Budstikken - ValdresLes Heen, Associate Editor.....E-mail: [email protected] Tel. 320-367-2896...

Published by Valdres Samband, the oldest bygdelag in America - 1899

Budstikken, December 2018 Volume 48 Number 1

Budstikken

Howard LerohlCall of the Lur2010 La Crosse Stevne

C:\Users\Vadres\Documents\MAY 2013 BUD\Ads May 2013\Borton Overseas AD May2013.jpgC:\Users\Vadres\Documents\2014 BUD DECEMBER\Ads DEC 2014 BUD\Borton_Budstikken_Oct2014.jpgC:\Users\Vadres\Documents\MAY 2013 BUD\Ads May 2013\Borton Overseas AD May2013.jpgC:\Users\Vadres\Documents\2014 BUD DECEMBER\Ads DEC 2014 BUD\Borton_Budstikken_Oct2014.jpgC:\Users\arlene\Documents\BUD\2010DecemberBudstikken\2010DecBud-Ads\Borton--Budstikken_Fall2010_ad.jpgC:\Users\arlene\Documents\BUD\2010DecemberBudstikken\2010DecBud-Ads\Borton--Budstikken_Fall2010_ad.jpgC:\Users\arlene\Documents\BUD\2010DecemberBudstikken\2010DecBud-Ads\Borton--Budstikken_Fall2010_ad.jpgC:\Users\Vadres\Documents\MAY 2013 BUD\Ads May 2013\Borton Overseas AD May2013.jpgC:\Users\Vadres\Documents\2014 BUD DECEMBER\Ads DEC 2014 BUD\Borton_Budstikken_Oct2014.jpg

SCANDINAVIA

Land of the MidnightSun

June 7 - 19

Spectacular NorwayTour A: June 18 - 27

Tour B: July 25 - August 3

Best of Norway

Taste of Norway &Sweden

June 29 - July 9Captivating Scandinavia

July 6 - 19Majestic SouthernNorway

July 8 - 18

Delightful NorwayJuly 22 - August 1

Sogn / Voss / ValdresHeritage Tour

July 22 - August 2

Splendor of Norway

1-800-437-5302 [email protected] tour details and additional itineraries, please contact Brekke

2 Budstikken, December 2018

BudstikkenEstablished in 1970. Issued in May and December at Minneapolis, MN, bythe Valdres Samband, the oldest Bygdelag in America. Editors Emeritus:Carl and Amy Narvestad 1970-84. David Kringstad 1985-86. June AdeleDolva 1986-95. Roy Evenson 1996-99. Ann Klee 2000. Gayle Struska2001-2008. Arlene Qualm 2008-2018.

Budstikken Editors

Bruce Weaver II, Editor ...............E-mail: [email protected]. 336-210-2724.......3204 Baskerville Ct Greensboro,NC 27410Les Heen, Associate Editor...............E-mail: [email protected]. 320-367-2896 ...........................................Maynard, MN 56260

Valdres Samband Officers

Becky Olson Wood, Vice-President E-mail: [email protected]

102 Market Street; Cloquet, MN 55720Vice President: OpenLes Heen, Recording Secretary........ E-mail: [email protected] Maynard, MN 56260Luci J.Baker Johnson, Membership Secretary E-mail: [email protected] Svor, Treasurer [email protected]. 10735 Redwood St. NW; Coon Rapids, MN 55433

Valdres Samband DirectorsTo 2019:Les Heen.....................................................................Maynard, MNDarin Flansburg.................................................................Motley, MNTo 2020:Jeffery Huset..........................................................Minneapolis, MNBeverlyTollefsen..................................................Granite Falls, MNTo 2021:.Open..................................................................................................Open...................................................................................................

Past Presidents Advisory CouncilBruce Weaver II.......................................................Greensboro,NCBob Skogman ........................................................................Isle, MNEarl Evenstad .............................................................Richfield, MNDoris Hayes...............................................................Mt. Horeb, WIMichael Bergan..............................................................Decorah, IAJune Adele Dolva......................................................Moorhead, MNDavid Kringstad....................................................Robbinsdale, MN

Director of Genealogy and Family Entries

Tom Standal.........................................E-mail:[email protected]

Valdres CorrespondentJahn Børe Jahnsen............................E-mail: [email protected] Losbyveien 7, A204 1475 FinstadjordetValdres Address (Not Postal): Mattisbakkevegen, Vaset, Ulnes, Norway

Director of Preservation, History and Archives(Open) ISSN: 0749-0747

Table of Contents

ARTICLES2018 Valdres Samband Alexandria Stevne Group Photo...............4Unxpected Love by Lori Lockrem Rogn........................................52018 Valdres Samband and Vestlandet Combined Stevne by Bruce Weaver II................................................,.............6Remembering Howard Lerohl by Bruce Weaver II.......................12Remembering Dr. Paul Rud Bruce Weaver II ..............................14Kensington Runestone by Bruce Weaver II ............................16Norwegians in the Civil War by Luci J Baker Johnson...............28How Norway Became United with Sweden by Wes Swanson.....30Seeking Information on Your World War I Valdres Relation by Bruce Weaver II............................................................33Additional Alexandria Stevne Photos...........................................42

NYTT FRA VALDRESJAHN BØRE JAHNSEN REPORTS

Stølsruta Historic Mountain Trail Reopened, p. 24; BlindPilgrim in Valdres, p. 25; Valdres Road Works, p. 25; Together atLast, p. 26; Valdres Motor Show, p. 26; When Lake Syndin WasTurned Around, p. 27 DEPARTMENTSFra Formannen by Becky Olson Wood ..........................................3The Editor's Window by Bruce Weaver II.......................................3Membership Report by Luci J. Baker Johnson.............................35Genealogy by Tom Standal . ..........................................................................38History and Preservation by Tom Standal....................................38Home Page by Anne Sladky .........................................................38Board Meeting Minutes by Les Heen...............................................39Treasurer's Reort by Ken Svor......................................................42Membership Application...............................................................44In Memory......................................................................................45

Advertising Guide: Borton Overseas, Inside Front Cover;Bethany Housewares, p. 1; Brekke Tours, p. 1; Dregne'sScandinavian Gifts, p. 14; Norwegian American GenealogicalCenter & Naeseth Library, p. 43; Tomten Catalog, p. 48; AstriMy Astri, Inside Back Cover; Scandinavian Press, Outside BackCover

Cover Photo: Howard Lerohl blowing the Lur, 2010Photo Contributed By: Bruce Weaver II

Anne Sladky..........................6938 State 200 NW, LaPorte, MN 56461

Valdres Samband Internet Web Page

Webmaster

Address: http://www.valdressamband.org Server: [email protected]

Printer: SNAP Printing, Hopkins, MN

1340 Unity Avenue North, Golden Valley, MN 55422

http://www.valdresgenealogy.com

Budstikken, December 2018 3

Remembering Howard Lerohl by Bruce Weaver II.......................12

Our thanks that twomembers of the Valdres SambandBoard have transitioned to newresponsibilities: Bruce Weaver IIand Arlene Quam. Bruce, ourimmediate past President of theSamband, has served for 6 years.He retired at the 2018 Stevne, butcontinues to serve the Samband asthe new editor of the Budstikken.

Arlene Quam has retired aseditor of the Budstikken. She hasfaithfully served the Samband inthis position since the summer of2008. Her first issue as editor wasDecember 2008. During her tenureshe skillfully published twenty(20!) issues of this prestigiousnewsletter, the Budstikken. Arlenehas agreed to be a new director.

My sincerest gratitude isextended to both Bruce and Arlene– MANGE TUSEN TAKK (manythousand thanks). Gratitude is alsogiven to Ken Svor (Treasurer) andTom Standal (Genealogist),continuing as directors through2019; and to Les Heen, asrecording secretary. Jeff Husetalso remains on the board as adirector, as does DarinFlansburg, and Beverly Telefsen.

At the Summer 2018 Stevne inAlexandria, Minnesota, we electedlong time member Luci BakerJohnson to the board, as adirector. At the September 2018meeting she was ‘promoted to’(agreed to take on theresponsibilities of) MembershipSecretary.The Board: We have a good slateof officers, yet are in need of twovital positions: Vice President andHistorian. Russ Elmore washistorian for nine years, until hissudden death on May 2, 2017.You can read about his work in theBudstikken, December 2012 issue,p. 13.Membership: We are gainingnew members, but through normalattrition we are also losingmembers due to age. For some ofus, we are the first generationinvolved in the Valdres Samband;Others are the latest generation ina long line of Valdres Sambandmembers. You might considergiving gift memberships to familymembers or friends. What a greatway to share your passion for yourNorwegian heritage!

Genealogy & Digitization: TomStandal has been a great additionto the Samband. He has workedtirelessly to build the first everValdres genealogy database,which was launched in June 2017:www.valdresgenealogy.com. Healso led the effort to make links todigitized scans of books publishedby and about the Sambandavailable for current members.Check out the new webpage.Stevne: This coming summeroffers Samband members twoStevner; one in Fagernes,Norway: July 6-15, 2019. Thedates were selected to coincidewith the dates of the Jørn Himle-Stemnet, as was done in 2014. Thesecond Stevne will take place(tentatively) June 20-22, 2019.

Your Valdres Samband President,

Becky Olson Wood

P.S. You can also find us onFacebook (group). Search onValdres Samband ~ oldestbygdelag in America.

Fra Formannen

Editor's WindowDear Readers,Thank you, Arlene, for your work

as editor! I have a lot to yet learn!My apologies for delays in the

Budstikken. Many start up problemswere corrected with a new Mouse!Formatting deficits like captionsshould be resolved by the May 2019Budstikken. All photos except forJahn Børe Jahnsen's and of Luci and

Tom are mine. Pictures of the writersare embedded in various articles. Itwas poignant compiling the tributesof Howard Lerohl and Paul Rud.Images were ones I snapped across 12stevnes. Check out our group photo.

Your contributions and interestkeep the Budstikken above its rivals.

God Jul! Bruce Weaver II

http://www.valdresgenealogy.com

John and Lori LockremAt the Runestone Museum

As I was growing up inCalifornia, I heard about Vang iValdres where my greatgrandfather grew up in the late1800s. In 1999, I beganresearching my family tree. Forthe first time, I was connectingwith people that were unfamiliarto me that had my same last name(Lockrem). The interestingmystery was to figure out how wewere related. In December 2016, I sentFacebook messages to strangersliving in Norway that shared mylast name. I was hoping to findmore details about Vang. Ireceived a message reply throughFacebook from several people.Some contacts were easy tocommunicate with while othersmore difficult. Two Norwegians,sharing my last name, both firstasked me which Lokreim farmmy ancestors were from. Andafter some discussion, we figuredout that our families were fromtwo different Lokreim farms nextdoor to each other. These new Norwegianfriends and I communicatedthrough Facebook quite often, asit was interesting to talk abouthow our lives were different yetsimilar living 5000 miles apart indifferent areas of the world.Through our conversations, wefigured out that we are 3rd cousinsthrough the Gjevre side of ourfamilies (and not the Lokreimside even though we share thesame last name).

On February 18, 2017, Iwas talking via Facebookmessenger with one of myNorwegian 3rd-cousins, when hisbest friend, John Rogn, showedup at his house. John friended meon Facebook thinking it would beinteresting to talk to someone thatlived in sunny California and Ithought it would be fun to haveanother Norwegian friend. In March 2017, I planneda trip to see the beautiful placesthat John and my Norwegiancousins told me all about. And Iwanted to meet these far-awayfriends in person. Soon John and Iwere talking on the phoneconsistently and eventually daily.In June 2017, John and I thoughtthat we had a real connection anddiscussed what life might be likeif we ended up liking each otherafter we met in person.

On June 19, 2017, I landed inNorway and drove to Fagernes tomeet John for the first time. Aftera hug and a kiss, we knew we hadthat chemistry we were hopingfor. We spent a month in Norwayand John also came back toCalifornia with me for a coupleweeks. We continued to talkabout the future and how wecould work this out. In January2018, John asked me to marryhim, and we eventually choseJune 19, 2018 as the date for ourwedding.This is our story of unexpectedlove through exploring myNorwegian ancestors.

Lori Lockrem Rogn

Unexpected LoveLori Lockrem Rogn


The 2018 Combined ValdresSamband and Vestlandet

Stevne in Alexandria,Minnesota

Thursday June 21, 2018

Thursday morning June 21our combined annual Stevneopened to a modest line ofattendees already gathered at ourRegistration table. Tom Standal,acting Valdres SambandMembership Secretary and

Genealogist, welcomed eachperson and handed outpreassembled Stevne packets.Tom was alert to sign up thosewho had not preregistered. AtRegistration throughout ourStevne were Treasurer Ken Svorand Past President Earl Evenstad,sometimes also joined former FirstLady and Rosemaling Champion,Shirley Evenstad.

Concurrently, LisaFlansburg ably set up theHospitality Suite, assisted byDirector Darin Flansburg. Lisabusily managed a smooth runningand very successful HospitalitySuite. Vickie Hart and Tom hadunpacked the Valdres Sambandtraveling archives and busilyreadied the Genealogy area. Thevarious vendors set up their wares.

Two speakers gavepresentations Thursday morning.First up was Amanda Seim, theExecutive Director of theRunestone Museum in Alexandria.Amanda gave a short introductionto the Kensington Runestone andwent on to provide a survey of anumber of interesting historicalexhibits the museum also houses.

She fielded questions from theaudience.

Next speaker was GaryLund, President of the DouglasCounty Historical Society. Hedressed in black, with theexception of a white shirt, andwore a formal top hat. Mr. Lundappeared as the historical figure,“Knute Nelson.” His name tagdisplayed the moniker “SenatorKnute Nelson.”

During his short talk, hepresented himself as thisrenowned persona, who went on tobecome the 12th Governor ofMinnesota. It was a goodintroduction for those who werebooked onto the Thursdayafternoon bus tour with its stop atthe former Knute Nelson home.Mr. Lund’s presentation was brief,which allowed for Stevne goersextra time to visit the genealogicaland vendor areas. Others checkedout the items for the Silent Auction.

A buffet lunch was servedpoolside after which people beganto queue up for the bus tour.Amidst the crowds and the bright


sun while waiting to board the twobuses, a Vestlandet attendeeinadvertently lost her footing andfell from the curbed sidewalk ontothe pavement requiring a hospitalvisit. The extent of her injury,while not life threatening,unfortunately caused her to missthe bus tour and balance of theStevne.

Stops on the bus tour werethe Douglas County HistoricalSociety/Knute Nelson home, andthe Runestone Museum—witheach bus reversing the order of itsitinerary to accommodate thelimited space of each site. Bothdestinations proved very engagingto many on the tour. TheRunestone, of course, was theimmediate showstopper. I spentconsiderable time examining thefamous carved stone and took maysnaps. Yet, beyond the museum’snamesake, many additionalartifacts and objects beggedfurther exploration. The NativeAmerican collection was very richand intriguing. A number of ourgroup expressed surprised delightat viewing certain museum objects

that were similar to, if not identicalto, what they were familiar withfrom their younger years.

The museum holdingsproved so charming that somepeople ran out of time to cross theroad and check out, “Big Ole—America’s Biggest Viking!” The28 ft tall fiberglass sculpture wascrafted for the 1965 New YorkWorld’s Fair. It was trucked backto Minnesota in December 1965and has its own story to tell fromits residence in Alexandria.

The Douglas CountyHistorical Society/Knute Nelsonhome warranted an interestingguided tour of the main room by avery informed docent. Here, as atthe museum, tourgoers weresometimes confronted withvarious items familiar tochildhood.

