Viking Pride

COEUR d'ALENE - How proud is Asbjorn Rostad of his Norwegian heritage?

Ask him, and a big smile fills his face. He doesn't like to brag, but ...

"I used to have a shirt that says, 'It's hard to be humble when you're Norwegian,'" he says.

The shirt may be missing these days, but not the pride.

Rostad is president of Coeur d'Alene Sons of Norway Lodge, Harald Haarfager, that was chartered here in 1910 and is celebrating its centennial year.

It's also hosting the first Sons of Norway International Convention in Idaho that begins Sunday and continues through Wednesday.

The gathering will include the usual discussions and decisions on by-laws and resolutions, but there will also be cultural programs to highlight the history of Norway and the people who trace their roots to the northern Europe country.

"Part of our goal in bringing the convention to Coeur d'Alene was to heighten the awareness in our own community of the Scandinavian presence in Coeur d'Alene," said Barbara Rostad, Asbjorn's wife of 30 years. "It's extremely strong."

She pointed out that the Molstead Library at North Idaho College is named for the Selmer Molstead family, which has Norwegian heritage.

The couple worked for several years to bring the convention to Coeur d'Alene. Delegates from throughout the U.S., Canada and Norway will be here.

"I would say the last year or so it's been a full-time job for me," said Barbara, who is a North Dakota Norwegian. She and Asbjorn met, not surprisingly, at a Sons of Norway convention in San Diego.

Opening ceremonies are 4 p.m. Sunday at The Coeur d'Alene Resort. Car and horse shows, art exhibits, hikes, readings by Scandinavian authors and a variety show are on the agenda.

"I think we'll have some exciting times," Barbara said.

Asbjorn, who goes by "Sigurd," was born in Norway and raised on a farm.

"I was there during the war," he said. "During the war, things were kind of tough. We didn't always get a lot to eat, but we certainly didn't go hungry, either."

He spent three years in the Norwegian Air Force as a radar technician, even teaching electronics and operation of ground control approach radar systems.

Shortly after leaving the military, he moved to the United States.

"I always had this idea I wanted to go to another country," he said.

In America, he earned a bachelor's degree in engineering, a master's at USC, and enjoyed a career at Hughes Aircraft Company in California before heading to North Idaho.

He said the Sons of Norway is a fraternal organization that today has insurance and financial branches.

"Initially, it was formed strictly for financial reasons to support immigrants so they had a way over," he said.

Norway has changed "drastically," since he grew up there, Asbjorn said, and is one of the wealthiest countries in the world.

"Of course, they discovered oil in the North Sea," he said. "It's probably one of the few countries that has money in the bank."

Asbjorn and Barbara have traveled to Norway several times. His family, brothers and sisters, still live there.

"I'm the black sheep," he said with a laugh.

Life in Norway, he said, is in some ways comparable to Coeur d'Alene.

"People live well. They have their mountain cabins and enjoy life," he said.

While he loves the United States, he encourages others to take a trip to his homeland that today has a population of nearly 5 million.

"You would definitely enjoy traveling to Norway," he said. "I have yet to meet anyone who didn't."

If you go

The local Sons of Norway, Harald Haarfager Lodge, will mark its centennial year by hosting the first Sons of Norway International Convention in Idaho Sunday through Wednesday. The public is welcome at any of the events.

Sunday

• A Century of Fjords and Fords: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., by the clock tower

• Scandinavian exhibit: 1-3:30 p.m., Museum of North Idaho, “Nordic Roots Run Deep,” plus Finnish weaving demonstration.

Monday

• Norwegian Folk art exhibit: 1-7 p.m. The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

• Hiking with Vikings: 6:30 p.m. Hike on the North Idaho Centennial Trail. Start by The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

Tuesday

• Local Scandinavian authors: 2 p.m., Coeur d’Alene Public Library Community Room. Excerpts by guest authors Keith Dahlberg, Yvonne Deitz, Susan Nipp and Sheila Wood.

• Mudgy and Millie walk: 3:45 p.m. Start at the statue by the library.

• Letters from Liv: 7:30 p.m., a variety show featuring music and anecdotes at The Resort. $15 at the door.

There will be Scandinavian displays at the Coeur d’Alene library and North Idaho College’s Molstead Library throughout Labor Day weekend.