Tuesday, May 29, 2012

My cousin Dixie was visiting Norway. Found the house where our Grandfather Lee was born. I always say, on both sides of our family, we aren't that long off the boat

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Actually, Gene, the summer of 1997, Brock, Susan and I were in Norway. Susan was studying Norwegian Art and Culture and Brock and I went to visit her. Dad and Mom had been closely connected to Dad's 1st cousins, Signe Kleveland and Jens Kleveland, as well as our great aunt, Tante Ingeborg Dielaug forever. Carl Holmen, now my daughters husband, took us to Gvarv, near Akkerhaugen, where Liagrend (our families mountain), is located and we visited Signe. Signe arranged a large family gathering at Liagrend, where Jens lived and where our Grandpa Thomas Lia was born and raised. Tante Ingeborg was there. She was 97 years old. It was a beautiful gathering. We enjoyed meeting our cousins, the food was delicious and being in that house was the experience of a lifetime.

In 1998, I took Carrie Fredrickson to Norway to see her mother's home and to visit these same relatives. In 2000, several of Dad's first cousins came to Thief River Falls, MN and stayed with us at our home, the Norsk Hus Inn, Bed and Breakfast. Our 3rd cousin, Geir Kleveland came to the states when Susan and Carl were married, representing our family from Norway. Then, Susan and Carl moved to Norway and history continues to be made. My dad's great grandsons were born in Skien and live 30 miles from Liagrend. We make an annual pilgrimage to Norway to see Susan and her family and our other relatives. Many of these relatives attend Susan's and Carl's special occassions like baptisms, baby showers and holiday dinners.

Oh, the stories I could tell you! thanks for mentioning our heritage in your blog. It is important!