in addition, we plan museum because we receive Washington, D.C.) You will be able to events in each of the support from you. Despite see pictures and read news of recent cities the team visits—an the economic downturn and and upcoming museum activities. exciting opportunity to because individuals have engage Danish-American Our next major exhibit is called made provisions for The organizations nationwide Sampling the Collection, A to Å. Danish Immigrant Museum and to share our work here Tova Brandt, our new curator of in their estate planning, we at The Danish Immigrant exhibitions, has designed an exhibit have been able to maintain Museum. that highlights artifacts from our a level of programming collection. There will be objects As we work toward the that is exceptional. I am representing each letter of the goals of the comprehensive grateful to each of you for alphabet, including the Danish campaign, Across your ongoing support of our letters, Ø, Æ, and Å. What’s Oceans, Across Time, museum. more, this exhibit is designed so Across Generations, we John Mark Nielsen Executive Director

COVer PHOTO: A Danish pastor, Anne-Grethe Krogh Nielsen served The Danish Lutheran Church and Cultural Center of Southern California in Yorba Linda from 2004 to 2006. She and her husband, Søren Finsen, and their two boys decided to return to Yorba 2 • America Letter Linda in 2008. Their story of migrating between American and Danish culture begins on page 4. Museum Partners with Danish Gymnastics Team

The NDPT, in collaboration with The Danish Immigrant Museum, will tour sixteen cities across the United States from October to December 2010. The National Danish sixteen cities across the details of the U.S. portion of American communities and Performance United States from October the tour. Also, the museum the larger U.S. community,” Team (NDPT), to December of this year, is creating a traveling says John Mark Nielsen, including Washington, exhibit about Danish executive director of The the gymnastics D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, gymnastics for display at Danish Immigrant Museum. team of the Danish Minneapolis, Omaha, each venue where the team The Danish gymnastics Gymnastics and Portland and Los Angeles. performs. Further, museum tradition is markedly Sports Association, is This will be one of the most staff members are planning different from that of partnering with The extensive U.S. tours in the outreach events in the American gymnastics. team’s history. sixteen communities on the The NDPT’s performance Danish Immigrant tour. Museum for the U.S. The Danish Immigrant includes a combination Museum is collaborating “This is an opportunity of modern rhythmic leg of their 2010-2011 with the NDPT in a number for the museum to be gymnastics, dance, cheer, world tour. of ways. First, the museum a facilitator of program artistic vaulting, tumbling The NDPT will perform in is handling the fi nancial outreach to Danish- and acrobatics.

Kenneth Larsen, Calistoga, CA Development Director: Bruce Bro, America Letter Steven Lund, yuma, AZ [email protected] Published Three Times Annually By Cynthia McKeen, St. Paul, MN Wall of Honor, Donations, the danish immigrant museum Carol Jensen Mills, Dubuque, IA Memorial Gifts & Memberships: 2212 Washington Street Kay Esbeck North, Ames, IA Debra Christensen Larsen, Benedikte Ehlers Olesen, Eugene, OR Elk Horn, Iowa 51531 [email protected] Consul Lynette Skow Rasmussen, Johnston, IA 712-764-7001 800-759-9192 Bookkeeping & Financial Consul Eva Robinson, Butler, PA Inquiries: Jennifer Winters, FAX 712-764-7002 Mark Strandskov, Mount Pleasant, MI Eva Nielsen, editor Janet M. Thuesen, Sausalito, CA [email protected] www.danishmuseum.org Ex-Offi cio Exhibit Questions: Tova Brandt email: [email protected] Marc Petersen, Omaha, NE [email protected] Kai Nyby, LaPorte, IN Artifact Donations & Museum Loans: Board of Directors Vern Hunter, Fargo, ND Angela Stanford, President – Harriet Albertsen Spanel, Nils Jensen, Portland, OR [email protected] Bellingham, WA Dennis Larson, Decorah, IA Museum Shop: Joni Soe-Butts, Vice President – Mark Nussle, Palos Park, IL [email protected] Secretary – Dennis Andersen, Atlanta, GA Staff Donation of Books & Library Treasurer – Clark Mathisen, Omaha, NE Executive Director: Questions: Michele McNabb, Carlo Christensen, Glendale, CA Dr. John Mark Nielsen, [email protected] Lone Christensen, Brown Deer, WI [email protected] Genealogical & Translation Inquiries: Ane-Grethe Delaney, Wayzata, MN General Information, Group Tours, [email protected] Mark Frederiksen, Falcon, CO Volunteering Opportunities: Custodian: Tim Fredericksen Kurt Hansen, Rosemount, MN Terri Johnson, Museum & FHGC Data Entry: Wanda Mia Hansen, Tucson, AZ [email protected] Vice Consul Anna Thomsen Holliday, Sornson, [email protected] Houston, TX Kristi Planck Johnson, Bethesda, MD

America Letter • 3 Across Oceans, Across Time, Across Generations: the Krogh Nielsen and Finsen Family by Eva Nielsen In the age of plane trips, “We are residents. The last opportunity.” emails, work visas and green time we were just visitors.” The family moved to cards, when does the Dane in By “last time,” Pastor Anne- Yorba Linda, jumping right America become the Danish Grethe is talking about away into new jobs, new immigrant? her first two and a half routines. Søren started a year stint as pastor of The half-time position with the “I don’t think we are immigrants yet,” Danish Lutheran Church church, running a Danish says Pastor Anne-Grethe Krogh of Southern California from language school. Mads Nielsen. 2004 to 2006. The family went to morning pre- “Not yet,” says Søren Finsen, her went home to Denmark school and, Kristian, to husband. after that, but returned kindergarten. to Yorba Linda in 2008 For now, though, Pastor Anne-Grethe, Pastor Anne-Grethe where, this time, Pastor Søren, and their two boys, Kristian (12) remembers dropping Anne-Grethe is serving a and Mads (9) are at home in Yorba Kristian off on his first day, five-year contract with the Linda, California. There, Anne-Grethe a little Danish boy who church. serves as pastor at The Danish Lutheran didn’t speak English. “I Church and Cultural Center of Southern Living and working abroad drove away thinking, what California; Søren teaches language wasn’t part of the couple’s am I doing? What kind of classes; and the boys are going to master plan. Søren and mother am I?” school, playing soccer, riding bikes and, Pastor Anne-Grethe both Kristian recalls it this way well, growing up – Danish, certainly, and grew up on Funen, he in (without a trace of a Danish perhaps a little American too. Svendborg and she in accent): “It was kinda weird Vejle-Allested. The two met Immigrants, they are not. But in the past because everyone around in gymnasium (the Danish six years they have migrated between me was, like, talking to me equivalent of high school) Danish and American culture quite a bit. and being nice. I hadn’t and married in 1991, “We are bicultural,” says Pastor Anne- been the kid everyone liked just before Anne-Grethe Grethe, searching for the right term. before.” accepted her first call to serve two small village Of course, within months churches near Billund in both boys were fluent and Jutland. Settled happily integrated. “At that age,” in the village of Ringive says Pastor Anne-Grethe, for fourteen years, Pastor “home is where your mom Anne-Grethe says, “I had and dad are.” really never thought of As for Pastor Anne-Grethe, moving.” she felt comfortable very Then, in 2003, she came quickly in her new position. across the opportunity to The church has, says serve the congregation in Pastor Anne-Grethe, about Yorba Linda, California. 600 active members. Part The moment was right. of the Evangelical Lutheran Pastor Anne-Grethe says, Church in America (ELCA), “We could go, but still have they just celebrated their the security of coming back church centennial in 2006 to our jobs. The kids were (with no less than Prince three and five and weren’t Joachim of Denmark in completely tied up in school attendance). Sixty percent Kristian (now 12) and Mads (now 9) yet…We talked with our of the membership is of were five and three-years old when parents – and they didn’t Danish heritage. Then they first came to Yorba Linda. like this, but saw that it was there are all these Danish 4 • America Letter only two years and a good families who live in the L.A. like no dancing, card playing or drinking alcohol.) “And,” says Anne-Grethe, “Danes, in general, are a bit modest on the church front. In other respects they are not modest: they certainly feel they are the best in the world. But faith is a private matter. They are reluctant to show where they belong. And by going to church you are not anonymous.” This is simply not the case at Yorba Linda. “We have a beautiful fellowship,” says Pastor Anne-Grethe. Pastor Anne-Grethe Krogh Nielsen and Søren Finsen with their boys at Zion National “At Yorba Linda it’s a Park in Utah. Pastor Anne-Grethe says, “The U.S. is a different culture and that shows nice worship experience. up in the church culture—it’s a young country, a pioneer country. Here, there’s still this There’s always a nice sense of freedom and still this notion that the sky’s the limit.” attendance, there are people to sing with you, area who come creeping Anne-Grethe’s students keeping people away from you greet one another. At out of the woodwork for big came to her for two hours worship. Pastor Anne- Yorba Linda it is, ironically, church days like Christmas every Wednesday during Grethe explains that there more Grundtvigian: he saw and Easter. But more on the school day. “Religious is a lingering Grundtvigian the congregation as a living that later... education,” she says, “is notion in Denmark that too source.” Pastor Anne-Grethe left to the church. It is not much church isn’t a good One of Pastor Anne- describes the congregation done by families.” thing, you might become Grethe’s challenges, then, as, “a very gentle, friendly What Denmark has, then, one of the holy ones! is to reach those Danes group. You feel a part of a Pastor Anne-Grethe says, (Here’s some basic Danish living in the L.A. area – the big family so quickly. It’s a is this: 85% of the Danish church background. ones who, in true Danish mixture of all these people population are members N.F.S. Grundtvig was the style, tend to attend who all have a good story of the Danish National nineteenth-century Danish worship only for the big to tell.” Church, but only 2.1% philosopher, teacher, writer, church holidays. She says, of the Danish population pastor whose ideas had And church culture in the “They have to be educated attend church regularly an enormous impact on United States, she has about what it means to outside of the big church Danish culture. “It’s an found, is very different from be part of a church when holidays. oversimplification,” Pastor church culture in Denmark. the government is not in Anne-Grethe explains, Church becomes “too easy, charge of funding. Danes First off, in Denmark the “but Grundtvigian Danes too distant” for people, do not even bring money to church is a government tend to look upon life Pastor Anne-Grethe says. church, so it’s a big step for entity, the Danish National as a blessing…and it’s “The idea of a national every Dane to start ‘buying Church. Employees of good to party and sing the church – pastors, church is so nice and starts in.’” out so well. But when it and celebrate life.” This organists, wardens – are Also, Pastor Anne-Grethe becomes so much of an is the camp in the Danish civil servants, paid by says that the congregation institution, the people aren’t National Church known the national government, is getting creative, making necessary to make it go.” as the “Happy Danes.” whether or not anyone Meanwhile, there are also more opportunities for turns up to worship. In contrast, she continues, the “Holy” or “Gloomy these families. One Religious education is “At Yorba Linda we need Danes.” This is another example: offering Danish part of the Danish school volunteer work and large group within the language classes before system. Confirmation committed people to make Danish National Church Sunday services to entice this organization work.” classes are connected to – a group influenced – Continued on page 6 school. During confirmation There are other cultural by pietism, popularly America Letter • 5 training in Denmark, Pastor forces at play in Denmark, expressed through rules The Krogh Nielsen and Finsen family were happily settled in Ringive, Jutland near Billund for fourteen years when they decided to take the position in Yorba Linda, California. expect the school to bring Krogh Nielsen and Finsen them up.” continued from page 5 Søren, who was an Danes to bring their families to class and to hearing lousy reports elementary school math to stay for worship and fellowship. about American education. teacher in Denmark, “Here [in the U.S.], you points to other differences Now, back to the Krogh Nielsen and – including some areas Finsen family. have an authority. Respect for teachers is not high in where he feels American Pastor Anne-Grethe and Søren returned Denmark. Overall, there education falls short. In to their jobs in Denmark after that first is a big problem with the U.S., he says, “They contract at The Danish Lutheran Church unadjusted students.” [Kristian and Mads] have of Southern California. “Kristian,” a lot of homework. There’s Pastor Anne-Grethe says, “was on She continues, “In the a lot of repetition. And that the plane crying all the way back to younger grades [in the gives you a lot of skills in Denmark.” U.S.] the parents are very that area. In Denmark you strict. When we went home, Søren and Pastor Anne-Grethe were spend a lot of time sitting the teachers were so and talking with the kids as happy to be back in Denmark – back impressed with our kids.” with family and old friends. Kristian, problems come up. There for his part, says that it was “weird” Parents, she feels, have are trips to art museums returning to Denmark. “I hadn’t seen less connection to their and overnight trips where my friends in a long time. I didn’t children’s schooling in you see each other in know the language, I didn’t know Denmark. “Parents are so another context. That what the people were like.” involved here in the U.S. matures the kids.” My mom and dad never Pastor Anne-Grethe says when the He continues, “It’s easier to went to soccer practice prepare kids for a test; it’s kids started school in Denmark, with us and here we go to “They were appalled. The other harder to teach how to be all of them. We enjoy it. It’s a person, how to cope with children, they said, are making a nice way of being part so much noise and calling life. But then it’s a job for of your children’s lives… parents to do that.” teachers by their first names!” I like the fact that over Mads and Kristian had had a here there’s a notion that After a year, the family terrific school experience in WE as parents have the was still missing Yorba Yorba Linda. In fact, Pastor biggest impact on our kids. Linda. The Yorba Linda Anne-Grethe’s descriptions In Denmark many people congregation was missing them too. Pastor Anne- 6 • America Letter of it might surprise do leave kids in school and Americans who are used Grethe says The Danish Kristian, pictured here in Denmark, says that when he’s in Yorba Linda he feels like an American. Lutheran Church of Kristian says, “At first I was dragged on for a year and has an export company Southern California has really sad because I had a half. where he is exporting golf equipment and he’s typically called Danish just gotten accustomed to And that is something that looking for a position in the pastors for two-year life in Denmark. But then modern migrants have shipping industry. contracts. But the church when I was back here I to deal with. Making a has wanted, has needed was happy to be back move to accommodate Yet, he admits, that this more consistency. to the weather and the a spouse’s career new freedom is also In the end, they found a different kind of sports. I poses challenges for disorienting. “Now it’s for way to bring the family love playing soccer, but the spouse who follows, real. Now I can go out and feel more and more a part back to Yorba Linda for here there are other sports even within the same of this culture. That feels a longer contract. And too – baseball, football, country. But making that move into another country risky at my age.” so, Pastor Anne-Grethe basketball.” compounds the challenge. explains, this time, Kristian Here’s what Kristian says Of course, the family “You are always the person was crying on the plane all remains deeply connected about the weather: “It’s who walks a little behind,” the way back to California. awesome! It’s sunny all the to Denmark. There are is how Søren describes it. visitors all the time and time. I just love it!” Throughout both their stays so many ways to keep This time, in the U.S. Søren has had in touch across great too, they a visa allowing him to teach distance. returned to language classes (currently Pastor Anne Grethe says, California he has thirty-five students). “The early immigrants with a job This time, with a longer and even the ones in the possibility commitment to staying in 1950s and 1960s…for outside the Yorba Linda, he is ready for them, it was another kind church for something else, something of immigration. You never Søren – a that gives him his own knew when you left if you possibility identity separate from the were ever going to see that church. Not that Søren is your family and your friends passed complaining, by the way. again. It is so different now; “How many fathers get to by as the we Skype, we talk on the spend four years with their green card phone, and we email.” children?” application “Maybe we are global process Happily, Søren’s and citizens,” Pastor Anne- Pastor Anne-Grethe’s Grethe muses. green cards came through Søren, pictured here at the airport in Billund, in December of 2009, so Kristian, a Danish boy who Denmark, misses his friends and family in he has more choices now. is at home in America, puts Denmark. “Maybe,” he says, “I also miss living And he seems to have a it this way: “I feel good in in a small country—the intimacy of it. Also, lot in the works: Søren just both places.” when you’re among Danes there’s a whole lot started another language you don’t have to explain.” school in San Diego; he America Letter • 7 New Exhibitions at The Danish Immigrant Museum By Tova Brandt, curator of exhibitions

