Ninety Sigdalslag members were gathered in Willmar, MN for the 7 Lag Stevne July 7-10, 2004. This was highest number of Sigdalslag members attending the 7 Lag Stevne in recent years. The theme of the Stevne was Amber Waves of Grain. Sigdal was responsible for the planning and publicity for this year’s stevne. Congratulations to President Earl and all from the lag who helped make this a very successful event.
The 7 Lag Stevne includes the Land, Hadeland, Numedal, Ringerike-Drammen, Sigdal, Telemark, & Toten lags celebrating our Norwegian heritage from these areas in Norway. Some 355 persons attended the Stevne in Willmar.
The genealogy room was set up in Galleries 5-6-7 of the Conference Center giving lots of space for the many who were there to search information on their ancestors. For the second year the genealogy room was available on Wednesday from 6:00 to 9:00 as well as Thursday and ending at noon on Friday. Each lag was well represented with excellent persons to help search the multitude of information available. Lee Rokke, Sigdal genealogist, provided assistance and many resources to those searching the Sigdal area.
Some of the special events and tours included a pontoon boat dinner cruise on Green Lake, a beginner’s Hardanger embroidery class, a church dinner at Calvary Lutheran Church and a tour of the church showcasing the professional works on display by local Willmar sculptor/artist Fred Cogelow, and a history tour of NW Kandiyohi County.
On Thursday and Friday twenty-one classes and video’s were available for those attending 2004 Stevne on important genealogy topics, crafts and dance.
On Friday the opening ceremony was held with greetings from each of the lag presidents, with Earl Knutson, the president of Sigdalslag presiding. Norma Snelling led the national anthems of the United States, Canada and Norway. Norma Snelling also led a sing along at the end of the program. Dr. Mike Morris of Willmar presented An American doctor’s experience in Norway and Rev. Joel Njus talked about The Norway Lake Lutheran Historical Association. Friday evening’s program included Norwegian Dancing by HjerteDans (Mikkel Thompson and Ruth Sylte) and Songs and Stories by Erik Bergeson.
Saturday the various lags held their annual meetings. The Sigdalslag meeting was held at the Old Log Church near Norway Lake in Arctander Township, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota. This was a beautiful site for the meeting. The business meeting was held which included election of officers, introductions, a tribute to Alice Mensing written by her niece Addie Williams and read by Earl Knutson, thanks to Carol Meade for her service on the board, a certificate of appreciation to be included in the Saga for Håvard Støvern for his assistance to the lag, a discussion of new book to be published and help needed by current members. (See web page and Saga insert for further information). The program included a review of the list of Sigdal-Eggedal-Krødsherad immigrant settlers in the Norway Lake area of Kandiyohi County, Minnesota. Doug Glesne, descendant of Krødsherad settlers in this area, spoke about the Glesne family and the Railsons in Norway Lake Township. Earl Knutson, descendant of Sigdal settlers in this area, spoke about the Ole and Aase Knudson family in Arctander Township. Guri Enger, a guest from the Enger farm in Nedre Eggedal, spoke about her family and her job as a missionary in Mali.
Saturday afternoon the Malm Basselurskan Harmonica Orchestra from Trondelag entertained the Seven Lag Stevne from 2:30 to 4:00. The Stevne was culminated by the Banquet at 5:00 with dinner music by the Norsemen. This was followed at 7:00 by the Bunad parade and Ole and Sven by Dave Nelson and Phil Dybdal.
The next 7 Lag Stevne will be held in Whitewater, Wisconsin. An enjoyable time was had by those attending the 7 Lag Stevne in Willmar. We look forward to the next Stevne! Mark your calendars and plan to attend.
Click thumbnail images below to view photos.
