DiAnn & Gary Svenson Stories

DiAnn ran an in-home day care for many years as her own children grew up. In the remembrances shared at her funeral in June 2021, Paul Seiler from among her day care family stated, " All our parents probably should have paid extra for daycare with all her food." DiAnn's day care kids remember the smells of her cookies, kolaches and party mix, among many other baked goodies. Here, in approximately 1981, Andrea Wonderlich keeps an eye on and perhaps volunteers to be a taster of DiAnn's large batches of party mix cooling on top of the porch freezer, fresh out of the oven.  Look for some of DiAnn's recipes in future blog posts. If you have a personal favorite you are wondering about, please comment below and we will try to see what we we can find. 

Gary Svenson gained tremendous inspiration from being the son of an immigrant. His father, Sverre Svenson, immigrated to Decorah from the Narvik, Norway area as an infant with his parents and brother Sig to join an uncle and aunt already established in Decorah in 1902, joining many of Norwegian descent already in Decorah. In 1969, unfortunately without his wife who passed young and suddenly that April 2, Sverre joined the Luren Singers for a tour of northern Norway, including Narvik. Sverre's brother Kyree and sister-in-law Amanda joined the trip. Kyree sand with the Luren Singer for many decades. On the trip, Sverre bought Norwegian sweaters for his kids and grandkids and presented them upon his return to Decorah. Gary reported that this special gift was aimed at encouraging the entire family's pride in their heritage.  Gary counted as one of his proudest moments the report his dad gave him after returning from this trip, "Gary, they know of your Nordic Fest in Norway.&qu

Ernest "Pokey Pete" Petersen brought his beautiful red train for children to ride to nearly 25 Nordic Fests in Decorah. He started attending based on a handshake with Gary Svenson, who brought fellow Nordic Fest founder Harry Olson with him to Cedar Falls to ask Pokey to start joining Nordic Fest to ensure there were more options at the event for children. When Pokey retried, he gifted one of his trains to the Decorah Lions Club, who still lovingly care for the train and continue to share it with children at Nordic Fest.  Pokey Pete's legacy of giving is inspired and almost unsurpassed. A 30-minute YouTube video that explores his legacy may be viewed here .  That initial handshake created a special bond between the Petersen and Svenson family. In this approximately 1982 photo, DiAnn expresses the warmth, love and affection for Pokey that echoes the feelings of the countless lives he touched with his rides, philanthropy and beautiful spirit.  Pokey Pete remains a tremendou

50 years ago, Gary Svenson wrapped up his first years of service on  the Nordic Fest board. After that 6th Nordic Fest in 1972, his Nordic Fest board colleagues presented him with a beautiful original rosemaled piece by renowned Norwegian folk artist and Norwegian folk art historian Nils Ellingsgard . Gary remembered taking a rare break during Nordic Fest work to take in Mr. Ellingsard's demonstration at Vesterheim during the 1972 Nordic Fest. His board colleagues took note. Feel free to click on each picture for a larger view. Although some markings have faded after five decades, Gary delighted in his Nordic Fest work and often reviewed the back signatures from July 30, 1972, which include: Dr. Marion Nelson Betty Seegmiller Joyce Wallman  Betty Hacker(son) - longtime Nordic Dancer director  Dennis Roseland  Roger Kittelsby  Paul Hexom  Grant Woldum  Phyllis Leseth  Now 55 years after Gary and his fellow Jaycees joined with Dr. Marion Nelson and Phyllis Leseth of Vesterheim to cr

  When DiAnn faced advanced cancer in 2004, she was away from her job with Luther College Dining Services for some time. In a testament to the power of supporting one another, DiAnn kept the cards picture above from her Dining Services colleagues close at hand for years. The top card from her fellow Dining Services staff members reads in its greeting, "At least once a day, we send a healing thought out to you." Nineteen coworkers offered bright and encouraging wishes. The bottom card came from 27 students managers who worked in Dining Services with the full time staff, also full of good wishes.  One of the student manager wishes off of the card scan reads, "DiAnn - We all miss you in the CAF! It was great working with you this summer. You are such a wondersful person. Hope you can come back and see us soon. Also, thank your family for sending us updates. It was wondeful. See you soon, hopefully! With prayers, Marte Pohlman." Click on each photo for a closer look at