Sampling the Collection, the Danish letters – there alphabet letters to the A to Å is a subject that can be museum collection? explored through the The exhibition opened on What are the weird, wonderful museum collections. For Saturday, March 27 with a and sometimes wacky items in example, “S is for Stone public reception on Sunday the museum’s collections? And Age,” is represented by afternoon, March 28. why does the museum have such Stone Age tools found on Sampling the Collection, a Danish farm. “C is for A to Å will remain on view a huge variety of artifacts? Come Clog” will feature several explore those questions in the through early March of different shapes and sizes 2011. We invite everyone new major exhibition, Sampling for a seemingly simple to come and journey the Collection, A to Å. shoe. “T is for Trunk,” “U through the alphabet with is for Uniform,” and “Æ (of Drawn exclusively from the museum the collection. course) is for Æbleskiver.” collections, the artifacts, artwork, The museum owns over Stay tuned for more photographs, books, and documents 35,000 artifacts and other information about Sampling in this exhibition may surprise you! For materials; what would you the Collection on the every letter of the alphabet – including pick if you were matching museum’s website, too!

8 • America Letter In conjunction with Danish-American Artist Series the exhibition, Sampling the presents Evelyn Matthies Collection, A to Å, the museum is offering a The newest exhibition in the Brown Bag Lunch Danish-American Artist once a month. Series Series features Evelyn Starting in April, the public is invited to Matthies of Brainerd, get a taste of Danish- Minnesota. Dozens of examples American culture of her work will be exhibited at during the lunch hour the museum through July 11, The “fl ying fi sh” will be the focus of the free of charge. Bring 2010. hands-on workshop with Evelyn Matthies your own sandwich, Her art covers a wide range of subjects on May 30 at the museum. but we’ll provide the and techniques from paintings of coffee! Each program Denmark to woodcuts and fi sh prints music, theatre, dance, literature, poetry, will begin at noon. on paper. The exhibition represents a sculpture and photography.” She has retrospective of many infl uences and taught over 8,000 students ranging in age The fi rst programs in experiences in Matthies’ life, including from fi ve to eighty-fi ve and believes that the series are: extensive travel, a passion for the natural art is all encompassing. April 8: A to Å. Curator world and collaborations with writers and Museum visitors can meet the artist Tova Brandt offers an other artists. “armchair tour” of the in person on Saturday, May 29, when new exhibition. Matthies has been a lifelong artist and she is giving a public gallery talk in teacher with an artistic career spanning conjunction with Elk Horn’s Tivoli Fest May 13: S is for fi ve decades and a teaching career of 30 activities. Matthies will also lead a hands- Sustainability. Mike Howard, Trevor years. She states, “I not only enjoy doing on workshop on Sunday afternoon, May Schroeter and Lisa my own art, but get an incredible natural 30. Both programs are funded in part by Riggs report on their high from viewing other people’s work, the Iowa Arts Council. Please contact the recent trip to Denmark witnessing works in progress, and by museum for more information about these to meet with renewable being a part of the whole creative world of unique opportunities. energy companies and to explore how such technologies can be brought to Elk Horn. June 17: M is for Midsummer. Learn about witches, brooms and the other traditions associated with Sankt Hans Aften, the Danish celebration of midsummer. July 8: R is for Rebild. The Rebild Society organizes the largest July 4th celebration outside of the United States, taking place every year in Rebild National Park, Denmark.

Evelyn Matthies’, “The Seaport”, acrylic (32x22 inches). America Letter • 9 Collection

The Connection C By Angela Stanford, curator of collections

Henry Olsen Thompson was In 1898, a first-generation American when citizen. He was born in Omaha, Henry was 24-years- Nebraska on December 27, old, the 1874, shortly after his Danish United immigrant parents arrived in the States United States from Denmark. entered Henry was baptized the following into war February at St. Ansgars Kirke in with Spain. Looking Glass, Nebraska. The Ole Christian Thomsen, Henry’s father, Spanish American War married Marie Henricksen in 1873 in involved control over the bullet shells, rocks Vejle, Denmark, and the new couple Philippines, Puerto Rico and sea shells, and even sailed to the United States the following and Guam, as well as a pair of epaulets from a year. After working for 15 years in an Cuba. In the end, Spain Philippine officer’s uniform. Omaha brick factory, Ole and his family, relinquished control of all A paper fan, rosary, and which by then included six children, territory involved, and the two buckeyes are included. moved to a farm near Rosenborg, United States emerged Perhaps one of the most Nebraska. as a world power. Henry unique pieces is a partial joined Company M of the set of dentures. The palette First Nebraska portion appears to be made Volunteers and of a leathery material with served in the false teeth wired in on Philippines during either side. All of these the war. smaller items were stored When Henry in Henry’s wooden trunk, returned home, which has the name “Henry he brought over O. Thompson,” still visible 175 items that he on the lid. had both used and This complete collection collected during was donated to the his service with museum, along with him. Among this baptismal and confirmation collection are his certificates for Henry, by uniform hat and his his grandson in 1999 and bag with his name 2000. All items have been and company fully processed, including written on the white photographs, and are canvas—aged, but available to all members legible. who have access to the Henry Olsen Thompson, a son of Danish immigrants, Numerous pieces museum’s collection returned from the Spanish American War with over 175 online via the “View Our items he had either used or collected during his service. of memorabilia Donated to the museum by his grandson, Henry’s collection illustrate Henry’s Collection” link on the includes both the expected—such as his bag (above right) – experience in the website. It is one of the and the unusual, such as this partial set of dentures. war. There are museum’s most unique musket balls and groups of artifacts. 10 • America Letter The Danish Immigrant Museum Recognized in Washington State Senate

On January 14, Senate museum member and Resolution Washington State 8671 Senator Ken (Jake) By Senator Jacobsen introduced Jacobsen a resolution in the WHEREAS, The Washington State United States is Senate recognizing a nation built by diverse peoples The Danish Immigrant from all parts of the Museum and the world and brought importance of Danish to our country their immigrants in the energy, skills, and state of Washington. a deep desire to build a better life; Senator Jacobsen and is originally from WHEREAS, Photo in the State of Washington Senate Chambers: (left to right) Dannebrog, Nebraska, Danish immigrants Mark Schleck and Mary DeLorme of Scan|Design Foundation of but moved to and their Seattle, Museum Board President and former Washington State Washington when he descendants Senator Harriet Albertsen Spanel, Senator Ken Jacobsen, Wash- was a boy. have made a ington Lt. Governor Brad Owen, Museum’s Development Director profound impact Bruce Bro and Executive Director John Mark Nielsen. John Mark Nielsen, by furthering the executive director of WHEREAS, The Danish today; proud democratic traditions The Danish Immigrant Immigrant Museum that have defined the NOW THEREFORE, BE Museum, and Bruce works cooperatively with United States and made IT RESOLVED, That the Bro, the museum’s the Danish American our country a beacon of Washington State Senate development director were Archive and Library at liberty and progress to the does hereby acknowledge present for the passage of Dana College, the Danish world; and and honor The Danish this resolution along with Immigrant Archives at Immigrant Museum; and former Washington State WHEREAS, The Danish Grand View University, BE IT FURTHER Senator Harriet Albertsen Immigrant Museum has and the Danish American RESOLVED, That copies Spanel, who is the current faithfully carried out its Heritage Society to better of this resolution be president of the museum’s mission to recognize preserve the Danish immediately transmitted by board of directors. Mark and share the legacy of Immigrant experience; and the Secretary of the Senate Schleck, president and the Danish Immigrant WHEREAS, Several cities to The Danish Immigrant director of the Scan|Design experience while in the state of Washington, Museum. Foundation by Inger and preserving the immigration notably Seattle, Jens Bruun and Mary story from Denmark and Bellingham, and Enumclaw I, Thomas Hoemann, DeLorme, grants and Northern Europe; and have long maintained their Secretary of the Senate, do operations manager WHEREAS, The Danish strong Danish traditions, hereby certify that this is a for the foundation, also Immigrant Museum, and preserved the proud true and correct copy of the attended. The Scan|Design founded in 1983, continues legacy of those Danish Senate Resolution 8671, Foundation has provided its campaign to better people who first came adopted by the Senate generous grants to The preserve and share to the Pacific Northwest January 14, 2010. Danish Immigrant Museum the Danish-American over 150 years ago and THOMAS HOEMANN to underwrite its Danish experience through the whose profound impact internship program. use of state-of-the-art on the development of our Secretary of the Senate technologies, displays, and economy and progress of exhibits; and our social values continues America Letter • 11 SPREAD

