Sigrid Langaard

Biography

Sigrid Langaard was born on January 28, 1868 in Oslo, Norway. She was the only known child of Ragnild Caroline Steen and Fredrick Anthon Christopher Langaard. Her family owned and operated a brewing and tobacco company. As a result, Sigrid lived with and was cared for by a nanny, named Caroline Bergh. Caroline joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while Sigrid was under her care. It is likely that Sigrid joined the Church around the same time. Caroline hoped to move to Utah, but needed to save more money running a small dairy business.

As Caroline prepared to immigrate, she took in a baby to care for named Hulda. By 1882, Caroline had saved enough money to immigrate, so Caroline, Sigrid, and Hulda packed up and headed for Zion. They settled in Logan, Utah, where Caroline rented a room above the mortuary.

Sigrid married Anthon Lorenzo Skanchy as his third wife on November 25, 1885 in Salt Lake City, Utah. A year after their marriage, Anthon was called to serve another mission in Scandinavia (he had already served several missions there). During this time, the United States federal government had begun to arrest those who were participating in plural marriage. Sigrid was encouraged by her bishop to leave Logan so she would not get caught. Sigrid moved to Salt Lake City where she worked as a housekeeper and cook for several wealthy families. She pretended to be a single woman. Anthon returned from his mission in 1889, but Sigrid continued to live in Salt Lake City until Anthon’s first wife died. She moved back to Logan in 1893. Anthon and Sigrid had five children together throughout the years, two who died in childhood. In 1911, Sigrid and Anthon returned to live in Norway for a year.

Sigrid was forced to be a very independent woman in her life. Her husband would serve another mission in Scandinavia, and he would die when she was only forty-six years old. She provided for her family by renting out various properties. She also spent time doing temple work and serving in the Church. As she got older, Sigrid lost her eyesight and learned to read and write in braille.

Sigrid died on January 22, 1958, a few days shy of her ninetieth birthday. She was buried in the Logan City cemetery.