Frank Samuelson and Marilyn Holmberg were crowned as 2006 Swedish Festival royalty Friday night in the high school auditorium.  The 2005 King and Queen, Perry Noyd and Pam Johnson, handed down their crowns and robes to the new royalty.   Attendants for the 2006 royalty are Faith Fellows, daughter of Jason and Alisha Fellows; Kenna Holtzen, daughter of Jay and Erin Holtzen; Kjell Marsden, son of Roger and Lori Marsden; and Jacob Nielsen, son of Rachel Nielsen and Ben Rieken.   The following tribute was read by Marilyn's son, Dan Holmberg My whole family is honored that you have chosen our mother, Marilyn Holmberg,  to be the 2006 Swedish Festival queen.  By the look on her face, she is both surprised and pleased.  Marilyn is 100% Swedish and has always been proud to have this unique heritage.  Her father immigrated from Sweden as a young boy and eventually settled in Eastern Colorado, where he met his wife and raised his five children on a farm.  Marilyn was born in Greeley, CO.   Marilyn was the oldest and she preferred to help care for her younger siblings indoors as opposed to the outdoor chores on the farm.  As a young girl, she took piano lessons and also became involved in 4H.  Her early sewing entries into the county fair were made on a treadle sewing machine. . . not because they did not have electricity, but because she had to borrow a sewing machine and it was not electric.  She has always enjoyed sewing and still makes many girls’ dresses, doll dresses, curtains, etc.  Marilyn attended Galeton High School and graduated as valedictorian in 1951.  Her main interests were business courses, math and music.  After high school, she completed a 2-year secretarial training program at Colorado A & M, now Colorado State University, where she was inducted into the SPURS, a scholastic honor society.  Marilyn met UNL student Don Holmberg in January 1955.  Don was visiting his sister in Colorado after his discharge from the air force and took notice of Mom as she played the organ in church one evening. . . he courted her and convinced her that marrying him and moving across the state line into Husker territory would be a good idea.  They were married in Eaton, CO in June, 1956.  Do the math. . .they have just celebrated their golden wedding anniversary! After Don completed his degree at UNL and son Alan arrived in 1957, the family moved to Sergeant where Marilyn began a 38 year career as a teacher/administrator’s wife.  The family lived in Loup City and then Columbus; during that time Karen, Dan and Valerie were born.  In 1972 they moved to Stromsburg.  Each of us children are proud to be graduates of Stromsburg High School.  We are all married and spread out now, giving mom and dad many opportunities for interstate travel to visit their 10 grandchildren.  Alan and Diane live in Eaton, CO; Karen and Mark, with Andrew, David and Katie, live in Vienna, VA; my wife Deb and I, Anna, Eric and Peter live in Nebraska City, and Val and Joe with Virginia, Natalie, Salena and Heidi reside in West Des Moines, IA. Mom’s love for statistics and numbers led her to the field of banking.  After completing secretarial training she worked in banks in Colorado, Lincoln Bank of Commerce, and at the former First National Bank in Stromsburg for 17 years.  Although retired, she still loves numbers and bookkeeping.  She has found a new love in the past few years. . Husker Baseball!  Dad took her to her first baseball game on their honeymoon in Denver and now, these many years later, she’s become a true fan.  Dad gave her her own personal scorebook to bring to record in, which fits her personality perfectly. Perhaps her favorite role was that of being a school administrator’s wife. Marilyn was a wonderful support to Dad over his many years in education.  She would often help out in the office and attend most every concert, play and ballgame.  She still attends as many Cross County Cougar activities as possible. Outside of her home and family, she has enjoyed many involvements in her church and community.  She is a lifelong member of the Evangelical Free Church and has been involved in many facets of church ministry.  She also enjoyed her term as President of the Stromsburg Senior Center.   She enjoys quilting at the Senior Center, aerobics and playing in the rhythm band. What truly stands out about mom is not all of her activities and her accomplishments, but rather her character and her servanthood.  She is an encourager. . . Mom lives out Eph. 4:9. . . let no unwholesome talk come out of  your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  I know many of you have benefited from an encouraging and timely word from mom.   Marilyn is one who does not sit idly by when a need arises.  She is a woman of prayer and of action.  We kids can remember many loaves of bread baked and delivered and many times of her mending and sewing for elderly neighbors and friends.  We had many overnight guests and much company in our home, as mom put into practice her gift of hospitality. . . using her home to refresh and equip others.  Even now, when she visits us in our homes, supposedly for a “vacation”, she quickly finds a project that needs doing and jumps right in to assist.  Cooking, cleaning, sewing, mending, and childcare are just a few of her many specialty areas.  The Holmberg family is delighted that you have honored our mother, Marilyn, by crowning her this years’ Swedish Festival Queen. We are privileged to call Stromsburg our hometown.  Thank you.

Brought to you by The City of Stromsburg and the Stromsburg Chamber of Commerce

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