From the Development Director: Building a National Museum As I write this, I have felt more connected than one percent of the total been the development ever before. I believe U.S. population claims a director for the museum there is a mutual feeling Danish heritage. Danish that by working together culture is wonderful and for just over a year. What we can enrich each unique; our mission at the a year it has been! I don’t other’s organizations. museum is to preserve it, think the experience Two weeks later, our teach it to our children, compares to anything I’ve done board of directors grandchildren, and all in my life. meeting was held in who want to learn about it. Nationwide, Danish Foremost, I have met so many Tucson, Arizona. Again, groups observe the wonderful museum supporters and we enjoyed socializing Danish cultural holidays made so many new friends! I have with members of the such as Fastelavn, learned so much about Danish culture, Danish clubs of Tucson Grundlovsfest, Sankt my own Danish roots and I have and Green Valley (just Hans Aften and Julefest. discovered so many rich and wonderful south of Tucson). On At the museum, we places across the country where Sunday, February wish to participate with people celebrate their Danish heritage. 14, we concluded and hopefully enhance I want to say mange tak to everyone our activities with a these observances who has made my experience so Fastelavn celebration while strengthening our enjoyable! with great food, traditional decorations, a talk by connections with Danes I spent several weeks this winter John Mark Nielsen, the across the country. meeting people in Southern California, museum’s executive In June, we will hold our working with Danish clubs in the area director, about the Danish summer board of directors and collaborating with The Danish history of Fastelavn and, meeting in Chicago. We Lutheran Church and Cultural Center of course, we broke plan to offer another in Yorba Linda. I spoke to several open the barrel full of genealogy workshop groups and clubs about our future candy with the traditional and fundraising event museum plans, our financial needs black cat. Once again, there in conjunction with and why we are much more than we connected with the the meeting. Please a place in Iowa to house Danish community and I think contact the museum artifacts. At the end of January we many of those in Tucson to reserve your place held a benefit luncheon to raise feel the benefits of the at these events. The money for the Yorba Linda Church museum are accessible to fundraising banquet is as well as the museum. We also them. planned for June 12 at the conducted a three-day genealogy Des Plaines Elks Club. I workshop led by my museum We at The Danish encourage those of you colleague, Michele McNabb. The Immigrant Museum plan in the Chicago area to feedback from the workshop was to continue this outreach attend—to support our extremely positive and it was a all around the country. museum and the Chicago great example of how we can We are doing this not only area Danish groups bring the museum to other to promote the museum, and, most importantly, to parts of the country. but also to promote and preserve Danish culture celebrate our rich Danish At the conclusion of our across America. Denmark culture! Vi ses! events, it was evident that is a small country and Bruce Bro the Danish community in those of us with Danish [email protected] Southern California and The roots represent a minority Danish Immigrant Museum Facebook – 12 • America Letter culture. Only a half of bruce.dk.museum SPREAD

Special Insert Annual Report 2009 Additions • Corrections

very effort has been made to ensure that all The listing under the “Order of Fanø” was incorrect in Einformation contained in the 2009 Annual Report the 2009 Annual Report. Following is the corrected list of Contributions is accurate. We regret and apologize of members and donors at this level. We are grateful for any omissions, misspellings, or misplacements. for the support this membership level provides and Please contact the Development Department with any apologize for our mistake. questions or corrections.

William & Teresa Esbeck, Tipton, IA Gift Memberships Lone Esbech & Niels Hansen, Brovst, Denmark

