Submitted by Jean Busker

MONROE — Elaine Bethke was the speaker at a recent Sons of Norway gathering April 11 and discussed her genealogy quest. Originally Bethke wanted to find why her family left Norway and to learn if the family farm is still in operation. On the way she met interesting people and even some new relatives.

Bethke compared genealogy to being a detective and finding clues. For example, she discovered her great grandfather, Lasse Erickson, had 10 brothers and sisters including a twin sister, Kristi. Kristi was an excellent quilter who had a winning quilt in a national competition.

Erickson arrived in America as a teenager and enlisted in the Civil War. He served with Norwegians under General Heg. Some of his soldier friends liked to tease him for falling asleep while guarding corpses.

For his military service he received a land grant in Trempeleau/Buffalo County and became a respected farmer. He was very proud of his military service and lectured extensively.

Another relative is Erick Vettleskog Johnson who came from Hafslo, Norway, and settled in Blue Mounds. Later he moved to Minnesota and then to Moderna, Wisconsin, in a covered wagon with his wife and four sons. During a trip to Red Wing, Minnesota, Bethke was excited to learn Erick and Elizabeth were married in Red Wing and their farm was nearby.

Bethke uses her genealogy discoveries in her art work. One of her heritage paintings is titled, “If They Had Never Left Norway.” 

It depicts family members looking back at the farm in Norway and forward to the farm in America. A copy is on a Christmas card which is on sale at the Monroe Arts Center store. She finds her art work is a great starting point for sharing heritage stories with her children and grandchildren.