<![CDATA[Elim Lutheran Church - 2019 Living Cemetery Blog]]>Sat, 07 Mar 2026 20:15:50 -0600Weebly<![CDATA[2019 Living Cemetery Tour Movie]]>Sun, 22 Dec 2019 13:28:16 GMThttps://www.elimscandia.org/2019-living-cemetery-blog/2019-living-cemetery-tour-movieClick here to watch the
2019 Living Cemetery Tour!
Picture
The planning committee would also like to thank these businesses and individuals who supported the tour;
Fresh Aire - for the porta potty in the cemetery.
Mattson's Funeral Home for the placemats at the luncheon.
Robert's Funeral Home for a monetary gift.
Suzie Lindgren for articles about the tour in the Country Messenger.
Carol Seefeldt who was the tour photographer.  She took many pictures and created a large banner to help with publicity.
Bill Havener, the Scandia Fire Department Historian for research and artifacts for the “fire stop” on the tour.
Paul Peterson and Lakes Area Television for filming and editing the video.  They also are hosting it on their YouTube channel so you can stream it to your smart device.

The tour also could not have happened without the amazing actors who stepped forward to portray the saints.  They were;
Jim Walfrid, who portrayed his father A. B. Walfrid Pastor at Elim.
Carissa Brown, who portrayed her grandmother, Doris Booren.
Suzie Lindgren and her brother, Dan Lindgren who portrayed their grandparents, Selma and Nathan Lindgren.
Kathy Korus portrayed her aunt, Jean Miller.
Joel Nelson who portrayed Wayne Erickson.
Don Sandgren and Dean Sjoquist.  They portrayed Floyd Sandgren, Don's father and Harry Onsager.  They were two of the early volunteers on the Scandia Fire Department.
Jim Norman who portrayed Peter Magnus Nelson.
All of the actors researched and wrote their own scripts with the help of the saints descendants and friends.  Tim Newcomb, an English teacher at Forest Lake Area High School helped the actors edit and hone their scripts.

We also would like to thank the many volunteers who helped set up, cook, guide and clean up after the tour.

Sincerely, the 2019 Planning Committee:
Scott Walcker director.
Lynne Moratzka, saint selection, artifacts from the Gammelgården Museum, luncheon displays.
Vicki Sames, research on records and lives of saints.
Steph Pereboom, publicity and reservations for the tour.
Barb Sachmann, luncheon in fellowship hall on the tour day.
Bonny Mack, helped in a variety of places throughout the whole process.
Tim Newcomb, script editor.
Myron Lindgren, cemetery historian and consultant on the people, events and history of Scandia.
]]><![CDATA[Looking forward to Tour]]>Sat, 14 Sep 2019 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.elimscandia.org/2019-living-cemetery-blog/looking-forward-to-tourThis Sunday, September 15th, Elim is hosting our living cemetery tour!  As of 9/14, we have several flights that aren't full (some have lots of room).  You can still get reservations for the 1:30, 1:50, 2:10 & 2:30 flights!  Call Steph Pereboom at 651 433-3508 to make your reservations (or email her at stephaniepereboom@gmail.com)

Remember there is a luncheon from 12:00 to 3:30 or so in the fellowship hall.  There is a free-will offering for lunch. We  also have displays with more pictures of the saints. 

Our cemetery historian, Myron Lindgren will be here to visit with you about dates, families, how people are related!  He is an amazing Swedish bachelor farmer who after a lifetime living in Scandia, "remembers what my mother and dad talked about at the kitchen table..." 

Please come and enjoy our heritage and meet this year's saints!
]]><![CDATA[Volunteer Opportunities for the tour]]>Mon, 26 Aug 2019 15:19:44 GMThttps://www.elimscandia.org/2019-living-cemetery-blog/volunteer-opportunities-for-the-tourIf you'd like to volunteer on the tour day, Click here.  Otherwise signup sheets are just outside the fellowship hall.