The late Dr. Paul Rudremarked how the cookstove wasvery similar to one he rememberedfrom way back. The upstairsbedroom had an intriguingheadboard made of burls. It wasalmost reminiscent of peering intoa series of Rorschach inkblotpatterns. Among the actualresearch part of the former KnuteNelson home--The Douglas

County Historical Society--was acollection of period localnewspapers, stored in binders.Following the extended viewing ofthe internal eye candy collectionsand furnishings the Knute Nelsonhome offered, it was time to headto the final tour destination of theafternoon.

The buses then reconvenedat Runestone County Park-- theformer site of the Ohman farm—where the “discovery” wasreportedly made of the KensingtonStone in 1898—120 years ago.After a self-guided tour at the parkwhich included a markerindicating where the stone wasrecovered, bus passengers walkeddown the slope to the new visitorcenter to line up for a Barbequedinner.

The recently completed$1,000,000 project had beendedicated on January 3—some sixmonths prior to our visit. Themodern Visitor’s Centershowcases a full-size replica of thefamed Kensington Rune Stone anda fireplace made of the same typeof metagraywacke rock that therenowned original was chiseledupon. In excess of 1.5 miles ofdimensional lumber went into thebuilding frame for the new center.


Its tall, south facing windows weredesigned to utilize ambient solarheating for this modern facility.On the day of our bus tour, thehigh ambient temperatures andsunny skies were a bit much forsome. Many chose to sit inside.

Yet, with the size of thegroup, and its overflow, othersfound additional, unshaded seatingoutdoors at long picnic tables. Ofcourse, those Stevne attendeeswho were NOT on the bus tour haddinner on their own. Scheduledindividual Lag group photos were

taken after the return of the bustour groups to the motel.

Friday June 22, 2018

Friday Morning beganwith a presentation by ElaineHasleton, President of Fellesraad.Her topic was, “Growing Up inAlexandria, Minnesota.” Afterbeginning with a reading from thebook, “The Life of Knute Nelson,”Elaine provided her short list ofwhat Growing up in Alexandriarepresents: Kensington Runestone,Big Ole, Knute Nelson,

Abercrombie Trail, WWII & theKorean War and Rural Schools.

Visitors to the site where the runestone was found walked by the type oftree whose roots clasped the Kensington Runestone

Aedicine LakeT ca 1that


Especially utilizing the recordsand resources of the DouglasCounty Courthouse and DouglasCounty Historical Society, shewas able to pinpoint significantamounts of detail into finding anddocumenting the former site inAlexandria where she had lived.Her illustrated lecture became atutorial providing attendees withdirections on how to accessresources beyond the traditionalcombing of vital statistics andcensus records. These wouldinclude plat records, citydirectories, “Fire Maps,” photoarchives of state historicalsocieties and the National DigitalNewspaper Program, “Chroniclingof America” at the Library ofCongress (weblink:https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/newspapers/).

Following a break andretakes of a lag group photo, theopening ceremonies commencedwith Tom Standal’s “Call of theLur.” Vestlandent President AnnRomo welcomed Stevneattendees. Tamra Foster officiatedthe annual memorial Service.Rebecca Wood organized theBarneborgen children to bring a

flower as the name of eachdeceased former lag member washonored.

Taryn Nelson Flolid spokenext about “Post Civil WarHomesteaders in West Minnesota”of Norwegian descent. Afterhighlighting how the Homesteadprocess came about and thediscussing Ft. Atkinson, Tarynnext focused on several familiesincluding that of Urness. Shetraced them from the Urnessstavkirke church near Sogne Fjordto Urness Township plat map inDouglas County, Minnesota. Thisfeatured 15th Wisconsin Infantry,Company B, Civil War veteranAnders J Urness.

A revealing bar graphillustrated how robust Norwegianemigration to the United Stateswas through 1861 (when my own15th Wisconsin Civil War veteranemigrated) at about 8000Norwegian settlers. It thendropped off until the postwar yearof 1866 when Norwegianemigration shot up to above15,000! A curious lull in the mid1870’s brought the Norwegianinflux down to Civil War levelsthen rose upwards. It spiked toover 20,000 Norwegiansbeginning in 1880—a veritableNorwegian “invasion” that spilledinto the northern Midwest.

Ethnicity was alsoillustrated in ultimate settlement.Distribution of Swedish andNorwegian emigrants wasdemonstrated for the DouglasCounty townships of Moe, Osakisand Urness. Perhaps mostsobering was a statewide map ofMinnesota counties for 1950-1960

ordered by Finnish, German,Norwegian and Swedish origin.

The Norwegians andGermans occupied the largestamount of territorial dominanceacross Minnesota, followed by theSwedish and then the Finnishpopulations.

Following a poolside lunchbuffet, Paul Rolvaag—greatgrandson of Ole Rolvaag, gave ashort presentation on the work ofhis renowned literary forbearer.He selected several passages toread orally from his forbearer’swork that depicted the eloquenceyet also feistiness of that toweringNorwegian writer and scholar. Thebrevity of Mr. Rolvaag’s talkgranted an extended time windowfor many to place their last bids forthe Silent Auction which soon toend.

Thrusting us into thedigital age of genealogy research,Valdres Samband Director DarinFlansburg led an informingpresentation into, “GenealogyTechnology.” He is cofounder ofthe S-AGA “Next Generation”


genealogical website and aWeb/Application Developer atCentral Lakes College in Brainerd,MN.” Darin began with a shortlistof Historical Societies andInstitutions. For most Budstikkenreaders the Facebook ValdresSamband and Valdres Slektwebsites were foremost. Fromthere, he listed 7 “Special Interest”Facebook pages. For instance,Iowa, Minnesota or WisconsinNorwegians as well as ValdresNorwegian Genealogy—allFacebook platform sites.

Additionally, there arewebsites specific to families.These may be open or closedgroups, depending on the site. Ofcourse, there are pros and conswith utilizing Facebook websitessuch as lack of privacy and beingsubject to data mining. On theother hand, positive attributesinclude genealogical research thatcan be quick and abundant whileproviding one the ability to postupcoming family events andwidely publicize them for no outof pocket costs.

Other online websites apartfrom Facebook ones that aregenealogical related websites mayinvolve subscription costs whileothers are not fee based.

Darin next referred toanother type—The NextGeneration or TNG and was very

animated in his excitement overwhat they can offer to familyhistory researchers. The ValdresSamband database for use bymembers of the Valdres Sambandwho are current with their dues,Nordd Bergene and S-AGADatabase are in this category. Healso listed 5 DNA Testing andAnalysis sites that may bring onecloser is filling out one’s countryof origin. All in all, it was a veryinteresting and enlighteningsurvey of the current DigitalGenealogy Technology virtuallandscape.

Our Genealogy TeamVickie, Tom & Darin

Linda McCormick ofBorton Overseas provided aninformational overview of ourValdres Samband Stevne ,2019Exploring Valdres for July 6-15,2019. She provided a 10 pagehandout.. Linda's email is:[email protected]. Andher phone is 612-661-4622, ext112 or 800-843-0602, ext 112.

There is quite a bit offlexibility built into the tour andone does not have to use MPSairport as exclusive departure andarrival airport.. For details alsocheckour Valdres Sambandwebsite:www.valdressamband.org

The Barneborgen workedhard on crafts and participated inthe memorial service part of theopening ceremonies.

The Silent Auction waspopular. Always a frantic ending.

The Friday eveningGjestebø featured music by twomusicians—Renee Vaughn andAnn Larson. Renee entertained theStevne audience on a Nycelharpaor “keyed harp” which is aSwedish instrument that somebelieve dates back to the 14th

century. Renee was accompaniedby accordionist Ann Larson.Occasionally, Renee walkedaround some of the tables as she


played which gave opportunity toa number of curious guests whowere greatly expectant of a closerlook at this vintage instrument.While their banquet set was not along one, both musicians lingeredfor some time following thebanquet, playing at least half anhour for a small gathering.

After the Gjestebø, anumber of attendees remained topose for various small grouppictures. I was especially thankfulI took the opportunity to includethe late Dr. Paul Rud in some ofthe photos. We had no idea hewould pass away within six weeksof the Stevne.

As Renee Vaughn and AnnLarson resumed musicmaking,their joyous songs inspired ShirlyEvanstad and Past President EarlEvenstad to waltz away in gracefulstyle. On another number, DianaLewis and Former Director TomThoreson also joined in thedancing. For one tune, ShirleyEvanstad held the sheet music soaccordionist Ann Larson couldreach even deeper into theirmusical repertoire. It must havebeen a delight for the various hotelstaff to listen to this melodic

ambiance wafting away as thetables were being cleared.

Four Valdres cousins!!

Saturday June 23, 2018The Stevne Board meeting

followed by the Annual Meetingcapped the Alexandria, MNStevne. President Bruce Weaver IIretired after six years as President.He was expressed relief that theValdres Samband had recoveredfinancially and was proud that theSamband had more fully embracedthe digital age with the scanning ofthe various Samband newsletters,the Budstikken and the Narvestadworks. These representgenerations of historical andgenealogical material—a veritabletreasure trove for futureresearchers. They will all beposted in the near future on ourValdres Samband website,accessible online to members ofthe Valdres Samband who arecurrent in their dues. Once again,this legacy of the oldestNorwegian bygdelag will beavailable for consultation byfamily researchers of Valdresdescent.in ways unimagined byour early founders. Completing sixyears of service in this capacity,President Bruce Weaver II handedthe Presidential Gavel to incomingPresident Rebecca Wood.

In Remembrance 2018

Douglas GigstadWinton FuglieLeona Hill


Remembering HowardLerohl

Bruce Weaver II

We were saddened to learn ofHoward Lerohl’s recent passing.Howard (1931-2018) and his latewife, Diane (1997-2008), werevery involved with the ValdresSamband across the decades. Thescore or more of Stevne Saturdayafternoon Norwegian Singalongswhich he led were unforgettable.Certain tunes one could count onsinging at each and every Stevneincluded Per Spelman, Kan duglemme gamle Norge, andNideleven. Other song titles likeValdres vår eigen dal, Hils frameg der hjemme, Ja vi Elsker, DenStore Hvide Flok and Gud signevårt dyre fedreland were alsofrequent selections. Howard hadgreat patience with eachSingalong, carefully sharing tipson pronunciation and cadence ofvarious unfamiliar passages and

often explaining the backgroundand meaning of most tunes.

Howard was oftenaccompanied on piano by hisniece, Jan Lerohl, I checkedStevne write ups in the Budstikkenfrom 1994 through 2013 andseveral mentioned certain of thesongs that were sung at Fargo(1994), St. Cloud (2000), LaCrosse (2010) and Willmar(2013), for instance. Some of ourreaders will have vivid memoriesof singing in these. Of course, healso led the singing of the variousNational Anthems, O Valdres, GodBless America and the TablePrayer. We have Aaron Hanson tothank for dutifully reporting in hisStevne write ups some of the titlesduring the various SingalongsHoward expertly and diligentlyled.

Of course, many alsoremember Howard for playing theLur to open our annual StevneGjestbø. In fact, he graced thecover of Budstikken in thatcapacity both in December 1994

and December 2013 as he playedthe Lur. The former was on boarda Viking ship taking ValdresStevne guests across LakeStrandefjorden. The 2013Willmar, MN Stevne was theoccasion for the other photo op.Howard directed the ValdresSamband Choirs for both 100th

anniversary Stevnes at Willmarand Fagernes in 1999! During the1999 Valdres trip, Diane &Howard arranged for a choir toperform in Valdres! They broughtthe sheet music and alsocoordinated rehearsals. TheValdres Samband was so blessedthat he lent his talents to us fordecades.

Howard was raised in theValdres Samband as his mother,Emma (Lalim) Lerohl was activein Samband leadership for anumber of years in the capacitiesof secretary and treasurer. He waseven related to the venerable CarlNarvestad—the former editor ofBudstikken as Howard’s father,Alex, was Carl’s cousin. Both ofHoward’s grandfathers were fromVang. His paternal grandfather,Andres C. Lerohl, hailed from theSør Lerohl gaard opposite Vangand on the shore of Vangsmjøsa.Sigvat av Leirhola—the legendaryknight, had previously lived there.

Much of the above wascompiled courtesy of the manyexcellent and informativeBudstikken articles by AaronHanson—who has served asSamband Vice-President andAssociate editor of Budstikken.I do want to share a couple specificpersonal memories of Howard atour Stevnes. During the 2008


Austin, MN Stevne several of usgot together to perform one ofMarcus Thrane’s short plays thathad recently been translated intoEnglish and published in a volumeby NAHA. The cast includedHoward’s brother--Robert, hisniece--Tricia, President DorisHayes and Vice-President AaronHanson. I think there was somedoubt of our ability to pull off afaux radio style presentation thatwould appeal to Stevne attendees.I have to admit, as theperformance of, Who Grinds theCoffee? got underway, it wasseveral minutes before the firstlaughs of the audience wereaudible. A couple minutes later,ripples of laughter spread acrossthe room. It then erupted intounrestrained bedlam. After ourplay was over and the room wasclearing out, Howard came up tome, utterly mystified, shaking hishead in bewilderment. All hecould say was, “That worked! Thatreally worked!!”

Who Grinds the Coffee?

Two years later I’d comeup with another idea for the 2010La Crosse Stevne—a send up ofGarrison Keillor’s Prairie HomeCompanion with a twist ofValdres. I wrote out the variousscenes, lyrics of faux radio jingles,a monologue and involved evenmore of Howard’s close relativesincluding Robert and Tricia alongwith Howard’s sister in law—Helen, and niece—Jan along withPresident Earl and ShirleyEvenstad, Viking storyteller DagRossman and Heidi, my wife. Itwas an irreverent romp and a lot offun. Howard and Diane sat frontand center. I looked over atHoward at various timesthroughout our program and foundhim beaming from ear to ear atevery occasion, thoroughlysavoring the humor and mirth.

We will miss Howard andhis many contributions to the

Valdres Samband. I have listedonly some of them.

Sharing a laugh with WesSwanson and going over the

Norwegian song lyrics


Remembering Dr. PaulRud

Bruce Weaver II

It was with sad regret to receivethe phone call from Jan Rud thather husband, Dr. Paul Rud passedaway. Paul rang me but a fewweeks earlier to inform of hisrecent hospitalizations and thatprognosis portended that his life ofservice would soon be over. Paul joined the ValdresSamband in 2001 and had attendedmost Stevner since then. Welearned of each other through acouple of lengthy Civil Warrelated articles of mine publishedin two consecutive issues ofBudstikken and realized we wererelated. More on that later. The fall of 2014 and into2015 were very dark times for theValdres Samband. Thousands ofdollars in our treasury had quicklyvanished and we were suddenlylacking the funds print and sendout the Fall 2014 issue ofBudstikken! We convenedemergency telephonic boardmeetings and I, as President, spokeat length and individually with allof our officers and several of ourPast Presidents. Additionally, I

reached out to several of ourmembers as sounding boards. Oneof these was Dr. Paul Rud. In theinterim, we secured ourmembership records, identified theculprit who avoided all contactand failing to recover our funds,reluctantly pressed charges.

Paul Rud beganperiodically sending checks to theSamband treasury to mitigate ourdepletion of funds. He alsospearheaded an effort called,“The Valdres SambandRestoration Fund.” It wasofficially launched in the May2015 issue of Budstikken on page34. Here is an excerpt from whathe wrote: The loss of these monieswill likely impact futurepresentations and publishing ofthe Budstikken. The Budstikkenand the annual Stevne havebecome very important in my life,adding much to my knowledge ofour family history andbackground. To lose thesebenefits will be a great loss! Ourfamilies who immigrated fromNorway and other places facedmany obstacles, hardships,delays anddisappointments. Learning fromtheir determination and character,we can overcome the present loss.

