Carl and Agnes (Olsson) Bengtsson

When I was a girl living in Illinois we would visit Grandma and Grandpa Benson (Bengtsson) often. At least once a month if not more. We were there for most of the big holidays, like Christmas and Easter. At these visits the house was always full of cousins and uncles. Christmas was always a big feast and Swedish smörgåsbord and goodies. All the family and cousins were there. Cousin Phil, Aunt Francis and aunt Lillian lived there till Grandma had strokes and they sold the house. I once remember visiting and the house so full of people I slept on 2 chairs pushed together.

Swedish food was always the main stay. However, as cousin Phil got older grandma Agnes fixed him kid food. I remember having my first bowl of SpaghettiOs there. Grandma Agnes made sill (pickled herring) in a crock in the kitchen. Remember once seeing a pig head in the pot on the stove. Always homemade rolls (cardamom – “kardemummabullar”) and others.

Grandma Agnes always spoke Swedish. Grandpa and Grandma spoke Swedish at home but Grandpa spoke English also. Asked aunt Ginger (Steele) Watson and she said grandma always knew what Ginger was saying so must have learned some English. Aunt Ginger also said they always spoke Swedish when they didn't want anyone to know what they were saying. Where they lived in Minnesota it was a Swedish community and so they didn't need to speak English very often.

Granma's sister Hildur Olson came to live with them. There were relatives that lived on the street behind them. Grandma Agnes' sister was there - that was the only sibling to my knowledge that lived in U.S. Aunts and Uncles though.

Granma and Grandpa had eighth children so money was always tight. At one point in 1947 grandpa Carl went back to Sweden to try and earn more money. Everyone that could work had a job. Mother (Margit Vanja) quit school for a year and got a job. Aunt Francis (grandma's younger sister) and Margit Vanja graduated together because of this.

Grandpa Benson (Bengtsson) had a child in Sweden before he married Agnes. His son is Nils Carlson. Nils was never a taboo topic but not always discussed. Grandpa and Grandma Bengtsson would always say cousin Nils was coming to visit. Yes, Granma Agnes always knew about Nils. Not sure when mother (Margit Vanja) found out she had a half-brother but I believe before mother and daddy (George Steele) were married. I remember uncle Nils visiting us when we lived in Atlanta. There is a picture of Betty (Nils mom) somewhere. Mother visited her in Sweden.

Nils was living at Stormon (family house in Forshaga, Sweden) when he had his 1st stroke. Mother (Margit Vanja), his half-sister, couldn't get ahold of him on the phone and had someone drive her there to check on him. If she hadn't gone he would never have gotten help. Margit Vanja always visited him when she was there in Sweden.

There are pictures of Margit Vanja with Nils, and Hedvic having coffee at Hedvic's apartment. Even some pictures of Uncle Phil, Aunt Judy, Nils and Margit Vanja there at Hedvic's.

Grandpa Carl Bengtsson had stomach pains. He wouldn't go to the Dr because of his religious beliefs. Therefore he died from peritonitis of his appendix. I'm not sure how hard it was on grandma Agnes but it must have been hard. Glad the kids were working and could help with money.

Visiting Sweden is always special to me, knowing family and relatives I grew up with were from there and cousins I grew up with were connected with all the places I have been able to see. Visiting with Peter and Britta and Ann and Maria and Anders and Maria's son Lucas. Visiting Stormon and Forshaga. Seeing where grandma and grandpa were married and where mother was christened and so many other places makes me feel a sense of belonging. I have always been proud of my Swedish heritage.