Update from Des Moines, IA Lodge Our Sisterhood group met in September outdoors behind Grand View University Old Main. There were about 12 of us present wearing our masks and keeping social distance. It started to rain, so we went indoors to a classroom in the Student Center. Here the room was taped off for social distance complete with hand sanitizer. We had a short meeting but most of the time was spent catching up with our members. Carol Rudisill told us about bringing her husband’s 92 year old mother home from a nursing home to live with them. They all came down with the virus, but after a rough time all recovered. Carol had just recovered from back surgery. Christina and Claudia Holcomb had also just gotten over their surgeries. Claudia had moved to a new home and Erna Jensen told us about living at Luther Park during this time. Sue Fisher and Amanda Lary had volunteered as SH members for Meals for Heartland. Marilyn Kramme shared her time at her grandson’s wedding held in the elegant turret of Danes Hall in Waupaca, Wisconsin. Its architecture and art told the story of young Danish immigrants. Christina brought an example of a tumbler that we will be selling at our meetings. A small group of us met in October in the same GVU classroom. When we left, we sanitized the tables for classes to be held the next day. This will be a year to remember as our usual activities have been canceled, but we still need to keep in contact with our Sisters. It was reported that Joanne Rasmussen had a heart attack but is doing well with the help of medicine. We were sad that Jan Broers’ dear friend Tom passed away. Donna Archer offered to create a Christmas ad for the DS News. Volunteers were asked for to help with the
virtual Chriskindle Market. We also continue to contribute to the DSS archive project at the museum with our monthly offerings. In November, 16 members were present for our first Zoom meeting. We were able to be with members that we had not seen for quite awhile. Linda Holz, National DSS Trustee informed us that the Nat. board convention would be held in Seattle or Minneapolis 2023. We decided we would give some assistance if it is held in Minneapolis. In the first time in many years we will not be having our Christmas Frokost (luncheon). This has always been our favorite big gathering. We voted to send $100 to the Kenosha, Wisconsin Brotherhood Lodge to help with their efforts to rebuild after riots completely destroyed their building. A motion was made to help a member during a financial crisis. Our DSS tumblers are here and several have already been sold. A $50 donation was made to the Danish Brotherhood Lodge GVU scholarship fund since their fundraiser Kolde Bord could not be held this year. Some of us watched a movie on the Lifetime channel featuring Solvang, CA. In the show, many Danish traditions and customs were practiced. Quite a few of us have been to this charming city founded by Danish immigrants. Christina told us that a Coop she knows is ordering feed for hogs from a company in Denmark. Iowa is well known for their hog production and now it should even get better! We will meet again in December via Zoom, hoping to get even more members involved. Until then, keep well and safe. We are looking forward to a good year ahead of us. Carol Christiansen
Archive Project Thank Yous Thank you to the following lodges/people who have donated to the Archival Project: Lodge #65 Maureen Neilson in memory of Ebba Kadish Christina Sallee Karin Wasler Danish Sisterhood News, January 2021
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