Anne Berit Arrives in America



The Stavangerfjord of the Norwegian-American Line

My mother, Anne-Berit Strand, immigrated to the United States in December of 1950.  She came aboard the Stavangerfjord, a ship she was to return to Norway for a visit on a couple of years later with a 6 month-old me.


Passenger List from December 4, 1950

  The passenger list from the Stavangerfjord shows an arrival date of 12/04/1950.

Detail of List shows Anne-Berit

Mom's Uncle Marthinius Strand had already established himself in the New World.  By 1950 he had also established his own company and made his fortune.  He was happy to be Anne's sponsor.  I believe that is his address below her name.


Anne-Berit's cousin Elin and family were on the same ship

 Accompanying Anne-Berit were her cousin Elin, Elin's husband Kaare, and their children Marit and Kjersti. 

Detail shows Kaare, Elin and their daughters, Marit and Kjersti

Elin and Kaare stayed for 10 years in America, before they returned home to Norway.

Anne-Berit married Glenn Evensen a couple of weeks later, on December 20th, in Salt Lake City.

Bestemor's Trip to America

S.S.Bergensfjord
Photo: Anders Beer Wilse/Norwegian Museum of Cultural History

My grandmother, Sigrid Sophie Olsen, came to America in 1915 and spent a few years in Salt Lake before returning to her native Norway.  She traveled on the S.S. Bergensfjord.

The passenger manifest shows her leaving Kristiania (Oslo) on May 23rd, 1915.  The trip would have taken about a week.

The detail below shows Miss Sigrid Olsen on line 16.  Her age is listed as 27.  Her occupation: Clerk.  Her place of origin, Norway; her nationality, Scandinavian.  Her Mother is listed as Oleane Olsen, with the address of Mauritz Hansensgate 4, Kristiania - as the person to contact in case of emergency.

[Note: I'm not sure when Oleane moved to Maurtiz Hansen's street, or whether she moved there originally with her husband or after his death.  It appears from the note on the ship manifest that Oleane lived at #4 by herself after her husband passed away.  After Sigrid married Einar Strand, they lived in Drammen for a while.  They moved to Oslo, and into the ground floor apartment at #4 sometime after my mother, Anne-Berit, was born.  At that time, Oleane was already living upstairs in a smaller apartment.  She eventually moved in with the Strand family and stayed there until her death.]

There was a large Scandinavian population in Salt Lake at the time that Sigrid visited, and Sigrid was caught up in a whirl of social events.  However, Sigrid wasn't happy in Salt Lake and eventually came home to Oslo again after World War I was over.  There she met Einar Strand.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Einar Strand's "Church" Biography

"Under the Northern Light's Sky"

In the late 1960s, Hilmar Freidel undertook a daunting task -  he wrote a history of the Norwegian Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the year 1851 through 1966.

Brother Freidel was a wonderful man who loved kids and billed himself as "Santa Claus's Brother" to me when I was a little girl.  He even visited me my freshman year at BYU, so I remember him warmly.

In this book are all kinds of references to my various family members, on both my mother's and father's side of the family, but in this post I will only address his biography of my grandfather, Einar Strand.

I have taken it upon myself to translate this from pages 150-152.  (Please feel free to write me to correct anything I may have gotten wrong.  I did this quickly and may have translated a few things poorly. I will be grateful for any corrections.)

Einar Strand

35.  Einar Strand was born on the 22nd of July in 1893 in the Frogner Parish of Lier.  He was baptized [a member of the LDS church] the 15th of May 1920 in Oslo and was ordained as an Elder the 2nd of June, 1921.  He was for a while the President of the Drammen Branch Sunday School, and was a member of the Drammen Branch Presidency from 1922 until he moved to Oslo in September of 1927.  In 1929 he became a member of the Oslo Branch Presidency, and on the 2nd of November, 1930, was called as the Branch President.  He had this calling until the 14th of January, 1934, - and he was so popular and held in such high esteem that the Oslo Branch Relief Society honored him, and the immediate members of the Branch presidency, with a special party in their honor which was held on the 23rd of January, 1934. 

