Thursday, April 28, 2011

Devoted Volunteer Service Award Certificate


Verla Williams holding the crystal bowl she was awarded for her devoted volunteer service. Images courtesy of Vincent Williams.


Citation for Verla Williams, Recipient of a Vesterheim Heritage Award

Jon Hart, Presenter October 21, 2006
Vesterheim Biennial Folk Art Benefit Auction Dinner


Tonight I am pleased and honored to present a special Vesterheim heritage award to Verla Williams for her devoted volunteer service to the Vesterheim Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library.

For over 25 years Verla has sat at an electric typewriter in her home in Iowa City, where she has typed somewhere in the neighborhood of 80,000 index cards containing the names of Norwegian immigrants. Beginning in January 1981 with a list of emigrants from Holla, Telemark, Verla worked her way into much larger projects including the complete list of Norwegians in the 1900 Iowa census, followed by the 1900 Minnesota census. In 1900 there were 11,000 native born Norwegians in Hennepin County alone! Verla is the Genealoqical Center's longest serving volunteer, and the census indexes she created have helped countless people find information on their family histories.

Blaine Hedberg, who is the Naeseth Chair of the Vesterheim Genealogical Center, is unable to be here with us tonight, but says this about Verla Williams: "I wish we had a way to duplicate Verla; she has really been vital to the resources at the center. . . . Researchers for generations will be talking about her efforts to document the Norwegians in Iowa and Minnesota. When I think of Verla, I think of extreme persistence and dedication. Please extend my greetings and thanks to Verla for all the wonderful help she has given over the past years."

Verla, on behalf of the trustees, staff, members, and friends of Vesterheim, I present you with this small token of our appreciation for persistence and dedication. Thank you.


"Volunteer Corner," Norwegian Tracks 34/1 (Fall 2009), p. 5.

Verla Williams of Iowa City, Iowa, has won the distinction of being the Norwegian American Genealogical Center and Naeseth Library's longest-serving volunteer. Verla has logged nearly 30 years of loyal service to NAGC & NL.

Verla began volunteering in 1981 preparing a first name card index of emigrants from Holla in Telemark, Norway for Gerhard Naeseth. She went on to complete other immigrant lists including those who emigrated from Birkenes and Bygland in Aust-Agder, a card index to the head of households for Winneshiek County, Iowa, and a card index for all Norwegians listed in the 1900 census records for every county in Iowa. By October 1987, Verla had completed the index for all counties in Iowa, which took her approximately 1300 hours to record 23,634 Norwegians, plus their families. In 1989, Verla began a similar project for the 1900 Minnesota census and she typed over 100,000 index cards of Norwegians in Minnesota census. Verla telephoned recently and said she had found the last Norwegian in Minnesota!

In addition to her volunteer efforts, Verla has been working on her and her husband's genealogy for many years. She has provided the NAGC & NL with copies of four manuscripts, Asbjørn Hallvardsen Raa Family, an 1852 immigrant family from Laerdal, Sogn og Fjordane; Seming Hogansen Haarset family, an 1880 immigrant family from Nes, Akershus and the Sigvart Williams Descendants, history of an 1864 immigrant family with roots in Kråkstad, Akershus, who left from Toten.

Verla has served on the NAGC & NL Advisory Council for the first year of its existence. Her knowledge of genealogy was a great benefit to the organization, helping to look to the future with a keen eye on all that had gone before. She decided it was time to step aside from her role on the Council and she will be greatly missed by all the Council members and NAGC & NL staff that work with the Council.

Verla and her family have lived in Iowa City since 1977. At that time husband Vincent, a dentist in Decorah, Iowa, joined the faculty at the University of Iowa - College of Dentistry, retiring in 1997. The Williams' children are Jené, Dawn, Mark, and Arik.

