I really wanted to know what life was like almost 80 years ago. So I asked the oldest person I know- my full-blooded, Norwegian grandmother. It was so wonderful and amazing to find out about her history. I would have never thought to ask these questions if it hadn't been for this project.
From what country were you an immigrant? If so, did you dream of going to America?
No, I wasn't an immigrant. My Grandparents were though. They were from Norway. I bet my Grandfather did dream of going to America. He wanted to be a farmer, but there was very little good farming land in Norway.
What were you most fascinated by as a child?
Wow! So many choices! There was very little technology back then, so I guess I was amazed by reading.
Are there any truly memorable events that happened in your lifetime? Are there any big ones that haven't affected you?
Well, my mother died when I was only nine years old. Some other personal events that happened were that I had children and got grandchildren! My daughter and I also went back to Norway. Some events that haven't included me are wars, such as the 2nd world war, and the atom bomb too. We didn't really have segregation either. But we lived in an area for Norwegians, so there were hardly any, if not any colored people.
How did you react when President Kennedy was shot? What was the country like momentarily without a present?
I was in a state of shock, acting like, 'This could not happen!' The world kept going, though the entire nation was in shock too. The Vice President, Lindon Johnson, took control over the country in the role of the President.
Because you lived near Norman Borlaug and his family as a child, do you remember how they reacted when they heard what he did?
They were very surprised. Even Norman was! I heard from his sister that he was just out with his crops when his wife told him. Norman thought she was joking! His family was (and is!) probably very proud.
What is the thing you're most surprised that you've experienced?
Well, once there was a tornado next door. Their house was one of the few things left from the wreckage. My neighbor came to my door saying, "My farm blew away!"
What types of technology that you had when you were little and is still here today would you say has improved the most? Are you amazed at how fast technology has grown?
Absolutely! Way beyond what I can understand! When I was 18 years old we got electricity on our farm. My family and I had a few lights, a toaster, a refrigerator, and a wood-burning stove. Other than that we didn't have much technology. But electricity was very important.
Has you're life changed more or less than you thought it would over you're lifetime?
Well, I did expect a family, and better technology. But I wasn't smart enough to know that the things and events would be like they are. Everything has so far amazed me.
What would you say is human-kind's biggest accomplishment so far?
Probably the field of medicine. They have made many vaccines for diseases and other types of sickness. I just can't believe the break through of replacing hearts, bones, and many other body parts too! I am surprised at the other medicines of many kinds.
This interview was amazing in a lot of ways. We really take technology, electricity, and even indoor plumbing for granted! Now I realize that they didn't have as much technology as I thought they did. If I compared and 18 year old's life in 1948 to an 18 year old's life now, I can see how much harder life would be like to be an 18 year old back then! It was interesting to hear how different my Grandma's life was compared to mine. It helped me see how much has changed in just one lifetime.
Anna R.
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