Thanks to Dr. Rud’ssustained efforts and thecontributions of others who gaveto our Restoration Fund, ourtreasury slowly recovered. Ofcourse, realigning ourmanagement of outgoingexpenses, cutting waste andoverproduction of the Budstikkenas well as clarifying ourmembership base were also part of

our recovery. Yet, Paul Rud’s loveof the Valdres Samband and hisperiodic gifts were crucial to oureventual robust recovery. Hethrew us a lifeline that helped savethe day for the Valdres Samband.

In January 2008, I receiveda phone call from Diane Lerohl,Samband Secretary. She hadreceived a letter from Paul Rudand was overjoyed with itscontents. She said that it wasletters like his which make thework of the Valdres Samband andthe Budstikken so important andconnective. Here is an excerptfrom his letter, as printed in theMay 2008 Budstikken on page 4:

In the Dec.2006 andcontinued in the May 2007editions of the Budstikken was anarticle written by Bruce Weaver IIabout experiences of ArneArneson Eldebakken. I wasdumfounded but very excitedbecause he was a relative of mine!I had been looking for informationabout that family for about 5years, and there before me wasmore detail than I had everfound… I would be delighted andvery grateful to be able tocommunicate with Bruce Weaverabout this family and the Civil warexperience Arne. I had written a pair ofBudstikken articles highlightingmy great, great grandfather,Private Arne Arneson, 15th WIInfantry, Co. D. It turned out thatArne was the older brother ofPaul’s great grandfather, AntonArneson! Paul and I spoke bytelephone and he offered tochauffer us around to do family


At Arne Arneson GraveHouston, MN

history in WI and MN, attend the2008 Austin MN Stevne together,then return us to MSP airport. Iguided him to our mutual CivilWar ancestor’s grave in Houston,MN.

It was within sight of the OldStone Church. His brother inlaw—who also attended theAustin stevne--had ministeredthere. Paul was amazed that hevisited that church years ago

without realizing his relative wasinterred near it.

In 2009, he and Jan drove150 miles to meet me for lunchwhile I was on my way to LaCrosse for the Fall board meeting.

They picked us up at MSPairport and chauffeured us to the2010 La Crosse Stevne and did

more family history work on thereturn trip. We stayed with them in2013 before heading to theWillmar Stevne. Paul pointed outhis work with the Rock CountyHistorical Society in LuVerne thenproudly showcased the HerreidMilitary Museum and Touch theSky Prairie. Paul and I had been inclose contact for much of the past10 years, last seeing each other atthe Alexandria MN Stevne. Hewill be sorely missed.

Cousins Bruce, Paul and Jackie

Paul researching at the stevne

Left and Below: Standing by thebrick honoring his service, nearthe Herreid Military Museum inLuVerne, MN, prior to leavingfor the 2013 Willmar stevne.


The KensingtonRunestone: Puzzling

ReflectionsBruce Weaver II

We were boarding the bus at theAlexandria Stevne to see thefamed Kensington Rune Stone!Like many, I was looking forwardsto actually viewing the KensingtonRune Stone (hereafter abbreviatedas KRS). My first recollection ofreading about the KRS wasperhaps the Budstikken issue ofDecember 1997 in an article byPast President Leland Peterson.

Here is a basic translationof the text of the KensingtonRunestone: “8 Goths and 22Norwegians on an explorationjourney from Vinland to the west.We had camp by 2 skerries oneday’s journey north from thisstone. We were [out] to fish. Oneday after we came home [we]found 10 men red of blood anddead. AVM Save [us] from evil.[We] have 10 men by the sea tolook after our ships 14 day’s travelfrom this island. [Year] 1362”

Briefly, a Swedish-American farmer named OlofOhman was grubbing an area onhis Douglas County, Minnesotafarm in 1898. While taking downan Aspen or Poplar tree, heapparently noticed a slab of stoneclasped by the roots of this tree.Extricating it revealed a curiousscript. Eventually, the mysterious“letters” were deciphered as runes.The “Kensington Runestone” toldthe horrific and fantastic story of aNorse exploration of the Americanwest, a slaughter of 10 men in thisparty and the date of 1362. Thestone became a matter of prideamong the locals, especially as“proof” that the Norsemen arrivedin America 130 years prior toChristopher Columbus in 1492.The scholarly community mostlypronounced the KRS a modernwork. Many people ardentlyembrace it with fervent belief.

2018 marks six score yearsafter its finding. During ourRunestone Museum tour stop Itook a number of snapshots ofKRS and lingered longingly in itspresence. I was intrigued in abjectwonder. While carefully viewingthe KRS, I was struck by theanomaly of “AVM” in Latinscript. In a text of hand chiseledarchaic and arcane characters tofind these 3 Latinized letterstogether struck me as a glaringincongruity. Is there precedencefor this in other rune carvings ofthe era? Returning home withsimilar puzzling questions, I had tolearn more about its background. Iconfess to being smitten by theSiren of the KRS at the RunestoneMuseum…

I began methodicallyseeking about 10 books I felt wereinforming on the subject and moreor less affordable. I had one of thetwo large books for sale at theRunestone Museum giftshop: Thatwas Vikings: The North AmericanSaga, Fitzhugh and Ward (2000).It has 10 pages about KRS. Ibought the other-- The KensingtonStone: Compelling New Evidenceby Nielsen and Wolter (2006edition). I have been avidly poringover its 600 pages.

Two older works obtainedwere Transactions of the IllinoisState Historical Society for theYear 1910 (original 1912 copy)and a modern reprint of the 1884work, Handbook of the Old-Northern Runic Monuments ofScandinavia and England by Dr.George Stephens, P. S. A. Twoothers are from the 1950’s: AnnualReport of the Board of Regents of


the Smithsonian Institution for theyear 1953 (1954) and TheKensington Stone, a MysterySolved by Walgren (1958). A 50-year-old book, The KensingtonRune Stone: New Light on an OldRiddle, was by Blegen (1968), afounder of the NorwegianAmerican Historical Association(NAHA). I am a Lifetime memberof NAHA and I have long had hisNorwegian Migration to America1825-1860 (1931) on a bookshelfin my personal library.

Apart from purchasingseveral back issues of periodicalsfeaturing articles on the KRS, Iadded two more volumes: AliceBeck Keyhoe’s, The KensingtonRunestone: Approaching aResearch Question Holistically(2005) and Peter Hancock’s, HoaxSprings Eternal: The Psychologyof Cognitive Deception (2015).The latter book has a chapterdevoted to KRS. Vikings in theWest by Guralnick (1982) wasanother work I already had (18pages on KRS).

Prior to our bus tour, I didhave one question to ask ofAmanda Seim, the ExecutiveDirector of the RunestoneMuseum. I had read that OlofOhman was rumored to have kepta scrapbook that included varioussnippets from newspaper articlesand the like that he had apparentlyread, cut out and selectively pastedinto it. One of these items wasalleged to have been an articlefrom a Swedish newspaper thatreported a grave marker ensnaredin tree roots had been found in aSwedish cemetery in 1867. Could

that article have possibly inspiredthe well read Ohman?

Ms. Seim expressedsurprise to hear of this and wasinterested in learning more aboutit. I had read this in Viking (2000)on page 283, column 2 (theRunestone Museum gift shop hada copy of Viking for sale at thetime of our bus tour). Here is therelevant excerpt from it:

“Among the articles foundpasted into Ohman’s scrapbook,now in the Minnesota HistoricalSociety, is one from the Swedishnewspaper Post och InrikesTidningar dated December 13,1867. It describes a runestone of1612 found in Vadstena, Sweden,clasped by the roots of an ash tree.The article mentions how the stonewas shown to be one hundred andfifty years old by a count of thetree’s growth rings.”

Following the lead of theunique details in this excerpt byBirgitta Wallace—I did a websearch via Google using 3 of thedetails supplied: "Vadstena"“1867,” and “Roots.” It quicklybrought me to an 1884 book byStephens. I ordered a reprint of it.

The forward of the 1884edition of the Handbook of theOld-Northern Runic Monumentsof Scandinavia and England, byStephens has a footnote on pageXXIII which references an itemfrom a December 13, 1867 issue ofPostoch Inrikes-Tidningar (TheSwedish Gazette). Stephens hadtranslated the article into English:

A Grave-Monument in aStrange Place. A letter fromVadstena [Sweden] communicatesas follows: Among the trees cut

down lately in the churchyard ofour town was an Ash, certainlyvery old. After the stem had beensawn over, the root was taken up,when a Grave-stone was found tobe imbedded within it. Probablywhen the tree was young, a coupleof its root-branches shot up so asto clasp the stone. In this way, asthe Ash grew the slab was drawnmore and more up and within thestem, for it was found within thepith of the tree. The block wasoriginally about 4 feet long andabout 2 broad and yet showed aninscription, but no more could bemade out than the words:GYNELA JONSDOTTER 1612.Where the tree was cut down(which was only a few inchesabove the place in which the stonewas found) were counted about150 year-rings. (see scan pg.21)

The specific matchingdetails in agreement with Stephensand Wallace were stunning: thename of the newspaper, the date ofthe article, the town Vadstena, theyear 1612, roots, ash tree, the word“clasp” in one account with“clasped” in the other account, the150-year count of tree rings.Birgitta had apparent access to anearly source which made it easierto confirm her tip in a web search.

Examining Nielsen’s andWolter’s The Kensington Stone:Compelling New Evidence (2006),I couldn’t find any comment orclarification of the 1884(Stephens) footnote on page XXIIIreferencing an 1867 Swedishnewspaper. Pages 75, 82 and 217do mention a cloister atVadstena—yet not the articleabout the tree that engulfed the


grave marker in that very town.The book Vikings is listed in thebibliography (page 522) whichcontains the Wallace passagequoted above. Wolters reportedthat Olof Ohman had visitedSweden from 1883-1885 (pages390, 507). While in Sweden, wasOlof aware of the recentlypublished Stephens work of 1884?

During a visit to HallowellCemetery near Augusta, Maine inMarch 2003, author Scott Wolterwas informed about a markerlodged in a tree. He photographedit (images on pages 294 and 477).Scott was understandablyastonished. He reflected on hisstudy of KRS—how fitting it wasto then view a centuries’ oldinscribed slab of stone securelyclasped by a tree (page 295).

Likewise, GeorgeStephens, writing from Denmarkin June 1868, was so impressedwith the story of the Vadstenagravestone found clasped by anAsh tree in late 1867 that hesought to make specific mentionof it in his forward—in 1868—half a year after its finding. Hislater 1884 edition, a popularcondensed version of his 3-volumeset, also carried the same Vadstenaarticle.

In the instance of theVadstena grave marker from theearly 17th century that Stephenshighlighted above, it was notedthat it “Showed an inscription, butno more could be made out thanthe words: GYNELAJONSDOTTER 1612.” In the 250years since its placement until itsdiscovery in 1867 in the pith of alarge tree, all but one part of its

inscription had deteriorated. Ireflected back on the heavilyweathered marker of my 15th

Wisconsin Regiment Civil Warancestor, Arne Arneson. He diedin 1902. Since his marker’sinstallation in Houston,Minnesota, that tombstone hadsubsequently leaned at least 45degrees off the vertical, apparentlydisrupted by tree roots. It broughtto mind the “Strangled Rock” Ihad seen at Gaudineer Scenic Areain 1982 in West Virginia and thefrequent occurrences of robustabove ground tree roots overtakingstumps and fallen logs at QuinaultRain Forest on the OlympicPeninsula in Washington state.

My curiosity wonderedabout the year date of “1362.”Were carvings in the Medieval erachronicling events by a specificmonarch’s rule—affixed to thecurrent regnal year—such as, “Inthe third year of King Olav’sreign?” A precise year date on acertain calendar may not havealigned with other periodcalendars. Why didn’t theexpedition’s inscription name itspatron?

Fortunately, Stephensmade observations about dates andtimes on runestones in his,Handbook of the Old—NorthernRunic Monuments, dated February15, 1884 (14 ½ years prior to thediscovery of KRS), page XX ofthe Forward (old spellings andoriginal emphasis, in italics,retained):

“As far as we can see, themonuments before us yield nosingle instance of anything like adate or fixt chronological era, or

any Time-measure (name ofMonth or Week or Day or Hour),or of the age of the deceast, aslittle as they have any numericalfigures. Consequently, we do notknow how they reckoned events ortime, or what their ciphers fornumeration (if they had any), inour oldest North. But all thesethings are also absent on the greatmass of the later Runicmonuments deep down into theChristian period, when theChristian era and Numeral markswere well known. It is very seldomthat any of the Scandinavian runicstones bear a date, still rarer thatthe, “forthfaren’s age is mentionedon them. Among these few slabs,perhaps the earliest usingChristian chronology are found onthe ile of Gotland. But no suchdated ated runic grave-stone isolder than the 14th century.”

Stephens was reflecting onthe older runic monuments ofSweden, Norway, Denmark,Scotland and England thatappeared in his illustrated 3-volume folio set of works of OldRunic Monuments. The 1884edition was a condensed onevolume popular version, intendedfor the general public. His remarksalso included runic monumentserected in the 14th century. Is therepossibly an oblique nod to theStephens excerpt above regardingGotland Island or a similarrecognition of same found on page59 of Nielsen and Wolters (2006)?

As it turns out, furtherresearch showed that the originalVolume 1 folio work, The Old-Northern Runic Monuments of


Scandinavia and England —which had a Forward dated June1868—has the same wordingabout time on runes as above buton page XVI. Also, the referenceto the 1867 finding of thegravestone in a tree was on pageXVIII—published some sixmonths after its discovery atVadstena—30 years before thefinding of KRS! This Stephenswork was issued in June 1868 andI viewed the KRS in June 2018—150 years apart. The Stephensexcerpt of the original articlereferences the Vadstena treeclasping the gravestone as 150years old. 120 years after KRS wasfound, I find the Stephens passage.Tantalizing coincidences —ormaybe not...

I have found a reference toStephens in a transcribed letterfrom J. F. Steward to Prof. LudwigF. A. Wimmer dated October 15,1899 and published in Blegen(1968), Appendix 6, pages 136-137. In part, Steward wrote,

"The record as found onthe stone is likely to remain theonly evidence of fraud as thecircumstances connected with itsfinding are all favorable to age andgenuineness. The runes differfrom those in Stephens 'RunicMonuments,' but no more thanthose there found differ from eachother." (Blegen, page 137)

Blegen put a footnote onpage 137 for the George Stephensworks The Old Runic Monumentsof Scandinavia and Englandpublished 1866-1884.

I checked the Wolters book(2006) for this reference toStephens from the Steward letter.

At the bottom of page 405 is a thin3 line scanned excerpt from thehandwritten 1899 Steward letter,missing the Stephens reference byseveral words. The last 14 wordsof sentence 1 were transcribed inNew Evidence. The scan includesthe first 4 words of sentence 2.

My review of an original1884 copy of Runic Momumentsdidn't find a KRS match of runes.

It occurred to me that“1362” had the ring of a variantantecedent to 1492—the year ofColumbus’s arrival in the NewWorld. The Columbian Expositionwas held in Chicago during 1893,belatedly honoring the 400th

anniversary of the voyage ofChristopher Columbus—anItalian. Norwegian patrioticfeelings about Leif Eriksson’searlier intrepid journeys to theNew World were superseded. Thisapparent ethnic affront wasanswered by a replica of theGokstad Viking ship sailing acrossthe Atlantic and through the GreatLakes to Lake Michigan. Thetiming is interesting as Ohman’sdiscovery of the KRS was but 5years later, in 1898.

