,Meeting October 1 at the Rokke lake horne, the executive board of theSigdal Lag voted unanimously to accept a reciprocal invitation to one it hadsent earlier enabling the Sigdal Lag to join together with the lags representingHadeland, Land, Telemark and Toten for a 5-lag stevne at St. Olaf College, North-field, Minnesota June 29-30, 1984.

Every elected board member was present and it was decided that Marilyn Somdahlwould serve the Stevne Coordinating Committee. Morgan Olson, president of theHadeland Lag, set the first meeting at Northfield for November 5.

Toten Lag's Dr. (;Mrs. L.J. Opsahl attended the Decorah stevne this pastJuly 29 which was St. Olav's Day. As president of his lag, Dr. Opsahl has experiencein the cooperative planning of the four lags who share much of the stevne whileassuring each group to also retain its own distinctive identity.

Minutes of the Sigdal Lag annual meeting appear elsewhere, but almost 60 wereregistrants! Highlights were a certificate of appreciation to Don Berglund, a newfilm, Krodsherad, and opportunity to take in Nordic Fest.

Vol. III(The following letter is on Kr~dsherad Kommune stationery ofJuly 8, 1983 at Noresund.)

Pg.2the r~dmann. It is dated

_ ~J}5 /v.~d;'',p.,·,-,

To the Siqclalslag in AmericaC10 president Marilyn Somdahl10129 Goodrich CircleBloomington, MN 55437

On behalf of Kr~dsherad kommune and the 2270 inhabitants who have homes and work inthe parish below Norefjell, we greet the Sigdalslag in America with the best wishesfor a successfulstevne at Decorah, Iow~ July 29, 1983.Under last year's arrangement the kommune was represented by the mayor at that time,Ingvald Granum, who recalls fine and festive days in Fargo and rewarding contact withSigd~lings and Kryllings in America.May he here and now thank for all friendliness and helpfulness he encountered in thethree week stay in the Midwest.No sooner had he returned to Kr¢dsherad than he embarked upon the position of chiefofficer (radmann) of the kommune, while Gubrand Halmrast, Sr., took over duties asordf¢rer (mayor). The new mayor also looks forward to possibly visiting the futurestevnes of the lag.We also have a desire to mention that both the previous and present mayor are relatedto the lag president. While Granum is a second cousin, mayor Halmrast is married toanother second cousin's daughter Ruth (born Finnerud--the home in the cluster of smallforest farms from which the president"s grandmother emigra,ted as a young woman in 1893.)Is it then rather quaint that we both have a near and dea~ situation with the iigdalslagand send a greeting with pleasure for the annual meeting day, July 291Along with St. Hans (Midsummer Day) or J0nsok~ as it is called of old, is July 29--Olsok--or St. Olavl's Day of great remembrance and the ·red-letter' day in Norway. Thisis to remember Saint Olav, the king that Christianized Norway and fell to his deathat Stiklestad July 29, 1030.At Olsoks--the summer's own high point--all fields grow, develop and ripen towardautumn and darkness. But we can yet greet (you) from a light, northern summer inKr~dsherad.Receive this greeting from a small, but happy people who each day have the water ofKr~derfjord and the mountain of Norefjell on which to rest their eyes.We wish to be completely represented in the 1983 stevne also, although the opportunitydoesn't present itself this time (in person).With ~he approval of the kommune's executive council, we have in the meantime sent afilm which has been seen only by the members of the council to date. We hope the filmcomes in good time, especially that it will give stevne participants and others avisual experience of Kr~dsherad. .Let the viewing of the film together with this letter be the greeting of the year to allSigd~lings, Egged~lings and Kryllings that have homes and jobs in America.Success with the arrangements!

(signed by:·Gudbrand Halmrast, Ordf¢rer

With friendly greetings,KR¢DSHERAD KOMMUNE

Elaine SchulstadWadena, MN

We would gladly be along at the Lag meeting in Decorah, Iowa, 29 Juli this year togreet the many known and unknown there, but there cannot be anything at this time.

We can only wish you luck with the meeting and all you work at for it is mostlyemigration history which interests us.

We receive in our collections one "Family Tree" after the next. They are filed in thearchive--American Archive--with file index cards so we can find facts concerning theindividual.

