Cultural+Memories

Stephanie Torkelson Cultural Memories Who am I?

A Daughter...... A Sister..... A Niece...... A Granddaughter..... A Cousin...... A Coach ........ A Student ...... A Furture Teacher ...... A Friend ...... A Girlfriend ........ A Believer ........... A Hard Worker ...... A Teammate ..... A Volunteer ..... A Christian ...... A Role Model ..... A Traveler

My Cultural Background?

My mom's side is Norwegian, and my dad's side is German

What Family Traditions regarding play have been passed down?

Family traditions regarding play that have been passed down is that never to quit anything you start. You have to work hard, and finish what you started. Neither of my parent's played sports, but they both grew up on a farm, and know what hard work is. My brothers and I all played sports, so we are starting the tradition of playing sports. I also played in the band, and my mom played in the band as well.

What family Christmas traditions have been passed down from one generation to the next?

Every Christmas Eve my dad's side of the family go to Midnight Mass. After church we all go to my Grandma and Grandpa's house, and eat oyster soup, and play cards. The next day we would get together for Christmas dinner and hang out for the rest of the day and open presents and play cards.

What family traditions have been about the high school years?

I went to the same high school as my dad and all is siblings. I had friends who's parents are friends or graduated my my dad. I also had some of the same teachers that taught my dad in school.

What family traditions have been passes down from one generation to the next in the area of marriage and family?

I have always been taught to trust and honor your partner. You will find your other half, and marry them and have a life full of happiness, Everone is married to the opposite gender.

What other unique family traditiosn habe been passed down?

My parents always have a 4th of July party at the farm. They invite a ton of people out, and everyone looks forward to the next one. I can see that event continuing with my brothers when they take over the family farm. My dad's side also gets together for dinner every Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. They are a very close family, so any birthday or graduations everyone is there. My mom's side of the family gets together for Christmas every year, and every three years they take a family vacation some were. We just started a new tradition of making fleece tie blankets to donate to the Children's Home in Sioux Falls. This year we made 68 blankets. We then invite them out to my Aunt and Uncle's farm and have a day full of fun. They get to see and pet the animals, have a hay ride, jump around in huge inflatable's and have a picnic. Farming is also a tradition that has been passed down. We have had the family farm I grew up on for three generations now, adn my brothers are working on taking over the tradition of farming.