A Beloved Wife and Friend

The interior of Charter House is decorated with nearly 300 framed, fine-art prints from nationally known galleries. This professional artwork has been donated for the enjoyment of all by Henry Somsen in memory of his beloved wife and best friend, Anne Duncan Somsen. "The Arts and Decoration Committee has done a wonderful job of displaying and cataloging this collection," he says.

Born in New Ulm, Minn., in 1909 and the son of a lawyer, Henry studied psychology, but later switched to law and followed in his father's footsteps, receiving his Law Degree from the University of Minnesota in 1934. Henry married Anne whom he had met at the U of M in 1936, and they later had two children, Pennell and Stephen. Henry was a "general practitioner" of law in New Ulm from 1946 to 1985, when he and Anne moved to Charter House.

Henry loves the outdoors -- especially hunting and fishing -- and takes pride in his respect for the environment. "I hope to get out fishing again this year," he says with a smile. He has served on the board of directors of the Minnesota Parks and Trail Council for 50 years, longer than any other member. In New Ulm, he was a board member of many profit and non-profit organizations, and for 38 years he headed an organization that helped bring musical entertainment to New Ulm from such metropolitan areas as New York City.

Though Anne died of cancer in 1987, when Henry walks about Charter House, the paintings he sees remind him of her and her love of life. "My favorite is in the dining room," he says. "It's Dance at Bougival, a Renoir."