DiAnn & Gary Svenson Stories

As the Easter holiday DiAnn so enjoyed is upon us, we pause to remember her many baked treats shared with loved ones including her meticulously cookie paint decorated sugar cookies.  In addition to baking, DiAnn demonstrated her artistic talent in several projects over the years, including this felt Easter bunny carefully drawn, cut and sewn.  Is your Easter bunny from DiAnn up at your house? Are you baking any of DiAnn's recipes this Easter? Share your holiday thoughts of DiAnn in the comments below. 

112 years ago today, a wonderful woman named Evelyn Berg, who would late become Evelyn Bernatz when she married Arthur was born. Many will remember Evelyn for her warm and welcoming ways as desk clerk at the Hotel Winneshiek and hostess at Mabe's Pizza in Decorah for many a year.  Evelyn is pictured here in the front row on DiAnn's right as part of the team that helped Gary and DiAnn produce a beautiful  presidential reception at the Hotel Fort Des Moines the year Gary served as president of the Association of Iowa Fairs in 1973. Click on the photo for a larger view. Evelyn played a special role in Gary & DiAnn meeting. As noted in DiAnn's funeral remarks, she joined the team at the Hotel Winneshiek Tap Room. One night, she felt annoyed by the behavior of some customers. She exclaimed to her colleague Evelyn, "I'm so  sick of these married men who come in here without their wives and misbehave! And THAT guy is the worst one of them.” Evelyn gently lowered DiAnn

  DiAnn had among her things a handwritten cookbook in her own handwriting that was originally written for her mother, Bertha Ehler's every day use. At the back of the book is the bake sale list with suggested (and slightly updated) prices.  The original list is dated January 1962, the year after DiAnn graduated high school. The date of the adjusted prices is not clear.  Just to use one example of cinnamon rolls from this list, another favorite among DiAnn's baking, the listed price of 60 cents per dozen in 1962 would be the equivalent of $5.57 a dozen in 2022.  By comparison, just six Cinnabon cinnamon rolls are available online today from Harry & David for $45. Can you imagine what DiAnn would say to that?  In addition to participating in Ossian area bake sales, DiAnn and her mom baked countless items for family, friends and church gatherings. What's your favorite from this list?  Look for more scans in the future from this special, meticulously written and organized

  Fifty-three years ago today, Gary and the entire Svenson family suffered the sudden, shocking Easter week loss of Marie (Weflen) Svenson, daughter to George, wife to Sverre, Mom to Carl, Dave, Gary, Rich, and Grandma to Beth, Nic, Pat, Yvonne and Scott. She was a mere 56 years young. Marie is remembered as a bright light and a beautiful person.  The above photo of Sverre Svenson, Gary and Marie was taken at Gary's going away party when he was drafted in the United States Army in 1962. Gary carried this picture in his wallet until he left this life in 2005.