Lodge Updates

In 2016 the Danish Sisterhood donated our National historic pieces and files to the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, Iowa. While the museum took steps forward to catalog and process all of our extensive collection, it was quickly ascertained that a more focused and specific effort needed to be made. The museum was able to secure a matching grant from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs an Archival Collections Manager at least 2 years to focus on the Danish Sisterhood collection and preservation, and so the Danish Sisterhood Archival Project fundraiser was created. The National Board is excited to reignite the Sisterhood Archive Project fundraiser. 2021 is our year to complete the endeavor and secure funding for the archival project. We have already collected over $27,000 (Thank You), and that puts us within $13,000 of our $40,000 goal. With your help this is well within reach. To motivate us all to help reach our goals, the Board is pleased to announce that we have taken the following steps to get us there. • We have a matching fund challenge of up to $5,000, which runs through all of 2021 (to be considered for the match funds must be sent to National Treasurer Linda Brooks). • We have established different donation categories and your name could be included on our permanent recognition banner AND you will receive a certificate suitable for framing in recognition of your donation. • All proceeds from select items in Butikken will go towards our fundraiser. We know you have worked tirelessly on the fundraiser and have been very generous. We encourage each lodge to dig deep and get creative locally with raising funds to help us attain our goals. Please continue donating, supporting, and mentioning this final effort as we hit the homestretch. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Submitted by, Christina Sallee, DSS National President

Resolution: Eleanor Dorothy Christoffersen

The Sisters of Freja Lodge #36 were saddened to learn of the passing on April 20, 2020 of our dear Sister, Eleanor Dorothy Christoffersen. Eleanor was born on November 30, 1921 in Perth Amboy New Jersey, nicknamed “EL”, she was the daughter of Olivia and Christian Agesen. Eleanor graduated from Perth Amboy High School and Miss Whitman’s School for Girls. Eleanor worked for many years at Merck & Company, Inc., she was an avid golfer and belonged to Metuchen Golf Club, and enjoyed playing bridge and doing crossword puzzles. Eleanor had a wonderful life and lived to a great age of 98. Eleanor was a member of the DSS and was initiated into Freja Lodge #36 on May 16, 1986. She was married to Robert Christoffersen, and had three daughters, Jane Christoffersen Bevis, Susan Christoffersen Goodelman, and Bette Christoffersen Daniele. Eleanor is survived by her Grandchildren, Joshua Goodelman, Jonathan Goodelman, Nicole Daniels and Greatgrandchildren, Ava, Jared and Ethan Goodelman The Sisters of Freja Lodge #36 will greatly miss our Sister Eleanor Dorothy Christoffersen. We will drape our Charter in her memory at our next scheduled meeting which due to Covid 19 will not be until April 16, 2021.

Carole E. Pierorazio Past President Lodge #36

by Carolyn Marie Farrell Reynolds

Oh, my dear grandmother, Maren Dorthea (Dora) Jacobsen Simonsen. What an impact she had on my entire life. Even my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all know how much she meant to me and my sisters. She was born in 1871 in Oestoffe, Lolland, Denmark and her teen years took her to Banholm, Denmark to work as a housekeeper in the castle of a Count. In fact, on one of my trips to Banholm, it was my joy to walk where she walked in that castle. That brought tears as well as a smile to my face. I shall always remember the feelings that came to me with that experience. Walked exactly where she walked—something I still have pleasure remembering. Grandma immigrated to the United States in the late 1800s headed for her sister living in Chicago. Not knowingg what must have gone through her mind, I believe she was truly ready for her life to change drastically. She traveled to Chicago to find her sister and begin a new life. While there, the two girls joined the Danish Sisterhood, attended their events as well as Danish Brotherhood events where she met my Grandfather Maurice Engvardt Simonsen. They were married in Chicago where my mother, Anna Katherine Simonsen Farrell was born. My mother spoke and understood Danish through her teen years but would not permit me to learn Danish, which I now regret. Since my grandfather worked in the dairy industry, they moved around middle Illinois for several years finally settling in Galesburg, Illinois where he worked as a butter maker. Grandma and Grandpa Simonsen were dearly loved by my sisters and I and we were dearly loved by them. Grandma loved to cook many Danish inspired dishes. I can remember going with grandpa to buy large bags of whole grain rye then to a mill to have the rye ground into the main ingredient for Grandma’s Danish Pumpernickel bread. I spent many an hour “helping” her in the kitchen and taking note of the various ingredients. I can still smell the baking bread and eating a slice of the warm bread slathered with Grandpa’s butter. Now I try to make some of the Danish specialties but they just do no taste the same as grandma’s. Could it be the differences in her old fashioned range compared to my high tech range? No, I don’t think that is the answer. My frikadeller, my aebleskiver with lingonberry jam, just lacks something I don’t have. After dec thought, it is something I decided Grandma Maren Dorthea cannot pass along. It has to be that magical DANISH touch!

but we will not be able to get together to celebrate. On January 18, 2001, 11 of us got together to discuss starting a new lodge. Three were already Sisterhood members of lodge 100 in Marlette, Michigan and the rest of us were from Ontario across the border.

