Topic: Margit Mindrum’s paintings
Source: Houston County News (Aug 10, 1972)
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Art Show Draws Large Crowd
Last Saturday, August 5th, was a big day for Margit Mindrum. This was a day that the people in Houston set aside as a day of honor for their most talented artist. A reception and art show was held in honor of Mrs. Palmer Mindrum, a well known artist of water colors.
Over 450 people from all over came to shake hands with Mrs. Mindrum and view a portion of her work that was on display. One hundred and five paintings were displayed in the upstairs of the Community Building. However, this was less than half of the number of paintings Mrs. Mindrum has done.

Much of the inspiration and encouragement for Mrs. Mindrum to do over 455 paintings have come from these people. Front row: Mrs. Arnie Mindru, Faith Mindrum, Palmer Mindrum, Margit Mindrum, and Le Ann Mindrum. Back row: Arne Mindrum holding Daren Mindrum, Mrs. Maelyn Olson, Alf Mindrum, and Mrs. Alf Mindrum.
The paintings were hung on the walls or carefully placed on easels and chairs in such a manner that it was easy for the large crowd to view each one.

Mrs. Mindrum didn’t begin her hobby of dabbling in water colors until 1951 and she didn’t do any serious work until 1956. This was after the last of her six children had left home and she felt she had some time on her hands. A sketch book of some of her very first drawings was on display as well as a few of her early paintings. One such early painting was easily recognized as some of the members of her family walking to church. Since 1956, when Mrs. Mindrum first began selling her paintings, she has now painted over 455 pictures.
Her pictures are of scenic views and look as if many of them are scenes from the Houston area. Some famous landmarks are portrayed – such as the Stone Church and the Mindrum farm, as well as the Landsverk farm where Mrs. Mindrum grew up.
There is one scene that Mrs. Mindrum has done over fifty times. This is the scene of the Fountain Church at Hustler, Wisconsin, where her son-in-law Rev. Ronald Nowland had been a pastor. A number of his parishioners wanted the picture. Unfortunately none of these paintings were on display.
Mrs. Mindrum credits her family for giving her the inspiration and encouragement necessary to do her paintings. She particularly gives high praise and thankfulness to her husband, Palmer, as she said without his help and encouragement she never would have been able to do any painting.
Mrs. Mindrum told that during the time she was doing a great deal of painting she would often get up in the morning before dawn and prepare the food for the days meals and then begin painting as soon as it got daylight and then work until dusk. After dark she would then do her other house work. She said this was necessary as articifial light is not good for painting as colors are different in natural light.
At the art show and reception, punch and bars were served to the public. Faith Mindrum and Lee Ann Mindrum served the punch and Linda Mindrum, all granddaughters, wrote the Courtsey Cards. Daughter-in-laws, Mrs. Ellert Mindrum, Mrs. Arne Mindrum, and Mrs. Alf Mindrum and daughter Mrs. Maelyn Olson and another granddaughter Bernita Mindrum greeted the public and were in charge of the guest book. The bars were donated by the members of the For-Get-Me-Not Garden Club. Some of the members of the garden club as well as members of the Summer Fest Committee did the work of serving, cleaning, and hanging pictures.
Special guests at the affair besides Mr. And Mrs. Palmer Mindrum were members of Mrs. Mindrum’s family, including a sister and brother who are also talented in creative art. Not all of her children were able to be present.
Mrs. Mindrum said she was overwhelmed at the honor shown to her, but the people that attended were overwhelmed at the talent displayed by this fine woman. People in Houston are proud to say, “We know Margit Mindrum – a talented artist form Houston.”
The art show and reception was a huge success and a great deal of credit must go to Mrs. Doris Benson, Mrs. Shirley Johnson, Mrs. Elaine Lundberg and the people who so graciously and proudly placed their Mindrum paintings on display. These people were: Mr. and Mrs. Maynard Ukkestad, Sidney Todd, Joe Coulson, Arne Mindrum, Sherman Cole, Henry Eaton, Dillon Hempstead, Francis Van Gundy, Vince Poppe, Ardell Lee, Alf Mindrum, Donald George, Alton Peterson, Lawrence Anderson, Tenus Moen, and Maelyn Olson.
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Jore, Daniel Thronson, Nels Jacobson, Robert Jore, Martin Anderson, Kenneth Bakkum, Palmer Mindrum, Roger Johnson, Alvin Humble, Halver Landsverk, Gordan Johnson and Mark Witt.
Mason Witt, Mrs. Milton Paulson, Mrs. Lila Isberg, Mrs. Ruby Highum, Julie Smith, Mrs. Glennis Anderson, Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Valley View Nursing Home, Mrs. Blanche Johnson, Edwin Halverson, Nettie Jore, Mrs. Selma Hanson, Matthew Olson, Mrs. Ethel Johnston, Bertha McCune, Mrs. Cora Morken, Mrs. Gerhard Oien, Miss Stella Anderson, Dr. and Mrs. A.R. Jore, Mrs. Henry Dyrdahl, Mrs. Myrtle Hammer, Nina Jacobson, Louise Lemke, Mrs. Belle Coulson, and Miss Tilda Morken.