Sheridan Zion Lutheran Church celebrates 135th anniversary
By Donnette Mickelson
Oct. 15, 2026
Sheridan Township, Dunn County, WI
The Sheridan Zion Lutheran Church and Cemetery Association held a celebration on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026 to celebrate the 135th anniversary with a church service, barn quilt dedication, and potluck lunch.
The barn quilt was donated by Corey and Donnette Mickelson as part of the Ridgeland Area Library barn quilt grant, and it will be added to the Dunn County barn quilt trail.
A barn quilt is a large wooden board painted to look like a quilt block. The idea of placing a barn quilt on the church is to get people from outside our community to find the hidden treasures in our rural area by exploring the beautiful countryside and historic places that make our community special.
During the service, Pastor Adam Klefstad talked about the importance of a solid foundation in faith and church community. This solid foundation was evident to the descendants who still gather at the church.
After the service, one of the most anticipated parts of the day was the potluck lunch. There was the usual fare of BBQ’s, salads, and desserts, but two that stood out were the brunost cheese and funeral sandwiches.
Brunost cheese is a brown Norwegian cheese with a nutty caramel flavor. The modern recipe for this cheese was invented in the Gudbrandsdalen Valley in 1863 by a milkmaid named Anne Hov. Having this cheese reminds us of the Norwegian ancestors who immigrated to the area and brought their food traditions with them. Even today, this traditional food is still being served at picnics.
Then there are the funeral sandwiches, a Midwestern church potluck tradition that deserves a little recognition of its own. This traditional sandwich can be found at any church potluck– it is an open-faced sandwich of rye bread, Cheez Whiz, and potato chips or even fancier green olives. It is a true Midwest delicacy.
The anniversary celebration was a wonderful opportunity to honor 135 years of faith, fellowship, and community while celebrating the traditions that continue to bring people together.
The October 2026 print edition of this article incorrectly identified Pastor Adam Klefstad as Eric. The Hay River Review regrets the error.
Watch the barn quilt dedication speech.
Stay up to date on the church's news by following Sheridan Zion Lutheran Church and Cemetery Association on Facebook.
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