Wetaskiwin District Heritage Museum Centre & City of Wetaskiwin Archives

This elaborate wreath is made from human hair. The hair was wrapped around wires with some beads strung throughout on the ends, tips, and centres in flower patterns. The wreath belonged to Nora Rasmuson (nee Ruud), who was inducted into our Women of Aspenland Exhibit in 2002. She was born on December 27, 1876 to Hans and Caroline Ruud. The Ruuds were originally from Norway and living in Minnesota. On November 18,1896 Nora married Edward Rasmuson, and in 1914, they moved from Minnesota to a farm on the east bank of Coal Lake. Nora loved caring for her flock of turkeys. One day a coyote tried to attack her flock, but Nora pinned it in the barbed wire and held it there by the ears until Edward came and shot it. Nora kept in touch with her family, who would send items from Norway, including this hair wreath that was made by her sister.