Corporate and Organization Member Spotlight: Erdman Engineering, P.C.
For over 30 years, Lindsay and Karla Erdman have owned and operated Erdman Engineering, P.C., in Decorah, Iowa. Founded in 1955 by Lindsay’s dad, Lowell, Erdman Engineering provides civil engineering and land surveying services to eight counties in Northeast Iowa.
Loyal Corporate Members since 2002, Erdman Engineering’s connection and commitment to Vesterheim began in 1976 when Lowell’s wife Audrey joined the Vesterheim Board of Trustees. She faithfully served in that capacity until 2010. One of Audrey’s most significant contributions during her time as a trustee was serving as co-chair of the committee responsible for the Royal Visit of King Harald V and Queen Sonja in 1995. For her work in organizing the Royal Visit, Audrey received the title of Knight of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit.
The Erdman Family’s connection to Vesterheim continued when Lindsay became a member of the Properties Committee in the 1990s. “My initial work with Properties was a natural offshoot of my profession in civil engineering and land survey work and came at the time when I’d taken over the business from my father,” said Lindsay.
But Audrey had other thoughts on how her son could serve Vesterheim. “My mother was on the board for over 30 years and near the end of that time she essentially told me ‘You’re up.’” It was then that he began his first term as a Vesterheim Trustee. “When people ask me why I became a trustee, my first answer is always, ‘my mother made me do it,’” jokes Lindsay.
Today, Lindsay and Karla continue the Erdman Family’s long legacy of service to Vesterheim. Lindsay is serving his second stint as a Vesterheim Trustee. He has been an active member of the Facilities Committee and was instrumental in working as part of the architectural and engineering design team in the Heritage Park and Vesterheim Commons building projects. Karla is an active Vesterheim volunteer and can be found helping at Nordic Fest and Norwegian Christmas and when Viking’s Mississippi River guests come to Decorah to experience Vesterheim. Both Lindsay and Karla have taken classes through the Folk Art School and Karla enjoys shopping in the Museum Store.
When asked why it is important to them to share their time, talent, and treasure with the museum, Karla commented, “Vesterheim is a unique community resource. Living here in Decorah and doing what we do for a living, being involved with Vesterheim is a wonderful fit for us.”
Lindsay and Karla encourage other businesses and organizations, no matter where they are located, to consider becoming Vesterheim Corporate and Organizational Members. “It’s a small investment that will continue to make this great place possible,” said Lindsay. “The national and international nature of Vesterheim’s support and interest is a rare thing for a community of our size and is one of our favorite stories to tell when we travel.”
Learn more about Vesterheim’s Corporate and Organizational Membership Program here.