The Polar Star Lodge, Aurora Illinois

The initial step for organizing Polar Star Lodge began with a letter dated October 3, 1961 from District Lodge 5 Secretary, Arthur Gunderson, inviting prospective Sons of Norway members to an informational meeting scheduled Sunday, October 15, 1961.  The meeting was held at the Masonic Temple in Aurora.

Procedures for setting up a new lodge were explained, being followed by a question and answer session.  At the meeting 26 charter members were signed.  Also a committee was assigned to contact other eligible persons for charter membership.  The committee consisted of H. B. Johnson, Arthur Tastad, George Strand and Osmund Orland. 

On November 28, 1961 a new local lodge of the Order of Sons of Norway was organized in Aurora, becoming Lodge No. 472 and named by its members POLAR STAR. 

Presiding Officer at the organizational meeting and initiation of charter members was Fifth District President Chris Johansen of Chicago. 

First elected officers of the new Sons of Norway Lodge included:  president Osmund Orland;  vice president H. B. Johnson,  counselor Arthur Tastad,  secretary Ervie Anderson,  assistant secretary Liv Thomseth,  financial secretary Rubye Jansen,  treasurer Oliver Johnson, Marshal Viola Strand,  assistant marshall Mildred Orland and trustees S. A. Thomseth,  Trygve Kjær and George Strand.   

Picture of the original Lodge Officers. (Click on picture to enlarge)

Polar Star Lodge No. 472 joined the ranks of more than 250 other lodges, licensed in 21 states and three Canadian provinces,  affiliated with the Order of Sons of Norway, whose home office is located in Minneapolis. 

From 1961 to 1988 the lodge met in the Masonic Temple at 124 South Lincoln Street in Aurora.  Since then Polar Star Lodge has been meeting at St. Olaf  Lutheran Church;  1233 Douglas Road;  Montgomery, Illinois. 

Polar Star Lodge has hosted an annual  Torsk Dinner for 43 consecutive years.  Other activities have included corn boils, Norwegian bingo, penny socials,  a taste of Norway,  17^th of May celebrations, kumla dinners and lefse making. 

Come and join us the first Sunday of every month at 1:30 p.m.

Our Potlucks are among the best around!