This summer it has already been--and they come--many on visits in Norway. Gronsethfrom Rothsay is here just now, also we expect folk from Wendell and NOrcross by thefirst (quite soon). There have come many letters from the USA and Canada with questionsabout relatives here in Norway. It is so good when they write and ask, thus we can findtime to give a reasonable answer!

Registering for the 1983 Stevne are: left to right --Tom and Audrey Erber, Oak Park, Ill; Mildred and O'Dell Ruud, Brooklyn Center, MN.Seated at the table is President, Marilyn Somdahl, Bloomington, MN.

SIGDALSLAG GENERAL HEErINGDECORAH, IOWA JULY 29, 1983

President, Marilyn Somdahl, called the 12nd Annual Sigdalslag Meeting to order at1:30 p.m., Friday afternoon, July 29, 1983 in the Jenson Music Building, Luther College,Decorah,Iowa, with 59 registrations.The secretary minutes were read and approved. The treasurer's report was read and placedon file for audit. Credits for the year were $1,363.43, debits $106.53, leaving a balanceon hand 7-17-83 of $656.90.The members were divided into five groups to discuss the future of the Lag: should therebe registration dues and donations as in the past? Should there be membership dues?Should this include the newsletter, the SAGA?

After discussion, the motion was made, seconded and passed that there be a membershipfee of $6.00 which will include the SAGA and a household membership card per family.

President Marilyn Somdahl presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Donald H. Berglundwho had served as president from 1911-1982. His leadership and service to the organizationwere cited.

It was announced that the University of Madison, Wisconsin Library is open for genealogystudy Saturdays and til 9:00 evenings and the bygdebook study is open tilmidnight andon Sundays.

The president commented on the necessity of Community Resource People. Mrs. IreneNavarre, New Mexico, volunteered as a resource representative fDr her area and movedthat the board take care of the requirements for such.

There is interest in the Sigdalslag visiting Norway for the 15th Anniversary in 1986but a committee did not materialize for working out details of a trip.

Orville Ruud expressed ~atitude of his Norwegian heritage. The Lags grew out of theimmigrants attachment ,9't! their old homes and were inspired by a strong feeling andkinship and that is evident here today.

Motion was made, seconded and passed that a unanimous ballot for the present officerscontinue in the present capacity. They are:

