"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 3: "The Board and the Sponsoring Church"
Grateful thanks to Bethany Village for allowing SWEDES to share these words of The Bethany Home Writers
Grateful thanks to Bethany Village for allowing SWEDES to share these words of The Bethany Home Writers
" The Bethany Home Story "
Chapter III
Pages 17-22
The Board and the Sponsoring Church
Chapter III
Pages 17-22
The Board and the Sponsoring Church
Pages 17 and 18
"The Bethany Home grew up in the bosom of the church officially known as "The Evangelical Lutheran Augustana Synod of North America." In a study made by a careful scholar in the early 1950s it was discovered that in proportion to its membership, the Augustana Synod had sponsored more Hospitals, Orphanages, Homes for Aged, and other institutions of mercy (like Bethphage and Immanuel in Nebraska) than any other Lutheran group in America. So the idea of caring for the needy was not one that needed to be "sold" to our people.
"But noble ideals have to have flesh and blood human beings to implement them. In this respect, we have been blessed in the Smoky Valley. From the available minutes, it is apparent that the first president of the Home Board of Directors was Dr. G. A. Brandel, the president of the Kansas Conference. He was pastor of Augusta Church in Denver--but in those days the Kansas Conference included the State of Colorado. The vice president was a man by the name of M.P. Oden, the secretary was Rev. Alf Bergin, and the treasurer, Mr. Francis Johnson.
"By 1910 we learned that Rev. Alf Bergin was chairman, Swan Bjork was vice chairman, Francis Johnson was treasurer, and Rev. A. Andre became secretary on May 14, 1911, and served into the year 1921. In 1920 Mr. J. O. Stromquist is indicated as treasurer. He was the man connected with the Swedish American Insurance Company. For many years he was also treasurer of the Kansas Conference. Rev. Andre served as pastor of our congregations in Assaria and Marquette, but had to resign as secretary when he accepted a call to Moscow, Idaho.
"But there were two persons who stayed on: Dr. Bergin and J. O. Stromquist. These two men surely have the record for the longest connection with Bethany Home of any persons who were on the Board. For many years the meetings were called to order by the chairman, Dr. Bergin, who nearly always had the opening devotions himself. He was also chaplain of the home. In the minutes of March 3, 1944, Dr. Bergin presided as usual and read Psalm 92. "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord." But there was a note of sorrow and loss, J.O. Stromquist, our faithful and efficient treasurer had just died. He had obviously been active to the last because in just the previous month he had been paid $12 to reimburse him for some traveling he had done in the interests of the Home. A copy of a letter is found in the minutes that had been written to the family, expressing gratitude for the nearly twenty-two years (22) he had served as treasurer. There is a slight hitch here--he came on the Board in 1920 and unless he was off for a couple of years, he had actually served not twenty-two years, but twenty-four (24).
"The Board meeting of March 13, 1944, was held in the Bergin home because Dr. Bergin was ill. This was the only one when he did not preside, the Vice Chairman, Rev. C.G. Bloomquist was in charge. He died shortly later. There is a fitting tribute in our minutes which was written and delivered at his funeral on March 29th.
"Dr. Bergin was a man of whom it could well be said that "He was a legend in this own lifetime." He was a pastor, writer, scholar, historian, church leader, community leader -- friend to all. He was one of those persons, who, when he came into a room or a meeting of any kind he immediately filled the place with his personality. One place where he surely left his mark was at Bethany Home where he was both Chairman of the Board and Chaplain. From its earliest beginnings, he was alone, and the Chairman for thirty-four (34) years. Those of us who were privileged to know Alf Bergin are reminded of that passage in the book of Genesis: 'And there were giants in the earth in those days.'
"But noble ideals have to have flesh and blood human beings to implement them. In this respect, we have been blessed in the Smoky Valley. From the available minutes, it is apparent that the first president of the Home Board of Directors was Dr. G. A. Brandel, the president of the Kansas Conference. He was pastor of Augusta Church in Denver--but in those days the Kansas Conference included the State of Colorado. The vice president was a man by the name of M.P. Oden, the secretary was Rev. Alf Bergin, and the treasurer, Mr. Francis Johnson.
