Update on Velgjerd Leikvold

Some time ago, I posted information about my great grandmother's sister
Velgjerd Leikvold (Velgerd, Veljerd)

She was born in Norway on April 19, 1856.

I told of the sad story of Veljerd and her death at a very
young age following childbirth.

 Velgjerd married Andre Ellingboe when she was only 19.

 In 1876 Velgjerd gave birth to a baby girl, also named Velgjerd.     

There were problems, and the baby was baptized at birth.  

 The new mother and her baby daughter died on May 22, 1876

The Leikvold family had quite a few pictures of their family, but I never could find one
of Veljerd.  There were pictures of the whole family, pictures of the girls, pictures of
just one of the girls at graduation or confirmation, but nothing found of Veljerd.
Well, don't you suppose, there was one I found on the internet that was labeled as
"Andre and his first wife Veljerd"
How exciting is that!  While there is a possibility that it is not my ancestor,
it seems as though it is a very strong possibility that it is.  (And who would
ever know if it wasn't?    😀

Here it is:

Jules & Lucille Dahlager

I just love it when I find a story about my ancestors that, as far as I know, none of my relatives have heard!  

My Dahlager ancestry includes Jules Dahlager, who has been called "Alaska's most beloved artist."   Jules was the son of my great-grandfather's brother, so I guess he is a cousin a few times removed, but he is related, nonetheless.  For any family members reading this, Jules was the son of Trond Dahlager, brother of Christopher Dahlager.   Trond lived in Iowa, but ended up in Brookings, South Dakota.  I don't think my mother ever met Trond, but she knew of him.  

Jules met his wife, Lucille in Washington state, where she was a teacher.  Jules worked for a newspaper for a time, but made his living mostly as an artist.    He especially loved painting the Alaska landscape and the people there.  I have found his paintings on the internet, but if they are for sale, they are not in my budget.

In 1944, Lucille's sister passed away due to pneumonia.  She left behind nine small children.  Since her husband was in the army, the care of the children fell to the grandmother (Lucille's mother).    Jules and Lucille very generously purchased a larger home for the family and they spent Christmas of 1944 in the new home.    [There was no mention of grandfather, so he may have passed away by this time.]   Lucille's younger sister, aged 15, also was a part of the household, so grandma now  had 10 children in her care!    

This family is not in "my family tree" but Jules is.   I found it very touching that Jules & Lucille were willing to share their success by helping out these children!  

 The article is below, but you may need to zoom in to read it.