Valija Annsdotter Memorial Page

The Principality of Oertha Web-Site can be reached from this page (go to bottom).
The whole of the SCA has been diminished this day.

This web-page is dedicated to the memory of Mistress Valija Annsdotter.

mka: Karen Olsen

Karen passed away at home surrounded by friends and family at 6:20pm January 10, 2008.
The world has lost a Great Lady.
She is survived by her devoted husband Karl Brewmeister (mka Tom Olsen) and the whole of her Montfort family.

Memorial Service
Hello to one and all. Thank you for all of the concern and support. I really appreciate it.
If you had not already seen it, Karen's obituary was in today's (Sunday, January 13th) Anchorage Daily News.
The date for her memorial service is set for Saturday, January 26th at 2pm at Central Lutheran Church located at 15th and Cordova.
I am asking that no flowers be sent. Instead, I'm asking that memorials be made to either the American Cancer Society, at P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718, or online at www.cancer.org; or the Cook Inlet Literacy Council, attention Terrill Sullivan, 11051 Retreat Circle, Anchorage, AK, 99515.
Feel free to forward this information to anyone that was missed here.
Thank you for your help in "spreading the word" for the memorial.
Karl Brewmeister (Tom)

Karl (Tom), Valija (Karen), Judith (Dianne), Margiad (Mary Boots) and Brigit (Jeanne) singing at BearPaw festival in Eagle River in 1997 or 1998

Valija Annsdotter de Montfort
M. Karen Monson Olsen played in the SCA as Valija for many years, starting in the early days of the Barony of Eskalya. Her many talents and hard work earned her awards and peerages; receiving her Laural at the same court as Sir Kylson. Mundane life and duties pulled her away from playing with us in the last eight years or so, and many of our newer members will not have met her. She was known for her ability as a shill during the SCA demos at the early Ren Faire; having a knack for parting mundanes from their coinage. She left us the legacy of Eskalya's Baronial Banner, as it was her vision and skills that drove the five stitchers to completion on the project. She was our privy councelor during the reign of Nickolai and Annora and behind the scenes the "conscriped ink" scribe as well. Her skills and generosity led her to donate her skills to many baronial and principality fund raising auctions. She is also known for building the first "real" pavilion in all of Oertha. Until then we had army tents and parachutes at camping events. Valija showed us it was possible to make a large tent with a sewing machine! Her large body of work enriched our medieval world and her spirit warmed it.
-Viscountess Annora de Montfort of Shadowood
Laurel Jan 27, AS XXV (1991) Eric & Aricia (West)
Pelican Dec 9, AS XXX (1995) Veniamin & Endellion Aeron (West)
Rose Leaf Jul 12, AS XVIII (1983) Radnor & Esmirelda (West)
Leaf of Merit Jan 20, AS XXX (1996) Gregor & Alicianne (Oertha)
Baroness Jan 23, AS XXII (1988) Jade & Anastacia (West)
Award of Arms Sep 13, AS XV (1980) Radnor & Esmirelda (West)
Princess' Favor Nov 23, AS XXXI (1996) Sely (Mists)
Diamond Willow Jul 16, AS XXIII (1988) Brendan & Aryana (Oertha)
Princess' Riband Jan 23, AS XXII (1988) Annora (Oertha)
Princess' Riband Jan 20, AS XXX (1996) Alicianne (Oertha)
Princess' Riband Jan 18, AS XXXI (1997) Alicianne (Oertha)

Obituary:
Obituary in 1-13-08 Anchorage Daily News

Photos

Valija at Winter Coronet in Winter's Gate January, AS XXX (1996)

Words

How hard is it to express joy for the release from a life well lived - now exempt from pain - when those left behind know that the world is an emptier place that it was yesterday?
It's not unexpected, but it's abrupt. Partly because [In My Universe] Karen still exists - and gives me her advice (asked for, or not), her wisdom, her perspective, her calm center, her drive, her strengths and weaknesses. ....and for every day that she is there for me is another day that she lives.
Karen has been and will always be a presence in my life ... whether or not she's present in my daily life.
Thank you, Karen for are you have been, all you are, and all you will be. You are not missed ... because you are not "gone" - not for me, anyway - just "missing" ... and who you are stays/has stayed with me - always!
In Peace, Faith, Hope, Joy and Love,
- Froggy -

It seemed to me that Valia was always there in my early years in the SCA. A glowing smile, encouraging words, quick wit and wonderful humor. The old days at the Renn fairs were always a highlight for her. She taught all of us how to "Beach the Clams" to get more tips while shilling the croud. It breaks my heart to think those 'Clams" are what has stolen her from this world.
Tom I am so sorry for your future loneliness. When she met you she seemed to glow. It was the first time she really seemed to be happy with her future.. You were and always will be a model couple for me to remember.
A verse in my song " Hale Oertha" mentions meeting old friends on the other side of the Veil and sharing tears and laughter with them. Now I have one more in my long list of Beloved Oerthan Brothers and Sisters to look forward to seeing again. After 27 plus years in this SCA "Family" I can still have vivid memories long after my friends are gone.
My heart and prayers are with you Tom and I will never forget Karen. This way she will always be here for me as she had been in the past.
Rolynnda of the Azurestone, Terry Standridge
Ardrude Pen Waer, Dresden, Ron Standridge

Many years ago now, back when I was a starry-eyed high school kid, I found the SCA in Oertha and soon thereafter began attending the Ivory Thimble Teas. Those early years in the SCA were for me, as they are for most people, a time of magic, wonder, excitement & enthusiasm, as I was exposed to so many new ideas and saw all of the wonderful things that people within the SCA had made or were making. Two of the people who stand out most in my memory as people I idolized when I met them, both for their presence in person and the skill they showed in crafts were Valija and Annora. However, as the years elapsed and I grew up, Annora was one I got to know better and spend time with, so the "hero worship" faded, to be replaced with friendship, to be sure. However, because first I moved away, and later, during the times I returned to Eskalya, Valija wasn't as active, my initial "hero worship" for her never faded. To my mind she is still that amazing woman who took some time to show a young kid that it is possible to put string on a loom and turn it into beautiful fabric; that needle & thread & cloth could be combined and transformed into art.
Tom & Karen, I never had the opportunity to know you as people, but the inspiration that Karen fired me with in my youth has never left me. Thank you so much for having been there, then. Karen, some measure of who I am today and what I have accomplished in the arts is due to what you showed me I could reach for. I am saddened to know that your health in recent years has been problematic, and I am aware that there is nothing I may do from here to help, but I wanted you to know that you have been an inspiration to me, and I am grateful for having met you. Perhaps hearing how you have touched the lives of others will make this time of transition that you are now in that little bit easier.
With respect and admiration, --Kareina Talvi Tytär, OL

Navigation

To Principality of Oertha Web-Site

This page will serve as point for information and memorial tribute to Mistress Valija
I'm collecting photos and remembrances for posting here for all to see and read.
Please forward photos, poems, comment to: khevron@warpmail.net

With the utmost respect,
-Khevron
January, A.S. XLII (2008)