Lars Gjeldaker was Sigrid’s father. In his day, he was considered the finest teacher in Ål. He was known for always being kind, loving, and gentle with children, and had a unique way of motivating children so they wanted to learn. He was a master storyteller with a lively imagination. He taught for 51 years, from 1846 to 1897.
When he retired from teaching, he received the King’s Medal for his fine work as a citizen. Over one hundred people attended a special festival; ninety were former pupils. After his retirement, he served as a substitute teacher for two years, even though he was 68 years old.
Like his father, Lars was well known for his writing skills. People still commented about his handwriting years later, and Sigrid mentions it several times in the letters.
He was a deeply religious man who took part in a religious movement in the 1850s. Many people came to him with their deepest spiritual questions. He wrote a history about the pastors in Ål, and helped build a new church.
In civic affairs he was involved in politics, and helped start the Ål bank. He also did family research and wrote his memoirs.
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I often wonder how he felt that last morning as he watched his oldest daughter ride away with her children, her trunk, and her hopes for a better future in America.
In Norway, families took the name of their farms as their surnames. Gudmundsrud (pictured at left) was the name of the farm that Nils Knudsen Gudmundsrud purchased in 1833 and sold to his son Nils in 1868.
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