Every year around Hostfest-time, a small ceremony is held on the North Dakota Prairie to remember a Norwegian hero.

That service was held this morning at the Norway Church between Denbigh and Velva.

Jim Olson reports the event was well attended this year.

(Jim Olson, KX News) The Norway Lutheran Church sits alone on the edge of the Mouse River valley south of Denbigh - pretty much abandoned but for two times each year - Christmas - and this day.

(Bells tolling)


(Jim Olson, KX News) The bell was tolling on this Leif Erickson Day to mark the annual ceremony in memory of another of Norway's favorite sons, the father of modern skiing, Sondre Norheim.

(Rolf Haugen, Skien, Norway) "Sondre Norheim is one of the most famous skiers in Norway."


(Jim Olson, KX News) Rolf Haugen has attended this service for 14 years now - and he says it's important because of the importance of the man it honors. Norheim made his mark on the skiing world in the 19th century but, destitute in later life, moved with his family to North Dakota looking to start anew. He died in 1897 and lay in an unmarked grave for nearly 70 years before it was discovered he was buried here at the Norway Lutheran Church cemetery.

(Rolf Haugen, Skien, Norway) "He was in an unmarked grave for so many years and it was a big thing that we found his grave out here in Denbigh.

(Jim Olson, KX News) Since then, Norheim's memory has been revived in his home country - and in this area where the Norsk Hostfest celebrates Scandinavian heritage. A statue of him now stands in Minot's Scandinavian Heritage Park, and this ceremony is repeated each year at his gravesite. This year, members of a wind orchestra from Norway played at the ceremony. And this year, the event included a great, great granddaughter of Norheim's, who placed a wreath at the marker on her first-ever visit to the cemetery.

(Rolf Haugen, Skien, Norway) "I think she was very moved by that.

(Jim Olson, KX News) Haugen says many Norwegians have been moved to discover their national hero was buried in North Dakota

(Rolf Haugen, Skien, Norway) "It's very important that this ceremony and this church is kept on for years to come.

(Jim Olson, KX News) That's something the little church on the prairie seems capable of for many years to come. Near Denbigh, Jim Olson, KX News. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list