A report tells:

“The party started with a hymn and prayer, after which Sister Kristofa Sønsteby read a prolog (poem) in honor for the old Branch Presidency.  Sister Ljungberg, the President of the Relief Society, thanked these good, dear brothers for the good support they had had from them, and for their good fellowship in working together.  – The New Branch Presidency was also wished welcome. – After that she gave the former Branch President and his two counselors each a beautiful flower.”

(A large part of this honor fell also on the two active Brothers Ramm Arveseter and Gustav Fernsjo as Brother Strand’s counsellors, and Brother Oscar R. Lindbo as Branch Secretary.)

In August 1937, Einar Strand was once again called as Branch President, and he held this position until September, 1946.  Other data we can note: [He served as] Teacher in Oslo’s Sunday School Adult class (Gospel Doctrine) for a total of 25 years.  19 Years straight as a teacher in the Genealogical Class, not to mention many years of teaching in the Young Men’s organization, together with teaching in his Priesthood Quorum for 30 years.  Under Mission President Jospeh A. Gundersen, he was called as President of the Elder’s Quorum in the Oslo and Drammen District, and was in that capacity until the Fall of 1964.  Afterwards, he was called as Secretary to the Elder’s Quorum in Oslo 2 Branch, and as District’s Council member in Oslo District.  For many years under Mission Presidents Axel J. Andresen’s and Joseph A. Gundersen’s time, he was called to preside over regular meetings in Odalen, together with the missionaries that from time to time worked there.

Brother Einar Strand’s talents in the gospel belong to the most gifted, his courage was eminent.  His courageous comments and leadership in difficult times have awakened notice, thought and discussions amongst the Church membership, but his will and abilities to defend his ideas has also created fruitful afterthoughts.  There is not enough said how he, as a member of the Church, has fought a marvelous spiritual battle and has been a strong and solid pillar in the Gospel framework – as well as when the opposition came from outside the church.

Those who had the opportunity to seek his unwavering optimism and enjoy a feeling of safety and cheer in those days when the land was under the ruling government’s watchful and vengeful eye [i.e. World War II occupation by Nazi Germany], will never forget him.  His unbelievable ability to uncover so-called ‘illegal’ news, he used to give hope and faith to all who despaired.  This showed a fearless joy of giving the worth of which can not be measured.

But it almost went wrong in the summer of 1943 when he was arrested, beaten and placed in a dark cell in Victoria Terrasse [the police station, which became Nazi headquarters] in Oslo.  That morning he had promised to visit a sick woman who was in the hospital, to give her a blessing.  In that lonely prison, he prayed to be able to fulfill his promise to this woman, and God heard his prayer – because he was released in the same hour.  A second time he was arrested, but was again returned unhurt from those who would have judged him.

As an Elder, as Branch President, as a help to the Mission, and an unshakeable champion of truth, he was among the best; but as a human being, as a never failing friend to children, as a comforter and source of cheer in times of sorrow, and as the rousing force when it was time for a party, as poet and author of more songs and poems than can be counted, he showed another side of his character and gifts that are not any less as well thought of.  It was difficult for while to think of Osterhausgaten 27 (the address of the Oslo Branch chapel until the 1970s) without “Pappa Strand” – as the children usually called him -  But he also placed his mark on other places, not in the least Drammen and Odalen, and other places in Norway and Sweden which he visited.

Brother Einar Strand’s effectiveness within the Church, also consisted of visiting the sick and the conducting of funerals, usually at any time of the day – with the result that he was often away from his home and his own family.  His wife, Sigrid Strand, must therefore also stand among those women who in their own way made huge sacrifices [for the Gospel].  A husband who goes completely in and is willing to sacrifice his time for good deeds, can not be completely successful if he doesn’t have a wife who shares his faith and is willing to share the burdens that surely come along with it.  The activity that in one way or another must come to a home where the husband is strongly needed, insures that the wife must shore up the things that are lacking, and in this regard Sister Sigrid Strand has known the cost of being married to a man who is constantly in demand.

