VOL XIX NO 3 OCTOBER 1999 , Serving Norwegian-Americans of Sigdal, Eggedal and Kredsherad Ancestry
OVER 90 ATTEND CENTENNIAL; ELECT TWO NEW OFFICERS
Meeting Saturday, July 31, at 1 PM during the three day Norwegian- American Bygdelag Centennial, Sigdalslag held its business meeting at Luther College's Valders Hall in Decorah, Iowa. Over 90 Sigdalslag members attended the Centennial. The minutes of the secretary reported 64 signing the meeting roster along with six guests (whose names were not received). Two were newly elected to the Sigdalslag styre (board) as vice presidents: Earl O. Knutson, Budd Lake, New Jersey, as second vice president and Larry Rolfstad, Rapid City, South Dakota, as third vice president. Carol Meade, Ruth Manning, Twila Halvorson, and Donald Skadeland were re-elected, while the editor, genealogist and historian are appointed positions. All serve one year terms. Addresses - page 12. Slides were shown of sites to be visited in Marguerite Meade, daughters of the lag Sigdal, Eggedal and president, who did the fjord horse Kmdsherad during the demonstration at the Farm Park along with an Sigdal 2000 tour by exhibit from Dancing Reindeer Farm, hosts, Larry and Linda Milltown, WI. Rolfstad. Owners of the horses are John and Edel Independent travel via Headington, also Sigdal members, who live other carriers, practically in Decorah. speaking, is not an As president of Bygdelagenes Fellesraad, option since the same the national council of bygdelag which motor coaches will be sponsored this event, Marilyn D. Somdahl, used during the five days gave greetings at three evening programs and in Sigdal. Registrations presented symbolic gifts to the current and taken will now go on a past presidents of Valdres Samband, the waiting list since the group starting the bygde/ag movement in June 11 tour departure America 100 years ago this past June. is fully booked. See Somdahl also spoke in June and July at two earlier sambandsstevner at Willmar, page 5. Minnesota, and Fagernes, Norway. People who wish to buy Goettelman's English translation of Sigda/s/aget JOIN - RENEW MEMBERSHIP for YK2f Rosie Goettelman first wore her new - 1949 signed up with Sigdal-Eggedal bunlld to usher at names, e-mail or It's time. This is the last of three issues for the Centennial's final program July 1999. If Christmas gift subscriptions have 31. (NAS/Felles,aad photol addresses. It will be a large book appeal, please act-- before you lay both the coupon (p 121 and the thought aside. If which is now in the married, we welcome BOTH spouses and minor process of being edited. Details will be published in children at the same residence and a picture later issues. (wallet size or head/shoulders; identify with an address label or post-it on the back). Besides many volunteers, Sigdal Lag participants in . the broader Centennial program were Elaine Hasleton, Copy/photo deadlines are JANUARY 10 (Febl, Family Search internet site; Laurann Gilbertson, Lee APRIL 10 (Mey), end SEPTEMBER 10 (Oct). Rokke, and Georgia Rosendahl, presenters; Elvera Bisbee, demonstrator of her rosemaling; Birgitta and OVER90 MEMBERSIN IOWA FOR1999 LAG CENTENNIAL Paul & Jean Akre. OR Donna Anderson. GA , Shirley Augustine. AZ June & Don Barrett. CO -·Elvera Bisbee, MN M. Kay Buckingham, IA Ruth E. & David Christ, IA Marilyn &. Don Cresap, OR Audrey & T om Erber, IL Vivian &. Clarence Erbes, MN Leland &. Marilyn Erickson, MN -·Laurann Gilbertson, IA Rod & Sharon Gilland, NO Rosella Goettelm.lln, IA Twila & Arvin H.lllvorson. MN Rebecca Hanna, IA Klemet Haugen. MN James Hanson, SO *·Elaine H. Hasleton, UT Eunice Helgeson, MN Sandra Hendrickson, MN Sylvia & Craig Hertsgaard, MN Milton & Pauline Jellum. SC Corrine Lesteberg Johnson, MN Pearl Johnson, MN (cancelled I Kenneth Jones. MN Lincoln & Marlene KI.llbo, VA Earl O. Knutson. NJ Sandy Hendrickson. NABC Hospitality Chair lIeft), Ruth Gibson, Mary Hendrickson, Donne Koppenh.llver, NO Cornelia Backman. and Rosella Goettelman await banquet guests. (AH/FeUesraad photo) Linda & Allen Lerson, MN Peul Lar8on, IA Julie Megee, CO Dan & Ruth Hoff Manning, NE Phyllis Merquardt, MN Marion Matson, MN FRA PRESIDENTEN: Cerol Rugland Meade, MN - ·Birgitta Meede, IA As we wrap up the great Bygd.Jl!lllLCenteJJnialjaOeJ;orah,we'll hear *·Mauguerite Meade, MN Alice & Fred Mensing. MN about the Leiv Eriksson millennium celebrations, marking 1000 years in Amy & Michael Michelsen, MN America. Irene & Harry Navarre, NM Not counting the 65 American evening program performers, there were M.llry Jones Nystrom, MN 1020 registered at the Centennial, and the lag secretary reported that 64 Arthur &. SueAnn Peterson, CA Larry &. Linda Rolfstad, SO members attended the July 31 Sigdal lag meeting along with six guests. David and ··Lee Rokke, MN As you see, over 90 Sigdal members registered from 20 states (left). About Joann Ronningen. MN 30 have membership or leadership roles in other lag besides ours. Ruth & Arnold Roosa, IL In spite of very hot weather and a 24-hour invasion of tents holding about -.Georgia Rosendahl. MN 8,000 bicyclists pedaling across Iowa, a great time was had by all. One