This page is dedicated our dear Myrtle
Myrtle Maler and her morther, Norway in 1986.
Myrt Marler
1930-2000
When Myrtle Marler died on 25 November 2000 a positive,
energetic and undeniable human departed this life.
Myrt had a long-time interest in her family history,
beginning her search in her teens in the 1940s, quizzing her
grandparents. Her particular research interests include the
Howe and Dascher families as well as exploring her Norwegian
heritage. Myrt appreciated each of her ancestors whether
they were farmers or brickmakers, good with a cookie or
hanged as a witch.
One of her most treasured memories was the homecoming trip
to Norway she arranged for herself and her mother, Selma
Howe, during the summer of 1986. The trip was the
culmination of her research into the background of her
grandfather, Pete Pederson about whom the family knew
little. Myrt was certain that there were relatives of his
still left in Norway and she made a priority of finding
them, contacting them and bringing her mother "home" to
visit them. This picture was taken on their trip, on top of
Gyrihaugen in Ringerike, literally and figuratively at the
peak!
In addition to her own research, Myrt was an active
volunteer. In the years of answering family history queries
sent to her local public library, Myrtle assisted over 400
researchers. She also helped at least two adoptees make
connections with their birth families.
Myrt was especially pleased to help Bob Haugen in his family
history quest. She found he was related to so many people
she already knew as friends, acquaintances, or neighbors.
Then last fall, she found out that there were at least two
connections between her own family and Bob's. A first
cousin named Sjugard Gunnarson of her great great
grandfather married the sister, Jørand Persdatter Haugen, of
Bob's great grandfather Arne Person Haugen in Norway. She
migrated to America, eventually settling in South Dakota
with her family. In addition to having relatives related to
each other by marriage, Myrt found that she and Bob shared
a common ancestor in a man named Engelbrekt Laffranson an
early Hallingdøler ancestor. It is anticipated that there
will be many more connections like this revealed as research
continues.
Myrt enjoyed her research for Bob and others and would urge
each and everyone to continue their research. Many
relationships exist, undetected, but should be treasured
when found. Now that she is gone, we miss Myrt's mirth,
tenacity and curiousity, but we also appreciate having had
her very much.