Bob and Marlene Lee
School was about to start for the small gnomes in Dawson and Gnome Ruzich, who invented the game of berryball, expressed concern that there wasn’t any teacher to teach the small ones the game when they were younger and to learn how to keep their bodies strong and healthy. Superintendent Bob knew of a group of gnomes in the Cobber clan, way up north, who might be able to help. He summoned the great white goose, flew up north, and visited with the Cobber gnomes, finding the perfect young gnome to fill the position. That is how gnome Marlene came to Dawson. She jumped in with enthusiasm, teaching berryball, exercises, and many other new games, which all the small ones enjoyed.
On the other side of town, a young lad was learning from his Dad Gnome Art, how to make and fix “Gords,” a means of transportation which his Dad had invented because it was made from a hollow gourd with wheels and a motor. He also invented a machine made out of a green bean can which helped in the field, which they called “John’s Deer.” They had a lot of business, every gnome wanted one to make their work faster and easier.
Life was good in Dawson, the school was teaching the boys and girls all the things they needed to learn, they were all happy and healthy. The businesses were providing goods and services that the countryside needed and gnomes were efficiently helping the farmers with their crops and the hospital was helping the injured and sick to recover.
One evening, under the big oak tree down by the river, the Gnome Council was meeting with only a few items on their agenda when the leader of the gnomes, Daws, turned to the group. “Fellow gnomes,” he said quietly, “things are going well here in Gnometown. I can’t help but think that a big reason for this is our school and the great teachers we have. They are preparing the small ones so well for business, for farming, and for parenting. They are learning and developing skills in medicine, music, math, history, English, geography, and games, which keep them well rounded, informed, useful, and healthy. I propose that we honor all teachers, Gnomes Bob, Steve, John, Areta, T.O., Vern, Dick, and Marlene for their excellence by bringing them a shiny red apple.”
“Good idea,” resounds from Gov. Ted, “I’ll get gnomes Al and Bob to pick some apples south of the river and bring them up to school tomorrow.”
The next day gnomes Al and Bob picked the nicest red apples from high on the tree, polished them with the silk of a nearby spider web, and brought them up to the school. Al went one way, Bob went the other, and surprised each teacher, much to their delight, with a big red apple. Bob had one left and walked into the big assembly and put it on Marlene’s desk. Their eyes met and that was it. The magic happened and it is said by someone who witnessed it, little hearts, like bubbles, floated in the air at that first glance.

The EMTs and First Responders
​Gnometown was certainly way ahead of the other gnome communities in many ways, all looking at their modern hospital with Docs Bill and Phil got started and the Ambu-gord, the vehicle which Gnome Al invented to transfer patients. At the next Gnome Council meeting down by the river by the big oak tree, another problem was presented. “Doc Phil and I are finding it difficult to take care of our unwell gnomes and go with the Ambu-gord to pick up others. We need to stay here and someone else bring them to the hospital where we have the equipment to take care of them better.” noted Doc Bill. “Any ideas?”
The crowd put their heads together and were pretty noisy, discussing the problem at hand until Gnome Pollei got up to put forth his idea. “We should ask for volunteers to go out and pick up the unwell or hurt patients. It is just as east to drive the Ambu-gord as it is to drive any truck. I think I could do that.” he offered.
“That’s fine, but it isn’t just driving that is the problem, they usually need a little first aid before they should be moved or they might be injured more in the process of trying to help them.” added Doc Phil.
That’s when Supt. Bob and Gnome Vern stepped up in front of the crowd. “We know of students who are strong, have compassion and are smart. We think we should select some of the best, train them in basic lifesaving skills, organize them on a rotating schedule so they are ready to go out when we put out the rooster to crow on top of AGP.” said Gnome Vern.
“Perhaps Doc Phil and I can set up training classes and supply them with the equipment needed I the Ambu-gord. We will call them TUG, Transport Unwell Gnomes.
“I want to be on that team!” volunteered Gnome Pollei, “I will help Vern and Bob. We will compile a list and contact gnome volunteers.”
“We have a great start here,” interrupted Gnome Jerry, “but don’t forget how far our community goes out in the country. Getting to accidents on the farm takes precious time, I think we need to train people way out in rural areas to respond with lifesaving skills to the emergencies even before TUGs get there.”
“They could be called HUGs, Help Unwell Gnomes,” offered Gov Ted, “I live almost to the lake, I could cover area north of Gnometown…and I know a lot of people south, west and east of here also. I got to know them when I ran for Governor. I’ll contact them.”
“Wow!” concluded Doc Phil, “We have covered that well. Thank you for volunteering. We have HUGs who can administer first aid and comfort and we also have TUGs who can do that plus transport anyone who needs to go to the hospital. Now, does anybody have any ideas to replace that awful rooster on top of the hospital?”
“I have an idea, “Gnome Solie added, “maybe Gnomes Ruth and Sharilyn could use their voices to alert HUGs and TUGs, I know they would be heard!”

