Zone 10 – Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas
Director: Sandra Vail
Email: sandravail@sbcglobal.net
Greetings from Zone 10! I am excited to support our Zone 10 Lodges as your new Director. I have served as the Social Director for the Maihaugen Lodge in Overland Park, KS for the last year. I live in Kansas City, MO with my husband, Ned, and two cats. I enjoy gardening, traveling, and spending time at the Lake of the Ozarks.
I worked many years as an oncology nurse, before transitioning to the pharmaceutical industry as a nurse educator. I have since retired. Now that I have more time, I am devoted to the mission of Sons of Norway and to learning as much as I can about Norwegian language and history.
My connection to Norway is through my paternal grandmother. She emigrated to Brooklyn, NY with her sister in 1915. She taught me some Norwegian words and thus, sparked my curiosity about Norway as a child. I visited her every year in Texas and she died when I was fourteen. I regret that we did not have more time together.
In 2022, my husband and I traveled to Norway and stayed with my cousins on the family farm. I was able to visit my great grandparents’ graves in Aure. It is utterly amazing that our Norwegian and American families have remained connected for 110 years, despite the separation.
Growing up in a small town in Mid- Missouri, I never met another person with Norwegian heritage. It has been such a pleasure to meet members of Sons of Norway and learn more about this organization and our shared culture. Please feel welcome to contact me to voice your ideas and concerns. I look forward to meeting you!
Zone 10 Lodges: