In memoriam: Johanna Borrevik Fedde, 1919-2019 JOHANNA BORREVIK FEDDE, who taught Norwegian for more than 30 years at Portland State, died August 13 served as an adjunct professor of history and international law. She continued teaching Norwegian at Portland State until 1990. Ms. Fedde was a generous volunteer in the Portland area, contributing more than 1,000 articles as a correspondent for Western Viking, a Norwegian-American weekly newspaper. She was also a talented pianist and public lecturer in subjects as diverse as music, Norwegian bunads—a traditional Norwegian folk costume— and World War II. She was the recipient of St. Olav’s Medal, awarded by the King of Norway, for promotion of Norwegian heritage and culture abroad, and the William Niskanen Trophy by the Oregon/Southwest Washington Associates of the American Scandinavian Foundation. She was also honored as Scandinavian of the Year in 1991 in recognition of outstanding cultural and educational achievement for the Scandinavian community. Both Johanna and Bernard were strong supporters of Nordic Northwest, a Portland-based nonprofit organization that strives to preserve Nordic culture in the Pacific Northwest. Ms. Fedde is survived by her cousin, Marty Borrevik and his family; many relatives in Norway; and many friends. Remembrances may be sent to Nordic Northwest, 8800 SW Oleson Road, Portland OR 97223. A memorial service was held August 30 at Nordia House. —Doug Swanson at the age of 100. Ms. Fedde was born February 5, 1919, in Stavanger, Norway, to Berge Johannes Borrevik and Signe Kristine Fedde Borrevik, both of whom were teachers. She graduated from Stavanger Cathedral School in 1938 and enrolled at the University of Olso. Ms. Fedde was in her second year at the university when World War II broke out, and she witnessed German troops march into Oslo on April 9, 1940. She left Olso to return to Stavanger, and she and her family took shelter in the fjord country of western Norway for a time. She later returned to the University of Olso to complete a bachelor of arts degree in 1942 and a master of arts in 1946. After teaching in Norway for 10 years, Ms. Fedde became an exchange teacher at Ballard High School in Seattle. She met and married her distant cousin, G. Bernhard Fedde, and the couple settled in Portland in 1957. She taught German, English, and French at Benson and Grant high schools for 14 years while earning a master of education at the University of Oregon. In 1966 Ms. Fedde began teaching at Portland State, where her husband, a lawyer who practiced in Portland, 4 Upcoming RAPS events NOVEMBER (Thursday, November 21) Provost Susan Jeffords addresses RAPS members on “Committing to Student Success,” 333 SMSU. DECEMBER (Thursday, December 12) Annual Holiday Brunch, held at Augustana Lutheran Church, 2710 NE 14th Ave., Portland. JANUARY (Thursday, January 16) “Surviving and Thriving as We Age,” presentation by Susan Poulsen, professor emerita of speech communication and licensed nurse; Christine A. Krueger, physical therapist; and AnnMarie Cordova, physical therapist assistant, 333 SMSU. Former PSU president Wim Wiewel addressed RAPS members at the September meeting, held at Lewis & Clark. —Photograph by Larry Sawyer
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