Jack & Christine Canfield, New Brighton, MN Honor Roll of Contributors Tim & Kathleen Carlson, Bellevue, WA Roger & Carol Casteel, Lincoln, NE John & Jean Aulner, Jr., Omaha, NE Christian & Cecily Castenskiold, Rancho Order of Fanø • Under $50 Paul & Sandra Axness, Des Moines, IA Santa Fe, CA Located across the harbor from the west Erik & Yelva Baelum, Glenview, IL Royd & Barbara Chambers, Sheldon, IA coast city of Esbjerg, Fanø teems with Steve & Barbara Baier, Griswold, IA Evelyn Chartier, Brush, CO bird life and has miles of broad beaches. Cynthia Baker, Darien, IL Michael Chartier, Newhall, CA Sønderho Kro, founded in 1722, used to Bertha Barboro, Arlington Heights, IL George Christ, Des Moines, IA serve thirsty fishermen and smugglers and Lillian Barnard, Chula Vista, CA C. J. Christensen, Madison, WI now is a tourist destination. Lorraine Barton, Omaha, NE Carl & Katherine Christensen, Boulder, Bonnie Bates, Sioux City, IA CO Svend Aasberg, Hudson, IA Diane Baum, Cedar Falls, IA David & Marilee Christensen, Harlan, IA James Petersen & Erica Agesen, Mary Baysdorfer, Atascadero, CA Eva Christensen, Winthrop, MA Medford, OR Paul & Donna Bebensee, Des Moines, IA Gerda Christensen, Dagmar, MT LeRoy & Sharlene Albertsen, Carroll, IA John & Virginia Beck, Blair, NE John & Marion Christensen, Panora, IA Andrew & Kelli Alldredge, Overland Park, Richard & Shirley Beck, Omaha, NE Kjer & Loretta Christensen, Kimballton, IA KS Harriet Beeson, Raymore, MO Louis & Anna Christensen, Mercer Island, Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, Alice Bekke, Minneapolis, MN WA IN Ray & Sandy Benter, Des Moines, IA Lyle & Dona Christensen, Lennox, SD Bruce & Wendy Allen, Highlands Ranch, Dennis & Linda Berge, Atlantic, IA Otto & Lynne Christensen, Arborg, CO Helen Bergman, Britt, IA Manitoba, Canada Arlan & Carol Andersen, Dike, IA Gary & Vivian Biesecker, High Point, NC Roger & Mary Christensen, Ogden, IA Dorothy Andersen, St. Paul, MN Terry & Cynthia Birk, Reno, NV Steve & Bev Christensen, Mercer, ND E. Delbert & Ramona Andersen, Elk Horn, Paul & Gyritha Blinkilde, Lathrup Village, Tim Christensen, Moline, IL IA MI Verda Christensen, Baton Rouge, LA Emmert & Diane Andersen, Harlan, IA Ronald & Kathy Block, Harlan, IA Gary & Edith Christenson, Minot, ND Howard & Dorothy Andersen, Sioux City, Jerry Bly, Tyler, MN Carol Christiansen, West Des Moines, IA IA Virginia Bonvicini, Denver, CO Dale & Laurel Christiansen, Dannebrog, Kay Andersen, Las Vegas, NV Jon Borgman, Harlan, IA NE Keith & Marilyn Andersen, Kirkman, IA John & Margaret Bornhoft, Tyler, MN Lee & Beth Christiansen, Portland, OR Kenneth & Marilyn Andersen, Center Janet Bornholdt, Atlantic, IA James & Jytte Clark, Beavercreek, OH Point, IA Keith & Janice Bowman, Des Moines, IA Darwin & Kathryn Clausen, La Crescent, Leonard & Charlotte Andersen, Sioux Norman & Edith Brakken, Montevideo, MN City, IA MN Gary Clausen, Elk Horn, IA Lillian Andersen, Kenosha, WI Gunter & Jane Brakner, Bemidji, MN Robert & Joan Coffey, Hartford, WI Peder & Margaret Andersen, Livermore, Tova Brandt, Harlan, IA Community Heritage Society, Kimballton, CA Donald & Lorraine Braun, Cedar Falls, IA IA Richard & Margaret Andersen, Brayton, IA Eleanor Brenneke, Hortonville, WI Susan Conner, Bend, OR Robert & Betty Andersen, Des Moines, IA Jim & Annette Brown, Mishicot, WI Jørgen & Conny Conradsen, Danko Roger & Jackie Andersen, Elk Horn, IA Ken & Bernie Brown, Raleigh, NC Sales, Inc., Roswell, GA Wayne & Judith Andersen, Estes Park, Michael & Emilie Brown, Arnold, CA Harold & Janice Cozad, Simi Valley, CA CO Jytte Svarre & Erik Bruun, Plymouth, MN Richard & Phyllis Cram, Austin, TX John & Karen Andersen-Roberts, Karen Bruun, Bellingham, WA Ruth Crandall, Manning, IA Chicago, IL Bruce & Susan Bryan, Franktown, CO Betty Crawford, Muscatine, IA Duane & Harriet Anderson, Madison, WI Leo & June Buchan, Florence, AZ Andrew & Kathleen Creighton, Indian Clifford & Marian Anderson, St. James, Christopher & Lori Burgess, Urbandale, IA Head Park, IL MN Lyle & Jean Burgess, Woodstock, IL Alfred & Elna Crick, Omaha, NE Paul Anderson, Napa, CA Norma Burnham, Marion, IA Judy Cummings, Atlantic, IA James & Rose Andrews, Wilkesboro, NC Erik & Graciela Buschardt, Ballwin, MO Margaret Cundy, Cedar Falls, IA Ernest & Helen Arndt, Boulder, CO Neal & Judy Busk, Richfield, UT Dorothy Dahl, Albuquerque, NM Fred & Lorene Dahlberg, Fennville, MI June Haas, Kimballton, IA Darrell & Stephanie Hooper, Burlington, Lyle & Judy Damgaard, Arvada, CO Lenore Hageman, Hinton, IA WA Dana College, Blair, NE Sally Hall-Schmaus, Valencia, CA James & Judith Hopson, Sun City, AZ Danish Sisterhood Lodge #90, Lincoln, Kelly Hanock, Castaic, CA Curtis & Janet Hougen, Blair, NE NE Bo & Lisa Hansen, Rancho Palos Verdes, Jeanne Hounshell, Yuma, AZ Dan & Laurie Dauber, West Branch, IA CA Ruth Hovden, Minneapolis, MN Denver Danes, Denver, CO Donna Hansen, Superior, WI Verdell Howard, Lamar, CO Bill & Terri Dinesen, Granite Falls, MN Eugene Hansen, Exira, IA Suellen Hudson, Pennsacola, FL Miranda Dryer, Gowen, MI Hans Hansen, Milnor, ND Don & Lila Huff, Anita, IA Bruce Dugstad, San Francisco, CA Alfred & Mildred Hansen, Des Moines, IA Marilyn Hundertmark, Humboldt, IA Michael & Patricia Kragh-Durfee, Anna-Lisa Hansen, Villa Park, CA Jenette Bergstrom & Charles Hunt, Milwaukee, WI Birgit Hansen, Copenhagen, Denmark Macedonia, IA Knud Dyby, Novato, CA Blair & Marsha Hansen, Clive, IA Joann Hunt, Lu Verne, IA Sonny Edelman, North Hollywood, CA Chris & Jean Hansen, Napoleon, ND Helle Hurst, Dallas, TX Bo Egholm, Rochester, NY Ellen Hansen, Newberg, OR Michael & Hedy Hustedde, Davenport, IA Dwight & Gloria Ellefson, Lafayette, CO Hilda Hansen, Tyler, MN Elizabeth Hvolboll, Santa Barbara, CA Inga Engberg, Lomita, CA Joan Hansen, Palo Cedro, CA John & Lilia Hyltoft, Churchville, VA David & Janice Erbach, Bowling Green, Karen Hansen, Watertown, MA Lis Ingerslev, Upland, CA KY Keith Hansen, DeLand, FL Phillip & Pat Iversen, Kalispell, MT Carl & Kathie Esbeck, Columbia, MO Lorna Hansen, Solvang, CA Fred & Brenda Jackson, Houston, TX Craig Esbeck, Kampala, Uganda, East Lyle & Sondra Hansen, Denver, CO William & Virginia Jacobsen, Des Moines, Africa Martin & Jeanette Hansen, Brownville, NE IA David Esbeck, Des Moines, IA Paul & Joyce Hansen, Elk Horn, IA Marie Jaeger, Solvang, CA Dean & Verna Esbeck, Atlantic, IA Paul & Joyce Hansen, Lincoln, NE Scot & Jody Janssen, Stacyville, IA Nathan & Alison Esbeck, St. Louis, MO Priscilla Hansen, Atlantic, IA Rod & Judith Jaschke, Des Moines, IA Roger & Marian Esbeck, Panora, IA Raymond & Elaine Hansen, Marshfield, Diane Jensen, St. Paul, MN Larry & Becky Eskov, Harlan, IA WI E. Jean Jensen, Audubon, IA Dorothy Eyberg, Arispe, IA Ronald & Wendy Hansen, Holts Summit, Gerda Jensen, Phoenix, AZ Ruth Faaborg, Ankeny, IA MO Harvey & Carrie Jensen, Exira, IA Roger & Diana Faaborg, Loveland, CO Walter & Louise Hansen, Rochester, MN James & Darlene Jensen, Arnolds Park, Joan Felkner, Iowa City, IA William & Leatha Hansen, Indianola, IA IA Arlene Fenske-Koons, Woodland Park, Willis & Marjorie Hansen, Elk Horn, IA Jan Jensen, Coralville, IA CO Irene Hanson-Quade, Albany, IL Jan Jensen, Inver Grove Heights, MN Janet Fenton, Grand Island, NE James & Pauline Harding, Cedar Falls, IA Joan Sorensen Jensen, Ankeny, IA Richard & Julienne Ferry, Harlan, IA Gary & Shirley Harris, Cedar Falls, IA John & Marion Jensen, Naperville, IL Sigrid Festersen, Omaha, NE Inga Harrits, Racine, WI Kathrine Jensen, Elmhurst, IL Mark & Janice Feustel, Mason City, IA J. Allan & Irene Hartley, Osceola, MO Kenneth & Bonnie Jensen, Albert Lea, Edna Mae Finck, Indianola, IA William & Beverly Hartranft, Elk Horn, IA MN Anne Fisker, Minneapolis, MN Robert & Carolyn Harvey, Battle Creek, Margaret Jensen, Kenosha, WI Tim & Rachael Fjelstad, Johnston, IA MI Marilyn Jensen, Exira, IA Edith Forsch, Sioux Falls, SD Burnell & Patricia Haven, Independence, Mark & Pam Jensen, Council Bluffs, IA Raymond & Virginia Frandsen, IA Mark & Tracy Jensen, Moorhead, MN Minneapolis, MN Carlos Hedstrom, Jr., Dallas, TX Otto & Joan Jensen, Harsens Island, MI Tim & Cindy Fredericksen, Elk Horn, IA Timothy & Natalie Heer, Santa Cruz, CA Otto & Pat Jensen, Woodburn, OR Cynthia Friis, Minnetonka, MN C. Steven & Lynda Hegg, Holland, MI Timothy & Sharon Jensen, Blair, NE John & Esther Frost, Sun City West, AZ Ruth Heggen, Wells, MN Don & Dorothy Jespersen, Rogers, AR Ruby Frost, Maple Plain, MN Kenneth & Beth Heitman, Glenwood, IA Gary & Suzanne Jespersen, Spokane, Wes & Charlotte Gabelhaus, Omaha, NE Frank & Jerri Hemmingsen, Elk Horn, IA WA Milda Gade, Canon City, CO Joanne Henderson, Ankeny, IA Lois Jessen, Atlantic, IA Jerry & Sandra Gallagher, Castle Rock, Alan & Deborah Henke, Fitchburg, WI Ovie & Erma Jessen, Springdale, AR CO Gerry & Jill Henningsen, Monument, CO Alice Johnson, West Liberty, IA Ole Galsgaard, Houston, TX Kenneth & Rosalyn Henricksen, Ann Johnson, Manson, IA Stephen & Barbara Gardner, Ottumwa, IA Owatonna, MN Arnold & Bonita Johnson, Deming, NM Birte Geijsbeek, Kent, WA Alan Hanson & Mary Henriksen, Omaha, David & Karen Johnson, Petaluma, CA Lyndell Gibbs, Midland, MI NE Earl & Lois Johnson, Moorhead, MN Alice Gibson, Voorheesville, NY Harry & Jeannine Henriksen, Mahomet, IL Fred & Dee Ann Johnson, Cedar Rapids, William & Katherine Gibson, Aurora, IA Howard & Rhoda Henriksen, Harlan, IA IA Jean Gifford, West Des Moines, IA Jesus Hernandez, San Fernando, CA Gerald & Marilyn Johnson, New Hampton, Robert & Julie Gilman, Lee’s Summit, MO Manuel & Jeri Herrera, Lincoln, NE IA Daniel & Beverly Gleeson, Mendota Ken & Barb Hildreth, Moneta, VA Grace Johnson, Franklin, WI Heights, MN Anita & Harold Hinners, Humboldt, IA Harry & Jerry Johnson, Pasco, WA Lene Graff, East Dundee, IL Historic General Dodge House, Council Marlys Johnson, Bettendorf, IA Jorgen & Gudrun Graugaard, Sarasota, Bluffs, IA Mary Jane Johnson, Destin, FL FL Allan & Sue Hjelle, Elk Horn, IA Niel Johnson, Independence, MO Aaron Green, Sylmar, CA Richard & Ruth Hodges, Topeka, KS Richard & Louise Johnson, Ames, IA Gordon & Kathy Gregersen, LeGrand, OR Izzy Hoegh, Atlantic, IA Shirley Johnson, Temecula, CA Kenneth & Evelyn Gregersen, Gold Kathleen Hoegh, Des Moines, IA Virginia Johnson, Harlan, IA Canyon, AZ Lorraine Hoegh, Exira, IA Alice Jorgensen, Ferndale, MI Kristopher & Kathy Gregersen, Des Francis & Lora Holland, Mason City, IA Jerry & Janet Jorgensen, St. Charles, IA Moines, IA Julie Holland, Council Bluffs, IA Avis Jorgenson, Tucson, AZ Inga Grove, Wilmington, OH Carl & Lou Ann Holm, Joliet, IL Stuart & Ruth Karr, Omaha, NE Judith Groves, Albuquerque, NM Donald & Ann Louise Holm, Lincoln, NE Stafford & Jean Keer, Blue Bell, PA Don & Val Guthrie, Fort Dodge, IA June Holman, Spring, TX Emmett & Anne Keller, Chippewa Falls, Donald & Nealna Gylling, East Gull Lake, Ulla Holmes, Costa Mesa, CA WI MN Dorothee Holmstrup, Fair Lawn, NJ Richard & Mary Keller, Cottage Grove, Gene & Inger Lutz, Cedar Falls, IA Martin & Shirley Nelson, Elk Horn, IA MN Clifford & Beth Lyddon, Highlands Ranch, Robert & Frances Nelson, Atlantic, IA Gladys Kempe, Tustin, CA CO Roger Nelson, Kenosha, WI Bob & Ruth Kenaley, Le Mars, IA Beverly Maas, Atlantic, IA Loyd & Marie Neve, Omaha, NE Teresa Kennedy, Bloomington, IL Dale & Jenny Mackenzie, Fargo, ND Liane Nichols, Cedar Falls, IA Mary Lou Kirk, Modesto, CA Donald & Andrea Maddock, Ypsilanti, MI Marie Nicholson, Loveland, OH Andy & Fern Kissel, Elk Horn, IA Carl & Lois Madsen, Buffalo, WY Alan & Susan Nielsen, Richfield, MN Torben & Jytte Klarlund, Lawson, MO George & Julie Madsen, Omaha, NE Alger & Nancy Nielsen, Cedar Springs, MI Jim & Linda Klingensmith, Pittsburg, PA Ingrid Madsen, Berkeley, CA David & Jeanne Nielsen, Danville, CA Michael & Alice Knoop, Minot, ND Paul & Barbara Madsen, Ottumwa, IA Diane Nielsen, Bellevue, NE Esther Knudsen, Spokane, WA Robert & Mabel Madsen, Elk Horn, IA Dianne Nielsen, Kimballton, IA Wayne & Jana Knudsen, Emporia, KS Joseph & Kris Maggiore, Omaha, NE Donald & Patricia Nielsen, Audubon, IA Jean Knudson, Kimberling City, MO Margaret Magnan, Detroit Lakes, MN Elmer & Helen Nielsen, Exira, IA Knud & Anni Koefoed, Drexel Hill, PA Wayne & Eleanor Magnuson, Omaha, NE Eugene & Margaret Nielsen, Harlan, IA Niels & Annette Kofoed, Vancouver, WA Billy & Kim Marples, Elk Horn, IA Gail & Nancy Nielsen, Fremont, NE Virginia Kraatz, Arroyo Grande, CA Michael Madison & Susan Marquesen, Heleen Nielsen, Storm Lake, IA Robert & Ruth Kramme, Des Moines, IA Pittsburgh, PA Herbert & Shirley Nielsen, Minden, NE Ove & Ragna Krebs, Willow Street, PA Camilla Marston, London, UK Hon Consul Karen Nielsen, Overland Bernice Krieger, Encino, CA Gilbert & Ella Marten, Ames, IA Park, KS Anne-Grethe Krogh Nielsen, Yorba Linda, Charles & Carol Martin, Pelican Rapids, Hope Nielsen, Onawa, IA CA MN Jan Nielsen, Tyler, MN Arlene Kroman, Elk Horn, IA Ina Martineniene, Santa Clara, CA John & Barbara Nielsen, Fremont, NE William & Joan Kruzan, Huntington, IN Stephanie May, Des Moines, IA Joseph Mariano & Karen Nielsen, Shirley Kuebrich, Urbandale, IA Charles & Carolyn Mayo II, St. Croix Chicago, IL James & Beverly Laing, Loveland, CO Falls, WI Lori Nielsen, Blair, NE Cathy Lamer, Martha McCord, Harlan, IA Louis Nielsen, New Berlin, WI George & Tina Landbo, Gilbert, AZ Suzanne McCoy, Spirit Lake, IA Maj-Britt Nielsen, Frederikshavn, Jim & Mary Louise Landfried, Cambridge, Paul & Ruth McHaney, Salinas, CA Denmark MA Craig & Joan McKee, Arlington, VA Marvin & Laurel Nielsen, Audubon, IA Landmands National Bank, Audubon, IA Mark & Toni McLeod, Fargo, ND Norvald & Edith Nielsen, Omaha, NE Thomas & Marie Langenfeld, Edina, MN Suzanne Gilbert & Brian McNabb, Los Raymond & Marilyn Nielsen, Algona, IA Kirsten Langenskiold, Tiburon, CA Angeles, CA Roger & Kathryn Nielsen, Green Bay, WI Lowell & Ruth Large, Des Moines, IA James Meldrum, Boulder, CO Russell & Wanda Nielsen, Cedar Falls, IA Ellinor Larsen Brown, Roswell, NM Bruce & Kristie Mendez, Chicago, IL Zita Nielsen, Solvang, CA Aage Larsen, Hartford, MI Godan & Florence Meng, Lopez Island, Frederick & Julie Nielsen-Fuhrmann, Arthur Larsen, Underwood, IA WA Woodbury, MN David & Bernice Larsen, Gretna, NE David & Sandi Meyer, Urbandale, IA Robert & Karma Nilsen, Salinas, CA Esther Larsen, Broomfield, CO Merlin & Sonya Mikkelsen, Atlantic, IA Kai & Elisabeth Nirell, Katy, TX Inga Larsen, Cedar Falls, IA Don Miller, Hutchinson, KS Wilmer & Freda Noll, Ida Grove, IA Jerol & JoAnn Larsen, Zearing, IA Donald & Norma Miller, Elizabethton, TN Inge Hansen Nord, Reedley, CA Karen Larsen, Birmingham, AL Elin Miller, Albert Lea, MN Jeff Nordstrom, Castle Rock, CO Lawrence & Betty Larsen, Harlan, IA Joan Miller, Maple Grove, MN Allan & Marlyn Nyegaard, Eugene, OR Paul & Beulah Larsen, Fremont, NE Marlene Miller, Fallbrook, CA Richard & Margaret Ohrt, Reinbeck, IA Roger & Eileen Larsen, Fremont, NE Maxine Miller, Santa Cruz, CA Dick & Elinor Olsen, Elk Horn, IA Vernon & Dorothy Larsen, Audubon, IA George & Deborah Misner, Delhi, NY Dorothea Olsen, Clinton, IA Wendell & Irene Larsen, Elk Horn, IA Kirsten Mitchell, St. Paul, MN Dorothy Olsen, Cedar Falls, IA John Lauridsen, Ames, IA Jerry & Birthe Moe, Valparaiso, IN Duane & Kim Olsen, Glenwood, IA Ken Lauritzen, Weeping Water, NE Velma Moen, Austin, MN Steven & Rikke Hansen Olsen, Arthur Laursen, Omaha, NE Marvin & Wanda Moilan, Sr., Hot Springs, Owatonna, MN Verner Laursen, Concord, CA SD Roger & Joyce Opp, Rapid City, SD William & Antoinette Lawson, Green Bay, Birgitte Molvig, Paradise, CA Roger & Hannah Østby, Elk River, MN WI Irene Moody, Cedar Falls, IA Erik Østergaard, Roskilde, Denmark Robert & Sarah Leander, Spring, TX David Morehouse, Hopkins, MN Marianne Owen, Lone Tree, CO Kai & Inger Licht, Canton, OH Karen Moreno, Kent, CT Mary Owens, Lincoln, NE Galen & Marcy Lillethorup, Omaha, NE Patricia Morgan, Ottumwa, IA William & Beverly Owings, Sun City West, Richard & Ellen Lindauer, Bellevue, NE Jean Morrissey, Montezuma, IA AZ Robert & Maryann Lindberg, Keene, NH Olga Morse, Tulsa, OK Jeanne Painter, Des Moines, IA Barbara Lindemann, Chatsworth, CA Adele Mortensen, Santa Rosa, CA Helen Parker, Carter Lake, IA Dewey Linden, Elk Horn, IA Jean Mortensen, Omaha, NE Thomas & Beverly Patten, Temecula, CA Larry & Rosella Lindquist, Princeton, MN Jill Mortensen, Millville, NJ Henry & Dorothy Patterson, Denville, NJ Fern Lindvall, Atlantic, IA John & Minna Mortensen, Brook Park, OH Jerry & Connie Paul, Woodland Park, CO David & Evelyn Linner, Stillwater, MN Tage & Else Mortensen, Bonner Springs, Edith Paulsen, Des Moines, IA Dennis & Sharon Littlejohn, Des Moines, KS Elaine Bakke & Larry Paulsen, St. Cloud, IA Hope Mosier, Lake Benton, MN MN Patricia Lloyd, State College, PA Fred & Kirsten Moss, Fredericksburg, TX Ivan & Patricia Paulsen, Walker, MN Harry & JoAnne Lockhart, Woodstock, VA Katheryn Mullins, Solvang, CA LaVern & Ruby Jane Paulsen, Atlantic, IA Donna Long, Portland, OR Inge Nagata, Littleton, CO Raymond & Dorothy Paulsen, Fargo, ND Charles & Karen Lorence, Aurora, IL Agnes Nelsen, Storm Lake, IA Robert & Gloria Paulus, Belmont, CA Sharon Ludington, Atlantic, IA Beverly Nelson, Atlantic, IA Ardis Pedersen, Alden, MN Anthony & Jennifer Lund, Murray, UT Delores Nelson, Atlantic, IA Conrad & Margaret Pedersen, New Dorothy Lund, Omaha, NE Doreen Nelson, Minden, IA Brighton, MN Steven Lund, Yuma, AZ Fern Nelson, Atlantic, IA Jens Erik Pedersen, Solvang, CA James & Gladys Lundquist, Davenport, IA Gary & Sherry Nelson, San Marcos, TX Katherine Pedersen, New Richmond, WI Stephen & Nancy Lundstrom, Ankeny, IA John & Lucille Nelson, Brayton, IA Leo Pedersen, Alden, MN David Lutterman, Tyler, MN Justin & Jeanne Nelson, Audubon, IA Loetta Pedersen, Superior, NE Paul & Marolyn Pedersen, Kodiak, AK Vivian Rock, Linn Grove, IA Marion Svendsen, Cedar Falls, IA Svend & Imogene Pedersen, Denver, CO Joe & Jacci Rodgers, Norman, OK A. Einar & Arlene Swanson, Las Cruces, Emery & Mabel Petersen, Elk Horn, IA Susann Rogberg-Lavars, Corralitos, CA NM Kenneth Petersen, Council Bluffs, IA Virgil & MarjorieRohlf, Ankeny, IA Barry & Marianne Swanson, Littleton, CO Lawrence & Leila Petersen, Lake Forest Werner & Anna Ronne, Salt Lake City, UT Robert & Marilyn Swanson, Boulder City, Park, WA Bill & Ann Roof, Avoca, IA NV LuVerne & Alice Petersen, Kimballton, IA Hon. Consul