The date of 1362 with itsapparent reference to Indiansslaughtering 10 Norsemencuriously echoes the 1862 SiouxUprising in Minnesota whenemigrants perished at the hands ofthe Sioux. The horror associatedwith the year “’62” was seared intothe minds of many Minnesotansettlers in the 19th century much as“December 7, 1941,” “November22, 1963” or “9/11” burned intothe collective memories of present

generations. Were the Indiansreally seeking a Quincentennialanniversary massacre 500 yearslater, as if on cue? Were NorthernEuropean emigrants similarlymurdered in western Minnesotaexactly half a millennium apart?

I recalled my reading of awork by Menahem Haran called,Temples and Temple Service inAncient Israel (1985). He usedliterary expressions such as, “Theidea…is employed in ananachronistic way, and thenarratives even project…scenesback on to the…period (page291),” “A retrospectiveapplication of a concept borrowedfrom life (page 303)” and“compelled to fit…intoanachronistic circumstances, intoa period when [it] was not inexistence (page 348).”“Anachronistic retrojections,” are“Features taken from life in theland…and used to lend colour andliveliness to an account of anearlier period, after the customarymanner of the biblical narratives(page 300).” Is it possible thehorrific 1362 account in KRScould be an “Anachronisticretrojection” of tragedy associatedwith the “1862 Sioux Uprising”that may have been projected backonto the time of 1362 with greatimmediacy, vividness and effect?”


Where were the remains ofthe 10 slaughtered explorers from1362 buried? Wouldn’t the 10Northern European survivors haveprudently fled lest they risktempting fate in another wave ofattacks? Would they havepatiently endured loud chiselingand chisel sharpening forcompletion of the detailedinscription?

With the winding down ofViking settlement in Greenlandwhat justification compelled theexpenditure of resources with thelaunching of a very ambitious“Lewis & Clark” type expedition(perhaps another anachronisticretrojection?) ending in westernMinnesota in 1362? What positivefinancial outcome wasanticipated? It is some 1400nautical miles from westernNorway to the eastern Greenlandsettlement (navigating between 60degrees latitude and the ArcticCircle) yet perhaps 4000 milesfurther from Greenland toKensington--navigating near 45.5--60 degrees latitude whiletraversing some 50 degrees oflongitude (Vikings in the West,1982, pages 71-72).

It’s as if the overarchingmessage embedded in theKensington Runestone wasspecifically crafted for theconsumption of the late 19th

century Scandinavian emigrant. Itseems “a fit” as an index of periodsocietal concerns involving Nordicidentity, Viking discovery, andpressures of immigrant invaders orsettlers in conflict with indigenouspopulations and the land theyoccupied. What if German or

Czech immigrants had dug it up?Or, what if it had been plowedunder by late 20th centuryAgribusiness? Yet, the KRS wasfound at the right time, by asympathetic farmer in an arealargely settled by Nordic stock,almost on the heels of theColumbian Exposition—a neededantidote to embarrassment by alack of verifiable archaeologicalproof that Scandinavians were thefirst Europeans to discover theNew World. KRS did ultimatelytestify to Viking discovery at the1965 New York World’s Fair.

Vinland— “Land ofMeadows” —the declareddeparture for the 1362exploration—is likely the meadowpart of the northern tip ofNewfoundland. Years ofarcheological excavationdetermined that L’Anse auxMeadows—on the northeastern tipof Newfoundland—was an actualViking settlement, ca 1000. In1978, L’Anse aux Meadows wasdesignated a UNESCO WorldHeritage Site. The Vikings havefinally been officially credited andrecognized for the earliestevidence of European settlementin the New World!

These are some of thequestions and insights that came tomind as I was drawn to the runesand have reflected upon across thepast 5 months. My background ismultidisciplinary: I am a voraciousreader, a lifelong student ofhistory, archaeology and religion.Among other varied interests, I aminformed by the study of mind andmagic--thoughtfully ponderingmany details and implications

since that memorable stop atRunestone Museum when I peeredat the mysterious script of theKensington Rune Stone. Perhapsmy future readings of the workscited above, written from multipleperspectives, will shed additionallight, possibly answering the manyinsights and questions that havecome to my inquisitive mind.

What if we were OlofOhman—embarking on aserendipitous and fantasticdiscovery on the westernMinnesota prairie in 1898?Wouldn’t the lure and lore offinding buried treasure where onewasn’t expecting it kindle ourimaginations and transcend thedrudgery of the mundane? Itconjures up fanciful adventuresand mysterious realms right thereon the family farm, amidst thehard work and isolation—absentradio, electricity and indoorplumbing. Regardless therunestone’s origin, does it notcompel the essence of romanceand escapism? It calls to mind anintrepid journey fraught withdebilitating challenges andpotential reward in distant erasremote to us, maybe even echoingsome of our own experiences ofperceived victimhood. Do we notsee our own reflections in itsimage? My personal encounterwith the famed artifact inAlexandria—six score years sinceits discovery—haunts andbeguiles me yet…

Opposite: KensingtonRunestone, at RunestoneMuseum, composite imageby Bruce Weaver II


Top: 1867 Vadstena find from Runic Monuments by Stephens, 1884, page XXIII


Examples of Roots growing over Rock, Log and Stump in West Virginia andWashington or displacing a Gravestone in Minnesota. Photographs by the Author.


Nytt Fra Norge ByJahn Børe Jahnsen(All photos by JBJ)

STØLSRUTA: HISTORICMOUNTAIN FARMTRAIL OPENED IN

VALDRES

Jahn Børe Jahnsen

Valdres is today the largestarea with active summer mountainfarms in Northern Europe. Manyof the Valdres farmers still taketheir cattle up in the mountains forthe summer. The mountain farmsare usually situated in small«villages», the largest with 41farms. There were many old pathsand cattle tracks between themountain farms. This summer ahistoric marked mountain farmtrail was opened over the alpineplain from North Aurdal throughWest Slidre to Vang. The trail is2600 to 3400 feet above sea level,mostly above the timber line.

The trail starts in the Tisleidalenvalley in North Aurdal, at theMerket mountain hotel. Themarked trail goes pastHermannsstølen and Gauklia toTyrisholt, where a small cabinwith 8 beds are available. The trailcontinues past Revulen and Flyinto Nøsen Yoga and Mountainhotel. Then past Jaslangen toFlikja, where another small cabinwith 4 beds is available. PastKvitehaugen and Strø to MidtreSyndin and Syndinstøga, whereyou can stay overnight. Then lastlyto Langehagen, along the Ala riverto Hugastølen, down to the historicKvam farm and further down theold Kings Road to another historicfarm Sørre Hemsing. All thenames mentioned between theplaces to stay overnight, are small«villages» of mountain farms withcattle.

40 People walked Stølsrutawhen opened

There are bus connectionsat each end of the trail. The wholemarked trail is 41 miles long, andwill take you five days. The trail isalso suitable for children. Thereare of course some uphills anddownhills, but few, consideringyour walk on an alpine plain. Asfor the two small cabinsmentioned, you will have to bringyour own food.

Along with grazing cattleand active mountain farms, youwill also experience wild life, withlots of birds and maybe moose. Inaddition to the human influencefrom mountain farming throughcenturies, there are also traces ofhunting and fishing, extraction ofiron and turf etc. The marked trailis a cooperation between theNorwegian Trekking Association,the Norwegian Directorate forCultural Heritage, and the threeValdres townships North Aurdal,West Slidre and Vang.Representatives of all participantswere present at the opening of thetrail August 3., among them thethree mayors. After informationand speeches at the Vasetstølencafe, some 40 people walked thetrail from Nøsen to Jaslangen.Among them was your Valdrescorrespondent, who already haswalked most of the whole trail.There are a few parts to be donenext summer. Maybe you shouldtry this trail, past the mountainfarms of your ancestors?


BLIND PILGRIM INVALDRES

Jahn Børe Jahnsen In connection with the 14thValdres pilgrimage, from Hedalenstavechurch in South Aurdal to theSt. Thomas church at the Filefjellmountain, the pilgrimagecommittee got the followingemail: «We are two ladies whowould like to take part in thepilgrimage in July this year. Oneof us, Ingun Myhrvold of Odnes,Søndre Land, is visually impaired,so we wonder if we can do thewalk with a seeing eye dog. Bothare used to mountain walks andrough terrain.» Signed Annie VistHageløkken of Lillehammer,Inguns companion.

We told them about the length ofeach day, and that we had to walkat a certain speed just to get to thegoal of the day for rest, shower,food and social gathering. Butthere are many stops on the way,for the group to rest, hear thehistory of the place, and maybehave a prayer. We walk for eightdays, and have a car at hand ifneeded. We were honest abouthaving no experience whatsoever

concerning visually impairedpersons on our previouspilgrimages through 13 years. Wedo not allow dogs on our walks,because they attract too muchattention from the participants andusually give up within a few days.But a seeing eye dog is somethingquite different. We understood that Ingunwas visually impaired, notcompletely blind, so we gatheredshe could see a little. We liked thatthey were used to mountain walksand rough terrain. We walk a loton roads, but also on paths, inforests and mountains, sometimessteep up and down.

Nowadays we talk a lotabout different allergies, foodallergies in particular. This timewe had to ask participants aboutdog allergies, but the seeing eyedog turned out to be an allergy freepoodle. We also told the overnightstops that a seeing eye dog wouldcome along. We wished them welcomeand they enrolled for the tour. Itturned out at the last moment thatthe seeing eye dog did not come,just the visually impaired Ingunwith her companion Annie. Our potential worries werecompletely unfounded. Ingun isvisually impaired, in certainsituations blind. But she walkedjust as fast as the rest of the group.She got the necessary messagesfrom her companion Annie. Aboutlarge stones or roots, about stairs,small bridges, steep hills, etc. Notonce was it necessary for anyothers in the group to help her. Notonce did she fall. She walked all

the 124 miles through Valdres, anddid not use the car we hadfollowing us. In the churches shecould touch and feel the artifacts.She did not want special attention.Ingun was one of us and we neverthought of her as disabled. To the local Valdresnewpaper Ingun said: «I do this totest myself, challenge some limits,and feel that I am able to do this.To be a pilgrim is being part ofsomething larger, to be together,and to head some place together.That is the best part of this walk. Itfeels very good to be included in agroup and to be part of this group.The lack of input from outsidemakes you get to know more aboutyourself. You just have thecapasity to live in the present. Thesound of the church bells, and theacoustics from the nature havebeen fantastic. I already plan mynext pilgrimage. My dream is towalk to Santiago de Compstela inSpain. I have prooved to myselfthat I can do this, and I urge others,for instance disabled persons, todo the same. It is incredible whatyou can achieve.» We in the pilgrimagecommittee in Valdres are veryhappy that we invited them tocome to us. Thank you for lettingus get to know you and love you.

Valdres Road Works

Jahn Børe Jahnsen

The highway E16 throughValdres is the most importantmain road between Oslo andBergen. With the trafficincreasing, parts of the old road


have to be improved. Here are alittle about the road works atpresent: From Bagn, South Aurdalto Bjørgo, North Aurdal, a new 11km road including a 4,3 km tunnelwill open in 2020, thus avoidingthe narrow and bendyBagnskleivene. The new road over theFilefjell mountains in Vang isfinished, except for the last 4 kmin Øye, to be opened in 2019,including a 1,9 km tunnel underthe Eltunsfossen waterfall. What is left is a new tunnelthrough Kvamskleiva in Vang,and a new section from Fagernesto Hande in West Slidre, includinga tunnel through the Slidreåsenhill. None of these sections havebeen started, and we don’t knowwhen that will happen. Bothsections are essential because ofdanger of landslide atKvamskleiva and to lead the heavytraffic out of the town center atFagernes. The construction of a 10km new road over the Tonsåsenhill has just started, hopefully to beopened in 2020. This is betweenSkardstjernet lake in Etnedal andTonsåstoppen in North Aurdal.In this connection a new brigdewill be built over the Etna riverthus avoiding the old Lundebridge, which will from now ononly serve the local traffic. The oldLunde bridge was built 1827-29and has been used since then. Itwas damaged during the war in1940, but rebuilt. It is nowprotected as a historicalmonument.

Together at LastJahn Børe Jahnsen

July 21. I climbed one ofValdres highest peaks, Rasletindin Vang, 6906 feet above sea level,together with my three children,who for once were home inValdres together. This does nothappen too often.

Left to right: Erlend, 44, ofHarrisonburg, Virginia, Thomas,36, of Lørenskog outside Oslo,Kari, 31, of Berlin, Germany, andyour Valdres correspondent, 75.Thomas’ wife and Karis fiancealso came along. I am proud Imade it all the way from theValdresflya road to the top ofRasletind.

Valdres Motor Show aHuge Success

Jahn Børe Jahnsen A new annual event inValdres is the Valdres MotorShow, or in English better theValdres car show, or engine show.The young Valdres Street CarClub started the event only in2017. And now again in 2018, first

Saturday in October. This time theValdres Storhall, or Sports Hall, atLeira south of Fagernes, was filledwith cars, old and new,motorbikes, snowscooters,campers, etc. Around 1000spectatators came to the show.More than 120 vehicles were thereto see. All of the car dealers inValdres were showing their newmodels. Car repair workshops andautomobile associations werepresent. And racing simulators foryou to try. The car dealers had some40 new cars exhibited. ValdresVeteran Car club had some 30 carsexhibited, and Valdres Amcar clubsome 40, all together 124 privatecars and vehicles.

On the board of he Valdres StreetCar club is also Thomas KamrudJahnsen, son of your Valdrescorrespondent, so we as a familyare a little involved in the event.The other board members areWilliam Scott, Atle Nørstebøen,Daniel Henriksen and SondreStrand. If you should be in Valdresfirst part of October next year, andif you are a little bit interested incars and vehicles, the ValdresMotor Show is something youshould attend.