Verla is an inspiration to all of us and we are grateful for her dedication and commitment to the mission and goals of the Norwegian American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

2010

December 2010

There was a car ad on the radio the other day where the announcer was extolling all the good things about this season – the parties, the decorations, the family gatherings, etc. and I was thinking I should give him a call when he said “But the most important thing about this season is celebrating the Birth of a Little Baby Boy!” Hurrah!

We got an introduction to the season when in November we went out to Carson City to visit Mark and Junel and Roslyn, and to see Mark in the musical White Christmas. Even Roslyn was singing "Happy Holidays." Dawn also was there at the same time – it was fun!

Dawn also came here when Arik, Stacie, Kaelyn, Amaya and Lauren came to visit us the first two weeks in August (the hottest and most humid 2 weeks of the summer). There were trips to the nice sandy beach at the reservoir or to the ice rink in the Mall. And of course, our Iowa family – Jené, John, BrandiAnne and J.T. came to visit with Arik’s family, too. Our Anguillan Luther College “daughter” Ele, and her husband came to visit the families, also.

In July we spent a weekend in San Antonio visiting with Heather and meeting her husband, Xavier – they were back from Japan on leave. She still has a little over a year on her tour over there. And we saw Dawn and Bob and Andy then, too .

There were some shorter visits – to Mpls. to see Sharon and Dalen; (Pam and Tom joined us) to see the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit; a couple of times to watch BrandiAnne run in Cross Country and/or Track and Field; and a few times to Decorah to scare the trout.

The first half of the year was maybe more traumatic – discovery of breast cancer by a mammogram in January, a lumpectomy in February, three weeks of radiation in April, no chemo, and a good report – the cancer was entirely removed, and the nodes weren’t infected. Thanks be to God! (I advise annual mammograms!) Vince was the steady “rock” of strength and support through it all and Dawn came more than once to help wherever she could.

Vince and I are doing fine – there is enough to do around the house and yard to keep us as busy as we want to be. Vince still teaches one day a week at the Dental College, and is much appreciated by both his peers and the students.


“May the love of the Christ Child fill your heart and home at
Christmas time and always.”



Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

2009


Verla Williams, Christmas letter (2009). Image courtesy of Mark D. Williams.

Dear __________,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

For a little while, I thought we hadn't done enough this year to write a letter about, but then I checked our calendar and changed my mind.

January - a short visit from Dawn and Heather before Heather left for her tour of duty in the Navy in Japan.

February - a weekend visit in Denver for the funeral of our sister-in-law, Shirley and a couple of days with nephew Steve and Kathy.

March - a long weekend along with Dawn in Carson City to surprise Mark on his 50th birthday; he said he was surprised.

April - a couple days in Madison, WI for a genealogical meeting.

May - a "sisters" weekend in Decorah.

June - the "Blakey" gathering in Decorah - Pam and families, Sharon and family, and Vince and I.

July - the Nordic Fest the last Saturday, followed by a drive to Jackson, MN the next day to visit cousin Elaine, cousin Roland and Mari, and brother Gordon from Denver.

August - the last week at a resort in northern Idaho with Arik and his family.

September - my high school class reunion in Windom, MN - the 60th - who were those old people that were there?

November- Jene, John, BrandiAnne and J.T. here with us for Thanksgiving.

December - we are looking forward to a visit from Mark, Junel and Roslyn - it will be fun to have a 2 year old around again.

Nothing new with our 'kids' - they are still in the same places doing the same things. Dawn and Bob in St. Leonard, MD; Andrew is a junior at U. of Maryland, Salisbury, and Heather a physical therapist in Japan. Mark, Junel and Roslyn in Carson City but will visit us over Christmas. Arik and Stacie, Kaelyn, Amaya, and Lauren in Portland, OR and the Daubs in Traer, IA.

That's it, besides our day to day activities. Vince still goes in as an adjunct professor one day a week. They seem to need him, and he enjoys it. The upkeep of our house and a large lawn takes up a lot of his time.

Norse Club, Bible Class and Lutheran World Relief quilting keeps me busy.

We still go up to Decorah now and then during the warmer months. Have to try to catch those wary trout.