Diane & Harley Rostvold, KY Shirley & Bob" Sampson. MN person called to say she had missed it, but wanted to be sure to sign up Elaine Schulstad, AZ next yearl That's unlikely, but let's do an all-lag stevne again before 2099. Robert & Renee Schulstad, WI A number of lag have their own Web sites. Should SigdaI be among Eleanor Schultz. IA them? We need your input, members! If you are knowledgable about the Don &. Lynn Skadeland, NE internet (that would not be me) and interested in maintaining current Diane &. Dale Snell. WA Merilyn &. Narv Somdahl, MN information that would be helpful to prospective members, it may be that Judith Sosted, MN the board will consider it again. Leland &. Louise Sundet. MN It is also my duty and pleasure to re-appoint for the next year: Larry & Linda Thorson, MN Marilyn Somdahl, editor; LeeRokke, genealogist; Debbie Shortino, historian; Allan Turmo, NO Amy Michelsen and Carol Meade, delegates to May 6 Fellesraad meeting Francis &. Linda Turmo. NY Verna Uselman, MN (council of 32 bygdelagl; and Carol Meade, NSI rep to the 7 Lag Stevne. Anita M. Welsh, WA Besides the Norway trip next year, please mark your calendars for the Addie &. Ted Williams, MN 7 LAG STEVNE July 13 - 15, 2000, at NO State College of Science in -denotes demonstrator, exhibitor, or Wahpeton, NO. The 2001 year is planned for Rapid City, SO, and buses presenter may be ·arranged for those not keen on driving. NSI met September 18 at Alexandria to elect officers and to make future plans. Gifts & Memorials It may be a personal bias, but Sigdalslag can take some pride in the Since the May issue many volunteers we had to help the Centennial run well. Mange takk! .$10 in memory of Lerry Solum and Bemiece Skedeland Hilsen, s/Carol Meade given by Narv 8r. Marilyn Somdahl
2 Reflections on Genealogy at the Bygdelag Centennial by Marilyn Sorensen,guest genealogist
The Norwegian-American Bygdelag Centennial each group has. Thanks to several persons with offered an interesting approach to genealogical excellent computer skills, all worked well. research. - Genealogical assistance was provided for the At the 7 Lag Stevne, we have had classes and following sites: 1801 census, 1865 and other time to research using the official records of censuses, Exit lists from Oslo. Stavanger, Bergen, Norway on film. Usually the church books, Rygh Books data base. and Family Search. A list census records, probate records, and related of key sites for accessing other Norwegian reference materials are available for research. information was available. Some of the sites are not easy to search and our volunteers helped In planning this Centennial, we realized that with people learn how to be more effective in so many persons and the fact that most of the searching them. 32 bygde/ag have 100 or more films each, it would not be possible to have enough readers or Other features of the open house included solving space to set up for the research. However, we computer genealogy questions with the available had the opportunity to access internet sites and software and a class on how to begin Norwegian to offer excellent classes. research. Jerry Rosholt sought information for his data base about Norwegians who served in the Internet access helped create an interesting Civil War. Beginning genealogy was taught by genealogists' Open House at Olin Hall. This Peggy Miller of the Vestland group of lags. wouldn't have been possible were it not for members of the Norway List, Norwegian-American Lest we forget, it should be said that many of Genealogical Association, and Minnesota the 60 forums offered as part of the Bygdelag Genealogical Society who volunteered to assist at Centennial had relevance to genealogy. There the various stations established to help were sessions in the strands on history, culture, participants. Most volunteers worked for two and family history--useful in doing family research. hours (although some did more). Participants learned to use internet sites more effectively. Forums discussed the resistance movement during Over 25 persons assisted, including Lee Rokke, World War II, why people left Norway, the first Sigdal genealogist, to make the day a productive good map of Norway, nobility and relevance to one for those who chose these events. family trees, royalty and family trees, several presentations about available records, naming In addition, there was a station that assisted customs lpresented by Lee Rokke), writing family persons in locating their ancestral site in Norway. stories, early Norwegian churches, early A special treat was another site sponsored by the Norwegian settlements, and the Anderson Family History Library in Salt Lake City with their bibliographies on internet. Essentially the forums Family Search which is not fully built on internet. were excellent classes to provide background Salt Lake City brought a complete set of the information to the researcher. Family Search CDs so that the entire database was available to Centenl)ial participants. The Centennial offered the opportunity to network with persons researching in many parts of The open house was planned and