But such it is when a married couple go whole heartedly into a calling – whether it is as Mission Leader, Branch President, Organist, Conductor, or whatever; and when a man is strongly active, so must one understand that at the same time there sits at home someone who in their own way share in that and should also share in the success that follows.

Here are copies of the actual book pages:


Page 150




Page 151




Page 152



Grandmother's Maids - Mina

Mina
I'm sorry this detail is so blurry.  I had trouble finding photos of her.

For many years, (like half a century, I think) a wonderful woman named Mina Mørch was a maid for my Bestemor.  A fixture in the Strand household, I got the impression she loved my Bestemor dearly and looked up to her.  She never called Bestemor Søster Strand or Fru Strand or even Sigrid, it was always “Strand”.  Mina was a diminutive lady with a quiet dignity.  Her wrinkled face had once been quite pretty.  She often asked Bestefar for advice and for priesthood blessings.  I know she worked very hard all her life, yet was faithful in paying her tithes and offerings and attending church.

Mina’s husband was an alcoholic and a ne’er do well kind of guy.  Together they had 16 children – all single births!  Mina kept her 16 children clothed and fed by taking in washing and ironing and working for my grandmother and probably others.  Mina was also one of my grandmother’s best friends.  Bestemor once asked Mina why she had so many children when her husband was such a scoundrel.  “He’s my husband, Strand” was all Mina answered. 

Mina was a woman of great faith in God.  From her 16 children, the Lord raised up the first Stake President of the Oslo, Norway Stake, and it’s first patriarch.

There’s a funny story about Mina’s husband (which may or may not be apocryphal!).  One night he was in charge of getting the children to bed, as Mina was working late.  They had a tiny apartment and the children slept on sofas and pallets all over the place.  When Mina got home, she asked how everything had gone.  “Not bad,” her husband replied.  “Except for this one here.”  He pointed to a youngster sound asleep nearby.  “He gave me a devil of a time.”

“Well, no wonder,” answered Mina, “he’s not one of ours.”

Mina was thrilled when I was born, as I was born on her birthday, the 18^th of October.  She considered it quite an honor that one of Strand’s grandchildren was born on her birthday.

This sweet woman worked her fingers to the bone until she was quite elderly.  Then, her oldest children took over and finally provided her with a better life.  Mina had always longed to see Salt Lake City.  The kids all chipped in when Mina turned 70 years old and sent their mom on a trip to Zion.  She was thrilled beyond speech.

Our whole family drove up to Salt Lake City during her stay to spend some time with her there.  I was so thankful that this wonderful lady got a chance to realize her dream before she passed from this life.  It was the last time I saw her alive.  I loved her a lot.


Mina, Anne-Berit, Marianne and Jay at the "This Is The Place" Monument outside of Salt Lake City, Utah, circa 1967



Grandmother's Maids

Fru Andersen & Me

My grandmother was ill many years, and mostly bed-ridden for the last 20 years of her life.  She had several maids that came to help her keep house, and several young girls who would run errands for her.

One of the steadfast regulars was Fru Andersen, who lived across the hall from my grandparents.  The picture shows me visiting her in her little apartment in the early 90s.  Fru Andersen was a kind lady who was a real blessing in my grandmother's life.

Me and Solveig Nimmons

I also visited her daughter, Solveig, back in the 90s.  Solveig and her husband live in Jessheim, not far from the new Gardemoen Airport outside of Oslo.  As a little girl, Solveig would run errands for my grandmother and then get fed breakfast before heading off to school.  Solveig came and lived with our family in Phoenix, Arizona, for a year in the 1960s.

A Diplomatic Honor

One day in 1981, a big black American Embassy limousine, sporting Amercian flags, pulled up in front of Mauritz Hansensgate #4. 

The whole street was agog, with people peeking out of their windows at the sight!  Soon the doorbell rang.  Bestefar Einar opened the door, and to his surprise and amazement, there stood newly appointed American Ambassador Mark Evans Austad.  He was no stranger to Bestefar, as he had served as an LDS missonary many years before.  Seeing the surprise on my grandfather's face, Ambassador Austad took his hand and shook it warmly.  As he was ushered into stuen, he said, "I want you to know, Einar, I came to see you before I saw the King." 

