History: The Luther Hospital Auxiliary, Eau Claire, 1908 - 1968 ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Nance Sampson 21 April 1999 ==================================================================== Norwegian Women Joined to Aid Luther Hospital The following news item, written March 10, 1908 by Mrs. Peder Tangjerd and parts 'lifted' as it was translated from the weekly Norwegian publication "The Reform", conveys the story behind the hopes and labors of the women of the Eau Claire area in support of the new hospital-to-be "Luther Hospital". "When a young woman is about to set up housekeeping, get her own home, her mother usually gets her equipped. Even in a small household, consisting of 2 or 3 people, hundreds of items are needed, big and small. For a loving mother, it is an honor and joy to equip her daughter as well as possible, make her home comfortable and cozy. Here in Eau Claire we now have a daughter, an unborn child of the peoples love. This, our common child, is Luther Hospital and we anticipate a great future for her. We want her to be a blessing for many and useful to us and our fellow beings and an honor and joy to God and our Scandinavian people. but, if this daughter of ours is to live up to her task and be of service and a blessing, we have to give her a good start and see that she is well equipped. And, we women enjoy such activity. There is especially one thing I want to ask for at this time, namely feathers for pillows. These are expensive in town, but in the country the chickens will grow new ones next summer. Accordingly you must agree at your next ladies meeting, that you will bring together some feathers from each house, pack them into one or more large bags and send them to the hospital. We are now starting to sew pillows. Therefore let us soon have some feathers to stuff them with. Otherwise, we will have to buy them and then we shall discover what they cost. We will welcome completed pillows or, in fact, used pillows from any of you. We can use anything from old scraps of linen, sail cloth and feathers. So, by all means, remember the feathers. Some there are who like to send money to the hospital and we can only say to them that the best is good enough! Among those who most recently have sent money to the hospital are three women from Strum who helped out with $5.00 so their Womens Club got enough to furnish a room. We here will want to thank these three, Mrs. Marit E. Kansen, Mrs. A. Romanstad and Mrs. O. Bollerud. And, we say 'thank you' as well toall who bring help of any kind to us. Now this daughter of all of us stands ready to start her career. Let us all flock together around her with gifts, good wishes and our prayers. The hospital's Superintendent of Nurses, Miss Ida Isaacson, has arrived and has her hands and head busy with arranging and managing everything related to equipment. She is present every day at the sewing activities and makes sure that everything is well and satisfactorily done. She believes that about April first the hospital can be opened to patients. Well, accept my thanks for now and don't forter the feathers. Yours for Luther Hospital -- Mrs. P. Tangjerd." More complete historical facts tell of the small group of women from The Norwegian Lutheran Church, later changed to the First Lutheran Church, who began meeting together in various homes, in the early 1900's, to sew, embroider and read aloud in Norwegian for their own pleasure. In 1908 this group expanded for the purpose of preparing the needed linens for the new hospital. The group became known as the "Glimt", meaning 'a little ray of sunshine,' and met in the nurses homes which had formerly been the residence of the Gjermund Hoyme family, located next to the hospital at the corners of Bellinger and Chestnut Streets. (Bishop Hoyme was an early pastor of the First Lutheran Church.) Here it was possible to gather where two treadle sewing machines were available. All linen supplies, curtains, sheets, draw sheets, dresser scarves, towels, tray cloths, napkins, pillowcases, doctors and patients gowns, etc. were produced. Two machines were totally inadequate for the supplies needed. The women each took 'mounds' of fabric home to convert into hospital supplies. Members of the Glimt included Mrs. Peder Tangjerd, wife of the pastor of First Lutheran Church, Mrs. Lars Urheim, Mrs. P. O. Bruden, Mrs. Laura Rekstad, Miss Tena Werstad, (later shortened to West), Mrs. H. M. Knudtson, Mrs. John Knudtson, Miss