New from Lodge #184 Sarnia, ON/Port Huron, MI

We are now writing 2021 and we hope this will be a better year. The last nine plus months have been difficult with the borders closed, restrictions on travel and shopping, all entertainment venues and restaurants closed, limitations on visiting, churches closed, gyms and recreation facilities closed. Mandatory mask wearing and distance observed all to help curb COVID-19. It was a different Christmas for most of us and hard for older people in isolation and lock downs in residences and nursing homes. Too many people dying. A lot of us have not seen our families and friends for the past year. The only visiting was outside during the summer with distance and number restrictions. The vaccinations have now started and will hopefully save a lot of people. 2021 marks our lodge's 20th anniversary, On March 31, lodge #184 was initiated with president Marcia Jante officiating, 21 sisters were signed up, joined by another three sisters in June. Jonna Easterby was our founder and first lodge president. We have been meeting 10 times a year since until a year ago when everything came to a halt. Our last meeting was in February 2020 and we do not know when we will be able to get together again. We hope for better days ahead and wish you all a safe and healthy 2021.

Gitte Monteith, Correspondent

by Annette Lind

Many of our lodge members have been watching the fantastic virtual tours of Denmark on Tuesdays provided by the National Federation of Danish America (NFDA) and presented by Benedickte Ehlers Olesen. Several of our lodge members had trips to Denmark planned for the summer of 2020. Sadly those plans had to be cancelled so these virtual visits have been a very special time for them.

Our program chairman, Marcia Jante, contacted Bruce Bro, President of the Board of the National Foundation of Danish America, to see if he would be interested in presenting a program in January. He agreed and presented a program on NFDA, and what a great program it was. And so our 2021 Lodge #15 season began with eighteen members joining the zoom. In addition to Bruce, Karin Wasler, the Vice President of the Danish Sisterhood of America and Vice President of the NFDA Board, joined in for the program portion of our meeting. Marcia introduced Bruce Bro who is a cofounder of the foundation. Coming from a family of Danish Americans, Bruce’s heritage has always been a big part of his life. Many of us recognized him as the Hiking Viking we followed last summer as the hiked the 500-mile Colorado Trail through the Rocky Mountains raising money for Danish organizations, including the Danish Sisterhood. This foundation began with concerns that many in our lodge have been discussing for several years—How do we reach new members who share our interest in our Danish heritage and How do we appeal to younger people? We discussed it, but Bruce Bro, Katrina Vang and Linda Steffansen (many of you know Linda from our 125th anniversary when she spoke to us about the Danish Pioneer newspaper) did something about it. Together they founded the NFDA with the mission of enhancing cooperation among all Danish American organizations along with a desire to “strengthen the ties between Denmark and the people throughout North America.” There are about 1.5 million Americans with at least some Danish background in their family. Bruce talked about the gradual decline in involvement in Danish groups. The NFDA founders believed that changing times and lifestyles and competition from social media has led to this decline. There was agreement that knowing about your heritage and passing that information on to children was important, but there had to be an easier way for people to learn about this heritage. There was a need for new efforts to reach out to Danish Americans with information about Danish American history and events. There was a need to make it easier to stay in touch. The National Federation of Danish America website was born. The site can be found at DanishAmerica.org. The information on the site is free. The individuals who work for the NFDA are all volunteers. It is set up as a 5013C organization. Donations made are used to update and expand the site and events presented by the organization, such as the virtual tours of Denmark many of us have been enjoying. In addition to the site, a weekly newsletter is sent out to those who sign up. Bruce shared the site with us through his computer and showed us much of what is available. The site is very easy to use, and I would highly recommend a visit . While there, explore all this website has to offer. You cannot only see what events are happening, in some cases you can even purchase tickets if they are required. On the home page you will find, in addition to some lovely photographs, a Quick Links view of Danish American events by region. There is also a listing of upcoming events and news and a place to subscribe to the newsletter. Across the top of the page are various links which I think you will find fun to explore. My favorite is the “Links and Resources.” There you can find multiple options and, of those options, my favorite is the Danish American History beginning in the 1600’s and continuing to present day. Did you know the earliest documented Danes who came as immigrants to the new world were Jan and Engeltje Jensen who came to the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam in 1636.

New Amsterdam is today known as downtown New York City. And did you know that Danes fought in the Revolutionary War against England, approximately 1000 of them. One of them was Hans Christian Febiger who was an advisor to George Washington. Or did you know that in 1876 in Copenhagen a club was formed by Danes who had immigrated to the United States and later returned to Denmark. It was called the United States Club. There is so much more to find on this page.