Austad had a long and illustrious political career that included serving on presidential inaugural committees both times Richard Nixon was elected.  Next, he was appointed by President Gerald Ford as Ambassador to Finland.  In 1980, Austad served again on an inaugural committee, this time for Ronald Regan's first election, after which he was again appointed as a U.S. Ambassador, this time to his beloved Norway.  He served in Norway until 1984.  He died in Arizona four years later at the age of 71.  Norway's major newspaper, Aftenposten, once praised him as being the best U.S. Ambassador they ever had.

I love his tribute to Einar Strand.  It was an honor that deeply touched my Bestefar.

Lier Bunaden

The Bunads of the Lier Valley, Norway

Bunads [boo-nhads) are the traditional folk costumes of Norway, Sweden and Denmark.  Every valley has its own design and the patterns usually come from the folk traditions of the area.  However, until the mid 70s, there were few bunad traditions to be found in the lower parts of Buskerud.

The Lier Bunad was designed by Ruth Strand, my mother's cousin's wife.  She was married to "Onkel" Willy Strand, my grandfather's nephew and my mother's cousin.   Ruth designed this bunad, and submitted it to an offical Norwegian bunad committee.  The bunad was subsequently formally adopted as the official bunad of the area, and first shown in 1974. 

The bunad was inspired by Lier's bountiful apple orchards.  The bodice, skirt and reticule are covered in embroidered apple blossoms, created from 8 different colors on blue woolen cloth.  The cloth is specially woven by the Gudbrandsdalens Uldvarefabrikk AS, Lillehammer.  The shirt is made in white linen or cotton.  Even the silver shirt buttons are special - engraved with the appleblossom motif.

The men's version of the bunad, as shown above, was developed by the Lier Valley Cultural Arts board in 1980.  The child's version of the bunad was worked out by Sonja Reiersgård in 1994.  She is also the offical producer of the bunad to this day.  She has a website where you can order your own.  But beware!  The real deal is incredibly expensive!

This beautiful bunad has been included in the coffee table book of Norway's bunads that was published in the 1990s.

Marit Strand Evensen

Here is my cousin Marit Evensen wearing her aunt's design.  Okay, the funny thing about Marit, is that she is my third cousin on my Strand family line, and her husband's Evensen family has no connection whatsoever to my American Evensen family (which descended from Even Iversen of Ringsaker, Norway, who emigrated to the U.S. in the late 1800s).  This confuses people a great deal! 

Marit recently posted this beautiful picture of herself in the bunad on Facebook, and I blatantly borrowed it, because I love her, and because I thought she looked lovely, AND because I knew I was going to be doing a piece on Ruth's beautiful bunad creation. 

Marit and her husband Jan are currently serving in the LDS Swedish Temple presidency.  It was her urging that got me to start this family history blog.  You go, girl!  Love you!

Here is a detail of the embroidery on the back of the bodice.  You can imagine how much time goes into this hand embroidery!

Ruth Strand with Lillemor modeling her Lier Bunad in the late 1970s

There were two Ruths in my mother's life, Ruth Ertsaas in Levanger and Ruth Strand in Lier.  Ruth Strand became generally known in the family as 'Ruth-i-Lier' to distinguish her from Aunt Ruth who lived up north in Levanger.  An article I read said that Ruth originally came from Vestre Nøste.  That she was clever with her fingers and had an eye for color and design is apparent from these pictures.

This bunad is officially registered i Landsnemda, which answers questions concerning the authentic use of and wearing of bunads, and controls the bunad industry.  The design became copyrighted (mønsterbeskyttet)  in 1977 by the governing body of industrial rights (Styret for Det Industrielle Rettsvern). 

Since the creation of this bunad in 1974, there have been thousands of them sewn and worn, not only in Lier, but throughout Norway and abroad.