Stella Johnson, Mrs. Christian Midelfart, Mrs. Johann Mathiesen, Mrs. Sigvale Quale, Mrs. Anna Gunderson Rider, Mrs. Elizabeth Hande, Mrs. Josephine Roseth Olson, Mrs. W. H. Brady, Mrs. Gjermund Hoyme and Mrs. Alfred Cypreansen. Miss Tena West became the first president of the group. A news report of June 16, 1908 stated that $529.30 was contributed to the hospital by the Glimt. Later, on Nov. 30, 1908, the editor Waldemar Ager reported that women of this group organized the areas about Eau Claire into a committee of 18 to plan and execute a large bazaar to be held about Kepler's Department Store (now occupied by Sear's [1968]). The "Reform" on Dec. 22, 1908 told of the success of this affair, which lasted several days, and which included hundreds of beautiful handicrafts, a Curiosity Shop with articles from Norway, some items very old. One of the most interesting sights was old Mrs. Hagen, in her 'Hallingdal' costume, who sat and worked at the spinning wheel. Businessmen had donated many beautiful things, among others, 'Klokker' Anderson, who made a gift of a beautiful mahogany table. The profit from the bazaar was over $1,100. Food sales, dinners, lunches, suppers, concerts and additional bazaars continued to be useful in raising funds for the growing hospital. Mrs. Tangjerd made money boxes for the children to aid in the collection of funds. In order to equip the hospital rooms, individuals, families and organizations were invited to participate in the purchase of furnishings. The Glimt furnished the second room through weekly payments of $16.00 with the stipulation that the name plaque was to be printed in English. In 1913 the group had grown to sufficient proportion to become formally organized, affiliating with Luther Hospital. The name now was changed to "The Luther Hospital Guild" with Mrs. Fred Graham as its first president. Sewing continued to be the major concern. Later the number of sewing days was reduced from each day to twice weekly and 12 districts were assigned within the Guild, each district to provide workers for one month. The current practice is for the various Protestant churches to provide, one month each, a sufficient number of women to continue adequate sewing and mending for the hospital. Since 1960 a special committee has made 3,028 puppets, red clowns, for the children departing from the pediatric department. When the Hoyme house was torn down to make way for the new nurses home, the group met in various churches to continue sewing. Churches also permitted the Guild to use their facilities for preparing and serving dinners, lunches and suppers for the annual National Hospital Day celebration, held each May, until the demand outpaced the number of workers available. Fund raising projects which remain today are the Silver Tea each spring, an Ice Cream and Pie Social in August, a Thank Offering in November and the distribution of plants or flowers to patients remaining in the hospital at Easter and Christmas time was possible due to funds from the Sunshine collections and the regular monthly collections. Cookies, Yule Kage and coffee were served to patients at Christmas time. Volunteer Services began with the hospital in October, 1960, by auxiliary members, to supplement the services of the hospital personnel. These volunteers are recognized by their pink smocks and pinafores. In 1961 the Guild held its first Springtime Ball, so successful that it too has become a tradition. In this year the Guild voted to join the American Hospital Association and changed the name to "The Luther Hospital Auxiliary." And in June, 1963 the Gift Shop and Gift Cart became a reality. In 1967 the 'brain child' of hospital administrator, Arne Sorlein, was originated. This is "Telecare" where volunteers help staff the service, which assumes the responsibility of a daily contact with lone, house-bound persons of all ages. The latest project came into being in February, 1968. This is "The Red Carpet" a 'good-as-new' shop located at the corner of Beach and Babcock Streets, where interested persons may bring articles in excellent condition, on a consignment basis, or donate toward the project. Here the public may come to purchase china, glassware, linens, clothing, furniture and antiques. All funds raised by the Auxiliary's projects are for the benefit of Luther Hospital, from the minor items to the Intensive Care Emergency Cardiac Unit. --Taken from the Eau Claire Leader / The Daily Telegram, Progress Edition, 1968