John and Anna Elizabeth (Olson) Swenson Aas
John Swenson Aas was born in Tydal Norway on April 8, 1836. His parents were Sven Jonsen Hilmo b.1809 and Elizabeth Olsdatter Aas b.1805. In 1860 at the age 24 he was united in marriage to Anna Lisbet Ingebrigtsdatter, who was born in Tydal, Sor Trondelag, Norway on September 26, 1837 to Gidsken Hansdatter Brendåstrøa and Ingebrigt Olsen Aas. After their marriage they lived in Tydal on the Aas Farm. In the 1865 census for Norway they were living on the Aashaugen (øvre) Gård with their 3 sons and Anna’s parents. Before leaving their native land the name Aas was added to their name. In 1866 they immigrated to this country with their three sons, Ole, Sam, and Engebright. The ocean voyage was rough but with their strong faith and trust in God they come to Lansing, Iowa where they resided until 1874. They then moved to Lake Park, Minnesota and lived there a short time before coming to Flom Township, Norman County.
Here they homesteaded in Section 32 where they lived the rest of their life. A daughter Lena was born in this country.
John Swenson was an ardent pioneer worker with a strong and rugged constitution. As time progressed he built a home for his family, and then helped build a church. Before the church was built, they held services in their homes, often without a pastor. A pastor was called to serve their new church. With the coming of more settlers it was easier for Anna, his wife, to get together with other women to help sew, and shoulder each other's trials and hardships, of which there were many.
The Indians settled there also, and when treated kindly, proved to be friendly neighbors. Anna was the first Ladies Aid President of the Immanuel Church in 1880. A group of ladies from the surrounding neighborhood came in lumber wagons, walked, and carried their children, or pushed them in pushmobiles to the Swenson home. Mrs. John Nysetvold was secretary-treasurer, with Reverend Nykrem as their pastor. The first twenty-five cents was given by John Homervick of Lake Park, Minnesota. From this time the Ladies Aid met regularly at homes and school houses. The afternoons were spent knitting, crocheting and quilting. These articles later were sold and the money used to further the work of the Ladies Aid.
John's and Anna's eldest son Ole, born in 1859, never married and died at an early age in 1896. Sam, born in 1861, married Josephine Skofstad. They had five sons, Ernest, Clarence, Arthur, Sidney and Orin and one daughter Edith. Sam died in 1930,
Lena, born in 1877, married Edward Syverson of Ulen, Minnesota. They lived in St. Paul, Minnesota and had one daughter, Evelyn. Lena died in 1944. Engebrigt (Ed), was born September 1, 1865. His boyhood days were spent in Lansing, Iowa and Lake Park, Minnesota, where he began confirmation instructions. Later they moved to Flom Township where he continued his instruction, but often had to walk from Flom to Lake Park crossing the Buffalo River to get there. He was a member of the first confirmation class held in Ulen, Minnesota in 1881. It took place in Arne Evan's log cabin located on a farm on the river bank a short distance northwest of Ulen. As a boy, Engebrigt and his brothers made friends with the Indians. The Indians would often pitch their tents on the farm and come to the house to ask for food. Most of them were friendly and when the boys' parents went for supplies, which sometimes took several days, they visited with the Indians.
Engebrigt (later known as Ed) returned to Norway because of ill health, but came back in 1902 and was united in marriage to Katherine Veum. Katherine was born in Aurland, Norway March 14, 1884. She was the eldest daughter of Torsten and Ann Veum. Katherine came from a family of five girls and three boys. She was sixteen years old when she came to America with an uncle, aunt, and cousins. She worked for some of her cousins until her marriage to Ed. They made their home with Engebrigt's parents and cared for them. Engebrigt's father reached the age of ninety-eight lacking only ten days of his ninety-ninth birthday. He died in 1935 and Anna in 1923. Katherine and Ed had nine children. Mrs. Eddie (Anna) Erickson of Twin Valley, Minnesota, Mrs. Art (Cora) Olson of Santa Cruz, California, John of Ulen, Minnesota, Mrs. Victor (Mabel) Brabender, Mrs. William T. (Selma) Meyer, and Arnt all of Moorhead, Minnesota. Lawrence of Twin Valley, Minnesota. Norman of Dilworth, Minnesota and Mrs. Lester (Alpha) Gunnerson of Ada, Minnesota.
Katherine was a very devoted and busy mother, bringing up a large family, canning, sewing, knitting, and helping with outdoor chores, besides being a good friend and concerned neighbor. She was active in church work, the president of her Ladies Aid, and on many committees. In 1943 Katherine and Ed retired from the farm and moved to Moorhead, Minnesota. Their oldest son, John, bought the farm: and he and his wife Bernice, still live there. After moving to Moorhead, Katherine received her Life Membership from the Womens Missionary Federation of the N.I.C.A. In 1952 they celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary with an open house at the Immanuel Church, where they were Charter Members. Ed Swenson died March 29, 1956 at the age of ninety-one. Katherine lived alone doing little favors for friends and her children. She loved to help others and this is what made her most happy. In 1967, she became ill and spent some time in the hospital. After that, she was unable to live alone and is now residing at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley.
Martinus Larsen and Anna Maria (Larsen) Aasgaard
Martinus was born in Stange, Hedmark, Norway on April 29, 1858. He was the son of Lars Jensen Oerbaek Aasgaard, born February 18, 1830 in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway and his wife Marthe Krestine Olsdatter Brohaugh, born September 13, 1830 in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway.
Pastor James Hulberg wrote the following about the family:
“Lars Jensen and Marthe Krestine Brohaugh Aasgaard came to America from Norway in July 1869. They settled on the farm in Section 7, the Town of Hale, Trempealeau County, WI--later owned by Milo Rongstad.
Lars and Krestine lived in Stange, Prestegjold, Stor Hammer, Norway as prosperous farmers on the Aasgaard Farm. Unlike many in Norway at that time, they had plenty of land and employed servants and laborers. They were content until they heard from some Brohaughs from America of the new-found paradise. One of the Brohaughs was Marte Krestine's brother, a pioneer educator at the Lutheran Seminary located at Red Wing, Minnesota. So they sold their land and prepared to bring their seven children to the new world. When they left Norway, they took the name of the Aasgaard Farm.
They left Oslo on a boat called the "Anna Delieus" and eight weeks later landed in Quebec. The family suffered greatly on the trip from lack of food. One daughter died and had to be buried at sea. From Quebec they took a train to LaCrosse, WI.
Lars had planned to settle in Goodhue County, MN where the land was level and the soil was rich, but in LaCrosse, someone talked them into going to Hale Township in Trempealeau Co. because it looked so much like Norway.
The family had little money and no food, so they left some of their children along the way to work with various farmers. The children worked for room and board and one even got a bonus of a $2 pair of shoes!
After Lars and Krestine were settled, the sent for their children. The Aasgaards found Hale Co. to be very hilly and regretted they hadn't gone to Goodhue Co. Lars walked 130 miles to Red Wing, MN and returned full of gloom because he had not settled there. He also walked to LaCrosse (60 miles) when they needed provisions.”
The siblings of Martinus are as follows:
1-Othilde AASGAARD was born in Eidsvoll Akershus Norway.
2-Jens Larsen AASGAARD was born in Eidsvoll Akershus Norway 1854. Jens died 1950 in California. He married Alette LARSEN Sorlie in Wisconsin, 1877. Alette was born in Eidsvoll Akershus Norway 1860. She was the daughter of Hans F. LARSEN and Ingeborg Maria Andersdatter ROIESTUEN. Alette died 1936 in California. She was a sister of Mrs. Martinus L. Aasgaard (Anna Maria).
3-Olava AASGAARD was born in Eidsvoll Akershus Norway 1856. Olava died 1953. She married Gilbert (Gulbrand) PEDERSON in Albion Trempealeau Wisconsin, 1/29/1874. Gilbert was born in Norway 1852. Gilbert died 1928 in Wisconsin.
4-Ole Larsen AASGAARD was born in Stange Hedmark Norway 1860. He married Brita GRINDE in Twin Valley Minnesota. Brita died 1939 in Minnesota.
5-Inge Marie AASGAARD was born in Stange Hedmark Norway 1863. Inge died 1869 in Anna Delis Ship coming to America.
6-Laura Karen AASGAARD was born in Stange Hedmark Norway 1/16/1865. Laura died 9/28/1938 in Ashland Wisconsin, at 73 years of age. She married Anton Pederson SINRUD in Elk Creek Wisconsin, 11/17/1883. Anton was born in Norway 12/16/1858. Anton died 2/7/1948 in Ashland Wisconsin, at 89 years of age.
7-Mathilde AASGAARD was born in Eidsvoll Akershus Norway 1868. Mathilde died 1893. She married Ole O RONGSTAD.
Ole Kristoffersen Brohaugh
Lars’ parents were Jens Andersen Korslund b. 1795 and Mari Nielsdatter Oerbaek, b. 1793. Lars had 3 brothers, Niels Jensen Korslund, Bernt Jensen Korslund and Anders Jensen Oerbaek. Lars and his wife Marthe Krestine and their 6 children, Olava, age 13, Laura, age 4, Jens, age 15, Martinius, age 11, Ole, age 9 and Mathilde, age 11 months emigrated from Norway. The landed in Kvebek (Quebec).
Marthe Krestine’s parents are Ole Kristoffersen Brohaugh b. about 1808 and Berthe Olea Jensdatter, b. 1811. Marthe’s mother died when she was six years old. Her father then remarried to Karen Andersdatter Langseth in 1838. They had 8 children, with one dying at a young age. Karen died in 1861. In 1869, Ole and his 7 surviving children from his second marriage immigrated to America. They left in April 23 and arrived in New York City on May 17th on the ship “Alepo”. From New York they traveled on to Red Wing, Minnesota, the last stage of the journey being made by river steamboat. The family lived in Red Wing for about a year. Ole then purchased an 80 acre farm near the village of Esdaile, in Pierce County, Wisconsin, just across the river from Red Wing.Martinus came to the United States in 1869 at the age of 11 years with his parents and siblings and settled in Arena in Dane County, Wisconsin, where he worked for fifteen years. The name Aasgaard, comes from the Aasgaard Farm in Stange in Hedmark, Norway, where the family lived before they immigrated to America.
The name Aasgaard means "farm by the creek" in Norway is located north of Oslo near Lake Mjosa, the largest lake in Norway.
He was married in Wisconsin and in April of 1885, to Anna Maria Larsen, b. 12/12/1863 in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway. Her parents were Hans F. Larsen, b. about 1804 in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway and Ingeborg Maria Andersdatter Roiestuen, b. about 1809 in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway. They came to America in 1867 and homesteaded near the town of Garfield, in Jackson County, Wisconsin. Anna Maria’s siblings are as follows:
1-Julia LARSEN was born in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway. She married Ludwig PERSON.
2-Albert LARSEN. He married Sena SNEVE.
3-Christian LARSEN was born in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway. He married Cleante JOHNSON.
4-Lewis LARSEN was born in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway. He married Ingeborg.
5-Indiana LARSEN was born February 8, 1854 in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway. She married Andrew MOEN.
6-Alette LARSEN Sorlie was born in Eidsvoll Akershus Norway 1860. Alette died 1936 in California. She married Jens Larsen AASGAARD in Wisconsin, 1877. Jens was born in Eidsvoll Akershus Norway 1854. He was the son of Lars Jensen Oerbaek AASGAARD and Marthe Krestine Olsdatter BROHAUGH. Jens died 1950 in California.
Martinus and his wife,Anna Maria, moved to Minnesota. All their worldly possessions were represented by fifty dollars in cash. His brother Ole, had come to Norman County before him and was teaching school in Home Lake Township, School District No. 44. He was rooming at the John Homelvig farm to which Martinus and his bride came with a rented team of horses and wagon. He returned the team to Ada, making the trip back on foot: twenty six miles largely covered by swamps and water. In the spring of 1886 Martinus Aasgaard homestead one hundred and sixty acres of land in Section 26, Home Lake Township; and in 1898 he bought forty adjoining acres to increase his holding. He was granted ownership in October of 1892. He carried out an extensive series of improvements, including new building, the erection of fences and the setting out of groves. One well known feature of the farm was a well built round barn. In those days farmers had no cream separators so they took their milk to a creamery to be separated--sold the cream and took the skim milk back home with them. In 1891 a creamery was established in Home Lake Township. It was located north of what was known as Home Lake--the only lake in Norman County. Martinus Aasgaard and Anton Lerud helped organize this creamery and were stockholder. A few years later this creamery was sold to the Twin Valley Creamery Association and they moved the building to a site north of Twin Valley where it operated for many years. Mr. Aasgaard helped organize School District No. 16 in 1886--to serve the children living farther south in the township. A new building was put up for $55--the lumber cost $278.18 and M. Aasgaard painted it for $5. Martinus was the first clerk of the school board of District No. 16 and held that position for several years. He was a life long member of Wild Rice Synod Church and served the congregation as
Martinus Aasgaard Family
trustee for several years. He died in 1904 at the early age of forty six years.
The first year in Home Lake Township was one of hardships; credit was difficult to obtain and money was still more difficult to secure.
Lawrence, the oldest of their nine children, was born at this time (1885). He grew up to the life of a farmer and in 1909 bought a farm of his own in Home Lake Township and married Hannah Albertson. Both are now deceased. They had six children.
Inez, the second child of Martinus and Maria, was born in 1887. She was married to Warner Johnson and they had five children. They also farmed in Home Lake Township and are now deceased. (See Warner and Inez Johnson)
Mina was born in 1891 and was married to Ole Nysetvold, a contractor and builder, and they lived in Twin Valley. They are now deceased. To their union eleven children were born.
Oliver was born in 1893 and he stayed at home and helped his mother farm until he died in 1922.
Almer was born in 1895. He was drafted to serve in the first World War and gave his life for his country in France.
Julia was born in 1897. She married Sidney Aamoth and they had two children. He died and later she married John M. Bentley and they had two daughters. Julia died and John has died also.
Clarence was born in 1900 and was killed in an accident in 1928.
Two sons died in infancy, Phillip b.1903 and Joseph b.1889. They are buried in Wild Rice Cemetery.
The Aasgaard's were esteemed people in the community and were interested in the welfare of their family and were sympathetic to the needs of their neighbor's. Often, in the absence of a doctor, an undertaker, or a pastor, Martinus acted in those capacities, doing the best he knew how to show concern for his fellow man.
Martinus and Anna Maria are buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Ole Larsen and Brita (Grinde) Aasgaard
Ole was born in Stange, Hedmark, Norway on January 29, 1860. He was the son of Lars Jensen Oerbaek Aasgaard, born February 18, 1830 in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway and his wife Marthe Krestine Olsdatter Brohaugh, born September 13, 1830 in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway. Ole came to America with his parents and siblings in 1869. He was a brother to Martinus L. Aasgaard. He first lived with his family at Whitehall, Wisconsin. He was educated in the schools at Beloit, Wisconsin and later attended Beloit college and the Luther college at Decorah, Iowa. He moved to Norman County in 1885.
The first teacher in Home Lake Township was Ole Aasgaard who received $105 for a three month term. The school year was divided into two terms: the first starting about March 10 and running to the first part of June--and the second from November first to the middle of January. Spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, grammar, and history were taught., he also clerked in a general store in Twin Valley when he was not teaching and children loved to have him wait on them because he gave such generous helpings of candy for their pennies. He lived in Twin Valley, MN.
He became a “self made” and “quite thought-provoking” philosopher. He wrote the book, “Fragments of Truth”.
He married Brita E. Grinde on November 25, 1887 at Syre, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Erick O. Grinde and his wife Randi. Brithe was born in Norway and came to America with her parents and brother Ole E. Grinde. She had the following siblings born in Home Lake Township:
1-Andreas Edward Grinde, born March 12, 1883. Never married. He died in 1949 at Ada, Minnesota.
2-Mrs. Syneva Thune
3-Anna Grinde
4-Mrs. Ed (Nettie) Garvick
5-Mrs. Oline Peterson
6-Sigvart
Bertinus (Bert) Albertson was born on August 25, 1898 to Nils and Anna (Kvidt) Albertson in Home Lake Township of Norman County on the farm known as the Schultz farm. He had eleven brothers and sisters. He was baptized in the Wild Rice Lutheran church, Twin Valley and confirmed at St. Petri Lutheran Church, Gary, Mn., in 1913. He spent his youth in Home Lakes twp., and Gary, Mn where he attended area elementary school. Bert’s father Nils came from the Bjornefjorden area near Bergen, Norway, his parents were Engebregt and Christi Engebregtsen. His mother Anna, came from the Aurland, Sogn area of Norway, her parents were see: Johannes and Margita (Urdahl) Kvidt.
Esther Palma C. Flom was born on February 13, 1896 in Flom Twp., on the farm now owned by Mark Seeger, She was the daughter of Randi and Simon Flom. Esther had seven brothers and sisters. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith and confirmed on March 28, 1911, by Rev. Vaaler. She grew up in the Flom area and attended rural elementary school. After which she attended Bethesda Nurses Training at Crookston, Mn where she graduated with a degree in nursing in 1917. After which she worked in the hospital until her marriage to Bert.
Bert and Esther were married on March 21, 1925. After their marriage they lived on a farm near Gary, Mn for 15 years before moving to Flom in 1940. Here they settle in section 33 of Flom Twp, their son Sanford lived there later, then Eugene and his family moved there from Flom and it is still occupied and in the family name, by Mary Albertson. Bert and Esther were the parents of two sons, Sanford: See Sanford and DonnaMae Albertson and Eugene; See Eugene and Mary Albertson.
Bert was a trustee of the Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn for many years. Esther worked as a private duty nurse and also worked at the Lutheran Memorial Home. She was very active in church work, the ladies aid and taught Sunday school.
Bert died on July 6, 1962 and Esther on May 1, 1963. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Eugene and Mary (Pederson) Albertson
Eugene Albertson was born on September 9, 1930 to Bert and Esther (Flom) Albertson at Crookston, Mn. He was baptized on September 9, 1930 and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He graduated from High School in 1948. After completing his education he went into the military, then came back to this area and farmed. He also drove truck for awhile, but loved milking cows and running his dairy operation.
Mary was born on November 19, 1929 to Johnny and Elizabeth Pederson in Kimbrae, Mn. She was baptized in the Presbyterian Church at Fulda, Mn, Murray Co. in the summer of 1936, and confirmed in 1944 in the Presbyterian church. On April 6, 1952 she was confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. Mary graduated from High School in 1948 and then went on to attend a Junior College in Worthington, Mn for one year. Mary worked at the Worthington Globe Newspaper after graduation from College, then went to the Worthington Creamery as a switchboard Telephone operator until she married Eugene Albertson.
Eugene entered the military serving in the US Marine Corps. While he was stationed in the service they lived in California. After he completed his military service they returned to this area, first living by Ulen, later moving into Flom and living on the farm known to many as the Brenden Farm. They later moved to the home place in section 33, where Mary still resides. They sold the building site in Flom to Orlando and Norma Lunde who built a new home there.
Eugene died on January 5, 1990 at his home near Flom. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn with interment at the church cemetery. At the time of his death Eugene was enjoying retirement and was active in his church and community. He was serving as a Sunday School teacher at Aspelund, of which he was thoroughly enjoying.
Eugene and Mary were the parents of two children; Deborah and Jerald. Deborah "Debbie" was born on November 21, 1955 at the Mahnomen Hospital. She was confirmed at Aspelund in 1970 and graduated from Twin Valley High School. After graduation she attended college at Moorhead Tech and has worked as a secretary and waitress. Debbie married Floyd Burnside of Hawley, Mn and they were the parents to two sons; Toby and Lucas (deceased). Toby is a Diesel Mechanic and Carpenter. Lucas was tragically killed in a accident when a tree fell on him. Lucas died on April 23,1988 and is buried in Clay County, Hawley, Mn. Floyd and Deborah live in Hawley, Mn. Jerald was born on October 3, 1956 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. , hospital. He was baptized in November 1956 and confirmed at Aspelund in 1972. He attended school at Twin Valley, Mn and after he completed his education he worked as a truck driver and carpenter. He resides in Moorhead, Mn.
Lester and Mazel were the parents of six children; Nancy (Steve Webber), Bonnie (Thomas D’errico), Bruce, Robert, Mark and Kraig.
Sanford and DonnaMae (Dorseth) Albertson
Sanford Newman Flom Albertson was born on December 11, 1925 in Crookston, Mn. He attended school at Waubun and graduated from Waubun High School. He then went to Concordia College, Mhd., Mn where he studied until he enter the armed services. He served in the Army during WW II, having served in the occupation of Japan.
DonnaMae Dorseth was born on August 17, 1930 to Henry and Viola (Christensen) Dorseth. She grew up in section 29 of Flom Twp. Here she attended country schools; Woodland Nook, Flom School and then went to Waubun, Mn. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Sanford and DonnaMae were married on June 1, 1947 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, where they remained members until 1978. They made their home in Flom and Twin Valley until 1978, and during that time Sanford was employed by the state of Minnesota as a Dairy Herd Improvement Supervisor, and also at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley. DonnaMae operated the Flom Cafe for a number of years, and also worked at the Lutheran Memorial Homes.
In 1978, Sanford and DonnaMae left the area moving to Moorhead, Mn where were both employed by St Luke’s Hospital/MeritCare Hospital of Fargo, ND. Sanford worked as supervisor of Environmental Services and DonnaMae worked in the OB department. DonnaMae was present at the birth of her great niece Kayla Klemetson on September 13,1982. Sanford retired in 1990 due to ill health and passed away on September 16, 1995 at the age of 69. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom. DonnaMae continued to live in Moorhead after his death and worked at MeritCare, she retired in 2001 and continues to be very active in her church, Pontoppidan Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND.
Sanford and DonnaMae are the parents of two children; Susan DonnaMae and Steven: See Steven and Doreen (Cameron) Albertson.
Susan spent most of her childhood in Flom, with completing her first grade year at the Flom School, which was the last year before the school closed in 1954. She then went to Twin Valley where she graduated from High School in 1965. She then went to Moorhead, Mn.
Susan married Richard T. Johnson of Moorhead, Mn in 1965. They lived in Moorhead for many years before moving to Sioux Falls, SD where they reside now. They have two children; Stephanie DonnaMae Doscher who lives in Sioux Falls with her three children, Kendra, Seth and Jordan. Richard (Rick) T. Jr. lives in Chandler. Az. He is married to the former Heather Evans of Sioux Falls, SD.
Steve and Doreen (Cameron) Albertson
Steve Albertson, son of Sanford and DonnaMae (Dorseth) Albertson, was born on August 10,1950 in Fargo, ND. He attended school in Hendrum and Twin Valley, and graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1968. He entered the United States Marine Corps, October 1, 1968 and served three years, one of which was spent in Viet Nam. After his discharge, he attended Moorhead State University.
On October 13, 1972, Steve married Doreen Cameron, the daughter of Don and Irene Cameron of Fargo, They lived in Twin Valley where Steve worked under the University of Minnesota as a DHIA Supervisor, and Doreen worked for Lutheran Memorial Homes. In 1975 they moved to Fargo where Steve worked for NDSU and Doreen worked at Fargo National Bank.
In 1970 they purchased a dairy farm near Detroit Lakes, MN. Steve Doreen were named Honored Dairymen for Becker County for the year 1988. Steve and Doreen were members of the Minnesota Holstein Association and also the Holstein Association of America. Steve served on the Audubon
Elevator Board of Directors, the Becker County American Dairy Association Board of Directors, the Cass Clay Creamery Board of Directors, the 21st Century Genetics Board, and was a founding Director of Cooperative Resources International. Steve was also a Director for the Minnesota Association of Cooperatives He was a member of the VFW in Audubon. They were members of ST. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Audubon. In 1994, Steve had a heart transplant and was unable to continue dairy farming.
In 1995, they moved to Flom, where Steve is employed as Adjuster for Flom Region Mutual Insurance Company, and Doreen is the Chaplain at Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley. Steve is a member of Flom/Twin Valley VFW Post 3818, and Doreen is a member of the Auxiliary. They are member of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
Cynthia Mae Allrich
Cynthia "Cindy" Allrich was born on June 26, 1974 in Ada, Mn the daughter of Dennis and Mae (Stende) Allrich. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. She attended school at Twin Valley, Mn where she graduated in 1992. She was active in her school and church. While in school she was active in Music and was a cheerleader. She was always willing to sing for special music or the programs at Aspelund. Cindy was active in her church’s youth group.
She worked at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley for a number of years and was currently a student at Josef’s School of Hair Design in Fargo, where she would have graduated in June of 1994.
Cindy was tragically taken from this world on Tuesday , February 8, 1994 near Alexandria, Mn when the van she was riding in collided with a snow plow.
Cindy is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Anders and Johanne (Olsdatter) Amlien
To help some of us in the Flom area better understand our roots we are putting the names of the Amlien families members.
Anders Hansen was born in 1809, his wife Johanne Olsdatter was born in 1808. They lived in Vestre Toten, Norway. They were the parents of two daughters and the grandparents of one grandson who came to the Flom area. Helene Amlien Dorseth wife of Andreas Hanson Dorseth.
Ole Andersen born in 1839 father of Olaf Grefsrud. Ole took the Grefsrud name when he married because they lived on the Grefsrud farm.
Berthe Amlien Kirkeby born in 1848 wife of Martin Kirkeby.
Other siblings were Johannes born in 1842, Andrine born in 1845, Johanne born in 1851, Hans born in 1854 and Augusta born in 1857.
Mary Grefsrud and Clara Kirkeby were sisters, both born to Per and Gunnhild (Gronlie) Rue.
Andrew and Hilda (Dorseth) Anker
Andrew E. "Andy" Anker was born in 1898 to Charles Louis and Cecila Marie (Opdahl) Anker in Iowa. He came to this area as a young boy of 13 years with his father and siblings. His mother had passed away in Iowa in 1905.
Hilda Dorseth was born on January 10, 1907, at Flom to John and Lovise "Lizzie" (Carlson) Dorseth. It was here that she grew up and attended school, she was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. He father John ran the Hardware Store in Flom. Andrew and Hilda were married on April 4, 1931 at Twin Valley, Mn. After their marriage they remained in Flom living in the house known to many as the Creamery House, located next to the Creamery on the west side of town. Today that home is owned and occupied by Jeri Rush.
Andrew worked for the Flom Creamery until it's closing and Hilda raised their family of three children; Jerome, LaVonne (Daniel Zinda) and Joan (Klomstad) they also had one son who was born and died on October 22, 1939. In 1971 Andy and Hilda left Flom and moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn where they enjoyed their retirement years. Andy passed away in 1982 and in 1984 Hilda moved into the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, Mn where she resided until her death on August 16, 1986. They are both buried at Aspelund along with their infant son.
Charles and Mary Cecilia (Oppdal) Anker
Charles Lewis Anker was born on December 19, 1873 in Kossuth county, Iowa. Charles moved to Becker County, Mn in 1911 where he farmed until 1929 when he moved to Flom Township and purchased the home just north of Aspelund Lutheran Church (former Lenny and Hazel Seykora home). In his later years Charles moved in with his daughter Mrs. Oscar Thorson, where he made his home until his death on July 27, 1935. His son Elmer moved into the house by Aspelund when Charles moved in with his daughter. Funeral services were held at Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom, Mn.
Marlowe Anker
Marlowe was born to the Elmer Anker's. He grew up just Northwest of the Aspelund Lutheran church in section 33 of Flom township. He was killed in a car-motorcylce accident in 1974, near Isabella, Mn. Funeral services were held at Babbitt, Mn. He was only 38 years old at the time of his death.
Bernt L. and Petrina (Olson Eggebrattern) Ask
Bernt L. Ask was born in Norway on July 21, 1851 in the Village of Hadalen. He immigrated to the United States as a young man and settled at Decorah, lowa. Staying with relatives and working on farms, he soon met Petrina Olson Eggebraaten who was working at the Luther College in Decorah.
They were married during the spring of 1881. Shortly after this, Bernt struck out for Norman County, Minnesota, with a team of horses to homestead in Wild Rice Township, leaving Petrina in Decorah. He built a small barn on his homestead for shelter for the horses. It was during this time, while getting~ the homestead ready m anticipation of going back to Decorah, and bringing his family to their new home in Minnesota, that he encountered his first hardship. One night the barn caught fire and burned with the team of horses in it. Bernt went to lowa anyway and arrived back with his family and encountered another hardship. Someone had 'jumped’ his homestead. Bernt then looked around and purchased a small farm in Flom Township. It was on this land that Bernt built a log cabin and settled his family. During the ensuing years of their marriage, Petrina and Bernt had eight children; two boys, Carl and Oscar, and six girls, Clara, Amanda, Laura, Louise, Olga and Mabel.
In order to improve his land it was necessary to cut down and grub out the roots of the trees by hand. Horses and oxen were used to break up and plow the land in order to have some growing crops. As the children arrived, Bernt added onto the log cabin. Hardship was a common thing for these early settlers, and Bernt recalled, on the move fromDecorah to Norman County, they moved by team and wagon with two milk cows tied to the back of the wagon. At Breckenridge on the way, one of the horses died. It was necessary then to get another horse.
A one room country school, a mile from the log cabin, was affordable for the education of the children. The closest place for supplies was Flom. The Wild Rice Lutheran Church became the family church, and it was here that Bernt sang in the choir with Reinart Grutle. The children were baptized and
confirmed, and the adjoining cemetery later became the resting place of Bernt and Petrina.
There was a flour mill at Faith along the Wild Rice River. It was a day long trip to drive to Faith with a wagon load of wheat to have ground into flour and then return home. The closest town and railroad was at Twin Valley. Trips to Twin Valley were limited on account of the distance. The closest place for doctors and medical service was at Crookston or Fargo. Home remedies and make do were very common for these pioneers. When a tooth had to be removed, it was nothing for a neighbor to take a pliers and make the abstraction.
In 1892, Bernt became ill, and passed away at the age of forty-one. Today his illness would be appendicitis, but as no professional help was available at that time, he died at home. Petrina was left with the eight children, the youngest being thirteen months.
Of these eight, two stayed on in Norman County, Carl farmed and ran the dairy in Twin Valley. Laura worked at the Wild Rice Children's Home and later at the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center, Twin Valley. When the children grew up and moved away, Petrina returned to lowa and lived with her sister. In 1910 she married Andrew Eggebraaten who passed away in 1936, and Petrina lived until 1941. She was ninety-one years old at the time of her death.
Carl M. and Jonetta (Solum) Ask
Carl was born on August 17, 1880 to Bernt and Petrina Ask in Decorah, Iowa. He was baptize and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He came to the Twin Valley area as a small child.
Carl and Jonetta were married on August 6, 1909 at Rollag, Mn. They first settled on a farm near Flom, Mn where they lived until 1919. They moved near Twin Valley, Mn at that time and he owned and operated a dairy farm. In 1942 they retired and moved into Twin Valley, Mn where they have resided since.
Jonetta passed away in October 1964. After her death he moved into the Lutheran Memorial Home in Twin Valley, where he resided until his death on September 11, 1970, he was 90 years old.
Carl was active in both his church and community. He served as both deacon and trustee in the Zion Lutheran church and also was an active member in the Brotherhood.
He was secretary-treasurer of the Flom Fire Insurance Company for many years, also serving on the Wild Rice Orphanage board. He had worked for some time for Tobin Seed company as yard foreman.
Carl was a civic-minded citizen. He was most concerned with the good of his town. Many years he helped cut trees to trim the streets for Christmas. He was also an avid sports enthusiast, baseball being his favorite sport.
Carl and Jonetta were the parents of two children; Clifford, and Alice (Ray Setterholm)
He is buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, Mn.
Louis and Alma (Dorseth) Ask
Louis Bernard Ask was born on September 2, 1894, at Flom, Mn to John and Juliana (Olson Urness) Ask. He grew up in the Flom area. In 1908 he moved to Fargo and worked as a painter and decorator. Louis married Alma Elena Dorseth October 16, 1918 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. Alma was the daughter of Andrew and Mathilda Korsgaden Dorseth of Flom. She grew up in the Flom area where she was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church. Louis passed away on July 25, 1964 and Alma died on November 28, 1935, they are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Louis and Alma were members of First Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND after they were married. They were the parents of two daughters; Hazel Jean and Ann.
Hazel Jean Maxine Ask was born on May 22, 1919 to Louis and Alma (Dorseth) Ask in Fargo, ND. She graduated from Fargo Central High school and Concordia College. She taught High School in Hitterdal and Parker’s Prairie, Mn and was Principal in Kenyon, Mn. She married Corliss Jahr of Hitterdal, Mn on June 30, 1946. Corliss was born on August 6, 1915 to Olaf and Severina "Susie" (Quam) Jahr on the Jahr farm near Hitterdal, Mn. Hazel Jean and Corliss were the parents of four daughters; Jean Ann Hephzibah (deceased) Jean was married to Max McMillan (divorced) and they had one daughter Christina. Ruth married Mark Gunn and they are the parents of two children; Daniel and Heather, they reside in San Antonio, Texas. Carol married Mark Kiemele they are the parents of two children and reside in Colorado; Kyle and Lauren and Janice is married to Joel Broschat of Fessenden, ND. They are the parents of two children; Kelsey and David. Hazel Jean died on December 26, 1986 and Corlis on January 12, 1991 both are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Ann Ask lived in the apartment owned by her sister Hazel Jean and family in North Fargo. After Hazel Jean and Corliss’ deaths the house was sold and Ann moved into the high rise in South Fargo, where she died. She never married.
Daniel and Emily (Rasmussen) Askegaard
Daniel Martin Askegaard was born at Comstock, Mn on December 12, 1882 to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Askegaard, early Clay county settlers. After growing to manhood, he met and married Emily Rasmussen. They farmed near Comstock until 1940 when they moved to Flom , Mn. Around 1954 they retired from farming and began spending their winters in California and summers in Minnesota. They were the parents of three children; Harold, Philip, and Delpha (Edward Klosinski). Harold stayed around the Flom area and lived in section 28 of Flom township. In his later years he moved into the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn, where he still resides.
Philip lives in the Ontario, California area and Delpha married Edward Klosinski and they resided in Santa Barbara.
Daniel Askegaard passed away on December 24, 1964 in Santa Barbara, California, where he was spending the winter. He was a member of Aspelund Lutheran Church of Flom. Funeral services were held at Wright Chapel in Moorhead, Mn with Rev. Ronald C. Seedorf officiating. Burial was made in Hoff cemetery near Rustad, Minnesota.
Keith and Linda (Dorseth) Axvig
Ann Marie Linda Dorseth was born on May 16, 1940 at Ada, Mn to Henry and Viola (Christensen) Dorseth. She was baptized at home by Pastor A.H. Amundson and confirmed on June 12, 1955 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom by Rev. E.N. Torgerson. She attended country school at Woodland Nook from 1st - 6th grade, going the to Twin Valley where she graduated in 1958 from High School.
Linda has worked at the Hendrum State Bank, in Hendrum, Mn., Industrial Loan Co. of Moorhead, Mn, the City of Moorhead, Mahnomen Hospital and Mahnomen County Highway Dept in Mahnomen, Mn and the First Federal S & L of Red Lake Falls, Mn. He hobbies include Folk Art Painting, Rosemaling, oil and acrylic painting and water color. She also enjoys doing wood crafts, flower craft, crocheting and sewing.
Ann Marie Linda married Milan H. Syverson on October 21, 1960 at Hendrum, Mn. Milan was born on February 15, 1937 at Twin Valley, Mn. They were the parents of three children; Mitchell, Darin and Kelli. Linda and Milan were divorce in May 1969.
Mitchell Lee Syverson was born on January 21, 1962 at Fort Lewis, Mn to Linda and Milan Syverson. Mitch married Ellen Tesmer of Walhalla, ND on October 15, 1983 at Walhalla. Ellen was born on May 24, 1962 at Walhalla. They are the parents of two sons; Joshua Lee was born on September 18,1986 at the home of his Grandparents Keith and Linda Axvig, with grandma attending to the birth and acting as a midwife. After he was born medical help arrived and Ellen and Josh were taken to a area hospital. This was a very memorable day for Linda and Ellen. Adam Christopher was born on December 1, 1987 at Crookston, Mn. Mitch is employed at Motor Coach Industries in Pembina, ND. Ellen is self employed in Walhalla as a cosmetologist.
Darin Milan was born on March 10, 1963 at Moorhead, Mn., to Linda and Milan Syverson. He married Darlena Kay Cox on August 8, 1987 at Muncie Indiana. Darlena was born on October 17, 1964 at Muncie. Darin and Darlena are the parents of three children; Michelle Jo was born on September 13, 1986 at Muncie, LaNette Marie was born on March 21, 1989, at Muncie and Darin Wayne was born on September 18, 1992, at Muncie. Darin and Darlena were divorced on February 14, 1996.Darin is self employed as a drywall/painting contractor.
Kelli Ann was born to Linda and Milan Syverson on September 12, 1966 at Moorhead, Mn. She married Robert Lawrence Hicks on August 31, 1985 at Muncie, Indiana. Robert was born on October 13, 1966 at Muncie. They are the parents of three children; Sean Bradley was born on July 10, 1985 in Muncie, Krystal Nicole was born on March 1, 1988 and died on March 3, 1988 at Indianapolis, Indiana, and Krystyna Marie was born on November 3, 1989 at Muncie. Kelli and Rob were divorced on September 21, 1991. Kelli is employed as a dispatcher for Rodney Ulrich Trucking Firm, also manager of the Spot, in Red Lake Falls, Mn.
On November 21, 1970 Ann Marie Linda married Orvis D. Dullum at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN. Orvis was born on October 30, 1933 at Twin Valley, Mn. He attended school in the area and later worked for Wild Rice Electric of Mahnomen, until his retirement. Linda and Orvis were the parents of one child; Kirsten Alane Dullum, was born on September 17, 1975 at Mahnomen, Mn. Linda and Orvis were divorced in 1976. Ann Marie Linda married Keith Odin Axvig on July 12, 1980 at Red Lake Falls, Mn. Keith was born on October 23, 1942 at Grafton, ND. He had two daughters Coral Louise and Constance Louise from his first marriage.
Coral Louise (twin) was born on July 2, 1967 at Cresco, Iowa. Corrie is married to Larry Barnabo and they live in Lino Lakes, Mn. Larry is a self employed contractor and owner of Cor-Bar Sod Co. They have one child; Halle Mae who was born on June 17, 1996.
Constance Louise (twin) was born on July 2, 1967 at Cresco, Iowa. She is employed in Rochester, Mn as a cosmetologist. She has two children; Malcom born on February 21, 1994 and MacKenzie born on September
19, 1995.
In June of 1981 Keith adopted Linda’s daughter Kirsten Alane. Kirsten married Dustin James Demarais on June 14, 1998 at Gentily, MN. Dustin was born on May 9, 1975. They are the parents of two children; Wyatt Keith born on September 14, 1998 and Whitney Marie born on January 10, 2000. Kirsten is employed as a dental assistant for Nord Orthodontists in Grand Forks, ND., and Dusty is employed for the city of East Grand Forks as a lineman.
Keith owned and sold a number of newspapers in Minnesota, including the Twin Valley Times. He planned to retire in 2001, but the call of the newspaper was not out of his veins. He is currently employed at the Morrison County Record, out of Little Falls, Mn. He accepted the job of managing Editor of the news department there. Keith and Linda now reside at Brainerd, Mn. Where they are also kept very busy with church and community activities.
Harry and Debbie (Myers) Bain
Harry was born on August 31, 1956 to Clayton and Rita Bain in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. He attended school in Halifax, Nova Scotia and graduated from High School in Burin, Newfoundland.
He was baptized in Ontario and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. He worked as a apple grower in which he raised apples in his families orchard in Nova Scotia until 1980. Harry then went to Texas where he did carpenter work before his marriage to Debbie in 1981.
Debbie Myers was born on April 29, 1954 to Floyd and DeLane Myers in Ada, Minnesota. She was baptized at St. John’s Church, rural Ada, Mn. And confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. She graduated from Twin Valley High School and received an Associate Degree from University of Minnesota Crookston in Beef Production-Animal Science. After graduation she worked as a cow-calf producer, raising Angus Cattle until 1988, when she became a full time mother.
Harry and Debbie were married on French Man’s Bluff on July 3, 1981. The Bluff is located in section 18 of Flom township. After their marriage Debbie became a full time mother and did daycare out of her home for children in the Twin Valley and Flom areas. They did live in Twin Valley, before moving to the farm north of Flom in section 10 of Flom township, formally the Francis Boreen Farm. Harry is employed by Norman County East School District as a maintenance Engineer, a position which he has held since August 1990. Debbie provided daycare from 1991-1999, at which time she started to work for Flom Region Mutual Insurance Company, in Flom, Mn. Beside being a full time mother, and working at the insurance office Debbie also does maintenance work.
Harry and Debbie are the parents of five children; Hannah, Cyril, Althea, Clara and Olivia.
Hannah was born on December 16, 1984, Cyril was born on June 19, 1986, Althea was born on August 18, 1988, Clara was born on October 29, 1990 and Olivia was born on April 5, 1992. All of their children were baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. Hannah, Cyril and Althea have been confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. They all attend school at Norman County East.
The Bain’s family are active members of Woodland 4-H Club, in Norman County. Hannah and Althea are County Ambassadors in 4-H. Hannah, Cyril and Althea belong to the Young People’s Organization at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Andrew E. and Britta (Larsdatter Ramsøy) Bakke
Andrew E. Bakke was born January 24 1849 in Aurland Sogn Og Fjordane. Andrew came to Amhurst Township, Fillmore County MN in 1866. Andrew's parents, Andrew Eriksen and Britha Andersdatter Ramsøy came to America in April 8, 1867 to Winneshiek Iowa. Living in Iowa until 1869, the family later moved to Fillmore County Minnesota and finally arrived in Norman County in 1883.
Andrew's father, Andrew Eriksen was born April 7, 1814 in Sogn og Fjordane. He came from the farm Nornes in Sogndal. Andrew and Britha were married in 1840. Britha was born in 1818 in Aurland Sogn og Fjordane. She died before Andrew moved to Norman County. Andrew died on January 13, 1894. He is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church cemetery.
Andrew Eriksen and Britha Andersdatter had the following children, including Andrew Bakke.
Anders who was born 1843 and died 1845.
Olina who was born in 1840, married in 1863 to Ole Andersen Nasen of Voss. Olina died in Norway.
Brita who was born 1845, she came to the US in 1870 and died in Fillmore County.
Kari was born in 1851, she came to the US in 1867 and married Hans W. Erickson of Home Lake Township.
Peder was born in 1854 and he came to the US in 1867.
Gjertrud or Gertie was born 1858.
Ole E. was born in 1861.
Andrew Bakke married Britta (Betsey) Larsdatter Ramsøy on June 2, 1871 in Decorah, Winneshiek County, IA. Britta
Andrew E. Bakke Family
(Betsey) Larsdatter was born July 13, 1851 in Wisconsin to Lars Anderssen Ramsey and Ingeborg Torsteinsdatter Ramsey. In 1880, they moved to Norman County, to Section 10 in Home Lake Township. In 1895 they sold the farm and moved into Twin Valley, where he became a butcher.
Andrew and Britta's Children:
Louis Bakke was born January 1,1872, he married Ingeborg Bilden who died in 1898, then in 1899, he was married to Helen Johnson, he died February 7, 1926.
Anna Caroline Bakke Klemetsrud was born June 11, 1872, she married O.H. Klemetsrud, she died November 11, 1955.
Edward Julius Bakke was born December 25, 1875, he married Berdie Forseth, he died on March 20, 1925.
Isebel Bakke was born October 14, 1874 and died on September 11, 1878.
Bertise (Bert) Bakke was born June 27, 1879, he married Anna Anderson, he died on June 3, 1949.
Peter Bakke was born October 6, 1881, he married Henrietta Wernland, he died on November 1, 1939.
Igar (Edgar) Bakke was born on November 3, 1884 and died on October 26, 1956.
Bella (Isabelle) Bakke Bonn was born on September 21, 1886, she married Frank R. Bonn and she died on February 16, 1938.
Amanda Bakke Robertson was born on February 19, 1889, she married James P. Robertson.
Raymond Bakke was born on June 3, 1893, married Lena Larson and died on April 15, 1950.
Mable Bakke Lee was born on September 5, 1898, married Lyle Lee and died on September 23, 1972.
Andrew died November 14, 1917. His funeral was held at Synod Church (now Zion Lutheran Church) of Twin Valley. Britta (Betsey) died May 24, 1924 in Mahnomen, MN. Her funeral was held at the O.H. Klemetsrud home and Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, MN.
Leonard and Lorraine (Skansgaard) Bakke
Leonard Raymond Bakke was born at Winger, Minnesota on December 9, 1917. His father was Johan Olsen Bakke who was born to Ole Olsen Bakke and Gjertrud (Julia) Jonsdatter Skulborstad on October 10, 1881 at Kenyon in Goodhue County of Minnesota. Ole Olsen Bakke came to America in 1851 with his parent’s on the Bark Emmanuel ship which left Bergen, Norway and arrived in New York City on June 18, 1851. The captain of the ship was Captain Sørensen. Ole was born in Hemsedal, Buskerud, Norway to Ole Knudsen Bakke and Sigrid Evensdatter Grondale. His brothers and sisters who also came to America were:
Knud Olsen Bakke born January 27, 1839 at the Bakke Farm in Hemsedal, Buskerud, Norway.
Guri Olsdatter Bakke was born January 16, 1843 at the Bakke Farm in Hemsedal, Buskerud, Norway.
Sigrid Olsdatter Bakke was born August 1, 1844 at the Bakke Farm in Hemsedal, Buskerud, Norway.
Even Olsen Bakke was born January 9, 1848 at the Bakke Farm in Hemsedal, Buskerud, Norway.
Christine Olsdatter Bakke was born in the USA, more than likely in Rock County, Wisconsin. That is where the family is found in the 1860 census of Norwegian’s in America.
Leonard’s grandmother, Gjertrud (Julia) Jonsdatter Skulborstad was born at Stjørdal, Nord Trondelag, Norway to John Johnsen Skulborstad and Lisbet Davidsdatter Kleiven on April 27, 1853. She came to America by herself at the age of 18 in 1871. She married Ole Olsen Bakke in 1872 in Kenyon, Goodhue County of Minnesota. They had the following children:
Elise Gurina Bakke born September 11, 1873 in Goodhue County.
Sophie Kristine Bakke born November 16, 1875 in Goodhue County.
Ole Olsen Bakke born July 22, 1877 in Goodhue County.
Johan Olsen Bakke born October 10, 1881 in Goodhue County.
Emma Marie Bakke born October 24, 1882 in Goodhue County.
Carl Olsen Bakke born October 4, 1884 in Goodhue County.
Julius Olsen Bakke born April 3, 1886 in Goodhue County.
Emelia Bakke born October 22, 1888 at Minot, North Dakota. She was one of a set of Triplets.
Oscar Olsen Bakke born October 22, 1888 at Minot, North Dakota. He was one of a set of Triplets.
Julia Bakke born October 22, 1888 at Minot, North Dakota. She was one of a set of Triplets.
Oscar Julius Bakke was born February 11, 1891 at Fertile, Minnesota.
Gilbert Olsen Bakke was born March 30, 1893 at Fertile, Minnesota.
Selmer Olsen Bakke was born November 20, 1895 at Fertile, Minnesota.
Martin Olsen Bakke was born February 28, 1899 at Fertile, Minnesota.
Leonard’s mother, Edel Marie Krogstad, was born at Perley, Minnesota to Brynild Gunerius Krogstad and Martha (Marta) Jensdatter Rømo on June 20, 1890. She had the following siblings:
Clarence Henry Krogstad
Johnny Krogstad
Jens Krogstad born at Perley, Minnesota
Gilbert Krogstad born August 28, 1893 at Perley, Minnesota.
Sophie Berene Krogstad born June 22, 1897 at Perley, Minnesota.
Edel Marie’s father, Brynild Gunerius Krogstad, was born in Aremark, Østfold, Norway on May 14, 1862 to Brynild Jensen Krosby and Thora Sofie Goethesdatter. His father died about 5 months before he was born and he came to America with his mother. He married Martha (Marta) Jensdatter Rømo in Fargo, North Dakota on November 27, 1889. Martha was born to Jens Jensen Rømo and Matelie Edle Olsdatter Alstad at Hovin, Østfold, Norway on March 4, 1869. Jens Jensen Rømo was born to Jens Kristoffersen Rømo and Eli Rollaugsdatter Gresset on January 2, 1843 at Hegra, Nord Trondelag, Norway. He was married three times:
Marit Nilsdatter was his first wife.
Inga Albertine Arntsdatter was his second wife.
Matelie, the mother to Marta was his third wife, they married on April 16, 1867. Marta’s parents were Ole Person Alstad and Marta Haakonsdatter Fiskvik. She was born January 6, 1842 at Skatval, Nord Trondelag, Norway.
Leonard was raised on the family farm at Winger, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Winger Lutheran Church. He also attended Wooded Park Country School and the Agriculture College at Crookston, Minnesota.
He has the following brothers and sisters:
Olga Gertrude Bakke was born on January 6, 1916 and married Conrad Julius Osmondson.
Melvin Bernhard Bakke was born on October 27, 1919 and was not married.
Walter Edward Bakke was born March 1, 1922 and was married three times. First to Alvira Evelyn Raaen, who is the mother of Wayne Alan Bakke. Second to Ruth Seitz Manthey, and last to Joyce Stengl Anderson.
Orton Clifford Bakke was born on March 10, 1926 and was married to Hallis Arnitha Nansen.
Joyce Margaret Bakke was born November 8, 1929 and was married twice. First to Ordean Christianson and then to Norman Sannes. She was a twin.
Grace Jeanette Bakke was born November 8, 1929 and was married to Willard Elvin Peterson.
Leonard was inducted into the Army on May 20, 1942 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. On June 26, 1943, he embarked for the Aleutian Islands and spent 22 months on several of the islands during WW II. He was discharged on October 27, 1945.
On March 17, 1946 he married Lorraine Skansgaard at the Wild Rice Parsonage in Flom Township. Lorraine was born to Oscar and Ruth (Stolen Engebretson) Skansgaard on February 3, 1925 in Flom Township. Her father, Oscar Paul Skansgaard was born to Iver Erlandsen and Anne (Pedersdatter Aspehaug) Skansgaard on the family farm in Flom Township, Section 28. (See Iver Erlandsen and Anne (Pedersdatter Aspehaug) Skansgaard). Lorraine was baptized and confirmed at the Wild Rice Church where she also is a life time member. Lorraine’s mother, Ruth, was born on July 20, 1898 to Annie Teoline Olsdatter Fidjestol and Erick Stolen in Flom Township. (See Oscar and Ruth (Stolen Engebretson) Skansgaard) When Leonard and Lorraine were first married, they lived at Fosston, Minnesota where Leonard was employed by Armstrong Electric. That fall, they moved back to the farm in Section 16 of Flom Township. In the late 1940’s, Leonard formed his own Construction Company, known as Bakke Construction. He has built many homes and buildings in the surrounding area. Lorraine began a painting and woodwork finishing business in 1961 and was joined a short time later by Olga Stundahl. They have continued to work together for over 40 years.
Leonard and Lorraine have two sons and a foster son they have raised.
Larry, was born March 16, 1949 at Ada, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Church. He attended school in Twin Valley and graduated in 1967. He moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1972. He presently lives there with his wife, Susan (Hellum) and their two children, Brian and Heather. Larry has his own Construction Business.
Lyle was born June 8, 1950. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Church. He attended school in Twin Valley and graduated in 1968. He is married to Margit (Nysetvold) and they have 3 children.
Sonja, who is married to Matthew Roy. They live in Fargo, ND and have two daughters: Claudia and Meredith.
Erik, who is married to Mindy (Braseth), they live in rural Flom and have one daughter, Anikka Claone.
Sarah, who is attending Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.
Wayne, who was born November 20, 1953 to Walter and Evelyn (Raaen) Bakke. His mother died when he was a baby, and he was raised by Leonard and Lorraine. He lives in Fertile, MN and works for the railroad. He is not married.
Kaare and Selma (Sally) (Dorseth) Bakken
Kaare Bakken was born in Norway on July 29, 1903. He came to this country with his parents as an infant settling in Iowa and the family later moved to Audubon, Mn. He married Lucille Burk at Audubon on November 17, 1962.
Kaare managed creameries and was a butter maker at the Minnesota communities of; Flom, Twin Valley and Lengby. In 1961 he moved to Audubon where he and his brothers operated a bait business. He retired in 1978.
Kaare died of an apparent heart attack after checking his deer stand in Clearwater county near Bagley. Sheriffs officers said, Kaare Bakken 77, was stricken Friday afternoon and was found around 9 pm Friday night (1980). Funeral services were held in the First Lutheran Church of Audubon, Mn.
Kaare was married first to Selma “Sally” Dorseth, the daughter of John and Lovise (Carlson) Dorseth
Kaare and Selma were the parents of; Dale, Janet (Paul), and Kay (Leslie Leppich). A stepson Fred Burk and stepdaughter Ellen (Gerald Blees).
Alvin and Frieda (Flom) Baukol
Alvin and Mildred (VanScoik/Englesten) Baukol
Alvin was born in Flom township on May 12, 1897 to Peder and Tumine Baukol. He spent all his life in this community except for the eighteen months in the service of his country during World War I. He entered the service on February 1918, at Camp Dodge, and was wounded on October 10, 1918. He was in the Argonne Meuse and the Army of Occupations. He mustered out on May 24, 1919.
Frieda Otilla Flom was born on February 22, 1901 to Simon and Randi (Skiem) Flom, in Flom township.
Alvin was united in marriage to Frieda Flom on April 28, 1926. Two children were born to this union, they were; Duane and Roy.
Frieda passed away on July 4, 1933, in Almena, Wisconsin where she had gone to seek medical help. At the time of her death her sons were very young Duane only 6 years and Roy only 20 months. After her death Alvin married Mildred VanScoik/Englesten at Ada, Mn on October 4, 1939. Mildred had one daughter Deloris.
Alvin passed away on March 20, 1946 after suffering from a ruptured appendix. Alvin and Frieda are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Arnt and Gustine (Meyer) Baukol
Arnt was born in Flom township to Peder and Tumine Baukol. He
Gustine Meyer was born on January 17, 1911 at Cresco, Iowa, the daughter of George and Maude Meyer. She was baptized and confirmed in the Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. She grew up on the farm and attended country schools and Waubun High School. She was one of ten children born to George and Maude; others included Alton, Emmet, Francis, Raymond, Vernie, Orville (see Orville and Muriel Meyer), Orpha (Arvid Lundgren) Eva and Leora (Skarie),
Arnt and Gustine were united in married on December 21, 1937 at Ogema, here they made their home and farmed for a short time. They then moved to a farm in Flom township, where they were active in farming until 1970.
When they retired they moved off the farm and their son Gene took over the farming operations, Arnt and Gustine moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn at this time.
In addition to her role as a farm housewife and mother, she was active in the Aspelund Lutheran Church, the ALCW and it's Circles, and also taught Sunday School.
Arnt passed away on May 11, 1975 and Gustine passed away on April 29, 1979, at the age of 68 years. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Arnt and Gustine were the parents of; Archie, Gene (Lucille Unke) and Fern (Christ Blue).
Gene and Lucille (Unke) Baukol
Gene and Lucille Baukols’s farm is located in Section 24 of Flom Township. This is a third generation farm. Peder P. Baukol came to the area in 1883. He attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He also taught school at Hillsboro, ND, West Wild Rice and Aspelund. This farm went to Arnt Baukol in 1944 and then Gene R. Baukol in 1978. The farm stead was located by the Cheerful Nook School and the water supply for the school was obtained from this farm. Archie, Gene and Fern were able to go home for dinner. This school closed in 1948 and then they went to school in Waubun, MN with Gene graduating in 1955.
Gene married Lucille Unke in 1970 at rural St. Thomas, ND. Farming includes wheat, beans, corn and feeding beef. A son, Michael G. Baukol was born on January 6, 1972 and lives on this farm and works at Wild Rice Electric in Mahnomen. A second son, Paul R. Baukol was born January 21, 1974, he lives and works in Twin Valley at Centrol.
Joseph and Cora (Landsverk) Baukol
Joseph Baukol was born to Peder and Tumina Baukol on September 12, 1901, in Flom township, Norman County, Mn. As a young boy he grew up in the Flom area where he attended school at Cheerful Nook. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom , Mn.
Cora Landsverk was born to Carl and Anne Landsverk in Kenyon, Mn. Cora had two brothers; Kenneth and Edwin and a sister Alice (Barrett)
Joseph and Cora were married on February 22, 1925 at the Wild Rice Parsonage. During their lives they were active in farming, they purchased a farm in Popple Grove township of Mahnomen, County. Here they raised their two sons; Robert Earl born on February 12, 1926 (see Bob and Betty Baukol) and David Nyle who was born on April 6, 1941. David attended school and graduated from Ulen High School, he then went to Moorhead State University receiving a degree in teaching. He taught school at Starbuck, Mn. Here he met and married Joyce Johnshay of Starbuck. They had three daughters. David is now retired and they still reside in Starbuck. Joseph died on November 13, 1947 and Cora died on May 19, 1984. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Peder and Tomine Dortea (Olsdatter Fidjestodl) Baukol
Peder P. Baukol was born to Peder Olson and Kari (Tarud) Baukol on June 20th, 1853 in Norway. He has two brothers, Hans and Paul, and three sisters; Marit, Kari and Karen. Peder came to the United States in 1861 with his parents.
Tomine Dortea was born to Ole and Gunvor (Tollisdatter Fidjestol) Hansen Royseland in Kvas, Lyngdal, Vest Agder, Norway on the Fidjestodl Farm, on February 14, 1863. Tomine was baptized and confirmed in her home church in Norway. At the age of 21 she left Norway for America. She emigrated from Norway at Kristiansand, Vest Agder Harbor on June 13, 1884 by herself. She was the first of her family to leave Norway. She had these siblings; Hans Olson b.1869 and married to Amanda Tollefson. He emigrated from Norway on March 19, 1886 from Kristiansand, Vest Agder Harbor
Tobias b.
Annie Teoline (Vinger) b.April 8, 1865, she emigrated from Kristiansand, Vest Agder Harbor on March 31, 1888
Amalia b.1872, she never married.
Dorthea b.March 14, 1875, she came to America and married Olaf Fredrik Martinsson here in America. She had met him when they both served in Fjære by Grimstad in Norway. They had 7 children, two born in America. They returned to Norway and in 1915 bought the Fidjestol Farm.
Lisbet, b.June 3, 1867, who stayed in Norway.
Tumine came to Norman county, Minnesota where friends of hers had come before her and settled.
Peder moved from Vernon county, Wisconsin to Flom township in 1883.
On May 12, 1887 Peder and Tumine were married at the old Wild Rice Lutheran Parsonage and they resided on the home place. They farmed the land and Tumine took up the daily activities of being a farmers wife and raising their family. They were early members of the Wild Rice congregation and joined Aspelund in the later nineties, where they have taken an active part in their work since. The couple were honored with a beautiful celebration in honor of the Golden Wedding Anniversary.
Peder and Tumine were the parents of eight children; Alvin, Arnt (see Arnt and Gustine Baukol), Ludvig, Joseph (see Joseph and Cora Baukol), Clara (Arneson), Gunda (Solberg), Eva (Voeltz) and Agnes.
Ludvig was born in 1903 and died at a very young age on June 26, 1905. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Agnes was born on September 30, 1891 and died at a young age in 1900. She is also buried at Aspelund.
Clara Henrietta was born on April 5, 1887. She married Thomas Arneson, and they were the parents of two children; Erling and Evelyn. Thomas Arneson was a Medical Doctor and he was born in 1869. He died in Almena, Wisconsin in Barron county on June 29, 1948. Clara died on May 30, 1978. They are both buried at Aspelund.
Gunda was born on July 4, 1889. She married Peder Solberg on December 11, 1910, they had two daughters; Ethel (Derouch) and Polly (Stroud). Gunda died on June 4, 1979 and Peder died on August 30, 1957. Both are buried at Aspelund.
Eva was born on January 21, 1894. She married Otto Voeltz, they had one daughter Deloris (Lopez). Eva died on May 3, 1930 and is buried at Aspelund.
Peder Baukol died on July 26, 1942 and Tumine died on May 18, 1937. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Robert (Bob) and Betty (Hamernik) Baukol
Bob Baukol was born on February 12, 1926 to Joseph and Cora (Lansverk) Baukol. As a young boy he grew up on the family farm in Popple Grove township, Mahnomen County Mn. He was confirmed at Waubun, Mn and attended school at Waubun. In 1944 Bob graduated from Waubun High School.
Betty Hamernik was born on May 30, 1928 to Frank and Aloise Hamernik in Walworth township, section 9 on the family farm. She attended District 54 country school in Walworth township and graduated from Ulen High School in 1947.
Bob and Betty were married on September 18, 1949 at Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom. For the first years of their married life they lived by Waubun where Bob farmed for six years. In 1958 they moved to Dilworth, Mn and then in 1977 they moved to their present home in Moorhead, Mn. Bob has worked for Knerr Dairy in Fargo, ND and also at St. Ansgar’s Hospital in Moorhead, Mn.
Betty worked also worked at St. Ansgar’s Hospital in Moorhead, Mn.
Bob and Betty are retired now and reside in Moorhead. They are the parents of five children; Joan, John, Jim, Joyce and Jeff.
Joan was born on July 13, 1950. Joan was married to Wesley Hall and they are the parents of one son Joshua, who was born on August 11, 1974. Joan is married to Dennis Ness and they reside in Moorhead.
John was born on November 8, 1951. John married Terry Lindgren (sister to Karen Lindgren Baukol) on June 27, 1976. They are the parents of four children; Nathan born on August 3, 1977, Jeremy born on March 7, 1980, Nicole born on August 12, 1985 and Desiree was born on July 31, 1989.
Jim was born on August 12, 1955. Jim married Myrtle "Myrt" Svaleson, on March 17, 1979. They are the parents of two sons; Thomas born on April 8, 1982 and Benjamin was born on August 21, 1985.
Joyce was born on November 8, 1;956. Joyce married Randy Sayler of Lake Park, on April 17, 1982. They are the parents of three children; Joseph was born on September 28, 1982, Christina was born on June 25, 1987 and Allison was born on September 5, 1992.
Jeff was born on October 30, 1959. Jeff married Karen Lindgren of Moorhead, Mn (a sister to Terry Lindgren Baukol). They were married on May 17, 1980. Jeff and Karen are the parents of three children;
Amanda was born on November 9, 1981, Mike was born on October 3, 1984 and Matthew was born on June 19, 1992.
Roger and Denise (Bement) Bentley
Roger D. Bentley was born on April 29, 1855 to Eldo and Marlys (Lien) Bentley in Shirley, Mass. He was baptized at Shirley, Mass and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. Roger attended school at Twin Valley and graduated from High School there.
Denise A. Bement was born on October 19, 1954 to Ben Jr. and Sandy Bement in Mahnomen, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Waubun, Mn. She attended school and graduated from Waubun High School. After graduation she went on to Moorhead State, Mhd. Mn., where she went one year. Denise went to NWTC and graduated with a degree in nursing.
Roger and Denise were married on September 10, 1976 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Waubun, MN. They first lived one mile northeast of Twin Valley, in Wild Rice Township, Norman County, they later moved five miles north of Twin Valley, still staying in Wild Rice Twp. It was in December of 1990 they came to Flom Township. They purchase the Marvin Svobodny farm in section 1 of Flom Township and have resided here since.
Roger and Denise had three sons; Jacob, Craig and Andrew. Jacob Odin was born on June 5, 1979 at Dakota Hospital in Fargo, ND. He was baptized at St. William’s Catholic Church in Twin Valley, Mn. He was attending school at Norman County East when he died on August 3, 1993. He is buried at St. William’s Catholic Cemetery, Twin Valley, Mn.
Craig Roger was born on March 18, 1981 at Dakota Hospital, Fargo ND. He was baptized and confirmed at St. William’s Catholic Church, Twin Valley, Mn. He attended school at Norman County East and graduated from there. He furthered his education at NWTC for one year. He is employed by O’Kelly’s in Fargo, ND and he resides in Moorhead, Mn.
Andrew William was born on September 17, 1982 at Dakota Hospital, Fargo, ND. He was baptized and confirmed at St. William’s Catholic Church, Twin Valley, Mn. He attended school at Norman County East and graduated from there. He currently works construction in Fargo, ND and lives in Moorhead, Mn.
Roger farmed until 1997 and then became self-employed, working as a sheet rock finisher. He is active in his church and community having served on the church council, Norman County Fair Board. He enjoys hunting and fishing in his spare time.
Denise works at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley as a LPN/Geriatrics. She is active in her church and community having served on the church council, Religious Ed Teacher/Coordinator, Rosary Altar. In her spare time she enjoys quilting.
Helge and Sigrid (Gudbrandsdatter Hovseie) Olson Bergetangen
Helge Olson Bergetangen was born March 28, 1832 in Sigdal, Norway to parents Ola Knutsen Eidal and Gunhild Helgesdatter Mjosengeie. Helge came to the US in 1852, having settled in an area known as "Little Iowa" in Ossian Iowa which is 18 miles south of Decorah, IA. On March 18, 1857, Helge was married to Sigrid Gudbrandsdatter Hovseie by Minister Vilhelm Koren at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, IA. Sigrid Gudbrandsdatter Hovseie, who was born July 31, 1830 in Hovseie, Sigdal, Norway. They left this area and moved to Freeborn County near the town of Albert Lea, MN.
On December 23, 1861, Helge enlisted in the 15th Wisconsin Regiment, Company K as a Private in the Civil War. He was a member of Clausen's Guard, who was an all Scandinavian regiment named in honor of the 15th first Chaplain. Mons Grinager was the captain of this regiment. In April of 1862, while on a steam boat near St. Louis Missouri, Helge contacted Lung fever and diarrhea from exposure to the very cold weather. Shortly there after, he contacted rheumatism and was treated at General Hospital near Cincinnati, Ohio beginning on July 28, 1862. He was mustered out (Discharged) on September 9, 1862 due to disability of rheumatism and deafness.
Helge and Sigrid continued to live near Albert Lea until 1866, when they purchased farm land near Mantorville, MN in Dodge County in August of 1866. This property was foreclosed on and sold at public auction in February 1870. In 1882, the entire family moved to Flom Township, Norman County, where they purchased land in Section 17. Paying $800 for 160 acres. They continued to farm until their deaths.
They had the following children:
Gubrand Olson was born 1851, Sigrid's son prior to emigration to the US (father unknown).
Ole Olson (Helgeson) was born January 9, 1858 in Little Iowa, Iowa, he married Sophie Johnson in February of 1884, Sophie died October 1885, Ole's second wife was Lena (Golena)Olson and Ole died on February 17, 1905 in Flom, MN. Ole is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church in Flom, MN.
Julia Olson was born 1859 in Little Iowa, Iowa and she died in 1935 in Seattle, Washington.
Gunhild Olson was born November 4, 1861 in Freeborn County, MN, she married Christian Nikolai Larson, and she died on January 13, 1944 in Crow Wing county, near Brainerd, MN. She is buried at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Knute Olson (Helgeson) was born September 19, 1865 in Dodge County, MN, he married Emma Pauline Fjild, and Knute died on October 28, 1941 in Seattle, Washington.
Christ H. Olson was born about 1869 in Dodge County, MN and he died in 1920.
Elsie Helene Olson was born November 30, 1874 in Dodge County, MN , she married Helford Hoien, Elsie died in November of 1973 in Seattle, Washington. She is buried at Pacific Lutheran Cemetery in Seattle, Washington.
Helge died on January 29, 1905 in Flom Township and is buried at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Sigrid died on December 24, 1914 in Flom Township and is buried at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Elvin and Mathilda ( Sether) Blomseth
Elvin Blomseth was born in 1912 to Rudolph and Julia (Johnson) Blomseth at Halstad, Mn. As a child he moved with his parents to Pequot Lakes, Mn and returned to the Halstad area in 1927. He married Mathilda Sether of Fargo, ND in 1935. Elvin worked on area farms and on a bridge building crew.
In 1949 he and Mathilda moved to a farm east of Twin Valley, Mn in Fossum Township from Halstad, Mn. They purchased the farm from Fred Sitko, it was originally the Orris Bentley farm.
Elvin was active in his community and church having serving on the Wild Rice Church Board and Cemetery Board, as well as a Norman County Commissioner.
Elvin and Mathilda had three children; Ronald, Clayton and Wallace (Linda Seykora).
Elvin died on May 25, 1996 he was proceeded in death by one daughter. He is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Wallace and Linda (Seykora) Blomseth
Wallace bought the farm in 1975 from his parents, when they retired and moved to Twin Valley, Mn. He married Linda Seykora daughter of Leonard and Hazel Seykora of Flom. Linda was raised on the Seykora family farm in section 3 of Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn. She graduated from Ulen High School.
Wallace and Linda were married in 1967 and have farmed since. Linda is currently employed at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley and also works one day a week at the Flom Cafe, which is owned by her sister Carol. They are the parents of two sons: Kevin and David. Kevin, who has two children; Brady and Olivia. David and his wife Lorie have two sons Wyatt and Dylan.
Gus and Ida (Howard) Boman
Gus Olaf Boman was born June 7, 1872 at Galet, Sweden. In 1887 he immigrated to America at age 15 with his brother, Carl. They worked their way to southern Minnesota doing odd jobs as they came along. Gus started working for a carpenter and enjoyed building things. While working around Owatonna, Minn. he met Ida Howard, a country school teacher. At age 38, he married Ida (31) at Owatonna. They lived in Aberdeen, S.D. for four years, doing carpentry work. They moved to Flom Twp; in May 1914 settling in a small log house in section 19 with their two year old son, Harry, to try farming.
On January 1, 1915 in a bad snow storm, Roy was born. Gus had walked about a quarter mile to the nearest phone to call the Dr. who said he would come when the weather got better. Lewis Kirkeby's mother accompanied Gus home to assist. The Dr. came out the next day and checked things out.
The log house had 3 rooms, kitchen, living room and a small bed room downstairs. The stairway to go upstairs was outdoors on the north side of the house so the upstairs wasn't used much in the winter.
In the fall of 1915 Ida started teaching school at Woodland Nook, a country school about 1/4 mile south. There were about 14 neighborhood children that attended. She taught there for three years. In the fall of 1918 she started teaching at the Home Lake school which involved walking 2 1/2 miles to and from school. In the winter Gus would take her with a horse and sled.
Roy and Harry went to school at Woodland Nook. Roy started when he was 5 and graduated from 8th grade at age 12. There was a high school in Twin Valley but no bus service. The girls who lived in the country would get a room with someone who lived in town. They would come home week ends to wash their clothes and get food for the next week. The best opportunity for the boys was the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston so several of the neighbor boys including Roy, went there. They had a working arrangement to pay their way. That is the students would work after school hours in the poultry barns or dairy barns. They would ride the train to Syre to come home for xmas.
Since Roy was 12 when he started, he graduated in 1931 at age 16. The school year ran from Oct. through March. Roy spent the summers grubbing and breaking up more land with ''horse power They had 27 tillable acres when he graduated from NWSA.
With continued hard work through the years, Roy acquired more land. He bought the first tractor, a John Deere ''B'' that Sig Anderson sold in his Twin Valley dealership.
Through the years they added a barn and a few other buildings. Gus liked to build rather than field work. In 1942 they had plans to build a house but World War II was going on and it was impossible to get materials. It was then that Harry decided to join the army and he became a cook in army camp in California. There he met and Married Neva but they had no children.After a couple of years he received a medical discharge due to a heart murmur, and he was very over-weight. He chose to stay on in California and became a cook in Veterans Hospitals. Roy continued to farm and since Gus was no longer able to help, Roy hired younger men to help with the field work.
When the War ended in August of 1945, Roy’s dream of a new house finally became true. Ole Nysetvold was the builder and Henry Lacina of Mahnomen did the plastering and inside work. Henry and Roy formed a lifetime friendship, going hunting together each deer season.
Roy, Gus and Ida were able to move into the house in late Oct. With the addition of more land in 1946, another tractor and other machinery were added including a combine. Roy was still unmarried at age 35 and people were concerned there would be no Bomans to carry on.
On Dec 2, 1950 Roy married Sylvia Buschette of Mahnomen. Son Steve was born Oct. 18, 1951. Kathy was born in April of 1954. Ida passed away on May 15, 1955. Gus continued to live with Roy and family till he died on March 22,1965 at the age of 92. Meanwhile the Boman family kept growing with David, born in March of l957, Diane in April of 1959, Eric in April of 1961, Beth in July 1964 and last but not least, Ruth in Dec. 1965. There are now 22 grandchildren! So much for the concern of the end of the Bomans! There are 8 grandsons with Boman as their last name.
Steve and Sandy have three, Scott, Seth and Sawyer and live 1/4 mile north of the farm. David has Mike, who is in the U.S.Navy in California, and Matt who works for Waubun Steel. He lives 1/2 mile west of the farm, near the lake. Eric and Joyce live just south of the farm and have 3 sons and one daughter, Kasey. Chris is in college Brad, is a senior, Andy is 7th grade and Kasey in 4th in NCE school. Kathy and her family live on Maple Lake. Kathy has worked at Riverview Hospital in Crookston for nearly 30 years.
Diane Mattsen and her family live in Ramsey, Minn. Beth and Brad Strum live in Twin Valley. She works for Prairie Dental and Brad in bookkeeper-manager of Ada-Beltrami CO-OP. Ruth Duchene lives in Moorhead, Minn. and works for Dr. Kline and Paul works for Magnum Electric.
In May 01, 1980 Roy suffered a severe stroke. After 6 months of hospitalization and Rehab he was able to come home. In January of 1982 he suffered several more strokes and after three months he entered the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home. He passed away on Feb. 14, 1985. Seventeen years later, Sylvia is still living on the farm, helping with the management. David and Seth do the farming.
Arthur and Helen (Lund) Boreen
On December 18, 1919, Arthur William Boreen and his wife Helen, loaded all their earthly possessions into a boxcar at Spicer, Minnesota and started out on the journey by train to Waubun, Minnesota. It was a cold, windy day but Art and Helen didn't have much time to think about comfort with nine year old Cora five year old Evander, four-year old Harry, and two-and-a-half year old Marion to care for and an assortment of livestock to tend to. They had brought along a team of horses and sled, three cows' two pigs and some chickens, all the farm machinery they owned and their household goods. It kept them busy keeping things some what organized and seeing that the children were warm as they rumbled northward across the frozen country-side to a place they had never seen.
Arthur had bought a quarter of land in Section 10 of Flom township from Frank Dicksheimer, a well known farm auctioneer in those days.
The train arrived in Waubun in the midst of a snowstorm but immediately the team of horses and sled were unloaded and the family set out on the eleven mile drive to the farm. They stopped at the George Sussner farm one mile south of their destination and spent the night there.
Helen Lund and her twin sister, Anna, were born June 17, 1889 near Earhard Minnesota to Einar and Sophia Lund who homesteaded there in the 1860's. They had come up from the Paynesville, Minnesota area by wagon and their families originally had come from Trondheim, Norway.
Arthur William Boreen was born in 1885 at Spicer, Minnesota to Nels and Christina Boreen. Nels was born in Sweden, and his wife was also Swedish. Art and his brother George, had staked homesteads out near Ross, North Dakota, in the early 1900's Helen Lund was keeping house for her brother, Martin, who had also staked a claim out there, when she met Arthur. They married in 1909 at Ross. and their first child, Cora was born there in 1910. The country was pretty bleak compared to the hills and lakes at Spicer; the crops were poor and the winters almost intolerable so by 1913 the brothers decided to go back home to Minnesota. Evander, Harry, and Marion were born in the six years Art and Helen farmed near Spicer before moving to Flom Township. Three more boys were born after they settled here; Byron in 1921, Francis in 1923, and Raymond in 1925.
Times were hard and it was a struggle to keep seven children fed and clothed, Arthur who had been plagued with a kidney ailment most of his life, was not in good health and Helen and the older children had to do most of the farm work. Helen sewed all the clothes for her large family and the days must have been long when everything had to be done by hand and homemade. Water was carried from a flowing well half way downhill from the house to the creek which meant the pails were empty when you walked down and full when you carried them up to the house. Byron and Francis were responsible for keeping the wood box full and that was a year around job as wood was the fuel used for both heating and cooking. In the coldest part of the winter, the big kitchen was closed off and the family confined themselves to the living room and downstairs bedroom plus two small bedrooms directly above the living room. The wood burning heater was located in the living room and vents in the ceiling carried heat to these bedrooms above. Cooking was done on a little kerosene stove put up in the living room during this time and it must have been pretty hectic with all those energetic children in that one room with their parents a good share of the day. Evander and Harry would spend weeks during the winter hauling firewood.
The Boreen children walked three-fourths of a mile to attend the Plentywood School. The Bethlehem church and graveyard were located across the road from the schoolhouse. The school marm and children carried water from the well at the Stundahl farm. There were as many as thirty-six children attending the Plentywood school during the winter months when the older boys were not needed at home. School was held from November first to April first. Mrs. Edwin (Valborg) Larson taught at Plentywood for four years and Mrs. Connie Fossen taught there during the years when the younger Boreen children were in school.
Mail was delivered by horse and carriage. John Pederson was the early mail carrier. Twice a week, cream and milk were hauled to the creamery at Flom and the family did their banking and picked up supplies on these trips as well as having feed ground at the mill in Flom.
At harvest time, the neighbors would have "threshing bees", where as many as sixteen men would work together. The women on the farm having the "bee'' would really have to slave over the hot stove during the threshing; cooking and baking for all those extra hungry men and with no conveniences like running water, refrigerators, or freezers. The biggest problem was keeping meat fresh in that weather.
Arthur Boreen died in 1936. By that time. Cora, Harry and Marion were out working and Evander, Byron, Francis. and Raymond were living at home and working out as much as they could.
Cora married Louis Hirsch in 1934 and they lived in Chula Vista, California. They had no children.
Evander married Elaine Gunderson of Gary and farmed north of Flom. They had a son, Allan and two daughters, Myrna and Darlene.
Harry, who was single sold his interest after farming with his brother, Francis on the home place since 1945. They bought the farm from their mother, at that time but she continued to live with them there until 1972 when Harry and Helen moved to a house near Flom.
Marion lives in Ada, Minnesota. She was married to Richard Welter.
Raymond lived in Burnsville. Illinois with his wife Rose.
Byron who died in 1970, lived in Lindenhurst, Illinois and his wife, the former Irene Lerud of Twin Valley and their four children. Bruce, Carol. Joan, and Barbara still reside there.
Francis lives in Twin Valley with his wife the former Mrs. Kathleen Olson of Comstock. Minnesota. He acquired two step-sons and two step-daughters at the time he was married in February 1971.
During the second World War. Harry and Byron served in the Air Force in England. Francis served with the Paratroopers on Corregidor, New Cuinea and Mindanao after the Japanese invasion of those islands and Raymond was a member of the Signal Corps serving in Germany.
Helen Boreen, cooked and kept house for her son, Harry, and loved to knit and crochet and grow a few flowers. For over twenty-five years she was active in the Sunshine Homemakers Club.
Those of the family still in this area have belonged to the Wild Rice American Lutheran Church all their lives and the younger children were baptized there and all of them were confirmed there. Arthur and Byron are buried in the Wild Rice Cemetery. The Boreen family roots are planted deep in eastern Norman County!
Byron and Irene (Lerud) Boreen
Byron B. Boreen was born in 1921 to Arthur and Helen (Lund) Boreen. He served in the U.S. Air Force during WW II from 1942 until 1945. He worked as an auto mechanic and body fender repair man. Byron's siblings were; Evander, Harry, Francis, Raymond, Cora (Louis Hirsch) and Marion (Richard Welter).
Irene J. Lerud was born in 1923 to Julius and Ida Lerud. She attended school in Twin Valley, Mn where she graduated. After graduation she worked in a defense plant in Illinois in 1942. Irene's siblings were; Clifford, Ansin, Maurice and Lillian.
Irene met and married Byron B. Boreen in 1945. Following their marriage, they lived in Chicago, Ill for six years, returning to the Flom area where they farmed for six years in section 10 of Flom township. In 1957, they moved to Lindenkust, Ill, where Irene lived until Byron's death in 1970. After that she lived in New Mexico for two years, and then back to Illinois where she lived in Antioch. She was employed as a machine operator for several years.
Byron and Irene were the parents of: Bruce, Carol, Joan, Barbara.
Evander and Elaine (Gunderson) Boreen
Evander Boreen was born on July 1, 1915 at Spicer, Mn to Arthur and Helen (Lund) Boreen. He grew up in the Flom area and attended Sunny Hill country school He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, where he remained a member his entire life.
Evander married Elaine Gunderson on March 12, 1944 at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. They farmed in Flom township in section 22 until their retirement in the early 1980’s. Their son Allan then took over the farming operation and continues to live on the family farm. In 1989 the moved into Twin Valley, Mn.
Evander passed away on April 11, 1993 at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley. After his death Elaine continues to live in the home in Twin Valley. Evander is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Evander and Elaine were the parents of ; Allan, Myrna (Frank Kenny) and Darlene (Greg Crawford).
George and Christine (Nelson) Boreen
Christine A. Nelson was born on May 5, 1896 at Reynolds, North Dakota and grew up in the Elizabeth and Rothsay area. She married George Boreen on February 5, 1908 at Ross, North Dakota. The couple lived at Ross and Spicer before moving to the Twin Valley, Mn area in 1920. The couple farmed. George passed away in 1941 and Christine died in 1977.
They were the parents of three sons and three daughters; Newman, Clifford, Grant, Clarice, Dorothy (Gilford Rogers) and Doris (Lawrence Gigler)
Harry Boreen
Arthur Harry Boreen was born on July 31, 1916 to Arthur and Helen (Lund) Boreen at Spicer, Minnesota.
In 1918 he moved with his family to a farm near Flom where he grew up and attended country schools here. Harry worked on farms in the Flom area and also in North Dakota before entering the Army Air Corps in 1941. He was an aircraft mechanic stationed in England until his discharge in 1945. After his discharge he returned to the Flom area and farmed with his brother Francis until 1974 when he went to work part-time for the John Deere dealer in Mahnomen, Mn.
Harry was confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church where he remained a member for his life-time. He was an active member of the Flom-Twin Valley VFW Post 3818, Flom League of Men, and the Flom Area Lion's Club.
He loved to fish and spent many hours enjoying his favorite sport both in the summer and winter months. Harry was always there to lend a helping hand for his many friends and he will be sadly missed by all who lives he touched. He always enjoyed a cup of coffee at the Flom cafe and to this day many refer to his chair, his spot as Harry's.
Harry passed away on January 12, 1988 at his home in Flom, located on the North Side of town, it is currently owned by John and Sandy Baker. He is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Newman and Malva (Gunderson) Boreen
Newman E. Boreen was born on January 9, 1913 near Willmar, Mn to George and Christine Boreen. At a young age he moved to the Flom area with his family. Here he was confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church and attended schools in this area.
On November 27, 1943 he was united in marriage to Malva Gunderson at Twin Valley, Mn. They settled on a farm near Flom where they not only here but also by Ada, for 16 years. After selling the farm Newman began working in the construction field. He worked in Greenland for three years, and near Aneta, ND for six years. In the early 1960’s he worked at the Beulah Coal Gasification Plant at Beulah, ND.
After his retirement they resided in Dilworth, Mn.
Newman passed away on December 26, 1985 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Newman and Malva were the parents of: Dennis, Darrell, Dean, and Diane.
Charles "Charlie" Braaten
Charlie was born on May 24th, 1942 to Rudolph and Beata (Vange ) Braaten.
He grew up on the home place in section 22 of Flom Township where he is still living today. As a young boy he attended school in Flom until the 6th grade when he went on to Twin Valley graduating in May of 1960.
Charlie took over the family farm after his father's retirement and has been active in farming. In the 1990's Charlie also started driving semi of which he was owner/operator of his own truck. Hauling gravel during the summer months for construction companies.
Charlie is active in his church Aspelund Lutheran Church of Flom, where he has served on the church council.
Charlie has never married, but hasn't quit looking.
Gerald "Jerry" and Peg (Flottemesch) Braaten
Jerry was born to Rudolph and Beata (Vange) Braaten on March 22nd, 1945.
As a young boy he attended country school at the Flom school until the 3rd grade. He then went to Twin Valley where he completed his education and graduated from Twin Valley High School in May of 1963.
Jerry married Margaret (Peg) Flottemesch the daughter of Herman and Marie Flottemesch of Callaway on November 16th, 1974. When they were first married they lived in Walworth Township on the Leonard Seykora farm.
Jerry works for Flom-Ulen Co-op as a bulk truck driver, delivering fuel and propane to area homes and businesses which he has done since 1977. Peg did some substitute teaching when they were first married. In 1975 she began working in Mahnomen County, for the University of Minnesota Extension Service. She continues to work there as Regional Educator and is located in the Mahnomen Extension Office.
Jerry and Peg have one daughter Laura Marie who was born in Detroit Lakes on July 23rd, 1976. Laura attended school at Waubun and graduated from Waubun High School in May of 1995. Laura has one son Christopher Jerald who was born on April 3, 2000 in Detroit Lakes.
Jerry is active in his community as a member of the Flom Area Lion's Club and is also active in his church Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom where he has served on the Church Council.
Gilman A. Braaten
Gilman A. Braaten was born on December 22, 1900 to Gulbrand and Anna Braaten of Flom township. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspleund Lutheran Church, Flom. He attended elementary school in the Flom area and after completing his education he started farming, which he did throughout his life. He never married
Gilman died suddenly on Friday January 30, 1970 at his home in Flom. Funeral services were conducted at Aspelund Lutheran Church with interment at the church cemetery.
Gulbrand and Anna (Botolfson Berkvam) Braaten
Gulbrand and Anna were both born in Norway. Gulbrand was from the Ringericke area and Anna from Flam-Aurland area. They were married in Spring Grove, Minnesota in the early 1880's. Gulbrand was born on July 22, ?? and Anna was born on October 26th, 1865. They moved to the Flom Township in section 22 in 1885 where they lived most of their lives, except for 8-10 years span of farming near the Greenbush-Badger, Minnesota area. Anna had two sisters living in that vicinity. A hundred and seventeen years later the home farm remains in the Braaten family with Charles still living on the home farm.
Gulbrand and Anna had a family of three girls and six boys. Inga (John Skofstad and Otto Larson) lived in the Fertile area, Ella (Matt Ostenvik) lived in the Gary area, Ricka lived in Flom See Ricka Bratten, Rudolph
(Beata Vange) lived on the home place in Section 22 See Rudolph and Beata Braaten, Melvin (Clara Houglum) lived in the Flom, Waubun and Twin Valley area, Gilman lived by Flom, Art lived in Montana, Anton lived in the Montana and Fertile, MN areas, and Olaf (Muriel) lived in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area.
Gulbrand and Anna had five grandchildren. Alvina Ostenvik had one sone Edward Euken of Tucson, Arizona. Melvin had one son Merrill (Norene) who lives in West Fargo, ND. Rudolph had three children. Carol (John Huhner) lives in Fargo, ND, Charles lived on the home place. See Charles Braaten,and Gerald "Jerry" ( Margaret "Peg" Flottemesch) live in Section 25 of Flom Township. Jerry and Peg have one daughter Laura and a grandson Christopher. See Jerry and Peg Braaten.
Melvin and Clara (Houglum) Braaten
Edward Melvin Braaten was born on April 29, 1898 to Gulbrand and Anna (Berkvam) Braaten. He was educated at Flom and Roseau, Mn.
Clara Lois Houglum was born on October 15, 1891, near Flom, Mn. Her parents were Lars and Carrie Houglum. She married Edward Melvin Braaten on April 19, 1932 at Twin Valley, Mn. After their marriage they homesteaded near Sidney, Mt. They came back to the Flom area and farmed until 1946 then moved and farmed west of Waubun, Mn. In 1968 they retired and moved into Twin Valley.
Clara passed away in 1980, funeral services were held at Aspelund with interment in the church cemetery. Edward Melvin passed away on January 16, 1982 and is buried at Aspelund. They were the parents of one son; Merrill
Ricka Braaten
The Area's First Lefse Factory
Ricka, daughter of Gulbrand and Anna Braaten lived most of her life in the village of Flom. She lived in the small house directly across the street from the school house. Her home was demolished several years ago. Ricka was well known for all the good lefsa and flatbread she baked for the Holidays. As Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter drew near, Ricka would be up long before dawn beginning her long days of baking lefsa and flatbread. Many of these days, Ricka would not be putting her rolling pin away until after dark. We have many fond memories or Ricka, with her hair tied back and her back stiff from the many hours of rolling out lefsa and then baking them on her wood range. The warm samples were delicious! Even Ricka was glad to see the Holdiays arrive so orders for her baking would lessen. Some years if Magda Skansgaard was staying in her home in Flom, she would help Ricka bake through the busiest times. In the later years, Alice Sandal assisted Ricka with the baking.
In the earlier years, Ricka had worked on several farms in the area baking and keeping house. Ricka also cooked at the Flom school for a time preparing dinners for the kids.
Ricka was born on July 3rd, 1892. She never married. She had two sisters Inga (Larson) and Ella (Ostenvik) and six brothers, Rudolph, Olaf, Arthur, Anton, Gilman and Melvin. Ricka was a member of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom and is buried there. Ricka died on May 31st, 1971.
Rudoph and Beata (Vange) Braaten
Rudoph Bernhard Braaten was born to Gulbrand and Anna (Berkvam) on January 12th, 1894. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. Rudolph attended school in Flom, Mn. Beata Vange was born to Andrew and Caroline (Green) Vange. As children Rudolph grew up on the farm in Section 22 of Flom Township and Beata grew up on the family farm in section 25 of Flom Township. Rudolph had three sisters, Inga, Ella and Ricka and five brothers Melvin, Gilman, Art, Anton and Olaf. Beata had four brothers, Knute, Edward, Arnold and Clarence and three sisters Edith (Meyer), Ovivia (Martinson) and Clara (Hendrickson).
He enlisted in the armed service of our country February 24, 1918, from Ada, Mn and served in the Casual Detailment, D.B. Fast Assault Supply Company 34 of the 9th Infantry, Army Expeditionary Forces in France, and saw action and served in the support troop at Ypers BEl, the Hindenberg Line, at the Advance Troops from Mountblocka to Auborganon. He was honorably discharge from Damp Dodge, Iowa April 10, 1919.
He married Beata Vange on May 18th, 1941 in Flom, Township. During their married life they farmed and settled on the home place in Section 22 of Flom Township. Rudolph was active in his community serving on the School Board and also was on various church boards and a trustee. Rudolph also sang in the church choir for many years. he was a member of Flom-Twin Valley VFW Post 3818 and Nesseth Lien Post #431 of the American Legion. Beata is very active in her church and community. Serving with the Ladies Aid at Aspelund Lutheran Church. She worked at Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley. And is currently on the Grandparent program at Norman County East where she helps the elementary children at the Gary Site. Beata to this day will still help out with the Sunday school at Aspelund substituting as a teacher for the Sunday school.
Rudolph and Beata have three children.
Carol married John Huhner and they live in Fargo where Carol works for Meritcare Hospital.
Charles "Charlie" see Charles Braaten.
Gerald "Jerry" see Jerry and Peg Braaten.
Rudolph died on February 17th, 1976 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery, Flom.
August and Lena Brenden
Lena was born on January 10, 1872 at Sogn, Norway. She came to Twin Valley, Mn at the age of 13, and completed her schooling there. Later she worked as a dressmaker at Moorhead, Mn.
August and Lena were married at the Wild Rice Church, in Flom township on May 26, 1897/ They farmed for several years near Flom. In 1917 they left the Flom area and moved to Montana where they farmed four miles southwest of Flaxville. They retired from farming and moved into Scobey, Montana in 1940.
August passed away in 1942, after his death Lena remained in the home until 1946 when she became a resident at the Daniels Memorial Home. Lena was a pioneer member of the Zion Lutheran Church at Flaxville.
They were the parents of two sons Thomas and Loyal and two daughters Aanada (Milton Hoff) and Alice (Lloyd Schaefer).
Funeral services were held at the Flaxville Lutheran Church and burial was at the Orville Cemetery.
Christopher and Hattie (Flom) Brevik
Christopher "Christ" Brevik was born in Norway in 1886. He was a farmer and trucker. He died as a result of a car accident in 1943.
Hattie Flom was born on May 26, 1889 on a farm near Flom. Mn., to Erick and Anna Flom. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. She attended rural schools and grew up on the family farm. As a young girl she was employed as a cook at the Sanatorium at Crookston, Mn and at the Teachers Training School at Portland, ND for several years.
Christ and Hattie were married on November 19, 1919 at Moorhead, Mn. After their marriage they moved to Twin Valley and rural Twin Valley, Mn., where they farmed for several years. She remained on the farm for three years after Christ’s death before moving into Twin Valley, Mn in 1946.
Hattie served her life in her role as a farm housewife and mother, and was a member of the Wild Rice Lutheran Church for many years. She was also very active in the church ALCW of which she was a life member.
Hattie passed away on June 9, 1971 at the age of 82 years. Christ passed away on April 12, 1943. They are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery. Christ and Hattie were the parents of Clifton, Howard, and Ardis (Elmer Horge).
Howard and Orvilla (Slininger) Brevik
Orvilla "Villie" Slininger was born on February 5, 1927 near Ada, Mn to Charles and Fanny (Hornby) Slininger. She attended country school near her home, and then worked in Ada prior to her marriage to Howard Brevik on February 18, 1945 at Moorhead, Mn.
They lived in Ada, for the first four years and then moved to Twin Valley, where they remained since. The resided in section 12 of Home Lake township until about 1990 when they moved into Twin Valley and their son Todd purchased the home place. Villie began working for the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center in the late 1970’s and continued there until early in 1992, because of failing health. Villie was a very active person, who loved and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She taught Sunday School for a number of years and was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Howard and Villie were the parents of four children; Geraldine "Gerry" (Roger Theis), Jeff, Karla (Frank Pederson) and Todd. Villie passed away on August 17, 1992 at her home in Twin Valley, Mn. She is buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, Mn. Howard also is buried in Zion Lutheran Cemetery.
Jeffrey and Jolene (Dorseth) Brevik
Jeffrey Howard Brevik was born on May 10, 1960 at Ada, Mn to Howard and Orvilla "Villie" (Slininger) Brevik. Howard’s parents were; Christopher Brevik and Hattie (Flom), they resided in Flom township.
He was baptized and confirmed (1975) at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. He attended school at Twin Valley, Mn and graduated with the class of 1978. He then went to Thief River Falls Tech School where he furthered his education in Auto Body Work.
After graduating from TRF Tech he worked for Larry’s Auto Body in Ada, Mn and purchased that business in 1996, it is now called Jeff’s Auto Body. Jeff enjoys spending his spare time hunting and loves to cook, at which he does an excellent job.
Jolene Annette Dorseth was born on April 21, 1962 at Detroit Lakes, Mn to Vernon and LaVonne (Hammer) Dorseth. She was baptized (1962 and Confirmed (1977) at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. She attended school at Waubun Ogema and White Earth Community Schools at Waubun until the 9th grade at which time she went to Twin Valley Public School, where she graduated with the class of 1980.
After graduation Jolene went to Moorhead Tech where she pursued a degree in Legal Secretary. She started working for the Farmer’s State Bank in Waubun after finishing Tech school, here she worked as a teller. In August of 1987 Jolene went to work for Wild Rice Electric in Mahnomen, where she is still employed today. Jolene enjoys spending her spare time reading and listening to music.
Jeff and Jolene were married on June 23, 1984, at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. The settled on a farm on the north side of home lake in Home Lake Township. Here they have remained and are busy raising their family of three boys. Adam Howard (twin) was born on March 4, 1987 at St. Luke’s, Hospital in Fargo, ND. He was baptized at Aspelund on April 19, 1987 and will be confirmed in the fall of 2002. He attends Norman County East where he is active in Football and Baseball. He enjoys hunting with his father.
Aaron Jeffrey Brevik was born on March 4, 1987 at St. Luke’s, Hospital in Fargo, ND. He was baptized on April 19, 1987 along with his twin brother Adam and will be confirmed in the fall of 2002. Aaron attends Norman County East where he is active in Football and Baseball. Aaron likes to hunt and looks forward to Deer Camp each fall with the anticipation of getting the "Big Buck".
Kristian Shane Brevik was born on April 28, 1995 at Merit Care Hospital in Fargo, ND. He was baptized at Aspelund in June of 1995. He attends school at Norman County East, Gary Site where he is an active little boy. Krisitan loves to play and socialize. In his spare time he enjoys spending his time with Jackie and Ernie Saeland.
Jens and Clara (Jensveen) Brodsho
Jens Johannes Brodsho was born on the Holte farm, in Drangedal parish, Telemark, Norway on November S, 1858. He was the 5th of 6 total children born to Johannes Aslakson and Kari Jensdatter. His childhood must have been harsh being a child of a "day laborer" and having his mother committed to the Guastad Mental Hospital in 1865 - eventually dying there in 1870.
In June of 1882, Jens migrated to America probably on the ship Thingvalla and came thru Castle Garden. Jens has a sister named Siri Christina (Eliassen) who was married and lived in Griggs County North Dakota so I suspect he was heading that direction when he stopped in Norman County.
Jens met Clara Jensveen and eventually married her in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church on August 4, 1888. Twelve or thirteen children were born to this couple and Jens settled in section 33 of Wild Rice. Apparently Jens was not the owner of this parcel of land and he agreed to "sell" his rights to it and moved to 40 acres in Fossum township in 1901 next to his father-in-law Ole Jensveen. Raising 13 children on a hilly 40 acres as a "day laborer" could not have been pleasant.
In 1908-1912 time era, Jens tried to establish a homestead in Grant County, North Dakota but was again thwarted by the legal system and lost his right to the land.
Jens began to feel like his was persecuted and that others were out to "get him". Conditions got so bad that in 1917, Jens was declared insane and admitted to the Fergus Falls Regional Medical Hospital. He was discharged from parole in 1919 and returned to his home in Fossum township.
In 1923, his grandson was orphaned and Clara Brodsho brought the 1 year old home to live with them. Living conditions and Jens' attitude never improved, so Clara left Jens with her 4 young children and went to the Homestead Montana area where Clara's brothers lived. The "story" was told that Jens was going to accompany them but at the last minute Jens refused so Clara left Jens with only his mattress and left him.
Jens became even more of a hermit and died in his shack on his 40 acres on January 26, 1937. Even in death, his grave site was unmarked and of little interest until a recent headstone appeared in the Wild Rice Cemetery in 2001.
By Richard Line
Elmer and Mabel (Smith) Brogren
Elmer and Mabel Brogren first made their home at Willmar, Mn. Mabel was the daughter of Henry and Emma Smith they came to Walworth around 1920 from Cottonwood, Mn. They had two children; Otis and Mabel. Otis became a teacher and taught in California for a number of years and he and his family lived in Glendale.
Mabel and Elmer were the parents of Vernon, Kenneth, Virginia, Virgil, Phyllis. After Kenneth graduated from School in 1936, the family came to Walworth to join her parents. Elmer passed away in 1934. They moved onto the farm in section 17 of Walworth township, today John Rikhus resides there.
Later they moved to section 34 onto the Somdahl place. They stayed here until Kenneth and Bernice were married at which time Henry and Emma, along with their daughter Mabel and grand daughter Phyllis moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn. Ken and Bernice took over the farming operation. They still reside on the farm. Mabel last years she resided with her grand daughter Phyllis and family in Detroit Lakes.
Vernon married Elzada Fagerlie and they farmed in Walworth for some years and then moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn. They are the parents of four children; James, Vernette (Darrell Olson), Vernon Jr. and Jerry.
Kenneth; see Kenneth and Bernice Brogren
Virginia married Raymond Fagerlie. They are the parents of ten children; Sharon ( Jim Miller), Sandra, David, Beverly (Dean Chadourne), Dale, Douglas, Debra (Bob Buth), Bonnie (Peter Lage), Dana and Brenda.
Virgil married Margaret Bromander. They are the parents of seven children; Marlys ( Toby Burda/ Darwin Leeds), Corrine (Baier), Darrell, Dean, Curtis, and Randy.
Phyllis married Julius Schmidt. They are the parents of seven children; Cheryl ( Joe Knopf), Karen, Linda, Donald, Lori, Lois and Brian.
Ken and D. Bernice (Fagerlie) Brogren
Ken and Bernice have lived all 58 years of their married life on the same farm, 6 miles south of Flom, know as the Somdahl farm. They raised cattle, sheep and chickens, also small grain, corn and soy beans. Ken also worked for ASC for 28 years, retiring in 1989.
They have one son and five daughters;
Ken Jr. married Carolyn Sandland and they have four sons. He has worked for Roseburg Lumber Co. for many years and lives in Myrtle Creek, Oregon.
Janice married Ross Hardesty and they live in Brainerd, Mn. Both of them work for Mills Motors. They have two sons and one daughter.
Barbara married Steve Kent. They both worked for the West Fargo, ND schools. They have two sons. Steve now works for Moorhead State Bank. Barb passed away in October 2000.
Lynette (Hellum) works for an investment company and an appraisal co. She lives by Anoka Mn. She has two daughters and one son.
Valerie married Randall Alland, they reside in Hawley, Mn. Randy works at the State Bank in Hawley and Valerie works for the Hawley School system. They have three daughters.
Carol is married to John Rikhus and they live in Hawley. John works for the Northway Carriers and Carol works for the V.A. Hospital in Fargo. They have two daughters.
The Brogrens also have 2 step grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Ken enjoyed fishing both summer and winter for many years, also made a lot of things from wood, most of which was given to family members.
Bernice does a lot of hand work; embroidery, hardanger, counted cross stitch and quilting. When the girls were younger she sewed most of their clothes.
They were members of Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen until last August when they last sermon was heard by several hundred people, many were former members. They now belong to Salem Lutheran Church in Hitterdal. Both Ken and Bernice held different offices at Atlanta over the years. Ken has also been on the Ulen school board, Flom Creamery board, Walworth twp board, Ulen Lions, Masonic Lodge and he helped organize the Becker County Soil and Water Conservation District. Bernice belongs to the Walworth Homemaker’s and Viking Manor Guild.
Jon Hugo and Clara (Solid) Bromander
Jon Hugo Vlademar Bromander was born on April, 23,1887 at Rinna, Ostergotland, Sweden.
Clara Matilda Solid was born on May 12, 1894 at Sloan, Iowa.
Both Hugo and Clara grew up on farms in northern Iowa. They were married on June 15, 1916. Their first years of married life was at Savage, Minnesota where Hugo was the Railroad Station Agent and Telegraphist. They came to this area and settled on a farm in Walworth Township, Becker County, Minnesota in the spring of 1920. Here they farmed and raised their family. The farm is located four miles south of Flom on Becker County Highway 7. After they retired from farming they moved into Flom and purchased the home just north of the VFW, which is currently owned by Arlen Lunde.
Hugo and Clara were the parents of five children. Gayle Charles was born in 1918, Margaret Helen (Brogren) was born in 1920, Kenneth Carl was born in 1922, Eilen died at birth in 1930 and Robert Clayton was born in 1932.
For many years they brought all their cream and eggs to Flom to be sold or exchanged for groceries. That was when they lived on the farm south of Flom.
Hugo thought it was an honor to have served on the first board of directors of Wild Rice Electric Cooperative at Mahnomen, Mn., along with Lewis Kirkeby of Flom and six other men and one woman. Hugo filled the vacancy on the board when Peter Ingebretson became project superintendent. They all were interested in getting electrical power to the rural families.
Hugo died on May 19, 1972. After Hugo died Clara moved into an apartment in Ulen and sold their house to Arlen Lunde. Clara died on April 24, 1977. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Beatrice (Syverson) Bromander
Beatrice Syverson was born on July 23, 1930 at Ulen, Mn to Olaf and Cora Syverson. After graduating from Ulen High School she attended Moorhead State College, receiving a teaching degree. She taught school for some years and then returned to MSC and received a degree of bachelor of science in 1958.
She taught school at Averill and Twin Valley and five years at Crookston, Mn.
Beatrice married Robert Bromander, son of Hugo and Clara Bromander on June 27, 1959. Beatrice and Robert were the parents of one son Jon, who was nine months old at the time of her death in 1961. She is buried at the West Cemetery in Ulen, Mn.
Benny and Gyda (Wermager) Buchholz
In the spring of 1942, the Benny Buchholz family moved to the Henry Haroldson home from Pinehurst Resort at Naytahwaush. Benny worked for Art Thorstenson who operated a grocery store and later worked for Pete Larson at the grocery store across the street from Arts. Benny loved hunting and fishing. Benny was born on March 20th, 1898 to Henry and Ellen (Stephenson) Buchholz. He died on September 19th, 1968 and is buried at Aspelund.
Gyda was born to Ole and Tilla (Gulbranson Dalen) Wermager. Gyda’s mother was born in Sondre Land, Norway and immigrated to America in 1884 with her mother and sister to join her father who had come a year earlier.
Benny and Gyda were married on Oct 3, 1923. Gyda did housework and babysitting for many different families. She loved to garden, canning, cooking, baking and embroidering. Benny and Gyda attended Aspelund, Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
It was four years after Benny's death that Gyda left their home in Section 33 of Flom Township, the home is currently owned by Judy Eisenhower. Gyda moved to Twin Valley where she has resided for 20 years at Valley Pines and now resides at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home also in Twin Valley. Gyda is 97 years old.
Ben and Gyda had seven children. Two infant baby girls are deceased. The oldest offspring in Imogene (Jacobson). She attended grade school at Naytahwaush and High School at Mahnomen and Waubun. She furthered her education for two years and received a degree in teaching. She taught school at five different country schools around Flom. She married Kenneth Jacobson in 1950. They had no children. Ken and Jean moved to Eveleth, Mn in 1952. Ken worked in the mines and also for the City of Eveleth. Ken was a avid hunter and fisherman. He died on April 26, 1980 and is buried at Aspelund. Jeanie worked in a diet kitchen at the Eveleth Fitsgerald Hospital for 31 years, retired and moved back to Twin Valley. Now she has been a part of the foster-grandparent program at the Norman County East Elementary School, Gary Site for 10 years.
Dona attended Naytahwaush and Flom grade schools, graduated from Waubun High School. She attended Aakers Business College at Grand Forks, and also met and married Boyd Erickson an Air Force officer.After six months of marriage Boyd was killed. Dona attended Lutheran Bible Institute of St. Paul and Emmanuel Nursing Home in Omaha, NE becoming a Registered Nurse. She married Perry Loten. Perry worked for Hormel Meat Company for 35 years and retired. They reside in Fremont NE.
Bernard attended grade school in Flom and graduated from Twin Valley High School. He served in the army 34 years, was stationed in Germany. He attended school under the GI Bill. He married Sharon LaFrineer and had two children. Tami and Perry. Perry was 16 when he was tragically killed in a car accident. They lived in Thief River. Bernard did engineering jobs, and owned "Auto Mart: He had a Auto Mart in Tonhawa OK., also. Bernard retired, now lives in Ponca City and has a part time job in a "Dollar Tree" store. He has four grandchildren and two step grandchildren.
Boyd attended grade school at Flom and graduated from Twin Valley High School. He joined the Air Force at the age of 18. He served in many bases throughout the US. He served 20 years in the Air Force, 16 of which were served overseas in Korea, Thailand, and Viet Nam. He retired at 38 years of age. He worked and lived in Grand Forks for five years, also worked in Texas and Ms. He married Shirlee William, they have three children and five grandchildren. They reside in Mineral Wells, Tx.
Linda attended grade school at Flom and graduated from High School in Twin Valley. She had various jobs in Fargo and married Ronald Olson. They have two children, Kristi and Tyler. They lived in Arizona, Fargo, Moorhead, Fort Collins, Minneapolis, Texas and now live in Smithville, Mo. They have one grandchild. Ronald sells, auto body computer software and Linda does interior decorating.
Kearney and Delores (Underdahl) Buckle
Kearney Gerald Buckle was born on June 10, 1920 on the family farm in Flom township, to William and Elisa Buckle. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He attended country schools in the area and graduated from Twin Valley High School. He grew up on the farm and spent much of his life on the family farm.
Kearney Buckle was inducted into the armed service of his country on February 4, 1942 from Ft. Snelling, Minnesota. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant as a Chief Radio Operator in the Signal Battalion of the Army, and was honorably discharged from Camp San Luis Obispo, California on February 17, 1944.
On June 22, 1946, he was united in marriage to Delores Underdahl at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. They lived in Detroit Lakes, Mn for one year, moving to a farm in Flom Township where they farmed for 11 years. In 1958 they moved into Twin Valley where he has lived ever since. He served as rural mail carrier for 20 years. He was quite active in church and Boy Scouts, having served on the Board of Deacons and presently on the Board of Trustees, and served as chairman of the Boy Scout committee for several years. He was a past commander of the American Legion Post here and was a regular member of the rifle squad for many years. He loved sports and played on the city baseball team as a young man, bowled on several teams and played a good game of horseshoe.
Kearney and Delores were the parents of: Danny, Michael, Kevyn and Kerry, Rebecca (William Sharff) and Roxanne.
Kearney passed away on January 6, 1977 at the age of 56 years. He is buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, Mn.
After his death Delores continued to live in Twin Valley, Mn for while and then moved to Moorhead.
William and Elisa (Thompson) Buckle
William Buckle was born on September 19, 1888, in Canada. He moved to the Flom, Mn area. Here he met and married Elisa Thompson on July 9, 1916. They lived in other areas including Hastings, ND, before moving to Valley City, Nd in 1944. In Valley City he was employed at the local mill company and also worked on farms in the area.
William died at the age of 90 in 1978, Elisa died in 1965. Funeral services for William were held at Grace Free Lutheran Church at Valley City, ND.
William and Elisa were the parents of six daughters; Velma (Scott Smith), Mabel (Clifford Glawe), Elvira (Leonard Krier), Marvel (Julian Landsem) and LaVerne (Victor Johnson) who all lived in Moorhead at the time of Williams death. One daughter Coral (Lowell Laufenberg), resided in Alice, ND.
Ira Merton and Lillie Jane (Smith) Cary
Ira Merton Cary was born November 29, 1871 at Saratoga, Winona County, Minnesota. He was the son of George Thomas and Ellen Jane (Abbott) Cary. Ira had two siblings, Ida May and William Wells Cary. When he was very young, he moved with his parents to St. Charles, Minnesota which is also in Winona County. Here he received his education. He taught school for several years in rural districts in that area. In 1902, he came to Hawley and purchased 240 acres in Section 31 of Cromwell Township in Clay County. Here he built a home and stable. On March 17, 1904 he married Lillie Jane Smith of St. Charles and they settled on their farm. There they raised small grain to feed their livestock and some potatoes, but their main crop was prairie hay. Ira rented land besides what they owned and cut, stacked and later baled the hay. It was loaded on railroad cars at Muskoda, just east of Moorhead, Minnesota. Everything was done with horses and there were no conveniences except a telephone. This was most likely a cooperative owned by the area farmers.
Their family of seven sons were all born here except Donald who was born after they moved to the Ulen, Minnesota area. The boys in order of their birth were Leslie, Cecil, Lowell, Kermit, Russell, Harold and Donald. The four older boys attended school in District #50 which was a mile and a quarter northeast of their home. They attended the Methodist church which was about two miles northwest of their home. I.M., as Mr. Cary was known, served on the school board and was assessor of Cromwell Township for a time.
In 1920, they sold their farm in Clay County and bought 200 acres in Walworth township in Becker County east of Ulen, Minnesota. They moved to their new home in the spring of 1921. Everything had to be moved by team and wagon. The cattle were driven the 27 miles. In 1924 they rented the adjoining half section of land from Sandstrom and moved onto that. While here the boys went to school in District #35 and the family attended Walworth Baptist Church. I.M. Cary served on the school board here and was Clerk of the Walworth township board for many years.
I.M. and Lillie retired from the farm in 1946 and moved to Twin Valley where they lived the rest of their lives. Mother Cary passed away on April 15, 1948 at the age of 66 years and I.M. passed away on August 22, 1954 at the age of 82.
Their children are as follows:
Leslie Merrille, born February 12, 1905, the oldest son married Irene Jore of Hawley and they had one son, Robert Lee, who died in a tractor accident on September 7, 1970. They farmed in Walworth township until retiring in 1969. Leslie died on April 22, 1973 at the age of 68. Irene lives in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
Cecil Duran, born March 6, 1907, who married Eleanor Beckman of rural Flom and lived in Flom. He was a trucker and a farmer. They had three daughters: Gloria, Jacqualine and Laenea. Cecil died on July 25, 1970 at the age of 63. Eleanor lives in Mahnomen.
Lowell Merton, born March 24, 1909, was also a trucker and farmer. He quit farming in 1959, but trucked until retiring in 1970. He was married to Nellie Westgaard from Detroit Lakes area. They had one son Raymond. They lived in Twin Valley from 1938 to 1948 when they moved to Ulen, Minnesota. Lowell died on September 7, 1997 at age 88. Nellie moved to Detroit Lakes and later to Middletown, Ohio near her son, Raymond, where she resides at the present time.
Kermit Emery, born July 21, 1914, was married to Eldora Marguerite Swenson, who was born March 16, 1918, of Ulen, Minnesota. They had three sons and one daughter. Their children are Bruce, Clark, Reeves and Nancy. Kermit was the Standard Oil bulk dealer in Twin Valley for over 30 years. Eldora died on July 12, 1991 at age 73. Kermit continued to live at Twin Valley, Minnesota until ill health forced him to enter the nursing home in Blue Earth, Minnesota where his son, Clark, is a Lutheran minister. Kermit died on December 21, 2000.
Russell served in the Air Force during WW 2. After his military discharge he worked for a sheeting dealer in Fargo until 1947, when he moved to Valley City, North Dakota and started his own heating and air conditioning business with a partner. He later was a city mail carrier and real estate salesman in Valley City. He married Frances Hanson of Ulen, Minnesota in January of 1948. They had two sons and a daughter, David, Wayne and Lorna. They are now retired and living in Valley City, North Dakota.
Harold served in the Navy during WW 2. After his discharge from the Navy he married Eileen Syverson of rural Ulen, Minnesota. They had five children, Ardean, Pamela, Keith, Neil and Bonnie. He farmed for many years and was a dispatcher for the Minnesota Highway Patrol at Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. He retired in 1987.
Donald Orval Cary, born July 10, 1922, served in the Navy during WW 2. He married Eunice Fevig of Ulen, Minnesota. They had one son, Dale. He farmed for awhile after his military discharge, was a long time auctioneer and owned a resort at Tulaby Lake in Minnesota. Donald died on October 4, 2000. Eunice lives in Moorhead, Minnesota.
John H. and Ellen (Christensen) Cavanaugh
Ellen was born on January 25, 1911 in section 30 of Walworth township to Pete and Mary Christensen. She attended rural schools in Ulen and Flom areas. She graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1930. In 1935 she married Jack Western, he died in 1936. No children. In 1946 she met and married John "Jack" H. Cavanaugh. They lived in Chicago, Illinois and Palo Alto, California. Here Jack worked for Boeing Aircraft and Ellen worked in a Department Store. Jack loved to work with wood and his specialty was making violins, which he focused more on in his retirement. Jack was a member of the Masonic Lodge and a Veteran having served in the Marine Corp.
Jack died on April 7, 1977 on his 78th birthday. Ellen continued to live in Palo Alto, until her death on September 17, 1983. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Clive S. and Myrtle (Berg) Chamberlin
Clive was born on a farm in Grand Park Township, Becker County, to Wells E. and Ida (Sauth) Chamberlin in 1896. He was the ninth of ten children born to them. Clive was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1918 from Detroit Lakes, Mn. He was ready to embark for overseas duty when WW I ended.
He was discharged at Sparta, Wi. Clive worked for logging camps during the winter and was a farmer all his life.
Myrtle Berg was born on February 24, 1909 in Thief River Falls, Mn. To Andrew and Maria Berg. She moved with her family to the Twin Valley area where she grew up. She graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1928. After graduation she went on to further her education at Moorhead State University receiving a teaching degree. Myrtle taught school in Norman County for five years. Before she attended Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis. She was teaching school in Becker County where she met Clive, he was on the school board.
Clive and Myrtle were married on June 2, 1936 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. They first resided at Height of Land Lakes in Becker County before moving to a farm in Fossum Township in 1938. They farmed near Twin Valley. In the 1950’s she returned to MSU and then taught school in Twin Valley until retiring in 1972.
Myrtle was a active member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, have served on the Ladies Aid, Church circles and also as a Sunday School teacher.
In 1969 they moved into Twin Valley, Mn., where they resided until their deaths. Clive passed away in 1980 and Myrtle on April 21, 1995. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Clive and Myrtle were the parents of; Clinton, Byron, Idabelle (James Buskirk), Bernice (Wayne Stiyer/Frank Stevenson), Grace (Elmer Machler), Rosella (Lyle Manthe), Ruth (Mark Becker), Linda (Douglas Maresh) and Carolyn Anderson (John Brewster).
Amos Christensen
Amos moved to Flom from Staples, Mn after he retired from the railroad. He made his home with his brother John. Amos did some farm work the first few years he was here. He also helped his brother with some of the painting. While painting the church at Syre the scaffolding broke and they fell down. John broke his ankle in the fall. Amos then set up a shoe and harness shop in the southwest corner of John Dorseth’s hardware store. He also worked at the Co-op in Flom part-time. He later acquired space between the Jacobson Cafe and the Narum Store.
Here he built a small shoe and harness repair shop. He left Flom after the second world war and went to the west coast. He lived with his daughter and son-in-law, Verna and Earl Ellingson. He returned to Minnesota in the early 1960’s and lived with a daughter and son-in-law Zola and John Pierce at Mora, Mn. He then returned to Oregon and lived out his remaining years with his daughter. He is buried in Oregon. He had five children: Kenneth, Wayne, Zola, Rena and Verna (Earl Ellingson)
Edvar and Austine (Stundahl) Christensen
Edvar J. Christensen was born in 1895 at West Branch, Iowa to Julius and Kerstin (Sorensen) Christensen. As a young man, he moved with his parents to Faith, Mn. Here he was raised on the family farm. Edvar’s siblings were William, John, Otto, Neil, Fred and Lena/Caroline.
Austine was born in 1895 to Torris and Olena (Prestegord) Stundahl. Austine’s siblings were; Lewis, Selmer, Olaf, George, Tilford, Marvin, Clara (Carl Aamoth/Andrew Syverson), Laura (Theodore Lerud), Selma (Henry Smith), Mabel (Ole Stavetieg) and Elvina (Guy Thompson).
After Edvar and Austine were married they rented a farm in Flom township, section 22 until 1942 when they purchased a farm near Ulen, Mn. They stayed here and farmed for nearly forty years.
Edvar and Austine were the parents of Thoris Julius and Kathryn (Lloyd Hegg). Beside their own two children they also helped raise a niece, Violet Rose Stundahl (Johnson Williams). She was the daughter of Lewis and Hulda Stundahl, when illness made it impossible for her parents to care for her. Edvar and Austine were a caring couple, who always enjoyed the fellowship of neighbors, friends and relatives. They hold many fond memories for those they left behind. Edvar died suddenly from a heart attack in his home on December 1, 1956. Austine passed away on May 22, 1970. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
George and Luella (Eyre) Christensen
George E. Christensen was born in 1892, not much is know about him or where he originally came from.
Luella Christensen was born in Missouri on September 26, 1888.
George and Luella were married on June 19, 1926 at Kenosha, Wisconsin. They came to Flom in 1937 and made their home here since. They were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. They had no children. George died in 1962 and Luella died in 1960, both are buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.
Henry Christensen
Henry Christensen was born to Jens and Anna Marie Christensen. He served his country during World War One, giving his life for her. Henry was a Corporal, Co. C., 16th Reg., lst Div. Son of Marie and Jens Christensen of Flom township. He Volunteered his service on April 27, 1917, and was sent to Camp Ft. Logan, Col. Henry was wounded twice and died on September 25, 1918. He also served on the Mexican border before his death. He was wounded in June, 1918. After recovering from his wounds, he joined his company and again went into action. He was severely wounded and died from wounds on September 25, 1918. He is buried near Lorraine France.
James Lee Christensen
James Lee was born on February 3, 1919 to Pete and Mary (Olsen) Christensen in Flom. He grew up and attended school at Sunny Hill country school. After finishing his education Jim entered the military to serve his country. He served in North Africa and in Sicily Italy. While he was serving in Italy, Jim was wounded in the Italy campaign and received the Purple Heart. He was a Veteran of WW II. Jim was a member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.
After his discharge he returned home to section 7 of Flom township. He farmed here until he retired from farming and started to work for Habedank Construction of Twin Valley, Mn. In his later years he moved to Section 29 of Flom township, where he lived on the old farm site of Henry and Viola Dorseth’s (Jim sister).
Jim enjoyed fishing, hunting and playing cards. It was always a treat to have "Uncle Jim" come and stay, along with his true companion was his dog, Eli the Purp Christensen" he was a brindle colored dog who when you got near the car let you know you were stretching your limits with him. Jim loved animals and that could be seen by his animal friends he shared his life with; Petrina, Tekla, Eli to name a few.
Jim passed away on April 6, 1984 at the Veteran’s Hospital in Fargo, ND. His funeral services were held at Walworth Baptist Church, Flom with internment at the church cemetery.
Jens and Anna Marie Christensen
Jens and Anna Marie came to this area from Mason City, Iowa. They lived on a farm five miles east of Ulen, Mn. They were the parents of five sons and one daughter; Carl, John Soren; see John Soren Christensen, Nils Peter; see Pete and Mary Christensen, Amos, Henry; see Henry Christensen, and Mary (Williams)
Carl moved from Iowa to Chicago, he was married and had two sons, Charles and Raymond. Mary their only daughter was married to John Williams. They lived on a ranch in South Dakota, (by Rapid City) where they mainly raised sheep, some cattle and horses. They had two sons; John and William.
John Soren Christensen
John Soren was born to Jens and Anna Marie Christensen in Mason City, Iowa. His family came to this area and settled east of Ulen, Mn. John went to photograph school at Staples, Mn. He returned to Flom and set up a studio in the house which is now owned by Elinor Swenson. His photo business usually kept him very busy on week ends, with wedding pictures, confirmation pictures, families and graduations. John was known through out the Flom, Ulen and Waubun area for his excellent work and reasonable prices. John was also a painter, this he did during the week, with doing wall papering besides. He was the handy man around Flom. Most of the buildings in the Flom area were painted by him. John never owned a car so he usually had to hire transportation.
He lived by himself most of the time, although John Haroldson rented a down stairs room from him for many years. He lived in Flom until his health began to fail from cancer. He then moved out to his niece’s home (Henry and Viola Dorseth’s). Here he stayed with family until his death on May 23, 1949. John Soren Christensen is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery. The Aspelund church had been painted both inside and outside by John over the years several times. He never married
John P. and Martha (Nelson) Christensen
John P. Christensen was born on a farm in West Branch, lowa, on September 27' 1890. His parents Julius and Kjersten Christensen had originally immigrated from Denmark.
Mr. Christensen was the eldest of seven children, six boys and one girl. He received a common-school education, and later with his family moved to Clements, Minnesota. where his family farmed.
In 1913 John, along with his brother Bill, dug wells in eastern Norman County and in Mahnomen County for about two years.
In 1914 John started farming in Flom Township. That summer he returned to Clements to get his bride, Martha Nelson. Her parents, Peter and Inga Nelson, had also immigrated from Denmark.
Four sons and two daughters were born to John and Martha. They were Kenneth, born February 7. 1916: Merrill, born June 10, 1918; Donald, born March 4, 1922; Robert, born December 6, 1926, Doris, born January 8 1931; and Ina, born November 1, 1932.
Their oldest son, Kenneth, lived at Detroit Lakes where he owned and operated Lakes Electric. He has three children, JoAnn. Ronald. and Allan.
Merrill lives at Cynthiana. Indiana. where he was a road construction engineer. He is married to Vivian Christensen and they have two daughters, Karen and Bonnie.
Donald lived near Twin Valley in Fossum Township, where he was engaged in farming. He raised registered Angus cattle, farrows and finishes about 800 head of swine and raises small grains along with his two sons Bruce and Micheal. Donald was married to Bernice Peterson and they have five children, Donna, Bruce, Donald Jr., Janice and Michael. Donald and Bernice are both deceased and buried at St. Olaf Cemetery at Faith, Minnesota.
Robert lives at Forrest Lake, Minnesota, where he is a building contractor. Robert was married to Elna Jane Dullum; They have five children; Cheryl, Renee, Steven, Kevin and Todd.
Doris was married to Arlin Wiger. They operate the home farm. Doris taught fourth grade at the Twin Valley Public School. They have three boys and a girl; Rollin, Dean, Pamela and Timothy.
Ina Mae was married to Duane Johnson. They lived at Gilbert, Minnesota. They have six boys Douglas, Dwight, Peter, Rodney, Neil, and Earl.
In 1916 John and Martha with baby Kenneth moved to Faith, where they farmed and lived until September of 1954. At that time they moved to Twin Valley. John passed away in 1956, and Martha at present is a resident of the Lutheran Retirement Center in Twin Valley.
In the 1930's times were tough, crops were short, but they got along with what they had. In 1932 a hail storm wiped out their entire crop. They bought oats for seven cents a bushel to feed the cattle and horses. During the winter months they would haul their cattle and pigs to Twin Valley where they were shipped by train to the market at South St. Paul. The cattle were hauled on sleds pulled by horses, leaving early in the morning and returning late at night. They had a road to town through the woods, across creeks and the river. Many times the road was rough and the weather so cold that they would walk behind to keep warm. During the winter they also cut cord wood, which was hauled to Mahnomen, Flom and Twin Valley.
John served on the school board of District 46, Faith, Minnesota. He was on the Fossum Township Board and was President of the St. Olaf Lutheran Church from 1941 until 1952. Martha was active in church. she sang in the church choir and held offices in the St. Olaf Ladies Aid. During the years her children were in 4-H, Martha was a club leader. She was also a member of the Homemakers Club, and was a seamstress for several families in the neighborhood.
Pete and Mary (Olsen) Christensen
Nels Peter Christensen was born on July 15, 1877 to Jens and Anna Marie Christensen, near Mason City, Iowa. He grew up in that area and attended school there. He had two brothers and one sister. Amos and John, Henry and Mary (Williams).
Mary Martha Olsen was born on September 23, 1884, in Mansfield Ohio, the daughter of James and Hannah Olsen. She grew up in Ohio and later moved to Iowa with her parents. Mary had on brother and a half sister, names unknown.
Peter and Mary were married on January 6, 1902 at Story City, Iowa. When they lived in Chicago, after they were first married Peter worked for a cabinet company, besides building cabinets they also made fire place mantels. Pete’s job was to deliver and install these mantel pieces in business places and homes. Two children were born to them while in Chicago; William ( died and is buried there) and Viola. They left Chicago in 1908 with their daughter Viola to come to Mn to farm. They lived on several farms in the Walworth township and Flom townships.
Lady luck did not smile on him here. He lost some cattle and buildings when he lived east of Ulen, when a tornado struck. He would tell that they saw the storm coming and ran from the house, laying down in a ditch until the storm was over. Mary, his wife, never lost her fear of storms after that. They moved to from Flom to west of Syre, not understanding alkaline which was prevalent in the soil and this transferred to the feed and grass, his livestock did poorly. They then packed up their belongings and moved to section 7 of Flom township. Here he lost the barn in an early morning fire. Besides losing the barn he lost his car, three horses, a sow and little pigs and some calves. He also lost his harnesses and many of his tools. One horse was able to break free and made it out of the barn. They never really were sure as to what started the firs, at first they thought it was started in the car, but later it was deemed to have probably started from damp hay. Then the 1930’s came and with that came the dust storms and depression. During this time it didn’t matter what you had to sell, it wasn’t worth anything.
Pete loved to work with mechanical things, especially motors, this was kind of a hobby for him. He was interested in bee keeping and had several hives of bee’s. He kept his family well supplied with honey. Mary not only took on the role of a housewife and mother but also took her talents to those in her community, doing practical nursing for friends, family and neighbors. She also did midwifery of which Glen Larson, son of Valborg and Edwin Larson was one of her deliveries. In her spare time she enjoyed crocheting and also her grandchildren say she could make the best Lemon Pie’s in the world. Mary was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary.