I'm proud that this design that so beautifully represents the area of Norway that my grandfather came from was created by a member of the family.  It's a fitting tribute to my great uncle Erling, and my grandfather Einar - who loved the Lier valley so much.

Kåre Siem, Norwegian Celebrity

If you're ever in Oslo, go down to the Aker Brygge (wharf) down by the harbor and check out all the shops and restaurants.  Don't worry about it being a touristy kind of place, the locals go there, too.  There, at a restaurant called the D/S Louise, is a bronze bust by the artist Per Palle Storm.  It depicts the Norwegian musician, author and chef, Kåre Siem.  Kåre Siem was Bestefar Strand's nephew, the only son of his sister Elida. 

Elida Anthonsen married Sverre Siem in the early 1900s.  Sverre was a struggling artist who never made a mark on Norwegian society with his art.  However, his surviving works show not only an artistic competence, but a great talent.  Among other themes, he painted a large portrait of the Savior which hung in the old LDS chapel at Osterhaugsgaten 27 for nearly a century.  (Sverre was not LDS, however the local LDS authorities commissioned this painting as a reminder to critics that we were, indeed, a Christian religion.)

What Sverre lacked in fame and fortune, his son more than made up for. Kåre was born on June 8, 1914, back when Oslo was still being called Kristiania.  He became a classical pianist and made his debut in Oslo in 1938.  he served as a concert pianist and accompaniest throughout Norway and abroad.  He also served as a musical director and conductor in many theatrical productions at the famed Oslo nightclub Chat Noir and also at the Oslo Nye Teater (new theater).

The picture above is taken from the cover of Kåre's recording, Kåre synger viser (RCA, 1961)

Kåre wrote two memoir's, the first, titled "Bingo" (1978) mentions his kind uncle (Einar Strand) in the first chapter.  The second, "Klokken Ringer For Meg" or The Bell Tolls For Me, was printed in 1979.  

His childhood was in many ways bleak. Indeed, his family struggled to get by.  He grew up in the most dismal neighborhood of Oslo, the poverty-stricken area around Lakkegata, on the east side of the Aker river.  His kindly Uncle Einar helped support the family through many crises.

The cover of På tokt med Mathilde with Ulf Wengard and Bente More. Together with texts by friends Alf Proysen, Per Asplin and Kari Bremnes, Kåre wrote the music for this children's production (RCA 1962, Polydor, 1976).  He became a national celebrity overnight for this TV series.

A lighting quick mind, rapier wit and great comedy timing were among Kåre's many gifts.  He and his friends compiled and published 3 volumes of Norwegian folks songs - the country's largest ever compilation of folk music (titled The Red, The Blue and finally, the Yellow Songbooks).  He was popular for his weekly columns in the newspaper, his comedy recordings and appearances on Norwegian television and radio.

He accompanied many Scandinavian stars on their record albums.  He even appeared with Charlton Heston in the film, The Call of the Wild.

The times I met Kåre, I remember him being a down-to-earth, sweet and kindly man who loved his mother a great deal.  He would bring the ailing Elida for visits to Mauritz Hansensgate and would delight his Onkel Einar with gift copies of his latest books and records. 

Kåre married a ballet dancer from the Norwegian Opera, Alice Mürer Siem (1925-2002), and worked with her in the theatre.  Alice performed with the Ballet Russe in Monte Carlo, and had also danced in New York City.  She made many TV appearances.  A slim blonde, Alice was a not just an excellent dancer and artist, she was a kind and charming woman.  I remember her calling me following the death of my Tante Lillemor (in 1999) to offer her condolences.  She was already in an assisted living facility then, and only lived a few more years herself.

Kåre was a big man, who didn't apologize for his size or his appetites.  An enthusiastic chef, he authored a cookbook,  "Kåre's Nam-Nam Bok" in 1974 (which is exactly what it sounds like in English - a book of good noms!).  He won the Brewery Associations title of "Årets ølhund"  or, the Year's Beer Hound, in 1975.

Kåre passed away on the 23rd of June, 1986, having left the world a better, more interesting, and certainly a funnier, place.

Hurrah for the 17th of May!

