Underle, Magdalene

Underle, Magdalene

• 1981-06-23 (Creation)

3 file folders
1 photograph
1 sound cassette
2 compact discs

The interview was conducted with Magdalene Underle on June 23, 1981 in Seattle, Washington. It contains information on family background, emigration, settling in, her career as a nurse, marriage, and Norwegian heritage. The interview also contains a photograph of Magdalene at PLU's Norwegian Festival (May 2, 1981). The interview was conducted in English.

Folder Contents

Box 3, File 7 Personal and Family History
Tape Archive Sheet, Family Background, and Tape Index

Box 3, File 7A Correspondence and Forms
Release Form
Letters from Janet Rasmussen to Mrs. Underle regarding her participation.
Handwritten Tape Archive Sheet and Family Background

Box 3, File 7B Photographs
One photograph

Interviewed by Morrene Nesvig
Transcribed by Mary Sue Gee, Julie Peterson and Becky Husby
Encoded by Kerstin Ringdahl & Amity Smetzler
Recording Quality: Good

Biographical Note

Magdalene Underle was born on December 4, 1887 in Redal, Norway, which is located near Bergen. Her parents were Anders and Maren Førland, and Magdalene was the youngest of eight children. Anders was a sailor and also somewhat of a preacher. At one point, he went to the United States, where he settled in Seattle, Washington, but later returned to Norway.

In the fall of 1909, Magdalene's brother Ludwig, who was living in Mount Vernon, Washington, sent her a ticket to the United States. She spoke no English and attended Pacific Lutheran College to learn. She also became employed as a housekeeper, and her employer's children helped her with her English as well. In 1910, Magdalene began training at the Swedish Hospital in Seattle, Washington and graduated second in her class.

During World War I, she went to France as a nurse, and this work enabled her to obtain her American citizenship. After the war, Magdalene visited Norway, and on this trip, she met her husband, Lyder Underle. The couple was married in Mount Vernon and then went to Draper, South Dakota, where Lyder had a farm.

Due to drought, they later moved to Tacoma, Washington, where Lyder was a builder contractor and Magdalene worked at Tacoma General Hospital. In Tacoma, Magdalene began attending the Baptist Church, but was not able to join any Scandinavian organizations. She still keeps her Norwegian heritage alive, however, by maintaining Scandinavian traditions and staying in contact with her relatives in Norway.

Lineage

Full Name: Magdalene Førland Underle
Maiden Name: Magdalene Førland
Father: Anders Førland
Mother: Maren Førland
Paternal Grandfather: Knute Foerland
Paternal Grandmother: Brita Førland
Maternal Grandfather: Anders Redal
Maternal Grandmother: Margrethe Redal
Brothers and Sisters: Karl Førland, Laurens Førland, Anders Førland, Ludvig Førland, Margrethe Førland, Inger Førland, Bertha Førland
Spouse: Lyder Underle