DSS Newsletter January 2024

News

Danish

Serving the Danish Sisterhood of America since 1947

Sisterhood

In this issue:

• Latest Lodge Updates • Member Corner

• 2024 Denmark Tour • 2023 Financial Review

January 2024

President’s Corner

News

Danish Sisterhood

Honorary Member Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark

www.danishsisterhood.com

Volume 77, Number 1

Published by the Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of America, (Dansk Søster Samfund) as its Official Publication.

Nealna Gylling, National President

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. It is hard to believe 2024 is already here. It seems like just a couple of years ago we were all worried about Y2K – not 24 years ago!!

The New Year is always a good time to look back at what happened the year before and even more important to look ahead to a brand new year that is yet untouched. It is a time to set goals for how we want to shape that year. I hope you will take time to make some goals for yourself in this new year and that your lodge will take time to reflect on 2023 and set some goals for 2024. Lodge goals could be about programming, activities, membership, fund raising, or whatever is important to your lodge members. Actually setting goals and writing them down has been proven to be a way to help us all move forward and improve. When I was teaching, we taught students to set SMART goals. That is: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based. A personal example of a SMART goal for membership might be: I will ask 2 people to come to a Sisterhood meeting or event within the next 6 months. I will be encouraging each member of the National Board to set a goal for this coming year as I am also doing. Please join us in this endeavor.

I am extremely happy to announce that Donna Christensen Thomas has decided to remain the National Historian. The research she has done on the Sisterhood and the interesting articles she has written for the Newsletter have been a delight to many of us. Thank you, Donna, and we are very happy that you changed your mind and are staying on as historian.

As I have said before, the National Board is here for you. We will meet in person for the first

DANISH SISTERHOOD NEWS (USPS 148-200) is published monthly by the Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of America. Office of publication at 1557 Oak St. Solvang, CA 93463. Periodicals Postage Paid at Rochester, MN. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to DANISH SISTERHOOD NEWS, 1557 Oak St. Solvang, CA 93463 EDITOR: Lauren C. Nielsen (507) 206-9099

Articles for publication in the Danish Sisterhood News must arrive to the Editor no later than the 1st day of each month previous to publication.

Subscription: Members $12 (US) Non-Members $20 (US) Officers of the Supreme Lodge National President: Nealna Gylling, Lodge #186 1474 Floan Point Rd, Brainerd, MN 56401 612-390-1374 president@danishsisterhood.com National Vice President & Technology Chair: Anna Nielsen #20 (262) 412-4482 vicepresident@danishsisterhood.com National Secretary: Glenda Madrid, Lodge #177 1557 Oak St. Solvang, CA 93463 (805) 448-7631 secretary@danishsisterhood.com • glenda_madrid@hotmail.com National Treasurer: Linda Brooks, Lodge #21 8402 Winter Berry Dr., Castle Rock, CO 80108 303-905-9934 treasurer@danishsisterhood.com National Trustee: Carol Rudisill, Lodge #102 4131 E 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50313 515-971-5997 trustee1@danishsisterhood.com National Trustee: Susan Hoppough, Lodge #65 834 E. Baldwin Lake Dr., Greenville, MI 48838 616-302-1330 trustee2@danishsisterhood.com National Trustee & Butikken Chair: Karen Vig-Keathley, Lodge #4 109 South First Street, Itasca, IL 60143 708-715-0071 trustee3@danishsisterhood.com National Past President: Christina Sallee, Lodge #81 16116 SW Deline Ct, Beaverton, OR 97007-3425 (503) 928 4494 National Historian: Donna Christensen Thomas, historian@danishsisterhood.com

Copyright 1946-2024 by the Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of America, All Rights Reserved.

Continued on page 4 Danish Sisterhood News, January 2024

Email: editor@danishsisterhood.com

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Velkommen

Lauren C. Nielsen, Editor

Dear Sisters, New years can mean many things, change being one of them. And this year, change is definitely in the air!

As we all begin to navigate a new year--remember to date your documents 2024--we also have seen changes near and far.

Lodges are likely coming together again after the holidays and beginning to think of what to do in the year ahead.