"By 1910 we learned that Rev. Alf Bergin was chairman, Swan Bjork was vice chairman, Francis Johnson was treasurer, and Rev. A. Andre became secretary on May 14, 1911, and served into the year 1921. In 1920 Mr. J. O. Stromquist is indicated as treasurer. He was the man connected with the Swedish American Insurance Company. For many years he was also treasurer of the Kansas Conference. Rev. Andre served as pastor of our congregations in Assaria and Marquette, but had to resign as secretary when he accepted a call to Moscow, Idaho.
"But there were two persons who stayed on: Dr. Bergin and J. O. Stromquist. These two men surely have the record for the longest connection with Bethany Home of any persons who were on the Board. For many years the meetings were called to order by the chairman, Dr. Bergin, who nearly always had the opening devotions himself. He was also chaplain of the home. In the minutes of March 3, 1944, Dr. Bergin presided as usual and read Psalm 92. "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord." But there was a note of sorrow and loss, J.O. Stromquist, our faithful and efficient treasurer had just died. He had obviously been active to the last because in just the previous month he had been paid $12 to reimburse him for some traveling he had done in the interests of the Home. A copy of a letter is found in the minutes that had been written to the family, expressing gratitude for the nearly twenty-two years (22) he had served as treasurer. There is a slight hitch here--he came on the Board in 1920 and unless he was off for a couple of years, he had actually served not twenty-two years, but twenty-four (24).
"The Board meeting of March 13, 1944, was held in the Bergin home because Dr. Bergin was ill. This was the only one when he did not preside, the Vice Chairman, Rev. C.G. Bloomquist was in charge. He died shortly later. There is a fitting tribute in our minutes which was written and delivered at his funeral on March 29th.
"Dr. Bergin was a man of whom it could well be said that "He was a legend in this own lifetime." He was a pastor, writer, scholar, historian, church leader, community leader -- friend to all. He was one of those persons, who, when he came into a room or a meeting of any kind he immediately filled the place with his personality. One place where he surely left his mark was at Bethany Home where he was both Chairman of the Board and Chaplain. From its earliest beginnings, he was alone, and the Chairman for thirty-four (34) years. Those of us who were privileged to know Alf Bergin are reminded of that passage in the book of Genesis: 'And there were giants in the earth in those days.'
Rev. Dr. Alfred Bergin
Chairman of Bethany Home Board
1910 - 1944
Found on Page 17
"The old guard had passed away. But the Home did not falter. In the minutes of May 5, 1944, we find the names of the new leaders:
President
Rev. Philemon Smith
Vice President
Rev. C. G. Bloomquist
Secretary
Rev. James Claypool
Treasure and Business Manager
Miss Ebba Fornberg
Superintendent of Grounds and Building
Mr. Peter Larson
Rev. Philemon Smith
Vice President
Rev. C. G. Bloomquist
Secretary
Rev. James Claypool
Treasure and Business Manager
Miss Ebba Fornberg
Superintendent of Grounds and Building
Mr. Peter Larson
"We find in the minutes of that same meeting a most interesting notation: 'Resolved that the devotions at the Board Meetings be conducted in English.' Now the minutes had been recorded in English since 1929, but evidently Dr. Bergin had conducted the devotions 'in the language of the fathers' even though he knew English very well.
"These new officers went to work with a vigor. It was under their leadership that Pioneer Memorial became a reality. But they did not forget the past. By January 5, 1945, we read that pictures of Dr. Alf Bergin and Mr. J. O. Stromquist were hanging in the parlor of the home."
"These new officers went to work with a vigor. It was under their leadership that Pioneer Memorial became a reality. But they did not forget the past. By January 5, 1945, we read that pictures of Dr. Alf Bergin and Mr. J. O. Stromquist were hanging in the parlor of the home."
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J. O. Stromquist Ebba Fornberg John Altenborg Crissy Anderson
Page 17
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Page 18
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Page 19
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Page 19
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J. O. Stromquist, Treasurer of the Home, from 1920 - 1944.
Ebba Fornberg, Treasurer, 1944 - 1950.
John Altenborg, Business Manager from 1951 - 1965, faithful supporter of the Home.