orchestrated Norway. This could only increase our perspective by Marilyn Sorensen (Gudbrandsdal, Ringerike- about available resources and creative means to Drammen DistT1cts, and Nord Hedmark og solve genealogical problems. From my Hedemarken lag), Dixie Hansen (also 'NHOH), perspective as a lag genealogist, I realize the Barbara Hauger (Soler and Gudbrandsdal), Dave wealth of resources available in other places. Cross (Rogalandslag), and Jean Legried IVestlandslag). This group helped to prepare an Each lag might wish to improve the resources exhibit of the libraries in the United States that they have. Many lags have excellent data bases have good Norwegian-American and Norwegian of census records, emigration from various Collections. communities, bygdebl1Jkerwith good farm histories and a variety of other resources. Another exhibit consisted of two panels from a traveling exhibit owned by the Minnesota We (i.e. interested members 1 need to work on Genealogical Society that depicts "One Man's projects to develop more material for research Journey" from Norway to America. There was and seek information from Norway about what a table of interesting brochures along with a "help is available and how we can purchase the relevant table" to assist answering difficult genealogical material with our lag resources. questions. Always a question is whether the internet access will work with the needs that
3 SIGDAL·EGGEDAL MUSEUM SEEKS PICTURES NOW THROUGH OCTOBER By LeeRokke
Pictures of the emigrants from Sigdal for the local museum at Prestfoss, Norway, have come in from 12 people. In spite of few contributors, there are a great number of interesting photos. Thanks to all who contributed. When the collection is complete we will publish the names of the people who contributed some of their family photo history. The museum is interested in showing the life of the emigrants, so if you have pictures of your family that shows their activities, please consider giving us a good ~ If you can get the pictures to me by the end of October, there is still time to add to the collection. Send them to Lee Rokke, 13465 Garden View Drive, Apple Valley, MN 55124.
Sigdal Lag Library Receives Resources
Marilyn Gronseth Moen sent 15 pages of Gronseth family photos.
Betty J. Foster, Charlottesville, IN, donated a copy of her family history, Medalen & Gronhovd Line. The material was researched by her daughter, Denise Walker, New Castle, Indiana. Those of you with Medalen and Gronhovd family roots will want to look at the Randi Raaen. 6. visits mother Berit Tovsrud's bunad shop in Prestfoss during "bygdedag" in Sigdal book to compare family lines. Some of the genealogy was done by the late Andreas M0rch.
Kredsherad Mayor Sends Gift Anita Welsh, Vancouver, WA, has turned in surveys on the families of Ole Johannesen \ Medrud, Kristi Johannesdtr Medrud, Narve During his trip to Norway this June, Larry Johannesen Medrud, Helge Johannesen and Rolfstad brought back a gift book for the lag Gunhild Gulsdtr Slevika, Martin Gulliksen library from Inge Thorud, ordfBrer (mayor) of KrBdsheradKommune. . Humlegard, Oscar Gulliksen Humlegard, and The large folio book, Kradsherad I BNder, Vilhelm Gulliksen Humlegard. contains 219 pages of historical pictures under. the following chapter headings: daily life, • • cultural life, sports, outdoor life, organizations Getting Every SAGA? You Can Help and clubs, clothing traditions, communication, If you subscription is current, there's no problem, schools, the working life, and a collection of right? Not quite! Now and then memberscopies groups, places, and farms. Panoramicviews are are returnedwith the temporarily away from home also shown, including the inside covers. stamp; these issues of the Saga are then NOT FORWARDEDby the US Postal Service (as they The final picture is of the bondebrullup i once were). When they do come back to the festbunader (the farm wedding in traditional editor, she needs NEW postage (and another trip dress clothes) of Berit Tovsrud and Ole Raaen. .to the PO)and she must guess WHENthey should Berit Tovsrud now operates Bunad Butikken in they be sent again. the Buskerud Folk Music Center (the former old people's home) at the Sigdal-Eggedal Museum. Either TALK to your postmaster or send She is a knowledgeable authority on available instructions, okay? If you'll be gone late Jan & colors and embroidery choices for our lag areas. early Febor late April & early May, pleasewrite me Write her at 3500 Prestfoss, Norway. or have a neighbor pick up mail. Thanks! -- MDS
4 NORWAY WELCOMES 2000 LAG TOUR; WAIT LIST BEGINS
"Norway awaits our arrival," says Larry Rolfstad. "Plans are progressing well for the tour June 11-26 next year."
New registrations will be placed on a waiting list, as the maximum capacity for our tour bus has been reached. We currently' have 55 people signed up for an exciting 16- day itinerary to Norway.
Larry and his wife, Linda, are coordinators for a trip in which lag members whose ancestors left Sigdal-Eggedal and Kmdsherad have been invited by these two municipalities or kommuner for an Emigration Festival June 19-24, 2000.