WHEN LAKE SYNDINWAS TURNED AROUND

Jahn Børe JahnsenA legend from the 2002 book«Sagn i Valdres» («Legends fromValdres») by Jahn Børe Jahnsen.The book is reprinted in 2015 andfor sale again.The Syndin mountain lakes aresituated mostly in West Slidre andpartly in Vang. Earlier the lakeshad their estuary to the south inlake Strandefjorden by Ulnes inNorth Aurdal, west of Fagernes.Today the estuary is to the north toVang. How is that possible?The name Syndin means a strait.North Syndin was one lake, but isnow two lakes, with a little streamin between. But before 1690 therewas a real strait here. People andcattle had to wade the strait or usea boat when going to their summermountain farms. Today there is aroad and bridge across the stream.Old court protocols and oraltradition tell us what happened.Lake Syndin earlier had its outletto the south through the riverHylja. There was no outlet to thenorth. But in 1690 Halvor Eriksonfrom the farm Torpe in Vang duga large ditch out of the lake to thenorth. He wanted more water forhis water mill in the Ala creek. Hedug until the water poured slowlyand sufficient. It is even said thathe used quick silver to make theditch better, which of course is nottrue. This situation lasted manyyears, until a flood in 1717 reallyopened the ditch. In 1719 severalfarmers from Høyme and Riste inWest Slidre built a dam to blockthe water. But a new flood in 1720

broke down the dam and the Alacreek turned into a real river.There were several landslides andflooding at the farms Torpe andRogn in Vang. The farms nearlyslided into the river Begna. Thewater level of lake Syndin wentdown, the strait between the twoparts of the lake turned into astream, and the river Hylja to thesouth was completely dry. Hyljahad been a good river for fishing,but not any more. The farmer atTorpe summoned the farmers atHøyme and Riste before the court,which in 1722 ruled that the twolast mentioned should paycompensation to the Torpe farmer.Ola Høyme and Knut Riste thendemanded that those who hadassisisted them with the workshould also pay parts of thecompensation.Then in 1728 Nils Før, HelgeSteinde and other farmers fromSlidre and Ulnes summoned thefarmer at Torpe before the courtfor the damage that HalvorErikson had done to them. Theirfishing was bad and they had lesswater for their water mills. But thecourt ruled that the present Torpefarmer could not be responsiblefor what Halvor Erikson had done38 years earlier. The plaintiffscould freely and at own cost builda new dam at Alaosen in thenorthern end of the lake, so that theriver again had its outlet to thesouth. This dam was built in 1742.But nothing was said about whowas responsible for maintainingthe dam. In 1743 the lake ransouthwards. In 1745 Ola Torpesummoned Gudmund and KnutRiste for having built the dam. But

the dam did not last, and again theTorpe farm had damages. In 1746the Riste farmers had to paycompensation to Ola Torpe. Sincethen the Syndin lake has had itsoutlet to the north, at Alaosen,through the Ala river.It has been back and forth manytimes, as you can see. Only raisingthe water level two feet would beenough to turn the lake southagain. But today the Syndin lake isprotected by law as a naturalmonument. The two parts offormer lake Syndin are nowusually called Nørre (north)Syndin and Midt (mid) Syndin.Søre (south) Syndin is far away tothe south of the former river Hylja.Jahn Børe Jahnsen

The picture shows Alaosen,where lake Syndin todayhas its outlet to the north.

The Old Lunde Bridge


Norwegians in the CivilWar

The American Civil War •Den Amerikanske

Borgerkrigen

Luci J Baker Johnson

During the past 12 months myinterest in the American Civil Warhas soared. It’s hard to pinpointwhy this occurred, except for thefact that I met (online in theValdres Facebook Group) BruceWeaver II.J This new fascinationhas led to several hundred hours ofstudy, research, compiling, andyes, even establishing a FacebookGroup dedicated to Norwegians inthe Civil War.

Now mind you, I wasn’t a totalnovice to the subject. My GG-grandfather was Private EliasBuzick, a soldier in the 94th IllinoisInfantry. I have his 150-page civilwar pension file, which isfascinating reading. Elias served

with his younger brother Arthur(1838-1862), who died frompneumonia in a war hospital. Alsoin the unit were three brothers-in-law, all from Money Creek,McLean County, Illinois. Inaddition Elias’s stepfather, DavidHarmon (1738-1862) and hisuncle, William C. Buzick servedin the 35th Missouri, Company Hand the 23rd Iowa, Company E,respectively. A total of seven‘non-Norwegian’ ancestorsserved, all on my father’s side ofthe family tree.

My Norwegian side of the sametree also had men who served theiradopted country, but I had donelittle research on theseimmigrants’ service. What I knewwas what author Jerry Rosholt hadshared with me during variousconversations in the early 2000s.As many of you know, Jerry is theauthor of Ole Goes To War: Menfrom Norway Who Fought inAmerica’s Civil War (2003). Jerryautographed my copy of the book,and also encouraged me to expandon the ‘love story’ of LieutenantOle Anderson and Mary Katterud(see pp. 53-54).

Lieutenant Ole Anders Andersonwas born October 21, 1833 atVestre Slidre, Oppland. Heenlisted at age 27, on May 21,1861, serving with the 3rd Iowa,Company D. He was dangerously

wounded on September 17, 1861,at Blue Mills, Missouri – shot inthe left temple. The musket ballremained in his head for the rest ofhis life. He was discharged August16, 1862 and returned to Decorah,Iowa, where he married MarieHanson Katterud, my 1st cousin, 3times removed. There’s muchmore to this love story, but that’s atale for another time.

I’ve since discovered that I haveseveral other family members whoserved:- Andres Anderson Linnevold •12th Iowa, Company G • 1st cousin,3 times removed- George (Jorgen) AndersonLinnevold • 34th Iowa, Company E• 1st cousin, 3 times removed- Gustav O. Hanson (aka Hegg) •12th Iowa, Company G • my GG-uncle- Ole Christian Hanson • 2nd

California Cavalry, Company K •my GG-uncle

VALDRES MEN IN THEAMERIKANSKE BORGERKRIGENThere is so much more to share,but for now, please allow me toshare with you four items that arespecific to Valdres men whoserved in AmerikanskeBorgerkrigen. Before we begin,you might find it interesting toread the Norwegian Wikipediapage that explains the war:


https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Den_amerikanske_borgerkrigen

#1 The Valdres GenealogicalDatabase (valdresgenealogy.com)is a benefit of membership in theValdres Samband. Thanks to TomStandal, Lag Genealogist, we havea fantastic place to discover moreabout our Valdres ancestors. I’vebeen working with him to ‘tag’men who served their country inthe American Civil War. It isbelieved that over 260 men served,but we’ve only identified 56 so far.More work is needed, toaccurately identify these men andtell their stories, using primarysource documents.

In a future issue of the Budstikkenwe hope to list all of these bravemen, including their name, wherethey were born, when theyimmigrated, the company theyserved in and where they areburied. In the mean time, here aresome examples (name and IDnumber provided):Arne Arnesen #171208Ole A. Anderson #03430Iver Anderson Brandt #00030Nils Iverson Gilbert #05217Jørgen Magnusson (Anderson) Linnevold #69724

#2 Lieutenant Nils J. Gilbert,15th Wisconsin, Company A wasborn in Østre Slidre in 1839. InOle Goes To War, Lieutenant

Gilbert is pictured on page 41. Heserved with Company A, whichwas better known as the ValdresCompany, because a largenumber of them hailed fromValdres Valley. Lieutenant Gilbertwas an active member of theValdres Samband after the war,and penned several articles for theValdres Helsing newsletter. If youknow more about LieutenantGilbert, I would like to speak withyou. I hope to write an articleabout him, and about the ValdresCompany, in a future issue of theBudstikken.

#3 Norwegians in the Civil WarIf you are ‘on Facebook’ you maywant to consider joining a newlyestablished Facebook Groupcalled Norwegians in the CivilWar. The group was created in thespring of 2018 for the purpose ofengaging people in conversationabout Norwegian and/orNorwegian-American ancestorswho served (or who would havebeen eligible to serve) in theAmerican Civil War. The grouphas been growing in leaps andbounds. We currently have over250 members. Bruce Weaver IIand I are the administrators of thegroup. Because of our stronginterest in Valdres soldiers, we’veposted many discussion topics thatinvolve these men.

Please consider joining us. Lookfor ‘Norwegians in the Civil War’,and request to join the group(closed group). Be sure to answerthe three starter questions, and youwill be quickly added to the group.I’m also considering re-postingmany of the discussions(resources, research, book list) ona separate blog that would beavailable to anyone, not just thoseon Facebook. If you think this is agood idea, please send me anemail. If there is enough interest,I’ll explore this possibility.

#4 Civil War in the BudstikkenI first met Bruce Weaver II at theValdres Samband Stevne in June2006. In fact, there’s photographicproof of this introduction on page9 of the December 2006Budstikken. But I’ve becomebetter acquainted with Bruce andhis passion for the Civil War in thelast year. He’s been prolific inwriting articles about this verysubject. A list of these can befound below:


With Arne Arneson of CompanyD, Part 2 May 2007 • pages18-20, 27-30• NOTE: Private Arneson, fromSør-Aurdal, is the GG-grandfatherof Bruce Weaver II, author of theabove two articles. Arneson’sfamily tree can be found in theValdres database underID#171208.Answering the Call to Serve:The 15th Wisconsin Infantry,February through June 1862

May 2012, pages 10-11

Southern Walking Tour: The15th Wisconsin Regiment, Julythrough September 1862

May 2012 • pages 31-32

Bloodied in Stone’s River,Imprisoned and a MurfreesboroResidency: The 15th Wisconsinlate December 1862 throughJune 1863 May 2013 • pages20-22The Fall of 1863: Despair andHope for the 15th WisconsinInfantry December 2013 •pages 16-18, 29-31

Taking the Fight to Atlanta:January through June 1864

May 2014, pages 30-35

Completing the AtlantaCampaign: July 1864-1865

December 2014 • pages27-29

Observing the 150th Anniversaryof a Civil War Battle [Pickett’sMill Battle site] December2016 • pages 27-29Thunderstorm at Pickett’s Mill[Pickett’s Mill Battle site] December 2015 • pages33-34Return to Bald Knob: AlsoKnown as Nodine’s Hill [BaldKnob, now part of KennesawMountain National BattlefieldPark] December 2016 • pages23-27

Thanksgiving Surprise, 1863[Orchard Knob and MissionaryRidge battle sites] May 2017 •pages 26-29

How Norway BecameUnited with Sweden

Wes Swanson

Napoleon Bonaparte tookcontrol of the government ofFrance in 1799. From then until1815 France began wars thatinvolved almost every part ofEurope. This significantlychanged the boundaries and themakeup of the nations of Europe.

The events also had amajor impact on the Scandinavianpart of Europe. In 1799 Denmarkextended into the northwest part ofpresent-day Germany, all ofNorway, Iceland, Greenland andthe Faroe Islands. Present dayFinland and the bordering areas ofRussia were Swedish.

The battles were foughtbetween nations that wereswitching sides and alliances. Themajor competing powers wereFrance and England. France andits allies had large armies whileEngland had superior Naval powerand the protection of the EnglishChannel.

Denmark/Norway wasneutral until 1807 and profited


from trade with both sides. In1807 it appeared that France wasplanning to attack Denmark.England feared that the Danishand Norwegian fleets underFrench control would threaten theEnglish domination of the seas andput England in danger of Frenchconquest.

England did not wait forFrance to attack and invadedneutral Denmark in August 1807.The English army occupied partsof Denmark and the navy underthe command of Admiral HoratioLord Nelson destroyed part of theDanish fleet. The balance of thefleet was captured and taken backto England. Denmark declaredwar on England and joined theFrench alliance in October 1807.

In July 1807 Russia andFrance settled their differencesand entered into the Peace ofTilsit. It followed with a secretagreement where Napoleon agreedto a Russian attack on FinlandMeanwhile Sweden which wasallied with England had its armiesalong the Norwegian borderfearful of a Danish attack. By theend of 1808 Russia had conqueredmost of Finland. This representeda loss of 1/3 of the Swedish lands.

Through the centuriesSwedish kings had led themilitary. Some Swedish kingsnamely Gustavus Adolphus andCarl XII lead from the front lines.As a result, the Swedish militaryand civilian leaders blamed KingGustav Adolph for the loss ofFinland and had him replaced withhis elderly uncle Karl. Karl had nochildren so a search wasundertaken to find the future king.

The desire was for a militaryleader who could recaptureFinland. The choice was Danishprince Christian August who oncehad commanded the militaryforces in Norway. Unfortunately,Christian August had a heartattack and died in 1810. Swedennow had to find a new king. Thesearch failed to find a suitablecandidate among the possibilitieswithin the ranks of the royalty.After a long search Jean BaptisteBernadotte, a top general in theFrench army, was selected. Hechanged his name to Karl Johanand became a Lutheran. TheSwedes believed that they nowhad a leader who could retakeFinland. Karl Johan reviewed thesituation and decided that Swedenwould not win a war with Russia.Instead Karl Johan decided thatthe best way for Sweden to regainsome of its loss was to takeNorway. Karl Johan decided thatthe best way to take over Norwaywas through diplomacy andalliances. First, he made a secretagreement with Russia to takeover Norway in exchange foragreeing that Sweden would notmake any future claim to Finland.By 1813 he secretly made anagreement with England andPrussia to the takeover of Norwayin exchange for Swedish forces tofight France.

When all this was going onFrederick, the king of Denmark,saw an opportunity to attackSweden and capture Swedishlands which had been part ofDenmark and Norway during theperiod of 1563 to 1720. In 1808Denmark declared war on Sweden.

The Danes never attacked Swedenbut left Norway to battle theSwedes.

England which was at warwith Denmark, set up a blockadeof the Norwegian part ofNorway/Denmark. Norwaydepended on imported grain forfood. The blockade caused greathardships and a famine in Norway.No significant territories were lostby either side. As a result,Norwegians questioned theirunion with Denmark and someNorwegians began a discussionabout a union with Sweden.

The period from 1809 to1812 was an extreme hardship forNorway. Conditions improved in1813 but by now moreNorwegians were upset withDenmark, sick of Danish wars andthe resulting blockades, thestarvation and a poor economy.

By 1813 Denmark/Norwaywas the last French ally. KingFrederik tried to join the Englishalliance, but it was too late. TheSwedish army was an importantpart of the English alliance whichdefeated the French in the Battle ofLeipzig. Napoleon had to retreatback to France. Karl Johan wasgiven the command of theNorthern Allied Army withmission to pursue the French backto the French border. TheNorthern Army pursued theFrench army to the Dutch borderbut then deviated from their planand headed north towardDenmark. On December 1, 1813the Northern Army attacked theDanish army in Holstein, a part ofpresent-day Germany which wasruled by Denmark. The badly


outnumbered Danish army quicklywithdrew from almost all ofHolstein. An armistice was wassigned on December 15, 1813.

Norway had been underDanish rule for four hundred years.Denmark exploited theNorwegians in the culture andcommerce. Furthermore, theDanes started wars with Swedenwhich put a heavy burden on theNorwegians and resulted in theloss of territory and the lives ofmany Norwegians. Norwegianswere second class citizens in theirown land. The Norwegiansprotested with strikes, challengesand protests. Some Norwegiansquestioned the value of the unionand a few even suggested thatNorway seek a union withSweden. This proposal never hadwidespread support.

In 1813 Frederik, the kingof Denmark, began to realize thatFrance might be defeated. Hetried to join the English alliancebut the Swedes and Russiansdemanded that Frederik give upNorway. Frederik was not willingto these terms so he remained anally of France.

Frederik devised a newplan. He sent Christian Frederik,heir to the Danish throne, toNorway to be governor and headthe military. Christian Frederikwas a bright and handsome youngman. He created an effectivegovernment and gained theacceptance of the Norwegians.Later that year Frederik declaredwar on Sweden and commandedChristian Frederik to join theattack. Christian Frederik ignoredthe request because he realized

that an invasion of Sweden wouldfail and only bring furtherhardships.

Denmark and Swedenbegan peace negotiations shortlyafter their armistice. After somevery tough back and forth theTreaty of Kiel was signed onJanuary 15, 1814. The treatycalled for the transfer of Norwayto King Karl of Sweden (and not toSweden). There was noNorwegian presence during thenegotiations and the treaty signing.Norway was to keep all their laws,rights, privileges and freedoms.The treaty was a great success forKarl Johan and his goal to takeover Norway to compensate forthe loss of Finland.

Karl Johan appointed FieldMarshall Count Hans von Essen togovern Norway under union withSweden. The Swedes sent adelegation to Christiana, presentday Oslo, to begin the takeover ofthe Norwegian government.When they arrived in Norway,they were met by a delegationwhich said that Norway wouldselect their own governmentindependent of Sweden. Theshocked Swedes stormed out ofthe meeting and returned toSweden.

