About the Organization

   The Vasa Order of America began more than a century ago as a benefit fraternal society for Swedish immigrants to the United States. Membership at the time was limited to Swedish born men who through the Vasa Order met others who needed to learn the new language and ways of the new country. A benefit fund provided a small income to members during sickness, and a death benefit at the time would cover final expenses. The Order is named for Gustav Vasa, who liberated the country in the 16th century and became the first King of modern Sweden. The name of Vasa reflects the Order's roots as a Swedish American Fraternal Organization.

   Over the past century, many things have changed, and the Vasa Order has grown to meet the new needs of the Scandinavian American community. Where in the past, members looked to Vasa to help them learn the ways of the new country and provide them a means to share problems and solutions with their countrymen, today Vasa provides members a means to share their rich heritage with fellow Americans, and helps them to learn or remember the meaningful ways and values of the "Old Country."

   Swedish in origin, the Vasa Order welcomes men and women over 14 years of age of Scandinavian roots, (Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish or Icelandic,) and their spouses who would like to rediscover the traditions of their forefathers; and those who are not of Nordic ancestry but are committed to the promotion and advancement of Swedish and Nordic heritage and culture. We do this by encouraging the observance of special dates old and new, such as Midsummer, Leif Ericksson Day, etc. with proper festivities including Smorgasbord and Scandinavian music. While much of our activity occurs during the summer season, in mid-December it is hard to find a Vasa Lodge where Luciafest is not observed.

   Many lodges and districts sponsor Language classes as well as Children's clubs in which Folk Dances are learned and performed in authentic costume. Whenever we can, we take part in programs where our rich heritage may be shared with the public.

   There are nearly three hundred lodges in the Vasa Order, governed by 19 District lodges in the United States, Sweden and Canada. The most popular monthly meeting nights are Friday and Wednesday. While you may apply for membership to any of our lodges, if you were to join the closest one to your home you would find it easier to participate in meetings and activities.

:)A little Lodge with a BIG website:)

   We are the North-West Indiana Lodge of the Vasa Order of America. This is our website it's mission is to Promote, Celebrate and Preserve Nordic heritage and culture.     

   By sharing this website and promoting our culture with people and organizations that celebrate Nordic heritage and are committed to the preservation of organizations that do the same.

History of the Nordik Folk Lodge #761

   Nordik Folk Lodge #761 gained its charter and held its Institution Ceremony on Sunday, January 29,2006 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Lansing, Illinois. The new charter was signed by over 35 new members and overseen by district dignitaries from Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

   Nordik Folk Lodge #761 came to fruition over time when the Supervisor of Nordikids Musiklubb, Lynda Smith, began discussing the possibility of the parents group forming a new Vasa Lodge in Northwest Indiana. Many meetings later and after lots of planning, District Lodge Lake Michigan No. 8 dignitaries, District Master Sten Hult and his wife Nancy, and Bill and Sheila Lunquist of Flint, Michigan, came to share an informative Power Point Presentation explaining Vasa Order of America history, as well as topics including scholarships, the old age fund, rituals, and information on the popular Concordia Summer Language Camps in Bimidji, Minnesota. Brochures and membership forms were distributed and the rest is history.

   Present at Nordik Folk Lodge #761 Institution Ceremony were District Master Sten Hult of Midlothian, Illinois; Master of Ceremonies Nancy Hult of Midlothian, Illinois; Grand Lodge Executive Board Member/Past District Master William Lundquist of Grand Blanc, Michigan; Executive Board Member Sheila Lundquist, of Grand Blanc, Michigan; Vice District Master James Nystedt, of Wheaton, Illinois; Hospital Fund Secretary- Treasurer Charlotte Tollin of Roscoe, Illinois; Past District Master Jake (Reinhold) Gruel of New Berlin, Wisconsin; District Secretary Marge Gruel also of New Berlin, Wisconsin; Guards Mr. & Mrs. Les Touve of Wisconsin, Past District Master David Tollin and District Cultural Chairman Rey Carlberg of Midlothian, Illinois.

   Officers Installed were Mike Pearson, Chairman; Steve Westlund, Assistant Chairman; Linnea Ogrentz, Recording Secretary; Elsa Welton, Assistant Recording Secretary; Jenny Stoica, Treasurer; Barbara Hannigan, Historian; Jodi Nicola, Cultural Leader; Wendy Brown, Inner Guard; Ingrid Lesko, Outer Guard; Michael Pearson Jr., Master of Ceremonies; Fred Raddatz, Assistant Master of Ceremonies; Annelise Nelson, Financial Secretary; Lisa Pearson, Assistant Finanacial Secretary; Beth Raddatz, Auditor; Tim Ogrentz, Auditor; Phyllis Kalajian, Trustee; Michelle Wadkins, Chaplain; and Shelly Westlund, Archives Representative.

   Meetings for the Nordik Folk Lodge #761 will be held in Indiana on the third Monday of every month at 7 pm. Plans for the coming year include a picnic, a trip to Chicago's Historic Swedish Andersonville neighborhood and IKEA. We will also be involved in supporting Nordikids Musiklubb Children's group who hold their Annual Lucia Fest in December, and Spring Fest in April.
For more information
e-mail Mike@Nordikmail.com

Wear your heritage with Phyllis' hand-crafted jewelry!
Phyllis is a member of Lodge 761 Nordikfolk

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