Jon Rosenthal, Fort Stanley Swanson, Sioux City, IA Marian Petersen, Solvang, CA Lauderdale, FL Charles & Jean Sweningsen, Boulder Michelle Petersen, Lake Forest, CA Merle Rounds, Council Bluffs, IA City, NV Richard & Janis Petersen, Urbandale, IA Rita Ruggaard, Fountain Hills, AZ Jeffrey Swingholm, Petersburg, WV William & Marlene Petersen, Omaha, NE Brenda Samuelson, Storm Lake, IA Joan Tange, Cedar Falls, IA Darwin & Wanda Petersen, Tucson, AZ Earl & Ruth Sande, Adel, IA James Tarrant, Falls Church, VA Donald & Alice Petersen, Park Ridge, IL Honor Sanville, Westbrook, ME Linda Tellefsen, Brooklyn Park, MN Gary & Janice Petersen, Plattsmouth, NE Annemarie Sawkins, Shorewood, WI Ray & Judith Tharp, Central Point, OR Gary & Nancy Petersen, New Town, ND Agnes V. Sayles, Boone, NC Neva Theede, Atlantic, IA Gerald & Loretta Petersen, Audubon, IA Scandinavian Club of Albuquerque, Dixie Thompson, Hoquiam, WA Harry & Martha Petersen, Vandalia, OH Albuquerque, NM James & Darlene Thompson, Fountain Helen Petersen, Atlantic, IA Shira Scherb, Canoga Park, CA Hills, AZ Horace & Jane Petersen, Alexis, IL Poul Schmidt, Myrtle Beach, SC Axel & Lou Ann Thomsen, Ringsted, IA Hubert & Eulella Petersen, Fremont, NE Ron & Ardyce Schmidt, Garland, TX Finn Thomsen, Aalborg, Denmark John & Inger Petersen, South Elgin, IL Eldo & Dee Schornhorst, Harlan, IA Fred & Kathleen Thomsen, Eugene, OR Christopher & Mary Ann Peterson, Steven & Kathleen Schou, Dickinson, ND Joyce Thomson, Denver, CO Upland, CA Darrell & Bertha Schroeter, Exira, IA Fritz & Janice Tiarks, Harlan, IA Karen Peterson, Kittery, ME Lori Schultz, Harlan, IA John & Gitte Toben, Marietta, GA Lois Peterson, Omaha, NE Joann Adsø Scott, Canoga Park, CA Larry & Charlotte Travis, San Antonio, TX Richard & Brenda Peterson, Lincoln, KS Peggy Scott, Mesa, AZ Mike & Lis Trent, Sun City West, AZ Virgil & Marlene Peterson, Coon Rapids, Marjorie Selim, Creston, IA James & Gerd Tuchscherer, Lino Lakes, MN Betty Sievers, Audubon, IA MN Karin Pfeifer, Laguna Niguel, CA James & Jane Simon, Ames, IA Ardis Tuttle, Newell, IA Charles Philipsen, Asheville, NC Harlan & Clara Simonds, Harlan, IA Cade Ullerich, Ames, IA John L. & Janis Pientok, St. Francis, WI Robert & Susan Simpson, Castle Rock, Suzanna Valadez, Northridge, CA La Veda Pine, Anita, IA CO Ronald & Suzanne Vallez, San Jacinto, Dave & CrisDee Plambeck, Glenwood, IA Arnold & Helen Skov, Alden, MN CA Douglas & Willa Pledger, Medford, WI Doris Skow, Santa Clara, CA Tom & Suzanne Van Bockern, Sioux Charles Pluth, Madison, WI Selma Sloth, Gig Harbor, WA Falls, SD Clayton & Janet Porter, Adel, IA Douglas & Linda Small, Reading, MI Jon & Mary Van Gerpen, Moscow, ID Helen Prall, Carlisle, IA Waldo Smeby, Mason City, IA E. P. & Doris Van Houtan, Williston, ND George Prothro, Tulsa, OK Doug & Jill Smith, Magnolia, IL Leona C. Vaughan, Yuma, AZ Rodney & Christi Putnam, Council Bluffs, Edgar & Louella Smith, Moorhead, MN Ruth Veigel, Grants Pass, OR IA Hon. Consul Christopher Smith, Macon, William & Marion Vierow, Saco, ME Mary Ellen Quandt, Audubon, IA GA Brooke Vimtrup, Burbank, CA John & Marjorie Quist, Omaha, NE Joan Smith, Boone, IA Trent & Dawn Vis, Urbandale, IA Frederik Qvist, Horbelev, Denmark Kevin & Sheri Smith, Neola, IA Jeanette Voetmann, Sioux City, IA James & Bonnie Raasch, Cedar RapidsIA Nancy Zuber & Delmar Smith, Roseville, Lester & Letty Vognsen, Wesley Chapel, John Race, Elkhorn, WI MN FL John & Jeanne Ranek, Sioux Falls, SD Darrell & Rosemary Soe, Elk Horn, IA Winston & Linda Wade, Payson, AZ Berger & Jo Pearl Rasmussen, Kenosha, Carl & Gloria Sorensen, Glendale, CA Michelle Waghorne, Lapeer, MI WI Dale Sorensen, Urbandale, IA Gail Walker, Phoenix, AZ Gary & Mary Jo Rasmussen, Fairfax, VA Erik Sorensen, Monroe, IA Wynter Walker, Sylmar, CA Lawrence & Doris Rasmussen, Harlan, IA Harold & Carol Ann Sorensen, Karen Wallen, North Hills, CA Michael & Suzanne Rasmussen, Kirkman, Albuquerque, NM Merle Walling, Polson, MT IA Margaret Sorensen, Minden, NE Robert & Helga Wallner, Duluth, MN Randy Rasmussen, Cokato, MN Richard & Carol Sorensen, Henry & Mardell Walter, Elk Horn, IA Richard & Carole Rasmussen, Omaha, Independence, MO Evelyn Ward, Greeley, CO NE Thorvald Sorensen, Plymouth, IA William & Doris Warrick, West Des Ron & Judy Rasmussen, Humboldt, IA Vera Sorensen, Bartlett, IL Moines, IA William & Christine Rattenborg, Fort Matthew Schipper & Angela Stanford, Wayne & Peggy Wegwart, Lexington, NC Collins, CO Shelby, IA Bruce & Ester Westling, Saint Louis, MO Astrid Ravenholt, Edmonds, WA E. Irene Starrett, Audubon, IA Dick & Joan White, Lincoln, NE Iona Ray, Livermore, CA Neoma Steen, Elk HornIA Rosalie Wiand, Pulaski, WI Barbara Rennert, Omaha, NE Elsa Steffensen, Hoffman Estates, IL Carol Wilcox, Atlantic, IA Russell & Idella Richardson, Ames, IA Robert & Jacquelyn Stockwood, Sedalia, Carl & Alice Wilhjelm, Columbus, NJ Sonja Richardson, Laguna Niguel, CA MO Park & Marion Williams, Omaha, NE Joseph & Inge Rick, San Carlos, CA Beverlyn Stoneking, Cushing, IA James & Janelle Willis, Aplington, IA Tom & Judy Rine, Omaha, NE Robert Storms, Omaha, NE Sandra Willis, Villa Ridge, MO Lois Ringo, Bozeman, MT Will & Barbara Strauss, Mesa, AZ J. Roger & Annette Wilson, Harlan, IA Everett & Randee Rissler, Arvada, CO Holger Stub, Medford, NJ Sid & Sharon Winchell, Atlantic, IA Joyce Ritchey, Bellevue, NE Evelyn Stumme, Waterloo, IA Elaine Winkler, Plymouth, MN Chris & Karen Robb, Lenexa, KS Michael & Sharon Sullivan, Glenwood, IA Marjorie Wise, Council Bluffs, IA Donald & Karma Roberts, Marana, AZ Jens & Gertrude Sundsted, Plentywood, Phyllis Wittrup, Lakewood, CO Sherlyn Roberts, Broomfield, CO MT Richard & Marilyn Wittrup, Scituate, MA Tonya Robson, Beaverton, OR Ann Svendsen, Tyler, MN Don & Phyllis Witzel, Palmer, AK Eunice Rocca, Cedar Falls, IA Betty Svendsen, Grayslake, IL Gail Andersen & John Witzel, Edina, MN Danish Canadian Conference in Winnipeg This year’s Danish Friday will be devoted a visit to the historic is just minutes away from Canadian Conference to the Danish Canadian legislature, followed by a all major attractions. The typical Danish lunch at the will be held at the National Museum with an hotel’s airport shuttle costs audiovisual presentation. Scandinavian Centre with $20 one-way. beautiful and historic The Federation of Danish Danish beer and snaps. It Fort Garry Hotel in Rooms at the Fort Garry Associations in Canada promises to be yet another Hotel are $139, single or Winnipeg from May 27 will hold its annual general great conference. double occupancy. The through 30, 2010. meeting Saturday morning The Fort Garry Hotel has registration fee is $220 with reports from all the The conference host, The been part of the Winnipeg per person. Deadline for Danish organizations Danish Canadian Club skyline for over 90 years registration is April 27. For across Canada. At the of Winnipeg, has chosen and was built in the style further information please banquet Saturday night the theme Human Rights, of the Park Plaza Hotel contact Ms. Helle Wilson there will be entertainment due to the new national in New York City. It is at 204-837-8537 or at and dancing. Sunday museum now being built situated in the heart of danishcanadianclub2010@ morning there will be in Winnipeg. As usual, downtown Winnipeg and gmail.com Thank You Businesses and Organizations These businesses and organizations have contributed Elk Horn Pharmacy, Elk Horn, Iowa annual memberships of at least $100. We recognize their Elk Horn-Kimballton Community School, Elk Horn, Iowa generosity and support in each newsletter during their Elk Horn-Kimballton Optimist Club, Elk Horn, Iowa Faith, Family, Freedom Foundation (Kenneth & Marlene membership. Larsen), Calistoga, California Grand View Danish Immigrant Archives, Des Moines, Iowa Guldsmedemester Helle Jørvad (Goldsmith), Ringsted, A & A Framing (Annette Andersen), Kimballton, Iowa Denmark AmericInn of Elk Horn, Elk Horn, Iowa Harlan Newspapers, (Steve Mores & Allan Mores), Harlan, Andersen Windows (Sarah Andersen), Bayport, Minnesota Iowa Answers (Rick Tighe), Atlantic, Iowa Heartland District of the Danish Sisterhood Lodge, Johnston, Atlantic Friends of The Danish Immigrant Museum, Atlantic, Iowa Iowa Heartland District of the DBIA, Ventura, Iowa Audubon Family Chiropractic (Douglas & Nichole Olsen), Henningsen Construction, Inc., Atlantic, Iowa Audubon, Iowa Kessler Funeral Homes, Inc., Audubon, Iowa Carroll Control Systems, Inc., Carroll, Iowa King of Kings Fishing Guide Service & Lodge, Anchor Point, Cedar Valley Danes, Cedar Falls, Iowa area Alaska Dana College Library Archives, Blair, Nebraska Knudsen Old Timers of The Danish Lutheran Church, Glendale, Danish American Club in Orange County, Huntington Beach, California California Leman USA, Sturtevant, Wisconsin Danish American Club of Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Liberty Labs, Inc., Kimballton, Iowa Danish Brotherhood Lodge #14, Kenosha, Wisconsin Marge’s Hair Hut (Kent & Marge Ingerslev), Elk Horn, Iowa Danish Brotherhood Lodge #15, Des Moines, Iowa Marne & Elk Horn Telephone Co., Elk Horn, Iowa Danish Brotherhood Lodge #16, Minden, Nebraska NE Gen Comm Danish Brotherhood, Omaha, Nebraska Danish Brotherhood Lodge #56, Overland Park, Kansas Nelsen & Nelsen, Attorneys & Counselors at Law, Cozad, Danish Brotherhood Lodge #75, Albert Lea, Minnesota Nebraska Danish Brotherhood Lodge #84, Lincoln, Nebraska Nelson Machine & Forge (Steve Nelson), Marne, Iowa Danish Brotherhood Lodge #126, Los Angeles, California O & H Danish Bakery (Eric Olesen), Racine, Wisconsin Danish Brotherhood Lodge #144, Dike, Iowa Olsen, Muhlbauer & Co., L.L.P., Carroll, Iowa Danish Brotherhood Lodge #219, Webster, Iowa Proongily (Cynthia & John McKeen), St. Paul, Minnesota Danish Brotherhood Vestens Stjerne Lodge #268, Junction Rebild National Park Society, Southern California, Glendale, City, Oregon California Danish Brotherhood Lodge #283, Dagmar, Montana Red River Danes, Fargo, North Dakota Danish Brotherhood Centennial Lodge #348, Eugene, Oregon Ringsted Danish American Fellowship, Ringsted, Iowa Danish Sisterhood Lodge #176, Dike, Iowa Scan│Design Foundation by INGER & JENS BRUUN, Seattle, Danish Club of Tucson, Tucson, Arizona Washington Danish Ladies Relief Society, Castro Valley, California Shelby County State Bank, Elk Horn, Iowa Danish Mutual Insurance Association, Elk Horn, Iowa Sons of Norway (Solglimt Lodge #1-547), Cedar Falls, Waterloo Danish Vennelyst Club, Omaha, Nebraska & Waverly, Iowa Den Danske Klub, Denver, Colorado Symra Literary Society, Decorah, Iowa Den Danske Pioneer (Elsa Steffensen & Linda Steffensen), The Danish Inn, Elk Horn, Iowa Hoffman Estates, Illinois The Rasmussen Group, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines-Winterset-Atlantic Memorials (Lana Leander), Des The Viking Club of Orange County, Seal Beach, California Moines, Iowa World Cal, Inc., Elk Horn, Iowa Elk Horn Lutheran Church, Elk Horn, Iowa America Letter • 13 Board Member Named Honorary Consul Lynette Rasmussen, corporate “I look forward to being counsel for The Rasmussen able to promote trade Group, Inc. of Des Moines, Iowa, and investment between Denmark and the United has been appointed Honorary States. In addition, I am Consul for Denmark in Des happy to support and Moines, Iowa by Queen Margrethe foster the Danish-American II of Denmark. She began offi cial community and Danish- duties on March 1, 2010. American institutions and organizations,” she says. Rasmussen is a member of The Danish Immigrant Museum Board of Directors, Rasmussen’s predecessor serving as chair of the development Lowell B. Kramme of Lynette Rasmussen began her committee. She inherits the Honorary Des Moines had held duties as Honorary Consul for Danish Consul position from Lowell the consul position since Denmark in Des Moines, Iowa on Kramme of Des Moines, a former 1996. “Lowell has done a March 1. member of the museum’s board of wonderful job in his role Denmark, which is self- directors. as the Honorary Danish suffi cient in energy, has Consul,” Rasmussen says. In her role as Honorary Danish Consul, as its primary exports “I endeavor to follow his Rasmussen will give consular assistance industrial machinery, example in my dealings to individuals, fi rms and institutions chemical products, with both the Danish and that have dealings with Denmark. She furniture, pharmaceuticals American communities.” will also issue passports, distribute and food products. The necessary applications and instructions, The United States is United States’ exports to certify and verify documents and Denmark’s largest non- Denmark include aircraft, represent Denmark at offi cial functions. European trading partner. computers, machinery and instruments. New Members November 1, 2009 – February 11, 2010 The Danish Immigrant Museum is Des Moines-Winterset-Atlantic John Lauridsen, Ames, Iowa pleased to identify the following Memorials (Lana Leander), Billy & Kim Marples, Elk Horn, individuals as its newest members. Des Moines, Iowa Iowa Dale Eriksen, Fort Collins, Jesper & Hanne Michaelsen, Museum membership is achieved Colorado Palatine, Illinois in various ways – through gifts, April Esbeck, Iowa City, Iowa Pinkie Nyegaard, Eugene, complimentary or annual gifting. We David & Susan Toft Everson, Oregon do appreciate your support. Kansas City, Missouri William & Beverly Owings, Shawn & Renee Gessert, Sun City West, Arizona Niels Andersen, St. Louis, Missouri Harlan, Iowa Flemming & Bente Pedersen, Jim & Sarah Bengtson, Clinton, Iowa Peter & Nancy Gilbert, Junction City, Oregon Dennis & Linda Berge, Atlantic, Iowa McKinney, Texas Dwain & Ellen Schmidt, Arnie & Lorraine Bintner, Exira, Iowa Otto and Kirsten Gotzsche, Rodney, Iowa Mitch & Becky Bintner, Castle Rock, Minneapolis, Minnesota Mark & Linda Smith, Colorado Yvonne Skov Grønlund, Jacksonville, Florida Sheryl Birk, Anita, Iowa Roskilde, Denmark Patricia Stack, Yorba Linda, Terry & Cynthia Birk, Reno, Nevada Hasse & Lena Hansen, Costa California Jana Boettger, Harlan, Iowa Mesa, California Linda Stagg, Omaha, Jon Borgman, Harlan, Iowa Helle Hovman-Olsen, Nebraska Justin & Julie Bro, Chandler, Copenhagen, Denmark Will & Barbara Strauss, Mesa, Arizona George Jacobs, Columbus, Ohio Arizona Rebecca Bro, Chandler, Arizona Jack Jensen, Oak Brook, Illinois Eric & Tasha Unkenholz, James & Jytte Clark, Beavercreek, Phillip & Paula Z. Kirkeby, Rapid City, South Dakota Ohio Palo Alto, California Mike & LeAnn Walker, Danish Windmill Corporation, John Kristensen, Monrovia, Waverly, Iowa Elk Horn, Iowa California Todd & Diane Zygmontowicz, Den Danske Klub, Denver, Anne-Grethe Krogh Nielsen, Troy, Michigan Colorado 14 • America Letter Yorba Linda, California Gunver Berg Remembered Gunver (Gwen) Berg, Withee, Wisconsin, at the the Long Grove Historical a Long Grove, Illinois home of her grandparents. Society and the Vernon resident and an ardent She attended Grand View Area Public Library, among supporter of The Danish College and the Gregg others. Members of The Immigrant Museum, Business College, marrying Danish Immigrant Museum passed away peacefully in Tony in 1945 at Luther for over twenty years, her sleep on December 5, Memorial Church in Des Gunver and Anton Berg’s 2009. Gwen is survived by Moines, Iowa. Gunver names can be found on the her husband of 64 years, worked as a corporate Leadership Society Plaque Anton (Tony) Berg and her secretary throughout at the museum. Gunver’s son Steve Berg. her career. She gave legacy will sustain the Museum supporter Gunver Born in Los Angeles in generously of her time as viability of The Danish (Gwen) Berg 1918, Gwen grew up in well, volunteering for the Immigrant Museum. Kildeer Community Club, Memorials November 1, 2009 – February 11, 2010 Memorials have been Linda Hamm Elsie McNabb Earl Rasmussen received in loving memory Kathryn Ann Hansen Patricia McNabb Erik B. Rasmussen of the following individuals: Jens & Anna Holland Earl & Helga Mikkelsen Lis Rassmussen Martin T. Holst Peter C. Nelson Louise Jorgensen Byriel Bertha Lund Andersen Eric Thomas Jacobson Virginia Nielsen Rattenborg Gunver “Gwen” Marie Berg Dean Jessen Edith Nielsen Victor Schmidt Margaret & Harold Henry & Dagmar Jessen Eric & Joan Norgaard Duane M. Skow Bodholdt Alvin Johnson George Norman Richard Gye Sorensen George Bonnesen Leonard & Clara Johnson Caroline Olsen Ellen Nyholm Staack Irene Boose Niels W. & Ingrid H. Mr. & Mrs. Anton Olsen Mayme Sundsted and Sanna and Victor Borge Jorgensen Beverly Paulson Jorgen Ivy Else Brenton Josephine K. Lapke Leroy Pedersen Kristine Sandahl Swanso Laura and Niels Bro Herman Steen Larsen Edith Petersen JoAnn Thielen Silva J. Christensen Christine & Benny Larsen Mabel L. Petersen Arthur Thompson Phyllis Davis Dorothea June Laursen Henry Christian Peterson Jack Jensen Unkenholz Melvin & Wilfred Eskov William Lewis Delbert Rasmussen Manuella Werner Wendel Hans & Mathilde Farstrup Eivind Lillehoj Carl Rasmussen Walter Westergaard Agnes Gronborg Loved Ones Charlie John Rasmussen New Additions to the Wall of Honor November 1, 2009 – February 11, 2010 The Danish Immigrant Museum’s Wall of Honor provides by adding their name to the Wall of Honor, contact Debra families and friends with a means of preserving the Christensen Larsen, development associate. memory of or honoring those who emigrated from FLEMMING VEDSTED PEDERSEN (1969) Junction Denmark to America. Over 4,500 immigrants are currently City, Oregon, by Flemming & Bente Pedersen, Junction recognized on the Wall. Their stories and the stories City, Oregon of their families contribute importantly to the growing repository of family histories at the museum’s Family ROSA PEDERSEN SEPPALA (1921) Buffalo, South History and Genealogy Center. Dakota, by Pearl P. Swank, Poplar, Montana Listed here are the recognized immigrants, their year of BENTE TRAMPEDACH SØRENSEN (1965) Junction immigration, city and state named as their principal place City, Oregon, by Flemming & Bente Pedersen, Junction of residence and donor(s) placing the name on the Wall of City, Oregon Honor. THORVALD (HAAHR) WAD (1912) Audubon County, If you would like to memorialize a family member or friend Iowa, by Shawn & Renee Thysen Gessert, Harlan, Iowa America Letter • 15 Welcome Morten and Malene New Scan|Design by Inger & Jens Bruun Foundation Interns

