Theodore Gulhaugen was born on August 21, 1893 in Drammen, Norway. His parents were Andres and Josephine Gulhaugen, and there were twelve children in the family, including Theodore. Andres was a foreman at a planing mill. In February 1911, Theodore decided to immigrate to America. Going to America was a common subject of conversation at that time, and one of Theodore's brothers in America sent him a ticket. Theodore traveled to Seattle, Washington, where his brother and Pastor Bergesen met him. The first Sunday Theodore was in Seattle, he attended church, and later decided to enter the ministry. He attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota and was ordained in Kennewick, Washington. From 1916 - 1917, he worked at a mission station in Alaska and then went on to serve various congregations in Kennewick, Pasco, Washington, Grand View, Washington, Yakima, Washington, New West Minister, BC, South Bend, WA, Raymond, Washington, Astoria, Oregon, Cathlamet, Washington, and Chinook, Washington.
In June 1921, he married a woman from Ballard, Washington and had six children: Martin, Grace, Elaine, Rumar, Kathy, and Theodora. Theodore was later called to Sacramento, California, where he remained until 1962 before coming to Trinity Lutheran in Tacoma, Washington. In Tacoma, Theodore has held Norwegian Christmas services and taught Norwegian at Franklin Pierce High School and Tacoma Community College. In 1976, he served on the welcoming committee and arrangement of a banquet for King Olav, who came to Seattle to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Norwegians coming to the Northwest. Theodore has also returned to Norway and continues to remain in contact with his relatives there. Theodore is very thankful for his Norwegian heritage, but has always felt welcome in America and believes he has had a good life here.
Lineage
Full Name: Theodore Gulhaugen. Father: Andres Gulhaugen. Mother: Josephine Gulhaugen. Brothers and Sisters: Ludvig Gulhaugen,, Nils Gulhaugen, Christian Gulhaugen, Lauras Gulhaugen, Alfred Gulhaugen, Hans Gulhaugen, Anna Gulhaugen, Emma Gulhaugen, Valborg Gulhaugen, Martha Gulhaugen, Ovidia Gulhaugen. Spouse: Gertrude Christensen. Children: Martin Gulhaugen, Grace Gulhaugen, Elaine Gulhaugen, Rumar Gulhaugen, Kathy Gulhaugen, Theodora Gulhaugen.
From the guide to the Theodore Gulhaugen Oral History Interview, 1980, (Robert A.L. Mortvedt Library Scandinavian Immigrant Experience Collection Archives and Special Collections Department)
