One event that was held deeply in high regard was Confirmation. It was expected that the confirmation candidate would prepare rigorously. The subject areas that were studied included bible history, Hymnal, New Testament, Catechism, and explanation of the Catechism. There was no complaint by the participants, because it was expected in their religious culture.
Food became an important way of expressing the Norwegian cultural identity. Food from the homeland such as lutefisk, and flatbread became recognized Norwegian staples.The traditional foods were still made in Wisconsin including prim-whey cheese and grammelost-old cheese. During Easter and Christmas, the Oleson family cooked creams, cookies and pastries. The Norwegians had not come from a progressive agriculture, but were raisers of small grains and potatoes. Norwegian immigrants were primarily farmers and ate what they farmed such as meats, grains and dairy; much like in Norway. Fishing was no longer a staple like in Norway. After the Oleson's got in better circumstances the folks continued to butcher their food as much as they had in Norway; four-or five-small pigs in the Fall, a beef, and the lambs in Spring. Their customs remained the same such coffee and cookies were served after church and as hospitality to their visitors. Immigrants still carried on the same hospitable traditions of Norway in Wisconsin. It is hard to beat the Scandinavians for hospitality. Parties were held often which included large assortments of foods, dancing and alcohol. Like many Western European immigrant cultures, drinking was widely accepted. Homemade beers, wines and whiskeys were brewed. Most Norwegians were sick without their liquor. .
Life in the Norwegian tradition was not very easy. It was tough and required hardworking farmers. Having worked marginal lands at home, they were accustomed to heavy labor with meager return, and took what land was left, including rough hills and even swamps to turn into productive farms.
Thorstein Veblen was born on July 30, 1857 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He was of Norwegian heritage and until the day he died, he spoke with a strong accent. His family lived in Wisconsin for the early part of his life, but then moved to a farmstead in Minnesota. ... Brought up in a snobbish community of immigrants from Norway, Veblen never became completely at ease with the American way of living. ...
