Vanberia establishes memorial fund at Vesterheim

Vanberia International Imports has given start up funds to establish a memorial fund at Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum to honor Trudy Wasson, a Vesterheim rosemaling instructor and Gold Medalist.

The fund will help underwrite costs of the museum's rosemaling education programs, including classroom improvements, teachers' salaries, scholarships, and supplies.

Wasson once stated, "I enjoy all things Norwegian, and do them, too...knitting, hardangersom, klostersom, rosemaling, food, etc." Wasson said she began rosemaling so that she could paint something for her children that would reflect their Norwegian heritage.

In the last few years she began stitching rosemaling designs on quilts and won awards at a number of quilt shows with them. In 2006, she and her daughter, Julie Baird of Plainfield, Illinois, formed a partnership to provide elegant machine quilting patterns with a rosemaling influence. In 2008, the line was expanded to include patterns for the novice free-motion machine quilter. Wasson died December 28th. Said Vesterheim education specialist Diane Weston, "We will all miss her amazing spirit and love of life!"

Anyone wishing to contribute to the Trudy Wasson Rosemaling Education Fund may send a check to Vesterheim, Trudy Wasson Rosemaling Education Fund, P.O. Box 379, Decorah, IA 52101.