The Norwegian host committee has released a tentative schedule for the portion of the tour members' trip in lag areas. During June 19-25 in Sigdal, Sigda!'. 1914 banner at the Bygdelag Centennial (L-RJ: Irene Navarre. Pre.ident Carol Mead., hidden bearer Don Skedeland. Corrine Johnson &. Marilyn Somdahl. past presidents. Eggedal, and Kmdsherad there Photo: Ha08onlFelles,aad will be side trips to local attractions. (Costs for these days were not included in earlier tour quotations). Plans include celebrating Utvandrerdagen (the day of emigrating) with people in old costumes joining us to re-enact the conditions and travel of our ancestors who left for America.
The week will culminate with a show Space has been confirmed on Northwest/KLM performance and dinner of traditional food at via Amsterdam and for passengers originating the Folkemusikksenter in Prestfoss. The from Minneapolis/St Paul space has been committee plans to give each tour member a confirmed on Icelandair. (These changes are written historial I report about the emigration due to NWA's cancelling their direct flights to from Sigdal and Eggedal. Special assistance is Oslo, effective October 1999.) A revised designed to help tour members find relatives itinerary with final changes will be forwarded using the bygdebeker and other resources. within the next few weeks to those who have This is in addition to helping find home stays pre-registered and paid their $50.00 deposit to for tour members with relatives (or another Sigdal Lag. family for those who have lost touch with their relatives in the area). If you chose, you can You will be asked to complete a tour application also stay in one of the area hotels or bed and form and submit a deposit of $ 500.00 per breakfasts at your own expense. person to Brekke Tours for the air and land arrangements. Final payment will be due 45 The tour will enjoy travel first in the days prior to departure. Gudbrandsdal valley to Lillehammer, then Hamar, Gjovik, Lom, Elveseter, Geiranger, Loen, If you have questions, please contact Larry and Bergen, Flam, Hallingdal and Oslo prior to the Linda Rolfstad, 605-348-2302, or e-mail specific days in our own lag areas. (Details [email protected]. published in the 10/98, 2/99 and 5/99 SAGA. Contact Rolfstads for current information.
5 BYGDELAG CENTENNIAL LAUDED IN LETTERS, E-MAIL, PICTURES
Communications praising the Decorah Centennial defending the Christian faith at Stiklestad. Pilgrims planners continue to arrive in late September. visiting his burial site told of healing and many Since its 1861 founding, Luther College has had miracles; the next year the church declared him a historic ties to Norwegian immigrants and it offered saint and martyr. By his death, St. Olav effected excellent, air conditioned facilities for large groups. more change to unite Norway culturally and to Many also visited Vesterheim Museum, a cultural Christianize the country. Pastor Gunnar Kristiansen , jewel for Norwegian-Americans. Filled bus tours to along with his wife, pianist Anna Helene, Bodl/l, Jacobson farm and shuttles ran between Luther and Norway, planned the service and played for the the museum. Vesterheim got almost 100 liturgy and hymns. The pastor also sang and played memberships as a result of NABC advertising. his guitar. Ushers counted 117 people and $397 "l;emperatures were hot, in the high 90s, but in the offering for Mindekirken, the Norwegian handsome sales displays offered on the second floor church in Minneapolis Kristiansen now serves. of the Union offered cool shopping. A separate Dressed in his bunad, emcee Roger Ostby article appears elsewhere about the genealogy introduced the talented Drammen dancers directed emphasis at Olin Hall. In addition the campus was by Gunnar Jonsen, who wore the Stavanger bunad a Thursday night tent city to about 8,000 bicyclists of Rogaland. His partner, Wiil Ml/lrk, was one of who pedalled across Iowa. three women in Sigdal-Eggedal bunader. Some chose Superb regional bygdedans, springars. pols, rhein/ender, and song dances were performed. a special 3 PM service because During the program, the dancers were introduced by July 29 was St. bunad area. Buskerud included Sigdal, Flesburg in Olav's Day (aswell Numedal, Hallingdal, Lier, and Ringerike; Finnmark as counting air (+ a Swedish-clad husband); Voss in Hordaland; Nordland; Graffer, Lillehammer, and Lom in Oppland; conditioning among their blessings). Nord Trl/lndelag; Indre Sogn; Tinn in Telemark; and St. Olav's Day Vestfold. Wearing her Vestfold bunad, Live Rl/line, the or o/sok, elected leader of the 75 year old /eikarring, commemorates presented Marilyn Somdahl, Fellesraad president, King Olav II, a with a large rosemaled plate as a memento of their dynamic young Centennial invitation. A photo folder filled with ruler, who died signatures and a Drammen table flag accompanied July 29, 1030. Red is the liturgical color for oIsok
PaulUlvilden plays the lur to open the July 29 programby LeikarringNoreg, Drammen,Norway. (A.Hanson/Fellesraadphotol
