Biography/History: 

Tilda Akersmyr Tofteland was born November 21, 1896 in Lyngdal, Vest Ager, Norway, to Alfred Finkelsen Akersmyr and Rakel Reime Akersmyr. She attended school in Lyngdal and Framnes, and worked as a secretary until her marriage on April 4, 1925 to Reinert Tofteland. In May 1925, the couple came to Luverne, Minnesota where they farmed near Kanaranzi, Minnesota until 1958. She was a prolific writer of poems and articles, and composed many songs. She painted numerous watercolor and oil paintings. She was a charter member of the Agderlag and served as secretary for 25 years. 

Scope and content: 

Tofteland family papers of Luverne, Minnesota. Includes family history by Jenny Lindland, "Mine Minner" (1985); bunad histories and depictions (collected by Rose Tofteland Johnson), including paper dolls; and general clippings regarding the Vikings. Additional files contain extensive writings, mainly poetry (notebooks, manuscript and published) by Tilda Akersmyr Tofteland; newspaper articles by and about Tilda Akersmyr Tofteland; writings by Lily Tofteland Hartmann, photographs and correspondence. Audio recordings, circa 1950-1960.