Hall of Fame
The Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame
The Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame is an enduring means of honoring those persons of Scandinavian descent in North America who have achieved greatness in their fields of endeavor and/or whose efforts have contributed significantly to the betterment of mankind. Deserving individuals of other ethnicities may be honored with special awards as well.
Through honoring these outstanding individuals, it is hoped that others will be inspired to strive for meaningful accomplishments as well.
The Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame was established in Minot, N.D., in 1984 as a permanent component of Norsk Høsfest. Because Minot hosts North America’s largest Scandinavian festival, which strives to build pride in heritage; and because North Dakota is located in the center of the continent’s Scandinavian population, it is appropriate that Minot, N.D., be the permanent home of the Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame.
Previous Hall of Fame Inductees
Previous Hall of Fame
2022
Eric Nelson
Matthew & Gunnar Nelson
2019
Darin Erstad
The Wisness Family
Richard L. Lindstrom
2018
Myron Thompson
Ingebretsen’s
Scandinavian Gifts and Nordic Marketplace
2017
Soile Anderson
The Tollefson Family
Nathan Myhrvold
2016
Beatrice Luoma
Ojakangas
Stein Ove Fenne
The Stenehjem Family
2015
George C. Halvorson
Dorothy & H. David Dalquist
Robert Asp
2014
Bobby Vee
Doc Severinsen
Sig Hansen
2013
Keith Johanneson
The Nelson Family
Kris Kristofferson
2012
Lauraine Snelling
Josh Duhamel
Clint Hill
2011
Iverson & Bakken Families
Asger “Boots” Hansen
Chester M. Reiten
2010
Tippi Hedren
John D. Odegard
Lute Olson
Lloyd Omdahl
2009
Allen O. Larson
Tom Netherton
Karl Rove
Earl Pomeroy
2008
John Ydstie
Clinton H. Severson
2007
Wayne Stenehjem
2006
John Hoeven
Jerry Iverson
Carrol Juven
John M. Lund
2005
Norma Larsen Zimmer
John D. Johnson
2004
Kent Conrad
Clay Jenkinson
Raymond C. Rude
2003
Jim Hensen
Gary Tharaldson
2002
Alf Engen
Peggy Lee
Dr. Jon Wefald
2001
Odd S. Lovoll, Ph.D.
Winston R. Wallin
2000
Bjørn Erik Borgen
Phyllis Bryn-Julson
Glenn Welstad
1998
Ralph Engelstad
Dale Morrison
Rolf Kristian Stang
1997
Kjell Bergh
Arlene Dahl
1996
Gary R. Swanson
Kenneth H. Dahlberg
1995
Joseph F. Enright
Celeste Holm
1994
Vilhjalmur Stefansson
Martin Olav Sabo
Byron Dorgan
1993
Eric Sevareid
Eric M. Hilton
1992
Lenus Carlson
Marilyn Carlson Nelson
Stein Eriksen
Joe Foss
1991
Bud Grant
Charles A. Lindbergh
Gilmore T. Schjeldahl
Karsten Solheim
1990
Victor Borge
John K. Hanson
Dr. Merton Utgaard
1989
99th Infantry Battalion
Curtis Carlson
William Guy
Allen I. Olson
Erling Nicolai Rolfsrud
1988
Dr. Anne Carlsen
Thomas Kleppe
Knute Rockne
O.E. Rølvaag
1987
Agnes Geelan
Norman Lorentzsen
Walter Mondale
Marion Nelson
Dr. Sidney A. Rand
1986
Brad Gjermundson
Jan Stenerud
Arley R. Bjella
Dr. Norman E. Borlaug
Ragnvold A. Nestos
Lars Andreas Ueland
1985
Knut Haukelid
John Moses
Lynn Anderson
Orion Samuelson
Buzz Aldri
1984
Carl Ben Eielson
Myron Floren
Sondre Norheim
Brynhild Haugland
Casper Oimoen
Previous Special Awards
International Scandinavian Cultural Award
2007 – H.H. Princess Astrid
2005 – Crown Princess Märtha
1996 – Thor Heyerdahl
1996 – Håkan Hagegård
1993 – Gerhard Heiberg
Trailblazer Award
2004 – Mark Lehner
2001 – Ann Bancroft and Liv Arnesen
2000 – Sacagawea
Høstfest Millennium Award 1999
Gov. William L. Guy
Gov. Arthur A. Link
Gov. Allen I. Olson
Gov. George A. Sinner
Gov. Edward T. Schafer
Meritorious Patriotism Award 2003
General Charles F. Wald
Lt. Gen. Jerry L. Sinn
Rear Admiral Michael H. Miller
Maj. Gen. Claude V. Christianson
Maj. Gen. Michael Haugen
Meritorious Patriotism Award 1995
General David C. Jones
Lt. Gen. Donn R. Pepke
Lt. Gen. Donn J. Robertson
Maj. Gen. Neil D. Van Sickle
Rear Admiral Kenneth L. Veth
Brig. Gen. John H. McGee
Humanitarian Award
2018 – Daniel O’Donnell
2009 – Olav Thon
2008 – Doug Burgum
2007 – Sr.Thomas Welder
2007 – Johann Olav Koss
2005 – Ragnhild Hagen
1997 – Dale Brown
1995 – Harold Schafer
1994 – Chet Atkins
1993 – Earle Hyman
1991 – Fritz Scholder
Explorer of the Millennium
1999 – Leif Eriksson
Høstfest Heritage Award
2008 – William Dean Wilson
1999 – Theodore Roosevelt Association and the
Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation
Merit of Distinction Award in the Performing Arts
1997 – Bjøro Haaland
1996 – Charley Pride
Recognition of Meritorious Service by the
Women of World War II
1995 – Joy Steenson Reiten
Norsk Høstfest exists to celebrate Scandinavian Heritage by promoting and preserving its culture and community values for the benefit of future generations.
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