In September 2021, Carol and Linda Heen met with local community members to present the history of Wang Cemetery. The Wang Congregation was established by Norwegian-American immigrants in the 1880’s.  The cemetery is still an active cemetery with over 450 graves, 100 of which are the original Norwegian settlers.  

To begin the exploration of the cemetery, documents, photos, and family genealogy charts were placed upon 10 graves. Each graveside revealed a personal story. People were invited to look at the materials and discover the stories.  Then the group re-convened to review individual stories and hear additional stories.

Genealogy was examined in preparation of details for the event participants. Each participant was then given the results showing how many of their ancestors and relatives  were buried in the cemetery.  The numbers ranged from 30 relatives to 178!

In the autumn of 1987, local community members gathered to re-create the pioneer church services held in the large barn on the Heen Farm.  The barn, built in 1888, was used by the Wang congregation while the new church in Wang Township was under construction.  The service, held on All Saints Sunday, was also a harvest celebration for the farming community.

The area was decorated with old-fashioned corn shocks, pumpkins, and corn.  Banners were placed on the barn, and the interior held momentos and photos of ancestors.  People came dressed in old fashioned costumes, including bunads and Hardanger aprons.

In September 1997, the Maynard Lutheran Church chose to celebrate its centennial by holding church services in the Heen barn.  Again, many people chose to attend in costume as a salute to earlier times.