O.E.S. holds homecoming for Grand Worthy Matron

It has been 108 years since Saratoga Chapter No. 12, Order of the Eastern Star (O.E.S.) has had a Worthy Grand Matron. Karlene Sjoden has filled that role for the past year.

Sjoden was installed as Worthy Grand Matron in 2013 and since has been supervising and visiting chapters around the state.

The last woman from Saratoga to serve as Worthy Grand Matron was Ellen J. Tilton from 1905-1906. The Saratoga Chapter was founded on March 26, 1901 according to Elva Evans. Tilton served as the chapter's first Worthy Matron, while Joseph B. Maghee served as the Worthy Patron.

The Worthy Grand Matron is the state's highest office of the Grand Chapter of Wyoming, O.E.S.

During her tenure as Worthy Grand Matron, Tilton was influential in the forming of Encampment's chapter on July 20, 1905, Evans said. Tilton held dual membership in the Saratoga and Encampment chapters.

Saturday, Sjoden was the center of attention as Eastern Star members throughout the state came together to recognize Sjoden with a tea and dinner for the members of their organization.

The Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both women and men may belong, Sjoden said. The group was started through Dr. Rob Morris, Poet Laureate of Masonry, and was initially for the female relatives of Master Masons; both men and women can belong now.

Several people vie for the position, and many women work years to receive the highest position in the state. Even though Sjoden had met the requirements and was elected as Associate Grand Conductress in 2010, Grand Conductress in 2011, and Associate Grand Matron in 2012, it was not a guarantee that she would be elected by her jurisdiction as Worthy Grand Matron.

Sjoden has spent the last year visiting Wyoming's jurisdiction - all 29 of the chapters. The official visits allow Sjoden to watch the chapters perform the ritualistic work, attend the initiation for new members and review the secretary books.

"It has been one of the best years of my life, because of representing Saratoga Chapter No. 12, traveling through the state, other jurisdictions, furthering friendships and raising money for my charity," Sjoden said.

The homecoming, which was celebrated this weekend, marks when all of the official visits have been completed.

The travels have allowed Sjoden to raise money and awareness for her chosen charity - Camp Courage Wyoming near Dubois. "The weekend camp is for kids with cancer," Sjoden said. It is sponsored in part by Jason's Friends Foundation, Casper, Wyoming. The camp costs $1,000 per child and immediate family. Sjoden's goal is to raise enough money to send 10 children to camp.

Sjoden is raffling off two quarters of beef for $10 per ticket or six tickets for $50. The drawing will be Aug. 15 at the Grand Chapter. Sjoden said the beef will be delivered anywhere in Wyoming. Tickets can be purchased through Sjoden at 326-3436, or her mother, Mary Alice, at 326-5531.

Sjoden said she has been very honored and that it has been a privilege to represent her chapter.

Sjoden said serving as Worthy Grand Matron was not really a goal for her when she became a member of Saratoga Chapter No. 12, in 1974. She has remained a member through the years when she was not living in Saratoga and working. Her work required travel and she attended meetings when she could.

In 2005, Sjoden retired and moved back to Saratoga. It was then she started attending the meetings, and in 2009 she was appointed as Grand Chaplain.

Sjoden still has three months to fulfill her duties as Worthy Grand Matron. During that time, Saratoga Chapter No. 12 will host a golf tournament fundraiser for Eastern Star Training Awards for Religious Leadership, attend Grand Chapters in Idaho and Montana, and prepare for the Grand Chapter of Wyoming held August 13-16, 2014.

"This has been a great opportunity for me," Sjoden said. Sjoden, a fourth-generation Eastern Star member qualified as a member of O.E.S. through her father, the late Carl Sjoden, who was a Master Mason.

According to Evans, many prominent citizens of Saratoga from the early days are listed on the memberships rolls of the Eastern Star and Masonic organizations. "They were very important social and beneficent organizations for many years," Evans said.

Loren "Teense" Willford served as Worthy Grand Patron in 1978-1979 and Clement J. Jensen was Grand Worthy Patron in 1911-1912.

Grand Representatives from the Saratoga Chapter appointed for 2013-2015 are Ken Olson, who will serve as Grand Representative of Saskatchewan, in Wyoming, and Karen Buford, who will serve as Grand Representative of Arkansas, in Wyoming.

For information about the Order of the Eastern Star check out the website at http://grchapwyo.homestead.com/, contact Sjoden at 326-3436 or Teense Willford, at 326-5450.