Memorial Marker for Rannei Aamundsdatter.

Until recently the age of Sondre Norheim's wife Rannei Aamundsdatter has not been known. We knew that she was born in Bergestig, Øyfjell in Telemark and that she passed away in Oregon, USA, but we did not know the year of her death.

Through Hadeland Lag of America we have been informed that Rannei passed away on 1 November 1913 in the State Hospital in Salem, Oregon. It was David Gunderson, Lag genealogist at Hadeland Lag in Fergus Falls MN, who supplied the death certificate for Rannei Aamundsdatter Norheim. Rannei was Dave's great-great aunt, so Dave has his roots from Telemark too, in addition to Hadeland. In May 2009 Dave received from the Oregon State Hospital a copy of Rannei’s medical records when she was committed in 1913. Rannei clearly had Alzheimer’s disease. Dave found the file to be quite interesting.He coordinated the purchase of this memorial marker (above) for Sondre Norheim's wife Rannei, and the Telelaget of America's Board of Directors has been a major contributor for the marker. Dave and American relatives have contrubuted funds, too, and as the picture shows, the marker is now placed on Sondre's grave in Denbigh, North Dakota.

Sondre Auverson Norheim married Rannei Aamundsdatter on 15 January, 1854 in Brunkeberg church in Kviteseid parish in Telemark. Rannei was the daughter of Åmund Olavson Bergestig and Hæge Olsdatter in Øyfjell, Telemark.

Sondre and Rannei had 8 children: Ingerid, Hæge (died 1 year old), Ole, Hæge, Anne, Auver, Amund and Talleiv.

(Picture by Tarjei Gjelstad, Morgedal).