Dear Grandma & Grandpa,
I am the youngest daughter of your youngest son. I was born many years after you left this world. Things have changed around here, that's for sure!
Grandpa, the house you built in Minneapolis has been torn down! The area is now industrial, and any homes that you might remember are long gone. The house on the farm in Silver Creek is gone, too. The house in St. Olaf Township is gone...not only the house, but all the buildings on the farm site! Your home in Fergus Falls does still stand, though it does look a little different today.'
The church in Minneapolis where you both sang in the choir is still standing,
and Kvam Church still stands, looking much the same as when you were here.
Many of your descendants are members of Kvam today.
I think you would still recognize Dalton - to be sure, there have been many changes, but the general layout remains the same. The depot is gone, the train tracks have been removed,
but you could still eat in the cafe and buy groceries in the same place you did in the 1920's.
But these changes are nothing compared to the changes we have seen in our world!
You never got to watch television; and the world of computers would most likely be mind-boggling to you! Why, we have even had a man on the moon!
Medicine has changed, too.
If you were here today, chances are you would live longer than in your 70's.
Many diseases have become rare due to vaccinations
and many have become treatable that were not in your day.
Grandma, you wouldn't believe that today, women wear pants!
They wear shorts, and short, short skirts - in public! Yes, even in church!
And you would likely be appalled at the tattoos! Even women get them!
I think you both would be very unhappy with the changes in morality and spirituality.
God was the center of your home.
This is not true for many families today and it is reflected in so many ways.
Grandpa & Grandma, you would probably be very happy (and proud) of your
descendants (well at least most of them!).
They have carried on your love of music, love of working with wood,
your family heritage and yes, even your stubborn-ness!
God is the center of many of your descendants' lives.
We get along well as a family - and you would be glad to know
that last summer we met with the relatives from Verdal, Norway -
the very place you grew up, Grandpa!
Yes, there have been many changes - too many to tell you,
but so many things remain constant as well.
Sure would have been nice to know you!
Pictured below are the children of my grandparents.
Back: Ben, George, Joseph, Ralph
Front: Rachel, Anna
