Sons of Norway Sept 2026
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
The mission of Sons of Norway is to promote, preserve, and cherish a lasting appreciation of the heritage and culture of Norway and other Nordic countries while growing soundly as a fraternal benefit society and offering maximum benefits to its members.
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday, October 10, 2026 • Beginning at 11:00 AM
Bethlehem Lutheran Church • 720 S 2nd St, Mankato, MN 56001
Our next in-person meeting is Saturday, October 10th, 2026, starting at 11:00 am. We meet at Bethlehem Lutheran Church upstairs in the Heritage Room. The doors open at 10:00 am, so please come early to enjoy some socialization or browse the library.
|
|
|
|
Elvesvingen Lodge Board Meeting
Thursday, October 8 • 2:00 pm • Blue Earth County Library • 100 E Main St, Mankato, MN 56001
Lutefisk and Meatball Dinner
Thursday, October 22 • St John's Lutheran Church • 301 Eighth Ave NW, Kasson, MN, United States ($10 – $26)
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Takk for alt “Thank you for everything.” In most places, these words sound warm and ordinary. In Norway, it carries a heavy emotional weight and is reserved for solemn occasions because it is a phrase closely associated with a final farewell. These are words often written in obituaries, on funeral flowers, or spoken when saying goodbye to someone for a very last time.
Someone in Norway wrote, that’s why we don’t casually say “Takk for alt” to someone here. It can sound far more final than “thank you for everything” does in English.
During the September 9 funeral service for King Harald V, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonah Gahr Støre said, “On behalf of the Norwegian people, I say: Thank you for everything.” His tribute emphasized Harald's closeness to ordinary Norwegians, his ability to unite people, and his service to the country. He was not merely thanking Harald for being king but thanking him for how he was king.
There are more people of Norwegian descent living in America than living in Norway! At our October meeting, we will remember the start of the emigration of the Norwegian people to America. Last year marked the 200th anniversary  of the arrival of the first ship! We had hoped to have a descendant of a passengers on that ship speak to us in October. Unfortunately, his health will not permit and so he will tell the story via three video presentations. In what year did your family begin its journey to America?
I look forward to seeing you in October!
Craig
|
|
Kulturell Kompetanse – Cultural Skills
Ready to deepen your Norwegian roots this season? Sons of Norway’s Cultural Skills Program gives members a simple, rewarding way to explore traditional and contemporary culture—cooking, rosemaling, knitting, Hardanger, carving, folk dancing, genealogy, language, music, literature, stamps, and more. Each unit has three levels you can complete on your own, with lodge friends, or in a small group; finish a level, send in your work, and earn pins that mark your progress. Whether you try one new skill or work toward Master of Cultural Skills, it’s a fun way to learn, share, and keep our heritage alive. Log in at sofn.com or ask our cultural director Joel Botten to get started—your next pin is waiting.
Sons of Norway Zone 5 News
Invitation to join Kristiana Lodge on October 8, 2026, from 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Presentation on the History of East and West St. Olaf Church (churches in Rock Dell, MN)
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
2124 Viola Road
Rochester, MN
Invitation to join Stavanger Lodge on October 15, 2026
The Stavanger Sons of Norway is pleased to receive a Sons of Norway Foundation Grant for a special presentation by Dr. Anita Gaul who will be presenting “Pioneer Women in Southwest Minnesota 1880-1915”. 6:00 pm potluck with presentation at 7:00 pm.
Cottonwood County Historical Museum
812 4th Ave
Windom, MN
Invitation to join Heimbygda Lodge on October 15, 2026, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm
An engaging presentation and Capstone Program by goldsmith Liz Bucheit “Traditions in Transition: Exploring the rich traditions of Norwegian silverwork and design”.
Lanesboro History Museum
105 Parkway Ave. S.
Lanesboro, MN
Contact Nancy Boyum Blethen for more information.
|
|
|
Lodge Board Members
President - Craig Ferkenstad 507-340-6994
Vice President - Mark DeGarmeaux 507-508-7505
Secretary - Carol Seifert 507-382-8935
Treasurer - Nancy Blethen 507-381-1652
Newsletter / Website Editor - Perry & Julie Lund 641-780-7064
Social/Cultural Director - Joel Botten 507-351-6712
Foundation Director - Duane Olsen 507-514-2679
Membership Secretary - Kathy Bruss 507-525-3704
Gratulerer med dagen! – Birthdays
Marsha Natvig – 17th. 
