Ornen Lodge #25, Daughters of Norway organized in La Crosse in 1908. It was a sister organization of Sons of Norway, which first met in La Crosse in 1903. Both Sons and Daughters of Norway were part of a national movement begun in Minneapolis in 1895 and 1897. Nationally and locally both groups stressed some of the same goals - socialization, mutual assistance, and preservation of Norwegian language and heritage.
Sixteen members joined at the first meeting on March 18, 1908. Thereafter they met twice a month. As a fraternal organization members followed a national ritual at their meetings and called each other sisters. By the end of 1908, there were thirty-five members of Ornen Lodge #25. They paid dues regularly and were assessed for insurance quarterly.
In 1950, Daughters of Norway merged nationwide with the Sons of Norway. Ornen Lodge #25 continued until 1951. By this time La Crosse women could join Wergeland Lodge, Sons of Norway. On April 17, 1951 Ornen Lodge #25 changed its number to #451 and maintained its financial records until July 1969.