From Denmark, we heard news of Queen Margrethe's upcoming abdication.

And here with the Sisterhood, we are getting ready to transfer the Editorship of the Danish Sisterhood News to a new Editor. We have found our next Editor and are excited to welcome her in our next newsletter. Stay tuned!

I'll be working on the February issue as well as we transition to our new Editor, so you'll see me again next month! But as we start this transition, I'd like to thank everyone in advance for their patience and kindness as we get the new Editor up to speed!

I hope all of you are enjoying the new year so far and are thinking of all the great things to submit to the next several issues of the DSN! Until next time, Lauren C. Nielsen, Editor editor@danishsisterhood.com

In this Issue President’s Corner.....................................................p 2-3 Editor’s Welcome...........................................................p 3 Lodge Updates...............................................................p 4 Member Corner..............................................................p 5 Denmark Tour 2024................................................p 6-8 Museum Updates..........................................................p 9 Butikken..................................................................p 13-14

Youth Birthdays Happy January Birthday to:

Names Layla Wren Fritz Athena Christiansson

Lodge 81 165

Age 13 13

On the Cover Title: Jakob 2 Trees Location: Seattle, WA Photo from: Lodge 188 Jakob 2 Trees is one of Thomas Dambo's famous Danish trolls. There are several new trolls built along the Pacific Northwest!

Submit A Cover Photo Do you have a photo that you’d like to see on the cover of the Danish Sisterhood News? Send in your submissions and yours could be featured next!

Photographs must be high resolution and should be accompanied by a short description of the photo’s content. Photos from Danish events, Sisterhood meetings, travels around Denmark, Danish culture and more are all great topics.

Send photos to: editor@danishsisterhood.com 3

Danish Sisterhood News, January 2024

Continued from page 2

time in March. If you or your lodge has ideas, concerns, or questions for the board, please contact one of us. If we can help you reach your goals for 2024, please reach out to us. We look forward to your ideas and ways we can help you.

Wishing each of you a wonderful 2024.

Nealna Gylling, National DSS President

Assessment Notice

Members: Assessment #1418 for the month of January is due and payable to your local Treasurers before January 31, 2024.

Lodge Treasurers: Assessment #1418 for the month of January 2024, is due and payable to the Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood immediately following your January meeting.

Assessments for the year 2024 will follow in order with December 2024 assessment # being #1429.

Lodges can pay either monthly, quarterly or all at once.

Apply NOW for a College Scholarship The Danish Sisterhood of America offers 10 scholarships, some which are $2,500 each to Danish Sisterhood Members and their children.

Information about these scholarships and an application can be found on the website Danishsisterhood.org under the drop down menu “What We Do” or by contacting Nealna Gylling at president@danishsisterhood.com or 612-390-1374.

A Little Hygge for Jakob 2 Trees

If there’s one thing the Danish Sisters of Hygge #188 love, it’s trolls. Five larger-thanlife troll sculptures were erected around Seattle between August and September 2023 and will stay for three years. A sixth troll is in Portland, Oregon.

The Danish Environmental Artist, Thomas Dambo uses recycled material to create giant troll sculptures around the world. Each troll is meant to represent an “underlying environment story.”

According to Dambo, “In nature, there is no landfill. Nature is circular, everything has a meaning and everything is recycled.”

On Saturday, November 3rd, the Hygge women gathered and visited one of those whimsical troll sculptures, Jakob 2 Trees. This Dambo troll is in Issaquah, Washington, not far from Enumclaw our hometown. We hope we made Jakob as happy as he made us to meet him!

The Hygge Chapter is planning to visit as many as we can in the three years they are here.

Danish Sisterhood News, January 2024

The due date for applications:

March 1, 2024.

Start applying NOW.

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Membership Corner Hej All Sisters! We trust you have recovered from the busy holiday season and are anxious to begin planning for 2024! Increasing membership is a priority for the Board in 2024 and we look to you to help us achieve this goal. So, what should you expect?

