Friday, February 27, 2009

Bill Holm


Minnesota author Bill Holm dies at 65
St. Paul, Minn. — Essayist and poet Bill Holm was nationally known for his distinctly Minnesotan writing.
He's the author of several works, including "Boxelder Bug Variations," "Coming Home Crazy," and "Playing the Black Piano."
In 2007, Holm wrote "Windows of Brimnes: an American in Iceland." It was named for his cottage near a small fishing village in Iceland, where he spent his summers.
His friends and colleagues compare Holm to Walt Whitman and Henry David Thoreau for writing so devotedly about his home town of Minneota.
They also compare him to Mark Twain, because of his tendency to mix affection and humor with harsh political criticism.
Just this past May Holm won the prestigious McKnight Distinguished Artist Award, which is given to people who could work elsewhere but choose to stay in Minnesota and contribute to the state's cultural life.
"We are losing his authenticity, we are losing his love for the land, for Minnesota itself, and we are really losing one of our greatest authors," said Vicki Benson, arts program director for McKnight.
Milkweed Editions published much of Holm's work, and director Daniel Slager said those works had a sense of appreciation for the people he wrote about.
“The farther away from Minnesota that I got, the more I realized that my material as a writer …had something to do with this funny little town where I was born.” –Bill Holm
"I was particularly drawn to Bill's non-fiction, which combines an interesting political sensibility -- constantly vigilant defense of little people, powerless people, and a constant suspicion of power and its workings," said Slager. "But never excessively earnest, always infused with good humor, and with real love and respect for people from all walks of life."
Holm was born in 1943 on a farm north of Minneota, Minn., and continued to live in Minneota while teaching at Southwest State. Holm taught for 27 years before retiring in late 2007.
While he traveled widely over the years -- to Europe, to China and to Africa -- and spent summers in the Iceland of his ancestors, Holm told MPR in a 2008 interview that he kept coming back to Minneota.
"The farther away from Minnesota that I got, the more I realized that my material as a writer -- not just the material, but the way that I saw the world and the lens through which I observed American, the world and my life was somehow -- had something to do with this funny little town where I was born."
Holm was an occasional guest on A Prairie Home Companion radio show on American Public Media. The program's host, Garrison Keillor, called Holm a great man.
"And unlike most great men, he really looked like one. 6 foot 8 inches, big frame, and a big white beard and a shock of white hair, a booming voice, so he loomed over you like a prophet and a preacher, which is what he was," said Keillor.
"I wish I'd been there to catch him as he fell," Keillor continued. "I hope his Icelandic ancestors are waiting to welcome him to their rocky corner of heaven. I hope his piano goes to someone who will love it as much as he did. I hope that people all across Minnesota will pick up one of his books and see what the man had to say."
Holm died Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009 at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D., according to Rehkamp-Horvath Funeral Directors.
Funeral services are pending.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Daniel H. Ludlow

