From the Archives: Humble--and hopeful--beginnings
- Stewart Shelline
- Feb 10
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 9
The first ten years of the Sons of Norway Leif Erikson 6-83 Lodge
The Sons of Norway Leif Erikson Lodge 6-83 was organized on November 5, 1966, under the direction of its first president, Victor Johansen, and first vice-president, LeRoy Strand. Speaking of the anticipated organization, Karen E. Hogen, Publicity Director for District 6, wrote: "At last the long-awaited expansion of our district in the State of Utah has become a reality, all due to the fine efforts of Regional Director Marcus Karlstad and his staff. Already, 44 charter members have been signed up..."
Nearly 60 years later, it is fascinating to look back on the history of Sons of Norway in Utah. From humble--but hopeful--beginnings, the lodge has weathered the ups and downs of organizational change to remain an important connection between the past and future of Norwegian heritage in Utah.
One of the first goals of the nascent organization was to publish a monthly newsletter, the Explorer, which ran continuously through the 1990s. In one of these early issues, its editor, Lucinda Olsen, wrote of the feeling that animated the lodge in its first years:
"It's a time of a feeling that our spirits are uplifted, a time to reactivate ourselves, a time to renew acquaintances and friendships. Many are the friendships to be found in the Sons of Norway and great are the personal rewards of such active friendships. Friendships are more valuable than all the riches of the world, so come be with us, our wonderful friends at the Leif Erikson Lodge 6-83."
Early issues of the Explorer included birthdays, jokes, announcements--even news from Norway: "Seventeen year old Alice Alfheim from Bergen became Miss Teen International in Hollywood. Sixteen Norwegian skiers die[d] in the mountains this year. Helge Aursland, president for the New York 17th of May committee, is the top salesman for Sons of Norway insurance..." Early issues also mention a "Sunshine Committee" whose responsibilities were to check up on members who were under the weather, in the hospital, or had passed away.
Syttende Mai, 1968
A common theme running through the archives of the Sons of Norway in the first five years centered on the tension between love of one's origin (or ancestral) country and love of one's adopted country. In other words, does my love for one undermine my love for the other? Future Sons of Norway vice president Carl J. Olsen, for example, tackled this subject in his Syttende Mai address in 1968, portions of which are included here:
"Although I was not born in Norway, I have received a great Norwegian heritage. I was privileged to have had a grandfather who was born near Kongsberg in 1870, a grandfather who, while yet in his teens, undertook the task of immigration to the United States. I am proud that my grandfather was a Norwegian, but I am even prouder that my grandfather was a genuine Norwegian-American! He was able to take of the heritage of Norway and of the blessings and opportunities of America and blend them together into a special legacy to be passed on to his sons and grandsons...
"Since the 17th of May is a National Day in Norway, and since we are, for the most part, now Americans, some may ask: 'What is the meaning of the 17th of May to you? Have you not forsaken the old country? Have you not taken upon yourselves new obligations and new allegiances? Should you not forget the old country and cleave only unto the new?' Yes, a new country has been adopted. A new way of life has begun. For many, great opportunities will unfold that otherwise might never have been revealed had they remained across the sea. The children and grandchildren will now be born in a new land rich with promise for the future... But this giant step did not result in leaving everything of the old country in the old country. Much of the heritage of that old land was brought into the new. Just as a child grows and develops in the home, so the time must come when he will leave that home and take much of the good that was there and add to it and build a home of his own. The teachings of childhood are not forgotten, but rather, remembered and added upon. So also is the great heritage of the old country not forgotten. It is used as a foundation stone upon which is built a legacy to be passed on to children and grandchildren.
"...I think back to the time when I was privileged to live in that land across the sea, and I get a bit homesick. I miss the fjords and the small villages. I miss the fresh air and the beauty of the long summer days. I miss bicycling through the farms and over the small hills. I miss the uniqueness of the larger cities and towns. I miss the joy of visiting with the many wonderful friends I learned to love in that great country. It is very interesting to note that love, loyalty, and pride are virtues that become stronger with use. A person who has more than one country to love, more than one people to respect, develops a greater capacity for these virtues. How fortunate are we to have such a great heritage from these two great lands..."
-- Carl J. Olsen, Syttende Mai celebration, 1968
These are ideas familiar even today as the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those original emigrants consider what their relationship should be to a country that represents only a few in their ancestral tree. "If I immerse myself in the culture and heritage of my Norwegian ancestors, am I failing to honor the rest of my cultural heritage?" Olsen's words of guidance and generosity still provide useful direction today.
