Arna Mathisen Obituary (1920

Arna was born on October 7, 1920 in Lierfjord, Norway to Ragnar and Aslaug Nordnes. She was the oldest of 3 children and the only daughter. Ragnar and Aslaug immigrated to Poulsbo in the 1920's with their sons, Sverre and Birger, but 9 year old Arna stayed behind to be with her grandmother, Kristine. By the age of 13, she was in charge of a household that included 2 ailing grandparents, her aunt, and 2 young cousins. In 1944, she married widower Olav Mathisen, a farmer from the same area who had 2 children, Liv and Mathis. She and Olav moved to Poulsbo in 1947 bringing Mathis and their young son, Herman. Liv remained in Norway. The family traveled by train to Oslo and by ship to Ellis Island in New York City. A ticket for the train to Seattle had been purchased by Aslaug and Ragnar prior to the War. The local authorities had to confirm that the ticket was still good so they put Arna, Olav, and the children in a hotel for a few days while checking on the status of the rail ticket. Arna and Olav were very fearful because they had no idea what was going on due to their inability to speak English. The New York railroad agency finally found someone who spoke Swedish and could explain what was happening. The ticket was confirmed and the journey to Seattle was completed. Arna and Olav made their home on Fjord Drive and raised their boys, Mathis, Herm, Ray, and Terry in the same house where Arna lived until she had to go into full-time care. Mathis returned to Norway as a young man; Herm, Ray, and Terry remained in Poulsbo. Arna never learned to drive, but she walked all over Poulsbo and the surrounding area. She would walk down to Poulsbo nearly every day in her later years and was frequently seen stopping for coffee or window shopping. Arna was a devoted volunteer at the Sons of Norway as well as at First Lutheran Church. She was well known for her lefse and bread making skills. She loved to dance, to bake, to spend time at the Sons of Norway, and to be with her family and friends. Clothing was a great passion and she was happiest shopping and trying on clothes. She was always determined to look her best and loved wearing bright colors and coordinated jewelry. Olav died of lung cancer in 1990. They had been married for 48 years. Olav was a fisherman who was gone for long periods, but when he was home they loved going to dances and visiting with their many good friends. After Olav's passing, Arna met and spent 20 years with her companion, Robert Damschen, who died of complications of Alzheimer's disease in 2013. Arna and Bob were able to do a lot of traveling in their RV and spent quite a lot of time in Montana. Arna is survived by her sons Herman, Ray (Cheri), and Terry (Tami), and four granddaughters. Lauren, Erin and Kirsten are Ray and Cheri's daughters. Amber is Terry and Tami's daughter. 5 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and even some great-great grandchildren live in Norway. One grandchild lives in Chilliwack, BC.