President: Marilyn Somdahl, Bloomington, MN.First V.P.: Orville Ruud, Bloomington, MN.Second V.P. & Representative to the Bygdelag: Doris C~bell, Rochester, MN.Third V.P. & Librarian: Lee Rokke, Bloomington, MN.Secretary & Treasurer: Elaine Schulstad, Wadena, Mn.Past President & Advisor: Donald Berglund, Northfield, MN.

~~~/cz1j~{~,z~?(_/·Elaine Schulstad, Sec.

'Rev.Arlyn M. AnfinrudLorain BerganChester BergerudOlga & Donald BerglundHazel & Ed BergquistSigBergrudElvera BisbeeConnie DahlerThelma & Bernard DonaheAudrey & Tom ErberEdna EricksonEvelyn EvensonMrs. Paul GrimsboDon GuttormsonLena & Sam HauglandEdel Solem HeadingtonEvelyn & Kenneth JonesBill O. LarsonAlice & Fred MensingLa Verne MurchIrma & Jack MurphyIrene & Harry NavarreMelia NelsonRev. Orlen NessMary NystromConnie O'KieffeMargaret & Larry OpsahlWendy, Chris & Gena PianoMargaret RohmanLee & David RokkeGeorgia RosendahlMildred & Gustav RuedMildred & O'Dell RuudMilda & Orville RuudMrs. Harold Lo SchmidtElaine SchulstadLawrence Solum.Marilyn & Narvel SomdahlGladys & Russell SundAlbert O. TastadClayton TollerudEster UgstadTora Woodman

REGISTRATIONS AT 72nd. SIGDALSLAGDecorah, Iowa July 29, 1983

Fessenden ND 58438Wendell MN 56590Fergus Falls MN 56537Moorhead MN 56560Detroit Lakes MN 56501Spring Grove MN 55974Tracy MN 56175Spring Grove MN 55974Salem OR 97303Oak Park IL 60302Minneapolis MN 55430Rochester MN 55902Lake Mills IA 50450Spring Grove MN 55974Spring Grove MN 55974Decorah IA 52101Minneapolis MN 55412Fergus Falls MN 56537Minneapolis MN 55406Hillsboro ND 58045Bloomington MN 55420Albuquerque NM 87106Spring Grove MN 55974Lakota ND 58344Monticello MN 55362Wilmette IL 60091Willmar MN 56201Ft. Wayne IN 46815Fargo ND 58102Bloomington MN 55431Spring Grove MN 55974Fargo ND 58103Brooklyn CenterMN 55429Bloomington MN 55431Rochester MN 55901Wadena MN 56482Stanchfield MN 55080Bloomington MN 55437Minneapolis MN 55407Rolette ND 58366Esmond ND 58332Fergus Falls MN 56537Rochester MN 55901

R. 51220 28 Ave. S. #307R. 3R. 2161 Union Street3050 Brenna Ave. NE425 Greenfield4743 Bryant Ave. N207 5 Ave. SW #701R. 1 Box 67

720 W. Main4361 Vincent Ave. N.317 W. Gustaves Ave.4416 44th. Ave. S.206 First Ave. SW932 Summit Drive NEBox 432R. 2523 Washington Ave.328 W. Third st.3829 Nottingham Dr.2814 7th st. N. #310409 Ewing RoadR. 11345 11th Ave. S.4500 58th Ave. N. #30410709 Morgan Ave. S.2669 Oak Hill Dr. SW16 Madison Ave. SW10129 Goodrich Circle3812 17th Ave. S.R. 1 Box 127AR. 2 Box 44P. O. Box 173108 13th Ave. SE

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YOU;ORVILLE RUUD, 1st VP of Sigdal lag, has family tiesin Sigdal near Prestfoss through his paternal roots.Great grandfather Nils Olson Rolfstad and his sonOle Nils Mollerud are the links to this country'sRuud family. Ole Nils changed his surname to Ruudwhen he arrived in the US in 1890. Ole farmed andlater managed a creamery in Montevideo, MN. Orville'sparents, O'dell and Mildred, raised their family inMinneapolis. They attend the annual lag gatheringsand participate in musical and cultural Norwegianevents of several groups.When Orville and Milda were newlyweds, they traveledby ship to Europe for the summer of 1956 and renewedthe family ties of the Molleruds and with her familyin Denmark. Both were teachers and Bloomington, MNbecame home the following year. Milda is a churchorganist and Title I teacher. Dr. Ruud is theDirector of Computer Services for the School District#271.

Featured in the June issue of PRINTOUT magazine inan article concerning classroom uses of computers, Orville sees a computer as a tool forlearning which requires an active response. He offers workshops for classroom teachersand staff and oversees operations .such as student records, payroll and school census.A long range "computer literacy" program has begun this fall which will enable every studentto have access to a terminal within a few years and know the basic functions for use.In 1976 a trip to Norway included their three children: Mark, an engineer with Union 76;and daughters Kris, a band directbr at Slayton, MN; and Karen, a St. Olaf sophomore. Allwere really impressed with the friendly hospitality of the people and the giant stridesin modernization since the earlier trip. Milda says the family resemblances were evident!During 1980 three generations of Molleruds visited the US--Erik & Hanna, son Asbjorn andhis son Eirik. May these exchanges continue--both by mail and in person!

~~ny thanks to all who made our 1983 Stevne such a success:

