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HISTORY



Some history of the reunions of Oppdal descendants in America:

It was in the Yankton, SD area that many of our forefathers settled when they emigrated from Oppdal, Norway at the end of the 1800's. It was here that descendants of the over 2,000 Oppdalings, who immigrated to the United States, gathered three weeks ago. The Opdalslag was reactivated eighty-three years after it was begun in Seattle, WA. 

In August of 1920, Erik H. Loe was responsible for beginning the organization in Woodland Park in Seattle, WA. Although a Trondelag had been in existence, the Oppdal people decided that they should have their own lag. The first year the lag had 68 members, but soon it became one of the largest lags in the United States. The Opdalslag had its largest membership in 1931 with 401 members. In 1925, five years after the Opdalslag was organized in Seattle, WA, the many Opdalings who had settled in the Midwest near Yankton, organized their own lag.

At the library in Oppdal, there is enormous meaningful information contained in the 13 yearbooks published, by the lag, between the years 1922-1941. In these yearbooks there are about 1000 pages containing interesting stories of the lives and experiences of the Opdalings who left Oppdal, and about those who died far away from their homeland. Obituaries have a special place in the yearbooks. They also have fascinating histories or stories of the Opdaling's new lives as well as nostalgic remembrances of the homeland they had left.

The homeland was unable to support the steadily growing population. Census numbers from 1800 on in Oppdal climbed so dramatically that it became necessary for many to say good-bye to friends and relatives to seek a new life in America. Many of them never returned. In 1865 there were 4500 inhabitants in Oppdal. Fifty years later the numbers were 3760.This decline was caused by the massive emigration. The Opdalings settled in two places in USA: Snohomish County in state of Washington, and on the prairies in the territories between Sioux City, Iowa, Sioux Falls and Yankton, SD. 


Scandia Lutheran Church in Centerville, S.D.

 

Opdalslag Group Picture 12 September 2009 Centerville, SD at Scandia Lutheran Church

Names for 2009 Opdalalaget Group Picture 12 September 2009 Centerville, SD at Scandia Lutheran Church

Row 1: Arlene Fossum, Edla Aune, John Kuecker, Evy Kuecker, Lillian Johnson, Judy Johnson, Eunice Oakland & Carol Broderson

Row 2: Dick Fossum, Robert Rice, Dorothy Rice, Dorothy Husher, Mildred Schill, Helen Glish, Pam Murra & Joann Johnson

Row 3: Matt Nelson, Norma Jensen, LeElla Mjoen, Diane Reese, Earl Reese, Arlene Johnson, Verna Nelson, Mary Rist, Deb Lamb, Steve Lamb & Norma Nyhaug

Row 4: Ken Mjoen, Maureen Sliper, John Reese, Gil Gjere, Mary Ann Peterson, Marjorie Lindsay & Russ Nyhaug

Row 5:Faye Fossum, Pauline Strait, Bob Strait, Bob Sliper, Harley Johnson, Lee Goodburn & Howard Reese

By Bonnie's Impressions Beresford, South Dakota

 

OPDALSLAG NORWAY TOUR, JULY 23 - AUGUST 3, 2007

Submitted by Pauline Strait

On July 23,2007, nineteen eager Midwesterners met at the Minneapolis airport to embark on a wonderful adventure - a trip to the beautiful country of Norway. All four of my grandparents were born in Norway, two of them at Oppdal, and I had dreamed for many years of visiting there, but never really believed it would actually happen. Having five other family members along made the trip extra special.

We traveled with a great group of people, most of them with ties to the Oppdal area. After two days in Oslo, where we visited the Viking Ship and Kon- Tiki Museums, Vigeland Sculpture Park, City Hall where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually, Akershus Fortress, and other sights; we traveled by motor coach north toward Oppdal. We toured the Norwegian Emigration Museum in Hamar, the Maihaugen Open Air Museum and, of course, the 1994 Olympic sites at Lillehammer, where we spent the night; then on to Oppdal.

The entire trip was wonderful, but the highlight for me was the two days and three nights spent in Oppdal. The hospitality of the local Oppdal people was wonderful. Within an hour of arriving at the hotel, local distant relatives (I did not even know before we arrived) came to welcome us. Over the next two days they showed us around the area, took us to church, and invited us to their homes and farms for fellowship and wonderful food. We visited farms in the area where grandparents and their families had lived. I was struck by how welcoming and genuinely excited they were to see us. That time went entirely too fast. The last evening there we enjoyed a special meal served in a Sami "lavoo" tent.

Upon leaving Oppdal, we traveled to "fjord country". We saw magnificent scenery, cruised on the Geirangerfjord, rode the troll car to Briksdal glacier, saw spectacular waterfalls, and stayed in beautiful hotels in Loen and Ballestrand, on our way to Bergen. Our one-day and two nights in Bergen were very busy. We enjoyed the historic Bryggen wharf and the fish market. We also took a city tour, visited Troldhaugen (the former home of composer Edvard Grieg) and traveled to the top of Mt. Floien for dinner in the restaurant, with a beautiful view of the city (marred a little by the rain and fog, but still a great experience).

