"The Other Swedes"
~ Celebrating Them ~
~ The Smoky Valley Writers ~
Rev. Eugene K. Nelson and The Bethany Home Writers
~ Celebrating Them ~
~ The Smoky Valley Writers ~
Rev. Eugene K. Nelson and The Bethany Home Writers
Chapter 11: Memories of Bethany Home by Residents and Friends
Grateful thanks to Bethany Village for allowing SWEDES to share these words of The Bethany Home Writers
" The Bethany Home Story "
Chapter XI
Memories of Bethany Home by Residents and Friends
Pages 47 - 58
Chapter XI
Memories of Bethany Home by Residents and Friends
Pages 47 - 58
Introduction by Bill Carlson, Administrator
Page 47
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"As a part of the 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Bethany Home here in Lindsborg we requested the present residents of The Home and Cottages to share 'Their First Memories of Bethany Home.'
"With the average age of our residents presently in excess of 87 years their memories vary from before The Home was opened in 1911 to more recent memories of those who came from distant places to live here.
"You will note that many residents, on their own initiative, elected to add a paragraph or two concerning The Bethany Home as they see it and experience it today.
"My first memories of Bethany Home date back to the 1930s as a three, four, and five-year-old growing up three blocks from the Home.
"On many Sunday afternoons my Dad would take my hand and we would head toward The Home where Dad would play his harmonica and I would sing "Jesus Loves Me" in Swedish in many of the rooms. The Home in those days included "only" residents of Swedish heritage.
"I remember well how I came to dread those trips and would actually hide from Dad in order to miss the Sunday afternoon performance. The Home, in those days, was a dreary and dark place in the winter and a very hot and uncomfortable place in the summer. Many windows had bars on them which made it resemble a prison.
"Further, too often my reward for the Swedish rendition of "Jesus Loves Me" was a piece of lint covered striped peppermint candy, rescued from the depths of some pocket or purse, which, out of courtesy, had to be devoured while the giver watched. To this day I not only cannot eat this kind of candy but I don't even want to see it.
"Finally, we wish to acknowledge all the residents of The Home who participated in this little 75th Anniversary project. Also, appreciation is due our Director of Nursing Supervisor, Jeanie Holwerda; Medical Records Supervisor, Barbara Bergers; Social Work Designee, Elsie Adell; and Office Staff, Marge Shogren and Dolores Attleson, who compiled and assembled these memories.
"We hope you enjoy this "Fun" as much as we enjoyed working on the project."
--- Bill Carlson, Administrator
"With the average age of our residents presently in excess of 87 years their memories vary from before The Home was opened in 1911 to more recent memories of those who came from distant places to live here.
"You will note that many residents, on their own initiative, elected to add a paragraph or two concerning The Bethany Home as they see it and experience it today.
"My first memories of Bethany Home date back to the 1930s as a three, four, and five-year-old growing up three blocks from the Home.
"On many Sunday afternoons my Dad would take my hand and we would head toward The Home where Dad would play his harmonica and I would sing "Jesus Loves Me" in Swedish in many of the rooms. The Home in those days included "only" residents of Swedish heritage.
"I remember well how I came to dread those trips and would actually hide from Dad in order to miss the Sunday afternoon performance. The Home, in those days, was a dreary and dark place in the winter and a very hot and uncomfortable place in the summer. Many windows had bars on them which made it resemble a prison.
"Further, too often my reward for the Swedish rendition of "Jesus Loves Me" was a piece of lint covered striped peppermint candy, rescued from the depths of some pocket or purse, which, out of courtesy, had to be devoured while the giver watched. To this day I not only cannot eat this kind of candy but I don't even want to see it.
"Finally, we wish to acknowledge all the residents of The Home who participated in this little 75th Anniversary project. Also, appreciation is due our Director of Nursing Supervisor, Jeanie Holwerda; Medical Records Supervisor, Barbara Bergers; Social Work Designee, Elsie Adell; and Office Staff, Marge Shogren and Dolores Attleson, who compiled and assembled these memories.
"We hope you enjoy this "Fun" as much as we enjoyed working on the project."
