The Story of Karen and Kresten Sommer
In 1957, Mom and Dad (Karen and Kresten Sommer) led our family on an excellent adventure.
Dreaming of a better life, they sold their farm near Mariager, Denmark, made careful plans and preparations, and immigrated to Canada. They would work on farms until a better opportunity came along.
Adventure in Canada
After an exciting ship voyage, we landed in Halifax. Then we boarded the train and headed to Alberta.
Mom and Dad worked on farms for a couple of years and eventually moved to the Town of Ponoka. There, Dad worked building bridges and Mom washed dishes at a local cafe. Soon they had saved enough to buy a house.
In 1961, Dad was injured at work and hospitalized for several months. Mom found a better job at the Ponoka General Hospital and worked her way up to head cook.
After he recovered, Dad worked at Alberta Hospital in Ponoka instead. Despite this setback, Mom and Dad felt their dreams of a better life had been fulfilled. Our education was advancing. Our family had explored Alberta's natural beauty, learned to like country and western music, made new friends and found many new interests.
On February 14, 1963, we proudly became Canadian citizens. Dad died in 1992 and Mom in 2006.
Adventure-Filled Legacy
Mom's bequest to the Danish Canadian National Museum Society created a new adventure for our family:
• The funds she donated went towards building a Viking Ship in Denmark
• We reconnected with our Danish sister Kirsten, who christened the ship Freydis Joanna (Mom's second name)
• Our brother Egon trucked the ship from Halifax to the museum, displaying it along the way
The Viking Ship symbolizes Mom and Dad's Viking spirit––their courage, unshakeable confidence, and drive to succeed in their new land. And our family's excellent adventure.
Adapted from the 2009 Heritage Book,with permission from the Federation of Danish Associations in Canada
More Immigrant Stories:
• Visit Our Viking Ship––Freydis Joanna
• Georg and Sofie are past their prime. Should they risk starting over in Canada?