6 • the rosemaled plate, painted by dancer Wivi Simultaneous 7999 Lag Meetings Svennson. And Music, Music, Music . Until noon Saturday additional forums, the fjord horse and reindeer exhibits, demonstrations at Jenson Hall and vendor sales at the Union continued. Individual annual lag meetings or activities--the first such all-lag event since 1925-- filled the afternoon, as announced on Union bulletin boards. NABC Co-chair Christian Skjervold opened the Saturday evening musical program as master of ceremonies and NABC Co-chair Marilyn Sorensen was called upon for the concluding remarks of the Centennial. Instrumental and choral music of the Lost Norwegians, Northfield, MN, was under the leadership of Margaret Hayford O'Leary who also sang accompanied by her own playing of the langeleik, a special Norwegian zither, which is much used and prized in Valdres. Lighthearted songs such as the re-enactment of "Ut Etter 01" were contrasted with less well known selections and the reading of an immigrant letter. The oldest traditional Norwegian men's chorus, A standing ovation for the dancers was matched Luren Singing Society, has been in continuous by a second for Leroy Larson and the Minnesota existence 131 years. A varied presentation of Scandinavian Ensemble which is in its 25th year. spirituals, traditonal, and patriotic pieces were Larson's Ensemble had entertained at previous execited with vigor and skill. Dr. David Judisch is bygdelag events, but their music never sounded the director, but shared direction of some selections better. They invited the audience to sing a set of requiring his solo voice. As it had done for the folksongs with them. Northfield group and would do following the Foot- Notes, the audience once again stood applauding. FORUMS, PAGEANT HIGHLIGHT FRIDAY Almost all participants had registered by Friday to take in over 60 outstanding forums, dance clinics, and demonstrations of Norwegian craft traditions. Visits to the reindeer and Sami camp were made. "0 Valdres", a 1996 creation by Gretchen D. Helle, was sung following three national anthems and presentation of symbolic gifts to June Adele Dolva, Valdres Samband president, and past leaders. As the "birthday lag", Valdres was the first bygd to advertise a stevne in the Norwegian newspapers of 1899, and so began the bygde/ag movement in America. That's also how the Friday evening' program began. Many really dressed up for the pageant compiled by John Andrisen with narration by MC Lewis Peterson who collaborated to present it. Historical accounts were submitted by 31 of the Enjoyment is dancing to great music! (N'AS/FeHe.raad 32 lag and read during the presentation of each photos - both pages I banner. (None was read for Vestlandslag, a 7-lag consortium, but it, too, sends delegates to the Decorah's four Foot-Notes offered not only national lag council). Banner bearers were often listening music but also dance tunes so catchy that, accompanied by people wearing bunader from the once invited, people fro~ the audience danced at . lag area. Luther's technical crew supplied the either end of the staging area. It was vicariously and spotlights and coordinated the projected slides visually satisfying not to let the music be simply chosen for each lag. "God Bless America" was sung heard. as credits appeared on the screen.
7 1999 BYGDEDAG OPPLEVELSER I SIGDAL by Marilyn Somdahl What happens at local festivals the world over happened this June in Sigdal. People gather and talk. They have a good time. Here they show how things used to be done; there is a gift shop. Traditional portions of a program with music, tipping, a bunad show, products of craft classes where techniques may be tried by a new generation, and, of course, food. This event is in Norway! Inside the Sigdal-Eggedal Museum was a major exhibit called "Spil og dans". It enumerated the mostly Buskerud groups of active musicians and dancers-- fiddlers, accordion and torader players, for example. Over time I recognize a few people from previous trips who aren't relatives. We gather around an open fire where coffee is served to warm the conversation as well as the hand on a day with on- again off-again cool drizzle. One might wager how many years old a standing pine is. (I failed to hear who won or what its age was, but the diameter was maybe 8" --straight and tall.l The forestry club has a series of illustrated posters to look at and one forester admits he's not good about writing his American tremennin(J (second cousin). He likes my Norwegian, but he shifts to excellent English, explaining that he has not been to America recently. "Then I must have a picture to show," I said. Tar is being made the old fashioned way near the entrance to the open-air collection of museum buildings. After this many weeks, the exact (l-R) Anna St8vem, my hostess Ruth Reisted, and Asbjem Mollerud sequence escapes me, but the resins are removed enjoying the open fire behind them. with intense heat. Wood pieces are stuffed into a large cast iron pot which is tipped upside down on a good, open fire. Small pipes carry off the prized by-product amid the hissing and smoky atmosphere. Because of the rain, a tall, makeshift metal tent helped shelter the essential fire. Though we aren't hungry yet, we whiff fragrant waffles from a steamy waffle iron as we pass by. Milk was separated from the cream in a hand operated separator--a farm piece I grew up using (and