Who Was Olga Solveig Norton?
On November 1, 2008, my Nana passed away peacefully in her sleep. Olga Solveig Larsen was born in Feda, Norway and had a very fulfilling and full life. This post is in her memory.
Nana was born early enough to live through WWII. German soldiers had invaded her village, and moved into her home for a brief time. While visiting Norway in fifth grade - where she joined my family on the trip - she showed the grandkids an amazing and massive boulder that she and her sisters hid sugar and flour and other food/ingredients under to keep the soldiers from using all of her family's mainstay. On a second trip to Norway during my senior year in high school, my cousin Jacki found that rock again - walking for so long through fields after the rest of us got frustrated and gave up. I am so grateful to her for finding it - my picture of that rock is one of my most prized possessions. It reminds me of where I came from... what my Nana had to endure to fight for her own freedom, to make a life for herself and her family here in America... it's a piece of my heritage.
When Nana and her sister Ester came to the U.S., she worked in NYC for a while. Then she met Elmer Norton (my Granddad) and moved to Williamsport for a stint. They settled in Lewistown, where Granddad worked in the steel mill (only missing 4 days of work in 50+ years of service!) and Nana stayed home to raise three beautiful, wonderful, very special little girls... one of whom is my mom, Ellen.
I'd like to share some memories I have of my time with Nana. And then I'll talk a little about who she was to so many people. As a young girl, I often dreamed of being a beautician - and Nana encouraged that dream quite readily. I spent hours curling her hair, brushing it, and even pretending to cut it! Then, when I started competing in gymnastics, she came to so many meets - cheering me on and crying out 'oofdah!' when I fell off the balance beam. When we were tired or sick, she would sing a Norwegian song (of which I sadly only remember 'shah shah... shah shah'). And I couldn't ever forget those arm scratches during church when the sermon just wasn't clicking for me. Or the back scratches - just because. Nana might not have fully understood American high school relationships, but she always knew what to say or do to help me through those heart breaks. Her smile could make it all better - so could her cookies.
But the most important memories I have of Nana support why so many people thought of her as one of God's angels. She touched more lives than any of us will ever know... strangers, friends, and family alike. Nana was the most selfless and giving person I have ever met - and likely ever will. Granddad tells stories of her generosity - some of which I only heard after she went into a nursing home.
Not many people would give a stranger their gloves during a cold winter day... but she did. Even fewer people would offer to miss their flight home, across the Atlantic Ocean, to help a mother and her child find their way in a confusing airport... but again, Nana did. I never once heard her say an ill word about anyone - even if they were rude to her or someone else. She might have offered a gentle reprimand or suggestion, but she never gossipped or caused grief. Nana had a very special grace about her that encouraged strangers to flock to her side. She introduced so many children, youth, and families to our home church that she almost single-handedly brought back the congregation that had dwindled so.
Whether Nana was passing out candy to the kids who came to visit her at home, or yodling for the fun of it, she made people smile every day of her life. Nana had the voice of an angel - among other musical talents like playing her harmonica. When she sang 'O Holy Night' each Christmas, barely one dry eye was left in the church. The gentle power and exquisite range of her voice was like getting a glimpse of heaven - peaceful, uplifting, and holy. I am so grateful that she and Granddad have passed along some musical talent to me - it helps me feel like I have a piece of her in my soul.
I think everyone who met Nana felt like she was their friend. She made everyone feel welcome and comfortable; a gift that few people genuinely exhibit so readily, no matter where they are or what they're doing. Nana's gift for painting was another way she touched people - she could paint such realistic flowers and houses that you'd almost think they were photographs. They were always so uplifting to admire. I can recall one specific drawing she did as a child - a copy of a magazine cover of children ice skating... it was simply perfect.
Perfect - that is a word that I don't use loosely when describing people. As humans, we are definitely NOT perfect. However, Nana came close. Perhaps that is why so many of us will remember her as an angel.
