Santa Lucia celebration held Dec. 14 in Swedesburg

The Swedish American Museum and Historical Society of Swedesburg Iowa hosted their annual Santa Lucia celebration on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Parish Hall in Swedesburg. Santa Lucia is traditionally celebrated from Dec. 13 — January 13.

Museum Director, Trish Woepking and Karla Crawford Kerr (Santa Lucia 1990, museum board) welcomed guests. Karla shared background on the 2025 honored Santa Lucia and Star Children and then told the story of Saint Lucia. The historical account was written by the late Jane Wickham. The Santa Lucia, Sankta Lucia, or Saint Lucia celebration centers around Santa Lucia who died as a martyr in the fourth century for her Christian beliefs, and is credited with bringing light into a darkened world. Her message of hope and the light to come has long been uplifting in the dark Swedish winters and continues to be celebrated today.

Santa Lucia 2025 Lilly Heckethorn led her procession by candlelight with her Star Children following, down one aisle and back up the other aisle of the Parish Hall. The charming Saint Lucia song was played as the audience watched on. Santa Lucia Lilly, was dressed in a red-sashed white robe with the traditional crown of candles on her head, serving homemade Swedish Saffron Buns “Lussekatter” to the guests.

The procession included four Star Children. The star children all wore white robes. The girls were wearing wreaths on their heads and passing out Swedish straw tree ornaments. The boys wore the traditional pointed hats with stars and moons and they carried wands with the star of Bethlehem, that guided the wise men to baby Jesus.

All attendees enjoyed singing along with customary Swedish music, Christmas hymns and carols. Leading the musical portion was Santa Lucia 2025 Lilly. Accomplished musician Ann Bosold of Fairfield was the featured pianist.

Lilly Heckethorn was honored as 2025 Santa Lucia. She is a junior at Winfield Community High School. Her parents are Michelle Kempf and Joe Heckethorn. Grandparents are Earl Kempf and the late Mary Lee Kempf Van Egdon. Her aunts and uncles from the area include Lisa & Troy Kempf, Brooke & Kenny McArtor, and Michelle & Chris Kelley. Lilly is involved in basketball, softball, dance team, National Honor Society, student leadership, art club, and family & consumer science. She enjoys being part of her church youth group and will be volunteering for the 4th time working on housing Jaurez for those in need. She says they focus on shining his light. She of course volunteers at the Swedish Museum in Swedesburg. According to Lilly, her favorite things about volunteering at the Swedish Museum is learning about history and meeting new people.

After the evening Lilly said, "I'm so grateful for this opportunity. I am thankful for the amazing experience with Benson, Lillian, Grace, and Cadon. The little girl within me would be so happy to know I was Santa Lucia."

The Star Children (all of Mount Pleasant) included: Benson Lauer (7th grade — son of Sarah & Ryan Lauer), Lillian Lauer (5th grade — daughter of Sarah & Ryan Lauer), Cadon Jacobson (4th grade — son of Megan Jacobson, Santa Lucia 1995, and the late Paul Jacobson, Grandparents are Tom and Karen Wenstrand who are active members of the Swedish Heritage Society) and Grace Becker (3rd grade of Mount Pleasant, daughter of Candice and Jim Becker, cousin of Annika Kerr, Santa Lucia 2023, niece of Karla Crawford Kerr, Santa Lucia 1990).

Santa Lucia committee with the Swedish Museum includes Megan Wenstrand Jacobson (Santa Lucia 1995), Karla Crawford Kerr (on the museum board and Santa Lucia 1990), Jema Settles (Santa Lucia 2023), Trish Woepking (Museum Director) and Annika Kerr (Santa Lucia 2022).