Hope this finds you in good health as we anticipate the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Dad and Mom
[Handwritten note: This is all old news - older news on the back. (On the back is a photocopy of the Christmas letter from 1964).]

Monday, April 25, 2011

2008

December 17, 2008

Dear __________,

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go – is that a song? Anyway, trees and houses are decorated, snow is on the ground and a chill is in the air. We ended last year and began the new one with a trip out west. We spent Christmas week with Mark and Junel and Roslyn in Carson City. It was fun to watch Roslyn enjoying the tree, the gifts, the books! And then we went to Oregon to spend New Year’s week with Arik and his family. His girls are each at a fun age. And then we came home to all that snow! What a winter – we had a grand total of 59 inches of snow around here. Uffda!

We’ve had some trips this year, too. In June, we spent a couple of weeks with Dawn, Bob and Andy. Dawn had invited her dad out for Father’s Day and to bring his bass guitar along, so he could play with the praise band at their church. He figured one Sunday wasn’t enough, so we stayed for two.

In August we spent a week with Arik and his family, and Dawn and Bob at a resort on Priest Lake in northern Idaho. (That is only a 1 day drive for Arik, instead of 3 days to come to Minnesota.) It is a beautiful place, but was a little chilly the week we were there.

In September we took a long weekend (Wednesday to Monday) and flew out to visit Mark and Junel and Roslyn. Mark sang a couple of songs in a production up at the restored opera house in Virginia City – it was fun to hear him again.

We do see Jené and John and family every once in a while. Their schedules keep them busy – Jené with her teaching, John in teaching and coaching. We saw BrandiAnne run in Track and Field last spring and this fall in Cross Country – she is really doing well!

We took a couple of courses in what is called Senior College –for retired persons, a 4-week course, a couple of hours a week. Last spring the class was on parts of Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes taught by a retired professor in the Religion Department. This Fall we took a class on the Brain taught by Nancy Andreason.

As for health, we are doing well. I had my second cataract removed in October – that is an amazing surgery. Waiting for the eye to heal so I could get my new prescription was the hardest part.

Vince still teaches – down to one day a week this year. Each year he says it might be his last. The Bible Class and LWR quilting still keep me busy.

May the blessings of this season be yours as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.

Merry Christmas!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

2007

December 11, 2007

Dear ________,

We are in the midst of another freezing rain/ice storm, so this will be a good day to start on the Christmas letter. I chopped the ice off from the front sidewalk from the previous 2 or 3 ice storms, so there won't be so much to do the next time. Vince did make it up the driveway this morning and went in to work. It's those 4 studded snow tires!

Yes, Vince is still working, though only 2 days a week this year. Since his Dental Class celebrated their 50th year this fall, he is thinking that this may be his last year of working. He does enjoy the teaching and he hears good reports, both from other faculty and from the students. The 2007 Senior Class voted him Adjunct Professor of the Year!

There were a couple/three fun trips on our calendar this year. In July, we spent a week at the resort in Minnesota with our entire family with the exception of Heather, our oldest granddaughter. But Jene, John, BrandiAnne and J.T., Arik, Stacie, Kaelyn, Amaya and Lauren, Mark, Junel and Roslyn (yes, our youngest granddaughter born March 1) and Dawn, Bob and Andrew all were able to attend. It was a fun week, and the cousins all got to know each other a little bit more.

We went to Carson City, to get acquainted with Roslyn in June. We wanted Mark and Junel to get adjusted to being new parents, so we didn't rush out when she was born. She is so smiley and happy!

And in February we went to Maryland for the graduation of Heather from Arcadia University in Philadelphia earning a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. We didn't make it out for her commissioning into the Navy as a Lt. I teased her: do we call her Dr. or Lt. or Lt. Dr? She has been stationed at Quantico, VA. Her adventures are just beginning and she makes us proud.