Pete and Mary were members of Walworth Baptist Church, Flom, Mn. Pete died on September 24, 1966, after which Mary continued living on the farm with her son Jim. She entered the Lutheran Memorial Home in 1969 where she resided until her death on March 1, 1975. They are both buried at Walworth Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pete and Mary were the parents of six children. William their first born was born and died while they lived in Chicago and is buried there. Viola was born in 1906, See: Henry and Viola Dorseth, Amos George was born in Walworth township on January 6, 1909 and died on February 2, 1909. There is a discrepancy with his name. To clarify this it is stated on both the birth and death records for Walworth Township that his name is Amos George. On his cemetery stone his name is George E. He is buried at Walworth. Ellen was born on January 25, 1911, See John and Ellen Cavanaugh, Ruby was born on July 19, 1916, See Ruby and Melvin Vik and James was born on February 3, 1919. See James Christensen.
Ronald C. and Mabel (Gregorson) Christensen
Ronald Charles Christensen was born on December 1, 1920 to William and Selma (Flom) Christensen. He was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He grew up on the family farm and attended elementary school and high school at Waubun.
On October 6, 1943, he was united in marriage to Mabel Gregorson at her parent's home near Ulen, Mn, by Rev. Amundson. They resided in Norman and Clay county for a few years, then moved to Babbitt , Mn in 1956.
During his life he farmed for a short time, was employed at the Ulen Creamery and later at Cass Clay Creamery for several years. He was last employed by the Reserve Mining Company as a shovel operator for almost 18 years at Babbitt.
Ronald and Mabel were the parents of one daughter; Marilyn (Craig Carlson), at the time of Ronald's death they were residing in Bloomington, Mn.
William and Selma (Flom) Christensen
William (Bill) Christensen was born August 31, 1893 at Brookings, SD to Julius and Kjerstin (Sorenson) Christensen. Bill’s father Julius Christensen was born on September 29, 1858 and his mother Hjersyen Marie Sornsen was born in June 1858, both in Tolne, Horns, Hjorring, Denmark. In 1913 he came to Mahnomen, Mn with his brother John and they started a well drilling business. He met and married Selma Flom daughter of Simon and Randi Flom in 1916. William operated a hardware store in Madock, Montana, from 1916 until 1920, when they returned to Flom township and started farming. Selma was a seamstress and worked for awhile in cook cars in the Cheyenne, ND areas during her life. In 1954, William and Selma retired from farming and moved to Twin Valley, Mn. Their daughter Ione and her husband Joe took over the farming operations.
The farm is located one mile south of Flom in section 22. They stayed here and raised their family, James, Ronald and daughter Ione (Joe Tobin), they had one infant daughter Irene, twin to Ione who died at birth.
Ruth Christine Churness
Ruth Christine Churness was born on October 16, 1898 at Fosston, Mn to Willie Churness and Anna Urdahl. She lived with her mother and step father until 1913 at Berthold, ND. At that time she became a resident at Grafton State Hospital until 1919, when she was placed at San Haven State Hospital, where she resided until her death. Ruth passed away on December 21, 1977.
At the time of her death there was no immediate family members, although she did have cousins in the Twin Valley area. Rev. Paul Mathre conducted the graveside services for her in the spring of 1978, where she was laid to rest beside her father, in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
William and Anna (Urdahl) Churness
William Churness was born in Crawford county, Wisconsin, moving to the Flom area with his parents. He also had five sisters and three brothers. He married Anna Urdahl in 1896, also of Flom. After their marriage they moved to Berthold, where they lived and were active in farming.
William Churness died unrepentantly of heart failure in 1911 at his home near Berthold, ND. He is survived by his wife and a daughter who deeply mourn over the loss of a most kind and loving husband and father.
Services were held over his remains in the United church at Berthold on Tuesday following his death, after which he was shipped to his former home in Flom for interment, which occurred Monday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. Here a very large crowd was gathered to pay respect to the one departed. Rev Nelson officiated.
A.O. and Marie (Huseby) Dahl
Ananias O. Dahl was born at Zombrota, Mn on June 19,1879. He came to the Syre area with his parents at the age of 3 years. He grew up here and was raised to manhood. He married Julia Tylden on June 26, 1909 and she died in 1924.
Marie Huseby was born at Syre, Mn on November 18, 1885, she was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. Here she grew to womanhood. She married Gustave Sagen in June of 1908 and they resided in Grand Forks, ND. He was killed in a train accident in 1913, and in September 1927 Marie married A. O. Dahl. They had resided there since.
Marie was a charter member of the Syre Lutheran Church and a life member of it's ALCW. Marie and Gustave were the parents of; Judien, Selmer and Gerhard Sagen. Marie and A.O. were the parents of; Raymond and Lillian. Marie also had two other daughters of which we don't know their maiden names; Ruth (Rossing) and Gladys (Peterson).
Marie passed away in 1964, and Ananias passed way at the age of 85 in Crookston, Mn in August 1967, funeral services were held at the Syre Lutheran Church, Syre, Mn.
Dorseth Family Farm History
The Dorseth farm was originally owned by the Northern Pacific Railroad. It was deeded to Lucy Holms in 1878 for the sum of $500.00. She was a rural school teacher in this area. She in turn sold the land to Andrew Skiem in 1880. Mr Skiem owned this farm for a few years and in the year 1882 sold the land to Andreas Dorseth. It has been in the Dorseth family ever since.
Andreas Hanson Dotset was born in Eina, Vestre Toten, Norway on August 14, 1836, to Madison A.H.Dotset and his wife. He married a young girl by the name of Helene (Amlien) while he lived in Norway. In April of 1870 Andreas and Helene left their native land with high hopes of making a better life for themselves and their children in the new world. A world that held the hopes and promises they so wanted. They packed up their belongings, along with their two sons; Andrew (a twin brother died at birth and is buried in Norway)see Andrew and Mathilda Dorseth) and Hans (See Hans and Ronnag Dorseth).
They boarded a ship and left, coming to America. They stopped in Wisconsin, where they lived with an aunt for a short time before moving on to Decorah, Iowa.Here they also had relatives and work was available on a farm. They arrived here in early July and spent the next seven years in Iowa. It was during this time their son John (See John and Lizzie Dorseth) was born, shortly after their arrival. A daughter Augusta (see Ole and Augusta Thorson) followed behind.
When they arrived in America a typo (all we can figure) changed their name from Dotset to Dorseth.
In the spring of 1877 they left Iowa for Minnesota, traveling first by rail and then by covered wagon to Becker County. Here they homesteaded in section 2. They built a sod house and lived on this land until they proved their homestead.
In May of 1882 they purchased 160 acres of land from Andrew Skiem in Section 29 of Flom township in Norman County, and moved his family here. This land had an abundance of good timber suitable for fuel and lumber. It also had a nice sandy loam soil which made farming easier. It was here that they built a log house, barn and granary.
Andreas and Helene (Eline) were charter members of Aspelund Lutheran Church. Andreas also helped plan and build the first church in 1885. Andreas died on August 27, 1924 and Helene (Eline) died on July 20, 1908, they are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church.
Andreas sold his farm to his son, Andrew and his wife Mathilda (Korsgaden) in 1897. See Andrew and Mathilda Dorseth. They had five children; Helmer, Henry(6/10/1895-9/20/1895), Henry, Alma (see Lewis and Alma Ask) and Mabel (see Edgar and Mabel Skansgaard).
In 1938, Andrew sold the farm to his son, Henry and his wife, Viola (see Henry and Viola Dorseth). They had five children; Vernon, DonnaMae, Gloria, Alden and Linda. After Henry's retirement from farming in 1965, the farm was rented to Vernon and his wife LaVonne. In 1974 they purchased the farm.
Vernon and LaVonne still own the farm, but no longer farm the land. They retired from farming in 1995 and rent the land to Lyle and Erik Bakke.
Adolph Dorseth
Adolph was born on November 24, 1904 to John and Lizzie (Lovise Carlson) Dorseth at Flom. He grew up in the town of Flom and farmed in this area. He entered the military service, serving his country during WW II. At the time of his death he was employed on the Boman farm near Flom, Mn. He had been operating a tractor when it tipped over on an incline, not far from the Boman building site. He managed to free himself and reach the farmyard, when he collapsed. He was taken to the Ada hospital where he later died from internal injuries on May 22, 1952.
Adolph never married, he had two brothers; Lawrence and Anton (Tony) and three sisters; Hilda
(Andrew Anker), Sally (Selma Bakken) and Jonette (Albert Thorson).
Albert and Agnes (Huseby) Dorseth
Albert Dorseth was born to Hans and Ronnag (Fossen) Dorseth on October 21, 1892 in Flom township.
He grew up on the family farm in section 28 of Flom township. Albert was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn., and attended elementary school in the Flom area. He later farmed for a number of years in the Flom area.
Albert married Agnes Huseby on April 17, 1927, at Flom, daughter to Ove Huseby's. They resided on the home farm for two years, then farmed in Mahnomen county eleven years before moving to Moorhead, Mn in 1954.
They were the parents of two daughters; Ardyce (Charles Donner) and Phyllis (David Bullert).
Albert died on April 4, 1965 and Agnes died on August 11, 1994, they are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Alden and Shirley (Wheeler) Dorseth
Alden Palmer Dorseth was born on February 21, 1936 in Flom township, Norman County, Minnesota to Henry and Viola (Christensen) Dorseth, on the family farm. He grew up on the family farm in section 29 of Flom township, attending school at Woodland Nook from 1941-1949, he then went to Twin Valley High School from 1949-1951. He attended two years of school at Northwest School of Agriculture at Crookston, MN from 1951-1953.
Alden entered the U.S. Army in 1954 and went to Fort Eustus, VA. He was discharged from the armed services in 1957 and came back to the Flom area. He attended Dakota Business College in Fargo, ND from 1959-1960. Mn ARNG from 1969-1994.
Alden married Shirley Wheeler of Clay county, Ulen, Mn on May 2, 1959. She was born on September 17, 1939 and raised just south of Ulen in Clay county. They lived in Wadena, Little Falls and for a short time they also lived in Ada, Mn. Alden worked at the Merickle Lumber Mills, in Wadena from 1961-1963, then he went to Fleet District Supply in Little Falls, Mn where he worked from 1963-1974, was employed by Camp Ripley at Little Falls, Mn from 1974-1994. Retired: Federal Civil Service 1994.
Alden and Shirley are the parents of four children; Deanna, Michael, Mark and Denise
Deanna Mary was born on August 28, 1961. Deanna and her husband Scott Fritz reside in Fergus Falls, Mn with their two daughters; Megan 8 yrs and Christina 5 yrs.
Michael was born on November 16, 1963. Mike and his wife Sandy reside in Princeton, Mn with their two sons; Erik 12 yrs and Alex 10 yrs.
Mark was born on April 17, 1966. Mark and his wife Cheryl live in Albany, Mn with their two sons; Mason, 6 yrs and Clayton 4 yrs.
Denise Leona was born on January 31, 1972. Denise and her husband Loren Klaphake live by Freeport, Mn with their two daughters; Aiyanna, 3yrs and Sophia 1yrs. Sophia was born on Great Uncle Vernon Dorseth’s 71st birthday.
Andrew and Mathilda (Korsgaden) Dorseth
Andreas (Andrew) was born to Andreas and Helene (Amlien) Dorseth in Vestre Toten, Norway on July 17, 1866. He immigrated in 1870 with his parents to Wisconsin and then on to Decorah, Iowa where they stayed until the spring of 1877. They were members of Glenwood Lutheran Church while there. In 1877 they left Iowa for Minnesota, they settled first in Becker county then the family came to Norman County where they remained since. In 1884 Andrew was confirmed in the old log church at Wild Rice by Rev. Sagen. He was a charter member of Aspelund Lutheran Church.
Mathilda Korsgaden was born in 1874 to Hans and Mary Hanson Korsgaden in Wisconsin. They came to Flom township when she was a child and settled in section 1. Mathilda died at a young age at Fergus Falls, Mn in 1915. She left behind her husband and four children. Both Andrew and Mathilda are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN.
Andrew and Mathilda were the parents of five children.
Henry A. was born on June 10, 1895 and died on September 20, 1895, he is buried at Aspelund. their second child a son was named Helmer (see Helmer Dorseth), then a third child was born in 1898, Alma (see Lewis and Alma Ask) a third son was born in 1900, they named him Henry Adolph (see Henry and Viola Dorseth), their last child a daughter Mabel was born in 1902 (see Edgar and Mabel Skansgaard).
Anton “Tony” Dorseth
Anton "Tony" Dorseth was born on October 15, 1908 to John and Lovise "Lizzy" (Carlson) Dorseth. He grew up in Flom and attended school here. After his father’s death Tony remained living in the living quarters in the rear of John Dorseth Hardware Store. He later purchased a trailer home and put that just to the west of the Hardware Store, he remained here throughout his life. As a young man he operated the family farm and continued farming until his retirement in the early 1970’s. Besides farming, Tony also worked for Edgar Skansgaard during the winter months.
Tony was a lifelong member of Aspelund Lutheran Church. Throughout his life, Anton was an avid hunter, trapper, and very interested in world affairs and had a special knack for remembering dates.
Tony died on December 22, 1992 at the Americana Health care Center in Fargo. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Gregory Lee Dorseth
My name is Greg Dorsey… I was born on May 1, 1955 at the Mahnomen hospital, the first born and only son of Vernon and LaVonne (Hammer) Dorseth. A few days after I came into the world, my parents took me to my home in section 25 of Flom township. The first year of my life was a struggle as there were many trips to visit the Doctors in Minneapolis. This was done by Mom, Dad and I boarding the train in Waubun and riding to Minneapolis where my mother’s aunt would pick us up and take us to our destination, the University of Minnesota Hospital. I had various tests done until they finally diagnosed me with Down’s Syndrome.
The first of many battles in my life had just began. My parents had been told by the Dr. in Ada that I would not live to see my 7th birthday, that I should be placed in an institution and left there, forget you ever gave birth to this child. Those are hard words for parents to hear, or anyone for that matter.
My parents took me home and gave me the love and nurturing that all children deserve, whether handicapped or not. I was guided by them and I was able to excel beyond what the Drs predications were. I was probably one of the first, if not the first child born in Flom Township with Downs. My family and my community didn’t shun me, they accepted me and helped me to grow.
When I was three years old I became a big brother, a little sister Teryl Jo was born in March of 1958. I was excited about the baby and truly adored her. It was shortly before my second sister Jennifer Lynne was born in 1960, that I went to live in Cambridge, Mn. In 1962 another sister, Jolene Annette, joined our family, I now had 3 sisters to love me.
This was not an easy decision for my parents to make. They discussed it at lengths and it was decided to better my life and help me to achieve more that I should go to a facility where they would specialize in helping and raising a handicapped child. It as a devastating day for me and my family. I didn’t understand exactly what was happening. I couldn’t comprehend that this was my new home and that when Mom and Dad left, I wasn’t going with them. It took sometime for me to adjust to this new life, but once again I overcame another obstacle in my life.
One day, my dad was talking to Olaf Haugo, and Olaf told him about the new facility in Brainerd MN, where there daughter Marie was living. So dad checked into having me move there. He was told there was about a two year waiting list. Then one day, my dad met Burnett Bergeson, our State Representative, in Flom having coffee, he told Burnett about having to wait to have me moved closer to home. He said, "Go home and put everything on paper that you told me, and send it to my office in St Paul". Within 30 days, I moved to the brand new facility at Brainerd, after living in Cambridge for one year.This was closer for my family, they would have half the drive to come and see me. With my Dad being a Dairy Farmer, it was not always easy to have someone to do the chores, so they could make the trip to Brainerd. I lived here for about 7 years. While living in Brainerd I enjoyed picnics at Lum Park with my family and the special visits to Paul Bunyan Land where I enjoyed the rides.
Once again I moved, each time getting a little closer to "Home". I moved to Fergus Falls State Hospital which was only a hour and a half drive from my home. Here I adjusted once again to a new home. I was able to work in the wood shop which I really enjoyed. We made various items for people to purchase for their homes. I remained here until 1982, when I made my final move.
Polk County opened what were called Group Homes, with two of those being in Ada, Mn. This was a new trend to housing for the handicapped, and
once again I was paving the road for others. When they brought up the possibility of my moving here, my parents were all for it. I would only be 20 miles away. I would be out of the Institution Life Style and be in a real home. I moved into Ada into the group home that was next to the High School (before the flood of 97). Here I shared a room with another boy. There were about 8 people who lived here with me. We had group home parents who worked shifts so we were never alone. We called them "Our Mother’s" We had our own living room, kitchen, dining room, this was great. We had our own job responsibilities to do each day.
In my room I could hang pictures of my family, have my own television and keep my possessions with me. I love it here, the freedom was a totally new experience for me. Group Homes were a new idea which I feel has been a great move for anyone with a disability. Here we all carry on the daily activities of a regular family.
I go to the DAC each day during the week. Here we would do wood crafts and other various items that we would put up for sale. I also had a job where I worked at a store in Ada, sweeping the floors a couple days a week. I liked this because now I would have a little spending money of my own. I later
worked at Garberg Foods in Twin Valley. I would go there once a week and help to stock shelves, I looked forward to this day each week, Bruce and Teresa Garberg were very good to me.
My life has been good. I have gone beyond their expectations for me, I celebrated my 47th birthday on May 1st 2002, that was a milestone in it’s self. My life has been plagued with different illnesses and each time that a curve ball was thrown at me I overcame the affliction and went on. But now I am faced with a new obstacle, I have been diagnosed with pre-leukemia, this obstacle I will not be able to over come. I have enjoyed going home in the summers to the farm and riding on the tractor with dad, and on the bale wagons with my sisters. I liked to feed the baby calves and do other chores. Holiday's are special for my family and me, when we all get together at Mom & Dad's, then I get to visit with sister's and their families.
Dale Evans Rogers wrote a book "Angel Unaware". It was about her daughter who was also born with Down’s. She didn’t live to be very old, but she spoke about her being placed on this earth to fulfill a mission for God. When her mission was completed there would be a mansion waiting for her to return to, "come home to". In My Father's House there are many rooms, a room for everyone.
I feel that was what I was sent here to do. As I see my life drawing to a close I feel that I have completed my mission. I believe I was sent here to open the eyes and hearts of my family and community to paved the road for other Handicapped Children. It is because of their love that I have succeeded.
Kids born today with the same health problems as I have had are better educated. They are main streamed into the world around them, no longer hidden from sight.
I didn’t achieve my goals, my mission by myself. Sure, I was teased by others, and this hurt my feelings the same as anyone else would have felt. I was stared at because I was different, not the same as other people. But I was not hid in a closet, or left in an institution and forgotten about. I was loved, guided, and nurtured through life.
Yes I feel I have opened the eyes of those in my family and my community. And I can proudly say that "I have fulfilled my mission, I have succeeded."
Hans and Ronnag (Fossen) Dorseth
Hans Dotset was born on January 30, 1865 in Vestre Toten, Norway, near the town of Eina. In 1870 he along with his parents Andreas and Helene (Amlien) Dotset and his brother Andrew immigrated to America.
Ronnag Fossen was born on September 27, 1870, in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway to Anotin and Sigurd Fossen. In 1882 she together with her family immigrated to America, making their home in Flom township with a sister. She had one brother Ole and two sisters; Gurie (Braget) and Anna ( Jacobson).
Hans and Ronnag were married on January 14, 1892 and they settled in section 28 of Flom township. Here they farmed the land and were active in their community and church. And it was here that they raised their family. Their children were; Thea (see Alfred and Thea Rue), Florence (Leslie Miller), Lillian (George H. Johnson), Mabel R. (see Bennett Ommodt), Ella see (Harry B.and Ella Gunderson), Walter, Rudy, and Albert.
Walter and his wife Katherine lived here for a few years after they were married. He then took a job in Iowa where they lived until their deaths. They have one son Dale Dorseth who still resides there and they were proceeded in death by an infant daughter, Linda who was born and died on September 26, 1941 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Helmer Dorseth
Helmer M. Dorseth was born on August 20, 1896 to Andrew and Mathilda (Korsgaden) Dorseth in Flom township. He grew up in the Flom area where he was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom Mn. He attended rural schools here. He worked on his father's farm and later moved in with his sister Mabel Skansgaard and her husband Edgar in section 33 of Flom township. He lived with Mabel and Edgar for 33 years. He was a farm laborer and worked his later years for his brother in-law Edgar.
At the age of 9 Helmer started to go blind and by the age of 13 was totally blind. They believed that his blindness was caused by Whooping cough, he was able to finish his education before going totally blind. It was always fun to try and sneak into Mabel's house, but Helmer was quick to state it must be the Dorseth girls coming for a visit. Maybe it was the giggling of Terri, Jennifer and Jolene as we walked through the door trying to fool him.
Henry and Viola (Christensen) Dorseth
Henry Adolph was born on November 30, 1900 to Andrew and Mathilda Korsgaden Dorseth, in section 29 of Flom township. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church. He grew up and attended school at Woodland Nook, Dist 42. After completing his education he farmed with his father, Andrew, in section 29. Viola Leona Christensen was born on November 4, 1906 to Pete and Mary (Olsen) Christensen in Chicago, Ill. She came to the Ulen area when she was almost two years old. She attended school at Flom and Plentywood and attended church at Walworth Baptist Church. She received her GED in 1968. Henry and Viola were married on June 27, 1928 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. It was a double wedding, along with Henry’s sister Mabel and her husband Edgar Skansgaard. They honeymooned at Itasca State Park.
They came back to Flom and farmed in section 29. Henry farmed until his retirement, at which time his son Vernon took over the farming operation. Henry and Viola left the farm in 1963 and moved into Flom. Here Henry operated the Long Branch Bar (Morck’s Cafe) and they lived above the business. They later purchased a home on the west side of town in section 33, the former Marvin Thompson home (at one time the Woodland Nook School house). Henry loved to Hunt, Fish, Play cards and horse shoes. Many a summer evening were spent with family and friends gathering for a horse shoe tournament while they lived at the farm. Viola worked at the cafe in Flom for many years and loved to garden. She sold flowers and plants out of the old John Dorseth Store in Flom in the spring of the year for her daughter Gloria of Francis Greenhouse of Mahnomen. Her flower beds and the VFW flower beds were meticulously cared for by Viola every summer. Viola was also active in her community. She was a member of the VFW Post 3818 Auxiliary, Aspelund Ladies Aid, Flom Homemaker’s Club, Flom Senior Citizen’s Club, and was a past 4-H leader, Sunday school teacher and youth leader.
Henry operated the Long Branch until his death on October 12, 1970, at the age of 69 years. After his death Viola continued living in Flom and their son and daughter in-law; Vernon and LaVonne Dorseth took over the Long Branch. In 1994 Viola moved from her home in Flom to the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center in Twin Valley, Mn. In 1996 she moved to the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn, where she resided until her death on July 7, 1998.
Henry and Viola are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Henry and Viola were the parents of five children; Vernon Henry: see Vernon and LaVonne Dorseth,
DonnaMae: See Sanford and DonnaMae Albertson,
Gloria: See Roland and Gloria Francis,
Alden: See Alden and Shirley Dorseth
Linda: See Keith and Linda Axvig.
John A. and Lovise (Carlson) Dorseth
John A. Dorseth, who is engaged in the hardware, furniture and undertaking business at the village of Flom, in Norman county, was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, February 25, 1871, son of Andrew H. and Helen (Amlien) Dorseth, natives of Norway, the former born at Eina Vestre Toten, who came to this country in 1870, when they came up into this part of Minnesota, where the former is still living, one of the best-known pioneers of Norman County.
Upon coming up here into the Red River country in 1879, Andrew Dorseth homesteaded a quarter of a section of land on the northern edge of Becker county, adjoining Norman county, and there established his home, remaining there until 1886, in which year he moved over into Flom township, Norman county, and settled on a farm in section 29 of that township, where his wife died in July, 1910, and where he is still living. He is a member of the Lutheran (Synod) church, as was his wife, and their children were reared in that faith. There were four of these children, the subject of this sketch, the third in order of birth, having two brothers, Hans and Andrew, and a sister, Augusta.
John A. Dorseth was but eight years of age when his parents came up here into the Red River country and he grew to manhood on the home farm, thoroughly familiar with pioneer conditions in this section and received his schooling in the schools of Flom township. As a young man he became engaged in well-drilling and farming and after his marriage established his home on the old homestead quarter section at the edge of Becker county, which he still owns and where he made his home for seven years, or until in May 1903, when he left the farm and moved to the village of Flom, where he became engaged in the general hardware, furniture and undertaking business and has ever since been thus engaged, his establishment being one of the best-known places of business in that thriving village. Mr. Dorseth also has given considerable attention to the general business affairs of the village and has served as a member of the board of directors of the Farmers State Bank of Flom, for two terms as treasurer of the Flom Creamery Company and for three years as secretary of the same. He served for about six years as justice of the peace and is the present constable of Flom township.
Mr. and Mrs. Dorseth, the latter of whom, before her marriage, was Lovise "Lizzie" Carlson, have six children, Adolph, Hilda, Anton, Lawrence, Jonnette and Selma "Sally". The family are members of the Lutheran (Synod) church and take an interested part in church work.
John A. Dorseth was the first of the Dorseth children to be born in the United States, he was the first to be American born. Lovise "Lizzy" Carlson was born on June 10, 1885 to Aud and Sarah (Williams) Carlson, she also had a sister who lived in this area; Mrs. August Benson. Lizzy passed away on September 24, 1919. At this time it was left up to John to raise his family. They lived in the apartment behind the Hardware Store in Flom. John passed away on November 17, 1963. It was at his funeral that many people from the area learned of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. John and Lizzie are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Lawrence “Doc” Dorseth
Lawrence Dorseth was born on September 10, 1910 to John and Lovise “Lizzy” Dorseth at Flom, Mn. He grew up in the Flom area and attended school here. He answered the call to serve his country during World War II. After completing his military service he returned to the Flom area and later moved later to Scobey, Montana where he worked for area farmers. Doc was a patient at the Veteran’s Hospital in Wyoming for many years.
Lawrence married Edna Bjarko in Montana on April 2, 1949. Edna was born on January 23, 1922. They were the parents of five children; Larry, Linda, Kay, John and Jeannie.
Doc lived in Scobey Montana for a some years, before returning to the Flom area in the late 1960’s. When he returned he lived with his brother Anton in the living quarters of his father’s Hardware Store. Lawrence later returned to Scobey Montana where he resided until his death on March 12, 1997. Edna passed away on January 23, 1985.
Rudolph Dorseth
Rudy was born on March 23, 1903 on the family farm in Flom township. Here he grew up and attended country school. After his father's death he remained on the family farm, took over the farming operations.
He was active in the farming operation until 1977 when he retired and moved into the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn. He never married. He died on June 19, 1987 and is buried at Aspelund. After Rudy left the farm it was sold to Joe and Ione Tobin, it now belongs to Charles Henderson’s
Vernon and LaVonne (Hammer) Dorseth
I grew up on the Dorseth family farm in section 29 of Flom Township. I attended school at Flom and Woodland Nook. I was baptized at the Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom by Rev. Norby. I attended Sunday School, and was a member of the Luther League at Aspelund. I was confirmed by Rev. A.H. Amundson on November 14, 1943. I was also a member of the Boy Scout Troop at Flom of which Rev. Amundson was the Scout Master.
In 1939, I joined the Flom 4-H Club, Mrs. Martinus Flaten was our leader. The Flom 4-H Club had the honor of being the largest Club in Norman County at that time. While a member of the club, I won several trips to the Minnesota State Fair. I had the privilege of being on the Norman County Championship Dairy Judging team. I was also awarded the Holstein silver medal for being top individual of the show. Other members of the team were, Willis Eken and Dennis Forsell. We were coached by Oswald Dahlenbeck, the Norman County Agent. The team then went to the Minnesota State Fair, where we placed in the top ten teams in the state.
I graduated from Waubun High School in 1948. After graduation I stayed on the farm and helped my dad with the farming. He had a dairy herd so our farming centered mostly around cattle, hogs, chickens and some sheep. Much of the farming during the years that I grew up was done with horses. We kept 8 or 9 horses for field work. I shall never forget my experience learning to do field work with a two or four horse hitch. There were some experiences that I’ll never forget. One time when I was seeding grain along what is now Highway 113, a truck came by with a tarp loose and flapping in the wind. This scared the horses and they started to run away. I was able to get them stopped but by then, one horse had gotten his head under the neck yoke strap of the other horse and started backing up. I hung up the lines and ran around to the front and tried to unhook the strap. I couldn’t budge it, and by this time, he had torn his bridle off. Then a car stopped and a man came running to help me. It was Charles Thorson, and I was never so glad to see someone come to help. He had a good sharp pocket knife and was able to cut the strap freeing the horse. I had other harrowing experiences with horses, but that one was the worst one.
In February 1952, I got my greetings from Uncle Sam. It said you are here by ordered to report for active duty to the recruitment center in Fargo, ND for an assignment for basic training. Others who left Flom at the same time were; Gordon Olson who went with to Fort Riley and Arlo Thompson and Eugene Albertson, they were assigned to the Marine Corps. The rest of us, Virgil Miller, Junior Albertson, Gordon Olson and myself went to Fort Sheridan, Il, where we received our uniforms and medical shots with the so-called "square needle". From there to Fort Riley, Ks for 16 weeks of Basic Training, then on to Camp Kilmore, NJ, where Junior and I were shipped out by boat for Germany. Gordon Olson went to Fort Benning Ga-Airbourne. It was here that Junior and I were separated, I went to the 373rd Armored Infantry and Junior to the 4th Div. I don’t remember if Virgil went overseas or not. I spent 18 months in Germany, and in that time I was able to visit Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Luxemburg. On February 15, 1954, I returned to the good old USA. I received my discharge at Fort Sheridan and boarded a train to Minneapolis, then a bus to Fargo, and by car home.
LaVonne Lue Hammer was born on November 21, 1935 to Edwin and Lucille (Fabre) Hammer. She was born at Twin Valley, Mn where her parents resided. LaVonne was baptized at the United Church of Christ church in Waubun, Mn in 1936 by Rev. C.L. Fields and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn by Rev. A.C. Odden. LaVonne was a member of the Luther League and church choir at Zion. She attended school in Twin Valley, Mn up until her sophomore year when her family moved to Crookston, Mn. After her father Edwin’s death the family returned to Twin Valley where she graduated from High School in 1953.
On June 20, 1954 Vernon and LaVonne were married at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. They lived in Moorhead for the first year of their marriage at which time Vernon was employed by Cass Clay Creamery and then at Dutch Maid Dairy. LaVonne worked for Bell Telephone Company.
In the spring of 1955 we moved back to Flom, renting a farm in section 25 of Flom township. Two years later, we purchased the farm from Henry and Helmer Dorseth. Our son Gregory, was born on May 1st, that year. In 1958, Teryl Jo (see Dale and Terri Thornton) joined our family. In 1960, our second girl, Jennifer Lynne was born ( see Mike and Jennifer Klemetson) and in 1962, our last daughter, Jolene Annette was born (see Jeff and Jolene Brevik).
I farmed with my dad until he retired from farming in 1965. He then took over the operation of the Long Branch Bar in Flom. He died on October 12, 1970. We then operated the Bar along with farming, until it was destroyed by fire on Palm Sunday, April 15, 1973. From 1980 to 1986, LaVonne managed the Flom Cafe and also did some catering service, besides helping on the farm. We were in the dairy farming business so there was ample work for all, even the girls learned to do field work and lots of chores between going to school, Sunday School, Church and 4-H. Dairying was good to us, we were able to build all the buildings on this farm. When we came here, there was just a small shed for a barn a and a very cold house. The highlight of our life was when we were able to build a new house in 1973. We contracted Swenson Bros. Of Flom for the job. They built us a nice cozy, warm house.
In 1963, Roy Boman, Dean Workman and I were given the highest award at the Crookston Winter Shows, as the Champion Adult Dairy Judging Team. IN 1968, LaVonne and I received the Norman County’s Honor as the Dairyman’s Award at the Crookston Winter Shows. In 1982, the Dorseth Farm was recognized as a Century Farm at the Minnesota State Fair by The Farmer magazine. We, along with other Century Farm families were recognized as Century Farm owners. The farm has now been in the family for 120 years.
Over the years I have had the privilege of serving 10 years on the Flom Creamery Board, and was President of the Board at the time of it’s merger with Cass Clay Creamery of Fargo, ND. I also served 9 years on the Cass Clay Creamery Board, and eighteen years on the Flom Township board. I have been a life long member of the Aspelund Lutheran Church, where my great grandfather, Andreas, was a charter member and helped plan and build the first Church. I have served on the Church Council several times and I also had the privilege of being a Sunday School Teacher. LaVonne was also a Sunday School Teacher and has held offices in the Aspelund Ladies Aid and for several years has been active in the Evening Group Bible Study where she has been the Bible Study leader for several years.
In 1980, LaVonne and Jennifer accompanied Mabel and Edgar Skansgaard to Norway, where they visited at the Mathias Dotsetsveen home and met several other cousins. The highlight of Mabel’s trip was to visit the home where her father, Andrew had been born. In 1983, LaVonne and I traveled to Norway and were guests of the Dotsetsveen home and visited the Dotset (Dorseth) farm in Eina, Vestre Toten. In 1998, we traveled again to Norway with Bob and Dorothy (Nysetvold) Hammer and again visited the Dotsetsveen’s and the Dorseth farm. We also traveled to Haltdalen, and visited the Nysetvold farm and several other points of interest. We joined a bus tour for the first 10 days and then rented a car driving from Trondheim to Oslo, visiting family and friends in-between.
James and Hilma (Hoseth) Dullum
James Dullum was born on August 26, 1897 in Flom township, Norman County, Mn to John and Helene Dullum. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. He grew up in the Flom area and later became active in farming in the Faith area. He also worked for the Faith Mill.
Hilma S. Hoseth was born to the S.A. Hoseth's in Faith. James and Hilma were married on November 6, 1924 at the home of her parent's in Faith. In 1927 the Dullum's went back into the farming operation with Hilma's brother Sander. James and Hilma purchased their own farm in 1939 south of Faith, here they remained active in farming until their retirement in 1975 when they moved into Twin Valley.
James and Hilma were active members of St.Olaf Lutheran Church, active in the Luther League, choir, treasurer of the church and league, member of the school board and township supervisor. They had no children.
James passed away on April 28, 1986 at the age of 88 years, he had spent his last few years at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, Mn. He is buried at St. Olaf Lutheran Cemetery.
Martin and Mary (Morck) Dullum
Martin Dullum was born on September 9, 1891 to John and Helen (Mathiason) Dullum in Home Lakes township of Norman County, Mn.
Mary Morck was born on August 3, 1888 to Paul and Karen (Bakken) Morck at Hillsboro, North Dakota. Her family later moved to the Flom area where she attended school.
Martin and Mary were married on March 25, 1916. After their marriage the settled on a farm near Flom where they remained until 1928 when they moved to Home Lake township, where they purchased another farm. They retired in 1962 when they moved into Twin Valley, Mn.
Martin and Mary were the parents of six children; Paul, Roy, Richard, Milo, Bernice (Glawe) and Helen (Rude).
Martin passed away in 1964/1969. After his death Mary remained in their home until 1976 when she moved into the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley. Here she resided until her death on November 24, 1982 at the age of 92 years. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Olaf and Thelma (Ovaldson) Dullum
Thelma Mildred Ovaldson was born on September 20, 1909 to Martin and Emma (Fossen) Ovaldson, east of Twin Valley, Mn. Here she was raised and attended country schools. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Olaf was born February 20, 1908.
Olaf and Thelma were married on November 8, 1928 at Wild Rice. They lived on a farm until 1954 when they moved into town to make their home. Olaf then worked for the Norman County Minnesota Highway Department. Thelma was employed by the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home for 31 years of her life, only retiring three years before her death.
They were active members of Zion Lutheran Church, in Twin Valley. Here Thelma was active in the ALCW. She enjoyed spending time with people especially caring when working and visiting with the elderly, realizing how much they have to offer. Thelma was also a camera buff who took pictures of everything because she felt that every place and every moment was worth remembering.
Thelma passed away on June 29, 1988 at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn.
Olaf died April 23, 1989.
Olaf and Thelma were the parents of; Marlin, Orvis and Ellna Jane (Howard Knapp). They are both buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, Mn.
Paul and Deloris (Telehy) Dullum
Paul Johan Dullum was born to Martin and Maria Dullum on October 2, 1916 near Flom, Mn. He grew up and attended school in this area. He entered the United States Army on April 16, 1941. He was stationed in Europe and discharged on September 20, 1945.
Paul married Deloris Telehy in 1947 and they made their home in North Dakota, where Paul worked for Northwestern Bell. He moved to the
Minneapolis area where they lived for a few years before returning to Twin Valley, Mn. He made his home here until his death on November 17, 1990 at the Veteran’s Hospital in Fargo, ND. Paul is buried at the Twin Valley, Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Paul and Deloris were the parents of; Ann (Del Corley), Barbara (Kenneth Fried), Carmen (James Nitschke), and Darlene (Jerry Baggett).
Watson and Della (Hudson) Dunham
Watson N. Dunham was born on December 5, 1865 to Jesse and Francis Dunham in Hebron township, Nicollet county, Minnesota. After his father’s death he continued to arm and stayed in Nicollet county until 1903 when he together with Merrill Purrier purchased land in Clay county. In 1904 he married Della Hudson at Minneapolis, Mn and they came to the Ulen area to make their home.
In 1907 they joined the Walworth community when they moved to the Foster farm and in 1927 they moved to their present home.
In 1942 Watson went on a trip to the west coast, while on his way home he suffered a stroke in Burbank California. Watson passed away on December 22, 1942. Funeral services were held at Walworth Baptist Church, with interment at the church cemetery.
Watson and Della were the parents of; John, Harry, Donald, Mrs. Harold Baker, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Odin Jahr, Mrs. Jimmy Frank and Mrs. Palmer Tungesvick.
Erick M. Dyrdahl
Erick M. Dyrdahl, one of the pioneer residents of this section, passed away at the Anfin Vangen home in the township of Home Lake on January 16, 1916, at the age of nearly 80 years old.
He was born in Norway on June 22, 1836 and came to America in 1868 making his home first in Iowa. In 1883 he moved to Norman County and settled on a farm in Home Lake twp., where he had resided up until three years ago. Since then he has lived with Mr and Mrs Anfin Vangen of Home Lake twp. Besides his many friends he leaves to mourn him his two sons: John Erickson of Flom, and Martin Erickson of Fisher.
Funeral services were held at Immanuel Lutheran church, Flom and he is buried there.
Henry Olai Dyrdahl
Henry Olai Dyrdal, 57, Syre Mn, father of 10 children died early Friday in a Fargo, hospital from complications following gangrene which began in his leg from freezing his toe December 23, while working with a CWA highway construction crew near Syre, Mn. He was admitted to a Fargo Hospital January 22.
He was born in Goodhue county, Mn on November 5, 1876. He was active in farming here up to the time of his death.
He is survived by his wife and children being; Eleanor, Lillian, Donald, Henry, Irvin, Clifford, Josephine (Albertson), Arthur and Hazel. He had two brothers who survived him; Morris and Obert, sisters were; Laura (Bartholmue) and Elvina (Urdahl). He funeral was held at Syre Lutheran church with burial in the church cemetery.
John O. and Olena (Hogenson) Dyrdahl
Olena Hogenson was born in Grue Soler, Norway on March 13, 1837. When she was ten years old she came to the United States and first settled in Goodhue County, Mn. She married John O. Dyrdahl of Goodhue County, Mn in 1873. They stayed there until 1878 when they packed up their belongings and head for Norman county, taking up a homestead in what at that time was Wild Rice Township. The county was later divided differently so that the farm in now located in Flom twp.
John O. Dyrdahl passed away in Aug. 1913. He was one of Norman County’s pioneer settlers and was well known to almost every resident of this section of the county. He was engaged in the cattle buying business for a number of years. He had been ailing for about a year and was 63 years old at the time of his death. After his death Olen sold the farm and moved her family into Twin Valley, Mn. She lived here until her death in 1917.
They were the parents of twelve children of which eight were still living at the time of Olena’s death. They were: Mrs. John Erickson of Flom, H. O. Dyrdahl of ND, Mrs. H. Kragero, Elmer , Morris, Obert, Mrs. Selmer Urdahl and Miss Laura Dyrdahl all of Twin Valley. A son John proceeded them in death in 1909, see John Dyrdahl, Laura Christina and Almar are all buried along with Olena and John O. at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn. They may have lost a child while living in Goodhue county before coming here.
John (Johan) Adolph Dyrdahl, son of John O. and Olena (Hogenson) Dyrdahl, who live four miles east of Syre in Flom township, died Thursday (1909) last of heart troubles. The deceased had been ill some two or three weeks previous to his death and physicians had informed his parents that he could not possibly survive for any considerable length of time, hence the end was not unexpected. At his death the deceased was 29 years of age. Funeral services were held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn., where he was laid to rest.
Elmer Oscar Dyrdahl was born in Flom township on May 6, 1883 to John O and Olena (Hogenson) Dyrdahl. He grew up in this area, later moving into the Twin Valley where he resided until his death on august 23, 1922 at the age of 39 years. Funeral services were held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn where he was laid to rest in the church cemetery.
Maurice and Alma (Ramsey) Dyrdahl
Severt Maurice Dyrdahl was born in Flom on May 14, 1888. He was baptized on July 8, 1888 into the Christian faith. He was confirmed in the Lutheran church in 1903, by Rev. Dahle.
Maurice married Alma Caroline Ramsey in Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn on June 19, 1918.
He spent his whole life working in the Twin Valley area as a carpenter. They were members of Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn and Maurice had served as a honorary member of the Volunteer Firemen’s Benefit Association.
Maurice and Alma were the parents of; Julian, Genevieve (Carriveau), Mary Ann (McDougall), Olive (Albertson), Robert and Ruth (Hoien).
Andrew B. and Anna (Hagen) Eken
Our father's paternal grandparents, Martha and Peter (last name unknown) lived in Bergen Stift Sogn, Norway. They rented small farms in the area. Martha died at the age of 97 and Peter was 70 years old at the time of his death. They had two sons, Hans and Bottolf Bottolfson Eken, our grandfather.
Our father's maternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Engebret Nelson. They lived with their family on a small farm which they rented in Bergen Stift Sogn, Norway. They had eight children, one being Agatha Engebretson, who was our grandmother.
Agatha Engebretson and Bottolf Bottolfson Eken were married in Norway and lived there until 1861 when they moved with their family to America. The family left Norway in a small sailship and arrived in America some seven or eight weeks later. There were five children. The family first settled in Wisconsin. Their home was surrounded by a tribe of Indians but they did them no harm.
In 1864 the family arrived in Goodhue County, Minnesota. This trip took about three weeks by oxen.
Our dad, Andrew B. Eken, was born December 29, 1857 and died October 21, 1933. He often told about how as a young lad he hauled threshed wheat by wagon to Red Wing, Minnesota, to the elevator or mill and the dangers of being robbed on the return journey.
About 1884 or 1885 Mr. and Mrs. Bottolf Bottolfson Eken and their four sons. Albert, Andrew, Ole and Peter, moved to Twin Valley, Minnesota where they bought land.
Our mother, Anna Hagen, was born in Telemark, Norway, on March 12, 1867 and came to America with her parents, Anders and Bergit Hagen, in 1886. They settled on a farm in Grant County, Minnesota. On November 1, 1888, Anna went to Twin Valley to stay with her oldest brother, Torstein Hagen, who was teaching parochial school there. She went to work for Bottolf Bottoltson Eken, where she met our father and they were married on September 21, 1889. They bought some land m Flom Township and built a home, and farmed until moving into Twin Valley in April, 1909.
There were ten children born to Andrew and Anna Eken: Bernard Alfred Eken, born September 1890 and died September 1891.
Anna Eken, born April 13, 1892 who died April 13, 1892. Alfred Eken born June 15, 1894, who was killed in a train accident in Hammond, Indiana, on January 20, 1923. He married Anne Van Pelt, and they had two children, Leonard Andrew, born March 21, 1920, who died December 19, 1940, and Alfred Ray, Jr., born May 5, 1921.
Bernard Eken, born December 30, 1895 and died February 19, 1960. He married Hazel Hoekstra on February 28, 1927, and they had four children—Willis Ray who is presently (1975) serving his second term as State Representative, Marjorie (Mrs. Ray Dahl) and two sons who died in infancy.
Alma Eken, born December 4, 1898 and died December 11, 1898. She was the first person buried in the old Bethlehem (East Wild Rice) Cemetery.
Bertha Eken, born November 9, 1900 and died April 13, 1921.
Minnie Sophie Rinerson, born February 21, 1902. She married Herbert Rinerson in 1927. He died on January 23, 1937. They had five children—Betty (Mrs. Robert Paulson), LaVonne (Mrs. Otto Olsgaard), Heloise (Mrs. Bernard Evenson), Donna (Mrs. Archie Olson) and Lochiel. Minnie Rinerson is now a resident of Bethany Nursing Home in Fargo, North Dakota.
Leonard Arthur Eken, born March 19, 1904 and died March 19, 1973. He never married.
Hannah Josephine Morgan, born February 6, 1906. She married Willard Morgan on November 27, 1935, Rev. Torstein Hagen, uncle of the bride performing the ceremony. They had one son Jerry. Hannah lives in Portland, Oregon. Constance Bertine Ferch, born May 17 1907. She married Ira Ferch on September 21 1934 which would have been her parents' 45th anniversary. They had two daughters, JoAnn (Mrs. Ron Dimmer) and Jean (Mrs. Art Flemmer). Connie lives in Fargo, North Dakota.
Minnie Eken Rinerson tells of one frightening experience when she was about 5 or 6 years old. Her father had gone to town, some 7 miles away, this particular Sunday afternoon. There was a knock at the back door. It was a man, begging for food. Her mother prepared a sandwich and handed it to the man standing on the porch and proceeded to hook the screen door. The man became a bit irate at not being allowed to come into the house to eat his lunch. Mrs. Eken and her children left the house by way of the front door and started down the road to the neighbors. They had not gone far when she realized that Connie, the baby, was sleeping in the bedroom. One of the older boys went back and rescued her.
Lars Kopstad, though not a blood relative, was considered one of the Eken family. He was born in Norway on March 6, 1885 and died at the Ada Hospital on March 17, 1960. He came to America at the age of twenty-one years and worked on farms in the Flom-Fossum area. He later worked at a harness shop in Twin Valley, and then opened his own shoe repair and harness shop. Many residents in and around the Twin Valley area will no doubt remember getting their shoes sewed up for a nickel or a dime by Lars.
By Mrs. Minnie Rlnerson and Mrs. Hannah Morgan
Leonard Eken
Leonard Arthur Eken was born on March 19, 1904 on a farm in Flom township, to Andrew and Anna Eken. He was baptized in the old Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and confirmed in the United Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, MN. He attended elementary schools here and two years at a Seminary in Red Wing, Mn. He never married.
He spent several years in Chicago, Illinois, where he was employed at a Children’s Home, and the later years he lived in North Dakota and California. He worked with youth in different churches and was also a baker by trade.
Leonard was busy making preparations for his birthday at Atascadero, Calif, when he suddenly died of an apparent heart attack at the age of 69 on March 19, 1973. Interment was at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, Mn.
Christian and Mathea (Vangen) Engebretson
Christian Engebretson was born in 1860. Mathea Ericksdatter Vangen was born in 1858 and baptized June 13, 1858 in Oier, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway to Erik Andersen b.1804 and Maren Kristiansdatter b.1823. In the 1865 census of Norway they lived on the Hujordsstuen Farm in Oier. He came to America in 1883 and lived in Wisconsin for 1 year before coming to the Flom area. They were married on April 3, 1885 in Ada, Minnesota.
They lived and farmed in Section 16 of Flom Township. They had no children of their own, but did take in a foster daughter that they raised, Ruth (Stolen), Mrs. Oscar Skansgaard.
They were members of Immanuel Church for a few years and then were received into membership at Bethlehem Church in 1885. In 1923, their membership was transferred to Wild Rice Lutheran Church. At the time of Christian’s death, a sum of money was left for the church, when it was rebuilt in 1932, his wife used that money to buy the beautiful altar that adorns the church today. He was a very kind, considerate and generous man. Christian died in 1930 and Mathea died in 1940.
Iver K. and Ada L. (Peterson) Engebretson
Iver Kenneth Ingebretson was born on June 26, 1890 in Nicollet County, Mn the son of Knute and Oline Engebretson. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith and confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn., on November 26, 1904. He grew up on the family farm and attended rural schools in the area.
Ada Peterson was born on August 27, 1896 to Peter and Helene Peterson, at Forest Lake Iowa. They came to the Atlanta township area where they resided just south of the Atlanta Lutheran Church. Here she grew to womanhood and attended rural schools.
Iver and Ada were married on June 22, 1916 in the Atlanta Lutheran Church. After their marriage they farmed in Lake Park and also in Flom township in section 34 and in the Ulen area for 49 years. In 1965 they retired from farming they moved to Twin Valley, Mn., in 1968.
In 1966 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at Aspelund Lutheran Church. They were the parents of one son Kenneth.
Iver passed away on March 10, 1971 and Ada passed away on June 19, 1978. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
The Edward E. Engen Family
Edward Engen came to the United States from Norway in the early 1860's. Shortly after he arrived in America, he had the good fortune to hear Abraham Lincoln give a street speech in Chicago during one of his political campaigns. He stated that he scarcely understood a word but that he enjoyed it anyway.
Later Mr. Engen came to Minnesota and after driving a team on the construction work for the first railway in the state (this was the Rollingstone Valley Railroad, from Winona to Rollingstone Valley in 1862) he found his way north to the Twin Valley area where he settled with his wife and household goods.
They settled in the valley east of Twin Valley. They were the first settlers. There were several squatters on land in the area but none had actually taken up residence. Several parties returned the following fall and winter and became neighbors of the Engen family,-among them being Martin Johnson, Soren Bergeson, Gilbert Haakenson, and Andrew Johnson.
There was also a small French settlement near the Engen homestead which consisted of three huts. One hut contained a number of tools and there was quite a tract of potatoes planted. Later some Frenchmen visited Mr. Engen and tried to sell him their property.
At first all of the Engen's neighbors were Indians. They developed the habit of coming to his house about three o'clock in the afternoon and staying all night. He finally broke them of that too friendly a habit.
In the fall Per Waller, John Homelvig, and Peter Helle arrived and became Mr. Engen's neighbors in what is now Flom Township. Joe Swenson, John Nysetvold and Einar Larson moved in shortly and the country begun to be settled.
1871 and 1872 were very dry years. No water ran in the Wild Rice River and everything suffered. 1873 was just the opposite. Everything was flooded. A Rev. Bjorge, pastor at Glyndon. Minnesota. told Mr. Engen that he and two companions traveled from Glyndon overland to Fisher's Landing through Crookston in a skiff without benefit of portage. The Indians said the Red River was fifty miles wide in places.
From that time on the country developed fast and wonderfully. Mr. Engen went to Saskatchewan, Canada, for the period of twenty five years to farm but came back about 1917 to purchase a home in which to retire.
(The above account was condensed from an article appearing in the Clay and Norman County History of 1918 by Turner and Semling Vol. 1) By Mrs. Gerald F. Olson
Alvin S. and Evelyn (Tobin) Erickson
Alvin was born on August 8, 1905 to John and Johanne Erickson in Home Lake township. He grew up on the family farm. He was baptized and confirmed in the Immanuel Lutheran church and attended rural school. He was apprenticed with a shoemaker at Shelly, Mn for six months.
Evelyn Tobin was born to Joseph Patrick Sr and Minnie (Ramsey) Tobin.
Alvin and Evelyn were married on February 26, 1938 at the Immanuel parsonage and they resided at Flom for five years. They spent 8 years in Twin Valley and 3 and one half years in Macintosh, Mn. They moved to Cloquet Mn, where they resided for 3 years, at which time the moved into Duluth, Mn, where they stayed for 3 more years. They moved to Fergus Falls, Mn where they resided for 7 years.
While they were in Flom, Alvin hauled mail on the Star Route for 5 years, farmed for several years and was a shoe repairman for 18 years. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran church all his life.
Alvin and Evelyn were the parents of six children; Alvin Jens, Thomas Joel, Marcia (George) Wendling, Arleen (Donald ) Fenske, Mary Ellen (Jerry) Johnson and Jacalyn Sue Erickson.
Alvin passed away on January 5, 1970, with services held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom. Interment at the church cemetery. After his death, Evelyn married Carl Gunderman and they reside in Fergus Falls, Mn.
Clarence and Alma (Hanson) Erickson
“Every member bring four logs six inches thick.” Thus was the beginning of the first church building of the Wild Rice Congregation.'The congregation had been organized July 20. 1873 in the three room log home of Andrew and Oline Hanson. Services were held in the Hanson home much of the time until the church was finished. Pastor K. K. Bjorge had come from Lake Park. Minnesota, to preach in the morning. At the organizational meeting in the afternoon Pastor Bjorge was called to be the first pastor and nineteen families signed as the first members. He often walked from Lake Park and would stay for several days with the Hansons and other families while he performed his pastoral duties.
Andrew J. Hanson was among the very earliest pioneers who in 1872, settled in what is now Fossum township. He was born in Modom, Norway, and emigrated in 1869 with his parents, Hans and Lena Hanson, two brothers and one sister, Nels, Gulick and Johanna Hanson Arthur.
Andrew Hanson married Oline Marie Aamoth. She was born in Prestegjeld, Norway, and emigrated with her parents, Hans and Karen Aamoth, one sister and five brothers,
Agnes (Mrs. John Lein), Peter. Hans, Ingvold. Lars and Nels. The other members of the family were Alma (Mrs. Clarence Erickson), Annie (Mrs. Oscar Peterson), Ida (Mrs. Julius Lerud), Karen, George, Henry and Hans.
Andrew J. Hanson at first farmed, then moved to Flom where he was the first postmaster and mail driver, being appointed March 13, 1874, serving until March 21, 1877. He brought mail from Lake Park along with goods for the local store. For several years, until his health failed, he operated "A. J. Hanson and Co." in Faith. The following is a copy of an advertisement printed in the Twin Valley Times in 1897
A. J. HANSON AND CO. FAITH, MINNESOTA MANUFACTURERS OF THE BEST FLOUR IN NORMAN COUNTY AND CHEAPEST LUMBER MARKET
WE SELL CHEAP BECAUSE WE MANUFACTURE OUR OWN LUMBER ALSO DEALERS IN GENERAL MERCHANDISE WE DELIVER OUR FLOUR IN TWIN VALLEY ON SHORT NOTICE
Indians would come to the store bringing deer, and skunk skins, handmade articles as bags and beads which they exchanged for groceries, tobacco, etc. Often they would pitch their tents near by. At this time the United States Post Office was located in the Faith Store and Andrew Hanson was postmaster.
Andrew Hanson and his father-in-law, Hans P. Aamoth, had the first horse team in the area. Andrew Hanson, Pete Aamoth and Knute Larson owned and operated the first horse-power driven threshing machine in the area. The second steam threshing machine in Fossum was owned by Andrew Hanson.
After Hanson's death his wife. Oline, remained on the farm for a number of years.
She moved to Twin Valley where she made her home with her daughter, Alma, until her death in 1924.
Edward and Mary Louise (Elstad) Erickson were among the early pioneers in the Western part of Home Lake Township.
Edward Erickson was born in Ulsaker County, Norway, emigrating with his parents, Simon and Christina Erickson, and brothers and sisters Carl, Anne, Regina Anton, and Karen. Edward Erickson married Mary Louise Elstad who emigrated from Norway to Norman County with her parents, Lars and Karen Rees Elstad, and brothers and sisters, Hilda (Mrs. James Johnson), Thea Hanson, Mrs. Lena Gaines, Mrs. Maggie Bjerke, Ole Michael and Christian. Edward Erickson was a carpenter, cabinet maker, and farmer. The first frame school house in Home Lake Township was built by him for sixty dollars. This building was later moved along Highway 32 and is still in use as a home. When the Twin Valley Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was organized, Edward Erickson was elected "kirkesanger."
The family of Edward and Louise Erickson are: Sister Edwardine Erickson, Benjamin Weem, Clarence, Edwin, Selmer, Anna, Inga and Mina (Mrs. Fred Eads).
Clarence Erickson resided in Twin Valley and the vicinity all of his life as has his wife Alma. Their children are Lottie (Mrs. Irving Jahr); Jane (Mrs. Richard Coleman), Lyle Merriam, Edna (Mrs. R. Earl McDougall), and Alice (Mrs. Olaf Johnson).
Clarence Erickson was an industrious man of many talents always giving his best effort. He was a licensed engineer at the Durling Roller Mills, Assistant to Henry Vehle in the elevator, owner and operator of a steam threshing machine, house painter, owner of a dray line for several years and licensed engineer for Ottertail Power Co. Alma Erickson is giving of her talents, working with crafts at the Home. During her many years as a dedicated wife, mother and homemaker she diligently sewed for her family, raised and canned bushels of vegetables and fruits which she shared with relatives and friends. In her spare moments she crocheted and embroidered. She is a life member of Zion Lutheran Ladies Aid of which for many years she gave generously of her time and talents. She is also a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary.
Christopher and Tammy (Syverson) Erickson
Christopher Duane was born on February 16, 1968 to Duane and Ruth (Jacobson) Erickson in Detroit Lakes,Mn. He grew up on the family farm in section 8 of Walworth Twp, Becker County, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn He attended school and graduated from Ulen-Hitterdal in 1986. He then went to NDSU in 1997 where he attended classes. Chris came home and farmed with his father, later going on his own. Chris enjoys farming, fishing, coon hunting, deer hunting and ice fishing.
Tammy Lynn Syverson was born on October 15, 1966 at Moorhead, Mn to Arvin and Diane (Klevgaard) Syverson of rural Ulen, Mn. She is one of four daughters born to the Syverson’s. Tammy was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn. She attended school in Ulen-Hitterdal, Moorhead and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1985. Tammy attended Northwest Practical Nursing Program where she earned her LPN degree in 1994.
Chris and Tammy lived in rural Ulen 3 miles east and a half mile north before moving into Flom in 1989. They
purchase the home on the east side of town, known as the Liz Pederson home in. They stayed here until 1993 when
they moved into Ulen, living in Ruth Erickson’s home on the northwest side of town. In 1995 Chris and Tammy
purchased the homeplace from Chris’ father Duane.
Chris and Tammy are the parents of three children; Cody, CieGie and Carlie.
Cody was born on September 22, 1988, in Fargo, ND. He was baptized at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. He attends school in Ulen-Hitterdal, were he is active in baseball, basketball, football, choir and class president, beside helping his father on the farm.
CieGie was born on January 27, 1992 in Fargo, ND. She was baptized at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN. She attends school at Ulen-Hitterdal Elementary in Hitterdal. CieGie has been active in just for Kix dance in Hawley for five years, softball, swimming, basketball and volleyball.
Carlie Ann was born on December 21,1994 in Fargo, ND. She was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn. Carlie attends Ulen-Hitterdal Elementary in Hitterdal, Mn. Carlie has been active in Just for Kix Dance and Tee Ball at the Ulen Hitterdal Elementary in Hitterdal, Mn.
Harland and Anna (Hamernik) Erickson
Harland Erickson was born on July 7, 1921 to Cora Hanson (1883-1971) and Albert Leslie Erickson (1884-1950’s), eighteen miles north of Detroit Lakes, Mn. Harland was the youngest of four children born to Albert and Cora; Leslie Alice Erickson born Sept 9, 1914, Helen Isabell (Pfarr) August 4, 1916, Laura Ida (Rumberg) born Feb 21, 1924 and
Harland.
Anna Hamernik daughter of Frank and Aloise (Dvorak) Hamernik was born on February 8, 1922, on the family farm in section 9 of Walworth Twp., Becker County, Mn. Here she grew up and attended school. Anna was a life long member of Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom, Mn.
Harland and Anna were married on June 4, 1944 at the Walworth Baptist Church. This was the First Public Wedding performed at Walworth Baptist church. Harland had purchased a farm in 1943 in Section 8 of Walworth twp and it is here that Harland and Anna lived when they were first married for some 30 years.
They were the parents of one son; Duane born on January 27, 1946.
In 1974 Harland and Anna retired from farming, turning the farm over to their son Duane. They then moved to Florida were they continued to work through their retirement. In 1986 they came back to Minnesota and made their home on Cotton Lake near Rochert, Mn.
Harland and Anna were married 50 years, when Anna passed away on December 3, 1994, she is buried at the Walworth Baptist Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Harland remarried on May 27, 1995 to Helen (Stende) Oschner, and they reside in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Duane Leslie Erickson was born to Harland and Anna (Hamernik) Erickson on January 27, 1946. He was the only child of the Erickson’s. He grew up on the family farm in Section 8 of Walworth Twp. Becker County, Mn. Here he attended school in Ulen and Crookston, Mn. On February 4, 1967 Duane married Ruth Jacobson of rural Lake Park, Mn. Ruth was born on July 27, 1947, the oldest daughter of Wallace and Lorraine Jacobson.
Duane and Ruth had four sons, Christopher Duane: See Christopher and Tammy (Syverson) Erickson, Darin Wade, Chad Monroe and Eric Karl.
Darin Wade was born on November 11, 1969 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn. He attended school at Ulen-Hitterdal graduating in 1988. Darin married Jennifer (Dybsetter) Merit on March 11, 1995. Jennifer was born on January 28, 1969. They have two children; Jacob Merit (from Jennifer’s lst marriage) was born on March 2, 1993 and Ella born on August 21, 1996. Darin farms and attends night school and Jennifer is a LPN in Moorhead.
Chad Monroe was born on April 12, 1971 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. He was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN. He attended Ulen-Hitterdal school and graduated from there in 1989. Chad has one daughter Chelsie Marie Kollman born on June 4, 1990. Chad owns a Truck Line in Fargo, ND.
Eric Karl was born and died on February 7, 1980. Eric is buried at the Bethlehem North Cemetery, Ulen, MN
Duane and Ruth divorced in 1985. Duane continued living on the farm until 1995 when he sold it to his eldest son Chris. Duane married Barbara (Myhre) Christianson, on July 13, 1985. Duane and Barb continued living on the farm until he sold it to Chris, they then moved to the Fargo-Moorhead area where they lived until 2001 when they purchased the Livdahl home in Ulen where they reside now. Ruth Erickson married Kuldip Lumb of India on June 1, 1991.
Karl and Johanna (Dyrdahl) Erickson
Karl John Erickson was born at Washington Prairie, Iowa on September 19, 1869. He was baptized on October 15, 1869. His parents moved to Norman county and were members of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, until Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom was organized. Karl was confirmed at Wild Rice in 1884.
Johanna Dyrdahl was born to John and Oline Dyrdahl. (See John and Oline Dyrdahl)
Karl and Johanna were married on March 9, 1893. They lived in the Flom area and the last residence they lived at was 1/4 mile west of Flom. Mary Albertson lives there now. Lyle Sandals mother Lillie (Erickson) Sandal told of how she helped with the laths for back plastering the walls.
Karl and Johanna’s children were; Jens (James) Melvin Erickson. He was killed in action in World War I, in the Gesner France on October 1918.
Lillie Erickson Sandal (See Sivert and Lillie Sandal),
Lenora Erickson Thompson was born on August 30, 1899 and died on December 23, 1975. She is buried at Immanuel Cemetery.
Dell Erickson was born on April 28, 1897 and died on October 28, 1987, he is buried at Immanuel Cemetery.
Janette (Nettie) Erickson Thompson was born on January 5, 1902 and died on October 28, 1976, she is buried at Immanuel Cemetery.
Alvin Erickson was born on June 8, 1905 and died on January 5, 1970. He is buried at Immanuel Cemetery.
Josephine Erickson Thiel was born on July 7, 1910 and died on July 29, 1976, she is buried at the Ada, Cemetery.
Johnnie Erickson was born on April 29, 1912 and died on March 23, 1976. He is buried at Immanuel Cemetery.
Milton F. and Grace (Dahlgren) Erickson
Milton was born on September 1, 1909 in Duluth, Mn. He was orphaned as a child and moved to the Wild Rice Children’s Home in Flom township. Here he grew up and graduated from High School.
He then went to Concordia College in Moorhead, Mn where he graduated in 1933, with a bachelor’s degree.
Milton married Grace H. Dahlgren on March 27, 1935 in Fargo, ND. They lived in Fargo until moving in 1939 to Moorhead. He operated a Standard Oil service station in Fargo until 1958. He was the manager of the Concordia College Bookstore from 1963 until retiring in 1975.
Grace died in 1977 and after her death he became a resident at Bethany Homes in April of 1991. Milton died age the age of 82 (1991). Milton and Grace were the parents of ; D. Bruce and Jeanne (Paul Hoseth).
Rueben and Myrtle ( Thorson) Erickson
Rueben Erickson was born on August 22, 1909 at Twin Valley, Mn to Edwin and Hannah (Olson) Erickson. He attended Banner School near Flom.
Myrtle Thorson was born on February 23, 1905 in Flom, Mn to Thorvold and Johanne Thorson. Her mother died when she was quite young and her father raised all four daughters; Myrtle, Bennette, Valborg and Mildred. Myrtle grew up in Flom and it was here that she attended school and church. As a young girl she worked at Narum’s Store in Flom and later clerked at Hovden’s store in Twin Valley, Mn and then at Black’s store in Fargo, ND.
Rueben and Myrtle were married on October 12, 1940 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. They farmed southwest of Twin Valley until 1972 .
They purchased his parents' farm in 1943. They had no children.
Rueben had served on many local boards and also worked for the Agriculture Department on the county School board, and the Zion Church Board for many years. The last 10 years of his farming he worked for the Norman County Agricultural Department as an inspector. He retired in 1975, sold the farm and moved into Twin Valley. He served as sexton for Zion Lutheran Church, Cemetery, and worked restoring neglected cemeteries in Norman County for several years.
Myrtle was a member of Zion Lutheran Church Twin Valley, she was active in church activities and also in the ALCW.
Myrtle died on May 29, 1990 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fargo, ND. Interment was at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Ingebrigt Fredrikson and Ann (Olson Holum) Erie
Ingebrigt was born in Lærdels, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway on April 25, 1863 to Fredrik Ingebrigtsen b.1817 and Britha Thorsdatter b.1825. He was baptized on May 25, 1863. In the 1865 census of Norway, he was living on the Hunderi farm in Lærdals with his parents and these siblings. Britha Fredriksdatter b.1855, Kari Fredriksdatter b.1859, Martha Fredriksdatter b.1861 and Thorine Fredriksdatter b.1865. Another sister Anne Fredriksdatter was born in 1867. He left from Bergen, Norway for America when he was 27 years old on May 16, 1890. In 1890, he married Anna Olson Holum. They first lived in Spring Grove and then in South Dakota before coming to Norman County. They lived in Section 16 of Flom Township. They had no children. Ingebrigt died on July 29, 1936 and is buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery. Mrs. Erie died
Elvina (Ostenvik) Eukin
Elvina married a Mr. Eukin and they had a son born in early 1941. His name was probably Edward, Ella called him Eddie. Elvina became very ill with what they call "sleeping sickness" and died in October 1941 at the age of 25 years, leaving behind her 9 month old baby, her husband and her parents. She was so well thought of in the town where they lived that all the business closed because of her funeral that day.
This loss of so young and vibrant a daughter was a devastating blow to Ella and Matt and a shock to the rest of the family as well. She is buried in a cemetery in this area, but not at Aspelund.
William and Yvonne (Narum) Fischer
She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. She graduated from High School and then went to Concordia College in Moorhead, Mn for one year. She married William Fischer, on March 24, 1951 and they were the parents of one son; Wayne Ernest born on November 19, 1953. William passed away on May 19, 1994 and is buried in South Dakota. Yvonne works at a bank in Brookings South Dakota as a bank teller.
Christoffer and Margaret (Nilsdatter Oydegaard) Nelson Flaten
Christoffer N. Flaten was born Kristoffer Nilson on September 5, 1842, in Vang in Valdres, Norway, the son of Nils Kristofferson Berge and Beret Torsteinsdotter Kvam. The 1865 Norwegian Census shows him as a "tjenestedraeng" or servant on the Soijne Farm at Vang.
Kristoffer came to America in 1871 and settled in Goodhue County, Minnesota. He remained there until coming to Lake Park, Minnesota, in 1878. We can only guess that Christoffer (and his brother Tosten) took the Flaten name from the Flatene (Fladene) farm they were working on at the time they left Norway. Tosten spent several years in Ada, Minnesota, with his family but later moved to the Minneapolis area where most of his descendants now live. Christoffer and Tosten had five other siblings who, to the best of our knowledge, remained in Norway.
On June 4, 1878, Christoffer purchased 160 acres of Northern Pacific Railroad property in Section 29 of Flom Township in what was then Polk County for the sum of $700.
This is the portion of the Flaten/Olson farm which lay on the east side of the road. On July 30, 1978, Christoffer purchased an additional 80 acres of Northern Pacific Railroad property in Section 29 for the sum of $320. This would later become the Peter and Clara Flaten Johnson farm. Eleven years later, Christoffer homesteaded 160 acres in Section 30 of Flom Township.
This is the portion of the Flaten/Olson farm which lay on the west side of the road. The original deed for the homestead was obtained from the land office in Crookston, Minnesota, and was signed by President Benjamin Harrison on June 12, 1889. Those were the days when presidents had time to sign each and every land acquisition in the west, when cattle ran free on the plains; and the Indians from the east paid regular visits to farmers and trading posts.
Margaret Nelson was born Margrethe Nilsdotter Oydegaard on January 14, 1854, in Vang in Valdres, Norway, the daughter of Nils Olson Oydegaard and Margrete (Marit) Nilsdotter Dahl.
Margaret came to America with her parents and siblings in 1860 when she was six years old. They settled in Washington Prairie, Iowa. Following the death of Nils, Margaret and her four brothers came with their mother to Flom Township. Marit died on January 1, 1896, and is buried in the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery. Margaret's brothers included Ole E. Nelson, who had served in the Civil War for three years while living in Iowa, and came to Flom Township in 1878 where he purchased land in Section 28. He married Carrie E (Kari) Skeim in Iowa. In later years, Ole and Carrie lived in Moorhead, Minnesota, but still owned the farm. They eventually retired to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Their only child was Julia E. Nelson who later married Edward Riedasch; and they resided in Kent, Washington. Ole and Carrie are buried in the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery
A second brother of Margaret's was Nils E. Nelson who married Anna Kallerud Skofstad in Iowa. Nils and Annie Nelson came in 1875 to Flom Township and homesteaded the northwest quarter of Section 28 of Flom Township (later known as the Askegaard place). To the Nelson homestead, people came for their mail and groceries as there was a post office there. This was before the village of Flom existed. Anna (Annie) taught in country schools and walked for miles back and forth to school over very poor roads.. They had no children; however, Annie's niece, Josephine E. Skofstad, came to live with them in 1874 at the age of three. She would later marry Sam (Sven) J. Swenson. In 1886, Nils Styve came to live with Nils and Anna; it is not known whether he was related to them or just an orphan they adopted. Nils died in 1901, and Annie continued to operate the farm with the help of a hired man. She died in 1928. Annie was remembered as a kind lady who was always willing to help anyone in need. Nils and Annie were members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and are buried there, as is Nils Styve.
A third brother of Margaret Nelson Flaten's was Christian (Christ) Edgar Nelson who married Lillie Tovna. They lived for a time in Park River, North Dakota, where he was in business, before moving to Seattle, Washington, where many of their descendants now live. Their children were Mildred who married Ray Clough, Lillian Nelson and Dayton Nelson. They all lived in the Seattle area.
Margaret Nelson Flaten's other siblings included Helge who we assume died in Iowa prior to the family's move to Flom Township, Margrete and Ingebor, twins who died in Norway as infants, Ed (Evan) who died in 1886 and is buried in the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, and a baby girl who died as an infant in Norway.
Christoffer Flaten and Margaret Nelson were married in 1880 and settled in a log house in Section 29 of Flom Township where their four children were born. Nils Martinus Flaten, born in 1881, married Nora Christine Qualley and continued to operate the Flaten farm after Christoffer's death.
Emma Bertine Flaten, born in 1884, died in a diphtheria epidemic that swept the country in 1891; many families lost several children at the time. Emma is buried in the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery. Clara Maria Flaten, born in 1886, married Peter Lundgren Johnson; and they farmed in Section 29 of Flom Township. Inga Amelia Flaten was born in 1891 and married Nels J. Skauge of Fargo, North Dakota, where they lived until the time of their deaths. They are buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Fargo.
Submitted by Kathleen Olson Solseth
Martinus and Nora (Qualley) Flaten
Nils Martinus Flaten (known as Martinus) was born to Christoffer and Margaret Flaten on August 30, 1881, at his parents' log home in Section 29 of Flom Township. He and his sisters, Clara and Inga, were some of the first students at the Woodland Nook School, which was organized in 1883 and located across the road from the Flaten farm. Martinus was confirmed by Rev. J. R. Vaaler at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, and he attended Park Region Lutheran College at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and the North Dakota Agricultural College in Fargo. He later took over the family farm where he was a dairy and grain farmer and raised certified seed grain and potatoes. He was especially interested in certified grain. He was a member of the Crop Improvement Association and was named one of the Pioneer Seed Growers of Minnesota. Martinus was very active in civic affairs and was a long-time chairman of the Norman County ASC Committee and had served as chairman of the township board. Martinus passed away on January 23, 1958, after a short illness and is buried in the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Norah Christine Qualley (known as Nora) was born in a log home on her parents' farm near Hendrum, Minnesota. She was the oldest of the twelve children of Even and Emma Ingberg Qualley. She attended a country school, finished the eighth grade in Hendrum, and was confirmed at the Concordia Lutheran Church near Hendrum. She attended Moorhead Normal School in Moorhead, Minnesota and started teaching when she was 18, teaching three months in the fall and three months in the spring for $45 per month. She taught in several different schools, including McIntosh, Minnesota, her home school near Hendrum, and the Flom School where she came in the fall of 1913. Teaching was a difficult task in those days and included things like carrying water, starting fires in the wood stove, and fixing the kindling in the evening, which would usually be out by morning. Sometimes tramps would come during the night and burn up
the kindling. She worked for her board the first year she taught, getting up at 3:00 a.m. to make breakfast for the hired men. She would mix bread in the evening and then knead it in the morning so it was ready for the lady of the house to put in pans and bake. Sometimes there were as many as 40 students in grades one through eight in a single-room schoolhouse with just one teacher. Nora and her sister, Martha Qualley (later Martha Rude), taught together in Flom; one had grades one through four and the other grades five through eight. She had attended summer school and gone back to Moorhead Normal School for her second year, graduating in 1911. It was also while teaching in Flom that a handsome young farmer from west of town came to call.
One of her former students recalls that the kids liked to stay after school to spy on the evenings when Martinus came to call on the teacher. Nora taught in Flom for three years and then stayed at home one year before marrying Martinus Flaten in 1917.
Nora was a member of the Wild Rice Lutheran Church for over 70 years where she was active in the Ladies Aid, taught Sunday School for 40 years until the age of 85, and was also Sunday School superintendent for many years. She remembered walking to Ladies Aid and home again many times, a distance of 3 miles. They had church suppers in the early days when each one brought their chicken, lefse, buns and pies. She also remembered donating an eight-gallon can of peeled potatoes one year. Nora was also a member for many years of the Flom Happy Homemakers Club. Over the years, Nora made over 100 quilts and lap robes which were given to friends, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as many that went to Lutheran World Relief.
Nora helped to organize the Flom Flyers 4-H Club in 1928 at the Woodland Nook School. The Club met in homes, toured farms, and was very active in showing projects at the county fair, state fair, and also at the Crookston Farm Crop Show with livestock, home economics, music and talent plays. The Club used much of their money in the community by buying large stage curtains and also chairs for the Flom Community Hall. The cost of the curtains was $100 and the chairs $50. It was at a 4-H meeting that the discussion to build a community hall came about. Norman County Agent Landsverk was very active in getting people interested in this project. Nora was a 4-H leader for 35 years, and many remember her helping them with their 4-H records and getting projects ready at fair time.
Nora outlived all of her eleven brothers and sisters, her husband, her only child, and many friends her age and younger; but she continued to have a full life even into her last years. At the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley where she moved in 1984, she kept busy in the Activity Room helping to make quilts, etc., for several years. Even in her last years, as a resident of the nursing home, visitors always received a smile and a clasp of the hand, even when her hearing and eyesight were failing and conversation was sometimes difficult. On days when her hearing was better and conversation easier, even in her 100th year, her family was amazed at her clear mind which could still enjoy a funny story and remember details of the many, many people who had touched her life. On November 24, 1988, two months past her 100th birthday, the Lord took her
Home on Thanksgiving Day. Nora is buried in the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Martinus and Nora were married at Hendrum, Minnesota, on June 20, 1917, and made their home west of Flom on the farm where Martinus had been born and raised. They were honored as the Norman County Farmer and Homemaker of the Year at the Crookston Winter Shows in 1942.
Martinus and Nora had only one child, Irene Margaret; however, the Flatens opened their home to several foster children as well. In January 1944, Shirley Ann and Darlene Beverly Austad came to make their home with the Flatens and stayed until graduation from Twin Valley High School. Shirley later married Vernon Eklund of Twin Valley, and they made their home in the Minneapolis area. Currently, they are retired and live near Aitkin, Minnesota.. They have three children, Devon, Kimberly, and Jeffrey (now deceased). Darlene married Ernest Visto of Oakes, North Dakota; and they made their home in Christine, North Dakota, where Darlene still resides. They have two children, Darla and Connie.
Submitted by Kathleen Olson Solseth
Lars Kristoffersen and Inge Marie (Olsdatter) Larson Flesvik
Lars Kristoffersen Flesvik was born June 16, 1816. His parents were Kristoffer Tostensen Bjørnstadt and Margrethe Sorensdatter Aarnes. Inge Marie Olsdatter Bjørtomte was born November 3, 1823. Her parents were Ole Eriksen Bjørtomte and Ragnild Andersdatter Torset.
They were both born in Feiring, Akershus; Lars on the Bjørnstadt farm.
Lars and Marie were married November 18, 1847 in the Feiring Parish and came to the US on the ship Bark Olaf, on April 12, 1868. All of the children, except Olava, came with them. Olava immigrated to the US in 1872.
Children of Lars and Inge Marie:
Anne Magrethe Larson was born March 18, 1848, Feiring, Akershus. She married Hans Gunilius Nelson on February 20, 1873 in Winneshiek, IA. Anne died on April 3, 1915 in Twin Valley, MN.
Olava Larson was born January 27, 1851, Feiring, Akershus. She married Ole Melaas on June 26, 1874 at the Washington Prairie Church, Winneshiek, IA. Olava died on September 24, 1940 in Ulen, Becker Co, MN.
Karen Evina Larson was born June 19, 1854, Feiring, Akershus. She married Enoch Tobias Berkland on November 13, 1871, Washington Prairie Church, Winneshiek, IA. Karen died on April 4, 1940 in Norman County.
Ragnild Marie Larson was born January 7, 1857, Feiring, Akershus and died Jan 27, 1862, Feiring, Akershus.
Ida Jørgine Larson was born July 25, 1859, Feiring, Akershus and died on March 26, 1935 in Crookston, MN.
Christian Nikolai Larson was born October 13, 1862, Feiring, Akershus. He married Gunhild Olson Bergetangen on December 6, 1887 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. Christian died on March 14, 1940 in Great Falls, MT and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church
Cemetery (see separate article on Christian Nikolai Larson and Gunhild Olson Bergetangen).
Ole Ragnvald Larson was born August 10, 1867, Feiring, Akershus and died before 1870 in Winneshiek County, IA.
Regina Marie Larson was born June 16, 1870, Winneshiek Co. IA and died September 22, 1893 in Norman Co.
Lars died December 29, 1893 and Inge Marie died March 9, 1907. Both Lars and Inge Marie died in Norman County and are buried at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Mathias and Ronnag (Ulland) Flifleth
Mathias was born 1842 in Faaberg, Oppland, Norway.
Ronnag Ulland was born on Nov. 6th, 1844 to Peter and Bertha Ulland in Faaberg, Gulbrandsdalen, Norway. She immigrated to America in 1872, coming to Zumbrota, Goodhue county where she was united in marriage to Mathias on January, 1876.
They came to Norman County in 1878, making their home at the Andrew Hanson place, now a part of the farm that was owned by the Wild Rice Children’s Home. They later moved to their farm in Flom Township, one mile east of Fossum.
To this union six children were born;
George and Peter were a set of twins born near Zumbrota, Mn in 1877. They came with their parents to the Flom area when they were one year old. They took over the family farm where they lived until their deaths. George died in 1960 and Peter died on April 28th, 1946. Neither of them ever married. They are buried at Wild Rice, rural Twin Valley. Bernhard was born in 1879 and died 1888. He is buried at Wild Rice, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
The Flifleth's had one infant who was born in 1881, who died after birth. No name is recorded, the child is said to be buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Anton was born in 1883 in Flom Township he died in 1947 at Fergus Falls, Mn where he had resided for a number of years. He never married and is buried at Wild Rice, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Bertha married Noldus Nelson and they lived in the Grygla, Mn., area.
Josephine Flifleth was born in 1886 in Flom Township on a farm near Fossum, Mn. She lived her life on the family farm where she cared for her elderly parents and helped her brothers Peter and George with the farm work. She was also the organist at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn for many years. Josie never married. She died in 1973 and is buried at Wild Rice.
Mathias died on Oct. 23, 1925 and Ronnog died on Oct. 23, 1931, they are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Anthony Flom
Anthony Flom was born in Flom township on September 7, 1890 to Elling and Oliana (Olson) Flom. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He attended the rural schools in the area. He lived all of his life with the exception of two or three years when he went to Hingham, Mt and homesteaded. He returned to Flom and live his life here. He served his country during WW I He was first examined in February , 1918 but failed to pass at that time. He entered the service on October 14, 1918, at Vancouver Barracks. He was discharged on December 20, 1918,and is a Veteran of that War. He never married.
Anthony was a past chairman and active member of the town board for 30 years, an active member of the American Legion for 42 years and a member of Nesseth-Lien Post since it was organized, township chairman, a member of the ASC committee for many years, and a member of the board of trustees of the Wild Rice church for many years.
He died in 1960
Burton Flom
Burton Flom was born on November 25, 1899 to Elling and Oliane (Ellingstuen) Flom, on the family farm in Flom township. Here he was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church and attended school in the area. He grew to manhood in the Flom community taking an active part in community affairs and was the principal member of the family in caring for his invalid mother for so many years.
Following his mother's death he attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, Mn, training as a automobile body repair man, which became his life work.
In 1941 he left for Portland Oregon, where he resided for seven years and was employed in the auto body repair business, as a specialist. He returned to Minnesota in 1948 at which time he became associated with Larry's Auto Body and Repair Shop of Fargo, ND, and later of Moorhead, Mn. He worked there until due to ill health he was unable to work any longer.
Burton was a kindly and considerate person, a devoted son to his parents, a loving brother, concerned with the welfare of all with whom he came in contact, and regular in church membership and attendance. He passed away at St. Luke's Hospital in Fargo, ND on July 5, 1957. His funeral was held at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. No records indicated his burial.
Clarence Flom
Clarence was born on December 8, 1897 near Flom to Erick and Anna (Nelson) Flom. He was born and lived in the Flom area all his life. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn., and was a life member of that congregation. Here he attended school and later engaged in farming.
He was active in farming along with his sister Ella (Adolph Ruud). In the mid 1950’s Clarence and his sister moved off the farm and into Twin Valley, Mn where he resided at the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center until the early 1980’s when he became a resident of the Nursing Home. Here he lived until his death on October 28, 1987 at the age of 89. Funeral services were held at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn with interment in the church cemetery. (he is in a unmarked grave).
Edwin and Rose (Olson) Flom
Edwin Flom was born in 1893 to Elling and Oliana (Olson) Flom. He grew up in Flom twp, he entered the military in 1918. He first went to Camp Dodge, Camp Mills, he served as a Pvt. Supply Company 337 F.A. 88th Division. He left the United States on August 18, 1918 to served his country and arrived back in January, 1919. His military service ended in February , 1919 when he was discharged.
Rose E. Olson was born on May 13, 1894 at Tracy, Mn to Gust and Amanda Olson. She was baptized, confirmed and attended elementary schools there. They came to the Flom area in 1917. Here they settled on a farm in section 21 of Flom township, directly north of the Flom farm. It was here that she met and married Edwin Flom in 1932 at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. They lived in section 21 of Flom Township, along Hwy 113. The home still stands but hasn't been occupied for years. It is now owned by Kenneth Holum.
Rose was a member of the Wild Rice church for many years, she was also active in the ALCW there. She was a member to the American Legion Auxiliary, and past treasurer of the Flom School Board, a position she held for several years.
They were the parents of one son: Phillip
Edwin passed away on February 25, 1938 and Rose passed away on May 22, 1971, both are buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Elling H. and Oliane (Ellingstuen) Flom
Elling H. Flom was born in Winnesheik county, Iowa on September 15, 1858. Together with his parents he moved to Norman county in 1874. He had two brothers; Simon and Erick and one sister: Martha (John Homelvig). He was a pioneer of Norman county and was one of the organizers of Flom township, where he served as supervisor for a number of years, and in 1880 was elected treasurer of Flom twp., which office he held for 30 years in succession. He also served as a member of the school board for many years and other offices of public trust. He was a active member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, practically all the time since that congregation was formed.
Oliana was born in 1863 in Norde, Fron, Gulbrandsdalen, Norway. She immigrated to American when she was 18 years old with her parents. She was a active member at her church Wild Rice, having served on the ladies aid for 54 years.
Elling married Oliane Ellingstuen on December 19, 1882 and they moved onto the farm, staying here until their deaths. To this union nine children were born, Olga, Alma (Marie Alma), Gunda (see Andrew and Gunda Uvaas), Mildred, Hans, Anthony, Edwin, Burton and Kenneth.
Elling was a highly respected member of the community, a kind and loving husband and father. He passed away at his home in Flom township on March 26, 1923, after suffering a heart trouble and bronchitis for a number of years. He is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Eric H. and Anna (Nelson) Flom
One of the progressive and enterprising farmer of Norman County is Eric H. Flom, the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Flom township, where he carries on general farming and dairying and who was one of the organizers of Norman County, was born in this county, June 4, 1860, a son of Hans and Margarita (Regsland) Flom both natives of Norway, from which they came to America after their marriage. Soon after they arrived on American soil, the father and mother came on out to Minnesota, and took a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in section 14, Flom township, about a mile and a half from the farm on which the subject of this sketch now lives. Both spent their lives of the home farm, which was sold after their deaths occurred. They were the parents of four children, namely: Martha, now residing in Dakota; Elling, living in section 20, Flom township; Eric H., the subject of this sketch; and Seamen, deceased.
Eric H. Flom received his early education in the schools of Norman County, although the educational advantages of his school days were nothing to compare with those that the children of the present enjoy, because the country was then new. Living under pioneer conditions on his father's farm, here he gained the hardihood, thrift and industry which were invaluable when he started to himself a short distance from the home place. For the first twelve years of his farming operations, he used oxen, and now he uses horses and draught animals. He has now one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land, all well improved with a good farm plant and under a high state of cultivation. The plant consists of excellent buildings, including a large barn and silo, which are absolutely indispensable to the progressive and enterprising farmer. His comfortable farm house is beautifully situated in a fine grove. here on his farm he carries on mixed farming and has some stock.
Mr. Flom was untied in marriage to Anna Nelson, who was born in Norway, and this marriage has resulted in the birth of the following children:
Hattie, Nora, Henry, Clarence and Ella. Mr. and Mrs. Flom are consistent and conscientious members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. The former helping to erect the church edifice which has since burned down. He has a share in the creamery at Flom, which enterprise is of great importance to him in the marketing of his dairy products.
Mr. Flom has always taken a deep interest in the social, civic, and moral progress of the community in which he has always lived. He helped to organize Norman County, and whenever any movement is stated locally for the community's betterment, it is assured of Mr. Flom's unstinted support and loyal-cooperation.
from the 1917 History of Clay and Norman Counties Minnesota
Gerhard Flom
Gerhard was born in 1907 to Gulak and Kari Flom in Flom Township. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended school at Sunny Hill country school. After he finished school Gerhard worked for Burnett Bergeson and later he became a custodian at the Minnesota State Capitol during the legislative sessions.
In his later years he worked for Phil Roger and Sherman Hoseth on their farms as a hired man. Gerhard enjoyed his retirement by traveling, he made three trips back to the "old country" Norway and one trip to the Holy Land. Gerhard died on March 13, 1993 and is buried at Aspelund. He never married.
Gulak (Gullick) and Kari Flom
Gulak was born in 1847 in Norway. Kari Flom was born in 1874 in the Flom Valley, in Norway. Her maiden name was also Flom. In Norway you take the name of the farm on which you live, having the same name doesn’t mean you are related, just from the same area.
Kari Flom was born in the Flom Valley in Norway, December 16, 1874. She was baptized and confirmed in the Flom Lutheran Church there and attended parochial schools there also.
Gulak and Kari were married in 1897 in Norway and shortly thereafter they ventured out on a new life together, in a new country. They first came to Syre, Mn where they settled for three years, after which they move to a farm one mile south of the Wild Rice church, this being where the parsonage used to be. They remained here and raised a family. Gerhard, Anna married William Erickson, Mabel married Virgil Lamberg, Agnes (see Elmer and Agnes Sandal), Ruth and Tina
Gulak passed away on February 12, 1930. After his death Kari moved to Red Wing, Mn where she lived wit her daughter. Kari died on October 8, 1973. They are both buried at Wild Rice.
Hans and Ida (Fjeld) Flom
Hans Flom was born in Norman county on February 10, 1890 to Randi and Simon Flom. He grew up on the family farm and later went to Montana where he and his brother-in-law were partners in a hardware and implement business. From there he entered the army and served during World War I. He was wounded in France and returned to his parents' farm in Flom township. Later he managed the shipping association in Syre and Gary, Mn. He also traveled for the Independent Silo Company.
On November 27, 1930 he was united in marriage to Ida Fjeld at Gary, Mn. They moved to the Bagley community in 1934 where he was connected with a shipping association. In 1937 they moved to a farm northwest of Bagley where they lived for eleven years, they moved into the town of Bagley in 1948 where they made their home since.
Hans died on February 19, 1958 from a coronary heart attack, his funeral was held at the First Lutheran church and internment was in the Bagley cemetery.
Hans M. and Anna (Gunderson) Flom
Hans M Flom was born at Flom on June 19,1883 to the Elling and Oliana Flom. He was baptized and confirmed (1899) at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended country school in the Flom area later going to college at Grand Forks, ND, from which he graduated. After graduation he taught district school for some time. He later went to South Dakota, where he homesteaded, which land he continued to own until his death. His brothers were; Anthony, Berton, Kenneth and Edwin. His sisters were; Alma, Mildred, Olga all who proceeded him in death and only surviving sister is Gunda (Andrew Uvaas).
Anne Helene Gunderson was born on August 15, 1883, in Strand township, the first daughter of Ole H. and Olivia Gunderson. She spent her childhood years on the farm near Gary, and attended elementary and parochial schools there. She was confirmed in the Gary Lutheran Church on January 1, 1899. She continued her education at Fertile, Crookston College , Moorhead Normal School and the University of North Dakota.
Hans and Anna Gunderson were married on July 23, 1935; they had no children. Just five years after they were married Hans was killed while working at the Cargilll Grain Company, where he was employed. After his death she stayed in Gary until 1942 when she moved back to live with her brother Henry who lived on the family farm.
Much of Anna's life was devoted to service within the church. She was a leader and member of the Luther League, a choir member for 15 years, taught Sunday School for 15 years, and parochial school for several terms. She was an active member of the Ladies Aid of which she served as president and librarian. She was the recipient of an award for her services rendered to Christian Education.
She was a public school teacher in North Dakota for 25 years, she also was active in the communities where she taught. She served as a leader for both boys and girls for 4-H clubs for many years. She received a citation from President Franklin D. Roosevelt for patriotic services rendered during World War II. Although she lived and served in many communities during her life, except for short terms of residence in Fargo, ND and Faith, SD most of her life has been spent in and around Gary.
He later commenced to buy grain and was engaged in that line of work for over twenty years, and came back to this area settling in the village of Gary, Mn. where he continued to be engaged in this line of work until just before his death.
On account of his honesty and efficiency he was entrusted with many duties in the way of public offices and trusts. He held public offices too numerous to mention, and was always ready and willing to do his part.
Anna passed away on December 31 at the age of 88 years, at the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center in Twin Valley, Mn. Funeral services were held at Gary Lutheran Church, Gary, Mn.
Henry B. and Mabel (Knutson) Flom
Henry B. Flom was born at Flom, Mn on June 15, 1895 to Erick and Hannah Flom. He grew up in the area where he attended school and grew into manhood. He married Mabel Knutson on May 4, 1929, at Ada, Mn and soon afterwards they moved to Clover Township, Clearwater county, Mn, where they were engaged in farming. They had no children. Henry died on October 28, 1962 at Bagley, Mn.
Kenneth V.R. Flom
Kenneth was born on August 24, 1906 to Elling and Oliana (Olson)Flom. He grew up in Flom township, he later entered the U.S. Navy during WW II. He married Grace Warne in St. Paul on July 19, 1941 and they resided in Detroit Lakes, Mn. He maintained a insurance office at Gary, Mn. He was active in the American Legion, having been a past 9th District Commander of the American Legion. He was also active in the Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post 40, and the Masonic Lodge and Order of the Eastern Star.
Kenneth died on March 15, 1961. He was the last survivor of his immediate family. He is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Lisa I. Flom
Lisa Isabelle Flom was born on November 24, 1891 to Simon and Randi (Skeim) Flom on the family farm in Flom township. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. She grew up on the family farm in section 12 of Flom township, here she attended rural schools. After completing her education she went to Moorhead State College. After which she taught in rural schools in Norman County and North Dakota. Lisa then went to Dakota Business College in Fargo. After completing her education there she moved to Los Angeles, California, where she was employed as a legal secretary for various law firms for over 40 years. She never married.
Lisa traveled extensively all over the world, and could translate four different languages. She did a lot of traveling as a hobby and served as a guide and director for excursions and group traveling. In her later years she came back to the area and entered the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home, in Twin Valley, Mn where she lived until her death on February 7, 1975. Lisa was the last surviving member of the Simon Flom family, she is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Marie Alma Flom
Marie Alma was born on December 4, 1884 , to Elling and Oiana (Olson) Flom. She was the oldest of the Flom children, and grew up in the Flom area where she attended school. She spent most of her life on the family farm. In 1930 Marie became stricken with rheumatism, and although she sought medical aid at several places, she was unable to get any permanent help and death finally came as the only relief for her.
Marie Alma aka Alma Marie died on February 4, 1923 at the home of her parents. Her funeral was held at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, where she was laid to rest.
Marie was a loving daughter and sister. She bore the sufferings of her long illness with patience. That she was loved by all who knew her was shown by the many tokens of love and affection that were shown her during her illness. She leaves a place in the hearts of relatives and friends which can never be filled. She remained on the family farm most of her life except for the few years that she lived in Amidon,ND , where she proved up a homestead.
Mildred T. Flom
Mildred Therese was born on March 16, 1903 to Elling and Oliana (Olson) Flom. She attended rural schools in the area and lived on the family farm most of her life, except for the months spent with her sister in Amidon, ND. On August 10, 1924 she passed away at the home of her sister after just a few months of illness. Mildred was a very kind and loving daughter and sister, she will leave a place in the hearts of relatives and friends which can never be filled. She is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Olga B. Flom
Olga Bertine Flom was born to Elling and Oliana (Olson) Flom on October 11, 1896 and lived on the home farm all her life with the exception of a few years while attending school and teaching school. Olga was a loving daughter and sister, she bore the suffering of her long illness with tuberculosis with patience and that she was loved by all who knew her was shown by the many tokens of love and affection that were sent to her during her illness. She passed away on November 13, 19922 at the home of her parents. She leaves a place in the heart of relatives and friends which never can be filled.
Funeral services were held at Wild Rice Lutheran church, rural Twin Valley, Mn where she was also laid to rest.
Simon and Randi (Skeim) Flom
Simon Flom was born to Hans E. and Margrett (Wigesland) Flom in Decorah, Ia. He came to the Flom area as a young man and settled in Flom township, where he lived for about forty years. He was among the first settler's of Norman County.
Randi Skeim was born in Aurland, Sogn, Norway on March 24, 1861 and came to America in 1884, settling in Norman County, Mn.
Simon and Randi were married on April 25, 1888, after their marriage they stayed in Flom township where they were occupied in the normal daily routines of farming. The settled in section 12 of Flom township, the land is currently owned by Mark Seeger.
Simon and Randi were the parents of eight children; Hans (baby), Hans (see Hans Flom), Lisa, Esther; see Bert and Esther Albertson, Mabel (Peter Kjilen), Freida (Alvin Baukol) , and Selma; (see William and Selma Christensen) and Ina.
Ina B.L. Flom was born in 1900 to Simon and Randi (Skeim) Flom at Flom, Mn. She never married and died on October 19, 1921,at the early age of 21 from polio. She is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Baby Hans Flom was born in 1889 and died in 1889, he is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Francis and Constance (Huseby) Fossen
Francis Fossen was born in 1904 to Ole and Marit (Lien) Fossen. He was baptized and confirmed in Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He attended rural school at Plentywood.
Constance Huseby was born to Ove and Charlotte (Nelson) Huseby in 1907. She attended rural school and graduated from Twin Valley High School. After high school, she attended Moorhead Normal School for one year and received her teaching certificate. She taught school before her marriage to Francis in 1930.
After their marriage Francis and Connie focused on their farming operation and raising their family. In the early 1940’s Connie went back to teaching in the Twin Valley area until her retirement in 1972. They first resided on his parents’ farm in Flom township, which they did for one year, then they moved to another farm in section 15 of Flom township. They resided here for seven years. They moved from Flom township to Home Lake township, where they resided for one year, before moving to Rockwell township in 1939, they remained here until Francis’ death in 1970. After Francis’ death Connie moved into Twin Valley and lived there until she moved to Grand Rapids, Mn, where she lived the last eight and one-half years of her life as a resident at a Nursing Home there. Francis served on the rural school board and township boards. He was a very talented violinist and a hunting and trapping enthusiast. Connie was a avid seamstress and also enjoyed crocheting and making quilts.
Francis died in 1970 and Constance died on September 12, 1995, they are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Francis and Connie were the parents of Harlem (Glenyce) , Alden "Buddy" (Mary) and LaVance (Boedigheimer).
Ole E. and Marit (Lien) Fossen
Ole was born in Nordre Fron, Oppland, Norway and left for America at the age of 17. He married Marit Lien who was the daughter of Ole P. and Embjar Lien in 1887. Marit was born in 1867 in Norway. She came to America when she was three years old. She was a midwife and delivered many babies in the neighborhood. They lived in Section 9 of Flom Township. The following children were born to them: Francis and Otto, Milla (Otto) Rogers and Emma (Martin) Ovaldson.
Marit died in 1946 and Ole died in 1944, both are buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Roland and Gloria (Dorseth) Francis
Gloria Charlene Dorseth was born to Henry and Viola (Christensen) Dorseth on August 4, 1934 at Ada, Mn, Norman County. She grew up in Flom township in section 29. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. She attended school at Woodland Nook until the 8th grade. Gloria then attended school, grades 9-12 at Twin Valley High School, where she graduated.
Roland Francis was born on October 2, 1930 to Harlow and Rose Francis at Gibbon, Mn. He was baptized at Gibbon, Mn and confirmed at Mahnomen, Mn. He received his education at Mahnomen, where he graduated from High School. After graduation he started farming.
Gloria and Roland were married on September 21, 1953 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Waubun, Mn. They settled down on their farm Northeast of Mahnomen, in section 31 of Chief township, in Mahnomen county where they still reside. They are member’s of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Mahnomen. Gloria is active in Catholic daughters of America and Roland is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Roland also enjoyed playing drums for the Athman’s Band.
Gloria and Roland are the parents to thirteen children; Keith, David, Loren, Scott, Roger, Linda, Kevin, Nancy, Todd, Anisa, Angie, Eric and Andy.
Keith Roland was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, in Mahnomen. He graduated from Mahnomen High School and then continued his education at Detroit Lakes Vo-Tech, Keith is a carpenter. Keith married Judy Guenther on April 12, 1975. They are the parents of six children. Jason, Tessi, Cory, Kyle, Brian and Adam. Jason and Anna Fish are the parents of one daughter; Charisma, they will be married on July 6, 2002. Keith and Judy live Northeast of Mahnomen, near the family farm.
David Wayne was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s, and graduated from Mahnomen HS. After graduating he attended Detroit Lakes Vo-Tech and is a carpenter. He married Elinor Anderson of Lengby, Mn on July 23, 1976. They are the parents of three children; Nicholas, Daniel and Anna. David and Ellie live in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Loren James was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s and he graduated from Mahnomen HS. He went to Brainerd, Mn where he received an education in Horticulture. Loren has two children from his first marriage; Christina who has four children and Jason who has one child. Loren married Dianne Gustofson on June 26, 1996, they live in Bagley, Mn., where Loren is self employed as a florist.
Scott Henry was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s, he graduated from Mahnomen HS. Scott married Mary Hoeschen of Waubun, Mn on July 15, 1978. They are the parents of two children; Sonja who is married to David Hansen (6-23-2001) and Sarah. Scott and Mary live in Detroit Lakes, Mn where Scott is employed as a carpenter.
Roger Allen was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s and graduated from Mahnomen HS. He married Peggy Winter of Waubun on October 11, 1980. Roger and Peggy are the parents of three children; Jeffrey, Tammy and Tyler. Roger and Peggy live in Mahnomen Mn where Roger is employed as a carpenter.
Linda Charlene was born on January 4, 1960. She was baptized and confirmed at St.Michael’s and graduated in 1978 from Mahnomen HS. Linda married Tim Benson on June 13, 1985 and they have two children; Jake and Josie. Linda works as a Florist and keeps busy taking care of her family. Linda and Steve live in Chicago, Il.
Kevin Dean was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s and graduated from Mahnomen HS. After graduation he attended Moorhead Vo-Tech where he received an education in Heating and Refrigeration. He married Jeri Jo Hegg on October 11, 1985. They have three children; Kevin James, Nichole and Kristi. Kevin and Jeri live in Bemidji, Mn.
Nancy Lynn was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s and graduated from Mahnomen HS. After graduation Nancy received a degree as a florist. She has a Sr. Degree FTD as Florist and works in the FM area as a florist. She married Luke Dewey of Mahnomen, Mn and they are the parents of three children; Chad, Alexa and Markus. Nancy and Luke live in Moorhead, Mn.
Todd Michael was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s, he graduated from Mahnomen HS. After
graduation he started working as a carpenter and landscaper. He married Sue Strand on March 11, 1989 and they are the parents of four children; Derrek, Ashley, Danielle and Nathan. Todd and Sue live in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Anisa Marie was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s and graduated from Mahnomen HS. After graduation she married Russell Jasken of Ogema, Mn., on October 3, 1987. They are the parents of four children; Brian, Eric, Ariel and Erin. Anisa and Russ live south of Ogema where Russ is active in farming. Anisa keeps busy as a housewife and mother, besides being a Pre-School Teacher.
Angie Kaye was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s, she graduated from Mahnomen HS. After graduation she entered the Army National Guard of which she is still active in. She married Steve Larson on July 10, 1992. Steve and his brother were tragically killed while they were working in a trench on the building site of Steve and Angie’s new home. The trench caved in on them and both perished. Steve is buried at Hendrum, Mn. Angie keeps busy raising her children; Cody, Taylor, Tony and Sylas, they live at Hendrum, Mn.
Eric John was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s and graduated from Mahnomen HS. He married Janis Starkey on March 28, 1992, they are the parents of two children; John and Kurtis. Eric is employed as a carpenter and landscaper. He and Janis live Northeast of Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Andrew Thomas was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s and graduated from Mahnomen HS. He married Christy Hemberger on December 18, 1999. Andy and Christy live southeast of Detroit Lakes,where he is employed as a carpenter and landscaper and Christy is a teacher.
David and Sharon (Sethney) Gerjets
David Gerjets was born to George and Mabel/Maybelle (Blomseth) Gerjets. George and Mabel lived in Ada, Mn. Where George operated the Ada Dray Line and Hotel, in Ada, which he did until 1972. George and Mabel were married on March 16, 1931 in Ada, Mn.
David was one of seven children born to George and Mabel. Those being; Victoria, Allen, Earlin, Rudolph, David, Doris (Virgil Busch), and Alva.
Sharon Lou Sethney was born to Lester and Marjoirie (Mesker) Sethney. Sharon grew up in Twin Valley, Minnesota. She attended school here and graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1956. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley. She had one brother Gerald Sethney and one sister Sonja (Arne Martinson). She married Mr. Evenson (divorced) and to this union four children were born; Nona, Kevin, Anita and Jeff.
David marrired Sharon (Sethney) Evenson on May 11, 1968. They lived the first five years of their marriage in Twin Valley, then they purchased the former Benny Buchholz farm site just southwest of the Aspelund Church, in Section 33 of Flom township. Here they raised Sharon’s children. All four were confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
David worked for Abbott Arne and Schwindt Construction. Sharon kept busy with being a housewife and mother. She loved to work in her yard and it showed her talents as the yard was always neat and orderly. Sharon loved to hunt, David and Sharon enjoyed coon hunting with their dogs, and they enjoyed fishing.
Sharon was active in her church, teaching Vacation Bible School, Sunday school, and was a active member of Aspelund Bible Study and ALCW. Sharon had a love for life, she was taken from this world early, but she put up a brave and courageous battle with the cancer that spread within her. On October 6, 1992, she lost her battle. She is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Hilbert A. and Alma (Johnson) Gravely
Hilbert Arnold Gravely was born to Lars and Helen (Haadtvedt) Gravely.
Alma Elizabeth Johnson was born on June 9, 1891 at Colfax, ND to John and Amanda (Ruud) Johnson. It was at Colfax that she grew up and was an active member of Richland Lutheran Church Young Ladies Aid.
Hilbert and Alma were married on February 5, 1924 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. They resided at Detroit Lakes and then moved to Leonard ND prior to their moving to Flom, Mn. Here they operated their business and made their home. The Johnson and Gravely business was located where to Co-op is today.
They were active in Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. Where he was active on the church board and she was active in the Ladies Aid, and they were active members of the Luther League.
Hilbert passed away on April 27, 1994 and Alma on March 4, 1947. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery. They had no children.
Olaf O. and Marie (Rue) Grefsrud
Olaf O. Grefsrud was born on December 23, 1993 to Mr and Mrs. Ole Grefsrud in Norway. He spent his youth in Norway and came to America as a young man. He first settled in North Dakota in the early 1900's. He then came to Norman County and here he purchased the one room school in Flom and started a Meat Market.
Marie Rue was born on April 8, 1887 to Per and Gunnhild (Gronlie) Rue in Iowa.
Olaf and Marie were married on December 7th, 1916 at Lake Park, Minnesota.
They were the parents of two sons. Palmer was born in 1917. Gordon J. was born on July 22nd, 1921 and died on July 30th, 1921. He is buried at Aspelund.
In 1920 they moved to a farm in Walworth Township where they farm.
On April 22, 1922 Marie passed away. Palmer was only four years old at the time. Olaf and Palmer then moved to Flom, Township.
Olaf returned to Norway in the fall of 1947 then came back within a years.
He died on September 15, 1961. Both Marie and Olaf are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery, Flom.
Palmer and Mildred (Jacobson) Grefsrud
Palmer was born September 30, 1917 to Olaf and Marie (Rue) Grefsrud in Flom Township. He grew up in the Flom area with his father on a farm and attended area schools. He married Mildred Jacobson on April 18, 1941 at the Wild Rice Parsonage, the settled on the home farm in Section 30 of Flom Township where they lived for 60 years. He was active in farming until his later years. Mildred was born to Nels and Clara (Kvidt) Jacobson of the Flom area.
Palmer and Mildred had three sons born to them. Sherwood lives by Davenport, ND,
Ronnie in West Fargo, ND
Myron lives in Moorhead.
Palmer passed away on September 18, 2001 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom. Mildred moved to Twin Valley and currently lives there.
Oscar and Minnie (Underdahl) Groslie
Minnie Underdahl was born on June 26, 1894, near Flom, Mn to Andrew and Dina Underdahl. She was raised and attended school in this community. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Oscar and Minnie were married on July 17, 1925 in the Wild Rice Parsonage. They made their home in Virginia, Mn for the first two years and then returned to Twin Valley, Mn, where they remained until 1958 when they moved into Ulen. After Oscar’s death on September 30, 1960 Minnie made her home with her two daughters until her death on January 3, 1986.
Minnie was a past member of the Flom-Twin Valley VFW Auxiliary, Post 3818.
They were the parents of two daughters; Charmaine (Orlean Jensen) and Fern (Leo Ashmore).
Funeral services for Minnie were held at Calvary Lutheran Church, Ulen, with interment at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley.
Irene (Lien) Gudding
Growing up in the Flom Community holds many special memories of life on the farm, attending grade school in Flom, studying for state board exams at the end of 8th grade. Then High school after that. Cleaning and raking the school yard on the last day of school was fun. This was all followed by bonfires, marshmallows and wiener roasts.
The days before television were fun. The whole family would help with the evening chores so we could get done on time to gather in the living room to listen to some of the radio program’s, such as Fibber McGee and Mollie, Jack Benny, Truth or Consequences, This IS Your Life and so on. Mom would pass out apples or oranges or popcorn balls which she sometimes made. Especially during the Holidays. Being together was really special!
I remember saving nickels which I kept in a little coin purse. This was money for ice cream cones! Mork’s Cafe had the "best tasting" old fashioned ice cream cones in the world! I remember the free movies at the Flom Outdoor Theater. We, kids sat on the ground on blankets with cousins, sisters and brothers. We enjoyed seeing movies about; Roy Rogers and his horse, Trigger, or Gene Autry Westerns and the East Side Kids and others. If we got chilly or the mosquito’s got too mean, we’d go to the car where the folks were and watched from there.
Sometimes after the movies there was a dance at the Flom Hall. I guess that’s where a lot of us kids learned to dance.
I remember Sunday School and Catechism and being part of the wonderful Christmas programs at Aspelund Lutheran Church. The one Christmas program that stands out most in my memory is when there was so much snow that all the country roads were blocked the night of the program. Dad hooked up the horses, Daisy and Dolly to grandpa’s sleigh and the folks tucked us all in the sleigh and covered us with blankets. There was jingle bells on the sleigh and a lantern for light. Then after the program, everyone was given Christmas treats which were brown bags filled with apples, peanuts and Christmas candy.
I was baptized in November 1934 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church by Rev. Amundson, and confirmed on June 27, 1948 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN. By Rev Einar Torgerson.
When I got married, I moved away from the Flom community and over the years since, have lived in St. Paul, MN; Mounds View, MN; Fargo ND; Clinton, IA; Olympia Wa; Lacey, WA; San Dimas, CA; Brooklyn Park, Mn and Moorhead, Mn where I live at the present time.
I have five girls and one son; Cheryl (Dave) Braton lives in Bismarck, ND. Their sons are Matthew (Shelley),
Michael (lives in Germany), and Sarah their daughter resides in Minneapolis, MN.
Theresa (John) Hoffman lives in Olympia, WA and has three children; Seth, Nathan and Bethany.
Jean (Stan) Walker lives in Moorhead, MN and has three children; James (Brookings SD), Steven and Jenny.
Denise (Steve) Warner lives in Rochester, WA and has three children; Bronze (has a baby due in early June of 2002), Hope and Olivia.
Mark and Mairead Gudding live in Oxford, Mi and will soon be relocating to Providence, RI for the fall school term of 2002. They have two daughters; Marina and Clio.
Kristen Syverson is the youngest and lives in Moorhead, Mn she is looking forward to buying a new home in 2002 in Fargo, ND.
I have lived in several different areas, but there’s no place that ca n take the place of growing up in the country and the Flom Community for special memories and I feel enriched in having been a part of it during my growing up years.
Adelia Belinda Gunderson
Adelia was born in 1895 to Henry and Beata Gunderson. She grew up in Flom township section 35, living her entire life on the family farm. After her parents died she and her brother Clarence continued living there. Adelia died on October 5, 1981 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Benhart and Sophia (Larson) Gunderson
Benhart was born July 6, 1891 to Henry and Bertha (Embretson) Gunderson of Flom. He had seven brothers: Edwin, Burton, Clarence, Perry, Herbert & Floyd and four sisters: Mrs. Henry Olmen, Adelia, Mabel (Rue) & Geneva (Jacobson)
Sophia Larson was born December 25, 1889 to Christian and Gunhild (Olson Bergetangen) Larson. She had four sisters: Mrs. John Saxvold, Ella (Nelson), Mrs. Raymond Bakke & Minnie (Campbell) and two brothers: Lawrence & Charles
Benhart married Sophia on August 5, 1915 at Ada, Minnesota.
They had a house built in Flom, which was purchased from Sears, Roebuck and Company.
Benhart was a Star Route Mail carrier for a few years, delivering mail from Syre, Minnesota to Flom.
Sophia was a professional seamstress, sewed her wedding gown and also for many others!
They farmed until they retired. They bought a house in Detroit Lakes and lived there for several years.
Three children were born to Sophia and Benhart, namely:
La Vern who was married to Ihlor Bjerke in 1939. They have two children, Darwin and Kathy. They also have three grandchildren, Pat, Ameria and Andy and two great-grandchildren named Arro and Cameron.
Vivei married Warren Strang in 1948.
Junior B. married Rose in 1971.
La Vern and Vivei wore their mother’s wedding gown at their own weddings.
Vivei and Junior served in World War II and Junior also served in the Korean War.
Benhart died July 28, 1974.
Sophia died October 30, 1975.
They are both buried at Aspelund Cemetery, rural Flom.
Blessed be their memories!
Charles and Mary Lou (Korzendorfer) Gunderson
Charles was born on February 11, 1928. He attended school at Waubun, Mn. He later moved to Virginia, Mn,
where he worked for the Iron Range, he is now retired. He married Mary Lou Korzendorfer on April 2, 1953.
They had two children; Timothy born on June 29, 1951 and Maxine born on October 28, 1953.
Clarence Gunderson
Clarence (Clancy) was born in 1899 to Henry and Beata (Embretson) Gunderson in Flom township. He grew up on the family farm where he resided his entire life. After his parents death, Clarence and his sister Adelia continued to live on the family farm. Clarence died on March 11, 1983 and is buried at Aspleund.
The farm is now owned by Gerald Lien.
Clifford and Laura (Menk) Gunderson
Clifford Gunderson as born on February 13, 1911 at Flom, Mn. He attended school in the Flom area and graduated from Waubun High School. He married Laura Menk on December 30, 1936, at Waubun, Mn. After their marriage they lived in Waubun, where he worked at the Post Office and was Post Master from 1945 until 1950. In 1950 the family moved to Hillsboro, North Dakota where he was co-owner of the Coast to Coast Hardware Store. In 1957 he sold his share of the Hardware store and opened Gundy’s TV and Radio Repair Shop, which he operated until his retirement in 1980.
Clifford and Laura were the parents of Robert and Allen.
Clifford passed away in 1982, funeral services were held at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, with burial at Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Edmond and Mary Ann (Knudson) Gunderson
Edmond Oliver was born on December 14, 1937. He attended school at Ulen, Mn and graduated in 1958. He went on to further his education at Interstate Business College, Fargo, ND and at NDSU in Fargo. He worked for First Bank of ND as Vice President of the Trust Department. Edmond married Mary Ann Knudson of Portland, ND on December 17, 1966. She attended school at Portland, ND and furthered her education at Concordia College. She works for Oak Grove Lutheran HS, in Fargo, ND. Edmond is now retired. Edmond and Mary Ann are the parents of two children. Heidi Coranda who was born on July 26, 1972. She graduated from Fargo North and went on to Pepperdine Univ. graduating on May 16, 1998. She is living in Malibu, California. Scott Edmond was born on September 22, 1974. He graduated from Fargo North. He went on to further his education at Concordia College and is now living in Kansas City, Kansas and is attending Medical School there. He married Nicole Trites on July 27, 2001.
Edsel and Lorraine (Haugen) Gunderson
Edsel Edmond was born on September 18, 1939. He attended school at Ulen, Mn and went on to Moorhead State University, in Moorhead, where he graduated with a degree in Accounting and Marketing. He worked as a manger of Branch Operations at Dakota Clinic, Fargo, ND. He married Lorraine Haugen of Moorhead, on July 1, 1961 at Moorhead, Mn. Lorraine worked for Merchants National Bank, Fargo, ND. They are now retired.
Edsel and Lorraine have two children; Larry Dean born on December 31, 1963. He attended school at Detroit Lakes, Mn and graduated from Moorhead State University. He is Director of Finance for a Medical Clinic in Minneapolis, Mn. He married Ann Margaret Stackpool on June 31, 1995. They have one daughter Amy who was born on December 21, 1996 and one son Nathan born on August 4, 2000.
Kimberly Dawn was born on March 27, 1967. She attended school at Detroit Lakes, Mn and went on to the U of M in Minneapolis, where she received a degree in Interior Design. She married Jeffrey Arsenault of Fridley,
Mn on June 1, 1992 in Detroit Lakes, Mn. Jeff was also a graduate of the U of M in Minneapolis. They have three children; Andrew Jeffrey born on May 8, 1994, Allison Nicole born on January 15, 1998 and Rachel Elizabeth born on December 5, 1999.
Emmett and Adeline (Solberg) Gunderson
Emmett was born on November 17, 1917. He attended school at Waubun, Mn and later moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn where he was employed as a carpenter. He is now retired and resides in Twin Valley, Mn. Emmett married Adeline Solberg. Adeline was born on March 13, 1922. They were married on February 7, 1942. They were the parents of Roger (November 12, 1943), Russell (June 27, 1947) and Harlan (February 24, 1956).
Harold and Ramona (Solberg) Gunderson
Harold Noel was born on July 14, 1926. He attended school at Waubun, Mn. He later moved to rural Glyndon, Mn and then to Detroit Lakes, Mn. He was employed as a carpenter. Harold "Noel" married Ramona Solberg on April 21, 1951. Ramona was born on April 1, 1930. They were the parents of Neal Andrew Miller who was born on February 21, 1962.
Harry Burton and Ella (Dorseth) Gunderson
Harry Burton Gunderson was born on July 1, 1887 to Henry and Beata (Embretson) Gunderson in Flom township, section 35.
Ella Dorseth was born on June 12, 1895 to Hans and Ronnaug (Fossen) Dorseth, near Flom in section 28 of Flom Township.
H. B. and Ella were married in Lake Park, Mn on April 29, 1915. They owned and operated a grocery store in Waubun, Mn for 68 years. They had one son Belford.
Henry E. and Bertha (Embretson) Gunderson
Henry E. Gunderson, one of Norman county’s most substantial and progressive farmers and the owner of a fine place in Flom township, where he and his family are very comfortably situated, was born on a pioneer farm in Clayton county, Iowa, September 14, 1859, and there grew to manhood, but has been a resident of the Red River country since 1882. He is a son of : Embrets and Isabel (Bjern) Lair, natives of the kingdom of Norway, who became pioneers in Clayton county, Iowa, and there spent their last days, the former dying at the age of sixty-eight when the subject of this sketch was but five years of age. Embrets Lair was a landowner in Iowa.and left a good piece of property to his family when he died. His widow survived him about thirteen years, she being sixty-six years of age at the time of her death. They were the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being Ole and Jergen, who are married and still living on the old home place in Iowa; Gunhild, deceased, and Embret, who is married and is still living in Iowa.
Reared on the home farm in Clayton county, Iowa, Henry E. Gunderson received his schooling in the local school of that neighborhood and remained at home until after his marriage at the age of twenty-three, when he and his bride, in 1882, came up into the valley of the Red River of the North and two years later bought a tract of three hundred and twenty acres, a half section, in section 35 of Flom township, Norman county, where they established their home and where they ever since have resided, useful and influential pioneers of that part of the county. As he prospered in his farming operations Mr. Gunderson bought an additional quarter section in section 35 of Flom township and forty-five in section 15 of Fossum township, being now the owner of five hundred and twenty-acres of excellent land, two hundred and forty acres is under cultivation. There are natural groves of poplar on his place and his buildings are substantial and up-to-date. In addition to the central farm house there is a well-built bungalow on the place and the general farm plant is looked upon as one of the best equipped in that part of the county. All of the buildings are lighted by electric light and the appointments of the place are in other respects equally up-to-date. Mr. Gunderson gives considerable attention to the raising of live stock and at the time of this writing in 1917 had on his place sixty-five head of cattle, eight head of horses and fifteen hogs. For four or five years after beginning his farming operations here Mr. Gunderson farmed with oxen and he has witnessed a remarkable revolution in farming methods since those days.
On August I 7, I 882, in Clayton county, Iowa, Henry E. Gunderson was united in marriage to Bertha Embretson, who was born in Iowa on July 9, 1865, and to this union eleven children have been born, namely:
Jesse, who is married and is living at Faith, Norman county;
Burton, who is married and who lives at Waubun, Mahnomen county, Minnesota; Edwin, also married. who is living at Waubun;
Perry and Herbert, twins, the former of whom is living in North Dakota and the latter on the home place;
Bernard, who is married and living at Flom, and Adelia, Mabel, Clarence, Geneva and Floyd, at home.
Mr. Gunderson served for about eighteen years as treasurer of the local school board. He is a stockholder in the Co-operative Creamery Company and in the Farmers State Bank of Flom and was one of the organizers of the first-named concern.
Oliver and Elpha (Miller) Gunderson
Elpha was born on February 22, 1915. She attended school at Waubun, Mn. She later moved to Walworth township after her marriage to Oliver Gunderson on March 21, 1936 at the Ulen parsonage. The day that Elpha and Oliver were to be married there was so much snow that they had to take the sleigh to Ulen for their wedding. Oliver was the son of Lisa Klemetsdatter and Carl Gunderson. Both Lisa and Carl were from the Guldbrandsdal area in Norway and had immigrated here to Atlanta township.
Elpha grew up on the Miller farm in section 33 of Flom township. All but the first year of Elpha and Oliver’s married lives were spent on their farm in section 34 of Walworth township. Oliver worked one year at Dale, Mn and at the stockyards in Fargo, ND as a carpenter. Oliver and Elpha purchased the home farm in 1950. He retired from farming in 1975, when his sons; Wayne and Wallace took over the family farming operation.
Oliver passed away on December 28, 1985 of heart failure. Elpha passed away on February 16, 2000. They are both buried at Atlanta Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Ulen, Mn.
Elpha and Oliver were the parents of seven children; Orwin Elton, Edmond Oliver, Edsel Ordean, Wayne Curtis, Wallace Duane, Brenda Noreen,
Orwin Elton was born on September 11, 1936 and died on September 14, 1936. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Perry E. Gunderson
Perry Gunderson was born on April 4, 1889 to Henry and Beata (Embretson) Gunderson in Flom Township. He grew up in the area and attended school here. On October 8, 1933 Perry died at the Deacon Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Virgil and Betty (Voolley) Gunderson
Virgil was born on June 2, 1930. He attended school at Waubun, Mn and later moved to Moorhead, Mn then to Great Falls and Billings Montana. Where he is employed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield. He married Betty Voolley on September 29, 1951. Betty was born on May 2, 1931. Virgil and Betty are the parents of three children; Jeanne born on November 15, 1957, Lori born on August 16, 1959 and Kathy born November 8, 1964.
Wallace Duane Gunderson
Wallace Duane Gunderson was born on March 31, 1944 to Oliver and Elpha (Miller) Gunderson. He helped his father farm and later took over the farming operations with his brother Wayne after his fathers retirement in
1975. He was employed by American Crystal Sugar in Moorhead, Mn. Wallace passed away on February 16, 2000, at his home. He is buried at Atlanta Lutheran Cemetery, rural Ulen, Mn.
Wayne Curtis Gunderson
Wayne Curtis Gunderson was born on March 31, 1944 to Elpha (Miller) and Oliver Gunderson. He grew up on the family farm, helping his father with the farming operations. In 1975 when his father retired from farming
Wayne and his brother, Wallace took over the farming operation. He remained on the family farm and was active in his church; Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn, here he served on the Church council, until Atlanta‘s closing in August of 2001. Wayne is employed by American Crystal Sugar of Moorhead, Mn. He continues to live on the family farm in section 34 of Walworth township.
Ole and Anna Haagenson
Ole Haagenson was born on November 2, 1830, and Anna Haagenson was born on March 25, 1843. Not much is known about them, other than they were the parents of two children; Haaken and Anna Marie.
Anna Marie was born on April 14, 1880 in Dooray township in Murray County of Minnesota. In some places you will see she is referred to as Marie and others Anna Marie. She came to this area with her parents. Here she met and married Bernt "Ben" Haroldson. Ben was the son of the Gjermund Haroldson’s. He had two brother’s; Harold and Knute and one sister Birgitte.
Anna and Ben were the parents of Marvin, George, John, Henry, Stanley, Stanley Kermit, Kermit, Ole, Gladys, and Alma.
See the " Ben and Marie Haroldson Tragedy Story"
John G. Hadeland
John G Hadeland was born on August 11, 1894 in Norway. He came to this country in 1910 and settled in Van Hook, North Dakota. He married Mabel Johnson on October 24, 1923 at Stanley, ND. She died on June 25, 1973. His brothers were Ole Haddeland of Flom, Lars of New Town, ND.
John was a veteran of WW I and a member of the Gary American Legion. The moved to Gary in 1950 where he farmed until retiring in 1960. John passed away on August 22, 1979 at a Mahnomen Nursing Home, interment at the St Petri Cemetery, rural Gary, Mn.
They were the parents of; Celia (Norman Nystad), Dianna Moon.
Ole and Alice ( Tomtengen) Hadeland
Ole Hadeland was born on September 12, 1892 to Gunlef and Anna Haddeland in Norway. He was baptized, confirmed and attended school to the 8th grade all in Norway. Ole had two
sister Netta and Aasa and one brother Tonnes who stayed in Norway, He had three brothers who also came to America; Lars, John (see John Haddeland) and Karl. In 1910 Ole left Norway and came to the United States, settling first at Ruby, ND. He later left there and went to Glasgow, Montana here he worked on the Fort Peck Damn when is was built. Ole was in the armed services for two years at which time he served in France. He came to the Flom area, settling in section 23 of Flom Township in 1938.
Alice E. Tomtengen was born on November 5, 1895 to Hans and Anne Tomtengen in Flom Township. She had one sister Elenora (Filipi). Alice was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund. She attended school in the area up to the 8th grade. As a young lade Alice moved to Montana, there she married George Ulmer. When he died she married Ole Hadeland on May 5, 1934 at Fort Peck, Montana.
Ole worked construction and farmed during his life and Alice was a homemaker. Taking care of her husband and their one daughter; LaDonna (Thompson). They adopted LaDonna; who was born on May 5, 1937. See Jerome and LaDonna Thompson
Ole and Alice lived their lives on the farm in section 28. Ole and Alice lived in one house on the farm and their daughter LaDonna and her family lived on the same farm in a second house on the building site. They stayed on the farm until their retirement in 1969 when they moved to Twin Valley, Mn.
Ole served in WWI as a Pvt. in Co F 305 infantry, he was a Veteran. Ole died on August 29, 1972 and Alice died on June 4, 1978. Both are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN.
Carl and Lena (Thompson) Hagen
Carl Hagen was born at Newfolden, Mn to Erick and Eli Hagen. He grew up in that area and was inducted into the US Army in June 1918. He lost his leg as a result of those injuries. He saw action in Argonne Forest in France with the army Expeditionary Forces. He was honorably discharge in July 1919.
Lena Thompson was born in 1899 to Knute and Ann (Otterness) Thompson in Flom township. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund and became a active member of Wild Rice and it's organizations. She grew up in Flom township on the family farm and attended country schools here.
Carl and Lena were married in 1919 at her parent's home by Rev. B.J. Larson. They lived in Twin Valley for two years, then moved to Flom township, where they farmed for 35 years, retiring in 1956. The continued to live on the farm until 1966, when the moved into Twin Valley.
Carl and Lena were the parents of: Gerald (Ruth), Lowell (Clarice), and Allen.
Carl passed away in 1975 and Lena in 1988, they are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
John and Fannie (Fajmon) Halva
John Halva was born on December 5, 1884 in Czechoslovakia and came to the United States with his mother and sister in 1898. One brother Joe of Hutchinson and a sister Mrs. Theresa Jelinck, of St. Paul, Mn are listed as survivors in his obituary.
Fannie Fajmon was born on October 1884, near Silver Lake/Hutchinson, Minnesota to the Joseph Fajmon’s. She has one sister Anna Fajmon of Washington, D.C. listed as a survivor in her obituary. John and Fannie were married on March 18,1913, at silver Lake, Mn by the Rev. Joseph Krench. The resided in Atlanta township, Becker County, Mn where they were active in farming. For thirty years they stayed here and in 1943 they packed up their belonging and moved to Flom township, Norman County, Minnesota where they purchased a different farm and resided there for twenty three years. John passed away on October 27, 1966. Fannie passed away on January 22, 1968 at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, Mn.
John and Fannie are both buried at Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom, Mn.
Louis and Alice (Doroff) Halva
Louis "Louie" Halva was born to John and Fannie (Fajmon) Halva in Becker, County, Mn. He grew up here and attended schools. He purchased a farm in Norman county Flom township section and it is here he has resided since.
Alice Alta Doroff was born on March 23, 1909 at Max, North Dakota. She grew up in North Dakota and as a young girl worked in restaurants in Fargo. She also did housework for some time.
Louie and Alice were married in South Dakota on March 17, 1954. Since that time they have lived in section 9 of Flom township, where they have made their home.
Alice passed away on December 29, 1976 at the age of 66 years. Funeral services were held at Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom with interment at the church cemetery.
After her death Louie continued to live on the farm until 2002 when due to a fall he was hospitalized at Meritcare Hospital in Fargo, after his discharge he moved into the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley. Louie had sold the farm to Todd Manthe a few years ago, he continued to reside there.
Frank and Aloisie “Louise” (Dvorak) Hamernik
Frank John Hamernik, an immigrant from Strizov, Czechoslovakia, came to the Flom area in 1913. He was born on December 31, 1888 to John and Anna Hamernik. His father had a woodworking shop in Strizov. In Czechoslovakia, the name Hamernik means carpenter or woodworker. Frank had a older brother and sister, also named John and Anna.
Frank came to the United States on August 29, 1909. Along with his came his brother John and a friend of theirs. They first lived in Chicago and later moved to Omaha where they worked in a meat packing plant. His brother John and their friend left the United States and returned to their homeland, but Frank remained behind, choosing to stay in America. He moved to Minnesota along with a friend John Kroplak and his family. John Kroplak has been injured in a accident at the meat packing plant in which he lost a hand. They came to Minnesota and took up the occupation of farming. At this time Frank moved onto a farm located two and a quarter miles south of Flom and the Kroplak family lived on a neighboring farm. The farm Frank moved onto is still in the Hamernik name and is where his son Stanley lives today.
Aloise "Louise" Dvorak was born in Czechoslovakia, she came to the Flom area in 1918. Louise was born on May 9, 1899 to Matthew and Anna Dvorak on a farm in Cejov, Czecoslovakia. She had two brothers; John and Jim. Their mother Anna died when they children were quite young. Their father married a woman by the name of Katie. Matthew and Katie were the parents of one daughter Georgie. Louise came to America only to help the next door neighbor, Mrs. Fafloc, also of Cejov. She was coming to America with her three children to be reunited with her husband and their father. Louise came with to help her with the children on their journey which was by boat across the ocean and then by rail to Omaha. Louise came with full intentions of returning home after the voyage was completed and the family reunited and settled in America. However, prior to her return to Czechoslovakia she planned a trip to the Flom area where she would visit with a relative of her step-mother Katie. This person just happened to be Mrs. John Kroplak. She came here for a visit and met Frank Hamernik,
Frank and Louise were married on June 20th, 1918 in Minnesota. They farmed in section 9 of Walworth Township, Becker County, Minnesota. It is here they raise their family of 9 children. Frank and Louise retired from farming in 1959 and moved into Ulen, Mn. Their son Stanley took over the family farm where he lived today.
Frank and Louise were active members in the ZCBJ Lodge for over 60 years and were members of Walworth Baptist Church, rural Ulen.
They were the parents of 10 children;
Rose who was born on February 22, 1920 and died on March 28th, 1920 is buried at Walworth Baptist Church Cemetery. (Name on her tombstone is Ruzena)
Anna was born on February 8th, 1922. See Harland and Anna Erickson
Frank Jr. was born on October 4th, 1924, he married Marlys Williams of White Earth, Mn. Frank worked for the Ford Motor Co. in Minneapolis until he retired. They now live in Eagen, Mn. They are the parents of three children; Denise (Tony) Zinger, who live in Coon Rapids, Mn and have three daughters; Rachel, Amanda and Alicia. Doug married Dawn Hobby of Minneapolis. The live in Houston Texas with their three children; Amy, Christopher and Rebecca. Diane lives in Minneapolis, Mn.
Georgia "Georgie" was born on May 11, 1926, she married Carl Fuchs of Felton. They have made their home in Lake Park, Mn where they raised their family of five children. Wallace and Sandy live in Horace ND and they have two children; Jeff and Jennifer. Virginia "Ginny" and Dave Strem live in Fertile, Mn. They have four children; Daniel, Debbie, Kelly and Ryan. Nancy and Bob Anderson live in Willow City, ND. Ione and Bob Bloom live in Montana. They had three boys; Brian, Benjamin and Brent (who died in 1994). Lyle and Diane live in rural Fertile, Mn, and they have three children; Travis, Kristi and Timmy.
Betty was born on May 30th, 1928. See Bob and Betty Baukol.
Stanley was born on March 20th, 1930. See Stanley and Jean Hamernik
Jerry was born on December 21st, 1931. See Jerry and Colleen Hamernik
Helen was born on April 19th, 1933, she married Marvin Slette of Mahnomen. They are the parents of five children. Renae, Jerome, Loren, LaVonne and Bruce.
Irene was born on July 6th, 1935. See Marlin and Irene Klemetson
Edward was born on October 17th, 1937, he married Arlene Hedahl of Twin Valley. They made their home in Fridley, Mn where they raised their two children. Craig and Laurie live in Wisconsin with their children Lucas and Megan. Marcia and Dan Oltrogge live in Colorado with their two children, Alaina and Stephen.
Jerry and Colleen (Holt) Hamernik
Jerry Louis Hamernik was born on December 21st, 1931 to Frank and Louise (Dvorak) Hamernik in Detroit Lake’s Mn. He was baptized at Walworth, Baptist Church. As a young boy he grew up on the home farm in Section 9 of Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn.
He attended country school at Dist 54 and then went to Ulen where he graduated from High School in May of 1950. After he graduated Jerry entered the Army and was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, he completed his military service in 1954. He was a Veteran of the Korean War.
After he returned home from the service Jerry became active in farming and purchase a farm in section 4 of Walworth Township in 1957 from Fred McCormick.
Colleen Holt was born on January 29th, 1939 to Jessie and Alex Holt of Calvin North Dakota. She was baptized at the Calvin Presbyterian Church. She grew up there and attended school in Calvin where she graduated from High School in 1957. After graduation Colleen attended air line school in Minneapolis, Mn and secretary school in Fargo, ND. She worked at Archer Daniels Midland Co in Minneapolis and also at the REA in Langdon, ND. She gave up sitting at a desk on a chair to the life of a farmer’s wife; milking cows.
Jerry and Colleen were married on November 19th, 1960 at Calvin, ND. They returned to Walworth and made their home on the farm Jerry had purchased in section 4. It was here they raised their two sons;
Roger was born on July 3rd, 1964. (See Roger and Kris Hamernik.)
Rodney Allen was born on May 16, 1966. Rodney was baptized at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. He attended school at Ulen-Hitterdal, graduating in 1984. After graduation he went to NDSCS in Wahpeton, ND where he received a degree in Ag in 1987. Rodney is active in his church and community having served on the church council at Aspelund, a member of the Flom League of Men, coached basketball at Ulen-Hitterdal for 10 years. He is also noted as the person to put up the Christmas Decoration for the town of Flom. In his spare time during the winter Rodney has taken up the hobby of ice fishing, something his father truly loved.
Jerry and Colleen were active in their church and community. They were first members of Atlanta Lutheran Church and in 1974 they transferred their membership to Aspelund Lutheran Church.
Jerry passed away on January 9th, 1982 while ice fishing on Leach Lake by Walker, Minnesota. He died doing what he really enjoyed.
After his death Colleen and her sons Roger and Rodney continued farming which they still do to this day. Colleen began working for the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn in 1988, where she works as a dietary aide. In her spare time she enjoys visiting with family and friends, playing cards and won’t turn down a invitation to BINGO.
Roger and Kris (Nasset) Hamernik
Roger Lynn Hamernik was born on July 6th, 1964 to Jerry and Colleen (Holt) Hamernik in Detroit Lakes, Mn. He was baptized at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. He attended school at Ulen-Hitterdal and graduated in May of 1982. He went on to further his education at NDSCS in Wahpeton, ND receiving a Associate in Science Degree for Ag-Business in May of 1984.
After graduation Roger returned home where he is active in farming with his brother Rodney. They continue to farm the family farm in Section 4 of Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn.
Roger was active in Chi-Rho at Aspelund, Walworth Willing Worker’s 4-H Club, FFA and Band in school. He has been active in Flom League of Men, has served on the church council at Aspelund and is currently serving on the Board of Directors for Twin Valley-Flom Credit Union.
Kris Nasset was born on February 16th, 1967 to Kelly and Donna (Thompson) Nasset at Dakota Hospital in Fargo, ND. She grew up in Moorhead, Mn. She attended Moorhead Public Schools and graduated from Moorhead High School in May of 1985. After graduation Kris worked at Merit Care in Fargo in the medical records for eleven years. She then was employed by Muscatel Auto in Moorhead as Office Manager for four years at which point she went to KRJB radio station in Ada and worked as their office manager for 8 months. Kris is currently operating a Licensed Daycare out of their home in Moorhead.
Roger and Kris were married on July 1st, 2000 at Aspelund, Lutheran Church, Flom, MN. They have two children; Matthew David (by Kris’s first marriage) was born on February 9th, 1996 at Merit Care Hospital in Fargo, ND. He was baptized at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Moorhead. Matthew is currently in Kindergarten at George Washington Elementary School in Moorhead. Aubrey Lynn Hamernik was born on July 30th, 2001 at Merit Care in Fargo. She was baptized at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom Mn.
Roger and Kris are currently living in Moorhead, Mn, their future plans are to move to the Flom area in the summer of 2002. They have purchased the former Milton and Esther Kirkeby building site in section 20 of Flom Township.
Stanley and Jean (Matson) Hamernik
Stanley Joseph Hamernik was born on March 20, 1930, to Frank and Aloise (Dvorak) Hamernik in Walworth Township, on the family farm. He was baptized at Detroit Lakes, Mn and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. As a young boy he grew up on the family farm in section 9 of Walworth Township. He attended country school at District 54 and graduated in 1949 from Ulen High School in Ulen, Mn.
Stanley entered the armed forces in 1951, serving in the Air Force. Stanley was honorably discharged in 1955. He is a Korean War Veteran.
Upon his completion of his military service he farmed with his father for three years until his marriage and then he took over the family farm where he was born and raised on in section 9 of Walworth Township.
Jean Loraine Matson was born on January 4, 1934 to Rudolph and Inga Matson on the family farm in Hagen Township. Jean was baptized and confirmed at Jevnaker Lutheran Church. She attended school at Felton, Mn and graduated in 1952. After her graduation she worked at the Felton school for two years and at the Telephone Company in Fargo, ND for four years.
Stanley and Jean were married on Oct 11, 1958 at Jevnaker Lutheran Church, Felton, Mn. They lived on the family farm where they milked cows, raised livestock and small grains. Stanley has served on the Walworth Town Board as clerk for 32 years, a charter member of the Flom Area Lions Club, where he now serves as treasurer, he has also served on the church council and is an active member of the Flom-Twin Valley VFW Post 3818. Jean has served as a 4-H leader, is also a member of the Flom-Twin Valley VFW Auxiliary Post 3818, taught Sunday school, a member of the Aspelund Ladies Aid and a long time member of the Walworth Country Homemakers.
They retired from farming in 1997 and now rent out the farm, and still reside on the home place. Stanley now works part time for a neighboring farmer. Here they raised their family of six children. Kevin, Julie, Patty, Daniel, Stephanie and Jason.
Kevin Jerome was born on July 30, 1959 in Moorhead, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. He graduated from Ulen-Hitterdal High School in May of 1977. He married Connie Anderson daughter of Roger and Carol Anderson of Faith, on January 17, 1984 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Faith, Mn (divorced). They are the parents of three children; Kristen was born on May 8th, 1984 and is currently a senior at Norman County East. Jai Anthony was born on June 27, 1987 and is a 8th grader at Norman East. Kathryn Lynne was born on June 15, 1991 and is a 4th grader at Norman County East. Kevin farmed with his father for the first years that he and Connie were married, he then worked in Waubun for Burkel Turkey Farm at the elevator. He is now working at the Audubon Elevator in Audubon, Mn where he currently resides. All three of Kevin’s children were baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN.
Julie Kay was born on July 10, 1961 in Moorhead, Mn. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. She graduated in 1979 from Ulen-Hitterdal High School. After graduation she went on to further her education at Agassiz Valley School of Practical Nursing, where she received a degree as a LPN. She then began working at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn where she is still employed. Julie married Garrett Thornton son of Duane and Myrna Thornton of Twin Valley, Mn on November 20, 1982 at Aspelund. Garrett works for his father
Duane Thornton doing construction work for DB Thornton Construction. Julie and Garrett have four children; Kraig Michael was born on March 29, 1983, Kelsey Marie was born on October 25, 1989, Kurt Allan was born on May 23, 1993 and Kaitlyn Jean was born on Oct 27, 1994. Kelsey, Kurt and Kaitlyn all attend Norman County East, Kraig is a graduate of Norman County East. All four children were baptized at Aspelund and Kraig was also confirmed there.
Patty Jean was born on April 20, 1964. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund. She graduated from Ulen-Hitterdal in May of 1982. She went on to further her education at Moorhead Tech. She married Alan Boreen on June 24, 1989 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. They have two sons Evan Allen was born on September 17, 1992 and attend school at Norman County East- Gary Site. Alex Michael was born on March 17, 1997. Patty worked for the Flom -Twin Valley VFW and than began working for the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn in 1991 as a Dietary Aide, where she is currently employed.
Daniel Scott was born on May 24, 1966. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund. He attended school at Ulen-Hitterdal graduating in May 1984. He went on to school at Moorhead State University, Moorhead, Mn. He began working for Hardee’s in 1987 where he is still employed as Manager of the Easten Hardee’s in Moorhead. He married Shelli Stach of Kragnes, Mn on December 5, 1992 they reside in Glyndon, Mn. They are the parents of two children; Ryan Joseph was born on April 2, 1994 and Kylie Mae was born on June 2 1996. They both attended school at DGF (Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton).
Stephanie Jo was born on November 21, 1977. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. She graduated from Ulen-Hitterdal High School in 1996. She has one daughter Ciera Rose who was born on March 22, 1997. Ciera was baptized at Aspelund. Stephanie is married to Ryan Olson. They were married on April 17, 2000 in South Dakota and had their vows blessed in December 2000 in Aspelund Lutheran Church Flom. Stephanie is employed by REM North Star Inc. They live in Ulen, Mn.
Jason Erik was born on May 20, 1980 in Fargo, ND. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund. On May 22, 1998 he graduated from Ulen-Hitterdal. He is currently employed by Circle E Farms of Ulen, Mn and also at the Easten Hardee’s in Moorhead, Mn. Jason lives at home on the family farm with his folks.
Carl Orvis Hamre Jr.
Carl Hamre "Junior" was born on February 15, 1930 in section 1 of Atlanta township. He grew up and attended school at Dist 127 (across from Gullard’s) and District 29, where the Atlanta Town Hall is now located after completing his education at the are country schools he then went to Lake Park High School. Carl is a graduate from Lake Park High School.
Carl was baptized and confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn.
He lived on the home place, taking over the family farm in section 10 of Atlanta Township. He farmed here until 1980 when he moved into Flom living in the former Selma Malmskog house on the SW side of town in section 33 of Flom township. Carl turned the farm over to his nephew Mark Hamre at this time. Mark and his wife Cathy and children still reside on the family farm. Carl still went out to the farm to help Mark with the farming operations, he did this up until his death in about 1995.
Carl worked at the Flom VFW in the late 70’s early 80’s. One instance that is sort of comical about the times he worked at the VFW happened one night. Carl was still living on the farm, after completing a night of work and cleaning up the VFW he decided to spend the night, it may have been due to weather that he decided this or just intuition. While sleeping he heard a noise, only to discover that someone was attempting to break in through the back windows. Carl immediately ask "What are you doing" at which point the would be robbers left the scene. It is not known who was trying to break in, but I’m sure they may have had to clean something out of their shorts, afterwards.
Carl passed away in around 1995, funeral services were held at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen with interment at the church cemetery.
Clarence and Thilda (Prestegord) Hanson
Clarence Melvin Hanson was born on April 25, 1911 in Bear Park Township, north of Gary, Mn. He was the son of Hans and Karen Hanson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Sundal Lutheran Church and attended schools in that area. His brothers were; Louis, Alfred Horn, Sander, Helmer, Geff and sisters were; Genora (Lee), Gladys (Bennett Jacobson), Sylvia (Joseph Johnson), Helma, and Lillian.
Clarence enjoyed gardening and doing woodwork in his later years.
Thilda Prestegord was born in 1914 to Louis and Kari (Myrvold) Prestegord. Her siblings were: Leroy, Selmer, Sidney, Kenneth, Ervin, Leslie, Myrtle (Arnold Pieper), Louise (Miller), Verna (Bill Grieg) and Jean (Peter Bartlette). She was a life long member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Clarence and Thilda were married on March 22, 1941 at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. After their marriage Clarence worked at the Wild Rice Children’s Home for several years before he began farming east of Twin Valley, Mn. They farmed for over 30 years and retired in 1971. They remained on the home farm until 1981, at which time they moved into Twin Valley where they lived until their deaths.
Clarence and Thilda were the parents of; Alan, Dennis, Eileen (Robert Boomgaarden), Joan (Alex Cartierof) and Clarene (Tim Gunnerson).
They were members of Wild Rice Lutheran Church where they are both buried. Clarence passed away on November 17, 1984 and Thilda passed away on June 28, 1990.
Louis and Esther (Prestegord) Hanson
Louis was born in 1908 at Gary, Minnesota to Hans and Karen Hanson. He married Esther Prestegord in 1941 at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. Esther was born in 1910 to Elling and Helga Prestegord. They first farmed in Bear Park Township and later moved to her parent’s farm in Fossum Township on Section 34. Louis did carpenter work. Esther was an active member of Wild Rice Church where she was baptized. She attended Plentywood School. They loved children, but had none of their own.
Louis died on July 7, 1987 and Ester died on January 7, 1985. Both are buried in Wild Rice Cemetery.
Ben and Marie (Haagenson) Haroldson Tragedies
Marvin Haroldson was born to Ben and Maria of Flom, Mn. The following is his obituary from 1922: It is our sad duty this week to chronicle the tragic death of little Marvin Haroldson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Haroldson of Flom, twp.
Last Thursday evening, August 15, at 8:30PM little Marvin as usual was leading a gentle horse to water. This particular time was his last time in doing so as the horse became frightened and little Marvin was kicked fatally and he was found shortly afterwards with a crushed skull. Nobody was near enough to see how it happened. A physician was called and everything was done to prolong his stay on earth. He was under the competent care of his nurse, Miss Rogen for thirteen hours and he died the next day at 9:30 a.m.
Little Marvin was born February 15, 1914 and at the time of his death he was 8 years, six months and one day old.
He was a very bright and active little lad, and was well liked by everybody who knew him. He was well advanced in his school work and he always did his best. His sudden departure was a severe blow to his parents, sisters and brother.
He is survived by his parents, Maria and Ben Haroldson and his sisters, Alma and Gladys, and brothers, John, George, Henry, Ole and Kermit.
This tragedy occurred in the Haroldson family on August 15, 1922...on September 18th, 1922 the following tragedy happened in Moorhead, Mn.
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Haroldson and two of their children, Gladys aged 11 and Kermit age 6, were killed and their daughter Alma was seriously injured shortly before 5:00 Monday afternoon when the Ford car in which they were riding was crushed under the wheels of a freight car on the Tenth street crossing of the Great Northern in Moorhead, Mn. Mr. Haroldson and the two younger children met instant death and Mrs. Haroldson died about two hours later at the St. Ansgar hospital in Moorhead. Alma Haroldson suffered a broken hip, had both knees dislocated and was otherwise severely bruised but will recover.
The party left Flom at about ten o’clock in the forenoon on Monday to take Alma to the State Teacher’s College at Moorhead, where she expected to attend the fall term. Upon arriving at the College they were informed that the dormitory was filled and that it would be necessary for her to secure a place to board and room before she could register. The family then drove to the Ernest Moore home in Moorhead, where they had lunch, and were on their way back to the College when then accident occurred.
Mr. Haroldson, at the wheel, drove onto the railroad crossing when the shouts of a brakeman nearby attracted his attention. Instead of attempting to continue to cross the track, he then turned his machine on the crossing, directly in the path of a string of box cars that were being shunted across the street. A street car was parked near the crossing in such a manner as to block his view of the railroad track in the direction from which the shunted cars were moving. The freight train was said to have been moving very slowly and a brake man stood on top of the car which hit the Haroldson automobile and yelled and screamed at the approaching cars throwing his hat into the air and doing everything possible to attract the attention of the occupants, but they saw him too late.
An eye witness said that the car skidded for a few feet, then overturned and was crushed under the wheels of the boxcar, as the members of the ill-fated family screamed with fright.
Miss Alma Haroldson was conscious nearly all of the time that she was pinned underneath the wreckage, while rescuers worked to release her and other members of the family. Mrs. Haroldson, although fatally injured was also conscious most of the time up to her death.
The remaining member of the family, George and John (twins) aged 19; Henry, 18; and Ole 16; were immediately notified of the accident and were taken to Moorhead by Ernest Narum that same evening. Rev. and Mrs. B. L. Opdahl, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Rogen and M.E .Dahl autoed to Moorhead yesterday morning to be of any assistance possible and to help make arrangements for the funeral.
It will be remembered that another member of the family, Marvin, eight years old, was killed less than a month ago as a result of having been kicked by a horse he was leading to water. Mr. and Mrs. Haroldson were both born in Murray county, Mn, the former on May 16, 1873 , and the latter on April 13, 1880. They were married in Marshall county in 1899 and moved to Flom township, where they have since resided. They have been prominent residents of this section of the county and their loss will be distinctly felt. At the time of their death, Mr. Haroldson was a trustee of the Aspelund church at Flom and treasurer of the school district and his wife had been president of the Aspelund ladies aid during the past three years. The accident was perhaps the saddest that has ever occurred in this community and the sincere sympathy of our people goes out to the bereaved relatives.
Funeral services were conducted at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn and the family was laid to rest in the church cemetery there.
Gladys Marie: was born on March 16, 1911 and died in the car/train accident on September 18, 1922
Stanley Kermit was born on February 15, 1914 and died on February 28, 1914. (they had two Stanley Kermit’s the latter went by Kermit)
Stanley Kermit was born on March 23, 1916 and died in the car/train accident on September 18, 1922.
Alma was born on April 4, 1901 she was injured in the car/train accident on 9/18/22. She died on April 20, 1925.
John Haroldson was born to Ben and Anna (Haagensen). He lived in Flom where he owned and operated John’s recreation. Many individuals enjoyed playing pool here. John also sold insurance and the pool hall was later run basically as an insurance office with John’s living quarters also there. John never married. He served his country and is a veteran. John passed away on May 1, 1992 and is buried at Aspleund.
George B. and Florence (Olson) Haraldson
George B Haraldson was born on October 1, 1902 (twin brother to John) in Dovray, Mn., to Bernt and Anna Marie Haraldson. He moved with his family in 1911 to a arm one mile north of Flom in section 21 of Flom township. Here the family was raised. George was very active in playing baseball in the Twin Valley/ Flom area.
George married Florence Olson on October 31, 1925. They lived in Moorhead where George worked for the Jewel Tea Co. They moved back to the Flom area for three years where he farmed with his brother, Henry. George served on the Flom School board. In 1936 they left the Flom area and moved to Underwood, Mn where they bought and operated a restaurant for five years. During this time George also served as Justice of the Peace.
From 1942-1945 he worked in a shipyard in Richmond, California, building liberty ships for the war effort and later at a shipyard in Duluth, Mn. In 1946, after helping Walter Olson and Anton Flom with the harvest George and his family packed up and moved to Seattle Washington. Here he worked in the lumber industry and operated lumber drying kilns until his retirement in 1978. He truly enjoyed their frequent visits with his brothers and friends in Flom. An ardent reader of the Twin Valley Times, he kept well informed of the news from "back home".
George died on November 5, 1996 in Seattle Washington, following surgery on a fractured hip, sustained in a fall. He enjoyed excellent health right up to the time of his surgery.
George and Florence were the parents of; Dolores and Delwyn.
Henry and Thea (Oien) Haroldson
Henry Haroldson was born on May 19, 1904 to Ben and Anna (Haaagensen) Haroldson. He grew up in the Flom area and married Thea Enanda Oien, on September 17, 1946. She was the daughter of Hans and Sina (Johnson) Oien of Walworth Twp, Becker county, Mn. Thea was born on January 2, 1910 and grew up in Walworth township in section 10. Henry and Thea have one son: Lyle, who is married to Debbie Urdahl. They have three children.
Both Henry and Thea are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery. Thea died on June 8, 1983 and Henry died on July 9, 1991.
John Haraldson
John Haraldson was born on October 1, 1902 at Dovray, Mn to Bernt and Anna Marie (Haagensen) Haraldson. He grew up near Flom, and attended area schools. On August 18, 1942 he entered the Untied States Army and served until his discharge on April 16, 1943.
After his discharge he returned to Flom and was employed at the General Store. He later owned and operated the Pool Hall in Flom. He also worked at Flom Mutual Insurance Company as an insurance agent for many years. He lived in the Flom area until the late 1980’s when he became a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, Mn.
He was active in the American Legion Nesseth- Lien Post 431 and Flom-Twin Valley VFW Post 3818. He was a lifelong member of Aspelund Lutheran Church in Flom and had served on the church council.
John died on May 1, 1992 at the VA Hospital in Fargo, ND. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom.
For information on Johns family see Haraldson Tragedy.
Ingebrigt and Barbro (Engen) Haugen
Ingebrigt was born at Lesja, Oppland in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway in 1850. He emigrated from Norway at the age of 30 years. He first came to Minneapolis where he lived for several years. He married Barbro Engen in 1882 in Minneapolis. She was born to Iver and Barbro Engen in 1852. They moved to Norman County after a year of marriage and lived with the Jacob Sannan family for several years. In 1887, they took up a homestead in Rockwell Township. Seven years later, they moved to Home Lake Township. The following children were born to them: Bennie, Simon, John and Ingvald; Anna, Barbro (Bella), Two children died in infancy.
Ingebrigt died September 6, 1939 and Barbro died July 12, 1936. They are both buried in Wild Rice Cemetery.
John I. and Thea (Veum) Haugen
John I. Haugen was born on February 12, 1888 in Rockwell township to Ingebrit and Barbro (Engen) Haugen. He married Thea Veum here in November of 1909. They moved to Flom township a year after they were married. John was active in his community have served on Flom township board, rural school board and a trustee of Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. John passed away in 1964 and Thea on July 27, 1946. They are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Flom Township.
They were the parents of four sons; Wildord, Armin, Harold and Clayton, and two daughters; Pearl (Dell Erickson) and Lucille (Harold Holtman).
Allan Haugo
Allan was born in Popple Grove township, the third child of Olaf and Haze (Syverson) Haugo on July 18,1936.
He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended school at Waubun where he graduated with the class of 1954. He then went to Moorhead State University for two years, before entering the service.
Allan entered the Naval Aviation Cadet Program at Pensacola, Fl and completed Advanced training at Beeville, Tx. He was commissioned 2nd Lt. in the USMC and was stationed at Cherry Point Marine Cops Air Station, NC for one year.
Allan went overseas in July 1959, and was stationed with the U.S. Marine Attack Squadron 332 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Iwakuni, Japan. Allan was killed on June 8, 1960, when his left main landing gear collapsed as he landed at a base in Osan, Korea, after returning from a night training flight.
Allan is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Anne Haugo
Anne was born at Forest City, IA to T.T. and Anne (Skjelbreid) Haugo on December 23, 1906. She came with her parents to Mahnomen County in 1914. Anne was confirmed in 1920 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. She attended Waubun High School for two years and graduated from Mahnomen High School in 1926. At the time of her death, she had just received work that she could enter nurses training at St. Olaf Hospital in Austin, Mn. Anne was operated on for a brain tumor in Rochester, Mn on April 2, 1929, but died on April 3, 1929, after regaining consciousness for a short time. She is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
David and Jean (Skaarer) Haugo
David was born on July 17, 1934 to Olaf and Hazel (Syverson) Haugo in Mahnomen, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended school at Popple Grove School, Waubun Public School and he graduated from Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, Minnesota.
On April 7, 1961 he married Jean Skaarer at the Wild Rice Parsonage at rural Twin Valley, Minnesota. Jean was born on March 23, 1937 to Henry and Bertha Skaarer in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Jean graduated from Fargo Central High School. She also graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. She was a teacher in Waubun for many years.
David and Jean live in Popple Grove Township and farm.
They have the following children:
Ann, married to Troy Oanes. They live in Moorhead, Minnesota and have 3 daughters, Kari, Amanda and Grete.
Allan, married to Vicki. They live at Waubun, Minnesota and have 4 children, Jessica, Aaron, Ben and Jacob.
John, married to Jackie. They live at Mahnomen, Minnesota and have 2 children, Trevor and Justine.
Paul, married to Kim. They live at Maple Grove, Minnesota and have 2 children, Clara and Emma.
Gary, married to Amie. They live at Fargo, North Dakota.
Dean, married to Jen. They live at Breckenridge, Minnesota.
Jacob Haugo
Jacob Haugo was born on March 15, 1905 to Tarjie and Anne Haugo at Forest City, Iowa. He came with his parents to the Flom area in 1914. He attended rural schools in Iowa and in Popple Grove Township of Mahnomen County, Mn.
Jacob was a farmer and laborer and served in the United States Army during World War II, serving from 1942 until 1944.
He enjoyed spending is free time hunting, which was a life passion with him. He retired in 1965 and spent most of his time at the retirement homes in Middle River, Bemidji, Battle Lake and Twin Valley.
Jacob died on November 4, 1988 at the Fargo VA Hospital, funeral services were held at Wild Rice Lutheran Church with interment in the church cemetery.
Marie Haugo
Marie was born at the Mahnomen Hospital on December 26, 1937, the fourth child of Olaf and Hazel (Syverson) Haugo. She was baptized at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. Marie was afflicted with disabilities from the time of her birth, which caused her to be an invalid. She was lovingly cared for by her parents and family until she was sixteen years old. Marie then went to the State Hospital in Fairbault, Mn where she became a resident until her move to Brainard State Hospital in Brainerd, Mn. Marie died at the Brainerd State Hospital on August 11, 1963, she is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Olaf and Hazel (Syverson) Haugo
Olaf Haugo was born to Tarjei and Anne (Skjelbreid) Haugo in Lake Mills, Iowa on January 11, 1912.
He moved with his family to Mahnomen County in 1914. He attended Popple Grove School. After completing his education Olaf started farming in Popple Grove Township.
Olaf married Hazel Syverson at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn, on December 24, 1933. Hazel was born on January 19, 1907 to Ole and Barbro (Hogenson) Syverson from east of Ulen, Minnesota. Hazel was baptized and confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen. She graduated from Ulen High School and Moorhead State Teachers College. She was a teacher as well as a farm wife and mother. They resided on the farm in Popple Grove township where they remained active in the church and community events. Olaf was an active member of Wild Rice, having served on various boards. In 1972 Olaf and Hazel relieved the Valley Farmer and Homemaker Award at the Crookston Winter Shows. He served on the Board of Directors of Harvest States Cooperative, St. Paul, Mn., for eighteen years.
Olaf passed away on February 10, 1999, after his death Hazel remains on the farm in Popple Grove township.
They were the parents of nine children; David, John, Allan, Marie, Olaf, Donald, George, Carole (Roger Olson) and Patricia (Blair).
Richard Haugo
Richard was born on September 21, 1898 at Forest City, Iowa to T. T. and Anne (Skjelbreid) Haugo. He moved with his parents to Mahnomen County in 1914. He farmed in Popple Grove township until his retirement. Richard was active in the Wild Rice church, serving on the Board of Trustees. In 1959 he married Helen Solberg in Los Angeles, Ca. Following their marriage, they moved to Scobey, Mt. Helen died in 1979 and Richard moved to the Retirement Home in Twin Valley, Mn. He died on April 23, 1984.
Richard is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery. They had no children.
Tarjei and Anne ( Skjelbreid) Haugo
Tarjei, known as T. T. was born on July 12, 1870 in Mo, Telemarken, Norway. He was the oldest of four children born to Torjus and Anne (Medbo) Haugo. He immigrated with his family to the United States in 1888. He returned to Norway and Married Anne Skjelbreid on February 23, 1895. Anne was born in Laardal, Telemarken, Norway on May 2, 1874. She was the oldest of seven daughters born to Aslak and Anne Skjeldbreid.
Tarjei, brought his new wife back to the United States and they first farmed near Forest City, Iowa, in the spring of 1895. They left Iowa and came to Minnesota, settling in Mahnomen County in 1917.
T.T. was known as a highly competent horse doctor in the area. He resided on the family farm until he entered the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center in 1957.
Anne was active in the Lutheran Church and Ladies Aid. In 1950 she relieved her life membership ring from WMF. She loved the outdoors and often took her grandchildren on tours of her flower garden.
T.T. died on December 7, 1961 and Anne died on February 5, 1951, they are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Anne and Tarjei were the parents of eleven children; Torjus, Aslak, Richard, Andrea, Sverre, Jacob, Anne, Einar, Olaf, Esther, and Sigvold.
Knut and Aase Helgeson
Mrs. Knut Helgeson a former resident of Ulen township, having lived in the northeast part since 1882 passed away in December of 1937. She had lived the last few years in Twin Valley, Mn with her son. She was born on March 22, 1851, in Wisconsin, and given the Aase. Knut was born on October 12, 1843 and passed away on September 27, 1925. They are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn. Her obituary states she is survived by several sons and daughters, but no names were given.
Jearly Hellikson
Jearly was born on April 29, 1914 in Walworth township. He attended school at District #35 in Walworth. After completing his education he entered the U.S. Army in 1944. He served his country in the armed forces by serving in Germany. After completing his military duration he returned and lived in Ogema, Mn. In 1946 he moved to section 1 of Walworth township, where he took up farming. Jearly raised mostly small grains, cattle and sheep.
He farmed until 1969 at which time he retired from farming and was employed in the Detroit Lakes area at various jobs, and also at the Flom Co-op, from 1973 or 1974 until he retired in in 1979. When he retired he moved off the farm and purchased a home in Ulen, Mn. Here he remained until his death on August 29, 1981.
We got to know Jearly when we moved to a farm across the road from him in 1966. He was a great neighbor and friend. Our children, as well as their friends, when they came for a day of play, were always looking for an excuse to go see Jearly. They enjoyed bringing him a loaf of homemade bread or some cookies or whatever excuse they could think of to go for a visit. Many time he would bring them home again in a wagon or sleigh pulled by his beloved dog, Tuffy.
Barth and Kelly remember him spitting snooze on the shears (his way of lubricating the shears) when he was shearing sheep, they also remember being very careful where they stepped.
They also remember Jearly "inventing" many contraptions with old washing machine parts etc. And they remember his friendship with Eddie Ronning. He visited with us many a night until the wee hours of the morning! He was a very special person in our family’s lives and left us with many good memories.
I remember how he very faithfully visited his mother until her death. He was a very hard and loyal worker at the Flom Co-op and loved sharing stories with anyone willing to listen.
By Mary Lou Syverson
Manley and Evangelyn (Narum) Hillstad
Evangelyn "Vangie" was baptized at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn and confirmed at Gary Lutheran Church, Gary, Mn. She graduated from Gary High School. After graduation Vanie attended one and one-half years of business school. Vangie married Manley Hillstad on September 3, 1955 at Gary, Mn. Vangie and Manley live at Mahnomen, Mn where Manley was employed by Wild Rice Electric until his retirement. They are the parents of : Diane Lynn (Spaeth) born on August 2, 1956. Duane Manley was born on December 31, 1958. Todd Alvin was born on November 13, 1960. Jay Howard was born on November 25, 1962 and Carrie Maureen was born on June 28, 1966.
Erick Hjellum (Jellum)
Erick Jellum was born in 1864. He never married. He died in 1915. Not much is known about him other than he had a sister in Mayville, ND and a brother in Ft Berthold, ND. His funeral was held at Wild Rice where he was laid to rest.
Erick Jellum, of the town of Flom, was killed Tuesday. He was hauling bundles to a threshing machine, and was about to quit for dinner. He climbed onto the wagon pole to get a hold of the reins just as the whistle blew. The team started, throwing him to the ground, the wheels of the loaded wagon passing over his body and instantly killing him. Mr. Jellum was about 50 years old. The funeral was held Wednesday at Flom and was largely attended, there being over thirty teams in the procession. Mr. and Mrs. Jorgen Nelson, old friends of the deceased, were sent for as soon as the accident happened and remained until after the funeral-Mahnomen Pioneer
Dennis and Renae (Johnson) Hoekstra
Renae Alice was born on March 31, 1947 to Mervin and Clarice (Brateng) Johnson. Dennis was born on November 16, 1944. Renae and Dennis were married on June 17, 1966. They are the parents of three daughters; Shantel, Kristen and Marti.
Shantel "Shelly" was born on March 9, 1969. She married Todd Brevik on April 20, 1991. Todd the son of Howard and Villie Brevik was born on September 16,1963. They are the parents of three daughters; Hailey , Kelsey and Skylar.
Kristen was born on November 5, 1973. Kristen and her husband have one son; Cole.
Marti Lynn was born on May 11, 1989. She is currently a 7th grader at Norman County East.
Gilbert and Ragnild (Christiansdatter) Hogensen
Introduction
This is the story of the Gilbert and Ragnild Hogensen family who in 1871 became one of the early settlers of Wild Rice. According to the book “Nogle Optegnelser om Settling m.m. indenfor de fire Towns Fossum, Wild Rice, Home Lake, og Flom i Norman County, Minn.” written in 1896, 10 children were born to this couple. 8 birth records were found leading to the assumption that the other 2 children were Alfred and Hilda Carlson who were listed as boarders in the 1900 census.
Ragnild was the sister of Christian Ellingson and the aunt to the Aaby brothers. The Aaby’s probably would not have come to Norman County had it not been for this ancestor blazing the trail for them and the others which followed.
Gilbert was born in Hetterdal Norway on 7/12/1828 under the name of Gulbrand Hagenson. Immigrating in 1858, he settled in Iowa and on October 7, 1862, Gilbert enlisted in Company D, 6th Regiment, Iowa Calvary as a blacksmith. According to his Civil War pension, he was listed as 5' 4" with light hair and blue eyes. Gilbert was discharged in Sioux City, lowa on 10/17/1865. Returning to Winnesheik County, Gilbert met the Christian Ellingson family and married Ragnild Christiansdatter on 11/30/1966.
After becoming a citizen of the United States on 1/13/1868, the lure of available land induced Gilbert and family to move to Freeborn County. They probably stayed the Ragnild's uncle Halvor Tveitstulen who moved to Manchester township in 1864. Harvest must have been good because in 1869, Ragnild's brother Christian came with his parents to be neighbor's of Gilbert and Ragnild. No land ownership was found for either the Ellingsen or Hogensen family in Freeborn County. As available land was become nonexisting in Freeborn County, the quest for land Gilbert could own became a passion.
In 1871, Gilbert and a group of men ventured north to the yet open territory in Polk County. Finding suitable land near the Wild Rice River, Gilbert applied for a homestead of 160 acres on 6/3/1871 in township 144N, range 44w, section 26,35. Twin Valley history books claim Gilbert and the other men were among the first settlers in what became Wild Rice Township. Returning to his wife and family, Gilbert must have left his pregnant wife (Anne born 9/25/1872 in Freeborn) while he returned to his homestead and built a 14' by 15' house with sod roof, 2 windows and 1 door.
Grasshoppers ruled the valley from 1872-part of 1876 causing much hardships on the family. No children were born and 1 child named Karen died and was buried on the homestead due to no cemetery available yet in Wild Rice. Probably what became their main source of income was collecting buffalo bones. In 1870, 15 million buffalo roamed
the west but by 1878, the buffalo became virtually extinct and collecting the bones at $8-$10 per ton kept many families alive during the grasshopper invasion as well as the
economic depression from 1873-1878.
Ragnild was pregnant and gave birth to Hilda on 7/8/1876. It may be a coincidence but in 1876 the Tveststulen family moved from Freeborn to Section 34 in Wild Rice Township.
Joy and sorrow followed Gilbert and Ragnild in 1878. On 4/18/1878 twins were born and on 5/15/1878, Gilbert finally paid the $14 to officially claim his homestead. However, on 9/1 first Helena died and on 9/17 Julia died. Two more children were to be born to Gilbert and Ragnild. Sadly again tragedy struck when Hans was born, stillborn in 1880 and Tilda,who was born in 1882 was not alive in the 1885 census.
In 1881, Gilbert filed for a civil war pension for the condition of deafness and loss of vision in his left eye due to exposure. He was granted $20 per month. When Gilbert died in 1893, Ragnild has to resubmit and prove herself as the sole wife of Gilbert to continue receiving the pension.
In 1889 Ragnild's brother Christian came from Minihaha Co and stayed on the homestead. Harvest and financial times must have been good to Gilbert at that time because on 10/31/1890, Gilbert loaned Christian $121 to get his land in Home Lake Township.
Health concerns caused Gilbert to sell his property to His son-in-law Syvert Hov on 6/24/1892 for $400. The story of the selling is found on page l73 of the History of the People of Norman County written in 1976.
Gilbert died of cancer on 4/1841893 leaving at that time a wife and 3 children.
Karoline-26
Anne-21
Hilda-17
Ragnild continued to live with Karoline and Syvert Hov as she is listed on the 1900 census with them.
However another question loomed following the 1900 census. Syvert homesteaded 160 acres in Rockwell township in 1889. In 1901, Syvert sold his property in Rockwell and sold the property in Wild Rice never to be heard of again. Records show a quit deed on 1/6/1901 where “Caroline” Hogenson reacquired the W 1/2 NE 1/4. Ragnild died in Norman County on 2/20/1903 of heart disease and is buried in an unmarked grave in Wild Rice Cemetery probably with Gilbert and 4 of her children.
Locating the 3 children not buried was difficult.
1-Karoline, the wife of Syvert was never found. No record of her death was found.
2-Anne also seemed to just disappear from the records as no marriage/death was found.
3-Hilda was found married to Anton Krogstad on 6/20/1896 and was found in Knox, Benson County, North Dakota where she raised 6 children and died 5/16/1936.
Conclusion
Today we plan our lives almost as if we were going to live forever. It was different to our immigrant ancestors. Childbirth, hard work, unfriendly weather, lack of medical care, and economic hardship separated many mothers and fathers from their children. This is just one family story of the heartbreaks of the heartbreaks of determined people trying to make a better place for their children-yet they had to bury some of them before the rewards could be developed. Sadly, only unmarked graves exist for this family in Norman County. No one would have known they were one of the pioneers of this great county had not a family historian dug into the background of them-so please write your family history so the past is not forgotten.
By Richard Line
From 1899
Bolt Brings Death to a Farmer in the Town of Fossum
Last Friday afternoon a death came suddenly and without a moments warning to Valentine Hlubek, who lives in the eastern part of this county (Norman), two and a half miles from Faith. While stacking grain in the field a bolt of lightning suddenly flashed forth from the heavens above striking Mr. Hlubek in the head and instantly killing him. And his two horses. His hat was ton from his head, his shirt was torn to shreds and one of his shoes was pulled from his foot, but no mark or scar was made by the lightning’s terrific bolt.
Mr. Hlubek was a resident of this county for a number of years. He was about 50 years of age and leaves a wife and six children, the youngest of whom is 12, years of age.
A queer feature of the accident was that there was no storm to speak of in that locality and the bolt of lightning which caused such horrible results came from a n almost clear sky. A few clouds 2 which indicated rain passed over that locality, but no rain fell.
N.C. (Nels Constant) and Marie Bennette (Thorson) Holm
Bennett Thorson was born on Jan. 31, 1902 at Flom, Minnesota to Johanne and Thorvald Thorson. She was baptized, confirmed and grew to womanhood in the Flom area. Her mother died on August 30, 1911 leaving Thorvald with four small children to raise. At this time Bennette took on not only the roll of sister but also as mother to her young siblings.
On June 26, 1923 , she was united in marriage to Nels Constant Holm. After their marriage they lived in the Flom area and had just moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota in May of 1931 where they had made their home since. H.C. was employed at Ryder, ND at the Federal Intermediate Credit bank. To this union one daughter was born. Janet Marie was born on August 5, 1931 at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake, ND. She passed away on Aug. 8, 1931 at the age of only three days. Funeral services were conducted at Immanuel, Lutheran Church, rural Flom where she is buried.
Bennette Holm passed away on August 12, 1931 only four days after her infant daughter’s passing. She died from paralysis of the heart, her sister Valborg was with her at the time of her death. Services for Bennette were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn where she had been an active member in all church activities before and after they had become members. Mr and Mrs. Holm had become members of Aspelund church in 1923.
Bennette was laid to rest at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn where she is laid to rest beside her mother and infant daughter.
Clarence and Elma (Lien) Holum
Elma Lien was born in Flom, Mn to Emile and Gustave Lien. She grew up in Flom and married Clarence Holum there in 1915. After their marriage they farmed near Madoc, Montana until Clarences death in 1962.
Elma enjoyed needlework and baking. In 1980 Elma moved into the Daniels Memorial Nursing Home where she lived until her death in 1986. Funeral services were held at Scobey Lutheran Church, Scobey, Montana with interment at the Orville Cemetery.
Erick Amundson and Randi (Otterness) Holum
Erick A. Holum came from Aurland Prestegjeld, Sogn, Norway, in 1856 with his father and mother, Amund and Anna Holum, and two brothers, Thor and Ole. They settled in Blackhammer, Houston County, Minnesota. In 1882 he came to Norman County and homesteaded in Section sixteen.
Erick married Randi Otterness in Houston County on February 22, 1871. To this union fourteen children were born. Several died in early childhood because of the Diphtheria Epidemics.
Those who lived on were:
Martha (1875-1960) Berthold, ND
Erick Olie (1877-1966) Joplin, Montana
Anna Julia (1882-1966) Twin Valley, MN
Armund (1885-1963) Scobey, Montana
Jens (1887- ) Scobey, Montana
Edith (1889-1965) Joplin, Montana
Clarence (1891-1962) Scobey, Montana
Arthur (1891- ) Great Falls, Montana
Garfield (1894-1968) California
Tilforde (1892-1893) buried at Wild Rice Cemetery
Anna Julia, the only one who remained in Norman County, married Henry O. Lien and they lived in Flom Township.
By Recelia Lien/Stene
Kenneth and Edna (Schroeder) Holum
Kenneth "Kenny" was born on November 1, 1924 to Knute and Minnie Holum at Voss, Minnesota. He was baptized at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, and baptized at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, MN. He attended school at Flom, Mn.
Edna was born on September 24, 1927 to Henry and Helen Schroeder in Mahnomen County, Mn. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mahnomen, Mn. Attended school at Popple Grove Township, Waubun High School, after graduation she attended Moorhead State Teachers College, Moorhead, Mn. After receiving her degree she taught elementary school at Hitterdal, Mn from 1947-1949.
Kenneth and Edna were married on June 19,1949 at Wild Rice Lutheran, rural Twin Valley, Mn. They settled down to the life of a farmer and housewife, residing in Section 16 of Flom Township, Norman County, Mn. Here they raised their five children; Wayne, Gail, Curtis, Joan and Douglas.
Wayne K. Holum was born on January 2, 1951 at Ada, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended school at Twin Valley, Mn and after graduation he entered the Air Force Academy, in Colorado. He was a Air Force pilot from 1973-1999. And is a pilot for Southwest Airlines now. During his military life he lived on many different military bases and Phoenix, Arizona area. He has three children; Stephanie, Jennifer and Christopher.
Gail L. (Tensfeldt) was born on February 12, 1953. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church and attended school at Twin Valley, Mn. After her high school graduation she went to Moorhead State University, Moorhead, Mn where she received a teaching degree. She taught in San Antonio, TX, Twin Valley, Mn, Tacoma Wa and Home schooling. She is married to Jon R. Tensfeldt and they have one son Matthew.
Curtis J. was born on June 4, 1954 at Ada, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended school at Twin Valley and after his High School graduation he joined his father in the family farming operation. He lives in rural Twin Valley. Curt has two children; Brock and Emily.
Joan M. was born on December 30, 1955 at Ada, Mn. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. She attended school at Twin Valley and after graduation she went to Concordia College in Moorhead, Mn. Joan is married to Col. James Lampkin and they have lived at many different Army Bases and are now near Fort Leavenworth, Ks. Joan is a artist.
Douglas M Holum MD was born on October 15, 1958 at Ada, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended school at Twin Valley and after graduating he went to Concordia College in Moorhead, UM Duluth, UM at Minneapolis receiving a degree in Medicine. He started his practice at Spicer and Willmar, Mn, later moving to his present practice at Mitchell SD. Doug and his wife Barbara have two children; Erik and Paige.
Kenneth and Edna continue to live on the farm north of Flom. They are both active in their church and community. Kenneth has served on the school board for 18 years, church council, PTA, Church choir and quartets and also solos. He was on the Flom Co-op board for 23 years and is a member of the Flom Area Lions since 1983. Edna is a lifetime member of the Wild Rice Ladies Group, which she has also served as a officer.
Knut and Minnie (Storbeck) Holum
Knut B Holum was born on March 23,1886 to Thor and Karen (Lee) Holum in Flom township. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He attended rural elementary schools in this area also.
Knut married Minnie Storbeck of Ulen on December 12, 1917 at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn. Minnie was born in 1894 near Ulen, to the Amund Storbecks of Ulen, Mn. They resided in the village of Voss, located in Atlanta Township, Becker county Minnesota. Here they operated a store until they moved to Flom Township in 1928 and farmed. They retired from farming in 1949 and moved to Flom.
They were the parents of two children; A son Kenneth: (See Kenneth and Edna Holum) and a daughter Clara Michels.
Knut Holum died on June 23, 1965 at the Ada Hospital, Ada, Mn. Minnie Holum died on February 5, 1972 at a Fargo Hospital. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Thor E. and Karen (Lee) Holum
Thor E. Holum was born in 1848 in Norway. He and his brother Ole immigrated to the United States.
Thor lived at Spring Grove, Mn where he met and married his first wife. They had one child, Marie, with his first wife, who died shortly after Marie was born. He later married Karen Lee in Spring Grove, Mn.
They came to Flom Township, here they raised their family of seven children;
Edward:
Knut: see Knut and Minnie Holum,
George: was born in 1892. He was killed by a runaway in 1896 and is buried at Wild Rice,
Clarence: was born in 1890 he died in 1892 from diphtheria and is buried at Wild Rice,
Thea:
Engeboor: was born in 1883 and died in 1892 and is buried at Wild Rice.
Barbara: was born in 1881 and died in 1892 she is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Thor and Karen both passed away in 1926 and are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Alfred and Mabel (Stene) Horn
Alfred horn was born in 1904 to Hans and Karen (Olson Tangen) Hanson Horn. Alfred was one of eleven children born to Hans and Karen, the others were; Sander, Clarence Hanson, Helmer, Louis Hanson, Geff Hanson Horn, Genora (Lee), Gladys (Bennett Jacobson), Sylvia (Joe Johnson), Hilma Hanson and Lillian Hanson.
Mabel Louise Stene was born on June 9, 1909 to Mons and Suzanne Stene. She was raised on the family farm east of Twin Valley, Mn. Here she attended country schools. She was baptized and confirmed in Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Alfred and Mabel were married on October 2, 1940 at the Wild Rice parsonage in Flom township. They first made their home northeast of Gary and farmed there. In 1946, they moved to a farm east of Twin Valley, Mn.
Here they remained for over 20 years. In 1967 they moved to Grandin, ND where they resided for six years and they returned to Twin Valley in 1973 where they remained until their deaths.
Mabel was a member of the Wild Rice Church and it’s Ladies Aid there and she enjoyed crocheting and needlework.
Alfred and Mabel were the parents of; Milan, Kermit, Aldon, Arlene (Alfred Sauk), Fern (Leo Bauer), and Linda ( Gerald Nelson).
Mabel passed away on November 2, 1984 and Alfred passed away on June 12, 1995, they are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Geff and Florence (Hagen) Hanson Horn
Geff was born on November 29, 1916 to Hans Hanson and Karen Tangen Horn. He was baptized and confirmed at Sundal Church. He married Florence Hagen in 1957. They were the parents of Harvey, Anna Marie (Taroldson) and Gloria Fay (Sirjord).
Geff passed away in 1984 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Hoseth Family
To follow the family tree, be sure to watch for the second name. That will tell you the father’s name, ex; Hakonson is son of Hakon, Hansdtr is daughter of Hans.
The Hoseth family geneology starts with Lars Hoset, we don’t know his date of birth, but he died in 1665. He had one daughter Marit, who was born in 1641.
Marit Larsdtr was born in 1641 and died in 1724, she married Anders Hakonson Hoset who was born in 1646 and died in 1723. They were the parents of two sons; Hakon and Hans.
Hakon Anderson Hoset was born in 1666 and died in 1744. He married Mali Hansdtr Bremset who was born in 1665 and died in 1729. They were the parents of one daughter Mali Hakonsdtr who was born in 1715.
Hans Andersen Hoset married Marit Olsdtr who was born in 1686 and died in 1739. They had one son, Ola.
Mali Hakonsdtr Bremset was born in 1715, she married Peder Ivarson Borsttroem, who was born in 1717 and died in 1761. They were married in 1740. There are no children listed for them.
Ola Hansen Hoset was born in 1723 and died in 1778. He married in 1752 to Mali Osdatr Skjelstad, who was born in 1732 and died in 1759. They had one daughter, Marit.
Marit Olsdatr Hoset was born in 1756 and died in 1823. She married in 1779 to Anders Pedersen (Borsettroen) Hoset, who was born in 1750. They were the parents of ; Peder Andersen Hoset.
Peder Andersen Hoset was born in 1780 and died in 1859. He married Sigrid Johnsdtr Hegre in 1806. Sigrid was born in 1784 and died in 1860. They were the parents of Marit (1808) and Anders Pedersen Hoset (1811)
Anders Pedersen Hoset was born in 1811 and died in 1880. He married Kari Pedersdtr Kyllo in 1839. Kari was born in 1793 and died in 1863. Kari was the widow of Hans G. Traelstad, she had one son Gunnar (1821-1876) who took the Hoset name after her marriage to Anders. Kari died in 1863, after her death
Anders married Marit Petersdtr Kindseth on February 25, 1864. Anders and Marit (Kindseth) left Norway and immigrated to America shortly after they were married. They were the parents of eight children; Karen Anna, Peter, Severin, Andrias, Martine, Martin, Martin, and Anders. Marit was widowed at 40 years of age. Twelve years after Anders death she married Kristopher Romo in 1892. Kristopher was born in 1827 and died shortly after their marriage in 1892.
Kristopher had one child from his first marriage to Gundhild Gederas; Elizabeth Vangsness.
Karen Anna was born in 1864 in Norway, she died in 1887. Peter Magnus was born in 1867 and died in 1887. They both died from scarlet fever.
Peter Severine was born in 1870 and died in 1944. He came to Norman County, Mn and homesteaded in the Twin Valley area. Peter went by his second name Severin. (see Peter and Helene Hoseth)
Andrias was raised by the Peter Blakstad family and took their last name. He lived at Hadar. He had six children; Alvin, Peter, Alma, Palma, Julia and Edna.
Martine was born in 1874 and died at the age of four months.
Martin was born in 1875 and died at the age of three months.
Martin was born in 1876 and died in 1960. He homesteaded in Ellingson, South Dakota, with his cousin Martin Kindseth in 1908. Martin’s son George was born in SD. Later Martin and his family returned to Zumbrota and he worked there as the janitor of Lands Church for 25 years. Martin had four children; George, Dena, Victor and Mabel.
Anders was born in 1879 and died in 1958. He married twice. We don’t know the names of his wives, although we do know they were sisters. He was able to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary with his first wife. After her death he married her sister and they also celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Anders farmed in Cherry Grove. Anders had eight children; Alfred, Lillian, Clara, Rachel, Helen, Stella, Edna and Lloyd.
Arnold M. and Harriet (Korsgaden-Veum) Hoseth
Arnold M. Hoseth was born on June 5, 1899 to Severin and Helena (Ovaldson) Hoseth in Fossum Twp, Norman County, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Olaf’s Lutheran Church, Faith, Mn., and attended school at Faith and Mahnomen, Mn.
Harriet Lorraine Korsgaden-Veum was born on October 4, 1904 to Hans and Anna Marie Korsgaden in section 12 of Flom Township, Norman County, Mn. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 5 miles north of Flom. She attend school at the Banner Country School up to the 8th grade. In 1907 Hans Korsgaden passed away and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. Her mother remarried Severt Veum around 1911.
Arnold and Harriet were married on November 28, 1924 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. After their marriage Arnold and Harriet took over the family farm in Section 12 of Flom Township. Here Arnold was busy in the daily routines of a farmer and Harriet took on the responsibilities of a farmers wife and a mother to their two sons :Arnold Ray and Sherman. Today, their grandson Corey Hoseth, his wife Cass and their family reside on the home place. Arnold served on the Banner School Board for at least 20 years.
Arnold Ray Hoseth was born on January 10, 1927 in Section 12 of Flom Township, Norman County, Mn. Here he attended school and later married Erma Nelson from Bagley, Mn. They had no children.
Sherman was born on February 26, 1931: See Sherman and Jean Hoseth Arnold passed away on December 13, 1989 at Mahnomen, Mn and Harriet passed away on August 18, 1980 at Dakota Hospital, Fargo, ND. They are both buried at the Twin Valley Cemetery.
Severin A. and Helene (Ovaldson) Hoseth
Severin A. Hoseth was born on February 21, 1870 to Andrew and Marit (Kindseth) Hoseth in Goodhue County, Minnesota. He married Helene Ovaldson on November 6, 1898 by Rev. L.M. Boem in Goodhue County. Helene was born in Goodhue County on February 21, 1872. Her father was among the first settlers in Goodhue county. She grew to girlhood on the home farm, where she lived
In the spring of 1899 they came to Norman County where they purchased a farm and built their home one mile north of Faith. They resided there until the spring of 1927 when they retired from active farming and moved to their farm one and one half miles south of Faith. Mrs. Hoseth died December 22, 1938 and Severin died January 17, 1944. They are both buried in St. Olaf Cemetery at Faith.
The following children were born to them.
Arnold; see Arnold and Harriett Hoseth
Hilma was born on June 11, 1902, she married James Henry Dullum on November 6, 1924. James was born on August 26, 1897. Hilma died in June 1992 and Jim on April 28, 1986. They had no children.
Sander Hilford Hoseth was born on July 2, 1905 and died on April 28, 1980. He lived in the Faith area, where he was active in farming.
Myrtle Edna Hoseth was born on April 16, 1907 and died on April 10, 1920 just six days short of her thirteenth birthday.
Sherman and Jeannine (Hinkley) Hoseth
Sherman was born on February 16, 1931 to Arnold and Harriet Hoseth in rural Mahnomen, Mn. He attended school here and graduated from Twin Valley, HS. He attended the University of Mn. Moorhead and received a BA & MA.
Jeannine was born on May 23, 1934 to Orville and Caroline Hinkley. She attended school in St. Paul, Mn where she graduated from Washington High School. She then went to nursing school for one year.
Sherman and Jean were married on June 5, 1954 at St. Paul, Mn. They have made their home since in section 13 of Flom Township, Norman County, Mn.
Sherman farmed and was a school teacher, he taught for several years at NDSCS at Wahpeton, ND, after retiring from teaching he focused on his farming and job as an Insurance Agent. Jean has kept herself busy with being a homemaker and working at the Flom Cafe for a few years in the 80’s.
Sherman and Jean are the parents of six children; Renee, Sheila, Vicki, Blair, Corey and Melanie.
Renee went to school in Waubun and married David Sogge from there. They live by Glyndon, Mn where she keeps busy as a housewife and secretary for Sogge Tax Service. They have three children; Chad, Crystal and Cameron.
Sheila went to school in Waubun and graduated in 1974. She is married to Jari Boettcher and they live at Hermiston, Ore where they keep busy running their Nursery and Landscaping Business. They have three children; Shannon, Kari and Aaron.
Vicki went to school in Waubun and graduated in 1975. She lived in Lakewood Col., where she is a manicurist. She has two son Tyson and Tucker.
Blair went to school in Waubun and graduated in 1980. He went on to NDSU where he received a BA. He and his wife Debbie live on the former Korsgaden farm where Blair is active in farming and Debbie went to Bemidji, Mn where she received a degree in nursing. She works as a RN in Mahnomen. Blair also keeps busy with his Seed Sales. They are the parents of three children; Ashley, Shauna and Marty.
Corey graduated from Waubun and went to MSU Mhd where he received a BS degree. He is active in farming. He married Cassandra O’Connell and they are the parents of three children; Gabel, Laurel and Tate. Corey and Cass are the owner’s of Flom Insurance Agency, in Flom, where they both work. Cass taught Spanish for a few years at Norman County East. They make their home on Corey’s grandparents farm (Arnold and Harriet’s) in section 12 of Flom Township.
Melanie graduated from Waubun, furthering her education at Bemidji where she received a RN degree in nursing. Melanie and Kevin Quick live by Borup, Mn where he farms and does custom chopping. She works at Ada as a RN. They are the parents of two children, Danika and Tyrell.
Daniel "Dan" Houglum
Dan was born on August 24, 1910 to Martin and Sena Houglum near Audubon, Mn. He grew up In the Audubon, Cormorant areas. In the 1930’s he served in the CCCs. He bought a farm near Flom (the Jacobson Farm) and farmed there until his retirement. In the late 1970’s he moved to Hawley, Mn Dan enjoyed spending time at this Cabin on Long Lost Lake near Bagley, Mn. Where he loved to hunt and fish.Dan died on June 23, 1999 and is buried at the First Lutheran Church Cemetery at Audubon, Mn.
Edward C. and Alma (Jesness) Houglum
Edward Carl Houglum was born on March 29, 1889, on a farm in Flom township, the son of Lars and Karie Houglum. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom. He grew up on the family farm in section 23 of Flom township, currently owned by Jerome and LaDonna Thompson. He attended country school, and he also attended the Crookston Business College, in Crookston, Mn. He assisted on the farm as a young man and also worked as a
bookkeeper in a logging camp near Big Fork, Mn.
Alma Jesness was born on October 20, 1891 on a farm near Fosston, Mn, to Ludvig and Oline Jesness. She was baptized and confirmed at Fosston, Mn. She attended elementary schools there and grew up in the area. She furthered her education and graduated from Normal School Training at
Lars and Karie Houglum Family
Crookston, Mn. She taught in rural schools for eight years in Clearwater, Polk and Norman Counties. She was also a Sunday School and parochial teacher for many years.
On June 2, 1918 he was united in marriage to Alma Jesness at Fosston, Mn. They made their home on the home farm near Flom for three years. In 1921, they moved to Fosston, Mn where they lived until 1931. At that time they moved back to the Houglum farm, near Flom, where they farmed until 1968, when they retired and moved to Moorhead, Mn.
Edward was a member and served on various boards of the Immanuel Lutheran Church for many years. He also was a past member of the local Rural School Board.
Alma was quite active in the Ladies Aid of the Immanuel Lutheran Church of which she was a member since 1931. She was also a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Moorhead , since 1968.
Edward and Alma were the parents of Monroe, Edgar J. and James. Edward passed away on May 17, 1974 at the age of 85, Alma passed away on December 24, 1973. They are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Edward S. and Pauline (Shefveland) Houglum
Edward Slemer Houglum was born to the Andrew Houglum's on April 10, 1892 at Lake Park, Mn. Edward married Pauline Shefveland on June 26, 1919 at Audubon, Mn. He was a member of the Bethania Lutheran Church, and had served on the Perley Creamery Board. Edward and Pauline had farmed in the Lee township until retiring in 1958. Edward died on February 9 at the Americana Nursing Home in Moorhead, Mn.
Edward and Pauline were the parents of: Carol (Andreen Midthune), Betty (Thomas Belvins), Ruby (Myron Miller), Ethel (Ralph Hest), Dr. Arvid Houglum, Edward Houglum Jr. Edward and Pauline would be the Grandparents to: Joe, Dan, and Alan Houglum who lived around Flom.
Joe and Gladys (Stende) Houglum
Joseph Henry Houglum was born to Martin and Sena Houglum, on April 22, 1916. He grew up in the Cormorant area where he was baptized and confirmed at Cormorant Lutheran Church. He attended school at Cormorant Grade school and the attended Pelican Rapids High School. Joe entered the military on August 1, 1941, serving his country in the Army. During his duration in the service he was stationed on the East Coast, also over seas in Germany and France. He was discharged from the service in January 1946, at which time he started farming.
Gladys Victoria Stende was born on August 29, 1927 to Edwin and Nellie (Nelson) Stende. Gladys was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. Gladys attended school at District 46 country school and graduated from Ulen High School. After graduation she attended Moorhead State University where she earned a teaching degree. She taught country schools for two years before her marriage to Joe Houglum. Joe and Gladys were married on September 7, 1947 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. After their marriage the settled into the lives of a farmer and his wife. Joe and Gladys farmed in Flom township in section 23 for many years. It was here they raised their family; Jon Gregory and Julie Ann. Joe and Gladys both worked for American Crystal Sugar in Moorhead, the later years of their farming,in 1981 they sold the building site to Alan and Diane Stangel, they just built a new home on the building site and the old house was moved off. The land was sold to Doug Ruud. Joe and Gladys purchased a new home in Moorhead, Mn. They worked for American Crystal Sugar until their retirement. Joe passed away on January 25, 2001 he is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom. Gladys continues to live in Moorhead.
Jon and Melany (Harrison) Houglum
Jon Gregory was born on June 22, 1953. He was adopted by Joe and Gladys at the age of six weeks. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. He graduated from Waubun High School in 1971,and served in the Armed forces in a medical unit. After he returned home he attended college in Grand Forks, ND and Moorhead, Mn. He moved to Murfreesbor, Tn and is employed at the Veteran's hospital in Nashville, Tn. Jon was born in Minneapolis, Mn.
Jon married Melany Ann Harrison (January 21, 1952), daughter of Swanson and Clara Harrison on October 17, 1973. They had two sons; Jon Anthony (12/17/1974) and Matthew Lawrence (12/29/1990). Jon Anthony married Christy Beard and they have a daughter Brandy Nicole. Melany passed away on March 25, 2001, just two months to the day after Jon's father Joe passed away. Jon resides in Christiana, Tenn.
Clifford Huseby
Clifford was born to Ove and Charlotte (Nelson) Huseby in 1918. He lived at home with his parents until their deaths. He never married. He moved into the Lutheran Memorial Home where he resided until his death in 1986.
Hans and Clara (Grondahl) Huseby
Hans Edwin Huseby was born on April 9, 1890, in Home Lake Township to Jens and Eli (Rinde) Huseby. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, by Rev. Vaaler.
Clara Grondahl was born in Anthony Township of Norman County on February 7, 1896. She attended rural school in that area and also attended Moorhead State Teacher's College in Moorhead.
Hans and Clara (Grondahl) were married on June 28, 1922, at West Marsh River Lutheran church at rural Halstad, Mn. Hans spent his entire life in this community. He had served as township supervisor for 20 years, active in the school board, church secretary and cemetery sexton for many years. He had also served as township assessor for 2 years until his health failed.
After Hans' death Clara remained on the farm with her son James until she became a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in 1985. She resided here until her death on January 21, 1987.
Hans and Clara were the parents of James, who continues to live on the family farm in section 26 of Home Lake township, with his wife Harriet, Ellen (David Cross), JoAnn (James Grondahl), and Barbara (Walter Gwin).
Hans passed away on October 4, 1963 at St. Ansgar's Hospital, Moorhead, Mn. Both are buried at Syre Lutheran Cemetery, Syre, Mn.
Hilman and Mabel (Low) Huseby
Hilman Julian Huseby was born on August 22, 1903 on the family farm in Home Lake township, to Ove and Charlotta Huseby. He was baptized at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church. Hilman grew up on the farm and attended country school in the Woodland Nook School.
In April of 1935 he married Mabel Low at the Wild Rice Lutheran parsonage. They have lived in the Twin Valley area all the time and more recently, right in the city. He was an avid sportsman, a good gardener, and an ardent reader. Hilman passed away on October 2, 1977 at the age of 74 years. He is buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, Mn.
Hilman and Mabel were the parents of; Eunice (Vernon Strommen), Ina Mae (James Thierel), Virgil, and Donald.
Jens and Eli (Rinde) Huseby
Jens T. Huseby was born on November 22, 1851, at Sogn, Norway. He came to America and settled in Rice County, Mn. in 1866. He met Eli Rinde daughter of Helje and Kari (Offerdal) Rinde and married her on May 28, 1877. They came to Norman County, Mn the following year, taking a homestead in Home Lake township in 1878. They resided there until about 1923 when they moved to Syre, Mn.
Jens and Eli were the parents of five children; Ove (see Ove and Charlotte Huseby), Hans E., Helmer (passed away in 1913), Mrs. A.O. Dahl and Mrs. Martin Ellefson.
Jens passed away on March 1, 1935 at the age of 83 years. Funeral services were conducted at Syre Lutheran Church, Syre, Mn with interment at the church cemetery.
Lars and Bergit (Thorpe) Huseby
Lars was born in 1831 and immigrated from Lekangers Parish Sogn, Norway in 1867. He first settled in Rice County, Mn. He met and married a young woman by the name of Bergit Thorpe in 1871. The settled in section 10 of Flom township where they farmed. Here they raised their family; Sven (See Sven and Anna Huseby) , Nels (1880-1940) and a daughter Mrs. C.J. Narum.
Ove and Charlotte (Nelson) Huseby
Ove Huseby came to Norman County at the age of three months with his parents, Jens and Eli Huseby, from Rice County near Northfield, Minnesota. His father, Jens, was born November 22, 1851 at Leganger, Sogn, Norway and came to Rice County in 1866. His wife, Eli Rinde, who was also born in Sogn Norway in 1856, came to Rice County in 1867. Jens Huseby and Eli Rinde were married near Northfield, Minnesota on May 28, 1877. The following year, in 1878, they came to Norman County and homesteaded in Home Lake Township near Syre Minnesota where James Huseby now lives. They had five children Ove, Helmer, Hans, Marie, and Bennetha. In 1924 they moved to Syre. Their son, Hans, took over the farm. Jens died on March 1, 1935. Eli passed away July 15, 1943.
Ove Huseby was born February 16, 1878 in Rice County. He was baptized by Rev. Kvammen. He attended the country school and helped his father with the farm work. Wood was their only fuel and that had to be hauled a distance of ten miles with teams and sleigh. In June, 1893, he was confirmed by Rev. Hans Johnson at the Wild Rice Church.
Charlotte Nelson, daughter of Hans and Anna Nelson, was born November 15, 1878 in Ossian, lowa. She was baptized by Rev. Koren In 1880, at the age of two years, she came with her parents to Norman County. She attended the country school. She was confirmed at the Wild Rice Church by Rev. Hans Johnson in June, 1893. As a young girl she worked several years at the Wild Rice Children's Home near Fossum, Minnesota. Later, she attended a dress making school in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
On June 23, 1902, Ove Huseby and Charlotte Nelson were married at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church by Rev. J. R. Vaaler. After the wedding ceremony the bride and groom left for the bride's home in a buggy decorated with wild roses. About two hundred guests attended the reception at the Nelson home which lasted three days, and included big dinners and suppers. Neighbor ladies had spent several days baking pies, cakes, bread, and preparing the full meals.
Ove served for many years on the town board, school board, and was a trustee of the Wild Rice Church, where they were lifetime members. Charlotte belonged to a Homemakers Club and was a charter member of the Wild Rice Ladies Aid.
Mr. and Mrs. Ove Huseby and Clifford lived in Home Lake Township until the fall of 1946, when they sold their farm home to Lawrence Swenson and moved to Charlotte's childhood home. In 1947 they celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. Ove died on January 29. 1951 and Charlotte on January 1 1966.
They were the parents of eight children.
Hilmen of Twin Valley, Minnesota.
Clifford
Almer lived in Babbitt. Minnesota;
Agnes (Mrs. Albert Dorseth) and
Constance (Mrs. Francis Fossen) both lived in Twin Valley; Sylvia (Mrs. Robert Westby) lived on a farm near Ulen, Minnesota;
Arla (Mrs. Elmer Anker) lived in Fargo, North Dakota.
One son died in infancy.
Sven and Anna (Rogen) Huseby
Mr. and Mrs. Sven Huseby were descendants of the first pioneer who settled near Flom in Norman County. Their parents, the Lars Huseby and the Ole Rogen families were with the first settlers to move from Decorah, lowa in 1868, and after a five-year stay near Northfield, Minnesota, to homestead in Norman County in 1873.
Sven Bernard Huseby was born November 23, 1874 in Flom Township, Norman County, the son of Lars and Bergitta Huseby. He was baptized by Rev. Knute Bjorge and confirmed by Rev. Hans Johnson.
Anna Mathilda Rogen was born April 25, 1876, the daughter of Ole and Ingeborg Rogen near Flom and grew up on a farm there. She was baptized by Rev. Bjorge and confirmed by Rev. Hans Johnson.
On July 12, 1899, Sven and Anna were united in marriage by Rev. J. R. Vaaler at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. They resided on a farm near Flom for 17 years after which they moved to Twin Valley, where Mr. Huseby was manager of the Twin Valley Co-op Shipping Association. They celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in July 1949, in Twin Valley.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Huseby were Charter members of Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, and Mr. Huseby served on the Board of Trustees from 1930 to 1939. Mrs. Huseby was honorary life member of the Zion American Lutheran Church Women.
They had one daughter, Selma, (Mrs. Lawrence Mueller) and two grandchildren, Paul and Linda Mueller.
Sven Huseby passed away on November 20, 1967, at the age of 74 years, 11 months, 20 days.
Anna Huseby passed away suddenly on March 20, 1967, at the age of 90 years, 11 months.
Among the pioneers' stories about Norman County (Eastern) is the story which describes the battle of Frenchman's Bluff. A band of Indians had attacked some early French settlers there. Bones of human skeletons were found on the top of the highest hill which was a part of the Sven Huseby farm. A marker was placed on this spot several years ago by the Minnesota Geological Society.
Please note: In four issues of the Twin Valley Times covering February 1961 there is a very good "pioneer article" about Ingeborg Rogen, mother of Anna Huseby. This article includes much of the history of Norman County.
Orville and Ruth (Erickson) Ingebretson
Orville was born on January 22, 1912 in Becker County, Mn to Peter and Mabel Ingebretson. He grew up here and attended school. He then went to Crookston Agricultural School and after completing his education he began farming in the Flom area.
Orville married Ruth Erickson on June 18, 1936. He later had a trucking operation and treaded in horses which he supplied for the Marshall Plan. In 1954 he moved his family to Wolf Point, Mont. Where he worked as a carpenter for the Montana Highway Department. After retiring he moved to Aqua Dulce.
Orville and Ruth were the parents of Curtis and Annette (Terry Coon).
Orville passed away on March 21, 1993 at Missions Hills California. Interment in Dawson Memorial Cemetery in Glendive.
Peter and Mabel (Lovaas) Ingebretson
Peter Ingebretson, b.12-31-1879 at Lake Park, MN to Ole Bergaard Ingebretson and Guri Einarsdtr Brekken Ingebretson. Ole and Guri emigrated from Tydal, Norway, 4-24-1861.
Peter was the sixth child in a family of 11 children. When he was between 4 and 6 years old, he went to live with Christ and Maren Pederson as their child. Ole Ingebretson and Maren Pederson were first cousins. He was never formally adopted, but they raised and educated him. He ran the farm all his adult life and inherited it. He was schooled at Walworth Dist #46 and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School Was baptized at the Walworth Baptist Church. Was a member of that church since 1902.
Peter married Mabel Lovaas, b. 9-11-1884, daughter of Christian and Mary Anderson Lovaas, married on 12-29-1910, in Swift County, MN. She was baptized in the Baptist faith. Educated in the Ortonville, MN area She was a full-time homemaker and mother.
Mabel was interested in art and as a young woman did some lovely oil paintings. She was a quiet, capable woman, active in her church, a good support for her husband. Mabel died of complications from breast cancer on 5-27-47 at Detroit Lakes, MN. She is buried in the Walworth Baptist Cemetery.
Peter spent 52 years as a farmer in Walworth Township, was very active in his community and the Walworth School District #46. He started the drive for electricity through the REA in August 1939 and was instrumental in keeping the Wild Rice Electric Cooperative project moving. Became Project Superintendent in June 1940 and resigned in May 1942.
In 1958, he was selected and honored as Brothers Keeper in the Red River Chapter of Credit Unions for his outstanding contributions in the credit union, church, co-op and civic affairs. He held offices of trust in township and county . was always interested in the cooperative movement,served on the local creamery board of directors in the Big 5-Co-op Association served as president of the union and was a member of the advisory committee for the Big 5. He was also on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota League of Credit Unions.
He and Mable moved to Mahnomen while he worked at the office of the Wild Rice Cooperative project.
In 1944 they moved to Detroit Lakes, where he was active in general insurance work. They were very much a part of the Flom Community . They raised seven children.
Peter died 8-3-1960 some months after he suffered a massive stroke at Detroit Lakes, and is buried in the Walworth Baptist Cemetery.
Peter and Mabel Ingebretson children
All of their 7 children were baptized in the Walworth Baptist Church, they don't have confirmation.Also, all the children went to Walworth Dist #46 School. They all were born at home on the farm., Walworth Township I am not presuming to try and write any history for those who are still alive. Orville and Ruth are gone as are Eleanore and Hilton.
A. Orville - b.1-22-1912, He graduated from the N.W. School of Agriculture, Crookston, MN On June 18, 1936 he married Ruth Erickson. He was first a farmer, then had a trucking operation and traded in horses which he supplied for the Marshall Plan. In 1954, they moved to Wolf Point, Montana, and he worked on building the Fort Peck Dam, and later worked for the Montana Highway Dept. as night custodian. After retirement, he became active in the restoration of buggies, wagons, and cutters,which appeared in movies such as "Little House on the Prairie." They moved to Agua Dulce, Calif. where he worked making a full scale reproduction of a authentic mud wagon stagecoach.
Orville died 3-21-1993 in Mission Hills, Calif., and is buried
in Dawson Memorial Cemetery, Glendive, MT Ruth Ingebretson b. 1-6-1914, on a farm near Twin Valley, MN to Gust and Otila Bergeson Erickson. She was raised and educated in Twin Valley, MN, attended Moorhead State College in Moorhead, MN She taught schools in Minnesota and Montana, including the Flom school. She was District Mgr. of Field Enterprises Corp while she lived in Wolf Point, Montana. She died 10-12-1991 in Agua Dulce, CA and is buried in Dawson Memorial Cemetery, Glendive, Montana. Ruth and Orville had two children, Curtis b. 6-5-1942, married to Joyce Smith on 4-21-1973, and lives in Monroe, N.C. Rynette, b. 7-27-1949, married Terry Coon 8-23-1967. They live in Glendive, Montana and have two children, Tara and Rhett and Tara has two grandsons.
B. Paul- b, 12-10-1913., He was confirmed 3-26-1943 in the Vanport Church He graduated from the N.W. School of Agriculture, Crookston, MN Paul has been a carpenter and in the building business all his life.
He married Evelyn Ostenvik on 12-24-1937, in Flom, MN. Evelyn B. 3-26-1918 to Wm and Elsie Ostenvik at Flom, MN. She was baptized on 4-21-18, at Aspelund Church, Flom. Confirmed at Aspelund in 1932.
She attended Flom School, graduated from Waubun High School and graduated from business college in Portland, OR. She ran a children's nursery during WWII at Vanport, OR. Was a secretary and for many years worked as a chief clerk and office manager in railroad sales offices in Portland, OR. Hobbies, music, computer, genealogy, reading, and grandchildren.
In his youth Paul did oil paintings. He played trombone in the band. He has made many beautiful carvings for gifts. They settled in Detroit Lakes and built their home there. During WWII, they moved to several places for war work - to Sioux Falls S. Dak. for some months, then to Lake Pendorielle, Ida. from there he was sent to Portland, OR. He headed a crew who did the finish work on oil tankers. From then on he was a finish carpenter and in the building business until he retired due to health reasons. They built their home in Portland, OR. He invented a lefse making machine - one that worked successfully, but he wanted to improve it,so started on a new one. Unfortunately, his health and family work, and time, all made it impossible to continue. He still makes wonderful lefse by hand - which is much enjoyed and looked forward to by friends and family.
Paul was active with boy scouts, the schools, a lot of building work at church, and in the community,
Paul and Evelyn had three children:
CLAUDIA, b. 1-11-39, at Detroit Lakes, Mn, Went to schools and college in Oregon and is a teacher.
She married 2nd Lt. Ralph Wyatt on August 20, 1960, and spent her life moving many places with her Air Force husband , lived 4 years in Japan where she taught school and where their son Kristoffer was born. Ralph retired in 1990 as a full Colonel in the AF. They live in Corvallis, Or. They have two daughters, Kirsten, married to a Saudi Arabian, lives in Saudi Arabia, has two little sons; Kimberly Maren, b. in Los Angeles, is a graphic artist with a computer firm in Portland.
PAUL DAVID, b. 5-29-1941 in Detroit Lakes. educated in Portland Schools - college in Vancouver,\ WA. He was a grocery store manager - now retired - Very talented - does beautiful carving and makes furniture and built his own home. He had three children. Richard Paul, Portland, Or. is unmarried. He was in the Navy for some years and served in the Gulf War in 1987. Theresa - is an electrical engineer works for Computer Cast Parts. She is a Major in the National Guard and served in the Gulf War in 1981. Denise is married To Robb Tetz and they have a son, Nicholas. She works for the Teacher's Credit Union in Portland.
Claudia and Paul David were baptized in the Vanport Oregon Lutheran Church on 3-26, 1943.
ERIK, , b. 9-5-47, Portland,OR. Baptized and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Church, Portland,OR. was educated in Portland, Oregon, graduated from Princeton University, New Jersey in 1969. was a International Scholar at Oslo, Norway, the same year and later studied city planning at the U. of Oslo. Got his graduate degree at the University of Oregon
while working for the Oregon Department of Transportation - Was a supervisor for that department. He married Cynthia Bates 4-22-1972 at Oakland, CA. They had three children:
Peter, b. 12-29-1978, lives in California,graduated from Haverford College, PA, in 2001, works in Walnut Creek, Calif. Britta, b. 12-11-82 is a student at Swarthmore College, PA Krista b. 7-25-84, Senior at Lincoln HS, Portland, OR Erik died 11-25-1993 in Portland, is buried in Lone Fir Cemetary, Portland, OR his death was a great loss to Paul and Evelyn and the whole family
C. Chester - b. 9-28-1915, attended N.W. College of Agriculture, Crookston He married Ilith Brandt 10-21-1939, They had five children: Carmen, Denise, Stephen, Mark and Ben. All are married and have children. Ilith and Chester live in Moorhead, MN
D. Muriel b. 11-16-1917, Graduated from Twin Valley High School Married Frederick McCormick, b. 10-28-1915, m. 10-20-38. They had four children, Linda, Marcia, Fred,and Patty. All are married and have children. Frederick died 3-17-1994. Buried in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens, Minneapolis, MN Muriel lives in Minneapolis, MN
E. Eleanore - b. 1-16-1920, graduated from Twin Valley High School,attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and spent some time at Moorhead State Teachers College
She married Hilton Hansen 9-2-41, He was born 1-23-12 in
Iowa. He was a student Pastor at the Walworth Baptist Church . He became a Baptist pastor and was also a farmer in Britt,Iowa. They adopted a son, Allen b. 2-1-50 and he died 11-1-84. Hilton died 11-26-1961 in Britt, Iowa. Eleanore died 9-4-1985 Britt, Iowa.
F. Ervin - b.1-20-1922, attended Twin Valley High School and the University in Boulder, Colorado He married Carol Boynton 12-26-1925, m.8-28-54 He was a Navy Chaplain. They had two children, Charles, b.7-1-55. unmarried, and Julie b. 3-14-58. She married Sonny Evans, and they have 2
daughters. Ervin and Carol live in Minneapolis
G. Anne (Esther) -b. 4-13-1924 She married Roy Berg, b.1-13-23. They had one son, Thomas, b. 8-18-60 and he married Maureen Kane - They have two sons. Anne and Roy live in retirement in Arlington, IL
Albert and Tillie (Berger) Jacobson
Albert Christian Jacobson was born on February 23, 1888 in Flom township to Knut and Anna Jacobson. He grew up in Flom township.
Mathilda "Tillie" Berger was born on October 16, 1890 to John Pedersen Berger and Karen Marie Halvorsen in Montevideo. Mn. Her family later moved to Henning, Mn. John Berger was born February 4, 1858 in Norway to Johanna Berger. Karen was born on February 28, 1860 in Norway to Halvor Gunderson (11-28-1932 to 4-19-1918) and Ingeborg Jorgensen (12-28-1840 to 2-13-1917). John passed away in March 1935 and Karen in August 1923, they are both buried at the Syre Cemetery.
Albert married Tillie Berger of Henning, Mn. in 1919. After they were first married they resided on a farm in Flom township until 1926 when they moved to Flom and they entered the restaurant business. They operated Jacobson’s Cafe on the east side of Main Street in Flom, with their residence above the Cafe. Albert ran Jacobson’s cafe until his death on September 24, 1942. After his death Tillie remained in Flom. In the later years she would spend time traveling between her children’s homes, but still keeping her home above the Cafe, even after they closed the cafe down she continued to live there. Tillie passed away on January 24, 1967. At the time of her death she was residing at Eveleth, Mn. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn. After her death the old cafe building was sold to Don and Kay Johnson who owned Johnson’s Store in Flom. After the Store burned in 1981, they rebuilt, moving the new store further north. Johnson’s Market was built on the former location of Jacobson’s cafe.
Tillie Jacobson was a member of the Aspelund ALCW, she was a very kind and generous person and if the situation occurred, she was always willing to help her neighbors and friends. Albert and Tillie were the parents of six children;
Joyce, Adeline, Kenneth, Muriel, Edwin and a infant son (unmarked grave at Aspelund)
Joyce C. was born on December 17, 1911. She married John Skansgaard, son of Iver Erlandsen and Anne (Pedersen Aspehaug) Skansgaard, in Flom township, on July 20, 1929. They were the parents of two children; Ronald D. (Joanne) and Sandra K. (Tom) Moe. Sandra has two children; Trevor J. Seidl and Stephanie E. Seidl.
Adeline E. was born on November 12, 1920. She married Hans P. Mitchell. They had no children.
Kenneth Jerome was born on October 29, 1922. He married Imogene Buchholz , daughter of Benny and Gyda Buchholz of Flom on June 24, 1850. He died suddenly from a heart attack at his home in Eveleth, Mn on April 26, 1980, he is buried at Aspelund. They had no children. After his death Imogene moved back to Twin Valley, Mn where she still resides at Valley Pines. She works at the Norman County East Elementary School in the Grandparent program.
Muriel J. was born on September 12, 1921. She married Donald F. Aagenes. They had two children; David and Vicki. David A. (Patricia) Aagenes, they have three sons; Jason D., Daniel P., and Kyle C. Their daughter Vicki L. Aagenes Parise, Vicki has two daughters, Christina D. and Jill J. Muriel J. Aagenes passed away on February 2, 1978 and is buried at the Concordia Cemetery, Fertile, Mn.
Edwin M. was born on June 19, 1932. He has three children; Laura, Randy and Kim. Laura (Mark) Thompson, they have a son William Randy (Rachael) Jacobson , they have three children; Edwin, Lidia, and Alex. In 1978 Edwin married Dorothy Christianson.
There was also an infant (still born) during the later half of the 1920, and he is buried in an unmarked grave in Aspelund Cemetery, Flom.
Arthur and Geneva (Gunderson) Jacobson
Arthur Julius Jacobson was born on January 23, 1898, in Jackson county, Mn., to John and Milla Jacobson. He was baptized in the Belmont Lutheran Church there. He came to the Flom area with his parents at an early age. He was confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn., on October 19, 1913. He grew up in this area and attended country schools here.
Geneva Gunderson was born on November 23, 1901 to Henry and Bertha Gunderson in Flom township, Mn. She was baptized on the home farm and confirmed at Aspleund Lutheran Church. She attended rural elementary schools in the area.
Arthur and Geneva were married on November 26,. 1033 at the Wild Rice Parsonage. After their marriage the resided on his father's farm for a year, on the T. R. Rue farm for nine years and then they moved to their own farm stead in Mahnomen County, Popple Grove township in 1943. Here they raised their daughter; Junnell. Junnell married Dennis Jenson, and they resided in Moorhead, Mn. at the time of her mother's death, when Arthur died they were listed as living by Lake Park, Mn. In 1965 they retired and moved to Twin Valley, Mn, where they lived until their deaths.
Arthur also had a special hobby of raising , buying and selling horses. Geneva was active in her community and church. She was a member of her church circle and a efficient homemaker and loved flowers.
Carl and Clara (Jacobson) Jacobson
Carl Martin Jacobson was born on April 9, 1896 at Lakefield, Mn to John and Milla Jacobson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Belmont Lutheran Church at Jackson, Mn. He came to this area when he was 16 years old.
Carl served in the armed services of his country during World War 1, in the infantry, and also in the home guard, Company M at Moorhead during World War II.
As a young man he did mechanical work at the Smith Motors in Moorhead, Mn, for over 20 years. He then attended the Crookston College of Engineering, where he graduated and then was employed with the Moorhead High School as a heating engineer. Hen then went to Moorhead State College where he was employed for 20 years until his retirement.
On November 8, 1920 he was united in marriage to Clara Jacobsen at her parents home in Flom township. They made their home in Moorhead, Mn for many years.
Clara passed away in 1955. Because of failing health in his last years, Carl became a resident of the Fair Meadow Nursing Home at Fertile in 1975.
Carl was active for many years as a member of the Moorhead American Legion Post and was a member of the Drum and Bugle Cops there. He was also an entertaining violinist and played for many years.
Carl and Clara were the parents of two children; Earl Jacobson and Majorie (John) Knight. The Jacobson woods to many who live around here is located where the Old Aspelund Cemetery is.
Jewitt and Lorraine (Opsahl) Jacobson
Jewitt was born on June 29, 1918 in rural Flom township to Nels and Clara (Kvidt) Jacobson. He was raised and attended school near Flom. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church rural Flom.
After completing his education he served in the United States Army during World War II, of which he entered on January 13, 1942 and served in Puerto Rico for two years. He was discharged on November 15, 1945.
Jewitt married Lorraine Opsahl on January 5, 1945. They lived in Detroit Lakes, Mn where he worked as an auto mechanic. In September of 1964, he became an instructor at the State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND. Where he taught auto mechanic until his retirement in June of 1983. They left the Wahpeton area in 1985 and moved to Fargo, ND.
Jewitt passed away on April 18, 1988 in Fargo. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn with interment at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom. After his death Lorraine remained in Fargo, where she still resides.
John and Emelie (Johnson) Jacobson
John Jacobson was born near Windom, Mn in October 1868. He spent his childhood on the farm. In 1889 he was married to Emelie (Millia) Johnson.
After their marriage they settle on a farm near Jackson and lived there for many years. In 1912 they sold out and packed up moving to the Flom area. It was here they purchased a farm 2 1/4 miles northeast of Flom. Here they built a fine home to raise their family in.
John and Millia were the parents of five children. Caroline who died at the early age of two. Nels, Minnie, Carl and Arthur.
After John's death in 1942 Millia moved into Flom into the home on the west edge of town last occupied by Carl Hamre. She later entered the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Home in Twin Valley where she lived until her death in September of 1959 at the age of 91 years.
Millia had come to the United States from Norway when she was 20 years old. She was a good cook. Always had cookies and good doughnuts on hand whenever some one would come to visit. The coffee pot was always on at her house.
John and Millia were faithful members of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rural Flom. John also had served on the church council of which he was treasurer at the time of his death.
Knut and Anna (Fossen) Jacobson
Knut Jacobson was born in Norway on April 9, 1844 to Jacob A. Brenden and Guri Braget Brenden. Knut came to Norman County from Pope county, Mn in 1877. He settled in section 34 of Flom township, where he homestead.
Knuts parents Jacob A. Brenden was born on October 23, 1815 in Norway and died on January 4, 1890. Gurie Braget Brenden was born on December 23, 1817 and died on September 4, 1895.
Anna Fossen was born in Norway on June 2, 1853 to Sigrid P. Fossen. Anna’s mother Sigrid was born to Neils K. Flaten and Ronnag Olsdatter on March 30, 1823 and died on November 25, 1908. Sigrid Fossen is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Knut and Anna were the parents of six children; Eline (see Ole and Eline Johnson), Julia (see Ole and Julia Odegaard) , Albert (see Albert and Tillie Jacobson), Clara, Gina and Edwin.
Clara was born on November 17, 1889 and died on September 10, 1955. She was married to Carl Johnson who was born on April 9, 1896 and died on July 18, 1976. Clara and Carl were married in 1920. They were the parents of two children; Marjorie "Margie" (John) Knight and Earl.
Gina was born on February 5, 1882 and died on September 1, 1894. She is buried at Aspelund Cemetery.
Edwin Jacobson was born in 1897. He served his country during World War I in the 118th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division during World War I. He was a veteran of WW I, he died on September 25, 1918 and is buried in the Somme American Cemetery in Bony France.
Nels and Clara (Kvidt) Jacobson
Nels Jacobson was born on April 26, 1894, in Jackson county, Mn, to John and Milla Jacobson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Belmont Lutheran Church at Jackson. He also attended country school there. He came to the Flom area at the age of 16, in 1912. Nels had one brother Carl and one sister Minnie ( Lien), there was one other brother and one sister who proceeded him in death.
On April 23, 1916, he was united in marriage to Clara Kvidt at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. They farmed near Flom for 46 years, moving into Flom in 1958 when they retired from farming. Nels lived in the home currently occupied by Elinor Swenson, on the east side of main street, next to Flom Regional Insurance company. His last few years he was a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center in Twin Valley, Mn.
Clara passed away on August 27, 1961, and Nels passed away on February 19, 1975, they are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom.
Nels and Clara were the parents of four children; Newman (Doris Burda), Jewitt (Lorraine), Mildred (Palmer Grefsrud) and Hazel ( Leonard Seykora).
Newman and Doris (Burda) Jacobson
Newman C. Jacobson was born on March 16, 1926 at Twin Valley, Mn to Nels and Clara (Kvidt) Jacobson. He was raised and attended school in this area. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn.
Newman and Doris were married on September 24, 1949 at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn. Doris Burda was born on July 27, 1927 in Nebraska, to Bernard and Pearl (Irish) Burda. She moved to the Ulen area in 1940 with her family when they moved here from Primrose, Nebraska. Here Doris grew up and attended school. Newman and Doris have one son: Loren. Loren and his wife reside in Wisconsin and are the parents of three children; Tim, Cindy and Ryan.
After they were first married they lived and farmed in the Twin Valley and Flom area for six years. Newman then went to work at the Flom Creamery for eight years and Doris ran the Cafe in Flom during this time. They lived in John Christensen’s Photo Studio on the north side of town.
In October of 1964 Newman and Doris left the Flom area and settled in West Bend Wisconsin where he was employed for the city of West Bend. Doris during this time was employed at a furniture store.
Newman was active on Pool and Horseshoe leagues in the West Bend area, as well as spending time with his family and friends. Newman passed away on September 17, 1987 at the age of 61 years. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom with interment at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom.
After his death Doris remained for a short time in West Bend before moving to Detroit Lakes, Mn where she still resides. She is an active member in her church, Aspelund. Doris and Newman loved to visit with friends, enjoyed dancing and socializing.
Ole and Karen (Hattleberg) Jacobson
Ole Jacobson was born on June 7th, 1858, in Winneshiek county, Iowa to Jacob Olson and Anna Hanson. When he was a year old they moved to Freeborn county, Mn.
In 1880 he was united in marriage to Karen Oline Hattleberg and the same year they moved to Lake county, S.D. While they lived in South Dakota they were engaged in farming for many years and then took up the carpenter trade which he followed as long as he was able to work.
Ole and Anna were the parents of ten children. One boy passed away in infancy. Alfred and Adolph lived in Madison, SD; Henry moved to Eureka, Ca; Corrin ( Mrs Nerdahl) lived in Ada, Mn; Odin, Spokane, WA; Alvin lived in Orlando, CA; Olga (Karth) lived in Oswego, NY; Edwin, Chicago, Ill; and Anna (Raad) lived in Twin Valley, Mn.
Ole was a charter member of the Prairie Queen Lutheran Church of Lake county SD, the church he loved. At it’s golden jubilee in 1933 he was an honorary guest-one of the few living charter members.
In 1942 he suffered a severe heart attach from which he never recovered and another attack in 1943 which left him a invalid. During the last few months of his life he was confined to his bed. On Sunday September 16th 1945 at 8:45 he slept peacefully away. Ole is buried at the Prairie Queen Church near Madison, SD.
Ole was a serious minded man and a true Christian. He lived for others that they might be happy.
Alma Johanna Jensen
Was born in 1892 to John and Amelia Jensen. She worked most of her life in the local area doing housekeeping. She lived her entire life in Fossum Township. Alma was very dedicated to her church, Wild Rice, where she was a lifelong member. In her later years, she lived with her nephew, Clifford Dalhaug. She never married.
C.L. and Mary (Jorgenson) Jensen
Mary Annetta Jorgenson was born on February 27, 1883 at Geneva she married Carl Jensen on June 18, 1903 at Winnebago City. Carl served parishes in Iowa and Nebraska before coming to the Walworth Church in 1915. He retired in 1941 and they moved into Ulen, Mn. Their later years they lived in the Rest Home.
Mary died in 1946 and is buried at Walworth Baptist Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
They were the parents of three sons, Paul (see Paul and Frances Jensen), Gordon and Norman.
Carl Olaf and Regina (Korsgaden) Jensen
Carl was born on September 18, 1877 to John and Amelia Jensen. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He received his education in Norman County schools and furthered his education at Park Region College at Fergus Falls, Mn.
Regina was born on April 13, 1886 to Lars and Ronnag Korsgaden. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice. She received her education in Norman County and was a life long member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Carl and Regina were married at Wild Rice on November 19, 1905. They settled in Fossum township and raised their family here. They were the parents to; Kenneth, Sanford, Arnold, Oris, Howard, Lyle, Helen (Arne Eide), and Gelaine (Arthur Gredvig).
Carol was active in church and community organizations having served faithfully on many of the church boards, he was also financial secretary for twenty years. He also served on township boards and school boards at Marsh Creek and Twin Valley. Regina and Carol were very concerned about their children’ welfare and their public and Christian education. They were successful farmers in Fossum Township.
Carl died on September 24, 1953 and Regina died on August 7, 1960. Both are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Don Jensen
Don was born in June of 1948. He farmed for awhile and was married to Verna Mergenthal. They had three children. Nickole (deceased and buried at Immanuel), Jodi and Donivan. Jodi is married to Matt Kvien and they live in Laverne ND with their four children: John 10 years, Lane 4 years, Karlee 3 years and Sage who was born in August of 2001.
Donivan lives in Fargo with his two sons Austin is 7 years and Elias is 4 years. Donivan had one daughter Mia Lynn who is deceased and is buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, MN.
Don now is employed at Norman County Highway Department. He continues to live on the family farm in section 36 of Home Lake Township. In his spare time he runs some feeders and raises Longhorn Cattle. He also has some Quarter horses and a team of Belgian mares for giving sleigh and wagon rides. He enjoys living the life of a "cowboy" going on yearly trips to Medora ND where he enjoys the life outdoors while helping with the annual branding of cattle for a friend. Don and his children love to work with horses and this is also a very high interest with the grandchildren.
Lars and Sena (Simenson) Jensen
Lars Jensen was born in Jutland, Denmark and Sena Jensen was born in Oslo, Norway. They both grew up near Springfield, Mn., where they met and were married on March 30th, 1904. All five of their children were born near Clements, Mn. They came to Flom Township around 1918. They had 10 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Lars died on March 18th, 1957 and
Sena died in 1960 they are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn
Their children are:
James Ed Jensen he married Lillie Prestegord in 1943 and they farmed in Flom Township for many years. Ed died on July 14th, 1982. Lillie lives in Twin Valley, Mn They have two children and two grandchildren. Linda married Richard Ringerud and they live in Fridley, Mn. Larry married Mary Ann and they live in Fayetteville, NC. They have two daughters Kelly and Renee.
Olga Jensen Kragero was married and lived many years in Fargo, ND. She died on March 11, 1962 and had one child Curtis who is married to Charlotte and they live in Fargo, ND. They have six children, Susan, Terry, Robert, Sharon, Larry and Curtis Jr.
Mabel Jensen Stenseth. She married Charles Stenseth and they lived for many years in Heiberg, outside of Twin Valley, MN. Charles died on October 23rd, 1968 and Mabel died January 27th, 1988. They have one daughter Carol Jean Stenseth who resides in Twin Valley, MN. She works for Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley.
Lillie Jensen Jones was married and lived many years in the state of Washington. She died on March 5th, 2001. Lillie had four children and six grandchildren. They are Leonard (deceased), Lorraine, Lyle and Lois.
Lester Jensen married Reome Raad: See Lester and Reome Jensen
Lester and Reome (Raad) Jensen
Lester Jensen left home at the age of 14. He worked on various farms in North Dakota and Minnesota before ending up at the Henry Spielman farm.
While working there he met Reome Raad. She had been sent by her mother to help Mrs. Spielman with some things in the house. Sometime during the day she "happened" to meet the hired man. Lester and Reome were married on October 11th, 1941 at Mahnomen, Mn. Lester continued to work for Spielmans until 1943 when he bought a farm in Home Lake Township and started farming on his own.
Their first child Don was born in June 1948. About a year later the barn was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. No one was injured but some cattle were lost. In May of 1953 a daughter Bonnie was born. A short time later disaster struck again. When they lost their entire herd of milk cows to Bang's disease. They always managed to survive like the strong always do and continued to work and live on the farm until Lester's death in 1982. Reome continued to live on the farm until 1994 when she moved to Twin Valley, Mn. Reome is still active in the Aspelund Lutheran Church where she helps with quilting, and with the women's organizations. She still loves to go out to the far and mow the grass during the summer.
Lester and Reome have two children. Don: See Don Jensen
Bonnie was born in May of 1953. After graduating from High School Bonnie went on to further her education at Moorhead Tech. She worked for St. Luke's Hospital for a while then she joined the Women's Army Corp. She ended up in Lawton, Oklahoma and graduated from Lawton University. It was here she met and married Gaylon Anderson. They later moved to Minneapolis, Mn, Albert City, IA, Evansville, Ind., and now are living in Bellvue, Nebraska. Gaylon has continually worked for Con Agra as a Finance controller and Bonnie always ends up with a teaching job wherever they get transferred to. Bonnie and Gaylon have two sons: Geoff who lives in Terre Haute, Indiana and Erick who lives at home.
John and Amelia (Larson) Jenson
John Jenson was born to Jens Jorgen and Elise Oldsdatter Knutson on the Gronaya Farm near Telemarken, Norway on September 28, 1849. John’s parents died when he was ten years old. His father was a teacher and a farmer. After his death, John and his siblings lived with various relatives. At sixteen he and another boy hired out as cabin boys on a seafarer, which took them to Havana, Cuba, and later into the Mediterranean Sea as far as the Turkish, coast. There the whole personnel of the boat with the exception of the captain and Mr. Jenson succumbed to yellow fever. Mr. Jensen was brought through by the tender care of the captain and he in turn took care of the captain later. From there he was sent home on another ship. His pay was very meager and the work very hard, but the roving spirit of adventure was not quenched, and he again set out with his brother at the age of 18 for Leland Illinois. He stayed there for a couple of months and then moved on to Rice county, Mn., remaining there until in 1873 when he, together with a friend Henry Benson, and John’s brothers; George Johnson (Jorgen) and Jens Morland (Jens took the last name of his uncles farm in Norway where he was raised) set out in a covered wagon and oxen for Norman County, Mn. The trip taking three weeks. John Jenson settled in Section 20 of Fossum township He endured the early hardship of pioneer days and to augment his not always plentiful supply of cash, went to Hawley, Mn in the early summer of 1873 to break land for a Scotch farmer there. It was while he was there on a week day that the then young pastor Bjorgo came and had services in a Norwegian home near Hawley. John laid off the afternoon to take in the services and told about the settlement near the Wild Rice river and he and his companion, Mr. Urdahl, induced the pastor to promise a visit a little later on in their home community. Thus two young men, just in their early twenties, had desire enough to plead for a pastor and did bring about the formation of the Wild Rice congregation that at one time numbered as many as 183 families. He took an active part in the formation of the congregation and was among those who furnished both logs and work for the first church. He also stood as the first groom, being married on September 28, 1873. The congregation was organized on July 20, 1873 on Rev. Bjorgno’s first trip to the area, on his second trip to the congregation he performed the wedding ceremony of John and Amelia.
Amelia Larson was born in Decorah, Ia to Wellick and Kirsti Larson. Soon after her birth, the family moved to Fairbault, Mn, where they lived until 1873. It was then that they traveled to Norman County by ox cart. Amelia was a charter member of the Wild Rice congregation where she was active in Ladies Aid and other church activities.
John and Amelia had the following children; William (Jens) , Carl O., Edward, Elisa (Oscar Dahlhaug),
Clara who died at the age of two, Alma, Birdie who died at the age of 14, Clara Valmin (Sigurd Dahlhaug) and Nile.
John died on May 5, 1940 and Amelia died in 1939 both are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Rev A.H. Amundson pastor and friend wrote these words of John; Mr. Jenson was a sturdy pioneer embodying those sterling qualities we love to find among these fine old folks. His church was uppermost in his hear and he came faithfully to worship as long as he could and he often sent for his pastor for communion and spiritual service. That was also his last conscious act before the Lord called him home. He kept well up with his affairs until the end and the sad news of the war in Norway saddened his heart a lot. The words written at the passing of his wife, the following are very fitting to his also;
We need to pause when these venerable pioneers pass on. They have done much for church and state. And their love for their special institution - the church- is specially worth mentioning. Here they came with small means to wring a home and a living out of the wilderness for them and their families. It was work -more hard work and many privations that faced them daily. And for that reason they seemed to have a special love for the church that is hard to find in the growing generation. The church stood as an unfailing rock of comfort and cheer and here they sought renewed courage and strength to continue the daily grind. And so they learned to love and esteem the church in a very special manner and also the servant of the church. And they shared liberally as God prospered them. May the memory of them be enshrined in the hearts of many as we honor them one by one in the passing.
Nile and Ida Jenson
Nile was born in 1899 to John and Amelia Jensen near Twin Valley, Mn. Ida (Jenson) was born on 1904 to Hans P. and Lena (Haugness) Jenson. He and Ida were married in 1924 in Ada, Mn. They settled on the farm near Borup, Mn where they stay until 1940, when they moved to this area.
Children born to them were: Vernon, Norris, Leland, Donald, Delano, Dennis, James, Nile Jr., Vernette (Christianson), Iola (George Samuels) and Deloris Gilberth (Homer Neeley).
Nile died on November 27, 1976 and Ida died on January 25, 1991; both are buried at Wild Rice.
Paul and Frances (Larson) Jensen
Frances Larson was born on May 28, 1909 at Tracy, Mn. She came to the Twin Valley area with her parents when she was a child. She received her education at Home Lake Country Schools and then went to Twin Valley High School where she graduated. After completing her education she attended Normal School in Ada, Mn.
She taught for a few years before her marriage to Paul Jensen on June 14, 1933 in Twin Valley, Mn. They made their home in Walworth township in section 4. Paul passed away on January 26, 1973 at which time their son Phillip took over the farming operations. Frances "Peaches" continued to live on the farm with her
son until 1985 when she moved into the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, Mn. Here she remained until her death on May 15, 1987.
The Jensen’s were active in the church, Walworth Baptist Church which is located just north of their homeplace. Their son Phillip continued to farm until his retirement, due to heath in the 1980’s. At this time he rented out his farmland until his death.
Paul and Frances were the parents of; Phillip and Marian (Carl Shaw).
Paul, Frances and Phillip are all buried at Walworth Baptist Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Ole Olson and Eliza (Everson)Jensveen
On August 31, 1840 Ole was born in Sakssumal, Faaberg, Oppland, Norway the 7th of 8 total children. His father died in 1844 and his mother (Marit) remarried in 1846. Leaving the area on April 17,1855 with another family, Ole most likely sailed on the William Tell, leaving Christiania on May 2 and arriving in Quebec on June 18. He settled in Rock Prairie, Wis. and is on the 1860 census. In 1868 Marit sailed on the Emerald with husband Peder and their only child Johannes (Lien).
The clan migrated to Goodhue County in the 1870's where Ole married Miss Eliza Everson on February 7, 1871. Staying there about 9 years, Ole and family moved to Fossum township and resided in Section 33 farming 160 acres until 1914 when declining health mandated a move into Twin Valley. Ole died July 17, 1919 and Eliza died on May 27, 1922. They are buried in unmarked graves lot 14, block 9, in the Twin Valley Cemetery.
Picture: Top Oscar, Julia, Edward Clara, Ole, Eliza, Arthur, Sophia
The Ole Olson Jensveen children;
1. Clara b. 7/16/1871 d. 2/10/1953 Culbertson, MT of Arteriosclerosis
2. Julia b. 4/21/1873 d. 12/11/1943 Plentywood, MT of Mycardial infarction
3. Edward b. 12/18/1878 d. 3/22/1960 Moorhead, MN of Arteriosclerosis
4. Oscar b. 12/18/1878 d. 11/13/1967 Harve, MT of Acute Cardiac Failure
5. Sophia b. 7/12/1882 d. 11/19/1916 Twin Valley, MN of Tuberculosis
6. Arthur b. 1/11/1885 d. 11/2/1968 Plentywood, MT of Cerebro Vascular Disease
Peder died July 4, 1882 and Marit moved into the Jensveen house and is listed on the 1885 state census. Marit died December 15, 1894. Both Peder and Marit are buried in unmarked graves is the Wild Rice Cemetery. Johannes Lien, Ole's 1/2 brother died February 6, 1924 and is also buried in the Wild Rice Cemetery.
Richard Line, Santee, California
Russell and Eleanor (Ramsey) Jeske
Russell Jeske was born on June 18, 1914 in Springfield, Mn to Ernest and Clairbel (Spielman) Jeske. He moved with his family when he was a year and a half to Twin Valley, Mn. Here he grew up and attended school and graduated with the class of 1932. He was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, Mn. As a young man he worked for area farmers for several years.
Russell and Eleanor were married on July 6, 1941 at Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, Mn. They made their home in section 2 of Flom Township, and farmed with her parents for the first five years. It was during this time they purchased a farm southwest of Mahnomen and it was to become their home. They moved onto this farm in 1946 and remained there until 1985, at which time they sold the farm and moved into Twin Valley, Mn.
Russell worked for Sig Anderson starting in 1960 at the Implement in Mahnomen, which he later purchased and renamed Mahnomen Implement. He retired from the business in 1980.
Russell and Eleanor were active member in their church Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn., both having been a part of the church choir. Russell was also active in the Men's Quartet and served many years on the church boards. Russell enjoyed fishing, woodworking, gardening and flowers, he enjoyed sharing his beautiful gladiolus that he grew with the church and many friends.
Russell passed away in 1989 at the age of 74. Eleanor remained in their home in Twin Valley until the late 1990's when she moved into the Normandy Apartments in Twin Valley, after their completion. Russell is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Vincent V. and Anna (Schwartz) Jirava Sr.
Vincent V. Jirava was born on Nov.11,1884 in Otrocineves, in Czechoslovakia. In 1909 he purchased 80 acres from a land agent in yellow Medicine County, Canby, Mn and moved onto the prairies three and three-quarter miles west of Ogema, Mn. At this time there were no roads for one to travel on, only trails leading through the new land.
Anna Schwartz was born on July 31, 1886 to Joseph and Barbara (Stanek) Schwartz in Yellow Medicine, Co., Mn. She received a education at the rural schools in the area southwest of Canby, Mn. She was the tenth child born to the Stanek’s.
Vincent and Anna were married on March 8, 1991 at Canby, Mn. The lived in Spring Creek Township in Section 21 west of Ogema, Mn where they farmed. Vincent also worked in the lumber camps in Northeast Minnesota for 12 winters. He served as treasurer for Spring Creek Twp., for many years. Anna served on the school board many years in District 106, which was located five miles west of Ogema, Mn. They also boarded county school teachers for many years.
Vincent and Anna were the parents of children: Their first child Jerry died just a few months after being born.
Vincent II: He attended country school in Dist. 106. He farmed west of Ogema and married Beulah Polda in 1946. They had two sons; Wayne, who lives in Ritzville, Wa., where he farms. He is married and has three sons.
Roger died of a brain tumor at the age of 42 in Ritzville, Wa., he was married and had four children, they all live in the state of Washington.
Vincent died on Sept. 15, 2000 in Ritzville, Wa., he was cremated and his ashes were spread on his grandson Ron Jirava’s farm. His widow Beulah is Jean Casper’s sister, who lives in Ogema where they were born to Anna and George Polda.
Vladimir (Lod) farmed west of Ogema also. He married Mae Reed on Sept. 3, 1939. Their first son died just a few days after birth and is buried at the Ogema City Cemetery. Barbara lives north of Callaway and is married to Glenn Donely, they have three daughters; all married and living in Minnesota. Gerald and Debbie live west of Ogema and have one son and three daughters. Lloyd and Linda (Teiken) also farm and they have one daughter and three sons; all who live in Minnesota. Eileen is married to Art Groth, they have two sons and two daughters all who live in Minnesota. Carla married Dick Wirth and they had five children. She later married Verlyn Menning and they live near St.Cloud, Mn. Larry is married to Susan Mikkelson and the live in Webster SD, they have three grown children. Merlyn and Marge (Safar) live in South Dakota. Lod and Mae live in Ogema, Minnesota.
Jerome "Bud" was born on November 18, 1922 on the home farm three and three-quarter miles west of Ogema. He farmed all his life. Bud married Marcy Mikkelson on June 15, 1947 in Lake Park by the same Lutheran minister Rev. Anders who married Marcy’s parents on Feb 23, 1923 and two of Marcy’s sisters before her.
Bud and Marcy had a herd of dairy cattle and polled Hereford’s. In 1976 they sold their dairy her and focused on raising wheat, barley, oats, corn and soybeans. Bud was a member of Mn Crop Improvement Assn., served as President for a few years in the 1950’s. He also served on the Spring Creek Township Board for 34 years. He was elected to the Board of the Flom Co-op Oil Assn and served for 38 years, also Mn State President of the Western Fraternal Life Assn in 1986. In Feb. 1966, they were chosen as Red River Valley Farmer and Homemaker Award for Becker County.
In June of 1968 three of Bud and Lod’s first cousins came to Minnesota from Prague, Czechoslovakia for a three week visit. In march of 1974 Bud and Marcy went to Czechoslovakia where they visited with family for three weeks.
Marcy was Dist 1 Secretary for 10 years in the WFLA. They attended many meetings over the years. Both also served on the church board of the Ogema Congregational Church UCC which merged with the Waubun and Mahnomen congregations and became "Circles of Faith" and made a new church on Hwy 59 and Hwy 113 corner in 1996.
Bud and Marcy became parents to seven children; Their first born was Jerome Benjamin II. He was married to Liz Kohler and they had two boys and two girls. They were divorced and he later married Sharon Leerson , they are now divorced. They all live in Mn.
James married Margaret Reller, they farm at the home place. They are the parent’s of three daughters.
Janis is married to Gerry Schram, they have two sons and live east of Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Janell is married to Duane Stalberger, they have two children who are both married. They live west of Ogema.
Jean was born on July 1, 1954 and died on November 16, 1954 of a brain tumor. She is buried at the Ogema City Cemetery.
Joanne is married to Paul Stalberger and they live east of Ogema. They have two children.
Jane is married to Roger Foltz and they live southeast of Callaway. They have four children. They lost their daughter Amanda in July 1994, at the age of 15 to heart failure due to a virus which attacked her heart.
Bud and Marcy moved to Big Floyd Lake in 1990 and lived there for eight years, they then moved to 507 Broadway Ave in Detroit Lakes, Mn where they reside now. Bud commutes to the arm during the growing season.
Alvin and Edna (Raad) Johnson
Edna Irene Raad was born on September 2, 1923 at Twin Valley, Mn. She attended rural school near Flom and graduated from Waubun, Mn with the class of 1943. She married Alvin Johnson on September 18, 1943, at Twin Valley, Mn.
They lived on a farm east of Ulen, Mn after their marriage until 1946 when they moved to Flom. In 1953 they left Flom and moved to Beltrami, Mn. Here Edna worked in a Crookston Hospital. They left the Beltrami area in 1968 moving to Ada, Mn. In Ada she worked at the Ada Produce, Ada Bakery, Duff’s Super Valu and Gary’s Parts Store.
Edna and Alvin were the parents of; Dean, Daryl, Dannie, Deon, Darlene (Anderson), Daralynn (Gnadt), Doreen (Olson) and DeAnn ( O’Neil).
The following is a report by the Highway Patrol:
Edna Johnson age 61 of Ada, died Thursday after a trip to a Fargo hospital by ambulance was halted because of storm conditions followed by a collision.
The state Highway Patrol office in Detroit Lakes said Johnson was a patient in a Norman County ambulance.
The patrol said visibility was near zero about 2:30 pm when the driver slowed to a stop on Minnesota Hwy 200 to turn around about four miles west of Ada. The ambulance and a vehicle collided at that time.
Funeral services were held at Grace Lutheran Church of Ada, with interment at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom.
Boyd and Dorothy (Voltz) Johnson
Boyd L. Johnson was born in 1920 near Hunter, ND to Fred and Olga (Stai) Johnson. He grew up near Hillsboro and worked there until his marriage to Dorothy Voltz.
Dorothy Irene Johnson was born on October 18, 1920 at Bohnsack, ND, the daughter of William and Mary (Johnson) Voltz. Her mother died when she was only two years old and she lived with her grandmother near Kelso, ND, where she attended school. Dorothy worked as a housekeeper.
Boyd and Dorothy were married on February 25, 1939 at Fargo, ND. They moved to the Twin Valley area in the early 1940’s, then moved near Gary, and then to the Flom area. Boyd worked at the CCC camp in Ely, Mn before starting to farm. In the late 1950’s. Dorothy began working in Stende’s Red Owl Store in Flom.
Boyd and Dorothy later purchased the store on April 1, 1968, renaming it Johnson’s Food and Locker. They operated the store along with their son Donald and his wife Kay until it was destroyed by fire on October 25, 1981. When the new store was built in 1982 she worked part time until the summer of 1992.
Boyd began working for American Crystal Sugar Company in 1958. He worked 18 campaigns at the Moorhead plant and during the summer months he would work construction, which he did until the mid 1960’s. In the mid 1970’s he began working full time at American Crystal Sugar Company in Hillsboro, ND, which he did until his retirement at the age of 65.
Dorothy was a long time member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary of the Flom- Twin Valley Post 3818.
Dorothy passed away on November 6, 1992. They are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Boyd and Dorothy were the parents of William “Bill”, Donald (see Don and Kay Johnson), Duane “Butch” (see Duane and Carol Johnson) , Bonnie (Gorden Swenson), Donna (Gerald Lien), Sandy (see Lyle and Sandy Seykora), and Betty (Dale Thompson).
Bill married Mary Zimmer, they are the parents of two children; Sheridan is married to Betsy Lien and Shireen is married to Harley Riger and they have one son; Isaac.
Bonita “Bonnie” married Gorden Swenson and they reside at Barnesville, Mn. They are the parents of four children; Philip is married to Jamie Lewis, Daniel, Paul and Leah.
Donna married Gerald Lien and they reside in section 34 of Flom township. They are the parents of three children; Gerri, Debbie and David. Gerri married Charlene Remis and they have three sons; Erik, Kristian and Aaron. They reside in Moorhead, Mn where Gerri is employed at Flint Communications and Char is a special Ed teacher and volley ball coach. Debbie married Jeff Opsahl and they farm in section 23 of Home Lake township, where they reside with their three sons; Tyler, Ethan and Kelby. Jeff also coaches basketball and Debbie (Squeak) works at the grade school in Gary, Mn. David married Christina Sagen, they reside in section 33 of Flom township on the farm formally known as the home of Kenneth Johnson. They have one son Parker David. David is employed by Advanced Elevator and also farms with his father. Christina has her own business in their home; Lien Financial Services.
Betty married Dale Thompson, they are the parents of two daughters; Kelly Jo and Sarah. Dale also grew up in the Flom area, the son of Marvin and Marilyn Thompson.
Carl and Alma (Nelson) Johnson
Alma Nelson was born on December 3, 1886 at Moorhead, Mn. She married Carl John and they farmed near Willmar, Mn. They were the parents of five children; Edward, Elsie, Hilda, Bernard and Helen.
Edward was born on November 30, 1914 and died on May 8, 1959. Elsie was born on March 16, 1916 and married Levi Dahl. Hilda was born on April 30, 1917. She married Stanley Bergstrand. Bernard was born on March 15, 1919. He married Doris Peterson and Helen was born on September 1, 1922. She married Vernon Sjoberg.
Donald and Kay (Rikhus) Johnson
Donald Eugene Johnson was born to Boyd and Dorothy (Voltz) Johnson. He attended school at Gary and Twin Valley, Mn, graduating from Twin Valley High School. Don worked at the Flom Creamery from 1959-1963 at which time they moved to Casselton, ND where he worked for Grant R. Mattson John Deere Implement as a parts man.
Kay Patricia Rikhus was born to Norman and Mildred (Jadrny) Rikhus. Kay is a graduate of Ulen High School.
In 1968 Don and Kay left Casselton for a new adventure. They returned to Flom and purchased the Red Owl Store from Sylve and Shottie Stende. Along with Don’s parents Boyd and Dorothy they renamed the store " Johnson’s Food and Locker. On October 25, 1981 the store burned to the ground. At this time the store was located in the newly built Flom Co-op Oil until October of 1982, when it moved into it’s new and present location. The store was renamed "Johnson’s Market"., and is owned by Don and Kay.
Don and Kay are the parents of two sons; Randy and Richard.
Randy Scott graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1980, he then went to NDSU in Fargo, ND to further his education. He works at IBM at Rochester, Mn. Randy married Kimberly Erica Hornseth in St. Paul. Randy and Kim live at Dodge Center, Mn with their three daughters; Gretchen Anika, Rachel Erin and Ashley Claire.
Richard Allen graduated from Twin Valley High School and then went to NDSU to further his education. Rich works for Elk River Machine Company in Elk River, Mn. Rich married Tanya Sue Gillen at White Bear Lake, Mn and they are the parents of two sons; Cooper Riley and Dustin Alexander. They recently moved to Isanti, Mn.
Duane and Carol (Seykora) Johnson
Duane C. “Butch” Johnson the son of Boyd and Dorothy (Voltz) Johnson and Carol Seykora the daughter of Leonard and Hazel (Jacobson) Seykora were married in October of 1965. They made their home in Flom, purchasing the former Ostenvik home from Magda Skansgaard. Here they lived and raised their family of four children; Leon, Dee Ann, Teresa and Stacy.
Butch was employed at the Flom Co-op from 1964 as the bulk truck driver and in 1977 took over the manager’s position with the retirement of Lyle Klemetson. Carol has managed the Flom Cafe since the fall of 1987 to the present. She presently has employed by her; Irene Klemetson, Cindy Skansgaard, Linda Blomseth, Stacy Johnson, Jennifer Klemetson and her daughters; Kayla and Katie who help out occasionally.
Leon is married to Connie Christianson and they have one daughter; Jacey. They reside in Montevideo, Mn where Leon is employed as a Farm Service Agent and Connie is employed as an Occupational Therapist.
Dee Ann is married to Mike Wolfswinkel and they reside in Lake Park, Mn. Mike is owner operator of his own trucking company and Dee Ann works at Country Furniture. Mike has two daughters from his first marriage; Jennifer and Casey. Mike and Dee Ann are the parents of two sons; Adam and Cody.
Teresa is married to Steve Wasvick and they reside at Grand Forks, ND. Teresa is employed by Alerus Financial in Grand Forks, ND and Steve is an electrician. Steve has one son from his first marriage; Nathan.
Stacy lives in Fargo, ND where she is employed by the Catholic School System.
Edwin A. and Gladys (Asp) Johnson
Edwin A. Johnson was born on April 16, 1919 in Flom township. He grew up in a Christian and loving family, the youngest of 10 children born to Herman and Rodi (Weum) Johnson. He received his draft notice on December 8, 1941, participating in the invasion of Africa in November of 1942. He was wounded on April 23, 1943. After recovering from his injuries, he earned a degree in education from the U of Mn in 1948.
While there he joined the choir at University Hope Lutheran Church where he met his bride-to-be, Gladys. He married Gladys Asp on August 3, 1947 in a double wedding ceremony with Gladys' sister Elenore. Gladys was born on December 10, 1928.
He earned a Master's degree in education at the U of ND in 1953 and a Master's degree in chemistry education at the U of ND in 1963. He taught High School science and chemistry for 8 years in Frazee, Mn, 7 years in Meridian, and 18 years in Borah in Boise, Idaho, where he retired from teaching in 1981.
Ed was a longtime faithful member and worker in the Lutheran church. He was a charter member of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in southeast Boise. His greatest gifts were as a prayer warrior, singing praises as a choir member, and as a Bethel teacher. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
Edwin and Gladys were the parents of four children; Kent, Dennis, Marcia (Milleville) and Kevin. Edwin is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
George C.A. and Clara (Hegreberg) Johnson
George C.A. Johnson was born on November 7, 1906. Clara was born on December 3, 1904. George and Clara Hegreberg were married on June 17, 1931. They had no children. They farmed and in their later years moved into the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn. George died on December 10, 1998. Clara remained at the Nursing Home in Twin Valley, until the new facility was constructed in Ada. She then moved there until her death. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery, where they were members.
Harry Olaie Johnson
Harry Olaie Johnson was born on August 12, 1939, in Flom township, to Nels and Anna (Ronning) Johnson. He grew up in section 33 of Flom township on the cart trail. He moved to Grand Forks, ND where he was a cook for many years.
Harry married Karen Holth in 1964. They were the parents of two daughters; Karri and Jodi. Harry was very proud of his two daughters and his three grandsons.
Harry was a excellent cook. He also was a very funny and quick-witted person. He enjoyed playing jokes on people and also had many friends. Harry loved to draw and was very artistic.
Harry was killed in a tragic accident on May 10,2002, when he was involved in an car pedestrian accident in Grand Forks, ND. Funeral services were held in Grand Forks, ND and interment was made at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. He is buried beside his parents.
Herman S. and Rodi (Weum) Johnson
Herman S. Johnson was born on September 23, 1871 to Martin and Caroline Johnson in Freeborn County, Minnesota. He came with his parents as a child to Norman County, where he remained the rest of his life. Herman and four brothers; Adolph, Johanes, Ferdenant and Oscar. He also had five sisters; Sophia, Lovisa, Josephine, Mathilda and Helena.
Rodi Kristina Weum was born on May 4, 1881 to Andrew Ragnoldson and Gertude Sjrusdatter (Stundahl) Weum at Albert Lea, Minnesota. She came to Norman County as a child with her parents.
She had five brothers; Severt, Christian, Edwin, Theodore and Alfred.
Herman and Rodi were married on June 14, 1905. They lived in the Flom area and it was here they raised their family of ten children. Herman farmed and also did carpenter work in the Flom area. Rodi kept at home raising their 10 children. They were; George C.A. , Sophia and Clara, Sophia C., Mervin, Rose, Gertrude, Mabel, Stella and Edwin. All of their children were born at Flom except George C.A. Johnson, he was born at Lake Park , Mn.