cleaning!). Later a hand-cranked churn was used to show the agony of almost-- soon-to-be butter. It does take longer than you think! In between are trips to various buildings housing old objects. The entire upstairs in one held a collection of wood carvings that people in classes had produced in remarkable acanthus patterns-- a meat press, mangletre, clock, table, chest, wall cabinet or a sofa-chest. Each artist's name appeared with the finished object. What pride there must be to learn and to stay with the process until skill overcomes and meshes with the desire to create. Bunaderwere modelled by several women, and one of them had completed additional items, including a boy's vest, which she carried in a basket. Then three of us paid a visit to the bunad shop on the 3rd floor of the Buskerud Folk Music' Center at Prestfoss. Her address: 3500 Prestfoss, Norway. Write for her shop hours, Mrs. Nils Eken demonstrates sOlllpmaking to the editor and her second cousin, Ruth phone number or e-maillfax. Reistad. Birch trees and trolls are lurching in the background of the low bam at Sigdal-Eggedal Museum. MDS photo
8
--- BISBEE SHOWS ROSEMALING OF CHEST AND GRA VEMARKER Interested Sigdalslag members have followed the artistic achievements of Elvera Bisbee over the last 15 years or so. As a member, she has also been a vendor at such places as Decorah, lA, Wahpeton, NO, St. John's U, Collegeville, MN, and La Crosse, WI. This year she was a Centennial demonstrator of her craft Friday at Jenson Hall on the Luther campus. Saturday when this photo was taken, those at the lag meeting had a chance to learn about and enjoy seeing two large rosemaled pieces that give her special satisfaction. The first is a chest using a variation of the Gudbrand Larsen Foss style rose motif (cherished in Sigdal), which served as her inspiration. Even in black and white, one can see the lighter painting inside the chest lid. It fit on a library cart to give you an idea of its size. Probably the most unusual piece is a' wood gravemarker that eventually she plans to use! . During a trip to Norway in the 1980s, Elvera visited a cemetery at Vaga in Gudbrandsdal. She discovered beautifully carved and painted gravemarkers. To have one of her own, she persuaded a master carver, Phillip Odden of Wisconsin, to carve the wood-- from a redwood tree. Having taken his training in Norway, he had visited this cemetery many times. In Norway some standing carved markers seem to have faces. This symbolism may date back to pagan beliefs. Instead, Elvera painted an eye to wink at her descendants. Painted letters lin the light circle} beneath Elvera are the words: BI.ssed IIf. the dead which die in the Lord henceforth: Vea. saith the Spirit. that they may r•• t from thair labors, and their works do follow them. The Bible passage continues (right side) under Bisbee: lind I looked and behold II white cloud. and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of Man. elvera holds 8 sheat of picture. from VigA and the "Immediately, I knew I'd use Revelations 14:13-14 as the schematic of the glllv.marker as she speaks. (MDS inscription, and I did the lettering in Norwegian. It's especially photol meaningful for me because of a near-death experi.ence." Three crosses, representing the Holy Trinity, fill the center vertically between her first and last name. Every Memorial Day Elvera puts flowers on the graves of her parents, siblings and four grandparents at Hoiland Lutheran Cemetery, three The US-Norway Forum will have its third annual miles SW of Tracy, MN. " My paternal meeting in Minneapolis October 14 at the invitation grandparents died three days apart, but I'd never of Tom Vraalsen, Norwegian Ambassador to the thought to trace off the inscription on their stone. United States, Washington, D.C. where last year's To my amazement, upon translating the shortened meeting was held. Rev 14: 13 verse, I found it was the same thing that I had already painted on my marker! It was Presidents of Norwegian-American colleges and so awesome, I cried! I got the feeling that surely organizations will attend, including Bygdelagenes "their works do follow them." Fellesraad. Painted in the lower scene is a little girl (Elvera) sitting at a makeshift easel in the yard of the farm The next day Norwegian explorer Liv Arnesen and where she was born. A shadowy figure appears American Anne Bancroft are speakers following an rising into the heavens above the "Valdres" trees. 11 :30 lunch at the Marquette Hotel, sponsored by the Royal Norwegian Consulate and Sons of Coming October Events Norway. They will attempt the first all-women's crossing of Antarctica beginning November 2000. OCT 9-16 LEIV ERIKSSON FESTIVAL, Minneapolis Both are former teachers, an~ school children will 14 Explorer Thor Heyerdahl guest panelist track the exploration via internet to learn about 15 Lunch at Marquette Hotel; Program: Antarctica. Explorers Anne Bancroft & Liv Arnesen OCT 16 Nordmanns Forbundet Dinner, Mpls Arnesen was the first woman to ski solo to the South Pole in 1994, a 745 mile and 50 day OCT 13-16 NORSK H0STFEST, Minot, NO expedition. Bancroft was the first known woman continued in column 2 to cross' over the ice to both the North and South Poles.
