A Farewell to Fritz

An American reporter asked King Haakon VII a very delicate question: Who is the most famous immigrant from Norway living in America? King Haakon replied, “The best Norwegian is a good American.” At a memorial service in Minnesota, those words about being a good American came home to describe Walter F. Mondale, who died a year ago at the age of 93.

Tributes, laced with dashes of stoic Norwegian humor, filled Northrup Auditorium and warmed the hearts of over two thousand friends of Fritz. Senators credited Mr. Mondale for their service in Washington. Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham set the record clear on his achievements. “He brought the Promise of America to many who had not yet glimpsed, much less realized, the American Dream. He helped bring about a fuller, freer and fairer life for millions.”

He did this by passing legislation to rid our cities of housing discrimination, passing Title IX so girls and women could participate in sports in schools and higher education. He helped create the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to protect wilderness lands, especially the St. Croix River. And then he became Vice President! Mondale is credited with creating a whole new concept of the vice presidency, as a constant resource to benefit the President. Driving this expert change agent were simple ideas found in the Beatitudes of the Bible, his love of country and an unshakeable belief in democracy.

The “closer” in this chorus of tributes was the President of the United States, Joe Biden. His relationship with Mr. Mondale spanned 35 years, mostly in the Senate. The President credited Mr. Mondale with uniting the people in the wake of Watergate and helping restore trust in the office of the President. Biden said that Mondale re-established public confidence by reflecting the goodness, the graciousness, the honor and decency of the American people. “We are the only nation on earth founded on a single idea, freedom of the people.”

King Haakon, in his understated way, would have smiled and said, “A good American, indeed.” President Biden borrowed words from his Irish father…”The highest acclaim: He was a good man.”

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This article is a collaboration of father/daughter team Paul Olson and Amy (Olson) Tuchenhagen. Paul is a founding member of Norway House in Minneapolis and Amy is Member Engagement Manager at Sons of Norway. Walter Mondale’s family originates from the same area in Norway as Paul’s family, which was a bonding point for the two of them.

Photo credit: mndaily.com