We'll be opening reservations on Tuesday, September 3rd.  More information on making reservations will be posted then.
]]><![CDATA[Gathering pictures and volunteers]]>Sat, 24 Aug 2019 12:41:10 GMThttps://www.elimscandia.org/2019-living-cemetery-blog/gathering-pictures-and-volunteersWant to help with this years living cemetery tour?  There are two big ways to be part of the experience!
1. Help us find more stories and pictures of the saints.  Please drop them off in the file folder in the church office or email Scott Walcker (contact info at right sidebar).  Put your name on them so we can get them back to you!  Here’s the list of the saints on this years tour.
    •    A. B. Walfrid
    •    Doris Booren
    •    Selma & Nathan Lindgren
    •    Jean Miller
    •    Floyd Sandgren & Harry Onsager
    •    Wayne Erickson
    •    Peter Magnus Nelson

2. Volunteer to help on Sunday, September 15th, the tour day!  We have lots of ways you can help!  We need docents, greeters, people to setup and take down chairs in the cemetery, kitchen help for the light lunch that will be served.  

Volunteer signup sheets will be posted on the wall outside of the fellowship hall or contact Scott Walcker, 651 592-3349 or elimcemetery@gmail.com.
]]><![CDATA[Planning Committee Meets]]>Fri, 16 Aug 2019 11:58:08 GMThttps://www.elimscandia.org/2019-living-cemetery-blog/planning-committee-meetsOn Thursday the planning committee met and started to partition tasks and things we need to do leading up to the tour. Later in August, we'll also be posting "volunteer opportunities" for those who would like to help on the day of the tour.  We will need docents, greeters, people to setup and take down chairs in the cemetery, help with the light lunch etc.  After Labor day we'll be taking reservations for the flights. 

We are having a "fireman's" night, Wednesday August 21st at 6:30 in the church.  If you have stories, pictures or information on the early Scandia fire department (or Floyd Sandgren or Harry Onsager specifically) please come and share your information!

One thing we can really use are pictures of the saints...  As kids, at play, family, adult, working etc.  We'd prefer digital pictures but if you want to drop some off in the "saints" filebox in the church office, we'll either use them in the fellowship hall display on the day of the tour or scan them and print them out.  Please put your name, contact info etc on the back so we can get them back to you.

]]><![CDATA[Behind the Scenes this Summer]]>Wed, 14 Aug 2019 11:59:26 GMThttps://www.elimscandia.org/2019-living-cemetery-blog/behind-the-scenes-this-summerWe've been working throughout the summer arranging actors to portray the saints...  Here's the final list
Saint                                                      Lived                                  Portrayed by
Wayne Erickson                                 1937 - 1992                         Dan Schuldt
AB Walfrid                                           19?? - 1977                         Jim Walfrid
Floyd Sandgren                                  1910 - 1992                         Don Sandgren
Harry Onsager                                    1907 - 1974                         Dean Sjoquist
Selma Lindgren                                   1902 - 1988                        Suzanne Lindgren
Nathan Lindgren                                1898 - 1998                         Matt Damman
Doris Booren                                        1915 - 1985                        Carissa Brown
Jean Miller                                            1929 - 2016                        Kathy Korus
Peter Magnus Nelson                         1834 - 1924                        Jim Norman
Isaac Nelson*                                         1889 - 1918                      yet to be named... 
*We may just have his father (Peter above) tell about his life.

Now we're turning our attention towards preparing for the tour day on September 15th.  The tour will have ten flights of visitors.  The first flight will depart around 11:00.  There will be approximately 15 visitors in each flight.  We will open reservations on September 3rd.  Information on making reservations will be posted here.  You can also call the church office (651 433-2723) for more information on how to register.

Flights will depart from the fellowship hall.  As visitors wait or return from their flight a light lunch served from 11:00 to 2:30.   There will also be a display of photos and memorabilia featuring the saints.

There will be a host of volunteer opportunities!  Sign up sheets will be posted at church after Labor Day.  You can also contact Scott Walcker at 651 592-3349 or send an email to elimcemetery@gmail.com if you're interested in volunteering.  We need you!