Alta Roesch, Ruth Solem & Sharilyn Bates

It all started when Alta and her younger sister, Ruth, both pretty, imaginative and popular, spent a lot of time down by the river; painting, crafting and dreaming. “Our Gnometown needs an identity, something for people to remember us by and what we stand for,” mused Alta one day. “What do you mean?” asked Ruth, “like a combine or a tractor?” “No,” answered Alta, “something that represents how the people in this Dawson community care about each other and volunteer endlessly to help others.” “Oh,” piped Ruth, “something to stand in the park so visitors, who drive by, see it? It could be a gnome like us, helpful and friendly. We settled in Dawson because the people who live here were so nice.” Alta’s face lit up, Ruth had a great idea. “Yes!” Alta jumped in, “I could write a legend which tells how the gnomes came here, why we have a heart on our sleeve and bent hats. We could tell the world how the people of Gnometown treat us and the others that visit and live here. There’s a big council meeting tonight, let’s go and present our idea.”
Shar, a very shy gnomette, lived far in the country and longed to be close to the two sisters because they seemed to be so popular and kind. She would catch glimpses of them but was afraid to get too close. Tonight was the big council meeting and her family was making the trip to the river to vote on the issues before them. As she got closer to the crowd, she saw Alta and Ruth sitting in the front row and motioned for her dad to sit in the 2nd row, close to her want-to-be friends.
It was just dark and Daws started the fire, which signaled all to be quiet. Governor Ted started the meeting and invited others to talk about the current issues. Gnome Phil, gave a report about the hospital and ambulance, Gnome Dick and Gnome Al talked about how the city was running, Gnome Bob went over the activities of the school. The firegnomes told about the new firefighting equipment they had purchased. Things were good in Gnometown. Then, to Shar’s surprise, her mentors, Alta and Ruth stood up, and excitingly told the large crowd of gnomes about their idea. Gnome Gerry stood up, ‘Yes, we need something to show the outside world that Gnometown is a Gem on the Prairie.” Gnome Morris made a motion to fund it from the Gnomefund. The gnomes voted by turning the tips of their hats toward the river.  All hats turned, it was carried. “We are so excited that you like this idea,” replied Alta, “but we’re going to need help in getting it started, any volunteers?”
“I’ll help,” Shar screamed excitedly, as she jumped out of her seat. This was her opportunity to get closer to the gals she admired most. “Thank you for volunteering,” replied Ruth, “it will be a lot of work but it will also be fun.”
And so it was, Shar finally got to be friends with the two sisters and through many years was a great help to them in developing their “gnomish” theme. It was Shar who suggested they honor specific people, like Dr. Johnson or Maestro Solie and recognize their contributions to Gnometown. They even started a celebration down by the river, they called Riverfest and used that to unveil the first gnomes, in honor of Daws and Fat, and as the celebration grew, so did the friendship of the three young gnomettes.