Members of the Board will be contacting the District and Lodge Presidents within the first quarter of 2024. We want to learn more about what is needed to increase membership at the local level. We will ask questions regarding the frequency of meetings, the number of Sisters who attends the meetings, what activities the lodge has engaged in to increase membership and how the Board can assist in membership efforts? Everyone is busier than ever before and sometimes, if not frequently, it is hard to attend meetings in person. Tivoli Lodge # 300 is a “virtual lodge” created for those who do not live near a lodge.

Has your lodge tried having meetings “virtually” even if there is a local lodge with the purpose of increasing attendance? We have many questions, and we hope this will start you thinking about ways to increase membership and to identify the struggles your lodge is having with membership.

Your Secretary and President have received

the Annual Reports that provide details to the Board about your lodge members including their names, phone numbers, street, and email addresses. Updating this report and submitting it in a timely manner is critical. If you are not familiar with this Annual Report, take a few minutes to discuss it with your leadership; it holds a wealth of information about your active and inactive members. You may find that some of your friends or relatives are inactive Sisters, and you can reach out to them to reengage them in attending meetings.

We also want to know if the leadership in your lodge has changed within the past year so we can update our records. We know people move and change email addresses and phone numbers; life happens and sometimes it is hard to remember to update everyone who “needs to know”. We know that having accurate records and information is key to laying the foundation for a membership drive and we need your help to do this!

Finally, your Board is excited to work with your leadership and each of you to increase membership in the Danish Sisterhood. We are confident that working together we will achieve this goal. Stay tuned!

Mange Tak! Susan and Carol

News from Lodge #102 The fall has been a busy one. We helped the Brotherhood celebrate their 140 year anniversary. In October, several of us attended the National Sisterhood convention in Mpls, MN. It was so well planned with business taken care of, wonderful entertainment, renewing and creating new friendships. Nealna Gylling from our district became the new president. Our Linda Holz stepped down from the board after many years. We are proud of these gals. In this month we also helped the Brotherhood with their ableskiver brunch and went out to eat at the Chicago Speakseasy, our annual “out to eat night.” We had a large attendance with guests and family. Member, Cheyenne Jansdatter, was there with hubby, daughter, and new baby.

In November, we again met at Luther Memorial Church in their Lykke(happy) Center. This is what their fellowship hall is now called and it is a happy place to meet! Many of us attended the Brotherhood Danske Koldt Bord with 250 persons registered. Our SH/BH members, Linda Holz, Ken Paulsen, and Ken

Grgersen were the hosts. The SH and BH make a good team. We had a successful bake sale at Grandview University. The profit will go to 3 camper scholarships for our young ones. It was a fun event!

At our meeting we shared memories from the Nat. Convention. Jenny Rupp, Hannah Konzen, and Cheryl Brinkman joined us on “zoom”. We remembered our members Kirsten Lungren(fall), Marilyn Kramme(on oxygen), and Cheryl Brinkman(hip surgery). Joanne Rasmussen and Jeanie Clark stepped down from their SH positions. Many thanks to these two for their dedication.

Our festive Jule Frokost at the Lykke Center in December had around 50 members and guests in attendance. Several of our members went Christmas Caroling where they sang at Marilyn Kramme’s residence and left treats for Kirsten Lundgren. What a great way to end a successful SH year!

God Nytar, Carol Christiansen and Lodge #102 5

Danish Sisterhood News, January 2024

Updates from Dorthea Lodge #65 Dorthea Lodge # 65 met on December 2, 2023, at the Winter Inn for lunch to celebrate the holiday season and two significant birthdays! Darlene Petersen turned 90 and Delores Hansen turned 95!

While our “in person” meetings this year were limited due to the renovation project at the Danish Cultural Center (DCC) in Greenville, 18 of us were happy to meet for Christmas. A yearly tradition, the Dorthea Lodge selects community projects to support through financial donations. This year North Sydney Church & Cemetery Historical Association and the South Sydney Church (Amble Memorial Sanc-

tuary) each received $1,000. An additional $1,085 dollars was donated to support food banks, reading programs and programs to support “at risk” teenagers. And, in 2023, the Dorthea Lodge made a significant contribution in support of the DCC renovation.

