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Last month I became officially divorced!  Yassssss.  And to celebrate I decided to lose the name that served me so poorly (Dodson) and I am now Randine Westlund.  Westlund is my mother’s maiden name and Randine (Chestleson) Westlund was my maternal grandmother. Now that I’ve done it, it feels like it’s been waiting for me.

Randine Chestleson Westlund was born in 1877 and was 6 years old before she spoke English although she was born in Wisconsin.  Her parents, my great grandparents, Ole and Serena came over from Southern Norway in the late 1860’s.

She bore 4 children with my grandfather Ed in central Wisconsin during the Big Depression.  When they moved to the woods of central Wisconsin just after the turn of the century they were so poor their Winnebago neighbors, the Big Thunders, kept them going through the first winter by bringing them venison and rutabagas.  

My mother told me how “Mama” wept when they lost their little 40 acre farm in 1930 and they had to watch the cows and horses being led away, all of whom were named and loved.  It was one of the “olden time” stories I didn’t want to hear over and over  because I hurt so much for my beloved grandmother whom I never got to meet.  She was one of the founders of the The Homme Home Orphanage in Wittenberg, WI which served children of all ages from the Upper Midwest and she was loved for her kind heart, joy and her sense of humor.

Randine Chestleson, 17 years?

Randine and Ed Westlund

One of my favorite family photos.

Left to right: Great Auntie Molly, Great Aunt Amanda and my Grandmother Randine.  Two more sisters are not in this photo - Sophia and Helga.

Sometime in the 40’s i think.  Most likely Wittenberg, Wisconsin. 

My mother’s side of the family, both sides - Westlund and Chestleson were, kind, humorous and loving people.  They still are.  Which is why i am humbled to take on my new name that has always meant FAMILY to me.