Ken Mjoen was a great host and every day he could be seen "counting noses" to make sure nobody was left behind. We were sorry LeElla was not able to make the trip. I always thought I would enjoy a trip to Norway, but this trip exceeded all my expectations. I loved every minute of it and would recommend it to anybody who likes to travel.

View a photo album of recent events - Click here

These pictures were from the Sept. 2008 and 2009 Opdalslag Stevne. 

2009 Update

Five of the Norwegian Yearbooks (Aarboks) have been translated and printed into English this year. We have three more that will be done in 2010.

The Yearbooks that are done are: 1923 1927 1931 1933 1936-37-38

Also a yearbook was made by me of all the pictures that were in the original Norwegian yearbooks in the order they appeared in each yearbook.

The cost of the yearbooks are $25 each. The cost of the picture yearbook is $30.

The yearbooks that remain to be translated and printed in 2010 are: 1928 1934-35 1939-40-41

I also made a yearbook for our re-organized Opdalslag from 2001-2008 and that sells for $30 also.

I will be making a new Yearbook for 2009 that will include more personal and genealogical information like the old yearbooks used to have in them.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Hilsen, Evy Kuecker 

 

ORD FRA PRESIDENTEN


I hope everyone enjoyed the 2009 heritage festival in September. The crowd was smaller than usual, maybe partly due to the economy, but we had a good time visiting and looking over the newly translated yearbooks, and we also enjoyed the excellent entertainment. You, the members, are the ones who make the Opdalslag possible and without your participation this organization would not exist. It would certainly help to have some younger members attend, along with us "senior citizens". They are the future of this organization and are vital if we hope to continue getting together and enjoying our heritage. Maybe we members can also encourage our children, grandchildren, other relatives and friends who are not members to join our group.

Recently I read over a few of the newly translated Opdalslag yearbooks. Life histories and experiences of the early settlers are very interesting. I did not realize how much I would enjoy reading them. It is interesting to note that the editor of the 1926 yearbook, P.P. Hagen, in his forward mentions: "The purpose of our lag as for all lags is to record and preserve the histories and traditions of our people in this country." In my opinion, this should be one of our goals also. The translation of these yearbooks is very worthwhile and our Lag needs to continue and finish this project. Evy and John Kuecker are to be commended for all their efforts in accomplishing this task.

We are fortunate to have a very good committee who are dedicated and work very hard to put together the best festivals possible. They are always looking for new ideas and would welcome any suggestions any of you may have.

Howard Reese, President

 

Message from Opdalslag Committee Members

Our Opdalslag is in need of younger members in order to keep our organization going. We enlist each of you to identify and encourage potential members (relatives or not) to become interested in membership in our organization. This is a wonderful Lag and it takes many people to make an organization. Many of our members are getting up in age and it would be nice to invite potential members to join our Lag. It is a joy to keep up on genealogy and our Norwegian heritage. This is one way to keep in touch with our Norwegian relatives and friends.




Beautiful Views of Norway

 

 

 

 

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2009 OPDALSLAG HERITAGE FESTIVAL

The eighth annual Opdalslag Heritage Festival was held September 12-13, 2009, at Scandia Lutheran Church in Centerville, South Dakota. A two-day event was held this year, as voted on at the 2008 gathering. Attendance was down somewhat this year and we did not have any guests from Norway, who are usually one of the highlights of the festival. Members attended from Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota. The activities began at noon on Saturday with registration, coffee and goodies. The entertainment scheduled for Saturday afternoon was not available, so the time was spent visiting and bidding on the silent auction items. A popular spot was the table Evy Kuecker had set up with the recently translated yearbooks displayed and for sale. Much time was spent looking over the yearbooks, searching for stories of ancestors and purchasing books. Evy also had prepared a 2002-2008 yearbook with pictures, membership lists and highlights of the festivals held in those years, and members were given an opportunity to purchase this book as well as all of the recently translated yearbooks.

Later in the afternoon Judy Johnson entertained us with a delightful vocal solo, followed by a group sing-along led by Judy and accompanied by Eunice Oakland. After the singing, the Lag group picture was taken in the church sanctuary by Bonnie of Bonnie's Impressions. The silent auction bidding closed at 5:00 and members picked up and paid for the items they were successful in purchasing.

The evening banquet was catered by Larry of the Centerville Steak House. The meal consisted of broasted chicken, "Norwegian" meatballs, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, coleslaw, bun and tapioca pudding, and was very good as usual.

The evening entertainment was presented by Arnie and Helen Sorenson and Gerald Jonason, with a wonderful musical program.