We were saddened by the news that our President, Martha Roy’s husband John died on Veteran’s Day after an extended illness, and we think about the losses other Sisters have experienced over the past year. We look forward to 2024 with hope for health and happiness and the goal of increasing membership with family and friends.

Mange Tak! Thank you for your generous support through 2023 for the Danish Sisterhood Online Digital Library!

As we begin to work on implementing this project, we want to share some fun facts about the support we’ve received.

We are over two-thirds of the way to our $30,000 goal, with over $20,000 already contributed.

We have received donations from: • One Supreme Lodge • Four District Lodges • 20 individual Lodges • 25 private donors Contributions have come from all over the United States: • Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones • Lodges in 13 states, plus “virtual” Tivoli Lodge • Individuals in 10 states • From Florida to Washington • From southern California to Connecticut

As we embark into the New Year of 2024, we welcome your ongoing support as you make plans for the coming year.

Soon we look forward to sharing with you the early results of this project and realize our vision to make Sisterhood materials available and searchable online for all!

The Danish Sisterhood and Museum of Danish America 40th Anniversary Partnership Committee thanks you for your generosity.

Danish Sisterhood News, January 2024

Tova Brandt, Museum of Danish America, Tova.

Brandt@danishmuseum.org Mindy Brown, Lodge 21, mindysbrown@hotmail.com Cheyenne Jansdatter, Museum of Danish America, cjansdatter@danishmuseum.org Marcia Jante, Lodge 15, mjante@wi.rr.com Carol Rudsill, National Board DSS, trustee1@danishsisterhood.com John Rassmussen, Lodge 300, johnfrasmu@gmail. com Elizabeth Steffensen, Lodge 4, esteffensen@yahoo. com 6

Danish Sisterhood Tour 2024 Visit Beautiful East Jutland with your Sisterhood friends.

September 10-21, 2024 The Itinerary: Aarhus – The City of Smiles. (3 nights) This year the tour will begin in Aarhus, the second largest city in Denmark, also known as “The City of Smiles.” We’ll spend the first three nights at Scandic Aarhus City, a four-star hotel right in the center of town, close to the shopping street, the cathedral, The Old Town, AROS Museum, the harbor, and Salling Roof Top. The Old Town (Den Gamle By) is an open air town museum. It’s newest exhibition includes “welfare and open-mindedness from 1950-1974, a time characterized by feminism, free thinking and experiments with new ways of living.

AROS Museum is one of the largest art museum in northern Europe and is the most frequented art museum in Scandinavia. It has been awarded two Michelin stars in its tourism guide.

In addition, we’ll meet pop/rock icon Poul Krebs, who has twenty-five albums in his bag, at Aarhus Sports Academy in Risskov, where we’ll get a short tour and a meal.

Also on the Aarhus program is the magnificent Moesgaard Museum that stands out as one of Denmark’s finest museums dedicated to archaeology and ethnography. Well known is the Grauballe Man, whose body dates back to the third century BC. Inviting shopping opportunities are just around the corner of the hotel.

On our way from Aarhus to Silkeborg we’ll swing by the HQ of one of the biggest retail successes in modern Danish history, namely “JYSK”, formerly known as Jysk Sengetøjslager and meet the current CEO, Jan Bøgh.

Silkeborg - located in the Highlands of Lakes (2 nights) The first stop before arriving in Silkeborg will be the, for Danes, famous Himmelbjerget (Sky Mountain), a hilltop of 482 ft, one of the highest natural points in Denmark. It has beautiful nature, panoramic views and an old watch tower. By the way, according to Nordic mythology the god Heimdal lives on top of Himmelbjerget. Lunch on your own here.

The bus will take us down to the lake and Hjejlen, the oldest operative steamer in the world. It will sail us through beautiful nature to Silkeborg.

There will be time to visit the Asger Jorn Mu-

seum, which is the home of the most comprehensive collection of his works, but also thousands of other paintings, and sculptures of other artists. Jorn’s “Stalingrad” will make an impact on most people.

A visit to Grauballe Brewery is a nice little touch to acknowledge the vast number of local craft breweries that pop up all over Denmark. The brew master will take us on a tour of the small company and we’ll taste up to eight samples.

