The Opdalslag

Some history of the reunions of Oppdal descendants in America:

It was in the Yankton, SD area that many of our forefathers settled when they emigrated from Oppdal, Norway at the end of the 1800's. It was here that descendants of the over 2,000 Oppdalings, who immigrated to the United States, gathered three weeks ago. The Opdalslag was reactivated eighty-three years after it was begun in Seattle, WA. 

In August of 1920, Erik H. Loe was responsible for beginning the organization in Woodland Park in Seattle, WA. Although a Trondelag had been in existence, the Oppdal people decided that they should have their own lag. The first year the lag had 68 members, but soon it became one of the largest lags in the United States. The Opdalslag had its largest membership in 1931 with 401 members. In 1925, five years after the Opdalslag was organized in Seattle, WA, the many Opdalings who had settled in the Midwest near Yankton, organized their own lag.

At the library in Oppdal, there is enormous meaningful information contained in the 13 yearbooks published, by the lag, between the years 1922-1941. In these yearbooks there are about 1000 pages containing interesting stories of the lives and experiences of the Opdalings who left Oppdal, and about those who died far away from their homeland. Obituaries have a special place in the yearbooks. They also have fascinating histories or stories of the Opdaling's new lives as well as nostalgic remembrances of the homeland they had left.

The homeland was unable to support the steadily growing population. Census numbers from 1800 on in Oppdal climbed so dramatically that it became necessary for many to say good-bye to friends and relatives to seek a new life in America. Many of them never returned. In 1865 there were 4500 inhabitants in Oppdal. Fifty years later the numbers were 3760.This decline was caused by the massive emigration. The Opdalings settled in two places in USA: Snohomish County in state of Washington, and on the prairies in the territories between Sioux City, Iowa, Sioux Falls and Yankton, SD. 

Scandia Lutheran Church in Centerville, S.D.

OPDALSLAG NORWAY TOUR, JULY 23 - AUGUST 3, 2007

Submitted by Pauline Strait

On July 23,2007, nineteen eager Midwesterners met at the Minneapolis airport to embark on a wonderful adventure - a trip to the beautiful country of Norway. All four of my grandparents were born in Norway, two of them at Oppdal, and I had dreamed for many years of visiting there, but never really believed it would actually happen. Having five other family members along made the trip extra special.

We traveled with a great group of people, most of them with ties to the Oppdal area. After two days in Oslo, where we visited the Viking Ship and Kon- Tiki Museums, Vigeland Sculpture Park, City Hall where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually, Akershus Fortress, and other sights; we traveled by motor coach north toward Oppdal. We toured the Norwegian Emigration Museum in Hamar, the Maihaugen Open Air Museum and, of course, the 1994 Olympic sites at Lillehammer, where we spent the night; then on to Oppdal.

The entire trip was wonderful, but the highlight for me was the two days and three nights spent in Oppdal. The hospitality of the local Oppdal people was wonderful. Within an hour of arriving at the hotel, local distant relatives (I did not even know before we arrived) came to welcome us. Over the next two days they showed us around the area, took us to church, and invited us to their homes and farms for fellowship and wonderful food. We visited farms in the area where grandparents and their families had lived. I was struck by how welcoming and genuinely excited they were to see us. That time went entirely too fast. The last evening there we enjoyed a special meal served in a Sami "lavoo" tent.

Upon leaving Oppdal, we traveled to "fjord country". We saw magnificent scenery, cruised on the Geirangerfjord, rode the troll car to Briksdal glacier, saw spectacular waterfalls, and stayed in beautiful hotels in Loen and Ballestrand, on our way to Bergen. Our one-day and two nights in Bergen were very busy. We enjoyed the historic Bryggen wharf and the fish market. We also took a city tour, visited Troldhaugen (the former home of composer Edvard Grieg) and traveled to the top of Mt. Floien for dinner in the restaurant, with a beautiful view of the city (marred a little by the rain and fog, but still a great experience).

