Hanna Olava Akre was born in Kopervik, Karmoy, Norway, on January 15, 1883, the daughter of Osmund and Marie Hansen. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in the Kopervik church. She attended the Kopervik "Folke Skole" and also spent two years at a private school. As a young girl, she was employed as a clerk and office worker in her community, where she was active in Sunday School, Luther League, Missions and other church activities. She was also influential in promoting the work of the Temperance League of Norway. After immigrating to America in 1910, she taught parochial school in northern Minnesota and later assisted at the home of Dr. and Mrs. T.H. Dahl in Minneapolis. She was united in marriage to Rev. J