We’ll stay at Scandic Hotel Silkeborg for two nights. It is located near pastoral nature and Long Lake.

The breakfast is outstanding and we’ll have two delicious dinners there as well. The lobby has a nice bar, a pool is close by and feel free to work-out. Shopping options.

Randers Rain Forest On our way from Silkeborg to Hotel Amerika outside Hobro, we’ll swing by Randers Rain Forest. It is a tropical zoo located in three big domes for kids of all ages, and we’ll meet lemurs, snakes and other wildlife from three continents in this unique living ecosystem undergoing constant change.

On a rainy and gray day we’ll pay Memphis Mansion a visit. A place for Elvis and Johnny Cash fans.

If it doesn’t rain the bus will take us to the outdoor Fyrkat Viking Fortress, dating back to 980 AD. The fortress was built by King Harald Bluetooth.

Hvidsten Kro (Inn) is from 1634, a Privileged Royal Inn that has now been in the same family for almost 150 years. It has a long history and in modern times it is mainly know for the Hvidsten Group that during the Nazi occupation of Denmark consisted of bold and brave freedom fighters, who made life very difficult for the invaders. Historian Poul S. Andersen will guide us through the museum and put some of the gruesome history of the famous inn into perspective. Lunch will be served.

Hotel Amerika (2 nights) We’ll enjoy a mini vacation at Hotel Amerika near Hobro located in beautiful and scenic surroundings and inhale the fresh air that nature provides. Two delicious dinners will satisfy anyone. Walkable distance to the fjord and wood, if you want a little extra exercise.

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Danish Sisterhood News, January 2024

Sostrup Slot – castle and convent (2 nights) This castle has a colorful history with many contrasts.

It has been owned by counts and dukes, by cool ladies and quiet nuns. At Sostrup, you will feel it all, from extravaganza to quietness. The innkeeper has promised to give us a tour of the old castle and tell stories about the ghosts that you may meet if you decide to walk around on your own after midnight.

Two wonderful dinners are already waiting for us. Today, the castle is owned by a Danish American woman, living in California.

We’ll make a day trip to Mols National Park, Kalø Slotsruin (a 700-year old ruined castle), and Slettehage Lighthouse from 1872 and appreciate the beauty that nature can bring. If time allows to, we’ll visit Kalø Language Folk School as well.

Ebeltoft (2 nights) Last, but not least. The final stop on the tour is the absolutely quaint and lovely town of Ebeltoft, where several streets have cobbled stone and very old houses.

A visit to the old city hall from 1789 is a must, and so is a visit to the old warship Fregatten Jylland.

Ebeltoft Glass Museum is outstanding and here we will meet world class glass artist Janusz Walentynowicz, formerly Clinton, IL, now Skagen.

An interesting visit to the European Film College is in the works and shopping in this fabulous town is a must, including a visit to the old malt factory.

Tremendous dinners are planned at Strandkroen (Beach Tavern) on Egsmark Strand and at Karen’s Kitchen on the harbor.

Accommodation and nice breakfasts at Ebeltoft Park Hotel.

Notes: All breakfasts are included in the price and so are all evening meals. Some of the evening meals will include your choice of one glass of wine, soda or beer. Lunches on your own, but the Hvidsten lunch is included.

All admission fees are included.

How do I get to Scandic Aarhus City?

1) If you fly into Billund, take the bus to Aarhus and then a cab/uber to the hotel.

2) If you fly into Aarhus, take the bus to Aarhus and a cab/uber to the hotel.

3) If you fly into Copenhagen, I recommend you take the train (go first class) to Aarhus. Enjoy the beautiful ride across Sjœlland (Zealand), the tunnel and the magnificent bridge. Take a cab/uber to the hotel.