Herman died on November 27, 1955 and Rodi passed away on March 29, 1957. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
James and Beverly (Narum) Johnson
Beverly was baptized at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn and confirmed at Gary Lutheran Church,
Gary , Mn. After graduation from Gary High School she married James Johnson on June 29, 1949 at Gary, Mn. Beverly and James owned their own business and raised their three children. Keith James was born on January 5, 1950, Dale Bradley was born on February 25, 1952 and Ross Allen was born on December 16, 1953. They reside in Engelwood, Florida.
Kenneth Johnson
Kenneth was born to Ole and Eline Johnson on Dec 1913. He grew up on the family farm 1/2 mile south of Flom. He worked for various farmers during his life. Kenneth enjoyed gardening and loved to work in his garden. He showed great pride in his vegetables. Kenneth was a avid hunter and trapper. He spent many hours walking his trap lines to see what his efforts brought. He trapped mostly Muskrat and Mink around the area. He enjoyed deer hunting with a great passion. Many stories can be told about Kenneth and his love for the outdoors by others who hunted with him. The night before the big deer hunting season Kenneth slept very little, the anticipation of the hunting season kept him in high gear and on many occasions he told of washing his floors at 3 AM. He was always ready when we came to pick him up. No matter how ill Kenneth was in the fall of the year he would always spring back for the deer season. He taught me as a youngster (Jennifer Dorseth Klemetson) the skills needed to hunt. I became hunting at the age of 8 and would tag along with Kenneth through the trees and sloughs. He didn't like to sit on post. I had a very special bond with Kenneth and it was from him that I received my nickname George which still sticks to this day. It was after my Grandpa Henry died that I started to call Kenneth Grandpa which seemed to tickle him. Kenneth lived on the family farm south of Flom until the 1980's when he entered the Moorhead Health Care Center in Moorhead. Here he lived until his death on October 24th, 1999. Kenneth is survived by one sister Inger Cooper who lives in Moorhead, MN with her daughter Carole.
Lawrence Julius Johnson
Lawrence was born on December 30, 1913, one of a set of twins born to Ole and Eline Johnson at Flom, Mn, the other being Kenneth Johnson. Lawrence was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. He attended elementary schools and grew up around Flom, in section 33 of Flom township.
He was inducted into the armed services on his country on September 15, 1942 at Ft. Snelling, Minnesota and was honorably discharged from Camp Carson, Colorado, on May 31, 1945. He had been attached to the 8th General Hospital there. He served overseas in the Pacific Ocean area, much of it in New Caledonia.
Lawrence never married.
For many years he was employed with the Foss Lumber Company in Moorhead, Mn and more recently he was a resident of the Americana Nursing Home in Moorhead.
Lawrence passed away on Wednesday night, September 14, 1977 at the age of 63 years. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn with interment in the church cemetery.
Mabel (Ommodt) Johnson
Mabel worked for several years in the creamery in Hawley, Mn, and also several years at the bank in Hawley before moving to Tacoma, WA. In Tacoma, she worked as a bookkeeper until her retirement. She passed away in 1983.
Melvin and Genevieve (Rue) Johnson
Melvin (Mike) B Johnson was born on June 17th, 1909 to Warner and Inez (Aasgaard) Johnson. He had three brothers Wilford, Alvin and Carrol and one sister Bernice (Swenson).
Genevieve (Genny) Rue was born to Henry and Mabel (Gunderson) Rue.
Mike and Genny lived in Flom in the Former Narum house in section 33 of Flom Township. Here they raised their four children.
Sharon (Tourville) lived in Chandler Arizona and is now deceased.
Gary lies in Brooklyn Park, Mn,
Diane married Harold Arends and they live in Inner Grove Heights, Mn and
Keith married Sue Mertens of Ogema where they live.
Mike had his own mechanic shop in Flom. Genny worked at the Flom Cafe and Flom VFW for many years before moving to Detroit Lakes, Mn in the 1980's.
All of Mike and Genny's children were baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. They are all graduates of Twin Valley High School, Twin Valley, Mn.
Mervin and Clarice (Brateng) Johnson
Mervin Fred Johnson was born on September 1, 1910, to Herman and Rodi Johnson. Clarice Brateng was born on July 25, 1922 to Morris and Astrid Bratgeng near Wannaska, Minnesota. He married Clarice Brateng on August 12, 1944 at Crookston, Mn Clarice had three brothers; Earl, Dean, and Ernest and three sisters; Irene (Osell), Marion (Haugen) and Lila (Alten). Mervin and Clarice lived in Twin Valley, Mn. They were the parents of one daughter; Renae who was born on March 31, 1947.
Mervin passed away on November 5, 2001 and Clarice on December 14, 1998. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Nels and Anna (Ronning ) Johnson
Nels O. Johnson was born on December 15, 1897 to Haakon and Gjertrud Johnson. Haaken was born in Norway, and immigrated to the United States. After coming to American he went by Henry. He died on July 26, 1938 and is buried at Aspelund. Gjertrude was also born on Norway and came to the United States. She died on January 21, 1945 at East Grand Forks, Mn and is buried at Aspelund. Nels had one brother Wilhelem.
Anna Ronning was born to Ole and Ronnaug Ronning on September 6, 1905 in Norway. She came to this country along with her parents.
After Nels and Anna were married they settled down in Section 33 of Flom Township were they raised their family. They lived on the cart trail 1/4 miles south of Flom and 1/4 mile west. The house still stands to this day along the trail. It was here that Nels and Anna raised their family of eleven children. Nels was well known in the Flom area for his large garden. He sold vegetables to local people. He was also a excellent hunter and trapper.
Lillian Johnson lived in Seattle Washington, she is deceased and buried at Seattle.
Roy Gordon, was born on February 28, 1929 and grew up at Flom. He went to school at Flom and worked for area farmers. He was a Veteran of the Korean War, having served in Korea, he was a Pvt HQ Col BN 65 Inf. Roy died on November 15, 1967 and is buried at Aspelund.
Johnny Stanley, was born on June 29, 1932. He grew up by Flom and attended school in Flom. He worked for area farmers and then worked for a elevator company in North Dakota. He served in the US Army as a Cpl., during the Korean War, he died at the age of 55 in the VA Medical Center in Tacoma, WA. He died on April 12, 1988 and is buried at Aspelund. Flom Mn.
(The women pictured are the mother’s of Nels and Anna)
Violet attended school in Flom and also at Twin Valley High School. She worked for H.B. Olson at his store in Flom. She married Herbert Schroeder, and they have one adopted son Herbert Jr. Herbert served in the navy during Work War II. He is deceased and is buried at Mahnomen East Cemetery.
Vivian grew up by Flom and attended school in Flom and graduated from Twin Valley High School. She married Jerome Anker of Flom in June 1955. They have three children; Jerry Dean, Debbie Buchholz and Sandy is married to Greg Pulczinski.
(The man in the picture is Hawken Johnson)
Darlene grew up by Flom and attended school in Flom, graduating from Twin Valley High School. She married Tom Griffen and lives at Hazen, ND. She has three children;
Dodie, who is married to Arliss Maas. They have 3 children, Clifton, Sadie and Collin.
Denise, who is married to Dale Oestreich. They have 2 children, Dusty Rose and Olivia.
Blake Griffin who is not married.
Harry grew up by Flom and went to school in Twin Valley where he graduated. He and his wife Karen have two children; Jodi and Karri. (See Harry Johnson)
Dennis grew up by Flom (twin to Donald) and graduated from Twin Valley High School. He worked for area farmers. He served his country during the Viet Nam War and is a Veteran. He married Sharon Gunderson on September 13, 1975. They have three children Aaron married to Josie Nelson of Gary, Mn. Dennis Jr. and his wife Barbara live at Grand Forks, ND and Derek lives in Fargo and is employed there.
Donald grew up at Flom,(twin to Dennis) he went to school in Twin Valley. He is a Veteran of the Viet Nam War, having served his country. He and his wife Sharon live at Grand Forks, ND. He is employed by a bottling Company as a route salesman. They have two boys.
Rita grew up by Flom and went to school at Twin Valley where she graduated from High School. She married David Ladoricer and they have three children. They reside in Carpenter Wyoming.
Renae Alice Johnson was born on March 31, 1947, the youngest child of Nels and Anna lived at home with her parents until their deaths. She then lived in Fergus Falls, Mn until moving to Ada, Mn where she lives at the REM Group Homes.
Ole and Eline (Jacobson) Johnson
Ole Johnson was born on June 19th, 1871, in Venstra, Gulbrandsdalen, Norway to Johan and Elizabeth (Kultrud) Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith in his native land, Norway. He left for America when he was 19 years old, coming directly to Flom, Mn. Where he has resided every since.
Ole came to his untimely death as he was struck by a car just as he entered the highway directly east of his home. Death was instant. The community extends to the bereaved their most sincere sympathy in this grief. This has been very evident by the many kindnesses shown during the days that have elapsed since the tragedy. Many people were unable to get into the church as so many turned out to pay their last respects
Ole had two brothers; Paul and Osten and six sisters; Karen, Ragna and Ana were born and died in Norway, Mrs. John Brenden, Sina (Oien) and Ronnaug (Ronning).
Eline Jacobson was born on September 3, 1881 in Flom Township to Knut and Anne (Fossen) Jacobson. She had three sisters: Gina, Julia Ovida, Clara and two brothers; Albert and Edwin. She grew up in the Flom area in section 34.
Ole and Eline were married on February 11th, 1899 and made their home in section 33 of Flom Township. (The building site is currently owned by David and Christina Lien). It was here they raised their thirteen children.
Their first born child Sophia died as a child. It is said that she is buried at Aspelund in the family plot.
Cora was born on March 3rd, 1899. She married William Johnson, son of Haakon Johnson. William (Wilhelm) was born on December 28th, 1886. He had one brother Nels. they had two children. Evelyn and Marlin. Cora died on March 31st, 1946 and William died on December 15th, 1976, they are both buried at Aspelund, Flom, Mn.
Selma was born on February 9th, 1901. She married Ernest Moore. Ernest was born on August 21st, 1896. The Moore’s were the parents of three children; Ethyl (Mundt), Alice (Metson) and Alvin Orville he was born on August 11th, 1922 and died on July 31st, 1926. He is buried at Aspelund, Flom, Mn.
Selma and Ernest lived in Fargo, ND. Where he worked for Doyle Cab in Fargo, ND. After his death Selma moved to El
Monte, California where she resided until her death. They are both buried at Aspelund, Flom, Mn. Selma died on March 28th, 1967 and Ernest on March 20th, 1943.
Julia (Inanda) was born on April 24th, 1903. She married Julian Herman Sandal on June 18th, 1921. Julian was a salesman for Swift Co. and they lived east of Syre. Julia moved to Moorhead, Mn where she worked for St. Ansgar Hospital in Moorhead in the housekeeping department. She loved to come back to Flom and stay on the home farm while her brother Kenneth was living there. They had one son Owen Julian who was born on September 16th, 1939. Owen married Judy McGurran in South Dakota, they were the parents of two children. Laurie Julia was born on December 7th, 1958 and Jay Owen was born on August 1, 1968. Owen was a business manager at a Jr. College in Coon Rapids, Mn up until the time of his death on January 5th, 1976. Julian, Julia (Inanda) and Owen are all buried at Aspelund, Flom, Mn.
Alma was born in 1904, she married Harry Helstrand and they were the parents of two children; Helen and Raymond.
Mabel was born in 1909, she married Herman Paulson and they were the parents of three children; Delores, Charles and David.
Myrtle Ovidia was born on June 17th, 1907 and died on May 9th, 1917, she is buried at Aspelund, Flom, MN.
Alice Valborg was born on December 8th, 1911 and died on June 2nd, 1924, she is buried at Aspelund, Flom, Mn.
Edwin Selmer was born on March 25th, 1912 and died on December 18th, 1918, he is buried at Aspelund, Flom, Mn.
Lawrence Julius was born on December 30, 1913, one of a set of twins born to Ole and Eline Johnson at Flom, Mn, the other being Kenneth Johnson. Lawrence was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. He attended elementary schools and grew up around Flom, in section 33 of Flom township.
He was inducted into the armed services on his country on September 15, 1942 at Ft. Snelling, Minnesota and was honorably discharged from Camp Carson, Colorado, on May 31, 1945. He had been attached to the 8th General Hospital there. He served overseas in the Pacific Ocean area, much of it in New Caledonia. Lawrence never married.
For many years he was employed with the Foss Lumber Company in Moorhead, Mn and more recently he was a resident of the Americana Nursing Home in Moorhead. Lawrence passed away on Wednesday night, September 14, 1977 at the age of 63 years. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn with interment in the church cemetery.
Kenneth Alvin was born on December 30, 1913 (twin). See Kenneth Johnson.
Inger was born in 1916, she married Carl Johnson and they had one daughter Carole. Inger lives in Moorhead with her daughter Carole. She is the only surviving child of Ole and Eline at the time this book is being published.
Helen Marie was born and died the same day in Fargo, ND. It is said that she is buried at Aspelund in the family plot.
Ole and Eline lived their lives just a half mile south of Flom. It was here they raised their children. After their deaths their son Kenneth remained on the home place.
Ole died on August 29th, 1939 and Eline died on January 20th, 1951 they are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Peter and Clara (Flaten) Johnson
Peter Lundgren Johnson, known as Pete, was born on June 30, 1879, in Malmo, Sweden, and came to the United States in 1899. Sometime before 1900, a feed mill had been established by a Mr. Irish in the town of Flom where the Flom Post Office is now located. It was later operated by a Mr. Solee and Haakon Hanson. In 1908, Pete Johnson took over the shop and was the town blacksmith for many years. He had previously been a blacksmith in Ulen, Minnesota, before marrying and coming to farm in Section 29 of Flom Township.
Clara Maria Flaten, daughter of Christoffer and Margaret Flaten, was born on April 6, 1886, in Section 29 of Flom Township. She had rheumatic fever as a child which left her
with a leaky heart valve. She died of heart failure at the age of 45, leaving six young children. Clara was a wonderful wife and mother, working very hard to care for her large family despite her health problems. She was a dressmaker and sewed most of her four daughters' dresses as long as she was able.
Peter and Clara were married on December 26, 1911, in Twin Valley, Minnesota. Clara passed away on November 17. 1931, and is buried in the Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery. Peter's death came on October 3, 1966; and he is also buried in the Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Elna Margaret Johnson, born on October 4, 1912, was the oldest child of Peter and Clara. She married John Lorentzen in 1947, and they made their home in the Flom area. Following John's death, Elna moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she married John Banbur. Following John Banbur's death, she moved to Montana to be near her only child, Marion Johnson. She now makes her home in Cascade, Montana. Marion married Shirley Bickel of Ulen, Minnesota; and they had three children, Sherie, Randy and Tammie. Marion and Shirley took over the family farm of his grandfather and lived there for a few years before moving to Montana where he worked for many years as a welder for the Anaconda Mining Company.
Hilda Idella Johnson was born on February 26, 1914. She attended high school in Fargo, North Dakota, staying with her aunt and uncle, Nels and Inga Skauge, while working for her room and board. After high school graduation, she started nurse's training at St. Ansgar's Hospital in Moorhead, Minnesota, and graduated as a Registered Nurse. She did nursing in several places in Fargo and Moorhead hospitals and also in Montana. In 1943, Hilda enlisted in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant and worked as an army nurse during World War II. She served in hospitals in England and behind the war front in France. After the war and her marriage to Quentin Starren of Warroad, Minnesota, she continued her nursing career at Norfolk, Virginia. Hilda and Quentin had one child, Diane, and made their home in Chula Vista, California. Hilda passed away in California in March 2002.
Kora Pauline Johnson was born on January 4, 1916. She graduated from high school in Waubun, Minnesota, and worked at Herbst Department Store and as a dining room hostess at the Graver Hotel, both in Fargo, North Dakota. She later moved to Great Falls, Montana, where she married
Richard Nitschke. They had two children, Jon and Dennis. Kora passed away in Great Falls, Montana, in October 1996.
Arnold Lester Johnson was born on March 8, 1918. He graduated from high school in Waubun, Minnesota. Arnold was among the first from the Flom area to be drafted into the U.S. Army in 1940 at the beginning of World War II. He served as a heavy artillery soldier on the European Front until the end of World War II in 1946. Arnold lived in Venice, California, until his death there in 1981.
Ruby Elvira Johnson was born on October 30, 1920. She graduated from high school in Waubun, Minnesota, and later married Joseph Lorentzen of Lake Park, Minnesota, where they farmed the Lorentzen family farm. Their three children are Richard, David and John. Ruby continues to make her home on the farm near Lake Park with her son, John.
Milford Dayton Johnson was born on October 10, 1925. He attended high school in Waubun, Minnesota, and was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the States. He later lived in Long Beach, California, for many years where he was a painter and maintenance repair man. Milford passed away in California in October 2001.
Submitted by Kathleen Olson Solseth
Rolland and Bonnie (Nohr) Johnson
Rolland "Peanuts" Johnson was born on February 24, 1942 to August and Erma (Habedank) Johnson at Twin Valley, Mn. He grew up and attended school there graduating from High School in 1960. He then went to Moorhead State University where he graduated in 1966 with a teaching degree.
Rollie and Bonnie were married on January 30, 1965 at Gary Lutheran Church, Gary, Mn. They first made their home in Moorhead then lived near Waubun, Mn, where Rollie taught school from 1966 until 1971. They left the Waubun area and moved to Monticello, Mn where Rollie taught school for three years. They came back to the Waubun area where Rollie taught until 1982. They purchased land in section 19 of Flom township in 1976 and made their home there.
Rollie also worked part time in his own business, Johnson TV and Repair. He quit teaching in 1982 and focused on his business full time until his death.
Rollie was a member of Aspelund Lutheran church, where he served on church council, board of education, and was also a Sunday school teacher. He was also a member of the Flom League of Men and Flom Area Lion’s Club. Bonnie was also active in the church having taught Sunday School and on the ALCW. Bonnie worked at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley.
Rollie passed away on Wednesday, December 29, 1994 after a courageous battle with cancer. His love for music and the Lord was shown up until his death.
Rollie and Bonnie are the parents of three children; Kelly (Johnson), Scott and Matthew.
Scott Johnson
Scott Daniel Johnson was born on July 2, 1968 in Mahnomen, Minnesota to Rolland and Bonnie (Nohr) Johnson. He first lived in Waubun, Mn and started school there. His family then moved to a home east of Twin Valley, Mn when he was eight years old. This is where he was raised on the east side of section 19 of Flom township across the road from Immanuel Lutheran Church. He was confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, and graduated from Twin Valley High School with the class of 1987. In high school Scott was involved in music and found a great enjoyment in fishing, reading.
After graduation Scott entered the military service in the Army National Guard and in the spring of 1989 he entered the US Army. He was trained in the infantry and stationed in Germany during the Persian Gulf War. After his honorable discharge in 1993, he returned to Twin Valley, Mn.
Scott was married to Heather Bueng (divorced) and they are the parents of one son; Bryce. Scott especially treasured the time he spent with his son, and was a devoted father.
Scott worked at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn from 1994 as a nurses aide until his death, after a short battle with cancer. He was a well liked and respected co-worker and loved by the residents there.
Scott died on April 3, 2002 in the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, with interment at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.
Warner and Inez (Aasgaard) Johnson
Warner Johnson was born in Springfield, Wisconsin, not sure when he came to Minnesota. He married Inez Aaasgaard at Twin Valley in 1908. They made their home and farmed in Norman County. Warner and Inez had 5 children;
Melvin, married Genevieve Rue and they had 4 children;
Bernice, married John Swenson and they had 2 sons;
Walter died at an early age;
Alvin, married Edna Raad and they had 8 children;
Wilfred never married as far as we know; and
Carrol married Sylvia Barker and they had 2 children.
Wilfred is the only living child and resides in Sterling, Illinois. Inez became ill and passed away in 1936, leaving Warner to raise the 2 younger boys. For a time they lived with their sister, Bernice, and later went back to live with their father.
Melvin was a mechanic in the Flom area, Bernice married John Swenson and farmed in Norman County, Alvin lived around the Ada/Beltrami area and worked with machinery, Wilfred, after service, moved to Illinois and worked in the factory there, and Carrol made a career in the military. After Warner retired, he moved to Arlington, Virginia, where he lived with his son Carrol. He passed away in 1959 at Arlington, Virginia and is buried in Syre Cemetery by Twin Valley, Minnesota.
Edwin A. Kaushagen
Edwin was born to Hans and Maren (Roen) Kaushagen in 1894 in Clay County, Mn. He moved with his parents to Flom Twp in 1903 where he has lived since. Edwin died in 1914 as a result of a automobile accident which occurred on the previous Monday. The young man was not quite twenty-one years of age and had a large number of friends in this vicinity.
Hans H. and Maren (Roen) Kaushagen
Hans was born on October 18, 1851 in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway to Hans and Bertha Kaushagen. He immigrated with his parents to America when he was five years old. They first settled in Wisconsin for a short time before moving to Fillmore County, Mn.
Maren was born on September 27, 1851 in Norway. She came to American in 1867, where she first settled in Fillmore county, Mn.
Hans and Maren were married in 1874, in Fountain, Mn. They stayed in Fillmore County until 1882, when they packed up their belongings and head Clay county, where they lived by Borup. In 1903 they came to Norman County, Flom Township. Here they lived and raised their family.
Hans and Maren were the parents of seven children; Henry, Anton, Eli, Melvin, Edwin A., Hannah (see Ludvig and Hannah Korsgaden) and Lena (Ole Solberg).
Kindseth family
The Kindseth family starts with Mads Ertsgaard who was born about 1550. It is know that he paid the land tax on the Ertsgaard farm in 1590. He farmed until 1615. Little else is know of Mads, other than he had a son, Ola.
Ola Madsen Ertsgaard was born around 1585. He farmed during the years 1619-1642. He was married and had a son; Sverke.
Sverke Olsen Ertsgaard was born in 1605. His father let him begin to run the farm in 1632, and he is mentioned as being a farmer until 1672. He was named as a member of a jury in 1671.
Mads Sverkson Ertsgaard was born in 1624 and died in 1724. He lived to be 100 years and one month old. Mads married Anne Kjerbergsdtr Havdal. They were the parents of seven children, on of those children was Sverk Madsen Ertsgaard, who later moved to the Bjorken Farm.
Sverk Madsen Bjorken was born in 1669 and died in 1761. He received the deed to the Bjorken farm in 1704, and moved there in 1705. He married Anne Eilifsdtr Rodde. They had five daughters and two sons. One of those daughters was Anne Sverksdatter Bjorken.
Anna Sverksdatter Bjorken was born in 1720 and died in 1767. She married Ander Larsen Staurset from Hebra in 1744. They were the parents of three children; the oldest son being Lars Andersen, who later moved to the Kleven farm.
Lars Andersen Kleven was born in 1747 and died in 1786. He obtained the deed to the Kleven farm in Hegra in 1774 from his father, who had bought it at an auction. He married Gudlaug Johnsdtr Mona in 1774. She was a widow, her first husband being Markus Borstad. Lars and Gudlaug’s second son Anders Larsen Kleven received the deed to half of the farm in 1813.
Anders Larsen Kleven was born in 1782 and died in 1842 or 1849, the date is unclear. He married Mali Pettersdtr on June 1, 1809. Mali was born in 1778 and died in 1856. Their third son was Petter Andersen Kleven, who moved to the Kindseth farm in Stjordal.
Peter Andersen Kleven moved to the Kindseth farm and took Kindseth as his name. He was born on August 28, 1814 on the Kleven farm in Hegra. He married Marit (Martha) Johnsdtr Skulborstad on June 14, 1838. Marit was born on June 14, 1838. They were the parents of eight children; Mali, Marit, Anne, John, Anders, Serine, Peter and Magnus.
The Kindseth farm near Stordal in the year 1865 totaled about 40 acres, of which about 20 were tillable. This was a very small farm to feed a family of eight children. Their livestock in 1865 (from the land register) consisted of 1 horse, 6 cows, and 16 sheep. The taxable value of the land was $1,390. The reason why so many people immigrated from Norway in the late 1800’s was economic. Especially after the Civil War years, poor conditions in Norway and the availability of cheap and good farming land in America caused many to leave their homeland.
The oldest son John left for American in 1866. He arrived in Goodhue Co. Mn. In the future years he helped his brothers and sisters become established in the United States, as each of them settled in Goodhue Co. (Belle Creek) for some time. Peter and Marit Kindseth were the parents of eight children; Mali, Marit, Anne, John, Anders, Serine, Peter and Magnus. Mali was born in 1839, she married Hagen (Hilaunte) Hilan and had six children; of which two were Anna and Hans. Anna married Lars Gjemse, they had six children; Harold, Clara (Johnson), Minda, Louis, Rueben and one other daughter. Hans married and had five children; Henry, Orban, Mabel (Balsco), Leonard, George and there was one half sister Emily Mattson.
Marit (see Anders and Marit Hoseth)
Anne (see Anne and Hans Johnson Kindseth family).
John (Joseph) married Mette Froyum (aunt of Mrs. Martin Hoseth). They were the parents of six children; Martin, Anna (Frigaard), Julia (Rostad), Sophie (Peterson), Helen (Grover) and Clara (Hilan).
Anders was born in 1848 and died in 1919. He married Sara Johnsdtr and they had two children; John and Martin.
Serine was born in 1851, she married C. Jackson and they were the parents of six children; three sons of which we don’t know the names.
The three daughters were; Anna, Clara (Hendrickson) and Emily. They lived in the Albert Lea area.
Peter (See Peter and Olive Kindseth)
Magnus was born in 1857 and never married. He farmed in the Twin Valley area by Peter Kindseth’s.
Anne and Hans Johnson Kindseth Family
Anne was the daughter of Peter and Marit Kindseth. Anne married Hans Johnson. She died in 1864 while on the ocean. Anne and Hans had one son, John, he was raised as by the Kindseth’s and took the Kindseth name. John (Johnson) Kindseth married Oline Tangmo. They were the parents of seven children; Herman, Julia, Manda, Oscar, Hilda, Mabel, and Joseph.
Herman never married.
Julia was born in 1898 and died in 1979. She married George Tranholt. They were the parents of two children; Kenneth and Delores.
Manda was born in 1902. She married Louis Kaste and they are the parents of three children; Ione, Mardell, and Robert
Oscar married Myrtle Olson and they are the parents of one daughter; Vivian and two sons: Vernon and Douglas. Vivian married Hilbert Satrom and they are the parents of five children; Vonnie, Michael, Kevin, Cindy and Debbie.
Hilda was born in 1910. She married Hartvig Kvidt they they were the parents of four children; Helen, Lowell, Judean, Claudia.
Mabel was born in 1912. She married Leonard Slette and they had three children; Marvin (see Frank and Louise Hamernik under Helen),
Olive (Krebsbach) and Theodora (Klemetson).
Joseph married Devoil Gill, there are the parents of two children; Rose Oline and John.
Peter and Olive (Mahre) Kindseth Family
Peter was born in 1853 to Peter and Marit Kindseth, he died in 1953. He married Olive Mahre. They had seven children; Peder, Olga (Huseby), Annie (Martell), Martin, Magnus, Mary (Larson) and Julia (Erickson). They lived in the Twin Valley, Mn area.
Peder and Mary Olson Kindseth
Peder married Mary Olson, they were the parents of two daughters; Olga and Mildred. Olga, who married Herbert Sulerud. They had four children, Jerome (dec), David, Janice and one other daughter. Mildred married a man by the last name of Wetner
Millard and Lourena (Erickson) Kjos
Millard Kjos was born in 1910 near Faith, Mn to Ole and Manda (Norby) Kjos. Millard’s mother died when he was very young, so he lived with an aunt and uncle; Ida and Albert Peterson.
Lourena Margaret Erickson was born on December 6, 1908 near Ulen, Mn to Oscar and Ada (LaFayette) Erickson. She graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1925 and attended teacher’s training in Ada, graduating in 1926.
After graduating she taught school at Sunny Hill in Flom Township, and in Becker County, Lincoln School in Mahnomen and at the Jensen School.
Lourena married Millard Orlander Kjos on December 26, 1933 at the Wild Rice Lutheran Parsonage, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
The couple made their home in Popple Grove township, where they were active in farming. Millard died on July 31, 1962. After his death Lourena continued to operate the farm until the late 1970’s when she moved into Twin Valley, Mn.
They were member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, where Lourena was a active member of the Ruth circle and the Ladies Aid. Lourena died on August 25, 1996 at Twin Valley. Millard and Lourena are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
They were the parents of five children; Marvin, Earl, Shirley (Rea), Marilyn (Day) and Linda (Wayne Pudwill)
Hans and Olga (Kindseth ) Huseby
Olga the second child born to Peter and Olive married Hans Huseby. They had three children; Herbert, Paula, never married and Alice (Altermat)
Ed and Annie (Kindseth) Martel
Annie married Ed Martel and they were the parents of six children; Leonard, Olive, Edward, Clara, Anna and Henry.
Leonard, who died in the service.
Olive who married Calmer Pederson and they had five children; Lavonne (Voltz), she had two children; Terrie and Shellie. Kenneth married and had two children; Rebecca and Neela. Luanne and Arvid and Arlin (twins). Arvid who married Diane Portz and they reside in Twin Valley,
They are the parents of Steven, Brian, and Crystal. Arlin married Carol Portz and they reside in Twin Valley with their family.
Edward married and had two children Brian and Loren.
Clara married Squire and had two children; Fredrick and Wendy (Mellem).
Anna married Keevle and had one child Harold.
Henry married and had three children; Carol, David and Heather (David Peterson).
Martin Kindseth
Martin Kindseth was born to Peter and Marit Kindseth. He never married.
Magnus and Charlotte (Bjerkley) Kindseth
Magnus was born to Peter and Marit Kindseth. He married Charlotte Bjerkley and they were the parents of eight children. Adeline, Howard, Orin, Marly, Francis, Lloyd, Donald and Pearl.
Adeline married Wallace Waller and they were the parents of five children; Waldo, Kim, Mark, Brian and Daria.
Howard married Camilla Severtson. They were the parents of five children; Rosline (Lene), Larry, Bruce, Douglas, and Heather (David Peterson).
Orin married Ruth Peterson and they are the parents of Connie, Kevin, Richard, Michael and Curtis.
Marlys married Morris Stephenson and they are the parents of four children; Barbara, Phillip (deceased), Hazel (Lloyd Thompson), and Linda (see Gary and Linda Lunde).
Francis married Jean Weum and they are the parents of one child; Drew.
Lloyd married Joyce Horn and they are the parents of one child; Lauren
Donald died in the service
Pearl died at a early age.
Mary (Kindseth) and Melvin Larson
Mary Kindseth married Melvin Larson and they were the parents of four children; Manford, Loris, Loraaine and Allen.
Manford who married Myrtle Lien. They are the parents of Marion who married Larry Narum and had two children; Mark and Lisa. Marlene married C. Knutson and had four children; Randy, Clinton, Lori (Byron Thronson) and Roger.
Loris married Maxine Hovelson and they had five children; Myron (who married Norma Jean Olson), Donna, Lisa, Elizabeth and one son.
Lorraine married Arnold Bjorge and they have one child Daryold.
Allen married Gregerson and they have six children; Robbin, Debbie, Judy, Becky, Donald and David.
Julia (Kindseth) and Carl Erickson
Julia Kindseth married Carl Erickson and had eight children; Edwin, Sander, Keith, Clarice (who married a Olson and had eight children; Carolyn, Eldon, Myron, Sharon, Evelyn, Loren and Darlene). Milo married and had five children; Ingrid, Marty, Wayne, Douglas and Grant.Violet married a Voje. Obert married and had two children; Koreen and Lee Ann. Esther married Danielson and had two children; Susan and George.
Carl Kirkeby
Carl Kirkeby was born on July 28, 1873, in Winnesheik county, Iowa. He came with his parents to the Flom area in 1876 and they settled in section 20 of Flom township. Carl died on March 8, 1923 at his home in Flom township after a two and a half year illness, the cause of his death being anemia.
Carl had two sisters; Julia ( H. Amlien) , Johanna (Thorvold Thorson) and three brothers; Albert, Ole and Lewis, and two infant siblings. He never married. He is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Kari-Jo Kirkeby
Kari-Jo Lynn Kirkeby was born on March 2, 1962 at Bagley, Mn. She reached the age of 6 years, 6 months and 4 days when Leukemia claimed her life. She had battled the illness for about two years.
Kari-Jo was the daughter of Mr and Mrs Douglas Kirkeby of Glencoe. She lived at Clearbrook Minnesota with her family and was baptized on April 29, 1962 at First Lutheran Church. In 1966 the family moved to Glencoe where Douglas is a member of the Glencoe Public School faculty, being Senior High School Counselor. Kari-Jo attended Lincoln Elementary School where she completed kindergarten last fall.
Funeral services were held at Christ Lutheran Church of Glencoe with interment at Mount Auburn Cemetery, Glencoe.
Lewis and Clara (Rue) Kirkeby
Lewis was born on November 13, 1891 in Flom Township, Norman County, Mn, to Martin and Berte (Amlien) Kirkeby. He was raised on the family farm which his parents had homestead on in 1887. He was the youngest child of Martin and Berte. He attended rural school at Woodland Nook and was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley. Lewis loved to listen to Baseball games on the radio and was an avid fan.
Clara Rue was born on June 7, 1892 to Per and Gunnhild (Gronlie) Rue, at Ulen, Mn. She attended rural schools in the area. Clara loved to sew and was also noted for her love of baking.
Clara and Lewis were married on November 28, 1914 at Lake Park, Mn. In 1919 they purchased the family farm in section 20 of Flom township, from his parents Martin and Berte Kirkeby, and took up residence there. Here they farmed the land and were active in the community and church.
Lewis and Clara remained on the home place until 1958 when they retired from farming and turned it over to their son Milton and his wife Esther. Milton and Esther had been living just a few miles away in section 8 of Flom township, Nick and Jean Revier currently live here.
Besides being engaged in farming for over 45 years, Lewis was a member of the Wild Rice Electric Board of which he was on the first board of directors, a past president of the Flom Co-op Creamery Board, and the Flom Mutual Fire Insurance Co., he also served on the rural school board and Flom township board, and on the Church Board. Clara spent many years as Sunday School teacher and was a member of the Homemaker's Club. She was also active in 4-H.
Lewis passed away on January 5, 1972 at the age of 92. Clara remained living in Twin Valley until her death on March 4, 1985. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Lewis and Clara were the parents of six children; Gilma (Orrin Swenson), Milton, who later purchased the farm from his father. Lloyd, Vernon and twin sons; Douglas and Darrell.
Gilma married Charles Orin Swenson. They were the parents of Phyllis, Carol and Roger. Phyllis (Bruce Nuros, deceased). They had two children; Kris and Kelly. Carol (Stan Geriger), they have two children, Sarah and John. Roger has two children; Heather and Jasmine.
Lloyd married Helen Knoll of Mandan, ND. They are the parents of Lynnette ( Fritz Koppe), Arlen, Dennis (deceased and buried at Hereford Tx), Allen and Dolus.
Vernon married Gladys Jacobson of Ulen, Mn. they are the parents of one daughter Sandra (Larry Helgeson) of Ortonville, Mn.
Douglas married Twyla Brouer from Leeds ND. Douglas is deceased and buried at Glencoe, Mn. They are the parents of Kari Jo (see Kari Jo Kirkeby) and Kevin who resides in Rochester, Mn.
Darrell and his wife Sharon are the parents of three children; Tracie, Jay and Robbie.
Milton and Esther (Johnson) Kirkeby
Milton took over farming operation when his father retired in 1958. Here Milton and Esther raised their family of three children; Myrna, Doyle and David. Milton and Esther were both active in the community and church, having served on various boards.
In the fall of 2001 Milton and Esther moved off the family farm and in April of 2002 they held an auction sale. The building site was then sold to Roger and Kris Hamernik.
Myrna married Jim Skaurud and they have two daughters; Jennifer and Cindy.Jim and Myrna reside in rural Twin Valley, Mn.
David married Karen Kurpius, and they have two daughters, Tami and Kari. David and Karen reside at Thief River Falls, Mn.
Doyle married Marilyn Murray of Waubun, Mn and they are the parents of four children; Denise, Renee, Michael, and Thomas. They reside in the Minneapolis/St Paul area.
Martin and Berte (Anderson Amlien) Kirkeby
Martin Olson was born on June 24, 1850, (there is some confusion on his date of birth as it is also the possibility of July 7). He was born at Kirkebyhaugen, which is near Hakadal in Akershus County, Norway. His parents were Ole Olson and Marthe Carine (Karine) Larsdatter. When he was four years old, in 1854 he left Norway with his parents, a 11 year old half-brother, Jens Christian; and his baby brother Anton. They began the long ocean voyage to America. His mother Karine, and presumably his brother, Anton, died of illness on the ship before reaching Quebec, Canada, where the Norwegians immigrating to American in 1854 landed. (Per Vesterheim Gen. Center, Madison, WI) After their arrival his father, along with his two sons traveled to the United States, first to Wisconsin. Here they remained for a couple of years, then they moved on to Glenwood township in Winneshiek County, Iowa, where they would locate near many other Norwegian immigrant families.
Martin’s father Ole remarried before 1860 to a lady named Magnild, who was 12 years older than Ole. She took on the responsibility of raising Martin and Jens. The boys worked on the farm and attended school and church when possible as most children of their time and background did. Martin is still shown as living with his father and step mother in the 1870 census as a farm laborer, and was using the name Kirkeby, the name of the village or farm from which they had left in Norway. Jens (John) took on the name of Olson.
Berte (Bertha) Anderson Amlien was born on August 18, 1848, in Vestre Toten, Oppland County, Norway. She came to the United states with her parents (possibly Peter and Ragnild Anderson but not proven) in 1870 and settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa. After a short stay in Wisconsin, her family joined the Washington Prairie Congregation where the Kirkeby's were already members. This is where Bertha and Martin met and on November 26, 1872, they took out a marriage license. They were married on December 7, 1972 by Rev. Vilhelm Koren, pastor of that congregation.
Four years after they were married they set out for the new west, arriving in Norman county where they homesteaded the farm stead that has been in his home since. ( The Kirkeby farm was sold in April 2002 to Roger and Kris Hamernik who are currently remodeling the home and hope to move in by August).
Here they shared the pioneer days both in building up a home and in building the community and church.
Bertha passed away on April 23, 1918 and Martin passed away on November 12, 1941. They are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Martin and Bertha joined Wild Rice just a few years after it was started. They were faithful and
supportive members, having served on the board and various committees. They also too an active part in shaping it’s policies during its formative and later years. Martin was also a member of the Wild Rice Electric Board, a past president of the Flom Co-op Creamery board and the Flom Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He also served on the school board and the Flom township board. Martin was one of the first members of the first school board members of Woodland Nook School. The Kirkeby's donated land for the first Woodland Nook school to be located on. Martin and Bertha were engaged in farming for over 45 years.
Martin and Bertha were the parents of eight children; two died in infancy, Carl, Albert, Ole, Lewis, Johanna (Thorvold Thorson) and Julia (Amlien). No records to confirm where the two who died in infancy are buried.
Editor's Note: Berte Amlien was born to Anders Hansen and Johanne Olsdatter Amlien in Vestre Toten, Norway. She was a sister to Helene (Amlien Dorseth) and Ole Grefsrud, his son Olaf immigrated to America and was the father of Palmer Grefsrud. Because Ole moved onto the Grefsrud farm when he married, he dropped the Amlien name and took the farm name of Grefsrud.
Martin Olesen Kirkeby was born on July 7, 1850 and Baptized on July 22, 1850, in Norway according the to Churchbook's in Norway.
Erick and Marit (Johannesdatter) Klemetson
Erick Klemetson was born on July 9, 1854 at Tretten, Gudbrandsdal, Norway and was married to Marit Johannesdatter from Ringebu, Gudbransdalen. Erick was the second son of Karen Eriksdatter and Klemet Jorgenson, Stangstad. Erick grew up and attended religious school until he was 12. At age 15, he began to make his own career by herding goats, a job he did until he was 18. At that time he entered apprenticeship to learn the art of cabinet making and carpentry. He did this work until he was 28, except for one year when he served in the Norwegian military. Erick was confirmed by Rev. Skavang who married him and Marit Johannesdatter on January 2, 1880. Economic conditions were very bad due to a purely agrarian society in Gudbrandsdalen, a mushrooming population, and a shortage of land on which to farm. The couple was attracted by the possibility of free land in America and left Oslo in June, 1882 on the ship "Wisconsin" bound for Hull, England. From Hull, they crossed England by rail to Liverpool where they boarded another vessel bound for New York. After passing through immigration in New York they traveled by rail to Lake Park, MN to join his brother Johannes and Mathea who had arrived there a couple of months earlier.
They lived in Lake Park for one year , and moved with Johannes and Mathea to their homestead in Atlanta Township 15 mile North of Lake Park. They stayed with his brother for the next three years.
For some years, Erick worked at carpentering helping to build Atlanta Church and various other buildings east of Ulen. Erick and Johannes would leave home early on Monday morning to walk many miles to the job site. They would stay all week, returning Saturday night to spend Sunday with their families.
In the Spring of 1886, Erick and Marit took a homestead on Section 18 in Walworth Township where they lived and farmed for 32 years. Times were tough for Erick in the early years on the homestead. At first, there wasn't a railroad to Ulen and he had to travel to Lake Park for groceries and other supplies; a distance of 25 miles. At first he had no machinery, equipment or farm supplies, therefore he had to hire someone to do the work for him until he could acquire the items himself. On his farm, Erick built a house and log barn.
Eight children were born to Erick and Marit.
Karsten Klemetson was born March 19, 1881, Gudbrandsdal, Norway and died January 16, 1882 in Norway.
Karsten Klemetson was born August 13, 1882 Gudbrandsdal, Norway and died in August 1882, Lake Park.
Mary Klemetson was born November 27, 1883 in Atlanta Township, she married Sig Melby and Mary died June 10, 1923.
Julia Emma Klemetson was born in 1885 and died December 15, 1891, buried Atlanta Church.
Anna Kristine Klemetson was born April 1, 1887, she married Edward Hoganson from Ulen and Anna died March 20, 1914.
Liaf Einar Klemetson was born August 21, 1889, Walworth Township, he married Josie Hendrickson who died in 1925, second marriage to Josephine Gunderson, Liaf died January 29, 1978.
Enok Martin Klemetson was born July 6 1891, he married Marie Skrien and Enok died September 13, 1980.
Alma Karoline Klemetson was born June 17, 1893, Walworth Township, she married Alfred Christenson and Alma died January 20,1933.
Two boys, both Karsten's, died in early childhood. There were other moments of heartbreak for the couple, as all three daughters died young, and leaving families of young children. They took in members of their extended family at times of need. Mother Karen Eriksdatter, also spent several years with them.
In 1918, Erick and Marit quit farming and moved to Ulen. Son, Liaf took over the homestead. Erick passed away at his home at Ulen on Sunday evening February 9, 1935. He had been ill for some time following an attack of flu or pneumonia. Marit continued to live in their house in Ulen until she died on October 21 1937.
Excerpts from Ardith Klemetson Fuglie article from her published " The Klemetson Family History" printed in May of 1999
Gustav and Olga (Peterson) Klemetson
Gustav Edward Klemetson was born on June 29, 1897 to Johnannes Klemetson and Mathea Sylte, on the family farm in Atlanta Township in section 10. He was baptized and confirmed in Atlanta Lutheran Church. He attended school at District 29 for eight years. They would to school each day, which was just under two miles. One day while walking home from school it was raining, Gustav arrived home soaking wet. He asked his father why he didn't come and pick him up from school, like some other parents did? Johannes just looked at his son and laughed, he was probably remembering all the times he had walked 20 to 40 miles each week to work.
Olga was born on April 19, 1906 to Peter and Helena Peterson on the family farm in Atlanta township. She was baptized and confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn , where she grew up and attended country schools and then Ulen High School. After graduation she went to Fergus Falls Park Region College. After receiving her teaching degree, Olga taught in country schools for two years.
Olga had two sisters; Ada (Iver Engebretson), Edna (Ernest Narum/Oscar Moen) and two brothers Melvin and Palmer.
Gustav and Olga were married on June 29, 1927 at the Atlanta Lutheran Church. Gustav and Olga grew up only a short distance from each other. Olga living on the east side of section 9 of Atlanta Township on the west side of the road, and Gustav grew up on the west side of section 10 on the east side of the road.
After their marriage they made their home in Walworth township where they farmed for 39 years. In 1966 they retired and moved into Ulen, Mn. They exchanged homes with their son and daughter in-law; Marlin and Irene Klemetson. Marlin and Irene took over the farming operation at this time and they still live on the family farm in section 8 of Walworth township.
Gustav was very active in his church and loved music. He enjoyed fishing both winter and summer. He was a craftsman having made his grandchildren and even a great grand daughter (Kayla) furniture or play cupboards.
Olga was very active in both church and community affairs. She was a life long member of Atlanta Lutheran Church. She was superintendent, an officer and instructor in the Sunday ‘School for many years. She sang in the church choir, and was very active in the Atlanta ALCW as an officer and member, and served in her Circles.
During her life she was active in the 4-H program, the homemakers, and the local PTA at school. She loved and raised many flowers and was a member of the Hitterdal-Ulen Garden Club. She was also a member of the Viking Manor Ladies Guild.
Olga passed away on September 20, 1977 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fargo, ND, at the age of 71. Funeral services were held at Atlanta Lutheran Church with interment in the church cemetery.
Their life was unique in that they were baptized, confirmed, married, celebrated her 25th, and 50th wedding anniversaries, and had their final memorial service from the Atlanta Lutheran Church. They are both buried at Atlanta Lutheran Cemetery.
Atlanta Lutheran Church closed their doors in the summer of 2001, the final sermon was held with a large number of past members and present members, families and friends in attendance.
Gustav and Olga were the parents of four children; Justin (see Justin and Muriel Klemetson, Marlin (see Marlin and Irene Klemetson), Ardith (Winton Fuglie) and Orpha (Gene Schultz).
Justin and Muriel (Hanson) Klemetson
Justin Phillip Klemetson was born on September 11, 1929 in Walworth township to Gustav and Olga (Peterson) Klemetson. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school at District 46, and graduated from Ulen High School. He joined the Reserves and served in the U.S. Air Force in 1948, during the Korean War. He was stationed at an air base at Victorville, CA. Upon his discharge he attended school at Wahpeton, ND for two years studying mechanics.
He farmed the Art Hansen farm east of Ulen for a number of years and later purchased the Nelson (Nelson Brothers) Farm located six miles east of Ulen. He married Muriel Hansen in 1955. Muriel was born on April 15, 1935. They farmed and raised their family of six children; Jane Louise was born on August 11, 1955 and died in 1960. She is buried at the Ulen Cemetery.
Susan Joyce Klemetson was born on August 2, 1957. She married Lonnie Anderson of Ulen, Mn on June 17, 1978. They are the parents of two children; Kristin and Luke. Sue and Lonnie live in Ulen, Mn.
Karen Ann Klemetson was born on April 17, 1959. She married Gary Urdahl in 1981 (divorced) they are the parents of two children; Lindsay and Jonathan. Karen married Leon Andersen of Twin Valley, Mn. Leon had two children from his first marriage to Mary Beth Mathre, they are Susan and David. Leon and Karen are the parents of two children; Karissa and Jacob. Leon and Karen reside in Fargo, ND.
Janet Kay Klemetson was born on August 18, 1961. She married Brian Maesse and they are the parents of two sons; Griffen and Tate. They reside in Ulen, Mn.
Robert Phillip Klemetson was born on May 22, 1964. He married Stacy Jorgenson of Fargo on July 9, 1994. They reside in Ulen, Mn with their two children; Lydia and Treyton, one daughter Emily is deceased and is buried at Ulen North Cemetery.
Jennifer Marie Klemetson was born on November 24, 1974. She married Cris Anderson of Hitterdal, Mn on October 19, 1999. They reside in Hitterdal, Mn.
Klemetson/Sylte Families come to American
Johannes (John) Klemetson was the first child born to Clemet Jorgeson and Karen Eriksdatter on November 24, 1850 on the Simensgaard farm located east of Tretten, Norway. He was baptized on December 8, 1850 and confirmed at the age of 15 in the Tretten church. As a young boy he herded goats and helped with other chores on the Simensgaard farm. He later worked for no pay as an apprentice to a painter. In the capacity he learned the art of mixing and applying oil paints, a trade which he could make good use of in his life later, both in Norway and in the United States. In the 1875 census both Johannes and his brother Erik were living in Stor Elv Dale (Big River Valley). The curator at Lillehammer said that a railroad was being built there at that time and there was a strong possibility they both worked on that project. Johannes told his son, Gustav, that he and Erik worked there all year and came back only once a year by walking over the mountains to celebrate the Christmas Holidays.
Mathea Sylte was the third eldest child born to Kristin and Else Sylte. For her first thirteen years she lived a better life as a daughter of a land-owner (free-holder). Then the family was forced to move. Kristen lost the farm because of a default of payment on a lumber export to England, all of the family had to find employment on farms in the area. Mathea cared for the children on the Moe farm for eight years.
On November 18, 1878, Johannes married Mathea Sylte of Ringebu. They first lived in Tretten for four years, up to the time they immigrated to America. The left the native land of Norway on February 16, 1882. Their Oslo passport records indict the following names: Johannes Klemmetsen, age 31 from Oier, Mathea age 28, Karen age 2, and Kirstine Klemmetsen age 20. All traveling to Lake Park on the ship "Orlando" leaving Oslo Norway on February 17, 1882 with paid tickets. They traveled first to Hull, England by coastal steamer; then by train to Liverpool where they caught another ship to New York. From New York they traveled by train to Lake Park, Minnesota.
Kristine Klemetson (Johanne's sister) and Gunder Sylte were married shortly after they arrived in Lake Park, so it is reasonable to assume that Gunder sent the party tickets for their passage to the New World.
For their first years in America, Johannes and Mathea lived on the Sorenson farm located southwest of Lake Park. Mathea was a housekeeper and Johannes the hired man. Johannes attended English language classes at night in Lake Park for a time, however he never did learn to use the language on a regular basis.
Their first summer at Lake Park was a heartache. Their second child, Klaus was born in August; then both Kauls and daughter, Karen died from the summer flu, both within two weeks of each other. Mathea later told her daughter Esther that "I knew when I didn't go crazy then, that I never would!"
The children are buried in unmarked graves at the Lake Park Cemetery on the northeast edge of town.
In 1883, Johannes bought a foreclosed farm in Atlanta Township for $600. He and Mathea drove their span o oxen and wagon the 15 miles out from Lake Park to their new home. There, they would remain for the rest of their lives. Johannes broke the virgin prairie with his oxen, however later traded them off for a team of horses called Lyno and Sam. The following year, Johannes' brother Erik and his wife Marit and their family arrived to live with them.
Erik and Johannes would walk to Lake Park and Hawley or wherever they could find work, to do carpentry and painting. The women and children stayed behind to tend to the chores and herd the livestock. In that time period there were no fences in which to contain your livestock, making this quite the task to keep the animals in sight. Mathea would often tie her young son Christ on her back while rounding up the cattle or doing the milking. All week the women would tend to the needs and duties of the farm. It was no easy task for them and times were difficult for the pioneers. On Saturday night the men would walk home to spend the weekend with their families, bringing with them any staples that they would need, such as coffee, sugar, salt as well as items needed on the farm. Johannes once said " All I have are my two hands to work with and a strong determination to keep going." He did just that. He didn't expect an easy life for himself, but he hoped for a better life for his family.
Johannes and Mathea were here to help organize Atlanta Lutheran Church, which was just down the road from their farm. They were there to help with the construction. The first cemetery was located on Johannes' farm, until land was donated and a church built just north of the farm.
They moved the cemetery to its new location. Johannes was a trustee, deacon and caretaker of Atlanta Church and Cemetery for many years.
Johannes and Mathea were the parents of nine children; Karen and Klaus both died at an early age and are buried at Lake Park, Joseph took over the family farm after Johannes' retired, he later sold the farm to the Hamre Brothers who own it today. Adolph, Anna, Martin, Christ, Esther and Gustav (See Gustav and Olga Klemetson).
Five of the Klemetson children moved to Montana where they homesteaded; they were Adolph, Anna, Martin, Christ and Esther. Gustav remained in the Ulen area, farming in Walworth Township.
Johannes was of a small stature, kindly and soft spoken. He was never afraid of heights and was the one who would volunteer to paint the church steeple, or grease and repair the windmill. He enjoyed his pipe. Johannes lived to be 91 years old Mathea lived to be 90, they are both buried at Atlanta Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Ulen.
Liaf Einar and Josie (Hendrickson) Klemetson
Liaf Einar Klemetson was born August 21, 1889 in Walworth Township to parents Erik Klemetson and Marit Johannesdatter. He attended school at District 46 in Walworth Township. He was baptized and confirmed in 1904 at Aspelund Lutheran Church near Flom.
Liaf married Josie Emma Hendrickson. Josie was born in Palo Alto Co, IA on January 3, 1894 to parents Hans Peter (H.P.) Hendrickson and Anna Margaret Bendixen. At age 11, Josie and her parents settled on a farm two miles south of Ulen, MN. She graduated from Ulen High School and Crookston Business College. She spent three years as a Stenographer in Brandon, Canada and one year in Iowa. She passed away on October 25, 1925 in Ulen after a 10 day illness from Toxemia due to pregnancy.
They had the following children:
Clinton Einar Klemetson was born on June 28, 1916 in Walworth Township, he married Macel Lien from Ulen. They currently live in Ulen, MN.
Harold Leonard Klemetson was born on February 15, 1918 in Walworth Township, he married Dorothea Skiver. They live in Valencia, California.
Lavern Emogene Klemetson was born on November 23, 1919 in Walworth Township, she married Sid Holmen. He died on December 24, 1999. She lives in Boulder, Colorado.
Eldora Margaret Klemetson was born on August 31, 1921, she married Milton Swenson from Hitterdal, MN.
Lyle Ordell Klemetson was born November 6, 1922, he married Norma Elaine Peterson from Ulen, Lyle died on June 6, 1977. See Lyle and Norma Klemetson.
Raymond Waldo Klemetson Miller was born on April 25, 1924, he married LaVera Carlson. LaVera died on February 2, 1996. Raymond lives in Copperopolis, California.
When Josie died, Raymond was a little over one year old, he went to live with Liaf's cousin, Karen Langaard Miller and her husband Alfred Miller in Fargo , ND. The Miller's never had children of their own, but raised and claimed Raymond and his family as their own.
When Raymond was in first grade, the Miller's had his name changed to "Miller". In addition, Lyle was only three years old and he lived with his Grandparents, Erik and Marit Klemetson in Ulen until he was 11 years old, when he returned to the family farm.
Liaf's second marriage was to Josephine (Josie) Gunderson from Atlanta Township, the daughter of Lisa Klemetsdatter and Carl Gunderson, in 1929. They had the following children:
Lorraine Maxine Klemetson was born on April 24 in Walworth Township, she married Harold Lunde. They live in near Lake Park, MN.
Eileen Joyce Klemetson was born on April 20, 1931 in Walworth Township, she married Charles Peterson from Hitterdal, MN. They live in Medford, Oregon.
Janice Darlene Klemetson was born on September 2, 1936 in Moorhead, MN, she married Philip Hayes. They live in Austin, Texas.
Marlys Louise Klemetson was born on May 9, 1940 in Walworth Township, she married Ted Hanson from Lake Park, MN. They live in International Falls, MN.
Liaf was on the Walworth Town Board, School Board and the Becker County Fair Board. Liaf farmed the home farm on Section 18 in Walworth Township until he retired in 1946 and moved to Detroit Lakes.
Liaf died on January 29, 1978 in Detroit Lakes, MN and Josie died on November 15, 1989. They are both buried in the Calvary Cemetery at Ulen, MN.
Lyle and Norma (Peterson) Klemetson
Lyle Ordell Klemetson was born to Liaf Einar Klemetson and Josie Emma Hendrickson on November 6, 1922 at Ulen, MN. Lyle's mother Josie passed away on October 25, 1925 just before Lyle's 3rd birthday.
After his mother's death, Lyle lived in Ulen with his grandparents, Erick and Marit Klemetson until he was 11; when he moved back to the farm in Walworth Township.
He attended District 46 school and later attended Crookston, MN Agriculture College. Lyle served in the US Navy in World War II. He was married to Norma Elaine Peterson on July 3, 1942 in Moorhead, MN, after which they made their home at Flom. Norma was born on January 13, 1923 in La Moure, ND to Carl J. Peterson and Annette Isabella Thompson. She grew up living in various towns in North Dakota and Minnesota. She graduated from Ulen High School.
Lyle was a manager of Flom Co-op Oil Company for 33 years, from 1948 to 1977.
The following article regarding Lyle Klemetson appeared in the Ulen Union in 1972: "When Lyle Klemetson took the job at the cooperative in Flom, MN pop-45, in Nov '43, he actually planned to stay for only one month. At the time the US Navy and World War II were more on his mind than working at the local co-op. But Hilbert Gravely, who managed the co-op jointly with George Johnson, had other ideas. With capable help in scarce supply, he visited the local draft board authorities and arranged that a one-year deferment be extended to Klemetson. So Klemetson stayed on for 12 months, and then went off to service.
After his two-year hitch was up, Klemetson came back to Flom as he says, 'just to say hello and visit', He wasn't looking for work, nor was he planning to settle in Flom-he was more interested in farming. When Gravely offered him a job, however, at $90 a month, Klemetson found it very tempting, but as he says, "I held out for $110 a month." Gravely also provided a modest apartment. So $110 a month, and a place to live, were adequate inducements to keep Lyle Klemetson in Flom, employed at the co-op. Today, 26 years later, Klemetson manages the Flom Co-op Oil Association. He has since 1955. That year it was incorporated and became a member of Central Exchange. Sales in 1955 totaled $89,980. Each year but one since then the co-op has seen growth in sales. In the 17 years that Klemetson has been a manager more than $344,000 in savings have been returned to patrons."
Lyle and Norma were members of Aspelund Lutheran Church. Lyle served on the Flom Township Board and the Twin Valley School Board. Norma was member of the Aspelund Lutheran Church Ladies Aid. In addition, she was a bookkeeper at Flom Co-Op Oil for over 20 years, retiring at age 65. Lyle and Norma enjoyed traveling and spending time at their lake cabin on South Twin Lake. They had three children,
Sherrie, currently resides in Flom and works for Minnesota State University Moorhead,
Lyle resides in Alexandria MN and
Douglas in Fargo ND.
Lyle passed away on June 6, 1977 of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. As a memorial to Lyle, a stained glass window was installed at Aspelund Lutheran Church. In addition, a flag and flag pole have been donated to Aspelund Lutheran Church in memory of Lyle and Norma. Norma continued to live in Flom until her death on October 28, 1998. Norma liked to cook and she was an excellent baker. She also enjoyed visiting over coffee with her friends at the Flom Cafe and spending time with her family, especially her Grandchildren. They are both buried in Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery of Flom.
Written by Rob Erickson with excerpts from Ardith Klemetson Fuglie article from her published " The Klemetson Family History" printed in May of 1999
Marlin and Irene (Hamernik) Klemetson
Marlin Herbert was born to Gustav and Olga Klemetson of Ulen on December 27th, 1930. As a young boy he grew up on the family farm in Walworth township. He was baptized and confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church rural Ulen. He graduated in May of 1949 from Ulen High School. He entered the army in June 1953 serving his country.
Irene Elenore was born to Frank and Aloise Hamernik on July 6th, 1935. Irene was baptized and confirmed at Walworth Baptist Church and confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran church, both rural Ulen. She grew up and attended District 54 & 46 country school. She graduate from Ulen High School in May of 1953.
Marlin and Irene were married on December 27th, 1954 at Walworth Baptist Church rural Ulen. The first months of their marriage they lived in Texas where Marlin was stationed in the service. After Marlin was finished with the service they moved back to Ulen and Marlin began working for the Creamery in Ulen. They lived in Ulen until 1966 when Gustav retired from farming and Marlin took over the family farm. Irene started to work at the Flom Cafe after all the kids were gone from home where she is still employed. Marlin and Irene still live on the family farm in Walworth township.
Marlin and Irene are the parents of 5 children.
Debra Renae was born on Oct 20th, 1955. She married Ron Knudtson on Oct 4th, 1975. They live in Breckenridge where Deb works for Wilkin County and Ron is a instructor at NDSCS. They have 2 children. Jan Louise born February 13th, 1980 and Jeffrey Ronald born May 26th, 1983.
Michael Allen was born on March 19th, 1957. See Mike and Jennifer Klemetson
Ronald Dean was born on September 15th, 1959. He was married to Laurie Peterson of Ulen and they had 3 children. Ashley Dawn was born February 26th, 1984, Trent Aaron was born on August 13th, 1985 and Travis Jay was born on December 5th, 1987. Ron is the manager of the Nordic Lounge in Ulen. His children live with their mother in rural Felton and attend school in Ada.
Sheryl Marie was born on October 29th, 1968. She is married to Duane (Dewey) Vetsch of Albertville, MN. They have one son Derek Allen who was born on March 22, 2001. Sheryl works at the Monticello Hospital-Big Lake Community Hospital as a respiratory therapist and Dewey works for Scherer Bros. Truss Co. of Albertville.
Matthew Eric was born on January 8th, 1974. He married Staci Herzog of Ulen on September 30th, 19 . They have 2 children. Alayna Louise was born on June 24th, 1998 and Noah Matthew was born on August 17th, 2000. Matthew works for Sparak of Fargo, ND and Staci is a stay at home mom.
Marlin and Irene are active in their church, Bethlehem Lutheran in Ulen, Minnesota.
They are also active in their community.
Mike and Jennifer (Dorseth) Klemetson
Michael Allen was born to Marlin and Irene Klemetson in Detroit Lakes, MN on March 19th, 1957. He was baptized at Atlanta Lutheran Church rural Ulen, and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen. He attended Ulen Elementary School and Graduated in 1975 from Ulen-Hitterdal High School. He then went on to further his education at Detroit Lakes, Vo-Tech receiving a degree in Architectural Drafting. After graduation he worked for the State of Minnesota in St. Paul in the Highway Dept.
Jennifer Lynne was born to Vernon and LaVonne Dorseth in Detroit Lakes, MN on June 9th, 1960. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. She attended school in Waubun from Kindergarten through 11th grade. In 1978 she graduated from Twin Valley High School.
On June 27th, 1981 Mike and Jennifer were married at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. At that time they were living in West Fargo, ND where Mike worked for C & J Distributing and Jennifer worked at Northwest Professional Color. In 1984 Mike and Jennifer moved to rural Ulen where Mike worked for Circle E Farms until January 1995 when he began working for Flom-Ulen Co-op where he continues to work. Jennifer has operated a daycare from their home from 1986-1995. In 1995 she began working for ACI in Twin Valley working there until February 2000. Jennifer is currently doing daycare in their home taking care of Christopher Braaten. She is also the custodian and grounds keeper for Aspelund Lutheran Church. In 1985 the Klemetson's moved to the Flom area renting a home from Joe and Ione Tobin, the former Hans Dorseth farm north of Flom. They lived here until December of 1988 when they moved into Flom and rented the Mike and Genny Johnson home. In June of 1990 the Klemetson's purchased their first home. They bought Mabel Skansgaard's home in Flom. Here they have the best of both lives. Living on a farm in town. This house was built in 1936 by Andrew Dorseth for his daughter Mabel and her husband Edgar. The Klemetson's have kept busy raising Chickens, rabbits, pigs and even a lamb Esther as 4-H projects for the kids to exhibit at the Mahnomen County Fair.
Mike and Jennifer have been blessed with four children. Kayla Jerilyn arrived on September 13th, 1982. Kayla is currently a freshman at Minnesota State University Moorhead. She enjoys doing needlework, cooking and visiting with friends. Jacob Henry arrived on December 2nd, 1983. He is currently a Senior at Norman County East, Twin Valley, MN. Jacob has always been the outdoors type. He enjoys the area around him and is active in FFA (Forestry) and Nature. Katie Lue arrived on October 28th, 1986 and is a freshman at Norman County East. Katie enjoys Volley ball at school, writing and being with her friends. Jared Frank arrived on July 22nd, 1988 and is a 7th grader at Norman County East. He enjoys football and is into Nascar's. All of Mike and Jennifer and their children have been active in their church and community. They are all also members of Popple Grove 4-H club of Mahnomen County.
Ray and Alice (Weum) Korinta Sr.
Alice was born on August 18, 1919 to Emil and Olga (Nelson) Weum in section 34 of Flom township. She was baptized at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. Alice was confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen on September 23, 1933. At the time they lived in Voss, Mn. A small town near the Atlanta Lutheran Church, in section 3 of Atlanta township. It was during this time that her parents moved to the Robert Westby farm in section 15 of Walworth township. Because of her classes at Atlanta Alice was ahead of the children in confirmation at Aspelund. Instead of starting classes over she walked to the Atlanta Church for three months to finish her confirmation. That was about a 5 1/4 mile walk one way. Alice married Ray Korinta on July 3, 1942 at the Wild Rice Parsonage. Ray was also baptized at Aspelund. Ray and Alice were the parents of five children; Joyce, Raymond Jr., Lois, Allen and Donna.
Joyce Marie was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund, she married Robert E. Jelle on July 2, 1966. They are the parents of three children.
Raymond Emil Jr, was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund, he married Helen Babbitts on August 10, 1974. They are the parents of two children.
Lois Eileen was baptized at Aspelund, she married Dale Burfeind on April 11, 1970. They are the parents of two children.
Allen Rudolph was baptized at Aspelund, he married Barbara Allen on April 1;7, 1976. They are the parents of four children.
Donna Alice was baptized at Aspelund, she married Daniel Teiken on August 24, 1973 (divorced) and they are the parents of three children. Donna married Donovan Engle on August 10, 1984 and they have one child.
Korsgaden Family History
Hans Larson/Graesletten married Marit Olsdatter Brennhaugen, birth dates and marriage date is unknown to us at this time. We were unable to find history out on them, other than by looking at their names we know that Hans lived on the Graesletten farm and Marit on the Brennhaugen farm.
After their marriage they lived on the Graesletten farm at the time their first three children were born. This is reflected by their last name being the Graesletten farm name. They moved to the Korsgaden farm and here they had six more children, as their last name is that of the Korsgaden farm. Both farms were located in Sodorp Nord Fron Oppland, Norway.
The following were the names and years the children were born to Hans and Marit. Ronnaug Hansdtr Graesletten was born in 1830. Anna Hansdtr Graesletten was born in 1833. Tosten Hanson Graesletten in 1935. Ragnild Hansdtr Korsgaden in 1838. Ole Hanson Korsgaden in 1842. Marit Hansdtr Korsgaden in 1842. Lars Hanson Korsgaden in 1847. Hans Hanson Korsgaden in 1849 and Iver Hanson Korsgaden in 1953.
Of the nine children born to Hans and Marit three of them immigrated to the United States, those being Hans (see Hans and Mari Korsgaden) , Lars (see Lars and Ronnag Korsgaden) and Iver (See Iver Korsgaden). All three of these boy settled in Flom township.
Gordon and Arlene (Broers) Korsgaden
Gordon Everette Korsgaden was born on August 27, 1926 in Flom township to Ludvig and Hannah (Kaushagen) Korsgaden. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school and graduated from Twin Valley High School.
As a young man he farmed with his father before entering the United States Army on June 19, 1952. He served in Korea, and was discharged at Fort Sheridan, Il on June 1, 1954.
Gordon married Arlene Broers on March 20, 1960 at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. They made their home in Twin Valley. Gordon worked as a carpenter with Dahl construction, Moorhead, and Pramhus Construction, Fargo, ND. In the early 1980’s he began working on his own as a carpenter in Twin Valley and Fargo- Moorhead. He semi retired in 1991.
Gordon was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, where he served on the Board of Trustees. He was also a member of the Twin Valley Nesseth-Lien Post 431 and the Ada VFW Post 7557. He was also a member of the Twin Valley Fire Department for over 20 years.
Gordon passed away on December 17, 1992, interment at the Twin Valley Memorial Gardens.
Gordon and Arlene are the parents of; Kevin and Craig.
Hans and Anna Marie (Odegaard) Korsgaden
Hans L. Korsgaden was born in 1873 to Lars and Ronnag Korsgaden. He came to this area at the age of four years, with his parents. He grew up in section 2 of Flom township with his brothers; Ludvig, Thorwald, Otto and sisters; Inanda (Wilson), Emma (Jordahl), Mary, Send (Qual) and Regina (Jenson).
Anna Marie Odegaard was born to Hans Peder and Anna Jensina (Loven) on April 17, 1884 at Twin Valley, Mn. She died in 1971 at Twin Valley, Mn at the age of 87 years. Most of Anna Marie’s family immigrated from this area to Prince Albert Sask., see Hans and Ann (Loven) Odegaard family.
Hans and Anna Marie were the parents of one child; Harriett L. Korsgaden who was born on October 4, 1904. (See Arnold and Harriett Hoseth).
Hans died in 1907 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn. After his death Anna Marie married Severt Weum in 1910 at Twin Valley, Mn.
Hans and Mari Korsgaden
Hans Korsgaden was born in 1849 in Sodorp Nord Fron Oppland, Norway the eighth child born to Hans Larson Graesletten and Marit Olsdtr Brennhaugen. He grew up in his native land of Norway and immigrated to America in the late 1800’s. In the Norman County Plat book it records Hans as owning land in the SE corner of Section 2 and the NE corner of section 11.
Hans and Mari later moved closer to Mahnomen, Mn. The area in which they lived east of Mahnomen, was referred to as “Little Norway”. The land they once owned is where the Casino now stands. Hans’ dream was to help each of his children out in life, by having enough to purchase a quarter section of land for each child. This dream was fulfilled. Hans and Mari were active members of the First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen. Here they were active in the foundation of the church and congregation. Hans died 1936 and Mari in 1934. Their son Halfert passed away in 1935. They are all buried at First Lutheran Church Cemetery west of Mahnomen, Mn. Most of the Hans Korsgaden family is buried in the Mahnomen, area.
The children born to Hans and Mari were; Halfert (1872-1935), he suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and died at a early age. He never married. Mathilda (see Andrew and Mathilda Dorseth), Gene (Kleven), Thea (Gunderson), Hermina (George Lee), Inanda (Gilbert Kvale) and Julia (Lars Lee) 1888-1986. Julia married Lars Lee and they were the parents of Rueben, Leslie and Marcella (Addison Sanden).
Iver H. and Ellen Korsgaden
Iver H. Korsgaden was born in 1858 in Norway to Hans Larson/Graesletten and Marit Olsdtr Brennhaugen. Iver grew up in his native land of Norway in the Sodorp Nord Fron Oppland, Norway. He left Norway and came to the United States in 1880. When he first arrived here he lived in the Black River Falls, Wisconsin area and later came to the Flom area in 1881. He purchased land in section 35 of Fossum township and settled there until 1882.
As far as his marriage we don’t know much about it other than he may have married a woman by the name of Ellen from Black River Falls area. We don’t have any information other than she is buried at the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley in 1882, shortly after their marriage and their arrival to this area. Also in the cemetery plot is a baby buried in the same lot by Ellen which may have been their child.
Iver sold his farm in 1884 to his brother Hans. Iver died in 1901 and is buried at the Wild Rice Cemetery, in the same lot as Ellen and a baby.
Editor’s Note: there were two Hans Korsgaden’s. Hans H. was a brother to Lars and the Great Grandfather to Vernon Dorseth. Hans L. was a son to Lars and the Grandfather to Sherman Hoseth.
Lars and Ronnag Korsgaden
Lars was born in 1847 in Froen, Gulbrandsdalen Norway. In 1871 he came to America, settling in Vernon County, Wi. He lived there for six years before coming to this area in 1877. He settled in section 2 of Flom township.
Ronnag was born on January 21, 1849 in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway. Ronnag came to America in 1871 first stopping in Wisconsin where she met Lars Korsgaden. She and Lars were married in 1871 in Wisconsin, they resided her until 1877 when they left Wisconsin and came to Flom township. Here they settled in section 2.
To this union eleven children were born; five proceeded their parents in death. Sena (see Ed and Sena Qual), Inanda, Thorvald see Thorvald and Clara Korsgaden, Regina (Carl Jenson), Emma (George Jordahl), Ludvig, Hans L (see Hans and Anna Marie Korsgaden)., Otto, Mary,and Iver.
We are only able to find ten of the eleven children's names. They may of had one prior to coming to Flom and it would be buried in Wisconsin.
Lloyd A. Korsgaden
Lloyd was born on August 18, 1913 in Flom township to Ludvig and Hannah Korsgaden. He grew up in the area. He worked for various farmers in the area when he became ill and was taken to the Grand Forks Hospital. He died on July 13, 1980, after battling pinkeye which in turn became so badly infected and resulted in a brain tumor. Lloyd is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Ludvig and Hannah (Kaushagen) Korsgaden
Ludvig Korsgaden was born on September 22, 1883 to Lars and Ronnag Korsgaden in Flom Township, Norman County, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Hannah Kaushagen was born on November 20, 1887 in Clay County, Mn to Hans and Maren (Roen) Kaushagen. She attended rural school and after completing her education she went on to Moorhead State College, receiving a teaching degree. She taught school in Clay and Norman counties.
Ludvig and Hannah were married on November 21, 1912 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. They lived on his father's farm near Flom for 40 years before moving into Twin Valley in 1952. Ludvig had been a member of the rural school board, a member of the Board of trustees for 19 years. He was very interested in parochial school and did much to promote it during the summer months. In 1962 Ludvig and Hannah celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at Wild Rice. Hannah had served on the rural school board and was a past Sunday school teacher. To this union six children were born; Lloyd, Ervin, Oral, Marvin, Gordon, and Vivian ( Kenneth Halvorson).
Ludvig passed away at his home in Twin Valley on November 12, 1963 after a long period of illness. Hannah passed away in 1969. Both are buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Marvin Korsgaden
Marvin was born in 1920 to Ludvig and Hannah Korsgaden. He attended Banner School. After he completed his education he went to Chicago, Ill, where he worked in a factory. He entered the military in 1942 and served his country. He was stationed in New Delhi, India and was discharged in 1946.
Marvin returned home to Minnesota and worked at Norman County Soil and Conservation Service, and later was a carpenter for Great Plains Supply in Twin Valley, MN. He never married. Marvin passed away on January 10, 1993 and is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Marvin had four brothers; Ervin, Lloyd, Oral and Gordon and one sister Vivian (Kenneth Halvorson).
Oral Korsgaden
Oral was born on October 9, 1917 in Flom township to Ludvig and Hannah Korsgaden. He attended rural schools in the area. After he completed his education he helped his uncle Anton Korsgaden farm in the Flom area. Oral married Avis Weium on November 10, 1946 in Twin Valley, Mn. After farming with his uncle for a few years they purchased the farm in section 1 of Flom Township.
Avis and Oral lived on the farm until 1983 when they sold it to Blair Hoseth. They moved into Twin Valley at that time. Oral died on April 23, 1991, Avis continues to live in Twin Valley and remains active in the community and her church, Wild Rice. Oral is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Otto Korsgaden
Otto was born on September 15, 1891 to Lars and Ronnag Korsgaden in Flom township. Otto was first taken sick about seven weeks ago and a short time later was taken to a hospital in Grand Forks where his condition appeared to improve quite rapidly. He was brought home again a week ago last Saturday and felt better for a few days but gradually grew weaker until death came as a release from his sufferings. He was afflicted with ah complication of diseases, heart failure causing his death. The fact that the young man was not yet twenty-six years of age makes the occurrence a doubly sad one. He died in 1917 and is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Thorvald and Clara (Smestad) Korsgaden
Thorvald was born on June 24, 1880 in Flom township to Lars and Ronnag Korsgaden. He was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He grew up in the Flom area where he attended schools.
Clara Christina Smestad was born on November 29, 1887, near Kindred, ND. She grew up in the Kindred area, later coming to this area where she was confirmed in Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Thorvald married Clara Smestad on June 1, 1905, at the Wild Rice Church. They farmed in the Fossum area for twenty six years. In 1931 they moved into Twin Valley and resided there for 36 years. They were the parents of Leroy, Lillian (Clarence Haglund), Hazel (Louis Edlund, Gladys (Bob Braham), and Beatrice (Bill Bergess) and one son who proceeded him in death.
Thorvald spent his whole life in the Flom-Twin Valley area except for the one year he lived in Seattle, Washington during World War II. Thorvald passed away in 1965 at the age of 85 years. Funeral services were held at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn with internment at the church cemetery. Clara passed away at St. Luke's Hospital in Fargo, ND on December 31, 1968 at the age of 80. She is also buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Ole Nelson and Ingeborg (Melaas) Kragero
Ole Nelson and Anna (Kaardahl) Kragero
Ole N. Kragero was born December 20, 1844 at Porsgrund, Telemarken, Norway and came from that place to America at the age of 19 years, settling in Iowa where he resided for about 13 years. He was married to Ingeborg Millaas in 1865 and they moved to Windom, MN where they lived for about 4 years before coming to Norman County. Mr. Kragero took a homestead in Fossum township and his wife died there December 27, 1886.
The following children were living with them in the 1885 census of Fossum Township:
Nels age 15, Martin age 12, Hans age 9, Matilda age 7, Adolf age 5. Ida was born February 1881 and died December 27, 1882 and is buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
He was married to Mrs. Anna Kaardahl in 1889 and moved to Twin Valley and remained there the rest of their lives. Mr. Kragero died on July 21, 1929 at the age of 84 years, 7 months and one day. His second wife preceded him in death the 21 of January, 1929.
Ole and his first wife Ingeborg are buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Joe and Mary (Torvik) Krpalek
Joe Krpalek was born in Czechoslovakia on February 2, 1874. He married Mary Torvik in 1898 in Czechoslovakia. Mary was the daughter of John Turek/Torvik, She was born in Bohemia on December 17, 1875, as were both her parents
Joe and Mary immigrated to the United States about six years after they were married. They first settled in Omaha, Nebraska, where they resided until 1913, when they left and came to Minnesota. They settled in Walworth township, Becker County, Minnesota where they made their home until their deaths.
Joe and Mary were the parents of five children; Joseph, Mary (Nick Theis), Bessie (Alphonso Kudrna), Julia (Ralph Chamber) and John. Only Mary stayed in the area, she married Nick Theis and they lived in section 22 of Walworth township. Bessie, Julia and John all moved to Albany Ore.
Mary Krpalek died in November 1928 at the age of 52, from blood poisoning. and Joe passed away on December 29,1940, they are both buried at Walworth Baptist Cemetery, rural Flom.
Elmer and Ruby (Opdahl) Kvidt’s Family
My parents, Elmer and Ruby Kvidt live on a farm located three and one half miles north of Flom, Minn. in Norman County. This has been "home" to me all my life. They have lived there since 1931. This is the story of the history of my parent’s family.
My grandfather Kvidt, namely Jens, was born in Norway and came to this country as a young man. He met my grandmother Hannah Albertson, who was born in the state of lowa, fell in love and they became man and wife and then homesteaded in Section 12 in Norman County. That farm is located three miles north and two and a half miles east of Flom. They lived there until the early 1930's and then moved to the farm where my parents did live. Until a few years ago, members of the family continued to live on the original homestead farm. It may be remembered as the Nils Jacobson farm.
My father was the youngest of eight children born to Jens and Hannah Kvidt. Three sisters and a brother still survive. Their children are John (deceased); Clara, Mrs. Nils Jacobson (deceased); Maynard (who died while in the service during World War 1); Thilda. Mrs. Charles Ommodt, who resided in Moorhead Hartvik, lived in Mahnomen with his wife Hilda; Mabel, Mrs. Henry Ommodt, who made her home in Moorhead Nolda, Mrs. William Ommodt, who last lived in Twin Valley, and my father, Elmer Kvidt. Oh, what a good time and what good memories I have of when we all used to get together. Both my dad's parents are deceased and are buried in the East Wild Rice Cemetery; my grandfather passing away in 1931, and grandma in 1944.
My grandfather Opdahl, namely B. L. Opdahl, was also born in Norway and came to America as a young man. Here he met my grandmother, Anna Jensen, who was born in Wisconsin, and they became man and wife. My grandfather studied for the ministry and became an ordained Lutheran pastor as a young man. They served parishes in various parts of Minnesota as well as other states. My grandmother tells of when they, as a young couple, homesteaded in North Dakota and lived in a sod house, and the wild horses would come to their front door and stomp their feet wanting to get in. This probably was not only the front door, but the only one.
Grandma and grandpa Opdahl were the parents of seven children. They are Frances (Mrs. Fred Batzler) Roald, Deborah (Mrs. Alfred Gniffke), Arville (Mrs. Roy Nelson), Stanley, and Anna Marie (Mrs. Leslie Carlson), and my mother, Ruby Kvidt.
From the years 1919-1930, Grandpa Opdahl served as the pastor of the East Wild Rice, the Immanuel, and Aspelund Lutheran Churches. It is while they lived at the parsonage of these charges that my mother met my dad. Grandma resided in the Danube Rest Home in Minneapolis and celebrated her 90th birthday in March of 1975. Grandpa passed away in 1951 and is buried in Minneapolis.
My parents were married in March of 1931 and have lived on their present farm since. My dad worked out on local farms before their marriage and farmed for many years after and for the last several years has rented the farm land out, but continue to make their home there. Dad worked on construction work with a local contractor.
I have one younger brother and two younger sisters. We all belonged to the East Wild Rice Lutheran Church, attended its Sunday School, and were active in different areas. My brother and I attended the old Plentywood School which was located just north of my parents farm, and we attended the Twin Valley High School. My sisters attended the Twin Valley School both at grade school and high school levels. I myself live in Portage, Wisconsin, and have a 17-year old daughter, Loriann. My brother Eldred lives with his wife, Lois, and their children Randy, Jan, and Scott at rural Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. My sister, Janice Atkinson, her husband Gene, and their children Annette and Aaron live in Portage and my sister Korella Seizler her husband Larry, and their children, Jason and Heather live at Cross Plains. Wisconsin. We are a very close family, enjoy each others' company and get together as often as possible.
This is the story of my parents and grandparents. I am proud to say that I grew up in Norman County. Twin Valley, Minnesota. I am sure I speak for the rest of my immediate family when I say that I am proud of ancestors and am thankful for them. I am sure they would be as proud of my family as I am. I am thankful also that we are a God-fearing people and that my ancestors had the privilege of settling in this good country, America.
By Betty A. Ring
Leslie and Helen (Sovain) Kvidt
Leslie A. Kvidt was born on January 16, 1917 near Flom, Mn to Alfred and Lena Kvidt. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He attended school in the area. As a young man he worked on the family farm and was also a farm laborer for area farmers.
He served his country in the United States Army from 1942 until his discharge, serving in the 91st Infantry in Europe and Africa. He was awarded the Bronze Star.
After his discharge he returned to the Twin Valley area to farm. He was a member of the Flom-Twin Valley VFW Post 3818, having served as commander for one year.
Leslie married Helen Sovain on November 27, 1948. He worked at Twin City Hardwood Company until retiring.
Leslie passed away on January 31, 1994 at his home in St. Paul, Mn. Interment was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Leslie and Helen were the parents of two sons and four daughters.
Martinus and Margaret (Kaushagen) Kvidt
Martinus Kvidt was born on April 14, 1893 near Flom, Mn. Here he grew up and attended rural school. After completing his education he enlisted in the Army, serving during World War I. After being discharged he returned to the Flom area and was active in farming.
Margaret Kaushagen was born on April 24, 1902 in Norman County, Minnesota. As a young girl she moved with her family to Thief River Falls, Mn where she attended school. She worked at various jobs there before moving near Twin Valley, Mn in 1923.
Martinus and Margaret were married on January 26, 1929 at Thief River Falls, Mn. They lived in the Flom area until 1941, when they moved closer to Twin Valley. In 1945 they moved into town.
Margaret passed away on December 10, 1985, funeral services were conducted at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley.
Martinus and Margaret were the parents of Jerry, Allen and Hope (Don Seeger).
LaPort Family
The Laport family goes back to 1776 on American soil. It is probably the family who has been in America the longest.
as most of the families around Flom immigrated from Norway in the mid to late 1800's.
Abraham LaPort (Layport) was born around 1776, probably in Maryland, of French ancestry. He was born to George Layport (Layporth) and Nancy McCaslin. Nancy was the daughter of the Patrick McCaslin's. It is not sure where they
were married other than a probability of Harrison Co. Ohio.
Abraham married Margaret Blakley who was born in 1775. They were the parents of three children; John L. who was born in 1800, Abraham W. who was born in 1812 in Harrison Co. Ohio and Bazaleel who was born on November 2, 1818. John L. married Verlinda Harrison. Abraham W. married Elizabeth Elliott on October 3, 1839, in Logan Co. Ohio. Bazaleel married Nancy Roberts on March 16, 1843. Abraham died on December 25, 1859 and Margaret died in 1894.
The next generation:
Abraham W. LaPort was born in 1812 to Abraham LaPort and Margaret Blakley. He married Elizabeth Elliott who was born in 1819. Elizabeth was the daughter of Moses Elliott and Rebecca Duly (Dulea).
They were the parents of five children; Elliott who was born in Logan Co. in 1840, Rebecca who was born in 1844 in Logan Co, Margaret who was born in 1847 in Logan Co., she is believed to have died before 1907. Anna who was born in 1849 in Logan Co. and Amos Walton LaPort who was born on March 2, 1852 in Logan Co. (see Amos Walton LaPort).
Elliott married Sarah McBaskey on June 12, 1865. Margaret married George C. Nelson on October 3, 1872 and Amos Walton married Anna Maryha Harms on March 20, 1874.
Amos Walton and Anna Maria (Harms) LaPorte
Amos Walton LaPorte, better known to his many relatives, neighbors and friends as Grandpa LaPorte passed away at his home Thursday morning, June 7, 1933. Old age and heart trouble of many years standing being the cause of his death.
Mr. LaPorte was born in Logan, Ohio, February 3, 1852, and had reached the ripe old age of 82 years, 5 months and 4 days, and was lovingly cared for in his last illness by his son and family. At the age of 11 years, he with his parents, moved from Logan to Boone County, Iowa where for 25 years he worked as a coal miner. Then he engaged in farming. He was married on March 20, 1874, to Anna Maria Harms and to this union were born eight children, namely Charles Abraham, Emor Eli, Blanche (Mrs. Warrington), Hattie Elizabeth, Edward Mathias, William Henry, Emma Grace (Mrs. Phillips) and Mary Hazel, (Mrs. McClintoc).
Anna Maryha Harmms was born on May 28, 1852 in New York to Charles Harmms and Harriett Marshall. She died on July 14, 1900. Amos was left alone to care for his family through the death of his wife. His two oldest children have also preceded him in death.
Believing there were opportunities in Minnesota he, together with his daughter Hattie, who is an invalid, and his son E.M. LaPorte and family, bought and settled on the old Homelvig farm in Home Lake township in the spring of 1914, where the family has since lived and where Grandpa has made a large place for himself in the love and esteem of his neighbors and large circle of friends who, together with his family, his aged sister of Heston, ND, his 34 grand-children and 25 great-grandchildren, mourn his loss and revere his memory.
Funeral services were held at the farm home Saturday afternoon, the 9th of June, and were conducted by Rev. C.L. Jensen, after which the remains, accompanied by his grandson and name-sake Amos, were taken to Sac City, Iowa for burial beside the grave of his wife.
Romans, 8:25- But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. and verse 39-nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amos and Anna's family: Charles Abraham was born on December 2, 1875, He married Sylvia Ross. Blanche Mona was born on November 24, 1876, She married Edward Lorenzo Warrington on December 1, 1897. Emor Eli was born on December 8, 1878, he married Minnie Bell Phillips on March 1, 1898. Records indicated the first three children were born in Boone Co. Iowa. We don't know for sure where the next three were born. Hattie Elizabeth was born on September 17, 1881 and died on January 24, 1948, Edward Mathias was born on June 6, 1886, he married Minnie Bell Phillips, after his brothers death. Edward died on March 15, 1979, William Henry was born on April 28, 1888, he married Hazel Cooper, and died in 1969.
Emma Grace was born on March 20, 1891 in Sac Co. Iowa, she married John Ira Phillips on September 1, 1908, she died on March 13, 1969, and Mary Hazel was born on October 7, 1894, (see Mary Hazel and W.H. Holtman).
Elmor Eli and Minnie ( Phillips) LaPorte
Edward M. (E.M.) and Minnie LaPorte
Minnie Bell Phillips was born in Sac County, Iowa on August 2, 1882, to Peter Phillips and Mary C. Sprauge. she grew up in this area and was united in marriage on March 7,1899 to Elmor Eli LaPorte. They were the parents of four children John Ira (see John Ira and Alice (Aasgaard) LaPort), William Henry both of Flom, Anna Bell (Sam Taylor) moved to Sac County, Iowa and Mary Hazel (W.H. Holtman) of Twin Valley.
Elmor died on June 30, 1908. After his death she married Edward M. LaPorte on January 26, 1909.
Edward M. "Tice" LaPort was born on June 30, 1886, in SacConty,Iowa, to Amos and Anna LaPort. He was raised in the Lakeview Iowa, area. On January 26, 1910, he married Minnie Belle Phillips (his brother Elmor's widow) in Sac City, Iowa. They came to Norman County in the 1950's. In the fall of 1977 Edward moved to Waskish, it was here that he passed away. To this union seven children were born; Amos Walton, Phillip Jessie, Charles Abraham (see Charles LaPort), Eva Myrtle (Harold Natwick), Orville Theodore, Wayne Mathias and Goldie Irene who died in infancy.
Minnie died on June 19, 1934 and Edward M. died on March 15, 1979. They are both buried at Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom, MN.
Phillip J. LaPort was born on April 6, 1912. He served his country in World War II as a PFC in the Army. He recieved a Purple Heart.
Phillip died on October 21, 1997 and is buried at the Walworth Baptist Cemetery, rural Flom.
Mary Hazel (LaPorte) and W.H. Holtman
Mary Hazel was born in Sac City, Iowa, on March 24, 1902, to E. M. and Minnie (Phillips) LaPorte. When she was eleven years old she converted to the Free Methodist church at Sac City. At the age of twelve years she moved with her parents to Minnesota.
Wilhelm and Mary Hazel were married on November 15, 1933. They lived three miles northeast of Twin Valley until the passing of her mother in 1934, at which time they moved to her father's farm in Home Lake township, where they remained until their deaths. They had no children.
Mary died on February 27, 1939. Funeral services were held at the Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom, Mn, on Saturday March 4. Interment was made in the church cemetery.
Charles A. LaPort
Charles A. Laport was born October 10, 1914, in Norman County, Mn., to E.M. and Minnie Bell (Phillips) LaPort. Here he grew to manhood. He served his country in World War II in the U.S. Army. Veteran. After his discharge in 1945, he came back to Twin Valley, where he farmed. In 1950 he moved to the Wilton area where he resided until his death on October 7, 1977. Funeral services were held at the Olso-Schwartz Funeral Home in Bemidji, Mn and he was laid to rest in Walworth Baptist Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
John Ira and Alice (Aasgaard) LaPort
John Ira was born on February 10, 1904 to Emor and Minnie Bell (Phillips) LaPort in Sac City, Iowa. At the age of 10 he moved with his family to this area, he recieved his education at Home Lake Country School. He was confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
After completing his education he focused on farming as a occupation. He had lived in Walworth township of Becker County and settled down in Home Lake township of Norman County. He farmed in section 26 of Home Lake township, he purchased this farm in the 1940's.
Alice Aasgaard was born on January 1, 1913, on a farm in Home Lake township to Lawrence and Hannah (Albertson) Aasgaard. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. Alice attended country schools in the area.
John and Alice were united in marriage on December 1, 1935, at the home of her parent's in Home Lake township. John and Alice made their home on the M. Aasgaard Farm, grandparents to Alice. They were members of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, where Alice was a life member. She was active in ALCW, circles, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.
John was a member of the Wild Rice Church, his specialty was cooking and baking for his family.
John passed away on September 29, 1986 and Alice passed away on April 3, 1975, they are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
John and Alice were the parents of: Lowell, John, Allan, Monrad, Amos, Donald, Anna Marie, Linda (Hoss), and Manette.
Anna Marie LaPort
Anna Marie Claire LaPort was born on April 5, 1947 at the Ada Hospital to John and Alice (Aasgaard) LaPort. She was baptized at the Wild Rice Church on May 11, 1947. When she was 5 and one-half months old she suffered sever attacks of epilepsy, which later caused her death. She died at the Mahnomen Hospital on August 20, 1950, at the age of three years, four months, and fifteen days.
Lowell Eldon LaPort
Lowell Eldon LaPort was born on December 13, 1936, to John and Alice (Aasgaard) LaPort, in Home Lake township, Norman County, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended school in Syre, Mn and then went to Twin Valley High School. He lived in Becker County, in Walworth Township and later moved to Norman County, Home Lake township.
He grew up on the family farm and was in farming operations with his brothers. Lowell died on March 22, 1994 at St. Luke's Hospital in Fargo, ND. Lowell is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
John Allan LaPort
John A. LaPort was born on April 15, 1940 at home in Walworth township in Becker county. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended school at Twin Valley, Mn. After completing his education he started farming with his brothers.
John married Georgianne Olson on July 17, 1976. They had one daughter Ricka Laport. Ricka married Mike Brendle and they are the parents of two sons, Michael Scott and Zachary Jordan.
Monrad LaPort
Monrad was born on April 19, 1943 at home in Home Lake township. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He attended school at Twin Valley, Mn. After completing his education he started farming with his brothers.
Amos W. and Lonnie (Opsahl) LaPort
Amos was born on June 23, 1946 at the Ada Hospital. Amos was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He grew up on the family farm and attended school at Twin Valley. After he graduated from High School he entered the military service, of which he served his country for two years. He came home to the Flom area after his discharge and farmed with his brothers. Amos married Lonnie Opsahl, the daughter of Ludwig and Doris Opsahl.
Amos and Lonnie LaPort live in section 24 of Home Lake Township with their three children; Sarah, Kayla and Nathan. Their children were baptized at Wild Rice Lutheran Church and all attend Norman County East school.
Jack and Linda D. (LaPort) Hoss
Linda was born at Ada, Mn. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. She attended school at Twin Valley, Mn. Linda and Jack have three children and three grand children. Jack Jr., Jeffrey and Anette (Carlson) (Dave)
Manette LaPort
Manette was born at Ada, Mn, she was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. She attended school in Twin Valley, where she graduated from High School. After graduation she went to Detroit Lakes Vo-Tech and then entered the Army. Manette served her country for four years. After completing her military duration she returned to the Twin Valley area, where she is employed at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, Mn.
Donald W. LaPort
Donald was born on September 14, 1954 at Ada, Mn. He grew up on the family farm in Home Lake township. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He attended school at Twin Valley, Mn and after graduating he went to Moorhead Tech. He currently works at Auto Value in Mahnomen, Mn.
Anton S. and Adelia (Montgomery) Larson
Anton Larson was born in Tracy, Mn on January 28, 1879 he was the fourth son of Hans T. and Turi Larson. He had three brothers; Martin of Twin Valley, Lewis of Brahm, Mn and Hans of Jamestown, ND.
He was confirmed in the United Lutheran Church at Tracy in 1893.
He married Adelia Montgomery on May 2, 1907, at Tracy, Mn. After their marriage he and his wife were active members in the church at Tracy, Mn. Here Anton and his brother Martin farmed their home place two miles northwest of Tracy. They came to the Flom area settling on the John Narum place in Home Lake. Here they raised their family of eight children; Manly, Mildred, Frances (Paul Jensen), Carrabelle (Gale Elliott), Theodosia, Theodora (Lawrence Peterson), Martha (Art Sorenson) and Margaret.
They remained here until 1933 when they retired due to poor health and moved to the Presting residence near Twin Valley, MN.
His health had been failing for the last five years with a chronic attack of Huntington’s carea and complications which became very serious the last week and caused him to take his life Wednesday morning, Sept 4 at the age of 56 years, 7 months and 6 days.
Funeral services were held at Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom with interment at the church cemetery.
Ernest and Evelyn (Ommodt) Larson
Ernest C. Larson was born on June 27, 1911 at Centuria, Wisconsin to Erling and Christine (Thompson) Larson. As a young boy he moved with his family to Hurdsfield ND, living there two years before moving to Minnesota. He worked on farm in the Flom and Waubun area as a young man.
Ernie married Evelyn Ommodt on September 28, 1940 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. They farmed on Evelyn’ home farm and they also operated the Flom Cafe and VFW in the early 1970’s.
Besides farming, from which he retired in 1975, Ernie also drove school bus for the Twin Valley school system and was employed as a grader operator for Lunde Blade and Gravel of Flom, both for 18 years.
Ernie passed away on August 17, 1993 in Dakota Hospital in Fargo, ND. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery. After his death Evelyn remained on the farm for a few years, before moving into Waubun, where she resides today.
Ernie and Evelyn were the parents of two children; Myron and Linda (Frank Hesby).
Ida G. Larson
Ida Larson was born on July 25, 1859 to Lars and Inga Marie Larson. Ida was born near Christiana, Norway and came to this country with her parents in 1868. They first settled in Iowa before coming to Norman county, Mn. Here she attended school and further her education at Sioux Falls, SD and Moorhead, Mn. After receiving her degree she taught in country schools in the Flom area for about twenty years.
Ida died on March 26, 1935 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fargo, ND. Her funeral was conducted from the Wild Rice church and interment was also made in the church cemetery.
Christian Nikolai and Gunhild (Olson Bergetangen) Larson
Christian Nikolai Larson was born October 13, 1862 in Feiring, Akershus, Norway. He is the son of Lars Kristoffersen Flesvik, born June 16, 1816, and Inge Marie Olsdatter Bjortomte, born November 3, 1823. They were both born in Feiring, Akershus; Lars on the Bjornstadt farm.
Lars and Marie were married November 18, 1847 in the Feiring Parish and came to the US on the Bark Olaf, April 12, 1868. All of the children, except Olava, came with them. Olava immigrated to the US in 1872.
Children of Lars and Inge Marie in addition to Christian Nikolai Larson:
Anne Magrethe Larson was born March 18, 1848. She married Hans Gunilius. Anne died on April 13, 1915 in Twin Valley, MN.
Olava Larson was born February 20, 1851. She married Ole Melaas on June 26, 1874. Olava died on September 24, 1940 in Ulen, Becker Co, MN.
Karen Evine Larson was born June 19, 1854. She married Enoch Tobias Berkland on November 13, 1871. Karen died on April 2, 1940 in Norman County.
Ragnild Marie Larson was born January 7, 1857 and died Jan 27, 1862.
Ida Jørgine was born July 25, 1859 and died on March 26, 1935 in Crookston, MN.
Ole Ragnvald Larson was born August 10, 1867 and died before 1870 in Winneshiek, IA.
Maria died 5 years old.
Regina Marie was born June 16, 1870 and died September 22, 1893 in Norman Co.
Lars died December 29, 1893 and Inge Marie died March 9, 1907. Both Lars and Inge Marie died in Norman County and are buried at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Christian was married on December 6, 1887 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church to Gunhild Olson Bergetangen who was born November 4, 1861 in Freeborn County, MN. She moved to Norman County as young girl with her parents Helge Olson Bergetangen and Sigrid Gudbrandsdatter Hovseie (see article on Helge Olson Bergetangen). Christian and Gunhild purchased land in Section 20 of Flom Township which they farmed until 1924.
Children of Christian and Gunhild:
Ida Maria Saxvold was born May 5, 1888, married John M. Saxvold on June 17, 1917 in Norman County, MN, Ida died on November 21, 1959 at Pequot Lakes, MN.
Sophia Elise Gunderson was born December 25, 1889, married Benart Gunderson on August 5, 1915 in Ada, MN and Sophia died October 30,1975 at Detroit Lakes, MN.
Minnie Georgine Dahl was born April 12, 1899, married Nels S. Dahl on May 25, 1922 in Norman County. Nels died on January 23, 1936. Minnie married Malcolm Campbell in 1946 and Minnie died October 8, 1980 at Moorhead, MN.
Ella Mabel Nelson was born September 25, 1892, married Norman Nelson on September 23, 1915 in Norman County, and Ella died December 1, 1983 at Twin Valley, MN.
Lawrence Helmer Larson was born a twin on October 23, 1895, he married Frieda Stundahl on December 23, 1919. Frieda died on August 1, 1925 in Flom Township. Lawrence then married Nora , Lawrence died on July 15, 1979 at Los Angeles, CA.
Lena Henrietta Bakke was born on October 23, 1895, married Raymond Bakke on April 9, 1916 in Twin Valley, MN and Lena on May 18, 1968 at Crookston, MN.
Charles Gerhard Larson was born August 17, 1906, and died April 6,1978.
Christian died on March 14, 1940 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery. Gunhild died on January 13, 1944 in Crow Wing County at Brainerd, MN, she is buried at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery near Twin Valley, MN.
Eddie and Amy (Stende) Larson
Amy Stende was born on January 26, 1920 in Edina, Mn. She attended school near Flom and Twin Valley, Mn.
In 1940 she moved to Fargo, where she worked at National Tea Grocery as a produce manager. On September 6, 1947 she married Eddie Larson in Moorhead. They resided in Fargo until their deaths.
Eddie died in 1970 and Amy on May 5, 2002 at Rosewood in Fargo. Burial was made at Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, ND.
They were the parents of two sons; Victor Stende and Ronald Larson.
Evert and Marjorie Leinum
Evert was born to Severt, who was born January 26, 1884 in Albion Township of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, to Andrew and Engeborg Andrine (Pederson) Leinum and Flossie Mae (Griffin) Leinum, who was born on May 26, 1894, on July 13, 1913 in Clay County, Minnesota. He moved with his parents and siblings to a farm one and one-half miles west of Ulen in 1914.
He had the following brothers and sisters: Evelyn, Emma, Sanford, Cecil, Florence, Charlotte and Virginia.
Evert served in the Army Air Corp in World War II in the Burma-India Theatre. He returned to the farm after the war and bought his own farm near Flom, Minnesota. There he operated his own trucking business. His wife, Marjorie, was active in the community and also was involved in many organizations along with Evert such as Farmers Union, Atlanta Church and volunteer work in the community. Marjorie died unexpectedly of cancer and shortly thereafter Evert became very ill and lost his eyesight prior to his death in February of 1981.
Henry Lian
Henry Lian was born on September 15, 1907 in Flom. He grew up in the Flom area and married Vivian Smith on August 27, 1930 in Crookston, Mn. They lived in Caledonia, ND, before moving to Hillsboro. He worked as a farm hand for Ralph Diehl for more than 30 years.
Vivian died on April 3 and Henry on June 16, 1992. Funeral services were held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Hillsboro. They had no children.
Peter and Randine (Klemetson Hanson) Lian
Peter Lian lived in Walworth Township in Section which is directly across to the west of Walworth Baptist Church. Many people today know the building site as that where Raymond Stende lives. Peter was born on Aug. 4, 1857 in Tydal, Trondheim, Norway and immigrated to the Flom area. Peter lived here and met a young widow Randine whom he married in 1892. Randine had immigrated to the United States along with her sister Lisa and Mother Karen Eriksdatter in 1885. They came from the Gulbrandsdalen area in Norway.
They came to the Atlanta Township area where they lived with her brothers Erik and Johannes Klemetson who had immigrated and homesteaded earlier.
It was here that she met and married a young man by the name of Samuel Hanson who had immigrated from Telemark in southern Norway. They lived by Lake Park, Mn and farmed. They had one daughter Minnie who was born on November 5, 1888. When Minnie was only two weeks old her father was killed in a tragic accident. He fell off his wagon on the way home from Lake Park and was run over. After his death Randine and her infant daughter packed up and moved back into her brother Erik's home in Atlanta township. Peter and Randine lived in Walworth township for twelve years. It was at that time that Peter filed a claim for 160 acres of land east of Middle River. This was to be about 150 miles from Randine's family. They moved with their six children in a wagon, taking all their possession with them to an undeveloped area in Minnesota.
Their children were:
Minnie Gunhild Hanson Lian was born on November 5, 1888. She married William Dittberner in 1913 and divorced in 1922. They had two daughters Irene and Mildred. She married Edwin Shogren in 1923. They had one son Howard Shogren born on August 6, 1925. Minnie died January 4, 1979 and is buried at Internment Hillside Cemetery.
1-Gusta Caroline Lian was born on March 31, 1893 at Ulen, Mn their first born. She married John Aune of Gatzke, Mn on April 11, 1912. They had 7 children.
Olaf born November 12,1912, Esther born on February 3, 1914, Glen who was born on March 29, 1916, Mildred who was born on February 1, 1919, Juel born on November 16, 1921, Kenneth born on December 31,1924 and Marvel born on April 28, 1926. Gusta died on January 12, 1974. Both are buried at Moose River Cemetery.
2-Clara Louise was born on October 17, 1894 at Ulen, Mn she married Tom Ostby on March 31, 1917. They had 2 children. Thorfin born May 5, 1918, Clayton born on October 14, 1919, Clara died in March 1987 and is buried at Moose River Cemetery.
3-Herman Oscar was born on September 17, 1896 east of Ulen in Walworth Township. He married Ethel Lenora Johnson on August 12, 1928. They had children.
Marvel born on August 29,1929, Kenneth LeRoy born on September 26, 1932, Erline Herman born on Oct 6, 1935, JoJean born July 31, 1939 and Keith born July 20, 1943. Herman died on October 13, 1967 and Ethel died Nov. 7, 1982 both are buried at Moose River Cemetery.
4-Josie Sarine was born on Nov. 15, 1898 east of Ulen, Mn she died at the age of 12 and is buried at Moose River Cemetery.
5-Pauline Randine was born on January 11, 1901 at Ulen, Mn. She was only a baby when her parents left the Flom area and headed north to Gatzke. She married Edwin Myron in 1924. They had one daughter Mae Ruth born on June 14, 1925 in Minneapolis, Mn. Edwin died in 1933 leaving a young widow and child behind. Pauline died on March 21, 1989. Edwin and Pauline are both buried at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens, Crystal, Mn.
6-Clarence was born on February 1, 1903 at Gatzke. He married Ellen Bloomquist on April 3, 1927. They were the parents of LaVonne Lou born June 23, 1932. Ellen died on Oct. 21, 1989 and Clarence died on Aug. 26, 1991. Both are buried at Moose River Cemetery.
7-Martin Luther was born on February 18, 1905 at Gatzke, Mn. He married Pearl Keneston on April 29, 1944. They had one son David Martin born on March 20, 1951. Martin died on July 2nd, 1971 and is buried in Glen Haven Cemetery in Crystal, Mn.
8-Alice Rosella was born on Jan. 6, 1906 at Gatzke. She married Ray Eastby in August 1928.
They had 2 children.
Beatrice was born on Nov, 30, 1930
and Rodney was born on April 29, 1934.
Alice died on Feb. 23, 1994 and Ray died on Nov. 25, 1986
Sidney F. and Edna (Smith) Lian
Sidney F. Lian was born on May 4, 1909 at Flom, Mn. He moved to Gatzke, Mn at an early age. He later moved to Hillsboro, ND, area and then returned to Gatzke where he farmed for several years.
Sidney and Edna Smith were married on December 1, 1931 at Crookston, Mn. The couple moved to the Moorhead, Mn. Here Sidney started construction work. He was a member of the Eagles and Moose Lodge.
Sidney and Edna were the parents of three children; Larry, Sally (Marvin Erickson) and Mary Ann (Floyd Marshall). Sidney passed away in 1972. He is buried at Moorhead Memorial Gardens.
David and Christina (Biegler) Lien
David Eric Lien was born on March 14, 1968 to Donna and Gerald Lien of Flom. He was born in Ada, MN.
Schooling: Twin Valley High School North Dakota State University (Degree in Agricultural Economics)
Baptized: Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom
Confirmed: Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom
Occupation: Works for Advance Elevator in Fargo, ND. He installs passenger elevators throughout the region.
Christina Lynn (Biegler) Lien was born on November 12, 1972 to Peter and Kaaren Biegler of Fargo, ND. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Schooling: West Fargo High School
North Dakota State University (Degrees in Economics and Business Administration)
Baptized: St. Bernards Catholic Church, Wauwatosa, Wisc.
Confirmed: Blessed Sacrement Catholic Church, West Fargo ND
Occupation: Financial Planning for Lien Financial Services
David and Christina were married at Aspelund Lutheran Church in Flom, MN on October 22, 2000.
They are located 1/4 mile south of Flom on County Rd 38.
They have one son, Parker David Francis Lien, born on January 19, 2002 in Fargo ND.
Baptized: St. Williams Catholic Church in Twin Valley MN
Blessed: Aspelund Lutheran Church in Flom, MN
Emil and Marie (Qual) Lien
Emil Lauritz Lien as born on February 20, 1879 on a farm in Fossum township which at that time was in Polk county, Mn. He was born to Johannes and Agnetta (Pederson) Lien, who had immigrated from Norway and settled here.
Emil was baptized in the Lutheran Faith and confirmed in Wild Rice Lutheran Church on June 17, 1894 by Rev. Hans Johnson. At the 100th anniversary of the Wild Rice Church, he was the oldest confirmed member in attendance. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school, he went on to further his education at Fergus Falls, Mn at the Business College.
On June 25, 1902 he was united in marriage to R. Marie Qual in the Norwegian Synod Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, Mn. They then made their home in Twin Valley where they lived the rest of their lives. Marie passed away on August 22, 1973 and Emil passed away on July 8, 1974 at the age of 95 years. In 1972 they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
Emil owned and operated his own dray service in Twin Valley, Mn., for many years, when all the freight came in by railroad and had to be delivered to the stores and home. He also as the river for a special delivery service in the early days for salesmen and others who had to get to neighboring towns in their line of work. He also was a rural mail carrier for many years. He had a good memory of incidents and happenings and saw Twin Valley originate from it’s infancy to the present. He was also a charter member of the Zion Lutheran Church, in Twin Valley.
Emil and Marie were the parents of J. Leonard, Archie M., E. Milton, Morrell E., Agnes ( E.J. Mattson), Morraine ( L. D. Norden) and Esther Sandvold. Emil and Marie also had two children who proceeded them; and infant son Arnold and Floyd. Floyd was killed in action on D-Day in France in World War II.
German Lien Family (as told by Frances Lien)
German had grandparents named Ole and Embjor Lien. His folks were Gustav and Emilia Lien and they had seven children. On of them was German Lien, who I fell in love with. I met him at a dance where he played the violin and banjo. German Lien, Frances Fossen and Harold Skansgaard were the players around Flom at the time.
They talk about instant love… I saw German come in that night and that was it for both of us. Eight months later we got married and had five children; Hilmer, Irene, Marion, Gerald and Carolyn. We had 14 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. We left Flom in 1961 when we moved to Moorhead and ran "Frans Cafe" on Main Ave. Gerald bought the farm from us so there were still Lien’s around Flom for some years to come. Gerald and Donna Lien are still on the farm. They had three children; Gerri, Debra and David. David recently moved back just south of Flom with is wife Christina. They now have a son, Parker. Looks like he will be a good farmer too.
Editors note: German Lien was born in Flom Township on June 30, 1908 to Gustav and Emilia (Vangen) Lien. He married Frances Wolbeck on December 20, 1929 at Flom, Minnesota. German died on January 21, 1983 and is buried in Aspleund Cemetery.
Frances was born to Henry and Anna Wolbeck.
Gustav and Emilie (Christianson Vangen) Lien
Gustav Lien was born in 1874 to Ole and Embjar (Brenden) Lien. He grew up in the Flom area always living on the family farm.
Emilie Vangen Christianson was born on March 5th,1877 in Nordre Fron Gulbrandsdalen, Norway to Mr. and Mrs. Tosten Vangen. She was baptized and confirmed in Norway and at the age of sixteen left for America, coming to Norman county. It was here she met Gustav.
Gustav and Emilie were married at the Wild Rice Parsonage on January 15th, 1896 by Rev. J.R. Vaaler.
Emilie and Gustav made their home in Flom Township where they lived all their married life.
Gustav and Emilie were the parents of seven children; Ella (Clarence Holum), Olender, Minnie (Knute Thompson), German, Selma (David Lindemann) two daughters Ella and Gerda died in infancy.
Gustav died in 1945 and Emilie died on May 7th, 1945. Both are buried at the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Hans Peter and Anna (Ramberg) Lien
Hans Peter (Peter J.) Lien was born to Johannes and Agnethe (Aamoth) Lien in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway in 1867. He immigrated to America with his parents in 1868.
Hans married Anna Ramberg in 1890 and farmed in Fossum township, for five years. He then purchased a farm three miles west of Twin Valley, MN. They stayed there for 20 years, at which time they sold the farm and moved back to Fossum Township where they resided for 16 years. His last three years he lived in Twin Valley, Mn.
They were the parents of five children; John A. , Phillip A., James A, Arthur and Ida ( Thorpe). John was born in 1891 and died while in the service. He served his country as a member of C.A. 118 Inf. in World War I. He is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Anna died in 1930 and Hans died on June 1, 1937 both are buried at Wild Rice. His obituary states his name as Hans Peter.
Henry and Anna ( Holum) Lien
Henry O. Lien was born on April 29th, 1877 to Ole and Imburg/Embjor (Brenden) Lien, south of the Plentywood school in section 10 of Flom, Township. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, Twin Valley. As a young boy he grew up in Flom Township receiving his education in District 12, Plentywood School.
Anna Julia Holum was born in Section 21, Flom Township, to Erick A. and Randi (Otterness) Holum.
Anna was the only child and remained in Norman County.
Henry and Anna Holum were married on November 22, 1905, by Rev. J.R. Vaaler. They were married in a double wedding with Henry’s sister Emma and Peter Braget. They were the parents of three children.
Rosalie (Oscar Stene), Odella (Melvin Aune, and Hazel (Albert Stene).
Henry was skilled at drilling flowing wells and farming.
Henry passed away on December 22nd 1945. He was a life member of the Wild Rice Church. Anna passed away on February 14th, 1966. Both are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Hilmer Lien Family
I was born in an old house August 21, 1930, that used to occupy space just east of Flom on the ground that Gerald and
Donna now farm. As I recall the house did stand for a number of years and was always vacant. Who it belonged to and when it disappeared I do not recall. I am the oldest son of German & Frances Lien (Wolbeck). German was the youngest son of Gustav and Amelia Lien who used to farm 2 miles north of Flom.
German used to farm 2 miles north and 1 mile east of Flom. It was from here that I first attended grade school at "Cheerful Nook" which used to stand approximately 2 miles north and 2 miles east of Flom. The location is now overgrown with trees on the edge of land that David Lien has farmed the passed several years. When I was in the sixth grade we purchased the Farm just east of Flom that Gerald & Donna now farm and Changed schools From Cheerful Nook to Flom. I was 12 years old at the time and this was a late fall or early winter move. I vividly remember starting to walk to Flom school and trying to break a trail in the snow. There was a lot of prairie grass in those days that trapped the snow. The snow was not hard enough to carry my person so that every step I took I sank in the snow up to my waist it seemed. There was times when I didn’t think I was go to make it but finally I did. Of course when the end of the school day came I had to walk home again and tomorrow repeat the task. After a few days and weeks the snow began to carry me.
I graduated from Waubun high school in 1948 and spent that summer at home and going to a Gale Institute in Minneapolis in the Fall of 1948. They specialized in training people to communicate with Morris Code (*) and to perform the functions required to operate a railroad depot. There were many railroad depots in those days. This was the time when Railroad agents and operators who used to work 7 days a week began to work 5 days a week. This was the
beginning of the 40 hour week and it created a great demand for agents and operators to man the 7 day operations for this industry. I working for the Great Northern Rail road after school in July 1949 and retired from the Burlington Northern in October 1988. During my tenure I spent several years in various stations and locations in North Dakota and Minnesota. Some of the locations that I remember were Argyle , Noyes, Glyndon, Moorhead Junction, Minnesota. Edmore, Webster, Towner,and Devils Lake, Grand Forks, ND. While in Grand Forks I used to work at a location known as P.A. Tower lining switches for the trains as they entered and departed the Grand Forks Terminal. These towers were built high off the ground so we had a good view of the approaching traffic. This tower was heated with a coal burning stove and I remember in the winter storms of sitting by stove which was red hot, with my body being comfortable on the side next to the stove and freezing on the other side of my body. Insulation had not been invented yet.
While going to school at Gale Institute in Minneapolis during the evening I worked days at the Minneapolis Honeywell company in their coil winding department and my job was to keep the assembly line supplied with the materials necessary to make all kinds of coils. I was called a supply boy. Most of the people that were on the assembly line were women, which was okay with me. There was this one acquaintance that I made while working there who would later play an important part in my life. While we worked together for about 10 months at Minneapolis Honeywell, this was merely an acquaintance relationship. In the spring of 1950 while working a Telegraph position on the afternoon shift in Alexandria, MN we met again. We hadn’t seen or communicated with each other since my departure from Honeywell so we had much to reminisce about. Reminiscing turn to romance and we would later marry. I married Marion Mae Ketelle, August 25, 1951 Marion was the daughter of Harlan and Opal Ketelle from Osakis, Minnesota Marion died in the spring of 1972.
We had 3 sons:
Michael G. Lien (1953) in Amherst, Wisconsin
Patrick H. Lien (1955) in Durham, North Carolina
Barry K. Lien in (1957) in Fort Worth, Texas
The boys were all born at St.Ansgar Hospital in Moorhead, MN. Mike and Patrick graduated from Moorhead High and Barry was graduated from Centrailia, IL high school .I spent about 20 years working a communication job in Fargo and was promoted to assistant Agent in about 1970. Later I become an assistant train master and in 1970 I was promoted to train master and served some time at Rochelle, IL and then Centrailia, IL
It was while in Centrailia that Ettamae and I met. We had both lost our spouses during the years of 1971 and 1972.
Marion Ketelle died from cancer and Ettamae’s husband, John Garcia from Kidney failure.
I am now married to Ettamae Garcia (Koehler), the daughter of Edward and Irene Koehler from Carlyle, Illinois.
Ettamae was formerly married to John Garcia. John died in 1971. They had 3 children
Suzanne Schrieber (1951) In Breese, Illinois
Michael Garcia (1953 ) in Breese, Illinois
Karen F. Becker (1956 ) in Breese, Illinois
One of the things I remember was Saturday night in Flom with free movies. The lot just across the street from the Coop station used to serve as the movie sight. The early birds would park along the south side of the road so that they
could watch the movie from their cars. I still can recall parts of some of the movies they saw there and practically all the cartoons with Betty Boop, (I believe that’s how it was spelled). Any way she was always portrayed in cartoon style
as the beautiful girl and there always seemed to be this big black spider that was always trying to get her. To this day I
cannot stand spiders. Hmmn!
I remember one snow storm incident that took place some year probably 1947-1948 when a lot of people got stranded in Flom. The Hall was opened up for refuge that night. I don’t remember what people did for entertainment but I remember there where numerous trips to the local restaurants for food. Maybe even a Beer. Somewhere during the late evening I walked home for Flom and did the chores. Then walked back to Flom to join the other stranded people. On my return trip to Flom I remember meeting Lyle and Donna Simonson. They were walking home. I guess they decided not to be stranded anymore.
One more remembrance: some time around 1942 there was this man named Jimmy Christianson (don’t know if I spelled that right or not) who was a pilot in the air force. My dad and he were pretty good friends as I recall. Well anyway Jimmy was home for a week or two (vacation time I suppose). I don’t know the details of how this developed but when he was returning to service he was to fly over Flom. He had the airplane in Fargo and a time was specified for the event. Needless to say many people gathered on the streets of Flom and at the specified time the plane appeared from the Southwest. There were several flyovers high and low and fly arounds. I remember perhaps the last cycle when he was low enough and tilted the plane enough so that we could see him waving to us from the cockpit. Then as he straightened the plane out and flew away he rolled the plane from side to side in essence to wave good bye with the airplane. This airplane had a maximum speed of 210 miles per hour. Wow! That was difficult to believe in those days.
After 5 years in Centrailia, Il I was promoted to Colorado Division Safety & Rules supervisor and worked the division out of Denver, CO. My territory ran from Hayes, Nebr. to Denver and from Amarillo, TX to Cheyenne, Wyo. While working out of Denver from Dec 1978 to Oct 1988 (retirement date) we lived in Arvada, Co about 10 miles north of downtown Denver.
Current events: October 2001 we moved from Colorado to Breese, Ill and are in the process of building a home. The home is close to Ettamae’s family and will eliminate some of the long trips from Colorado to Illinois each year. It also gets me closer to my family. Not next door but closer. The house now has the wood floor installed and interior doors and trim should be next. The kitchen cupboards are in the living room and their installation should begin to happen this week.
We are both doing well
Hilmer and Ettamae Lien
* When I think back to that time in history when the Morris Code was the means of communication on the railroad it blows my mind. The system relied on copper wire (Copper was also expensive and subject to being stolen by the mile at night) strung for miles along the right of way and subject to occasional breakage which made it inoperative. There were a few telephones in those days which relied on the same wire system and seldom worked. If they were working it was almost impossible to use them because only two people could use the one wire at a time. One on each end of course. As time passed in the 1950’s the Morse Code was replaced with telephone systems and Teletype machines. WOW what an improvement. As I ponder the present day with satellites, wireless telephones, computers, E-mail and Web sites, it’s little wonder that no one ever mentions the Transatlantic Cable. I wonder what ever happened to it?
James A. and Clarice (Sannen) Lien
James Alfred Lien was born on April 19, 1903 in Wild Rice township to Hans Peter and Anna (Ramberg) Lien. He married Clarice Sannen on November 2, 1929 at Twin Valley, Mn. They farmed in Home Lake township for many years, moving into Twin Valley in September 1956, where he resided until his death on July 18, 1960.
James and Clarice were the parents of one daughter; LaVerne (Jewell Gunderson), they live in Twin Valley, Mn.
John O. Lien
John O. Lien was born on April 19, 1972 to Ole P. and Embjar (Brenden) Lien. He never married. On July 9, 1919 John passed away at his home in Flom township after a fall from a wagon. In the fall John struck his head after which he complained of headaches.
Johannes and Agnethe (Aamoth) Lien
Johannes Pederson Lien was born May 3, 1847 near Faaberg in Gudbrandsdalen Norway. He was the only child of Peder Engebreten and Marit Arnesdatter. Marit was also the mother of Ole Olson Jensveen and I image kept in contact with him after Ole left for America in 1855. Lien means open meadow or pasture in Norway and the farm Lien is located not far from the Jensveen farm in Gudbrandsdalen area.
Johannes married Miss Agnethe Aamoth in February 1867 in Norway and their first child Peter was born shortly after on April 8, 1867. Plans were probably made for move to America and on May 14, 1868 Johannes Pedersen Jensveen, Agnete Jenssen Handsatter, and son Hans Peder Jenssen left Christiania on the Emerald heading for Quebec arriving July 17, 1868. The family settled in Goodhue County probably near Ole Jensveen and in 1872, the Johannes Lien family migrated to the then Fossum Township, Polk County where he eventually homesteaded 160 acres in Section 28. In 1910, Johnannes donated 4 acres for a new school to be built (Webster) which was sometimes called the Lien School.
Johannes died February 6,1924 and his wife died October 1, 1936. Both are buried in the Wild Rice Cemetery.
Children:
Peter J Lien b. 4/8/1867 m. 1890 (AnnaR'unburg) d. 6/1/1937 in Norman County
Carrie Lien b 9/23/1869 m. 10/14/1901 (Henry Vehle) d. 11/14/1963 in Norman County
Ingeborg Pederson b. 9/15/1871 d. 11/4/1889 in Norman County
Anna Lien b. 12/8/1873 d. 2/14/1890 in Norman County
Johannes A Pederson b. 10/15/1876 d. 8/22/1889
Emil Lien b. 2/20/1879 m. 6/25/1902 (Marie Qual) d. 7/8/1974 in Norman County (see Emil and Marie (Qual) Lien)
Nels Lien b.7/26/1881 m. 12/01/1904 (Clara Bergeson) d. 9/31/1939 in Beltrami County ( he drowned)
Sebert Lien b. 10/6/1883 m. 8/7/1907 ( Ella Rikhus) d. I/25/1972 in Ulen (see Sebert and Ella (Rikhus) Lien)
Louis Lien b. 2/10/1886 d. 3/21/1967 in Norman County
By Richard Line
Lewis J. Lien
Lewis J. Lien was born in 1886 to Johannes an Agnethe Lien, in Fossum Township of Norman County. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley. He never married. Lewis died in 1967 and is buried at Wild Rice.
Odin Edwin & Leona (Prestegord) Lien
Odin was born on January 23, 1897 on the family farm in Flom township to Peter O. and Anna (Otterness) Lien. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He grew up in Flom township and on April 21, 1936 he was united in marriage to Leona Prestegord at the Wild Rice Parsonage. They were active in farming through their lives. Odin also served on the rural school board and had been a trustee of the church.
They were the parents of two sons; Phillip and Everett. Phillip was born in 1940. He was active in farming and also hauled milk for the local creamery. He never married. He died on December 18, 1964. They also had three daughters; Marlys (Eldo Bentley), LuVerne (Eugene Paulsrud), and Elaine (Charles Swenson).
Odin passed away on July 20, 1973, he is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Ole P. and Emjor (Brenden) Lien
Ole P. Lien was born in Kvam, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway. He married Emgjar Brenden in Nord Fron, Gudbrandsdalen in 1864. When he was 27 years old they came to America and Homesteaded a farm in Flom Township.
They had seven children, two were born in Norway, Peter O. and Marit (Mary). Five in America: John O., Henry O. Emma, Gustav O. and Lena. All of the boys had the letter O for a middle name for Ole. This is a custom that was familiar in Norway.
Emgjors parents were Jacob A. Brenden and Guri K. Brenden. Peter O. married Anna Amundson, they had 5 children.
Marit married Ole Fossen and they had 4 children.
John O. never married.
Henry O. married Anna Holum. They had 3 children.
Emma married Peter Braget and they one child.
Lena married Oscar Hedahl and they had one child.
Oscar O. married Hattie Mehlum and they had 4 children.
Gustav O. married Emeline Vangen and they had 5 children.
Their children are:
Elma, married Clarence Holum and they had 5 children.
Olender married Minnie Jacobson and they had 9 children.
Minnie married Knute Thompson and they had 9 children.
Selma married Dave Lindeman and they had 3 children.
German married Frances Wolbeck.
They had 5 children:
Hilmer and Etta Mae live in Illinois.
Irene and Julian Gudding live in Moorhead, MN.
Marion Bond lives in Moorhead, MN.
Carolyn Krejsi lives in Moorhead, MN.
Gerald and Donna live on the farm in section 34 of Flom Township.
Oleander and Minnie (Jacobson) Lien
Oleander E. Lien was born in 1897 to Gustav and Emilie (Vange) Lien. He grew up in the area.
Minnie Jeanette Jacobson was born on November 22, 1900 at Jackson, Mn the daughter of John and Milla (Johnson) Jacobson. She was baptized there and moved with her family to a farm near Flom in 1911. She was confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn, on November 28, 1915. She attended school at Jackson and at Flom.
Olenader married Minnie Jacobson in 1921 at the Wild Rice Parsonage. They made their home near Flom until 1943 when they moved to a farm in the Borup area. They resided here until 1954 they returned to the Flom area, moving onto a farm near Faith, Mn. They stayed here until they retired and moved into Twin Valley, Mn. Olender died on December 19, 1964, after his death Minnie continued to lived in Twin Valley until moving to Mahnomen and residing in the Mahnomen Nursing Home in 1994. She passed away on May 5, 1996. They are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
They were the parents of eleven children; Lloyd, Milo, Myrtle (Manford Lien), Gladys (John Fredricks), Orva ( Walter Johnson), Mavis (Cyril Flicek), Joyce (Virgil Monplaisir), Shirley (Ted Kaiser), Carol (Art Benson), Burnice (1928-1928) and Ervin J. ( 1926-926) both died in infancy, they are buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Petter O. and Anna (Amundson) Lien
Petter O. Lien was born July 9, 1864. at Nordre Fron Guldbransdalen, Norway of parents Ole P. Lien and Emjor (Brenden) Lien. Ole died in 1923 and Emjor in 1912. Petter's parents left Norway when Petter was five years old and settled in Rice County, Minnesota, where they stayed for four years and then they moved to Norman County, Flom township. Three and a half miles north of the village of Flom, eight and a half miles southeast of Twin Valley is where Petter (Dad) grew up to manhood along with four younger brothers and three sisters.
I cannot tell much about how they moved their belongings from place to place but presumably they used covered wagons, as that's how they grubbed and cleared off the brush and trees, with wagons and oxen.