It is with thankful hearts to our gracious God for continuing good health as each year passes. Our small group Bible class studied Proverbs this fall. There are so many thought provoking proverbs - one I like is 17:6 "Children's children are a crown to the aged." Isn't that the truth? But maybe more important is 1:7 and 9:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom/knowledge."

May the blessings of this season be yours as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.

Merry Christmas

Saturday, April 23, 2011

2006

December, 2006

Dear __________,

Have you heard the Christmas song written by Mark Lowry: "Mary, Did You Know?" It is addressed to Mary asking if she knew that the Baby Boy she delivered was going to heal the sick, raise the dead, give sight to the blind, make the lame leap, give voice to the dumb and hearing to the deaf, calm the stormy waters. I just listened to it again – it is thought-provoking!

Our activities during the past year have been both mundane and spectacular – mundane is the daily ebb and low. Well, maybe Vince doesn’t think so – this school year he is teaching three days a week at the Dental College, helping them out because of a temporary shortage. The spectacular has been our trips. In May, we flew out to Mark’s, who is now living near Carson City, NV but still teaching at Lake Tahoe Community College, for his wedding to Junel. It was a beautiful wedding at a chapel in Squaw Valley.

In July, we flew to Norway for a guided tour which was called Spectacular Norway, taking Dawn and Bob and Mark and Junel along as a celebration of our 50th wedding anniversary. Nephew Steve and Kathy also went along. We saw Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim and places in between. What fun we all had!

And in August, Arik, Stacie, Kaelyn, Amaya and Lauren, and Jené, John, BrandiAnne and J.T. went with us to a resort on Whitefish Lake, Minnesota for a week as a continuing celebration of our anniversary. Boating, swimming, sand castles, even turtle races. Fun!

And on the exact date of our wedding (September 1) we were in Decorah because Vince had a 55th high school class reunion. So my sisters and brother and their spouses joined us there. It’s as if we have been celebrating all year long.

A summary of where our children are: Dawn and Bob still live in Maryland. Bob has retired after 30 years in the Navy and is now employed in the same office as a civilian. Dawn enjoys her teaching pre-school at their church, Heather is about to complete Graduate school, getting a doctorate in Physical Therapy, and Andy is attending Community College.

Mark and Junel, as you have read, are in Carson City. Junel is a cosmetologist in Reno. We are eagerly awaiting the birth of their child in March.

Arik and Stacie with their girls are near Portland, OR. Kaelyn is in first grade already, Amaya will be 4 and is in preschool, and Lauren is about a year and a half. They are kept busy.

Jené and John remain in Traer, IA – at least they are close enough so we see them once in a while. They both teach, Jené second grade and John high school business. BrandiAnne is in 6th grade and learning to play the flute, and J.T. is in third, plays soccer and football (we gave him a practice drum pad and drum sticks for his birthday to maybe that is next).

"Don’t be afraid!" the angel said. "I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior, -yes, the Messiah, the Lord- has been born tonight in Bethlehem!" (Luke 2:10, 11 – Living Bible)

Christmas Blessings to you as we celebrate the birth of that Baby Boy!

Friday, April 22, 2011

2005

December, 2005

Dear __________,

It seems that Christmas comes sooner and faster each year. There are some people who are more organized than I am who already have their cards sent. We have had the annual brunch at the home of the Chair of the Department, and also the reception for the faculty and staff emeriti of the Dental College. And it looks like winter and feels like it what with the snow and the cold.

There have been few changes within our family – we have all gotten a year older. That’s probably most noticeable on the grandchildren, who grow and change.

We spent last Christmas with Dawn and her family in Maryland. Andrew will be graduating from high school this spring, Bob will be retiring from the military, Heather is continuing her pursuit of a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Dawn is completely enthralled (most of the time) with the 4-yr. olds in the Preschool at their church.

We visited Mark in October and met his fiancée, Junel. We spent about 5 days packed with trips to Virginia City, where Mark was the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera in Concert. We saw the production 5 times, besides a couple of rehearsals. And between performances one day, we went to Carson City to see the house that Mark and Junel will be living in halfway between her work and his.

