Alice Forsberg, age 95, shares memories of life in America

Alice's parents, Henry and Elin Bergman, came from Gothenburg, Sweden on the ship S.S. Gripsholm, along with their seven children and Elin's brother Fritz Eriksson. Since Henry was sea-sick a good part of the trip Elin's brother pitched in to help with the children, as well as older siblings Marie and Karl. Alice thinks the trip took about two weeks.

“There was no work there (in Sweden), but there was work in America,” which was their motivation for leaving Sweden, according to an uncle. “Her mother's sister Signa Gradin and husband Algot were already living in Clearbrook. Also in Clearbrook was Nels Johnson, who their grandpa knew from Sweden. A letter from them on behalf of the family helped expedite their admission to America.” 

When asked about her memories of the trip, Alice says, “I don't know how much I actually remember or if it is what someone told me.”

She recalls they had quarters for the family down below on the boat. She kept a Supe` (the menu) from the dining section that included such things as cheese, anchovies, cooked potatoes, rice pudding, pickled herring, and liver. 

The identification papers Alice has kept states her name as Elly Erika, which was her name in Stoda, Sweden where she was born May 18, 1923. This was changed to Alice Erika when her father's name, Henrik, was changed to Henry. Their aunt thought they should have “American” names so most of the children's were changed.

The cost for two adults and seven children all under the age of 15, was $864.78 (U.S.) plus $16 per person head tax. On board: Henrik (Henry) Bergman, Elin Bergman, Karl, Marie, Elsa (Elsie), Svea (Evelyn), Gota (Amanda), Elly (Alice) and Karin (Katherine). After settling in Minnesota, Doris, George, Erick, Alvin, and Barbara were added to the family.

“I remember that someone gave my older sister Marie a box of fruit to take along on the ship, and I wanted some of that fruit,” she says. “I poked a hole in the side but couldn't see what was inside.”

She still keeps a picture of the ship along with the manifest on the wall of her apartment. 

After arriving, the family headed for Minnesota to farm. After several moves, the family settled in Clearbrook. Alice said it was good that they knew P. J. Peterson, also from Sweden, who owned the Peterson Grocery Store in Clearbrook. The family rented his farm on County Road 6. They had cows, chickens, pigs and goats. 

“We were never ever hungry,” says Alice. “We had lots of cream and milk, and meat. Mom was a good cook. Mom made mittens out of the wool from the goats.”

“I was a middle child, and sometimes old enough to be with the older children. Other times I was too young. It was confusing! When it came to work, mother would call me to help because she said I was so strong. I did things with a lot of power.” 

The children started school at age 7. In 6th grade Alice attended the Happy Hollow School in Leonard. She remembers reciting her favorite poem The Children's Hour at a Thanksgiving school program. 

“I remember the teacher trying to get me to say the ‘th’ sound instead of using ‘da’ which I was used to. I would say ‘da’ house instead of ‘the’ house, or ‘dis’ book instead of 'this’ book. That was hard to learn. It didn't take my folks long to learn English once the children were in school.”

Alice had a twin sister Amanda who was born with a kidney ailment. She was nine years old when it took her life. 

Alice's first job was at a Chinese restaurant in Minneapolis. “I didn't know a romaine noodle from anything,” she says. “I was never at a Chinese restaurant before. “After one day the owner said, 'I'll call you when I need you.'” Her aunt explained that meant she was fired. 

Alice graduated from Clearbrook School in 1942, and married Kenneth Forsberg in Norfolk, Virginia in 1943. He was in the Navy during World War II aboard a food transport ship. They were married on Saturday, and his ship departed on Sunday. 

“I stayed in New York until Ken returned from the service. When I returned to Minnesota I became a citizen. Eventually, we all became citizens.”

They moved to Gully after the service, and Kenneth built their first home there. They had four children, Jerry (deceased), Frank who lives in Park Rapids, Bradley near Minneapolis, and Donna who resides near Buffalo. 

Kenneth was a carpenter, and there was not much work in the Gully area. After Donna was born, they moved to Minneapolis where he was able to find work as a Union carpenter. 

Alice went to work doing silk-screen printing for Duraprocess Company, where she was a color coordinator. She described the tedious process.

“The design was put on the silk, then the paint was pulled across the design with squeegees. It had to dry between colors. The printing was on Mylar, some was instructional and some was decorative. During the war, printing was done on squares which were screwed on the back of appliances with the information about it such as the model number. There was a name plate made for the buttons for the appliance to be attached to the front. 

“We made designs for all different companies. Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ladies in Service to Mankind, Kenmore, etc. We had quite an art department. My job was to mix the colors. I did that for 13 years.” 

They spent 20 years in the Cities before returning to Gully. Alice now has 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. After Kenneth passed away in 2008, Alice moved to Fosston, where she has lived the past 10 years. There are lots of activities to enjoy and the facility has their own bus to take them places.

Alice likes to pick berries which she did well into her eighties. They had a big garden on the farm. Another hobby Alice has is to paint pictures. She painted a copy of a Van Gogh painting among others. 

“I think it turned out pretty well,” she says. “He is my favorite artist.”

This winter, two students from the Fosston High School came to visit Alice and produced a beautiful book about her life as a school project, “The Life Story” of Alice Forsberg, by sophomores Callie Theis and Hannah Noel.

One of the hard things for Alice in life was raising four kids, and worrying about money. 

“One of the best things in life is that I had three sons in the service, and they all came home, one a Marine, one in the Air Force, and the other in the Army. I also had four brothers in the service. One was in World War II, one in Korea, and two others. They all came home okay too.” 

Alice's favorite scriptures are found in Matthew 5 where the Beatitude blessings are listed. And chapter six, Jesus says that if you do a good deed, do it secretly and you will be blessed. 

“Don't be afraid to get involved and try to do things. It is the only way you will find out where you fit in. If you don't try, you won't know,” is Alice's advice to others.  

"The Children's Hour” 

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Between the dark and the daylight, 

When the light is beginning to lower,

Comes a pause in the day's occupations,

That is known as The Children's Hour. 

I hear in the chamber above me, 

The patter of little feet,

The sound of a door that is opened, 

And voices soft and sweet. 

From my study I see in the lamplight, 

Descending the broad hall stair, 

Grave Alice and laughing Allegra, 

And Edith with golden hair.

I have you fast in my fortress, 

And will not let you depart, 

But put you down into the dungeon 

In the round-tower of my heart. 

I will keep you there forever,

Yes, forever and a day, 

Till the walls shall crumble to ruin, 

And moulder in dust away!