Thelma Lodge upholds Scandinavian traditions

Published 11:39 pm Sunday, October 4, 2009

“Tusen takk” means a thousand thanks in Norwegian.

Pam Gleave of Everett enjoys sharing the language of her roots, and wearing the Norwegian national costume called a bunad.

She wears her homemade wool dress and apron to some meetings of Thelma Lodge No. 26 Daughters of Norway. Scandinavian women gather monthly, except during the summer, to share and appreciate their cultures.

Gleave is president of the lodge. She was born and raised in Arlington.

“My great grandparents came from Sweden in 1880,” Gleave said. “My grandmother, Anna Carlson, was born at Edgecomb in 1901. My grandfather, Paul Wangsmo (pronounced Vvangsmo), came from Norway in 1909.”

Her grandparents were married in 1918.

“I was raised with a strong Scandinavian influence,” Gleave said.

Each month at meetings, they have a speaker who might talk about lace, Vikings, rosemaling or cooking.

They have coffee, tea and desserts —never a shortage with a group of Norwegian ladies.

A meeting is planned for 10 a.m. Oct. 17 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 2005 Colby Ave. in Everett. Thelma member Karen Pauley, hostess of “Nordic Roots and Branches” on KSER radio (90.7 FM) , will be the featured speaker.

For more information, call 425-257-1164.

Member Karen Trana, who lives in Mukilteo, grew up in Everett. She golfs at the Everett Golf and Country Club, as do several Thelma members, she said. Her mother belonged to Thelma Lodge in the 1940s and ’50s.

“According to my husband, Wally, I am 140 percent Norwegian,” Trana said. “I enjoy the lodge because it is a real connection to an organization my mother belonged to as well as filling my need to connect with others of the same heritage.”

The Everett group has more than 60 members.

Daughters of Norway lodges in the United States began forming in 1905. The Everett group began meeting in 1908.

Business at annual conventions was conducted in Norwegian. In 1930, women married to Norwegians could join, and installation ceremonies were spoken in English.

Daughters of Norway is all about the culture and social functions. The Thelma Lodge contributes to scholarships. Through the decades, lodges have fallen by the wayside but new ones are still forming around the country. There are lodges in Clinton and Stanwood.

The Everett Lodge, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2008, was named for a character in a romantic novel.

The beautiful Thelma was a Viking princess who lived on Altenfjord in northern Norway. Her story was a best seller in America in the late 1800s.

Member Barb Brevik said Thelma Lodge has been a vital part of Everett’s history for the past century.

Two 50-year members were present at the 100th anniversary observance, Brevik said.

Her paternal grandparents were Norwegian immigrants who settled in Everett. Her grandfather was a fisherman and member of Normanna Lodge. Her grandmother was an excellent Norwegian cook. Her father-in-law came here from Norway in the last 1920s.

“Prior to the 1962 fire which severely damaged Normanna Hall, the Daughters occupied half of the main floor’s office spaces,” Brevik said. “They had a drill team which met and rehearsed on the upper floor dance hall, and marched in parades all over the state. When the hall was rebuilt after the fire, the top floor was not replaced.”

Brevik said since Norwegians are no longer moving to the United States in great numbers, the work of lodges keeps the Scandinavian heritage alive for her children and grandchildren.

“It may be lost forever without our efforts,” she said.

Gleave said folks at the meetings often find out they are related to the same kin.

And when meetings end, some say “Ha det bra,” or have a good day.

Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451, oharran@heraldnet.com.