Edith M. Matteson

AKA: Edith M. Matteson-Jarvi

Edith and her mother, Jean Matteson, teamed up to research and write the history of Danish Lutherans and the Danish Lutheran church in Nebraska. Their book, Blossoms of the Prairie, was written with the help of a grant from the Nebraska Committee for the Humanities, and is in part derived from Edith's academic research (1985 MA thesis) at the University of Nebraska. One reviewer, David Hendee for the Omaha World Herald notes the book has an historical integrity and quality of documentation not generally associated with privately published volumes for limited local markets.

Part one of the study, beginning with the first Danish clergy to come to the United States, helps readers understand the roots of the division between "holy Danes" and "happy Danes," or Inner Mission and Grundtvigian Danish Lutherans in America. Part two of the study looks at churches and cemeteries across Nebraska. The book includes many photographs and documents.

Places Lived

Lincoln, NE
Cincinnati, OH
Ballwin, MO

Author Of

Nonfiction

Keywords

History--Nebraska Danish Lutheran Church

Bibliography

Blossoms of the Prairie: The History of the Danish Lutheran Churches in Nebraska. 1988. (with Jean M. Matteson)

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