Arik and Stacie are still in McMinnville, OR. We visited them on a long Memorial Day weekend. Then we went out again in September for another long weekend to get acquainted with our newest grandchild, Lauren Maile, born July 29. Kaelyn started kindergarten this fall; Amaya is busy in Pre School – they both love to play dress-up.

John and Jené are in Traer still busy with teaching, home and family. BrandiAnne is a fifth grader, loves being on the Drill Team, and in the band. She does an amazing job on the flute. J.T. is in second grade, likes soccer and wrestling.

Vince still teaches one day a week as a Prosthodontic consultant. He enjoys the students, seniors getting ready to go ‘out into the world’ and work. We still go to Decorah every once in a while – though being sooo busy it’s hard to find the time. Vince enjoys catching the trout – and he cleans them, and then fries them. Um, good!

As for me, I still type Norwegians listed in the 1900 Minnesota Federal Census for Vesterheim, still “lead” the Wednesday morning Bible Class, and still tie quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Relating to that, with money that was given in memory of Mom, I bought quilting material. The finished quilt was raffled at church with the proceeds going to LWR. Pam, Sharon, Jessica, Dawn and Jene all bought a bunch of tickets. And the winning ticket was BrandiAnne’s. When I called LWR for the address, the gentleman answering the phone told me that if a gift is over $500. a brick can be placed in the plaza of the LWR building in Baltimore – there will be a brick there with Mom’s name on it – we got $571. Isn’t that neat?!

With all of you, we celebrate “the good news of great joy that will be for all the people…a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord”.

Merry Christmas!

Vince and Verla

Thursday, April 21, 2011

2004

December 2004

Dear ___________,

It is hard to believe that it is time to send out Christmas Greetings again. We have already received a few from the early birds who are so organized. We have had our annual Norse Club Smorgasbord with the lutefisk and lefsa; and a reception for the faculty and staff emeriti of the College of Dentistry; we have seen the Joffrey Ballet Nutcracker performance; and still to come is the department faculty Christmas brunch at the home of the Chair of the Department.

With children living on both coasts, we have traveled during this past year: In May we went to Maryland to visit the Boyds (Dawn, Bob, Heather and Andy) and to attend Heather’s graduation from Salisbury (MD) University. It was a busy but enjoyable time.

In June, we went to Lake Tahoe to see Mark and to attend a gala for the presentation of a musical which he, together with the Drama professor at the college, wrote. (Mark wrote the music and Dave wrote the book.) They called it Lysistrata’s War, based on an old Greek play.

And in July we joined Arik, Stacie, Kaelyn, and Amaya and Jene, John, BrandiAnne and J.T. at a Minnesota lake for a week. We had a nice house which held all of us; it was such fun.

My mom died in August, so there were a couple of trips to Minnesota to share her last moments and to attend her funeral. If she had lived 17 more days, she would have been 95, a long life. We think of her often.

In September we again headed for Minnesota to attend my high school class reunion – let’s see how many years was that?

On a long weekend in October, we took a Iowa Public TV bus tour to Branson – the days were filled with excursions, shows, dinners – the family friendly atmosphere as well as the patriotic emphasis was enjoyable.

And in between that we squeezed in a few trips to Decorah – Vince still teases the trout or do they tease him?

With all of you, we celebrate “the good news of great joy that will be for all the people…….a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord”.

Merry Christmas!

Vince and Verla
verlawilliams@juno.com

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

2003

Dear __________,

We are both doing just fine – what do they say, “we’re in pretty good shape considering the shape we’re in”, - you know, skin sagging around the jowls, underarm flap, bent shoulders, tummy paunch, etc. But we are still going strong, enjoying the activities in Iowa City, sometimes in Decorah. Vince still goes in as a consulting prosthodontist one day a week, but wonders if he will next year. Then there is Book Club, Norse Club, Zion Bible Class, - we both keep busy.

