Svanoe Family Reunion
July 3-5, 2009
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Every five years it has been our family tradition to reunite and celebrate our common roots. Four years have passed since the last reunion in Norway and nine years since the last stateside reunion in Minneapolis. Our reunion will not only help us renew family ties but also to remember and celebrate the legacy of two important people in our family past. This year will be the 50th anniversary of the passing of Atle and Martha (Simonson) Svanoe. We will gather in Sioux Falls where they lived from 1931 – 1946.

Friday, July 3
The family gathers in Sioux Falls. Hotel rooms are being held at special rates at the Courtyard Marriott and SpringHill Suites Marriott hotels. These two hotels are next to each other and offer a wide variety of room configurations to meet almost any family’s need. A private conference room at the Courtyard Marriott is reserved after 3:00 all evening for family to gather for informal connections and conversations. A spacious lounge and outdoor courtyard offer other places for family members to visit throughout the evening. Dinner is on your own. A restaurant is connected to the hotel (completed by next summer) as well as several other neighboring restaurants and fast food places.

Saturday, July 4
Breakfast in the hotels. We gather at 10:00am at Peace Lutheran Church (10 blocks west on 41 St.) for a family meeting. Peace is the church where Rolf Svanoe is one of the pastors. Special presentations will be held giving some history of the family in South Dakota, and the enduring legacy of Atle and Martha. A catered lunch at the church will follow. After lunch we will board a coach bus for a trip down to Mission Hill to see the old Vangen church and cemetery. The trip may also include a visit to the old Simonson farm. We will return to Sioux Falls and an evening meal catered at the church. Following the meal will be an evening of fun and variety in the Peace Lutheran sanctuary. Family members are invited to bring something to share with the rest of the family. Later, family members who would like to are invited to Rolf and Kimberly Svanoe’s house to witness the Minnehaha Country Club 4th of July fireworks display. (Our backyard has the best seats in town!)

Sunday, July 5
Breakfast in the hotels. We gather again at 10:00am at Peace Lutheran for the morning worship service. Family members who would like to sing in a family choir can gather at 9:00 for rehearsal. Following the service a noon meal will be catered in the church Fellowship Hall. We want to encourage family members to attend the service and make departure plans accordingly. For those remaining, the afternoon could include a trip of the beautiful Falls Park, and a tour of Augustana College campus, which several family members attended over the years.

Hotel Accommodations
The Courtyard Marriott and SpringHill Suites Marriott are Sioux Falls’ newest hotels conveniently located next to the Interstate and the Empire Mall. These hotels offer airport shuttle service as well as in-town shuttle. If you fly in you won’t need to rent a car. A block of rooms are being held at each hotel for the Svanoe family reunion. Call to make your reservations soon and make sure you get the accommodations that work best for you. These rooms will be held until June 21. Check out the websites for hotel services and amenities. The price at the SpringHill Suites includes a free continental breakfast. Courtyard Marriott offers a breakfast buffet on a per person or per room ($15) basis.

Courtyard Marriott $109
4300 W. Empire Place
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Phone 605-444-4300
marriott.com/fsdcy

SpringHill Suites Marriott $114
4304 W. Empire Place
Sioux Falls, SD 57106
Phone 605-444-4200
marriott.com/fsdsh

Local Arrangements
We are planning for three catered meals at the church, and a coach bus trip to Mission Hill. Suggested price for these things is $40 per person ($30 pp without the bus trip.) Children under age five are only $10. This also includes hotel conference room charges and other miscellaneous costs. This can be paid at the time of arrival.

RSVP - Please contact Rolf Svanoe to indicate your desire to attend the reunion by May 1. Call 605-334-9040 or email rolf@peacelutheran.com Alternative accommodations can be arranged for those who prefer it.