Danish Sisterhood News, January 2024

Stay an additional night at Scandic Aarhus City If you want to stay an additional night in Aarhus on 9/9 and/or 9/21, you can get a room at Scandic Arhus City for 1475 kroner (dbl), 1275 kroner (single), including breakfast. Reservation must be made 30 days before arrival. The booking code is BDAN090924, or call the hotel directly at 01145 8931 8100.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Prosperous 2024, Sune Frederiksen 859-248-0690 Pricing and Refund Policy Price for the 12 day guided Beautiful East Jutland tour with a minimum of 40 participants is $3,000 (per person – member price).

Maximum of 50 participants Prices are based on double occupancy. There will be an additional charge of $250 for non-members and an additional charge of $600 for a single room.

Please note price DOES NOT include airfare portion of the trip.

Deposit of $1,000.00 per person is due at the time of booking.

Deadline for booking is April 1, 2024.

All final payments and additional fees (for non-members and single room) are due by June 1, 2024.

Refund policy: Refund cancellation prior to April 1, 2024: $750.00 Between April 1 and May 31: $500.00 After June 1, 2024, NO Refund *If your place can be filled from the waiting list, $500 will be refunded to you.

Price is subject to change at the time of the final payment date. The Denmark Tour is based on the exchange rate of 7 Dkk. To book your tour or for more information please contact: Karen Vig-Keathly, National Trustee Trustee3@danishsisterhood.com 708-715-0071

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2023 Annual DSS Financial Audit Review Note from National Treasurer, Linda Brooks, regarding the Audit. The audit published here is based on our fiscal year end 8/31/22 and is a review only. This last fiscal year, 9/1/22 – 8/31/23 will be sent to Dana Cole, our audit firm for a full audit. A copy of our Quickbooks at fiscal year-end and all necessary documents including but not limited to, bank and Merrill Lynch statements are sent to them. This process also insures that no one is defrauding the Danish Sisterhood.

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Danish Sisterhood News, January 2024

Danish Sisterhood News, January 2024

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Danish Sisterhood News, January 2024

Butikken Featured Item DanishSisterhood.com

Storm Creek Quilted Performance Vest with DSS logo.

This ultra-breathable vest is made with a polyester shell and insulation.

A chin guard, drawcord hem and full storm flap braces you against the wind.

Royal blue and navy Sizes medium to 2XL, while supplies last Cost is $50.00, shipping is additional. It comes with a free DSS bumper sticker with purchase.

Danish Sisterhood News, January 2024

Please contact Karen Vig-Keathley at Trustee3@danishsisterhood.com to place an order.

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Danish Sisterhood Butikken DanishSisterhood.com

For holiday shopping, please visit the DSS website at danishsisterhood.com

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1. Hygge T-Shirt • Red with white print • Sizes: M, L, XL, XXL • Price: $20 2. Black Baseball Cap with Logo in Sequins • Price: $20 3. Wine Bottle Opener • Black & red • Price: $5 4. Danish Car Magnets • 4.5” W x 4” H • Price: $10 5. Aebleskiver Apron • Red • Price: $20 6. Puffy Vest • Cobalt or Navy with Sisterhood Logo • Sizes M-2X • Price: $50

To order contact: Karen Vig-Keathley Email: trustee3@danishsisterhood.com Phone: 708.715.0071 109 South First St. Itasca, IL 60143 Note: Prices do not include shipping and handling. All prices subject to change.

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Danish Sisterhood News, January 2024

Danish Sisterhood Butikken DanishSisterhood.com

For holiday shopping, please visit the DSS website at danishsisterhood.com

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Resolution:

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10. Sisterhood Heart Makeup Compact • Magnifying & regular mirrors • Price: $5 11. Daisy Earrings • Price: $12 12. Coral Pendant with Silver Filigree • Red and silver necklace pendant • Price: $45 13. DSS Fleece Jacket • Available in red & black • Price: $37.50 14. Denmark Flag Enamel Earrings • Pierced • Price: $12/pair 15. Onesie • Red with white print • Sizes: 6 mo, 12 mo, 18 mo • Price: $15 16. Set of 5 Notecards • Includes envelopes • $12/set 17. Heart Scarf • Available in red & white • Price: $15

To order contact: Karen Vig-Keathley Email: trustee3@danishsisterhood.com Phone: 708.715.0071 109 South First St. Itasca, IL 60143 Note: Prices do not include shipping and handling. All prices subject to change.