Allan Schacherer

A very ambitious young gnome, known as Al, looked up to the leader gnomes in Gnometown as mentors. He wanted to grow up to be a leader too, just as wise and good. He was given an opportunity to work for Gnome Morris who was on the cutting edge of inventing a device which would not need the small rodents to pull it for transportation and field work. It was propelled by something he called a “motor”.
Young Gnome Al hung around the shop, learning about every aspect of this invention. They called it a “Gourd” because it was made from a dried gourd, equipped with seats, wheels, motor and even doors which opened and closed. They sold Gourds and fixed Gourds for Gnomes Jerry, Doc Phil, Doc Bill, Rudy, Dick, and all the others.
While he was working, Gnome Al listened to them talk about the problems in the community and was determined to be like them and make a difference in Gnometown. His hard work at his job and common sense was noticed by the older and wiser gnomes. They began to seek him out for ideas.
Once, Doc Bill asked him to be on the committee to help develop a facility to take care of sick gnomes. He examined several locations to see if they could be made fit, but he found them unsuitable and advised them to build new. So they did, and they called it Doc Bill Hospital.
At about the same time, when a gnome was sick the doctors had to travel to their underground homes to care for them, and it was becoming difficult for the doctors and nurses, because there were too many patients and not enough caregivers. Al suggested to Doc Phil and Dick, that they dry out a long zucchini, add a motor and wheels, put a mattress in it and call it an Ambu-Gourd, so they could carry the sick ones to the hospital. He suggested using lightning bugs on the front and back so they could be seen easily when they needed to drive fast in an emergency. So they built it and another business was developed in Gnometown because other communities needed the Ambu-Gourds too.
He continues his shop, once owned by Gnome Morris, willingly fixing tires, pumping gas, changing spark plugs, getting people out of ditches and snow banks, and washing their windshields. He has a special concern for the women in Gnometown. He wants nothing bad to happen to them. So, if someone needs new tires, he will tell them, “I don’t care if you drive with those tires, but I don’t want anything bad to happen when your wife drives.”
The passion of Gnome Al to help the folk and other gnomes of this community extends to organizing the response to the flood of ‘97, doing his part to help in church, helping Gnome Rudy encourage business in Gnometown and being a willing volunteer as needed. He brought to Gnometown Council, new ideas which were good for the community.
With hard work and common sense, Gnome Al did indeed, grow up to be just like the gnomes which had been his mentors. He had proven to be wise and good.

Richard Pollei

Once upon a time, seventy-two years ago to be exact, a boy gnome named Richard was born in a beautiful river valley town called New Ulm. He went to school there and decided on a nearby river town college in Mankato to get a teaching degree. When he was about to graduate, Superintendent Gnome Bob Clay came to MSU and asked him to come to Gnometown and teach the young gnomes. Richard and his high school sweetheart wife, Lois, went to visit Gnometown. They thought it would be a lovely place to raise a family and moved, bringing their two week old son, Steve. It was a busy time, especially when the next year a daughter, Lisa, arrived and the following year, another daughter, Monica, was born. Teacher Richard was busy with gnomes from seventh to twelfth grade teaching speech, industrial arts, drama, declamation, and driver education. He produced many plays and worked on several musical productions with Gnome John Solie.
    Gnome Richard was also busy in the church helping to set up a Diocesan Pastoral Council, becoming a lector and a Eucharistic minister and preparing the youngsters for confirmation.
A routine was being established when Mother Nature decided to upset things by sending so much snow in the winter of 1969 that school was in session only 11 days from December 18th to February 14th. All the snow had to melt, so the town was flooded. The local police asked Richard to be in charge. He organized the students and teachers to fill sandbags around the clock. Many of the local farmer gnomes came to town to help place sandbags and do other work during the flood. All the gnomes worked together to protect properties and people and clean up the mess afterward. Richard went on to become Lac qui Parle County Disaster Chair for many years.
One day when Richard was walking down the street, the policeman on duty asked him to help on an ambulance call. At that time there were only two policemen and they also ran the ambulance. Richard thought Dawson needed a separate ambulance service, so he conducted a fund drive and did an all day telethon to raise more money. The generous gnomes gave enough money to buy the first van ambulance and the equipment, plus train 18 volunteers as EMTs. The Dawson volunteer ambulance service eventually became part of Johnson Memorial Health Services and continues to be a vital quality service.
It seems the policemen were often choosing him for volunteer jobs and asked him to run for mayor of Gnometown Dawson. The very first big project was the Centennial celebration for the town. In June there was a two hour parade, lot of activities, and lots of volunteers, making it a truly fine celebration. During his 12 and ½ years of service as mayor, he worked with the City Manager and Council planning improvements and developments.
Plans were made to replace Main Street and the driving bridge, a walking path by the river, city apartment housing, a new library and a new fire department building. There were improvements in the City Park, the Prestholdt Softball Fields by Gnome Rudy and his sons and many softball players. Winterfest and Riverfest were started, and the tradition of honoring gnomes from the community was begun…but that is another story.
In the late 90s Gnome Richard retired from teaching full time, but still wanted to be in touch with the young gnomes that he so enjoyed. He did some long term substitute teaching and some “on call” subbing for a few years. All during his teaching career, he also had a bus driver’s license drove his own drama and declamation trips. He took a full-time bus route and has a few families that he taught the grandparents, the parents and now is driving the grandchildren to school. Between teaching and driving bus, Gnome Richard will reach 50 years of continuous service to the Dawson-Boyd School District in 2011.
Family, friends, faith, doing a good job and helping others by volunteering, have been the guidelines that Gnome Richard has tried to follow in Gnometown Dawson.

