I am looking for the name of a movie I saw on TV years ago, black and
white, about a family from norway or sweden who live in san fransico. 
One subplot is one of the kids goes into the hospital and the mother
pretends that she is a cleaning person and scubs the floors just so
she can be in the hospital near her child.  ANother subplot is uncle
christopher who is dying but keeps asking for a drink and ends up
drunk instead of dead.

Hi Janis50!

I am confident that the movie you remember is I Remember Mama (1948). 

Below you will find excerpts where you may verify that this is the correct film.

?The life of a Norwegian immigrant family in 1910 San Francisco
centers around Mama and her detailed, pennywise household budget. We
follow the Hansens' small joys, sorrows, and aspirations, with the
boisterous antics of Uncle Chris as counterpoint.?

?Loosely based on Kathryn Forbes' book -Mama's Bank Account-, this
film actually contains richer detail and more intricate character-
izations. In turn-of-the-century San Francisco, young Katrina Hansen
chronicles episodes of life with her extended family, who combine
traditional Norwegian values with "modern" American ways. So
successful that it became a popular radio show, and then a TV sitcom,
both with Barbara BelGeddes and Irene Dunne from the film.?

IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040458/plotsummary

Plot Outline: 

The ups and downs of a Norwegian immigrant family, circa 1910.

Filmed in Black and White

Cast 
Irene Dunne ....  Mama 
Barbara Bel Geddes ....  Katrin 
Oskar Homolka ....  Uncle Chris
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040458/maindetails

Purchase this movie at Amazon. (VHS)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/6304383169/qid=1096155195/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-3706095-2733600?v=glance&s=video

The DVD will be released this December.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0004Z322O/ref=ase_imdb-adbox/002-3706095-2733600?v=glance&s=dvd

Search terms used at the IMDB:
Norwegian family


I hope this helps!

Best regards,
Bobbie7