Daniel H. Ludlow 1924 ~ 2009 Daniel H. Ludlow, 84, died February 14, 2009 in Provo of causes incident to age. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and all of his children.Born March 17, 1924, to Daniel and Wilma Hansen Ludlow in Benjamin, Utah. Married Luene Leifson on June 10, 1942, in the Salt Lake Temple. Survived by wife; one son, and seven daughters: Victor (V-Ann) Ludlow, Sandra Ludlow, Diane (Doyle) Asay, LuAnn Rothe, Carolyn (Brent) Sweeny, Kathy (Mark) Smith, Shauna (Darrell) Smith, Michelle (Garr) Judd; as well as forty-two grandchildren and sixty-four great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by both parents; a daughter, Ruth (Nate) Pierce; a son-in-law, Ed Rothe; and a sister, Margaret. Survived also by brothers and sisters from his mother's later marriage after his father's death to D. Raymond LeBaron: Anna Rae (Gilbert) Nelson; Dollene (Ben) Nason; Garn Q. (Barbara) LeBaron (half-brother); and Nona (Joe Lynn) Spencer (half-sister). Preceded in death by stepbrother Charles D. (Shirley) LeBaron. He also considered his wife's family as his own. Attended schools in Benjamin, Goshen, and Spanish Fork. Attended college at Utah State, where he was elected student-body president twice (1942-46); Indiana University (Masters); and Columbia University (Doctorate). Taught at Utah State (1947-1952) and Brigham Young University (1955-1972), where he served as Dean of Religious Instruction and Director of Institute of Mormon Studies. Received an honorary doctorate degree from BYU in 1995. Served as Director of Correlation Department of the LDS Church for 15 years. Also taught at BYU-Hawaii campus, served as Director of Teacher Support Services for the Church Education System, served on the Scriptures Publication Committee of the LDS Church and served as Editor-in-chief of the "Encyclopedia of Mormonism" published by Macmillan Publishers. Founded and served as the first Director of the BYU Semester Abroad in Israel, and the Faculty Study Tour of the Lands of the Scriptures. Has directed many tours to Israel (often including nearby countries), Central America, Mexico and conducted numerous Church History tours. Served in many leadership positions, including Branch President; member of: a bishopric, four high councils, and two stake presidencies; Regional Representative of the Twelve; President of Australia Perth Mission; and an ordained temple worker. Author of several books (including a series of scripture references), numerous magazine articles, and chapters in Church manuals. Enjoyed sports, gardening, playing games with the family, golfing, fishing, camping, genealogy, and traveling. Had a great love of learning and teaching. Special thanks to Verna, Dana, Jonathan and Luke from Alpine Hospice for their wonderful care. Visitations will be Tuesday, February 17, 2009, at the Provo Walker Mortuary located at 85 East 300 South, Provo from 5:00-8:00 p.m., as well as Wednesday, February 18, 2009, from 9:00-10:30 a.m. at the LDS church located at 2400 North 1060 East, Provo. Memorial services will follow on Wednesday, February 18, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. in the LDS church at 2400 North 1060 East, Provo. In lieu of flowers please donate to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund. Interment in Benjamin, Utah Cemetery.
Published in the Deseret News from 2/16/2009 - 2/17/2009

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Auðrósa Eyjólfsdóttir


Auðrósa Eyjólfsdóttir was born 2 May 1857 at Tjorn a Vatnsnesi, Vestur Hunavatn, the daughter of Eyjolfur Gudmundsson, born 11 October 1829 at Illugastadir, Tjorn a Vatnsnesi, Vestur Hunavatn, died 19 October 1913 in Utah; and Valgerdur Bjornsdottir, born 9 September 1828, died 11 December 1916. Audrosa’s father was from Eyjabakki, Tjorn a Vatnsnesi, Vestur Hunavatn, well known everywhere in the north for his care of the watershed of the eider ducks. Audrosa was partially blind; the cause was blamed on dust from the eiderdown. Audrosa married Jon Bjornsson born 24 August 1843.
Eyjolfur Gudmundsson and his family became members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and immigrated to Utah. They did stay in Helena, Montana for a time before coming to Spanish Fork in 1885. One of the reasons for the emigration to Utah was in hopes that the blessings of the elders could cure Audrosa.
Jon and Audrosa had a large family: Eygerdur Adrois 1885-1896; Bjarnveig Christine 1888, married Fred Hurst; Jonina 1890-1957, married Richard Eugene Harrison; Johannah 1890-1891; Serenna 1892-1892; Sarah 1892-1892; Martha 1895, married Frank Stubbs Taylor; Margret 1895-1927, married Frank Fjeldsted; Hjalmur John 1898-1972, married Faunella Adams; and John 1900-1909. Audrosa cared for these children, although she totally lost her eyesight. She died 22 March 1941. In Utah she was known as Rosa Jameson. She is number 127 in Icelanders of Utah.