Here is my mother (on the right in the dark dress) with her Aunt Ruth celebrating Norwegian Independence day with four little friends in Levanger.

May you have a peaceful and beautiful 17th of May celebration!

A Day with Lillemor

These are memories from Oslo in the early 1990s.  Here, we are waiting for the trolley (trikken) at the Parkveien stop, around the corner from my grandparent's place.  We take the Number 11 trikk all the way up to Majorstuen and then start walking down Bogstadveien towards Hegdehausveien.  This is one of the best shopping areas of Oslo.

One of the first stops has to be a small kiosk that sells pølser med lomper, or hot dogs wrapped in a small potato "tortilla" - with lots of good Norwegian mustard!  These are the best hot dogs in the world.

We are always lured into the bookstores!  This one has a flower shop right next to it.  The smell from the blooms was heavenly.

Here is Lillemor inspecting veggies for our dinner.  There is a small supermarket in the neighborhood, but we like the little specialty shops better.  The produce is fresher and they are much more fun to shop in!

Norway has some of the best bread ever.  And let's not even discuss how wonderful their pastries are!  A grovbrød (whole wheat bread), en lof (white bread) and some wienerbrød (what we in America sadly call "Danish" pastries), please!

 We're close to home when Lillemor's legs give out.  It's been a long walk.

She opts to take the trolley all the way home.  "Bye, Tante Lollo!  See you at home!"

Slottsparken

Slottsparken, or the park surrounding the Norwegian King's royal residence in Oslo, is just a few blocks from my grandparent's home.  It became a beautiful playground for their children who would spend a lot of time there.

Bestefar Strand loved nature and had a fondness for birds.  He would take all the stale bread in the kitchen, carefully cut it into cubes, put it into a sack, and take it to the King's park to feed the ducks, seagulls, and other birds.  A champion of the underdog, he would chuckle and be tickled when a little sparrow would dive in and steal a morsel from the bigger birds.

I have fond memories of the park shrouded in snow in the winter.  A few brave souls would skate on the duck pond once it had properly frozen over.  The local children would make sled runs on the small hills surrounding the park on the north side.  I remember a few breathless slides down on a little round plastic sklibrett, or sledding saucer (I'm sure they have them in the USA, but I have no idea what they're really called).  I was ecstatic when I got a beautiful one for Christmas that year!  I was five years old.  The older boys in the neighborhood would monitor the runs, and make sure the little ones, like me, were okay.  They also made sure the kids all took turns, and would arbitrate disputes.  I remember them as tall and scary - but very kind.  Looking back, I realize they couldn't have been more than 12!

My mother had a great story about the private, fenced off area of the park.  The private gardens are for the royal family.  My mother was about 10 or 11 when she and her sister and assorted little girls from their neighborhood were playing in the park.  There were two little girls watching them from behind the private fence.  After a while, an adult came and asked my mother and her friends if they would like to play with the girls behind the fence.  The girls agreed, and the whole ragamuffin bunch was taken around to a gate and ushered into the private area.  They had a great time laughing and playing with the little girls all afternoon.

It wasn't until years later that they came to realize that the little girls they had played with that day were none other than Princess Ragnhild and Princess Astrid, the daughters of King Olav, and sisters to the current King Harald!

Mamma and her new doll

When my mother was a little girl, she spent part of her summers in Levanger, Norway, with her Tante (Aunt) Ruth.  Ruth wasn't really her aunt, or any relation at all, but that's a story for another day. 

Tante Ruth had a ceramic doll made for my mother in Germany which had Ruth's own long hair put on it.  Ruth never had any children of her own, and doted on little Anne-Berit, her sister and brothers.  Ruth is standing in this picture, with her dog, Lady, at her feet.  Anne-Berit is holding her precious doll.  I don't know who the lady is sitting on the grass on the left.  (Circa 1931)

The doll still exists, though slightly worse for wear.  She has lost her eyes and her shoes, but the knit red-riding-hood dress still looks as fresh as it was over 80 years ago.

