Woldum, Grant H.1903-1994

WOLDUM, MEYER, GUNDERSON

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 1/14/2014 at 13:39:29

Decorah-Grant H. Woldum, 91, of Decorah, died Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Aase Home, Decorah, after a lengthy illness; survivors include a son, Chuck of Bloomington, Minn., four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; he was preceded in death by his wife, Wilhelmina; and a sister, Viola Meyer; services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at First Lutheran Church, with burial in Phelps Cemetery, both in Decorah; friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Fjelstul Funeral Home, Decorah, where there will be a 7 p.m. Veterans of Foreign Wars memorial service; Mr. Woldum owned his own sewing machine business for many years. Waterloo Courier, Nov. 4, 1994

Fest medal maker Grant Woldum dies

Grant Woldum, 91, maker of medals for the Nordic Fest in Decorah since 1971, died at the Aase Haugen Home Thursday, Nov. 3, 1994.

Funeral services were held at First Lutheran Church Saturday, Nov. 5, at 11 a.m.

The 1994 Fest medal included the likeness of Woldum since it was the last year he planned to sign the collector's item.

Woldum started making the medals in 1971. At that time, in recognition of the fifth anniversary of the Nordic Fest, the Fest commissioned the striking of a limited edition medallion for the three-day festival of Norwegian heritage.

Woldum told Decorah Newspapers, before last summer's Nordic Fest, that the medals were created as a way to make money for the non-commercial event. He was on the committee at the time and was an avid coin collector. Thus, the Nordic Fest medals were born.

When intervied by Decorah Newspapers, Woldum said he made many medals imprinted with Viking ships, which he enjoyed. He also gave credit to his son, Chuck Woldum, and to Chuck Casterton of Decorah for helping with medal design and sales.

The medals are available at each Fest in Scandia bronze, gold-plated Scandia bronze and one-ounce of .999 pure silver medal.

During last summer's Fest, 1994 Nordic Fest President Cindy Johnson thanked for for his contributions.
"What Grant has done is very important. It's given lasting memories and impressions of the Fest. It's a great service in a saleable item that provides funding to the Fest." Johnson said.

Woldum was born in Waukon on Feb. 24, 1903, the son of Ole H. and Gunda (Gunderson) Woldum. He attended Luther Prep School and Luther College. He served as a major in the U.S. Army from 1942-1946. He enjoyed flying airplanes and teaching how to fly them throughout his life. Decorah Newsaper, Nov. 8, 1994

Obit provided by Cyndi Gipp

Phelps Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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