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little drama I endured in silence for the sake of Ingrid Bergström Borland.
And romance: I met my first husband, Gustav Olivecrona, a Swede, at I-House. We had
a wonderful wedding in a little church in Berkeley followed by a party with I-House
friends in our apartment. It was in October 1949. Gustav worked at The San Francisco
Chronicle. Soon we had to decide where to live – Sweden or the USA? Gustav had
immigrated with the intention of settling and had strong reasons for not going back.
I liked America, but I missed my native country more. For instance, I missed the
Swedish climate with four seasons. In the end, I persuaded him to return home with
me. We tried to live in Gothenburg, and then in Stockholm, but it did not turn out well,
unfortunately. In 1956, I married Börje Ohlsén, a forester whom many I-Housers
know from our visits to California, and from visits we got from many I-House friends
– particularly when Volvo paid the trip to Gothenburg for those who bought a Volvo.
The values of I-House, and the deep friendships that have lasted a lifetime despite
distance, still are something very precious to me. This legacy is something that has
been passed on to my family. I am immensely grateful for my time at Berkeley and for
all the happiness it gave me, happiness which I now share with my husband Börje, my
children and grandchildren. Berkeley has become close to the whole family.
Written by Inger "Mopsen" Ohlsén Gothenburg, Sweden November 2010 (in a hurry)
From left to right: Maida [Mazda] Magee, Diwata Aldaba,
and Inger "Mopsen" [Bergstrom] Ohlsen.