For al~ of you who came; your presence and participation is greatly appreciated.To Orvllle Ruud for the p~otography; Mrs. Sam Haugland for always having coffee ready;everyone who brought goodles; Narv Somdahl and David Rokkefor help at the registrationtable and ever~here el~e; everyone who w~lcomed visitors from other lags; Mrs. Mensingfor the 1926 plcture; Milda Ruud for playlng the piano; Olga for leading the sing-a-longo

Lee Rokke :or mak~ng the unique badges ar:dprograms; everyone who brought books, maps, ,post cards, The Slgdal Kommu~e for the fllm; Marilyn Somdahl, Lee Rokke, Orville Ruudfor the many hours spent durlng the year to make all the arrangements. Many thanks to allof y?U and anyone else that may have been missed. I hesitate to put down names for fear ofleavlng someone out--if I did, please let me know.

Our Lag is what we make it and with everyone helping, it is easier for all of us.

Sigdalslaget in America met at Luther College,Decorah, Iowa, July 29, 1983 with almost 60registered. Persons whose ancestry goes back toSigdal, Eggedal and Kr~sherad were especiallyencouraged to attend.

"KR¢DSHERAD", a newly released, hour long filmwas shown during the afternoon with the originalsound (Norwegian voice track). A video cassetteof this film and a letter of greeting fromKr~dsherad Kommune signed by Gubrand Halmrast,~rdfprer, and Ingvald Granum, rMmann, were giftsto the Lag this year.Andreas MPrch sent a letter to encourage thosetracing genealogical ties to Norway, and severalorders were placed for the sketch of Holmen Churchwhich will support the pipe organ fund at Prestfoss.A large map and picture post cards were also sentfrom Sigdal.

President, Marilyn Somdahl, presented a Certificateof Appreciation to Donald Berglund for his leader-ship and service as president from 1977-1982.

Present officers were re-elected to serve for thecoming year" They are:

President: Mrs. Narvel (Marilyn) Somdahl, 10129 Goodrich Circle, Bloomington, MN. 55437First Vice President: Orville Ruud, 10709 Morgan Ave. S., Bloomington, MN. 55431Second Vice President & Representative to the Bygdelag: Mrs. Harold (Doris) Campbell,

814 6th Ave. SE., Rochester, MN. 55904Third Vice President & Librarian: Mrs" David (Lee) Rokke, 10409 Ewing Road, Bloomington,

MN. 55431Secretary & Treasurer: Elaine Schulstad, 16 Madison Aveo SW., Wadena, MN. 56482Past President & Advisor: Donald Berglund, 1220 28Ave. S. #307, Moorhead, MN. 56560

Every year during the last weekend of July, Decorah, Iowa, hosts its Nordic Fest. The1983 Fest was the 17th year that competition has been held in rosemaling, woodcarving,weaving, Hardanger and other handwork and demonstrations of making traditional foods.The theme this year was "Syng, Dans og Vaer Glad" (Sing, Dance and Be Glad).

Many of us had the privilege of attending the musical concert by the Gjevre Family,Moorhead, MN. Saturday evening, July 30, 1983 at the Center for Faith and Life atLuther College, Decorah, Iowao

Their repertoire ranges from Mozart, Bach, Grieg to Negro spirituals and standard poptunes, including Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Gershwin and this year's familyfavor.ite, "Fiddler on the Roof 0"

·Several orders for the Holmen Churchsketch were received at the Stevnein Decorah. Thank you!

At our officers meeting in October, itwas decided to send $5Q.00 from theSigdalslag to the organ fund for theHolmen Church, Prestfoss, Norway.

In September, I received the followingletter:

Thank you for your cooperation, helping us to distribute the Holmen Church drawings.We are very pleased - both with your order, and with the way things are going with ournew church organ. The local authorities have already signed the contract with the organmanufacturer, and they have accepted the responsibility for most of the costs, we onlyhave to get about 1/5 of the total sum, but that is quite enough for us!

As is easiest - and cheapest - for me to send all the copies to you, I will just do so,and thank you so much again. Good luck to you in your Sigdalslag!

Njal Gjennestadminister

Elmer LeegardLester Veum

Webster, South DakotaSpring Grove, Minnesota

Elmer's paternal grandparents, Feder Knudson Leegard and Astri Jacobsdatter Aaseneie,came from Eggedal, Norway to America 1858.

Sigdalslag members have begun to respond very well to therequest for genealogical material. So far we have received 24survey forms. That is very insignificant when you consider thenumber of immigrants; but we weren't sure that we would get anyresponse at all, and the 24 surveys with 3 and 4 generationsgives us quite a few names to work with.