When Dad was twenty-nine years old, he decided to establish his own home. He bought a quarter of land from his grandfather, Jacob A. Brenden, and built a log house not too far from his grandparents. Grandfather Jacob died in 1890. and his wife Guri died in 1896.
On May 4, 1893 Petter (Dad) was united in marriage to Anna Amundson. stepdaughter of Amund Otterness, by Reverend Hans Johnson. Anna was born September 23, 1874 in Gudbrandsdalen, Norway. Seven children were born to this union: Ella and Laura took sick and died when they were three and five years old. Ida. Odin. Pauline. Julia. and Elenora have lived out their full lives.
Petter (Dad) died in 1944 and Anna Mother) died in 1962. Ida raised a family of six children while married to Helmer Larson who is now deceased. Mrs. Emil Warnsholz (Laura) of Austin. Minnesota: Melvin Larson of Beaver Bay. Minnesota died November 10. 1974: Hjalmer Larson lives in Tucson. Arizona: Palmer lives in Belcourt, North Dakota: Mrs. Earle Newman (Lillian) of Fort Francis, Ontario, Canada; Mrs. John Wentz (Marilyn) of Fargo, North Dakota. Ida died April 2, 1969.
Odin married Leona Prestegard in 1936. They raised five children: Marlys (Mrs. Eldo Bentley). Twin Valley, Minnesota: Phillip who died in 1964: LuVerne (Mrs. Eugene Paulsrud). Halstad, Minnesota; Elaine (Mrs. Charles Swensen), Thief River Falls. Minnesota: Everett married and lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota: Odin died on July 21. 1974.
Pauline (Mrs. Oscar Rust) had two children and lives at Galesburg, North Dakota. Her children are: Reverend Kenneth Rust, who is a pastor at Belgrade, Minnesota: and Edris Ann (Mrs. Herbert Meier) who now lives at Perham. Minnesota.
Julia (Mrs. John Norman Severtson) now lives in Ada, Minnesota and they have three children: Jean, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Lyle, of Fresno, California, and Paul, of Mobile. Alabama.
Elenora and Erling (a grandson) still lived in Dad and Mother s last home here on earth.
We were all baptized and confirmed at the East Wild Rice Lutheran Church, that is all three generations, except for my children.
Petter (Dad) worked very hard to clear off the land with oxen so he could break it up into fields. Later he bought horses to work with. He drove nine miles east towards Waubun, Minnesota and bought some hay meadow, that he mowed and raked for hay and then he hauled it home for winter feed for the horses and cows. Mother would pack canned fish, dried beef, eggs, and other foods that Dad could fix on a camp stove, and the men would be gone for most of the week. There were two bachelor neighbors that Dad would hire when help was needed for grubbing and haying. Their names were Andrew Benson and John Tangner.
I (Pauline) used to carry lunch to dad when he was breaking up land close to home, and one time he turned under a large patch of wild strawberries that grew up after the hazel nut brush was cleared off. We used to pick quarts and quarts of nice large berries. For several years neighbors were asked to come over and pick. As a child of nine or ten years old, I felt badly to think Dad could destroy all those great plants, as I did treasure the strawberries more than bushels of wheat or flax that could be raised there instead.
My folks lived a good life together in spite of all the hard work that had to be done by hand in those days. Even so they had much to be thankful for. This information was submitted by the oldest daughter of Petter Lien, Mrs. Pauline Rust of Galesburg, North Dakota.
Peter O. and Anne (Otterness) Lien Family
Peter O. Lien was born in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway to Ole P. and Embjor (Brenden) Lien. He came to this county as a young boy and resided in Norman County all his life. He married Anne Otterness who was the daughter of the Armund Oterness.
Anne Otterness was born on September 23, 1874 in Guldbrandsdalen, Norway to Mr and Mrs Amund Otterness. She was baptized in Norway and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. Her family came to the United States when Anne was only seven years old.
Peter and Anne were married on May 4, 1893 at the Wild Rice Parsonage by Rev. Hans Johnson. Anne was a good seamstress and a loving and kind mother. she was a Life member of the Wild Rice Ladies Aid.
They settled on a farm in Flom township and it was here they raised their family; Odin, Ida ( Larson), Pauline ( Oscar Rust), Julia (Norman Sivertson) and Eleanor Lien.
Peter died on August 22, 1944 and Anne on October 5, 1962, both are buried at Wild Rice. After their deaths their daughter Elenora continued to live on the family farm.
Elenora was born in 1908 near Flom, Mn. She attended rural schools.Elenora continued to live on the family farm in section 4 of Flom township, even after her parents deaths. Elenora never married and stayed on the farm until ill health forced her to move to the Lutheran Memorial Home in Twin Valley, here she died on January 24, 1986.
Elenora had one son Erling Lien who was born in 1929. Erling was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended Plentywood school. Erling was injured as a child when he was kicked in the head by a horse. He was a jovial sort of fellow who loved to visit. He worked at home and for other farmers in the area. Due to ill health he had to leave the farm and move into the Lutheran Memorial Home in Twin Valley, where he died on November 20, 1992. He is buried at Wild Rice.
Sebert and Ella (Rikhus) Lien
Sebert Adolph Lien was born on October 6, 1883 on a farm in Fossum township. The son of Johannes and Agnethe (Aamoth) Lien. He was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He grew up on the farm and attended rural school, and later attended the Business College at Grand Forks, ND.
As a young man he worked in the grain elevator business in various towns in North Dakota, moving to Ulen in 1903.
Sebert and Ella were married on August 7, 1907 at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn. After their marriage they made their home in Ulen, where he served as manager of the Cargill Elevator for many years, retiring in 1947 with over 45 years in the business.
During Sebert’s life he was Mayor of Ulen for many years, served as village clerk for several years, a member of the village council, and also the First South Wild Rice Lutheran Church council for many years. He was also a past member of the Ulen Volunteer Fire Department.
They were the parents of four children; Harold, Earl, Macel (Clinton Klemetson) and Nile. Two infant sons and one infant daughter proceeded them in death.
Sebert passed away on January 25, 1972 at the age of 88 years, he is buried at the North Ulen Cemetery.
David C. and Selma (Lien) Lindeman
David was born in 1913 to Robert and Della (Vadnaes) Lindeman in Waubun, Mn. He married Selma Lien, daughter of Gustav and Emilie (Vangen) Lien. They lived in International Falls for several years before his death in 1952, he is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery. After David's death she returned to the Flom area. She did child-care for Charles and Cora Waller of Walworth Township, Becker County. Then in 1970 she made her home with her nephew and his wife, Jerome and LaDonna Thompson of Flom. She remained here until the last four years of her life in which she resided at the Mahnomen Nursing Home, Mahnomen, Mn. Selma is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery. They had two sons; Lew and Lowell and one daughter; Linda (Bak).
Lowell was born on September 8, 1938 on a farm in Flom Township. He grew up in the area, and attended school here. He also worked for area farmers in Waubun, Borup, Fertile and Ada. He was inducted in the armed services on December 12, 1961. He was discharged on August 19, 1965 in Georgia. He was involved in a car-pedestrian accident in Marietta, Georgia, he died almost instantly from injuries resulting from the accident on September 25, 1965. Lowell has just left a diner where he had eaten lunch when he attempted to cross a four lane highway in Marietta, Ga., when he was struck by a on coming car. He never married. Lowell is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Lewis and Julia (Smidge) Lockrem
Julia was born on February 9, 1850 in Sogning, Norway, to Hans and Kari (Ofredal) Smidge. Her father died when she was young, her mother married Helge Rinde. Julia came to the United States as a child with her mother and step father. Julia married Lewis (Lars) Lockrem and they settled on a farm in Home Lake township in section 24, the farm site is currently owned by Amos and Lonnie LaPort.
Lewis was born on October 29, 1842 in Valders, Norway. He came to America when he was seven years old with his parents. They settled in section 24 of Home Lake township. They were one of the first settler's of this vicinity.
Lewis and Julia were the parents of one son; A.C. Lockrem and two daughters; Ella (W.H. Diemert) and Amanda (Gust Presting).
Lewis died on May 17, 1924 and Julia died on June 22, 1898. They are both buried at the Wild Rice Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Lloyd O. and Ethel Lockrem
Lloyd O. Lockrem was born on February 7, 1907. He spent part of his youth in the Twin Valley/Flom area. He married Dorothy Tepper. Lloyd was residing in Novato, California at the time of his death on February 22, 1979. His wife Ethel proceeded him in death. He was survived by one sister (Harriette Hoganson) who was residing in North Moorhead at that time. Lloyd was the son of AC Lockrem.
Gunder and Anna Margaret (Hagen) Lund
In June 1857 Ole R. Lund, his wife and four children from Hammar, Stjordal, east of Trondhjem. Norway boarded a sailing vessel bound for the United States. They arrived at Red Wing, Minnesota where they stayed with friends who had arrived several years earlier. Here two more children were born, Gunder and Ellen.
Ole Lund found land to his liking north of Wanamingo and gained title to it in 1860. A dug-out home was erected in the side of a hill. It had a front of logs with a door and window. The roof was of poles covered with sod and birch bark. The family lived in this home for twelve years. A new home of sawn lumber was then built nearby.
In the fall of 1878 Gunder enrolled in the then St. Olaf School at Red Wing, studying there until March 18, 1880. Having met his future wife, Anna Margaret Hagen, who came from Trondhjem, Norway they married in 1881. Soon thereafter they decided to seek a new home in the Wild Rice settlement in Norman County. Gunder purchased 160 acres of land at five dollars per acre in the northwest quarter of section 27, Flom Township.
The young couple moved to the area via Northern Pacific immigrant car with horses, cattle, farm machinery and household goods. They unloaded at Lake Park, Minnesota into wagons and set out for their new home where in due time a house of lumber was built.
A young Indian couple lived nearby in a teepee. They would come and ask for milk and food for themselves and their baby. Mrs. Lund noted that they were friendly.
Crops were very good and it wasn't long before Gunder in partnership with Thor Amundson purchased a threshing outfit. They bought a Canton Monitor that was pulled with oxen. Later they bought a Case tractor engine with a diamond shaped smoke stack. This was one of the first self-propelled engines in the county. Gunder was engineer, Thor was the separator man and Theodore Oswald was the fireman.
In 1894 a new 4,000 bushel granary was built. Gunder built in a grain elevator which was powered by a family horse named Boken. On top of this machine was a platform where a driver could stand with a whip to see that Boken kept moving. At harvest time, the women of the house, with the help of hired girls, had their hands full preparing food for the crew of some thirty hungry Tronders, Sognings and others.
Gunder Lund served as a commissioner from 1885 to 1891 and was foreman on the road constructed southeast out of Twin Valley. The Lund family has in their possession the first road petition issued on October 14, 1881 which was signed by Peder B. Olson. P. O. Herrid, Hans Tvedtstulen. John Froshaug and others.
The first Mutual Fire Insurance Company was organized September 17. 1887, with E. L. Tomtengen, president: G. O. Lund, secretary: Henry
Benson, treasurer: John Homelvig, Hans Aurdal, Overlie and P. N. Aamoth, directors. Mr. Lund was secretary until his death in 1910. The Flom Mutual Fire Insurance Company is still in existence.
In 1897 Gunder bought land in section 28. Wild Rice Township and he built a seven bedroom brick house and other buildings. Here the ten Lund children grew up.
Martin experimented with electricity and telegraphy, attended the St. Paul School of telegraphy and became a railway agent at Milltown,Wisconsin.
Peter also took up telegraphy and was a helper at many depots before becoming an agent at Gary until being transferred to the Northern Pacific main line at Hawley, Minnesota, then to Twin Valley until he was transferred to New York Mills, Minnesota. Peter's son Howard, is president of the Lund Boat Works and Dynamics Homes, Incorporated.
Jonatha or Nettie (Mrs. V. E. Smith) studied music and stenography. She was employed by attorneys Niles and Engeseth for several years. Her husband was a barber for over fifty years. He also operated the Cozy Theater and Valley Hotel, was a band director, ball player and Mayor of Twin Valley.
Margaret married Mel Hawkins of Ada where they operated a watch repair and jewelry store. Both are deceased. In 1905 Margaret was pianist for the Mahnomen-Waubun orchestra.
Gunda (Mrs. Arne Elleraas) was married June 14, 1908. Arne was County Auditor for thirty-five years. Both are deceased.
Alma (Mrs. A. Holm) of Porterville, California was employed by the Elizabeth Arden cosmetic firm until her retirement. She and her husband also operated an auto court at Los Angeles for a number of years.
Melvin was employed at the Northern Pacific depot in Twin Valley until he entered the service in World War I as a bugler. Later he was employed by the Los Angeles Park and Recreation Board until retirement.
Deborah, a twin, taught schools in Minnesota and North Dakota until she married Ben Eide of Bowdon, North Dakota. They operated a large beef and grain farm until they retired.
Evelyn (Mrs. J. K. Helsing) taught school until her retirement. The country school preserved by the Norman County Historical Society was one of her former schools.
Oscar, the recorder of the Lund family history, has been a farmer, helper at the Northern Pacific depot, lawn mower repairman, has worked on state highway maintenance, plumbing and was a fireman for Willis Waller's steam burning steam threshing rig. Oscar's hobby was band and orchestra for pleasure and entertainment.
The Lund's attended the Aspelund Church. Gunder Lund was the first organist and his daughter, Jonatha, later became organist.
Gunder was active in his community have served as a county commissioner during his life. He died on May 23, 1910 and Anna died on April 23, 1941, they are said to be buried in Twin Valley, Mn.
Melvin Lund
Melvin Lund was born to Gunder and Anna Hagen Lund on August 17, 1895 at Flom. He grew up here attending school at Twin Valley, Mn. He was a bugler in the Army during World War II. After his commitment to the armed forces was over he worked for Burlington Northern Railroad at Twin Valley, Mn. and later working as a gardener at the county hospital in Los Angeles. He had prospected for uranium in Nevada and was an outstanding musician. In 1978 he moved to Ada, Mn and where he resided until 1983 when he returned to Twin Valley, Mn., where he lived at the Lutheran Memorial Homes.
Melvin died on January 10, 1984 at Twin Valley. Funeral services were held at the Fredrickson Funeral Chapel in Ada, with burial in Twin Valley, Mn.
Olaf Martin Lund
Olaf Lund was born on June 16, 1882 in Flom township. He had resided in Flom most of his life where he did radio, television and watch repair work. He never married. He died at the age of 76 in October of 1958, funeral services were held at the Wagstrom Funeral Home in Twin Valley. Olaf is buried in Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Oscar and Margaret (Houkom) Lund
Oscar Johannes Lund was born on September 3, 1894, near Flom, Mn. The son of Gunder and Anna (Hagen) Lund. He grew up on a farm near Flom and attended school in Twin Valley, Mn. He graduated from high school at the Northwestern School of Agricultural in Crookston, Mn.
After completing his education he came back to his parents farm where he continued the farming operation with his parents after his father’s death. During this time he also worked for the Minnesota Highway Department for a few years.
Oscar married Margaret Houkom at Fargo, on June 29, 1938. Oscar began Lund Plumbing and Heating which he operated in the Twin Valley area until his retirement in the late 1950’s. He also worked on a small engine repairs out of his home.
Margaret died in 1968. After her death Oscar moved into the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center and later the Nursing Home.
Oscar was a lifetime member of the Western Minnesota Steam Thresher’s Reunion, a member of the Minnesota Historical Society, and the Norman County Historical Society. He played the trombone and was a member of the Wild Rice Farmer’s Club Band which was organized in 1910. In the 1920’s and beyond, he played with the Twin Valley, Community Band. He was an avid reader and was especially interested in Viking history and the history of Frenchman’s Bluff, which is located in Flom township.
Oscar died on February 4, 1990. He is buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, Mn.
Oscar and Margaret were the parents of; Mary (Dennis Walaker).
Christ and Mina (Thorson) Lunde
Christ Lunde was born on December 2, 1891 to Swen and Ingeborg Lunde at the home of his parents in Walworth Township, Becker County Mn. He had 3 brothers Martin, Severt and Albin and one sister Agnes (Raun). Christ died on October 10th, 1966.
Mina Thorson was born on May 25th, 1893 to Ole and Augusta (Dorseth) Thorson. She was born on the family farm near Flom. She had two brothers Albert and Oscar and one sister Alma. Mina died in 1943.
Christ and Mina (Thorson) Lunde were married on June 24th, 1917.
After their marriage they moved into the old log house on the Lunde farm while his parents moved into their new home across the road. In 1922 Christ and Mina moved away and his brother Martin and his wife Annie moved into the family home.
Christ and Mina were only away for a short time, returning in 1923. Christ farmed in Becker County for 19 years; then they moved to a farm 2 1/2 miles east of Flom in 1936. Christ lived here until his death. Christ loved farming and liked to tell the story about bringing his livestock back to the barn. One old cow marched in and took the same stall she had occupied when they had lived there before. The old log house was later torn down but it had served the Lunde's well. Tow large stones which helped to support the log structure were placed in the center of as a memorial flower garden.
Christ and Mina were the parents of one son Orlando (Ole) Lunde who was born on October 10th, 1920. See Ole and Norma Lunde.
David and Diane (Haverkamp) Lunde
David was born on March 25th, 1948 to Orlando and Norma (Rikhus) Lunde in Detroit Lakes, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. He attended school at Babbitt, Mn, and Waubun, Mn. His last four years he attended Crookston Ag School at Crookston, Mn where he received his diploma.
Diane Haverkamp was born on March 3rd, 1950 to Gordon and Veronica (Winter) Haverkamp in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
She was baptized in Waubun in May of 1950 and confirmed at St. Benedicts Catholic Church in White Earth in 1961. She attended grades 1-4 at Callaway then went to St. Benedicts Mission, White Earth where she attended from grades 5-8. Her High School years she attended at Detroit Lakes.
David and Diane were married on May 23rd, 1970 at Assumption Catholic Church in Callaway. They have lived in Flom in the former Eugene and Mary Albertson farm in section 28. In 1977 when Ole and Norma Lunde built their new home on the building site in Section 28 David and Diane moved their family to the home farm in Section 36 where they have lived since. David and Diane active in farming taking over the family farm with his brother Gary after Ole’s retirement from farming.
David has served on the Flom-Ulen Co-op Board since 1979, he is also on the Triangle Agronomy Board. Diane is a Life-Member of Flom-Twin Valley VFW Ladies Aux. 3818. They are both members of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Waubun, Mn.
David and Diane are the parent’s of five children. Brenda was born on April 10th, 1969 in Detroit Lakes, Mn. She married Branden Norris on July 18th, 1999 and they live in Prior Lake, Mn where Brenda works for CMPI- Des Moines, IA. Where she is a construction manager. Branden is a electrician apprentice. They have one son Presley who was born on October 7th, 2000.
Cindy (Cynthia) was born on December 19th, 1970. Cindy attended school in Bemidji, Minnesota and also worked in Montana. She had a son, Isaac David born to her on May 13, 2000. He was the joy of her life. Her and Isaac moved back to the Flom area shortly after his birth, to be closer to the family. Isaac had medical problems and lost his fight for life on May 23, 2002
Jeff was born on December 21st, 1971. See Jeff and Jodi Lunde
Jason was born on February 4th, 1973. See Jason and Mindy Lunde
Chrissy was born on April 19th, 1978. She attended school at Waubun Elementary and graduated from Waubun High School. She married Beau Jacobson on September 16th, 2000 and they live by Hitterdal, Mn.
Jason and Mindy (Zima) Lunde
Jason was born on February 4th, 1973 to David and Diane Lunde. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Ann’s catholic church in Waubun, MN. He attended school at Waubun and after graduating he furthered his education at Northwest Technical College in Detroit Lakes.
Mindy Zima was born on January 5th, 1976 to Henry and Sherry Zima. She was baptized and confirmed in Ogema.
She attended elementary school at Ogema and graduated from Waubun High School, Waubun, Mn.
Jason and Mindy were married on April 29th, 1995 at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Ogema, and have made their home in Section 12 of Home Lake Township, Norman County. Jason works for Lunde Blade and Gravel and also farms with his father David. Mindy works at the Waubun school where she is the High School Secretary.
Jason and Mindy are the parents of three children. Austin Henry was born on December 30th, 1995 in Detroit Lakes, Brooke Louise was born on May 6th, 1998 also in Detroit Lakes and Coy Michael was born on January,9th, 2001 at
Perham.
Jeffrey and Jodi (Donner) Lunde
Jeff was born on December 21st, 1971 to David and Diane Lunde in Detroit Lakes, Mn. He was baptized at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic church in Ogema, Mn. and was confirmed at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Waubun, Mn. He attended school at Waubun graduating from there and then furthering his education at Alexandria Tech in Alexandria, Mn. Jeff is self employed farming with his father, David and also does trucking with his own semi.
Jodi Donner was born on June 26th, 1977 to Ronald and Laura (St. Claire) Donner in Detroit Lakes, Mn. She was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ogema, Mn. Jodi attended school in Detroit Lakes. After graduating from High School she then attended UMC. She moved to the Flom area in 1998.
Jeff and Jodi were married on May 20th, 2000 at the home of Oliver and Emily Donner. Jeff and Jodi purchased the former Larry Malmskog home in section 12 of Walworth Township in Becker County where they reside.
The Lunde’s have two children. Hadlie Jane Lunde was born on April 15th, 1998 at Detroit Lakes, Mn and Wylie Kae Lunde was born on July 28th, 2001 at Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Gary and Linda (Stephenson) Lunde
Gary Ornell was born to Orlando and Norma Lunde on November 30th, 1944 in Detroit Lakes, Mn. Gary grew up 2 miles east of Flom. He attended school in Flom for 4 years and then transferred to Waubun, graduating from Waubun High School. Linda Lee was born to Maurice and Marlys Stephenson on January 21st, 1947. Linda graduated from Twin Valley High School. Gary and Linda were married on September 11, 1965. He entered the US Army December 20th, 1965 and was stationed in Fort Lewis Washington until being sent to serve his country in the war in Viet Nam.
Gary returned to Flom after being in the Army and farms 2 miles east of Flom. Besides farming, Gary and Linda both work for Flom Region Mutual Insurance. Gary and Linda have 3 daughters, Michelle, Lisa and Valorie.
Michelle married Mike Clark and they have two children, Christopher and Erica. Michelle is a dental hygenist.
Lisa married Thomas Dubbles and they have three children, Courtney, Matthew and Jocelyn. Lisa is a homemaker and teaches piano.
Valorie married Peter Steichen and they have two children, Benjamin and Natalie. Valorie is in Cancer Research in the Roger Maris Cancer Center.
All three daughters and their families reside in Dilworth, Mn.
Martin and Annie (Veum) Lunde
Martin Lunde was born on February 27, 1894, on a farm in Walworth township, Becker county, Mn. He was the son of Sven and Ingeborg Lunde. Martin was baptized and confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn. He attended rural schools and grew up in the Flom area.
Martin and Annie F. Veum were married at the Wild Rice parsonage on December 14, 1919. After their marriage they moved to a farm near Ulen, where they lived for four years, then moved to a farm in Flom township where they farmed for 26 years.
In 1949, the retired from farming and moved into Flom. The home they lived in was on the north side of town, west side of the street, current owner is Mark Floberg, many may remember it as the home of Harold and Martha Skansgaard. At this time Martin was the Star Route mail carrier for 25 years, until 1973. He also drove a school bus for many years, and served as custodian of Immanuel Lutheran Church. He served on varios boards and committees of the church. He also was a past member of the rural school board.
When Martin and Annie moved to Flom their daughter Donna and her husband Lyle took over the farming operation.
Martin and Annie were the parents of one daughter; Donna (Lyle Simonson). Annie passed away on April 8, 1966 and Martin passed away on May 25, 1974. They are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Orlando S. (Ole) and Norma (Rikhus) Lunde
Ole was born on October 10th, 1920 in the Lunde log home that his grandfather Swen Lunde had built. Ole married Norma Rikhus on May 17th, 1944. Ole farmed the family farm until his sons Gary and David took it over. Norma works as a book keeper at the Flom-Ulen Co-op. In 1977 Ole and Norma left the family farm and moved into Flom where they had built a new house. Ole was well noted for his backhoe work and gravel business which his son Arlen took over after his death. Ole died on April 25th, 1994.
Ole and Norma were blessed with 5 children, 3 boys, Gary, David and Arlen and 2 daughters, Sandra (Forness) and Rhonda (Tweeter).
Gary Ornell was born on November 30th, 1944. See Gary and Linda Lunde.
Arlen Dwayne was born on November 12th, 1946. He was married to Jane Catherine Foltz.(divorced) They had three children. Christy Maried Lunde was born on January 6th, 1972. She married Jeff Eichkloff and they have 2 children, Bailey and Alissa. Dwayne Michael was born on Dec.1st,1972. Chad Allen was born on Dec 1st, 1976 and he is married to Joni Syverson. Arlen lives in Flom where he operates Lunde Blade and Gravel.
David Orlando Lunde was born on March 25th, 1948. He married Diane Havercamp on May 23rd, 1970. They have 5 children. Brenda Sue was born on April 10th 1969. She married Branden Norris and they have one son Presley. Brenda and Branden live in southern Minnesota.
Cynthia Louise was born on December 19th, 1970. Cindy had a son Isaac David, who died on May 23, 2002 at home. Cindy lives north and east of Flom on the Eldon Thorson place.
Jeffrey David was born on December 21st, 1971. He married Jodi Donner and they have 2 daughters. Hadlie & Wylie. They live south and east of Flom in Becker County.
Jason Michael was born on February 4th, 1973. He married Mindy Zima and they have 3 children. Austin, Brooke and Coy. They live north and west of Flom by Homelake.
Chrissy Kersting. was raised by David and Diane as their daughter when Diane's sister and her husband Wayne Kersting along with their other daughter Bridget were tragically killed in a small plane crash in Florida when Chrissy was very young. Chriss is married to Beau Jacobson of Hitterdal.
David and Diane live on the home place east of Flom. Where they are active in farming the family farm with David's brother Gary.
Sandra Jeanne was born on November 15th, 1949. She married Terry Forness on February 11, 1972. They are the parents of 3 children.
Brian Lynn was born on September 5th, 1972.
Jill Marie was born on May 13th, 1974 and is married to Jason Blanchard.
Trina Jo was born on November 7th, 1975.
Sandra and Terry lived in Colorado for many years and are now living in the Minneapolis/St Paul area.
Rhonda Lee was born on April 26th, 1960. She married Jim Tweeter on August 16th, 1986. They currently live in West Fargo but will soon be moving to their lake home on Dead Lake.
Severt and Carrie (Smebak) Lunde
Carrie Smebak was born on March 31, 1891, in Walworth township, Becker county, Mn. The daughter of Paul and Marhea Smebak. She grew up in that area and attended rural schools there, and was baptized and confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn.
Carrie married Mikkel Storbeck and they lived on her parent’s home farm. He passed away in 1939. They were the parents of four children; Erling, Carrol, Martha (see Harold and Martha Skansgaard) and Marie (see Clinton and Marie Rishovd)
Carrie married Severt Lunde on October 24, 1956 at the Hitterdal parsonage. They resided on a farm in Walworth township. She lived here until June 16, 1967 when she moved to the Lutheran Memorial Home in Twin Valley because of her health.
Carrie was active in the Ladies Aid and ALCW for many years, having been conferred a life membership. She also served as church organist for several years.
Carrie died on January 27, 1968 at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, Mn at the age of 76 years. Funeral services were held at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen with interment in the church cemetery.
Stanley and Eldora (Stende) Lunde
Stanley Lunde was born on October 2, 1920 to Severt and Carrie (Raun) Lunde. He grew up in the area. He married Eldora Stende, daughter of Palmer and Olive (Purrier) Stende on September 20, 1947. Eldora was born on May 5, 1923.
Stanley and Eldora first lived on a farm in Atlanta township and later they mvoed to the farm vacated by SEvert and Carrie Lunde in section 19 of Walworth township. Connie Lunde and her children reside on the farm today. Here Stanley and Eldora raised their family which included a number of foster children. They farmed the land and had a dairy operation which they did until 1968. After they went out of the dairy business, Stanley focused on small grains and also sold certified seed. In 1983 Stanley and Eldora built a new home across the road to the north of their existing homeplace. Their new home was built in section 18 on the south side of the section. This was the original homestead of Stanley's grandfather Swen Lunde. They operated the Henhouse Greenhouse for a number of years from this location.
Stanley and Eldora were the parents of five children; Carol, Steve, Collene, Ann and Alan.
Carol June (Lockhart) was born on June 24, 1948 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. She married Mike Lockhart on August 13, 1972. They are the parents of two children; Jeff (7/8/1974) and Jean (11/18/1976).
Steven Paul was born on December 3, 1949 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. He married Constance Bates (divorced) on November 23, 1978. They are the parents of four children; Emily (1982), Marcus (1984), Thomas (1985) and Jonathan (1978). Steve and Connie lived on the home farm in section 19, where Connie and the children reside today.
Collene Mae was born on May 9, 1952. She married Edmund Anderson , son of Juel and Ethel Anderson of Hitterdal, Mn on December 26, 1952. They live just east of Ulen, where Ed is active in farming and Collene is employed by Meritcare Clinic, in Ulen. Ed and Collene have three children; Seth (1981), Cara (1985) and Ingrid ( 1988).
Ann Dorene was born on May 4, 1955. Ann married Dunae Shane on August 8, 1874, the son of Clifford and Rose Shane of Brandt, SD. They currently live in Detroit Lakes, where Duane is employed by ACS. They have three children; Rebecca (1984), Benjamin (1988) and Rachel ( 1992).
Alan Scott was born on April 15, 1957. Alan and are the parents of two children; Eric and
Bill and Magda (Skansgaard) Lusso
William "Bill" Lusso was born on June 30, 1909.
Magda Borghild Skansgaard was born on March 21, 1906 near Flom to Hans and Anna (Thorson) Skansgaard. She grew up in the area and attended school here. She spent most of her life in the Flom area working as a housekeeper of which she did housework for Ervin Peterson until his tragic death.
Bill and Magda were married on July 17, 1962. They lived in the Grandin, ND area. Magda died in 1970 at the age of 64 from cancer. They had no children.
Bill and Magda are both buried at Aspelund Cemetery, Flom.
Martin and Selma Malmskog
Selma and Martin Malmskog and their children, moved to the Flom area in 1933. Their farm, located two miles south of Flom, is now known as the Duane and Helen Malmskog farm.
Selma, born in northern Minnesota, married Paul Waleski. They had two children; Ernest and Aida. Paul was killed in a forest accident.
Selma later married Martin, born in Sweden, who came with his parents to northern Minnesota as a child.
In 1929 they moved to a farm seven miles northeast of Ulen where they lived until moving to the Flom area.
They were members of the Walworth Baptist Church. Their children all graduated from District 46 grade school located two miles west of the farm.
Ernest went on to Crookston where he graduated from the Agricultural College. After military service in the Marine Corps during WW II, he was employed as a manager in the dairy industry, retiring from Cass Clay Creamery Company. He and his wife Harriet (Danielson) are now enjoying their retirement at their lake home in Minnesota. They have five children.
Aida graduated from Waubun High School and chose nursing as her profession. She is married to Norman Jensen. They are now both retired and reside at a senior resort city in Oregon. Howard served in the Army during WW II and after completion of this military service, got his degree from North Dakota Agriculture College. He was employed as a County Agent at the time of his death in 1957. He was married to Opal (Mattson) and they had five children.
Lorrayne, Verda, Duane, Gene, Larry and Shirley all graduated from Ulen High.
Lorrayne continued on to Detroit Lakes Business College. She is now retired from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs and currently lives in California where she and her daughter and son-in-law manage their rental property. She was married to Thomas Adams, now deceased , and has two children.
Verda attended Business College in Fargo and later go her degree from Eastern Oregon State University. She is retired from the U.S. Forest Service and lives in Oregon. She was married to Walter Spickelmier who died in 1984. She ahs two children.
Duane continues to manage the Malmskog farm in Minnesota. He is married to Helen (Wermager).
Gene made the U.S. Air Force his career. After hiss military was completed, he managed the Control Tower at the Ardmore Airport in Oklahoma until retiring a year ago. He and his wife Ramona (deceased) had five children. Losing one son Mike who is deceased. He and his wife Rita (Mason) now travel around the country, with Oklahoma as their home base.
Larry served in the U.S. Air Force after high school. He and his wife VonDell (Pohalla) divorced, farmed for many years in the Flom area. They have three children; Jill, Jane and Judy. He married Lois (Seykora) and they reside at the lake home in Minnesota.
Shirley graduated from Business College in Fargo and, after several years of employment, retired from the Minnesota School Department to accompany her husband, Harlan Zurn, on his transfer to South Carolina. Now they are both retired and enjoying their lake home (across the lake from Ernest and Harriet). They have five children, losing one to death. On July 8, 2001, descendants of the family gathered at the Flom Hall for a family reunion. More than 60 people came from many different states.
Being in the Hall brought back to me memories from past years when families gathered in the Hall for wedding dances and farewell dances for the boys going off to World War II.
The day was Sunday with beautiful sunshine and I walked outside remembering, while a teenage, driving the family’s’ red pickup past the Hall and up to the brick creamery where one of the gallant men working inside would come out and unload the cream cans my dad had sent me to town with. I turned and walked East, thinking of Mork’s Cafe where ice cream cones cost a nickel; Thorstenson’s Store next to the Cafe and, on the other side of the road, Jacobson’s cafe and Narum’s Store.
On the corner, across from the Co-op, there once was a grassy field where people spread their blankets on summer Saturday nights and watched free shows on the big white movie screen.
"How fortunate I am, " I thought, "that after 50 plus years, with Duane and Helen on the farm and Flom still two miles up the road, I can come ‘home’ again."
Submitted by: Verda (Malmskog) Spickelmier
Arthur and Viola (Precht) Manthe
Arthur Ernest Manthe was born on August 13, 1903 to Carl and Emma Manthe, in Freedom township, Waseca county, Minnesota. He grew up in that area.
Arthur married Viola C. Precht on May 20, 1929 at Mankato, Mn. After their marriage they resided in Blue Earth County, Mn for three years.
They later moved to Waterotwn, Mn and resided there for eight years. They moved to Pemberton, in Blue Earth county where they lived for 23 years, coming to this area in 1963.
They were the parents of; Ronald, Dale, Lyle, Dean and Janice (Robert Westphal).
They were members of Calvary Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn. Arthur died on June 6, 1967 at the Mahnomen hospital.
Helmer O. Melaas
Helmer Melaas was born on April 4, 1889 on a farm in Walworth township, near Flom. He was born to Ole and Olava Melaas. Helmer was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. He attended country school in the area and grew up in the Flom vicinity. He never married.
As a young man he was a butter maker for several years. He was called into the services of his country in World War 1, and served overseas. After being in the service he was limited to how much physical work he could do, but he still did some carpenter work, and farmed, had some cattle and chickens and a garden. The last few years, he had lived at the Nursing Homes in Alexandria, Hawley, Twin Valley and Erskine, Mn.
Helmer passed away on Thursday evening, July 22nd, 1976 at the Pioneer Memorial Home in Erskine, Mn. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Ida Cornelia (Caroline) Amalia Melaas
Ida was born on October 20, 1878 to Ole and Olava Melaas, in Ossian, Iowa. She never married. Ida recieved a teaching degree and taught in area rural schools.
Ida was involved in a tragic accident which occured in her home. As she was working in the kitchen her clothing caught fire from a blaze in the kitchen stove.
She ran into the yard and neighbors helped to extinguish the flames. She was rushed to the Ada hospital, but her burns were so severe that she died there about one and a half hours later.
James Fredrickson the Norman County Coroner, stated that she was charred from toes to neck and had also recieved second and third degree burns to her face. Miss Melaas was at this time 79 years old and residing in the eastern part of Twin Valley, there was no damage to her home. Ida passed away on December 27, 1957 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom , Mn.
Joseph and Louise (Ask) Melaas
Louise Ask was born on December 23, 1883 to Bernt and Petrina Ask in Flom township. She grew up in this area, attending rural schools and was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice church.
Joseph and Louise were married on June 6, 1903 in at the Wild Rice Church. AFter their marriage they resided on a farm at Lonetree, ND, where they homesteaded. They later moved to Shevlin, Mn and in 1910 they moved to Fertile, Mn, where Joe operated a livery stable and was grain buyer and manager of Monarch Elevator Company for many years. In September, 1961 they moved to the Lutheran Memorial Home where Louise lived until her death.
Louise was active in the Ladies Aid and Sewing Circle of the church and has been amember of the Concordia Lutheran church at Fertile for 60 years. She enjoyed working in the Activity Room at the Lutheran Memorial Home.
Joseph and Louise were the parents of; Beatrice (Karl Zilliox) and Vera (Willard Knapp).
Joseph died on October 24, 1965 and Louise passed away on February 19, 1980, they are both buried at Concordia cemetery, Fertile, Mn.
Leonard Milton Melaas
Leonard was born on January 28, 1885 to Ole Olson and Olava (Larson) Melaas in Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn. He was baptized at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn, and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn, on November 18, 1900.
He never married. Leonard passed away on February 12, 1954 at his home in Walworth township. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church with burial in the church
cemetery.
May O. Melaas
May O. Melaas was born on October 27, 1880, in Walworth Township on a farm. The daughter of pioneer parents; Ole and Olava Melaas. She grew up on the farm, and was baptized in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. She attended rural school in this area, and one year at Twin Valley. She never married.
During her life she did housework in private homes on farms and in towns for many years. The latter years she stayed at home. The last 17 years of her life she was a resident at Twin Valley, Mn and was residing at the Pioneer Rest Home in Erskine at the time of her death on September 4, 1971, at the age of 90 years.
Funeral services were held on September 6 with Rev. Percy Smerek officiating, and interment was at the Aspelund Cemetery.
Mina Mathilda Melaas
Mina was born on May 23, 1875 to Ole Olson and Olava (Larson) Melaas in Ossian, Iowa. She never married. Mina passed away in 1918 and is buried at Aspelund.
Ole and Olava (Larson) Melass
Olava Larson was born on January 27, 1851 to Lars Kristoffersen Flesvik and Inga Marie Olsdatter Bjortomte in Feiring, Hurdalen, Norway. Olava came to Ossian, Iowa on May 24, 1872. She came four years after her parents and the rest of her family had immigrated from Norway. Her sister were Anne Margrethe (Nelson), Karen Evina (Berkland), Ragnild Marie and Ida Jorine. She had two brothers; Christian Nicolai and Ole Ragnvald.
Ole and Olava were married on June 26, 1874 at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Ole and Olava lived in Iowa until June 15, 1879 when they came to Norman county, Mn and moved onto a farm here. The Melaas' lived in section 6 of Walworth township, in the same section as the Rue's and Purrier's. Melaas' lived on the west side of the Lake. The land is currently owned by Chris Erickson.
Ole and Olava were the parents of Helmer, Leonard, Oscar, Hilda, Mina, Ida and May.
Oscar Julius Melaas
Oscar was born on December 27, 1882 to Ole and Olava (Larson) Melaas in Walworth township, Becker county, Mn. He was baptized in Wild Rice Lutheran Church and confirmed in Aspelund Luther Church (November 20, 1896). He started farming on the home place at an early age and worked at it all his life.
He retired to a smaller farm in 1955. His health began to fail, and a few years later he began living in Twin Valley, Mn. He never married. Oscar passed away on January 18, 1968, he is buried at Aspelund.
Emil W. and Mildred (Jenson) Meyer
1t was in the year 1915 that William C. Meyer of Redwood County. Minn. purchased a farm located in Sec 25 in the SE part of Flom Township from Mrs. Malhilda Olson of Twin Valley. The agents for the transaction were P. C. Neisen and Jergen Nelson. The next year a son, Julius, together with his wife, Lenora, and family, began farming this land and built the house which still stands there today, although the house has undergone several remodelings in the interim.
Four years later. Julius gave up farming to enter another professiom and the land was rented to neighhors until another son, Emil W. Meyer came to run the farm which he later purchased from his father. In 1923 he married Mildred Jensen of Redwood County, and the two established this farm as their home and business. Here they continue to reside at the present time, some 52 years hence.
Early neighbors were Newton Midthune. Andrew Vange George Meyer (no relation). Eldor Hendrickson, Henry Gunderson, and John Jacobson.
Six children were born:
Joyce (Mrs. Matthew Martin of Seattle, Wash.):
Vivian. who died in infancy:
William C., who died at 36 years:
Lois (Mrs. Raymond Bergeson of Ortonville. Minn.:
Merlyn of Gary. Minn.: and
Russell of Bagley. Minn.
The family’s whole life was centered about the home. Local Community, church and school. Home was security: it meant food, shelter, clothing, love, and a center of learning of values, all attained through cooperation and total commitment of each family member. The land was good, providing a livelihood for the family. Only one son. William, continued farming, establishing his own farm in the SE corner of Flom Township of Norman County. He farmed there for ten years before he died in 1966.
Within the communily, Emil served on the town board for Flom Township for 30 years, together with Martinus Flaten, Anton Flom, and later with Anton Nelson.
In the early years travel to church was by horse and buggy, some 15 miles to Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley. Later as the family grew, they became active at Aspelund Church near Flom where Joyce served as organist for four years. For the past 27 years thev have been members of Trinity Lutheran in Waubun. Minnesota.
School has been a constant in the life of this family. In 1923-24 Mrs. Meyer taught in the Flom School and the following year taught at Cheerful Nook School. District 47. Emil later served on the District 47 school board for a number of years along with Henry Spielman and Theodore Thompson.
It was at this same Cheerful Nook School where all of the children, except Russell. who attended Waubun Consolidated School. gained their elementary education, grades one through eight. It was a good school, where, in spite of its physical limitations, few materials, and meager library, the basics were well taught, together with love of country, respect for individuals and their families, and reverence for religion, as was manifested by the many performances put on at the Halloween and Christmas programs for the families of the community.
The school day began with the ringing of the bell at 9:00 A.M. and was over at 4:00 P.M. with time out for two fifteen minute recesses and an hour for lunch. The students walked a maximun of two and a half miles one way to school in good weather, and the Dads brought them by horse and sled during the coldest part of the winter. Hot lunches consisted of food brought from home in a jar and heated in a pan of water on top of the wood burning stove. The curriculum included reading or language, arithmetic, history, and geography each day with spelling, penmanship, and manual arts once a week. (Manual arts consisted of making book ends, bread boards, or bird houses by the boys and embroidery for the girls.)
After elementary school, all the Meyer children attended and graduated from Waubun High School, some seven miles away, but sometimes as much as 35 miles away by school bus since the farm was at the beginning of the bus roule. At the present time all of the four living children are teachers: Lois teaches kindergarten and the other three teach secondary mathematics.
Merlyn Meyer is the only memher of the second generation who has continued his residence in Norman County. He married Gwendolyn Holte of Hawley and lives in Gary, where he teaches in the high school. They have three children. Rebecca, Roger and David.
All in all. the Emil W. Meyer family has twelve grandchildren. four girls and eight boys. four of whom will carry on the Meyer name in generations to come.
Orville and Muriel (Stende) Meyer
Orville, son of George and Maude (Wheeler) Meyer and Muriel Stende were married at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom on September 15, 1946 by Rev. Torgerson.
Muriel was born near Flom on March 19, 1926 to Edwin and Nellie Stende. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church and attended school at District 46. She graduated from Ulen High School and attended Detroit Lakes Business College.
Orville attended schools in the area and served in the army stationed in Korea. After his discharge they lived in Fargo where he worked part time at the Post Office and attended Interstate Business College when it was down town Fargo. Muriel worked as a stenographer.
After Orville’s graduation they moved to Grandin, ND They moved there in June of 1949 and have remained there since.
Three sons were born to this union; Terry, Wendel and Bradley. They all live in Fargo.
Orville started as a bookkeeper at the Hommerding Elevator and later managed the Grandin Hi-Way Service for 32 years. After semi-retiring he worked for the Stop-And-Shop. He still enjoys keeping books for the Lockhart Elevator on a part time basis.
The Meyers enjoyed setting up at the Flea Markets at Detroit Lakes for many years. Muriel worked for 17 years at Agway in Grandin and wrote for the Hillsboro Banner for nine years.
Terry married Clarice Bueng from Twin Valley. Wendel married Marcia Benson and Bradley married Bonnie Jo Haas.
The Meyer’s have 7 granddaughters, two step grandsons, two great grandsons and one great granddaughter.
William C. and Violet (Dahlsad) Meyer
William C. Meyer was born on October 20, 1929 near Flom, Mn, to Emil and Mildred Meyer. He grew up in the Flom area. After completing his education he started farming in Flom township section 36. He married Violet Dahlsad on December 10, 1955 at Waubun, Mn. On March 23, 1966 Bill Meyer passed away after being hospitalized at Mahnomen and Crookston hospitals He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Waubun. After Bill's death Violet sold the farm to Marlyn and Mary Lou Syverson. Violet met and married Dennis Thorson of Flom, they live in Twin Valley, Mn.
N.O. and Anna (Thompson) Midthun
N. O. Midthun was born on September 18, 1853, in Dane County, Wisconsin. He moved with his parents to Freeborn county, Mn., in 1858. In 1876 he left Freeborn county coming to the Flom area, here he met Anna Thompson and they were married that same year.
Anna Thompson was born on August 4, 1857, in Freeborn ocunty and came to Norman county with her parents while quite young.
During the time they lived in the Flom area Mr. Midthun was one of our well known and highly respected pioneer farmers, he also held many offices of public trust, among them being that of county treasurer. The family moved to Twin Valley, Mn and resided there until a few months before Mr Midthun’s death, at which time they were living in Grand Forks, ND. N.O. Midthun died on January 4, 1924 at the home of his daughter and son in-law; Rev. and Mrs. S. L. Tallakson. Anna Thompson Midthun died on January 20, 1927.
N. O. and Anna were the parents of thirteen children; Mrs. Tallakson of Thief River Falls, Thelma of Thief River Falls, Mrs. R. Buckneberg, of Moorhead, Emma of Perley, Ellen (deceased), Theodore of Thief River Falls, Henry of Winger, Alfred of Ray, ND, Newton of Hawley, Nils of which we are only able to find 10 names. Ellen was born on October 16, 1880, she never married. She died on June 16, 1919 and is buried at Aspelund.
Herman and Nora (Flom) Miller
Herman C. Miller was born on August 25, 1880.
Nora Susan Flom was born on September 11, 1892 in Flom township, to Erick and Anna Flom. She grew up and attended school in the Flom area. she was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Herman and Nora were married on September 30, 1912 at Flom. The couple resided in the Flom area where they farmed in section 33 of Flom township for 45 years. This is located on the cart trail one-half mile south and one-half mile west of Flom on the south side of the trail, known to many as Ronning's trail. In amongst the trees a lone evergreen tree marks the building site.
After Herman's death Nora moved into Flom in 1958. She was a member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church for many years and then transferred her membership to Aspelund Lutheran Church where she was also a member for many years. She was a life member of the ALCW
Herman and Nora were the parents of four sons and three daughters; Emmett, Noel, Charles, Virgil, Elpha (Oliver Gunderson), Erna (Richard Zimmerman), and Eileen ( Clifton Thorpe).
Nora passed away on Jamuary 21, 1969 at the age of 76 years at the home of her daughter in rural Ulen. Herman passed away on April 9, 1957. They are both buried at Aspelund Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Clayton and Myrtle (Johnson) Minnie
Myrtle Johnson was born on June 27, 1915 in Home Lake township, near Twin Valley, Mn., to Mr and Mrs. George A. Johnson. She attended rural school in Home Lake Township and grew to womanhood here. She was one of seven children born to the Johnson’s. She had one brother and sister who proceeded her in death, those who survived here were; Norman, Mabel (Vernon Peppel), Esther (Milton Kirkeby) and Vivian ( Glen Hanson).
Clayton and Myrtle were married on April 4, 1937 at Ada, Mn. They were the parents of: Jerald, Mavis (Gordon Stich), Carol (Jerry Grieve), Linda (Lyle Larson) and Sandy (Hoffman). Myrtle passed away on July 29, 1983 and is buried at Sundal Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fertile, Mn.
Lisa Minnie
Lisa Minnie was born on September 20, 1965 at Mahnomen, Mn to Jerald and Carolyn (Svobodny) Minnie. She spent her early part of her life at Moorhead, Mn and later moved to the Twin Valley area at the age of 14. They lived in section 7 of Flom township, the former Flom farm last owned by Gerhard Flom. She attended school at Twin Valley and graduated from there with the class of 1984. After completeing her education she went to North Dakota State University at Fargo, where she was a student at the time of her death.
Lisa passed away on May 22, 1985, funeral services were held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, in Ada, Mn.
Johannes and Sigrid (Vangen) Moen
Johannes G. Moen was born in Oier, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway on February 7, 1848 and was baptized and confirmed in his childhood home. He came to Esophia in Coon Prairie, Wisconsin in 1874 according to the 1900 Federal census records. He came here to the Flom settlement in 1882 and bought land in Section 16 in Flom. The same year he married Miss Sigrid Erickson Vangen.
Sigrid Ericksdatter Vangen was born in 1853 in Oier, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway to Erik Andersen b.1804 and Maren Kristiansdatter b.1823. She was baptized on May 16, 1853. In the 1865 census of Norway they lived on the Hujordsstuen Farm in Oier. Sigrid was a sister to Mathea (Ericksdatter Vangen) Engebretsen who also lived in Flom Township. Sigrid came to America in 1881.
Johannes and Sigrid had one son, Emil, who was born November 3, 1885 and died in January of 1970 in Flom Township. Emil never married.
Johannes was a member of the Wild Rice congregation since coming to this area. He was of a very quiet but kindly disposition. He died on December 15, 1939. His wife Sigrid had died in 1919. They are both buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
John and Clara (Pojar) Molacek
Clara Pojar was one of 15 children born to Herman and Katie (Hruby) Pojar. She was born on August 20, 1891 at Beemer, Nebraska. Here she grew up and attended school. She married John Molacek on January 20, 1914.
After their marriage they moved to Callaway, Mn where they farmed for many years. Following their retirement they moved into Callaway. John died on March 4, 1967, Clara remained in Callaway until 1979 when she moved into Flom and resided with her daughter and son-in-law; Lillian and Clarence Seykora. Clara remained living here until 1990 when she became a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, Mn.
Clara celebrated her 100th birthday just three weeks before her death on September 9, 1991. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, with interment at Oakgrove Cemetery, rural Lake Park, Mn.
Leslie and Myrtle (Rasmussen) Moore
Leslie Robert Moore was born on September 27, 1899 to John and Mary (McCann) Moore at Lynd. Here he was raised and attended schools. He lived on a farm with his family there until the age of 16 when they moved to a farm south of Flom. As a young man he farmed with his parents.
Les married Myrtle Rasmussen on November 14, 1923 at Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom, Mn. They made their home on the farm in Home Lake township for seven years before they purchased his parent’s farm in section 9 of Walworth township, where they remained through their lives.
They farmed until the mid- 1960’s when they sold the farm to their son Eldon and Les retired. They continued to live on the farm in the original home his parents had own. Eldon and his family lived on the same farm also in a second house.
Leslie was baptized at the Walworth Baptist Church in 1936, where he remained a member for his lifetime. He served as township assessor and treasurer of the school board and enjoyed helping out with the 4-H group in his community.
Les moved into the Lutheran Memorial Nursing home in early 1988 where he lived until his death on February 24, 1988.
Paul and Karen (Bakken) Morck
Paul was born on April 14, 1843 to Ole Frederick and Marit. Paul had two brothers Amund and Anders.
Karen Bakken was born in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway on June 16, 1852 to the Torger Bakken's. She left Norway in 1882 and settled in Hillsboro, ND.
Here she met and married Paul Morck and they were married in 1885 ( it reads that she married Paal Morken, so there may have been a name change at some time in the later years). They first came to this area and settled in Walworth township, they lived there about 10 years. They came to the Flom area around 1895. It was here they made their home for around 38 years. The later years after Paul's death Karen lived with her son Oscar and his wife Alvina in Flom. Where she reamined until her death. Paul died on January 6, 1903 and Karen on August 23, 1936. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery Flom, Mn.
Not much is known about them other than they were the parents of Oscar T. who ran Morck's cafe in Flom, Marie (Martin Dullum) and Clara (Giskaas), they also had one son who proceeded then in death, no name or place of burial is known.
Karen was a woman of a sociable and friendly nature. She had a large number of friends in the community.
Martin and Olga (Swenson) Morland
Olga Swenson was born on March 8, 1889 in Ulen township to Ole and Maria Swenson. She was baptized and confirmed in the Immanuel Lutheran Church rural Flom, Mn. She grew up in this area and attended school here.
Martin and Olga were married on May 14, 1927 at Bruce, Alberta, Canada. They made their home at Bruce, Alberta for 20 years, where Martin was engaged in farming. Martin passed away on January 19, 1946 and in 1947 Olga moved back to Twin Valley, Mn where she made her home until her death on April 28, 1970.
Olga and Martin had no children. She is buried at Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Flom. We don’t know where he is buried, most likely in Alberta.
Floyd and Delane (Warnsholz) Myers
Floyd Myers was born on January 3, 1923 to Norman and Lena (Holte) Myers in Clay Country, Moorhead, Mn. He attended school in Moorhead and Borup, Minnesota, graduating from Borup High School.
After completing his education he started farming and raising Purebred Angus Cattle. Floyd was married to Dorothy Manning in 1943, she died in March of 1950 and is buried in Ada. Floyd and Dorothy were the parents of three children; Ricky, Terryl and Norman.
Delane Pauline Marie Warnsholz was born on July 19, 1929 to Arthur and Clara (Hagenah) Warnsholz in Norman County, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Church, in Green Meadow township of Norman County, rural Ada. She attended school at District 51 and Ada High School.
Floyd and DeLane were married on July 19, 1952 at St. John’s in Green Meadow township, near Ada, Mn. Floyd and DeLane were the parents of two children; Rodney and Debbie (see Harry and Debbie Bain).
Floyd and DeLane moved to the Flom area in March of 1959, when they purchased the Sven Huseby farm in section 18, of Flom township. Here they farmed and raised cattle on what is known to many as French Man’s Bluff. DeLane has worked as a homemaker and Pre school Aide. She still resides on the family farm in Flom township.
Floyd passed away on November 2, 1996 and is buried in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, at Twin Valley, Mn.
Ricky Edward was born on May 18, 1944 to Floyd and Dorothy. He married Marcia Jenson in 1968, in Fargo, ND. They had one son, Marty born in 1969. Ricky married Donna Warner in Spokane, Wa in 1982 and they now reside in Missoula Montana.
Terryl Mae (Terrie) was born on January 10, 1946 to Floyd and Dorothy. She married Stan Wieczorek in 1966 in Norman County, Mn. They have two children; Matthew and Andrea.
Norman Carl was born on December 10, 1945 to Floyd and Dorothy. He married Nadine Heth in Fargo, ND, in 1969. They reside in Delano, Mn. They did live in Norman county in section 12 of Home Lake township before moving to Delano. They are the parents of three children; Sarah Alise, Luke Ryan and Nesa Alise.
Rodney was born on February 8, 1953 to Floyd and DeLane. He married Phyllis Lehman on May 18, 1973 at Worthington, Mn. They have four daughters; Brenda, Johanna, Becky and Melissa. They have lived in Billings, Montana since their marriage and Rodney has always worked for John Deere there.
Debbie was born on April 29, 1954 to Floyd and DeLane (see Harry and Debbie Bain).
Narum Memories
The following is written by: Yvonne Narum, daughter to Ernest and Edna. She tells us about their lives and of growing up in Flom.
Ernest Alvin Narum was one of 12 children born to Nels and Eva Narum. He ws born in a log house, one mile north of Flom, Mn and about two and a half miles southwest. Ernest's father, Nels owned two stores, one in Flom, Mn population 100 and also one in Waubun, Mn. His mother Eva homesteaded out on the farm. There are alot of brave tales to tell about Eva. When she camae over on the boat from Sweden she couln't talk english. Way up to her death she had broken english. She'd plow the fields with the oxen. All the children were born in the log hosue since they didn't go to the hospital in those days. One of the twins passed away and they kept the box in the grainery until spring when they could bury her. She was from the Smaaland area in Sweden and they are all known to be artistic adn very hard workers. Ernest bought the grovery store in Flom after Nels passed away. He bought it right before the depression. The stock market crashed before 1930 adn the banks went broke and people who had moeny in the bank lost all their money. Everyone used to talk about the dirty thirties when they had such bad dust storms. The drought hit at the same time. Seed wasn't perfected like it is now and their crops would blow out of the field. The government started a program planting trees to prevent soil erosion. That is how the Gary pines got started abou 1 mile north of Gary, Mn.
Ernest married Edna Peterson in 1927. She went to school in Fergus Falls and taught school one year before they were married. We lived in a little white hosue on the corner south of our grocery store, L.B. Hartz Grocery Store. We were all born in that house except Evangely. When Yvonne was about in 6th gade our parents made an apartment in the garage that was connected to the grocery store. My dad used to tell me I scared the customers away when I practiced my trumpet.
Today I'd call that grocery store my parents owned "a small mini mall". You could buy most anything in that store. Motivated by ambition to get ahead they ahd a locker, Post Office, gas pump, dry goods department such as buying material and sewin gneeds, hardware such as selling bicycles etc., trading eggs from farmers to trade for groceries, my father would take a atruck and sell the eggs to Fairmont in Moorhead, minnesota. My father also hired Cecil Cary to sell gas to the farmers. Cecil always called me Vonnie. I couldn't say Vonnie, so I called myself "Nonnie". To even make a little mor money to support a family fo five children, my father went out in the country to sell Maytag Washing Machines. We had a little partition in the store where we'd have a dark room. You'd hold an egg up to a light to see if that was a fresh egg. Lots of times chickens would hide their nests in the woods and the farmers wouldn't know it and bring in old eggs. We'd have to separate the good and bad eggs in egg crates. The farmers also rented lockers to keep the meat they butchered frozen until they came to get the key to pick up their meat. they didn't have deep freezes in those days.
They slaughtered the animals in the east end of the store and I never liked the smell coming into our apartment. I would sit and watch them stick the pigs to draw the blood out to kill them. People would want the blood to make Blood Sausage. You'd cook it with flour and make it real thick and then boil it in cloth sacks. Then you'd slice it like sausage and put it in a frying pan and make a white gravy. Norwegians really like this. They also would make rolla pulsa. It is fat pork rolled up like a jelly roll and tied with string. You would boil that. You could slice that and eat it cold with mustard. No wonder so many people had high chlosteral.
Pete Larson was our butcher. He made the best homemade sausage. He would smoke them in the smoke house. My father also hired his borther, Clarence Narum to work in the grocery store. I was in 1st grade with their daughter Muriel who lives in Blue Earth, Mn as of 1989. I'll never forget the yellow and blue Hiawatha bicycle that I got for my birthday that came from our Gamble Store. It was my first bike. I'd drive around the four mile square alot. That was one of the thrills of my life.
Before my dad got married he ws kicked by a mule on his spine. He started to get paralized on his right leg and it kept on gradually getting worse. Finally his whole right side was paralized. He'd get alot of infections by cuts and burns because he couldn't feel anything. He'd put his hand on a hot tractor when he ws out selling washing machines to the farmers and would get a bad burn. He fell down in 1947 and got blood poisoning. They took him to the hospital and gave him a blood transfusion. He never came out of it. You caould see by te look on his face he died a thousand deaths but never complained. He was blessed with extra strength to get all the work he did, when he wasn't feeling well. He went to doctors all over the United States but it was impossible to operate on his spine. He went to the Hines Hospital in Chicago and the Veteran's Hospital in Fargo. He got the most relief by going to the doctors in Canistota, South Dakota. Mother would go along and get treatments too because he relaxed her nervous condition.
She would have less heart spells. Since our parents had such long, hard working hours in the grocery store there wasn't any time for family entertainment. Once they took our whole family along to Canistota
adn that was such a thrill. They took us to the point in South Dakota, near Yankton whree you are on the
border of three states. On the Fourth of July sometimes we got to go to White Earth to see the Indian Pow Wow. We'd have todrive to neighboring towns to go to a movie. I remember the one show I got to see that was Heidi with Shirley Temple. The little town of Flom would have a free movie on the screen outside in the summertime. Everyone would come to town on Saturday night. I was so disgusted because I had to work in the store. I remember on Sunday afternoos we sould visit our elatives on the farm. It was also fun going to church Ice Cream Socials.
The store had and old fashioned store front. It was sided with metal. Candy would be in bulk in a glass
counter. The different kinds of candy were divided by glass. There was mostly penny candy and nickle candy. I can still remember begging for a penny candy. I can hear my mother saying, "I suppose". The big treat was going to Morck's restauraant and getting a five cent ice cream bar. cookies would come in bulk in a long paper sack. you'd grind coffee in an electric grinder for the customer. You could dial the coffe grinder for fine frind, medium or coarse. Prunes, apricts and raisins and dates came in bulk too. We sold primost which is a rich spread you'd put on your bread. This is commonly made in Norway from goats
milk or cows milk. It kind of tastes like brown sugar. At Christmas time lutefish would come soaked in lye in big, round, wooded barrels. Each customer woudl receive a small sack of candy. Mother would do alot of canning real alte at night. We always got the peaches and pears that were starting to get too ripe.
Considering all the things sold in the store, it wasn't that large. It had wooden floors that were oiled. The
little town of Flom had two grocery stores, a gas station, two restaurants, a creamery which brought alot of farmers in to sell their milk, a Post Office, beer Parlor, barber shop. Years ago they had wooden posts on main street that they would hitch their horses to when they would shop. Uncle Willie Ostenvik had a feed mill on the north edge of town to grind the armeres grain to make feed for the animals.
Right south of our store was a red barn that was not being used. Right next to the barn was a one room school house where we went to school. I guess our folks decided to sell the store in Flom because five of us would have to go on the school bus to Waubun, Mn to high school. That was about 20 miles away (It is 10 miles to Waubun and 10 miles back again). Some years after the store in Flom was sold it burned down. I think another store was built in it's place.
Something that I have always remembered about my life in Flom was when my parents befriended a man who lived in a shack east of Flom. His name was Olaf Lund. He wore the same army suit and had a beard and long hair. His main meals were oatmeal. He only had orange boxes for furniture. He repaired clock and watches for everyone. He had them ticking all over his house. I don't htink he took a bath. He did have an odor. My folks would invite hime for meals. My father would also take him along to Fargo. People would stare because not many wore beards in that day. His means of transportation was a bicycle.
We moved to Gary, Minnesota when I was a sophomore in High School, in 1944. No home ec, band or choir in Gary. My father bought the Gary Seed and Produce and the L. B. Hartz Store. Mother still worked in the store in Gary. We all had our assigned tasks to do at home. One of us would work in the grocery store in the summer time. Every summer I candled eggs in the Gary Seed and Produce. Dad also sold see in the Produce. He would go to small towns near Gary and buy eggs from the grocery stores and bring them back to Gary, and have them candled. He hired alot of ladies to candle eggs. The ladies anad I would make up poems when we were working. After the eggs were sorted in the right egg crates we would put them on racks on an oiling machine. We would start the electric motor and the racks with the eggs would go around and around like the ferris wheel until all the eggs were oiled. That would sela the eggs so they would stay fresh. Then we'd put them in egg creates. The Gary Seed and PRoduce was right next to tthe railroad tracks. We would put the egg crates in the train box cars and they would be shipped to the Jews in Chicago. We did this right up to the time my father passed away. World War II started December 7, 1941, prices went up after that and people were getting back on their feet after the depression. People were getting out of debt and we didn't get as many hand me down clothes.
My father was a super shopper. He'd buy our girls Christmas dresses when he went to Fargo, when he sold eggs to Fairmont Creamery. They'd all just fit and were beautiful. I remember the crepe dresses he bought for us. Mother sewed alot of dresses for us too. My father bought my graduation dress when he went to Fargo. I really liked it. It was poweder blue. It had a brown trim hanging from the waist, with some orange trim.
My father had good morals. He didn’t drink or smoke. He was also one of the founders of the Gary State Bank at Gary, Mn. Of course, he was one of the first bank directors. He was a person that was all business and not much joking or fooling aorund. He had to keep his mind serious to support his family during all these hard times. He talked real fast. Alot of hsi hired help couldn't understand him and would have to ask him to repeat what he said. He had one speed and that was fast. He was a very large man. Even though my parents worked long, hard hours we stil made it to the Lutheran Church every Sunday. I was very fond of my father and it was very hard on me when he passed away. There was a big empty space in our home after he was gone.
My parents had a lively interest in home, Church, School and community affairs. My life has been blessed through their training and their ideals for me. My memory of them is always being active and forward looking. God Bless their memory.
Editors Note: I really enjoyed reading this and as Yvonne described Narum's Store I could envision walking through it. Although in my day it belonged to Sylve Stende's and then to Don and Kay Johnson. My father worked there as the butcher when Stende's owned the store. We would peek through the windows in the back store room so we could watch in the slaughter house as Vernon took the animal down. The sound of the chain being pulled on the pulley to lift the animal still sticks in my mind. I enjoyed going into the dry goods part of the store. It was here that we would be able to purchase a new pair of jeans or a pair of tennis shoes, for school. I enjoyed watching the ladies come in an purchase their embroidery floss and maybe dish towels for them to embroider on. It wasn't until I read this that I really thought about taking a walk through the store again. Hope you enjoy your walk down memory lane.
There are many interesting stories about different people who lived in and around Flom. I remember hearing the story of Olaf going to Fargo with Ernest Narum. On this journey he was walking the streets of Fargo, looking around and window shopping like so many people do. He must have looked like a transcient to the people there. The clothes, unshaven and just walking while he waited for Ernest to finish his business. When it was time to go, Ernest was unable to locate Olaf, after doing some searching and asking around he finally did locate him at the jail. The police had taken him in, thinking he was a transcient, and not just a innocent man waiting for his ride to finish business in town. Jennifer (Dorseth)
Elwood Narum
Elwood was baptized at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom and confirmed at Gary Lutheran Church, Gary, Mn. He graduated from Gary High School and went to work as a salesman. He also owned his own furntiure store. Elwood has one daughter Joni Marie who was born on March 11, 1963. Elwood and Diane reside in Burnsville, Mn.
Ernest and Edna (Peterson) Narum
Ernest Alvin Narum was born on March 20, 1898 at the home of his parents Nils A. and Eva (Johnson)
Narum in Walworth township, Becker county, Minnesota. He attending rural schools When he was seven years old his family moved to Waubun, Mn. He attended school here until he was fifteen years old. Ernest then moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn where he completed his education and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School with the Class of 1916. After graduation he moved back to Flom where he worked in his father's store here.
Ernest served his country in the Army of the United States in the summer of 1918, near the end of World War I. When he was released from the Army he returned to Flom and continued working in the family business here.
Edna Peterson was born to Peter and Helena Peterson in Atlanta township, Becker County, Mn, just south of the Atlanta Lutheran Chruch, rural Ulen. She grew up here and was a member of Atlanta Lutheran Church. She attended rural schools and then graduated from Ulen High School. After graduation she went to Fergus Falls, Mn where she attended Normal College. After graduating she taught school for one year, and then ran general stroes in Flom and Gary.
Ernest and Edna were married on June 29, 1927at Atlanta Lutheran Church. They made their home in
section 33 of Flom township in the town of Flom. The home maybe known to many as the Mike and
Genny Johnson home. They lived here and worked at Narum's Store until 1943 when they moved to Gary, Mn. In Gary, they were active in church and civic affairs. Ernest served on the school board, was a member of the American Legion Post 505, in charge of local advancement of the local Boy Scout Troop No. 206, a member of the Board of Directors of the Gary State Bank, and one of the founders of that institution. He operated businesses there such as Narum Seed adn Produce Company adn the Red Owl Store. Ernest was very active in the welfare of young people of his community, his latest venture as the laying of concrete on the floor of his potato house for them to use as a roller skating rink.
Edna was involved with various church activities, Legion Auxillary, and served on the School Board. She had been a member of the Multi-County Nursing Board and a 4-H leader. She was officer of district Garden Club, helped neighbors and loved to cook Norwegian dishes for company. She always had a garden and beautiful flowers.
Ernest and Edna were the parents of five children; Yvonne, Lovilla, Beverly, Elwood and Evlangelyn (Manley Hillstad).
Ernest passed away on September 4, 1947 at Crookston, Mn. He is buried at Gary Lutheran Cemetery, Gary Mn.
After his death Edna married Oscar Moen of Gary on April 12, 1951. They resided in Gary and Oscar continued to farm until into his 90's. Edna and Oscar would spend the winter months in Arizona and summer here in Minnesota. Oscar died on December 2, 1983 and is buried at St. Petri Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Gary, Mn. After his death Edna moved from her home in Gary, Mn to Grand Forks, ND.
She resided here until her death. Edna died on March 4, 1987 at Rochester, Mn and is buried at Gary Lutheran Cemetery, Gary, Mn.
Johannes C. and Karine (Hanson) Narum
John C. Narum was born in Vestre Toten, Norway, around 1849. He immigrated to the United States around 1866 and settled in Houston County, Mn. Here he met and married Karine Hanson. They lived in Houston County about five years and in 1875 moved here to Norman County, Mn. They took up a
homestead in Home Lake township section 12. Living here until 1913 when they sold their home and bought forty acres in the township of Flom, south of the Wild Rice Church and lived there until his death on September 16, 1914.
John and Karine were one of the earlier settlers to this area. They were the parents of eight children-five boys and three girls. They are also the parents to two adopted daughters; Deoline Thompson and Alma Anderson.
John was a kind hearted man and a good church member, always willing to help when help was needed. Funeral services were conducted at Wild Rice Lutheran Church by Rev. Vaaler on September 21. Many people came to pay their respects to the deceased and his family.
Albert Christopher Narum was born in 1879 to John and Karine Narum. Albert married a girl by the name of Martina, she was born in 1875. Albert passed away in1945 and Karine ion January 18, 1963.
They are all buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Nelson Brother's
Many may have heard about the Nelson Brother's who farmed together. They were known for their threshing. Gladys Houglum, their neice remembers the large Steam Engine coming down the road. The Nelson Brother's were also noted for their musical talents, they enjoyed having house parties and dances. Each brother would play a instrument; Charlie the accordian, Frank the violin and John on the mandolin or organ. In those days many people got together and enjoyed music and dancing till wee hours of the morning.
The brother's lived together and farmed with the exception of Hjalmer. He and his wife Bernice lived on a seperate farm. Charlie not only farmed with his brother's but was known as the cook. The boys lived and farmed together until 1962 when they bought a home in Twin Valley (still living together) and retired from farming.
Frank was born on January 24, 1890 at Cumming, ND. He served his country during WW I overseas and is a Veteran of WW I. He came home after serving his duration in the military and settled on a life as a farmer. Frank died on September 3, 1978 and is buried at Aspelund.
John Arvid was born on February 25, 1895 at Audubon, Mn. He was confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church in the adult confirmation class by Pastor Greenquist. He never married. He served his country during World War I, serving overseas in the Army. He is a Veteran. After completing his military duation he came back to the Flom area and farmed. John died on April 24, 1982 and is buried at Aspelund.
Charlie August was born on May 9, 1884 in Moorhead, Mn. He was the cook for the Nelson Brother's and also farmed with them. Charlie died on September 19, 1966, he is buried at Aspelund.
Hjalmer was born on September 29, 1898 at Audubon, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. At the age of five he moved with his family to the Flom area. He was a veteran of WW II and a member of the American Legion. Hjalmer farmed with his brothers.
Bernice O. Prestegord was born on July 1, 1908 to Ole L. and Betha (Olson) Prestegord in Flom township. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. She attended rural elementary schools. Bernice spent much of her time caring for her father and then her invalid mother. She also farmed with her borth, Lawrence. She was a very active member in her church and ALCW, taught sunday school, Vacation Bible School and also did a considerable amount of singing.
Hjalmer married Bernice Prestegord on November 26, 1961 at the Wild Rice Parsonage. They had no children.
Hjalmer died on March 22, 1970 and Bernice died on January 24, 1965, they are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Elling and Bertha (Stende) Nelson
Bertha was the oldest child of Ingeborg and Johan Stende. She was born at Dennison, in Warsaw township, Goodhue County, Mn., on July 13, 1876. She came with her parents, her brother, John and sister Julia to Flom township i October 1881 at the age of 5. She attended rural school in the Woodland Nook School, and after she completed school she went to Northfield to live with her aunt, Marit Steile where she attended an academy which is a private high school. After graduation she came back to the area and attended Moorhead Normal School earning a teaching degree. She taught school for about 20 years, some of which was done at the Dyrdahl school and later at District 46.
In 1915 she left Minnesota and went to Seattle where she married Elling Nelson. He had grown up in the area so they had known each other for quite some time. They remained in Seattle until Elling's death in 1932. Bertha died on May 29, 1958.
Charley and Anna (Johnson) Nelson
Charles (Charley) Nelson was born on April 16, 1851 to Nels and Sarah (Protho) Anderson in Westengotland, Sweden. When he immigrated to America he changed his name to Charley Nelson. He had one brother John who was killed in a railroad accident and a sister Kajsa who stayed in Sweden.
Anna Helena Johnson was born to Nels and Mary Johnson in Trollhattan, Vestserjortland, Sweden on April 19, 1860. Their first child John was born while they were still living in Sweden.
Charley and Anna were married at Trollhattan, Vesterjortland, Sweden. Charley and Anna came to the United States and first settled in Alexandria, Mn. They moved to Moorhead, Mn where Charley was a brick layer and then went to work for the Railroad. After Charley and Anna left Cummings, ND they went to Audubon, Mn, then to the Ulen area. Here they settled in Walworth township and purchased the Pete Jensen farm and the Higbie farm. In 1918 they bought a farm from Mr Zerney, here they lived the rest of the lives. The farm is now owned by Justin and Muriel Klemetson and is located in section 27.
Charley died on January 31, 1928 and Anna died on December 24, 1931, they are both buried at Aspelund Cemetery.
They were the parents of eleven children; Their first child John Arvid was born in Sweden, in 1882 he died at the age of six. Selma Caroline was born in Cummings, ND and died at the age of two. They both died from diptheria and their place of burial is not for certain, although family members believe them to be buried at Cummings ND. They named two other children John Arvid and Selma also.Their other children were; Frank, John Arvid, Charlie, Hjalmer (see the Nelson Brother's), Nellie (See Edwin and Nellie Stende), Selma ( Helmer Sather), Alma (Carl Johnson), Olga (see Emil and Olga Weum) and Clara (See Edward and Clara Sanden) and Alma (see Alma and Carl Johnson)
Hans and Annie M. (Larson) Nelson
Hans Nelson, was born April 20, 1847 in Telemarken, Norway, where he was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. At the age of sixteen he immigrated to America, coming to Chicago in 1865. After a brief stay in Chicago, Illinois, he moved westward to Ossian, lowa. In 1873 he married Anna Larson, who had come to Ossian in 1868, with her parents from Christania (now Oslo), Norway, where she was born on March 18, 1848.
In the spring of 1879 Hans Nelson, his brother, and a brother-in-law left lowa by wagon and a team of oxen to find land on which they would like to homestead. Their search took them to Norman County three miles from Twin Valley, Minnesota. In the summer of 1880, the Nelson family left Ossian, lowa, by train to Lake Park. They had to go by team and wagon to Fossum Township in Norman County, a distance of more than thirty miles.
The first winter was spent in a dugout before they got the log cabin erected. Later appropriate farm buildings took the place of these primitive structures. In these days a trip to the nearest town for groceries took two days. This meant Mrs. Nelson and the children were left home alone for the night. Since the farm was located on a creek that the Indians followed for hunting and trapping, Mrs. Nelson warned the children not to make a sound to let the Indians know they were awake. At night, as the Indians walked by, they pounded on the outside of the house, while on the inside some very frightened people lay. During the day the Indians came and asked for food. Mrs. Nelson laid out her very best, so as not to offend them. What they didn't eat, they took along, leaving not a scrap behind.
Hans Nelson helped to organize the school district and gave the district an acre of land, on which the first schoolhouse was built.
Hans and Anna Nelson had five children Noldus, Oscar, Willie, Almer, and Charlotte. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson lived on the farm until the death of Mrs. Nelson on April 3, 1915. Mr. Nelson then retired from farming and made his home in Twin Valley with his sister, Mrs. Sagen, near Heiberg, Minnesota and later at the home of his daughter, Charlotte, where he died on December 29, 1945.
Hjalmer and Bernice (Prestegord) Nelson
Hjalmer Nelson was born on September 29, 1898 near Audubon, Mn., to Charles and Annie Nelson. He came to the Flom area with his parents at the age of five years. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.
Bernice O. Prestegord was born on July 1, 1908 to Ole L. and Bertha (Olson) Prestegord in Flom township. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Church, and attended rural schools in the area. She spent much of her time caring for her father and then her invalid mother for three and one-half years. Bernice also farmed with her brother Lawrence.
Hjalmer and Bernice were married at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church on November 26, 1961. After their marriage they resided south of Flom for two years and then moved to their new farm in Fossum township in1963. They had no children.
Hjalmer was a veteran of World War II, a member of the American Legion, a past member of the Aspelund Lutheran Church and more recently a member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He famred all his life and also farmed jointly with his brothers for several years.
Bernice was a very active member in the church and the ALCW, taught Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School. She also did a considerable amount of singing.
Hjalmer passed away quite suddenly at the Ada hospital on March 22, 1970. Bernice passed away on January 24, 1965. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
N.E. and Annie (Skofstad) Nelson
Annie Skofstad was born February 10, 1849, in Muskego, Racine County, Wisconsin to Johannes and Berta Skofstad. who immigrated to America in 1840 from Drammen, Norway.
She married N. E. Nelson May 4, 1869. He was born March 4, 1845. They operated a general store in Decorah, Iowa for a few years. Then they moved to Norman County, Flom Township, NW 1/4 of Section 28 where they operated a store and post office in the late 1800's before the village of Flom existed.
N. E. Nelson died February 3, 1907, he was a brother of Mrs. Nels Flaten, also of Flom Township). They had no children. However, Annie’s niece, Josephine E. Skofstad, came to live with them in 1874 at age three years and Nils Styve came to live with them January 6. I886. He was born May 20. 1883, and died at a young age, May 17, 1892
Annie continued to operate the farm after N. E.’s death with the help of a hired man until she died October 21, 1928 while staying with her brother at Lawrence, Kansas. She and her husband are buried at Immanuel Cemetery, Flom Township. She was remembered as a kindly lady who was always willing to help anyone in need.
Josephine Skofstad was born June 13, 1872, to Eben Skofstad and Mary Hegg Skofstad in Muskego, Wisconsin. Eben was a brother of Annie Nelson with whom she grew to adulthood. She married Sam J. Swenson March 14. 1892 (See John Swenson Aas familv).
Note of interest about Johannes Skofstad, 1794-1851, family of Muskego. Eben served in the Civil War with the 15th Wisconsin Regiment. His cousin. Col. Hans Heg was killed in action, and a statue of him now stands at the Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin.
Also, Johannes was one of the pioneers who built the first Norwegian Lutheran Church at Muskego, Wisconsin the first church of its kind in America. It was later moved to Lutheran Theological Seminary, Minneapolis, where it now stands. The Rev. H. A. Stub preached the first Norwegian sermon in America within its walls in 1848.
This information was gathered from notes in an old Bible with the inscription under its cover (From Brother Albert. May 4, 1869).
Emil N. and Anna Bertine (Agrey) Nilson
Emil N was born in Flom Township to Nils and Anna Marie Nilson. He married Anna Bertine Agrey in 1910, at Parkside, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Anna Bertina Agrey was born on March 23, 1884, in Flom Township to Martin and Margaret Agrey. She received her education in rural school and attended Concordia College for a short time
Emil and Anna were married on November 30, 1910, at Parkside, Sask., Canada. They farmed in Flom Township until their retirement and then moved to Twin Valley where they remained until Emil’s death in 1950. After Emil died she made her home in Jamestown, ND. They are both buried at Wild Rice.
They were the parents of two children; Marvin A. and Winona (Kenneth) Urdahl.
Marvin A. and Gladys (Mikkelson) Nilson
Marvin Nilson was born on August 29, 1911 at his home farm near Twin Valley, Mn where he grew up. He attended schools in this area and then wen to the University of Minnesota.
He married Gladyce Mikkelson on September 7, 1937 at Twin Valley, Mn. He was a member of the Wild Rice Rural Electric Association, Flom township board, director of the Twin Valley-Flom credit Union and County President of the Farmer's Union.
They were the parents of two children; Karen and Marvin C.
Marvin A. Nilson passed away on May 27, 1969 at LaCrosse, Mn enroute to his home at Twin Valley, Mn. He is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Nils and Anna Maria (Swanson) Nilson
Nils Nilson came to the U.S.A. from Langeserud, Wermiand, Sweden and shortly after his arrival in 1872 was united in marriage to Anna Maria Swanson who had arrived from Sulerud, Wermiand, Sweden. They established a homestead claim, approximately five miles north and one half mile west of what is now the village of Flom in Flom Township. They were one of the very earliest settlers so had their choice of beautiful, rich farm land, but nearly all of it was heavily wooded. Several of Nil's brothers followed to this country, namely John, who homesteaded on the adjoining farm, and Otto and Eden, leaving one sister, Katrina in Sweden. Nil's father, Nils Petterson. came to visit and decided to help clear some land for Nils. He also cleared land on some unclaimed land and when chided about this he replied in his native tongue, "There is so much land here that no one will ever claim it all so what difference does it make."
Many hardships were encountered by these early pioneers. We remember being told how grandpa Nils walked to Lake Park, Minnesota to bring home flour for the family. In those days, walking across country for supplies became a three-day-trip. Also to bring in money for necessities, it was necessary for Nils to work for the Northern Pacific Railroad that was being built at that time. This cash was also used for machinery and supplies. His wife and two small sons, Wilhelm and Nils Emil, were left at home to take care of the livestock that was slowly accumulating. Much of the variety that was in their daily diet came from the apple trees and crabapples, plum, gooseberry and currant bushes and rhubarb plants which they had planted.
Two other children, a boy Albert and a girl Anna, were born to this family, but died in early childhood and were buried in the farmyard. A flower bed was planted over their graves.
The first log cabin was built on this homestead in 1872 and was soon replaced by a larger home and in 1908 a third house consisting of eight rooms with a large addition was built, and is still in use today. The total cost of the structure at that time was $1800. The original log house still stands and was used throughout the years as a blacksmith shop for farm repair.
Nils Nilson died very suddenly August 9, 1913, at the age of 68, his wife, Anna Maria, died February 12, 1917, just four years later at the age of 70.
Emil and Wilhelm Nilson assumed farming together. Emil was united in marriage to Anna Bertina Agrey in 1910. Two children were born to them a son, Marvin, and a daughter, Winona. Emil, Anna, and Wilhelm farmed and lived on this homestead for twenty-seven years. In 1937 Marvin was married to Gladyce Mikkelsen and then this third generation was engaged in active farming for thirty-two years until Marvin's death on May 26, 1969.
Each generation on this farm has seen many changes in the care and production of this land. Marvin lived a very active life serving his community and throughout the years was very active serving on township and county boards. At the time of his death he was county commissioner of this area.
Marvin and Gladyce were the parents of two children, Karen and Marvin C., Karen now resides in St. Paul, Minnesota, the wife of Dr. David Davis. They have two children David and Naomi. Marvin married Sylvia Gaasland and they live at Blue Earth, Minnesota with their three children Diane, Curtis, and Elizabeth.
This farm is still in the Nilson family, since it was homesteaded in 1872.
Wilhelm Nilson
Wilhelm Nilson was born in 1875 to Nils and Anna Marie in Flom Twp. He graduated from the University of Minnesota, taking up electrical engineering. He taught school for a time and also farmed. He never married. In his later years he lived with a nephew, Marvin A. Nilson until he went to the McIntosh Rest Home where he died in 1957. He is buried at Wild Rice.
Archie and Lovilla (Narum) Norden
Lovilla was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran church of Flom, Mn. After completing her
education she attended one year of nurses training. Lovilla married Archie Norden on December 26, 1949 at Gary, Mn. They were the parents of five children. Mark Allen was born on August 2, 1950, Roberta LoAnn was born on August 8, 1951, she passed away in November 2000. Daniel Archie was born on May10, 1953, Bradley Steven was born on May 24, 1957 and Susan Marie was born on January 31, 1959.
Archie passed away on March 21, 1987 andis buried at Grand Forks, ND.
Lovilla and Archie owned their own business. After Archie's death she married Gary Decicco on February 16, 1992 at Ft Myers Florida. He passed away on August 31, 2001, and is buried in New York. Lovilla continues to live in Ft Myers Florida.
John O. and Guri (Henningsdatter Stuedahl) Nysetvold
John Olsen Nysetvold was born April 15, 1850 at Haltdalen, Norway (although his Bible says March 15, 1850) to Ole Svendsen Ramlo/Nysetvold and Kari Jonsdatter Hilmo. His parents were not married. His father, Ole, was born on the Ramlo Farm in Haltdalen to Svend Olsen Ramlo and his wife Marit Pedersdatter Brenden on 8/12/1827. His father was a lensman or sherrif. He (Ole) purchased the Nysetvold farm in 1856 from his uncle, Borre Olsen Ramlo, who emigrated also to Iowa with his family. His father (Ole) went on to marry Anne Larsdatter Bjorgum in Haltdalen. To them were born the following children:
Marit Olsdatter Nysetvold, b.1/23/1854, married Anders Johnsen Tamlag. They took the Nysetvold name when they came to America. They lived in Flom Township for a short while and then moved up by Fosston, Minnesota. They lived there for a few years and then moved to Alberta, Canada.
Ragnhild Olsdatter Nysetvold, b.1856, married to Hans Simensen Heksem. They lived in Haltdalen, Sor Trondelag, Norway.
Beret Olsdatter Nysetvold, b.1862, married to Ole Pedersen As/Brendaes. They also took the Nysetvold name and lived in Haltdalen, Sor Trondelag, Norway. Some of their children did also use the Brendaes name. They purchased the Nysetvold farm in 1905.
Ingeborg Olsdatter Nysetvold, b.1871. She did not marry.
John’s mother, Kari, never did marry. She was born in Tydal, Sor Trondelag, Norway on June 9, 1823 to Jon Svendsen Midtaunet/Hilmo and Karen Pedersdatter Aas. She also came to America and lived the rest of her life with her son, John, at Flom, Minnesota and is buried in the Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery in an unmarked grave. Kari had two brothers.
Svend Jonsen Hilmo, b.1809, who married Lisbeth Olsdatter Aas and who’s son, John Svendsen Aas, also lived in the Flom area. His biography is found elsewhere in this book.
Peder Jonsen Hilmo, b.9/14/1815, who married Magnhild Estensdatter Lillebakken. They moved to Leksvik, Sor Trondelag, Norway and lived there. They had a son, Edvard Pedersen Hilmo/Lokken who emigrated from Norway and lived in Canada.
John was baptized and confirmed in his native country. He also attended school there. He helped his father operate the farm and so acquired a practical training that was a great benefit to him in America. On April 19, 1872 John Nysetvold emigrated from Norway to America on the Steamship “India” and landed in New York on the 19th of May. He went first to lowa where he worked for two of his uncles almost a year, (These uncles were Jonas Svendsen Ramlo and John Svendsen Ramlo, who lived in the Waterloo Ridge area) then he went on to Wisconsin where he worked six years lumbering in Dunn County. While there, he also applied for and received his Naturalization papers under the name of John O. Nasvold. These are dated the 7th day of April, 1874 in Dunn County. By now he had enough capital to set himself up in farming, and in 1878 he came to Norman County, Minnesota. In the 1880 census of Norwegian’s living in Minnesota, he is shown living with his mother, Kari, in Fossum Township of Polk County. Norman County was not in existence at that time. Here he homesteaded 160 acres in section 32, Flom Township, where he lived the rest of his life. This land was purchased under the name John O. Nesvold. The land office was in Crookston, Minnesota and the date he received the title to the land was December 19, 1885. The land was obtained under the Homestead Act of May 20, 1862.
To break up the land he used oxen, which served his purpose for fourteen years. These were also used to haul his grain thirty miles to the nearest market. Soon he began building first house, a small frame structure fourteen by sixteen feet, roofed with pieces of sod. The other farm buildings were of logs, but as time went by he added to the farm home and barn — the former becoming an eight room house. He was a grain farmer; raising mostly wheat and had some graded stock. In 1883, John was united in marriage to Guri Henningsdatter Stuedahl, who was born in Tydal, Norway, April 22, 1857, to Henning Henningsen Stuedal and Ingeborg Olsdatter Stuedal. Guri’s sister, Lisbet, was married to Anders Pedersen Sakrismo. They are the parents of Peder Sakrismo, who also lived in the Flom area. Guri’s sister Magli, who was married to Einar Larsen Lovoen, also lived in the Flom area. Two of her brothers came to America. They were Anders and Henning.
John and Guri were charter members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, Aspelund, at Flom and he served as trustee many years. He helped organize the school district and was its clerk for over thirty years.
He was the first township clerk of the Flom Township board. Before Flom had a designated post office the Nysetvold home was used as a post office for a period of time. Mrs. Nysetvold carded and spun her own wool and knit for her children and later stockings, mittens and scarves for the grandchildren. John died in 1929, Guri in 1935.
There were four children born to this union:
Ingeborg, (Belle) the only daughter, born in 1883, took over where her mother left off and was house keeper for her two brothers who never married, but continued the farm after their father died. Belle served many years as church organist. One Sunday a year an offering was taken to pay the organist. She was a competent seamstress and sewed for many friends. She had flocks of chickens and a large garden, and was a wonderful cook. She died in 1961.
Henry, born in 1890, and Johan (Johnny), born in 1892, were a team - working together, using and updating the good farming methods of the father. They, too, were active in community and church. Johnny died in 1964;
Henry sold the farm to a relative and moved into Twin Valley where he lived until he died in 1973.
Ole, born in 1885, spent his boyhood on the home place— but found a higher interest in building than in farming. He spent some time in Montana as a carpenter and when he returned to Norman County he bought a tract of land in Twin Valley—built a home and was married in 1912. His bride was Mina Aasgaard who was born in Home Lake Township in 1891, the daughter of Martinus and Maria (Larsen) Aasgaard of Stange in Hedmark and Eidsvoll in Akershus. Ole inherited the industry and thrift of his forbears. and in a few years had advanced himself to become an architect, contractor and builder. Many buildings, churches, homes, barns, etc., stand today as monuments to his talent and industriousness. His sons helped him when they became old enough. The second world war came and all four sons, Miles, Orwin, Arnt and Paul, entered military service and served overseas.
Building was at a standstill and Ole had a family to feed. He went to Couer d Liene, Idaho, and worked on a government project in the forties, and later worked on the' Alaskan Highway, putting up buildings necessary for the 'work of the road crews. When the war was over he was back in Twin-Valley actively drawing plans and contracting for building projects again. Ole was active in the community, being a member of the Twin Valley Council many years, a member of the fire department, a trustee of Zion Lutheran Church where they were lifetime members! Mina was a Sunday School teacher and a life member of Zion Church Women. There was a large garden for her to can and preserve; she sewed all her children's clothes, was a good friend and a concerned neighbor. Ole died in 1962 and Mina in 1967 To their union were born eleven children:
Gladys (Mrs. Andreas Heiberg)
Miles, married to Myrtle (Boberg)
Orwin, married to Ida (Hara)
lona (Mrs. Kermit Kvenvolden)
Arnt, married to Verna (Knutson)
Paul, married to Betty (Wien
Loanna (Mrs. Wayne Wagstrom)
Judith (Mrs. Marlowe Pfaff)
Enid (Mrs. Lloyd Burkholder)
Dorothy (Mrs. Robert Hammer)
One daughter died in infancy.
Edwin and Helen (Stende) Ochsner
Helen Stende was born on October 11, 1920 to Edwin and Nellie (Nelson) Stende. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. She attended rural schools in the Flom area and then went to Twin Valley High School where she graduated.
Edwin Ochsner was born on August 6, 1912 to Geroge and Marth Ochsner at Medina, ND.
Helen married Edwin Ochsner on June 13, 1943 after their marriage the farmed in the Ogema area. In 1965 they moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn here Helen worked at Swift's Inc for 28 years and retired in 1983. Ed died on February 14, 1994. After his death Helen married Harland Erickson (a widower; see Harland Erickson). Helen and Harland reside in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Helen and Ed were the parents of two children; Elwood and Robert. Elwood was born on August 17, 1944, he married Terry Buchholz. Robert was born on August 21, 1946, he is married to Lynette Grahn.
Hans Peder and Anna (Loven) Odegaard Family
Hans Peder Odegaard was born on June 30, 1849. He died on March 5, 1900 in Twin Valley, Mn at the age of 50 years.
Anna Jensina Loven was born in Rio Wisconsin on August 28, 1852, to Hans Loven and Ingeborg. She died on March 2, 1942 in Prince Albert Sask, at the age of 89 years.
Hans and Anna were married in Rio, Wisconsin. They were the parents of; Peder Gustave born on July 5, 1876. He died on March 29, 1957 in Shellbrook Sask. at the age of 80 years. Peter married Annie Vhali in Twin Valley, Mn in 1901. It is unknown where Annie was born. She died in 1917 in Kilwinning Sask. They were the parents of Bert, Marvil, Lillian, Helmer, James and Erwin.
Henry Alvin born on April 8, 1880. He died on December 29, 1951 in Shellbrook Sask. At the age of 71 years. He married Mabel Louise Low in Ordale Sask, in 1936. Mabel was born in Three Crees Sask on April 15, 1913. After Henry’s death she married Arnold Adamson in Shellbrook Sask. In 1953. Henry and Mabel were the parents of Lois Lorraine (April 8, 1937), Henry Murray (June 9, 1940), Eileen Mae born on May 4, 1944. Eileen was married twice. Once to Lorne Collins in 1965 and then to Joseph Derr on December 10, 1983.
Edward Severin was born in Twin Valley, Mn on February 19, 1882. He died on September 20, 1906 at the age of 24 years.
Anna Marie was born on April 17, 1884. (see Hans Korsgaden and Anna Marie Odegaard) George Rudolph was born on August 3, 1886. He died in 1966 in Brantford Ont, at the age of 79 years. He married Mary Elizabeth Jennings, in Prince Albert Sask, on March 17, 1920. Mary was born in Ireland. George and Mary were the parents of: Aileen (1922), Wildfred (1924), He was married twice. The first time he married Olga in Ontario. The second marriage was to Joyce Anderson in London England in 1945. Doreen Iris ( 1926). Brian (1930) Brian died in 1990 in Paris Ont, at the age of 60 years. Gordon (1931).
Theodore Bernard was born on May 23, 1888 (twin), in Twin Valley, Mn He died on August 27, 1965 in Duncan BC, at the age of 77 years. His body was interred August 30, 1065 in Duncan Anglican Cemetery. He married Annie Louise Roach in Valbrand Sask, on November 12, 1916. Annie was born in London England on January 11, 1883. She died on December 27, 1962 in Duncan BC at the age of 79 years. Theodore immigrated in 1910 with his destination a homestead in Valbrand Sask. Theodore and Annie were the parents of Hazel ( October 16, 1917), she married Donald Carlson in 1938. June (June 17, 1919), Hans (August 10, 1920) and Walter Theodore ( August 25, 1921).
Emma S. was born on May 23, 1888, (twin) was born in Twin Valley, Mn. She died in August 1971 in Prince Albert Sask, at the age of 83 years. Emma married Martin Oscar Nordby in November of 1909. They were the parents of Marvil (April 27, 1911-July 23, 1996), buried at Dry Creek Cemetery, Sask.
Erchil (May 12, 1912), Evelyn (1913), Ferdinand (Mary 9, 1915), Harriet ( May 5, 1917), Peder (July 2, 1918), Blanche (December 20, 1920), Wallace (August 11, 1921), Roland (December 21, 1922), James and Jeanette: twins (August 21, 1924) and Shirley (August 29, 1929)
Ida Pernilla was born on December 12, 1890, in Twin Valley, Mn. She died on November 4, 1984 in Shellbrook Sask, at the age of 93 years. She is buried at Dry Creek Cemetery in Sask. Ida married Arthur (Archie) Lohmeier in Twin Valley, Mn onDecember 5, 1912. Arthur was the som of Henry and Emma Lohmeier. Archie died on May 22, 1948 in Prince Albert Sask, he is burried in Valbrand Sask, Dry Creek Cemetery. Ida immigrated in 1913, with her destination homestead. Ida and Archie were the parents of; Harvey ( June 11, 1913) and Iona Ardis ( February 19, 1915).
Clarence Jonathan was born o February 24, 1893 in Twin Valley, Mn. He married Nanny Marie Peterson in Valbrand Sask, in 1918. Clarence and Nanny
Marie were the parents of; Marion (1919) and Doris (1921)
Hattie Palma Anetta was born on May 24, 1897 in Twin Valley, Mn. She was confirmed at Twin Valley, Mn at the age of 17 years. Hattie died on September 29, 1967 in Prince Albert Sask, at the age of 70 years, she is buried at Prince Albert Memorial Gardens, Sask. Hattie married Agdar Johan Fjerwold in Prince Albert Sask, on July 20, 1935. Hattie and Agdar had one child; Larry Agdar who was born on June 22, 1936.
Ole and Julian (Jacobson) Odegaard
Julia was born on July 6, 1885 and died on November 19, 1957. She married Ole Odegaard who was born on January 21, 1886 to Hans Peterson and Anne P. Odegaard. He died on April 24, 1972. They are both buried at Aspelund. They had one daughter Eva (Evelyn) who was married to Archie Waller, they had one son Bruce. Hans Peterson Odegaard immigrated from Eidnanger, Norway in 1854. He first settled in Bonnet Prairie, Wisconsin. He came to Norman county in 1882 and settled on land he bought in Section 1 of Flom township. Hans and Anne P. Odegaard were married in 1875
Chester and Eleanor (Stende) Odland
Eleanor Stende was born on March 27, 1919 at Ulen, Mn to Edwin and Nellie (Nelson) Stende. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. Eleanor attended rural schools in the Flom area. Eleanor married Chester Odland on December 12, 1943 at Flom. The couple had lived in Minneapolis, and Detroit Lakes before residing in Moorhead, Mn. Eleanor was a sister to; Clarence, Lester, Sylve, Gladys, Helen, and Muriel Stende.
They were the parents of seven children; George (11-21-44), Eugene (3-20-1946), Larry (1-21-1950), Myron (3-5-1952), Linda Ponto (12-7-1947), Nancy Colewell (4-4-1958) and Carol Martinez (5-8-1954). Eleanor died on April 18, 1967 at the young age of 48, she had been ill for some time. She left her husband and all the children still at home.
Eleanor is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn. Chester died on March 17, 1987, he is burid in the cemetery of the Crow River Church at Belgrade, Mn.
Tennis and Hanselina (Rinde) Oftedahl
Tennis Oftedahl was born in Norway on October 16, 1873. He came to the United States and to Minnesota at the age of 18. In June of 1898 he married Hanselina (Lena) Rinde, daughter Hans and Kari Rinde of Flom township. They farmed in the area until 1948 when Lena passed away.
Hanselina "Lena" Rinde was born to Helge and Kari Rinde on September 12, 1864 in Rice county. She was baptized in Rice county, and moved to this area with her parents when she was a child. She was confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Tennis and Lena were married in Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom on May 27, 1899. They resided in Home Lake township after their marriage for twenty years. before moving to their persent farm in Wild Rice township in 1917.
The following is a story relating to Lena's death; Tragedy struck the Tennis OFtedahl home last Wednesday morning, fire completely destroying the residence and Mrs. Oftedahl meeting her death as a result of the conflagration. The origin of the fire is unknow, as Mrs. Oftedahl was at home alone at the time of the fire, her husband having gone to town with the cream. Mrs. Oftedahl had evidently tried to extinguish the blaze with the result that her clothing caught fire and her lifeless body, quite badly burned, was found at the well, about three yards from the residence.
The fire was detected after it had gained considerable headway by M.H. Brevik, local mail carrier, who called the Twin Valley fire department. Although prompt response was botained, all the firemen could do was to safeguard the other buildings in the farm yard. Lena died on June 16, 1948, at the age of 83 years, 9 months and 25 days.
Lena was very acrtive in her church and a member of the Ladies Aid with which she was affiliated for many years, she had many friends throughout this area. Lena was a respected and esteemed by all who knew her. The entire community joins with us in extending sincere condolences to the family.
After Lena 's death he stayed on the farm until failing health caused him to moved into Twin Valley around 1965, Tennis then moved in with his daughter Tonette Skauge and her family.
They were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, where he directed the choir for many years.
Tennis and Lena were the parents of Tonette ( Fred Skauge) and Ludvig.
Funeral services for Lena were held at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, with interment in the church cemetery.
Hans and Sina (Johnson) Oien
Hans was born on February 4, 1883 to the Iver and Thora Oien in Walworth township, Becker County, Mn. His parents were both born in Norway; Iver on December 7, 1853 and Thora H. in 1853. They had only one child Hans. Iver died on February in 1936 and Thora on March 31, 1943 both are buried at Aspelund.
Hans grew up in Walworth township and was a member of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
Sina Johnson was born in 1879 in Norway. She had one sister Anna (Rishovd). Hans and Sina were married on September 10, 1909 in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Hans and Sina were the parents of five children; Tilford, Lawrence, Johnny Sandvick, Alice; see Carl and Alice Sandal, and Thea; see Henry and Thea Haroldson.
Johnny Sandvick Oien
Johnny Sandvick Oien was born on November 8, 1911 to Hans and Sina (Johnson) Oien. He grew up on the family farm in section 10 of Walworth township, Becker county, Mn. After his father's death in 1941 Johnny took over the operations of the family farm. Johnny died unexpectantly at the age of 32 from a heart attack. Johnny was at his home in Walworth township at the time of his death. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom with interment at the church cemetery. Johnny passed away on November 3, 1943.
Tilford Oien
Tilford was born on May 30, 1916 in Walworth Township to Hans and Sina (Johnson) Oien. Here he grew up on the family farm located in section 10. He took over the farm and in his later years he moved into Flom where he lived with his sister Alice (Sandal) until he entered the Lutheran Memorial Nursing home in Twin Valley, Mn. Tilford died on February 23, 1999 and is buried at Aspelund.
Arnold and Selma (Lee) Olson
Arnold Olson was born to Hans and Amanda (Tollefson) Olson in Flom Township on February 7, 1901. He was married to Selma Lee on June 23, 1923 at Grand Forks, North Dakota. They came to the Kvaas Farm and farmed together with his parents. Their daughter, Betty Lou was born on August 23, 1924.
Around 1932, they purchased the Tom Helland farm located 1 1/2 miles east of the Kvaas Farm in Popple Grove Township of Mahnomen County. Their son, Gordon Wayne was born November 16, 1939 in Crookston, Minnesota and died the same day. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery at Flom, Minnesota.
Arnold and Selma purchased a home in Detroit Lakes in 1962 and retired after 38 years of farming. For some years after, they divided their time between the farm and their home in town.
Selma died on August 21, 1977. Arnold died on November 27, 1993. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery at Flom, Minnesota.
Betty Lou’s mother Selma, was born to Louis and Betsy (Tveten) Lee on August 4, 1903. She died on August 21, 1977.
Betty Lou grew up on her parent’s farm in Popple Grove Township, Mahnomen County, Minnesota. She attended school in Waubun, Minnesota and graduated from there in May of 1942. She married Allan Houglum on May 18, 1946.
Allan was born to Martin and Sena (Severtson) Houglum on March 31, 1924. He has the following siblings: Mendley, Dennel (Dan), Raymond, Pearl (Briggs), Robert, Joseph, Lucille. They were all born and raised in the Audubon/Cormorant, Minnesota area. They moved to the Flom Area around 1939. Martin Houglum was born in 1873 and died in 1964, Sena Severtson was born in 1878 and died in 1959.
Allan and Betty Lou have two children:
Bonita Louise, born August 15, 1955 and Bradley Allan born December 7, 1957.
Allan is currently resides at the Lisbon Veteran’s Home in Lisbon, North Dakota.
Betty Lou lives on the farm with her son, Bradley.
Arthur and Irene (Flaten) Olson
Arthur E. Olson ("E for Excellent", he often said), son of Martin and Selma Knutson Olson, was born at his parents' farm home on July 23, 1915 near Geneseo in southeastern North Dakota. He attended school near Geneseo and was confirmed at the Bergen Lutheran Church there. Art came to the Ada, Minnesota, vicinity in 1933, along with three brothers, a sister and several neighborhood boys, to seek employment. He was employed at Ira and Claris Miller's farm and also for William Ashbach in the Ada area before coming to Flom, after hearing that a farmer west of Flom was looking for a hired man. Having grown up in the "Dust Bowl" of North Dakota during the Depression years, the wooded region near Flom looked pretty inviting. He almost changed his mind about coming,
however, when he arrived at the corner north of the Martinus Flaten farm and found the road nearly impassable; but Art forged ahead, not even knowing at that time about "The Farmer's Daughter" who would become his bride six years later. Despite the huge snowdrifts, the hard work of farming with horses, and the unfamiliar language (Norwegian), Art stayed at the Flaten farm until 1942 when he entered the U.S. Army and ended up marrying "The Farmer's Daughter" in 1943. Art often called Flom, "Little Norway".
After the short time Art and Irene spent in Kansas and Mississippi, Art was sent to Europe with the 94th Infantry Division, where he served under General Patton in Germany during World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star with the Oak Leaf Cluster for "distinguishing himself by his outstanding leadership ability and forceful initiative. In addition to maintaining an uninterrupted flow of supplies to his unit, he led a platoon on two aggressive assaults and accomplished his mission, despite intense hostile fire, with the greatest of success."
Discharged from the U.S. Army in 1945, he returned to the Flaten farm where he and Irene farmed until his retirement in
1984.
Art was very active in church and community affairs. He and Irene were members of Wild Rice Lutheran Church where he served on the church council, as Sunday School superintendent and in the church choir. He also served on the World Hunger Task Force of the Northern Minnesota District of the American Lutheran Church, a project that was dear to his heart.
Art also served on the Board of Directors of the Flom Co-op Oil, the Norman County Fair Board, the Norman County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation (ASC) Committee, the East Agassiz Soil Conservation Service Board, the Twin Valley School Board, and as a 4-H leader.
He was also a member of the Lions Club, VFW POST 3818 of Flom, and the Nesseth-Lien American Legion Post of Twin Valley, serving as leader of its firing squad for nearly 40 years, rarely missing a Memorial Day observance or funeral of a departed comrade. Art loved his country and was proud to have served it in time of war. Art passed away on March 17, 1986, and is buried in the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Irene, the daughter of Martinus and Nora Flaten, was born on May 20, 1919 and grew up on her parents' farm in Flom Township, which would be her home for most of her 67 years. She attended Woodland Nook School and later graduated from Twin Valley High School at the age of 16.
In 1939, she received the Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Following graduation, she taught in Peterson, Minnesota, and later at Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. She then returned home to the farm to marry "the hired man", Arthur Olson.
Irene's work outside the home took her back to Twin Valley High School where she taught German and history and to the U.S. Postal Service where she faithfully served as a clerk in the Twin Valley Post Office for 20 years, retiring in January 1986.
Irene was also very active in her church and community. A member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church her entire life, she served on the church council, as church treasurer, as a Sunday School teacher and choir member, and as a member and officer of the Wild Rice American Lutheran Church Women, serving as president at the time of her death. Irene was also a
member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Twin Valley, the VFW Auxiliary of Flom, and the Flom Happy Homemakers Club. She also served as a 4-H leader. Irene was a faithful wife and loving mother.
Being the quiet wife of a vivacious husband, she was the "hub" around which the family moved.
A deep thinker, she was widely read and an "expert" to her family on many subjects. Cherished by her husband, Art called her his "Honey Bee". Irene passed away on September
4, 1986, less than six months after the death of her husband, and is buried in the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Art and Irene had four children. Kathleen Faye was born on October 30, 1946, and married Larry Solseth of Twin Valley on December 22, 1968. They live in Fargo, North Dakota, and have two children. Nathan Paul married Allison Moe; and they live in Fargo, North Dakota. Melissa Kay married Michael Lynnes of Leonard, North Dakota, where they live with their two children, Zachary Michael and Rebecca Kathleen. Kathleen has a small clerical business which she runs out of their home.
Noreen Sheila was born on February 18, 1950, and married Scott Pederson of Twin Valley in April 1969. She later married Rodney Stromberg of Fargo, North Dakota, on December 23, 1972. They had two children. Stephen Lee lives in Phoenix, Arizona; and Angela Beth lives in Fort Collins, Colorado. Noreen also currently lives in Fort Collins where she manages a Blockbuster Video Store.
Laurel Lee was born on February 14, 1954, and married George James Yost of Ada, Minnesota, on December 30, 1972. They live in Ulen, Minnesota, and have three children. Jamie Lee lives in Fargo, North Dakota; and Ryan Patrick lives in Houston, Texas. Kristin Amber currently attends the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Laurel is the secretary/bookkeeper at the Viking Manor Nursing Home in Ulen.
Marlin Arthur, often returned to by his father as "Son One", was born on November 1, 1960. He lives in the Briarwood community south of Fargo, North Dakota, where he is the accountant at Dakota Bumper Exchange of Fargo. It is interesting to note that Marlin, having never met his grandfather, Martinus Flaten, bears a striking resemblance to him in looks, temperament and mannerisms.
In 1990 the Flaten-Olson farm was sold to Curtis Holum, marking the end of a 112-year period of ownership by the Flaten and Olson families.
Submitted by Kathleen Olson Solseth
Gilmer and Mabel (Berg) Olson
Gilmer Olson was born on February 2, 1901 near Lake Preston, SD, to John and Nettie Olson. He moved with his family to Madison, where they lived for three years before moving to a farm in Home Lake township.
Mabel Berg was born in 1902 to Minnie (Kjos) and Christ Berg. She baked at a restaurant and dormitory in Montana. During WW II she worked in a ship yard. She had one sister Nora (Stordahl).
Gilmer married Mabel Berg on February 28, 1925, near Twin Valley. They were the parents of one daughter Verna (Leslie Prestegaard) born in 1926. They moved to Flom township and farmed here until Mabel’s death in 1947. Gilmer then worked for neighboring farmers and the Bergeson Nursery. He was also the janitor of the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, near Twin Valley, for 19 years. He lived just north of the church.
One of Gilmer’s favorite enjoyments in life was working as a steam engine operator at the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion at Rollag. For many years he operated the largest steam engine at Rollage, and he trained younger men to operate the steam engines and carry on the tradition. He also enjoyed working outdoors trimming and pruning trees and shrubs.
Gilmer passed away on February 27, 1992 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Hans and Amanda (Tollefson) Olson
Hans Olson was born on the Fidjestodl Farm in Kvaas, Lyngdahl, Vest Agder, Norway in 1869 to Ole and Gunvor (Tollisdatter Fidjestodl) Hansen Royseland. He left Norway on March 19, 1886 from Kristiansand, Vest Agder and entered at Ellis Island in New York. His destination was Minnesota. Two of his sister’s also emigrated from Norway to America, Anne Teoline (Mrs. Ole Vinger) left Norway on March 31, 1888 and Tomine Dorthea (Mrs. Peder Baukol), who left Norway on June 13, 1884.
He married Amanda Tollefson on May 27, 1892. They purchased the SW 1/4 of Section 13 in Flom Township from Andrea Otterness in October of 1892. The land had originally been Northern Pacific Railroad property.
They had eight children born to them: Theodora (Dora) (Mrs. Dortinius Larson), Geneva (Mrs. Olaf Solberg), Anna (Mrs. Harold Solberg), H. Arnold, Alpha (Mrs. Olaf Tveten), Myrtle (Mrs. Oscar Kindseth), Guy and Selma (Mrs. Hans Tveten).
Their son Guy, rented the farm in 1932. He married Alice Larson on October 26, 1934. She was the daughter of Erling & Christina (Thompson) Larson and was born at Centuria, Wisconsin on June 28, 1914. They rented the farm until May of 1945 when they purchased it. They had 2 sons Lloyd and Merlyn.
Guy originated the dairy business, even though his father milked cows for the family’s use. Guy milked 12 cows by hand and sold the cream. In 1937, he mechanized his farm by selling his horses and purchasing a new Allis Chalmers WC tractor and John Deere plow for $900. Guy was the first in the neighborhood to go all tractor power. The tractor was the first WC Chalmers sold at Johnson & Gravely in Flom and is still in working order on the farm. Another highlight for the Olson Farm was Christmas Eve of 1945. That was the day electricity was hooked up to the farm, and they had purchased a string of Christmas tree lights just in case.
During the 1950’s, Guy switched from dairy to beef, having only two dairy cows for house use. During the 1960’s, Merlyn showed an interest in farming and rekindled the interest in dairying. He remodeled the barn and built the herd to 31 cows. Merlyn married Sylvia Waller in June of 1970. She is the daughter of James and Nina (Erickson) Waller. Guy and Alice moved to Twin Valley. They both worked for Lutheran Memorial homes for several years. Alice died in 1990 and Guy in 2000.
Merlyn and Sylvia purchased the farm in March 1973. They have two children, Crystal (Mrs. Rodney Lampton) and Matthew.
Now the farm has been continuously owned and lived on by the Olson Family for 110 years. Merlyn and Matthew continue to dairy and are presently the only dairy farm in Flom Township. They have a 60 cow tie stall barn with E-Z track computeriws automatic take-off milkers.
Kenneth E. and Helen (Kyllingstad) Olson
Kenneth Olson, the son of Ole K. and Laura Olson was born March 11, 1906 in Anthony Township of Norman County, Minnesota. Being the youngest of six boys he moved to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and worked at the city light plant for twelve years.
He was united in marriage to Helen Kyllingstad, the daughter of Carl and Mathilda Kyllingstad of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. In 1942 he moved to Vancouver, Washington to work in the shipyards as a steamfitter for three years.
After his mother's death, in 1945, he moved back to Anthony Township and farmed his parents' farm for ten years. In 1955, he purchased his own farm, the former Wild Rice Children's Home in Section 6 of Flom Township.
Kenneth and Helen are the parents of three children, namely: Mrs. W. F. (Barbara) Roper of Abilene, Texas;
Ronald, and
Donald both farming at home and two grandchildren Joel and Jeff, Barbara’s children who live in Texas.
Milford and Ruth (Hanson) Olson
Milford A. Olson was born at Lake Park, Mn. on October 25, 1905 to Mr. and Mrs. Ole Olson. He spent his early boyhood there and moved with hish familly to the farm at Fossum, where he remained the rest of his life. He was confirmed by Rev. Opdahl in 1921. He attended country school at District 41.
Milford and Ruth were married on June 21, 1931. They were blessed with three children; Carol ann, Linda Ruth and a daughter Myrna Ruth (who passed away in infancy and is buried at Wild Rice). When they were first married they lived in Twin Valley, Mn for the first two years and then moved out on the Olson farm where they have lived since. Milford loved to hunt and trip. He also hauled grain for farmers and gravel for road construction. They were faithful members of the Wild Rice Congregaton.
Milford was only 35 years of age when he died. He had suffered the last two years from malignant hypertension and everything was done to stay the malady, but to no avail. Much suffering has been his lot, especially this past year, but he has borne the cross with remarkable courage and fortitude. Milford died on December 18, 1940 and is buried at Wild Rice.
Ole Helgeson Olson and Golena (Lena) Christiana Olson
Ole Helgeson Olson was born in Little Iowa, Iowa, which was one of the first Norwegian settlements in the United States, on January 9, 1858 to Helge and Sigrid Bergetangen Olson (See article on Helge and Sigrid Olson).
Ole was 24 years old when his family moved to Flom Township in 1882. He farmed a couple of miles east of Flom in section 36 of Flom Township. He married Sophie Johnson on February 19, 1885. Sophie was born about 1863, the daughter of Martin and Caroline (Bergerson)Johnson. Sophie died in October of the same year. Ole marrried his second wife, Golena (Lena) Olson in 1886 or 1887.
Lena was born January 28, 1870 in Atwater, Minnesota to Knut Olsen and Berit Narvesdatter. Knud and Berit came to America from Sigdal, Norway in 1857. Knut and Berit lived in Dodge County for several years. They moved from from there to Atwater, Minnesota until 1877, when they moved to Louisville, Minnesota. Lena's parents purchased a farm and lived there until their deaths. In 1891, Ole purchased 40 acres of land from his father, Helge Olson in section 20 of Flom Township.
Ole and Lena Olson had the following children:
Cecelia Karoline Olson was born on May 6, 1888 and died on April 5, 1892. Cecelia is buried in the original Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Bertine Heline Olson was born in June 28, 1889 and died on April 7, 1892. Bertine is buried in the original Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Helmer Clarence Olson was born on March 31, 1891. He married Lillian Oswell in Duluth about 1923 or 1924 and Helmer died on August 31, 1964 in Seattle King County, Washington.
Bertha Cecelia Bertina Olson was born on February 3, 1893. She married Arthur Otterstetter in Duluth, Minnesota. Bertha died in December 1985 in Southgate MI.
Sophia Elvera Olson was born on March 13, 1894. She married Gilbert Erickson in February of 1919 in Duluth, Minnesota. Sophia died on January 15, 1993 in Duluth, Minnesota.
Oscar Carl Olson was born April 30, 1896. He married Cecelia (Lucille) Linzmeier on June 28, 1926 in Blenker, Wisconsin. Oscar died on March 16, 1978 in Duluth, Minnesota.
Julia (Olson) Caza was born on January 14, 1898. She married John Joseph Caza in Duluth, Minnesota. Julia died on December 31, 1989 in Duluth, Minnesota.
Leonard Oleander Olson was born on October 23, 1901. He married Esther Skudstad about 1940. Leonard died on August 18, 1945 in Duluth, Minnesota.
Edlin Milford Olson was born on October 16, 1904. He married Elfreida Severson in Duluth, Minnesota about 1947. Edlin died on October 21, 1978 in LaPorte, Indiana. He is buried in Duluth, Minnesota.
Ole Helgeson Olson was killed when a load of hay tipped over on him on February 17, 1905. The exact particulars are not known, however, it seems that Ole had been after a load of hay and was on his way home when somehow the load tipped over, covering him up. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery. His children were age three months to fourteen years old at the time of his death. Lena and the children moved to Crookston, Minnesota in 1908. They later moved to Duluth, Minnesota in 1912. Lena died on July 16, 1945 in Duluth, Minnesota. She is buried at the Bethany Cemetery in Duluth, Minnesota
Walter Olson
Walter Olson came to Flom township from Tracy, Mn with his parents; Gust and Amanda Olson in the early 1900’s. They settled on a quarter section of land in the NE 1/3 of section 21. The farm was formerly known as the Churness farm.
Walter had one brother Bill and two sisters; Rose (see Rose Flom) and Florence (Haraldson).
Walter farmed with his parents until they retired and then he took over the farm. His parents both died in 1949 and are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery. Walter acquired three more quarters of land thru the years. He bought the Underdahl quarter which adjoined his farm and the Haraldson quarter all in section 21. He also acquired a quarter section in section 20 of Flom township known as the Bill Olson quarter.
Walter always had a lot of cattle, and limited amount of good fence, as a result his cattle were know to frequent the neighbors fields occasionally.
Walter served his country in the United States Army during WW I, and was taken prisoner for a time. He said he got very little food in prison. He was also exposed to Mustard Gas. Walter was a member of the American Legion and Flom-Twin Valley VFW Post 3818, of which he served as the commander for a time.
During his retirement, Walter spent many winters in Brownsville, Texas. From there he would got to Monterrey, Mexico and visited the Suarez family, Marina Suarez is married to Delwyn Haraldson, who is Walter’s nephew. While in Monterrey Walter met Alicia Suarez, Marina’s sister, fell in love and they were eventually married.
Walter bought a house in Monterrey and lived there until his death. Walter is buried in Monterrey, Mexico.
Alicia was a very kind and caring person and took very good care of Walter, during his failing health and before he passed on.
Walter was a good friend and neighbor, a kind and gentle person who never used profanity. His favorite saying was "that beats all."
submitted by Kenneth Holum
Henry and Mabel (Kvidt) Ommodt
Henry was born to John and Annie (Anderson) Ommodt on March 11, 1897, he was born in Finley, Wisc. He married Mabel Kvidt daughter of Jens and Hannah (Albertson) Kvidt on July 16, 1899. They farmed in the Flom area for seven years and in 1929, he began working in the Flom Creamery. He was named manager of the creamery in 1931 and continued in that capacity until his death on August 18, 1958. Mabel passed away on October 24, 1984.
They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn. Henry and Mabel had one son; Donald
Donald Henry Ommodt and his wife Evelyn live in Fargo, ND. Don worked at the bank in Waubun, Mn for 2 and a half years before beginning work at Cass Clay Creamery in 1953. He held several positions with the company before becoming general manager in 1965. He was later promoted to President in 1983. During this period the company continued to grow and grew ten fold during the 20 years 1965-1985. Don retired in 1997 from Cass Clay Creamery, but continues to be President of the Hour of Worhsip in Fargo, ND. Don and Evelyn have four children; Linette (Hartman), Kevin, LeeAnn (Leech) and Jodi.
Ommodt Family; John and Annie (Anderson) Ommodt
The Ommodt family moved to the Flom area in 1912 and lived about five miles northeast of Flom, on the farm currently owned by David Haugo. It is located in Popple Grove Township of Mahnomen County. At that time seven of their 10 children still lived with them and they farmed in that area for many years. John Ommodt was born in Norway in 1854 and came to America at the age of 15. He married Annie Anderson in 1880 and lived in Wisconsin, southern Minnesota and western North Dakota before moving to the Flom area. The seven children that were with them were Martin, Bennett, Charley, Alice, Henry, Mabel and William, several of which stayed in the Flom area for most of their lives.
Martin and Inga (Helland) Ommodt
Martin Ommodt married Inga Helland on November 19, 1916. She was born to the Helland’s at Kragnes, Minnesota. They made their home on a farm northeast of Flom, just east of the Ommodt home place. Around 1924 his health began failing and eventually became crippled and finally bedridden. He passed away on April 5, 1935 and Inga passed away in 1970. Both are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom Mn.
They were the parents of three children; Evelyn (Larson), Ardis (Hanson) and Marlin.
Evelyn married Ernest Larson, they lived on the home place in Popple Grove Twp where they farmed and raised their family. They were the parents of two children; Linda (Hesby) and Myron. Today Evelyn is living in Waubun, Mn.
Ardis married Neil Hanson (deceased), they farmed near Rosholt, SD. They had two children; Doreen (Murphy) and Wanda (Jensen).
Marlin married Alvira Walz of Waubun. They lived in Kent, Mn for many years both are deceased. They had no children.
Bennett and Mabel (Dorseth) Ommodt
Bennett Ommodt was born on November 8, 1890. He married Mabel Dorseth on May 6, 1917. Mabel was the daughter of Hans and Ronnaug Dorseth, she was born on March 1, 1898 near Flom. She grew up on the family farm in section 28 of Flom Township.
Bennett held several positions including manager of Flom C0-op Creamery. He later went on to hold several government positions including USDA leadership positions. He was instrumental in setting up the cheese grading program for the USDA which became the standard for many years. Bennett and Mabel had one son; Bennett V. Ommodt
Bennett V. “Bud” Ommodt worked for Government services for many years and has since retired. He lives in Alexandria, Va. Bud has two children, Dana K and Robert Bennett.
Charley and Thilda (Kvidt) Ommodt
Charley was born in 1893 to John and Annie (Anderson) Ommodt. He married Thilda Kvidt in 1916. Prior to his marriage he attended the state college at Brookings, SD. After his marriage he operated creameries in Sundal, Barnesville and Hawley, MN. In 1925 he became field manager of Land O’Lakes Creameries, continuing in that position until he was appointed assistant commissioner of agriculture. He held that position three and on half years before becoming the Commissioner of Agriculture in 1937. Following this he was manager for resettlement farms in the Thief River Falls area until becoming manager of Cass Clay Creamery, Moorhead, Mn in 1941. Charley was credited with building Cass Clay Creamery into a regional company over the 22 years he managed it. During these years the company grew rapidly and moved from Moorhead to a new plant in Fargo, ND. Following his death a tribute was written and printed on the annual statement of the creamery. It read in part: “With the passing of Mr. Ommodt, the dairy industry ahs lost a great champion and we personally lost a good friend. The work he did speaks eloquently of what can be done by one who had talent and a real devotion to his calling. He was a dedicated man. He gave the wholehearted attention of his keen mind and physical being to the dairy industry day after day, throughout his life.” Charley and Thida had one daughter; Florence (Carlson).
Florence and her husband Milton Carlson lived in Starbuck, Mn for many years and taught school there. Florence passed away in 1999. They had two children; Kay (Newstrom) and Don.
William and Nolda (Kvidt) Ommodt.
(the Ommodt-Kvidt connection-three brothers married three sisters)
Bill Ommodt was born on June 22, 1902 to John and Annie (Anderson) Ommodt at Pittsville, Wisconsin. Nolda was
born on November 11, 1902 to Jens and Hannah (Albertson) Kvidt. They were married on December 5, 1925. They
started their farming career on the home farm where John Ommodt had built all the buildings, In 1945, they moved to
the arm which they had bought earlier and lived there until retiring in 1965 when they moved to Flom. They lived in Flom east of the old school house until l990. They sold their home to Jeanine Hoseth’s mother and step father Fred Klingfuses, they in turn sold it to Mike and Shari Qual who still reside there. When Bill and Nolda left Flom they moved to the retirement home in Twin Valley (Valley Pines). Bill passed away on May 8, 200 and Nolda passed away on September 1, 1996.
Bill and Nolda had one daughter; Arla. Arla was married to Kenneth Bromander, son of Hugo and Clara (Solid) Bromander of Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn. Kenny and Arla farmed on the Bromander family farm just four miles south of Flom. They were in the dairy business for 25 years and continued to grain farm for several years after that. Arla taught English and Speech at Ulen High School for many years during the time they were farming.
Kenny and Arla were bless with four children; Katherine (Blascyk), Lowell, Karen (Runck) and Roger. After they retired from farming they moved into Twin Valley, Mn. Kenny passed away on April 16, 1998, he is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. After Kenny died Arla continued to live in Twin Valley until the spring of 2001. It was at this time that Arla married Russell Kent. They moved to his farm near Ogema, Mn.
Adolph and Inga (Strand) Opsahl
Adolph and Johanna (Bakken) Opsahl
Adolph Selmer Opsahl was born on February 14, 1887 in Ulen township, to Ludvig and Eline Opsahl. He married Inga Strand on December 16, 1914. They had one daughter Ellen who along with her mother passed away in 1918 during the flu epidemic. After Inga’s death Adolph married Johannah Bakken and they were the parents of three children; twins, Elna and Irene and one son Ludvig.
Adolph served for many years on the Home Lake township board and school board. He farmed and threshed in this community. Adolph passed away on October 12, 1946 at St. John’s Hospital in Fargo, ND.
Ludvig and Eline were the parents of; Lewis, Ole, Adolph, Mrs. Lewis Ramsey, Mrs. Knute Knutson and Inez. Three sons proceeded them in death, they were; Joseph, Oscar and Henry.
Adolph, Johanna, Lewis, and Mabel are buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. We don’t know where his first wife Inga and their daughter Ellen are buried.
Lewis and Mabel (Evanson) Opsahl
Lewis E. Opsahl as born on July 29, 1891, in Clay county, Minnesota. He grew up in Clay country where he attended schools in the Ulen area.
Mabel Evanson was born in 1895.
Lewis married Mabel Evanson on September 5, 1914 near Twin Valley, Mn. After their marriage they farmed in the Ulen and Twin Valley areas until retiring in 1974. At that time they moved into Twin Valley, in 1980 Lewis moved into the Lutheran Memorial Homes where he resided until his death in 1982. Mabel passed away in 1983, they are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Lewis and Mabel were the parents of; Eldred, Mildred (Sagen), Evelyn (Norman Albertson).
Ormbreck Family History
Marit "Marie" Kvale was born on August 25, 1860 to Thorsten and Berit Kvale in Vang Valdres, Norway. She came to America in 1885, coming to the Minneapolis, Mn area. Here she met and married Ole Christoferson on May 30, 1891, also of Minneapolis. To this union four children were born; Chris, Oscar, Alfred and Clara. Clara died at the age of sixteen months. Ole passed away on August 13, 1899. He is buried in southern Minnesota, not sure of the exact location.
On November 30, 1901 she married Halvor Ormbreck and move to the Flom community. They lived in section 19 of Flom township on the farm owned today by Sylvia Boman. Halvor was one of the organizers of the Flom Co-op Creamery in 1902. He also worked in Waubun for a short time as manager of the yard at the Wilcox Lumber Company in Waubun, Mn., before the family moved to Ulen, Mn. (The Waubun Diamond Jubilee Book records the name as Orenbrech).
