Dr. Larsandrew Dolan Award - 2000
Per and Liv were born and raised in Oslo, Norway. As a young
married couple, they came to the United States and settled in Chicago.
Always active in a variety of cultural and service organizations, Liv joined our Board of Directors in 1982, where she made a considerable contribution to maintaining the Norwegian heritage of our organization and the Norwegian traditions that remain an important part of our identity. On the third Sunday in August you will find Liv taking charge of the Scandinavian Food booth at Norwood Crossing’s Annual Picnic, and serving guests that have often times waited a year, since the previous picnic, to taste flotegrot, krumkake and other Norwegian delicacies.
Over the years, Per and Liv have been goodwill ambassadors for our organization, supporting the purpose and mission, graciously officiating at many of our events and encouraging members of the Norwegian-American community to get involved in serving our older adult community. In 1987, Per was appointed Consul for Norway for the State of Illinois by the King of Norway and Consul General on October 26, 1990, retiring from this position in May of 1999. In 1995, His Majesty King Harald appointed him Knight First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit.
In May of 1999, in tribute to Per and Liv, our Board of Directors established the Ohrstrom Norwegian Elder Fund, commonly known as the ONE Fund, as a way to further our organization’s charitable mission to the Norwegian American community who have been so vital to the growth and stability of our not-for-profit organization. The ONE Fund will provide assistance to residents of Norwegian descent or the spouse of a Norwegian who have demonstrated a need for support.
Per and Liv, have done so much to further our mission within the Norwegian American community and maintain our proud Norwegian heritage. Whether it is providing ethnic dishes and recruiting Norwegian volunteers, or singing Norwegian carols, to the delight of residents, at the Lille Jul Aften Christmas celebration, their presence is always a joy. They are a reminder of the importance of nurturing our traditional bonds to the Norwegian community, and they set the example for us to follow.