Journal entry by Al Negstad — 1 hour ago
Was it a cold day January 7, 1900, near Volga South Dakota? That's the day the 8th surviving child, there were two more yet to come, was born to Rev. Olai and Minnie Bergh. The Bergh's first two children died in infancy but, now with this birth, their were 8 children in the home. A few years later the number would be 10. This little girl was named Edith Lydia.
Twenty nine years later Edith married Albert Negstad, in a private ceremony in Rev. Bergh's retirement home at 2334 Carter Ave., in the St. Anthony Park area of St. Paul, MN. Edith and Albert are my parents, so today I remember my mother on her birthday. Being born 7, days into 1900, made it very easy to track her age. Edith died in December 1989, a few weeks before her 90th birthday.
When I first brought Joanne home to meet my parents, my mother was quite impressed with this member of the college faculty and daughter of a well know pastor, so she called her "Miss Hanson." Joanne quickly assured mother that she should be called Joanne. They quickly bonded and former a mutual admiration society. Joanne treasured her time with my parents. My father died in 1969, only 5 years after Joanne and I married. Consequently, Joanne had much more time with Mom than with Dad.
As a gift on our first anniversary mom gave Joanne a birthday book to track birthdays and other important anniversaries. Joanne treasured that book, faithfully kept it up, and used it to mail 10-20 cards a month. At her death I claimed the book. It is an historical treasure, listing many family and friends both dead and alive.
Joanne and I were engaged at Christmas time in 1963. Actually we were engaged on our way to visit my parents for Christmas. Joanne was working and living at Augustana College, Sioux Falls,
and I was living in an apartment in the basement of First Lutheran Church where I worked as assistant custodian and night watchman. When I picked Joanne up at Augustana for the drive to my parents she had several poinsettia plants from Augustana. Making some excuse to stop at my apartment at the church I then proposed we marry. While I was proposing my car was in the parking lot in a sub-zero night. This was not helpful to the poinsettias which turned totally brown. My mother, a very tender woman, was so touched by the flowers and the engagement she insisted on using the poinsettias despite their condition.
God bless the memory of Edith (Bergh) Negstad...mother.
Blessings,
Al
Twenty nine years later Edith married Albert Negstad, in a private ceremony in Rev. Bergh's retirement home at 2334 Carter Ave., in the St. Anthony Park area of St. Paul, MN. Edith and Albert are my parents, so today I remember my mother on her birthday. Being born 7, days into 1900, made it very easy to track her age. Edith died in December 1989, a few weeks before her 90th birthday.
When I first brought Joanne home to meet my parents, my mother was quite impressed with this member of the college faculty and daughter of a well know pastor, so she called her "Miss Hanson." Joanne quickly assured mother that she should be called Joanne. They quickly bonded and former a mutual admiration society. Joanne treasured her time with my parents. My father died in 1969, only 5 years after Joanne and I married. Consequently, Joanne had much more time with Mom than with Dad.
As a gift on our first anniversary mom gave Joanne a birthday book to track birthdays and other important anniversaries. Joanne treasured that book, faithfully kept it up, and used it to mail 10-20 cards a month. At her death I claimed the book. It is an historical treasure, listing many family and friends both dead and alive.
Joanne and I were engaged at Christmas time in 1963. Actually we were engaged on our way to visit my parents for Christmas. Joanne was working and living at Augustana College, Sioux Falls,
and I was living in an apartment in the basement of First Lutheran Church where I worked as assistant custodian and night watchman. When I picked Joanne up at Augustana for the drive to my parents she had several poinsettia plants from Augustana. Making some excuse to stop at my apartment at the church I then proposed we marry. While I was proposing my car was in the parking lot in a sub-zero night. This was not helpful to the poinsettias which turned totally brown. My mother, a very tender woman, was so touched by the flowers and the engagement she insisted on using the poinsettias despite their condition.
God bless the memory of Edith (Bergh) Negstad...mother.
Blessings,
Al
No comments:
Post a Comment