Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor:

The Mascot’s reflection on the tragedy of the Teigland family was a reminder for me of many wonderful experiences I had with a Teigland who was important in my life. My first teacher in District 25 country school was “Miss Teigland “ - I was her pupil in second grade! When Elizabeth Teigland grew up, Hemnes was her church.
While pursuing several different professions, I continued my work in church music by “subbing” as an organist in various churches wherever we lived. It was about 1990 or so when I was playing at a church on Tucson’s west side. When I met with the pastor ahead of the service I was amazed to see in the bulletin that the scripture reader was Elizabeth Teigland.
I called my mother (Clarice) in Minneota and asked if Elizabeth now lived in Tucson. She said, “No, the last I knew she was retired in Florida.” I nonetheless asked the usher that Sunday to invite Elizabeth to stop by the organ when she arrived.
She came over during the prelude. I looked at her and stopped playing. I said, “You ARE Elizabeth!” And she said, “And you are Charles!” It was a wonderful surprise after 50 years.
We would get together for a long lunch and much reminiscing. Elizabeth had earned her doctorate in Reading Education. She said that one of her last duties was to teach reading to some athletes who needed remedial instruction.
Then she proudly looked back on her work in the country schools of Minnesota and said, “I taught country school for about 10 years. Reading was important and we didn’t let anything slip. In that time I had many, many pupils. Looking back on it, there may have been one or two who didn’t learn to read – but I don’t think so!”
I had the pleasure of publishing a little booklet she wanted as a “read-aloud” story, much the kind of story the country school teachers would read to the school while settling down after lunch time. I hope a copy of that booklet ended up in the Minneota library.
Someone borrowed my last copy and I no longer have it. But I still remember the story of the pet, Pig, who followed his little girl to country school.
And I remember Elizabeth Teigland!

Chuck Josephson
Tucson, AZ