9 Members Invest in Brand New Old Clothesfor Centennial Three Sigdal Lag members wore a bunad to Earl opted for full Illngth which with his height give 1999 bygdelag events for the first time. him an impressive bearing. Besides the adornment Rosella Ansten Goettelman chose the of the button placement, Earl wears a neckpin to much beloved Sigdal-Eggedal embroidered hold the shirt together and cuff links. All festbunad with the beaded bringeklut (in the front important elements have approval and oversight of opening of the waist-long bodice or liv}, usually a bunad committee. chosen by people from Eggedal, where her Prior to attending a lag function, Marilyn ancestors originated. It is this cut that identifies Dahlen Somdahl wore her bunad to the May 17 much of the Sigdal tradition of dressing. Her very dinner and to the reception and dinner for Crown first wearing was Saturday evening at the Prince Haakon June 7 in Minneapolis, where she Centennial where she was one of the best dressed served on steering committees for both occasions ushers and banquet hostessess (pages 1, 2) of the this yearn besides involvement in Centennial NABC Hospitality Committee. planning, advertising, articles and news releases, She chose a red brocade, lace trimmed bodice and the 44 page program book. and dark blue wool stakk (skirt) with an embroidered Her bunad, embroidered and constructed in stakk border and embroidered wool apron. The Krlldsherad, was ordered from Berit Tovsrud, bottom bodice hem is trimmed in lace of silver or Prestfoss, in October 1996. Measurements and gold and in the back it stands out (up and down) fittings took place during a four week 40th in "waves" or skjre/inger. This characterizes anniversary trip with her husband Narv to North Sigdal-Eggedal, Kredsherad and Fla (Hallingdal) Norway and to relatives in May-June 1998. bunader which share the same dressing tradition. (Handwork takes time!) This festbunad uses a Rosella's bunad was ordered through Susan different embroidery pattern on the same purse, Sutherland, 410 Roosevelt Avenue. Fall Creek, WI hat, and skirt border as Rosella's, but it has the 54742. Call 715-877-2011. She was a presenter kort liv (high-waisted) fitted bodice with "waves" and vendor at Decorah. Accessories, such as in back and the longer embroidered skirt her great scarves, jewelry, shoes and stockings are available. grandmother Randi Andersdtr (Glasrud) Finnerud Earl O. Knutson chose the bunad from wore ca. the 1880s. A patterned light blue Osterey, a land-locked island just north of Bergen. brocaded vest is complimented with a full length Half of his mother's ancestry is from OsterllY in apron, a floral sheer wool muslin on a blue ground. Hordaland fylka. Measurements for his festbunad The upper selje was from her mother and below, were taken in September-October 1998 during a in the opening trimmed in gold lace, she wore an trip in Norway old norsk four-spoon selje of mormor Ingeborg and sewn by Endresdtr, who emigrated in 1893 (from her a woman at sister's farm, Hundstadhagen, not her mother's). the Bunad l.oft Hardware for the purse, a neckpin, and cuff links a shop on were bought in Aamodt and Vikersund, Modum. Oster .. Shoes were mailed from Wisconsin, but the correct It features a socks were bought this year in Prestfoss! total of 32 Bodil Granum's sound advice was invaluable silver buttons: before and during the first visit to Berit's Bunad double set Butikk. A search had included shops in Oslo and down the Gol. Then Narv's Gol relatives included a visit center of the over the mountain to Valdres Folk Museum at red wool vest Fagernes to view that large bunad collectionn and . larger inclUding several from Hallingdal, a striking gold silver buttons with red one from Sigdal, and from elsewhere in on the open Norway. Many "legal" choices and variations are black treye possible (some are not!) in the local communities ijacketl -six or where the skills and the traditons are best known. seven on either (Vaidres has six kommurTer, so there are many side of the authentic options, especially in larger valleys.) front opening, Berit Tovsrud (p. 4) wears a red shirt under a trimmed at the comfortable black stakk to assist customers coming to her third floor shop during the Sunday afternoon Alice Mensing'. picture of the editor 8nd her edge in green. nephew Earl. grandkide of immigrant Sigdeler: Rather than festday. The editor has pictures of just-arrived silk Ingeborg Finrud Johnson &. Martha Knudson. knee length fabric· for vests. Note: Bunad booklets w/photos black trousers, in color are also in the lag library @ Rokke'shome.