The 2004 7-Lag Stevne was held at the Willmar, Minnesota, Convention Center
The busy Sigdalslag registration table
John Haugo discusses Norwegian census records on the Internet
Sandy Hendrickson spoke about Writing a Family History
Researching Genealogy on the Internet – taught by Garth Ulrich
Locating Ancestors’ Ships – taught by Jerry Paulson
The Genealogy Room was busy
Researching genealogy at the Stevne
Researching genealogy at the Stevne
Researching genealogy at the Stevne
Researching genealogy at the Stevne
Researching genealogy at the Stevne
Registrars in the genealogy room
Sigdalslag executive board meeting
The Rowberg Files, a class taught by Lee Rokke
The Rowberg Files, a class taught by Lee Rokke
Day two included a morning history tour of NW Kandiyohi County
Visiting the Endresen cabin
Visiting the Endresen cabin
Visiting an historic farm in Kandiyohi County
The Lars and Ingeborg Nelson farmhouse
Steve Nelson, fourth generation owner, explains the farm’s history
John Hanson, descendant and historian, adds his comments
“A local historical cabin is scheduled for restoration”, explains lag president Earl Knutson
Norway Lake Community memorial site
Old Log Church replica near Norway Lake
Old Log Church replica near Norway Lake
Old Log Church replica near Norway Lake
Old Log Church replica near Norway Lake
The tour visits a local Lutheran Church for lunch
The tour visits a local Lutheran Church for lunch
One of the tour busses was guided by a former Willmar mayor
End of the bus tour
Opening welcome by Sigdalslag’s Earl Knutson
Greetings from representatives of Fellesraad, the city of Willmar, and the presidents of the other lags
Local physician, Dr. Morris, spoke of his experiences at a hospital in Norway
Rev. Joel Njus spoke of the Norway Lake Lutheran Historical Association
Setting up the Sigdalslag banner
Setting up the Sigdalslag banner
Setting up the Sigdalslag banner
Francis Turmo stands beside the Sigdalslag banner which was presented to his grandfather in Eggedal, Norway some 90 years ago
Erik Bergeson, Country Scribe, humorist, commentator, columnist, pianist and nursery owner caused much laughter Friday evening
HjerteDans, also known as Ruth Sylte and Mikkel Thompson, thoroughly entertained us with their marvelous Norwegian folk dancing
HjerteDans, also known as Ruth Sylte and Mikkel Thompson, thoroughly entertained us with their marvelous Norwegian folk dancing
HjerteDans, also known as Ruth Sylte and Mikkel Thompson, thoroughly entertained us with their marvelous Norwegian folk dancing
HjerteDans, also known as Ruth Sylte and Mikkel Thompson, thoroughly entertained us with their marvelous Norwegian folk dancing
HjerteDans, also known as Ruth Sylte and Mikkel Thompson, thoroughly entertained us with their marvelous Norwegian folk dancing
HjerteDans, also known as Ruth Sylte and Mikkel Thompson, thoroughly entertained us with their marvelous Norwegian folk dancing
HjerteDans, also known as Ruth Sylte and Mikkel Thompson, thoroughly entertained us with their marvelous Norwegian folk dancing
HjerteDans, also known as Ruth Sylte and Mikkel Thompson, thoroughly entertained us with their marvelous Norwegian folk dancing
Earl Knutson, presiding over the Sigdalslag business meeting
The 2004 Sigdalslag business meeting was held at the Old Log Church near Norway Lake in northwest Kaniyohi County, Minnesota on Saturday, July 10th
Doug Glesne, a Krødsherad descendant, spoke of some of the Norwegian settlers in this part of Kandiyohi County
Brunch, arranged by Earl and Betty Knutson, was served out doors after the Sigdalslag meeting
Brunch after the Sigdalslag meeting
Yes, we’re proud of our Norwegian roots!
Group photo. Sigdalslag meeting, 10-July-2004
Sigdalslag teamwork!
Malm Basselurskan Hamonica Orchestra from Trondelag, Norway
Malm Basselurskan Hamonica Orchestra from Trondelag, Norway
Malm Basselurskan Hamonica Orchestra from Trondelag, Norway
David Rokke, banquet M.C.
Anita Helland, Royal Norwegian Consul, representing HM King Harald of Norway
Presenting Royal Medal of Honor to Lee Rokke
Lee Rokke, Sigdalslag genealogist and Anita Helland, Royal Norwegian Consul
Stevne Bunad Tog
Stevne Bunad Tog
Stevne Bunad Tog
Stevne Bunad Tog
Stevne Bunad Tog
Ole & Sven, alias, Dave Nelson and Phil Dybdal kept our feet tapping and our hearts laughing
Ole & Sven, alias, Dave Nelson and Phil Dybdal kept our feet tapping and our hearts laughing
Earl Knutson closes the 2004 Sju-Lag Stevne
The Sigdalslag banner
Wrapping up the Sigdalslag banner
Wrapping up the banner and the 2004 stevne. See you next year in Whitewater, Wisconsin
