Book 2 - Nathan, Amy, Madison and Ethan Berga

love and grace to her peaceful soul. Lena was 62 years
old when I was born; and died when I was 14. I look
at her life as one richly endowed by God for her faith
in him, having created a legacy of her own in this life,
in her place and time.” 19
Joyce Alton Wada continues, “As she and I sat on
the large front porch one very warm, sunny, summer
afternoon, we chatted about things in soft voices, such
as the wind in the trees, the men in the field, and the
flowers. One day she picked some Holly hocks, green
moss, and by using a purse-size mirror she began telling
me the story of the lovely ladies in their ballroom
gowns, like the turned over Holly hocks in her hands,
dancing on the carpet of moss, around the lovely lake,
the mirror. This was a very unusual time with Grandma,
she took time from her tasks to sit with me. Her
softness and sweetness was shown in gentle ways, and
will never be forgotten. There was a deep reverence
within her that shone outward, speaking good, rightness,
diligence and holiness. She spoke of honesty and
gracefulness, which was so becoming. There would be
times when she would slip me a clove from her purse
and say, ‘Put this in your mouth. It will freshen your
breath.’ And there were other quiet times I watched
her comb and brush her long hair at bedtime while
her dark brown eyes smiled.
As I look back, I often wish that she could have shared
more about her family, life, and her faith in Jesus
Christ, taught me some Norwegian words, and some
recipes. I remember how I loved to please her when
I was with her. Her life was one continuous change
from the old world to the new world, and from the
hard, rough life of a settler to beauty and convenience
in her time. William was a good provider for his family;
there were very few words exchanged between him
and Lena. However, there was a deep enduring commitment
of love to death. They were a team, coming
from two different worlds, and successfully achieving
their goals for their family.” 19
Her obituary reads: Lena Nordrum was born to
Johan and Elizabeth Marie Nordrum on October
31, 1870, at Maple Springs, Dunn County, Wisconsin.
When she was an infant when her parents
moved to the present Nordrum farm in the town
of Eau Galle, St. Croix County. On June 30, 1890,
she married William Vanasse and lived in Spring
Valley and on the farm in Gilman.
“How privileged I have been to love her, to have her
love me, and to remember her quiet influence in my
life.” 19
Helen recalls the day that Lena died.“When she had
a small stroke at 73 years old, I went to her and she
still was peaceful and encouraged me. The last stroke
was severe and she lived one week. Victor’s wife, Alyce,
and I took care of her. She never came to. It was
a very quiet suffering for my father, as he sat by her
for hours; but, she quietly left us in 1946. Much could
be learned from this peaceful way Mother had in spite
of everything that happened. I often look back on
this and appreciate living that way. God was always
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