--- Bill Carlson, Administrator
The Old People's Home
by
Rev. Norman A. André Bethany Home Cottage No. 21
Page 47-48
by
Rev. Norman A. André Bethany Home Cottage No. 21
Page 47-48
"This was the name by which I identified Bethany Home in my childhood years as a preacher's kid. My father, Anders André, a 1903 graduate of Bethany College, was pastor in Assaria and later in Marquette. He was Secretary of The Bethany Home Board from May 1911 thru Feb. 1921 until moving to Moscow, Idaho.
"I can recall accompanying him, on an occasion or two, to Board meetings in Lindsborg. The incentive, I'm sure, was simply to get a 20 mile round trip ride in the 1915 Model T Ford over the primitive dusty or very muddy Kansas roads. In one instance, even with the clutch pedal held in low gear (the middle pedal was the reverse gear and the third one was the brake) the motor over-heated as the Ford was stuck in the middle of a deep mud puddle. An accommodating farmer, a member of the Freemount Church, pulled us out with a team of horses and we were on our way again, but Dad was an hour late for his meeting.
"The venerable Dr. Bergin always presided. I usually sat on a chair in a corner which made me feel like a "dunce." Everything was conducted in Swedish. From these meetings I think I first learned a few parliamentary terms in the Swedish language such as "jag föreslager," "ar dat understött," "alla son är för det savar jag," o.s.v. This knowledge was put to practical usage years later when in my first parish in Summit, New Jersey, there was a Swedish society and for 25 years the pastor had been accustomed to being President and presiding officer at all meetings conducted in the Swedish language. However, before long, I "killed" Swedish--though not intentionally--by using it and "preaching" it.
"After officially retiring early from L. C. A. (Lutheran Church in America) headquarters in New York and spending a few years in semi-retirement in Tucson, Arizona, my wife Mirian, and I have resided in one of the newest Bethany Home Cottages since 1983. This was our decision after visiting a variety of retirement communities. We appreciate the advantages of independent living which affords a relaxing participation in a continuing church life and the numerous cultural, education, and community activities in Lindsborg. The excellent facilities and programming at Bethany Home are also available to us, together with the security of available care within The Home, if and when such may be necessary, naturally at prevailing costs or admission arrangements.
We thank God for Bethany Home and The Bethany Home Cottages, two separate corporations, nevertheless closely related."
"I can recall accompanying him, on an occasion or two, to Board meetings in Lindsborg. The incentive, I'm sure, was simply to get a 20 mile round trip ride in the 1915 Model T Ford over the primitive dusty or very muddy Kansas roads. In one instance, even with the clutch pedal held in low gear (the middle pedal was the reverse gear and the third one was the brake) the motor over-heated as the Ford was stuck in the middle of a deep mud puddle. An accommodating farmer, a member of the Freemount Church, pulled us out with a team of horses and we were on our way again, but Dad was an hour late for his meeting.
"The venerable Dr. Bergin always presided. I usually sat on a chair in a corner which made me feel like a "dunce." Everything was conducted in Swedish. From these meetings I think I first learned a few parliamentary terms in the Swedish language such as "jag föreslager," "ar dat understött," "alla son är för det savar jag," o.s.v. This knowledge was put to practical usage years later when in my first parish in Summit, New Jersey, there was a Swedish society and for 25 years the pastor had been accustomed to being President and presiding officer at all meetings conducted in the Swedish language. However, before long, I "killed" Swedish--though not intentionally--by using it and "preaching" it.
"After officially retiring early from L. C. A. (Lutheran Church in America) headquarters in New York and spending a few years in semi-retirement in Tucson, Arizona, my wife Mirian, and I have resided in one of the newest Bethany Home Cottages since 1983. This was our decision after visiting a variety of retirement communities. We appreciate the advantages of independent living which affords a relaxing participation in a continuing church life and the numerous cultural, education, and community activities in Lindsborg. The excellent facilities and programming at Bethany Home are also available to us, together with the security of available care within The Home, if and when such may be necessary, naturally at prevailing costs or admission arrangements.
We thank God for Bethany Home and The Bethany Home Cottages, two separate corporations, nevertheless closely related."