After the evening's entertainment a bake sale of Scandinavian goodies was held. The committee did themselves proud and there was an outstanding variety of lefse, krumkake, flat bread, rosettes and other Scandinavian foods.

Sunday activities began with the Scandia Lutheran Church service at 10:30. Judy Johnson favored the congregation with a beautiful vocal solo during the service.

The noon luncheon was again catered by the Centerville Steak House and consisted of pork loin sandwiches, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and ice cream.

Diane Reese conducted the Necrology service, with only one deceased member during the last year, being Jeanne Craighead Sneve who died in Norway and was buried in the Oppdal Cemetery. Many memories of Jeanne were shared by the group.

A short business meeting was conducted by President Carol Broderson. She thanked Gil Gjere, Helen Glish, Mary Rist, Evy Kuecker and Sherree Schmiedt for handling the silent auction and for procuring the placemats and napkins. She explained that Evy has been financing and coordinating the translation and copying of the yearbooks, and that she still needs approximately $6,400 to be fully reimbursed for the costs she has paid out. Carol also encouraged members to attend the Hostfest in Minot, North Dakota in October.

Ken Mjoen, speaking on behalf of the nominating committee, presented the following slate of officers for 2010: President-Howard Reese, Vice President-John Reese, Secretary-Pauline Strait, Treasurers-Russ and Norma Nyhaug, Editor of Newsletter-Evy Kuecker, Historians-Gil Gjere, Helen Glish and Mary Rist. Dick Fossum moved that we accept the slate of officers, seconded by Earl Reese and carried.

The 2010 festival was discussed, with a suggestion that we include a visit to the Reese Museum near Wessington Springs as part of the gathering, or possibly have the entire get-together in Wessington Springs. After much discussion, on motion by Ken Mjoen, seconded by John Kuecker and carried, it was decided to leave the decision up to the planning committee. The meeting then adjourned, on motion by Dick Fossum, seconded by Earl Reese and carried.

After the meeting the Nordic Nimblefeet Dancers from the Fjordland Sons of Norway Lodge in Brookings entertained the group. The members enjoyed them so much last year it was decided to ask them to perform again this year, and they gave a wonderful performance. They were dressed in colorful Norwegian costumes and danced traditional Norwegian dances.

The day's activities ended with the sale of baked goods that remained from yesterday and, of course, more visiting. Even though attendance was down this year, proceeds from the silent auction and bake sale were very good.

Again, the planning committee would appreciate receiving comments and ideas for next year's festival. We also welcome new members, with new ideas, on our planning committee. All officers and planning committee names are listed on the back of the Opdalslag newsletter. Please feel free to call, write or e-mail any member of the committee.

Pauline Strait, Opdalslag Secretary

 

 

STEVNE

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

OPDALSLAG  HERITAGE  FESTIVAL

SEPTEMBER 11 & 12, 2010

CENTERVILLE, SOUTH DAKOTA

SCANDIA LUTHERAN CHURCH & FELLOWSHIP HALL

 

Saturday, Sept. 11th             1:00 p.m.             Registration: Pick up name tags, meal tickets, membership cards, etc. at registration desk in
                                       Fellowship Hall

          1:00-5:00 p.m.       Silent Auction:  Items available for bidding

          2:00 p.m.               Hardanger demonstrations/presentations by Lois Borman
                                       and Helen Severson (articles on display throughout day)
                                       Flat bread making demonstration by Mary Rist

          3:30 p.m.               Sing along

          4:00 p.m.               Business meeting and Memorial Necrology Service

          4:30 p.m.               Group pictures taken in sanctuary

          6:00 p.m.               Banquet – followed by program by the Turkey Valley Revival Band

                                       Bake sale of Scandinavian goodies (after evening’s entertainment); visiting

 

 
Sunday, Sept. 12th

          10:00 a.m.             Registration for those not already registered

          10:30 a.m.             Scandia Lutheran Church worship service

          12:00 noon            Luncheon

          1:00 p.m.               Presentation by John Grindvold, showing Stave church and other Norwegian items he has made
                                       (stabbur, several Viking ships, psalmodikan)

                                      Visiting; bake sale of remaining Scandinavian goodies

 

 

Click here for a printable schedule of events!

 

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR BOTH MEAL FUNCTIONS!

No meal tickets will be sold at registration table. For more information on lodging,

or for pre-registration materials, contact Pauline Strait, 158 West Lake Drive,

Arlington, SD 57212, Phone: (605) 983-5488; E-mail: pstrait5488@peoplepc.com.

Downloadable forms are also available from www.opdalslaget.com.

PRE-REGISTRATION FORMS ARE DUE BY AUGUST 30TH

Click here for a printable registration form!

