Sons of Norway Heim Lodge #178

NORWAY

Land of the Midnight Sun

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave

NORTH DAKOTA

Liberty and Union, Now and Forever,

One and Inseparable

SONS OF NORWAY

HEIM LODGE #178

Devils Lake, North Dakota

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History of Heim Lodge #178

There are really three parts to the history of the Sons of Norway in the Devils Lake area. Heimdal Lodge No. 24 was organized August 4, 1903 - the second oldest in North Dakota and District 4. The only older North Dakota Lodge was Varden Lodge No. 21 in Grand Forks, which was organized June 22, the same year (Kringen Lodge No. 25 in Fargo was organized August 20). Heimdal Lodge began with 20 members and Ole Serumgard was the first president. Members were men and meetings were conducted in Norwegian and for many years were held in the Great Northern Hotel. Heimdal Lodge suspended operation in 1950.

In 1917, while Heimdal Lodge was functioning, 6 of its members were from the Starkweather area, but they found it difficult to attend meetings in Devils Lake. It was often necessary to take the afternoon train to Devils Lake, stay overnight and return by train the next day. It was decided to organize a new Sons of Norway Lodge in Starkweather, and on February 7, 1917, Heim Lodge was opened in Starkweather with 28 charter members.

In 1918, a store building was purchased and remodeled for the lodge. Peak membership was 100, and a total of 214 members were initiated over the years. For 45 years meetings were held the first and third Wednesdays with such special events as May 17, the Christmas party and annual lutefisk dinners extra. Until 1942, meetings continued in Norwegian. Membership declined and from 1962 to 1967 meetings were held only on the call of the officers.

In 1967, Mrs. Alice Wee and others decided to reorganize a Sons of Norway Lodge in Devils Lake - this time with both men and women members. The women are absolutely necessary for a really successful lodge program, and the reorganized Heim Lodge was an instant success. The charter of Heim Lodge, Starkweather, was transferred to Devils Lake Heim Lodge. Our members come from many communities - we're a happy, friendly lodge. Mr. Carroll Juven was great help in organizing and helping the lodge get started. The first meeting of the new lodge was on April 8, 1967.