Malene Vitus Østergård New Zealand and studying at the University of Arizona. “Of course, because of the snow, I have been a competitive we may not be able to land,” said the swimmer and hiked in the pilot on February 4, 2010, and we French Pyrenees, but I circled in the air over Omaha for ten have never been to Elk more minutes. I crossed my fingers and Horn! hoped for the best… Intern Malene Vitus Østergård Besides work at the will divide her time between My name is Malene Vitus Østergård and museum I am starting up the museum’s FHGC and the I am one of the two new Danish interns conversational Danish development department. at The Danish Immigrant Museum. I am classes, where we’ll get Morten will help in a graduate student from the University together to speak Danish preparing and installing the of Copenhagen, where I have a double and have a good time. On museum’s new temporary major in Danish language and rhetoric. the weekends I hope to exhibition, Sampling the I will divide my time between the take road trips to discover Collection, A to Å, which museum’s Family History & Genealogy parts of the U.S. I have opens March 27, taking Center and the development department, never seen before. In the down the recent exhibition, where I will be working closely with longer term I would like to Victor Borge: A Centennial Michele McNabb, Bruce Bro, and Debra visit Solvang in California. Celebration, and Christensen Larsen. At the FHGC I will From my airplane window I rearranging the museum’s be doing research on Danish Baptists exhibition galleries. and focusing on material for the looked down at the runway, museum’s webpage. Another big project where six snowplows had Born and raised in Odense will be in the development department, just finished cleaning. “We on Funen, where his where I will be working with electronic now have permission to parents and younger social networking activities such as land,” said the pilot, and brother still live, Morten has Facebook and YouTube. so we did. In total contrast been living in Copenhagen to a rough landing on since 2004. In 2007-08 he During my internship I will participate the runway, my personal spent ten months in Paris, in the annual landing here in Elk Horn France, while studying at Rebild meeting in at The Danish Immigrant Univesité Paris 7 Denis Minneapolis, attend Museum has been Diderot. Being somewhat the board meeting in absolutely perfect! of a big city person Morten Chicago, and help is finding it a totally new, the museum staff at Morten Birkerød interesting, and rather the Petersen House Tofte pleasant experience for him Museum in Tempe, Morten Birkerød Tofte to be living and working Arizona. And then, in the small midwestern of course, I’ll be is a graduate student in modern culture and cultural town of Elk Horn with its working on the quiet streets, snow-covered good old Elk Horn dissemination at the University of Copenhagen. fields and wide open tradition: Tivoli spaces. Fest. He is interning at the museum in the exhibition Morten is very interested I have been department under the in museums and museum around the supervision of Tova Brandt, work and is excited to gain world and done curator of exhibitions, until hands-on experience as different things, the beginning of June. an intern at The Danish Morten Tofte is interning in the including dairy exhibition department this spring. Immigrant Museum. farming for a year in While at the museum 16 • America Letter Thingvalla Line routes. A First-Person Account of the Last Voyage of the Danmark, 1889 With the exception a third country, usually the major part of the Scandinavia in March of the organized Germany or Great journey even began. of that year. Its second journey, however, ended Mormon companies, Britain, until 1879. The establishment of the when it sank in the mid- Scandinavian Thingvalla Danish immigrants and This necessitated a Atlantic after a propeller Line in 1879 strove to make businessmen wishing multi-stage journey screw broke. to come to North involving ships, wagon the emigration experience less stressful and costly, Of the nearly 700 America had to travel carts, trains and advertising that emigrants passengers on the to their destinations via frequent delays before could communicate with Danmark, only a few ship’s personnel and accounts of that ill-fated did not have to worry journey are known to have about their luggage being survived. Among them transferred multiple times is a series of letters and from point of embarkation a journal written by Just to destination. Knudsen Justesen (born in Veerst Parish in Ribe However, throughout its County in 1866), a young existence the company man who was on his way was plagued by numerous to join his half-brother in shipping disasters. For one, America. in August of 1888 two of their ships, the Geiser and Magne Juhl, M.D. of Viborg the Thingvalla, collided; the visited the museum last Thingvalla sank and many summer. Upon his return, lives were lost. he forwarded an article he had published with A larger ship, the Danmark, Justesen’s letters in Fra was subsequently Ribe Amt, the publication purchased, making its The Danmark’s second journey ended when it sank in the maiden voyage in early – Continued on page 18 mid-Atlantic after a propeller screw broke. 1889 and returning to America Letter • 17 Last Voyage continued from page 17

