Martha (Malla) Anderson

I can't, in good conscience, let the article go to press without a sequel in the form of a tribute to my mother-in-law and her generosity.  She had a heart, bigger than herself.  Her greatest joy in life was sharing her food with others.

I recall on more than one occasion, when she invited complete strangers to have a meal - lunch - or whatever time of day they happened by.  If the family warned her that it was not a good idea to do this when she was home alone, her generous logic would be, "They were mighty glad to get something to eat" - or "Those little kids were so hungry" or "Everybody has to have eats."

August 13th, her birthday, was HER day!  The table was extended with every leaf available - it had to be to accommodate all the goodies she had prepared for the occasion.  The table fairly sagged with food ranging from her melt- in-the -mouth sugar cookies to the birthday bait ''Rommegrot." This famous Rommegrot was also delivered by her to any new mother in the neighborhood.

Her food reminded me of the "loaves and fishes" and her coffee pot of the "Miraculous pitcher" - she could always squeeze out one more cup.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 494