The annual Kragero one room school summer program (Life In The Past Lane) started over 30 years ago (1994) and is hosted by the Erickson family, whose relatives emigrated from Kragero, Norway to Santiago Township (north of Becker) in the 1880’s. There was a need for a school in the area and the schoolhouse was built on part of the Jens Ellefson farm. The original log cabin Jens and Sigrid lived in was recently relocated next to Kragero School. These Norwegian immigrants decided there was a need for a school and held their first meeting in the summer of 1897. 

This writer’s grandmother, Lillie Ellefson and her siblings attended Kragero school. So did this reporter’s dad and his two brothers, as well six of her oldest siblings until it closed and consolidated with Becker in January, 1967. 

The school building was also used as a church in its early years.

“We want the kids in this generation to experience what life was like in pioneer days,” said Judy Larsén, Life In The Past Lane teacher and former student at Kragero.

Special thanks to Tom and Gail Barthel and family, owners of the property, for allowing the Erickson family to open this school each summer for three days.