Elin Aurora Alfhid Osterdahl Utgaard left Gotland, Sweden at the age of 22 arriving in the US in 1907.
She worked as a camp Cook in Fairfax Washington in a logging camp. That’s where she met grandpa Anton . They eventually moved into a house in Tacoma where she worked as a cook for a senior care facility Grandpa was a carpenter for the northern Pacific Railway.
She was a delight; funny, considerate, and very loving. I never got to know my grandmothers but I felt like I found one in her. She welcomed me with such love and wrapped me in those soft arms. She loved to feed me, always saying I was too skinny. I loved eating at her table as there was always so much food and even dessert which followed every meal. Her specialties we’re Swedish delicacies. I think her favorite place was in the kitchen, as well as in front of the TV watching wrestling… The fake kind! Poppie was her favorite grandchild as he was the most loving to her as well as always helpful and respectful. Poppie’s high school friends loved to stay overnight so they could have her Swedish pancakes in the morning. She was loved by so many and gave love and welcomed all to her home and kitchen. I know all of you would have enjoyed her. ~ Fran (Mancuso) Elsworth
The pictures: 1. her wedding picture
2. standing with grandpa in front of the swing that’s now in Jennifer’s backyard in the summertime
3. with Poppy
4. next to Poppy when he and I went out to help clear some property in Gig Harbor that belonged to her sister ( on the left) Edla and her husband Christos. On the right Grandma Helen and Aunt Eva and Elin’s brother Lennert.
5 Serving coffee at our wedding.
Family Man, Explorer, Entrepreneur, Writer, Artist, Outdoor Enthusiast and Recreation Advocate.