The Thule Lodge recently held its annual memorial service to remember those members who died in the last year. Lodge chairman Susan Washington Sipos was in charge of the service assisted by cultural leader Lynne Meyers and historian John Sipos.

FALCONER – The Thule Lodge recently hosted its annual memorial service to remember members who have passed away during the past year.

The Thule Lodge is the Swedish organization formed 118 years ago in the Jamestown area to help the Swedish immigrants settle in the United States. The lodge helped the immigrants with housing, employment and schooling. Many of the Swedish immigrants found employment in the many furniture factories which existed in the Jamestown area. Today the Thule Lodge exists to preserve Swedish customs and heritage through events and activities. Susan Washington Sipos is the Thule Lodge chairman.

Each year during the Memorial Day time, a special memorial service is held to remember those lodge members who have died in the last year. During the service, special music is played followed by the lighting of candles, and then messages are read. This year, seven Thule Lodge members were remembered. As each name is read, a carnation of yellow for the women and blue for the men is placed on the altar. Sipos was in charge of the service with the help of Lynne Meyers, membership chairman and cultural leader, and lodge historian John Sipos. At the end of the service, family members are given the opportunity to speak about the deceased person. The carnations were given to family members. This is a solemn service to remember those members of the lodge.

Prior to the service, a brief business meeting was held by Mrs.Sipos. The pledge of allegiance was led by historian Sipos, and the minutes of the previous meeting were read. Treasurer Loretta Smith gave the financial report of the lodge. Those who are ill were announced, and members are encouraged to visit the ill.

Meyers read a list of special things Swedish people like such as cozy Friday, candy Saturday, coffee break day, cooking at home day, pizza day, etc.

Long time member Don Sandy spoke of the Scandinavian Festival to be held in Jamestown in the middle of July.

New members are always welcome.