]]><![CDATA[Still recruiting actors for the tour...]]>Thu, 13 Jun 2019 16:10:58 GMThttps://www.elimscandia.org/2019-living-cemetery-blog/still-recruiting-actors-for-the-tourIt's been a busy Spring at Elim.  We've been battling several leaks in both the North & South Cemeteries.  Along the way, we've been seeking actors to portray the saints..  Here's who we have so far:
Saint                                                      Lived                                  Portrayed by
Wayne Erickson                                 1937 - 1992                        Dan Schuldt
AB Walfrid                                           19?? - 1977                        Jim Walfrid
Floyd Sandgren*                                1910 - 1992                        Don Sandgren
Still looking for another fireman...  Perhaps a descendant of Harry Onsager
Selma Lindgren                                   1902 - 1988                        Suzanne Lindgren
Nathan Lindgren                                1898 - 1998                         Matt Damman
Doris Booren                                        1915 - 1985                        Carissa Brown
Jean Miller    yet to be named... probably a relative   1929 - 2016
Peter Magnus Nelson   yet to be named...  1834 - 1924?
Isaac Nelson  yet to be named...     1889 - 1918
So, we're still seeking actors to fill the father / son team of Peter & Isaac Nelson.  If you're interested or can suggest a father & son who might like portraying them, please contact Scott Walcker (see sidebar).
]]><![CDATA[Saints for the 2019 Tour!]]>Sun, 21 Apr 2019 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.elimscandia.org/2019-living-cemetery-blog/saints-for-the-2019-tourThe congregation has voted, the planning committee has met and gone through the arduous task of deciding who we'll feature on the tour this year. We have decided on ten actors to portray the saints below at seven stops.
Saint
Wayne Erickson
AB Walfrid
Floyd Sandgren*
Charles Shalander*
Selma & Nathan Lindgren
Doris Booren
Jean Miller
Peter Magnus Nelson^
Isaac Nelson^

1937-1992
?-1997
1910-1992
1928-2000
1902-1988 & 1898-1997
1915-1985
1929-2016
1835-?1924?
1889-1918
* Formation and establishment of Scandia Fire Department, 1952.
^ Early settlers in Scandia, father and son.
All of the saints suggested were wonderful candidates. This group seems to work well an be relatively balanced. Several saints were have chosen for the 2019 tour have been on the 'potential' list for years. We will keep all of the suggested saints for the next tour.

Our next step is to recruit the actors to portray each saint. If you have the name suggestions, contact Scott Walcker 651-592-3349 or elimscemetery@gmail.com

As we find actors to fill the saints roles, we need YOU to step forward and provide pictures, tell us stories, remembrances, etc., of the saints. This is one of the best parts of the tour... hearing the stories and finding out more about the saints lives!

