A True Norwegian Love Story
David Susag remembers with distinct clarity being in elementary school and going to see a replica Viking ship being built in Hawley, Minnesota. It left quite an impression on his young mind and heart, especially since his own heritage is Norwegian.
Years later, that same interest in his heritage inspired David to attend Decorah’s Annual Nordic Fest where he made the choice to purchase a Vesterheim membership. This would prove to be a very wise investment! In 2000, David took his first Vesterheim folk art class in figure carving and has been taking classes ever since.
Also in 2000, Darlene Fossum Martin, former Director of the Folk Art School, invited David to volunteer at Vesterheim’s Scandinavian Food Fest, a celebration that shared food traditions with hands-on demonstrations and food samples. David volunteered in the kitchen and around campus doing other odd jobs. It wasn’t long before you found him at Vesterheim Norwegian Christmas celebrations, again serving food. One time when they ran out of rømmegrøt, Darlene asked him to make more. David had never made rømmegrøt but quickly learned how! Now making rømmegrøt has become one of his favorite holiday traditions.
Lynn Bunge Susag’s grandfather came from Norway and settled outside of Spring Grove, Minnesota. He spoke Norwegian, and her Grandpa John lived with Lynn’s family for a short time while she was in high school. This had a profound impact on her and deepened her appreciation of her Norwegian heritage. Then Lynn studied Norwegian at Luther College in Decorah. During her junior year of college while studying abroad in Nottingham, England, Lynn made her first, but not her last, pilgrimage to Norway to celebrate Christmas with her Norwegian friends in Bø and Sauda. During spring break of that same academic year, Lynn, along with her mother and aunt, made another trip to visit relatives in Trøndelag.
David and Lynn’s love story began in Lanesboro, Minnesota. Employment opportunities brought them both to Lanesboro where they met through the local variety show “Over the Back Fence” and learned of their shared connection to folk art and to Vesterheim. When they decided to get married, eloping to Norway was the logical choice.
As newlyweds, the Susags had an important conversation and realized their profound devotion to Vesterheim. “Vesterheim is part of who we are. We simply can’t imagine life without it.” shared David and Lynn. “It is our community. It is our inspiration and spark as folk artists.” Recognizing how much Vesterheim meant to them, they wanted to do their part to ensure the same opportunities for future generations by including Vesterheim in their estate plans. “Being part of the Valhalla Society (Vesterheim’s planned giving society) is our commitment to Vesterheim’s legacy,” said the Susags.
As longtime volunteers, students, demonstrators, members, supporters, and friends, we appreciate all the ways David and Lynn support and uplift Vesterheim. We are grateful that their love story is also a Vesterheim love story!
To learn more about Vesterheim’s Valhalla Society and how to leave a legacy for future generations at Vesterheim through your estate plans, please contact Diane Wagner, Vice President of Donor Relations, at dwagner@vesterheim.org or call 563-382-9681.