Glen Blomquist, Art Lee,
​John C. Hanson & Bert Dahl

There came a time in Gnometown when the children who were out of school were not finding work and found it necessary to move on to other communities to exist. They wrote home on tear stained corn husks about how they missed their gnome parents and all the good people they used to help everyday. Every gnome living in Gnometown is concerned. Tonight is the big council meeting to discuss this problem; everyone is to bring ideas.
It is finally dark, and a fire has been started on this crisp fall day to warm the air. Council gnomes and town gnomes ambled somberly toward the gathering place, under the big willow tree on the riverbank. All eight of the elders of the council are present and Daws, the leader of the gnomes stands up to begin the meeting. The gnome crowd quiets, as Daws states the problem to be discussed. “Come forth with your ideas,” invites Daws.
“Perhaps, we should all move on, maybe to the big city where they are building cars and tractors,” says one of the gnomes in the back row.
“No,” replies Daws, “living in the city is a hard life, it’s all cement and hardly any grassy area for us to live, and the people tend not to believe in us so there is no gnome honor there. Why, they don’t even know who their neighbors are or help each other. We would get lost and be no more.”
“There are canneries, in southern Minnesota, who beg for help when they can peas, corn and lima beans. Let’s move there,” pipes another gnome.
Elder Del gets up from his place on the root, and said, “There is work there, but it is seasonal. In a very short time we’d be out of work. And the smell…if the crop isn’t perfect it is left in the fields and the stench is awful. There must be something else to do.”
Elder Blomquist, known as Glen, to all the gnomes, rises confidently and moves to the center near the fire. “I and three other council gnomes have traveled to other farm areas and have an idea. Come up and stand by me so everyone knows who you are. Gnome Art Lee, stand to my right, Gnome John C. Hanson, stand on my left and Gnome Bert Dahl, you stand here, pointing to his right. We have seen machinery which crushes corn for cattle feed; we have seen oats made into cereal and flax into paper. We have this,” holding up a large orb. The gnomes are puzzled over the importance of a soy bean. They see them all the time in the fields, pick those which fall out of the bins and roast them in ovens for winter food.
“There is oil in this ball of bean,” says Art Lee. “Oil which can be used for many things. The closest plant which takes the oil out of them is far away.”
“We are proposing a plant for our Gnometown to squeeze the oil out of them and maybe even make pancake flour from them,” adds Bert Dahl.
At that point, John Hanson leans down, takes a stick and draws a triangle in the dirt by the fire. “We think we should call it Tri-County Soybean Association. The triangle represents the three counties we can get beans from and the green color would signify the growers.”
“Other communities have gone together and made big plants. I know we can too,” Gnome Blomquist adds with enthusiasm, “but it’s going to take a bunch of money and a lot of hard work.”
Gnome Harris Ronning rises quickly and volunteers to help draw up plans and do the construction. He also thinks Gnome Gerry would be a big help with designing the machinery.
“Gnomes Morris Benson and Joe Givens can canvas the three counties and raise money,” said Daws. “And I appoint Gnome Harland and Gnome Rudy to take care of marketing the products. And you, Governor Ted, go to St. Paul and get any Senators and Representatives to help make this possible.”
A loud cheer roars up from the gnomes on the bank, their faces beam from the light of the fire and the grins on their faces. This is a great plan, instead of moving, they would create jobs here in Gnometown, and their children could come home.
And so it was, a huge plant was built. They shortened the name to Dawson Mills, and then they shortened it again to AGP. I doubt they can shorten it any more and still make sense.