First Memories of Bethany Home
by these residents from
by these residents from
The Cottages: Edna Bengston, No. 11; Agda Jacobson, No. 8
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Pleasant View
Mrs. Edna Bentson, 84 Mrs. Florence Dahlsten, 87 Ray & Mildred Hahn, 88 & 83 Everett & Lulu Hodges, 81 & 83, Verna June Johnson, 84 Mr. Oswald Johnson, 83 Mrs. Richard (Hilma) Miller, 81 Mr. Ray Peterson, 91 Mrs. Edna Prickett, 93 Ester Tilberg, 89 Elin Manor Miriam Adell, 89 Mrs. Alice Anderson, 85 Mrs. Grace Anderson, 91 Mrs. Ellen Bachman, 94 Miss Enez Esping, 89 Mrs. Leona Layman, 84 Mrs. Margaret Essex, 90 Florence Oborg, 85 Irene Lundberg, 76 Mrs. Marie Malm, 79 Mrs. Edith Nordin, 87 Mrs. Agnes Runquist, 89 Anna Soby, 94 |
Hoglund Manor
Elsie Alstatt, 89 Mrs. Nan Clark, 88 Winnie Cooper, 88 Bill Ethridge, 88 Mrs. Judith Gillberg, 82 Mrs. Ruth V. Johnson, 90 Mrs. Anna D. Nelson, 85 Mrs. Elvera Peterson, 90 Albert Segerhammar, 82 Golden Annex Mr. Einer Nygren, 83 Mrs. Nellie Erickson, 90 Golden Annex South Mrs. Naomi Anderson, 94 Mrs. Elizabeth Christensen, 89 |
Pioneer Memorial I
Mr. C. W. Anderson, 78 Mrs. Amy Lindstrom, 86 George Magnuson, 87 Alice Olson, 84 Tillie Swenson, 97 Pioneer Memorial II Mrs. Mabel Bengston, 85 Mrs. Mayta Gustafson, 88 Mrs. Mildred Holt, 85 Mrs. Ellen Miller, 89 Mrs. Dora Swenson, 85 Mrs. Alvida Larson, 91, Member of Anniversary Committee 101 North First Street, Lindsborg. |
Memories of Bethany Home by Residents and Friends
Again, grateful thanks to Bethany Village for allowing SWEDES to share these words of The Bethany Home Writers
Pages 47 - 58
You may have to enlarge this and turn the pages using "Play" and "Pause" on left side
Again, grateful thanks to Bethany Village for allowing SWEDES to share these words of The Bethany Home Writers
Pages 47 - 58
You may have to enlarge this and turn the pages using "Play" and "Pause" on left side
Other residents whose written works were not listed in the book are these listed on page 46, column 2,
Pleasant View: Mary Kunau, Agnes Swensson, Edith Bonham, Agnes Heglund, Ann Pettle, Helois Ericson, Mabel Fornberg.
Elin Manor: Laura Thomas, Evelyn Mattson, Viola Lindberg, Myreta Oetting, Pauline Peters, Alice Cunday, Lara Berg, Dan Webster, Vivian Swensson, Annette Sundberg, Henry Soby, Agnes Sundeen, Ethel Swedlund, Edith Brown, John Brandin.
Pioneer Memorial I: Ethel Carlson, Ablert Hoglund, Jennings Erickson.
Pioneer Memorial II: Christena Cormeny, Rachel Kinney, Ruth A. Johnson.
Golden Annex: Cora Anderson, Mildred Bentson, Herbert Peterson, Andrew Swenson, Edla Lundquist, Irene Thomas, Ethel Swanson, Vera Linaweaver, Philip Anderson, Ellen & Abel Carlson, Carl & Alma Nelson, Helga Oberholser, Mary Peterson, Ellen Nelson, Daveta Eklund, Esther Robinson, Tena Turnby, Ocie and Clark Blachly, Willaim & Judith Gabrielson, Ila Nygren, Mildred Malm, Ethel Boyce, Norah Killfoil.
Hoglund Manor: Mae Myers, Viola Johnson, Blenda Anderson, Lilian Dahlquist, Olga Anderson, Rosie Engdahl, Ruby Frost, Carl Hedstrom, Gladys Peterson, Anna Anderson, Howard Palm.
Cottages Phases I: Dorothy Richter, Lillie Anderson, Maggie Rush, Ruth Watkins, Victor "Spec" Nelson, Marcet Hanger, Alice Anderson.
Cottages Phase II: Elsie Dorf, Delcie Martin, Greta Blomquist, Nina Nelson, Minnie Swanson, Edith Percival, Amanda Soderstrom, Verner & Margaret Berg, Hildur Ek, Clarence & Florence Farb, Teckla Rundquist.
Cottages Phase III: Ruby Heglund, Edith Larson, Mabel Crosswhite, Esther Christopher, Ebba Bergstrom, Esther Hedeen, Mildred Fields, Edith Blex, Inez Lefebvre, Julius & Ingeborg Dorf, Mabel Holder, Merle Carrol, Faye Goodrich, Lucile Hohnbaum, Barbara Bartlett, Anna Fuchs, George & Eunice Gibson, Edgar & Marie Johnson.
Elin Manor: Laura Thomas, Evelyn Mattson, Viola Lindberg, Myreta Oetting, Pauline Peters, Alice Cunday, Lara Berg, Dan Webster, Vivian Swensson, Annette Sundberg, Henry Soby, Agnes Sundeen, Ethel Swedlund, Edith Brown, John Brandin.
Pioneer Memorial I: Ethel Carlson, Ablert Hoglund, Jennings Erickson.
Pioneer Memorial II: Christena Cormeny, Rachel Kinney, Ruth A. Johnson.
Golden Annex: Cora Anderson, Mildred Bentson, Herbert Peterson, Andrew Swenson, Edla Lundquist, Irene Thomas, Ethel Swanson, Vera Linaweaver, Philip Anderson, Ellen & Abel Carlson, Carl & Alma Nelson, Helga Oberholser, Mary Peterson, Ellen Nelson, Daveta Eklund, Esther Robinson, Tena Turnby, Ocie and Clark Blachly, Willaim & Judith Gabrielson, Ila Nygren, Mildred Malm, Ethel Boyce, Norah Killfoil.
Hoglund Manor: Mae Myers, Viola Johnson, Blenda Anderson, Lilian Dahlquist, Olga Anderson, Rosie Engdahl, Ruby Frost, Carl Hedstrom, Gladys Peterson, Anna Anderson, Howard Palm.
Cottages Phases I: Dorothy Richter, Lillie Anderson, Maggie Rush, Ruth Watkins, Victor "Spec" Nelson, Marcet Hanger, Alice Anderson.
Cottages Phase II: Elsie Dorf, Delcie Martin, Greta Blomquist, Nina Nelson, Minnie Swanson, Edith Percival, Amanda Soderstrom, Verner & Margaret Berg, Hildur Ek, Clarence & Florence Farb, Teckla Rundquist.
Cottages Phase III: Ruby Heglund, Edith Larson, Mabel Crosswhite, Esther Christopher, Ebba Bergstrom, Esther Hedeen, Mildred Fields, Edith Blex, Inez Lefebvre, Julius & Ingeborg Dorf, Mabel Holder, Merle Carrol, Faye Goodrich, Lucile Hohnbaum, Barbara Bartlett, Anna Fuchs, George & Eunice Gibson, Edgar & Marie Johnson.
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Published 1986, 65 pages
Published 1986, 65 pages
Grateful thanks to Bethany Home for the gift of this most historical book of 1986, to be used in SWEDES, 2018.
The Bethany Home Story
was created by
"The Bethany Home Writers"
under the leadership of
Rev. Eugene K. Nelson and Administrator Bill Carlson
celebrating the
75th Anniversary of the Home in 1911,
the year when residents first arrived
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Rev. Eugene K. Nelson 1914-2000 Board Member since 1970 Editor of "The Bethany Home Story" |
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Bill Carlson 1930-2018 Lindsborg Bethany Home Administrator 1974 - 1994 |
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> The Bethany Home Residents of 1986 <
Many of whom were "The Bethany Home Writers" for "The Bethany Home Story"
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1907 gave birth to the "idea" of a Home
1911 realized the idea with the Home's "first" residents
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"Let Us Celebrate Them"
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
"Let Us Celebrate Them"
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
