Lögberg-Heimskringla - 21.05.1982, Síða 3

WINNIPEG, FÖSTUDAGUR 21. MAÍ 1982-3
Lutheran Ladies' Aid
The Ladies' Aid “Fjallkonan". Back row: Lena Thorleifson, Lilja
Alfred. Second row: Johanna Erlendson, Anna Lamb, Sigurborg Got-
tfred, Helga Erlendson, Laura Finnogason, Helga Hanneson, Anna
Baker. Front row: Gudrun Helgason, Gudrun Ingimundarson, Gud-
finna Thordarson, Frida Olson, Anna Lingholt, Oluf Johnson,
Steinun Tomason, Gudbjorg Valdimarson and Gudfinna Bjarnar-
son.
Reprinted from the book "A
Tribute to Soldiers and Pioneers
of the Langruth District",
published in 1950.
by Laura Finnbogason
Stimulated by the patriotic efforts
of two of our pioneer women, Thora
Finnbogason and Lena Thorleifson,
26 local women of Icelandic descent
met at the home of Mrs. Lena
Thorleifson on November 18, 1916,
and organized a society to help the
war effort and any local worthy
charity or project. The riame decid-
ed on was "Fjallkonan," (Maid of
the Mountain). Monthly meetings
were held and an annual member-
ship fee of 25 cents was charged. Of-
ficers elected at this meeting were:
President, Mrs. Thora Finnbogason;
Vice-President, Mrs. Anna Jacob-
son; Secretary, Mrs. Maria Han-
neson; Assistant Secretary, Mrs.
Lena Thorleifson; Treasurer, Mrs.
Helga Erlendson. Under their
guidance the society became so
popular that practically every
woman in the community was soon
an active member. Until the close of
World War I they worked en-
thusiastically for the comfort of the
soldiers by teas, bazaars, plays,
dances, etc., raised funds and sent
parcels regularly to the boys
erilisted from this district, and on
their return sponsored a "Welcome
Home Party” for each boy, at which
he was presented with a gold watch
or other suitable gift.
Change of objective
and efforts
From November 1919 to 1924
there was a slight change of objec-
tive and the efforts of Fjallkonan
were concentrated on local im-
provements. We see them making
generous donations to the Big Point
Hall,.which at that time was the on-
ly community hall in the district, be-
ing used for church services as well
as entertainments, contributing
towards the building of a communi-
ty hall in Langruth, as well as to a
fund for the erection of a Lutheran
Church in Langruth, paying for the
parsonage, and many other local
projects.
At a special meeting held in the
Langruth School November 16,
1924, on motion of Mrs. Anna
Baker, seconded by Mrs. Gudrun
Ingimundarson, it was carried that
the name "Fjallkonan" be changed
to Lutheran Ladies' Aid of Her-
dubreid Lutheran Church of
Langruth. The constitution was then
amended and all members were to
be members or adherents of the
Lutheran Church, willing to assist
the congregation in all church or
charitable projects of the communi-
ty. The annual fee was raised to
$1.00, meetings to be held the first
Saturday of each month, to be open-
ed with a hymn, a Bible reading and
prayer, and closed with the Lord’s
Prayer.
Support to Herdubreid
Lutheran Church
When Herdubreid Lutheran
Church was built in 1929 this
Ladies' Aid financed the interior
decorating and donated the Pulpit
and Altar, which is surmounted by
Christensen's statue of Christ, as
well as the seats, lights and fixtures.
This year also marked the opening
of the Lutheran Sunday School in
the new church, each Sunday morn-
ing. The first teachers appointed
were Mrs. Elizabeth Bjarnarson and
Mrs. Gudrun Ingimundarson. They
were soon joined by Mrs. Lena
Thorleifson, who since the opening
of the Langruth Consolidated School
had conducted a joint Sunday
School in the school. Special men-
tion should be made of the contribu-
tion in leadership and time given so
willingly by these ladies, Mrs. Bjar-
narson and Mrs. Thorleifson, for
their faithful attendance throughout
the years, their daily example of
life, the preparation of Confirma-
tion Classes and training of children
for the Annual Sunday School
Christmas Tree.
Memorial Fund
This society also established a
Memorial Fund which is used for
the improvement and beautifying of
Big Point Cemetery, in the placing
of marble markers on each unmark-
ed grave, and the planting of flowers
and shrubs by "work-bees" each
summer.
When the Sunrise Camp was
erected at Husavik, in 1945, the
Langruth Lutheran Aid financed the
building of the Hospital Hut and
still contributes towards its
maintenance.
By conducting the meetings in
English instead of Icelandic since
1947 there has been a greatly in-
creased membership, especially of
young women, and the society now
boasts a roll call of 50 members,
some of whom however were
charter members. The present of-
ficers are: President, Mrs. Hlif
Thompson; Vice-President, Mrs.
Anna Armstrong; Secretary, Mrs.
Laura Marteinson; Assistant
Secretary, Mrs. Lena Thorleifson;
Treasurer, Mrs. Sigrun Oddson,
who has served in that office for
over 20 years.
The Ladies' Aid is an associate of
the Lutheran Women's League of
the Icelandic Evangelical Lutheran
Synod of North America. Mrs. Lena
Thorleifson was for two years the
President of the League, and Mrs. B.
Bjarnarson is at present Second
Vice-President. Those who have
served on the Executive are: Mrs.
Lena Thorleifson, Mrs. Elizabeth
Bjarnarson, Mrs. Laura Finn-
bogason, Mrs. Helga Hanneson,
Mrs. Victoria Valdimarson and Mrs.
Margaret Bjarnarson.
The goal of the Langruth Lutheran
Ladies' Aid will not be attained until
a permanent Lutheran Minister is
established at Langruth.
Lutheran Ladies' Aid. Gudfinna Olafson, Johanna Thompson, Hlif
Thompson, Gudfinna Bjarnarson, Gudrun Thordarson, Gudfinna
Thordarson, Johanna Erlendson, Gudridur Eastman, Holmfridur
Olson, Helga Erlendson, Sigurborg Gottfred, Ingibjorg Peterson,
Gudrun Ingimundarson, Anna Thompson, Svafa Egilson, Elizabeth
Bjarnarson, Margaret Bmarnarson, Helga Isfeld, Lena Thorleifson,
Helga Hanneson, Signy Johnson, Jonina Isfeld, Elin Thompson and
Oluf Polson.
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