Halvor and Marit were the parents of two children; Bertha (Walter Halvorson) and Ingeborg (Gordon Evans). Halvor passed away on June 16, 1912. Halvor was the father of seven children with his first marriage. They were; Julia (Beneke), Henry, Berget (Andrew Peterson), Helga (Ben Ybarra), Ruth (Ole Peterson) two children Halvor John (1895-1908)and Signe (1882-1908) are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn. We don't know where his first wife is buried or her name.
After Halvor’s death Marit moved to Ulen, Mn where she opeated a store. She resided in Ulen until her last four years of life. At this time she lived with her daughter Ingeborg , at LeSueur. Marit was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Ladies Aid, the American Legion Auxiliary, all of Ulen. She was a devoted Christian mother and loved by all who knew her.
Marit passed away on May 28, 1946 at LeSueur at the age of 85 years. God Bless her memory.
Halvor and Marit are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Chris Ormbreck married Christine Vesterheim from Fertile, Mn. Three of their boys remained in the Ulen area, they were; Clayton, Neal and Paul. Paul worked at Northwestern State Bank of Ulen until his retirement.
Hans and Jorgine (Farkvam) Martinusson Ostenvik
Hans Kornelius Martinusson, born 1841, at Alesund, Norway to Martinus Hanson Korneliusson, his mother's name does not show on the records and it is believed they were among those lost when the Alesund Church burned in 1904. His baptism and confirmation dates also are not yet found. He was educated in Alesund, became a Seaman (Not a fisherman). Probably was retired since he was past his 50th birthday and thus was able to leave Norway.
Hans was married on April 12, 1866 to Jorgine Rasmusdtr Farkvam, b.1849 in Molde, Norway to Anne Eriksdtr Seth (Saet) and Rasmus Jorgen Farkvam. Her baptism or confirmation records are not known, or where she was educated. Because she married a Seaman,she at times lived in
Orsta where some of the Farkvam family resided.
Hans and Jorgine with her husband at sea so much of the time, suffered sadness alone. She bore 16 children - eight of whom died when very young from sickness and epidemics, one was severe whooping cough, in Norway.
Hans and and Jorgine emigrated from Orsta,Norway on June 20, 1891 with children
HANS JORGIN Martinusson, b. 1873;
ANNE Martinusson, b. 1879;
RASMUS Matias Martinusson b. 1881;
WILHELM Andreas Wexels Martinusson, b.1887 at Alesund.
ANTON remained in Alesund to finish his schooling and another daughter, GINA, was already in the U.S., as well as ANNA.
MATHIAS (Matt) Ostenvik was born in Norman County, Minnesota, November 23, 1981.
The family changed the name from Martinson to OSTENVIK After their arrival in the U.S.
Hans and Jorgine were not young emigrants. Their eldest daughter Anna, b. 1866 persuaded her family to come to America - and not too long after she and her husband Matias Benson moved back to Alesund where they lived the rest of their lives. Hans was a kind, gentle and helpful man - They were a devout Lutheran family. Jorgine knew the Bible almost by heart.
They lived in Gary, Twin Valley/Heiberg area and the date they moved to Flom, MN is not known but it was some years before 1917.
Hans and Jorgine lived with Elsie and William Ostenvik until their deaths. When they lived on the Faith farm,Pastor Opdahl used to come and visit her and even though she was practically bedridden, he came one day and persuaded her to go with him to a celebration at the Wild Rice Children's Home.
Hans died January, 1918 at Flom, and Jorgine died in 1926 at the farm at Faith, MN. They are both buried in the Immanuel Cemetary at Flom, MN.
Mathias and Ella (Braaten) Ostenvik
Mathias "Matt" Ostenvik was born on November 23, 1891, in Norman County to Hans and Jorgine Ostenvik, just a
few months after they arrived in America. He was their last child born to them and the first to be born here in the new
land. He grew up in the Twin Valley/Heiberg area where he was baptized, confirmed and attended school. It was
sometime in the years before 1917 that they family moved to the Flom area. Matt continued to live with his brother
and his wife when they moved to a farm near Faith, Mn, in 1923. He stayed with them up through the first months
after his marriage to Ella.
Ella Braaten was born in section 22 of Flom Township on September 18, 1895 to Gulbrand and Anna Braaten on the
family farm. She grew up in the Flom area and attended school here.
Matt and Ella were married on November 17, 1923. They lived with Matt’s brother for the first few months of their
marriage up until they purchased a farm in the Flom area.
Ella had a daughter Elvina who was born in 1916. She was seven years old when Matt and Ella were married.
Although never formally adopted by Matt, she took the Ostenvik name- she was a bright, pretty red-haired child. She went to school in the Flom area. It speaks well for Matt and Ella that she grew up a happy, self assured young woman.
Matt and Ella had one son born to them on May 25th, 1925 who was born in Flom, Mn. He was a beautiful and healthy boy. He died on January 31, 1926 from a abdominal obstruction. At his funeral six little girls carried his white coffin. It was a very sad day for his parents, family and friends. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. Matt and Ella had no more children.
Matt had a love for music as did his brothers, Rasmus and William. When they got together they would have a great time fiddling song like "Turkey in the Straw", Setergjenten’s Sondag" and songs by Norwegian composer Edvard Greig, among other songs they loved to play. His brother Anton lived father away so didn’t share in the fun-but he too, was a good violin player. Matt was a farmer all of his life until he retired.
Ella was a quiet, neat little woman. She was so allergic to poison ivy that every time she went to clean the graves which folks did every Memorial Day, she suffered with really serious poison ivy rashes. She was a good wife, mother and aunt. A capable gentle person. Her bachelor brothers used to live with she and Matt during the winters, so she was also a good sister and family person.
Matt was interested in music and loved the violin, and he and Elvina used to have lots of fun with Matt playing the violin and Elvina chording on the organ. He used to play the baritone and bass instruments in bands and orchestras and Elvina’s Uncle William taught her to how to play the cornet so that little combo used to be asked to play at various functions.
Matt died on January 9, 1971 and Ella died on February 9, 1978, they are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Rasmus and Alma (Jellum) Ostenvik
Rasmus was born and baptized as Rasmus Matias Martinusson in Alesund, Norway b. 6-21-1881. Records show he emigrated to America under that name with his parents Hans and Jorgine Martinusson Ostenvik in June 1891. He was confirmed and educated in the Twin Valley/Heiberg area. Rasmus was a farm worker in the Flom area when a young man.
On 3-26-1925 he married Alma Jellum, b. 1901 in Goodhue County, MN, she and they first farmed the Holm farm in Flom. Several of their children were born there.
Their children:
1. Rose Alice b. 12-26-1926, died in January. She lived only about a week when she died a crib death - (sudden death infant syndrome) She is buried in the Aspelund Cemetary, January 1927..
2. Ardis, b.12-1927, in Flom, she married Oliver Larson b.4-1908. d.6-1989 and is buried in Ulen Cemetary. They had two children (a)Valerie, b.in Ulen, married 1968 to Alvin Knutson, Jr. b.1944, d. 1975. They had five children: Valerie, Heidi, Lynn, LaDonna, and Timmy. In 1976 she married Alvin Knutson.Sr., b. 1918, d.1987. They had one child, Jason, b. 1978. (b) Oliver Leland-b.1954, married Luann Beth Kjos b.1959, married 1977. They had two children Tyler and Brett.
3. Jane-b.1929 in Flom, married in 1951 at Tacoma. WN. to Robert Bassett, b.1929. They had four children, Terry b. 6-21-953, d. 6-22-1953. Roberta,married Bernard Kozak in 1988 in C leveland, Ohio, their child- Kevan Kozak, b.1988. Michael Bassett, b. 1961 marriedFelicia Farr, Ft.Worth, Tex. No children. Sally Lee Bassett, was stillborn 11-16-1962, Jane later married Don Cramer - they had no children.
4. Darlene, b.1931at Flom,MN. In 1950 married Orlin Wasfaret at Bethlehem Lutheran Chuch, Ulen, MN, They had four children:(a) Randy, b. 1951,
and d.1996. married Kathryn Gooding, Ulen, 1971- they had a daughter Tina. They divorced. In 1976 he married Noy Pingwung, Sattahip, Thailand. He retired as Master Sgt. in the USAF - spent 22 years in this service. He is buried in the
Bethlehem Luth.W. Cemetary, Ulen, MN. (b) Robin-b. 1955, married Gerald Johnson, Watertown, S.Dak and they adopted Kellie Jo b.1972, Moorhead . (c)Angel b.1960 In 1976 ,she married Kenneth Warling.and they divorced March 1981 - had no children. Later Angel married Jackie Heimbach - their children ,Jennifer,b.1976(adopted,) Tiffany b.1979 (adopted). Jared, b. 1985, and
Jacob.b. 1989.
(d)Jeffrey Wasfaret - b.11-18-1957, d.10-16-1981 as result of a car accident.
5. Ruby Violet. b. 4-1934 at Bagley, MN first one not born at Flom, MN. in 1952 married Waldo Hammer, Hitterdahl, MN he was b. 1932 and d. 2-5-1987.
They had two daughters, Kimberley b.1953 at Naval Hospital.Oakland, Calif. married in 1971at Seattle,WN to Robert Pennini, JR. b.1952, They had 2 children, Aaron and Crystal. Kimberley & Robt.divorced in Calif.
1975. She in 1975 married at Seattle.WN., James Lykken, b. 1949 in Grafton, S.Dak., and they have two children born at Renton, WN, Lisa and Stephanie.
Ruby's second dtr. Tonda b.1956 at Renton, WN. They divorced in 1979 and In 1983, she married James Crowder, b.1953 at Gadson, Alabama.
They had children born at Renton, Kira, 1985, Rachel, b. 1987 and a full-term baby stillborn, 1959 at Renton.
6. Harlan (twin to Harlow) b. 7-16-1939. stillborn
7. Harlow, b. 7-16-1939 at Ulen, MN -in 1961 was married at Barrett.MN toGloria Johnson, b. 1940 They had two daughters - (a)Brenda b.1963 at Fergus Falls, MN- in 1985 she married at Heron Lake. MN, Jeffrey Appel.b.1963.
Their son Jeremy b. 1987. (b) Lisa. b.11-17-1966 at Fergus Falls, MN.
She married Darren Saner, b. 1967, Freeman, S. Dak. m. 8-13-1988, and they have two children Melissa Saner, b.January 1991 and Kyle Saner b. 3-10-199
William and Elsie (Narum) Ostenvik
William Ostenvik was born 10-01-1887, baptized Wilhelm Andreas Wexels Martinusson in Alesund, Norway, to Hans Kornelius Martinusson, born Alesund, and Jorgine Rasmusdtr. Farkvam born, Molde Norway.
In America the surname was changed to Ostenvik, an americanized version of Orsta Vik. They first settled in Gary, MN and then Twin Valley/Heiberg area. He was confirmed and went to school in that part of Minnesota. He was a farmer, miller, and a musician.
His parents and family came to Flom some years before 1917, and at first farmed the Lund Farm.
William married on June 24, 1917, Elsie Louise Narum, b. 11-10-1891, twin to Ned Narum, daughter of Nels and Eva Narum,Walworth Township,where she was one of the 11 children born to Nels and Eva in the log cabin on their homestead. She went to school at Dist #46, Walworth School. When she was 16, the family moved to Waubun.
Wm, along with his brother, Matt, started the Flom Roller Mills in Flom where they ground flour, about in 1918.
The huge engine furnished electric power for the town, which made life more pleasant. The power was on from 6pm until 11pm and then turned on again in the morning. The lights winked twice to warn when the lights would go off and they would need kerosene lamps.if they wantedto stay up late.
They moved into an apartment above the restaurant in Flom because the house moved to the mill property needed a lot of work done it to make it livable. They lived there until they stopped grinding flour, and then they moved to a farm near Faith, MN area in 1923. In 1927, they moved back to Flom
and ground feed in the mill. The house had been worked on and made livable so they could live by the mill. There was another small house built alongside it, but it had no foundation, but was set on blocks We had a tornado in 1928 which tore that building of the "foundation" and broke it apart into a pile of small pieces and shredded wood. The sewing machine foot treadle and metal framework was broken into many small pieces, Bestemor's beautiful rosemaled trunk, full of her lovely dishes, had the lid completely torn off and every dish in the trunk was in little pieces. There was nothing left to salvage- everything in that house was gone. Elsie and Wm had planned on that being an extra room. The storm was frightening because the main house shook a lot and Dad would not go into the cellar because he felt the whole thing could come down on us.
William owned a couple of threshing rigs and was kept very busy during the harvest season. For some years, he rented land near Flom and raised grain.
In earlier years before the town hall was built, the mill was used sometimes for dances when the town had some big celebration. It also was a wonderful place for band
practices.
Wm was very neat and kept the mill tidy- the eldest child was to sweep and dust and in the winter the broom and dusting brush handles were like a chunk of ice, and after the work was done, it was painful to go into the house where the heat made the cold hands really hurt. For this chore 5 cents was earned, which then was a lot of money. the child would approach him to tell him the job was done with fear and trembling that it would not be done well enough because he would always say"Does it stand inspection?" of course,he said it was fine
People were afraid to work in the mill and when he was very ill once, that child had to try and help- The engine was hard to start - he had to stand inside that huge wheel to make it turn and start the engine. It was dangerous. Then that 12 year old had to put the sacks of grain on one foot to use it to help carry sacks in from the loading platform and out again when the job was done. The tall wheat sacks were very hard to handle. The gunny sacks seemed easier - they had to be fastened on the chute to fill them after they were ground. Made one realize that being a miller was a heavy job.
William was a talented musician and was asked by the Reverend and Mrs. Norby if he would start a choir and he ended up directing choirs at Aspelund and Wild Rice Churches. At one time combined them into 100 members. He spent a lot of time through the year coaching singing groups - such as thje men's quartet.
In the spring of 1932 there was discussion about something to do with the young people,and he did something - started the Flom 4-H Band! He got hold of instruments, music, music racks, etc., taught children, spent endless hours helping kids to learn and that fall,the band went to the State Fair in St. Paul and competed with huge well-established bands with beautiful, ornate uniforms. The performance was considered excellent by the judges, and if we had known we should have had an overture, we would have won first place, but we proudly came in 2nd. Considering that just a few months before most of the young people had not played an instrument ,or read music, this was little short of a miracle.
It took a truly dedicated teacher to inspire these young people to accomplish this as well as to have a teacher willing to give so much of himself. this was a generous gift,. freely given, and a valuable one to the community. He dicontinued this work in about 1937.
There was no way children in Flom could get to high school unless they roomed and boarded in the town where the High School was located and few could afford to do this, but in 1932 William was one of the men who gathered together and managed to make arrangements to have a bus from Flom to Waubun High School that fall. Martin Lunde was the bus driver. It was not easy for him that year, since Norman county did not clean the snow for part of the way and the bus could not get through so he had to resort to using an open sled pulled by horses for a few weeks - The next year Norman County opened the road. In the winter Mr Lunde had to rise early to get to Flom to pick up the students at 5 am.
When REA came in and everyone could grind their own feed, Wm bought land in Mahnomen County amd built a cabin there and sold the mill. The material was used to build a house in Gary. They moved to the Mah- nomen area about in1949., and he cleared the this forest land by cutting down trees,sawing his own lumber
to build a house, and digging a basement. Unfortunately, Elsie got sick, had surgery for cancer, but died in 1958 and then he, too, got cancer and died in 1960. He never got a chance to build their home. Elsie and Wiliam are both buried in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetary, Flom, MN
William and Elsie were good, kind, honorable people. He was a hard-working, responsible and honest generous man who contributed much to his community and to his family.
Children of William and Elsie Ostenvik
A. EVELYN, born 3-26-18, Flom, MN.
See Paul and Evelyn Ingebretson
Baptized 4-21-1918 - Aspelund Church (Godparents Anna & Andrew Rogen and Thorvald Thorson)
Confirmed 1932 Aspelund Church
B. HELEN, b. 12-2-1919, Flom.
Baptized at Aspelund
Confirmed at Aspelund
School - Flom School, Twin Valley High School, and Graduated from Waubun High School
Helen did housework around the area, then went to Minneapolis, MN and worked there. During WWII she lived in Tacoma, WN did domestic work on railroad cars. She moved back to Minneapolis for some time and then moved to Portland, OR where she worked at a plant where they made burlap bags.
She met Harland Schultz in Portland and married him on June 24, 1950. They had one child,
Linda, b. 4-6-1953. Linda attended Portland schools and graduated from Franklin H.S. She married G. Putnam in Portland, They had two children Heather and Roy.
They were divorced and she married Don Worthington,and they have one daughter, Jennifer, now 22 years old. Linda is a phlebotomist, her husband is a medical courier in Portland.
Helen died from emphysema and heart failure on 5-25-1978 and her husband died from heart problems on 5-24-84. They are both buried at Lincoln Memorial Cemetary, Portland OR
C. WILMER, b 4-16-1921, Flom, MN
Baptized at Aspelund+
Wilmer was a farm worker and worked very hard all his life for many farmers in the community.
He lived in the Flom area until his last years when he lived in one of the little retirement houses as a neighbor of John Haroldson in Twin Valley. Wilmer was very ill with cancer and had several operations.
He than went into the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley.
Wilmer died 8-12-87 there, and is buried in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetary Cemetary. He was unmarried.
D. ALICE- b. 3-30-23, Flom, MN
Baptized at home on the farm at Faith, MN by Pastor Opdahl.
Confirmed - 11-1936 at Immanuel Lutheran Church
Attended Flom School
Alice was and is a homemaker. Her hobbies were sewing - she made many quilts for her brothers. and she loved to read, and travel.
She married Alvin Ochsner on 11-23-1941 at her parents home, Flom, MN She and Alvin lived on a farm in Waubun and then one in Ogema in 1943. They then moved to Missoula, MT, where Alvin worked for the Northern Pacific R.R. as a locomotive fireman. In 1948, he went to work for Armours, W. Fargo,and they had a home built there. When the plant closed, he was transferred to Armours, Portland, OR and they moved there on 8-1959. He worked for them until he retired in1979, Alice still lives in their home in Portland. Alvin died 2-5-2000 and is buried in Columbia Pioneer Cemetary, Portland.
ALICE AND ALVIN HAD 4 CHILDREN
Harold, b.1-01-43 - in Detroit Lakes Hospital - hospital honored him as being the first baby born in Detroit Lakes in 1943. He was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flom, confirmed at Faith Lutheran Church in West Fargo,graduated from Jefferson HS. Portland, OR. in 1962. Attended Multnomah College, Portland,
Harold served in the US Navy for ten years. He died on 11-17-1998 as result of an accident at Nabisco Co., Portland,OR
Harold was buried in the Willamette National Cemetary,Portland, OR on 11-23-1998
He had no children.
Gwendolyn- b. to Alice and Alvin 11-24-1944 at Detroit Lakes. She was baptized at the Lutheran Church, Waubun, MN and confirmed at Faith Lutheran Church, West Fargo, and graduated from Jefferson High School, Portland, OR in 1962. She attended business college and studied the comptometer. Gwen married Ladd Dick in Portland, OR in 1965 and they had two children,
Lane and Lori Dick.
Gwen lives in Nevada - has three grandchildren.
Ivan - b. 2-7-1948 at Detroit Lakes. Baptized at Faith Lutheran Church, W.Fargo, confirmed at St. Johns Lutheran Church, Portland, OR. He graduated from Benson High School,Portland,
He went to Multnomah College in Portland, but was drafted and served in the US Army.
He has his own home, but takes care of his mother, Alice, who is wheelchair bound and blind, besides his fulltime work at Precision Cast Parts, Portland. His hobby is the computer and reading, and before his father died,. he took annual vacations to interesting places like the Fiji Islands.
Daniel Scott Ochsner was born in Moorhead, MN on 12-15-1949.
Baptized at Faith Lutheran Church, West Fargo, confirmed St. Johns Lutheran Church, Portland. Graduated from Roosevelt H.S., Portland, OR in 1967. He enlisted into the US Army Corps at age 17, and served in Viet Nam for 18months,after which he served for one year in Korea where he met a Korean girl - After he was out of the service
He flew back to Korea and married Pokh Cha there and brought her home to Portland. They had a son Lester born in 1978.
Scott died 5-30-1980 and was buried in the Willamette National Cemetary, Portland, OR 6-3-1980.
E. JOHN - b. 3-2-1925 on a farm near Faith, MN
He was baptized with Alice in June 1925 by Pastor Opdahl
No record of his confirmation
He attended Flom School
He was a farm worker - bought his farm in Mahnomen County in 1960 where he still lives.
He never married. His hobbies - he likes to visit, and going to auctions sales.
F. ERVIN -b. 11-20-1926 on the farm at Faith, MN
His baptism and confirmation date are unknown'
He attended Flom School and Waubun H.S. On his 17th birthday, he enlisted in the US Army
He and John both stayed with Alice in W. Fargo and found work in that area- He never had trouble finding work wherever he went. He was a very bright boy. Stayed a while with Evelyn and Paul in Portland and worked at several jobs here. He worked at the Vets Hospital in the kitchen at Milwaukee, Wisc. in the 1980's. He was ill for many years and suffered from emphysema and heart problems and died 7-5-1993. Ervin was buried in Wood National Cemetary, Milwaukee, Wisc. Ervin never married.
G.GRACE- b.2-17-1930, at Flom, MN
Baptized and confirmed at Aspelund.
Attended Flom School, Waubun HS, and graduated from Boulder City HS, Boulder City, Nevada
At age 17 she went to live with her sister Evelyn & Paul Ingebretson, Portland, OR. and attended Morrison Secretarial Schjool. After graduating she worked at several jobs.
She married Len Anderson, b. 5-2-1921 at Bethel Lutheran Church Portland,and they had two sons, David b. 9-26-51 and Curtis, b. 12-15-1952. Both are teachers
and married. David married Susan Single and they had three children and 2 grandchildren.
David is the musician and his three children play the violin and cello and bass violin. David plays the bass violin in the Portland Philharmonic Orchestra. When her children were grown, Grace went to work in the Multnomah County Assessors Office where she worked the rest of her life.
Grace enjoyed her music all her life - She played the organ and sang at many weddings and funerals only about a month before she became totally down in bed with her cancer, she sang at a funeral. She was well known and had many friends. She died 5-9-1987 and is buried at Willamette National Cemetary, Portland, OR.
Grace's husband served in the US Army in WWII. He was a mechanic, and after he retired, his hobbies were in art, doing pencil drawings and oil paintings. He died suddenly at his son, David's home on 10-19-1998. He is buried in the Willamette Natl. Cemetary.
H-ROBERT Eldon Ostenvik as born on January 11, 1933 at home in Flom to William and Elsie (Narum) Ostenvik. He was baptized on April 10th, 1933 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom. On June 12th, 1949 he was confirmed at the First Lutheran Church, Mahnomen, Mn.
He received his education his first year at the Flom school, then he went to Porland Oregon where he attended one year. He came back to the area and attended one year of school in Waubun. The family moved and he went to the Ahmann school in rural Mahnomen where he completed his education in 1948.
Bobby worked at various jobs during his life. He farmed, drove Milk truck, did mechanic work and his last job was a custodian in Moorhead.
Pearl Irene White was born on December 19, 1946 in Fargo, ND. She was baptized and confirmed on November 4, 1961 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN. She received her education at Linnell School in Becker County where she attended her first grade year. Pearl then went to school until 5th grade at Carsonville, from there she went to school at Waubun, where she received her diploma and graduated in 1964. Pearl went on to further her education at Detroit Lakes where she attended one year of business college. When Pearl married Bobby she took on the responsibility of being a Homemaker which she enjoyed. She loves to do needle work and crafts in her spare time.
Bobby and Pearl were married on June 5, 1971 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. They lived by Mahnomen from the time they were married until 1974 when they moved to Glyndon, Mn. They stayed there until 1992 when they moved to Felton, Mn where Pearl still resides.
Bobby passed away on March 8, 2000 and is buried at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn.
I-RALPH Evan Ostenvik was born on September 29, 1936 at home in Flom. He was the first born of the set of Ostenvik Twins. He was baptized on November 1, 1936 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom. He was confirmed at First Lutheran Church, of Mahnomen, Mn on March 30, 1958.
Ralph attended his first year of school (1944) at the Flom, Mn school. He then attended school in Waubun until 1946 when the family moved. He then went to school at the Ahmann school in rural Mahnomen. Ralph helped his parents out on the farm, he then helped his brother Robert farm until 1974 when Bobby and Pearl moved to Glyndon. Ralph moved with them to Glyndon and then to Felton in 1992 where he still resides with his sister in-law Pearl.
J-RAYMOND George Ostenvik was born on September 29, 1936 at home in Flom, Mn. He was the second born of the Ostenvik Twins. He was baptized on November 1, 1936 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom and confirmed on March 30, 1958 at First Lutheran Church of Mahnomen, Mn. He attended Flom school his first grade year, then went to Waubun until 1946. His family moved to the Mahnomen area and he then attended Ahmann School, rural Mahnomen, Mn. He has been a farm laborer and has stayed on the family farm which William and Elsie moved to in 1946, in rural Mahnomen.
Amund and Ingeborg (Ytterlie) Otterness
Amund Otterness was born in 1835 in Sogne, Fjord, Norway, in the area also known as Ottness. He married Martha Ytterlie in Norway. They immigrated to America in 1862, arriving in Goodhue county. Martha passed away at the early age of 30, while they were living at Goodhue, Mn. Amund packed up his belongings and two children Andrew and Anna and left Goodhue county in 1865. They come to Norman county where they homestead in Fossum township, near the site of the Fossum Store. Ten years after Martha's death Amund married Ingeborg Lien also had two children from her first marriage; Anna (P.O. Lien) and Petra (John Vehle). Together Amund and Ingeborg had Albert see (Albert Otterness), Edwin (see Edwin Otterness), Sena (Lyle Neft) and Amanda (Johnnie Schow).
Ingeborg was born in 1850 in Guldbrandsdalen, Norway. She was born Ingebor Pauline Lien. She came to America with her sister and other relatives in 1881. She settled in Flom Township and married Amund Otterness in 1883.
Amund died in 1920 and Ingeborg died in 1920, they are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley.
Andrew Otterness died as a teen-ager, we don't know the date or where he is buried.
Albert Otterness
Albert was born to Amund and Igneborg (Lien) Otterness in 1885, in Fossum Township. He grew up in the area, he married Ellen Haugen in 1911 at Crookston, MN. They farmed near Crookston for seven years, then moved to the Twin Valley area in 1919 and farmed here until 1927. Albert also was employed by the county.
Albert and Ellen were the parents of ; Elmer, Alfred, Alma (Halvor Halvorson), Inanda ( Manley Berg), Dorothy (Ernest Goff) and Lillian (Ben Wirth/Mjor)
Edwin Otterness
Edwin was born in 1886 to Amund and Ingeborg (Lien) Otterness in Fossum township. He spent his entire life in this community. He married Clara Rikhus in 1931. Clara was born to Anton A. and Annie Gilbertson Rikhus (see Anton and Annie Rikhus). Clara grew up in the Flom township, just north of Flom. They were the parents of one daughter; Carol Cassman. Edwin died in 1971 and is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Amund and Martha (Ytterlie) (Kvidt) Otterness Family
Amund (Kvidt) Otterness was born in 1835 in Aurland Sogn. Norway. He grew up there, and worked as a carpenter. He married Marthe Monsdatter Yttreli. They had two children, Andrew and Anna. In 1869, he and his family came to America, settling in Columbia County, Wisconsin: later moving on to Housten County, Minnesota.
Amund had two brothers, Ole and Johanas Kvidt. They had taken claims in Fossum Township in Norman County. Deciding this would be a better place to live, he moved there and stayed with his brothers until he could get his claim and build a house. This was a very small house with a sod roof, but it was a place to live and call home.
This area was newly opened up so there were no roads and no churches. The nearest town was Lake Park. Minnesota, a two day trip by oxen.
The settlers all worked together to make roads. Each settler was assessed so many days work as a poll tax.
Amund had brought his carpenter tools along from Norway. He helped build the first Wild Rice Church in 1874.
Marthe, his wife passed away. In 1881, his daughter, Anna, was married. After being left alone, he had to have a housekeeper, so he hired Ingeborg Lien, a widow with 2 children, (Anna and Petra), who had just come from Norway, and was staying with her Aunt, Mrs. Lien. After she had worked there for sometime, they were married and to this union, five children were born: Lena, Albert, Sena, Edwin and Amanda.
There were many hardships through the years such as a complete loss of crops from grasshopper and droughts.
This claim was close to the Reservation. They had many encounters with the Indians. Some were very friendly. Amund's daughter. Anna. seemed to get along well with the Indians. They would bring necklaces and trinkets. She even was given an Indian pony. The Indians had learned to like milk. so if they happened by when the cows were being milked, they would take all the milk. If refused the milk, they would become very angry and chop their axes into the walls or whatever was near.
By 1885, things were getting a little better so a larger house was built. This was also built from logs. They lived in this house until 1912, when a frame house was built, which still stands on the place.
After Amund passed away in 1919, his son operated the farm.
In 1967, being elderly and in poor health, he had to leave the farm so decided to make his home at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley. He passed away in 1971.
By Mrs. Phillip Hovde
Christian and Maren (Aas) Pederson
Maren Aas was born on February 17, 1856 to Svend Olsen Jenshauggjardet Aas and Kari Pedersdatter Brendås on Jenshaugen Vestre in Tydal, Sor Trondelag, Norway She immigrated to America in June 1882, coming to the home of Ole Ingebretson near Lake Park, Minnesota, where she worked for sometime and later worked at Heiberg and Ada, Mn. She had the following siblings:
Ragnhild b.1834 and married to Lars Olsen Stuevold in Tydal.
Ole Jensen Aashaug b.1836, never married and took over the farm in Tydal.
Peder b.1838 and married to Beret Jonsdtr. Østby from Smedgjardet.
Kari b.1841 and married to Even Olsen Østby, they moved to Skultrø in Tydal.
Sigrid b.1843 and had a son with Ole Antoniussen Hars: Svend b.1865
Ingeborg b.1850 and married to Ole Jensen Aas, they came to America.
Anders b.1853 and married to Ingeborg Tomasdtr. Østby from Høglia. They came to America in 1882. They lived in Baltic, South Dakota
Christian “Christ” Pederson was born in Denmark on May 24, 1852 to Peder Christensen and Berte Nelson. Who were farmer‘s in Denmark. He emigrated from Denmark and came to America and settled in Walworth Township. We do not know where he was born, nor do we know when he came to America. Christ was issued a pre-1908 homestead and cash entry land patent on property in Walworth township. He had been there a long time before 1908.
Maren was united in marriage to Christian Pederson on September 22, 1883 and they immediately settled on his homestead in Section 4 of Walworth township. Section 4 is the same section where Walworth Baptist Church is located. Here they farmed the land and became very active in the church.
Maren and Christian were the parents of; a foster son, Peter Ingebretson, who lived with them since 1888. They had no children, but took into their lives the son of Maren’s first cousin, Ole Ingebretson, of Lake Park, Mn. Whose mother, Maren Pedersdtr Lovoen Bergaard born in 1811 was a sister to Maren Pederson’s mother, Kari Pedersdtr Loveon born in 1811. Peter was between four and six years old at that time. Maren and Christ nurtured and educated him to adulthood. He knew his birth family and kept in touch with them. Maren became his mother and his and Mabels children were much loved by her.
Christian and Maren were both charter members of Walworth Baptist Church. They were among the members who met on the 11th of July, 1897 and voted to organize a Baptist church which was to be named Walworth Danish-Norwegian Baptist Church. This church was located quite near to their farm. They were active members and leaders of this church all their lives. They were very well thought of and respected in the community. The farm was near Flom, so Flom was very much a part of their lives. Christian died on October 28, 1918 and Maren passed away on January 22, 1939 at her home in Walworth township. After their death’s Peter inherited the farm in Walworth township, where he farmed for some 56 years. Maren was of a quiet, unassuming character and a devout Christian. She possessed a keen mind and her judgment and counsel were clear, freely given and found good by her neighbors and many loyal friends she had acquired through the years.
Johnny and Liz (Brigger) Pederson
Johannes "Johnny" Pederson was born on October 29th, 1892 to Lars Pederson and Johanna Christensen (sister of Julius Christensen). He was born in Springdale, Iowa. He was baptized in 1936 and attended school grades 1-5. He was confirmed in the Lutheran faith in 1959. Johnny’s father Lars was born in Denmark and settled in Iowa in 1885, in Springdale Township, Cedar County, Iowa. From there they moved to Sanborn, Mn and finally to Fulda, Mn where Lars is buried.
Elizabeth "Liz" was born on August 19th, 1904 to Harman Brigger and Ida Grunzke in Kinbrae, Mn. She was baptized the summer of 1936 and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in 1959. She attended school up to the 8th grade.
Johnny and Liz were married on November 5th, 1920 at Worthington, Mn. They started their married life in Kinbrae, Mn, Nobles County, Mn. They moved to Fulda, MN in Murray County living there until they left in 1950 coming to the Flom area. Here they farmed and did a lot of fishing, which they loved. They purchase a farm in 1949 from Mrs. Bloomquist of Waubun, it was know to many as the Brenden farm in section 28 of Flom Township (Norma Lunde currently lives on that lot). They farmed there until the fall of 1958 when they purchased the Westby house on the southeast side of Flom in Section 34. At that time their daughter Mary and her husband Eugene took over the farm and lived in the home in section 28.
Besides farming Johnny also had other jobs such as a school bus driver, carpenter and truck driver. Liz loved to garden, fish, raise capon chickens. She loved to make quilts and do needlework. Liz also was a school bus driver and drove Johnny’s second bus.
Johnny and Liz were the parents of four daughters;
Elizabeth was born on May 20th, 1921 at Kinbrae, she died one day after her birth and is buried at Kinbrae, Mn.
Bernice married James Jackson on December 28th, 1946 at Oaklanad, California. He was in the Army and is retired now, and they live in Mesa, Az and Blaine Wa. They have three children; Bob married Ingrid Jones. They have three children. They are in service and finance. They have three children. Jim has two children and is not married, he is in college pursuing finance in Boston, Mass. Susan married Carl Knight after he died she married Paul Schaeffer. Susan has two children and one grandchild. She lives in California.
Beatrice married Del Klanderud, they had the Jacobson’s Cafe in Flom for a short time after Tillie retired. They have one daughter Pat who is married to Jim Hall, their daughter Samantha is in school. Pat has two children by her first marriage Beth who is working in Mesa and Richie who is attending school. They all live in Mesa Arizona.
Mary: See Eugene and Mary (Pederson) Albertson
Albert and Christine (Swenson) Peterson
Albert B. Peterson was born in 1852 in Sogn, Norway. He came to this country at the age of eight. He lived in Columbia County, Wi., for three years, then moved to Goodhue County, Mn.
Christine Swenson was born on February 23, 1857 in Goodhue County, Mn to Mr. and Mrs. John Swenson. She spent her childhood and girlhood in Goodhue county.
Albert and Christine were married on July 8, 1875 in Goodhue county. They resided there until 1882, when they moved to Norman County and settled on the farm in section 33 of Fossum Township, there that was to be their home for almost half a century.
In 1928 they moved to Twin Valley, Mn, where she resided until her death on her 61st wedding anniversary.
They were the parents of ten children; Joseph, Mary Floen, Martin, George, Clarence, Ervin, Francis, Ella, Hattie Grande, and Delly Peterson.
They were members first at Immanuel where he held a leading part in organizing the Immanuel congregation.
Because of distance and for the benefit of the settlements further north, he later helped organize the Bethlehem congregation in 1895. In 1923 when Bethlehem and Wild Rice became one church they went to Wild Rice Lutheran Church, where they are buried.
At her funeral Rev. J.E. H. Akre, who was a frequent guest there twenty five years ago, spoke freely of that home as a home where hospitality, sweet kindliness, and gentle Christian spirit sat in the high seat and a finer complement can not be paid to any home. Humble in sprit, sincere in faith, confident and trustful in the faith of her Savior, so I found her when I called.
Clarence and Agnes (Gunderson) Peterson
Clarence Peterson was born in 1893 to Albert and Christine (Swenson) Peterson, near Twin Valley, Mn.
Agnes Gunderson was born in 1895 to Ole and Olivia Gunderson at Gary, Mn. She grew up and attended school at Gary. She went on to further her education at Moorhead State Teachers College in Moohread, where she received her teaching degree. She taught elementary school for several years in Norman County.
Clarence and Agnes Gunderson were married in 1919 at Gary, Mn. He was a partner in a hardware store in Gary.
After their marriage they moved to Canby, ND until 1922 when they moved back to Gary. He also was engaged in farming and trucking until 1960 when they moved to Fargo, ND and he was employed as a automobile salesman.
Carl and Annette (Thompson) Peterson
Carl Peterson was born May 28, 1880 at Elbow Lake, MN, the son of John Peterson Eik and Anna Kaasa. Carl was married to Annette Isabelle Thompson on November 30, 1901. Carl was a Foreman on the Railroad and the family lived in various towns in North Dakota and Minnesota. When Carl retired they lived in Fargo ND for several years until moving to Flom. Carl died October 22, 1957 in Twin Valley MN. Funeral services were conducted at Aspelund Lutheran Church in Flom. Carl is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Moorhead, MN.
Annette Isabelle Thompson, the daughter of Tosten Thompson and Dora Haukom, was born July 3, 1881 in Valley City, ND. She died on November 24, 1948 in Hillsboro, ND.
They had the following children:
Clifford Arnold Peterson was born August 23, 1902 in Elbow Lake MN, he married Arlaeen Geiger and had a son, Wallace. Clifford died on December 23, 1946 in California.
Grace Burnette Peterson was born March 1, 1904 in Elbow Lake MN, she married Martin Schlieman. They had one adopted son, Darwin. Grace died on March 18, 1976 in the state of Washington. She is buried at Spring Canyon Cemetery.
Donald Truman Peterson was born March 25, 1908 in Elbow Lake, MN , he married Gladys Falstad. They had three children. Donald died on May 7, 1988 in White Bear Lake, MN.
Alice Genevieve Peterson was born November 13, 1909 in Enderlin, ND, she married Melvin Jaranson. They had two daughters. Alice died on October 20, 1983 at Detroit Lakes, MN. She is buried at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Fargo, ND.
Lyle Kenneth Peterson was born July 19, 1912 in Verona, ND, he married Phylis Norby. They had three children. Lyle died on May 4, 1990 at Fargo, ND. He is buried at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Twin Valley, MN.
Lauretta Irene Peterson was born July 21, 1914 in Harvey ND, she married Kenneth Akesson. They had two sons. Lorretta currently resides in Renton, Washington.
Harry Carl Peterson was born July 26, 1916 in Fingal, ND, he married twice and had one son by his first wife. His second wife was Arlean Pearson. Harry died February 3, 1995.
Raymond Leroy Peterson was born June 28, 1919 in Deisen, ND, he married Betty in 1946. They had three daughters. Raymond died on March 3, 1998 in Minnesota. He is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetary.
Norma Elaine Peterson was born on January 13, 1923 in La Moure, ND, she married Lyle Klemetson July 3, 1942 , Norma died on October 28, 1998 in Fargo, ND. Norma is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery in Flom (see separate article on Lyle and Norma Klemetson).
Ella Peterson
Ella Peterson was born in 1889 to Albert and Christine (Swenson) Peterson. She never married and died at the age of 99.
Flom Farmer Killed By Bull Last Saturday
Elvin Peterson
People of this community were shocked and grieved Saturday evening when it was learned that Elvin Peterson, well-known young farmer of Flom Township, had been killed by a bull. The accident occurred at about 7 PM and there were no witnesses. He was found dead by his housekeeper, Magda Skansgaard, upon his failure to return to the house for the evening meal. Dr. Theodore Loken of Ada, deputy coroner, was called to the scene and determined from the evidence that the death was accidental. He died on July 19th, 1947.
Born in Home Lake township January 5th, 1902, to Nels and Elsie Peterson. The deceased was 45 years old and lived in the community practically all his life. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
He had operated the home farm in Flom Township for a number years and was unmarried.
Joseph B. Peterson
Joseph Peterson was born in 1876 to Albert and Christine (Swenson) Peterson. He married Julia Shawstad at Gary, Mn. They operated grocery stores in Gary and Knox, ND, before moving to Hinghan, Mt., where he homesteaded and operated a bank. They later moved to Butte, Mt, where he operated a hotel. He moved back to Moorhead, Mn. In 1971 to live with a brother.
Nels and Elsie (Olson) Peterson
Nels Peterson was born in 1865 in Sogn, Norway. He came to Minnesota at the age of nine years.
Elsie Olson was born in 1863. Nels and Elsie were married at Fargo and after their marriage the farmed in Section 8, Flom Township, Sunny Hill School District. They later moved to Twin Valley. They were among the early members of the Wild Rice Church to celebrate their golden wedding in 1938.
Nels and Elsie were the parents of eight children. Oliver, Albert, Elvin, William, Petrina (Nick) Pogrebra, Amanda (Theodore) Kapp, Alice (W.H.) Morrison and Emma (Howard) Groebe.
Oliver Peterson
Oliver Peter was born in 1891 to Nils and Elsie Peterson of Flom Township. He grew up in the Flom area and later took up a homestead in Havre, Montana. He entered the service in the fall of 1917. He started his training in Camp Lewis, Washington, then was transferred to Camp Merrit, NJ. He sailed from there in Decemeber and was one of the first Norman County Men to arrive in France, arriving there Christmas Day 1917. In the service he was a Pvt. in Company B. 127th Inf. 32nd Div. He had been in the front line only a few weeks when he recieved wounds in action. He was only twenty five years old at the time. Oliver was a well known and highly respected person in the southeatern part of Norman County. It is said that he was wounded on the later part of July and he died at the base hospital 43, on August 5, 1918 in France. It is said that he is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Peter M. and Helena (Brekke) Peterson
Peter M. Peterson, son of Mikkel and Anna Peterson, was born on March 16, 1868 in Winnebago County, near Forest City, Iowa.
Helena Halvorson Brekke was born in Winnebago County at Forest City, Iowa on October 14, 1871, the daughter of Ole and Live Halvorson Brekke, who had come to that area from Telemark, Norway.
Peter was one of 12 children, and Helena was the oldest of seven girls. They were united in marriage in November 1889 and to this union five children were born. They were Melvin and Ada (Iver Engebretson) were born while they lived in Iowa. Palmer, Olga (Gustav Klemetson) and Edna (Ernst Narum/Oscar Moen), were born on the family farm in Atlanta Township, section 9.
In 1890, Peter and Helena along with Peter’s parents Mikkel and Anna went to Dreary, Idaho and filed on a tree claim. Helena did not like the big timber country, so they came back to Iowa and in 1896 they came by immigrant car, back to Minnesota, where more land was available. Here they settled down on a farm in Atlanta Township (section 9). In 1902, all of their buildings, some of their machinery and livestock were destroyed by a tornado which was a most disastrous event. There was no insurance in those days, so it meant starting all over again, from scratch. They would gladly have returned to Iowa, but they did not have enough money to move. Thus with a lot of hard work, determination and they put the bit in their mouth, as the old saying goes and carried on.
On February 14, 1914 another devastating blow came to the family. Peter was kicked by a horse and died from injuries he received. At this time their children Melvin and Palmer were old enough to carry on the farming operation. They helped Helena with the farming until she retired and moved to Gary, Mn to live with her daughter Edna.
Melvin later purchased the farm from his mother and it was here he raised his family. Melvin and Mabel lived on the farm and raised their family. After Melvin’s death Mabel moved to town and the house was rented out, until it was destroyed a few years ago by fire. Today their son Myron owns the farm.
Darrell and Linda (Gunderson) Phelps
Linda Jane Gunderson was born on July 4, 1942. She attended school at Ulen, Mn and went on to Concordia College in Moorhead, Mn. She married Darrell Phelps on August 7, 1965 at Atlanta Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn. Darrell was a teacher and principal, sold Real Estate and also worked for the US Postal Service. Linda worked as a cashier for Morrells in Sioux Falls, SD, also was a school secretary there. They are now retired and live in Mission Texas.
Linda and Darrell are the parents of; Mark Darrell who was born on June 6, 1968. He graduated from Brookings College in South Dakota. He is unmarried. David Allen was born on February 5, 1970. He graduated from Brookings College in South Dakota and is unmarried. Brian Lee was born on January 9, 1974. He married Dawn Postrallo on October 4, 1997 at Sioux Falls, SD.
Thorval and Cecil (Strand) Potter
Thorval Potter was born on November 1, 1858 at Wautoma, Wisconsin to Andrew and Live Potter. He came to the Lake Park area in 1874.
Thorval and Cecil Strand were married on December 5, 1885. They farmed in Walworth township of Becker County from 1885 until 1915 when they bought a farm north of Ulen, Mn. They lived here until 1942 when they moved into Ulen where they made their home. Cecil passed away on March 27, 1948. They last few month of Thorval’s life he was a resident at the Lutheran Memorial Home in Twin Valley, Mn.
Thorval had many public interests and served many years as County Commissioner, assessor, on town
boards, school boards and he also was active in Church work until age prevented him from going on with his public duties. Thorval passed away on September 15, 1950 in Twin Valley, Mn. Funeral services were held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn.
Thorval and Cecil were the parents of Alfred, Laura (Morken), Agnes (Paul Perry), Tina (Alfred Knutson) and Clarence ( who died in infancy).
Arnold Prestegord
Arnold Clifford was born on July 12, 1932 to Severt and Borghild Prestegord. He married Virginia Grenbowski on October 8, 1952. Virginia was born on July 9, 1933. Arnold and Virginia were the parents of four children; Steve, Vernon, Eddy and Dorothy (Larry Vincent).
Arnold married Darlene Glawe in 1981. Darlene was born on May 10, 1938 to Theodore and Margaret (Kraft) Glawe. She grew up in the Detroit Lakes area. She married Melvin Askelson in 1956. After their marriage they farmed in the Felton, Mn area. Melvin passed away in 1972.
Melvin and Darlene were the parents of; Duane, Deloris (Billy Halvorson), Elaine, Denise (Roger Halvorson) and Julie (Richard Klemetson).
After Arnold and Darlene were married they lived at Felton, Mn and in 1989 they moved to Twin Valley, Mn. Darlene passed away on November 13, 1995 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery. Arnold resides in Twin Valley, Mn.
Elling and Helga (Brenden) Prestegaard
Elling was born on October 6, 1878 to Lars and Lukris (Wangen) Prestegaard, in Freeborn Conty, Mn. . He grew up in the Flom area and later married Helga Brenden.
Helga was born in 1891 in Guldbrandsdalen, Norway. She came with her mother Ronnog to America when she was around 15 years old.
Elling and Helga were married in 1908 by Rev. J.R. Vaaler. Elling purchased about eighty acrfes of wooded land, cleared it and started farming. He was a long time and faithful member of the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. In 1936 Helga became ill and was admitted to a Fargo Hospital for gall bladder surgery, she did not recover and died there on March 19, 1936. Elling died on January 20, 1946. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Elling and Helga were the parents of four children; Lewis, Esther, Hazel (see LeRoy and Hazel Stundahl) and Joyce (Harold Balzum).
Lewis R. was born in 1909 in Fossum Township. He attended rural schools here. He never married. Lewis died on February 16, 1949 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Esther was born in 1910. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. She attended rural school at Plentywood. In 1941 she married Louis Hanson. Louis was born in 1908 at Gary, Mn, to Hans and Karen Hanson. After their marriage they farmed in Bear Park township until moving to her parents farm in section 34 of Fossum township. Esther was a active member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church. Louis did carpentry work, besides farming. Esther and Louis loved children but had non of their own. They shared their loved with many nieces and nephews who would spend their summers with them.
Esther died on January 7, 1985 and Louis on July 7, 1987. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Lars O. and Lukris (Wangen) Prestegaard
Lars Olssen Prestegaard (Feten) was born on June 24, 1833 to Ole Toraldsen Pretegaard and Synnove Kristensdatter Kvam in Aurland Sogn, Norway.
Lukris Olesdatter Wangen was born on March 29, 1845 to Ole Ellginsen Vangen and Tora Skjerdal, in Aurland Sogn, Norway.
Lars and Lukris were married in their native land of Norway in 1866. A few years after they were married they left Norway and immigrated to America, along with them came their two young daughters and a adopted nephew. When they arrived in America they first settled in Freeborn County, Minnesota and later moved to the Flom area. By looking at the dates of their childrens births we can figure they left Norway around 1870 and came to the Flom area around 1883.
Lars O. died on December 10, 1923 and Lukris on November 7, 1932, they are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Lars and Lukris were the parents of eleven children; Ole (see Ole J. and Ingeborg Prestegaard), Soneva L. (see Mons L. and Soneva Stene), Olina (see Torris and Olina Stundahl), Thora, Jensina, Ole L. (see Ole L. and Bertha Prestegaard), Elling (see Ellings and Helga Prestegaard), Louise (see Torris and Louise Stundahl), Theodore L. (see Theodore and Martha
Prestegaard) , Louis (see Louis L. and Carrie Prestegaard), and Severt (see Severt L. and Borghild Prestegord).
Thora was born on November 12, 1871 in Freeborn County, Mn. She was the first child of Lars and Lukris’ to be born on American soil. Thora grew up in the Flom area and married
Christian Nelson on December 29, 1899 in Norman County, Mn.
Jensina “Sina” was born in August of 1874 in Freeborn County, Mn. She married Paul Hanson on July 20, 1899 in Norman County. They had one daughter Luella (Olson) who was born on January 7, 1901. Luella died on October 3, 1947. Sina Passed away on March 24, 1927. We weren’t able to find out where they were buried before the book went to print.
Lars and Edith (Verdahl) Prestegord
Lars Andreas Prestegord was born on December 20, 1918 to Severt and Borghild (Bottolfs) Prestegaard. He was born in Flom township, Norman County, Mn. As a child he was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn.
Lars married Edith Ottilas Verdahl on December 4, 1941/Decemer 5, 1942 (received two dates). They were married at the home of her parents, near Flom.
Lars served his country by entering the military on April 30, 1942, where he served in the Army Air Corps, as an aircraft mechanic, during WW II. On November 9, 1945 he was honorably discharged from the service. They returned to the area setting down in section 20 of Fossum township. Lars worked most of his life on construction doing shingling, painting, and repair work. He was also know for working on church steeples.
Lars and Edith were active in the church and were members of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. Lars served on the church council for many years. He enjoyed doing woodwork in his shop during the winter months.
Lars died on October 24, 1987 at his home, at the age of 68. He is buried at Wild Rice Lutehran Cemetery.
Lars and Edith were the parents of two children; Richard and Janice (Bobby Brevik).
Louis L. and Carrie (Myrvold) Prestegaard
Louis L. Prestegaard was born in Flom township to Lars and Lukris (Walden) Prestegaard on August 9, 1886. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He grew up and attended rural schools in the Flom area.
Carrie Myrvold was born on March 25, 1888 in Hadeland, Norway to Andrew and Mina Myrvold. She was baptized and confirmed in Jaren, Norway and grew to womanhood in her native land. At the age of 17, she left Norway with her parents and they came to America, first settling in North Dakota and then coming to this area shortly after.
Louis and Carrie were married on March 5, 1909, in a double wedding ceremony at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. Following their marriage they resided on a farm in Flom township, retiring to Twin Valley in 1955.
Louis was an active life-long member of the Wild Rice church, serving on various boards there, also serving on the Flom township board and the Rural School board for many years. He was also custodian at Wild Rice for several years and took care of the Twin Valley skating rink for two years. He and his wife liked to sing and sang for the old people in the Norwegian language on many occasions.
Bringing up a large family and with her role as a farm housewife, Carried worked hard and diligently. Being a very pleasant and likeable person, she had many friends, Carrie was a member of the Wild Rice Lutheran church for many years and a conferred Life Member of the ALCW.
Carrie passed away on January 19, 1966 and Louis passed away on November 28, 1969, they are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Louis and Carrie were the parents of a very large family; Leroy (see Leroy and Clarice Prestegord), Leslie, Kenneth, Sidney (born around 1918), Erwin, Selmer (born around 1919), Minnie and Johnny (twins born in 1920 and both died in infancy and are buried at Wild Rice Cemetery), Myrtle (Arnold Pieper), Jean, Meldford Duane (1931-1932 buried at Wild Rice Cemetery), Louise (Anthony Miller), Thilda (see Clarence and Thilda Hanson) and Hillery “Verna” (Syverson Kreig).
Ole L. and Bertha (Olsen) Prestegaard
Ole L. Prestegaard as born on March 7, 1875 in Freeborn County, Mn., to Lars and Lukris (Wangen) Prestegaard. He came to the Flom area with his parents as a small child. Here he grew to manhood.
Bertha Olsen was born in March of 1873 in Bergen, Norway.
Ole and Bertha were married on May 20, 1903 in Grand Forks, ND and moved to the Twin Valley area shortly after their marriage.
Ole was for many years, until his death the financial secretary for Wild Rice Lutheran Church, and a member of the Plentywood School board.
He passed away on May 18, 1932 and Berth in 1949. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Ole built a fine home for himself and his family, here they raised their four children; Lawrence Alfred, Alice, Bernice and Lillie.
Lawrence Alfred was born on his mother’s birthday on March 31, 1904. He lived with his parent’s north of Flom on the family farm. He attended rural school at District 12, Plentywood. He never married He died on April 11, 1960 at his hoem and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Alice Sophia was born on November 20, 1905. She grew up on the family farm and attended school at District 12, Plentywood. As a young girl she worked at various places. She married Carl Richard Rasmussen on October 8, 1928. Carl was born on June 1, 1897, at Hunter, ND. He served his country during WW I. After their marriage they lived at Hunter, but later moved to Ulen, Mn. Alice died on January 3, 1953 and Carl on March 4, 1977. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery. Alice and Carl were the parents of three children; Vernon, Donn (Sip) and Ruth (Rude).
Lillie Christine as born on May 5, 1910. She married James Ed Jenson on October 16, 1943. James was born on December 27, 1904.
Ole J. and Ronnag M. (Larson) Prestegaard
Ole Jensson was born on September 27, 1857 in Aurland, Norway to Jens Olesson Prestegaard and Johanna Kristensdatter. He was the second child born to them. Ole’s older brother Kristen Jensson Pretegaard was born in June of 1853 and a younger brother Ostein Jensson Prestegaard was born in 1859. Both Kristen and Ostein immigrated to America, although we have no information on them.
In 1862, when Ole was only 6 years old his mother was hospitalized with leprosy and his father’s health was failing. Because of his parent’s health Ole was adopted by his uncle and aunt Lars and Lukris Prestegaard. In 1871 when the family left Norway, he immigrated along with them. They first settled in Freeborn county, Mn and later came to the Flom area around 1883. Here he grew to manhood.
Ole married Ingeborg Bothum, who died in 1911. We don’t know where she is buried. Ole and Ingeborg were the parents of seven children: Peter, Sena (Wangsness), Bertina, (Vollum), Johan (was born in 1883 and die don February 12, 1945. Ostina (Christopherson), Dorthea (Gaylord) was born in 1886. Ida (Hanson) was born in July 1899 and died in December of 1975.
Bertina was born in 1881. She married Nels Vollum and they were the parents of five children; Esther, Pearl, Thelmer, Norman and Iner. Nels died on April 14, 1937 and Bertine in July of 1976.
Ostina married M. C. Christopherson and they were the parents of two children; Inez Irene and Kenneth.
After Ingeborg’s death in 1911, Ole married Ronnag M. Larson.
Ronnag was born on July 18, 1870 in Nordre Fron Gudbrandsdalen, Norway. She was baptized on August 28 of that year and confirmed on May 10, 1885. Ingeborg left her native land of Norway and came to the Flom area in 1906 with her daughter. Ronnag’s daughter Helga Prestegaard married Mr. Elling. She passed away in 1936. Ronnag stayed in the Flom area for a short while, then moved to Montana where she married Mons Skeim. Only eight weeks after their marriage Mons was lost in a snow storm and died. After his death she returned to this area and married Ole J. Prestegaard in 1914.
Ole and Ronnag purchased property in the area and lived here for twenty years. After Ole’s death in 1934 she remained in their home, where she lived practically alone. Her last winter that she was on this earth a elderly lady stayed with her.
Ronnag was a true Christian woman, faithful church worker and a kind neighbor. She was beloved for her simplicity, sincerity and her devoted work. Blessed be her memory.
Ole died on March 3, 1934 and Ronnag in 1937. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Severt and Borghild (Bottolfs) Prestegord
Severt was born on August 13, 1888 in Flom township to Lars and Lukris (Wangen) Prestegaard. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
He spent his youth in the Flom area where he grew to manhood.
Borghild Bottolfs was born in Mordum, Norway to the Andrew Bottolfs on April 14, 1898. She immigrated to America with her father at the age of sixteen and they settled in the Twin Valley area.
Severt and Borghild were married on July 3, 1915 at the Wild Rice parsonage. They farmed in Fossum township for 29 years, at which time they moved to Winger, Mn in 1945. Here they farm for a years but returned to this area in 1946 and went back into farming. They remained on the farm until 1957 when they retired and moved into Twin Valley, Mn.
Severt served on the board of trustees of Wild Rice Lutheran church for many years, had served as a trustee for the Norwegian Parochial School at Wild Rice for several years, and had been a church delegate from Wild Rice for many functions.
The Prestegord’s were well known in the area for their musical talent of singing. Severt passed away on September 12, 1962 at his home. Borghild passed away on April 26, 1964.
They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Severt and Borghild were the parent’s of seven children; Lars Andreas (see Lars and Edith Prestegord) , Alfred, Martin, Arnold (see Arnold Prestegord), Lenora Bertina (Berger Locken), Selma (Sigvold Hassel) and Hilda (Gerald Grove).
Lenora Bertina was born on August 16, 1917 in Flom township. She married Berger Locken on November 19, 1936 and they had four children. Berger passed away in August of 1973. Alfred Bernard was born on December 6, 1924. He married Betty Ellen Carlson and they were the parents of four children, of which one died in infancy. Alfred served his country during WW II in the Navy.
Martin Olag was born on June 16, 1927. He married Irma Malinda Allrich on July 16, 1947. Irma was born on April 5, 1929 and they were the parents of six children.
Selma Bernice was born on July 13, 1920 in Fossum. She married Sigvard Hassel on December 21, 1938. Sigvard was born on June 28, 1914. They were the parents of seven children.
Hilda Mary was born on October 28, 1922. Hilda married Gerald Grove on March 28, 1951. Hild and Gerald reside in Twin Valley, Mn. They are the parents of four daughters; Linda (Vigessa), Ellie (Meyer), Susie (Johnson) and Gerri (Bueng).
Theodore L. and Martha (Boslie) Prestegord
Theodore L. Prestegaard was born on November 5, 1884 to Lars and Lukris Prestegaard, the seventh child and first one to be born in Flom township. He was baptized and confirmed at
Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He grew up on the family farm and attended rural school here.
Martha Boslie was born in 1883 in Stavanger, Norway, to Nils and Barbo Boslie. She immigrated to American, coming to Norman County, when she was nineteen years old.
Theodore and Martha were married on March 6, 1909 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. They made their home in Fossum township, where they farmed for 21 years. They quit farming and moved to Grand Forks, ND where they remained for five years, at which time they moved to Gilby , ND for a short time, before returning to this area. They came back and settled on a farm in Fossum township, where they resumed farming until retiring in 1956. After their retirement they moved into Twin Valley.
Theodore was active in his church and community. Having served on the Board of Trustees of the Wild Rice Church for some time and also served on the Rural School Board. He was fond of music and singing and knew many of the Old Norwegian Hymns.
Martha passed away on June 23, 1965 and Theodore passed away on May 18, 1977 at the age of 92 years. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Theodore and Martha were the parents of: Louise T. (who was born and died in 1910 and is buried at Wild Rice) and Leona (Odin Lien) who was born about 1914.
Merrill and Mary (Hodson) Purrier
Merrill, the son of Joseph and Olive Purrier, was born on September 5, 1857 at Plattsburg, New York. He was one of a family of ten children. When Merrill was only a young boy, his family emigrated to Nicollett County, Mn, near Mankato. In 1893, Merrill was married to Mary Ellen Hodson, who also lived in the Mankato area. Mary was the oldest daughter of James and Minerva Hodson. Five children were born to the Purriers while they lived in Nicollet county.
On day the family went to Judson, Mn, their nearest town, to do some trading, as it was called then. While there, Merrill met Watson Dunham a friend and neighbor. They also met a land agent by the name of Wadell. He talked the men into going to Clay county to look at land that he wanted to sell. Since both men were of an adventurous nature, they left on the train that very afternoon for Ulen and left Mary with a team of horses hitched to a buggy and five small children to get home the best way she could. Getting home involved fording the Minnesota River. It was a frightening experience. Years later, Olive, took a picture of the place where they crossed--she was a baby at the time. Merrill and Watson purchased the land they had gone to see. It was 320 acres owned by Mr. And Mrs. A. P. Brandvold in Section 4, they paid $7000.00 for it. They also rented the S.O. Holte farm 4 miles east so they could live in the buildings. The land was poor and consisted mostly of a sand ridge. Later that same year, Merrill loaded all of the family and belongings in rail cars and they moved to Clay County. He and Watson went with the train to feed and milk the cows and care for the animals. The family arrived in Ulen early in the morning and they were taken to the Fred Revine restaurant for breakfast and then on to the farm.
The Ole Burud family lived to the north and they were the first neighbors to call. The children called them Mr and Mrs Ole. Bururd was just to hard to say. Claude Sanford came the next spring and they had many good friends and neighbors while they lived in Hagen. Jesse, Lee, James and Ted went to school in District 56. Some of their teachers were; Ina Anderson., Clara Wiger and Mathilda Rost. The Purrier’s later moved to the Ole Fuglie farm but still went to the same school.
Mary’s sister came from Mankato later and married Watson Dunham. Another brother, Joseph, married Ona Anderson of Hagen. They had many good friends and neighbors in Hagen, township. One of the bad things the family remembers were the dirt storms. At time, the dust blew so bad the children had to hold on to each other to find their way home. There were lots of grasshoppers, too, but somehow the family managed to put up enough hay to feed the cattle and they lived well. They had a big garden and "boarded" the teachers. Hannah Mellum and Charlotte Skalet both stayed at the Purrier home when they taught school Besides the teacher, the Purrier’s took in agents, peddlers and sometimes beggars--anyone passing through the country that needed a home for a night.
Mr. Purrier rented the land from Edwin Evans and one day he came with his new Ford touring car. That was an exciting event. He asked Ted, Olive and Lucy if they wanted a ride, which they did! What a thrill to go so fast! They were dropped off at the schoolhouse and walked home-thrilled with their new adventure.
The family enjoyed school picnics and house parties, but all of the church services in the neighborhood were in either Norwegian or German. It wasn’t until they moved to Walworth township that they found a church home at the Walworth Baptist Church. It was in 1911 that they left Clay county. Merrill and the boys found work that winter cutting wood to be sold. They walked two miles and cut cord wood all winter for $3.00 a cord, cut and piled.
Jesse and James helped on the farm and Lee and Ted worked for neighbor farmers. Lee went to North Dakota to work on summer and was called into the Army to serve during World War I in Germany. James was called , but the war ended before he could be sent overseas. Ted served during WW II. The youngest son, Lyle, died in the flu epidemic of 1920.
The depression hit the family hard. Jesse and James managed to hold on to enough to keep the family going and stay on the farm and later they purchased it. Louis and Ted went into trucking. The following were married: Lee married Gertrude Bergeson and they became the parents of seven children. Olive married Palmer Stende (see Palmer and Olive Stende). Lucy married Arthur Burud and they had one daughter. Louis, married Pearl Grande and they had three children. Alice married James Wheeler and they had one son.
Purrier’s buried at Walworth Baptist Cemetery: Merrill (1857-1925), Mary Ellen (1872-1957), Schuyler Lyle (1908-1920), Jesse M. (1893-1968), James Earl, he was a Pvt Co C125 Engineers WW I, he was born on February 24, 1897 and died on November 7, 1971, Teddy W. was a Pvt US Army WW 2, he was born on May 12, 1899 and died on June 24, 1982.
Edward and Sena (Korsgaden) Qual
Edward P. Qual was born on August 7, 1968, at Faaberg, Norway. He came to the United States with his mother the following year. They resided in Goodhue county, Mn until 1881, when they moved to the vicinity of Faith, in eastern Norman county.
Sina Korsgaden was born to Lars and Ronnag Korsgaden in Flom, township. She grew up in the Flom area. On June 12, 1901 she married Edward Qual.
Edward and Sena owned a general store and he was postmaster for a time at Qual, Mn. The postoffice later was discontinued and in 1907 he moved to Mahnomen, Mn and was associated with stores there. IN 1938 he retired to the Detroit Lakes, Mn area where he lived for 15 years, until his death in 1954.
Ludvig Qual
Ludvig Oscar Qual was born on May 22, 1889 on a farm in Home Lake Township. He was born to Louis and Marth Qual. He was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He worked on the home farm most of his life. He had never married.
He was a brother to Gustave and Marie (Lien).
He moved into the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center and later in the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home, due to his age and health. He died on January 28,1 972 at the age of 82 years, at St Ansgars’s Hospital in Moorhead, Mn.
He is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Note: Qual, Minnesota was located in Fossum township. It has a Store and Post Office, it was conducted by Sievert Aamoth.
Michael and Sharilyn (Stone) Qual
Michael was born on February 27, 1965 to Sherman and Sandra Qual in Mahnomen, MN. He attended and graduated from Mahnomen Public School. He was baptized and Confirmed in the First Lutheran Church of Mahnomen, MN. Sharilyn (Stone) was born September 26, 1968 to Dave and Marilyn Stone in Red Lake Falls, MN. She attended and graduated from Waubun-Ogema-White Earth Public Schools. She was baptized in the Methodist Church of Erskine by Rev. Carl Clausen (Grandpa) and Confirmed in the United Church of Christ of Ogema, MN
Michael and Sharilyn were married on April 22, 1989 at the First Lutheran Church of Mahnomen, MN.
Michael was working on a farm in Ada and Shari was a beautician for Cost Cutters of Moorhead. In 1989 we moved to Ada where we made our home for 4 years before moving to Flom Township. In January of 1993, Sharilyn started the Hair Palace of Flom and in April of 1993 we moved to Flom when Michael started with Spielman Farms Inc. We rented and bought the Harry Boreen home. When our family started to grow we needed a bigger home, so we moved to the up town area of Flom. In 1995 we bought the Bill Ommodt’s home. Currently Michael works for Aggregate Ind. of Mahnomen, MN and Shari will be graduating from Minnesota State University of Moorhead (MSUM) in December 2002 with a degree in Special Education EBD/SLD.
Children:
Ashay Alizabeth was born on February 11, 1991 at Merit Care in Fargo ND. She died on February 11, 1991 and is buried at the Riverside Cemetary in Mahnomen, MN.
Zackary Michael (9) was born on July 23, 1992 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes, MN. He was baptized Zion Lutheran Church of Ada, MN. He currently attends Waubun-Ogema-White Earth Public Schools and is in the 4th grade where he is active in wrestling, basketball, and the Rising Sun 4-H group.
Macaylee Nicole (8) was born on February 9, 1994 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes, MN. She was baptized in the United Church of Christ in Waubun, MN. Macaylee attends Waubun-Ogema-White Earth Public Schools and is in the 2nd grade where she is active in dance, piano, basketball, and the Rising Sun 4-H group.
Maddison Kay (3) was born on Novemeber 22, 1998 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes, MN. She was baptized in the Circle’s of Faith Church of Waubun, MN. She currently attends Val Syverson’s Wonder Noses daycare of Flom. Maddison is very active in dance and coffee time up at the Flom Cafe.
Adolph and Anna (Jacobson) Raad
Adolph and Anna Raad were both born and raised in South Dakota. They were married on March 29th, 1916 in Nunda, SD. In 1918 they moved to Northern Minnesota. In 1921 they bought a farm in Flom Township but the house burned
down before they could move into it.
Anna's father, Ole Jacobson and Adolph then built the new house where they raised their eight children. Around 1950 they retired and moved to Crookston, Mn. Adolph had a variety of jobs in his lifetime including:
Farming, hauling lumber, owned a hay business, custom work for threshing, clover hulling, silo filling, wood sawing, assessor of Flom Township, had a ward line and did leather work. They had 39 grandchildren and 64 great grandchildren. Adolph and Anna are buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery near Flom.
Their children are:
Leola Raad Kenny who was born in Madison, SD. She married Ed Kenny and they live in Myrtle Creek, Oregon. They have five children.
Reome Raad Jensen was born at Waubun, Mn. See Lester and Reome Jensen
Orville (Buddy) Raad was born at home near Waubun, Mn. He married Doris Hill and they lived on the family farm in Flom Township before moving to Shevlon, MN. They are both deceased. They had six children, three of who are also deceased, Laurie, Mary and Brian. Shirley lives in Atlanta, Georgia, Carla in Minneapolis, MN and Sheila in Boise, Idaho.
Edna Raad Johnson was born at home near Twin Valley, Mn. She married Alvin Johnson and they lived at Flom for several years where Alvin worked at Mike's garage. They later moved to Beltrami and then to Ada, Mn. They had nine children. Two are deceased, a baby and a daughter Darlene, Dean is in Texas, Darolynn and Annie are in Michigan, Daryl in Fergus Falls, Mn, Danny in Illinois, Dolly in Georgetown, Mn and Deon near Ada, Mn.
Lorraine Raad Piper was born at home near Twin Valley, Mn. She married Gordon Piper and they live in Columbia Heights, Mn. They have six children.
Milo Raad was born at home on the family farm near Twin Valley, Mn. He lived for many years in Fergus Falls, Mn and then later in Ulen, Mn. He is deceased.
Lois Raad Piper was born on the family farm. She married Clifford Piper and they live in Blaine, Mn. They have eight children.
Allen Raad was born on the family farm. He is married and lives in Virginia, Mn They have three children. Steven is married with two children and lives near Eveleth,MN Cindy is deceased and Sally is married and has three children. She lives in Duluth, MN.
Louis and Rachel (Opsahl) Ramsey
Rachel Marie Opsahl, was born to Ludvig and Eline Osahl on August 6, 1893 near Ulen, Mn. She grew up and attended local schools and bacame a dress maker. She married Louis Ramsey on January 23, 1918 and they farmed near Syre, Mn until 1938. Then Louis and Rachel bought a farm in Flom township in Section 11 and moved there in March 1938. They raised grain, milked cows, and had hogs and chickens. Louis had a threshing machine, so he did custom threshing for some of the neighbors in the area.
In 1951 they sold the farm to Geff Horn and moved into Twin Valley, Mn. Louis passed away on September 28, 1954 at the age of 64 as a result of a tractor accident while working on his farm in Mahnomen County. After his death Rachel continued to live in Twin Valley, Mn.
Rachel liked growing things and she always had pretty flower beds and a beautiful vegetable garden. After they moved to Twin Valley, Mn., Rachel began a floral business, making corsages, bouquets for weddings and often decorated the church. She also made wedding cakes. One of her favorite times was the Junior-Senior Prom. She kept up this hobby until she was in her eighties.
Louis and Rachel had one daughter; Eleanor (Russell Jeske).
Rachel lived her last years in Nursing Homes in Ulen and Twin Valley, Mn. She passed away on September 12, 1990 at the age of 97 years. They are both buried at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Twin Valley.
Christian and Anna Rasmussen
Christian F.W. Rasmussen was born on April 18, 1864. Anna Margaret Hanson was born on January 7, 1964. Both were born in Denmark. They were married on November 20, 1885 in Kjoge Sjaeland, Denmark, and came to the United States in December of the same year, at the age of 22. They first arrived and settled in Storden, Minnesota, in Cottonwood County where they were employed on a farm for one year. The Rasmussen’s then rented a farm until 1902 when they purchased a farm in Section 4 of Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn. This farm was located one mile south of Flom in the Northeast corner of Section 4. Besides farming the land they purchased, they also rented additional farmland.
Christian and Anna were the parents of nine children; Helmer, Arvilda, Rudolph, Anna, Henry, Theodore, Myrtle (Leslie Moore), Violet ( Curtiss Olson) and Fred. Six of their children were born while they lived at Storden, Mn, with three of them passing at a very early age, they are buried at Storden, Mn.
Their last three children were born while they lived in Walworth Township.
Christian passed away in March of 1915 and Anna in December of 1944. They were members of Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom, Mn.
Burton and Agnes (Lunde) Raun
Burton Hanson Raun was born on February 3, 1896, near Fertile, Iowa, to Marcus and Anna Raun. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, attended rural schools and at the age of 18 years he came to the rural Ulen area.
Burton and Agnes were married on December 30, 1920 at the Sven Lunde residence near Ulen. They then farmed near Ulen for eight years, moving to Kathryn,ND in 1928. Theylived there for two years, moving to Pine River, Minnesota in 1930, where they farmed for ten years. They returned to this area where the purchased a farm in Ulen township and resided until Burt’s passing in 1971.
Burt was a veteran of World War I, he was inducted into the armed service December 17,1917, from Moorhead, Mn. He served in the Army Expeditionary Forces in France from September 3, 1918 to February 10, 1919. He was honorably discharged on March 20, 1919, from Camp Dodge, Iowa. He was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Ulen. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen for many years.
During their lives they farm for many years and retired in 1961. They Raun’s celebrated their Godlen Wedding Anniversary on August 30, 1970 at the home farm and at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Burton passed away on November 25, 1971 at the age of 75 years, funeral services were held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn.
Burton and Agnes were the parents of Maynard, Lyle, Ingeborg (Roland Asleson), Beverly (Darrell Monteith, Barbara (Eugene Rasmusson) and Arlene (William Stanger).
Marcus and Anna (Thorson) Raun
Marcus Hanson Raun was born in Kolding, Denmark on August 22, 1865, to Hans Hanson and Karen Raun. He was brought to Jesus as an infant through Holy baptism. He renewed his baptismal covenant by the rite of confirmation in the church where he was baptized in October of 1879.
In February 1880 he came to American and lived at Sabula, Iowa where he worked two years as a youth
among strangers. From here he moved to Mason City and was employed by the Milwaukee Railroad Co. for about fifteen years, first as a fireman and later as engineer and held a life certificate as engineer on that railroad.
Marcus and Anne Kjestine (Aanaas) Thorson were married on September 27, 1884 at Fertile, Iowa. To this union eight children were born; Carrie (Severt Lunde), Eda, (Lewis Halvorson), Amanda, Harry, Luvina (Chris Klemetson), Burton, Arthur and Esther (she died at the age of 4).
Because of his failing health Mr. Raun had to leave the employment of the railroad and moved on a farm near Fertile, Iowa in 1893. This land was nearly all covered with timber. This remained their home until 1915 when they moved to this area, which remained their home until their deaths. Amanda never married and remained with her parents and in their later years she kept house for them.
Marcus was always interested in church work and was on of the charter member of Trinity Lutheran church of Mason City, Iowa and also became an active member of the Lutheran church of Fertile, Ia. When they moved here he joined the Lutheran church at Ulen where he continued his life as a devout Christian who established a fine home environment, on who regularly read the Bible and conducted family devotion without fail. Blessed be their memory.
Anne passed away on November 23, 1926 and Marcus at the age of 69 years 5 month and 18 days in 1935.
They are both buried at Ulen West Cemetery.
Alfred Rickhus
Alfred Rickhus was born to Anton and Anna (Gilbertson) Rickhus on March 29, 1909, southwest of Flom Minnesota. Here he lived with his family before entering the Wild Rice Children’s Home, where he grew up and attended school.
He lived and farmed with his father east of Twin Valley, and after his father’s death Alfred took over the farming operation, with his mother.
They operated the farm until 1973, when he moved into Twin Valley, Mn, where he made his home until his death on March 3, 1990, at the Mahnomen Nursing Center.
Alfred never married. Alfred is buried at North Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Ulen, Mn.
Anton and Anne (Gelbertson) Rickhus
Anne Gelbertson was born in 1885, the daughter of H. O. Gelbertson and his wife, Esther. Helgaen Gelbertson and his wife were married in Hallingdal, Norway and immigrated to America and lived at Spring Grove before taking a homestead near Ulen, Minnesota.
Mr. Gelbertson built a log house on land that was to be used for the building of the railroad. He gave up the land and moved his home into the woods. Anne was two years old at the time.
Anne attended school in Ulen. She studied reading, choir and singing, as she recalls.
She married Anton Rickhus and they were farmers near Flom. Anton was born in Norway in 1872. He came to the United States when he was eleven years old and they settled in the Flom area. All of Anne's brothers and sisters have passed away except one sister. She has a daughter living in Oregon and a daughter and son living in the Twin Valley area.
Anne recalls that Mrs. Ulen was a sister to her grandmother. In Norway, her grandmother had a grocery store.
Anton and Anie were the parents of Ed, Alfred, Martin, Christ, Alice (Stafford) and Clara (Otterness). Anton died on November 10, 1954 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
Helge and Kari (Iversdatter Ofredalen) Rinde
Helge (Helje) Hanson Rinde was born in 1826 to Hans Trulson Ulvestadn and Eli Heljestre Vestreim in Rinde Feios, Leikoanger, Sogn, Norway. He married Kari Ivarsdatter Ofredal who was born in 1825,in Offerdal, Aardal, Sogn, Norway. They were married in 1855 in Leikanger, Sogn, Norway. She at the time was a widow from Ardal, Nowary. Her first husband was Hans Anderson Smidge, whom she married in 1844. With him she had four children; Endre, Anders (see Anders Smidge), Jorunn (see Julia Lockrem) and Ivar Smidge.
Helge and Kari were the parents of two sons; Hans (1858-1888) and John see John Rinde, and three daughters; Eli (J.T. Huseby), Carrie ( Mons E. Hammer see below) and Lena (seeTennis and Lena Oftedahl).
Helge and Kari both died in 1894 and are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Eli married J.T. Huseby. She was born in 1856 in Smidje, Leikanger, Sogn, Norway. Hans was born in 1858 in Smidje, Leikanger, Sogn, Norway.
Note: Carrie and Mons (Mike) Hammer had three children: Edwin, Annette (Reseland) and Christine Hammer.
They lived in Heiberg, Mn. Edwin married Lucille Fabre of Waubun and they are the parents of Robert, LaVonne (Dorseth) and Janine.
John H. Rinde
John was born ot Helje and Kari (Ofredahlen) Rinde in 1878 near Nerstrand, Rice County, Mn. He was baptized in Valley Grove Church, by Rev. N. Quammen. John came to Norman County, Mn with his parents in the spring of 1878, he was confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He remained at home with his parents until 1894 when he moved in with his sister Carrie and her husband Mons Hammer at Heiberg, Mn., he also lived with Alfred Swenson for a time.
They had just completed the potato harvest on the Swenson farm and were preparing to go to town when the accident occurred. Milton Christensen had been hunting in the area and had placed his loaded gun in the cab of the truck. In attempting to remove the gun before leaving the gun discharged accidentally, killing John Rinde who was standing in the truck box. Funeral services were conducted at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn with interment at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Clinton and Marie (Storbeck) Rishovd
Clinton Rishovd moved to Flom in 1956 when he purchased the School House. Before that he had farmed with his brothers south of town. He continued to farm and in the Fall he would trap for about three months.
He married Marie Storbeck on October 15, 1960 and continued to live in Flom. They are members of Aspelund Lutheran Church.
After retiring in 1988 we moved to Detroit Lakes and continue to reside there.
Edwin A. Rishovd
Edwin Arthur Rishovd was born to Ingebret and Anna (Oien) Rishovd on the family farm in section 10 of Walworth township. Here he was raided and attended country schools.
Edwin spent his entire life on the family farm. As a young man he farmed with his parents, later taking over the farming operation with his brother Teddy. Edwin was an avid hunter and trapper.
Edwin died at his home on July 16, 1987 at the age of 78 years.
Both Edwin and Teddy are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Ingebret O. “Ed” and Anna Marie (Oien) Rishovd
Ingebret O. was born to Ole Olsen and Aagot (Olasdatter) Rishovd in Hol, Hallingdal, Norway on October 14, 1860 on the Riishovd Farm.
He emigrated from Norway at the age of 19 and came to America. He came directly to this area in 1879. He lived with his brother who had come earlier and worked around at farm labor and began his profession as a painter.
He married Anna Marie Oien on December 19, 1902 at Lake Park, Minnesota. Anna Marie was born to Iver and Thora Oien. The following children were born to them: Clinton, Odin, Thomas, Edwin, Harry, Palmer, Oliver, Alice Evelena (Davis), Ida and Alpha (Louderback).
Ingebret died January 15, 1943 and Anna died in 1956. Both are buried in Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Odin Rishovd
Odin Adolph Rishovd was born on April 18, 1906 to Ingebret and Anna Marie (Oien) Rishovd near Flom, in Walworth township of Becker County. Here he attended school and was raised. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn, where he remained a member throughout his life.
He served as church custodian for nearly 30 years and also dug graves for many years at the cemetery. Odin also farmed south of Flom in section 33 where he resided until 1970 when he retired and moved into Flom, purchasing the former Ricka Braaten home on the east side of town.
Odin always enjoyed being outdoors and spent many hours over the years hunting , fishing and trapping gophers.
Odin passed away on June 29, 1988 at St. Mary's Hospital in Detroit Lakes, Mn. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church with interment at the church cemetery.
Ola Olson Rishovd, 1826 to USA 1885
“From the Book "Rosemaling in Hallingdal"
Translated by Aaron Swenson
Rishovd is a remote off the main path Farm. It is high in Sudndalen. It was a seter until the late 1700's. Here Ola Rishovd was born August 20, 1826, the youngest of six children. These are his siblings: Nils, Anders, Knut, Embrikk and Guri. His parents Ola Nilsson & Kari Andresdtr. had to sell the Farm with a Foreclosure auction when Ola was half grown. At the age of 30, he bought back the Farm, he had to borrow 150 riksdaler, mortaging the Farm. This mortgage was more than he could handle. He was in a bad economy. Ola married Ågot Olsdtr. Hytteplassen f.January 16, 1824 in 1859. Ågot’s parents were: Ola Hytteplassen and Sigrid Kvamshaugen and she was born in Hovet, Buskerud. They had five children, Ingebret, Ole, Mrs. Krogstad and Mrs. Dan Danielson. Ågot also had the following siblings: Anders, Tomas, Rangde (Hallsteinsgard-Mork), Margit (Lisleslett, Gro and Sigrid (Kongsrud). In 1881 the Rishovd farm was sold at public auction. The new owner sold again in 1885 and Ola with family emigrated from Norway to the USA. The oldest son had emigrated three years before.
If Ola Rishovd studied with older Hallingdal Rosemaler's it is unknown.
However, it is simple to see he used the Beara Tradition, (Nils Beara was a well known early Halingdal Rose Painter) which was used by many in Hol, Halingdal, of the Sand Grøt school. Ola later used flowers influenced by Munedal and Telemark Rosemaler's.
The tone of his craft was in the height of Hallingdal best. In creating new form, he was helpless, compared to older Hallingdal painters. However, he was capable of doing good work. That which often spoiled the entirety is unsure and urgently need of color. When Ola started paintin, the last of the 1840’s, Rosemalling had reached it’s peak and was on a downward slide, confusion and failure of color knowledge took over Hallingdal painting and added to it’s downfall. Only the older painters , those that had been trained in the high period of rosemalling had strength to show advantages and hide disadvantages. It is in this light you have to look at the work of Ola Rishovd. His colors are often restless and in reciprocal disagreement. Older painters like Pål Grøt and certainly Torstein Sand, used strong colors but they had the ability to bring them together, like strings of a violin. It is first and formost the angry gold color that spoiled Rishovd’s painting. With light red, dark red, parisian blue mixed with white, a deep green color that he sometimes uses works better. With that as ground color, it gives the work a pleasant look. The trunks he painted often used English red or lead red as ground, sometimes leisured with a brown was with scrolls.
In Ola Rishovd time, woodgraining became popular, simulating oak and other woods. Ola learned this technique. He sometimes used gold brown oak grain on cupboards as background color and a gold brown wash over Rosemalled areas.
You will find much rosemalling after Rishovd, both in Hol, Hallingdal and Sogn. He worked steady from 1850-1880. His best work was done in the early years. The living room at Halvorsgård and south Berg is painted as early as 1852. At Mork Larsgård, it is written on (From Skap) Front cupboard (painted Ola Rishovd for Erik Larson Larsgård June 1856) The year after he painted living room at south Berg, the red fråmskop has gold panels in doors with roses in red and blue. The crown moulding is white, decorateing in black. At Granne gård, north Berg, where he painted in 1880 it is written on From skap:
Kogskab er en kilde skjon
Klg cupboard is a fountain of beauty
Øs deraf saa faar du løn
From there you get a reward
Gud give os mad i dette skab
God give us food in this cupboard
At mette mig og mine smaa
To feed me and all my children
He has painted at upper Jorde and at north Sindrol. The painting in bedroom off the living room at Halvorgård, that is dated November 25, 1869 is much different from his other work. Ceiling and walls are light blue with margleizing in darker blue. In five white decorated areas he has painted an angel bird. Luther, with book in hand, the King and Queen, a loudly colored building with steeple and spire, a Kings castle, other wise there is very few people in his paintings.
A chair from Sudndalen (Norsk Folkmuseum) has a picture showing how weaving is done. (Hol’s book II pages 595-624) Smaller work he has done, a clock and shelf at Gullstein. (Hol Book II page 619) Trunk from Hagalesletten (T. Moen Hovet) Trunk from Loyte (Hallingstad Hol) Historisk museum has a trunk Berg dated 1864. Norsk Folkemuseum has one from 1866.
Ola Rishovd often went over the mountains to Sogn, often to Aurland. Gammel at Sinjarheim, a little mountain farm, high up in Aurland Valley, you will find his Rosemalling.
Ola Rishovd is buried at Aspelund Cemetery at Flom, Minnesota.
Ole O. and Kari (Sjursdatter Stundahl) Rishovd
Ole O. Rishovd was born to Ole Olsen and Aagot (Olasdatter) Rishovd in Hol, Hallingdal, Norway on April 5, 1860. He was married to Kari Sjursdatter Stundahl in Aurland, Sogn og Fjordane in 1881. She is the daughter of Sjur and Katarina Stundahl. They came to America in 1883 and settled in the Flom area.
The following children were born to them: Olaus, Severin and Agatha. A daughter, Sofia was born and died in 1886.
Ole died November 30, 1932 and Kari died December 21, 1932. Both are buried in Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery at Flom, Minnesota.
Thomas Chester “Teddy” Rishovd
Thomas C. Rishovd was born to Ingebret and Anna (Oien) Rishovd, on April 28, 1914 in Walworth Township of Becker County, Mn. Here he was raised and attended country schools.
He worked on the family farm before entering the service of which he was a veteran of WW II. After serving in the European Theatre for several years Teddy returned home to the farm where he was raised and lived their with his brother Edwin.
Ted was a member of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. As a young man he enjoyed baseball and hunting.
Teddy passed away on July 21, 1987 at his home in Walworth township.
Agnes Rogen
Agnes was born on July 15, 1908 at Flom, Mn. She moved to the Twin Valley area with her parents around 1919. Here she attended school and graduated in 1927 from Twin Valley High School. She remained at home with her parents after graduation and after her mothers death she took on the housekeeping duties.
Agnes was a cheery and friendly disposition, active in church and in the L.D. R. and readily made friends of all with whem she came in contact with.
Agnes died in July 1942 at Crookston, Mn where she had undergone a major operation. She was just a few days short of her 34 birthday. She had four sisters and two brothers; Mrs. C.E. Wein, Valborg, Blenda, Eva, Martin and Paul. She is buried at Twin Valley, Mn., services were held at Zion Lutheran Church.
Andrew and Anna (Solum) Rogen
Andrew Rogen was born at Decorah, lowa, March 1, 1868, to parents, Ole and Ingeborg Rogen. When he was a year old he came with his parents by covered wagon to Flom Township, Norman County, Minnesota, where they settled on a homestead. The trip had taken three weeks. He was the oldest of a family of seven children. When he was sixteen years old he left home to look for work. He took the train from Ada, intending to go to Moorhead, Minnesota. At Glyndon he apparently did not have the patience to wait for the train to Moorhead and walked the railroad tracks carrying his belongings in a small immigrant chest. When he came to Moorhead, he went to the home of his aunt, Mrs. Ole Nelson. His first job was working on a farm near Argusville, North Dakota, for about eighteen months. He next took a job with the Martinson General Store in Moorhead as a delivery boy using one horse and a light wagon. He became a clerk and bookkeeper and spent ten years at this job. In 1895, he married Anna Solum, who was born at Rollag, Minnesota, June 16, 1875. The wedding was held in the church at Rollag. During the first year of their marriage their small home was swept off the foundation by the flooding of the Red River. He told of taking furniture out through the upstairs window, loading it on a raft, and taking it to higher ground.
In 1899, Andrew and Anna with their daughter, Blenda, moved to Faith, Minnesota, where he had purchased the store. He operated this store for one year, and then moved to Flom, Minnesota, having purchased the store there. He also was postmaster, operated a feed mill, saw mill, dealt extensively in horses and also did some farming. In 1919 he sold out at Flom and moved to Twin Valley, Minnesota where he owned and operated the Corner Store, and Little Red Grocery. In 1946, he sold the Little Red Grocery and retired. In his retirement he worked up a considerable business selling greeting cards and notions. Anna passed away in 1930, Andrew, in 1950.
Andrew and Anna Rogen became the parents of seven children—
Belinda, born in 1898. After finishing grade school at Flom she took nurses training at St. Luke's Hospital, Fargo, North Dakota, graduating as a registered nurse in 1921. She practiced her profession for just a short while before she became ill. She passed away at Sunnyrest Sanitorium, Crookston, Minnesota, in 1925.
Alpha, born in 1901, after finishing grade school at Flom, she attended business college at Fargo, and in 1922, she married Edwin C. Wien at Moorhead. They are now living at Bremerton, Washington, where Edwin retired from the Navy Yard. They became the parents of three daughters.
Valborg born in 1903, finished the grades at Flom and attended school for a short time at Twin Valley. She spent several years working in her father's stores, also working at stores in Sheyenne, North Dakota, and Minneapolis. In 1926 she was married to Andrew Hedin, of Minneapolis. He worked for the Omaha Railroad for forty-two years. They are now retired and living at Twin Valley. They are the parents of two sons.
Paul, born in 1905, graduated from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, in 1930 and Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1933. He is now retired from social work and lives at Crosby, North Dakota.
Agnes, born in 1908, graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1927. She was her father's housekeeper after her mother passed away in 1930. She passed away in 1942.
Eva, born in 1910, graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1929. She worked in Minneapolis and Glenwood, Minnesota. In 1931, she married George Zemke a salesman at Glenwood. They became the parents of two sons.
Martin. born in 1912 graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1931. He spent the major part of his life as a salesman. In 1946, he married Charlotte Williams of Fargo, North Dakota. They became the parents of two daughters. In 1971, he passed away at Spokane, Washington.
Blenda Rogen
Blenda was born on August 5, 1898 at Moorhead, Mn and when she was seven weeks old moved with her parents to Faith, Mn. When she was one and one half years old her parents moved to Flom, Mn. She attended school at Flom finishing the eight grade there. She stayed home for a few years before furthering her education at St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Fargo, ND., where she graduated on May 12, 1921.
After graduation she did private nursing at various places until in October 1922, when due to ill health she had to give up her work. She then went to Sunnyrest Sanatorium at Crookston where she remained until her death on December 14, 1925 at the age of only 24. She is buried at Twin Valley, Mn and services were held at Zion Lutheran Church.
Martin Rogen
Martin Sylvester Rogen "Marty" was born on November 15, 1912 to Andrew and Anna Rogen. He was born in Flom, Minnesota. He grew up in the Flom area and was baptized at Aspelund Lutheran Church. In 1919 his family moved to Twin Valley, Mn were he finished school and graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1931.
After graduation he worked in Fargo and Glenwood before moving to Spokane, Washington. He served three adn a half years in the Army, most of the time overseas. He followed the profession of salesman. He was a member of Central Lutheran Church and served as deacon and trustee, taking an active part in church work.
Martin and his wife Charlotte were the parents of Clo Ann (Albert Kovats, and Marcille Clair.
Marty was a cheerful and happy person, he passed away at his home in Spokane on April 13, 1971. His funeral was at Central Lutheran Church at Spokane.
Ole T. and Ingeborg (Skeim) Rogan
Ole T. Rogan, residing on Section 10, Flom Township, was one of the influential and better known citizens of Norman County. He was of the earliest settlers of that region, taking up his residence on his farm when the land was wild and Indians were more in evidence than civilization. He remained to accumulate a well improved and valuable farm which was the direct result of his own industry and good management, he had a good reputation as a citizen and agriculturalist.
Our subject was born near Christiana, Norway, August 20, 1840. His father Thomas Rogan. was a farmer throughout his career, and was a blacksmith by trade. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Dorst Oleson, and her father, Ole Nelson was a farmer by occupation. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Halga Thompson, was a farmer also.
When our subject was fifteen years of age, the parents and children immigrated to America and settled in Winneshiek County, lowa. Our subject was the oldest of a family of six children, and he was early put to farm work.
At the age of twenty years he enlisted in Company K. Fifteenth, Wisconsin, a Scandinavian regiment enlisted from Madison, Wisconsin. He was sent south and was under General Rosecrans. The first engagement was at Union City, Tennessee, and our subject then went through Tennessee and Kentucky, and participated in the battle of Stone River, Nashville, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain and the Atlanta campaign.
He went to Savannah, and was then returned to Chattanooga, and in February, 1865, was mustered out of the service. He served three years in active army life and was injured by falling off his horse. After the battle of Chickamauga he was confined to the hospital three weeks. He enlisted as a private and was mustered out of the service with the rank of sergeant. He was appointed an orderly to carry messages for General Rosecrans, and served thus one year as sergeant.
After his return from the war, he worked for farmers in lowa for one year, and then followed farming for himself in lowa for three years.
He came to Norman County, Minnesota with his family in 1873, driving overland four hundred miles with ox team and covered wagon, one month being consumed in the journey. Upon his arrival in Norman County he took up his residence on the farm which he purchased. He built a log shanty with a sod roof and built a sod barn. He farmed with oxen ten years and broke land with them. He passed through six years of grasshopper times. He worked for others to make a living for his family. These were the most discouraging times of his life. He had no market nearer than thirtyfive miles, and he endured many deprivations and hardships.
He became the fortunate owner of two hundred and eighty acres of land, with one hundred and fifty acres under cultivation. He followed diversified farming and had many head of cattle and horses.
Our subject was married in 1866 to Ingeborg Johnson Skeim, a native of Norway and a daughter of Andrew Johnson Skeim, who was a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Rogan were the parents of seven children, named as follows:
Andrew, a merchant of Flom;
Dorothy. Mrs. Erick Urdahl,
Girty. Mrs. E. O. Bakke;
Anna, Mrs. Sven Huseby,
Kaia,
Taedamin, and
Otto.
Mr. Rogan served as postmaster of Flom for five years, took part in the organization of his township and was one of the first township officers. He was a member of the G.A.R.
O.T. Rogen
Ole T. Rogen was born in 1841 in Norway. He immigrated to the United States first stopping in Wisconsin before coming to Norman County, Mn where he settled.
Ingeborg Skeim was born in 1844 in Norway, she came to this country as a child with her parents when she was seven years old. They lived in Dane County, Wi and later in Winneshiek, Ia.
Ole and Ingeborg were married in 1866. When they came to the Flom area in 1873 he accompanied by; J. J. Waller, Ole P. Lien and Lars Huesby. Ole settled in Section 10 of Flom Township, he lived here until the last five years of his life at which were spent in Twin Valley, Mn.
Ole served his new country by giving of his service in the Civil War. He died in 1909 and Ingeborg died on October 19, 1932.They are both buried at Wild Rice.
They were the parents of three sons: Andrew, Ted and Otto, and four daughters; Mrs. S. L. Huseby, Mrs. Erick Underdahl, Mrs. George Dahl and Mrs E. O. Bakke.
Paul Rogen
Paul Oliver Rogen was born on July 20, 1905 to Andrew and Anna (Solum) Rogen. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. He attended grade school at Flom until his family moved to Twin Valley in 1919, where he attended Twin Valley High School and graduated with the class of 1923. He then went to Concordia College in Moorhead, where he graduated in 1930. After completing his education at Concordia he went on to Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Mn where he graduated in 1933.
Paul worked for his father in the mercantile store in Flom and Twin Valley and he also worked as a painter-decorator in Fargo.
Paul served his country during World War II in the United States Navy. He entered the service on March 25, 1942 and was discharged on October 2, 1945.
Paul worked in the county social service in the North Dakota communities of Wahpeton, Finley, Cavalier and Crosby, before returning to Twin Valley, Mn for his retirement.
He was the last member of the Andrew Rogen family, having been proceeded in death by his parents, five sisters and one brother. Paul died on September 2, 1991 at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, he is buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, Mn.
Carl Ronning
Carl was born on February 19, 1913 to Ole and Ronnag (Johnson) Ronning near Flom. Here he grew up and attended school. After completing his education Carl entered the United States Army where he served from May 5, 1942 until he was discharged in 1946. Carl then returned to the Flom area and worked for the Swenson Brother’s Construction as a carpenter until the mid 1970’s. He continued to live in section 33 of Flom township until his later years when he moved to Ulen, Mn. Here he was a boarder of Silven and Mabel Syverson’s. He remained here until the late 1980’s when he became a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Homes.
Carl passed away on January 28, 1992 at Twin Valley, Mn. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
Helmer Ronning:
Helmer J. was born on July 9, 1908. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
He worked in Flom for Art and Reggie Thorstenson at their IGA Store.He was inducted into the armed forces on March 31, 1942, served in the 90th Inf in World War II. He served his country in the military as a Pvt 1st Class Co. C 359 Inf WW II BSM-PH. In World War II he received the Purple Heart. He was discharged from active duty on November 11, 1945. He never married. He worked for Thorstenson’s for twenty five years and when they moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn he moved with them. Helmer died on September 7, 1964 and is buried at Aspelund.
Ole and Ronnaug (Johnson) Ronning
Ole Ronning was born in Gudbrandsdalen, Norway. He married Ronnaug Johnson in Norway in 1903. In 1904, we find him leaving Norway for America. Ronnaug was born in 1876 in Nordre Fron, Oppland, Norway to Johan Olsen Kaltrud and his wife Lisbet Østendsdatter who were married November 3, 1870 in Sodorp, Oppland, Norway. In the 1900 census of Norway, we find her living on the Kaltrud Farm with her parents and her son, Sigurd O. Kaltrud who was born July 14, 1899. Also living there are her brothers Østen J. Kaltrud b.1874 in Vaage, Oppland, and Paul J. Kaltrud b.1893 in Nordre Fron, Oppland. Two of her sisters were also living on the farm: Anæ J. Kaltrud b.1883 and Anna J. Kaltrud b.1886, both in Nordre Fron, Oppland. Ronnaug’s brother, Ole Johnson b.7/23/1871 also came to the Flom area. Ole and Ronnaug lived just south and west of Flom on the cart trail known to many in the area as Ronning’s Trail. Here they raised their children.
John, Carl, Edwin, Helmer, Gustav, Orville, Sigurd, Alvin and Anna.
John did carpenter work in Flom area. He also worked for E. A. Narum at Narum's store in Flom. He married a girl from White Earth, Mn. They resided there where he was employed by the school.
Carl was born on February 19, 1913. Worked construction with the Swenson Brother’s of Flom, Mn for many years before retiring and moving to Ulen, Mn. Carl was a veteran of WW II, he was a SGT US Army during WWII. Carl died on January 28, 1992 and is buried at Aspelund, Flom.
Edwin was born in March of 1919. He worked for various farmer’s in the area. He was well noted for being the one who would pick berries in the fall for canning. Many gallons of Chokecherries, Cranberries and grapes were picked by him. He was a kind and decent person. I can remember one Christmas when he stayed at my parents (Vernon Dorseth’s) that we were all sitting and opening up our presents. Edwin sat and watched us three girls with the excitement of the holiday season and giggling with delight as we opened our presents. We handed Edwin his gift from under the tree and he just sat there not knowing what to do, holding back tears as he looked at the beautiful package with his name on it. When Edwin opened that gift, there in the box was a simple pair of slippers for him to wear in the evenings after coming in from chores. Edwin choked back tears as he told us it was his best Christmas ever, one would have thought we had given him all the gold in the world, but it was just the simple gesture of friendship and the true meaning of giving at Christmas that has always stayed in my mind.
Edwin died sometime in the fall of 1979, the date says November 3, 1979. He had disappeared in the fall, a local person was out deer hunting when he happened to come across the body. Edwin is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn In 2000 Jacob Klemetson made him a foot stone to mark his grave as a 4-H project. He received Grand Champion at both the local Mahnomen County level and also at the State Fair, along with it he received the community caring hands award. On the footstone are the words: Amazing Grace …….. I once was lost but now am found.
Helmer J. was born on July 9, 1908. He worked in Flom for Art and Reggie Thorstenson at their IGA Store. He served his country in the military as a Pvt 1st Class Co. C 359 Inf WW II BSM-PH. In World War II he received the Purple Heart. He never married. He worked for Thorstenson’s for twenty five years and when they moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn he moved with them. Helmer died on September 7, 1964 and is buried at Aspelund.
Gustav Adolph lived at home and never married. He died on September 28, 1956 and is buried at Aspelund.
Orville was a born on July 28, 1921. He never married. Orville served his country during WW II as a Pvt lst Class in the Army. After he came back from the service he worked for the Flom Co-op then he moved to Moorhead and worked for Sioux Oil. Orville was a good guitar player, he like to play the guitar and sing. He died on July 25, 1996 and is buried at Aspelund, Flom, Mn.
Sigurd was born on July 14, 1899 in Norway. He came to America at the age of 6. He lived at home and was a carpenter by trade. He never married. He was in the process of building a barn on the Vernon Dorseth farm when the scaffolding went down and Sigurd fell to his death. He died at the scene on June 20, 1959. He is buried at Aspelund. Flom, Mn.
Alvin was born on December 20, 1915. He grew up in the Flom area and served his country in the military. He served with the troops that were sent in to liberate Norway. He was among the unit of "Ski Troouper", he was among the first to be sent in beause he could speak fluent Norwegian. He met and married Bernice Reynold on July 26, 1967 at Moorhead, Mn. She had two sons James and Bernard and two daughters; Delores ( C. Moss) and Darlene (James Loock)They lived in Moorhead, Mn where he worked for Power Construction Co. Alvin is buried at Riverside Cemetery in Fargo, ND.
Anna married Nels Johnson: See Nels and Anna Johnson
Alfred and Thea (Dorseth) Rue
Alfred Rue was born on Nov. 16, (17th according to the obit) 1897 to Peter and Gunnild (Gronlie) Rue in Walworth Twp, Becker County, Mn. He was confirmed in 1913 at Aspelund church by the Rec. B.L. Larson.
Thea H. Dorseth was born on Oct. 29th, 1900 to Hans and Ronnag (Fossen) Dorseth in Flom Twp. She grew to womanhood on the family farm located in section 28 of Flom Twp.
Alfred and Thea were married in the fall of 1922. The lived in Flom for a few years before moving to the farm where they lived until his death. They settled in section 30 of Flom township on the farm known to many as the Boyd Johnson farm.
They remained here active in farming until Alfred's death.
Alfred and Thea had two children; Donald and a son who was born and died on April 23, 1932, just 6 days following Alfred's death.
After Alfred's death Thea moved to Sauk Center, Mn where she worked as a Matron in a girls reform school. She remained there until 1965 when she retired and moved to Fargo, ND where she resided until her death.
Alfred passed away on Sunday morning April 17th, 1932 at his home the cause of death was from pleurisy and pneumonia.
Just six days later Thea gave birth to their second son who was born and died on April 23rd. Thea died on July 8, 1986 at Fargo, ND. Alfred, Thea and infant son are all buried at Aspelund, Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Dina Rue
Dina Rue was born in Ossian, Iowa on May 25, 1881 to Per and Gunhild (Gronlie) Rue. The family moved to Walworth township when she was two years old. Here she resided since, except for a few winters in which she would live in Ulen, Mn.
Dinah (Dina) Rue never married, she died on Spetember 21, 1956 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom ,Mn.
She had three brothers; Ole, Alfred, Henry, sisters; Olina, Clara (died in infancy), Clara (Kirkbey) , Marie (Grefsrud) and Clara.
Henry and Mabel (Gunderson) Rue
Henry John Rue was born on May 5th, 1895 in Clay County near Ulen, Mn to Peder and Gunnild (Gronlie) Rue. He had three brothers Alfred, Ole and Henry and three sisters Clara (Kirkeby) Dinah and Marie (Grefsrud).
Mabel Gunderson was born 1897 to Henry and Bertha (Embretson) Gunderson.
Mabel had four brothers: Clarence, Edwin, Burton and Floyd and one sister Adelia. They lived one mile east and 1/4 mile south of Flom in section 35.
Henry and Mabel were married on October 28th, 1917. Henry and Mabel started their married life out farming 1 1/4 miles southeast of Flom. Here they lived in a log home for a few years until they built a new house.
They stayed here and farmed from 1917 to 1941 in the Flom area. They then moved to Popple Grove Township in Mahnomen County. This farm is currently
owned by Mark and Ranelle Fogelson.
They moved off the farm and into Waubun in 1981 where they lived until Henry's death in 1983 at the age of 87 years. Mabel then moved to Twin Valley and lived in the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home until she passed away on March 6th, 1988 at the age of 91.
They were lifetime members of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN where they are buried.
Henry and Mabel had three children. Genevieve (Johnson) Verna (Christensen) and Delyle. All three of their children were baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
Peder (Per) and Gunnild (Gronlie) Rue
Peder O. Rue was born on May 3, 1855 in Telemarken, Norway. He was baptized in Norway. At the age of three he left with his parents for America, coming to Ossian, Iowa in the spring of 1858. Here he grew to manhood, being confirmed in the Washington Prairie church by Dr. V.Koren.
Gunnild Gronlie was born on Sept. 29, 1859 to Mr. & Mrs. Gronlie in Decorah,Iowa.
Peter and Gunnild were married in 1881 at Ossian, Iowa, by Dr. V. Koren. A year after they were married they left Iowa for Lake Park, Mn., coming here in the spring of 1882. They recieved a letter from Olava Melaas urging them to come and take land as their neighbors. They settle on the homestead west of Flom and resided there until their deaths.
Peder filled a very eminent place in his communityand his church. With his very fine and kindly Christian personality he has wonthe esteem of all. He has been ver iberal in his help both tothose who sought and especially to his church.
To this union eight children were born; Clara, Mari, Alfred, Ole, Dina, Clara, Henry.
Ole was born on July 27, 1884 in Walworth Twp, and died on April 3, 1953.He never married.
Alfred was born on Nove 16th, 1897. See Alfred and Thea Rue.
Henry was born in 1895 in Walworth Twp. See Henry and Mabel Rue.
Clara (Kirkeby) See Lewis and Clara Kirkeby.
Marie (Grefsrud) See Olaf and Marie Grefsrud,
Clara who was born in 1890 and died on August 19, 1891. Is said to be buried at the Old Aspelund Cemetery, and Dina (called Randina in the 1900 census) who was born on May 25, 1881 and died on Sept 21st, 1956. She never married.
Peter died on January 23, 1855 and Gunnild died on May 1, 1939. Peter, Gunnild, Ole, Alfred, Henry, Clara, Mari and Dina are all buried at Aspelund Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Douglas and Sandra (Bratvold) Ruud
Douglas grew up on the family farm with his parents, Don and Ilene, and his sister, Donelle. He graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1969. He furthered his education at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul and Morris campuses. Doug returned to the area to farm in partnership with his dad.
After Don retired, Doug continued farming on his own, making him a second generation farmer. He married Sandra Bratvold on July 3, 1976 in Grand Forks, ND. They met when she obtained a teaching job at the Twin Valley school.
Sandra graduated from East Grand Forks Senior High. Her parents are Orien and Delores (McKeever) Bratvold. She has one brother, Gary. He is also an educator, serving as Superintendent of the Bagley Public Schools. Sandra received her teaching degree from Moorhead State University and has taught Kindergarten in the district all of her teaching career.
Doug and Sandy have three children: Ivory (1979), Brandon (1981) and Megan (1985). Ivory graduated from Norman County East in 1997, with Brandon following in 2000. Megan will graduate in 2003. Ivory graduated from Concordia College in 2001 and is currently employed as Assistant to the Engrossing Secretary at the Capitol in St. Paul, Mn. Brandon attends Minnesota State University, Moorhead, Mn.
Doug and Sandy have been active in the community. They attend Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, are past members of Jaycees and Women of Today. Sandy is a member of the Twin Valley Modern Study Club, Education Minnesota, and Delta Kappa Gamma. Doug was elected to the Wheat Growers Association Board. Both were selected as delegates in the Red River Valley Emerging Leadership Program.
Ernest and Jackie Saeland
Ernie Saeland was born in Hillsboro, ND. He moved to a farm southeast of Twin Valley, Mn on the west side of Fossum, he was two years old when he moved to this area, with his parents Otto and Atelia in 1952. Ernie was confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran and graduated from Twin Valley High School.
After graduation he moved to Fargo, ND and attended Hanson’s Mechanical Trade School.
Ernie met Jackie in Fargo at the time he was going to school. Jackie was born in Breckenridge, Mn and attended Fargo North High School. Jackie attended church at Elim Lutheran Church, in Fargo.
Ernie and Jackie were married in 1972. They moved to the farm in Fossum Township near Twin Valley, in 1973. It is at this time that Ernie started his own business "Ernie’s Repair Service" which he continues to operate. Jackie does daycare in her home, which she has been doing for many years.
Ernie and Jackie have two children.
Brian was born in 1971 at Fargo and Terri Jo was born in 1975 at Ada, Mn. Brian is married to Shayne Rankins whom he married in 2001. They live in Fargo, ND where Brian is employed by T & M Transport in West Fargo, ND as a accountant. Shayne is employed by Slumberland in Dilworth, Mn.
Terri married Vance Kaupang in 1996. They live on a farm near Winger where Vance farms with his father, and during the school year he is employed as a teacher in Erskine. Terri does substitute teaching and daycare on days she is not teaching.
Ole and Ingeborg (Johnson) Saeland
Ole Saeland was born in Christiansand, Norway, on October 2, 1875. It was there he grew up into manhood.
In his native land he met and married Ingeborg Johnson on May 15, 1900. In 1902 Ole left his native land of Norway to pursue a dream and better life for his family. He first settled in Valley City, ND and in 1904 he sent for his family to join him in the new land. They remained in Valley City until 1915 when they packed up their belongings and came to Norman County, Mn. Here they settled on a farm near Gary, Mn where he resided until his death. Around 1952, Ingeborg passed away. After her death Ole stay with a daughter and her family until he died on January 25, 1954 at St. Olaf, hospital, Austin, MN from a severe heart attack at the age of 78. Funeral services and interment were at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Faith, MN.
Ole and Ingeborg were the parents of seven children; Carl, T. G., Margaret, (Melvin Hugland), Lyle, Otto, Trygve, Ralph, and one daughter who died in infancy.
Otto E. and Atelia (Soliah) Saeland
Otto Emil Saeland was born to Ole and Ingeborg Saeland on June 7, 1907, at Valley City, ND. He was baptized on July 3, 1909 at Valley City. He was confirmed in the St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Faith, Mn., on November 26, 1922. He came with his parents to this area in 1915 and attended country school and grew up here in the Faith area. Otto had four brothers; Torlaf, Carl, Trygve, and Rolf and one sister; Margaret.
Otto went to Hatton, ND where he worked for a farmer there. The farmer had a daughter named Atilia Soliah who was born on October 24, 1908. Otto got to know Atilia , which led to a courtship and later marriage.
Otto married Atelia Adeline Soliah on June 27, 1949 in the Bethany Lutheran Church at Hatton, ND. They made their home for three years in that area. The Saeland's then moved to Fossum, Mn where they moved onto a farm. Here they farmed for many years. Thier son Ernie and his wife Jackie currently own the farm on the west side of Fossum.
Atelia passed away on August 26, 1954 and is buried at Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery, in rural Hatton, ND. Otto passed away on February 13, 1979. Otto is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Otto and Atelia were the parents of one child; Ernest (see Ernie and Jackie Saeland)
Trygve Saeland
Trygve Saeland was born on October 28, 1910 to Ole and Ingeborg (Johnson) Saeland at Valley City, ND. In 1916 he moved with his family to the Twin Valley area whre he was raised on the farm and attended Faith School. On September 26, 1926 he was confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Faith, Mn.
As a young man he worked at teh Hormel packing palnt in Austin, Mn. He also worked at several logging camps before entering the Army on May 5, 1942, to serve his country during World War II. He was stationed in Europe and Africa until his discharge on October 12, 1945. At that time he returned to the area and took over the family farm.
He retired and sold the farm in 1976, but continued to make the farm his home until the time of his death, on May 5, 1988.
He was a longtime member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Faith, Mn and also served on the Fossum Town Board for several years. He was a member of the Nesseth-Lien Post No. 431 of Twin Valley. Trygve enjoyed playing cards and coming into town to eat, which gave him the chance to visit with people and enjoy the company of others.
He is buried at St. Olaf Cemetery, Faith, Mn.
Andrew and Esther (Stueness) Sakrismo
Andrew Sakrismo was born on July 25, 1906, near Gatzke, Minnesota, to Peter and Anna Sakrismo. He spent the first years of his life in the Gatzke area and when he was 12 years old his family moved to the Flom area.
Here they moved onto a farm and were active in the farming operation. He was confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. As a young man he worked in the Flom community and also spent some time in Montana.
Andrew married Esther Stueness on June 23, 1936 on the farm in Flom township. They took up farming and remained in this area where they raised their family. They were the parents of: Loyal and Phillp. Their son Loyal took over the farming operation after Andrew's retirment and resides on the home farm in section 36 of Home Lake Township.
Andrew was active in his church and community having served on the Church board, Immanuel Cemetery Board and also as the school board where he was a clerk for many years. They were member of Immanuel Lutheran church until it's closing and then joined Aspelund Lutheran Church where they remained. Andrew was an avid hunter throughout his life.
Andrew passed away on March 12, 1986 in St. Mary's Hospital in Detroit Lakes, Mn. Funeral services were held at Aspelund with interment at Immanuel Cemetery. After his death Esther remained on the farm, later moving into Ulen where she resides today.
Johnny Sakrismo
Jahann "Johnny" Sakrismo was born on December 21, 1916 on a homestead in Rollis Township in Marshall County, to Peter and Anna Sakrismo. He was raised and attended area schools in the Flom community and graduated from Waubun High School. Johnny was known throughout the area for being a brick and block layer nearly all his life. Over the years, he had worked on many porjects in this part of the state. He had lived on the family famr all of ihis life and had operated it for the last many years. Johnny also worked in Alaska for several summers.
He was a life-long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. the Detroit Lakes Lodge of the Sons of Norway, the Local 12 Brick and Block Layers Union of Crookston. He never married.
Johnny passed away on Monday, January 27, 1983 at his home section 32 of Flom Township. Funeral
services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church Flom, Mn with interment at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.
Lars and Alice (Jensvold) Sakrismo
Lars was born on August 16, 1910 to Peder and Anna (Swendson) Sakrismo at Gatzke, Mn He attended country school and was baptized and confirmed at Syre Lutheran Church, Syre. Lars was a farm laborer around the Flom area. He later moved to the iron range and worked for the railroad. He then worked on the West Coast in a Lumber Mill. When WW II came he served in the Pacific Theater.
Alice was born on June 10, 1923 to Jens and Sigrid Anna (Aas) Jensvold in Tydal, Norway. When she was five years old her mother died and she moved in with the Sakrismo family who became her foster parents. As a young girl she would work with them milking goats and house chores. She later worked at the Hotel Vaekrastua and also as a nanny in Oslo. During the German Occupation, Alice served as a cook in Norwegian Home Guard.
Lars and Alice were married on August 23, 1947 at Tydal, Norway. Alice came to the United States in 1948 with her infant daughter Sigrid. Lars and Alice farmed and had dairy cattle living in Section 1, Ulen Township, Clay County, Mn. He also did mason work. Alice took on the duties of a farm wife and mother when she came to America. She helped with the dairy operation and raised their family. After her children had all left home Alice worked at the Flom Cafe. Through out most of her life she was always knitting; caps, scarves, sweaters and was well known for her mittens and gloves, which she would sell.
Lars died on November 19, 1988 and Alice died on November 2, 1999, they are both buried at Immanuel Cemetery.
Lars and Alice were the parents of four children; Sigrid, Linn, Stephen and Sonja.
Sigrid Marie was born on January 6, 1948 in Norway. She attended school at Ulen, Minnesota and graduated from there. She is married to James A. Beckstrom. They have two children,
Andrea T. Sunde, born December 4, 1971. She has a son Austin A. who was born May 19, 1995.
Carl R. who was born April 20, 1974. He is married to Sarah M. Baumgartner.
Linn Audrey was born on December 10, 1952. See Linn and Jeri (Busby) Sakrismo.
Stephen Jon was born on August 19, 1960 (twin).See Stephen and Tammy (Ritter) Sakrismo.
Sonja Beret was born on August 19, 1960 (twin). She is graduated from Ulen-Hitterdal High School and attended Moorhead Vo-Tech where she took up Commerical Art. She was married to Greg Tigue on September 24, 1994, who was born September 8, 1963 in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. Sonja works as a Dental Lab Tec at Precision Dental Lab and Greg is an Electrical Design Consultant at Vareberg Engineering. They have one daughter, Natalie Ann who was born March 2, 1998. The Tigue Family lives in Moorhead, MN.
Linn and Jeri (Busby) Sakrismo
Linn Audrey was born on December 10, 1952 to Lars and Alice (Jensvold) Sakrismo in Ada, Mn. He was baptized on March 15, 1953 and was also confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. He attended school at Ulen, Mn from grades 1-10, then Ulen and Hitterdal schools merged and he went to Ulen-Hitterdal High School for grades 11-12 graduating in May 1971. Linn went to Bemidji State University from 72-75 then went back in 79 graduating in January of 1980. He worked in Fairbanks Alaska as a custodial worker at Pioneer Home, and also was a carpenter through the Local Union 3113. He came back and started to work as a carpenter for Swenson Brother’s Construction, Flom, Mn which he did for several years.
Jeri Lyn Busby was born on May 20,1957 to Loyal and Doloris (Hogenson) Busby in Moorhead, Mn. She was baptized in 1957 and confirmed on June 18, 1972 at Salem Lutheran Church, Hitterdal, Mn. Jeri went to Hitterdal Public School at Hitterdal, Mn for elementary school. Then with the merger of Ulen-Hitterdal she attended Jr and Sr High at Ulen-Hitterdal High School at the Ulen Site. She graduated on May 29, 1975. After graduation she attended Moorhead State University at Moorhead, Mn where she graduated May 25, 1979,with a degree in teaching. She was first employed as the High School Business Teacher at Annandale, Mn from September 1979 until May of 1982. She is currently employed as a High School Business Teacher at Detroit Lakes, Mn where she has been since 1982.
Linn and Jeri were married on August 14, 1982 at Salem Lutheran Church, Hitterdal, Mn.
They live in Section 19 of Flom Township in Norman County . Here they are raising their three daughters; Amanda, Christine and Heidi.
Amanda Ruth was born on July 23, 1985. She was baptized on September 29, 1985 and confirmed on June 4, 2000 both at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. She will be a senior at Norman County East this fall (2003).
Christine Ann was born on September 28, 1987. She was baptized on November 22, 1987 at Aspelund. She will be a freshman at Norman County East this fall.
Heidi Jean was born on July 3, 1990.
She was baptized on August 19, 1990 at Aspelund. Heidi is a 6th grader at Norman County East-Gary Site and next year will be a 7th grader at the Twin Valley Site.
Sakrismo Family
Peder and Anna were married in 1902, in Tydal, Norway. Peder was the son of Anders and Lisabet Sakrismo. Anna Svenson VoId was the only child of Greta Pehrson from Ljungdalen, Sweden, and Svend VoId of Tydal.
They came to America in 1904, landing in Halifax, Nova Scotia in February, and arriving by train in Syre, Minnesota. Peder's maternal uncle, Anders H. Stuedal, had sent them tickets so they came to his farm near Flom.
Peder's mother's four siblings, Magli Larson, Guri Nysetvold, Henning and Anders H. Stuedal, were all settled on farms in the same section near Flom.
Henning and Anders never married. Henning died early in life. Magli and Einar Loven had four children, all of whom died in early infancy. Three are buried on the farm, the fourth in the Immanuel Cemetery by his parents.
Einar also died suddenly, so Anders moved to live with his sister Magli. When she passed away, he moved back to the neat log house in the Sakrismo yard. Guri and Joe Nysetvold had four children, Ole, Ingeborg, Henry , and Johnny. They and Magli and Anders added very special meaning to our lives
as we were growing up.
The first two years in the Flom area, Dad worked on farms, the first year at the N.C. Flaten farm. The second year both Mom and Dad were employed by Andrew Dorseth. Mother kept house and took care of Andrew's four small children. Well do we remember our mother saying, "Men han Anders Dorseth var en snild man. "
A couple of Tydalings, Peter Aune and Joseph Peterson, from Gatzke, came for a visit. They encouraged the folks to move to the Gatzke area, where land was still available for homesteading. There was a large group of Tydalings already settled there. While there, my Dad farmed and worked in the lumber camps near Bemidji during the winter months. Much of the land in that area was flat, with poor drainage and was covered with peat, so it took many years before they got deep drainage ditches and were able to burn off the peat. Eventually it became very good land for farming.
Dad's uncle wanted them to move back to his farm, so in April, 1917, they finally did. Dad purchased the farm and it was their home for the remainder of their lives. The move from Gatzke to Flom took four days, with three stops: Middle River, Crookston, and Syre.
Our parents were active members and supporters of the Lutheran church. Our Dad was also active in community affairs. Our parents were neither rich nor poor in money, but we look back with rich memories to a home of good Christian living and a wealth of memories of all the fine times we had with our many friends. Our parents always welcomed our friends and food and lodging were readily shared whenever or with whomever as the need or occasion arose.
Mother passed away peacefully at home on New Year's morning in 1957, in the presence of family and a neighboring nurse, Mrs. Bert Albertson.
Dad went to Norway in May, 1958, after an absence of 54 years and died suddenly in the house where he was born in July, 1958. Their final resting place is the beautiful Immanuel Cemetery , located a mile and a half north of the homeplace.
The following are updates of what was written 25 years ago:
There were eight of us children: Elizabeth, Anders (Andrew), Sven (Sammy), Lars (Lewey), Greta, Petrina (patsy), Johan (Johnny), and Singne Marie (the only one with two names).
Elizabeth
Elizabeth and Sidney Swenson (also Tydal ancestry) lived near Flom. Sidney was a builder. In fact, he was 23 years old when he and Ted Puffier, with the help of Peder and the boys, built the house at Sakrismo' sin 1927. To this day, there is not a sag in the house anywhere. Elizabeth was a skilled seamstress, a very loving and caring big sister. Elizabeth passed away in November, 1977, Sidney in September, 1978. Their twin sons, Aaron and Arvid, have their own construction company and live on the home place .
They have added a beautiful Scandinavian Heritage room to their home, which attracts many visitors from far and near. Jeanine, their sister, and husband, Luveme Ehnert, live near Frazee. Vern is retired from the Minnesota Highway Dept., and Jeanine is a retired nurse. All four of the above are very much involved and skilled in Norwegian arts and crafts, as well as other crafts, too. Jeanine and Vern have two sons. Robert is a construction engineer for Powers Construction in Fargo. Erik graduated from Vo Tech in Alexandria and is employed by Tool & Die Co. in Detroit Lakes.
Andrew
Andrew and Esther (Stueness), also of Scandinavian descent, retired from fanning. Andrew passed away in March, 1981 Esther has a nice apartment in an assisted living complex in men. She will celebrate her 90th birthday on July 20, 2002. She still is an expert cook and baker of Norwegian kringles, lefse, etc.
Their two sons are Phillip and Loyal.
Phillip and Diane (Norwegian heritage) live in West Fargo. Phillip is retired from Class Clay. Diane is teaching in West Fargo. They have two children, Lisa and Tony.
Lisa and Mike Trinka live in West Fargo. Lisa is a teacher, but presently a stay-at-home mom for their three children, Allison, Thomas, and David. Mike is a graduate of N.D.S.U. in Grand Forks and works in Investments.
Anthony and Linda live in West Fargo. Anthony attended Moorhead Tech. and N.D.S.U. and works for Thermo-King in refrigeration. Linda works for Bremer Banks.
Loyal and Patty (Krueger) operate a dairy farm on the home place. Besides helping Loyal with farm work, Patty works as a secretary for Peterson Insurance in Ulen. They have three children: Tracie, Troy, and Tricia.
Tracie and Bruce Paulsrud live in Rantoul, lllinois, where Bruce is employed by the University as an Extension Specialist. Tracie is an English teacher, but presently a stay-at-home Mom for their children, Andrew and Elizabeth.
Troy works for Meineche Construction in Fargo. He is a busy and loving dad for his two little girls, Shanea and Chelsie.
Tricia and Gordon HaIl live in Red Lake Falls. Tricia works as a cook in Thief River Falls and Gordon has been employed as an engineer for the county but is presently moving to another position.
Sven (Sammy)
Sven (Sammy) never married and passed away rather young in July, 1957, from damaged lungs caused by exposure to a poisonous gas which forms from the silage in silos. He was fanning with his Dad at the time he became ill.
Lars (Lewey)
Lars(Lewey) worked on farms and the railroad. He served in the Japanese theater in IeShima, Okinawa. He came home from the war on Christmas Day, 1945, and on Christmas Day, 1946, he and his sister traveled to Tydal, Norway, to visit their ancestral homes. While there he met and married Alice Jensvold, and they made their home on a farm in the Northeast part of Clay County. Lewey passed away in November, 1988. Later, Alice moved to Ulen. She passed away in November, 1999.
Their four children are Sigrid, Linn, Stephen, and Sonja. Sigrid and Jim Beckstrom live in Moorhead. Sigrid, a Concordia graduate, works in the registrar's office at Concordia. Jim is employed by Accent Construction Co. in Fargo. Their daughter, Andrea Sunde, also a Concordia graduate, works at Merit Care. She has one son, Austin. Their son Carl and his wife, Sara, both Concordia graduates, live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Carl is manager of Walgreen Drugs by Wells Fargo.
Linn and Jeri (Busby) live near Flom in the lovely home built by themselves near the Immanuel Church. Linn majored in business at Bemidji State but chose to continue in construction work. Jeri teaches business at Detroit Lakes High School. They have three daughters: Amanda a senior in
high school, Christine in ninth grade, and Heidi, in seventh grade.
Stephen and Tammy(Ritter) live in Moorhead. Stephen, a Concordia graduate, works for Wells Fargo. Tammy works as a secretary and receptionist for Muchler Bartrum Architects. They have two children; Kari, a senior in high school, and Tanner, who is in junior high.
Sonja and Greg Tigue live in Moorhead. Sonja is a dental lab technician and Greg an electrical design consultant. They have one sweet little daughter, four-year-old Natalie Ann.
Greta
Greta and Arvid Engeseth (Gulbransdal) retired from farming near Lake Park. They spent their retirement years at their beautiful lake home on Lake Tulaby. Arvid passed away suddenly in March, 1987. Since then, Greta spends the winter months with her daughters, Yvonne and Randie and the rest of the year in her own home at the lake.
Yvonne Opdahl lives in Mahnomen and is an English teacher at the Twin Valley High School.
Randie Conner lives in Morris and was also an English teacher but is now retired due to ill health.
Petrina (Patsy)
Patsy was married to Marvin VanDenEinde. They lived north of Mahnomen. Patsy died and Marvin still lives on the farm.
The following children were born to them Sharon, Mylla and David:
Sharon is married to George Spaeth. They live in Chief Township in Mahnomen County. Their children are:
Michael who is married to Bobbi Johnston, they live in Eau Claire, WI with their 3 children, Jacob, Joshua and Amber.
Andrew who is married to Teresa Capliner. They live and farm in Mahnomen county with their 2 children, Gregory and McKenna.
Thomas who is married to Lori Dorfler. They live in Fargo, ND with their two children, Tyler and Zachary.
William who is married to Tracy Koski. They live in Hawley, MN with their two children, Sammy and Jon.
Theresa who is married to Kevin Podlak. They live in Mahnomen with their 4 children, Amanda, Benjamin, Nicholas and Christopher.