The Norwegians wereoverwhelmingly determined to beindependent. Then they selecteddelegates to write a constitutionand establish a government. Thedelegates prepared and ratified anew constitution on May 17, 1814.SYTTENDE MAI later becameNorway's national day. ChristianFrederik was unanimously electedto be king of Norway. After a

summer of intense negotiations anagreement for union with Swedenwas reached. Christian Frederikreturned to Denmark and KarlJohan was declared Norway’sforeign affairs.

The union continued withdifficult episodes until the finalbreak on October26, 1905. TheNorwegians were never satisfiedwith Swedish control of theirforeign affairs. After offering thethrone to a a Swedish prince,which was refused, the throne wasoffered to a Danish prince, whochanged his name to Haakon. Heand his wife Maud were crownedking and queen of Norway atNidaros Cathedral in 1906 thusofficially ending any Swedishinvolvement in Norwegian affairs.

Acknowledgments.Information for this history wasobtained from Internet sources andHistory of Norway by John A.Yilek

Valdres SambandStevne

June 20-22, 2019Decorah, Iowa

2019 Valdres SambandValdres StevneFagernes, Norway

July 6-15, 2019

Refer to our website:

valdressamband.org

For more details.


Seeking Information onYour World War I Valdres

RelationsBruce Weaver II

2018 marks the 100th anniversaryof the Armistice ending WorldWar One—aka The Great War. Anumber of Valdrises served inuniform during that war. Howmany WWI veterans of Valdresdescent are in your family? Whatdo you know about them? Thereare resources within the ValdresSamband that may be able tosupply additional information onmany of them. The Valdres Samband wasamong the first of the bygdelags tobegin collecting specific details onWWI Valdrises who served.Samband President Andrew A.Veblen began solicitinginformation on veterans. Here arehis words as excerpted from TheValdris Book (1920): The president in November1918, published in the papers arequest to all that knew ofValdrises that had entered theircountry’s service in the war to

send him information, for therecords of the Samband and forpublication. And during thefollowing month of December hemailed to several hundredmembers copies of a circularexplaining the purpose andcontaining blank spaces in whichto enter the desired data. He hasseveral times repeated the appealin the press, mailed later editionsof the first and the other circulars,and has written a large number ofletters…Some nine hundrednames…constitutes a great roll ofhonor… The first and main purposeof collecting this information wasto get an authentic record of theservice people of the Valdrislineage, to be preserved in thearchives of the Valdris Samband,and if possible, to make this recordcomplete. In the second place, it wasplanned to publish the list ofnames, together with some of themore outstanding factsreported…the blanks orquestionnaires, that were issuedprovided for the items: Name,address, age, birthplace, date ofentering service, rank andorganization, training camps,whether sent oversea and where,any special happenings, date ofdischarge, the father’s andmother’s names and bygd andgrandparents’ bygd, and the oldfamily gaards-name. In this list space has beengiven only to such of these data, sofar as they have been furnished, asmight seem to tell the mostessential facts about each one.Sometimes not even address was

not reported. Very few havereported rank, except in the caseof officers… This outline record, briefand even incomplete as it is,nevertheless is one of which everyValdris may be proud. Our youngmen have acquitted themselves insuch a manner that we may justlyfeel ourselves favored to our ownkinship with them. And surelyevery Valdris feels personallytouched by sorrow for those, ofthese kinsmen, that went forth andgave all that any man can give,and who can not return to theirhomes and grieving families. The Valdris Book (1920),pages 218-220 Veblen’s work became areality with the 1920 publicationof The Valdris Book. The lists ofsome 900 Valdrises who enteredtheir country’s service during theGreat War are found on pages 221-279.

I did not own an originalcopy of Veblen’s 1920 book untilI purchased one on eBay inJanuary 1999 for a winning bid of$27. Upon receipt, I found theentry for my late grandfather, W.O. Landsrud/Lansrud entry onpage 251. It covers 3 lines of text.Except for one detail, allinformation Veblen published inthis particular entry was known inthe family. Unexpectedly, therewas more to learn 30 months later.For other families, the lists in theVeblen work may provide certaindetails on their Valdris veteranrelation that may have beenotherwise lost to time. For thosewho are current with their


Valdres Sambandmemberships, access to a digitalcopy of this book can be found onour online database.

In July 2001, I visited theNorwegian American HistoricalAssociation (NAHA) archives inthe basement of Rolvaag Libraryat St. Olaf College in Northfield,MN for a full morning of familyhistory research. I asked NAHAArchivist Forrest Brown about theVeblen Archives and if theypossibly contained the materialsrelative to Valdrises who servedin WWI. Within minutes, pocketfolders arrived at my table. Insidewere the very WWI records I wasseeking!

The original form my lategrandfather had dutifullycompleted that collected the dataPresident Veblen had requested

was there. The real surprise wasfinding an attached statementsized handwritten letter from mylate grandfather dated February22, 1920! On the first side of theletter he confirmed he was fullValdris and had been away fromthe Decorah area for about 10years except for a brief visit upondischarge from the service fourdays prior to Christmas of 1918.He also suggested two names offellow Valdrises from theDecorah area he knew has servedduring WWI. They were AlbertRøvang and Clarence Syverson.

On the letter’s reverseside, my Valdris WWI veteransupplied some fascinating detailsabout his service that no one inthe family realized orremembered. Additionally, it wasdiscovered there had beeninadvertent confusion in thelength of months my Valdrisgrandfather had served inEngland as printed on page 251 ofThe Valdris Book. Now that hasbeen corrected in ourunderstanding. Digging deepersure made the difference!

If your Valdris relationsserved in World War One, it’sprobably worth it to look up theirrespective entries found on pages221-279 in the Veblen work—now accessed online through the

Samband for members withcurrent paid subscriptions. If yourWWI Valdris relation’s entry isespecially 3 or more lines of textin The Valdris Book listings, readon: You never know—if myexperience is somewhatrepresentative, there may be evenmore nuggets awaiting yourdiscovery during a visit to theNAHA archives in Northfield,MN!! And, you likely will get tosee your relation’s handwritingfrom a century ago! All due to theforesight and persistent dedicationof our first Valdres SambandPresident, Andrew A. Veblen, andour Valdris relations whoanswered the call to respond withdetails of their WWI militaryexperience.

Contrast level of detailin Valdris Book listing atleft with page 2 of letterabove, which volunteredfurther information. Maybeyour relation was alsoforthcoming in detail.


Your New MembershipSecretary

Luci J. Baker Johnson

I’ve been a member of the ValdresSamband (on and off) since 1999,but I only recently became anactive member. That is, more thenjust paying dues and occasionallywriting an article for theBudstikken. I’ve gotten to knowseveral of the Lag board membersthis past year, and I haverepeatedly been asked to join theboard. On April 19th I told the thenpresident that I would consider therequest. I was elected a Director atthe Spring board meeting, and atthe September meeting I foundmyself agreeing to be theMembership Secretary.

A Smidgen about Myself I was born in a tiny town inwest central Wisconsin and raisedin St. Paul, Minnesota. I moved toSeattle on Valentine’s Day 1992,and I love my new home. Myhusband and I married in October

2005, and I became the stepmotherof five grown young adults: twodaughters and three sons, theoldest 29 and the youngest 17 atthe time. Thirteen years later I’m agrandmother to eight, with anotherdue in January. The first twenty years ofmy career were spent working forthe American Red Cross, first inSt. Paul and then in Seattle. I lovedmy job, supporting militaryfamilies, responding to nationaldisasters and working with youngadults. I was one of the many whowere ‘laid off’ following the 9/11disaster. For the next ten years, Iwas Manager of Volunteers &Events for Historic Seattle, anorganization dedicated topreserving the city’s built heritage.I retired from that position in thefall of 2016 to care for my agingmother. We’d moved her to Seattleto live with us after my fatherpassed away on leap day, 2012. Itwas then we discovered the extentof her dementia, which was nowbecoming more of an issue and sherequires 24/7 attention. We live in Crown Hill, aneighborhood in the north ofSeattle. A dear friend, anonagenarian woman who wasborn in Norway, tells me that welive on ‘halibut hill,’ because it’swhere many of the city’sScandinavian fishermen built theirhomes. In fact, one of ourneighbors is an octogenarian

Norwegian bachelor and retired2nd generation fisherman. In my spare time Iresearch, compile, write, andvolunteer one day a week with theNational Archives in Seattle(going on 18 years). I’m active onFacebook and currently managesix Facebook groups, one of whichwas begun this past spring withBruce Weaver II, editor of theBudstikken. The group is called‘Norwegians in the Civil War.’ Atanother time I’ll share more aboutthat group, which has grown to250 members in less than sixmonths. I also write for severalblogs and other publications. Atnearby-norwegians-johnson.blogspot.com you canread more about my work.

My Norwegian-ness and newrole as Membership Secretary My mother is 100%Norwegian-American. That is, allof her grandparents were born inNorway and individuallyimmigrated to America between1853 and 1876. My grandmother’sparents were from Akershus fylke(Eidsvoll, Røsrud, Nes, Foss). Mygrandfather’s parents came toAmerica on the same sailing ship(the bark Tegner) in the summer of1853. Peninsula or southernEurope, I’m fairly certain that thedesire to claim Peninsula orsouthern Europe, I’m fairly certainthat the desire to claimCharlemagne as an ancestor wasmore wish than real.


Johan Hegg was age five and SiriViste was just five months old.The Heggs came from Lier,Trandby in Buskerud fylke. TheViste family was from ValdresValley. Thus my connection to theValdres Samband is via my great-grandmother Siri (Viste) Hegg.The surnames I descend from areHippe, Sundem, Oppen and Viste,primarily from Nord Aurdal. My entire career has beenengaged with not-for-profitorganizations. My research andwriting is primarily about localand nearby history, mostespecially ‘all things Norwegian.’I’m one of the founding membersof Nearby Norwegians, and I havebeen active in my local Sons ofNorway lodge, as well as otherNorwegian associations. Whatcomes naturally to me iscompiling. I am a confidentcompiler of information, and goodat making it accessible to others.Which is why being themembership secretary is a good fitwith my skills and abilities. As your new membershipsecretary, I’m interested in hearingfrom all of our members. You may find theseValdres Samband membershipstatistics interesting:

· Total members: 802, or608 households

· Members reside inMinnesota (214),Wisconsin (68), California(39), Iowa (27),Washington (26), SouthDakota (23), North Dakota(23), Colorado (18), Texas(16), Florida (15), Oregon(13), Pennsylvania (13),Montana (12), Illinois(10), and 27 other states.That leaves 9 states that donot have members yet.

· International Members:Norway (14), Canada (10),France (1) and Sweden (1)

· We have a FacebookGroup dedicated to theValdres Samband. Thereare 554 persons in thediscussion group. Ninety-six of the FB Groupmembers are currentmembers of the Samband.There are 33 whosemembership has expired(since 2014), and thesewill be on my task list toapproach about renewingtheir membership. Theother 203 non-memberswill soon be invited to jointhe Samband!

· NEW Members: we added54 new members in 2018,and 28 in 2017. Now, theseare some impressive

numbers! Eighty-six newmembers in just two years.That’s amazing. A largemajority of these newmembers joined to obtain‘members only’ access tothe Valdres GenealogyDatabase, which ismanaged by Tom Standal,our Lag Genealogist. Tomwas doing double duty thispast year, and now thatI’ve taken overmembership it leaves himmore time to dedicate togenealogy ventures. He’sdone an amazing job, and Ilook forward to more ofthe same.

I want to hear from you, ourmembers! You can email me [email protected] [email protected]. Howmight you like to be engaged inour amazing Samband?

MembershipLuci J Baker Johnson

Membership year runs fromJanuary 1 to December 31. Thedate through which dues arepaid appears on the mailinglabel of the Budstikken. Checkthe mailing label of thisBudstikken to to yourmembership expiration year. Ifyours says 2017 or 2018, it’s timeto renew! This will save theorganization considerable timeand money.

Budstikken, December 2018 37Y

Questions about yourmembership? Please [email protected] or [email protected] .

Pay dues with PayPal or mail toValdres Samband: Membership8014 Olson Memorial Highway#263Golden Valley, MN 55422

Welome NEW members !!Erik Kvale • Pullman, WANancy Gleboff • Madison, WIJon Weaver • Philadelphia, PAJessica Magdanz • San Diego, CALouis G. Lansrud • Lake Mary, FLKaren Wilson • Potomac, MDRandal Mortimer • Missoula, MTGregg Baker, Portland, ORCatherine Fischer • Plymouth, MNMaureen Aakre • Granite Falls,MNDonald Sather • Lancaster, CAJohn Aden • Vermillion, SDRennae Millette • Grand Forks, NDDorothy Tucker • Townsend, MTChristine Beaird • Lewisville, TXRandy Nelson • Kennewick, WABlair Olson • Bemidji, MNMelody Lundin • Herman, MNNorma Lundin • Bemidji, MNMary Lang • Seattle, WAElaine Carlson • Alexandria, MNTodd Norman • St. Paul, MNMary Jane Blanchfield • DevilsLake, NDBeverly A. Graham • Calgary,Canada,Jonathan Anderson • Detroit, MIGary & Chris Lindgren • Duluth,MNShawn & Laura Robers • Crosby,MN

Brett & Patricia Opdahl •Montevideo, MNAnnette Glomstad • Grand Forks,NDRobert W. Nelson • Coon Valley,WISusan Aleckson • Black RiverFalls, WILiv Marit Haakenstad • Norway,Patricia Sandlund • Sturgeon Bay,WIDaniel Mark Sondrol • Norway,Connie Haugen • Bison, SDGlenn & Jerri Johnson • ColumbiaHeights, MNScott & Deanna Hanson •International Falls, MNDeborah Setnes • Crown Point, INArlene Hanson • Sørkjosen,NorwayAmanda Linder : Barrington, RIAnn Wendel : Kathryn, NDDeena Benson, Anchor Pt, AKDoris Knudson • Tulsa, OKElizabeth Roen • Washington DCJoseph Reese • Alameda, CAJoshua Dale, Woodbury, MNKaren Evenson • Peoria, AZLinda Mohn • Jamestown, NDRebecca Carney • Fairview, NCSharon Briggs • Garrison, NDWayne Hanson, Salt Lake City,UT

Reported in the May 2018Budstikken, page 44:Kaare Leite • Norway,Donavon Reinsmoen • Clear Lake,IAChristopher & Stephanie Opdahl •Isanti, MNJeffrey Fossum • Boulder, COCurtiss Chelin • San Francisco, CAJames & Rebecca Schulthess •Hancock, WI

Lanny Nelson • Galt, CADixie Bryson • Bemidji, MNDebra Lager • West Salem, WICheryl Fuller • North Freedom, WIKathleen Carr • Bluffton, SCMike & Josephine Christianson •Bozeman, MTDanton Tuve • West Bartford, CTCeleste Salemme • Chicago, ILRune Nedrud • Oslo, Norway

Valdres Sambandmembership stands at 624current households.

Please remember, thatour memberships areannual and expire on thelast day of December ofeach year! Please note yourexpiration year will befound on the address labelof this Budstikken edition.Those who have notrenewed their 2018expiration will receive areminder postcard inFebruary 2019. Please helpus out by renewing beforethat postcard is sent so wecan avoid the additionalpostage expenses.


GenealogyTom Standal

The Genealogy departmentcontinues to be busy withmaintaining and improving ourgenealogy database. We now haveover 700 registered users on thesite. I am always pleased to goonline and see 10 or moremembers using the system at thesame time. Thanks to everyonefor continuing to send updates andcorrections.

