Pacific_states - Nordstjernan

A farewell celebration.

Staffan Simonsson, after almost five years, leaves southern California to return to Sweden and the locally employed assistant, Inger Pearson leaves her assignment as local assistant after 40 years with the Los Angeles Swedish church.

Our earlier interview with Staffan Simonsson:
The Swedish Pastor in California is leaving town

Photographed by Kerstin Alm

Staffan Simonsson, Inger Pearson proudly showing the collages artistically put together for SWEA by Kerstin Alm. ENLARGE IMAGE »

Former Cal. Consul General Siri Eliason; Pernilla Håkansdotter Olsson; Maj Lis Aasa, president of the Swedish Church board. ENLARGE IMAGE »

The southern California Swedish church choir ENLARGE IMAGE »

Consul General Barbro Osher, Pernilla Håkansdotter Olsson, Margaretha Laseen ENLARGE IMAGE »

Margaretha Laseen, chair SWEA LA, helping Inger Pearson with her many memorable gifts. ENLARGE IMAGE »

The honorary Consul General Barbro Osher flew down from San Francisco to attend the celebration. She mentioned that June 5, in reality, is the Danish National Holiday and made the reflection that the flowers given too the honorary guests of the day had been white, red, blue and yellow which in a way represtented all the flags of the Nordic countries plus Skåne, whose flag is red and yellow. As always, the Consul General delivered a very eloquent speech, which will be remembered for many years to come. ENLARGE IMAGE »

Ulla Parivar, Siv Åberg, Kerstin Engblom ENLARGE IMAGE »

Nachos and guests supreme ENLARGE IMAGE »

Karin von Unge speaking ENLARGE IMAGE »

Pernilla Håkansdotter Olsson is taking over after Staffan Simonsson. ENLARGE IMAGE »

Staffan Simonsson, Inger Pearson ENLARGE IMAGE »

Staffan Simonsson. ENLARGE IMAGE »

Board members SWEA LA, Ingegerd Landström, Siv Åberg, Birgitta Lauren vice chair, Lilian Gyllbrink Friedric, Margaretha Laseen, chair SWEA LA ENLARGE IMAGE »