James Bristol – 21st
Terry Sveine – 27th
Lois Kitzmann – 28th
David Barriga – 30th
Tribute to King Harald V of Norway
Our September meeting began with a segment dedicated to observing the recent funeral events for King Harald V in Oslo, who passed away at the age of 89 after reigning for 35 years. We watched and listened to clips from the funeral procession at Oslo Cathedral, which included a "Missing Man" formation fly-past by four F-35 fighter jets. The late king was remembered for his accessibility, humor, and ability to promote national unity while maintaining political neutrality. His son, Haakon VIII, was noted as his successor. The king was buried at the Akershus Fortress alongside his parents.
Thank You!
Duane Olson reports we collected $100.50 from passing the piggy at our last Sons of Norway meeting and a check in that amount was sent to the Foundation as a memorial for our former Foundation Director, John Bungum. Thank you for all the contributions to our Sons of Norway Foundation.
Sons of Norway District One Conference Report
 Recently, Nancy Blethen and Carol Seifert shared their experiences from the 62nd biannual District One Conference, "Roots and Futures: Bridging Generations," held in Willmar, Minnesota. Nancy announced that she was appointed as the new Zone 5 Director, a role that involves representing 10 lodges across the region, including Rochester, Albert Lea, Owatonna, and Mankato. Membership statistics were shared, noting that Mankato currently has 88 official members, ranking third behind Rochester (131) and Owatonna (123). The conference featured motivational speaker and comedian Chad Filley, who led the group in a Norwegian-themed rendition of "Sweet Caroline" titled "Sweet Lutefisk."
Kulturelt fokus – Cultural Spotlight: Rosemaling Styles
Recently Marlys Leiding shared her time, talent, and knowledge with us on rosemaling styles. She guided us through the regional styles and shared some of the history, including her own start in the 1970s during a resurgence of the art. Marlys introduced us to five styles but there are many more.
The style from your newsletter editor, Perry Lund’s, Norwegian ancestors are from the Valdres valley region.
 Jan Prehl provided rosemaled plates and platter from her personal collection.
 Fellesskapsomsorgshjørne –
Community Care Corner
Warm thoughts and prayers go out to our members who are ill and their families, wishing you comfort and healing. Wishing you all speedy recovery! Please contact our Sunshine Lady, Pam Borchert (507-931-1511), for any get-well or sympathy cards that are needed.
Tid bits from the September 2026 Lodge Meeting
|
|
Lodge Achievements and Awards
- Our Elvesvingen lodge received significant recognition at the Sons of Norway District 1 conference, including a Bronze certificate for 2024 and a Gold award for 2025 for organizational strength and cultural programming.
- Our lodge was awarded a $300 cash prize for placing third in membership growth within the district.
Cultural Heritage and Challenges
- Carol Seifert discussed "Norway's red list," which identifies cultural skills in danger of being lost, such as making birch bark shoes, rose weaving, plant dyeing, and traditional Norwegian baking (lefse, krumkake, and kransekake).
- Common challenges across lodges were addressed, including aging memberships, the rising costs of quality programs (often $200–$300 plus mileage), and the impact of dues increases.
October Program Notes
- Dale Goodman of Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum will present a video about the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian “Mayflower:” The Voyage of the Restauration."
- 800,000 Norwegians – immigrated to the United States. Most of those immigrants came for “economic opportunity,” but the first immigrants – known as the Sloopers of 1825 – came for religious freedom. The voyage was three years in the planning by an alliance of Quakers and Haugean Lutherans.
Tusen takk!
With warm thanks and gratitude to all the members of the Sons of Norway Mankato Chapter for a wonderful year ahead! Your spirit, fellowship, and dedication make our lodge shine.
We look forward to celebrating together again—on October 10th.
Tusen takk for et flott år, og vi gleder oss til å se dere igjen!
Chapter Website: www.sonsofnorwaymankato.org
International Website: www.sofn.com • Facebook: www.facebook.com/mankatosonsofnorway
PO Box 1091, Mankato, MN 56002
Our Mission
The mission of Sons of Norway is to promote and to preserve the heritage and culture of Norway, to celebrate our relationship with other Nordic Countries, and provide quality insurance and financial products to our members.
|
|
|
|