Crissy Anderson, R. N. Director of Nursing Services, 1956-1971.
Ebba Fornberg, Treasurer, 1944 - 1950.
John Altenborg, Business Manager from 1951 - 1965, faithful supporter of the Home.
Crissy Anderson, R. N. Director of Nursing Services, 1956-1971.
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Former Board Members of Bethany Home
Page 22
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Former Board Members of Bethany Home
Page 22
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1950 Laurence Lundstrom
Agnes Westman 1951 Rev. Rudolf Nilson 1953 Rev. Ervin Malm Rev. Lundeen Mr. Emil Sjogren 1958 Rev. Emory Pokrant Rev. Elmer Peters Rev. Joel Lundeen Mrs. Ernest Peterson Crissy Anderson, Adm. John Altenborg, Bus. Mgr. 1959 Mrs. Ruby Peterson, Sec. Wendell Dahlsten, Treas. Virgil Peterson Vernon Johnson Rev. Carl Swanson Rev. Anton Nelson Richard Burnison 1960 Mr. Leslie Blomberg 1961 Rev. Albert Hendrickson Rev. Stanley Leaf Rev. H. O. Lindeblad Mrs. E. G. Larson, Sec. Rev. George Nielson 1962 Dr. Walter Moeller Rev. Victor Schoonover Rev. Bernt Johnson Rev. Max Geissler Mrs. Ebba Forsberg Mrs. Robert Tonsing Rev. Chas. Odahl, Chaplain |
1963 Rev. Uldis Cepure
Rev. Ernest Nelson 1964 Rev. James Grant Rev. Gary Gabel 1965 Rev. Arthur Angersbach Rev. Carl Gustafson, Chaplain 1966 Rev. Barry Olsson Paul Johnson Mrs. Warren Breeding Mrs. Doris Carlson 1967 Dr. W. W. Alexander Rev. David Gieschen Ken Ekdahl Rev. Al Lindberg 1968 Rev. Wayne C. Witcher Asa Hudson Royer Barclay Rev. Walter Lentz 1969 Rev. Melvin Peterson Rev. Frank Pekarek Rev. Gene Nelson 1970 Rev. James Anderson 1971 Rev. Ron Olson Walter Johnson Terence Carlson 1972 Dr. William Clark 1973 Alice Dubrin Ralph Carmichael, at lg. |
1974 Edie Dahlsten
1975 Carl Rundquist Vance Carlson A. L. Duckwal 1976 Arlo Gruenthal, al lg. 1977 Rev. Grant Housewright 1978 Gaylia Lindholm, at lg. Jane Kelley for Alice D. 1979 All re-elected 1980 All re-elected 1981 Rev. Constantine Xamis Mr. Les Payne 1982 June Anderson 1983 Rev. Paul Hawkinson 1984 All re-elected 1985 All re-elected 1986 Bill Gusenius Marlow Winsky |
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Bethany Home Board of Directors, October 1986
During the 75th Anniversary Year of the Home
when The Bethany Home Story was written
Found on Page 32
Front row left to right: Vance Carlson, Arlo Gruenthal, BIll Carlson, Carl Rundquist, Rev. Albert Lindberg.
Back row left to right: Marlow Winsky, Ralph Carmichael, Les Payne, June Anderson, Rev. Paul Hawkinson, BIll Gusenius, Gaylia Lindholm, Rev. Eugene Nelson, Jane Kelley.
(Absent: Asa Hudson & Rev. Constantine Xamis.)
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Back row left to right: Marlow Winsky, Ralph Carmichael, Les Payne, June Anderson, Rev. Paul Hawkinson, BIll Gusenius, Gaylia Lindholm, Rev. Eugene Nelson, Jane Kelley.
(Absent: Asa Hudson & Rev. Constantine Xamis.)
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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" |
* * *
Bill Carlson 1930-2018 Lindsborg Bethany Home Administrator 1974 - 1994 |
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Go HERE for Chapter 11: Memories of Bethany Home by Residents and Friends
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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.
* * *
1907 gave birth to the "idea" of a Home
1911 realized the idea with the Home's "first" residents
* * *
"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.