Caring for the Norway section of the International Peace Gardens
In December 1968, the Leif Erikson Lodge was "designated to supervise and further develop the lovely Norwegian section" of the International Peace Gardens. The gardens, conceived in 1939 and dedicated in 1952, did not have an official, dedicated Norwegian section until 1972. However, by February 1969 the Leif Erikson lodge had formed a committee to "look after" the Norwegian Section, so it is clear there was at least an informal "Norway Section" well before its official dedication:
"LeRoy Strand has accepted the responsibility as head of the Peace Garden Committee with the members of the committee as follows: Kjell Hagen, Harold Christiansen, Perry Leland, Arnold Groseth, Kjell Bjorge, and Randi Bjorge. We wish to express our appreciation to these fine members who are willing to assume the responsibility of planning, arranging, and looking after the Peace Garden. We feel that this community project will do much to reflect the wonderful Norwegian heritage we all hold so dear."
In subsequent years, the Norwegian Section would become one of the most developed sections of the gardens, host to the annual Syttende Mai celebration and home to the Bauta Stone, an authentic Norwegian stabbur, a bridge overlooking a fjord, and various plaques honoring those who had contributed to its development over the years.
Leif Erikson Day in Utah
Despite numerous attempts over the preceding decades, it wasn't until 1964 that the federal government declared October 9 as Leif Erikson Day in the United States. It was passed by Congress and then signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on September 2, 1964, becoming Public Law 88–566. Under the 1964 joint resolution, each president in the years since has issued an annual proclamation, often using the opportunity also to praise the contributions of Americans of Nordic descent generally and the spirit of discovery.
October 9 is not associated with any particular event in Leif Erikson's life. The exact date of Leif's arrival to the Americas is unknown, but the Sagas state that it was in autumn. October 9 was settled upon because it took place in the fall and was already a historic date for Scandinavians in America: The date the ship Restauration coming from Stavanger arrived in New York Harbor in 1825, beginning a wave of immigration from Norway to the United States.
Fours years after the federal declaration and less than two years after forming, the Leif Erikson Lodge was instrumental in getting Utah Governor Calvin Rampton to declare October 9, 1968 as Leif Erikson Day in Utah as well. The proclamation reads as follows:
WHEREAS, Leif Erikson made the original discovery by non-native Americans of the North American Continent in about the year A.D. 1000, and subsequently explored portions thereof; and
WHEREAS, proof of the historical fact rests solidly, not only on independent accounts in the Norse sagas, evidence from the archives of European and American libraries, and writings of numerous historians, but also recent scientific findings;
WHEREAS, the President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson, in due recognition of this historic and intrepid exploit in early American history has designated in each year October 9 - as Leif Erikson Day; and
WHEREAS, it is particularly appropriate that the State of Utah, where so many of the residents are of Norwegian birth or background having contributed to the industrial, cultural, and governmental life and development of our state, should pay tribute to the memory of Leif Erikson:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Calvin L. Rampton, Governor of the State of Utah, do hereby declare October 9, 1968, as LEIF ERIKSON DAY in the state of Utah.
A Sons of Norway Retirement Home?
In 1969, the Leif Erikson Lodge began exploring the possibility of acquiring real estate. The plan, apparently, was to build a retirement home for individuals of Norwegian descent (for the most part) as well as to provide facilities for Leif Erikson Lodge. Inquiries to the main Sons of Norway leadership in Minnesota on May 22, 1969, however, may have dampened enthusiasm for such an ambitious undertaking:
"The Supreme Lodge does not readily advise a lodge either affirmatively or negatively regarding the purchase of property. Whenever an inquiry does come in, we encourage the lodge to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of such action very carefully... such a project would have to be approached with the full awareness of the maintenance and continued support that such a project would require in the years ahead."
The project remained in limbo for a number of years, but on May 7, 1977, a meeting was held in the Salt Lake City Library Auditorium to discuss a "Troldhaugen Senior Citizen's Home, Inc." A month later, a corporation was formed and a president--O. T. Softeland--was named. Softeland was also the president of the Leif Erikson Lodge 6-83 at the time. A few mentions of Troldhaugen were recorded in subsequent issues of the Explorer, but after Softeland stepped down as president of the lodge in January 1978, no further mention is made of the Troldhaugen Senior Citizen's Home.
Social gatherings
These early years were also filled with a frequent gatherings in members' homes as well as public venues. These events were filled with food, often provided by Birkeland Catering, that mention lutefisk, lapskaus, svinestek, surkål, various desserts, and other Norwegian fare. They often included speeches, presentations, singing, dancing (often to the accordion), swimming, and picnics. These early years also saw the establishment of a tradition in which the Sons of Norway hosted a dinner in the evening of the Syttende Mai celebration.
It is clear there was a strong desire to socialize and preserve the culture they so loved. This desire continues today in the Leif Erikson Lodge. Help continue this tradition by joining Sons of Norway or attending one of our events. Check the home page for upcoming events or sign up for our newsletter (see the Subscribe Now button below). If you'd like to get a feel for what we're about, check out some of our past events here. We hope to see you soon--and often!
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