The Dawson Fire Department

The summer of 1908 brought very dry land and parched fields. Grass fires flared up here and then over there. The little people were rushing to and fro with their walnut halves, carrying them full of water, taken from almost dry sloughs and streams. One evening, as the Gnome leaders gathered in a circle under the great elm tree by the river, they discussed the possibility of a huge grass fire which could consume their homes under the logs and trees. They sought an innovative answer. They needed to get more water to the fires much faster. They called for ideas.
“Maybe we could use reeds from the slough. By pitting them together, we could reach quite a distance,” suggested gnome Phil. “No, that won’t work. How will we get the water to glow uphill?” Jean chimed in.
“Maybe we could get the gophers to carry the walnuts. They’re really fast!” suggested gnome Harland.
“But you just can’t trust a gopher. They change their mind right in the middle of the road. That won’t work either,” argued gnome Del.
Daws, the leader quietly got up and pulling his pipe out of his mouth said, “There are 29 pelicans living down at the big north slough. Let’s ask them for help. They could scoop up water from the river in their large bills, fly to the bigger fires and pour it on them and quickly fly back for more. Hills won’t be a problem, and they can keep the small fires from spreading.”
“Good idea.” “Let’s vote on it,” sounded Gerry and Rudy.
“Ok, if you are in favor of this plan, point the top of your hat toward the north slough,” Daws said. So all of the gnomes gathered there bent the points of their hats in the direction of the north.
“Doc Bill and I are going fishing today at the north slough. We’ll talk to the Pelicans and convince them to help us,” said Elder.
“I think we should call ourselves the Gnometown Fire Department,” suggested Bert, “and the 29 pelicans which will be helping us could be called The P29 Bomber Division. Together, we will keep our Gnometown safe from fires!”

Harris and Eloise Ronning
A long, long time ago two little gnomes were born into the Ellefson and Ronning families in Gnometown. Right away the parents knew these were going to be very precious gnomes. Harris was marked on his thumb with what looked like a tiny carpenter’s nail, and Eloise had one green thumb and one white thumb.
As they grew, the gnomes began to notice each other, too. They married, and Harris built a sturdy house for them on the bank of the river flowing through Gnometown. He filled it with furniture that he made from the woods that grew there, and Eloise made their house a home by adding her paintings, crafts, and flowers from her garden. She kept it neat and sparkling clean and held it all together with a special beeswax polish. Soon the house was filled with the happy sounds of their family and friends.
Harris and Eloise made many friends along the river. Eloise was a gracious hostess. She always had homemade cookies and snacks for the little gnomes in the neighborhood. And, she was a good cook, too. The kettle on the stove was always filled with something tasty. So, the little house on the river became a gathering place for friends from near and far. Often, you could hear their voices and laughter will into the night as they shared stories of their days and their adventures. Even the birds and animals in the woods knew they were welcome, because Harris made them homes nearby and always had food for them through the long winters.
Harris became quite a good builder. He cut logs from the woods along the river and made homes and cabinets, farm buildings and business places for many for the gnomes in the area. As Gnometown grew, there was a need for more and more houses. Harris thought about how he might fill that need and before long he had an idea. On the edge of town, in an open field, he platted a new neighborhood. Then he started to work. When he had finished, there was a curvy little road, new trees planted, and homes for the families of a growing community. It had been hard work, but he was pleased with all he had accomplished. Harris and Eloise enjoyed their little town and the gnomes that lived there. Together, the two of them volunteered to work for the church, the school, and many of the organizations that helped make Gnometown a wonderful place to raise their family. Like so many other gnomes, they contributed to their community in any way they could.
Children, friends, husband and wife, parents and grandparents; that’s what legends are made from in Gnometown!