Our “kids” are all fine, also, and our travels this year have involved visits to all of them. In March we went out to Maryland to visit Dawn and her family. Bob had a “Change of Command” and that is always such a beautiful ceremony – dress uniforms, flags and flowers, salutes, escorts to our seats. Neat! Heather is a senior at Salisbury University but she was able to come home for that, so we got to see her, too. Dawn is home schooling Andy, but he is beginning to look forward to taking some science courses at the Community College when he turns 16 in February. Dawn is still very active at church, and is now teaching 4-year-olds at the Pre-School there.

Mark is busy at Lake Tahoe Community College – he sold his condo the first of the year and bought a house on the California side. So in September we went out to scope that out. There is little space to build new houses there, so he bought an older one which was completely re-done inside – very nice. We even got to go to a couple of rehearsals for the play he was in. It is such a beautiful area!

We visited Arik and Stacie on the same trip – they also have moved into a new house, built in a developing area a little southwest of Portland. They presented us with our 6th grandchild last January, but this was the first opportunity we had to see Amaya Grace. She is a cutie, but may have a hard time keeping up with her 3-yr old sister, Kaelyn. What a beautiful bundle of energy she is!

And every once in a while, we go to Traer to visit Jene and their kids. They also have built a new house, on a large lot just across the alley from the old one. (They even have a spare bedroom which is called “our” room.) So they still walk to school. J.T. is in all-day kindergarten this year, and keeps the teachers busy with his curiosity. BrandiAnne is a third-grader, still has her vivid imagination. Wonder if she will become a writer?

Mom is still in her apartment in Mankato, and we plan to go up there for Christmas with her (and my sisters and their families). We helped her celebrate her 94th birthday in August. We made another trip the weekend before Thanksgiving: we went to Denver for my brother’s 50th wedding anniversary. It was fun to see all of his family again – that doesn’t happen often. And we also had a good visit with Vince’s nephew, Steve and Kathy.

And so we wish for you a blessed Christmas, not only as we celebrate Christ’s First Coming, but as we look forward to His Second Coming!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

2002

December 2002

It is difficult to tell the story of our past year, because for so many (the family extended, and all who I e-mail) already know so much of it. But for all others:

There have been mountain tops and there have been valleys.

Easter weekend we were in Portland, OR, for the wedding of Arik and Stacie – it was beautiful! And all of his siblings were there to share it, plus his cousin Steve and Kathy from Denver.

June found us on the other side of the continent, in Maryland, celebrating the graduation from high school of our oldest granddaughter, Heather. Since she was home schooled, her graduation was planned by her superintendent, principal, and teacher (her parents) – it was neat!

In September, we winged our way to Stateline, NV, (Lake Tahoe) to watch and listen to Mark as he had the lead in the musical Jekyll & Hyde. He was terrific! He said it was the most difficult role he has ever played – to watch him change from Jekyll to Hyde was most interesting.

In November we again drove to Maryland to have Thanksgiving with the Boyd family. On the day before Thanksgiving we rode with Dawn to Salisbury to pick up Heather – she attends the university there.

The summer was a different story for our youngest daughter - Jené was diagnosed with a brain tumor in June, had surgery in July, and recuperated in August and September. The tumor was benign for which we all thank and praise God. God was besieged with prayers on her behalf from friends and family all across the nation.

In December, we are not going to Florida to watch the Iowa Hawkeyes football team play in the Orange Bowl. We did go to most of the home games and watched the transformation of the team from 0 wins-8 losses in the Big 10 four years ago to 8 wins-0 losses in the Big 10 this year. Wow!

As for our daily routine, it is much the same: Vince is still prosthetics adjunct at the Dental College, I’m still involved with the Bible Study and quilt tying at Zion, and we try to get 3 or 4 walks accomplished each week (our drs. say exercise is good!).

“Don’t be afraid!” he {the angel} said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem.”

Merry Christmas!