Happy Easter! God bless the saints that have given us such a rich history!
]]><![CDATA[Voting for Saints on Palm Sunday!]]>Thu, 11 Apr 2019 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.elimscandia.org/2019-living-cemetery-blog/voting-for-saints-on-palm-sundayNext Sunday, April 14th the congregation will vote on possible saints to feature on this year's tour.  The planning committee will make the final selection over Holy Week and hopefully we'll reveal the saints for this tour on Easter Sunday.   We're looking forward to the vote from the congregation, there are so may great possibilities!
]]><![CDATA[Saints to Consider for the tour...]]>Thu, 21 Mar 2019 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.elimscandia.org/2019-living-cemetery-blog/saints-to-consider-for-the-tour Lynne Moratzka is the coordinator for the saint selection.  We've had numerous submissions and will continue to collect recommendations from the public.  There will be a vote on Palm Sunday after church to give the planning committee and idea of public interest.  Final selection will be made by the planning committee and be partially based on church preferences.  We will also consider if we can find descendants or others to give us information and potential actors to portray the saints. 
Here are the submissions so far...  Not in any particular order.
Selma & Nathan Lindgren ? we'd like some more background on them...
AB Walfrid  Pastor 1940 - 1946 Scandia and served during the WWII years as Pastor and hired his cousin Esther Carlson Morrison as organist.  Was the pastor when Ingrid Bergman came trio visit in 1943..big write up in LOOK Magazine..a REALLLLY big event in Scandia. He began other innovations  at Elim... I think he started the Elim Messenger and printed worship bulletins.
Muriel Benson Teacher at Goose Lake School.
Wendell & Louella Johnson
Edsel Johnson
Wayne Erickson Scandia Men's softball
Norman Ostrand Faithful servant of Elim as Sunday School superintendant, Property Chair, and numerous other jobs.
John Franklin Nordin  Farmer from Big Lake
Floyd Sandgren Fireman
Harry Onsager Fireman
Floyd Simonson Fireman
Ruth Arkman
Johan Bengtson an early settler who has MANY MANY descendants in Scandia.
Doris Booren known for her welcoming of all and singing with her sisters as the Lindberg Trio
Peter Magnus Nelson Early settler in Scandia
Jean Miller lived at Bone Lake, teacher?, was a consecrated Deaconess; got a mortgage as a single woman ( one of the first in Minnesota!).

It was also suggested we consider people memorialized in the stained glass windows in the church.  I think these windows were all added after the 1930 fire that destroyed the church.  We need to find out more about their backgrounds and lives to add them to our list of possible saints.
Charles &   ??  Benson
Mr. & Mrs. Henry A Johnson  - Henry was already a saint on the 2015 tour.
Mr. & Mrs. Solomon Swenson
Mr. & Mrs. August Nelson
Mr. & Mrs. Elias Shoquist
Mrs. Matilda Grandstrand
Mr. & Mrs. John P Bloomquist
Mr. & Mrs. August Peterson
Sabina M Bloomquist

If you have suggestions for other saints, please contact Lynne Mortazka (gammelgardenlynne@frontiernet.net ) or click here to use our online saint submission form. 
]]><![CDATA[Potential LCT 2019 Timeline]]>Fri, 15 Mar 2019 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.elimscandia.org/2019-living-cemetery-blog/potential-lct-2019-timelinePotential LCT 2019 Timeline         Tentative Tour Date 9/15/19
This is the approximate timeline for Elim’s 2019 Living Cemetery Tour.  As dates get fixed, this page will be updated. When items added or changed, they will be in purple ink.

Late Feb/early March
Advertise Planning Meeting for LCT 3/10/19
  • March Messenger
  • Country Messenger
  • Past participants
  • Church Blurbs

Planning Meeting 3/10/19
  • Get Coordinators set  ACTOR RECRUITMENT
  • Determine Planning Committee
  • Begin Saint Selection Process
  • Start Looking for Actors to portray the saints (with suggestions for actors to portray them)

Saint Selection - CONGREGATION WILL VOTE FOR SAINTS IN FELLOWSHIP HALL ON AFTER CHURCH ON PALM SUNDAY
3/17 or 3/24 Bulletin update on Tour -
  • request for saints
  • Tour Webpage on Elim’s website
  • Saint submission
  • Sign up to volunteer    
3/24 or 3/31 Vote for saints at Coffee (should we have online vote too?)
Actor Recruitment - Month of April
    Actor Meeting late April????
Script Writing - May - Sept.
    Something around Memorial day where people can submit memories of a saint????
Publicity
    Actors Meet the Press mid-August
    Articles to various organizations….  In past just Country Messenger and Church Monthly Messenger.
Food - Catering Light Lunch  Start working mid August
Final Approach Late August / Early Sept
    Dress Rehearsal 9/8/2019  
    • We will do two trial runs through the tour.
    • Presentations will be timed and suggestions will be made for last minute edits.
    • Potluck dinner after for everyone attending dress rehearsal.
Recruit volunteers for tour day - Docents, greeters, kitchen volunteers, setup / take down
Food - Catering Light Lunch  Start working mid August