Robert Clay
Long ago in the hills of southeastern Minnesota a baby gnome, who was to be called Bob, was born. Little did anyone know this little one would grow to be such a knowledgeable and wise gnome. Though weakened through childhood illness, this gnome’s courageous heart would inspire strength, love, and confidence in others. Never would those who knew him consider him weak. In fact, in later years his heart became even more vibrant and those close to him claimed to be able to hear the neat of hat caring and compassionate heart.
As with many young gnomes, this boy tried several times to serve his country joining the Air Force, but the Big Ones always said he was too weak. Little did they know….So he decided to go to college. After attending Hamline University and Winona State College and obtaining his teaching degree, he graduated from the University of Minnesota with his Master’s in educational administration. His first teaching position was in Pine City and then he went to his hometown Lewiston where he also coached.
From Lewiston, carrying his books under his arms and his knowledge under his cap, he journeyed west, but only as far as Gnometown, for when he arrived there he knew he had found his new home. There was just something about the people there, something about how they made him feel, something that told him – these are good people.  The Gnometown school board hired him to teach science at their school. He took his books from under his am, his knowledge from under his red cap, and with his heart o his sleeve, began imparting his knowledge and encouragement to the children of Gnometown. Son he was appointed principal and then superintendent. What an honor?! During this time an addition was built onto the school and a separate elementary school was constructed. Soon the children would be so happy to have new school mates from the neighboring community of Boyd. At school, Gnome Bob could be seen quietly moving about the building, conversing with the teachers and other staff about the challenges and successes of the day, encouraging students, and complimenting coaches on a job well done.
Gnome Bob knew that a variety of educational programming was important so each student could excel in his or her own way. Wanting to attend all the school sports, music and speech events, he decided it would be great help to have a gnome mobile for transportation. A blue ’57 Chevy would be just the ticket. That gnome mobile could be seen, not only at school and school events but also at he homes of friends and at businesses in town, at the church where Bon was an elder for many years, traveling the country roads to time the bus routes, and heading all directions out of town in the winter snow to see of it was sage for the children to come to school. It took Bob to community meetings (Park Board, Library Board, and Hospital Committee), to joyful events like Soybean Days, and to help out in hard times too such s to fill sandbags at flood time.
One of the first places people saw the ’57 was at the hospital, where Gnome Bob was picking up his wife, Majorie, and their 4th newborn child, Richard, to drive them home to the big house on Chestnut Street where they would join their daughters, Beverly and Ann and their son, Ross. The Clay gnomes lived in that house where the elms hung down over the street for many years. They shared their home with friends and welcomed extended family members to live with them when the need arose. Inviting all the teachers over before school began each year was always fun.
Gnome Bob worked hard. When vacation time came he enjoyed traveling with his family back to southeastern Minnesota, camping out West, and going to a special lake which he had learned of from other gnomes, the Maestro John and his wife Mary. There he spent time with them, with his extended family, and with some of his other Gnometown friends; Ken and Dot, Dick and Lois, and Joe and Mary.  Back in Gnometown he could be found tending to his flower gardens, hunting with his boys and dog Gypsy, or just spending time with his family sharing with them his love, his knowledge and his advice.
Gnome Bob believed that family, friends, teachers, and other community members are all essential in raising and educating children, so they too can inspire others to be their best. It is said a true measure of a person’s legacy is not how long he lives but how he lives. Through his quiet, unassuming way, and with his knowledge, wisdom, strength and compassion Bob Clay left a legacy of love and courage that lives on in those who knew him.

