Essay | Bringing Back Takkefest: Rushford Community Rebuilds a Beloved Thanksgiving Tradition

RUSHFORD — The Rushford-Peterson valley is thick with Scandinavians. Feasting and fellowship have always come naturally to the hardy men and women who settled here.

Early in the town’s existence, the Norwegian Lutheran Ladies Aid began hosting meals, the first of which took place in a rented roller-skating rink. Soon lutefisk suppers became as natural as breathing in the building that would become Rushford Lutheran Church (RLC).

With such storied beginnings, it is no surprise that the spirit of community continues to waft through the church’s hallowed halls. Like so many other churches in the Root River Valley, Rushford Lutheran is still bringing people together one pound of butter at a time.

This year, that legacy lives on as RLC once again hosts a free community dinner on Thanksgiving Day, November 27. Coffee and social hour begin at 10 a.m. and dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The menu features all the traditional Turkey Day fare and guests are invited to bring a dish to pass. Free will donations are accepted and will be put toward the continuation of the ministry.

Another helping of tradition and togetherness

Rushford Lutheran served the first Takkefest meal, so named for the Norwegian phrase for “giving thanks”, in 1989.

Started by three local families and run faithfully for thirty years, Takkefest filled the gap when restaurants and businesses were closed on Thanksgiving Day, giving residents a place to celebrate. Founders Glen and Letitia Kopperud retired their aprons in 2019, and the church basement has been quiet on Thanksgiving Day ever since.

Guests enjoy a full Thanksgiving Day buffet at Takkefest 2018. (Photo by Letitia Kopperud)

Up until March, my husband, Steven and I, ran Burdeys Café in nearby Peterson. During our twelve years of operation, we opened the doors for both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners because our regulars didn’t always have plans for the holidays.

Most folks truly came for the fellowship and were just happy to have a hot meal to go along with it. When the café was forced to close down due to financial pressure, one of the hardest things for me to stomach was imagining a world without community holidays.

With the threat of nothing happening for the community on Thanksgiving, I asked the church council whether we could bring back the Takkefest celebration; to tell the same story in a different font. They gave their blessing, and council members were the first to offer donations of ham and turkey.

Takkefest 2025 Planning Team (l to r): Teisha Escobar, Bean Boehmke, Steven Burdey and Dandi Escobar. (Photo by Kristin Burdey)

The pieces began falling into place almost immediately, and just the right people began volunteering to help, including Bean Boehmke, head of the RLC Women’s group.

Then came the comment on a Facebook post: “Let us know what you need, and we are there.” That offer was made by Teisha Escobar, who along with her husband, Dandi, ran Escobar Kitchen & Catering in downtown Rushford. This beloved coffee shop with a heart of gold also closed recently, just one week after Burdeys Café closed.

Returning to community service through the kitchen

Shattered by the shuttering of their beloved businesses, it became readily apparent that the path to healing for both our family and the Escobars involved doing what we did best: feeding and loving our neighbors. After an initial conversation, we were ready to join forces to ensure there was a place for everyone this holiday season.

“I am easing my way back into community service,” shared Teisha, acknowledging the challenge of escaping the doldrums and moving forward after devastating loss.

Despite losing their livelihoods, the Escobars knew they weren’t the only ones struggling through the current economic slowdown. The loss of support services for families made the need for church and community support so much greater.

“Community is friendship, camaraderie, simply being there for each other and filling a need,” Teisha continued. “Knowing what is going on in our community, we all ought to be humbling ourselves to help.”

This kind of goodwill is bubbling up all over the nation, with surges in food bank usage being met with surges in donations. For our families taking up the Takkefest baton, the outpouring of love is more than just a holiday, it’s a way of life.

“I want to show our kids what it means to be of service,” explained Teisha. “They see us doing it, and now they’re old enough to be a part of it.”

Bean Boehmke (at right) shares her years of RLCW meal experience with the Steven Burdey as they plan for the 2025 dinner. (Photo by Kristin Burdey)

As planning intensifies, with oven schedules and portion sizes being mapped out, excitement and gratitude grow. “I just want everyone to go home happy and full,” says Dandi with a smile.

With Bean’s guidance, Dandi and I will work the dining room, where we can pour coffee and chat, while Steven and Teisha work in the kitchen. Hopefully we’ll have more than enough help, Jello salads and laughter.

With any luck this Thanksgiving will be both the start of a new thing, and the continuation of a beautiful tradition, wherein we will give mange tusen takk for the blessing of community.