The holiday season is filled with traditions in the Molander family. One of those traditions
is lefse.
For Scott Molander, lefse is more than just a holiday treat; it’s a cherished link to his Norwegian heritage. Scott graduated from Dickinson State University in 1988. He is a two-time Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and serves as a DSU Heritage Foundation board member.
North Dakota’s ties to Norway run deep. In the 1870s, Norwegian immigrants began arriving in the region, drawn by the Homestead Act of 1862, which promised settlers 160 acres of farmland. The rolling Plains and harsh winters reminded them of their homeland, and they brought with them their traditions, values, and foods – including lefse. Today, North Dakota has the highest percentage of Norwegian ancestry in the U.S., with 22.5% of its population claiming Norwegian roots.
For Scott’s mother, Donna (Brandvold) Molander of Crosby, lefse is a family tradition that reflects her Norwegian heritage. Donna, now 79, recalls learning to make lefse as a young girl alongside her mother, Zelma. They would visit a neighbor’s home to roll and cook lefse on their wood-burning stove. Christmas Eve dinners at the Brandvold table featured classic Norwegian dishes: risgrøt (rice soup), lutefisk, and, of course, lefse.
Donna’s connection to Norway runs deep. Both of her paternal grandparents emigrated from Norway. Her lefse recipe, shown here in a family recipe book put together by her mother Zelma, is a treasured family heirloom.
For the Molanders, the holidays are a celebration of family. This season, whether you’re rolling lefse with loved ones or celebrating your own family’s heritage and traditions, Scott and his mother, Donna, remind us that these moments are gifts to be treasured.
Donna Molander’s well-loved lefse recipes, complete with handwritten notes.
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By Debora Dragseth, Baker Boy Professor of Leadership, School of Business and Entrepreneurship, Dickinson State University
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