Our dues run from Sept. 1, 2010 through Sept. 1, 2011 and the dues are $10 per person or $15 per couple.
 Dues are to be sent to Russ Nyhaug the treasurer. His address is:

Russ Nyhaug
 P O Box 208
 Baltic SD 57003

 

HISTORY

1933 Opdalslag

The Oppdalslag met at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Volin, on the 24th and 25th of June, 1933. The meeting was very good and well received. The weather on Saturday was quite cool so many people came that first day. Registration began at 10 o'clock and many yearbooks were distributed. After lunch, which was served by the women of Zion congregation, the business meeting began at 2 o'clock conducted by the president, Pastor J. B. Reese. The secretary's report was read and approved, likewise the treasurer's report. The members of the museum committee from the preceding year remained the same, because they had nothing to report. The following people were elected for the following year:

President-Pastor J. B. Reese, Mitchell
1st Vice president-A. H. Hagen, Irene
2nd Vice president-Martin Bjorlo, Wessington Springs
3rd Vice president-Chris Nyhaug, Volin
Secretary-S. O. Vognild, Irene
Financial secretary and treasurer-O. I. Sneve, Irene
Directors-H. O. Vognild, Volin and H.B. Reese, Wessington Springs
Editor of the yearbook-Mrs. Kristine Haugen, Sioux City, IA. It was decided that H. B. Reese would help gather material for the next yearbook which would come out in two years providing that the officers feel that it will be economically possible.
Resolutions committee-Mrs. Martin Bjorlo, Miss Guri Back and Haakon
Melemseter.

A motion was made to send a greeting with H. B. Reese to the Western branch when he together with his wife and son travel out there. Greetings to the Lag came from Even Satrum, Kidder, Johanna Hooker Nelson, Kendrick, ID, and Knute Lien, Oppdal, Norway. It was decided to send greetings to Ole Back and family because of Mrs. Back's illness, likewise to old Ingebrit Satrum of Canton. It was left to the officers to decide the time and place of the next meeting.

In the evening two hundred people enjoyed a sumptuous meal provided by the women. They had made all kinds of good Norwegian food including rømegrøt, gomme, and much more. During the meal Evelyn Vognild, June Pederson, Lillian Engen, and Mrs. Carl Wright provided beautiful music and Mrs. Fjaere sang beautifully "Kan du glemme gamle Norge." The president thanked the congregation for letting the Lag meet there and Pastor Fjaere gave a welcome from the congregation.

The evening program began at 8 o'clock with a song by the men's choir of the congregation. Dr. Einar Haugen, a professor of Norwegian language and literature from the University of Wisconsin gave a very good talk on Rolvaag and his writings. He reminded us that it was Rolvaag who through his writings had acquainted the world with the kind of people the Norwegian pioneers were and of what they had done out here on the western prairies. For it was from here that his ideas came that he used in writing his world famous stories. Sæterjenten's Søndag was played beautifully by Evelyn Vognild and Mrs. Carl Wright and short talks were given by Pastor Fjaere and Mrs. Kristine Haugen. Pastor Fjaere gave the benediction.

Sunday morning there were many people who came and the large church was overflowing for worship services. President J. B. Reese began by reading Psalm 90 and offering prayer. The Zion church choir sang and a collection was taken to defray the expenses of the lag. Pastor Fjaere preached the festival sermon using a text from Jeremiah: "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is." Many thanks Pastor Fjaere for the clear and good talk you gave us. The church choir sang another song and the benediction was given by Pastor Fjaere.

Sunday afternoon was spent in greeting and visiting with old acquaintances and friends.

Sunday evening there was music again by the aforementioned ladies. The resolutions were read by Guri Back thanking the pastor and the congregation and all who had taken part in the program and to the women of the church for their gracious hospitality. Then one of the Norwegian American films was shown-"A trip through the country of Norway." Pastor Fjaere closed with prayer. Coffee was served in the church parlor. Thanks to everyone who came and to help make this so festive and enjoyable.

 

Contact us:

 

* Secretary, 
   Pauline Strait, 158 W. Lake Dr., Arlington, SD 57212, 1-605-983-5488, 
   E-mail, pstrait5488 (at) peoplepc.com 

* Newsletter Editors/Genealogist, 
   Evy & John Kuecker 3101 11th Ave., Kearney, NE 68845-3332, 1-308-237-5651, 
   E-mail evykuecker (at) frontiernet.net

The officers of Opdalslaget are:

Other Officers:

* President, Howard Reese 
* Vice-president, John Reese 
* Treasurer's , Russ and Norma Nyhaug 
* Advertising, Computer, Media Coordinator, Sherree Schmiedt and Evelith Kuecker 
* Historians, Mary Rist, Helen Glish, Gil Gjere 
* Past President, Carol Broderson

Planning committee:

* Edla Aune 
* Judy Johnson 
* Ken and LeElla Mjoen 
* Harold and Peggy Nyhaug 
* Earl & Diane Reese

 

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