If you have not filled in your survey form, please do soas soon as possible. If you are aware of other families fromthe Sigdal, Egedal, or Kr¢dsherad area that should be reporting,Please see that they get the forms, or that we get their names.

Thank you for your interest and support.

Ms Verna Haines is looking for relatives. Her grandfather,was Andreas Torson Haugenlokka(or Andrew Haugen) who immigratedin 1882. He became very ill and nearly died during the oceancrossing ( which took the life of a son) , and he never fullyrecovered. When his wife, Boel Engebretsdtr, died he wascommitted to the institution at Fergus Falls, MN, where he diedin 1926.

Andrew Haugen had a brother whose first name is not known.He used the name Torson or Thorson, and lived in or near BrootenMinnesota. He had at least one daughter. The Torson brotherscame from Kr¢dsherad, although the Haugenlokka farm is in Sigdal.If you know of any decendants of Mr. Thorson of Brooten, pleasewrite to: Ms Verna Haines , 1639 Oaks Avenue , Rockford, IL61107

Our thanks to Alice Mensing who has donated two picturestaken at the Stevne at Grand Forks in 1926. The one reproducedhere is of (left to right) Ingeborg Finnerud Johnson (MarilynSomdal's grandmother), Martha Velstad Knutson (Alice Mensing'smother), Sigrid Lokken of Vining, MN and Anna-----. If you canidentify Anna for us please let us know.

Our past president, Donald Berglund, has retired twice from the faculty at st. OlafCollege, Northfield, MN. He and his wife, Olga, "Oggs" he calls her, spent two yearsteaching school in Haiti--and now--Don is teaching flute at Concordia College,Moorhead, Mn. "Oggs" says, "Don is as busy as he should be--more would be too much.People are very friendly and,.in many ways, coming here (Moorhead) again is like cominghome." During Homecoming in October, Olga's class of '33 celebrated its 50th anniversary.

LQrain Bergan, Wendell, MN. has been "grounded and practically immobilized" since LaborDay eve when following a round of golf, he stumbled, fell and fractured his right hip.After surgery, Sept. 7, at the Elbow Lake Hospital he is confined to quarters at home.We wish you a speedy recovery, Bergie, we want to see you at st. Olaf in June! Is theWendell Band having any jam sessions at your home yet?

We are looking for the 1920 Sigdal-Eggedal Norway Book by Skatvedt; if you have one,please let us know.

Let us know if you are taking Comm~nity Education classes on Rosemaling, demonstrations,Bunads, carving, etc.

We are in need of articles, family stories, whatever you would like to see in the SAGA!******Christmas shopping for someone who has everything? A $6.00 Sigdalslag membership will do!

Telford AnstenSig BergrudHazel & Ed BergquistElvera BisbeeDoris CampbellRuth & Helmer DahlenEDna A. EricksonEvelyn EvensonCarol MeadeAlice & Fred MensingMildred & O'Dell RuudMilda & Orville RuudMrs. Harold (Kay) SchmidtChris SchulstadDavid SchulstadElaine SchulstadRobert SchulstadRoss SchulstadPatricia ShaverLucille & Lawrence SolumGladys & Russell SundEsther UgstadVerna Uselman

R. 5 Box 87R. 2R. 3161 Union Street814 6th Ave. SEP. O. Box 1064743 Bryant Ave. N.207 5th Ave. SW #701435 Ridgewood Ave.4416 44th Ave. S.4500 58th Ave. N. #30410709 Morgan Ave. S.2669 Oak Hill Dr. SWP. O. Box 268109 Ute st.16 Madison Ave. SWP. O. Box 3P. O. Box 26111705 Cherry Lane

Decorah IASpring Grove MNDetroit Lakes MNTracy MNRochester MNMichigan NDMinneapolis MNRochester MNMinneapolis MNMinneapolis MNBrooklyn Center MNBloomington MNRochester MNDawson MNKiowa COWadena MNGreenleaf WIMesa AZSt. Cloud MNStanchfield MNMinneapolis MNFergus Falls MNWadena MN

3812 17th Ave. S.P. O. Box 173R. 1

5210155974565015617555904582595543055902554035540655429554315590156232801175648254126852045630155080554075653756482

As stated in the General Meeting Mirlutes elsewhere in this issue, Lag members votedto be on a membership basis of $6.00 per household which will include the SAGA.

Those of you who have paid the $6.00 membership.dues will automatically be coveredfor 1984. The membership cards are being worked on and we should have them ready tosend you with the next issue of SAGA, perhaps in February.

It was felt that many members cannot be present at the stevne each year but would liketo be a member to be a part of the Lag and to keep up with Lag news through the newsletter.Donations are still welcome at any time; printing now must be done commercially so thatwill be added cost.

If you have not paid your dues, this will be your last free issue of SIGDALSLAG SAGA!!!!Please send your dues of $6.00 by making your check payable to SIGDALSLAG and send to:Elaine Schulstad, 16 Madison Ave. SW., Wadena, MN. 564820 Thank you!