Ken Mjoen was a great host and every day he could be seen "counting noses" to make sure nobody was left behind. We were sorry LeElla was not able to make the trip. I always thought I would enjoy a trip to Norway, but this trip exceeded all my expectations. I loved every minute of it and would recommend it to anybody who likes to travel.

View a photo album of recent events - Click here

STEVNE

Downloadable forms are also available from www.opdalslaget.com.

PRE-REGISTRATION FORMS ARE DUE BY AUGUST 20TH

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HISTORY

1933 Opdalslag

The Oppdalslag met at Zion Lutheran Church, rural Volin, on the 24th and 25th of June, 1933. The meeting was very good and well received. The weather on Saturday was quite cool so many people came that first day. Registration began at 10 o'clock and many yearbooks were distributed. After lunch, which was served by the women of Zion congregation, the business meeting began at 2 o'clock conducted by the president, Pastor J. B. Reese. The secretary's report was read and approved, likewise the treasurer's report. The members of the museum committee from the preceding year remained the same, because they had nothing to report. The following people were elected for the following year:

President-Pastor J. B. Reese, Mitchell
1st Vice president-A. H. Hagen, Irene
2nd Vice president-Martin Bjorlo, Wessington Springs
3rd Vice president-Chris Nyhaug, Volin
Secretary-S. O. Vognild, Irene
Financial secretary and treasurer-O. I. Sneve, Irene
Directors-H. O. Vognild, Volin and H.B. Reese, Wessington Springs
Editor of the yearbook-Mrs. Kristine Haugen, Sioux City, IA. It was decided that H. B. Reese would help gather material for the next yearbook which would come out in two years providing that the officers feel that it will be economically possible.
Resolutions committee-Mrs. Martin Bjorlo, Miss Guri Back and Haakon
Melemseter.

A motion was made to send a greeting with H. B. Reese to the Western branch when he together with his wife and son travel out there. Greetings to the Lag came from Even Satrum, Kidder, Johanna Hooker Nelson, Kendrick, ID, and Knute Lien, Oppdal, Norway. It was decided to send greetings to Ole Back and family because of Mrs. Back's illness, likewise to old Ingebrit Satrum of Canton. It was left to the officers to decide the time and place of the next meeting.

In the evening two hundred people enjoyed a sumptuous meal provided by the women. They had made all kinds of good Norwegian food including rømegrøt, gomme, and much more. During the meal Evelyn Vognild, June Pederson, Lillian Engen, and Mrs. Carl Wright provided beautiful music and Mrs. Fjaere sang beautifully "Kan du glemme gamle Norge." The president thanked the congregation for letting the Lag meet there and Pastor Fjaere gave a welcome from the congregation.

The evening program began at 8 o'clock with a song by the men's choir of the congregation. Dr. Einar Haugen, a professor of Norwegian language and literature from the University of Wisconsin gave a very good talk on Rolvaag and his writings. He reminded us that it was Rolvaag who through his writings had acquainted the world with the kind of people the Norwegian pioneers were and of what they had done out here on the western prairies. For it was from here that his ideas came that he used in writing his world famous stories. Sæterjenten's Søndag was played beautifully by Evelyn Vognild and Mrs. Carl Wright and short talks were given by Pastor Fjaere and Mrs. Kristine Haugen. Pastor Fjaere gave the benediction.

Sunday morning there were many people who came and the large church was overflowing for worship services. President J. B. Reese began by reading Psalm 90 and offering prayer. The Zion church choir sang and a collection was taken to defray the expenses of the lag. Pastor Fjaere preached the festival sermon using a text from Jeremiah: "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is." Many thanks Pastor Fjaere for the clear and good talk you gave us. The church choir sang another song and the benediction was given by Pastor Fjaere.

Sunday afternoon was spent in greeting and visiting with old acquaintances and friends.

Sunday evening there was music again by the aforementioned ladies. The resolutions were read by Guri Back thanking the pastor and the congregation and all who had taken part in the program and to the women of the church for their gracious hospitality. Then one of the Norwegian American films was shown-"A trip through the country of Norway." Pastor Fjaere closed with prayer. Coffee was served in the church parlor. Thanks to everyone who came and to help make this so festive and enjoyable.

 

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