Reverend G.S. Froiland
Gunnar, a little gnome who would grow up to be a Gnometown Reverend, was born amid the mountains and fjords of Norway. However, his earliest memories and fondest thoughts were of the prairie. In 1873, his family arrived by oxcart – among the first settlers in Dakota Territory, across the border from Canby, not far from Gnometown, which, like Gunnar, was still young. The first school and the church he would serve in Gnometown were not yet built.
Getting an education was a problem Gunnar had in common with other young gnomes at the time; especially those who wanted to become pastors. But by the time that Gunnar was out of country school, Augustana, a boarding high school and college, was opened about 70 miles away. He walked back and forth between sessions. Later, he attended the Lutheran Seminary in St. Paul. To earn money the ambitious young gnome worked for a number of summers during the harvest on farms in the Milan area. He would walk from South Dakota, sleeping in barns along the way. A favorite stopping place was in Providence with the Ness gnomes.  Mrs. Ness is said to have remarked, “That young man is too lively to be a minister!”
After he finished at the seminary in 1893, he was called to Kviteseid in Milan and spent the next years on the outskirts of Gnomeland. In the meantime, in Gnometown, the school and Trinity Lutheran Church had been built and many new businesses established. It was a bustling community when Gunnar and his wife Alma were called to the two-point parish of Trinity and Our Saviour’s of Baxter in 1913. They bought a 40 acre farm at the west edge of Dawson on Pine Street and began a dairy with a milk delivery route. Providing some of their own income was common in those days for ministers. Salaries were often small and families were often big! This family grew to twelve children. In 1914 a hospital was built on Pine Street. The Reverend was on of the incorporators and served as board president for many years. The next year, the Carnegie Library opened, and Gunnar, who dearly loved books, served on that board as well. Like other Reverend gnomes, G.S., as he came to be called, helped to begin or contributed to many community undertakings.
Traveling between congregations was a problem. Gunnar made the trip to Baxter in the country by buggy in good weather and wagon or sleigh in bad. The coming of the automobile was one of many changed he welcomed! Like many of his fellow Gnometowners he was an immigrant and took enormous pleasure in witnessing such progress. The transition of European immigrants to citizens of Gnometown, USA, involved many challenges as well, not the least of which was learning to get along in English. The call to Dawson and Baxter required “fluency in English,” and gnome Gunnar was pleased and proud that he could say he was. Almost all pastors of the community needed to be able to minister to people in a European language and at the same time make rapid progress in the transition of church life into English. In little more that a decade, Sunday school and confirmation classes were in English, and church services in an old world language became special events.
G.S. was always interested and active in civic matters, not just in the community, but in the wider world as well. He kept up with the news and worked to support and improve government and the administration of public affairs. In 1942, he was a candidate for the State Legislature, with regulation of liquor sales one of the important issues in his campaign. He was narrowly defeated, one of only a few times he failed to achieve a goal he had strived for. In 1944, Gunnar retired from an active call, but he remained in Gnometown and continued to serve as needed for baptisms, weddings, funerals, and Sunday church services, as well as to fill other positions. As the president of the Gnometown school board, he handed diplomas to any gnomes he had baptized, confirmed, and would eventually marry, as he had their parents.
As the years passed, the Reverend Gnome, like others, became concerned that the elderly gnomes in Gnometown who needed housing or help had to move away from their homes and friends. When the Normal School in Madison closed, G.S. was instrumental in seeing it converted to a Home for Old Gnomes. He was a good fund raiser as he was not shy about asking for contributions to a worthy cause. In 1953, the Reverend Gnome preached a farewell sermon marking the 60th anniversary of his ordination. He died shortly after.
Many Gnomelanders and Gnometowners still remember him or remember stories told by him or about him. Among his family’s treasured memories are anecdotes that recall his deep love of nature.  For example, almost everywhere he went Grandpa Gnome noticed the birds along the way, and upon his arrival would write down both the kinds and numbers he had seen in a little notebook he kept in his picket for that purpose. This is the kind of story that reminds us of how much he appreciated and took interest in all facets of Gnomeland, the prairie and its creatures, the people and the fruits of their labor. And never in his long life did he cease praising the Creator of it all.