10 IN MEMORY
LAWRENCE E. SOLUM (Dec 21, 1918 - Aug LILLIAN HANSON MELLAND (Dec 26, 1904- 20, 1999). was a Sigdal Lag member more July 25, 1999) died at Valley Eldercare, Grand than a decade with previous addresses in Forks, NO. Services were held at First Hector, Lester Prairie and Stanchfield, MN. Lutheran Church, Hoople, NO, with burial in the Pastor Joel Ouie conducted the funeral service Hoople City Cemetery. August 25 at Prairie Lutheran Church, Eden She is survived by daughters, Sigdal member .Prairie, MN, where he was currently a member, Gladys (Jesse) Kringstad, Hoople; Elizabeth and interment was at Crystal Lake Cemetery, ILeo) Rieger and Esther (Delmer) Howes, both Minneapolis. of Grand Forks; sons, Orville (Lois). Ranier, OR; Surviving him are his wife, Melvin (Marlene), Thompson, NO; 24 Gloria; daughter, Jeanne grandchildren, including Ellen (Clark) G1ood; 32 ( Don a I d ) Seve r son; great-grandchildren, 12 great-great- granddaughters, Kristine grandchildren; a sister, Bernice Watson, (Allan) Green and Julie Minneapolis, MN; and a brother, Reuben Gorde, Severson; and great-grandson West Patterson, NJ. Evan Green; six stepchildren, She was preceded in death by daughters, 12 step grandchildren and 10 Selma Kjos and Mary Gutterud, and a son, step great-grandchildren; Leonard. sisters, lag member Alvina A native of North Dakota, Lillian was born (Charles) Lemon, Port Orchard, WA; Blanche and began school in Nekoma, later attending England, Detroit Lakes, MN; Alette (Glen) school in. Osnabrock. She married Sever Arneson, Fargo, NO; and brother Arnold, Melland at Langdon November 22, 1922. They Detroit Lakes, MN; many nieces and nephews. farmed near Fairdale until 1945 when they He was preceded in death by his parents, moved to Edmore and in 1949 they moved to Esther and Knut; brother, Clifford, sister, Hoople, all in NO. Lillian was a cook for the Luverne Singleson, and his first wife, Lucille. Hoople Public School until retiring. Her husband Larry was confirmed in 1935 at Richwood died March 28, 1976, and she moved to Grand Lutheran Church and educated at Detroit Lakes, Forks in 1997. MN. Serving in the US Army in Italy, he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star in HAZEL ENGER DOEDEN (Sept 8, 1907-April 1944. He was a member of the Teamsters 25, 1999) died at Worthington, MN, where Local, the American Legion, and held life services were held at memberships in both the VFW and DAV. Emmanuel United Methodist Besides volunteering at his church, he was a Church with burial in driver for McLeod County Social Services and a Worthington Memorial volunteer at the V A Medical Center/Clinic. He Gardens. was also a 30 year Sons of Norway member. Surviving are four sons, Larry and Gloria most recently attended the Gaylord (Darlene), Lowell 1996 Sigdalslag stevne at Forest ~ity, Iowa. (Arlene), and Merle (Arlene) Doeden, all of Worthington; Donald (Janice) Doeden, BERNIECE LARSON SKADELAND (January 18, Round Lake, a daughter, Janet Hardy, 1910 - August 16, 1999) died at the Lutheran Albuquerque, NM; and a sister, lag member Home, Omaha, Nebraska. She was laid to rest Vivian (Clarence) Erbes, Worthington; 15 beside her late husband, Spencer M. grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. Skadeland, at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Omaha. Born in Hanley Falls, she was the daughter Born in Westhope, North Dakota, Berniece is of Edward and Hannah Larson Enger. She had survived by several lag members including a lived with her parents in Wisconsin, North son Don (Lynn) Skadeland, Omaha; daughters Dakota, and South Dakota before settling. in Alyce (Wesley) Kessler, Bismarck, NO, and 1923 at Worthington. She graduated from high Betty (Douglas) Bergantzel, Council Bluffs, lAo school there and married Herman Doeden June Also surviving are one brother, two sisters, 17, 1925. They farmed in Nobles County until seven grandchildren, including Dr. Dean (Linda) 1961 when they moved to Round Lake. Skadeland, and 13 great-grandchildren. Herman died January 8, 1976. She was preceded in death by her husband She was treasurer 15 years of Emmanuel UM and a sister, Beulah Damstrom. Church Women and she volunteered for Round Lake's Project Group, the Red Cross,' and served 19 years as a Gray Lady.
11 Welcome, New Members Kristi Adolphson, Gig Harbor, WA Paul T. & Jean Akre, Portland, OR N. T. Braatelien, Moline, IL Bettv Foster, Charlottesville, IN Gloria Glaser, Prescott Valley AZ Elaine Helgeson Hasleton, Centerville, UT Klemet & Hazel Haugen, Austin, MN Herbert Hoff, Hutchinson, MN Joyce Jernberg, Stoddard, NH Lincoln & Marlene Klabo, Fairfax, V A Jeff Kopseng, Albert Lea, MN Orla Hoff Maahs, Fergus Falls, MN Harold Mohagen, Elbow Lake, MN Janet Poff, St Paul, MN Linda Richards, Sundance, WY Joann Ronningen, West Concord, MN Norma Skadeland, Stoddard, NH Shirley Skadeland, Larrabee, IA 1999 - 2000 Sigdalslag Officers Allan Turmo, Fargo, NO Denise Walker, New Castle, IN CAROL MEADE, President/NSl Rep DON SKADELAND, Treasurer 612-827-6139; [email protected] 402-331-5906; [email protected] 4133 Lyndale Ave South 10642 "0" Street Minneapolis, MN 55409 Omaha, NE 68127
RUTH MANNING, Vice Pres. MARILYN SOMDAHL, Editor 402-455-7221 612-831 -4409 4816 Ruggles Street 10129 Goodrich Circle Omaha, NE 68104 Bloomington, MN 55437
EARL 0 KNUTSON, Vice Pres LEE ROKKE, Genealogist 973-426- TWIIA HALVORSON, Secretary CORRINE L. JOHNSON, Past Pres 218-847-5313 612-831-8637 }OO5 North Shore Drive 4575 - 80th St Circle #202 Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 Bloomington, MN 55437 ->;, 111... 1" .1I••I... l, 1l,.I .... Il" 1l.I". 1,1,1,11." I."1••I,1l