Howard who is married to Trina Jordahl. They live in Fargo, ND with their two children, Autumn and Mattia.
George who is married to Julie LaVoy. They live in Fargo, ND with their son Payton.
Christine who is employed by the County Attorney’s office in Mahnomen.
Mylla is married to Will Marwitz. They live at Pipestone, MN. Mylla is a Tutor and Will is a retired English Teacher. They have the following children:
Jorden who is married to Leigh Erickson. They live in Janesville, MN
Tamara who is married to Mike Furth. They live in New Ulm, MN with their son Samuel.
Ryan who is married to Tasha Langdahl. They live in St. Cloud, MN.
Alison is currently in St. Paul, MN studying for the Bar exam. She will be in Brainerd, MN in the fall.
David is married to Maureen Busby. They live on the family farm and have 3 children, Katie, Ezra and Emily.
Johnny
Johnny spent many years doing seasonal masomy work in Alaska. After our parents died he purchased the homeplace where he farmed and also did masomy work. He died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 66. Having never married, he spent much of his time being a wonderful uncle, good brother, and friend.
Singne
Singne and Bjarne Aune (also Tydal ancestry) were married in June, 1952. We spent most of our married life in Alaska, Bjarne in construction, Singne in teaching; but we did have an interest in fanning in Minnesota and spent a few years there. All told, we really lived an interesting life. (I might add that Bjarne's grandfather, Joe Haugen, built the Aspelund Church; he lived near the church before moving to Gatzke.)
We were blessed with four children, Ann Louise, Thelma Mignon, Beth Renelle, and Peter Erik.
Ann and Gustav Langworthy live in Fairbanks. Gus retired from the Operating Engineers Union and has recently completed the Aviation Maintenance Technology program at the University of Alaska. Ann received her nursing degree from the University of Minnesota but at present is a stay-at-home mom for their five children Ruth, Rebecca, Renee, Peter (twins), and Rachel, ranging in ages from 14-8.
Thelma and Daniel Hess live in Fairbanks. Dan works for the Federal Government as a welder. Thelma has degrees in both business and teaching but is also a stay-at-home mom for their three children Amber, Joel and Andrew.
Beth received her undergraduate degree in music at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and her master's in counseling at the University of Alaska. She taught music in the Fairbanks public schools for 20 years, was president of the teacher's union for two years, and most recently has been working as a counselor at Arctic Light Elementary on the Ft. Wainwright AnDy Base in Fairbanks. Beth is unmarried and has no children.
Peter Erik died in a car accident shortly before his 20th birthday in 1977. He had been working for two years following his high school graduation and was planning to enter college to study mechanical engineering at the time of his death.
Contributed by the Sakrismo Family
Stephen and Tammy (Ritter) Sakrismo
Stephen Jon Sakrismo was born on August 19, 1960 (twin to Sonja Tigue) to Lars and Alice (Jensvold) Sakrismo at Ada, Mn. He grew up on a small dairy farm near Flom, Mn. He was confirmed in May of 1975 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. He attended school at Ulen, Mn where he graduated in May 1978 from Ulen-Hitterdal High School. He furthered his education at Concordia College in Moorhead, Mn where he graduated in May of 1992, majoring in Business Administration/ Accounting and minored in Scandinavian Studies. Stephen is employed with Wells Fargo Banks (formally Norwest) where he has been employed since July 1, 1982. His position is a Correspondent Banker for Wells Fargo covering North Dakota, Montana and Northwest Minnesota.
Tammy Jo Ritter was born on November 28, 1961 in Moorhead, Mn to Harvey and Muriel Ritter (Harvey is deceased). She attended school in Moorhead and graduated from Moorhead High School in June 1980. Tammy went to Moorhead Vo-Tech where she took up secretarial classes, graduating from Moorhead Tech in 1982. She is currently employed by Mutchler Bartram Architects in Fargo, ND as a
Office Assistant.
Stephen and Tammy Jo Ritter were married on March 16, 1985 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Moorhead, Mn. They have made their home in Moorhead where they are raising their two children; Kari and Tanner.
Kari Marie was born on August 27, 1985 and is currently a Junior at Moorhead, High School. She participates in Cross County, Track and Gymnastics. Tanner Jon was born on August 22, 1989 and is currently a 6th grader at Robert Asp in Moorhead, Mn. He enjoys recreational and traveling soccer.
In their spare time Stephen enjoys woodworking, golf, hunting, and likes to travel. He was able to go to Norway in 1980 and plans are to return for a visit in July 2002.
The Sakrismo’s are members of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Moorhead, Mn.
Sven Sakrismo
Sven Sakrismo was born on December 8, 1908 in Marshall County, Mn. He moved here with his family and was active in the family farming operation with his father. He died in 1957 at the age of 48 at a Crookston, Mn hospital where he had been a patient for about two months. Funeral services and burial were held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn.
Albert Sandal
Albert J. Sandal was born on January 23, 1908 at LaMoure, ND, to John and Agnes Sandal. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith at LaMoure, and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom Mn. , in 1922.
He attended rural schools in the area and Northwest Agricultural College at Crookston, Mn.
He served in the 3269th Ordinance Base Depot and in the European-African Middle Eastern Theater during World War II. Albert worked on farms all his life, living in section 19 of Flom township, currently owned by David Boman. He had been a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church for many years. He was a member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Post 3818 at Flom, Mn. He never married.
Albert passed away on July 15, 1973, at the age of 65 years, at the Mahnomen Hospital. He is buried at Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Carl and Alice (Oien) Sandal
Carl I. Sandal was born on Marchy 4, 1902 at Fort Dodge, Iowa, coming to the Flom area in 1910. Carl was baptized at Fort Dodge, Iowa, he was confirmed on November 4, 1917. He attended elementary school in the area and then went on to the Agricultural College at Crookston, Mn. Carl operated a small grocery store in Moorhead before coming to the Flom area. Prior to his marriage he had lived at the Mabel and Edgar Skansgaard home in Flom, renting one of the rooms upstairs.
Alice Regina was born on December 2, 1919 in Walworth Township. She grew up here and attended Aspelund Lutheran Church. She married Carl Sandal on June 18, 1949 at Hitterdal, Mn at the parsonage.
They lived in Flom in section 34 the later years, on the east side of town. Carl farmed and did work as a DHIA tester. He last worked at the Flom Co-op in Flom. Carl died on June 12, 1968 quite suddenly. Alice did housekeeping duties for various people in the area. She remained in Flom after Carl died. On July 27, 1996 Alice passed away, they are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN.
Elmer and Agnes (Flom) Sandal
Elmer J. Sandal was born at Fort Dodge, Iowa to John and Johannes Sandal. He came to the Flom area with his parents as a child. They settled in section 19 of Flom township and here he grew to manhood. Elmer served his country during WW I of which he was a veteran.
Agnes Louise Flom was born on September 24, 1901 at Flom, Mn., to Gulak and Kari Flom. She grew up in the area where she attended rural schools.
After completing his military service he married Agnes Louise Flom, on November 8, 1934. They resided in Flom township. Where they were active in farming. In 1952 they moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn, where they had lived the last twenty years, until his death on September 7, 1972, Agnes passed away on August 1, 1979 at a Detroi Lakes Hospital. She had been a resident of the Frazee Retirment Center for several years. They are buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Elmer was a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Barracks 2175. At his funeral WWI Veterans served as pallbearers and the Barracks also had charge of military rites.
John S. and Johanne (Oen) Sandal
John S. Sandal was born in 1863.
Johanne Oen was born in Syndfjord, Norway on December 4, 1868. She came to American with her parents in 1890 and they settled at Fort Dodge, Iowa. At the time of her death there was a brother George Hetle of Grand Rapids, ND and as sister Mrs. Elling Orness of Dickey, ND, listed as survivors.
John and Johanne were married in Fort Dodge, Iowa on May 6, 1895. They moved on to Marion, ND in 1904, where they lived for six years, before coming to Norman County, Mn. Here they settled in section 19 of Flom township in 1910. This is currently owned by David Boman. John died on April 14, 1917, he is buried at Immanuel Cemetery.
John and Johanne were the parents of eight children…All boys!
Elmer was born in 1896 (see Elmer and Agnes Sandal), Immanuel Cemetery
Sivert was born in 1897 and died in 1957, Immanuel Cemetery
Julian was born in 1899 (see Julian and Julia Sandal), Aspelund Cemetery
Carl was born in 1902 (see Carl and Alice Sandal), Aspelund Cemetery
Arthur was born in 1903 and died in 1957. Immanuel Cemetery
Martin was born in 1905 and died in 1954. Immanuel Cemetery
Albert was born in 1908 (see Albert Sandal), Immanuel Cemetery
Alfred was born in 1912 and died in 1990, he is buried in Santa Barbara California.
Sivert and Lillie (Erickson) Sandal
Sivert Benjamin Sandal was born July 22, 1897 at Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was baptized by Rev. O. Shefeland. He came with his parents, John and Agnes Sandal, to Flom Mn, when he was a child. He was confirmed by Rev. O.N. Nelson.
On October 21, 1918 he was inducted into the U.S. Army, where he served three months.
On February 20, 1921 Sivert and Lillie were married, to this union one son Lyle, was born. Sivert and Lillie farmed in section 19 of Flom township. Their son Lyle took over the farming operation until he retired. Lyle still resides on the home farm.
Sivert passed away suddenly at the age of 60 years, on the farm. He is buried at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. After his death Lillie continued to live on the farm with her son Lyle, which she did until the last few years when she moved into the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley.
Anker and Guri (Braaten) Sanden
Anker, the son of Wilhelm and Sigri Sanden was born in Nes, Hallingdal, Norway on May 12, 1860.
There he grew up and at Norway’s military age he entered the service and trained as all young men did.
During this time, his family left Norway. After completing his military service, he too, had visions of America, the land of opportunity. As much as he liked to go, he hated to think of leaving his sweetheart, Guri Braaten of Gol, Hallingdal, to whom he was engaged. However, after due consideration, it as decided he should go to seek his fortune in this new land and that she would wait for work from him when to come.
Anker arrived in American in 1887. Since his parents had already settled in Walworth township he naturally went there. Anxious to get a start in this country, he hired out to Lars Hitterdal near Hitterdal, Mn to work as a farm laborer. There he worked faithfully, earned money so that he could send Guri money for passage far. She was patiently waiting to come to America. The following ears she arrived.
They were married by Rev. Hans Johnson at the Wild Rice parsonage a short distance northwest of Flom, Mn.
They built a small log house on his father’s farm where they lived for a few years. Anker continued to work for Mr. Hitterdal. Each weekend he walked to and from the Hitterdal farm which was a distance of about 16 miles. Guri also got a job as "hired girl" for Arne and Gunhild Evans, of Ulen. Which was a 10 mile walk from her home. As pay, Guri received a cow which was the start of Guri and Anker’s dairy herd.
They were both ambitious and eager to get a good start and a good home for themselves. They worked and saved and in 1891, they were able to buy a quarter section of land from Andrew and Mary Larson, adjacent to his parents’ land for the sum of $3.00 per acre. This was the northeast quarter of section 23.
Now they had their own farm. Now their next move would be to build a home on this property. Never letting up, they toiled on and on and soon built al log house and moved in with their family of two girls.
How proud they must have been. They were making progress in spite of hardships and handicaps. Years passed and the family increased and by 1902, the second house was completed. A new additions were added in later years. They were blessed with twelve children. Life in pioneer days was not an easy life.
They worked from early morning until late at night, tilling soil, raising cattle and poultry.
All the necessities of life came from the farm. In spite of hard labor and anxieties, life had it’s pleasures.
The Lord was merciful as health and happiness prevailed.
The Aspelund Lutheran Church of Flom, Mn was their home church. There the children were baptized
and confirmed in the Norwegian language. All attended school District #35.
Both Anker and Guri died on the farm, he in January 1933 and she in 1944. They are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Anker and Guri were the parents of; Christina, Wilhelmina, Sophie, Edward, Ole, Ida, Caroline, Albert, Anna, Theoline, Gilbert and Elmer.
Christina married Helmer Arneson and they settled at Lake Eunice township.
Wilhelmina married Herman Sams and they lived in Duluth, Mn.
Sophie was born on October 11, 1892. She married Albert Krause and they were the parents of Clyde, Joe,
Raymond, Adolph, Melvin, Robert, Alice Gladys and Hazel. Sophie and Albert are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom.
Edward was born on December 16, 1894. He married Clara Nelson, the daughter of Charley and Anna (Anderson) Nelson. They were the parents of; Hermine Grace, Gladys Annabelle, Mavis Annabelle, Laurine Rose, Anna Helen, Ellen Clarice and Edsel Charles. Edward and Clara are a buried at Aspelund. Ellen Clairce Sanden was born on December 24, 1920 in Walworth township, Becker County, Mn. She died on January 25, 1921 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
Ole was born on October 4, 1896. He never married and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Ida married Henry Anderson. They lived at Detroit Lakes, Mn., and they are both buried at Detroit Lakes.
Caroline married Edgar Brattland. They lived on a farm near Hendrum, Mn, until his death. Caroline then moved to Moorhead, Mn.
Albert married Ella Malvick. The lived in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Edward: see Edward and Clara ( Nelson) Sanden
Anna married Edwin Somdahl and he passed away on May 24, 1984 and is buried at the Ulen North
Cemetery. Anna then moved to Turtle Lake, south of Lake Park, Mn.
Theoline married Alfred Kaiser. They lived in Murfreesboro, Tennesse and are both buried there.
Gilbert married Berlette Shay. They resided in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Elmer was born on March 18, 1915 in Walworth township. He never married. Elmer passed away on May 24, 1995 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church.
Edward and Clara (Nelson) Sanden
Life was simple in Walworth township in 1894. People depended on the land and their cattle for a living, and on their neighbors for help with the work and during a crisis. But to Anker and Guri Sanden it was a special year. That was the year their fourth childe and first son was born.
Edward Sanden was born on December 16, 1894 on the farm his dad had purchased in 1891, four years after his arrival in America. He grew up on this farm was baptized and confirmed in the Norwegian language at Aspelund, in Flom ,Mn. He attended school in District No 35 located two miles from his home. The school in enrollment from 24 to 30 students a year.
Edward, or Eddie as he was called, and his brothers and sisters walked to and from school every day. One day on the way to school they saw a skunk. Eddie and a neighbor boy, boys being boys, decided to throw stones at it. Needles to say, the skunk defended herself the only way she could. When the boys got to school, they smelled so bad that the teacher wouldn’t let them in. They sat in the wood shed until noon.
By that time, Eddie’s buddy was allowed to go back into the schoolhouse, but Eddie’s clothes still smelled too strong; so he was sent home. It didn’t hurt his feelings though, because school to him, as to most boys, was a necessary evil.
There were five boys and seven girls in the Sanden family; so there was never a dull moment. Card parties and dances were the chief means of entertainment. It was nothing to drive several miles by horses for a good game of cards, summer or winter.
One celebration the family never missed was the 14th of June Celebration at White Earth. Anker would drive there with horses and a lumber wagon, he and Guri up front on the seat and the family riding in the back.
Along with the good times came hard work. Wood was used for fuel and had to be hauled for miles. Eddie, his Dad and a brother would drive to White Earth or Popple Grove, Northwest of Waubun, with two teams to get the fuel. They would cut down the trees, trim them, cut them and load them on the sleigh and go home again the same day. After they got the wood home, it had to be sawed, and split with an ax so it would fit into the cook stove and wood heater.
Another important item was flour. After harvest in the fall, Eddie would haul a load of wheat to the Faith Mill and trade it for flour. Sometimes he would drive to the Mill at Richwood and get the flour there. He would get enough flour to last until the next harvest.
Eddie farmed with his Dad and brothers until his marriage, taking time to go into the army during World War I.
On January 28, 1920 he married Clara Nelson of Detroit Lakes, Mn. They drove to Ogema by sleigh and horses, stayed at a hotel there, then took the train to Detroit the next morning, returning the same night on the "Midnight Flyer". All this as necessary even though Ed was sporting a new Model T. Ford, as there were no snowplows to clear the roads. They had their wedding dance later at his folks’ house, a gala affair, even though the weather was cold.
Clara was the daughter of Charley and Anna Nelson, also of Walworth township. She was 9th in the family of eleven, having five brothers and five sisters.
Ed and Clara bought some land not far from his folks, built their home, planted trees and began farming. All the work was done by horses until tractors came into use.
Haying was an important time as it meant feed for the cattle all winter, or extra money if it could be sold. A garden was a must as it meant vegetable for the winter. Wild plums and strawberries were also appreciated.
Since there was no electricity, all the vegetables, fruits and meat had to be canned.
Wood and water had to be carried into the house every day. It was the job of the younger children to "keep the wood box full." Kerosene lamps and lanterns were used as light. The lamp chimneys and lantern globes had to be cleaned often, and the wicks trimmed so they wouldn’t smoke.
Seven children were born to the Sandens. They were all baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, of Flom. They attended school in District No 54, the Wild Rose school. It was a one room school with a large entry where the janitor supplies and some wood for the heater were stored. There was a barn on the school yard, too. One third of it was used as a wood shed and the other part was for horses. Some of the children drove to school or rode horseback and would leave the horses there all day.
The school term was eight months long, closing about the first of May each year. When the school closed in 1944, the children were bussed to Ulen and attended school there.
In 1945, the Sandens moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn. Ed first worked for the Madison Silo Co. summers and the Addison Miller Ice Co. winters. Later he worked at Swift and Co., until his retirement in 1949. Clara passed away on April 24, 1975 and Ed on July 31, 1984.
The Sanden children are Ellen, Edsel, Gladys, Mavis, Anna, Lorraine and Hermine.
Ellen Clarice was born on December 24, 1920 and died on January 25, 1921 in Walworth. She is buried at Aspleund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Edsel married Mary Morris. They lived in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Gladys Annabelle was born on June 30, 1923, she died on September 6, 1924 at the age of 14, months.
Gladys is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Mavis graduated from Ulen High School and went on to Moorhead State University. She taught for many years at Frazee, Mn. She married Ervin Swapp, he is buried at Aspelund.
Anna graduated from Ulen High School and Moorhead State University. She taught at West Concord. Anna married Burton Bisbee.
Lorraine graduated from Detroit Lakes High School. She went on to graduate from Glenwood Hills Hospital, in Minneapolis and Kahler Hospitals School of Nursing, in Rochester, Mn. She worked as a private duty nurse.
Hermine graduated from Detroit Lakes High School and Gale Institute. She married Richard Rew and they lived at Blomkest, Mn. She passed away on January 18, 1978.
Written by Mavis Sanden Swapp
Henry and Thora (Nykriem) Sannan
Henry was born in 1884 to Ole and Marit (Lien ) Sannan. He grew up in the Fossum area.
Thora Nykriem was born to Severin and Martha at Ulen, Mn in 1885.
Henry and Thora were married in 1905 at Ulen, Mn. They operated general stores, first in Ulen, then in Fossum for thirty years. In 1963 they moved to Twin Valley, Mn
They were the parents of five children; Silas, Maxwell, Harvey, Clarice (James Lien) and Ruby (Gust Burkhart).
Ole and Marit (Lien) Sannan
Ole Sannan was born on May 25, 1846 at Trondhjem, Norway to Hans Johnson and Girsten Imdatter.
He immigrated to the United States in 1870, coming to Norman County. He settled on the farm just east of the Wild Rice church in Section 5 of Flom Township, where he endured the early day struggles of pioneer life. Here he built a home.
Marit Lien was born in 1862 to Hans and Marith (Teiger) Lien in Guldbrandsdalen, Norway. She immigrated from Guldbrandsdalen, Norway in 1887.
Ole and Marit Lien were married on May 11, 1888, in the old log church of the Wild Rice congregation. The Sannen’s made their home on the farm until the 90’s when they moved to Twin Valley and were for some years engaged in a business there. They moved back to the farm for a short time, but later sold it to Erick Ballangrud, and in 1898 they moved to Felton, being engaged in a business there until 1900. From there they packed up their belongings and moved on once again this time to Ulen, Mn. Where they were engaged in the restaurant business until 1915, when they sold out and retired to a five acre tract they purchased from their son, Henry Sannan. Here they build and enjoyed a most comfortable home in their old age.
They were the parents of two children. Henry and Hannah Asleson.
Maurice and Mildred (Bergeson) Sargent
I was the fifth child born to Lauritz and Lena Bergeson and was named Mildred after my sister, who died at the age of four.
I was eight years old when we came to Norman County in 1916 and attended Home Lake School, District 44, where we had the usual amount of mumps. measles, chicken pox and small pox. To compensate for this, we had many enjoyable times when our families would gather at the schoolhouse for special holidays, bringing a bounteous lunch and to top it all off, the Basket Social which was the highlight of the fall season. My teachers were Sophie Bergeson, Mrs. Ida Boman and Ella Stondahl.
In 1922, I was quite severely burned on my arms and face and our neighbors, the John Olsons, took me into their home and let me use their bedroom to make it more convenient. Dr. Haugseth and his good wife came out regularly to take care of the burns until they were healed. Our Saviours Lutheran Church sent red carnations, Mrs. Pete Grande gave a woolen quilt and a total of $140 cash was collected for my benefit.
In 1929, I worked at the County Farm (sometimes called the Poor Farm). Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Restad were managers and Adolph later became Sheriff of Norman County.
While there, I met my husband, Maurice Sargent, who came to Green Meadow Township from Quimby lowa in 1914 with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sargent and his brothers and sisters, namely: Edwin, Roy, Alice, Edith. Louisa and Esther. They moved to Ada in 1925.
We were married September 27, 1930 and lived in Ada for the next six years while Maurice worked with Clarence (Brownie) Braaten in his farming operations and there our daughters, llene and Marlene, were born.
We then moved to the M. B. Johnson farm, southwest of Borup, where we lived for eight years and where our third daughter. LeAnn. joined her sisters. In 1944, we purchased a farm in Flom Township and here our fourth daughter, Sheila was born.
Maurice suffered a heart attack in the fall of 1950 and again good neighbors came to the rescue and did the fall plowing. History repeats itself.
We moved to Twin Valley in 1953. Maurice passed away July 21. 1956 and I have continued to make my home there.
Our daughters are now:
Ilene, Mrs. Donald Ruud, who with her husband purchased the farm in Flom Township that we lived on. They have two children: Douglas, and Donelle.
Mrs. Edgar (Marlene) Ruud is married to Donald's brother and they live on a farm a mile away. Edgar is also employed as a carpenter. They have four children: Randi, Kelly, Kevin and Robin.
LeAnn and her husband Thomas Erickson. live at Cottage Grove, Minnesota. Their four children are: Cynthia; Candace; Cherise; and Coby.
Mrs. Peter (Sheila) Ryhn and family make their home in Morris, Minnesota where Peter is a Certified Public Accountant. Their two sons are Steven and Michael.
Selma (Stende) and Helmer Sather
Selma was born on August 18, 1891, the second child of Charley and Nellie's to be named Selma. She married
Helmer Sather and they lived in Fargo, ND. They had no children. They later moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Selma died on February 2, 1965. Selma and Helmer are both buried at Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Ruth Narum Schwab
Ruth Narum Schwab, born on January 12, 1902, passed away on June 11, 1988 at Riverside, Ca. She was proceeded in death by Uncle Phil and her oldest son, Donald. Carl, David, Dick and Phillip survive.
Aunt Ruthie was the "end of the line" of the original Nels Narum family who lived in the Waubun area. She graduated from Detroit Lakes High School about 1917, and taught school near St. Cloud.
In 1904, Grandpa Nels founded the first general store in Waubun and was one of the original incorporators of the village in Mahnomen County. Uncle Albert Narum and cousin John Blomquist were among the many mayors of the village as well as businessmen promoting a small town.
Uncles Ned, Ernest, Albert and Clarence, all owned general stores in Waubun, Flom and Barnesville, with Ned and Burnetter (Nelson), later moving to Stillwater where for years they operated the I.G.A. Store, now Super Valu. Albert also operated the well-known "Rainbow’s End", a popular Sunday evening ballroom featuring large traveling orchestras.
My mother, Anna, started the first Sunday School in Waubun in 1909. We lived in Barnesville from 1921-1935 where Dad operated Olson’s Dairy. We moved to Frazee and came to Detroit Lakes in 1942.
Uncle John and Aunt Inez were Becker County residents and he was County Auditor about 1920. After he passed away Aunt Inez, who taught school in Oak Park, Il, summered in Detroit Lakes and had many friends through the Methodist Church. I have a copy of a deed from John and Inez to the First Lutheran Church property on Lake Avenue. The old Courthouse stood on the corner of Lake and Front Streets.
If there were prizes for the most letters written between families, the Narum’s would take first prize. Aunt Ruth got more news for a three-cent stamp than anyone I ever knew. Aunt Edna ran a close second.
Uncle Bill and Aunt Gladys lived in Houston, Texas, and independent Grandma Narum would take off unannounced for Houston from Barnesville with her ever-packed suitcase before my mother would know she went!
For years, in Barnesville, my Grandma furnished flowers for everybody and everything. She was a miniature Bergen’s Floral! And antiques!
We still have calendar plates and goblets, embroidery and souvenirs from the Waubun store, given as prizes with groceries. It is all part of our family history. Grandma’s all velvet 1908 hand embroidered quilt was shown here last year at the Mall. All the Aunts had a part in quilting at home.
I’m still wearing Aunt Ruth’s fur piece on a suit and have had it shown at "fashion shows" and dress-ups. Cousin Vangie Hillstead represented the Narum’s at the Waubun Diamond Jubilee Parade in 1982 with old clothes and dolls and a buggy.
The Narum family pioneering in this area were an industrious, independent and enterprising group. Nothing went to waste or waist!
I had a heavy crocheted bedspread from odds and ends store string.
Many of the Narum’s had large families and we still keep in contact. My brother, Eldred sees the California Clan. The Christmas list is still long.
We all benefited from our family closeness. When times were tough the family pitched in to help each other. The Narum’s will long be remembered by the pioneers of today, who likewise went through good and bad times, but came out the better for it by being independent and resourceful.
By Bea Wisted
Mark and Ava Jo (Skaurud) Seeger
Mark and Cindy (Rothe) Seeger
Ava Jo Skarud was born on November 3, 1956 to Donald and Marion (Logan) Skaurud. He attended school at Twin Valley and graduated with the class of 1975. While in School she was active in Band, chorus and class plays. After graduating she furthered her education at Moorhead Tech for two years. She worked one year for Dosland Law Office in Moorhead, Mn.
Ava Jo and Mark were married on November 5, 1977 in Twin Valley, Mn. They farmed in section 12 of Flom township. Ava Jo also was employed by the Twin Valley State Bank and later was employed by Twin Valley-Flom Credit union from 1989 until January 1993.
Ava Jo belonged to the Seek and Share Homemakers Club and the Twin Valley Riders Club. A lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church, she was baptized and confirmed there and held several offices in the women’s organization.
Ava Jo died on July 26, 1993 following a long battle with cancer.
Mark and Ava Jo were the parents of two children; Gina and Travis.
After Ava Jo’s death Mark married Cynthia Roth. Cindy is currently a judge in North Dakota. They continue to live on the family farm in section 12.
Richard Willys Seeger
Richard Seeger was born near Clear Lake, Iowa, on January 20, 1916 to Mr. and Mrs. William Seeger.. He was baptized in that area. In the spring of 1917 he came with hi parents to Norman County, Mn. Locating on the farm know as to Odegaard place. When about 14 years old, Richard was confirmed in the Wild Rice church. He attended school at Twin Valley, Mn and graduated in 1934. After his graduation he stayed home with his parents. He became suddenly ill on Wednesday, January 15, and passed away on January 16, at home. He was only 19 years, 11months and 26 days.
Richard was a boy of sterling qualities, who made friends with all who learned to know him. He made many friends during the years he attended the local high school, to whom news of his death came as a severe shock. In the home perfect harmony, love and kind consideration were always manifested. He leaves his father and mother; five brothers and sisters; Phillip, Janice, Duane, Allen and Carol Ruth, who keenly feel and sadly mourn the loss of a loving son and brother.
Funeral services were conducted from the Seeger home and the body taken to Clear Lake, Iowa, for burial beside that of his brother, Jewell Edward, who proceeded him in death 15 years ago.
Clara and Carl Aamoth/Andrew Severson
The following is an article from 1948, written about the tragic accident which claimed the life of Clara Severson.
Three killed and Two Injured in Auto Collison 1948
One of the most tragic accidents involving local people in many years took place last Wednesday afternooon during hazardous driving conditions caused by sleet and ice. In a head-on collision between a pickup in which Mrs. Andrew Severson, 60 and twin sons, Andrew, and Sander, all of Twin Valley, were returning from Fargo, and a car in which Mr. and Mrs. George McEvers of Baker, Mn were riding. Mrs Severson and Mr. and Mrs. McEvers were killed and both Andrew and Sander severson are still in serious condition with fractured skulls. The accident took place on Highway 32 about 2 and one-half miles north of Hitterdal, Mn, about 5:00 pm. There were no witnesses to the crash and both vehicles were badly smashed.
The tragedy was a severe shock to the family and relatives, as well as to numerous friends, and we join with the community in extending sincere condolences to the Severson family.
Mrs. severson was born in Flom township, on August 23, 1888, the former Clara Stundahl. She was married 26 years ago to Andrew Severson.
Surviving are Mr. Severson, the two son, Andrew and Sander, five daughters; Mrs. Howard (Camilla) Kindseth, Rose Ann, May, June, Mrs. Arnold (Rose Marie) Krueger. Five sisters; Mrs. Ole Stavetieg, Mrs. Guy Thompson, Mrs. Selma Smith, Mrs, Theodore Lerud, and Mrs. Ed Christensen. Six brothers; George, Marvin, Selmer, Treford, Louis and Olaf.
Funeral services took place from the St. Olaf church at Faith, Mn, monday afternoon, with Rev. C.E.L. Lucky officiating.
Reverend Theodore Lerud, brother-in-law of the deceased, spoke in behalf of the family. The church proved far too small to accommodate the large crowd attending the last rites. Burial took place in the St. Olaf church cemetery.
Clarence and Lillian (Molacek) Seykora
Clarence A. Seykora was born on August 26, 1914 near Owatanna, Mn to Joseph and Josephine (Starman) Seykora. At the age of two he moved with his family to a farm near Flom, Mn in Walworth township of Becker county. Here he grew up and attended school. He helped his father on the family farm as a youth, later farming with his father.
Lillian Molacek was born on October 28, 1914 to John and Clara (Pojar) Seykora near Callaway, Mn. She attended country school in that area and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School.
Clarence and Lillian were married on October 5, 1936 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. After their marriage they settled on a farm south of Flom in section 3 of Walworth township, here they operated a grain and dairy farm. They remained here until 1974 when they built a new home in Flom in section 33. Here they resided until their deaths. When they moved off the farm their son Warren took over the farming operation and reside there today.
In 1979 Lillian's mother Clara Molacek moved into their home in Flom and Lillian cared for her until 1990 when Clara became a resident at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, Mn.
Clarence and Lillian were active member of Aspelund Lutheran Church of Flom. Clarence, having served as a council member and as Sunday School Superintendent for several years.Lillian was active in the Ladies Aid and Circles. She also was a member of the Senior Citizens Club and the Diet Club in the area. Lillian also did daycare for Joshua Nogowski for his first year of life.
Clarence was also active in his community having served on the Ulen School Board for over 20 years, the Flom Co-op Oil Board for 24 years, and as chairman of the Wild Rice Rural Electric Board for 14 years. He also served for several years on the board of directors of the Flom Mutual Fire Insurance, Walworth township, Flom Creamery and the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center.
Clarence and Lillian were the parents of three children; Lyle (See Lyle and Sandy Seykora), Helene (Maruice Bjorgan) and Warren (See Warren and Sharon Seykora). Helene married Maurice Bjorgan and they resided in Red Lake Falls, Mn. Where they raised their four daughers; Maureen, Gaylene, Michelle and Lynelle. Helene is deceased.
Clarence died on May 3, 1991 and Lillian on December 29, 1995. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom.
Joe and Josephine (Starman) Seykora
Joe J. Seykora was born in April 1883 in Somerset township, Steele County, Mn. He married Josephine Starman in 1905. They moved to the Flom community in 1916 where they purchased a farm south and east of Flom in Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn. Joe was active in his community serving on the school board for Dist 54, Walworth Townboard and also on the Flom Cooperative Creamery Board for many years.
They had eight children. Margaret, Norine, Josephine, Helen, Jenny, Clarence (See Clarence and Lillian Seykora), Leonard (See Leonard and Hazel Seykora) and Arnold who died in infancy.
Joe Seykora died from a heart attack at the age of 54 in December of 1937. He was on his way home from Waubun at the time of his death. After his death his wife Josephine continued living on the family farm for many years. Their son Leonard took over the farm at this time.
Leonard and Hazel (Jacobson) Seykora
Leonard Seykora was raised in Walworth township in Becker County, Mn, He took over the family farm after his father's death in 1937.
Leonard married Hazel Jacobson in 1944. At this time Hazel was employed at the Flom Cooperative Creamery in Flom, working for Henry Ommodt. Leonard and Hazel stayed on the family farm where they worked hard tilling the soil. It is here they raised their three daughters: Carol (See Duane and Carol Johnson) Linda (Wally Blomseth) and Lois (Larry Malmskog).
In 1974 Hazel and Lenny sold the family farm and purchased the Elmer Anker house in Section 33 of Flom Township. This was the ideal spot for them to live as the were also custodians at Aspelund Lutheran Church. They did the custodial work for over 25 years, which also included being the grounds keeper for the cemetery.
After Leonard's death in 1997 Hazel decided it was time to move on. She had a sale and also sold the house at this time. Hazel then moved into Valley Pines in Twin Valley, Mn where she continues to live today.
Lyle and Sandy (Johnson) Seykora
Lyle C. Seykora was born on January 25, 1941 in Fargo, ND to Clarence and Lillian (Molacek) Seykora. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. He attended school and graduated with the class of 1959 at Ulen High School. After graduating he farmed with his father until 1962 when he started working for the John Deere dealership in Mahnomen, Mn.
Lyle married Sandy Johnson the daughter of Boyd and Dorothy (Voltz) Johnson on February 8, 1963 at Grace Lutheran Church in Sisseton, SD. They moved to Mahnomen following their marriage. Lyel went into partnership with Roger Viker and Russell Jeske at the Mahnomen Implement and in 1984 Roger Viker, Mike Nelsen and Lyel went into partnership. In 1989 Lyle became sole owner of the Implement.
Lyle was active in his church and community, having served as president of the Mahnomen Lion's Club and also president of the Mahnomen Booster's Club. He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen, Mn.
Lyle passed away on June 15, 1994 at Mahnomen, Mn. He is buried at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery, Mahnomen, Mn.
Lyle and Sandy were the parents of: Kim (Thomas Egan), Jeffrey, Brenda and Jeremy.
Kim is married to Thomas Egan and they have two children; Katie and Michael.
Jeremy is married to Alyssa Kerney.
Jeffrey L. Seykora was born on November 23, 1967 at Detroit Lakes, Mn., the son of Lyle and Sandy (Johnson ) Seykora. He resided in Mahnomen, Mn with his parents until his unexpected death on September 10, 1968 at his home in Mahnomen. Jeffrey was only nine months old at the time. He is buried at the Mahnomen Cemetery, Riverside.
Brenda J. Seykora was born to Lyle and Sandy (Johnson) Seykora at Detroit Lakes, Mn on March 6, 1971. She died at the age of seven months at Roseau, Mn. She had been ill since birth. Funeral services were held at First Lutheran Church, in Mahnomen with interment at the Mahnomen Cemetery, Riverside.
Warren and Sharon (Matter) Seykora
Warren was born to Clarence and Lillian Seykora. He was raised on the family farm in Walworth Township. He was baptized and confirmed in the Aspelund Church. He attended school in Ulen, MN and graduated from there. He took over the family farm and still lives there today.
He married Sharon Matter in 1974. She is the daughter of Jerome and Mary Matter of rural Callaway, MN. Sharon has a Ceramic’s business and travels around to shows in the area. They have 5 children: Anne, Amy, Jamie, Aaron and Jenae.
Alfred and Gladys (Loften) Skansgaard
Alfred Skansgaard was born Sept. 17, 1899, to Iver and Anne Skansgaard, and was raised on the family farm in Section 28 of Flom along with a sister and five brothers. Alfred was confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church. He met Gladys Loften, the daughter of local farmers, John and Inga Loften, while she was working at Jacobson’s Cafe. The couple married August 29, 1933, and together raised five children. Alfred did blacksmithing and ran a thrashing rig while they lived various places in the Flom area where a son, Gerald, and two daughters, Ann and Yvonne, were born. The Family moved to Duluth, MN. June 1941,
where two more daughters, Sharon and Charmayne, were born. They joined First Lutheran Church. The Family made many visits to Flom over the years. In Duluth, Alfred became employed by U.S. Steel and remained in that career until his retirement in 1965. When the children were older, Gladys worked seven years for Western Electric until that company moved out of Duluth. She became an employee of St. Louis County as Special Diets Cook for Miller Hospital and later as Supervisor and Head Cook for the Senior Center until her retirement July 16, 1982. Alfred and Gladys have seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Alfred passed away April 29, 1982, at his home in Duluth, MN. and is fondly remembered as a good natured easy going man. Gladys continues to live independently.
Burnelle Duane Skansgaard
Burnelle was born on July 13, 1932 at Flom, Mn to Harold and Martha Skansgaard. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. He attended school in Waubun and Twin Valley, graduating from high school in 1950. From 1951 until 1955, he served in the United States Air Force. Having been stationed in Korea for one year.
Following his discharge he worked for several years in Babbitt, and for the Reserve Mining and for Minn-Tac Mining in Virginia, Mn., as a heavy equipment operator. In 1978 he moved to Beulah, ND and worked at the coal gasification plant until 1980.
In the early 1980’s he moved to Long Beach, California and worked as a boiler maker until the mid 1980’s when he retired due to ill health. He then moved to Ada, Mn where he resided until becoming a resident at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in the fall of 1995. Burnelle died March 23, 1996 and is buried in Aspelund Cemetery.
Burnelle was a member of the American Legion, and the VFW.
Burnelle married Carol Fevig (divorced) of Ulen, Mn while he was in the service. They were the parents of four children. Mark, Mike, Joni and Jon.
Edgar and Mabel (Dorseth) Skansgaard
Edgar Thorvald Skansgaard was born on March 18, 1904 to Hans and Anna (Thorson) Skansgaard in Flom township. He grew up on the family farm in section 27 of Flom township. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn and it was here that he attended rural schools. It was the year after Edgar was confirmed that he was elected as secretary of the Aspelund Congregation, he was the youngest member ever to hold that office. He was selected because he was one of the few members able to write the minutes of the church counil in Norweigan.
Mabel Annette Dorseth was born on February 9, 1902 in section 29 of Flom township at the home of her parents Andrew and Mathilda (Korsgaden) Dorseth. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. She was raised on the home farm and attended grade school in Flom. She went to Mahnomen, Mn where she attended High School. Mabel's mother passed away in 1915, when Mabel was only 13 years old. It was after this that Andrew became a full time parents raising his family.
Edgar and Mabel were married on June 27, 1928 in a double wedding ceremony along with her brother Henry and his wife Viola (Christensen). For their honeymoon they enjoyed a camping trip to Itasca State Park. They resided in the Flom area and were active in farming, in 1936 Mabel and Edgar moved into their new home located in section 33 of Flom Township on the south edge of Flom. Mabel had purchased the land with consisted of 40 acres in section 33 and 40 acres in section 34 from her father Andrew for $1.00. Andrew had built a fine home here for his daughter and her husband to live in. Mabel and Edgar were active in farming until their retirment in the mid 60's when they went out of the Dairy operation and focused more on small grains. They later rented the farm land out, at this time Edgar focused more on his insurance business, which he operated until his retirement in 1984 at which time he sold his insurance business to Ben Syverson.
They were active in their church and community, both serving on various boards within Aspelund Lutheran Church and on the church choir. Mabel had also been active in the Sunday School. Edgar was also clerk of Flom township for 52 years, first as justice of the peace, then for several years as town clerk and as treasurer. He was secreatry of the Flom Co-op Creamery Board until 1970 when the creamery merged with Cass-Clay Creamery. Edgar was very active in working for the coming of REA, and he spent much time and traveled many miles working for that goal. He also served on and was clerk of the Flom School Board. Edgar was also memorial secretary for 25 years. Edgar enjoyed many hobbies, such as playing the organ and violin and he was a good craftsman making many beautful things from wood. He was an avid fisherman. Many an hour were spent fishing on Twin Lake with Mabel and Edgar. He was one of the few who had a pontoon, of which he had constructed himself. Mabel and Edgar were excellent singers, of which we loved to sit and listen to them sing hyms, while Edgar played the organ.
Mabel boarded many people in her home in Flom. The upstairs consisted of four rooms of which two were adjoining. Some of the people who lived here were; Helmer (Mabel's brother) Dorseth, Carl Sandal, Lois Gotchell the school marm and her three children of which we can only remember the names of two; Marilyn and Bobby and Mike and Genny Johnson lived here when they were first married.
Mabel and Edgar never had any children, but they were like a second set of grandparents to their nieces and nephews and the great-neices and nephews. Many a weekend during the summer months were spent at their lake cabin on Lynnwood of South Twin. And there always seemed to be an aray of family and friends coming through to visit.
Mabel and Edgar loved to garden. They enjoyed raising vegetables in the latter years and always had beautiful flower beds both at home and at the lake.
On June 12, 1986 Mabel went home, she had told us that she would be going home on thursday, and she did. Mabel died peacefully at St. Mary's Hospital in Detroit Lakes, Mn at the age of 84 years. A void was left in the hearts of her family and friends. After her death Edgar remained in Flom until 1987 he then went to live in the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley. Edgar passed away on December 24, 1987 at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn. He had recieved the best Christmas present ever-he went home to be with Mabel.
Submitted by Mabel's Great Niece Jennifer Dorseth Klemetson
Erland Hansen and Berith (Nilsdatter Løken) Skansgaard
Erland Hansson Kjorstadmoen was born in Sodorp, Nord Fron, Oppland, Norway to Hans Hansen and Anne Jacobsdatter on December 4, 1827. He was baptized and confirmed in Norway. He married Beret Nielsdatter Løften on November 27, 1851. Beret was the daughter of Niels Erichsen and Ragnil Thronsdatter. She was born in 1825 in Sodorp, Nor Fron, Oppland, Norway. She had the following siblings: Johannes, Kari, Thore, Mari, Mari and Erik Nielsen Loften.
Four sons were born to Erland and Beret:
Iver, (see Iver and Anne Skansgaard)
Hans, (see Hans and Anne Skansgaard)
Amund
Niels
The family is found living on the Skansgaard farm in the 1865 census of Norway and the 1875 census of Norway. Skansgård was a small farm under Kjorstad in Sør-Fron. It was a husmannsplass. It was named Skansgård when a husman came back from a war and named it so. The name is not rooted in farm names in Fron. Løften was a husmannsplassar in Nord-Fron.
Not much is known about Amund and Niels. Amund was born on January 10, 1859 and Niels was born on October 11, 1854. Amund emigrated from Bergen, Norway on March 24, 1880 on the Stjerne Line. His place of residence was given as Haus. The day before, on March 23, 1880, his brother Niels emigrated from Bergen, Norway on the Inman Line. His place of residence was given as Haus. It is not known if the brothers were in this area when they came here. We do know that they lived on the West Coast, probably in Washington State. Amund changed his name to Edward Holmer and Niels changed his name to John Ring. It is known that Amund/Edward worked on “Bergen’s banen” in Norway in 1880. The road was built at that time from Bergen to Voss. Amund/Edward also used the name A.E. Holm. He stated in one letter to his parents that he had changed his name because it was hard for people to pronounce Skansgaard. Both men were known to have been in the Salt Lake City, Utah area at the turn of the century. One letter was received from Niels/John that was written on April 29, 1894 from a hospital in Salt Lake City. He talks of being very sick and about going to San Francisco to receive treatment from a Chinese doctor. That letter he signed Neils Erlandson. Amund/Edward died in 1936 in Washington State it is presumed. A letter was received from the Royal Norwegian Consulate in Seattle, Washington. It was to do with an estate that was left after his death.
Erland and Beret emigrated from Oslo, Norway on April 25, 1884 on the Rollo. Their passage was prepaid, more than likely by one of their sons who were already all in America. Their place of residence was S. Fron and Storback was their destination in America. They landed in Quebec, Canada in May of 1884. Starbuck, Minnesota is where they first went to when they arrived here. His contract #16575 with Allan Brothers & Co. for his and Beret’s passage, reads as follows:
Erland Hansen has received of the undersigned, (agains payment of passage-money, including landing money in Quebec, Boston, Halifax, Portland or Baltimore, as specified) Through ticket #16575 for 2 adults to be forwarded to Starbuck, Minn. in the following manner:
1. By Steam-Ship to Hull, where the separate Steam-Ship ticket is to be given up;
2. By Railway to Liverpool;
3. By Steam-Ship to Quebec, Boston, Halifax, Portland or Baltimore;
4. By Railway to destination.
During the whole journey hence to America, passengers will be supplied with good and sufficient food as well as with suitable lodging; and this arrangement stands equally good in the event of any unavoidable delay or accident interrupting the journey, which in that case will be continued as soon as possible in a satisfactory manner.
Passengers must attach a full and plain address to each of their luggage packages.
10 Cubic feet Luggage pr Steam Ship and 100 pds pr. Railway free for each passenger above 12 years old; for children between 1 and 12 years of age, half the quantity.
On arriving in England, passengers must not hasten to go on shore, but wait until they are fetched by our Correspondents’ people, who will make themselves known by showing a list of all the Passenger’s names.
Passengers should not have any dealings with Interpreters. Tins and bedding should be bought in Norway or in Liverpool.
On arriving at America, Passengers must be careful not to let themselves be persuaded to take Lake-Steamer tickets instead of their railway tickets.
Passengers should hold to this contract and show it as often as they have occasion, but not give it up until they arrive at their destination.
A deposit of 20,000 Norwegian Kroner has been made to the Norwegian Government as security for due fulfilment of this contract.
E. H. Skansgaard made his Declaration of his intention to become a citizen in Pope County of Minnesota. He could not write, so he signed with an X and it was witnessed by A.L. Brevig. We do not know how long they stayed in the Starbuck area.
When they came to Flom Township, they lived in Section 27 on a farm.
Beret died May 24, 1898 and Erland died November 29, 1909. They are both buried in Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Hans Erlandsen and Anne (Thorson Volden) Skansgaard
Hans was born at Sodorp, Nord Fron, Oppland, Norway on June 16, 1863 to Erland and Beret Skansgaard. He was baptized and confirmed in his native country. In 1882, he emigrated from Norway to America. He came to Flom Township and lived in Section 27. He married Anne Torsdatter (Thorson) Volden on May 14, 1903. Anne was born to Tor Olsen Volden and Marit Iversdatter Milsteinstuen in Nord Fron, Oppland, Norway on June 26, 1865. She had two brothers who also came to America, Ole and Thorvald.
Anne immigrated to America with her parents in 1883. Her family also first went to the Starbuck area in Pope County of Minnesota as many Norwegians did who came from the Gudbrandsdalen Valley of Norway. Both Hans and Anne were very active in the Community and at Aspelund Church.
When Hans was courting Anne, he wrote her the following poem:
Fossum, Minn
Feb. 4th 1894
Oh gentle thought speak to my heart
Whenever life feels long and hard
Do sweetly fade out every pain
And cause me smile through tears again
Three children were born to Hans and Anne, they maybe would have had more, but were 38 and 40 years of age when they married.
Edgar (see Edgar and Mabel Skansgaard)
Magda (see Bill and Magda Lusso)
Harold (see Harold and Martha Skansgaard)
Hans died on May 8, 1953 and Anne died August 28, 1954. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery at Flom.
Harold and Martha (Smebak/Storbeck) Skansgaard
Harold A. Skansgaard was born on March 23, 1909 to Hans and Anne (Thorson) Skansgaard. While a young man he was employed in farming, driving truck, carpentry as well as working on the railroad for a brief time.
Martha Pauline was born on February 2, 1913, near Ulen, Mn.
Harold and Martha were married at the Wild Rice Lutheran Parsonage on January 8, 1932. They farmed near Flom and Harold also worked on road construction which included helping to build the Alaskan-Canadian (Alcan) Highway in 1942 and 1943. In 1952, he began driving bus for the Twin Valley school district and continued until 1971. From the 1960's until his retirement in 1989, at the age of 80 he was employed at the Flom Post Office.
Harold served on the Tri-Valley Board of Directors from 1977 to 1982. Together with his wife, he also served as a volunteer coordinator for transportation for many years. Harold was a life long member of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. He had served as sexton of the cemetery, on the memorial committee, and in various church council positions and also sang in the choir. His greatest enjoyment was music and he belonged to the Flom Male Quartet for several years.
Martha worked as Post Mistress for the Flom Post Office for 27 years. They lived in the living quarters behind the Post Office until the fire of 1973, which destroyed the west side of main street in Flom. At this time they purchased the home of Martin and Annie Lunde on the north end of town.
Here they remained until their deaths. Martha was a active member of Aspelund Lutheran church, having served on the Ladies Aid, Circles and was active in the Sunday School.
Harold died on September 5, 1996 at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn. Martha passed away on January 19, 1985. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Harold and Martha were the parents of one son; Burnelle
Herman and Emelia (Stuhr) Skansgaard
Herman Skansgaard was born to Iver Erlandsen and Anne (Pedersdatter Aspehaug) Skansgaard on July 12, 1905 on the Skansgaard Farm in Section 28 west of Flom. He attended Flom School and was baptised and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church.
He married Emelia Stuhr who was born on October 1, 1907 and had two children with her:
Lyle Skansgaard and Lowell Skansgaard
Later he married Betty Green in California and had a daughter with her:
Karen Skansgaard
Herman died in San Diego, California on January 1, 1957 and is buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery there.
Ingvald Skansgaard
Ingvald was born on December 3, 1922 to Oscar and Ruth Skansgaard in Flom Township. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended school at the Sunny Hill School. He lived in Flom Township his whole life and farmed.
He was very active in the Community. He served on the Church boards and Cemetery association board. He was a member of the Wild Rice Conservation Club, volunteered at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home, was a Director of the Urdahl Foundation, a member als of the American Legion and the VFW. Ingvald was a veteran of WWII, serving in Japan and the Phillippines from 1944-1946.
Ingvald had one sister, Lorraine (Bakke) and one brother, Robert, who preceded him in death.
Ingvald never married. He died on March 25, 1997 and is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Iver Erlandsen and Anne (Pedersdatter Aspehaug) Skansgaard
Iver Erlandsen Skansgaard was born in Sødorp, Nord Fron, Oppland in Norway in 1852. His parents were Erland Hansen Skansgaard and Bereth Nilsdatter. He was baptized on March 21, 1852 and confirmed in his native Norway. When he was about 28 years old, he decided to emigrate from Norway to America. He left from the Bergen, Norway Harbor on May 5, 1880.
When he first came to Minnesota, he lived in St. Paul and worked for the railroad. While in there, he met and married Anne Pedersdatter Aspehaug.
Anne was born August 18, 1861 in Øier, Oppland, Norway, in the Gudbrandsdalen Valley. She was baptized on Septpember 29, 1861. Her parents are Peder Knudsen and Sicil Pedersdatter Aspehaug. Anne had many brothers and sisters.
Her brothers were: Amund Mellum, Knud, Anders, Johannes, Matias & Ole. Her sisters were: Sina (Stueness), Anne, Karen, Anne & Ingeborg. Amund Mellum came to America with his family, but lived out his last years with the Iver Skansgaard family at Flom. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery. Sina was married to Peter Stueness and died shortly after giving birth to a daughter who also died. She is buried in Immanuel Cemetery in Flom Township.
Anne left Norway in 1889 and was heading for Baldwin, Wisconsin. Later, she moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where she met and married Iver. Their first child was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. Cecelia (Sophie) Skansgaard, on September 22, 1891. Iver at that time was working for the railroad. He saw that with his lack of knowledge with the English language, there would be no chance for advancement. He and his wife, Anne and daughter Sophie, moved to Flom Township in Norman County. They settled down in the SW 1/4 of Section 28 and lived there until their deaths. Iver can be remembered as being seen walking to Flom carrying his cream to the Creamery. This was a daily trip in his later years when he was unable to drive his horses. Their other children are as follows:Cecelia (Sophie) Skansgaard was born on September 22, 1891 in St. Paul, Minnesota. She never married. She was a lifetime member of Aspelund Lutheran Church and is buried in the cemetery there. She died in January of 1971. She did housework in the area and later made a home and cared for Oline Hanson of Perley, Minnesota.Emil Skansgaard, born January 3, 1893 in Flom Township, he died November 17, 1967 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery. He never married and lived at home with his family.Nels Skansgaard, born September 26, 1894 in Flom Township, (See Nels and Caroline Skansgaard)
Oscar Paul Skansgaard, born September 10, 1897, (See Oscar and Ruth Skansgaard)
Alfred Skansgaard, born September 17, 1899 in Flom Township, (See Alfred and Gladys Skansgaard)
John Skansgaard was born
Herman Skansgaard, born July 12, 1905 in Flom Township. All the children attended the Flom School, located in Flom, Minnesota.
John and Joyce (Jacobson) Skansgaard
John was born to Iver Erlandsen and Anne (Pedersdatter Aspehaug) Skansgaard on September 4, 1901 on the Skansgaard Farm in Section 28 west of Flom. He married Joyce Jacobson, the daughter of Albert and Tilla Jacobson, on July 20, 1929. Joyce was confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church at Flom, Minnesota. She also helped out in the cafe that her parents operated in Flom.
Two children were born to Joyce and John: Ronald and Sandra
They lived in Grand Rapids, Minnesota where they operated a restaurant. He then worked on the Alcan Highway during WW II. He attended welding school in Vancouver, Washington and later moved to Eveleth, Minnesota where they owned and operated Johnnie’s Eat Shop and also operated a cafe in Bovey, Minnesota. They later moved to Cherry and he worked for Rhude and Fryberger Mining Company in Hibbing, Minnesota for 23 years.
John died on May 8, 1988 and is buried in Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Nels and Caroline (Rishovd) Skansgaard
Nels Skansgaard was born to Iver Erlandsen and Anne (Pedersdatter Aspehaug) Skansgaard on September 26, 1894 on the Skansgaard Farm in Section 28 west of Flom. He married Caroline Rishovd on August 12, 1927 in Ulen, Minnesota.
Nels and his brother Alfred had a mecanic shop and gas station in Flom in the early 1930’s. Later, they moved to Hillsboro, North Dakota where he was employed as a mechanic.
The following children were born to them: Irene, married to Marvin Wendt; Blenda, married to Earl Gilbertson; Newman, Gary and Roger have all died and are buried at Riverside Cemetery at Hillsboro; Dale
Nels died as the result of a drowning accident at Lake Ashtabula in June of 1965 in North Dakota. He is also buried at Riverside Cemetery.
Caroline later married Henry Grothman of Hillsboro, North Dakota. She died and is buried at Riverside Cemetery also.
Oscar and Ruth (Stolen Engebretson) Skansgaard
Oscar Paul Skansgaard was born to Iver Erlandsen and Anne (Pedersdatter Aspehaug) Skansgaard on September 10, 1897 on the Skansgaard Farm in Section 28 west of Flom. He was baptized and confirmed in the Aspelund Lutheran Church by Rev. Larson and grew up in the Flom area, attending the Flom School.
Ruth Engebretson was born to Anna Teoline Olson on July 20, 1898 in Flom Township. She was united in marriage to Oscar at the Wild Rice parsonage by Rev. B.L. Opdahl on October 20, 1921. Ruth’s mother Anna, came from the Fidjestol Farm in Kvaas, Lyngdal, Vest Agder, Norway. She had a brother, Hans Olson and a sister Tomine Dorthea (Baukol) who also came to Flom Township.
They farmed in Flom Township for 44 years, retiring in 1965. During his life, he was quite active in church work, serving on the Board of Trustees for several years and was custodian of the Wild Rice Lutheran church for many years. He later served as cemetery sextant for several years.
Three children were born to Oscar and Ruth:
Ingvald (See Ingvald Skansgaard)
Robert (See Robert Skansgaard)
Lorraine (See Leonard and Lorraine Bakke)
Oscar died on May 8, 1970 at Crookston, Minnesota at the age of 72 years. Ruth died on October
Robert Skansgaard
Robert was born to Oscar and Ruth Skansgaard on November 27, 1927 in Flom Township.
He was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended Sunny Hill School.
He lived in this area his whole life with the exception of two years spent in the U.S. Army during the Korean war.
Robert had one sister, Lorraine (Bakke) and one brother, Ingvald.
Robert died on January 8, 1959 after and illness of about 18 months.
He is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Nickolai Olaf and Josephine (Hopperstad) Skauge
Nickolai Olaf Skauge was born September 24, 1873 at Spring Grove, Minnesota to Ole and Elizabeth (Rommereim) Skauge. Six years after his birth, the family moved to Norway Township in Lincoln County, South Dakota, and then later they moved to Mayville, North Dakota. Mr. Skauge’s father then took a claim for land near Clifford, North Dakota, where the family made their home until 1902. Nickolai had the following siblings:
Rachael, Anton and Ludwig who died when very young.
Mr. Skauge attended the Bruflat Academy at Portland, North Dakota for three years and from there went to Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, where he remained for three years, being called at that time to take over the management of the Wild Rice Lutheran Children’s Home. He came here to Flom Township on September 2, 1902, and on the 25th of that month was married to Miss Josephine Hopperstad of Ridgeway, Iowa.
Josephine was born in Iowa on September 19, 1882 to Endre Johanneson and Johanna E. (Thorsdatter Vold). Her father was born on October 27, 1838 in Vik, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway to Johannes Olsen Hopperstad and Barbro Lassesdatter Boe and her mother was born December 25, 1844 at Vik, Sogn og Fjordane to Tor Endreson Brekke Holstad Vold and Solveig Olsdatter Hønsi. Josephine’s parents were married November 9, 1866 in Iowa. They had the following children, which were siblings of Josephine:
John, Sylvia, Bertina, Marthilda, Theodore, Gilbert and Ole.
Nickolai and Josephine were the parents of the following children:
Ludwig, Paul, Hartwig, Adolph, Ted and Nickolai. Nickolai and Paul died at a young age. Olivia (Lind), Dorothy (Howard) and Edith (Gretter).
Nickolai was the superintendent of the Wild Rice Children’s Home in Flom Township for over 25 years. He died in 1928 and his wife Josephine died in 1963. They are both buried in Wild Rice Church Cemetery in Flom Township.
Ole A. and Elizabeth (Rommereim) Skauge
Ole A. Skauge was born on September 24, 1847 in Lindaas, Bergen, Norway. He was married their also to Miss Elizabeth Rommereim on June 27, 1870. They left Norway in 1873 with their children and came to Spring Grove, Minnesota. They lived there until 1879 when they went to South Dakota. Ole was a carpentar and he followed the trade. They lived in South Dakota until 1881 when they moved to Hillsboro, North Dakota. He was engaged in farming there until 1910, when they moved to the Wild Rice Children’s Home and lived with their son Nickolai and his family.
There were 8 children born in all to the couple. Only two were living at the time of Ole’s death in 1918. The rest died at young ages.
Nickolai A. Skauge and Rachael Skauge were the surviving children.
Both Ole and Elizabeth are buried in Wild Rice Church Cemetery in Flom Township.
Skeim Family History
This history is based on family letters by Sophia Skeim, Iris Skeim, interviews and letters from Sylvia Duckstad Quie, Lisa Locken, and current family cousins, Jeff Skeim, Erik Hanson, Luanne Skaim Tillman of Decorah, Iowa. and Barbara Murry. The narrative was written by Barbara Murry and Jeff Skeim.
Common variations of the family name are spelled Skeim, Skaim, Skieim, Skajem, and Skahjem.
Norway
Anders' grandfather, Anders Nilsen, had moved from Indrilid and married a Skajem girl and therefore became owner of the farm. Thereafter the decedents of Anders Nilsen became known by the Skajem farm name.
Anders Johanneson Skajem was born Nov 14, 1814 and wife Gertrude Veum Skeim was born April 14, 1816. Anders was the son of Johannes Anderson Skajem and being the second son was not first in line to inherit the family farm. The farm ended up going to his older brother Gjert Johannesen Skajem.
Anders Skeim was tall, blonde, right handed, enjoyed very good health, was exceedingly optimistic, and was a born leader. He was a successful farmer and a very good father.
When he was a young man he married Gertrude Veum and together, they came to the United States to establish a home.
Anders and Gjertrud’s first three children were born in Norway:
a. Ingeborg, b. 5-16-1844, Mrs. Ole T. Rogen; d. 1932
b. Kari, b. 10-24-1846, Mrs. Ole Nelson Odegard
c. Anna, b. 8-3-1849, Mrs. Baar Halverson
Anders and Gjertrud and the three children left Norway for America in 1850 or 1851. Their oldest daughter, Ingeborg Skeim (Rogen) was seven years old. It took sixteen weeks on the boat from Bergen to Gubeck (ajubeck).
Arrival: Wisconsin
The first stopping place was at Dane County, Wisconsin, in the later months of 1850 or 1851. Here, they joined the Lutheran Church at Koshkonong. J.J. and Severina were born there in Dane County, Wisconsin, and were both baptized by Rev. Preus, Koshkonong Church, the first Lutheran church in Wisconsin. This is where Ingeborg met Ole Rogen, her future husband.
When Anders Johanneson Skeim arrived, in America in 1851, he, had $.25 cents left The first thing he did was to build a house, Norwegian style for another Norwegian. It took him ten weeks to build the log house as he had to cut and prepare the logs himself. He got eighteen dollars for that. That was good pay, in those days. Then he worked for another man for two days and had to take wares instead of money. Reportedly, he either got two steer calves and an old stove or two axe handles. Wages were 25 cents a day.
John, who was often called J.J., and Severina were born in Wisconsin.
d. John (Johannes) Johnson (Johanneson) Skeim, b. 6-10-1853
e. Severina Skeim, b. 5-14-1855 Mrs. Tobias Tollefson
On to Iowa
In 1856, the Skeim family moved to Winneheik, County, and lived near Decorah, Iowa till 1868. They took a homestead and Anders worked long and hard to make his family comfortable. Here, they were members of the Rev. J. Koren’s church. John J. received a grade school education and as a young man was employed in Ben Bear’s Store. As a young man, J.J. had a serious cold that turned to pneumonia and he couldn’t do heavy work after that time. J.J. Skeim and Nikolina (Lena) Lillegraven met in 1879 in Decorah and were married there.
Norway
Lena’s father, Nikolai Stabell Jenssen Folkedal, was born in 1815. Sigrid Arnvensdtr Lillegraven was born in 1822. Nikolai married Sigrid in 1843. They had 10 children. Nikolai was a shoemaker and is listed in the census as having lived on Lillegraven in 1865. He purchased subdivision 1 of Storegraven (the Captain's farm) for 1525 speciedaller and moved there, but continued to use Lillegraven as a surname. He was a Corporal, and later a Sergeant. According to his grandson, Sverre, he was a sergeant for 25 years before he and his wife bought the farm. Often an officer had a farm as part of his wages. Nikolai died in 1888. Sigrid died in 1898. Nikolina Gurine was born on October 12, 1854. This is documented in the family papers, and at the church in Norway, although American records list both 1855 and 1856.
Lena emigrated to the states from Bergen Harbor on the 20th of April 1875, without any of her immediate family. We can speculate that she traveled with cousins or neighbors. She was about 21 years old, at the time. Her brother, Endre, (1857 -1905), had emigrated either in 1874, or on April 13, 1875. Johan (1867-1939) emigrated on May 18, 1888, and settled in Minneapolis. Letters from the family in Norway record the following description of Lena's decision to immigrate. Nikolina was helping on the farm. One night she was working in the barn pulling out hay, making suitable bundles for the cows, when she suddenly decided to leave for America. She borrowed money from her parents, and left soon after.
Lena and J.J. had nine children: Anna Sophia, Gustav Adolph, Clara Nikkolina, John Norman, Alert Melvin, Stella Margrette, George Severin, Enanda Henriette, and Guy Earnest.
Next Move: Minnesota
Anders and Gjertrud again moved to a homestead near the Wild Rice River near what was to become Flom and Twin Valley, Minnesota and lived there five years. While we don't know why they moved, we can assume they were pulled by the call of good land. It is unclear whether Anders initially worked for other land owners, or whether he initially purchased his own farm.
In approximately 1879, J. J. Skeim came up to see what the Northern Minnesota country was like.
Grasshoppers were very bad at that time. He decided not to stay, went back to Decorah, Iowa and got a clerking job at the then C.M. Goddard department store.
Both Kari and Anna and their families later moved to Norman County in 1885 or 1886.
Lena and J.J. Skeim’s children, Anna Sophie and Gustov Adolph were born in Decorah, Iowa. In 1884 or 1885, they decided to move to Minnesota to buy Anders Skeim's farm. The Railroad - Northern Pacific had been built as far as Moorhead at that time. They came on the train to Moorhead. Sophie was old enough to enjoy the trip, recalling the porters who worked on the train, while Gustov cried through much of the trip. Trips on the railroad were very difficult. The benches were hard, there was little room, and nothing to do but sit the entire time. Clara, Norman, Stella, George, Melvin, and Guy were all born there on the family farm. They attended the Wild Rice Lutheran Church and were confirmed there.
Other records differ slightly in Anders move and whether it predated JJ Skeim coming to the area. By another account, he moved to the Flom area in 1879. He lived awhile with his children, and later settled in section 11, where he had 1/4 section of land, which was later owned by his son, Johannes. Two of Anders and Gjertrud’s five children lived in the settlement, namely; John J. Skeim, and Ingeborg, or Mrs. Ole Rogen. Two lived in Moorhead, Mn; Severina, or Mrs. Tobias Tollefson and Kari, Mrs. Ole Nilson Odegaard. Daughter Anna, Mrs. Halvorson, lived near Glenwood, Iowa.
We do have records from the Deed of Record of Polk County, Minnesota, indicating Ole T. Rogen and his wife sold Anders 160 acres in the SW Quarter of Section 11 for $500 on 8-4-1880. Anders purchased the north half of the SW Quarter + the SE Quarter of the SW Quarter of Section 27 containing 120 acres for $330 on 7-29-1880, from Andrew Benson. He also purchased 160 acres in the NE Quarter of Section 29 for $500, 6-8-1880, from E.G. Holmes.
The Aettarbok for Aurland lists a Marta, who was born to Gjertrud in 1842. Marta would have been the first born and may have been an illegitimate daughter, as a Toreson is listed as her father, rather than Anders. There is a Toreson Olsen who lived on a neighboring farm, who was approximately the same age as Gjertrud. It’s possible that the family didn’t allow the marriage as Toreson may have been of the wrong social class. Marta didn’t emigrate with Gjertrud, Anders, and the other children.
One may speculate that leaving her oldest daughter behind would have been a heartbreaking event for Gjertrud. Marta, and her husband, Gjert Loven, also emigrated to the Twin Valley area in 1871 and farmed near Anders and Gjertrud. While we don’t know through written records, we can speculate that mother and daughter were finally united again.
Anders’ nephew, Johannes Gjertson Skajem and his sister Randi Skajem also later immigrated to the Twin Valley area where records show Johannes son, Gjert C. in 1895 as being 18 years old along with sisters Ingaborg 26, and Martha at 16. Anders' younger brother Johannes and sister Anna Loven
immigrated later to Decorah, Iowa where another younger brother, Nils Skajem, had already relocated from Norway. Johannes used the spelling Skaim, for his family in Iowa.
Gertrude Veum Skeim was a very capable woman of unusual character. Everyone that knew her loved her, she was always right at hand in times of trouble and her presence was most desirable. She loved the out-of-doors and would at time spend a whole day fishing at a near by creek. Once after spending
a day fishing in early spring rain and thaws, she became ill with pneumonia and died, at the age of 77. She was buried at Wild Rice Church Cemetery, near Twin Valley, Minnesota.
Severina Skeim, the youngest daughter of Anders and Gjertrud, had married Tobias Tollefson, before 1873. Their daughter, Amanda, was born in Decorah, Iowa on June 19, 1873. In 1876, Severina and Tobias, took Amanda, and along with some neighbors, started out for Minnesota in a covered wagon.
Bad luck struck them nearly right away. They had not gone very far when they had a run away and one horse broke his leg and had to be killed.
However, the courageous family bought a pair of oxen from a settler along the way and continued the journey. They milked the cow they had brought along. Their food consisted mostly of mush and milk.
There were no roads and the journey across the endless prairie was a rough one. When they came through what is now Detroit Lakes, MN, there were only a couple of houses and Lake Part had only a depot. It took them five weeks to get this far.
All the wagons went on to Clay County except the Tollefson’s and another family. They settled in Norman County on a piece of land in Section 13, two miles north and east of Flom. The first year the family lived in a dugout with a small window on one side.
Kerosene lamps were used, and when they ran out of kerosene they would burn rags soaked in a dish of lard. Amanda’s brother was born in that dugout. The closest neighbor was four miles away, and they walked to Lake Part twenty miles to get supplies and mail.
They plowed up a piece of prairie and seeded grain. Six Indians were seen walking across the field on their way to White Earth. They were sent by the Sioux Indians to get the Chippewa of White Earth Reservation to join them in war against the white people. They could clearly hear the war drums at White Earth that day, but they did not go to war as the soldiers from Fort Snelling came and pushed them back. Amanda was 12 years old when she started school, and walked four miles to and from school, with a two-month term of school for the year. She was confirmed in Wild Rice which was seven miles away. Amanda lived on the farm in Flom Township for many years. The farm was sold to her son, Guy, who has now sold it to his son, Merlyn. Merlyn and his wife, Sylvia have two children and are presently operating the farm.
Several incidents of J.J.’s life were related to Emerson Murry by his mother, Estelle Skeim. She described the time that J.J. had hired combiners to come and harvest his crops. Sparks from one of the combines set the wheat field on fire, and the entire crop was lost. J.J. came into the house, without saying a word, and went directly to bed.
Later in his life, J.J. was gored by a bull. He suffered significant injury and never fully recovered. He died several years later, and it may be speculated that the injury caused the onset of the kidney problems which lead to his death.
Obituary - Anders Skeim
Twin Valley Times
May 25, 1898, Vol 3 #20
Andres Johanneson Skeim, of town of Flom, died on Tuesday, May 24 aged 84 years. The funeral takes place next Saturday from the Wild Rice Church.
There are a number of errors in names in the obituary.
Obituary from the Fertile Journal
J. J. Skeim Passes Away: Died at His Home in Fertile on October 5th After a Long Illness
The following, taken from last weeks Fertile Journal, will be of interest to our readers, as the deceased was a resident of this section of Norman county until a few years ago, and was very well know to our residents.
After a somewhat prolonged illness, J. J. Skeim died Thursday, October 5th, of Bright's disease and heart failure. Deceased was born June 10, 1853, in Dane county, Wis. From there he moved to Iowa where he was married to Miss Lena M. Graven in 1879. He moved to Norman county in 1883, where he resided until the spring of 1912 when he came to Fertile. Deceased leaves a wife and nine children, all living. They are Mrs. B Bucksad, Melvin, Enanda and Guy, of Fertile: Adolph, of Ray, N.D., Mrs. Ed T. Gunderson, of Waubun; Norman and Mrs. R. M. Murry, of Cooperstown, N.D., and George, of Tower City, N.D.
The funeral took place Monday of this week, the remains being interred in the Pleasant Hill cemetery.
Obituary of Lena Skeim
Nikkolina Skeim Rites Conducted Here on Friday
Mrs. Nikkolina Skeim, as pioneer resident of the Fertile community died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Brown Duckstad, in Fertile, on Tuesday morning, September 21, having been in poor health the past several years. She was 87 years old.
Funeral services were conducted at the Concordia Lutheran church at two p.m. on Friday, September 24, with Rev. F. W. Tolo officiating. Vocal music was furnished by Mrs. J. B. Austinson, soloist, and the St. John’s quartette. Interment was made in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers were three sons of Mrs. Skeim - Melvin, George and Guy, and three of her sons-in-law, Victor Sellberg, Edwin Gunderson, and R. H. Murry.
Mrs. Skeim was born to Jens and Sigrid Granvin at Hardanger, Norway on October 20, 1856. When she was 18 years old she sailed to America, going to Big Canoe in Winnishiek County, Iowa.
On July 12, 1879, she was united in marriage to John J. Skeim of Decorah, Iowa. They made their home at Glenwood until the summer of 1883.
Mr. and Mrs. Skeim moved to Norman county in 1883, locating on a farm in Flom township. They remained there until the spring of 1912, when they moved into Fertile to make their home. Mr. Skeim died October 5, 1916.
Nine children were born to Mrs. Skeim, all of whom survive with the exception of a son, Adolph, who passed away December 10, 1927. The survivors are:
Mrs. Sophie Duckstad, Mrs. Victor (Enanda) Sellberg, and Melvin Skeim, all of fertile; Mrs. Ed Gunderson (Clara), Detroit Lakes, Minn; Norman Skeim, Big Lake, Minn., Mrs. Ray (Estelle) Murry, Dunseith, N.Dak., George Skeim, Litchfield, Minn., and Guy Skeim, Rolla, N.Dak.
Mrs. Skeim is also survived by 25 grand children, and 13 great grandchildren.
The Children
Anna Sophie Skeim
The oldest child of Lena and J.J. Skeim, Sophie Skeim married Brown Duckstad, in Fertile. In 1883 Brynjolf Dugstad, an eighteen year old former carpenter's apprentice from Voss, Norway, arrived at Ellis Island. He had ten dollars and a ticket on the railroad to Beltrami, Minnesota.
From Beltrami, with his satchel in hand, he walked across the prairie, past the site that was to be Fertile, east to the Lars Duckstad farm. (Father of Peter and Reverend B.J. Duckstad).
Brynjolf took the name Brown Duckstad. He worked on farms and a ranch in Dakota for four years. He saved his wages and came back to Fertile and built a building out of home sawed lumber and opened a hardware store.
Brown Duckstad continued in the hardware business until his death in 1934. He was Postmaster, served on the village council, school and church boards, helped organize the power plant, the brick factory, the Fertile Oil, and the Our own Hardware Wholesale Co. he was Vice President of the First State Bank, and chartered the American State Bank of Erskine.
Major John Benjamin Duckstad, the oldest son died in World War I in France. At the military academy, his closest friend and roommate had been Dwight Eisenhower. Lisa became a school teacher; Johnny a coach and school superintendent; Valborg, a teacher and Red Cross officer; Walter, a Navel officer, a state representative and an investment consultant; Sylvia Quie, a school teacher; Paul, a Navel officer, automobile dealer and banker; and Eleanor Vine.., a school teacher.
Obituary for Sophia Skeim
Pioneer resident of Fertile, Mrs. Brown Duckstad, died.
Mrs. Broth Duckstad, an active pioneer of the Fertile community, died Aug 18, 1975 at Elim Nursing Home in Princeton, MN, at the age of 96.
Anna Sophia was the oldest of nine children of Mr. and Mrs. John Skeim, born in Decorah, Iowa on June 28, 1879. The family and were uncle Adolph moved to Twin Valley, where they lived on a farm. At the age of 17, Mrs. Duckstad went to Moorhead to study dress designing. She worked in her profession for many years in Moorhead. She married Brown Duckstad of Fertile in 1901. Mr. Duckstad was the postmaster of Fertile, serving from 1898 to 1907. He served on the Fertile City Council in 1891, 1895, ‘96, 1900-01, and '02. He founded Fertile hardware Store about 1889 and was vice president of the First State Bank of Fertile from 1914-1947.
Mrs. Duckstad had always been very active in community activities in Fertile and was chairman of the Red Cross Chapter during the First World War in 1918, and of the Charity Sewing Circle of Concordia Lutheran Church for more than 20 years. She was an active member of Concordia Church.
Mrs. Duckstad was on the Building Committee of Concordia Lutheran Church. She was a Gold Star Mother, having lost a son, Bennie, in World War I.
Several years ago she suffered a fractured hip and had to curtail her community activities. Since her accident, she had been a resident of several convalescent homes, until recently when she began to fail in health. She had been a resident at Elim Nursing Home in Princeton, MN.
She is survived by five children; Norman Duckstad, Princeton, MN; Valborg, Seattle; Paul, Fairfax, MN; Mrs. Sylvia Quie, Farmington, MN; Mrs. Eleanor Vine, Menomonie, WI; 17 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren; a brother, Norman Skeim, Princeton, MN; 2 sisters, Mrs. Victor Sellberg of Fertile; Mrs. Estelle Murry of Bismarck, ND; and another brother, Guy Skeim of Fertile.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Walter, and three children, John Benjamin, (Bennie), Lisa Steps, and John (Johnny). Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in Concordia Lutheran Church of Fertile with Rev Ralph Teltefsen and Rev G. W. Tolo of Moorhead officiating.
Enanda Skeim and Victor Sellberg
Enanda was the favorite aunt of Sylvia Duckstad and she remembers that she loved to visit their "humble" place in the country, as they farmed near Fertile. She remembers that she was a wonderful listener for teenagers. She and Victor later bought a "tiny doll house" of a home on the same block as Lena, and lived in town.
Victor Sellberg was born October 5, 1892 at Fertile, Minnesota to August and Olina Sellberg who farmed in Norman County, near Sundal. He was born and raised there until he left home to work on the railroad. He went into the service in 1918 and returned home in 1919. He came home and on October 16, 1920, he married Enanda Skeim of Fertile. Enanda was born March 19, 1896, in Twin Valley, Minnesota to John and Lena Skeim.
Victor and Enanda farmed at Fertile in Norman County until moving to Fertile in 1960. Victor continued farming in semi-retirement for many years. They were members of St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Victor and Enanda had two daughters, June of Washington, D.C., and Mrs. James (Sylvia) Stephens of Garrison, North Dakota. One granddaughter, Diane Stephens, teaches high school in Rapid City, South Dakota.
They celebrated their 50th anniversary of St. John's church in 1970.
Victor and Enanda were living at the Fair Meadow Nursing Home the last years. They celebrated their 64th anniversary there on October 16, 1984.
Enanda passed away October 23, 1884. Victor still lives at the nursing home. He is one of the few World War I veterans. He is 94 (in 1986), and looks great and still enjoys his family and friends.
Obituary for Enanda Skeim Sellberg
Mrs. Victor (Enanda H.) Sellberg, 88, of Fertile, Mn. Died Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 23, 1984, at Fair Meadow Nursing Home in Fertile.
Mrs. Sellberg was born March 19, 1896 at Twin Valley, Mn to John and Lena Graven Skeim. She was baptized and confirmed in the Norwegian Lutheran Church and attended rural school. She moved to Fertile as a young girl with her family and worked as a dressmaker for several years. Oct 16, 1920 she married Victor E. Sellberg at Crookston, Mn. The couple lived in Norman County, where they farmed until retiring in 1960 and moved into Fertile. Victor continued to farm in semi-retirement for many years.
Mrs. Sellberg was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Fertile, and the Ladies Aid of the church and was a former adult....... Victor and Enanda just recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.
Family members include her husband, Victor of Fertile, two daughters, Mrs. James (Sylvia) Stephens of Garrison, ND, and Miss June Sellberg of Washington, CD; a sister, Mrs. Estelle Murry of Bismarck, ND: a granddaughter, Diane Stephens of Rapid City, SD and several nieces and nephews.
She as preceded in death by her parents; and brothers and sisters, George, Melvin, Norman, Buy, Clara, and Sophie.
Funeral services were held Friday, Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. in St. John’s Lutheran Church with Rev. Gerald While officiating. Interment was in the Concordia Cemetery, Fertile.
Organist was Mrs. Carroll Swenson and soloist, Mrs. Larry Brdahl. Pallbearers were Ford Hanson, Irving Indahl, Ed Kilen, Arthur Lundberg, Leroy Petry, Cyrus Sannes. Stenhoels Funeral Homes, Crookston.
Melvin and Alice Skeim
Melvin Skeim was born May 30, 1889, at Twin Valley where he grew up and attended the local
schools. As a young man he worked on farms in North Dakota and in 1912, he moved to Fertile with his parents and was employed at Brown Duckstad’s hardware store.
On June 10, 1921, he married Alice Larson, who was born August 5, 1901, in Sundal Township. They made their home in Fertile, where Mr. Skeim was then employed at the Victor Hoglund furniture store.
In 1940, they bought the store, which they owned until his death on February 14, 1956.
He was a member of the American Legion and active in community affairs. They were both active members of Concordia Lutheran Church, where Alice used her musical talents in many ways. She was a member of a local quartet and they were busy at various church and community events. She taught Sunday School at Concordia Church for many years. Alice was honored after singing in the choir for over fifty years.
Obituary for Melvin Skeim
Funeral services were held Saturday, Feb 18. For Alert Melvin Skeim who died Feb 14 at a Crookston hospital. Services were conducted at the Concordia Lutheran church in Fertile at 1:45 p.m. with Pastor G. W. Tolo officiating.
Special music at the service was furnished by Paul Rogen who sang, "Does Jesus Call," and "Behold a Host." Mrs. J. B. Austinson was organist.
The pallbearers where Norman Duckstad, James Skeim Charles Hanson, Arnold Hanson, Glenn Hanson, and Gene Skeim.
Alert Melvin Skeim was born May 31, 1889 to Lena and John Skeim, who then resided on a farm in Norman county, east of Twin Valley, Minn. At the age of 23 he moved with his parents to Fertile where he was employed at the Brown Duckstad Hardware.
He was united in marriage to Alice Larsen of Sundal on June 10, 1921. In later years he had been engaged in the furniture business here.
He was preceded in death by this father and mother, and one brother, Adolph.
Besides his wife, he is survived by four sisters, Mrs. Sophia Duckstad and Mrs. Victor Sellberg of Fertile, Mrs. Ed Gunderson of Detroit Lakes and Mrs. Estelle Murry, of St. Petersburg, Fla; three brothers, Norman Skeim of Princeton, Minn, George Skeim of Lichfield, Minn, and Guy Skeim of Crookston.
Mr. Skeim had been in poor health for a number of years and Monday, Feb 6, at 5:30 p.m. suffered a stroke and was brought to the hospital in Crookston where he died, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
He was a faithful member of Concordia congregation, attending services regularly, was a loyal citizen, a good friend and neighbor. He was a member of the American Legion Post No 233.
Gustof Adolph Skeim
G. A. Skeim, Son of Mrs. J. J., Buried December 16
G. A. Skeim, son of Mrs. J. J. Skeim and brother of Melvin and Guy, died Dec. 10, at the hospital in Billings, Montana following an operation for a ruptured appendix. Departed, whose home was at Minot, was block man for the De Laval Cream Separator Co., and was on the road at Miles City when taken ill. Upon hearing of his brother's troubles, Melvin left here Dec 2 and stayed with G. A. for a week. He seemed a little better when Melvin left for home but suffered a relapse immediately thereafter and soon passed away. The remains arrived here dec. 13 and the funeral took place Dec. 16, interment being made at Pleasant Hill cemetery.
G. A. Skeim was born at Washington Prairie, Windson County, Iowa, Dec 18, 1881. Together with his parents he moved to Flom township, Norman county, when a small boy and where he lived until he was of age. He then came to Fertile and was employed in the Brown Duckstad Hardware for three years. Leaving here for Williston, N. D. in 1908 he found employment with the Wheelock Hardware Co. where he remained for six years. It was there that he was married to Miss Gina Lewis. Upon taking up work with the De Laval Co, he moved to Minot where he made his home thereforth. He leaves behind a wife and three children, the latter being Leo 17, Leonore 11, and Charles 8, all of Minot. Also his mother, Mrs. J. J. Skeim of Fertile and four brothers and four sisters - Mrs. Brown Duckstad, Fertile; Mrs Edwin Gunderson, Waubun; Mrs. Raymond Murry, Hope, N.D.; Mrs. Victor Sellberg, Fertile; Norman, Fargo, George, Litchfield; and Melvin and Guy of Fertile.
Obituary for Guy Skeim
Guy Ernest Skeim, 78, Fertile, died Saturday, April 21, 1979, at Fair Meadow Nursing Home in Fertile.
He was born in Flom, MN, Oct. 18, 1900 the son of John and Lena Graven Skeim. He married Sylvia Glendora Fuglseth on Oct 5, 1929 at Fertile.
The couple lived in Rolla, ND where he managed the Turtle Mountain Creamery from 1937 until 1944 when they moved to Crookston where Mr. Skeim operated Skeim Refrigeration until moving to Florida in 1964.
They returned to Fertile in 1975. Mr. Skeim was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Fer4tile, a member of the Crookston Elks, and a charter member of the Crookston Eagles Aerie for 37 years.
Survivors include his wife Sylvia, one daughter, Mrs. Sheila Ward of Bradenton, FL; 4 grandsons, 2 sisters, Mrs. Estelle Murry, of Bismarck, ND, Mrs. Enanda Sellberg, Fertile and one brother, Norman, Princeton. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a son, Gene.
Funeral services for Guy Skeim were held Wednesday, April 25, 1979at 2 p.m. in Concordia Lutheran Church with Rev Ralph Teilefsen officiating. Interment will be in the Concordia Cemetery.
Special music was provided by Alice Skeim Rev Teilefsen, and Mrs. Ray Christian.
Casket bearers were Randy Fuglseth, Wayne Fuglseth, James Fuglseth, Donald Fuglseth Jr.. Roger Benbo, and Allan Johnson.
Erikson-Vik Funeral Home
Estelle Skeim Murry
1934-45
Mrs. Ray Murry was a member of the Dunseith Lutheran Ladies Aid, which had been organized Dec. 9, 1932.
Parairie Past and Mountain Memories - a history of Dunseith, N. Dak. 1882 - 1982; p. 317
Easter Song Service...
Last Sunday evening at the Community Church, an Easter song service was given by a group of singers from Dunseith & San Haven that drew a large attendance and was much enjoyed by all who were present. The members of the chorus were......Mrs. R.H. Murry...
Parairie Past and Mountain Memories - a history of Dunseith, N. Dak. 1882 - 1982; p. 336
Obituary for Estelle Skeim Murry
Twin Valley, Minn. - Estelle M Murry, 95, formerly of Twin Valley, died Sunday, March 22, 1987, in Missouri Slope Nursing Home, Bismarck.
Services will be at 5 p.m. today in Grand Forks Norman Funeral Home. Burial will be at Fertile, Minn.
Estelle Skeim was born May 22, 1891, in Twin Valley, the daughter of John and Nikoline Skeim. She attended schools in Fertile and Crookston. After she married Ray Murry in 1914 in Ray, N.D., they lived in Culbertson Mont., Hope, and Dunseith, N.D. He was a state senator from 1941 to 1949. He died in 1977.
Survivors are her son, Emerson, retired North Dakota National Guard Major General, Bismarck; daughter Marguerite Foley, Woodburn, Ore; eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
(John) Norman Skeim
Norman and Laura had a "blue baby" at Christmas time. Most of the family came to Fargo for the wake, which was held in their apartment.
Family of J.J. Skeim and Lena (Lillegraven) Skeim: Children:
a. Anna Sophie Skeim, b. 1880, d. 1975 - buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery,Fertile, MN Spouse - Brown Duckstad; b. 1865, 1934, buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery,Fertile, MN
b. Gustav Adolph Skeim b. 12-18-1881, d. 12-9-1925 buried Pleasant HillCemtery, Fertile, MN Spouse - Gina Lewis, b. 12-10-1881, d. 12-16-1974 buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Fertile, MN
c. Clara Nikolena Skeim, b. 5-20-1887, d Spouse - Edward T Gunderson
d. Estelle Margrette Skeim, b. 5-27-1892, d. 3-22-1987 - buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Fertile, MN Spouse - Raymond Henry Murry, b. 4-6-1890, d. 3-22-1977 - buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Fertile, MN
e. George Severin Skeim, b. 12-6-1894, d.
f. Enanda Henriette Skeim, b. 3-19-1896, d. 1984, - buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Fertile, MN Spouse - Victor E. Selberg, b. 1892, d. 1986
g. John Norman Skeim, b. 5-31-1899, d.
h. Alert Melvin Skeim, b. 5-31-1899, d. 1956 - buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Fertile, MN Spouse - Alice M Larson, b. 1901
i. Guy Ernest Skeim, b. 10-18-1900, d. 4-1979 Buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Fertile, MN Spouse - Sylvia Glendora Fugleseth, b. 5-7-1905, d. 5-22-1992 - buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Fertile, MN
Anton Sletten
Anton was born in Norway on March 8, 1889 to Peter and Marit (Lein) Sletten. When he was 5 years old, he came to America with his parents and his brother. He served with the Minnesota Home Guard and was stationed at Fort Snelling during WW I. He had never married. He farmed and worked as a carpenter. He also worked in an iron foundry in Hibbing for several years and also worked as a lumberjack. He died January 12, 1965 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery in Flom Township.
Paul and Gina (Thorpe) Sletten
Paul was born in Norway on January 3, 1891 to Peter and Marit (Lein) Sletten. He came to America with his parents when he was 3 years old.
Gina Thorpe was born October 30, 1886 in Rockwell Township of Norman County to Halvor and Gunhild Thorpe. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith, attended rural area schools and was confirmed in Zion Lutheran church by Rev. J.R. Vaaler.
Paul and Gina were married in Crookston in 1917. They lived at Hibbing three years and then moved to Rockwell Township in 1921 and to Fossum Township in 1954.
Three children were born to Paul and Gina: Palmer, Gifford and an infant daughter who died.
Paul died in August of 1975 at Twin Valley, Minnesota. He is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Gina died March 23, 1969 at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley. She is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Peter and Marit (Lein) Sletten
Peter Sletten was born in Gudbrandsdalen, Norway on February 15, 1863, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Per Sletten and attended Norwegian Parochial schools there. In 1882, he married Marit Lein. They came to America in 1894 and settled in Flom Township with his wife and small children. Much of the land was covered with timber and had to be cleared. His time was spent cutting trees and grubbing stumps. He also worked five winters at a logging camp near Hibbin, Minnesota. He also dug many wells in the area by hand. Peter also helped dig both basements of the former and present Wild Rice Churches, along with considerable work on the church yard and cemetery. He had unusual physical stamina. When he was nearly ninety years old, he helped cut and piled 1,400 oak fence posts for a neighbor.
He prided himself in raising gardens, and his specialty was raising strawberries. During the depression years, he spent some time with his nephew, Peter Haugen and family at Maddock, North Dakota.
Peter and Marit had two sons:
Anton, who was born in 1889 and died in 1965.
Paul, who was born in 1891 and died in 1975.
His wife Marit, died April 27, 1930 and is buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Peter died June 8, 1965 at Ada, Minnesota and is buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Anders H. Smidge (Smidji)
Andres H. Smidji was born on February 20, 1848 at Leikanger, Sogn, Norway to Helje and Kari (Offerdal) Rinde. He came to the United States with his parents and three sisters to Rice County, Mn in 1862. They left Rice County coming to Norman County, Mn in 1876, when he settled on a homestead in Section 26 of Home Lake township. He remained here until 1886 when he moved into Twin Valley, Mn. Anders moved in with his sister Carrie (Mons) Hammer in 1920 where he resided until his death on April 16, 1926 at the age of 79 years.
Funerals services were conducted at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn with interment at Wild Rice Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Edward and Marie (Van Dermeer) Smith
Edward Smith was born on August 19, 1890 in Pennsylvania. Marie Van Dermeer was born on October 1895 in South Dakota. Edward came to Minnesota in 1918 coming to Georgetown, Mn. He he met and married Marie Van Dermeer on April 7, 1918.
Edward took up the occupation of farming and settled in Section 5 and 7 in Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn. Marie took on the duties as a farmers wife and mother. They were the parents of three children; Margaret Hatledahl,, she and her husband had they had no children. She is now a widow and resides still in Hawley.
Ervin: (See Ervin and Rosanna Smith)
Marvin was born on June 28, 1931, he died on July 9, 1999 and is buried at the Mayflower Cemetery, Huntville, Arkansas.
Edward died at Lake Park, Mn and Marie died on January 24, 1975 at Huntsville, Arkansas, they are both buried at Riverside Cemetery in Moorhead, Mn.
Ervin and Rosanna (Buethner) Smith
Ervin was born on April, 26, 1926 in Home Lake Township, Norman County, Mn. He attended school at District 46 in Walworth, Twp, Becker County, Mn. He was baptized on July 8, 1926 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church and Confirmed on June 9, 1957 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn.
Rosanna Buethner was born on December 4th at Hunter North Dakota in Cass County ND.She was baptized and confirmed (Apirl 6, 1941) at St. John’s Lutheran Church at Hillsboro, ND.
She attended all twelve years of school at Bohnsack School, Hillsboro, ND. She furthered her education at Interstate Business College in Fargo, ND. She was employed as a Secreatry for the Army/Air Force and also at Western States Life Insuarance Company in Fargo, ND.
After Rosanna married Ervin they settled in section 7 of Walworth, Township. Later they moved across the road to Section 12 of Ulen Township where they have made their home since. Ervin passed away on December 28, 1985 at Ulen, and is buried at the Ulen Cemetery.
Ervin worked as a truck driver for Indianhead anad Glendenning Freight Truck Lines. He entered the Army on October 24, 1950 and served in the during the Korean Conflict. While serving in Korea he was awarded the Bronze Star. He was discharged on September 8, 1952. After his time in the service he returned home and started farming, later he started his own trucking "Ervin Smith Trucking".
Ervin was active in community affairs and boards having served as Post Commander of both the Ulen VFW Post 5115 and American Legion Post 412. He served on the boards for the Ulen Townboard for 19 years and also on the Tri County Elevator Board in Ulen for several years.
Rosanna took up the duties as a wife and mother, raising her children. She has been very active in their church, Calvary Lutheran in Ulen and also active in the Ladies Auxillary.
They are the parents of two children; Virginia and Richard. Virginia Lee was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lexington, Ky and confirmed at Calvary Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn. She attended school at Ulen and furthered her education one year at NDSU and one year at Wahpeton.
She married James Baron (divorced) and they are the parents of four children; Lydia, Herbert, Joanna and Mike. Lydia Kelley and her husband Jim have one child Audrianna and live in Gillette, Wy. Herbert and his wife Priscilla have two children; Jacob and Raeanna and they live in Gillette, Wy. Joanna is married to Joshua Cabral, they have one son Anthony and they live in Ft. Benning, Ga. Michael Baron lives in Ft. Benning, Ga.
Richard "Dick" Smith was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, Mn and was confirmed at Calvary Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn. He went to Ulen-Hitterdal where he graduated from High School. He then went to Moorhead Tech in Moorhead, Mn., for two years. He married
Mary Burnside, they are the parents of three children. Jodi Armstrong lives in Ada, Mn with her two sons Colton and Steele, Dean lives in Fargo, ND and Amber is attending college at NDSU in Fargo, ND. Richard and Mary live in section 12 of Ulen township where they are active in farming, having taken over the family farm from his father Ervin.
Henry and Selma (Stundahl) Smith
Selma Stundahl was born on July 10, 1895 to Torris and Olena ( Prestegord) Stundahl. She attended rural school near Twin Valley and helped her parents on their farm. At the age of 16 she began working as a housekeeper in private homes in Fargo, ND.
Henry P. Smith and Selma Stundahl were married on March 24, 1915 in Twin Valley, Mn. After their marriage the farmed near Galesburg, Page and Chaffee North Dakota. In 1944 they moved to Halstad, Mn and opened Smith’s Locker Plan and Grocery Store. After Henry’s death Selma continued to work in the locker and Store until retiring in 1954.
Henry and Selma were the parents of T. Palmer, Harold, Donald, Dwayne, Grace (Hunter), Phyllis (Jack Farrell), Thelma (Hahn), Betty Lou (Arnold Peterson), Dolores (Dusty Rhoades), Verna (Robert Raidt), Shirley (Roy Flieth) and two children proceeded them in death; Hans Peter and Sivert.
Henry died in May 1948 and Selma on August 24, 1990. Selma is buried at Elm River Cemetery, Galesburg, ND. Henry could possibly also be buried there.
George O. and Emma Mathilda (Neil) Solberg
George (Jorgen) O. Solberg was born in Goodhue County, Mn on May 28, 1864 to Olaf and Esther (Aaker) Solberg. Both his parents were born in Norway after they were married there they immigrated to America and settled in Goodhue County. They stayed in Good hue county until their deaths.
George grew up in the Goodhue area where he attended public school. He had four siblings: Anna, Knute, Ellen and Peter.
Emma Mathilda Neil was born at Vasa, Mn on September 22, 1865 to Adolf Fredrick and Anna Katherine
(Hellegrees) Neil.
George and Emma were married on November 6, 1895 at Minneapolis, Mn. To this union eight children were born; Esther, Olaf, Harold, Clara, Helen, Victor (Knute) , Anna and Emma.
After he completed his education he started farming in Goodhue county and was admired on his successful farming operations. When he was thirty-one he left his father’s farming operation and started out for himself, farming on a tract of land in Goodhue county. Later, he became employed by the Farmers Fire Insurance Company at Vasa, Mn as their inspector. In 1913 he left Goodhue county and came to Norman county where he purchased one hundred and eighty acres in Flom township. Here he settle on with general farming operations, stock raising and breeding thoroughbred Holstin cattle.
He was a prosperous farmer and well respected by those around him. He had a fine farm with many out building which well supplied him on his farm. They were both active members in their church, Aspelund and their community; serving on the American Red Cross Association, giving that worthy organization all their moral support and of their time.
George was a true American-born citizen and was proud of it. His father served in the Civil War as a lieutenant and in the home guard. George kept up the family honor of serving their country during the Spanish- American War, he offered his services to the United States army, but since he was married, he was unable to participate.
George and Emma were members of Aspelund Lutheran Church were they are buried. George died on February 8, 1942 and Emma on May 10, 1935.
Harold and Anna (Olson) Solberg
Anna Olson was born on July 16, 1898 near Flom, Mn to Hans and Amanda (Tollefson) Olson. Here she grew up on the family farm and attended school. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
Anna and Harold were married on November 6, 1920 near Flom. They first lived in Fargo for a year before moving to Oregon City, Oregon, where they lived for two years. They returned to the Flom area where they farmed until their retirement in the early 1960’s. They remained on the farm, but spent time at Fox Lake near Detroit Lakes.
Harold died on July 17, 1966. Anna moved to the Wimmer Homes in Twin Valley, Mn where she made her home for 20 years. She was the first person to reside at the Wimmer Homes. Anna became a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Homes in 1990.
Anna was a lifetime member of Aspelund . Anna died on March 9, 1991 at the Ada Hospital. They are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Harold and Anna were the parents of; Robert, Ramona (Harold Bettendors) and Adeline (Emmett Miller).
Robert and Velma ( Rottman) Solberg
Robert Allan Solberg was born on October 4, 1925 to Harold and Anna (Olson) Solberg near Flom. He attended country school and following graduation from Waubun High School he farmed with his parents.
Robert married Velma Rottman on September 18, 1965 in Minneapolis, Mn. They operated the family farm until the mid 1970’s. He then worked in the construction business with his brother-in-law, building houses in the Detroit Lakes area. Robert retired at the age of 65. During his retirement years he sold antique cars, tractors and parts. He enjoyed going to swap meets and reading. He was an active member of the Church of God in Fargo, ND.
Robert passed away on December 24, 1995 at his home. Funeral services were held at Anderson Funeral Home in Twin Valley, Mn with interment at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Robert and Velma were the parents of two daughters; Debbie (Thomas Randle) and Janet (Jesse Garcia).
Victor Solberg
Victor "Knute" Solberg was born on January 19,1904 at Vasa, Minnesota to George and Emma. He came to this area with his parents. He served his country in WW 2. He died on December 23, 1970 and is buried at Aspelund.
Carl A. and Oliane (Jensdatter Sethney) Solien
Carl was born in Vestre Toten, Oppland, Norway on October 18, 1858 to Andreas Hansen and Maria Olsdatter. In the 1865 census of Norway he was living with his parents on the Bakken farm in Vestre Toten and his brother Ole C. Andreasen, age 10 and his sister Helmine Andreasdatter, age 13.
When Carl was 19 years old, he decided to come to America. On June 27, 1878, he boarded the steamship “Angelo”. Before arriving in America, he decided to change his name from Andreasen to Solien, which is a farm name in Norway. His destination was Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. He more than likely took the train to Lake Park, Minnesota and then walked to Flom, Minnesota, to visit with the Dorseth’s, who came from the same area in Norway. He traveled on to Crookston, Minnesota, where he filed a claim for his land in Section 26, of Home Lake Township. There he made a dug-out for a home and went to southern Minnesota and worked for a year. When he returned to his claim, he learned from his nearest neighbor, Mrs. Jens Huseby, that Indians had been living in his dug-out, and she had been bolting her doors while the Indians were there. Carl worked on the Martin Kirkeby farm until he was married in 1881 to Oliane Jensdatter Sethney. Oliane was born in Vestre Toten, Oppland, Norway, north of Oslo, about 8 miles. She was the oldest of 7 children born to Jens A. Anderson and Marie Johannesdatter. In the 1865 census of Norway, she was living with her parents on the Gjerdingen farm in Vestre Toten. The following siblings were also living there:
Johan Andreas Jensen, age 3
Marthinus Jensen, age 1
Johanne Maria Jensdatter, age 7
Later the family moved to the Sethne Farm. At the age of 24, Oliane decided to leave Norway and departed June 3, 1880 on the steamship “Angelo”. Her destination was Lake Park, Minnesota, she later moved to Wild Rice Township until she married Carl Solien in January of 1881. Olianne was her christened name and she Americanized it to Alianna. She was a charter member of the Wild Rice Ladies Aid.
The following children were born to Carl and Alianna:
James Arthur, Joseph Harry, Otto, August, Mina, Julia Marie, Hilda A., Ovidia Clara, Clara Ovidia and Alma Henrietta.
Carl died on December 24, 1946 and Alianna died on September 13, 1930. Both are buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Albert and Jennie (Burns) Spielman
Albert was born on October 24, 1880 at St. Charles, Mn., to Andrew and Mathilda Spielman. He had six siblings: Henry, Robert, Frank, Ernest, Belle (Jeske) Guensohn and Evelyn Jensvold.
Jennie Burns was born on January 12, 1891, near Sparta, Wisconsin to Matt and Arvilla Burns. During her early eyars, she lived at St. Charles, Mn and Minneapolis where she was employed. She had four siblings: Clarence, Gene, Bert and Gladys.
Albert and Jennie were married on September 18, 1907 in Minneapolis, Mn. A son Harold was born to them on June 28, 1908. They resided in St. Charles for eight years. The family then moved to Flom township in 1915. Where they settled on a farm in section 8 of Flom Township. Charles joined the family in 1925.
Jennie was a Mid-Wife and helped with the births of many of the babies in the area. Albert passed away on October 11, 1963 and Jennie passed away on April 24, 1966. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Charles and Elenore (Nyberg) Spielman
Charles, son of Albert and Jennie Spielman was born on July 14, 1925. He is a life long resident of Flom Township. Charles received his education at Sunny Hill Country School. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Charles served our country in the military service from 1950-1953. He was also Constable for Flom Township for many years.
Charles and Elenore (Nyberg) were married on July 24, 1964 in Ada, Mn. They settled in Flom Township, living in section 8. Here they raised their three daughters; Karen, Kathy and Pam.
Besides farming with his brother Harold, he has enjoyed Gunsmithing. Charles also worked in Law Enforcement for 30 years.
Charlie and Elenore continue to live on the home farm in section 8 of Flom Township.
Harold and Ila (Aamoth) Spielman
Harold was born on June 28, 1908 to Albert and Jennie (Burns) Spielman at St. Charles, Mn. Here he grew up and was baptized. At the age of 7 the family moved to Flom Township and settled on a farm in section 8. He attended school at Sunny Hill Country School. He lived and farmed in Flom Township all his life. He had one brother, Charles.
Ila M. Aamoth was born on December 27, 1910 to Ingvald and Mina (Christianson) Aamoth in Twin Valley, Mn. She grew up in Twin Valley and it was there she received her High School Education. She attended Moorhead State Teachers College. Ila taught school for six years at Lerdal, Heiberg and Sunny Hill schools.
She had three sisters; Altha (Fred) Johnson, Cora (Melvin) Bjerke and Erna (Harold) Sherman. And two brothers: Selmer and Clifford Aamoth.
On June 29,1935 Harold and Ila Ammoth were married. . To them one child was born, and died at birth, on February 13, 1937. He is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Harold and Ila settled in section 9 of Flom Township where they farmed. Ila was church organist at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church for 55 years. She also gave Piano lesson for 35 years to many of the local children in the area. Rachel Stundahl was her first student. Harold enjoyed fishing and bowling in his spare time.
Harold died on January 28, 1988 he is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery, next to their baby. Ila continued to live on the farm until the fall of 1998, when she moved into Twin Valley, Mn. She has been a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley since 2001.
Lloyd and Ruth (Schroeder) Spielman
Lloyd Donald Spielman was born on July 19, 1924 at the home of his parents in Flom Township. He was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mahnomen, Mn and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn, on April 28, 1940. He attended school at Cheerful Nook up to the eighth grade and then went to Twin Valley High School where he graduated with the Class of 1942.
Ruth Louise Schroeder was born on October 24, 1921 at the home of her parents in Mahnomen County. She was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Mahnomen, Mn and confirmed at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mahnomen on June 13, 1937.
After Lloyd and Ruth were married they settled in Flom township and it was here that they were active in farming and raising their family. They are the parents of four children; James David, Louise Elsie, Paul Lloyd and Mark Henry.
James David was born on September 23, 1946, he was baptized on October 31, 1946 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church and was also confirmed here. He attended school at Waubun Mn, where he also graduated. On October 7, 1967 he married Marjorie Swenson, the daughter of Lawrence and Elinor Swenson of rural Flom, Mn. They are the parents of two children; June (Stine) who lived in Fargo, with her husband and three sons. James David Jr. lives in Corona California with his wife.
Louise Elsie was born on July 14, 1948. She was baptized on September 3, 1948 and confirmed in 1963 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Faith, Mn. Louise married James Stromberg on July 18, 1970 and they are the parents of Daivd, Michael and Christopher. David resides in Arden Hills, Mn. Michael resideds in Wisconsin and is a pilot. Christopher is employed at Stanford California where is teaching and researching of lasers.
Paul Lloyd was born on July 28, 1950. He was baptized on August 25, 1950 and confirmed in 1965 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. He married Catherine Powers on May 28, 1972, the have one son David Paul who works as a Nurse in St. Mary’s at Rochester, Mn.
Mark Henry was born on August 31, 1953. He was baptized on October 15, 1953 and confirmed on April 28, 1968 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. He graduated from Waubun High School. Mark married Jenifer Thompson, daugher of Kalmer and Gloria Thompson of rural Flom, Mn. They are the parents of three daughters; Kay (Burkett), Kelly (Kent) and Tammi. All three of Mark and Jenifer’s children were baptized and confirmed at Aspelund, as was Jenifer.
Allan and Diane (Neisen) Stangel
Allan E. Stangel was born on March 4, 1949 to Ernest and Lucille (Lambert) Stangel at Detroit Lakes, Mn. He attended school at Waubun, Mn where he graduated from High School.
Diane Neisen was born on October 14, 1955 to Math and Celestine (Haider) Neisen, in Mahnomen, Mn. She attended school at Mahnomen where she graduated from High School.
Allan and Diane were married on October 3, 1981 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Beaulieu, Mn. When they were first married they lived in West Fargo, ND., until 1982. At this time Allan became employed at John Deere in Mahnomen, Mn. Diane was a bookkeeper for Aakre’s TV and Appliance.
They now own their own business in Waubun, MN., Stangel’s repair. Where Allan works as a mechanic and Diane is the bookkeeper.
Allan and Diane purchased the building site previously owned by Joe and Gladys Houglum in section 23 of Flom township. They are the parents of two children; Christopher and Jennifer.
Christopher Allan was born on March 18, 1984 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. He was baptized on April 1, 1984 and confirmed on May 9, 2002 at St. Ann’s Catholic church in Waubun. Chris graduated from Waubun High School in 2002.
Jennifer Ann “Jenny” was born on August 24, 1985 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. She was baptized on September 8, 1985 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Waubun. Jenny is currently a student at Waubun- Ogema- White Earth Community Schools.
John and Nettie (Maresh) Stangel
John was born to Michael and Pauline (Fisher) Stangel at Spencer, Nebraska. He came to this area as a young child. In 1914, he married Nettie Maresh at Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Nettie was born to Joseph and Josephine (Hasek) Maresh at Pisek, North Dakota in 1895. At the age of nine, she moved with her parents to the Thief River Falls area.
John and Nettie were confirmed as adults in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church in 1954.
Two sons were born to them:
William and Ernest
John died in 1977 and Nettie died in 1986. Both are buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
David and Jill (Brown) Steichen
David Lee Steichen was born to C. Roy and Alice (Peterson) Steichen on August 28, 1959 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes, Mn. As a young boy he grew up in Walworth Township in section 30. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Ulen. He was active in the Walworth Willing Worker’s 4-H club of Becker County. He was also active in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Sunday school and Luther League. He attended Ulen Elementary school and graduated in 1977 from Ulen-Hitterdal High School. He went on to further his education at Moorhead State University graduating in Business Management in May 1982. He worked for Circle E Farms of Ulen from 1978 to 1996. He joined the Army National Guard on January 20, 1994 and took his basic training at Fort Sill, Okalahoma.
David first lived in Walworth township in Becker County, Mn on the building site formerly know as the Fordyce, Harlan and Eunice Larson place. He moved to Flom township in 1985. Where he rented the former Harold "Red" Askegaard house in section 28. He lived here until 1989 when he moved to the former Clarence Stende farm in section 5 of Walworth township of Becker County. In 1990 Dave purchased the former Narum House. Mike and Genny Johnson home in Flom. Here he resided until his marriage to Jill.
It has been said that Jared paved the way for Dave’s children. From the time Jared Klemetson was born, Dave was there to take him for the day, to spend time with him and enjoy watching him grow. He filled the role of Jared’s Godfather with the love, care and guidance one can be proud of. There is a special bond between them.
Dave was an active member of the Flom community while he lived here. Always there to give a helping hand. He was a great handy man to have around and could be found fixing items for people when he was needed. He is very talented with wood working and has constructed various items in his bachelor days. He has made from entertainment centers, dressers, airplanes (for the four Klemetson kids) and made many intricately designed scroll saw clocks. These talents are now sitting on the side lines until their children are older. "I think it’s called retirement"
Dave began working for the US Postal Service in September of 1997, where he continues to work out of the Trollwood Office in Fargo, ND.
Jill Lorraine Brown was born to Arlo and Jean (Johnson) Brown on July 30, 1959 at St. John’s Hospital in Fargo, ND. She was baptized and confirmed at Dilworth Lutheran Church, Dilworth, Mn. As a young girl she was raised in Dilworth and was active in basketball, softball and Luther League. Jill graduated from Dilworth High School in 1977. She went on to further her education at Jamestown College, Jamestown, ND. After graduating in 1981, she attended St. Luke’s School of Medical Technology and became a certified medical technologist. Jill then went on to become a Lutheran Minister and received her education from Luther Seminary in 1993.
Jill accepted a position as Minister for Atlanta rural Ulen and Salem Lutheran Church, Hitterdal in January of 1994. She was actively their pastor until August 2001, after the birth of the twins when she took a leave of absence. In September 2001, Jill accepted the position of Assistant to the Bishop of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod where she is currently employed and works out of the Moorhead office.
Dave and Jill were married on December 30, 1995 at Dilworth Lutheran Church, Dilworth, Mn. They reside in Dilworth where they are raising their family of four children; Mark, Luke, Grace and Paul.
Dave and Jill are kept very busy with their jobs and raising their children. They have truly been blessed with four beautiful and active little ones. Mark arrived on December 27, 1996. He was the first to arrive and paved the way for the others. Being a parent was totally new to Jill, but as stated before, Jared had given Dave a lot of knowledge in raising babies and children. Luke James was the next to arrive, he was born on May 2, 1998. Now the Steichen’s were the parents of two handsome little boys, what more could one ask for… The good Lord saw that they were handling the two boys and decided that he would see what would happen by giving them two at one time. Thus Grace Jean and Paul Alan were born on July 26, 2000. There is never a dull moment in their lives. The family is complete.
Nels Nilsen and Marit (Stende) Steile
Marit was born in Norway to Johannes and Berit Stende on February 19, 1854. She came with her parents to America at the age of 15. She was confirmed in Norway.
Nelson Nilsen Steile was born on February 20, 1853. Marit met and married Nels Steile in Minnesota. They had only one child a daughter Marie who lived only a short time. On March 5, 1882 Nels passed away, he was only 29 years old. After his death Marit moved in with her father Johannes Stende and kept house for him, until his death in 1899. Her brother Syver Stende also lived with them.
They made their home in an upstairs apartment over the First National Bank on sixth street, in Northfield. Her occupation in the 1900 census lists Marit’s occupation as a dressmaker. Besides Marit and her brother Syver Stende, records indicated that a nephew also lived with them. His name was Nels Stende. He was born on June 1878 and had immigrated to American less than a month before the 1900 census was taken. He would be the grandson of Berit’s brother Havard.
Marit did on November 30, 1932 and is buried at the Northfield Cemetery, beside her husband Nels Steile and their daughter Marie.
Alfred and Violet "Bessie" (Franklin) Stende
Alfred was born on April 17, 1893 to John and Ingeborg (Leine) Stende. He was the youngest child of John and Ingeborg. Alfred attended grade school in a rural school and was an active member of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom ,Mn. After his father's death in 1948 Alfred and his brother Edwin stay home and did the farm work and built the barn on the home farm in Norman County. Alfred was married when he was 27 years old to Bessie Violet Franklin.
Bessie was born on Feburay 18, 1890 to Hirman and Martha Jane Franklin in Oscaloosa, Iowa. Her father died soon after her birth She made her home with her grandmother, aunt and uncle; James and Sarah McCulley. She came with them to Minnesota at the age of 16 and it was here she met and married Alfred Stende. After their marriage the continued to live on the home farm for a few years, until they purchased a farm in Walworth township, in section 5. This farm remains in the family and their son Ray continues to live there.
Alfred farmed until his health failed and he passed away in July 1934, after an illness of three years. Alfred passed away at the University Hospital in Minneapolis, Mn. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom.
Violet was a homemaker who loved gardening and canning and especially liked flowers. She was a member of the ALCW and its circles at Aspelund Lutheran Church.
Alfred and Bessie were the parents of three sons; Raymond (see Raymond Stende) , Arnold and Alfred. Alfred was born on August 20, 1934, just six weeks after his father died. After Alfred's death the family remained on the farm.
Arnold went into military service and eventually he and alfred both wen to work in the Twin Cities. Arnold married Beverly (Cavanaugh ) Benthage on December 19, 1947 (divorced). Theya re the parents of one daughter; Catherine Ann who was born in 1949. Alfred married Loraaine Joyce Olson on Ocotber 20, 1964. She died in 1974 anad is buried at the Ft. Snelling Cemetery. He then married Donna Butcher, she had one daughter Helen from he first marriage. Alfred worked for Globe Roofing in St. Paul from the time he was 18 years old until his retirement. After retiring he and his wife helped his step-daughter Helen with her daycare center. Even after Donna's death in 1990, Alfred continued to run the daycare business with Helen. Ray continue to farm and care for his mother. Bessie passed away a the Sunnyside Rest Home, near Lake Park, Mn on May 12, 1980, and is buried at Aspelund Cemetery.
Clarence and Betty (Lovejoy) Stende
Clarence Julian Stende was born on September 30, 1917 to Edwin and Nellie Stende, in rural Norman County, Mn. He attended rural schools and worked on his home farm. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Chruch, Flom. He farmed in Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn. in section 5. He married Betty Lovejoy, daughter of Charles and Genevieve Lovejoy. Betty taught school for many years and after retiring from her teaching job she reamined in Twin Valley for a few years. She now lives at Dwight, ND. They had one daughter; Mae Cynthia. Mae married Dennis Allrich of Twin Valley (divorced) and they had four children; Cindy (deceased), Wendy, Karen and Jeff. Mae married Kevin Awender of Twin Valley and they have one daughter Heather. Mae and Kevin also live in Dwight, ND.
Clarence died on November 8, 1994 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery. Betty served as church organist for many years at Aspelund. She retired from playing the organ when she moved to Dwight, ND.
Edwin and Nellie (Nelson) Stende (excerpt from the Stende Family Book)
Edwin Stende and Nellie Nelson met while Ed was out hunting and stopped at the Nelson farm to water his horse. In those days that was quite a few miles to go huntin. It leaves one wondering if Ed knew he would find more than water at the Nelson arm. At any rate, he liked what he found. Ed and Nellie were married at Lake Park on December 14, 1916 after a short courtship.
Nellie was employed at the Dr. Gosslie home in Moorhead, Mn when she and Ed were courting. That courtship consisted of sending post cards back and forth. Years later their offspring would go upstairs and look in the old trunk and read some of the cards they exchanged. Apparently Ed hadn't heard from Nellie for some time as one of his post cards carried the question, "Are you dead?" Nellie was very much alive and thoguht a great deal of her tall, dark and blue-eyed Ed and she wasn't about to let him slip away.
Nellie came from a musical family. All four of her brothers played musical instruments and played for dances at house parties in the area. She was the daughter of Charley and Anna Nelson. Charlie was railroad forman at Audubon and also served at Ulen in that capacity. Nellie was born at Cummings, ND which is about forty miles north of Fargo, ND.
Large families were common then. Nellie had five brothers and five sisters. Two of whom did not reach adulthood. Ed was the son of John and Ingeborg Stende. His parents came from Norway and settled at Northfield before coming to the Ulen/Flom area. They stayed on a place acaross the road from the now Palmer Grefsrud farm while waiting for their house to be built on the farm they purchased.
In those early years Indians would come to their place asking for food. Grandpa Stende tried to pass off some sour milk to them-which they refused. The good milk was given to them because when settlers would not give the Indians the food they requested, the Indians would ride their horses through the settler's gardens until they trampled them to nothing. Grandma Stende was afraid of them and one can imagine the fear she must have felt.
Many years later Ed would point out the old farm place where his folks lived, it is known as the Kalmer Thompson farm. After moving off the home place Ed and Nellie lived in the Flom area. For a time they lived in Flom, moving from there to a place near the Aspelund Lutheran Church in 1923. At this time Leonard Seykora's live there (it is the green house north/west of Aspelund). they also lived at the Duane (Smiley) Malmskog famr and Leslie Moore farm both in Walworth township. In 1930 they bought a farm two miles south and one mile west of Flom from Mary Chrisene from Waseca, Mn. Where they lived until retiring to Twin VAlley in 1949. By the time they bought this farm their family ahd grown with the birth of three sons and four daughter, Clarence, Eleanor, Helen, Sylve, Eugen Muiriel and Gladys. Lester was born three years after they bought the farm.
The house had two bedrooms upstairs and one downstairs. Nellie put calcimine on the walls upstairs. It was cheaper than paint and covered the brown spots on the walls. The spots, which Nellie said came from former renters who chewed tabacco. All the children grew up in this house. In the winter time when it go cold we crowded into four rooms downstairs. The dining room became the kitchen and the upstairs was closed off.
Along with farming Ed held various jobs. When he lived at Flom he was a mail carrier. He would meet the train in Syre and take the mail to FLom. He used live coals in a footwarmer to help keep warm. These old footwarmers can be seen at flea markets and antique shops. One time when he had to stay over at Syre (possibly because of a snow storm) rats or mice ate up his horse blankets.
In the winter the old pot belly stove in the living room kept the house cozy. Nellie spent a good deal of the winter making piece quilts. There were many pretty patterns with a lot of work stitching. Then she would put up the frame in the living room and we would hlep with the quilt. The younger kids would sit under the frame and push the needles back up to the one tying the quilt.
Christmas as sometimes lean on the farm during those depression years. One year there were no figts, only a box of apples to share. The children were just as excited about opening the box of apples as they would have been with gifts. Sometimes the children would put on a Chrsitmas program with just the folks as the audience. One year there were candles on teh tree, which were briefly lit, but the beautiful sight w burned forever into our memories.
Life onthe farm was not always good even though there are many fond memories. Some years there were no crops because of the drought, but we always managed to get the money somewhere to keep things going. A good share of the food was produced on the farm. During the depression years President Franklin Roosevelt devised a program called the WPA.. It was to help needy people find work. Ed worked on this program and helped build the Flom Hall. It is a beautiful building and used for many community events.
One time Ed bought a horse. He was a beautiful white animal although rather wild. Gladys and Muriel were in the woods near the fence and thought it would be fun to scare the horse when he came by. The girls jumped out of the woods and said, "Boo". The horse took one big leap over the fence and down a trail and across the fields. Needless to say, Dad, Mom and Clarence spent the entire evening rounding up the horse and that was the last them the girls had any bright ideas for some time.
In the late 1930's came rumors of war in Europe. In a few years the world had erupted into a global war and things would never be the same. Rationing of food supplies became necessary. Women left to work in war factories and everyone tried to do his share to help the war effort. Women wne to town to pick out flour and feed sacks which came in prints to use for making dresses or aprons. 4-H lcubs helped with salvage work, collectin waste fats which were used in explosives, paper, iron and everyone planted Victory gardens to help raise food.
Sylve and Eugene enlisted in the army. Sylve served in the Pacific on Saipan Island. Eugene was sent to Germany. He was killed by a sniper bullet just before the end of the war. We were home listening to reports on the radio and rejoicing that Germany had been defeated when the drayman from Ulen came with the telegram that Eugene had been killed in action. Sylve luckily came home without a scratch, but his hearing is impaired today, which is attributed to war noise.
This story was written by Muriel Stende Meyer in tribute to her family and the memories she has of their life together.
Eugene Stende
Eugene Lemoyne Stende was born on June 8,1924, at Flom, Mn, of parents Edwin and Nellie Stende. He was baptized and confirmed in Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
He was inducted into the Army and trained at Camp Blanding, August 1944. He served overseas about nine months, being constantly in combat action in France and Germany. He was cited for Superior performance of duty and given Combat Infantryman Badge by Major General James A. Fleet, Commander of the 90th Division of the Third Army. He was rapidly promoted in the field until he reached Staff Sergeant and was kill in action o April 25 while leading the attack on Lowendorf.
He is mourned by his parents, Edwin and Nellie Stende, Mrs. Edwin Oschner, Mrs. Chester Odland, Gladys, Clarence, Lester and Cpl Sylve now on furlough from the Pacific Area.
Memorial service were held from Aspelund Lutheran Church on Sept, 9, 1945, in order that his brother in service can attend.
May the fine service rendered by Eugene ever be remembered with gratitude. He is the first gold star service man of Aspelund Congregation. Eugene is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Peace be with his memory
HEADQUARTERS, 357TH INFANTRY
APO 90, c/o Postmaster
New York, New York
8 May 1945
Mrs. Nellie Stende
Box 49, Route No 2
Ulen, Mn
Dear Mrs. Stende:
The officers and men with whom he served have asked that I express to you their heartfelt sympathy over the death of your son, Staff Sergeant Eugene L. Stende, ASN 37581515, who was killed in action against the enemy on 25 April 1945. In your hour of grief it is their wish that you know that the men with whom he fought so valiantly share your loss.
He fell during operations in which the Third United States Army, after driving across central Germany to the border of Czechoslovakia, had turned south towards the Danube River and Austria. Following in the wake of advancing armored units, this regiment was eliminating pockets of enemy resistance which had been by-passed. His company had the mission of clearing the two small towns of Od and Lowendorf. A platoon guide, he was advancing towards Lowendorf with his unity when the company was fired upon by enemy troops. In the fighting which followed he was killed instantly when he was struck by an enemy rifle bullet.
He was buried in the United States Military Cemetery, Nurnberg, Germany, in Grave Number 74, Row Number 3, Plot B. A Protestant chaplain officiated at the service when he was laid to rest.
It is given, perhaps, only to those who have stood on a battlefield to know of the high courage with which your son and his comrades have so successfully carried the fight to the enemy. His devotion to duty, his loyalty and his acceptance of responsibility will forever be a credit to him and the nation he served so well.
There is nothing that I might say that can in the least measure ease your irreparable bereavement. Yet this is pride in his contribution to the cause of freedom. Our ultimate victory will provide a symbolic monument to augment the white wooden cross which now adorns his grave.
Sincerely yours,
ROY G. MOSHER
Capt., 357th Infantry
Asst. Adjutant.
Irene Stende
Irene Stende was born to John J. and Della (Jensen) Stende on September 14, 1907. She grew up in Ulen, where she attended school. After graduating she went on to NDSU in Fargo, ND. Here she recieved an education in teaching. She taught rural schools for a number of years before she became elementary prinipal in the Ulen Public school system. She later became a Junior High teach in Ulen and remained in Ulen, where she lived in the family home.
Family Information for Johannes Stende:
Johannes Stende was born to Syver Guttormson and Else Johannisdtr. Syver and Else were married on June 23, 1803. In looking through the census reports for 1801 in Norway, we find that Syver Guttormsen is listed living at home with
his parents: Guttorm Syverson age 54 and Ragnild Ovesdtr. age 50, Syver’s age 21, his siblings are Ove Guttorrmsen age 18, Groe Guttormsdtr age 24, Giertrud Guttormsdtr age 11, Ambior Guttormsdtr age 9 and Kari Guttormsdtr age 5. They reside on the Strand Farm, in Vang, Oppland, Norway.
In checking out Else’s family we find they are living on the Svien farm. Johannes Johansen age 50, Berit Nielsdtr age 44 are her parents. Their children are John-henrich Johansen age 16, Else Johannsdtr age 20, Lisbet Johannisdtr age 17, Ingeborg Johannisdtr age 10, Berit Johannisdtr age 7, Mari Johannisdtr age 4 and Ragnild Johannisdtr age 1.
Syver Guttormson and Else Johannisdtr were married on June 23, 1803.
We also found that Johannes Stende had a child Else Johannsen, who was christened on July 26, 1840. The parents are listed as Johannes Syversen and Anne Knudtsdtr, in the church records.
Johannes Syverson and Berit Johnsdatter Stende
Johannes Syverson and Berit Johnsdatter Stende were both born at Vang, Valdres, Norway. Johannes was the youngest son of Sigurd (Syver in the Norwegian Church Books) and Else, born on June, 8, 1817. Berit was born in 1814.
Johannes and Berit were married in 1850, and the children were all born in Norway. They were the parents to John Johanneson Stende born on May 12, 1951( See John and Ingeborg Stende), Marit Johannesdatter who was born on February 9, 1854 and died on November 30, 1932. Their last child was Syver Johanneson born on September 20, 1856, (See Syver J. Stende).
In 1869 Johannes and Berit Norway, coming to American, a land of opportunity and a new life. They traveled across the ocean on the Norwegian sailing vessel called Valkyrie. After 49 days aboard the ship they landed in Quebec, Canada on June 22, 1869. They may their way to Minnesota, possibly by rail and stagecoach.
The Stende’s joined the Vang Lutheran Church in Holden Township, Dennison, Minnesota in 1869. Syver the youngest child was later confirmed here. John and Marit were confirmed while they still lived in Norway. Not much is known about their lives the early years they were here. Relatives have done research and are unable to find Berit’s name in the 1880 census. It is believed that she may have died while they lived in Dennison. The census lists Johannes is listed as living with his son John and wife Ingeborg, as well as their children; Bertha, John and Julia.
In 1881 when John and Ingeborg moved from Dennison to Norman County it is believed that Johannes and Syver stayed in southern Minnesota, moving to Northfield. Here they more than likely moved in with Johannes’ daughter Marit. Johannes died in 1899 of a heart attack and is buried at the Northfield cemetery.
John "Johan" and Ingeborg (Leine) Stende
John J. Stende was born on May 12th, 1851 to Johannes and Beret (Johnsdatter) Stende in Valdres, Norway. He immigrated to America in 1869 on the Sailboat Valkyrie. They came to the Farmington and Northfield, Mn area. When they lived in Northfield they lived above the lst National Bank at the time that the Jesse James gang tried to rob it.
Ingeborg J. Leine was born on July 2nd, 1849 to Jorand and Toris Leinein Vang, Valdres, Norway. She immigrated to America at the age of 28 and settled in Goodhue County, Mn.
John and Ingeborg were married on April 11, 1874 in Goodhue County, Mn. They left Goodhue County and moved to Norman County, Mn in October of 1881. They built a log house on the farm now owened by Kalmer Thompson’s in section 31 of Flom Township. They were one of the first families of the Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn congregation.