The Valdres Samband hasregistered 51 new members in2018 thus far. Many of these newmembers are a result of ourgenealogy database.

We will soon have a links onthe genealogy database to thescanned copies of all Budstikkenmagazines. They have all beendigitized and will be uploaded tothe site soon. They will be locatedunder the same tab as the otherscanned publications.

We will be working on theimplementation of DNAtechnology to the database website

this Winter. We will announcewhen the site is ready to receiveyour DNA test results. This willbe a great way for members toconnect.

Finally, we helped numerousgroups with their trips to Valdres,again, this Summer. Thanks to PerOdd for his help with contactingcurrent farm residents. It is alwaysfun to receive photos of memberswith their Valdres cousins at thefarms of their immigrantancestors. We are happy to helpmake these connections. But,please remember that this usuallytakes some time to accomplish.

History & PreservationTom Standal

We are in need of a ValdresSamband Historian! If you arewilling/interested in taking on thisposition please contact ourPresident.

Most of the Samband’shistorical documents are housed ina secure storage in the Twin CityMetropolitan area.

We are pleased to report thatall Valdres Samband publicationshave been digitized. This includesall editions of the early Samband,Valdris Helsing, the NewsletterYears, all of the Narvestad books,and all editions of the Budstikken.We have also scanned the originalSamband Grunnloven and theearliest membership cards. Manyof these digitized versions are

already available to be viewed onthe Genealogy Database website.The Budstikken will be availablevery soon.

Our next scanning project willbe the Early Membership Forms.This will be a very large projectconsisting of thousands of pagesof handwritten family forms. Wehope to have this underway soon.

HomepageAnne Sladky

I’ve had my DNA tested throughboth Ancestry and 23 and me,with identical results. On morethan one occasion someone Iconsider a 4th or 5th cousin waslisted as a closer relative. This islikely the result of those parts ofmy family tree that are moretrunk than branches (closecousins marrying close cousins).I found a number of family treeson Ancestry and My Heritage thattrace my family back toCharlemagne through a Spanishprincess who married a Danishknight about 250 years ago. Itseemed highly suspect to me, and


Because of DNA, we found outthat one of my favorite cousinsisn’t really a cousin at all – hewas faced with the disconcertingnews that the man he called hisdad wasn’t his biological father,and his siblings are only half-siblings. Through contact withhis ‘new’ family, he learned thathis father was a pilot in WWII,had married his mother beforeshipping out, and was shot downover France less than a monthafter arriving in England. Hisfather’s best friend then marriedhis pregnant mother – his parentsand their siblings are now alldeceased, and no one had evermentioned any of that to him. Ahandful of others I’ve knownhave made far more painful “birthdiscoveries.” I have some familymembers who want nothing to dowith DNA, out of concerns that itmight somehow be used to violatetheir privacy. 23 and me offersinformation about geneticdisorders and they worry thatmight complicate applications forlife or health insurance.Providers of this service assurethat won’t happen, and I haven’theard of anyone experiencing thatkind of problem – but with all thehacking going on these days, Ican understand the concern. Ithink I’m too old to care! There have been manycomplaints that different hostshave provided wildly differentethnic estimates, or that resultsdon’t square at all with familyresearch – for example, knownNorwegian immigrant ancestorsand no Scandinavian DNA at all.

I can only report that for myselfand those cousins with whom I’vebeen in contact, the results havebeen consistent with expectations.To my delight, I’ve emailed witha few new cousins that haveshared information that hasenriched my understanding of myfamily’s history. I’ve even mettwo or three in the “real world.” Do I personally thinkhaving my DNA tested was worthit? Ancestry’s ethnicity estimatesare getting more and morespecific all the time, and haveconfirmed and enhanced what Iknow of my personal genealogy.I’ve had a lot of fun meeting newrelatives and (through 23 and me)learning about genetic tendencies.... yes, I am a night person andcan finally “blame” it on myDNA – no, I was never a sprinteralthough supposedly my DNAindicates I could be one. Withnew matches appearing on aregular basis, I thoroughly enjoymy expanding family!Lykke til med surfing på nettet!(Good luck surfing the Internet!)Anne S.

Valdres SambandBoard Meeting, Holiday Inn

Alexandria Saturday, June 23, 2018

Board Members Present: BruceWeaver (President), RebeccaWood (Vice President), TomStandal (Genealogist), SharlaLittle (incoming membershipsecretary), Luci J Baker Johnson(incoming director), Arlene Quam.Officers Absent: Treasurer KenSvorCall to order: President Weavercalled the meeting to order at 9:40a.m.

Stevne Report: Tom Standalreported in Ken Svor’s absencethat $6,728 in pre-registrationfunds were received, and thisnumber would require correctiondue to online billing issues, andtransferring of two registrations tothe Vestlandslag. There were 13walk-in registrations, and severalmerchandise sale transactions.Silent auction was successful with$920. Tom recorded the Vest.totals and transferred that amountto them. Group photo with nameswas also taken for use in theupcoming Budstikken. TheHospitality Room was $96.77 ofcontributions to offset expenses of$145.23 for food-related expenses.The banquet had pre-orderedtickets, with some challengesbecause total attendees were morethan expected, but the servershandled the issue quickly andefficiently. Discussion of futureStevne events and ways toreinvent Samband gatherings tomake them simpler. About 69


registrations at Stevne is a sign ofdeclining year-to-year attendance.Officers and elections For theupcoming annual meeting at thisStevne, the slate will includeRebecca Wood for President, andopen spot for VP, Sharla Little forMembership Secretary, and LesHeen for Recording Secretary,Luci J. Baker and Arlene Quam asnew directors. As Arlene leavesher post as editor, and Bruceleaves his post as president, he willstep in the role of editor.Next meeting The fall boardmeeting is set for Saturday,September 22 at 10 a.m., probablyat Richfield Lutheran.Financial Report There was afinancial report by Tom in Ken’sabsence. A full report will begiven by Ken at a later date. Tomnoted that year-end cash as of12/31/17 was $21,917.17. Thiswas an increase of $3,140 from theprevious year. Diana Lewisprepared an auditor for theupcoming annual meeting.Genealogy The May 1975 toDecember 2008 Budstikkens weresent to scanning. Post-2008Budstikkens are already scanned.The 1975-2008 editions should bescanned soon. Original articles,Helsings, Sambands, andBudstikkens are now backed-up,linked, and hidden on our “.org” asbeing behind a paywall formembers.Membership Report Tomreported that we had 671 memberhouseholds. 199 expired were sentnotes earlier this year. 128 sent inrenewals from that group. The netafter removing expired is 608.Motion by Quam, second by

Weaver to adjourn. Passed.Adjournment at 9:35 a.m.Les Heen, Recording Secretary

Valdres SambandAnnual Meeting, Holiday Inn

Alexandria Saturday, June 23, 2018

VS President BruceWeaver called the annual meetingof the members to order at 11:10a.m. He thanked for their interest,attendance and support. Motionseconded and passed to approveminutes of the previous annualmeeting. Genealogist Tom Standalreported that approximate numberof VS members attending was 68.$6,728 in registration income,before subtractions for those whoattended for Vestlandslag. Hotelexpense was based in part on thenumbers of rooms booked bymembers, and the attendance washigh enough to reduce the cost ofmeeting room rental. Silentauction revenue was $920 in totalfor the two organizations, and theVS portion of that will help offsetthe VS cost for the event. Final

Stevne report will be published inBudstikken. President Weaver reportedthat the VS Board is consideringhaving a revised Stevne format in2019, in part because of the long-standing reality that attendancedeclines and formats aresimplified in years when there areVS tours to Norway. There is alsointerest in finding a simpler,revised format that may have moreappeal to younger members, suchas a day-long event in park orcommunity center. Weaver alsothanked Arlene Quam for herservice as editor of theBudstikken. He noted that he willbe stepping into that role as heends his term as president. Weaveralso thanked Tom Standal for hiswork on the Stevne. President Weaver reportedthat the financial report will bepublished in the next issue of theBudstikken because treasurer KenSvor was not able to attend theannual meeting. Diane Lewisinformed the group that her auditshowed not extraordinaryexpenses or unusual activity. Shenoted the reimbursement of fundsfrom Glen Olson, per court action. Tom Standal reported onthe completion of scanning forBudstikkens, Helsings andSambands with access for currentmembers via links on the VS website. Weaver stated that is notseeking another term, after servingas president for six years. The slatepresented by the board is RebeccaWood for President, VP open,Sharla Little for membershipsecretary, Les Heen for recordingsecretary, Ken Svor for Treasurer,


Tom Standal as genealogist, LuciJ Baker Johnson and Arlene Quamas directors. After call for furthernomination, motion seconded andpassed to close nominations. Slateelected without objection.

Meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m.Recording secretary Les Heen

Valdres SambandBoard Meeting, Richfield

Lutheran, Richfield, Minnesota Saturday, September 22, 2018

Board Members Present:Rebecca Wood (President), TomStandal (Genealogist), Ken Svor(Treasurer), Jeff Huset, Earl Evenstad

On phone: Lucy Baker Johnson,Arlene Quam, Les Heen

Absent: Budstikken editor BruceWeaver (out of cell phone range)

Call to order: President Woodcalled the meeting to order at 10 a.m.

Minutes: Motion by Standal,second by Heen, to approve minutesof previous meeting.

Membership: Standal reportedthat members expired as of 12/17were removed from the list of activemembers, with a current paid total of623 households. Mailing to the 2017expired members results in 68 ofthose being renewed. The 2015 and2016 expired members totaled 282,and sometimes members from thoselong-expired lists will renew. In 2018,there are 54 new members as a directresult of genealogy database interest.The method of doing springmembership reminders seems to workbetter than the fall reminder methodused in past years.

An estimated 70% of themembers have phone numbers andemail addresses on file. Discussion ofpossible email marketing to members

to reinforce membership value.Discussion of membership databasemanagement and membershipfinancial records. Tom and Lucydiscussed dividing these duties, withthe idea that Tom will receive theincoming checks, copy to Ken andLuci so she could manage themembership database. This methodwould allow Lucy to work with thedatabase without having to managethe funds. During Stevne, Rebeccaand others would assist in managingmembership issues at registration.

Motion by Heen, second byQuam to appoint Luci J BakerJohnson as membership secretarywith duties as described above.Motion approved.

Budstikken: Chair suggestschanging distribution of paper copiesof Budstikken to limit paper copies tobulk mailing to save costs, with allother copies going out in PDF form.Motion made, second, approved, withQuam requesting that her objection benoted. The report from the editor waspostponed because he could notparticipate in the meeting, but he willcontact the board about the need fornew software because the existingproduct is no longer supported.

Treasurer’s Report: Svorreported that August net income was$234. January-August year-to-datetotal income of $15,365 is $210 overlast year’s total of $13,355. Augustexpenses were $220, with YTD at$11,389 compared to $4,007 lastyear. He noted that the decision tocontribute to Norway House was onefactor in the increased expenses of$7,382 from the previous year. Healso noted that at the time of thismeeting, the Stevne bills have not yetincluded.

Savings YTD is $26,030. Lastyear that was $27,810. Last year thecash total was $21,917 and is nowimproved to $26,030.

Genealogy and Preservation:Standal reported that he haspurchased file cabinets for the storageunit, filed for four hours to get filesalphabetized, and transferred paperfrom tubs to the cabinets. The renewalcosts for the storage unit will be duesoon, with the projected increasefrom $52.50 to $80 per monthnegotiated down to a $7.25 per monthincrease. Motion by Johnson, secondby Evenstad to renew the storage unitcontract for another year. Motionapproved.

Discussion of the addedgenealogical information of DNAsequencing which will be availablesoon. Standal will look into this issuefor the genealogy database.

Discussion of donation ofscanned materials. Motion by Heen,second by Evenstad, to donatescanned material to NAHA (theorganization designated in ValdresSamband constitution). Motionapproved. Ken Svor left the meetingat this point.

Licensing: Discussion oflicensing for non-individuals wishingaccess to genealogy database forresearch or commercial purposes.Discussion of approving a $200annual licensing fee. (Arlene left themeeting at this point.) Standal notedthat only he and Vicki can adjust ordownload any data. Tom offered todevelop a proposal on this issue andsend around for approval during theperiod between now and the nextboard meeting.

Digitization: Tom Standalreported that the remaining items toscan are from the newsletters becauseBudstikken, Helsing, and similarperiodicals have been scanned.Newsletters are about 9-10 years oftyped pages from May and Decemberof those years, and only about 20pages total. The only book left to scanis “Valdres – Queen of the Valleys”

and Tom will send out a request for acopy so that can get done. Binders offamily information will scanned afterLucy researches grant funds. Motionby Jeff, second by Earl to approve thenext stage of digitization. Motionapproved.

Board Positions: Nominationsare needed for open positions. The VPand Historian positions are not open.

Discussion and action on mediaguidelines, civil war history projectwere postponed.

Insurance: Board membersagreed that VS needs its owninsurance even if we operate a Stevnewith another organization. Proposalwill be distributed by email to boardto get in place before the next Stevne.

Stevne planning: Discussion ofmoving to one-day event to reducecosts. This could mean having 45attendees at $20 per person to cover a$900 expense. This would mean notpartnering with another group. Adifferent Minneapolis location couldhave an expense of $1,800.Discussion of Decorah options, withpreference for hotels instead of dormsand single building for all activitieson campus for greater convenience.Consensus was to remain withDecorah planning for 2019, butredesign for future Stevnes isimportant.

Motion by Standal, second byHuset, to adjourn. Meeting adjournedat 12:25 p.m.

Les Heen, Recording Secretary

Treasurer's ReportKen Svor

Income: November- $396YTD- $16,202Last Year- $15,505Variance- This year $697 morethan last year.

Expense:November- $276YTD- $12,771Last Year- $10,341Variance- This Year $2,430 morethan last year.

This month includes payment of$187.50 as our portion of thepremium for 1 year of liabilityinsurance. Bank fees of $24.75 will mostlybe credited back to the accountfor December.

Net Income:Month- $120 YTD- $3,431Last Year- $5,164 This year$,1733 less than last year.

Cash & Savings:Current Year- $25,501 LastYear- $23,864 This year$1,637 more than last year.

Stevne Photos

NORWEGIAN AMERICANGenealogical Center & Naeseth Library

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415 West Main Street • Madison, WI 53703-3116Phone 608-255-2224 • [email protected]

Open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Let us help you find your Norwegian roots!Expert genealogy assistance for both beginners

and advanced researchers.Stellar collec on of books, microfilms, documents,

and research materials.Transla on services

Classes • Tours________

Beginning Norwegian GenealogyJune 10 - 11, 2019

Wri ng Your Family HistoryJuly 15 - 16, 2019


Checks in US Dollars only. Please make checks payable to: Valdres Samband Membership

Please Mail to: Valdres Samband 8014 Olson Memorial Highway #263 Contact [email protected] with any questions Golden Valley, MN 55427


In Memory

Howard C. Lerohl

Howard Lerohl ofExcelsior, MN passed awaypeacefully on September 18, 2018at the age of 87. Howard was bornand raised in rural Sacred Heart,MN and attended Wang LutheranChurch in rural Maynard , MNalong with his family andextended family. He was veryproud of his Norwegian-Lutheranheritage. Upon graduation fromGranite Falls High School , heattended St. Olaf College inNorthfield , MN where hegraduated with a Bachelor’sDegree in Music and later receivedhis Master’s Degree fromUniversity of Minnesota . He wasa music educator and choraldirector at Orono High School inLong Lake, MN for 30 years;served as Director of Worship andMusic at Mount Calvary LutheranChurch in Excelsior, MN for 25years and served in the US Navywhere he achieved the rank ofCaptain in the Naval Reserves.Howard was very involved in theValdres Samband and Sons ofNorway organizations and alsoserved on the Board of Directorsof the F. Melius ChristiansenFoundation. He was a trulyremarkable man; a devotedhusband; a loving father,grandfather, and great-grandfather; and a faithful servantof God. He was preceded in deathby his parents, Alex and Emma;his older brother, Alden; sister-in-law, Ruth; and his beloved wife,

Diane. Howard is survived by hisyounger brother, Robert; sister-in-law, Helen; his four children,Kristin, Kathryn, Kimberly, andMark; their spouses, LauraWilson, James Croyle, and AnnaO’Connell; eight grandchildren,and ten great-grandchildren andmany cousins, nieces andnephews. We would like to thankand recognize the Staff and CareGivers at Presbyterian HomesLake Minnetonka Shores and ParkNicollet Hospice. A Celebration ofLife Memorial Service will be heldat a later date and time to beannounced.

