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Browse Items (3 total)
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Thelma Overhaug Lane interview, 1995 August 23
In this series of interviews by Odd Lovoll for his books “The Promise of America: History of the Norwegian-American People” and “The Promise Fulfilled: A Portrait of Norwegian Americans Today,” Terje Joranger interviews Thelma Lane of Iowa. A significant portion of the start of this interview is misplaced, and the recording begins somewhere in the middle of the interview, with Thelma telling about the strictness of the Lutheran church when she was growing up, as well as how Lutheranism interacted with other sects of Christianity and how it has changed today. Thelma then describes her political alignment and her current relations with relatives in Norway, as well as how she feels about her Norwegian-American heritage. Around twelve minutes in, the recording cuts to the start of the interview, at which point Thelma details her family origins, basic biographical information, and some stories of growing up near Spring Grove. They discuss her childhood growing up during the Depression and the activities of the Spring Grove Sons of Norway lodge.
This item is currently restricted.Lane, Thelma Overhaug (1920-2007)
Thelma Overhaug Lane was born October 13th, 1920, on a farm in Winneshiek County, Iowa, to Inge and Samuel Overhaug. She grew up the tenth of eleven children on various farms in the area, where she frequently did housework. In 1940, she married Leonard Lane, and the two of them had three children together. They remained on the farm with their children and grandchildren nearby until at least 1996. Thelma passed away in October of 2007, nine years after the death of her husband. -
Victoria Hofmo interview, 1995 November 21
In this series of interviews by Odd Lovoll for his books “The Promise of America: History of the Norwegian-American People” and “The Promise Fulfilled: A Portrait of Norwegian Americans Today,” Victoria Hofmo discusses her family history and childhood growing up in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. She talks about her education and friendships with others in the neighborhood, as well as her adult friendships with other Norwegian-Americans and some of their own stories of immigration and life in Brooklyn. Victoria also explains her many activities, organizations, volunteerships, and places of employment, detailing the people she works with and the stories of how she came to be there. She explains some of her feelings on being Norwegian-American and how that has affected her sense of culture, and ends by giving her opinions on welfare in the United States and Norway.
This item is currently restricted.Hofmo, Victoria (1959-)
Victoria Hofmo was born on April 4th, 1959, to Patricia Richter and Sherwood Hofmo in New York City. She was born and raised in Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge neighborhood. As a child, she enjoyed spending time with her Norwegian grandmother, although she only developed a passion for her Norwegian background later in life. Victoria earned a degree from Sarah Lawrence College and then opened the Scandinavian East Coast Museum in New York City. She has also worked as an after-school organizer for children, a waitress, a community board organizer, a Sunday School teacher, and an English teacher. Victoria has a daughter and sometimes writes for The Norwegian American.
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Darby Opsahl interview, 1997 April 9
In this series of interviews by Odd Lovoll for his books “The Promise of America: History of the Norwegian-American People” and “The Promise Fulfilled: A Portrait of Norwegian Americans Today,”Odd Lovoll interviews Darby Opsahl. Darby gives a brief background on his family’s Norwegian history, then talks about his family’s values and closeness. Afterwards, he describes his childhood and illegal activities with friends, including his stay in a juvenile correctional facility, leading up to his conviction. He also describes the car accident that paralyzed him, and finishes by reflecting on Norwegian-American familial values.
This item is currently restricted.Opsahl, Darby Jon (1968-)
Darby Jon Opsahl was born August 14th, 1968, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Vera and Jon Opsahl. Darby grew up in Young America, Minnesota, where he enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Later on, he did some work as a screen printer. Darby was in a car accident in 1991 that left him with lasting injuries, and in 1994 was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. In 2004, Darby appealed his sentence, but the judgment was ultimately upheld. Darby has two children.