Lögberg-Heimskringla - 12.02.1988, Blaðsíða 3

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Halldor Carl Karason - a profile
BOSTON
LUXEMBOUR6
FRANKFURT
NEWYORK,
BALTIMORE/ 1
WASHINGTON
ORLANDO
ZURICH
Amongst the Icelanders there are
many success stories especially in the
academic field. This is true right from
the beginning when our people ar-
rived to make their home in Canada
and the United States, and continues
to this day amongst the descendants
of Icelandic heritage. Halldor Carl
Karason is of Icelandic background
on both sides and his wife is also of
Icelandic parents.
He was born in BlaLne, Washington
during 1914. His parents were Gudb-
jartur Karason and Ingibjorg Erlends-
dottir Karason. Halldor had two
brothers, one older and one younger,
both are deceased.
Like so many others in his age
group he was faced with economic
difficulties of the 30s, but apparent-
ly that did not phase him and he plied
the barber trade from 1936 to 1943
when he enlisted in the U.S. Army
and served in the far east, which took
him to the South Pacific, New
Guinea, Australia, Philippines and
Japan. Having carried out his patri-
otic duty he returned to pursue his
academic studies and achieve his
Halldor and Anna Karason.
longtime goal of entering the teach-
ing profession.
He graduated from Western
Lundar and district
wagon to wings
The following prayer was delivered
at Lundar on Dec. 12th, 1983 by
Harold B. Hallson the son of early pi-
oneers in the Lundar District. This
was at a banquet, to officially present
the community history book Wagons
to Wings, marking the lOOth An-
niversary of the area. It was not in-
cluded in the history but it is an in-
tegral part of the commemorative
occasion.
The prayer expresses a deep feel-
ing of thanks by a son of original
Icelandic pioneers. As a part of the
community Harold experienced the
adversity out of which it grew and his
words have been chosen with
conviction.
There are many who have a deep
feeling for their pioneer heritage but
few can express it as well as Harold.
While the prayer is directed to his
home area, it is equally appropriate
to the many Icelandic settlements in
which our people settled.
The following are his words.
DEDICATION PRAYER.
Heavenly Father.
You have commanded us in all in-
stances, to always, and for every-
thing, give thanks to you, Lord.
God our Father and Creator.
We ask you to be present here with
us this evening and we ask your
blessing on this fellowship —
gathered here on this momentous
occasion.
Lord God, we give thanks for this
day; this day when our community
is presented with the History of our
heritage; Lord permit us to say the Bi-
ble of events, of the struggles and
heartaches and hardships, our
Fathers our Grandfathers and all the
pioneer men and women and their
children endured to build this com-
munity and this country. And who,
through their faith in your help and
goodness had the fortitude to build
this land, this district, this communi-
ty, and left us with the Heritage we
enjoy today.
Blessed be those sturdy people who
have gone to their reward, and now
rest in You — may eternal peace be
theirs.
May they always be remembered
and live again through their stories,
recorded and forever preserved be-
tween the covers of this book.
And blessed be all those who are
still with us to celebrate this great
event and whose company and con-
tribution we still enjoy.
May we all rejoice in this irreplace-
able, precious legacy which is being
passed unto us to treasure for gener-
ations to come.
And Lord, we give thanks for the
people who have worked so hard to
make this history book a reality. May
they have the joy of knowing — a job
well done.
And now Lord, we ask your bless-
ing on the food which has been
placed before us.
May the meal that we share, Be
blessed from above
With thy blessing and Grace, But
most of all love.
And Father we pray for Christian .
strength, and like our pioneers we
pray our faith will be strong. Most of
all we pray that you grant our hearts
and minds, the gift of your mercy and
peace.
In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen.
Washington University in 1948, and
received his master's degree in 1949
from the University of Washington.
While teaching English and psychol-
ogy at Western Washington Univer-
sity he pursued his studies receiving
his doctor's degree in 1960 from the
University of Washington.
In 1962 he became the sole mem-
ber of the Department of Philosophy,
in 1962 he became Director of Hu-
manities, later he held a dual role in
the Department of Philosophy and
Department of Education. He retired
in 1979 after 30 years with the
Western Washington University.
Halldor married Anna Kristjana in
1937, the daughter of John F. and
Runa Johnson. She was born and
went to school in Blaine. Her com-
munity activities included being Vice
President of the board at Stafholt, the
Icelandic senior citizen home in
Blaine, Washington. She was on the
board for nearly 30 years. She was
also a member of the Icelandic Club
Freya which assisted students of
Icelandic descent and later Stafholt.
They have one married son Paul
Halldor Karason of Bellingham.
Halldor and Anna have lived in
Bellingham, Washington since 1947.
Anna was active in many civic affairs
while in Blaine.
Gudbjartur Karason was born in
Steingrimsfjordur, Iceland Ingibjorg
Karason was born in Reykjavik,
Iceland. John Freeman Johnson was
born at Mountain, N.D. and Runa
Johnson in Bardardal, Iceland. The
Karasons came to Blaine from Win-
nipeg, and the Johnsons from Wyn-
yard, Sask.
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