Dr. Paul D. RudMarch 28, 1936 - August 2, 2018

Dr Paul David Rud wasborn on March 28, 1936 to theRev. Oscar and Melva (Rindahl)Rud in Fairdale, North Dakota. Hewas baptized and confirmed in theLutheran faith. Paul attendedschool at Augustana Academy inCanton, South Dakota, graduatingin 1954. Following graduation, heenlisted in the United States Army.He was stationed in Germanywhere he served as a Private FirstClass. During this time he alsoplayed for the Army travelingbaseball team. He received hishonorable discharge in 1956. Paulreturned home and enrolled atAugustana College in Sioux Falls,South Dakota. He married his highschool sweetheart, JaniceHolmquist, on June 3, 1958 inSioux Falls. The couple lived inSioux Falls while Paul finished hisundergrad in pre-med atAugustana, graduating in 1959.

The couple moved to Vermillion,South Dakota while Paul attendedUSD Medical School from 1959-1961 and then lived in Madison,Wisconsin while he finished hisstudies at the University ofWisconsin Medical School from1961-1963. Paul’s medicalinternship took them back to SiouxFalls where he worked at SiouxValley Hospital from 1963-1964.In 1964, Paul began his medicalpractice as a family physician atLuverne Medical Center inLuverne, Minnesota. It was at thistime that they bought their homeon North Cottage Grove wherethey put down their roots andraised their family. Paul was anintelligent, caring doctor with anincredible bedside manner. Heknew how to put patients at ease.In addition to his family medicinefocus, he founded the cardiac careunit at the Luverne Hospital,taught cardiac classes at localhospitals, and was a mentor tomany doctors and nursesthroughout the years. He retiredfrom his practice in 2000. Duringretirement years, he enjoyedhaving morning coffee with theguys, being up north with Jan atthe family cabin on Sand Lake,researching genealogy, andspending time with his kids andgrandkids. On August 2, 2018,family was right by his side asPaul died peacefully under hospicecare at his home at the age of 82years, 4 months and 4 days. Paul was a member ofGrace Lutheran Church inLuverne where he had served asPast President.

Checks in US Dollars only. Please make checks payable to: Valdres Samband Membership

Contact [email protected] with any questions Golden Valley, MN 55427


He also served as Past President ofthe USD Medical AlumniAssociation. He was a volunteer atthe Rock County HistoricalSociety where he spent manyhours researching family andmilitary history. Paul loved to fish,both as a Professional WalleyeTour Member and recreationalfishing. He was a sports enthusiastand enjoyed following collegebasketball and the MinnesotaTwins. He also enjoyed playingbridge with friends and family.Paul loved making lefse withfamily on Christmas Eve. He willbe remembered as a stoic, humble,patient, kind and loving man byhis family. Paul is survived by hiswife Janice of Luverne; hischildren, Nathan (Sandy) Rud ofLuverne, Sara Wells of Flourtown,PA, and Gretchen Rud of CoonRapids, MN; seven grandchildren,Kayla Rud, Kristin Rud, NikitaRud, Mara Wells, Jonah Wells,Sofia Schumann and MaxSchumann; his sister Lois(Anthony) Rud-Rubino ofBarnegat, NJ; sisters-in-law,Phyllis (James) Gould of SiouxFalls, Joyce (Dick) Lee of Alpena,MI, and Eunice Rud of Rapid City,SD; and many nieces, nephews,cousins and relatives. He waspreceded in death by his parents;his siblings, Lydia Russeth, JamesRud and Harold Rud; his siblings-in-law, Sylvia and RichardBartling, Alice Rud and PalmerRusseth. Memorials preferred toGrace Lutheran Church or RockCounty Historical Society.

Sandra Quale SchwabauerSept. 23, 1941 - Feb. 9, 2018 A visitation will be from 6to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 14,2018, at Stehn Family ChapelsMilwaukie. A memorial servicewill be at 3 p.m., Thursday, Feb.15, 2018, at Milwaukie LutheranChurch, 3810 S.E. Lake Rd.,Milwaukie, OR.

Shirley Heppner1936 - 2018

Pine River - Shirley A."Stewie" Heppner, age 81, of PineRiver, died Monday afternoon,April 23, 2018, at ThedaCareRegional Medical Center inAppleton. Born on November 18,1936, in Evanston, Illinois, thedaughter of Onel and Gena(Throne) Steward, Shirley marriedDonald Heppner on May 18, 1957,and he preceded her in death onJanuary 23, 2010. Growing up, Shirley ranthe Heppner Food Store inGlenview, Illinois with herhusband and after selling the store,they moved to Oshkosh wherethey purchased Edison EstatesMobil Home Park. She was amember of Emmaus LutheranChurch of Poy Sippi, where sheenjoyed quilting for the churchmissions. Shirley was the StateSenior Bowling TournamentChampion and National DoublesChampion in 1984. She alsoenjoyed golfing, painting, crafts(especially Rose mauling), playingthe organ, feeding the birds, andmaking baby hats for the hospital.During the winter, Shirley andDon traveled to Florida in their

Airstream, escaping Wisconsincold weather. She was a memberof the Sons of Norway. Survivors include hersister, Evelyn Psenicka; twobrothers-in-law, Charles "Chuck"Heppner and George Ruesch Jr.;nieces and nephews, Susan (Dan)Ziegler, Nancy (Norm)Reichenberger, Michael(Deborah) Psenicka, Douglas(Vicki) Psenicka, WilliamPsenicka, James Ruesch, andLinda VandeMotter; numerousgreat-nieces and great-nephews,great-great-nieces and nephews.Preceding Shirley in death is herhusband; parents; mother-in-lawand father-in-law, Elsie andCharles Heppner; her sister,Dorothy Ruesch; her brother-in-law, Stanley Psenicka; her sister-in-law, Betty Heppner; her niece,Kathryn Goetting; and a great-nephew, Ben Goetting. Funeral services will beheld on Saturday, April 28, 2018,at 11:00 a.m. in Emmaus LutheranChurch, W2185 County Road H,Poy Sippi, Wisconsin, withReverend Mark R. Meier, Sr.officiating. A time of visiting andsharing of memories will be heldon Saturday from 9:00 to 11:00a.m. at the church. Onlinecondolences to the family may begiven at www.seefeldfuneral.com.In lieu of flowers, memorials toyour local humane society wouldbe much appreciated in Shirley'smemory.

Thank you to the friends, family,and beloved cat, Lucky, for caringfor Shirley throughout her illness.


Manfred Hill

Canton, SD - "You know?"These two simple words startedmillions of conversations betweenManfred and his family, friendsand often times completestrangers. His effortless start to anexchange lead to him finding outabout your life, your family andpossibly if you were somehowrelated to him. Manfred's innate"gift of gab" made him an instantfriend to all he met. Manfred Eugene Hill wasborn February 13th, 1924 on theHill family homestead to Charlesand Nora Hill where he lived withhis 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Hegraduated from Canton HighSchool in 1942 and set off toexplore. He spread his wings byhopping on a train to Milwaukeewith his brother Charles andworked as a cook. Their trip endedabruptly when they had to get backto South Dakota because the warbroke out. Manfred then went towork in Sioux Falls to help buildthe Air Force Base. South Dakotaprovided so much for Manfred,corn, dirt & eventually a beautifulredhead. Once again, hisarticulation paid in dividendswhen he artfully negotiated buyinga coat for a spunky little waitress;his future wife, Leona Wiebe.They were married on May 6th,1945 and went on to have 5beautiful children. They created alegacy of love, countlessmemories, so much laughter and72 years of marriage. The originalpower couple farmed, raised seedcorn and later in life became partowners of First American Bank in

Canton. Dapper through all thedecades humble pie became hisfavorite. When told he waslooking good, (which was often)Manfred's eyes would smile andhis tag line was simply "neverbeen a problem." Being a proud Norwegian,Manfred served as the very firstpresident of the King Olavchapter, Sons of Norway inCanton. Anyone who met himknew of his Norwegian heritageand probably were able to tracetheir own through his vastknowledge and connections.Although he only visited Norwaynine times, you would haveguessed he was raised there. Not only could Manfredtalk his way through mostanything, he could fix almostanything as well. He didn't haveformal training, but he neverneeded that, just time and his littlered tool box. He was always readyto help a neighbor on the farm,teach his family countless lessonsand of course sit down for thealways important coffee time atthe café. If you ever took Manfredanywhere, you just automaticallyadded in 40 extra minutes to waitfor him to talk to everyone.Manfred spent his life doing whathe loved, visiting with all heencountered, working the land,and fixing all that he could, frommotors to minds. Growing hismulti-generational farm was anaccomplishment he cherished andthe legacy his family has carriedon in continuing this feat madehim swell with pride. He wasknown to say, "Work hard and the

rest will come easy". Manfred wasa true testament to this. Manfred was survived byhis adoring children, PauletteVetos (Stan), Richard (Linda),Randy Hill, Karla Hill, Carla Bass(Tom), & Renee Johnson, 15cherished grandchildren, 40 greatgrandchildren & 2 great-greatgrandchildren and his sibling LyleHill. He was preceded in deathby his treasured wife Leona, hisparents Charles & Nora Hill, andhis siblings & spouses, Charlotte& Ezra Petterson, Irma & EldonLyso, & Charles & Gladys Hill,Kay Hill Manfred passed away onthe Fourth of July, in true fashionto the firecracker he was. What asight it must have been to haveseen the smile on his face, the onethat started with the twinkle in hiseyes, as he reunited with hisbeautiful sparkler of a bride. Take a lesson from this oneof kind, wise soul and release yourinner Manfred and be an instantfriend to all you meet-"it's neverbeen a problem!" Manfred's funeral servicewill be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July10, at Canton Lutheran Church,with burial at the LutheranCemetery north of Canton.Visitation will be Monday from 2to 8:00 p.m. at Canton LutheranChurch. Family will greet visitorsfrom 5 to 7:00 p.m.www.andersonandsonsfh.comPublished in The Argus Leaderfrom July 6 to July 8, 2018

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Bloomington, MN 55438www.skandisk.com

Shipping Charges: Shipping charges are based on the dollaramount of your order per single mailing address:Up to $15.00 $6.95 $50.01 to $75.00 $12.95

$15.01 to $30.00 $7.95 $75.01 to $100.00 $15.95$30.01 to $50.00 $10.95 $100.01 and over $17.95

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Ce l ebr at e Yo u r No r w eg i a N Her i t a g e

No r d i Cb a k er YCo o k bo o kby Miisa MinkThis best-sellingbaking book bychef Miisa Minkshows you howto create mouth-

watering breads and pastries using healthyingredients such as rye flour, oats, and barley.You’ll love the cinnamon buns!EBK 490 $14.95 hardcover

Spl eNd o r o f No r w aY 2019with photos by Per EideThis spectacular 13-month calendar features imagesof Norway by professional photographer Per Eide.Border designs showcase Scandinavian handicrafts.This wall calendar includes namedays, week num-bers, and large boxes with room to write. All majorAmerican, Canadian, and Norwegian holidays areindicated. Closed size: 13" x 9.3"CAL 100 $14.99

Her o eS o f t el ema r kSabotaging Hitler’s AtomicBomb, Norway 1942-44by David GreentreeThis illustrated history bookdescribes the famous WorldWar II commando raids thatsabotaged a German nuclear

facility in the freezing depths of Norway, ensuring NaziGermany could not produce an atomic bomb.HIB 330 $20.00 paperback

pi Ct u r eS o f l o Ng i Ng : Photographyand the Norwegian-American Migrationby Sigurd Lien, translated by Barbara SjoholmPictures of Longing brings more than 250 haunt-ing and revealing photographs sent home byNorwegian immigrants in America into focus asa moving account of Norwegian migration in the19th and early 20th centuries.HIB 200 $29.95 paperback

#1 Source of National Award WinningBilingual English-Norwegian Books onNorwegian Heritage, Culture, History,

Language & GenealogyNorwegians in America, their History and Record:A transcribed and translated version ofNordmændene i Amerika, deres Historie og RekordWritten by Martin UlvestadVolume 1 — 480 pages, 7″x10″, years 1825-1907:• Pioneer sagas, maps, emigration and immigration• USA (41 states, 500 counties) and Canada (6 provinces)

Volume 2 — 640 pages, 7″x10″, years 1825-1907:• Norwegians in American Wars including Civil War• 25,000 pioneers listed by 1,700 locations in Norway

Volume 3 — 704 pages, 7″x10″, years 1825-1913:• GENEALOGY, thousands of biographical sketches by lastname, where emigrated from in Norway, year, where to in USA

• Maps of Norwegian settlements in the Midwest

= $74.95 for 3-volume set, hardcover & Smyth sewn

Astri My Astri PublishingDeb Nelson Gourley

602 3rd Ave SWWaukon, IA 52172

Phone [email protected]

www.astrimyastri.com

History of the Norwegian Settle-ments, By Hjalmar Rued Holand• Midwest Immigrants 1830-1870• 512 pgs, hardcover, 6″x9″• 32 pgs of full-colored mapsThe 63-chapter non-fiction book letsreaders trace the trails of 3,800 in-dexed immigrants through Illinois,Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota and theDakotas as they explore new frontiersand tame the wilderness. Along theway lurk killer diseases, grasshopperplagues, prairie fires and loneliness.Thanks to this book, countless Nor-wegian-Americans will be able tolearn more about their own heritagefrom these pioneer sagas. In Englishonly. = $23.95

Norwegians in America,Some Records of the NorwegianEmigration to AmericaWritten by Knud Langeland• Hardcover, 5.5″x7.5″, 240 pgsAutobiographical, tells of life in Nor-way before 1843 and early immi-grant life in America. Social andpolitical portrait including the Norwe-gian immigrant press. Published asa bilingual, the book includes bothan English translation as well as aNorwegian transcription of the 1888Gothic script. Foreword, biographyand back cover review written byOdd S. Lovoll. = $9.95

Norwegian Genealogy Kit — Startthe next generation with their owngenealogy research, each tubecontains supplies for 3 people:• 3 map posters (identical to above)• 3 pedigree sheets (5 generations)• 3 sets instructions to use Norway’schurch and census records

= $9.95 per tube of supplies

Free shipping in USA orders over $20 or add $4.95 S/H

Valdres Samband8014 Olson Memorial Highway#263Golden Valley, MN 55422

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Budstikken - ValdresLes Heen, Associate Editor.....E-mail: [email protected] Tel. 320-367-2896...

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Transcript of Budstikken - ValdresLes Heen, Associate Editor.....E-mail: [email protected] Tel. 320-367-2896...