During the summer of 1974 Mother showed me a spiral notebook containing 86 pages of her handwritten memories. She hesitatingly asked if it would be too much trouble for me to type a copy of it for here. She wanted it available for her grandchildren to read if they were interested some day.
As I typed it, my conviction grew that this unpretentious life story by a humble woman of faith deserved wider circulation. I made 75 mimeographed copies that she autographed and gave to grandchildren, other relatives and friends for Christmas that year.
Meanwhile she had continued to write. Mother was not gifted as a conversationalist. Perhaps that’s why she found satisfaction in putting her thoughts and feelings on paper. This timid farm girl, who grew up to become a shy, soft spoken grandma, left a wealth of artistic and lasting beauty that extended beyond family to friends and community. Her artistic spirit found outlet in both her painting and her writing.
Mother said she doubted whether any other generation spanned as interesting a period of history as hers. She marveled at being born in the horse and buggy age and living into the space age. Many changes — yet her life had an anchor amid the change. Only by glimpsing far beyond the human horizon to the eternal reaches of Him who never changes did she find that sure anchor in the midst of change.
In heavenly love abiding
NO CHANGE MY HEART SHALL FEAR;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?
SBH # 574
Many people have encouraged me to have this story printed. My brother willingly shared the financial investment. Non-relatives who have been especially helpful with their encouragement are Carolyn Connel, Duane Everson, John Eyster, & Arlene Silness.
Drawings through the booklet were done by Mother’s daughter, Ellen Olson, her granddaughters Naomi Margit Nowland, Diane Ponsor, and Debra Shimon, and by her brother Halvor Landsverk, who also did the cover design. A Thank you, too, to Kathy and Kristy Isberg who also submitted cover designs.
Permission to copy has been secured for the quotation on page 85 by Dr. Alvin Rogness, President Emeritas of Luther Theological Seminary, and for the articles from the Houston County News. Hymns are from the Service Book and Hymnal. Permission has been requested for the poems on pages 76 and 79. Having received no refusal, I retain them as Mother used them since they express so well her feelings at that time in her life.
The preparation of this booklet has taken many hours of work, but they have been hours gladly given in memory of parents whose influence may not have spread far as this world measures influence and success but whose witness of a quiet, simple faith has been deeply felt by a grateful daughter.
Frieda Nowland
November, 1975
Margit Mindrum 