Danish Sisterhood News, January 2024

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Resolution: Marie-Louise Carl Marie-Louise Carl passed away Sunday, November 19, 2023 peacefully in her sleep at Vista del Monte in Santa Barbara, California. She was born a twin in Denmark on February 4, 1933 to Axel Harald Carl and Karen Marie Skovgaard-Peterson. They raised her and her four siblings in Hellerup, Denmark. She lost her father in 1936 to lung cancer. Her mother remarried Paul Ryder in 1938. Marie-Louise lost her mother toward the end of World War II to ovarian cancer.

As a seven year-old in 1940, Marie-Louise lost neighbors and half her class to the boatlift of Jews to Sweden and watched the Nazis invade Denmark. After World War II ended, her stepfather served as Denmark’s first ambassador to Germany and moved her and her four siblings to post-war Germany. In the late forties, her stepfather moved the family from Germany to San Francisco to serve as Consul General to the United States.

Marie-Louise learned English quickly and attended high school in San Francisco. She worked her way through college at San Francisco City College and San Francisco State University. Her favorite summer job was serving as a hostess at the Grand Teton Lodge in Grand Teton National Park.

She enjoyed the outdoors, hiking frequently and collecting wildflowers.

She earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia University in the City of New York’s School of Social Work in the late fifties.

While a graduate student, she and her classmates conducted some of the fieldwork in Harlem that lead to the creation of HeadStart. After graduating from Columbia, she served as a houseparent for foster youth and as a social worker with Child Protective Services.

In her twenties, after developing a strong dislike of oppression during World War II, she became a civil rights activist in her adopted country and traveled by bus from New York as a Freedom Rider to march in Selma, Alabama and Washington, DC. In her twenties, she also joined the American Scandinavian Foundation, which sponsored a summer group rental in Quogue, New York. She made lifelong friends during those summers. She also

Address Changes If you have moved please use this form to notify the Danish Sisterhood of America.

Clip and mail to: Danish Sisterhood News National Secretary: Glenda Madrid 1557 Oak St. Solvang, CA 93463 I belong to Lodge #: Name: New Address: City: State: Zip Code: met Peter Wisner, who she married in 1965. They had three children, a dog, two rabbits and numerous cats.

Marie-Louise stepped back from social work in 1968 to raise her children. The family lived in Yonkers, Mt. Kisco, Bedford and spent summers in East Quogue, New York before moving to Santa Barbara, California in the mid-seventies. Marie-Louise enjoyed being a mom, leading a Brownie Troop, attending swim meets and sports games, hosting large birthday parties (no classmate could be left out), and actively participating in the Danish Sisterhood (including enrolling all three children in JADA and holding an office). In 1976, Marie-Louise joined Santa Barbara County’s Child Protective Services as a social worker where she worked hard to improve the lives of countless children until she retired in 2003. In the late seventies, her marriage to Peter Wisner ended in divorce.

Marie-Louise is survived by her children Marianne Wisner, Shelly Machell and Paul Wisner; her sons-in-law Kendrick Royer and Simon Machell, three grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, stepparents, and siblings.

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Danish Sisterhood News, January 2024

News

Danish

Periodical Postage Paid

Sisterhood

Published by the Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of America National Secretary: Glenda Madrid 1557 Oak St. Solvang, CA 93463

POSTMASTER PLEASE RUSH TIME DATED MATERIAL!

Annual Meeting in Cincinnati April 3-10, 2024 Tours, dinners, dance, joy, followship.

Schedule at www.rebildfesten.dk Non-members welcome.

Convention chair: Sune Frederiksen, 859-248-0690 Corporate secretary: Linda Steffensen, 847-882-2552

Published by:

Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of America National Secretary: Glenda Madrid 1557 Oak St Solvang, CA 93463

The Danish Sisterhood News including, but not limited to, design, text, & graphics, are Copyright 2022 by the Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of America.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Any use of materials in this publication, including reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication without the prior written consent of DSS, is strictly prohibited by law. Copyright infringement will be punished to the maximum extent the law allows.