And there are so many things to check out on this Website; I think you will be surprised. Under the “Subscribe” link you will be able to sign up for the “What’s Happening in Danish America” email newsletter. There is no charge, and it contains so much interesting information. I enjoy the Great Danish American’s Birthday. Recently Christine Hemmingsen, founder of the Danish Sisterhood of America was featured. Her birthday is January 30. And did you know Betty White has Denmark in her heritage? She was also featured in a recent newsletter. Bruce told our group about the relationship between the NFDA and the Danish Sisterhood of America. Another did you know—last March the Board of the NFDA met with the National Board of the Danish Sisterhood of America to begin a partnership between the two. The Danish Sisterhood of America has the largest membership of Danish Americans of any other Danish American group. Finding the Danish American organizations has been a bit of a challenge. Bruce commented that he was surprised how many there were once he started looking. He said it seemed they had been living in secret, but that is no longer true. You too will be surprised at how many you can find on their website. On the “Calendar of Events” link you will see options for various regions and for the Danish Sisterhood. Click on Danish Sisterhood and scroll down a bit and there is our lodge complete with a link to the national website and our Facebook page. Our lodge is in discussion with Bruce about adding more information about our lodge and all of the many activities and programs we have— even during a pandemic. The NFDA is an amazing resource. The founders who volunteer their time deserve a big thank you from all Danish Americans. If you missed our meeting, don’t let the opportunity to visit this site pass you by. As an organization run by volunteers, donations are happily accepted. Our lodge has included them in our 2021 donations. You may also want to consider a personal donation. Donations can be made right from the website. Their Board has plans for contacting businesses for corporate support. One thing you can do to aid in this process is to subscribe to the newsletter. A large distribution will assist Bruce in convincing businesses to help out. I strongly suggest all of our members who can join the Tuesday zoom programs with Benedickte Ehlers Olesen and go on a virtual trip of Denmark once a week. If you can’t make the zoom, the programs are available on the NFDA website www.danishamerica.org. I guarantee you will see some things you never saw on your trips to Denmark and learn some things you never knew about the lovely land whose heritage so many of us share. Following the program we held a short meeting. Our new Board was installed:

Past President: Marcia Blackman President: Susan Jensen Vice President: Kirstin Weiss Secretary: Ann-Marie Bergman Treasurer: Annette Lind Trustees: Jan Schneider, Marty Stubley Marshal: Ruth Ann Higgins

The lodge approved the 2021 budget and the donations suggested by the board. Each year we donate the money the lodge earned from raffles and silent auctions in the previous year. This year we were able to donate $1200.00. Once the business was completed the meeting ended. We all look forward to getting together on February 13 for our first “social” and on meeting again for our February meeting on February 17. For now we only get together virtually, but as we all navigate this pandemic, meeting virtually offers our members that much missed hygge.

Ruth Jensen, commonly referred to as Ruthi, passed away on the morning of October 23, 2020. She celebrated her 90th birthday this past June.

She was born to Henny (Madsen) and Ingemann Pedersen on June 7, 1930 and spent her youth growing up in the Beacon Hill area above Lake Washington. Both her parents had immigrated from Denmark. She attended John Muir and Seattle’s Franklin High School graduating in 1948. She spent a couple of years at what was then known as Central Washington Normal School in Ellensburg and South Seattle CC as well. She married Gerald Berg Jensen (Jerry) in April of 1955 and their wedding was the first wedding held at remodeled St. John’s Lutheran Church near the Woodland Park Zoo. They made their home in West Seattle and raised 3 boys, Robert (Bob), Paul and Gordon (Gordy). After Jerry passed away in 1994, she reconnected with an old friend from her days at Central, Charles (Chuck) Larsen and they spent almost 20 years together until she passed away 2014. Chuck had four sons, many grandkids and a couple great grandkids that also treated Ruthi as their farmor (father’s mother in Danish). Chuck’s son Brad, his wife Debbie and their three girls were frequent visitors. After a couple years at Central she spent a few months on a bike tour of Europe and worked fro Bell Telephone and the FBI. From the early 70s until 2003, Ruthi was the wedding coordinator at Fauntleroy Church UCC, sometimes referred to as the Fauntleroy General where she did over 3200 weddings in those 32 years.

Ruthi and Jerry were very involved in the Danish Brotherhood and Sisterhood organizations in the Seattle area and attended many of the associations conventions as well as serving on the boards and were Presidents of those groups at times as well. They were avid dancers and frequently danced at places around W Seattle and Seattle area dance halls. Ruthi was also very involved with the Garden and Arboretum Clubs in the area and was quite an avid gardener. She was very active in the PTA as the boys grew up and was a chaperone on the ski bus for many years too. She also sang in the church choir for many years under different directors. Ruthi is survived by her three boys, five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren who will all miss her greatly. She is also survived by her sister Esther Waite. Her ashes will be scattered at a later date at the Fauntleroy Church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Fauntleroy Community Church UCC in her name.

It's scholarship application time! The Danish Sisterhood of America is proud of its scholarship program. We have 10 scholarships available to members and their children (regardless of age) who are attending a post secondary school in 2021-2022. To learn more about these scholarships, visit www.danishsisterhood.org and click "What we do" under the pull down menu. Or contact Nealna Gylling at trustee2@danishsisterhood.com. Applications must be postmarked by March 1, 2021, so get yours in soon!

Apply for a DSS Scholarship!