of the Ribe County Historical few songs, both hymns and Society, in 2000. Dr. Juhl kindly patriotic songs, at the back gave us permission to translate of the ship as it was getting and publish the narrative, which dark. The ship was lying still provides a vivid account of the for some time, due to some engine trouble, they said. beginnings of one immigrant journey th and the unexpected turn it took. Saturday the 30 . Today there was a strong wind. The Here we want to share part of Just’s ship rocks so that it is difficult story—excerpts from a letter to his to stand up on deck and one parents that include his description of a wave after another is hitting few normal days at sea as well as the the ship, so one has to be careful not to get soaked events leading to the evacuation of the Just Knudsen Justesen Danmark. when one is on deck. For a while around noon we did not (born in Veerst Parish in Though Just boarded the Danmark move due to problems with Ribe County in 1866), a in Copenhagen, the ship took on the engine again. Meanwhile, young man who was on his passengers in Oslo (then called they hoisted three sails, and way to join his half-brother Kristiana) and Kristiansand in Norway there were also sails up on in America, survived the last before crossing the Atlantic. The the first day on the North Sea. voyage of the Danmark. following letter was written in St. Miguel, Monday, April 1st. The Tuesday the 2nd. This one of nine islands that comprise the weather is pretty good today morning the weather is almost Azores, a Portuguese archipelago in the and the sails are back up like it was yesterday. The Atlantic Ocean. again. There was somewhat wind got stronger during the of a scuffle when the day and the waves got bigger St. Miguel, April 11, 1889 Norwegians had their evening in the afternoon. The waves Dear Parents: devotions. It took a long washed in over the front of the Since I am now on firm ground again I time. Then there were some ship. It is impressive watching want to tell you how our trip has gone from journeymen, the kind you the Atlantic Ocean in all its Kristiansand in Norway to here. would consider to be common might break its huge waves peasants, who started singing against the bow of the ship, th Tuesday, March 26 . We left Kristiansand songs, and the musician and the big ship rising and at five o’clock in the morning. The weather started blowing his flute, and then returning, now the one was clear and a little windy. In the afternoon the Norwegians wanted all end and then the other end. the wind got stronger and the ship rocked so of them to stop, according to It is almost like a gigantic that the fore and aft rails went clear down to the regulations which state cradle. Much of the time it the water. Much of the time the waves came that no disturbances may was difficult to keep one’s over the front of the ship and it was difficult occur when there is a church balance. There were many to keep one’s balance most of the time. But service taking place. I do who fell when they tried to I enjoy being on deck and seeing the mighty not quite understand those walk, and one could not stand rough ocean. For awhile I did not feel too Norwegians, but they must still without hanging on to well, but it got better after I threw up a little. be something like the Danish something. I stood for some There were some Norwegians who had a Mission People. They have time at the rear of the ship. church service before bedtime. devotions both morning and Sometimes it went clear down Wednesday, March 27th. The evening. All of them appear to the water’s surface, and weather was rough during the night. to be just common working then it would rise again so that It rocked so much that we almost people, and I believe that is the propeller came up above fell out of our berths. Today it is not what they are. During their the surface. It then sprayed too bad. I was worried about getting devotions they alternate up high and the sun created seasick, so I stayed in my berth between singing, reading, a rainbow in all colors. Only most of the day; then one does speeches and all kinds of now do I understand why not feel anything. We passed the prayer. I do not understand Denmark is said to be a wave- Shetland Islands between five and much of this, but I could not shaped country, because the ten o’clock this evening. be a party to disturbing them. waves were sometimes as If one cannot stand listening high as small hills, and this Friday the 29th. There is only a was not even a real storm. slight wind today, but sometimes to them, then one can always Toward evening we saw a it is a little foggy. Clear weather go away. 18 • America Letter large steamer with two stacks in the afternoon. We sang a passing us. clear up to their chests. The ones from the crew that we with the lifeboats surrounding chief machinist was killed talked with said that there was it like nutshells. Thursday the 4th. It is really no danger. It was just to be windy today. A man from Møn last night. They said that Women, children and able to pump some water from lost his wallet last night, and a piece of iron had fallen a small room. Near us almost families among the it was probably stolen. There on his chest while he was Danmark’s passengers working with the propeller. everyone had their duffel bags was nothing in it except for continued on to America on It is being hinted that he did ready and slept fully dressed a few crowns and the brass the Missouri, but several it on purpose because the and with their boots on the claims token for his baggage. rest of the night. They quit hundred men—including About 4:00 in the afternoon problem with the machinery was all supposed to have throwing things overboard at Just—had to spend a the propeller shaft broke. one o’clock last night. We then been his fault. Everyone was few weeks in the Azores It shook so that it could be heard only some wild rumors very depressed. Life vests before they were picked felt all through the ship. The until nine o’clock this morning. had already been issued to up by a German ship, the crew members thought we Then all the passengers many. I do not believe that Wieland, and continued had lost the propeller, but were ordered to get ready to their journey to New York. unfortunately, it turned out to there is much danger yet, but transfer to the Missouri, and Coincidentally, it was the be worse than that. The ship I am prepared for the worst. we could only take the clothes Wieland which had also was really drifting now and the While we were having dinner with us that we were wearing. crew got busy getting all the the captain sighted a steamer, We were quite calm about it, rescued passengers from sails up to get a little control which he immediately hailed and I believe that most of the the above-mentioned over it. Rumors quickly spread from the bridge. This changed young people were willing Geiser-Thingvalla collision and people became worried people’s attitude in an instant. to help with the rescue and the year before. about how it was going to Everyone was elated and make sure to get women, end, but all crew members happy and immediately children and old people taken Just Justesen’s said that there was no danger, wanted to go up to see the care of first before thinking Later Life about ourselves. I helped which very few actually unexpected rescuer. Soon first with getting the lifeboats As it happened, Just’s believed. distress signals were sent up from the Danmark; they were out, and then I helped getting father died in Denmark th Friday the 5 . It was said acknowledged by the other food brought up from the hold on the very day of the that they had worked all ship and they ended up taking and into the boats. The food shipwreck. A good neighbor night trying to remove the us in tow. The name of the was placed first in the bottom in Veerst asked Just to propeller. The water came in ship is the Missouri and it is of the boats and then the return home since his so fast that many were wet an English cattle transport. people. They were steadier mother was left alone to It was three o’clock before when there was some ballast run the family store. And in the bottom. Many of the they finished so Just did, caring for his women were not too eager coupling the ships mother and her sister, about getting into the boats; together. It then it did not seem very pleasant Marie Hjort, who also started towing us, with the boats bobbing up and resided with him. and we were told down, and they were flung Just married twice, residing that they were from the ladders into them. in Veerst until his death going to St. John, But they had to leave, and Newfoundland. It on April 24, 1948. His first whether they wanted to or not wife, Ane Nielsen Bork, was not blowing as they had to tear themselves died on August 23, 1904, hard as yesterday, away from the ladders when but there were still the boat was at its highest and two of their three some big waves. point, then they were caught children died that same year from tuberculosis. Just th by the brave sailors and Saturday the 6 . married a second time to In the room where placed in the bottom of the boat almost before they knew Ane Dorthea Sørensen, I was sleeping we of it. Many of the passengers, were awakened with whom he had seven especially the Norwegians, by some nervous children. were used to the sea. They passengers who were a great help in the Following Just’s return said that we lifeboats, since there were not from America his half- were going to be enough crewmen to man the brother, Martin Lebek transferred to the oars. Hans Askjær and I were Petersen Søndergaard, Missouri, and the among the last passengers to whom he had intended to crew had started leave the ship, and thus we visit when he made that throwing some of were able to take our duffel fateful voyage in 1889, the load overboard bags along. It was 2-3:00 also returned and settled in on the aft of o’clock when the last crew Glud. the ship, which members left the ship. And seemed a little there was Denmark’s largest An early advertisement for the mysterious. But the ship floating as a wreck on the America Letter • 19 Thingvalla Line. waves of the Atlantic Ocean Stamtræ – Danish Roots, American Branches News from the Museum’s Family History & Genealogy Center By Michele McNabb, librarian [email protected]