Nana was born early enough to live through WWII. German soldiers had invaded her village, and moved into her home for a brief time. While visiting Norway in fifth grade - where she joined my family on the trip - she showed the grandkids an amazing and massive boulder that she and her sisters hid sugar and flour and other food/ingredients under to keep the soldiers from using all of her family's mainstay. On a second trip to Norway during my senior year in high school, my cousin Jacki found that rock again - walking for so long through fields after the rest of us got frustrated and gave up. I am so grateful to her for finding it - my picture of that rock is one of my most prized possessions. It reminds me of where I came from... what my Nana had to endure to fight for her own freedom, to make a life for herself and her family here in America... it's a piece of my heritage.
When Nana and her sister Ester came to the U.S., she worked in NYC for a while. Then she met Elmer Norton (my Granddad) and moved to Williamsport for a stint. They settled in Lewistown, where Granddad worked in the steel mill (only missing 4 days of work in 50+ years of service!) and Nana stayed home to raise three beautiful, wonderful, very special little girls... one of whom is my mom, Ellen.
I'd like to share some memories I have of my time with Nana. And then I'll talk a little about who she was to so many people. As a young girl, I often dreamed of being a beautician - and Nana encouraged that dream quite readily. I spent hours curling her hair, brushing it, and even pretending to cut it! Then, when I started competing in gymnastics, she came to so many meets - cheering me on and crying out 'oofdah!' when I fell off the balance beam. When we were tired or sick, she would sing a Norwegian song (of which I sadly only remember 'shah shah... shah shah'). And I couldn't ever forget those arm scratches during church when the sermon just wasn't clicking for me. Or the back scratches - just because. Nana might not have fully understood American high school relationships, but she always knew what to say or do to help me through those heart breaks. Her smile could make it all better - so could her cookies.
But the most important memories I have of Nana support why so many people thought of her as one of God's angels. She touched more lives than any of us will ever know... strangers, friends, and family alike. Nana was the most selfless and giving person I have ever met - and likely ever will. Granddad tells stories of her generosity - some of which I only heard after she went into a nursing home.
Not many people would give a stranger their gloves during a cold winter day... but she did. Even fewer people would offer to miss their flight home, across the Atlantic Ocean, to help a mother and her child find their way in a confusing airport... but again, Nana did. I never once heard her say an ill word about anyone - even if they were rude to her or someone else. She might have offered a gentle reprimand or suggestion, but she never gossipped or caused grief. Nana had a very special grace about her that encouraged strangers to flock to her side. She introduced so many children, youth, and families to our home church that she almost single-handedly brought back the congregation that had dwindled so.
Whether Nana was passing out candy to the kids who came to visit her at home, or yodling for the fun of it, she made people smile every day of her life. Nana had the voice of an angel - among other musical talents like playing her harmonica. When she sang 'O Holy Night' each Christmas, barely one dry eye was left in the church. The gentle power and exquisite range of her voice was like getting a glimpse of heaven - peaceful, uplifting, and holy. I am so grateful that she and Granddad have passed along some musical talent to me - it helps me feel like I have a piece of her in my soul.
I think everyone who met Nana felt like she was their friend. She made everyone feel welcome and comfortable; a gift that few people genuinely exhibit so readily, no matter where they are or what they're doing. Nana's gift for painting was another way she touched people - she could paint such realistic flowers and houses that you'd almost think they were photographs. They were always so uplifting to admire. I can recall one specific drawing she did as a child - a copy of a magazine cover of children ice skating... it was simply perfect.
Perfect - that is a word that I don't use loosely when describing people. As humans, we are definitely NOT perfect. However, Nana came close. Perhaps that is why so many of us will remember her as an angel.
Comments
1) "Here libba libba libba!" Watching Nana jump over barb wire fences in Norway to catch sheep.
2) "Sheeee liiiiikes horrrrshies!" Although I was never chased by her teeth, hearing you tell the story was enough.
3) Playing marbles or the pool like game on the square board.
4) All summer - every time Alex and I (or anyone for that matter) rode our bikes anywhere, we always made 2 stops on the way home. The first was to Aunt Joyce for a piece of candy and a hug, the second was to Nana and Grandad's for a soda and a sit. Alex and I spent at least 30 minutes listening to stories each time we were there, it was great.
Sigh, the good old days.