Live Well: The Letters of Sigrid Gjeldaker Lillehaugen

Kristie Nelson-Neuhaus, Theresse Lundby, Ann Nordland Wallace, Sigrid Gjeldaker Lillenhaugen
Syren Book Company (2004)
ISBN 0929636309
Reviewed by Lynn Downs for Reader Views (4/06)

“Live Well” is a collection of insightful letters written by Sigrid Lillehaugen to inform relatives in Norway of the day to day living conditions and health of her family. Through these letters, which are sent mostly to her father and stepmother, Sigrid shows herself to be a determined, strong woman who lets no adversity get her down.

Sigrid writes about things as mundane as the price of grain at market and the daily running of her farm to the academic and religious education of her children. The mother of 12, Sigrid dotes on her children and their abilities. Even when she laments to her father in a letter about how one of her sons is physically handicapped and will never leave her care, she adds that the child is "intelligent and bright". She also writes frequently of church and community happenings that she feels may interest her father and family back home. At the end of each letter, Sigrid bids her family to "Live Well", for as Sigrid says " If a person is satisfied, it doesn't tae much to live well."

“Live Well” gives an accurate and enjoyable account of early pioneer life in the Dakota's. I found the book to be a wonderful example of early settler’s perseverance during times of real despair. And the never ending love of Sigrid for her family, both near and far, shines through in each letter.

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