NORWAY-L Archives

Archiver > NORWAY > 2001-05 > 0989817152


From: Michelle Bakke-Purnell <>
Subject: Re: Mothers Day Tributes
Date: Sun, 13 May 2001 23:12:32 -0600
References: <4.3.2.7.0.20010513145815.00aa8d00@mail.tdn.com>


Dear List
Thank you Karla for letting us honor our dearest Norwegian female relative. Mine
is my Grandmother Solveig Bakke (Eriksen). Solveig was born in Hedrum, now Larvik
on May 2, 1918, and just celebrated her 83 birthday. She immigrated with her
mother and 4 older siblings to Canada in 1926. Her father had come a year
earlier. As a mother she has had to endure many hardships. Yet has taken it with
such great composer. That I really look up to her.

Her first child/son, ( My Father) was killed in an accident at the young age of
43. Her third child/second son. Has been crippled with arthritis since his late
teens. He has had many medical problems and just last week we didn't think he
would make it through the night. Her youngest child/ Third son was in an accident
12 years ago and was paralyzed from the waist down.

Through all of this she shows the greatest of strengths. She is always composed
and takes each event with such grace it always amazes me. She is such a strong
women that I look up to her with admiration and pride. I am very proud to call
her my Grandmother, and only hope that one day I can have half of the will power
that she has. She truly is my Norwegian rock.
Michelle Bakke-Purnell

This thread: