Renae Hansen | Writer
The Danish Brotherhood Society (DBS) in Viborg will be celebrating their 125th anniversary on Thursday, June 5, with a meal of hot dogs and chips as well as Danish desserts. There will also be a display chronicling the rich history of the group’s past. Although the official anniversary won’t be until December of this year, the celebration was planned to coincide with Danish Constitution Day, celebrated on June 5. The Daneville Heritage Museum will also hold a celebration later that evening, with performances by the children of Our Saviors Lutheran Church and the DHM Danish Dancers followed by music from renowned Danish folk musician Kristian Bugge and friends.
In December of 1900, 22 men decided to organize a DBS Lodge in Viborg. In its early days, the DBS offered a place for newly arrived Danish immigrants to meet and to become acquainted with other people of Danish descent. In those days, the lodge had a library to help its members learn the English language, offered life insurance policies, and assisted its members in many other ways to help them adjust to their new life in South Dakota.
In the beginning, the group held many of its functions at Dania Hall, located northeast of Center Point, but in June of 1905 they decided to erect a hall on the north end of Viborg’s business district, where Merchants State Bank now stands. For over sixty years the DBS Hall was the social center of Viborg. The hall was used for everything from funerals and graduations to Christmas celebrations and drama productions.
The Viborg DBS Lodge was a male only organization until February 7, 1963, when the members allowed women to join. Jessie Jacobsen, Ann Jespersen, Ruth Peterson, and Helen Sorensen were the first women to join the lodge. The Danish language was used for all of the group’s meetings and records until February of 1955, when it was decided to change to the English language. When the Irene DBS lodge disbanded in April of 1973, it’s remaining members were transferred to the Viborg lodge.
In the fall of 1969, the group received an offer to sell their property and after some consideration it was voted on to sell it to United National Bank. The property where the new hall on Sorenson Street now stands was acquired in 1970, with meetings being held in the Legion Hall until the new building was finished. Much of the work was done by the members themselves, and the first meeting in the new hall was held in October of 1971. An Open House allowing the rest of the community to view the new hall was held on November 14, 1971.
One of the biggest attractions at the DBS Hall these days is the monthly Bingo that the group holds on the third Sunday of the month. The day starts at noon with a lunch, followed by Bingo starting at 1 p.m.
Over the years, nearly nine hundred people have been members of DBS Lodge #139, and even though the group’s numbers have dwindled since its glory days, it is still a vital part of Viborg’s social life. The group holds their monthly meeting after Bingo on the third Sunday of the month, and the cost to join is only $10.00 per year. Members receive reduced rental of the hall, which includes use of the kitchen.
Anyone interested in joining the DBS can contact any of the members, or can also show up to Bingo or one of their monthly meetings. Although many of the members have Danish roots and their families have belonged to the group for generations, you do not need to be Danish to join. They are always welcoming new members. Everyone is invited to help them celebrate their 125 years on June 5, with the meal being served from 5 to 7 p.m. Make sure to stick around and take in the festivities across the street at the museum afterwards as Viborg celebrates Danish Constitution Day!