Wish List The complete FHGC book wish list • The fi rst president of the Danish has migrated to the museum’s web- Brotherhood in America, site. Find it by clicking on the Library William Frederik August & Genealogy tab and scrolling down Wind (1834-1892), was to Donations & Wish List. Donation a resident of Racine, instructions can be found on the Wisconsin, for several webpage too. decades. The FHGC is Help needed: searching for additional family information and/or • Danish Methodist Churches and photographs. congregations. The FHGC is look- ing for directories or histories of origi- nally Danish congregations. Please contact Michele McNabb to donate such items.

Website/ Miscellaneous • If you are planning database a reunion, please keep the museum’s updates Family History and Genealogy Center in mind when An updated and expanded making copies of list of useful websites for reunion booklets and genealogical research may souvenirs. Remember be found on the Genealogical Resources drop-down page. that they become historical artifacts as soon as the event is Congratulations! over! Shortly before Valentine’s Day a young man came into the • Family Websites: FHGC with some Danish words written on a piece of paper Do you have a and asked for assistance in pronouncing them. Our volunteers publicly-accessible helped him out and then remarked that the words looked like webpage for your a marriage proposal. Yes, that was the case, the young man said. Our volunteers, being romantic souls, asked if he would Danish ancestry? If let them know what the answer was and he agreed to do so, tell us! The FHGC so. Later that day he popped in again, with a big smile on is compiling a list of his face: the young lady had said yes! Congratulations are URLs for use both in in order, Steven Olson and Curator of Exhibitions Tova the FHGC and on the 20 • America Letter Brandt! museum website. When the phone rings Activities and News at the FHGC, one never knows what the question • A New Day: Beginning May 1, 2010 June. A list of topics and upcoming will be on the other end. the Family History & Genealogy speaking engagements can be Several unusual requests Center will be open on Thursdays! found in the Library & Genealogy received this winter FHGC summer hours will thus be section of the website under included: Tuesdays through Fridays from 9:00 Workshops and Talks. What is the meaning a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays of the Danish word from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. barselspotte? -- • Fall workshops in Denmark: According to the online several workshops on finding dictionary of the Danish language (http://ordnet. • A series of workshops on Danish Danes who have emigrated to dk/ods/) the word is genealogy was held at the Danish the U.S. and their descendants actually barselpotte. Lutheran Church & Cultural Center in American sources have This is an archaic term in Yorba Linda, California, from been scheduled for this fall in meaning a pot or pail January 28 through 30. Plans are Copenhagen, Viborg and Aarhus, used to carry food to a in the works for a similar series to as well as on Bornholm. Further woman who had recently given birth. In older be held in Chicago in conjunction details will be posted in the times new mothers were with the museum board meeting in Workshops and Talks section of the supposed to “lie in” for website as well as on the calendar. a period of 14 days or so, during which time neighbors and friends brought food for her and the family. Another call concerned a children’s rhyme that a patron had learned from a Danish grandparent. She was interested in teaching it to her own grandchildren, but wanted to get it right. Research showed that the rhyme comes from the first words of the verses of a Hans Christian Andersen poem, Pandeben! - Godt det gror, first published in 1845. I’m sure many readers will find the rhyme familiar: Pandeben Øjesten Næsetip “Generations” photo exhibit picture. Mundelip We are looking a Danish immigrant. The Michele McNabb for a Hageflip for photographs immigrant can be the photograph release form Dikke, dikke, dik! The words to the poem, for “Generations,” oldest, the youngest or or to indicate if such a which has been set to this year’s FHGC anywhere in between in photo exists in a book music, may be found photograph exhibit, the group. If you have you’ve donated. The at http://www.ugle.dk/ which will feature 3-, a photograph that fits deadline for submissions pandeben.html, among 4- or 5-generation this criterion, we’d love is May 1, 2010. other places. photographs that include to include it. Contact America Letter • 21 Museum Board Holds February Meeting in Tucson The museum’s board of directors held its eighty-fourth regular meeting February 12 through 14 at the Doubletree Hotel Reid Park in Tucson, Arizona with seventeen of the twenty-two board members in attendance. Tucson board member Mia Hansen was instrumental in selecting the meeting site as well as organizing several of the social events. Friday evening museum members from the Tucson area as well as the Danish Club of Tucson gathered with board members and staff for an informal social hour. The board meeting ended with a casual luncheon on Sunday, followed by a Fastelavn celebration hosted by the Danish Club of David Asher of the Danish Club of Tucson presents a do- Tucson. nation gift to Bruce Bro and John Mark Nielsen. Bro broke Two important actions taken at the open the barrel, let out the cat and was crowned King of meeting were the forming of a committee Fastelavn. Marilyn Buckelew, club president, holds the to review the bylaws and the forming of stuffed black cat. Pictured from left to right are Asher, Bro, a strategic planning committee. Buckelew and Nielsen.

Dana College Sold to a For-Profit Educational Corporation On March 16, 2010, Dana College Grand View University in Des Representatives of the Danish officials in Blair, Nebraska, announced Moines, Iowa. The original Immigrant Archive-Grand that the college was being sold to a institution in Blair was Trinity View University, the Danish for-profit corporation. According to the Theological Seminary, American Archive and Library press release prepared by the college, founded in 1884. Following located on the Dana College the creation of the United campus, and the museum the new corporation, known as the Danish Evangelical Lutheran meet quarterly. The three Dana Education Corporation (DEC), Church in 1896, the seminary organizations coordinate will provide vision and direction for and college in Blair merged preservation efforts, seminar the curriculum. with the first Danish folk high classes visit the museum The Dana College Corporation, owned school in America, founded in regularly, and the museum by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1878 and located in Elk Horn, has hired students for summer America (ELCA), will be reorganized Iowa. The name Dana College internships. as the Dana Education Foundation came into use in the early The staff and board of (DEF). This foundation will continue years of the twentieth century. directors of The Danish to preserve the heritage of Dana Faculty and alumni at both Immigrant Museum look College through support of the Dana College and Grand View forward to working with the Danish American Archive and University were instrumental administration of the newly Library, campus ministry, alumni in the founding of The Danish created Dana Education affairs and local community events. Immigrant Museum in 1983. Corporation and the governing Dana College is one of two One of the many reasons board of the Dana Education existing post-secondary the museum is located in Elk Foundation in celebrating the institutions founded by Danish Horn, Iowa is that it is midway relationship between Denmark immigrants, the other being between the two campuses. and United States. 22 • America Letter Vacation in Denmark and Support The Danish Immigrant Museum Benedikte Ehlers Olesen, a member of The Danish two bunk beds. It sleeps six adults comfortably, but can Immigrant Museum’s Board of Directors, and her husband sleep a total of eight. Poul Olesen are offering their Danish summer home for • Two bathrooms with showers and one has a hot tub. rental at a reduced price–and all proceeds will be donated • Kitchen with refrigerator, oven, and microwave. to The Danish Immigrant Museum. • Flat screen television and DVD player. • Located in the middle of Jutland, a 10-minute drive from • Five minute drive to shopping: bakery, butcher shop, bank, Viborg, two hours to Skagen to the north, two hours to the post office. German border to the south, one hour to the North Sea • The house is available for rental in 2010 for a minimum on the west, and one hour to the Kattegat on the east. of $1,000 a week. (Usually, it costs around $3,000.) In • 45-minute drive to Århus, and 40-minutes to Aalborg. 2011 the cost will rise to a minimum of $1,250 a week. • Views of the Limfjord from most rooms in the house. Interested individuals should contact the museum • Three bedrooms–two with queen-sized beds and one with at 1-800-759-9192.

Museum Admission & Hours

Admission Museum Hours: Family History & Genealogy (Includes Bedstemor’s House) Monday-Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm Center Hours Current Museum Members: Saturday 10:00 am-5:00 pm May-Oct.: Tuesday-Friday FREE with Sunday 12:00 noon-5:00 pm 9:00 am-5:00 pm Membership Card Saturday: 10:00 am-5:00 pm Non-Members: Adults, $5 Business Hours November-April: Children (ages 8-17), $2 Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10 am-4 pm

All facilities are closed on New Year’s Day; Easter Sunday; Thanksgiving; Christmas (Local weather conditions may cause occasional closures.) America Letter • 23 in the Museum shop This is just a taste of new spring items in the shop. Go online at New! www.danishmuseum.org or email us at [email protected]

Imported from Denmark, Fiduz® wine dispenser for boxed/bagged wine. • Table stand catches drops • Cold pack ensures a cooler Jewelry made temperature with vintage Great design, Danish several colors postage • Simply stamps! original !

Soft and highly absorbent, woven dansk smykkekunst Copenhagen from cotton and bamboo fi bers. New spring/summer Collection Bamboo/Cotton Over 40 The fall collection was one of our Towels, 18”x26” designs to top sellers! dishcloths, 12”x10” choose from! MASTER WEAVERS SINCE 1692 Chef’s Side Towels, 12”x29”