Tour Day 9/15/19
Displays during tour in Fellowship Hall
Myron - consulting historian

]]><![CDATA[There Will Be A Living Cemetery Tour 2019!]]>Wed, 13 Mar 2019 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.elimscandia.org/2019-living-cemetery-blog/there-will-be-a-living-cemetery-tour-2019After talking with various people interested in producing a tour in 2019, we have decided to go ahead.  These people have volunteered to be coordinators for the tour!
  • Lynne Moratzka Saint Selection -  survey the congregation and community for possible saints to feature this year.
  • -Still Seeking- Actor Recruitment - seek community members and family members to represent the saints.
  • Vicki Sames Historical Research - use a variety of resources to help actors compose their stories to tell the stories.
  • Steph Pereboom Publicity / Reservations - Produce publicity documents for local news sources.  Also manage the flight registrations for people wishing to go on the tour
  • Barb Sackmann Meal During Tour - coordinate with a caterer to provide a light lunch for visitors during the tour.  Also manage volunteers who will help serve and clean up.
  • Lynne Moratzka Fellowship Hall Display - Gather pictures, artifacts and stories about the saints to display during the light lunch.
  • Scott Walcker Director & website
  • Myron Lindgren  Cemetery Historian



Our first order of business is to select the saints to include on this years tour.  We hope to have 6 to 9 stops (some may have two saints telling a story).  If you have suggestions for saints, please contact Lynne Mortazka (gammelgardenlynne@frontiernet.net ) or click here to use our online saint submission form. 

You can see a list of the possible saints suggested so far by   clicking here .  In late March or early April the congregation will vote on who they'd like to see after church in the fellowship hall.  We will post that date here.

We are also forming the planning committee.  It will include the coordinators listed above plus several other interested people.    If you are interested in being on the planning committee contact Scott Walcker (see info below)

If you’d like to volunteer, and get future emails click on my email below and send me a brief message.  If you have suggestions for saints or can’t make the meeting, please feel free to contact;
]]><![CDATA[Will we have a Living Cemetery Tour in 2019???]]>Thu, 07 Mar 2019 06:00:00 GMThttps://www.elimscandia.org/2019-living-cemetery-blog/will-we-have-a-living-cemetery-tour-in-2019After a one year hiatus, the congregation is thinking about producing another tour this year.  The cemetery tour features actors who perform stories about several “saints” who are buried in our cemetery.   For each tour, we take suggestions for interesting Scandia members to feature. Many of the “saints” are portrayed by family members.  It’s an interesting event that helps us understand people and events that shaped our community and church. In the past, this event has been attended by 100’s each year and enjoyed by all.

There will be an Exploratory Planning Meeting on March 10th at 10:45 in the small chapel* to see if we can enlist enough people to bring another tour to fruition.

To produce a tour, we are looking for people to commit to coordinating the parts of the tour;
  • Saint Selection -  survey the congregation and community for possible saints to feature this year.
  • Actor Recruitment - seek community members and family members to represent the saints.
  • Historical Research - use a variety of resources to help actors compose their stories to tell the stories.
  • Publicity / Reservations - Produce publicity documents for local news sources.  Also manage the flight registrations for people wishing to go on the tour
  • Meal During Tour - coordinate with a caterer to provide a light lunch for visitors during the tour.  Also manage volunteers who will help serve and clean up.
  • Fellowship Hall Display - Gather pictures, artifacts and stories about the saints to display during the light lunch.

If we get commitments for these coordinators we will start the production of a 2019 tour and keep the community updated on our progress.  As we move through the summer, we will be soliciting more volunteers to help with various aspects of the production.

We hope to fill out the coordinators positions on the 10th.  In the meantime, start to think about who we could feature as “saints” on the tour.  We’ve had community and church leaders, children, significant events like the 1930 church fire featured on past tours.

If you’d like to volunteer, have suggestions for saints or can’t make the meeting, please feel free to contact;
Scott Walcker
651 592-3349
Email: elimcemetery@gmail.com

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