Founding the Klubben
In 1966 Walter Jacobsen proposed to Horace Hansen, Bob Loughrey and several others later to become founders of the Klubben, that each should invite a minimum of ten professionals who were Scandinavian (or married to a Scandinavian) to a meeting. They were surprised when over 100 attended the first meeting to be considered as charter members. Many of the individuals who initially joined came from the Midway Kiwanis Club, where Bob was president, or were Shriners or Masons. In subsequent meetings, the name of the new organization was discussed. Arnold Lindquist is remembered to have laughingly suggested the “Norsky Torsky Klubben.”
Additional work lay ahead: writing the origination documents of incorporation and the klubben’s bylaws. The charter members discussed the goals and purpose of the Klubben, and the actual writing was accomplished by Walt Jacobson and Harvey Hansen. This resulted in the incorporation of the Norske Torske Klubben by the Minnesota Secretary of State on June 9, 1966.
The original documentation stated that the purpose of the Klubben was to promote to the spirit of fellowship of its members of Scandivanian heritage and provide an opportunity for its member to enjoy delicacies handed down from the land of their Norse forefathers, such as Torsk and Aquavit. The Klubben was dedicated to recreation, social events celebrating Norse cultural heritage, and educational and scholarship projects.
The original signatories of the articles of incorporation of the Klubben were Horace Hansen, Robert Loughrey, Orville Prestholdt, Walter Jacobson, Ray Solem, Arnold Lindquist and Dreng Bjørnarå.
Membership Grows
In 1966 the Klubben began with 75 members. The Klubben’s first annual Christmas party in 1966 was reported in the St. Paul Dispatch: “One of the city’s newest and certainly most exclusive clubs will have its first annual Christmas party Friday night when the 75 members of the Norske Torske Klubben entertain their wives and special guests in McGuire’s Shamrock room.” The special guests listed in the article were: the Danish, Icelandic, and Norwegian consuls and their wives
The Klubben continued to grow after the inaugural year. The first directory published in 1967-68 reported 102 members that number remained substantially unchanged through the 1960s. 1970 began with 120 members and by 1980 membership had more than doubled to 250. By 1990 membership edged up to 308 and by 2002 the Klubben had grown to its current size of approximately 350 members. The Klubben has had a membership waiting list every year since its inception with the size of the Klubben limited by the space available at the meeting locations.
Establishing Traditions
Over the years the Klubben meetings have changed to be held on the third Saturday of each month from September to May with the December meeting dedicated to a Christmas celebration and the May meeting dedicated to Norwegian Constitution Day celebration. At both the December and May special meetings members are encourage to bring their significant others, friends and relatives to join in the camaraderie. These meetings have been quite popular, with some exceeding 700 members and guests.
While the Klubben membership and meeting frequency has evolved over the years, key aspects of the meetings remain the same: The lunch features flat bread, steamed cod and boiled potatoes topped with a sprig of parsley. Generous amounts of melted butter are available. A shot of Linie aquavit accompanies every meal. The Klubben sings both the American and the Norwegian national anthems. The Klubben has had only two song leaders in its history: Hollis Johnson from 1966 to 1976 followed by his son, Joel Johnson, from 1971 until present. After singing all members and guests are asked to raise their glasses of aquavit and pound the table three times followed by the full throated instruction to the wait staff to “Bring on the Torske,” whereupon the meal is served.
Location History
The Klubben has only been in five locations throughout its history. The initial location in 1966 was McGuire’s Inn on Lexington and County Road E. McGuire’s Inn was chosen largely because that Maitre d’ Carl Lind had recently arrived from Bergen, Norway and had taught Hank Meadows, the Klubben’s first chef, how to prepare torsk in the Norwegian tradition. Carl Lind also taught the second Klubben chef, Boy Toy, the torsk preparation method. The Klubben stayed at McGuires through the 1972-73 season.
The Klubben moved to Hank Meadows Restaurant at Lexington and Larpenter for one year before moving in 1973 to the Prom Center on University Avenue in St. Paul. The Prom was owned by Harry Given who, along with his sons Bill and Tom Given, were key supporters of the Klubben for the next 45 years. The Prom on University was demolished in 1990 and relocated to Smith Avenue in St. Paul. The Klubben moved to the new building along with the Prom.
Unfortunately, the Smith Avenue location proved to be problematic for member parking so the Klubben opted to move to Roberto’s on County Road E in Vadnais Heights for the 1991-1992 season. Roberto’s did not meet torsk preparation expectations and the Klubben resumed at the Prom on Smith Avenue in the fall of 1992 where it remained until 1999 when a new Prom facility was built in Oakdale. Once again the Klubben moved along with the Prom. The chef at that time was Roger Fierst. Roger passed away in 2001 and was replaced by our current chef Joe Nagel.
Founding Members
The founders were signatories to the original Articles of Incorporation and constituted the first board of directors. These men helped create the Klubben and served in substantial capacities throughout the early years and beyond:
Horace R. Hansen (1967-1992), Life Member in 1991-92
Robert J. Loughrey (1967-1992), Director 1967-1969, Secretary/Treasurer 1970-1986, Ex-Officio Member of the Board 1986-1991, & Life Member in 1991-1992
Orville H. Prestholdt (1967-1976, 1983-1990), Secretary/Treasurer 1967-70
Walter Jacobson (1967-1983), President 1967-1968 & Counselor to the Board 1973-82
Ray L. Solem (1967-1978), Director 1967-1968
Arnold H. Lindquist (1967-1990)
Dreng Bjornaraa (1967-1969)
Past Presidents
The St. Paul Norske Torske Klubben has remained strong thanks to the leadership by the board of directors, officers and presidents. The Klubben has had 12 presidents since 1966:
1966-68 Walter E. Jacobson
1968-81 Conrad A. Hoff
1981-82 Glen O. Olson
1982-86 Kaare M. Rosenberg
1986-91 Donald “Torgy” Torgersen
1991-95 Thomas Tisdel
1995-00 Joel O. Johnson
2000-03 Merlin H. Kvaal
2003-07 Lin Lindbeck
2007-11 Doug Gale
2011-16 Steve Oanes
2016-22 Robert King
2022- Gary Engen
Founder’s Award
Over the years the Klubben established the Founder’s Award to recognized members who provide extraordinary contributions to the Klubben. Founder’s Award recipients are:
Vivian Hoff (2000), Torgy Torgerson (2002), Pete Linder (2003), William Halloran (2004), Glen O. Olson (2005), and Joel O. Johnson and Robert J. Loughrey (2006), Lin Linbeck (2009), David Boyce and Doug Gale (2015). Steve Oanes (2022)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Special thanks for Torske Klubben Member Bill Halloran for documentation of Klubben History