Vestre Gravlund, Oslo, Norway

Our family plot is very near the Chapel at Vestre Gravlund, so it's easy to find.  You can see the chapel in the background.  Here is Lillemor standing near the headstone.  She told me that the cemetary doesn't allow large stones like theirs any more, so it is noticeable for its unique size and modern shape.

Here lies Great-Aunt Ragna, Great-Grandmother Oleane, Grandmother Sigrid, Grandfather Einar and Uncle Per Gunnar Henriksen.  Not too many years after this picture was taken, we added Aunt Lillemor's name to the headstone.  She was laid to rest with her mother, father, grandmother, aunt, and her beloved Per Gunnar.  It's me in the picture - this was taken in the early 1990s.

This is my great-uncle Christian Evensen's grave.  It's on the far side of the cemetary from our family plot.  Uncle Christian was married to Bestemor Strand's sister Aagot.  I think she is buried here as well, but her name is not on the stone.

Vestre Gravlund is a beautiful place.  A short walk from our family plot, through the trees, past the chapel, and you are in the famous Vigeland Sculpture park, just northeast (I think I got that right!) of the great monolith.

Mauritz Hansensgate #4

In the early 19-teens, when my great grandmother, Bestemor Løken, moved into her 3^rd floor apartment at number 4 Mauritz Hansen’s street, she was already a widow and the apartment building was quite a fashionable address.  The graceful Victorian apartments of the area were built in the last part of the 19^th century, around the same time as the King’s Palace located three blocks away.

A few years later, at the start of their marriage, my grandmother and grandfather moved into the building with their young family.  The apartment was centrally located and became a hub for the Latter-day Saints in the Oslo area. There seemed to always be someone visiting, and extra places set at the table for every meal.  I was never allowed in the living room ("Stuen") without an adult present, when I was little.  When I was four years old, I remember thinking it was the most beautiful room on earth.

A painting by Onkel Sverre Siem graces the wall above the bookcase.  Bestefar was an avid reader and the corner of the room by the bookcase was his special spot.  On the far side of the bookcase was a little cabinet that always held chocolate and licorice boats. You will notice the bookcase is topped with family pictures: my baby picture, a photo of Mamma and Lillemor, my mom and dad's wedding picture, and cousin Colleen's (Knut's daughter) beautiful wedding picture amongst many others.

 Here is a candid shot from my visit in the early 1990s.

The door from the living room in to what used to be the bedroom, which Lillemor later used as a family room.

The Rococo chairs in this photo were hand made by my great grandfather (Bestemor's dad) Olsen-Løken, who was a carpenter and furniture maker.  They are still in good shape, at nearly a hundred years old and still contain their original horsehair stuffing.

The spacious rooms, the high ceilings with plaster moldings, cornices, and elaborate ceiling medallions, were very Victorian and quite elegant.   Yes, that's fringe on the large Victorian ceiling lamp.

I loved this place and the people who lived here.

Cousin Gro Lene

Here is Gro Lene, Onkel Per's daughter, enjoying the peace of her bedroom in the early 1970s.  Gro and her mother were active gymnasts.  She has since married and had two children.  I'd like to meet them some day!

Hjemme i Stuen

Here is a photo from the mid 1960s (1963 or 64?) showing Bestemor and Bestefar having a visit from Willy Strand (Bestefar's brother Erling's son, seated on the right next to Bestefar), and his daughter Annemor with her husband and child.  Lillemor is seated just behind Bestemor.

My Onkel Willy was a big man with dark curly hair, a big heart, and a huge love of soccer.  He had a terrific sense of humor and was always telling jokes.  He loved his daughter - as you can see by the benevolent look on his face in this picture.  He was a truly charming man in his prime and his antics on the soccer field were wonderful to watch.  All the Strand boys played soccer.  Willy was particularly known for a killer head butt that would send the soccer ball flying expertly wherever he wanted it to go.  When I was about 5 years old, I'd try the Onkel Willy technique over and over and end up with a splitting headache.

Slottsparken, 1952

A very dapper Bestefar, Tante Lillemor and me at the King's Park in Oslo, Norway, in the Fall of 1952.