John and Ingeborg were the parents of seven children; John, Thomas, Edwin, Alfred, Bertha, Julia and Mathilda.
John J. see John and Della (Jensen)
Thomas see Thomas and Annie Stende
Severt Edwin see S. Edwin and Nellie Stende
Alfred see Alfred and Violet (Bessie) Stende
Bertha see Bertha and Elling Nelson.
Julia was born on March 12, 1880 and married Clarence Melbye. She died on December 21, 1952.
Mathilda was born on January 22, 1888 in Flom township, she remained at home with her parents. After her father's death Mathilda and her mother Ingeborg moved into town and rented an apartment. When Ingeborg died in 1937, Mathilda moved into the home formerly occupied by the Clarence Melbye family. Mathilde did housework for several families around town. She had a long time friendship with Adolph "Duffy" Vadner but neither of them ever married. She spent the last years of her life in Eventide Nursing Home in Moorhead, she died on October 25, 1987. Mathilde was always know for her sharp toungue and quick wit. She once wrote to Sidney in her later years. "If you thing getting old is any fun, you should try it sometimes."
John J. and Della Amanda (Jensen) Stende
John J. Stende was the oldest son of Johan and Ingeborg was born on August 23, 1877. He grew up in the area and attended school at Woodland Nook, this was two miles from their home. Back in those days students were required to spend only 40 days in class. This made education minimal for farm boys.
John married Della Amanda Jensen. She was born on February 2, 1883 to Nels Peter and Rose (Burfield) Jensen in Goodhue county, Mn. John and Della grew up as neighbors in the Flom area after her parents moved here. After their marriage they lived on a farm in Walworth township, it became the the Tom Stende farm in later years. Their first three children were born here. J. Palmer, Rueben, and Irene Rose. They then moved to Ulen, Mn. Here he was a rural mail carrier for many years. The Stende's had four more children; Sidney, Donald, Russell and Ruby. He died on November 22, 1948 following Kidney surgery and is buried at the West Cemetery by Ulen, Mn. Della continue to live in Ulen with her daughter Irene until her death from complications following a broken hip on July 22, 1972.
J. Palmer and Olive (Purrier ) Stende
J. Palmer was born on October 4, 1902 to John J. and Dell (Jensen) Stende. He was born on the family farm in Walworth township (Tom Stende farm) and later moved to Ulen with his family. He married Olive Purrier who was born on July 29, 1901 to Merrill and Mary (Hodson) Purrier in Nicollet county, Mn.
Palmer and Olive began their married life in a small aprtment in Ulen where Palmer drove a dray team and wagon for O.T. Reiersgord. They moved west of Ulen to the farm that Palmer's dad owned. They later moved to a farm six miles east of Ulen. The farm was forfeited to the state for taxes and Palmer bought it after several years. This farm is located in Walworth Township, in section 21, currently owned by Carol (Lunde) and Mike Lockhart, a granddaughter to Olive and Palmer. Palmer passed away on May 24, 1970. Olive continued to live on the farm., her granddaughter Carol and her husband Mike Lockhart also lived on the home place. Later Mike and Carol built a new home, tearing down the old house. A small house was built south of the new one and Olive lived here for a number of years, until she moved into Ulen and rented an apartment there.
Palmer and Olive were the parents of three daughters; Eldora (see Stanley and Eldora Lunde), Arlene (Nygaard) and Marilyn.
Lester Stende
Lester Stende was born on December 30, 1933 to Nellie and Edwin Stende. The night he was born the kids were
awakened by the sound of a baby crying. They wondered what it could be, until Ed walked into the darkened
room with a kerosene lamp to tell them they had a new baby brother. Lester attended school at District 46 in
Walworth township. Lester worked in the Cafe in Twin Valley, and also at the Hartz Grocery Store as produce
manager. He retired from there to work full time on his antique hobby. Lester lived at the family home until
his sudden death. He cared for his parents during the time they lived and had many friends in the Twin Valley
area. Lester died on October 30, 1990 and is buried at Aspelund.
Mathilde Stende
Mathilde Stende was born on January 22, 1888 near Flom to John and Ingeborg Stende. She was raised on the family farm and attended school in the area. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
After completing her education she worked in Ulen and also in Fargo, ND. She also spent much of her life caring for her mother in the later years. After the death of her mother and two sisters she moved into Eventide Nursing Home in Moorhead, Mn.
She never married. Mathilde passed away on October 25, 1985 in Fargo, ND Interment was at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Raymond Stende
Ray Stende was born on September 14, 1921. He grew up in the Flom area, where he attended school and church. He took over the family farm and cared for his mother after his father's death. Ray was active in his church and community; having served as a 4-H Leader, Sunday School Teacher and has been on the Walworth Town Board for a number of years.
He is a member of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. Ray farmed for many years in section 5, after retirement he began working at the Shooting Star Casino, Mahnomen, Mn where he is employed today.
Severt Edwin and Nellie (Nelson) Stende
Editor's note: we have found different spellings; Syver/Sever and Severt. To clarify this Severt Edwin Stende is a nephew to Sever/ Syver Stende. They are both buried at Aspelund.
Severt Edwin "S. Edwin" Stende was born on July 22, 1885 to John and Ingeborg Stende in the log house in Norman County, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church of Flom. He grew up in Norman County, Mn. and attended school at Woodland Nook. His dad died when he was 23 years old so he stayed and helped on the family farm. He was a lifelong member of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
Nellie Nelson was born on December 6, 1892 to Charles and Anna (Anderson) Nelson in Cummings, ND. She grew up in the Cummings ND, Audubon and Ulen Mn. She moved to the Flom area with her parents in 1903.Here she attended elementary school. She was confirmed by Pastor Greenquist in the adult confirmation class at Aspelund.
Edwin Stende and Nellie Nelson were married on December 14, 1916 at the parsonage in Lake Park by Pastor Larson.
They settled near Flom and moved several times in those first few years of marriage but always staying around Flom. Later they moved to a farm two miles south and one miles west of Flom with their seven children. On son Lester, was born at their new home. They lived around here and farmed for 33 years, retiring to Twin Valley in 1949. When they retired they moved to Rwin Valley, Mn.
Edwin farmed in the area and served as a mail carrier between Flom and Syre for the Star route for five years and as janitor at Aspelund Lutheran Church for about nine years as well as his farming duties.
Nellie was a member of the Gold Star Mother of the American Legion Auxillary. After moving to Twin Valley Nellie worked as a cook at Helleruds, Cafe for a time. Nellie died on March 10,1970 and Edwin died on July 10,1972. The had fifty-five years of blessed married life. Edwin passed away on July 10, 1972. They are both buried at Aspelund Cemetery, Flom.
Edwin and Nellie were the parents of eight children; Clarence (see Clarence and Betty Stende), Eleanor (see Eleanor Odland), Helen (see Helen and Edwin Ochsner), Sylve (see Sylve and Charlotte Stende) , Eugene (see Eugene Stende), Muriel (see Orville and Muriel Meyer), Gladys (see Joe and Gladys Houglum) and Lester (see Lester Stende).
Sylve and Charlotte (Odegaard) Stende
Sylve was born on July 19, 1922 to Edwin and Nellie (Nelson) Stende. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. He attended school at District 46 and Flom. After school he entered the Army and was stationed on the Hawiian Islands and in Saipan Islands. After his discharge he farmed near Walcott, ND. Sylve served in the US Army during WW II. After completeing his military duration he came back to the Flom area. Sylve married Charlotte Odegaard on June 6, 1948. They lived in Flom in the Northwest corner of section 34, the house is currently owned by Don and Kay Johnson. They ran the Red Owl Store in Flom, they are the parents of five children. Rodney was born on November 10, 1949 and is married to Katherine Honek, Gary was born on August 17, 1951 and is married to Margaret Hagen, Susan (Klabo) was born on November 19, 1952, Peggy was born on December 31, 1957 and is married to Michael Fugelberg and David was born on July 11, 1959 and is married to Mary Thompson (who was also raised in Flom/Ulen area). The Stende's lived in Flom
until the late 1960's around 1968, they sold the store to Dorothy Johnson and Donald and Kay Johnson. The Stende's moved to Mayville where they purchased another Red Owl Store, which they operated until their retirement. Sylve and Chottie live in Portland ND now.
Syver J. Stende
September 30, 1856 to April 11, 1936 Copied from the Ulen Union; June 7, 1935.
Syver J. Stende, Long familiar figure in Northfield, retires.
Syver J. Stende who has been employed as custodian at the First National Bank for the past thirty-six years and his niece Mrs. Bertha Nelson, left Wednesday morning for Ulen, Mn where they will make their home. In appreciation of his services, Mr. Stende was presented with a gold watch by the staff of the First National Bank.
Mr. Stende, who will be eighty years old September 30, came with his parents from Norway when he was twelve years of age. The family came to Red Wing and not locating the friends whom they expected to meet, caught a ride to Farmington and then walked from Farmington to Northfield.
They located in Goodhue county near Dennison and later came to Northfield. Mr. Stende made his home in an apartment over the First National Bank with his sister, Mrs. Mary Steile, until she passed away in 1932. His niece then came to live with him.
During his many years of efficient service in Northfield he has also been employed in the offices of the late Dr. A.F. Pringle, Drs J.R. and J.G. Phillips, at the Northfield National Bank and the Congregational Church.
Mr. Stende has been a faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.
“Sever” as he is familiarly called, will be sadly missed by his Northfield friends who wish him many years of happiness in his new home.
Copied from Sever’s Obituary in the Ulen Union
Sever J. Stende died at his home in the village Saturday, April 11, at 9:15 p.m. following an illness of about nine months.
Mr. Stende was born in Vang, Valdres, Norway, September 30, 1855. His parents were Johannes and Berit Stende. At the age of 12 years he, together with his parents and a brother and sister, came to Goodhue county, Minnesota, and settled near Dennison. Here he was confirmed by Rev. B.J. Muus, Pastor of the Vangs church near Dennison. He continued to live in that community for a few years until he moved to Northfield, Mn. While there he worked at different occupations until the year 1899 when he became custodian of the First National Bank. This work he had for 36 years, until June 1, 1936, when he retired and moved to Ulen, where he lived until his death on April 1.
All the while he lived in Northfield he was a faithful member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church, and where he will be greatly missed by his friends and relatives, as there he spent the greater part of his life. He is proceeded in death by his parents, his brother John Stende and his sister Marit Steile, also a nephew Alfred Stende.
He is survived by three nephews: John, Thomas, And Edwin Stende and three nieces, Bertha Nelson, Mathilda Stende and Mrs. C.A. Melbye, all residing in Ulen and nearby community, and twenty-seven grandnieces and grandnephews.
Mr. Stende never married. His sister, who early became a widow, kept house for him till her death in 1932. Since then his niece, Bertha Nelson, made her home with him.
His funeral takes place this afternoon at 2 o’clock, from the Aspelund Church, near Flom, with Rev. A.H. Amundson, assisted by Rev. J.J. Tanner in charge.
Thomas and Annie (Johnson) Stende
Thomas Christian Stende was born on November 8, 1882 in Walworth township, Becker county, Mn. to John and Ingeborg (Leine) Stende. He grew up in Walworth township, where he attended school.
Annie Johnson was born on August 11, 1881 to the Lewis and Severina Johnson in Walworth township, Becker County, Mn. She grew up in Walworth and attended school in the area. Annie was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Thomas and Annie were married on July 1, 1911 at Aspelund. They resided on a farm south of Flom. In 1954 Thomas passed away and Annie became a resdient of the Luthrean Memorial Home on July 8, 1963. She was the last surviving member of her family and a life member of the Aspelund Lutheran Church. Annie passed away on December 5, 1964.
They are both buried at Aspelund.
Thomas and Annie were the parents of one son, Leland and two daughters Inez ( see Howard and Inez Stevens), Amy (Eddie Larson) and one infant daughter who was born and died on November 25, 1914.
Albert and Hazel (Lien) Stene
Albert Stene was born on October 14, 1900 at Twin Valley, Mn. to Mons and Soneva (Prestegord) Stene. He
grew up in the Twin Valley area.
Hazel Lien was born on May 14, 1911, to Henry O. and Anna Julia (Holum) Lien.
Albert and Hazel were married on February 19, 1930 at Twin Valley. After they were first married they stayed in the Twin Valley area before moving to Fertile, Mn where he was employed by Land O'Lakes. He worked at the plant for a number of years before going to work for Great Northern Railroad. Hazel worked as a cook at the elementary school from 1954 to 1967.
They were the parents of; Hilda (Wallace Bartz), Arvid, LaVonne (DuWayne Miller), Myron, and Darlene, one daughter Eloris Luverne proceeded them in death in 1933.
Albert died on June 19, 1967 near Rollag, Mn. in Lake Fifteen. He was in a boat when it capsized while he was fishing. Clad in heavy clothes and overshores, they believed he was pulled under by the weight of the clothing. Funeral services were held at Grace Lutheran Church in Ada, Mn. Hazel passed away on October 7, 1987. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Arvid and Corrine (Burkhard) Stene
Arvid Harlow Stene was born on November 20, 1938 at Flom, Mn. The son of Albert and Hazel (Lien) Stene. He grew up and attended school at Ada and entered the Untied States Air Force in 1956, and was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD.
Arvid married Corrine Burkhard on November 9, 1956 at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada. They first lived at Rapid City, SD and then Alaska for one year, before moving to Illinois. Following his discharge in 1964, they remained in Belleville, Illinois, he worked as a manger of a restaurant, hotel and motel for the next four years.
In 1967 they moved to Fertile , where he farmed and then began working for Tilden Farms, where he worked until his death on March 29, 1993.
He was an active member of Varnes Lutheran Church, serving as an usher, trustee and auditor. Interment was made at Varnes Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, Mn.
B. LeRoy Stene
B. LeRoy Stene was born on Janyaryt 13, 1907, to Lars and Brita Stene. He ws married to Lucille Daniels of Twin Valley, Mn on May 17, 1933. They resided in Minneapolis for about 28 years.
LeRoy passed away at the Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in Minneapolis, Mn on January 15, 1972 at the age of 65 years. Interment was held at the Acacia Park Cemetery, Minneapolis.
Carl J. and Mary Ellen (Villebrun) Stene
Carl John Stene was born on July 22, 1902 near Twin Valley, Mn to Mons and Sonive Stene. He grew up on a farm in Fossum township, was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church and attended rural schools in the area.
Carl and Mary Ellen Villebrun were married on January 31, 1944, at the Wild Rice parsonage. After their marriage they resided on his father's farm. In 1950 they moved to Mahnomen, Mn where they spent 19 years before coming back to Twin Valley because of failing heath in April of 1969.
Carl farmed and worked on farms for many years and was a long time member of the Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Carl and Mary Ellen were the parents of Judith (Gerald Skaja) and Shirley Ann (Douglas Tovsen).
Carl passed away on December 28, 1969 at the age of 67. He is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Eloris Luverne Stene
Eloris was born to Albert and Hazel (Lien) Stene at their home in Flom township on August 16, 1932. She and her sister were staying at the home of her Grandparents Henry and Anna ( Holum) Lien while their parents were recoperating at the Sanitorium at Crookston, Mn. Eloris died on November 10, 1933 and is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Her obituary reads as follows: To them it must have been a meassage hard to get, but what a comfort as they turn to see they ways of the Savior to whom they had given her in holy baptism. How He has taken their loved one into his arms away from the trials and the works of the world into His home of glory forever.
Emil and Alma (Underdahl) Stene
Alma Underdahl was born on December 1, 1889 on a farm near Flom Mn. Her parents were Andrew and Dena Underdahl. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, and attended country schools in the area. She grew up on the family farm.
Emil and Alma were married on April 14, 1926, at Twin Valley, Mn. They lived in Flom township and farmed until their retirement. When they moved off the farm and into Twin Valley.
Alma passed away on December 19,1978, at the age of 89 years. They had no children. She was survived by one sister; Minnie (Groslie) of Ulen. Interment was at the Twin Valley Memorial Gardens.
Lars and Brita Stene
Lars Stene was born on Oct 21, 1850 at Aurlands Sogn, Norway to Lars Olson Stene and Lukris Knudsdatter Nesby. He also had two brothers; M.L. Stene of Twin Valley and Osten Stene of Canada. He was confirmed on June 25, 1865, and in the year 1891 he came to the United States. Here he settled in Norman County taking up a homestead where he has since lived.
On May 26, 1892 he married Brita Ericksdatter Veum, who came from Norway that spring. The were married in the Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, MN.
Lars and Brita were the parents of three sons; Louis"Lewis", Emil and B. Leroy Stene all who lived in the Flom area. Lars was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in the early days, later joining Bethlehem church until it was dissolved.
Lars died on October 19, 1933 at his home and is buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, MN.
Leonard and Rose (Johnson) Stene
Rose Helgina Johnson was born on February 6, 1912 in Flom, Mn to Herman and Rodi (Weum) Johnson. She grew up in the Flom, area in section 33 of Flom township. She attended rural school at Flom. She worked several years as a hired girl, before her marriage to Leonard Stene on June 17, 1935 at Flom. After they were married they farmed in Anthony Township, near Halstad, Mn until their retirment in 1975 when they moved into Ada, Mn. Rose entered the Lutheran Memorial Home in Twin Valley, Mn in November of 1990.
Rose and Leonard were the parents of; Carl, Gloria (Harry Boland), Sylvia ( James Olson), Betty (Richard Pigg) and Linda (Jerry Olson).
Leonard passed away in December of 1990 and Rose died on August 6, 1991 and is buried at East Marsh River Cemetery, Halstad, Mn.
Lewis and Lillie (Slette) Stene
Lewis Oscar Stene was born on December 25, 1892 on a farm in Fossum township, to Lars and Brita Stene. He was baptized in the Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. He attended contry schools and grew up on the family farm.
He enlisted in the armed service of his country from Ada on June 18, 1918 and served in the 94th Special Reserve Squad, Detachment No. 53, 163rd Depot Brigade at Vancouver, British Columbia. He was honorably discharged from Camp Dodge, Iowa, on February 1, 1919.
Lillie Theadora Slette was born to Lauritz and Thea (Ramberg) Slette on August 15, 1898 at Cottonwood, Mn. In 1901 she moved with her family to the Faith area where she attended country school and later Mahnomen High School. After completeing her education in Mahnomen she went on to Normal School and became a teacher. She taught country schools in Norman and Mahnomen counties.
Lewis married Lillie Slette on April 3, 1926 at her parents home near Faith, Mn. They made their home and farmed in Flom township for 46 years, beforeretiring and moving into Twin Valley, Mn., in 1971.
Lewis was a member of the American Legion for over 55 years and had been awarded his 50-years pin. Lewis loved music and played the violin for many years.
Lewis passed away on August 4, 1978 at the Lutheran Memorial Home in Twin Valley, Mn., at the age of 85 years. Interment at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church Cemetery, Faith, Mn. After his death Lillie remained in their home until May of 1987 when she entered the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn.
Lillie was a lifetime active member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, of Faith, Mn. She taught confirmation classes as a young woman and became a life-long member of the Ladies Aid. She enjoyed gardening, especially flowers, and she always had beautiful flowers on the farm. She also like to sew for herself and her grandchildren, and she especially like to bake the good Norwegian foods.
Lewis and Lillie were the parents of; Marian (Allan Seeger), Lois ( Myron Klemetson) and Lowell Bernard Stene.
Lowell Bernard Stene
Lowell Stene was born on February 23, 1936 to the Lewis and Lillie Stene, in Flom township. He attended school here and graduated from Twin Valley, High School in June of 1953. After graduation he moved to Moorhead, Mn where he was employed by the Lavelle Lumber Sales, Co.
At the time of his death he was operating a fork lift truck overturned, pinning him beneath it. He was taken to a Fargo hospital. He died a short time after being admitted from internal injuries, on December 18, 1954.
He was never married. He had two sisters; Lois (Myron Klemetson) and Marian (Allen Seeger).
Funeral services were held at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Faith, Mn.
Luella Stene
Luella Stene was born on September 29, 1895 to Mons and Soneva (Prestegord) Stene. She grew up in the Flom area, where she attended school. She was a member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley,
Mn. She was employed by Ole Grefsrud starting in 1923, where she worked until the time of her death on November 26, 1939.
Luella had been sick about a month when she passed away at the Ada Hospital. Funeral services were held at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, with burial in the church cemetery. She never married.
Mons L. and Soneva (Prestegaard) Stene
Mons L. Stene was born on June 8, 1869 in Aurland Sogn, Norway. He was baptized and confirmed in his native land of Norway. In 1889 at the age of twenty-one years, he immigrated to America, and settled in Flom township. Mons came to the Flom area where four of his brothers and sisters had already come and settled before him. He later bought land near Fossum, Mn in section 35.
Soneva L. Prestegaard was born on March 10, 1869 in Aurland Sogn, Norway to Lars and Lukris (Wangen) Prestegaard. As a young child she immigrated with her family to America.
First they settled in Freeborn County, Mn and then a few years later came tot the Flom area in 1883. She grew up on the family farm in Flom township.
Mons and Soneva were married on November 8, 1893. After their marriage they farmed in the area where they had 160 acres, ten milk cows and nine horses. They never had a tractor, nor much school in the English language. This did not stop him from being active in his community and church. Mons served on the township board, school board, creamery board and for many years a supervisor over road construction (building).
Mons passed away on July 18, 1943 and Soneva on January 21, 1962. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran.
Mons and Soneva were the parents of ten children; Lewis Leonard (1896-1915), Oscar (see Oscar and Rocelia Stene), Severt (see Severt and Selma Stene), Albert (see Albert and Hazel Stene), Carl (see Carl and Mary Ellen Stene), Luella (6/20/1894-9/4/1894), Luella Olena (second one ) she was born on September 29, 1895. She never married and did housework for people. She died in 1939.Thelma ( Joel Knudson) was born about 1905, Mabel (10/12/1906-6/6/1908) and Mabel Louise who was born on June 9, 1909. She married Alfred Horn on October 2, 1940. They were the parents of six children and lived in Twin Valley.
Oscar and Rocelia (Lien) Stene
Oscar R. Stene was born on October 9, 1897, the son of Mons and Soneva (Prestegord) Stene. On April 10, 1929, he married Rocelia Enanda Lien, the daughter of Henry O. and Anna (Holum) Lien, of Flom township. Rocelia was born on October 18, 1906.Oscar and Rocelia farmed in section 3 of Flom township and were members of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, MN. IN 1950 the moved to rural Gary, Mn where Oscar worked for area farmers. In 1966 they moved to Twin Valley, Mn. In 1989 they celebrated sixty years of marriage. Rocelia was an active member of her church, senior citizens, and homemaker’s club.
Oscar’s family consisted of: brothers; Lewis, Leonard, Albert, Severt and Carl, sister; Baby Luella (June 1894-Sep 1894), Luella Olena, Thelma, Mabel (October 1906-June 1908), and Mabel Louise.
Rocelia’s family consisted of: sisters; Odella (Melvin Aune) and Hazel (Albert Stene).
Oscar and Rocelia Stene are both deceased. Oscar passed away on December 1, 1989 and Rocelia passed away on February 13, 1995. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Rocelia’s parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents are all buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Three generations of her family, her father, herself and her three children, all went to school in District 12, Plentywood School. Rocelia remembered it was always a blizzard on Valentine’s Day and they had almost a three mile walk to go to school.
They were the parents of three children; Ardis, Olive and Harvey.
Ardis Sylvia was born on January 5, 1930. She married Royal Mahlum on June 26, 1949. They are retired and live in Fertile, Mn. They have three daughters; Kleone Mahlum Wangen, of Oakdale, Mn. Kleone is the mother of two children; Janelle (Mahlum ) Carrol of China Spring, Tx and she has four children, and Crystal (Mahlum )Broden of Gary, Mn and she is the mother of two children.
Olive Roleen was born on July 6, 1931. She married Donald Axdahl on June 12, 1955, they live in Frazee, Mn., and both are retired. Olive and Donald are the parents of four children; Darwin, Orwin, Glenda and Ross. Darwin lives at Frazee, Mn. Orwin resides at Box Elder, SD and has one son. Glenda (Axdahl) McMichael resides at Plano, Tx., and had two daughters. Ross resides at Warren, Mn and has one daughter.
Harvey Milo was born on January 16, 1934. He married Arlys Tolness on May 24, 1958. She passed away on October 9, 1994. They were the parents of four children; Susan, Nanette, Kevin, and Rochelle. Harvey is retired. He married Corrine Stene on August 8, 1998 and resides in Fertile, Mn.
Susan resides at Princeton, Mn and has one son. Nanette (Furman) resides at St. Cloud, Mn and has one daughter. Kevin resides at Princeton, Mn and will be married on May 31, 2002 to Debora Lynn Huber. Rochelle (Lundberg) resides at Princeton, Mn and has one daughter.
Severt and Selma Stene
Severt was born on August 16, 1899 to Mons and Soneva (Prestegaard) Stene. He grew up in the Flom area and married Slema Eide of Mayville, ND on June 16, 1927. They were the parents of twin sons who died at birth. Selma died on August 9, 1963.
After Selma’s death Severt married Borghild Myregard in 1964. They farmed in the Mayville, ND area. The both died on June 14, 1972.
Severt Stene and his wife Borghild, along with Mr. And Mrs. Olav Aarsvold, all of Blanchard, ND, drowned while on a fishing trip to Lake of the Woods in 1972. Their funerals were held jointly at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church in Fargo. A second service was held at Hillsboro, ND with burial at Perry Cemetery, near Portland, ND.
Howard and Inez (Stende) Stevens
Howard Stevens was born on January 13, 1908 to Milo and Betsy Stevens at Hawley, Mn. Inez Sylvia Stende was born on April 19, 1912 to Thomas and Annie Marie ( Johnson) Stende. Inez grew up in the rural Flom area, where she attended school and was a member of Aspleund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Howard and Inez were married on August 16, 1940. They lived on three different places in Walworth township before settling down in section 23. Here they farmed and raised their family. They were the parents to two sons; James and Wayne.
In 1946 Howard and Inez were faced with a tragedy of their home burning: Mr. and Mrs. Howard Stevens, Walworth township, lost all their hosuehold goods and other personal porperty when their hosue was destroyed by fire about 8:30 Saturday morning.
The fire started when the Stevens were in the barn milking. Mr. STevens first noticed heavy black smoke coming from the chimney as he went to fee the hogs. He rushed to the house and opened thekitche door, but was met by a rush of flame. He then ried a bedroom window, with the same result. So all he could do was watch the place burn. A favorable wind prevented spread of the fire to other buildings.
Cause of fire is unknown. There had been no fire in the furnace and breakfast was made on the gas stove, leaving on ly the pilot light burning on that. Stevens rents the farm from Ben Case.
This was only one of the tradgeies that came on Howard and Inez, it was in the 1970's they lost their barn to a fire.
In later years Howard suffered poor health and became blind. Inez continued to live on the farm following his death until because of health she moved into the Viking Manor in Ulen. Their son Jim and his family resided with them. After their deaths Jimmy continued to live on the farm until his death in 2001. Howard passed away on August 10, 1984 and Inez on March 11, 1986, they are both buried at Aspelund.
James and Elvena (Happy) (Mitchell) Stevens
Jim was born on December 9, 1932 to Howard and Inez (Stende) Stevens. He grew up in Walworth township, on the family farm. He attended school, after completeing his education he entered the armed forces. After he completed his time in the service he came back to the family farm and continued to live there until his death.
Jim married Elvena "Happy" Mitchell, she was born on November 27, 1937 to Mary Jane (Wilson) at Rock Dam, Mn. Jim and Happy were the parents of three children; Daniel, Cathy and Robert. After the children were grown, Jim and Happy divorced. Jim continued to live on the farm with his children, his parents and his uncle Leland live there for a time.
After Jim's retirment from farming he and Happy were remarried. They lived on the farm until their death's in 2001,
just weeks apart.
Danny was born on February 9, 1955, he attended school at Ulen. He attended church at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. Danny married Beverly Askelson in 1976 (divorced). They had two sons; Tee-Jay Daniel on October 22, 1976 and Tony James on January 15, 1980. Danny has worked for area farmers and is skilled at making repairs to cars and farm machinery. Danny has a daughter Tana LaShell who was born on July 5, 1983, she lives with her mother. Another daughter Jade Danielle was born on July 31, 1990, to Lisa Halvorson, the daughter of Duane and Sheryl Halvorson of Hitterdal. Jade lives with her mother in Ulen. Danny lives on the east edge of Ulen.
Cathy Stevens was born on December 13, 1957. She attended school at Ulen-Hitterdal and attended sunday school at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. Cathy married Bruce Bjorgan, son of George and Hilda Bjorgan of Ulen, Mn. Bruce and Cathy were the parents of Tyrone (1974), Victoria (1975), Michael (1976) and Crystal (1978). Cathy was tragically killed in a car accident on December 16, 1982. After her death, Bruce raised his family. He purchased his father's farmsite and continues to live there.
Robert "Bobby" Stevens was born on October 29, 1960. He attended school at Ulen-Hitterdal and graduated from there in 1978. He attended Sunday School at Aspelund Luteran Church, up to the 6th grade. Bobby married Patty Hagen, daughter of Lowell and Clarice Hagen of Hitterdal, Mn., in 1985 (divorced 1989). They are the parents of two children; Cassidy Wade born on April 20, 1984 and Cassandra Fawn born on October 29, 1987. Robert married Beck Ann Halvorson in 1990, daughter of Duane and Sheryl Halvorson of Hitterdal. They are the parents of three daughters; Robin, Brianne and Bobbi Jo. Bobby is employed by the Shooting Star Casino, where he has worked since they started.
Wayne and Irene (Jones) Stevens
Wayne Douglas Stevens was born on November 28, 1937 at Ulen, Mn to Howard and Inez (Stende) Stevens. He attended school in the Ulen area.
He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Wayne married Irene Jones of Mahnomen, Mn on March 29, 1957 at Bellville, Ill.
Wayne served his country in the Air Force and after completing his military duration he worked for Western Union until his retirement in 1989. The couple lived in various communities before moving to Carlisle, Iowa where they lived for 15 years. The last two years they had lived in Chariton, Iowa. Wayne was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and served as a scoutmaster.
Wayne died on July 9, 1990 at the Ramsey County Medical Center in St. Paul, Mn as a result of burns sustained while attempting to rescue a friend from a pickup camper fire. Wayne is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove.
Wayne and Irene were the parents of Harold and Leona (Pat Kernes).
Albert O. Stien
Albert O. was born in 1869 in Wisconsin. He received his education there and in Flom Township. He worked for his father for several years before taking up carpentry, and became engaged in building houses and farm buildings in this vicinity. He also served as Justice of the Peace for one year. Albert died on November 17, 1951 at Litchfield, Mn Hospital. He is buried at Wild Rice.
Rhoda was born in Iowa in 1880. She grew up here. She died on May 12, 1923 and is buried at Wild Rice.
Edward D. Stien
Edward D. was born in 1886 in the old log house with a shingled roof. He made his home here on the farm, farming with his brother, Julian. Edward and Julian continued to live on the farm after their fathers death in 1906. Their mother stayed with them until her death on September 5, 1940. Edward served his country in WWI. He entered the service in 1917 at Camp Dodge, and also was at Camp Logan, and Camp Upton. He served overseas in France. In 1918 he was gassed at Verdun Front and mustered out in 1919. He is a WW I Veteran. He died on October 22, 1951 and is buried at Wild Rice.
I. B. Stien
The following is the obituary for Isreal B. Stien
This community was shocked last thursday when the sad news reached here that Isreal B. Stien had been accidently killed while blasting stumps with dynamite near the John Jenson farm in the town of Fossum at about twelve o'clock on that day. Mr. Stien and two of the Jenson boys were removing stumps from a piece of land by using dynamite. When the fuse had been lighted the three men ran to what they thought was a safe distance, but Stien was struck in the head by a flying piece of the stumpand knocked unconscious.
Dr. Arneson was immediately summoned but upon reaching the Jenson home, where the unfortunate man had been taken, the doctor found life extint.
Deceased was 29 years of age and came to America from Norway eight years ago, practically all the time being spent in tthe town of Fossum. He was a hard working young man and sent most of the money earned to his aged parents who still reside in Norway. Who we understand have been in need. Beside his parents the deceased leaves two brothers and two sisters in Norway, and this entire section of the county to mourn his tragic death.
Rev. Nelson conducted the funeral service over his remains at Bethlehem Lutheran church, Monday afternoon, the chruch being crowded with sorrowing firends of the deceased.
Julian G. Stien
Julian G. was born in 1883 on the original forty acre tract he father first owned. He grew up and took over the farming operation from his father.
Peter and Gertrude (Anderson/Olson) Stien
Peter I Stien was born on January 9, 1838 in Norway. He lived in Norway until he reached the age of 30 receiving a formal education and learning his trade. He was a blacksmith, wagon maker and boat builder. It was in 1968 that he said good-bye to his native land and struck out for the New World- America.
Gertrude Olson was born in Helgeland, Norway, on October 7, 1847. She spent her childhood and girlhood days there and came to American in 1868.
Peter and Gertrude first lived in Iowa, then Wisconsin before coming to Norman County.
After he first arrived here he wandered here and there, working at his trade. In 1882 he came to Flom township. Here he found farmers who were in much need of in knowledge and abilities of his trade. The people here got together and purchased tools for him and made a fine shop. He built a log house with a clay roof and became a permanent settler of this area.
As the business throve with the passing years he found himself going more and more into farming. He started out with forty acres in section 4, but after two years he sold that and purchased eighty acres in section 5. He added more acreage to his farm all in section 5 as the years went by. Most of the land he purchased was in standing timber and needed to be cleared. The cost of doing this was about $8.00-$9.00 per acre. After it was cleared they started to raise small grains and eventually went into Shorthorn cattle and blooded swine.
Section 5 of Flom Township would be where the Wild Rice parsonage is located. Much of the land in that section is now owned by Lyle Manthe.
Peter is said to have died in 1906, but we are not sure where he is buried. He is said to be a active member in the United Lutheran Church, and served on the first church council at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. It is said that a child who died in infancy and he may be buried at Bethlehem cemetery in an unmarked grave.
Peter and Gertrude were the parents of eight children. Four died in infancy.
Albert O. was born in 1869 in Wisconsin. He received his education there and in Flom Township. He worked for his father for several years before taking up carpentry, and became engaged in building houses and farm buildings in this vicinity. He also served as Justice of the Peace for one year. Albert died on November 17, 1951 and is buried at Wild Rice.
Rhoda was born in Iowa in 1880. She grew up here. She died on May 12, 1923 and is buried at Wild Rice.
Julian G. was born in 1883 on the original forty acre tract he father first owned. He grew up and took over the farming operation from his father.
Edward D. was born in 1886 in the old log house with a shingled roof. He made his home here on the farm, farming with his brother, Julian. Edward and Julian continued to live on the farm after their fathers death in 1906. Their mother stayed with them until her death on September 5, 1940. Edward served his country in WWI. He entered the service in 1917 at Camp Dodge, and also was at Camp Logan, and Camp Upton. He served overseas in France. In 1918 he was gassed at Verdun Front and mustered out in 1919. He is a WW I Veteran. He died on October 22, 1951 and is buried at Wild Rice.
Martin and Agnes (Morgan) Strand
Martin was born in Norway in 1894. He emigrated from Norway when he was 17 years old. He married Agnes Munter in 1933 at Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Agnes was born 0n June 20, 1897 to parents Morgan E. and Marhelda (Olson) Morgan. She first married Archie Munter and they lived in Buxton and Hillsboro, North Dakota. The following children were born to them:
Lloyd, Duane, Beverly (Tarvestad), Colleen (Martin) and Alvina (Tozlain).
They later moved to Cook, Minnesota, where they lived for three years before moving to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When Archie died, she returned with her family to the Buxton area. After her marriage to Martin, they farmed in the Halstad area. In 1953, they moved to a farm east of Twin Valley in Flom Township. Martin died on February 14, 1980, Agnes stayed on the farm with her son Lloyd until 1992 wben she moved to Fargo, North Dakota to live with her daughter. She lived to be over 100 years old. She died on January 24, 1998. Both her and Martin are buried in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Anders Henningsen Stuedahl
Funeral services were held from the P. Sakrismo home Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 1 p. m. and from Immanuel church at 2 for Anders Stuedahl who passed away Thursday morning, January 12, after a lingering illness. Rev. A. H. Amundson assisted by Rev. I. J. Tanner officiated. Two solos were rendered by Harold Skansgaard accompanied on the organ by Mrs. H. Skansgaard. The body was laid to rest in the Immanuel cemetery.
Anders Henningson Stuedahl was born on Stuedahl in Tydal, Norway on Nov. 16, 1851, of parents Henning Henningson Stuedahl and wife, Ingebor Oldsdatter Stuevold. He was baptized January 3, 1852 and confirmed October 11, 1868, in Tydal's church. In 1882 he left for America and came to Lake Park andi from there to Flom to his sister. In 1892 he went back to Norway to take care of his aged father till he died. In 1894 he returned to Flom. In 1897 he bought a farm in Flom township and lived there till 1917 when he sold the farm. He then made his bome, with his sister, Mrs. Soven till her death in 1928. Since then he has made his home at the Sakrismo farm till his death. They have cared for him the past three years during his lingering illness. He passed away January 12, 1938, at the age of 87 years, 1 month and 26 days.
He leaves to mourn his passing three grand children, Arthur Kirchevold, of Pinewood, Minn.; Mrs. Iver Hoven, of Pinewood, and Mrs. Sylvia Erickson, Thief River Falls, and seven great grand children. Also two sisters, Anna Blom, of Montana, and Lucie Henningsgsard in Norway. His sister, Mrs. Nysetvold passed away three years ago and Mrs. Soven 11 years ago. He is also uncle to Mrs. P. Sakrismo.
Visitors from the outside were:
From Pinewood: Helmer Kirchevold Mrs. Hans Kirchevold, Mrs. Iver Hoven and Arthur Kirchevold.
From Gatzke, Minn.: Erik Aune, Mrs. Ole Ostby, Olaus Erickson and Thomas Ostby.
From Grygla, Minn.: Lars Nygsard, Mrs. Gust Saxvold and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Vold.
From Twin Valley: Mr. and Mrs. Ole Nysetvold and family and Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Heiberg.
Mr. Stuedahl was a kindly soul, retiring still he won the esteem of those who came in contact with him. Blessed be his memory.
Peder Pederson Stueness
Peder Stueness was born at Bjugn, Sor Tronderlag, Norway in 1850. He was born to Peder Peterson and Mabel Pederson. In 1800 he immigrated to America, settling in section 31 of Flom Township, Norman County, Mn.
Peder’s first wife Karen (last name unknown) was born in 1849 in Norway. She died on November 20, 1894 and is buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Peder married Sena Pederson Aspehaug on January 18, 1896 in Minnesota. Sena was born in Oier, Oppland, Norway in 1861 to Peder and Cecile Pedersen Aspehaug. Sena’s sister was Mrs. Iver Skansgaard. They had one daughter born was stillborn on March 12, 1899. Sena died on February 3, 1899 and is also buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom.
After the death of his second wife Peder married Bertha Mattison on June 5, 1899 in Minnesota. Bertha was born in 1870 in Ringsaker Hedmark Norway. She had immigrated to America with her two sisters, the year is unknown.
Peder Stueness passed away on October 5, 1925 and is buried at Walworth Baptist Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Bertha and Peder were the parents of; their first child was born in 1900 (Stillborn), Mabel, Agnes, Paul, Mary, Bennie and Esther.
Mabel was born in 1902, she married Clarence Gustafson (both deceased) and they were the parents of six children.
Agnes was born in 1904, she married Harold Hekala (both deceased). They lived in Buhl, Mn and were the parents of one son. He is married and lives in the Twin cities.
Paul was born in 1905 (deceased), he married Margaret Holmquist. They were the parents of 4 children.
Mary was born in 1908, she married Math Anderson (both deceased) and they were the parents of 4 children.
Bennie was born in 1910 he married Veronica Bennay (both deceased) and they were the parents of 5 children.
Esther was born in 1912, she married Andrew Sakrismo. Esther resides in the Assisted Living Apartments in Ulen, Mn. Esther will be celebrating her 90th birthday this year. (see Sakrismo)
Peder and Bertha also opened their hearts and home to two Foster Children; Herman and Christine. Herman married Berth on June 12, 1927 in Norman County, both are deceased and buried at Walworth Baptist Cemetery. Christine married Leonard Burtness. They moved to Washington State where their children reside today.
Editor’s note: Two miles west of Flom use to be known as “3 Pete Corner” as Peder Stueness, Peder Sakrismo and Pete Johnson all lived there at one time.
Edvar and Austine (Stundahl) Christensen
Edvar Christensen was born in 1895 to Julius and Kjerstin (Sorenson) Christensen at West Branch, Ia. As a oung man, he moved with his parents to Faith, Mn. there they farmed.
Austine Stundahl was born in 1896 to Torris and Olena (Prestegord) Stundahl. After her marriage to Edvar they rented land until 1942, when they purchased a farm near Ulen, Mn. Here they stayed and farmed for nearly forty years. They had one son Thoris, who grew up and married Rose, they also farmed all their lives in the Ulen area and raised their family there. Their daughter; Kathryn (Lloyd Hegg). Besides raising their own children they also raised a niece, Violet Rose Stundahl (John Williams) when illness made it impossible for her parents (Lewis and Hulda Stundahl) to care for her. They were a caring couple and enjoyed being with neighbors, friends and relatives.
Edvar died on December 1, 1956 and Austine died on May 22, 1970, they are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Elster and Joyce (Underdahl) Stundal
Elster Stundahl was born in 1921 in Flom township to Lars and Bella Stundahl. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He grew up on the family farm northwest of Flom. He grew up here and attended school at Sunny Hill grade school and then went to Twin Valley. After completing his education he worled with his parents on their farm and took over the operation after his father's death.
Joyce Ione Underdahl was born on March 8, 1927, at Virginia, Mn. to Arthur and Frieda Underdahl.
She was baptized at Virginia, Mn and confiremd at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. She attended elementary schools and high school at Twin Valley, Mn.
Elster and Joyce were married on June 17, 1944 at Wild Rice. They made their home on a farm in Flom township in section 17, for several years, moving to Twin Valley in 1969. When they lived in Twin Valley, they were both employed by the Viking Snowmobile Plant, in town. He was one of the last employee's working at the Viking plant when it closed it's doors in the mid 1970's. After retirement he became active as a Tri-Valley volunteer.
Elster loved music and played the guitar. He was an active member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, having served on various boards and offices for the church. Joyce kept busy with the daily tasks of being a farmers wife and a mother to their children. She also taught Sunday School for nine years, and was active in the Wild Rice ALCW and it's circles. The last few years she worked at the South Side Cafe.
Elster and Joyce were the parents of; Larry, Roger, Jodi and Karen (Dennis Meland). Joyce passed away in 1974. After her death Elster married Sharon Torkelson. Elster passed away in 1985. Elster and Joyce are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
George Stundahl
George C. Stundahl was born on August 19, 1905 to Torris and Olena Stundahl, in Flom township. He grew up in the Flom area where he attended school. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran church. He never married.
George served his country during World War II, He entered the U.S. Air Force on May 27, 1942, at Ft Snelling. He was
honorabley discharged on September 22, 1945 afrom AAF Ordnance, Keans, Utah. He had served overseas in Panama.
Returning home after his discharge he began farming which he did until his death on April 10, 1967, at his home. He was 61 years old. George was a member of the Wild Rice Church, Nesseth-Lien Post 431 of the American Legion. He is buried at Wild Rice.
Lars and Bella (Nygaard) Stundahl
Lars Stundahl was born on July 6, 1979 to Sjur and Anna Stundahl, in Sogn, Norway. He immigrated to the United States, first he came to Lake Park, then on to Twin Valley, MN where he settle in section 17 of Flom Township. Lars had two brothers Severt Severtson who lived in Fargo, ND, Carl Stundahl lived by Twin Valley and a sister Mrs. Ed Swedenberg of Braham, Mn.
Bella Parnell Nygaard was born near Gary, Mn to Rasmus and Berget Nygaard in 1885. She was baptized and confirmed in the Gary Lutheran Church (St.Paul’s). She attended rural schools in that area where she grew up.
Lars and Bella were married in 1906 at the Gary parsonage. They farmed for eight years in the Waubun area before settling in Flom twp. It was here they took up the occupation of farming and raising a family of five children. Elster, Bernice (Edward Forsell) Lillian (Selmer Low), Minerva (Donald Ford) and Deloris (Kenneth Riste).
Lars Stundahl died in 1940 while tending to his cows in the barn. A bolt of lightening is said to be the cause of his demise, he was killed instantly while milking in the barn at 7:15 am. He was found midway in the barn. No damage was done to the structure. It was believed the bolt may have entered through either of the two open barn doors. No other deaths or material damage in that area was reported.
Following Lars’ death, Bella continued living on the farm and later moved to Ada before becoming a resident at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Homes.
They were members of Wild Rice Lutheran Church where they were both active in the church organizations. Bella died on July 16, 1973 at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn. Both are buried at Wild Rice Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Lars Stundahl's Obituary written by Rev. A.H. Amundson
One of the prominent memberts of Flom township, Lars Stundahl, was struck by a a bolt of lightning early Friday morning as he was milking. He had just finished one cow and arose to change to the next when the bolt passed through him. His son, Elster, and daughter, MInerva, who were helping him, escaped with a shock although just a few feet away from their father.
Medical and other help was summoned at onece, but nothing could be done. The Lord had called him.
Lars Stundahl farmed succsessfully a number of years on the present farm, which he had bought and built up as a home. He spent his whole life i nour community with the exception of the first year, being born in Sogn, Norway, July 6, 1879, the son of Sjur and Anna Stundahl. They left for the land of promise and were among the early settlers who came in the eighties to augment those who had come in the seventies. He was confirmed by Rev. Hans Johnson in June 1894, and spent his boyhood
and early manhood years on his father's farm. That farm is still occupied by one of the fmaily, Carl. On July 29, 1906, he was united to Belle Nygard of Gary, Mn., in holy wedlock and five children blessed their union.
Mr. Stundahl took a very active part in the affairs of the Wild Rice congregation, the church of almost his entire life. He was a member to the Board of Trustees for almost four terms-it would have been 12 years in November. He took his responsibilities seriously and carried on his work with sincerity and faithfulmess. He was also a member of the cemetery committee. He was always active in the different affairs of the congregation and no one was more ready to volunteer his services for work days than Mr. Stundahl. When others gave one day he often gave two and offered more. We shall miss his companionship, his readiness to respond, his cheerfulness and his deep sincerity.
With his jovial friendsliness and his deep sincerity, his with, his open heartedness and yet having a mind of his own and following through as he saw things, he made a very valuable member, friend and neighbor. We shall deeply miss him in his varous walks and endeavors. He was a man of industry and his own things were always well taken care of.
LeRoy and Hazel (Prestgord) Stundal
LeRoy Stundahl, was born in 1911 in Moorhead, Mn to John and Sophie ( Stundahl) Lukas. His mother died when he was a very small baby, so he and his sister Alice, were raised by their grandfather Sjur Stundahl and their uncle Carl. That is why they took the last name of Stundahl. He was raised and attended school near Twin Valley, Mn.
LeRoy married Hazel Prestegord on April 2, 1938 at the Wild Rice parsonage. They were active in farming and LeRoy also worked for area farmers.
LeRoy was very active in church and community affairs. LeRoy and Hazel had no children. Although in the later years of his Uncle Carls life he made his home with them. They also took in Hazel's younger sister Joyce, after the death of their mother. The Stundahl's were known for always having goodies and traditions were carried out, of course, even having a Christmas Tree not only decorated in their home but also one decorated outside.
LeRoy passed away on December 12, 1984 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Lewis and Hulda (Milsten) Stundahl
Lewis Stundahl was born on February 11, 1891 in Fossum township to Torris and Olena (Prestegord) Stundahl. He attended school in the area, he then went to diesel machine school in Fargo, ND. On September 14, 1918 he entered the service to serve his country. He was first stationed at Camp Grant. He was on his way to Alabama when the war ended and he returned home, he was a veteran of WW I.
Hulda J. Milsten was born in 1896 to Joseph and Hannah Milsten near Gary, Mn. She grew up in the Faith, Mn area. After she completed her education she went on to get a teaching degree. She taught in rural schools for awhile.
Lewis and Hulda were married in 1919. They purchased a piece of land in Flom township, and lived in a log house there.
Due to ill health Hulda was unable to raise their three daughters and Lewis took on the duties of being a father and mother to their family and other relatives also were there to help him. Theie girls were; Harriet (Robert Kaiser), Doris (Norval
Thompson) and Violet ( John Williams). Lewis once said " He raised the girls on his knees, meaning prayer and faith."
Lewis passed away in 1957 and Hulda passed away in 1977, both are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Mervin and Olga (Tastad) Stundahl
Mervin was born on March 28, 1912 in Flom Township to Torris and Olena (Prestegaard) Stundahl. He was the youngest of 13 children. He was baptized and confirmed in his faith at Wild Rice Luteran Church. He attended Plentywood school near Flom. At the age of 14, he went to North Dakota and worked at a farm near Galesburg and later at a farm near Thompson.
On November 9, 1941, he was united in marriage to Olga Tastad in Gary, Minnesota. Olga was born to Iver E. and Minnie C. (Thompson) Tastad. Iver was born in Stavanger, Norway and came to the United States in 1893 at the age of 16 years.
Mervin and Olga made their home on a farm near Flom for the first nine years of marriage. In 1950, they purchased their farm northeast of Twin Valley, where Olga lives today. In addition to operating his farm, he also did custom combining and spraying. Following his retirement, he helped his son-in-law farm and his son with his electrical business.
Olga has painted, wallpapered and stained many a house in the area with her partner Lorraine Bakke for many years.
Two children were born to Mervin and Olga:
Faye (Deceased), married to Bob Hlubek
Wayne, married to Carolyn Orre
Mervin died on Wednesday, June 27, 2001 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Selmer E. and Isabel (Olson) Stundahl
Selmer E. Stundahl was born in rural Twin Valley, Mn on July 11, 1898, the son or Torris and Oline Stundahl. He grew up in this area, was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran church, and attended the rural schools here.
Isabel was born in 1894. She met her husband Selmer at the Children'shome in Chicago where they were both employed.
Selmer and Isabel were married on June 22, 1934, at Calamus, Iowa. After their marriage they resided near Twin Valley, Mn for six years and then moved to Calamus, Iowa for seven years, before returning to the Twin Valley area in 1947. Here they made their home. He had been engaged in farming all his life. He was a member and very active in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Selmer and Isabel were the parents of one daughter Rachel, who was born in 1937. She started Sunday School at the age of three years and by the time she was eight she had never missed a sunday (214 sundays). She was stricken with polio and passed away on September 1, 1948.
Selmer passed away on May 12, 1971 and Isabel on February 23, 1983. The family is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Sjur and Anna (Stene) Stundahl
Sjur Stundahl was born in 1853 in Norway to Sjur and Katarina Stundahl. He grew up there and met Anna Stene, they were married in 1871. Anna was born on April 20, 1853 in Norway, she had two brothers who came to Norman county also, they were Mons and Lars Stene and as sister Mrs. E. Veum. In 1881 they immigrated to American coming directly to Norman county where they homesteaded in Flom twp. It was here they worked the land and raised a family, they were the parents of nine children; Sivert Syverson, Tho Syverson, Carl Stundahl, Alfred Stundahl, Lars Stundahl, Emil Stundahl, Frieda (Lawrence Larson), Kathrine /Katie (N.V. Jenson), Tina Swedberg, Sophie (John Lukas) and Lukris Winger (Lars Prestegord).
They were members of Wild Rice Lutheran Church. Sjur died in 1934 and Anna died in 1919, both are buried at Wild Rice.
Theodore Olaf Sr. and Verna (Gordon) Stundahl
T. Olaf was born on August 27, 1900 at Twin Valley, Mn., to Torris anad Olina Stundahl. he grew to manhood here and in 1925 moved to Chicago, Illinois. Olaf's siblings were;Lewis, Selmer, George, Tilford, Mervin, Clara (Carl Aamoth/Andrew Syverson) Laura (Theodore Lerud), Slema (Henry Smith), Austine (Edvar Christensen) Mabel ( Ole Stavetieg) and Elvina (Guy Thompson).
Verna Gordon was born in 1909.
Olaf and Verna were married on August 18, 1932 in Chicago. When they were first married they worked at the Children's Home in Chicago. The couple moved to Twin Valley, Engelwood, Col and back to Chicago again before moving to Sioux Falls in 1956. Olaf was employed at Augstanan College until retiring in October of 1970. They lived on a farm in section 22 of Flom township from 1938-1941.
Olaf passed away in 1971 and is buried in Hills of Rest Cemetery, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
They were the parents of two sons; Theodore Olaf Jr. and Vernon John. Funeral services were held in Sioux Falls SD at Our Savior's Lutheran Church.
Tilford and Agnes (Fladeland) Stundahl
Tilford C. Stundahl was born on July 22, 1910 at Twin Valley, Mn, Torris and Olena Stundahl.. He grew up in this area.
Agnes Fladeland was born in 1911. Tilford and Agnes were married on February 19, 1938 at Grand Forks, ND. She and Tilford were the parents of one daughter JoAnne ( Leonard Denson).
Tilford and Agnes lived in the Twin Valley area later moving near Grand Forks, ND where they were also active in farming. They left North Dakota and moved to Milwaukee Wisconsin where Tilford was employed as a cement mason for over 31 years. They left Wisconsin and returned to the Flom , Mn area where they were once again active in farming, which they did for the last 14 years of Tilford’s life.
Tilford passed away on June 27, 1986. Agnes passed away on December 7, 1995. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Torris and Olena (Prestegaard) Stundahl
Torris Stundahl was born in Aurlands Prestegjoeld Sogn, Norway on August 17, 1862 to Sjur and Kathrine Stundahl. He was baptized and confirmed in his home congregation. In 1882 he left his native land for America and came to Flom Township where he bought a home in section 10, residing there ever since.
Olena Prestegaard was born to Lars and Lukris Prestegaard in 1869. She married Torris Stundahl on November 1887.
Together they took on the duties of a farmer and his wife. Here they raised their children. Lewis, Selmer, T. Olaf, George (see George Stundahl), Tilford, Mervin, Clara (Carl Aamoth/Andrew Severson), Laura (Theodore Lerud), Selma (Henry Smith), Austine (Edvar Chrsitensen), Mabel (Ole Stavetieg) and Elvina (Guy Thompson).
Olena passed away in November 1920, one child proceeded her in infancy. After her passing he married her sister Louise (Henry Jensen)
Torris and Louise (Prestegaard/Jensen) Stundahl
Torris Stundahl was born in Aurlands Prestejeld, Sogn, Norway on August 17, 1862 to Sjur and Katherine Stundahl. He was baptized and confirmed in his home congregation. In 1882 he left his native land for America and came to Flom township, where he bought a home in section 10. He resided there until his death.
Olena Prestegaard was born to Lars and Lukris (Wangen) Prestegaard on September 13, 1869 in Aurland Sogn, Norway. She immigrated to America when she was a small child along with her parents.
Torris and Olena were married in November 1887. Together they took on the duties of a farmer and his wife. Here on the family farm they raised their children; Lewis (1891), Selmer (1898-1971), T. Olaf (see Olaf and Verna Stundahl), George (see George Stundahl), Tilford (see Tilford and Agnes Stundahl), Mervin (see Mervin and Olga Stundahl), Clara (see Carl Aamoth/Andrew Severson), Laura (Theodore LeRud), Selma (Henry Smith), Austine (see Edvar and Austine Christensen), Mabel ( Ole Stavetieg) and Elvina (Guy Thompson).
Olena passed away in November 1920, one child proceeded her in death, having died in infancy. After Olena’s death Torris married her sister Louise who was a widow, having been married to Henry Jensen. Louise was born on April 24, 1882.
Aaron and Arvid Swenson
Twin sons Aaron and Arvid were born to Sidney and Elizabeth (Sakrismo) Swenson. . They were baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom. They were raised on the family farm located on the west side of section 33 of Flom township. This land has been owned by the family for over 100 years.
Their father Sidney built the home that is still being occupied by the twins. They attended country school at Woodland Nook then went to Twin Valley High School where they graduated with the Class of 1957.
Arvid answered the call to serve his country. He joined the United States Army of which he served for two years. After completing his military service, Arvid returned home to the Flom area.
Aaron and Arvid have worked together side by side in their construction business "Swenson Brother’s Construction". A business they have operated for over 40 years. They have done numerous building projects in the Flom area, from houses to garages, they helped with the construction of both the VFW Mall and the Flom-Ulen Co-op building in Flom. The addition to Aspelund was also constructed by them along with volunteers from the church. Many of the buildings one looks at was constructed by these two individuals.
They have also built homes outside the Flom area.
Aaron and Arvid have enjoyed traveling. They have made five trips to Norway and seven trips to Alaska. In later years they have had a great interest in Norwegian Folk Art, they are members of Vesterheim Wood Workers of Decorah, Iowa. They have taken many Folk Art classes at Vesterheim, from Norwegian instructors. The classes they have taken area Wood Carving, Knife making and Lofting. They are also involved with Milan Folk Art School in Milan, Mn.
Aaron has two wood carvings that are being displayed in the "Migration of A Tradition". This is a three year exhibit which will travel from New York City across the United States to Washington State. From there it is off to Oslo, Norway to also be exhibited. Aaron is also recognized as a "Master Craftsman" by the Minnesota Arts Board of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Aaron and Arvid have a art studio right on the farm they live on. They have also built a Norwegian Heritage room onto their home. It is furnished as a room from the late 1700’s to early 1800’s. Most of the furniture are reproductions built by Aaron and decorated by Gold Medallist Rosemaller, Karen Jenson. Karen is a good friend of their who owns the Milan Folk Art School, in Milan., Mn. The have also collected various items on their travels to Norway and received them from Norwegian friends. The Swenson Boys have had numerous visitors come to view they heritage room. These visitors have been from all over the United States and from Scandinavia.
Aaron and Arvid are both fluent with the Norwegian language. They enjoyed going to the Host Fest in Minot, ND and also the Nordic Fest in Decorah, Iowa. You will most likely see them there.
They are active in their church, Aspelund, which they joined after the closing of Immanuel Lutheran Church, having served on the church council and helping with various improvements at the church. They are also active in their community. Arvid has served on the Flom township board for a number of years.
Ed and Katherine (Veum) Swenson
Ed Swenson was born to John and Anna Swenson Aas in Norway. Katherine Veum was born on March 14, 1884 in Norway. She grew up in her native land and left at the age of 16, for the New World. Katherine settled in the Flom area. It was here she married Mr. Swenson on May 18, 1902, at Flom and they settled down to farming in the area. In 1943 they left the farm and moved to Moorhead, Minnesota when they retired. He died in 1956.
The last eight years of Katherine's life she resided at Twin Valley, Mn. Katherine died at the age of 93 at Twin Valley, Mn. Funeral services were held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. She died in 1978.
They were the parents of; John, Mabel (Brabender), Selma (Meyer), Arnt, Lawrence, Alma (Erickson), Norman, Cora (Olson) and Alpha (Gunnerson).
Lawrence and Elinor (Huebner) Swenson
Lawrence Swenson was born on October 14, 1913 to Ed and Katherine (Weium) Swenson, in Becker County, Mn. Here he grew up and attended country school and also worked as a carpenter for Sidney Swenson.
Lawrence married Elinor Huebner at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom on October 1, 1942. He worked part-time in carpentry and bough a farm in section 25 of Home Lake Township. Here they raised their family of two daughters; Jean Marie and Marjorie (Spielman).
After they retired from farming they worked as custodians at the Twin Valley and Ulen Medical centers and at Twin Valley Cenex and Centrol. They moved to Flom in the early 1990’s due to failing health for Lawrence. They purchased the home once occupied by John Christensen as his photo studio, which is located right next to their daughter Marge Spielman.
Lawrence was a past member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he had served on the church board and as a deacon. Elinor is a active member of the Aspelund Ladies Aid. After Lawrence’s death Elinor continues to live in Flom.
Lawrence died on June 19, 1994 at his home in Flom, interment was made at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.
I came to Flom on October 1, 1942. I married Lawrence Swenson at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. We first lived on the Bennie Stueness farm for two years. While living there a daughter Jean Marie was born on May 15, 1944. On September 1, 1946 we bought the Ove Huseby palace. Our second daughter Marjorie was born while we lived here. She arrived on April 5th, 1948. We lived here and farmed until 1994 when we moved into Flom. Lawrence died on June 21, 1994. I have since continued living in Flom in the house that at one time was the John Christensen Photography Studio.
We took a trip to California in May of 1979. Here we visited with his sister Cora Olson. After Lawrence died my brother Bill took me along with him to Arizona every winter from February to March. This we did until March of 2000. We would visit our two sisters there and also our uncle along with the cousins.
Since 2000 I have been going to Fargo and helping my granddaughter June (Spielman) and her husband Michael with their family. They have three boys; Jacob now 3 and their twin sons; Aaron and David who will be two on March 28th. They take a lot of energy but I have never gotten tired of them.
I am thankful God has given me so many friends and relatives. They help me live and enjoy life here.
John and Bernice (Johnson) Swenson
John Swenson, third child of Ed and Katherine Swenson, married Bernice Johnson on October 7, 1933 at the Warner Johnson residence near Twin Valley, Minnesota. John worked as a carpenter/painter at that time and later went into farming. They farmed in Clay County, Minnesota until 1945 when they moved to the Swenson Homestead in Norman County. In 1946 they purchased the homestead and held it until 1994 when it was sold to the Hamernik boys. John and Bernice had two sons, Wayne and Ralph.
Wayne married Virginia Wood and they have a daughter, Dianna and a son, Glen. Dianna and her husband, Steve, and son, Joshua and daughters, Jessica and Jennifer, live in Ramsey, Minnesota. Glen and his wife, Janelle, have two boys, Eric and Tyler and they live in Apple Valley, Minnesota.
Ralph married Delight Ruther and they have two sons and a daughter. Bradley and Anne, his wife, have a son, Benjamin. Brad and Anne make their home in Moorhead. Shelley and her husband, David, have a son, Levi and a daughter, Emiley. They make their home in Moorhead. Jon has a daughter, Alexis and they also make their home in Moorhead.
John lost his beloved, Bernice, and the boys lost their mother way too early in life from leukemia in 1977. John passed away in 1994. Bernice passed away on September 19, 1977 at St. Luke's Hospital in Fargo, ND, at the age of 65 years. They are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Sidney and Elizabeth (Sakrismo) Swenson
Sidney and Elizabeth (Sakrismo) Swenson were married at Elizabeth’s childhood farm home (the Peter Sakrismo farm) on October 28,1935. Everyone was excited and many preparations were made. There was the major house cleaning and food for a dinner to be prepared for all the guests who would be attending. Furniture was removed from grandpa and grandma’s bedroom to make room to set up tables to make sure all guests would have a place to sit down to dinner. This was a very special occasion. I’m sure there were some last minute details to attend to. Having read the newspaper article written about the wedding, it sounds like it was a splendid event.
Mom and dad’s first home after their marriage was on dad’s family home in Walworth Township, across the road from the Engebretsen farm now the home of Colleen and Rodney Hamernik. Those living with the folks at that time were dad’s brothers, Ernest and Orin. Mom found herself cooking and caring for three men. As a new bride this was quite a challenge. A baby girl was stillborn on December 21,1937. This was heartbreaking for mom and dad; however, on October 24, 1938 there was much joy as twin boys were born, Aaron and Arvid. This became a very busy household; caring for two babies plus all the activities and duties farm work requires.
Dad was a carpenter and constructed many buildings (houses, barns, etc.) in the community and later in the 1950’s in Fargo, ND. He constructed a house in Flom in 1939as they wished to have a home of their own. There they lived for two years. Forty acres of land became available a mile west of Flom. The price for the forty acres was $400.00. So a decision was made to sell the house for $600.00 and purchase the land. A prospective buyer said he would pay $400.00 for the house in exchange for the land. Dad didn’t accept this offer. He offered the purchase of the house to aunt Singne (Sakrismo) Aune as a rental home. She purchased the house with a loan from the Ulen bank for $600.00.
At this time she was teaching and received a small income.
Much work was needed, as the property had never been occupied. This was a major project. The land was cleared; a house and barn were built plus other out buildings.
A girl, Jeanine, was born December 23, 1942 at Fargo, ND, bringing a welcome addition to the family.
Mom and dad lived on the farm all their lives. We were raised here and have many fond recollections of growing up on the farm. Many guests and extended family members enjoyed moms cooking and hospitality. She was an excellent seamstress, sewing many of my clothes and her own. Dad was a mentor for Aaron and Arvid; teaching and getting them started in the building construction business.
The home place now belongs to Aaron and Arvid. They have completely renovated the buildings and have a beautiful, spacious home.
Jeanine married Luverne Ehnert of Frazee, MN on June 3rd, 1967. The Ehnerts reside in rural Frazee. A highlight of my parents’ life was their two grandsons, Robert and Erik. These two brought much joy to them in their last years.
The church, God’s Word and the Sacraments were a vital part of our life. We were members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom. My parents belonged to the congregation all their lives and were active members of the church family giving of their time and talents.
Elizabeth was born May 30, 1904 to Peder and Anna (Svenson Vold) Sakrismo and was taken to her heavenly home on November 18,1977. Sidney was born April 15, 1903 to Sam and Josephine (Skofstad) Swenson and taken home September 7, 1978.
Kelly and Val-Jean (Burja) Syverson
Happily Everafter
Once upon a time in October of 1988 in the magical land of Baltimore, Maryland a young Prince, Kelly John Syverson met a not so young Princess, Val-Jean Burja and so begins our story.
After much intervention by the Good Lord the Prince and Princess finally were together again later that month. A mere month later Kelly received word on his LONG awaited transfer from Virginia to Germany. Within the next month, on Thanksgiving night he told Val of his plans to move and ask her to go with him. On Christmas morning in the living room of Poppy and Grammy, the good king and queen of the North, they were officially engaged.
In late December, Kelly brought Val to the magical land of Flom to meet the good king and queen of the FAR North, Granma and Granpa. They had Tom & Jerry’s up Flom, met the local nobility and began making plans for a June wedding. Val and Grammy came back in April for final touches and a wonderful wedding shower at the Aspelund Church.
There are still jokes about the "locusts" that descended from the East for the beautiful wedding in the Ulen Park and the wedding dance in Flom. Talk still remains of the Guardian Angels (Gary and Linda Lunde) that kept showing up to save the bride and groom that week,
although since the bride and groom are now both over 40 the details have become fuzzy. Shortly after the festivities the newlyweds were off to honeymoon in Germany for 4 1/2 years.
Joshua Reed Syverson arrived on All Saint’s Day, November 1, 1992. He quickly won the hearts of the hospital staff in Landstuhl, Germany and members of the Protestant Service at Chapel Two on Ramstien Air Force Base. Granma and Granpa came to meet him, stand for him at his Baptism and spend Christmas.
They Syverson’s left Germany in early December 1993, spent Christmas on the east coast with Val’s family and headed to Minnesota in January. They traveled "home" in a Beverly Hillbillies looking truck with another blessing from the honeymoon in "tow".
Safe and sound and settled in Fred and Caroline Klingfuses’ home they waited for the new arrival. Of course they had to wait through a record setting ten day cold streak! Assistant coach Becky Christensen (Kelly’s sister) was there for the arrival of Hannah Rishell Syverson on February 5th, 1994 at Merit Care in Fargo. Kelly and Val liked the place so much they made three more trips!!! Hannah was a totally wonderful surprise as Kelly and Val were both convinced SHE was a HE!!! It’s made no difference to Josh, she’s still his number one fan and she is his closest confidant.
On Norwegian Independence Day, 1994 the Syverson’s set up their new homestead south of the barn on Granma and Granpa’s place (where Val insists she will remain forever!). The birds (emus) arrived in June and so began the dark period of the fairy tale. However now they look back with confidence at the lessons learned and the priorities they helped define.
As the Syverson’s worked on building their new life they decided it was time to add another blessing and so on October 22, 1996, Nicholas Morken Syverson joined the family ranks. This time Granma and Auntie Becky were there for the arrival. Granma was just a TISH nervous about getting to the hospital on time.
Smiley Malmskog literally scared the life out of Val on January 31st, 1998 after his offer to "pull the calf." Later that night Kelly, Val and Auntie Becky brought Nathanael Braseth Syverson ;(Nanil) into this world during a horrible flu epidemic!
Well, another two years passed and the calendar showed it was time for another blessing. On July 13, 2000 Adam Burja Syverson FINALLY arrived! Big sister Hannah and cousin Amanda stood guard faithfully over the phone anxiously awaiting the news. Aunt Heidi, Uncle Ivan, cousins Amanda and Andrew stopped by to see him on their way back to Texas.
Santa Claus days in Flom, wedding dances, and Tom and Jerry’s remain great sources of joy and memories shared by the Syverson. They 125th Year Celebration is looking to be a memorable day too; complete with a mix of new and old memories, and an experience to share with friends planning to visit from Germany. Life is busy and blessed for this crew. They continue to live happily everafter just outside of Flom.
Marlyn and Mary Lou (Hilde) Syverson
Marlyn and Mary Lou Syverson and their three children, Becky age 7, Barth, age 6 and Kelly age 4, moved to the Flom area in September, 1966 from Felton, Minnesota. They moved to the farm owned by Violet (and at that time, the late Bill Meyer) Meyer Thorson.
Marlyn's parents, Selmer and Cora (Morken) Syverson, residents of Atlanta Township were no strangers to the Flom area, as they did lots of "trading" in Flom. Mary Lou's first recollection of Flom was riding with Henry Holte when he brought his daughter, Volberg, back to Flom for her teaching duties in the 1940's. Mary Lou's parents were Hanord and Amanda (Braseth) Hilde, residents of Keene Township, southwest of Ulen.
We bought Violet's equipment and leased her dairy herd of twelve cows and started a career in the dairy business. We eventually purchased the farm and remained in the dairy business until 1987, expanding the herd to 60 cows in a tie stall barn with pipeline equipment. After selling the cows, the farming operation turn to small grain, corn and beans. In 2000 we placed half of our acreage into CRP and in 2001 the other half was accepted.
Marlyn enjoys restoring tractors, machinery and fishing. Since 1990 Mary Lou has been employed as secretary of the Wild Rice Parish consisting of the Wild Rice and Aspelund churches.
Jerly Hellickson was our closet neighbor. Our children, with the addition of Heidi born in 1969 and Carter born in 1971, all thought Jerly was just the best person ever created. He had sheep and he showed our children, as well as the neighbor children, how he sheared them. Another favorite was his dog named Tuffy that would pull them on a sleigh in the winter and a wagon in the summer. He even gave them one of his lambs so they could raise it as their own special pet. He was a very special person to Marlyn and
Mary Lou too, always there when needed. Jearly worked at the Flom Co-op for a number of years and moved into Ulen in 1979. He died in 1981.
Becky married Mike Christensen from the Faith area in 1977. They have five children, Jon, Anthony, Chelsey, Tryson and Emilee.
Kelly married Val Jean Burja of Baltimore, Maryland in 1989 and they have five children, Joshua (born in Germany), Hannah, Nicolas, Nathanael, and Adam.
Heidi and Ivan Yuhanna were married in 1991. Ivan was from Pakistan and along with his two brothers, Ray and Moses, was a college student in the Fargo, Moorhead area. Heidi and Ivan now reside in Red Oak, Texas, just south of Dallas and are the parents of three children, Amanda, Andrew and Benjamin.
Carter and Amy Weires were married in 1998. Amy was from the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area and that is where they reside along with their three children, Chase, Cora and Rylee.
Barth is single and very special to all of his nieces and nephews and all the other children he has gotten to know.
We have enjoyed traveling here in the states and into Mexico, as well as other countries. In 1986 we flew to London, England and joined a tour group, touring several countries and spending some time with Kelly in Germany who was stationed there at that time with the Air Force. In 1991 Mary Lou had the chance to travel to Norway with her brother, Harry Hilde and a cousin, Owen Braseth. We returned to Germany in 1992, to get aquatinted with our newest grandson, Joshua, son of Kelly and Val and had the opportunity to spend Christmas in Germany.
In June 2000 we traveled to Norway with a group of about 20 Hilde cousins and spent some time in Hallingdal and other areas of Norway, which were important in our family history.
We have been blessed with good health and a family that has given us the opportunity to experience different cultures and create friendships from areas all over the United States as well as other countries. We look forward to traveling and enjoying our family.
Selmer and Cora (Morken) Syverson
Selmer Syverson was born on March 31, 1892 on a farm four miles east of Ulen, Mn in Walworth township. He was the son of Ole and Barbara Syverson and one of a family of fifteen children. He attended school in District 48 near the farm. He served in the Army during World War I.
In 1923 Selmer married Cora Morken, born on January 22, 1900, the daughter of Ole and Christina Morken. Cora was one of ten children and they lived in the town of Voss, in Walworth township. Voss was located seven miles south of Flom. Voss died with the coming of the automobile.
The first ten years of their married life they lived on a farm four miles east of Ulen, near his home farm. They then moved to a farm about one mile east of Voss. They had eleven children, five boys, Orin (died at the age of two years), Lyle, Marlyn, Waldo, Selmer (Allen) and six girls; Chrystella (Townsend), Vivian (Beske), Eileen (Cary), Orrine (Ellefson), Carla (Forsythe) and Fern (Saatoff), all the children are residents of Minnesota, with the exception of Chrysteel, a resident of Roswell, New Mexico.
Cora and Selmer were baptized and confirmed in the Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen. It is there that they are also buried. They were members of Flom Co-op and Flom Co-op Creamery. They purchased much of their machinery in Flom and were regular shoppers in Flom.
Andrew Thompson
Andrew Thompson was born on July 8, 1887 to Knute and Anna Thompson Sr. in Flom township. He was baptized at home and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran church. He never married.
He had farmed for many years, and also worked on farms in Minnesota and Montana. He also worked with the Tobin Seed Co. for several years. He was a veteran of World War I, and had served in France. He was a member of the Nesseth-Lien Post 431 of the American Legion. After he retired from farming he bought a small trailer house and moved to Twin Valley, Mn. Due to ill health, he bacame a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Homes.
Andrew loved to play his accordionand to entertain the residents and visitors.
Andrew passed away on February 16, 1970 at the age of 82 at the Ada hospital. He is buried at the Wild Rice Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Arnold and Beatrice (Wasfaret) Thompson
Arnold Julius Thompson was born on September 29, 1907 in Wild Rice township to John and Anna Thompson. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Arnold and Beatrice Wasfaret were married on May 25, 1932, at the Wild Rice church. They farmed near her until 1951 when they moved toTwin Valley, Mn. After they moved to Twin Valley, Arnold was employed by the Village, he also had worked for Otter Tail Power Co. at Heiberg, Gunnafson and Bjorge Excavating and Habedank Construction, Co-op Elevator and the Faith Flour and Seed Mill. He served on the rural school board for seven years as their clerk, and was active in Evangeglism Committee, treasurer of Lutheran Brotherhood, and other church organizations.
Arnold and Beatrice were the parents of Terry and Angie ( Owen Weium).
Clara Thompson and Walter Perry/George Schriver
Clara Thompson was born to Knute and Anna (Otterness) Thompson in Flom township. She grew up on the family farm. Clara maarried Walter Carroll Perry in 1927. Walter was the son of McClellan and Charlotte Zickel Perry. Walter was born in Jaspar County, Ia. Clara and Walter were the parents of one daughter Charlotte Stephes. Walter died in 1936, he is buried at Wild Rice. After his death Clara married George Schriver.
Clayton and Juanita (Aasgaard) Thompson
Clayton was born on October 15, 1925 to Knute and Minnie (Lien) Thompson in Flom Township. He was the fifth child born to the Thompson’s family of ten. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, and attended country school in the area. He graduated from Waubun High School. In 1944 he entered the US Army and served during WW II in Japan and the Philippines, being honorably discharged in 1946.
After he returned home he helped his father with the farming operation and also worked for several area
farmers. He also worked in the logging near Grygla, Mn.
Clayton and Nita were married at the Wild Rice Church in October of 1948. They resided in Dent, Mn the first year they were married where he worked as a mechanic. In March 1949 they moved to rural Ulen, Mn where they were active in farming until 1966. At that time they moved to a farm just northeast of Twin
Valley, where they have resided since. At this time Clayton was employed as a carpenter for Great Plains Supply for several years. In his retirment years, he was employed by Norman County Weed Control.
Clayton was a member of the Nesseth-Lien Post 4431 of the American Legion and had been a member of the Flom-Twin Valley VFW Post 3818. Clayton was an avid reader and enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed working in the woods. He was an excellent woodsman who taught his children and others to respect nature and all this it offers. He greatly enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, such as fellowship with friends and family over coffee.
Clayton passed away on August 22, 1994 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Clayton and Nita were the parents of; Loren (deceased and buried at Wild Rice), Clayton Jr "Bub", Kevin, Vicki, (Hurlburt), Kelly (Sauer), Wanda (Asleson), and Lynelle (Slinginger).
Duane and Carol (Bronken) Thompson
Duane L. Thompson was born on September 17, 1934 to Knute and Minnie (Lien ) Thompson, in Flom township. He attended rural school near Flom and then went to Twin Valley. He farmed with his parents before entering the US Army on January 18, 1955. He was discharged on October 18, 1957. He was a veteran.
Duane married Carol Bronken of Mahnomen, Mn on August 16, 1956. After their marriage he worked for a period of time as a construction worker for Great Plains in Twin Valley, Mn. He was also a member of the Twin Valley Rodeo Club.
Duane and Carol lived in section 31 of Flom township and it was here they raised their family. Duane passed away on August 19, 1985 and is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery. After his death Carol continued to live on the farm and resides there today.
Duane and Carol are the parents of; DuWayne "Butch", Robert, Gene, Kathleen (Doug Ellingson), Theresa (Jim Tjon), Beverly , Suzanne (Rodney Horn) and Angela.
Henry and Janette (Erickson) Thompson
Janette "Nettie" Erickson was born on January 5, 1902 to Jon and Joanne (Dyrdahl) Erickson near Flom, Mn. She attended schools in that area and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheram faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. At the age of 16, she moved to Perley, where she worked as a waitress. It was here that she met Henry Thompson and married him on September 28, 1923.
They farmed in the Twin Valley and Gary, Mn areas until 1942 when they moved into Twin Valley. It was at this time that Nettie started to work for the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center, where she was employed as a nurse’s aid for 33 years. She retired in 1983. Nettie was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley. She was an avid sports fan who enjoyed watching or listening to all types of sporting events.
She always was a wonderful cook, and she took great pride in that.
Nettie and Henry were the parents of; Ronald, Howard, Jean (Germolus) and Nancy (Brekke), two sons Ernest and Robert proceeded her in death.
Nettie passed away in October of 1987 and is buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley.
Jerome and LaDonna (Hadeland) Thompson
Jerome was born on April 21, 1932 to Knute and Minnie (Lien) Thompson in Flom Township, Norman County, Mn. He was baptized on Oct 16, 1932 and confirmed on October 14, 1945 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He attended country school in Flom twp and graduated from Twin Valley High School. Jerome enlisted in the armed services and is a Veteran.
LaDonna Hadeland was born on May 5, 1937 in Wolf Point, Montana. She was adopted by Ole and Alice Hadeland. She was baptized at Fort Peck, Montana on May 6, 1937 and confirmed on June 8, 1952 at Aspelund.
Jerome and LaDonna were married on February 12, 1956 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. To this union eight children have been born. Sonja LaVonne was born on October 5, 1956 and was baptized at Aspelund. She passed away on July 4, 1957, she is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Jerri Lee was born on December 29, 1957. He lives on the Hadeland home place in section 28 with Harriett Keezer. They have five children; Nakoya Keezer, Verna Keezer, Josie Keezer, Laura Lee Thompson born on April 21, 1982 on Grandpa Jerome’s birthday, and Jeremy Jerome Thompson. Jerri was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund, attended school graduating in 1976 from Waubun High School. He attended one year of college and is currently employed by Lunde Blade and Gravel of Flom, Mn.
Cheryl Ann and Cherri Annett were born on November 18, 1958. They were baptized by Pastor Greenquist. Cheryl Ann died on Novmeber 21 and Cherri Annett died on November 22 1958. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
Jimmy Dean was born on April 7, 1960. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund and attended school at Waubun, graduating in May of 1978. Jim has five children. Jason, Tara, Joey, Kaitlyn and Maggie. He and his wife Karen live in rural Waubun, Mn. He works for Norman County.
Two still born sons were born to Jerome and LaDonna; one on January 18, 1962 and one on January 2, 1965. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Jeffery Jerome was born on March 26, 1973. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund, he attended school at Waubun and graduated from there. He married Tiffaney Greene and lives in rural Mahnomen. Jeff works at the Shooting Star Casino in the Maintenance Dept. They have five children.
Jerome was active in farming and has been employed at the Flom Co-op Oil for over 30 years. He is active in sports and played for the Twin Valley Twins Baseball Team for 20 years and later played an manged the Old Timers Softball Team for Waubun, Mn until he was 62. He is a member of the Flom-Twin Valley VFW Post 3818, he is currently the Commander of the VFW Post at which he has served several terms.
LaDonna was a housewife, then she operated the Flom Cafe for five years, until it burned down on April 15, 1973. This day is one that remains in many people memories as it was the day that their son Jeffrey was to be baptized at Aspelund Lutheran Church, when church was interrupted that morning of the news of the fire the men left to help and baptism was postponed until a later Sunday. After the cafe burned LaDonna started to work at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home as a trained Med Aide in Twin Valley where she has been employed for 28 years.
John and Anne (Kvidt) Thompson
John Albert Thompson was born on January 10, 1878 in Blooming Prairie, Mn the third child of Mr and Mrs. Trogrim Thompson. While a young boy, he moved with his parents to a farm in Home Lake Township which his father had homesteaded. He spent his early manhood there with the exception of about four years when the Thompson family lived on a farm near Roseau, Mn. He was baptized in the congregation at Blooming Prairie and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Anne Kvidt was born on January 23, 1884 in the United States.
At the age of 29 he was united in marriage to Anne Kvidt in the church in Twin Valley. To this union one child was born, namely Arnold Thompson. They resided in Twin Valley for about three years after which they moved to a farm in Fossum township, where he spent the remainer of his life. Anne passed away on June 8,1925, after a quick bout of phneumonia.
John was a conscientious and loving husband, father and brother and was neighborly and kind to all who enjoyed his acquaintance. He passed away on February 10, 1945 at the age of 67 years.
Kalmer and Gloria (Albertson) Thompson
Kalmer was born on June 8, 1920 to Knute and Minnie (Lien) Thompson. He attend country school in the area and was baptized at Wild Rice Lutheran Church and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church.
He served his country from 1942-1945 in the military service, of which he was a Prisoner of War for thirteen months. After release from the POW camp and completing his military service he came back to the Flom area and started farming.
Gloria Albertson was born on December 3, 1931 to Ed and Jo Albertson. She attended school in Gary, Mn and Twin Valley, Mn. She was baptized at St. Petri Lutheran church of Gary, and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church of rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Kalmer and Gloria were married on October 9, 1950 at Hitterdal, Minnesota. After their marriage they farmed in section 31 of Flom township and Gloria took up the duties of being a farmer’s wife and raising their family. Kalmer and Gloria still live on the farm in section 31.
They are the parents of five children; Danny, Jenifer, Sandra, Jane and Steven.
Danny was born on June 10, 1952 at the Ada Hospital. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom , Mn. He attended school at Twin Valley, Mn. He now resides in Twin Valley, Mn.
Jenifer was born on December 28, 1953 at Paynesville, Mn. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund. Jenifer and Mark Spielman were married on August 25, 1973 at Aspelund. They are the parents of three daughters; Kay born August 24, 1975 at Ada, was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund. She married Bill Burkett. They have one daughter Cassandra who was born on July 8, 1999, in Fargo, ND. Kay and Bill live in Horace, ND. Kelly was born on December 5, 1977 at Ada. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund. Kelly married Leslie Kent in Aspelund and they are the parents of one daughter Alanis who was born in Detroit Lakes, Mn on January 7, 1999. Tammi was born on April 10, 1979 in Ada. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspleund.
Sandra was born on June 30, 1956 in Paynesville, Mn. Sandy married Darrel Seeger on August 21, 1976 at Aspelund. They have two children; Stephanie Kathie was born on November 2, 1980 in Fargo, ND and Dustin Joel was born on April 7, 1983 in Fargo, ND. Sandy and Darrel moved to Renton , Wa in 1986 where they lived until 2001, when they moved back to Minnesota.
Jane was born on November 27, 1958 in Ada. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund. She attended school at Twin Valley, Mn. After graduating from High School in 1977 she went to Fargo and worked for a few years. Jane then moved to Oregon where she still resides.
Steven was born on November 28, 1968 in Mahnomen, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund. He went to school in Twin Valley, Mn where he graduated. Steve married Becki Dietz on May 9, 1998, they reside in Oakes, ND.
Knut and Anna (Otterness) Thompson
Knut Thompson was born in Winneshiek County,Iowa in 1855 to Thor and Thorand Thompson. In 1857, they moved to Albert Lea in Freeborn County, where he went to shcool until he was 12, years old. At 21 he came to Norman County, Minnesota by covered wagon to make his home here in what is now Twin Valley, Mn. This journey was a long and hazardous one. There were no raods, few rivers having bridges and hostile Indians. Here Knut and his father both homesteaded, Knut's land being in the SW quarter of section 24 of Flom township. To this homestead farmland, Knut was to bring his bride Anna Otterness five years later.
Ann Otterness was born on November 15, 1864 at Aurlanad, Sogn, Norway, her parents being Amund and Martha Ytterlie Otterness. In 1867 she, her parents and younger brother Andrew immigrated to this country,landing at Castle Gardens, Quebec. From there they traveled by boat and railroad to Columbia County, Wisconsin. Here they lived for two years. They moved on to Goodhue, Minnesota in Houston County, where Anna received her only formal schooling of five days. It was here that Anna's mother died of cancer at the early age of thirty.
In the spring after her mother's death, Anna moved with her father and brother to Norman County, and settled near the site of the Fossum Store. This country was at that time a vast wilderness, mostly inhabited by animals. Here Amund Otterness homesteaded and built a crude cabin for himself and his family. It often happened that Anna and Andrew were alone when their father was off hunting and working. Neighbors were few and they became very friendly with the Indians who would travel through. All her life Anna always loved and enjoyed an Indian celebration. Then years after Martha's death, Amund married Ingeborg Lien and they had five children.
Knut and Anna Thompson were the parents of 12 children; Theodore, Manda, Theodore, Andrew, Julia, Knute, Elisa, Ludwig, Lena, Clara, Elvina, and Joseph.
Theodore died in infancy in 1881, he is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery. Manda (see Knute and Manda Urdahl), Theodore A (see Theodore and Thora Ekvall Thompson)Andrew E.(see Andrew E. Thompson), Julia (Alfred Ekvall), Knute (see Knut and Minnie Lien Thompson), Elisa (Bill Buckle), Ludwig (see Ludwig and Alice Ommodt), Lena ( see Carl and Lena Hagen), Clara ( see Clara Thompson and Walter Perry/ George Schriver), Elvina ( Elmer Morud) and Joseph (Gladys).
Julia married Alfred Ekvall and they had one child; Aurel. Elisa married Bill Buckle and the were the parents of; Velma, Mabel, Elvira, Kearney (see Kearney and Deloris Buckel) , Marvel, LaVerne, Coral and Jean. Elvina was born on June 9, 1906, she married Elmer Mourd, he was born on February 2, 1907. They are the parents of: Marilyn, Beverly, Joanne and Ronald. Joseph and his wife Glady were the parents of one child; Susan. Joe Thompson was a missionary.
Knute A. and Minnie (Lien) Thompson
Knute Andrew Thompson was born on January 26, 1892 on the family farm in Flom township, to Knute and Anna Thompson. He grew up on the Flom area, and attended rural schools here. He was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Minnie Lien was born in Flom Township to Gustave O. and Emile (Wenge) Lien.
Knute and Minnie were married on March 30, 1918 at the Wild Rice Parsonage. AFter their marriage they made their home on a farm in Flom Township wehre they farmed for almost fifty years, retiring in 1967 and moving into Flom. They purchase the home that was occupied by Thora Thompson in section 33 of Flom township on the soutwest side of town. In 1968 they were honored with a celebration for the Golden Wedding Anniversary in the Wild Rice Church.
As a young man he homesteaded land near Saskatoon, Canada. Besides farming for many years, he also sold Raleigh product for about five yers. He also did a lot of custom threshing for other farmers in his area.
All five of his sons served in the military service. Knute and Minnie were the parents of; Kalmer (see Kalmer and Gloria Thompson), Clayton (see Clayton Thompson), Duane (see Duane and Carol Thompson), Jerome (see Jerome and LaDonna Thompson), Arlo, Ethel (Floyd Boals), Mazel (Lester Albertson), Vivian (Melvin Oster), and Eileen (C.L. Fields).
Knute and Minnie were married on march 30, 1918 at the Luterhan parsonage in Twin Valley. After they were married Knute took up the occupation of farming and Minnie took on the responsibilities of being a farmer’s wife and raising a family. They were the parents to; Ethel, Calmer (see Kalmer and Gloria Thompson), Mazel,
Clayton (see Clayton and Nita Thompson), Arlo, Jerome (See Jerome and LaDonna Thompson), Duane (see Duane and Carol Thompson) and Eileen.
Knute died on January 22, 1972 at the Ada Hospital and Minnie on March 25, 1983 at a Crookston, Mn hospital. They are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Ethel was born on September 11, 1918. She first married Ben Klinnert. After his death she married Floyd Boals. Ethel worked as a housewife and raised her family of eight children. She lives in Fargo ND.
Mazel was born on November 27, 1923. She married Lester Albertson (deceased) and resides in California.
Arlo was born on March 1, 930. He served his country in the military services. He married JoAnn Albertson (deceased) and they were the parents of eight children. Arlo resides in Kansas.
Eileen was born on January 14, 1937 she married C.L. Fields. They are the parents of six children and reside in Texas.
Ludvig and Alice (Ommodt) Thompson
Alice Ommodt was born to John and Annie (Anderson) Ommodt. Ludwig Thompson was born to Knute and Anna (Otterness) Thompson. He grew up in Flom township on the family farm. Alice married Ludvig Thompson and they lived in Minnesota for a number of years before moving to Tacoma, WA. They have both since passed away. They had one son, Kermit.
Kermit and his wife Eleanor reside in the Seattle, Wa area. He worked for Boeing as an electronics engineer for many years and designed Electronic equipment for missiles, space systems, airplanes, etc. They have three children; Patsy (Jackson), Harold and Donna (Moneymaker).
Theodore and Thora (Ekvall) Thompson
Thora Bothilda Ekvall, was born on July 21, 1891 to Nels and Bothilda Ekvall at St. Paul, Mn. She grew up in St. Paul where she atteded elementary school and as a young girl was employed with the Briggs Candy Factory.
Theodore and Thora were united in marriage on November 25, 1915. They first resided on a farm in Flom township for 37 years. After Theodore passed away Thora moved to Flom in 1954. She lived in the house last occupied by Knut and Minnie Thompson in section 33 on the west side of town. She was a hard and diligent worker as a farm wife and mother. Thora was a member of Aspelund Lutheran Church for many years, and a member and past officer of the Aspelund ALCW. Theodore passed away on December 29, 1952 and Thora passed away on April 16, 1966. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Theodore and Thora were the parents of Marvin, Marshall, Bergloith (Kenneth Ostlund) and Ebba (Selmer Saensgaard).
Marshall Eugene Ekvall Thompson was born on July 29, 1917 to Theodore and Thora Thompson. He passed away in 1919 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
William and Lenora (Erickson) Thompson
William "Bill" Thompson was born in Home Lake township on June 2, 1898 to Torgrim and Johanna Thompson. He grew up and attended public schools in Twin Valley, Mn.
Bill married Lenora Erickson on May 28, 1922 in the Wild Rice parsonage. They lived in Flom, Twin Valley and Granite Falls, Mn. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1972.
Bill was engaged in farming until retiring. He was the park superintendent of the City park in Granite Falls for 14 years.
Bill and Lenora were the parents of Leona ( M.H. Lindbeck).
Bill died on July 24, 1973 following a heart attack at the age of 75 years. Funeral services were held at Granite Falls, and at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, with interment at the Immanuel Cemetery.
Dale and Teryl (Dorseth) Thornton
Dale Allan Thornton as born on July 29, 1956 at Ada, Mn., to Harold and Grace (Hirchert) Thornton. He was raised in the Twin Valley area where he was baptized and confirmed at Syre Lutheran Church, Syre, Mn after it closed he attended church at Trinity Lutheran Church and attended school at Twin Valley, Mn. He graduated from Moorhead Tech Diesel Technology Program.
Teryl Jo (Terri) Dorseth was born on March 26, 1958 at Detroit Lakes, Mn to Vernon and LaVonne
(Hammer) Dorseth. She was baptized at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn in 1958, and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.in 1973. She attended school at Waubun Community Schools at Waubun, Mn where she graduated in May of 1976. She attended Concordia Language Villages at Bemidji, Mn through the sons of Norway in 1975 she went to the Language Village-Culture Camp at Hamar Norway for 6 weeks. Of which she attended the language camp, recieving a High School credit and toured various parts of Norway. After graduation she attended Moorhead State College for one year of general studies. She went to NWTC-DL in their satelite Nursing Program, from 1992 and graduated in 1994 with a LPN degree.
Dale started working at Colfax, ND for Donald Kummer after recieveing his degree from Moorhead Tech in May of 1978. He continued to work there until April of 1982 when he started driving Semi over the road. In August of 1982, they returned to the Flom area and Dale was employed by the FLom Co-op until 1984, when he began working for Mark Seeger as a over the road truck driver. He did this until 1985 when they left the Flom area and moved to Carrington, ND where he was employed as a Truck Driver over the road. They came back to the Flom area in 1988 and lived in the former Mabel Skansgaard home in Flom. Dale at this time purchased his own truck and continued driving throughout the United States.
In 1994 he started his own business of Gravel hauling and Backhoe work during the summer and driving truck in the winter months. In 1998 Dale started working for Mark Habedank as a Farm Laborer and his employed there today.
Terri started working at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Homes in Twin Valley, Mn in 1988 as a Nurse's Aid and TMA. She continued working at the Home, taking care of her family and going to school until she recieved her degree in 1994. At that time she went to work at Bridges Medical Center in Ada, Mn where she is still employed as a LPN. Besides working at Bridges she is also employed by Norman County Ambulance in the EMS department, as a EMT-Intermediate which she has done since 1995. She is also a volunteer of the Twin Valley Rescue Squad which she has been with since 1993.
Dale and Terri were married on February 4, 1978 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.They currently reside in Twin Valley, Mn on the East edge of town. They are the parents of four sons; Jon
Allan, Jason Lee, James Brandon and Benjamin Andrew.
Jon Allan Thornton was born on June 25, 1978 at St. Angar's Hospital in Moorhead, Mn. He was baptized on July 27, 1978 and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church. He school at Twin Valley, grades K-1, Carrington ND from grades 2-4 and graduated from Norman County East, Twin Valley, Mn. Jon currently resides in Flom, Mn in the home owned by Dave Steichen, many may remember it as the Narum house or Mike and Genny Johnson's home in section 33 of Flom township. Jon is not married.
Jason Lee Thornton was born on January 29, 1981 at St. Ansgar's Hospital in Moorhead, Mn. He was baptized on March 29, 1981 at Aspelund Lutheran Church and confirmed there also. He attended school at Carrington, ND 1-2 and Twin Valley/Norman County East and recieved his GED. He is currently employed as a farm laborer in the Twin Valley area and is unmarried.
James Brandon Thornton was born on August 18, 1982 at St. Ansgar's hospital in Moorhead, Mn. He was baptized on October 31, 1982 at Aspelund and confirmed on October 18, 1998 at Aspelund Lutheran Church. He is a 2001 graduate of Norman County East and is currently attending Northland Tech College in Thief River Falls, Mn. He is pursuing a career in Aviation Maintanence. He enjoys playing football ( of which he was named all conference for NCE in 2001, and Best Defensive Player in 2001) and Baseball.
Benjamin Andrew Thornton was born on June 22, 1985 at St. Ansgar's Hospital in Moorhead, Mn. He
was baptized on August 8, 1985 at Aspleund and confirmed there also. He is currently attending Norman County East and is a sophomore. He enjoys playing sports like; Football, Baseball, Basketball and cars.
He plays on the Norman County East Football team and on the Norman County East-Ulen-Hitterdal Titans Baseball team.
Franklin and Dorothy (Dobereiner) Thornton
Franklin Thornton was born on June 25, 1911 in Flom township of Norman County. He grew up on the family farm in Walworth township, Becker County, Mn. Franklin married Dorothy Dobereiner at the Syre Lutheran Church, Syre, Mn on September 12, 1934. The first year oftheir married life they lived with her fold, the C.L. Dobereiners, and farmed an 80 acre piece of land. the only equipment Franklin owned was a team of horses and a walking plow with which he plowed that piece of land. When it came time to seed and harvest, he was lent help from his father-in-law and brother-in-law, the later George J. Hirchert.
That fall they moved to a farm southeast of Flom where they lived a couple of years adn then moved back to the Syre area.
They made their home on a farm five miles north of Ulen until for health reasons, they were forced to sell out. When Frank and Dorothy retired they moved to South Fargo, ND where they remained. Frank passed away in the spring of 1985.
Frank and Dorothy celebrated their silver wedding anniversary, their 40th and also their Golden wedding anniversary. They were the parents of one child; Frances Darlene. She married Herbert Monson and they had two children; Mark and Elizabeth.
Herman and Frances (Starman) Thornton
Herman Frederick Thornton was born on November 12, 1888 in Iowa County, Iowa, to Albert harvey Thornton who was born on December 28, 1863 in Iowa County, Iowa and Lillian Angeline Cheney who was born on December 12, 1866 in Millersburg, Iowa County, Iowa.
Frances M. Starman was born in Somerset township, Steele county, Mn on July 3, 1888, to Frank and Josephine Starman.
Herman and Frances were married on February 7, 1910. They first resided in Owatonna and Plummer, Mn before coming to this area in 1916. They lived for awhile in section 8 of Walworth township. The farm is now owned by Duane Erickson.
They were members of Walworth Baptist church, rural Flom, Mn. Frances was active in the Walworth Ladies Aid.
Herman passed away on November 24, 1994 in Twin Valley, Minnesota.
Herman and Frances were the parents of seven sons; two proceeding her in death, Albert (Nov. 12, 1913 in Flom township), Franklin (June 25, 1911 in Flom, Mn) , Harold, Lawrence, Norman and Elmer.
Frances Starman Thornton and Josephine Starman Seykora were sisters.
Clifton and Eileen (Gunderson) Thorpe
Eileen Gunderson was born on June 26, 1924. She attended school at Waubun, Mn. After graduation she married Clifton Thorpe on April 29, 1949. He worked with North Star Dairy in Detroit Lakes, Mn and Eileen worked as a church secretary at Grace Lutheran Church and at the Becker County Courthouse in Detroit Lakes, Mn. They were the parents of five children; Nadine (August 18, 1951), Cynthia (December 19, 1952), Brian (September 24, 1955), Annette ( February 14, 1957) and Jennifer ( February 22, 1958).
Albert T. and Jonette (Dorseth) Thorson
Albert Thorvald Thorson was born on February 17, 1900 to Ole and Augusta (Dorseth) Thorson on the family farm in section 26 of Flom township.
Jonnette Dorseth as born to John and Lovise (Carlson) Dorseth on December 6, 1912 at Flom, Mn. She grew up in the town of Flom where her father operated Dorseth’s Hardware Store.
Albert and Jonnette were married on March 20, 1929.
Albert owned and operated a service station in Flom, they also had a Cafe for a period of time and Albert also worked for a gas company selling gas stoves. He then went to work on the Alaskan Highway for a period of time in which he was a timekeeper until 1943 when they moved to International Falls, Mn. In 1963, he retired and they moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Albert and Jonnette were members of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. They were the parents of two daughters; Lois (Ray Engstrand) and Jeanniane (Laurel Aasgaard).
Albert passed away on July 9, 1979 at the age of 79. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. After his death Jonette continued to live in Detroit Lakes, living the past few years at the Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Alma Helene Thorson
Alma was born on July 10, 1905 at Flom, Mn., to Ole and Augusta (Dorseth) Thorson. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. She grew up on the family farm one mile east of Flom in section 26. She never married and lived her life on the family farm. The last few years she was a resident at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, due to her health.
Alma had two brothers; Albert and Oscar.
Alma passed away on April 18, 1979 at the age of 73 years. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, with interment in the church cemetery.
Charles Thorson
Charles was born on January 3, 1924, near Flom to Oscar and Stella (Anker) Thorson. He grew up on the family farm in Flom township in section 24, here he attended school, and
graduated from Waubun High School. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. As a young man Charles worked for area farmers. He began farming on his own on the family farm with his brothers, Eldon and Dennis in 1946. He retired in the late 1980’s from farming but remained living on the farm with his brother Eldon. Due to health he became a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Homes for a short time, before his death.
Charles was a lifetime member of Aspelund and a charter member of the Flom Area Lion’s Club. He had served as the treasurer of that organization since it was founded, and had also been a active member of the Flom Community Club for a number of years. In the past, Charles had been honored as the "Dairyman of the Year."
Charles passed away on February 25, 1991 after a brief illness with cancer. He is buried by his parents at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Ole and Augusta (Dorseth) Thorson
Ole Thorson, one of the best-known and most substantial farmers and stockmen of the Flom neighborhood, former assessor of Flom township, former president and present member of the Board of directors of the Flom Creamery Company, former secretary-treasurer of the Flom Mutual Fire Insurance Company and for years regarded as among the most progressive and public -spirited citizens of that community, is a native of the kingdom of Norway, but has been a resident of Minnesota since he was eighteen years of age and of Norman county since the spring of 1886, being therefore very\properly regarded as one of the "old settlers" of this section. He was born at Guldbrandsdalen, in Norway, December 10, 1863, son of Thor and Marit (Walden) Thorson, also natives of that country, who were the parents of three children, the subject of this sketch having a sister, Annie, and a brother, Thorwald. In 1888, a couple of years after Ole Thorson had settled in Norman county, his parents joined him here and the father is still living.
Reared on a farm in his native Norway, Ole Thorson received his schooling in the neighborhood schools and remained at home until he was eighteen years of age, when, in the spring of 1881, he came to the United States and proceeded directly on out in to Minnesota, his objective point being Pope county. There he remained about five years, or until the spring of 1886, when he came on up into the Red River country and became engaged in farming in the township of Flom, in Norman county. Two years later, in 1888, Mr. Thorson bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 26 of that township and, his parents joining him in that year, established his home there. He married in 1892 and has ever since made that place is home, he and his family being very comfortably situated . As he prospered in his operations Mr. Thorson added to his land holdings until now he is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres and has one of the best -equipped farm plants in the Flom neighborhood. In addition to his general farming Mr. Thorson has given considerable attention to dairying and to the raising of live stock and has done very well, long having been recognized as one of the most progressive farmers in that part of the county. He was one of the organizer of the Flom Creamery Company, served as secretary-treasurer and later as president of the same and is still a member of the board of directors of that thriving concern. From 1897 to 1912 he served as secretary -treasurer and as a member of the board of directors of the Flom Mutual Fire Insurance Company and in other ways has given of his time and attention to the general business affairs of his home community. Mr. Thorson also has ever given a good citizen’s attention to the civic affairs of his home county and for four years 1913-1917, served very acceptably as a member of the board of commissioners of Norman county. He also served for seven years as assessor of Flom township and for about twenty years as clerk of his home school district, to the duties of all of these several public offices giving his most thoughtful and intelligent attention.
In 1892 Ole Thorson was united in marriage to Augusta Dorseth, daughter of Andreas Dorseth and wife, and to this union four children have been born, Mina (Christ Lunde), Oscar, Albert, and Alma. The Thorson’s are members of the Lutheran (Synod) church and take an interested part in the various beneficences of the same, as well as in the general good works and social activities of the community in which they live.
TIP FROM 1945: To make your application for your second and third allotment of canning sugar, please return the address slip to which your first stamps were fastened on a written request. Please make the request only by mail. War Price & Rationing Board, Ada.
Oscar and Stella Thorson
Oscar Thorson was born in 1896 to Ole and Augusta (Dorseth) Thorson, in Flom township. Here he was raised to manhood.
Stella Viola Anker was born on May 26, 1900 in Kossuth County, Iowa, to Charles Lewis and Mary Cecilia (Oppedal) Anker. Stella was on of four children born to the Anker’s, her brother’s were Andrew and Elmer and a sister Clara (Wise). Their mother passed away on May 27, 1905, prior to their coming to the Flom area. Charles packed up his family and moved to the Flom area when Stella was eleven years old. It was here they remained.
Oscar and Stella were married on June 28, 1923 and they settled into farming. They lived in section 24 of Flom township. They were active members of Aspelund Lutheran Church, and active in their community.
Oscar passed away in 1946, after his death Stella remained on the farm. He sons having taken the farming opereation over. In the later years of Stella’s life she moved into the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley. Stella passed away on May 27, 1985.
Oscar and Stella were the parents of three sons; Charles, Eldon and Dennis. Charles and Eldon took over the farming operation after their father’s death. The farm remains in the Thorson name.
Thorson Brothers
Charles Orlando Thorson as the first born child of Oscar and Stella. He was born on January 3, 1924. He lived on the family farm his whole life and actively farmed with his brother Eldon, until his death on February 25, 1991. He never married. Charles is buried at Aspelund.
Charles was very active in his church and community, having served on various boards which included the Flom Community Club and Flom Area Lion’s.
After Charles’ death Eldon remained on the Farm until 2000 when he moved into the Normandy apartments in Twin Valley, Mn.
Thorvald and Johanne (Kirkeby) Thorson
Thorvald was one of triplets born to Marit and Thor Valden in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway on March 7th, 1872. He came with his parents to America in 1891 and settled in this community. Johanne Kirkeby died on August 30th, 1911 and is buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Thorvald and Johanne were married on December 18th, 1900 in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. To this union four daughters were born; Bennett (N.C.) Holm, Mildred (G.O.) Hanson, Myrtle (Reuben) Erickson and Valborg (Ted) Wendt.
When Johanne died she left Thorvold to raise their four daughters. He was not only a kind and loving father, but also took the place of a mother. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn and served on the different church boards of the congregation. He was always interesting in the up building of the community and served on various local and township boards.
During his later years he devoted much of his time to selling insurance and continued doing so until his health failed.
Thorvald died on March 5th, 1947 at the home of his daughter Myrtle Hanson. He is buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Art and Regina (Strand) Thorstenson
Arthur Harold Thorstenson was born on September 18, 1898 to Hans and Lena Thorstenson at Battle Lake, Mn.
Helga Regina Strand known to all as Reggie was born on May 9, 1904 in Kindred, ND. She graduated from High School in Fargo, ND in 1923. She received her teaching degree and taught school at Colfax, ND for two years and in Hickson, ND for two years.
Art and Reggie were married on February 3, 1931 in St. Cloud, Mn. The owned and operated a grocery store in Flom from 1931 to 1956. They left the Flom area and moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn where they operated the Detroit Music Company for 10 years.
Art died on December 21,1973 and Reggie continued to live in Detroit Lakes, Mn until her death on June 18, 1995. Reggie had been a resident of the Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes since 1994. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Joseph and Ione (Christensen) Tobin
Joseph Patrick Tobin was born on April 7,1923 to Joseph and Minnie (Ramsey) Tobin in Chicago, Illinois. He was baptized in Chicago and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. He attended school and received a GED. He served his country as a member of the armed forces in the Army.
Ione was born on October 15, 1926 (twin Irene deceased) to William and Selma (Flom) Christensen in Flom. She was baptized at home and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. She went to country schools in the area and after finishing attended one year at Fargo Business College, Fargo, ND.
Joe and Ione were married on December 10, 1949 at Wild Rice. They lived in Home Lake Township in Section 17 and settled on the Christensen home place in section 22 of Flom Township, here they raised their family and farmed. Ione kept busy with the normal activities of a farmer’s wife and mother.
Joe and Ione were the parents of two sons;
Warren J. was born on December 20, 1958 at Ada, Mn. He was baptized in February at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He graduated from Twin Valley High School and after graduation attended school at UND Grand Forks, ND. graduating in 1973. He served his country by joining the Air Force. Warren married Sally Fischer of East Grand Forks, Mn. They have four children. Patrick, Sarah, Katrina and Joseph.
Terry L. February 15, 1955 was born on he was baptized at Zion in Twin Valley and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN. He attended school at Twin Valley where he graduated from High School. After graduation he attended UND where he graduated in 1977. Terry married Diane Houglum from Waubun, Mn. They live in Wahpeton, ND with their two sons, John and Joshua
The Tobias Tollefson Family
Tobias Tollefson was born on a farm in Kvaas, Lyngdal, Vest Agder, Norway on March 9, 1849. He was a son of Tolli and Anne (Tollisdatter Fidjestodl) Olsen Kvaas, farmer’s from Norway who spent their life in their native land. Tobias had two sisters who also emigrated from Norway to America. Anne Oleane (Mrs. Gabriel Peterson Aas) who homesteaded and lived at Sims, North Dakota and Anne Tobine (Mrs. Elias Larson) who also homesteaded at Sims, North Dakota. Anne Tobine Larson is buried in Aspelund Cemetery. Mr. Tollefson was the seventh, in order of birth. in a family of eight children. He was reared on a home farm age of seventeen years he went to sea, and sailed three years, visiting Sweden, England, France, Denmark and Belgium. He came to America at the age of twenty years, settled on a farm in lowa and worked at farm labor there for three years, and then began farming for himself. He continued this for three years and then with an ox team started for Minnesota. Five weeks were consumed on the trip. Upon his arrival in Norman County he entered claim to government land, which is in Section 34 of Flom Township and presently owned by Gerald Lien, and erected a shanty 12 x 14 feet and with oxen began farming the land. It was timber and he and his son, cleared the same of stumps and brought the land to a high state of cultivation.
Prairie fires were numerous, indian disturbances, scares and blizzards were numerous and the property was barely saved on many occasions. The farm consisted of six hundred acres of land, with plenty of timber, pasture and hay land on same. The buildings of the home farm included residence, barn and outbuildings necessary for the comfort of the family and the sheltering of stock and products, and were of substantial nature. Mr. Tollefson moved with his family to Moorhead, Minnesota, in 1892, and resided there five years in order to give his children a liberal education. He had a ten acre tract of land there and from this small acreage netted enough to almost clear expenses of living there.
He returned to the farm in Norman County in 1897 to reside and farmed for many years before retiring to Moorhead.
He was married, in 1872, to Severina Johnson Skeim, a native of lowa. Mrs. Tollefson's father, Andrew Johnson Skeim, was a native of Aurland, Sogn, Norway. Her mother, Gertrude Andersdatter Veum, was also born in Aurland, Sogn, Norway. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Tollefson. named as follows: Amanda Josephine, now Mrs. Hans Olson; Theodore; Thea (Gullings) and Selma (Baker).
Even and Anna (Halvorson)Tomtengen.
E. L. (Even) Tomtengen was born in Bire, Norway, on October 30, 1842. He came to this country with his parents as a boy of eight years of age. They settle in Coon prairie, Wis, where he remained for 28 years. While in Wisconsin he kept a store at Esophia, he gave that place it’s name and was it’s first postmaster. He married Anna Halvorson and soon after they were married they left Wisconsin coming to Norman County, where they have resided since.
E. L. has served on various boards and is very involved with his community. Here he served as school and town clerk, and also as county commissioner of the 5th district. He lead a good and useful life. He was a good husband, a kind father and an obliging neighbor.
E. L. died on Setpember 3, 1906 funeral services were conducted by Rev. Vaaler.
Hans E. and Anne (Volden) Tomtengen
Hans E. Tomtengen was born in September 1865 to Even and Annie Tomtengen in West Vernon County, Wisconsin. As a young boy Even immigrated with his parents to the United States from Birid, Norway in 1850. They first settled in Dane County, Wisconsin. In 1852, they went to Vernon County, Wisconsin where they lived until the came to the Flom area in Norman County, MN in 1878.
Anne was born on December 11th, 1872 to Erland Grassletten and Anne Volden at Sondre Fron, Gulbrandsdalen, Norway. She immigrated to the United States at the age of 18, coming to the Flom area. On August 10th, 1892 she was united in marriage to Hans E. Tomtengen. They farmed in Flom Township in Section 33, until her husbands death on March 4th, 1922. After that she moved into Twin Valley in 1923 and resided there until she went to live with her daughter, Mrs. Elenora (Ben) Flilipi at Tabor, Mn. The spring of 1945 she moved with them to Fisher, Mn where she lived until her death.
Anne Tomtengen had a happy and sunny disposition and was beloved by all who knew her. Her collection of Norwegian poems was a beautiful testimony of her faith in her Lord and Savior.
Hans and Anne were the parents of two daughters; Elenora Amalia (Filipi) was born on September 4th, 1893. She married Benjamine Flilipi. Elenora died on January 8th, 1990 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn. Alice E. (Hadland) was born on November 5th, 1895. See Ole and Alice Hadland.
Hans died on March 4th, 1922 and Anne died on September 27th, 1945. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, MN.
Lorraine (Christensen) Trevelyan
Lorraine Henrietta Christensen was born on January 14, 1924 to Pete and Mary (Olsen) Christensen. Lorraine was named after her uncle Henry Christensen who was killed in WW I near Lorraine France on September 25, 1918. Her sister Viola was the one who picked out her name in honor of Uncle Henry.
Lorraine attended school at Sunny Hill and graduated from Twin Valley High School She then went to Chicago to the Chicago School of Nursing and graduated from there as a Registered Nurse. Lorraine worked at hospitals in Chicago, California and Washington.
She married Ralph Trevelyan on February 22, 1957 and they lived in Seattle, Washington. Here Lorraine worked at the Abbott Children’s Hospital, until she retired. Ralph passed away in 1972 and is buried in the state of Washington. Lorraine moved back to this area in 1986. On August 12, 1988 she married Melvin Vik, they resided in Mahnomen, Mn. Lorraine passed away in 1995 and is buried in the Mahnomen Cemetery on the east west side of town.
Halvor and Aslaug (Ellingsdatter) Tveitstulen
Halvor was born in Hjartdal parish, Telernark, Norway in 1816 on the Tveitstulen farm near the Ab0 farm. In 1844 Halvor married Aslaug Ellingsdatter - 7 years after Aslaug's older brother Christian married Halvor's sister Kari. In 1860 Christian and Kari sailed on the Amelia to Quebec and settled in Boone Co. Illinois. In 1862, Halvor, Aslaug, Aslaug's mother Helge, and 6 children probably sailed on the Amelia heading to Quebec. At sea, Helge and 1 of the children died resulting in a party of 7 that settled near Christian and Kari in Boone County. I imagine the 2 farnilies wrote to each other and Helge dreamed of seeing America - but typhoid occurred on the Ameila in 1862 resulting in many deaths and failed dreams.
Little Halvor (age 1) died in Jefferson Prairie in 1862. In 1864 Anna (who became the wife of John Vangness) was born while the family was still in the Boone County area. Needed more land and better opportunity, the family moved in 1864 to Freeborn County. ln 1869 another child 14 year old Helge died in Freeborn County. By this time, Aslaug's brother and 2 of his children were also living in Freeborn County as neighbors.
The last child Ingeborg was born in 1867 (who became the wife of Ingebrit Kvidt) and the oldest son Torbjorn married in 1873. Grasshoppers were prevalent from 1872-1876 so again the family was forced to move this time because of mother nature. Ragnild and Gilbert Hogenson the niece and nephew to Aslaug were homesteading in Wild Rice township and so the Halvor Tveitstulen family moved in 1876 to the then Polk County and homesteaded 160 acres in 1883 in section 26 of Wild Rice Township. Here they finished raising there family and both spouses and there children were well liked and were friends to all.
Halvor died 11/22/1910 and Aslaug died 3/13/1914 and both are buried in the Twin Valley Cemetery. One sad note was that of the total of 9 children, 4 were males. 2 boys died in 1862 and even though the other 2 boys married, no offspring were born to the male lineage leaving this Tveitstulen name to become nonexistent. The 3 girls who made it to adulthood did ma'Ty and had 8 (Mrs Hans Urdahl), 6 (Anna Vangness), and 8 ( Mrs. lngebrit Kvidt) children respectively.
By Richard Line
Olaf and Alpha (Olson) Tveten
Olaf Tveten was born on November 13, 1897 in Norway, where he grew up and attended school. At the age of 17, he moved to the United States. He first worked in the Crookston area where he worked on several farms and attended school. He came to the Flom area later and worked at the bank as a cashier. Olaf had one sister Sigrid (Nymoen) who remained in Norway and one brother Hans.
Alpha Olson was born on May 8, 1996 to Hans and Amanda (Tollefson) Olson. She had two brothers; Guy and Arnold and four sisters; Myrtle (Oscar Kindseth), Anna (Solberg), Dora (Larson) and Selma (Tveten).
Olaf and Alpha were married on October 26, 1924, near Flom. During their first years of marriage they left the area and lived at Sand Creek, Montana where they were active in farming until 1937, when they left Montana and returned to the Flom area. Here they purchased a farm in Mahnomen County where they remained. Olaf not only farmed but was know for his raising of goats. They retired from farming in 1984.
Olaf passed away on September 19, 1986 and Alpha passed away on May 8, 1996. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Olaf and Alpha were the parents of four children; Lowell, Omar, Allan and Beulah (Albert Prestrude).
Albert and Dora (Johnson) Underdahl
Albert John Underdahl was born to Elling and Annie (Benson) Underdahl, on October 15, 1892, on a farm north of Flom. Here he grew up and attended Sunny Hill School. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. As a young man he worked in a sawmill at Faith, Mn, before entering the United States Army during World War I. After military service, he returned to the Twin Valley area and on March 11, 1924, he married Dora Johnson in Twin Valley.
They resided near Faith, Mn for a time before moving to Virginia, Mn where he worked in the mines for a few years. They returned to the Twin Valley area, where he helped his brother, Clarence, with the farming operation for about six years. Dora died in May 1937. After her death Albert moved to International Falls, Mn, where he worked for M & O Paper Mill in the storeroom, retiring in 1959.
In 1962 Albert moved to Fairmont, Mn where he resided until 1966. He lived in Minneapolis until the early 1980’s, when he moved to Onamia, where he was a resident of Mille Lacs Nursing Home.
Albert died on August 1, 1989 at the age of 96. Funeral services were held at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn with interment in the church cemetery.
Albert and Dora were the parents of Doris (Ray Freeberg), Betty ( Michael Lovejoy) and Ardell.
Alfred J. and Alice (Lukas Stundahl) Underdahl
Alfred was born on October 6, 1882 to Johannes and Kristi Underdahl, near Lanesboro, Minnesota. He grew up in that area and came to this vicinity as a young man. He helped his mother farm the home farm for several years. He attended rural school and was confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran church on June 5, 1898.
Alice Cecelia Stundahl was born in 1909 to John Lukas and Sophie Stundahl, in Moorhead, Mn. She was baptized at Bethany Lutheran Church in Moorhead and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. She made her home with her Grandfather Sjur Stundahl and Uncle Carl after the death of her mother. Here she attended rural schools in the area. Alice was active in her church in the ALCW, she loved to sing and knew many hymns.
Alfred and Alice were married on February 18, 1935 at Moorhead, Mn. After their marriage they resided on the farm in Flom township for several years. He was also employed in a elevator in Berthold, ND for a short time. In 1948 he and his wife moved to Fossum townshipand resided there for 18 years. It was their home until the time of his death. Besides farming in this area he also worked for the County Highway Department erecting and removing snow fences in the vicinity. Alfred was the last surviving member of his family. He died on April 19, 1966, and Alice passed away on September 29, 1971.
Alfred had one daughter Lila (Wayne Howe)
Arthur and Frieda (Klefler) Underdahl
Frieda Klefler was born on August 12, 1902 at Minneapolis, Mn to Henry and Augusta (Janke) Klefler. The family moved to Virginia, Mn and then to Kensal, ND where she graduated from High School. She taught school in North Dakota and then moved back to Virginia, Mn.
Art and Frieda were married on April 10, 1926 at Virginia. They moved to the Flom area where they were active in farming and then operated a store in Fertile, Mn. They moved to Twin Valley for one year before moving to a farm east of Twin Valley, where they remained until their retirement. After retiring they moved into Twin Valley, Mn where they remained. Frieda entered the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center and resided there her last three years. Art passed away in 1976 and Frieda passed away on April 2, 1991 , they are buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery.
Frieda was active in her church and community. Frieda also taught school in Twin Valley in the 1940’s.
Art and Frieda were the parents of; Delores (Kearney Buckel), Carol (Robert Awender) and two children who proceeded her in death; Joyce and Darrell.
Elling and Anna (Benson) Underdahl
Elling was born on February 4, 1864 in Sogn, Norway to John and Christina Underdahl. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith in his native land. He came with his parents to American when he was two years old. They settled first in Fillmore county and it was here that Elling was confirmed. At the age of 19 he came to Twin Valley, Mn and settled on a farm in Flom with his parents.
Anna Benson was born in Steele County, Mn in 1876. She came to Becker County, Mn at the age of five with her parents. Her brothers were: August Benson who lived by Faith and Hans Benson of Mahnomen.
Elling married Annie Benson on December 28, 1891. They were the parents of Albert, Elmer, Clarence, Orlin, Lloyd , Clarence, Ruth, Stella, Esther, and Bernice.
Clarence was born in 1894 and died in 1895, Bernice was born in 1914 and died on January 15, 1915. They are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Lloyd and Pearl (Burns) Underdahl
Lloyd Abner Underdahl was born on November 18, 1911 in Twin Valley, Mn to Elling and Annie (Benson) Underdahl.
He grew up and attended school in rural Flom, having attend country school at Sunny Hill. After completing his education he went to International Falls, Mn where he worked in the Paper Mill. In 1944 he came back to the area and settle near Gary, Mn on a farm. In began operating the Happy Hour Tavern in Ada, Mn in 1946 and in 1948 he owned the Studebaker Garage in Ada, Mn. He also sold Nashes and Crosley cars. He purchased and operated the Anthony Store in 1950 and moved to Halstad in 1963 where he owned and operated the Variety Store until his retirement in 1979.
He was a member of the Halstad Lutheran Church, the Sons of Norway at Halstad and for over 50 years he was the leader of the Lloyd DeBoy and His Orchestra.
Lloyd married Pearl Burns on December 23, 1933 at International Falls, Mn. They were the parents of; Boyd, David, Myrna (Duane Thornton) and Pamela (Charles Gunnerson). Three children proceeded him in death they were: Dennis Roy who was born in 1941 and died on November 30, 1941 at the age of six months. Carlisle Shirley was born in 1937 and died on August 20, 1941. She died from encephalitis at the age of three. Baby Underdahl was born on February 11, 1951 and only lived for five minutes. All three children are buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Lloyd passed away on May 22, 1988. Funeral services were held at Halstad Lutheran Church with interment at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Einar and Martha C. (Urdahl) Urdahl
Einar was born in Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1866. He emigrated from Norway in 1882. He married Martha C. Urdahl in 1893. They lived in Section 9 of Flom Township. Both Einar and Martha are buried in Zion Cemetery in Twin Valley, Minnesota.
To them were born two children, Eva, who was married to Joe Juve and Selmer, who was married to Elvina Dyrdahl.
Selmer and Elvina had the following children:
Einar, who was born in the Brenden log house in Flom; Dennis, Howard, David, Eidor, Orla (Brusven), Eva Urdahl, Zella (Wierneke), Betty (Anderson), Joan Kosovik and Eva Laurele (Quirk)
Selmer and a friend owned a cafe/butcher shop in Flom at one time. Selmer and his wife Elvina are buried at the Badger Cemetery in Badger, Minnesota.
Erick G. and Randi Urdahl
Erick was born in Aurland, Sogn, Norway on October 24, 1841 to Gjert Eriksen Vikesland Urdahl and Marta Toraldsdatter Prestegaard Urdahl. He married Randi and to them ten children were born.
Oscar, Lars, Gjert, Erick, Emil, Theodore, Mrs. J. Kirkeby, Mrs. Albert Kirkeby, Mrs. Einar Urdahl and Minnie Urdahl. He also had the following siblings: Torald, Jens, Hans, Margretta Kvidt and Martha Qual.
Randi was also born in Norway. She immigrated to America as a young girl. She lived in southern Minnesota before moving to Norman County. They lived five miles east of Twin Valley.
Erick died in 1925 and Randi died in 1915. Both are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Jens Gjertsen Prestegaard and Thuri (Thorpe) Urdahl
Jens Gjertsen was born in Aurland Sogn, Norway on May 16, 1838 to Gjert Eriksen Vikesland and Marta Toraldsdatter Prestegaard, the name was changed to Urdahl. He married Thuri Thorpe in Norway and they later emigrated from Norway to America and homesteaded in Flom Township.
They donated 160 acres of land and buildings and $1,500 in money to build an orphan’s home in the year of 1898. The land and buildings were located east of Twin Valley, near the Wild Rice Church. The place today is across the road from Ernie’s Repair in Fossum.
The following child was born to them: Mathilda.
Jens died in 1904 and Thur died in 1899. Both are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Knute and Manda (Thompson) Urdahl
Knute Urdahl was born in Norway on July 6, 1898. He came to America and Norman County with his parents when he was eight years old. They family settled in section 17 of Flom township, and it was here he grew to manhood.
Manda Thompson was born on December 21, 1882 on the family farm in Flom township, the daughter of Knute and Anne Thompson. Manda was baptized in 1883 and confirmed in 1898 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. She grew up here and attended country school. She furthered her education at Grand Forks, ND at the business college there.
She married Knute Urdahl on June 30, 1903 at the Wild Rice Church. In her role as a pioneer housewife sha also did a lot of knitting and crocheting. She was a great conversationalist and had a pleasing personality. She was a Life Member of the Wild Rice ALCW.
Knute passed away on February 10, 1958 and Manda passed away on November 13, 1979 at the age of 96 years. They are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
They were the parents of seven children; Kenneth, Monroe, Monroe (2) Clarbelle (Bertsch), Constance, Irene (Salisbury) and Mildred (Iverson).
Thorald and Kjestina (Liven) Urdahl
Thorald and Kjestina Urdahl came to Flom Township approximately in the year 1886 from Sogn, Norway, and settled on the farrn south of the Wild Rice Churcb on the east side of the road, later purchasing land in Section 17 of Flom Township. They built a log house there which is still in use. To this marriage, six children were born, namely, Martha, Anna, Lena, Bertha, Gjert, and Knute.
Gjert Urdahl homesteaded near Flaxville, Montana, but returned to Twin Valley, Minnesota, to spend his retirement. He never married and especially enjoyed his nieces and nephews. He died in 1930.
Martha married Hans Mollerstuen and to this union eleven children were born, namely, Tideman, Oscar, Bella, Harry, Stina, Agnes, Mabel, Benny, George, Johnny and Elvin.
Anna married Andrew Anderson and also lived near Flaxville. They had five children, namely, Cora, Nettie, Belle, Richard, and Orville.
Lena was married to August Brenden in 1896. They also had five children, namely Inanda, Thomas, Casper, Alice and Loyal. They homesteaded near Scobey, Montana.
Bertha married Nels Duckstad and the following girls were born to them, Constance Myrtle, Valda, Phyliss and another. They lived at Columbus, North Dakota.
All of Thorald and Kjestina Urdahl's children, except Bertha and Knute, homesteaded in the area around Flaxville, Montana. Knute farmed in that area for four years from 1914-1918 on the farm commonly known as "Old Orville." Then he returned to Flom Township and resumed farming on the home farm. Knute Urdahl married Manda Thompson June 30, 1903. Seven children came to bless this home, twin girls, Constance and Clarabelle, Kenneth, Irene, Monroe, Mildred and Monroe. Constance died while still an infant and the first Monroe died at the age of two years.
Clarbelle married Frank Bertsch and Irene married Cy Salisbury. They are both retired and live at Hayward, California. Kenneth married Winona Nilson and they reside at Jamestown, North Dakota, where they have made their home since 1948. Mildred married Gerald Iverson and presently lives in Mahnomen Minnesota, and Monroe married Juliette Aasgeard and they live on the home farm, the third generation living in the same home built by Thorald and Kjestina Urdahl.
All of Thorald Urdahl's children have died. Knute died in 1958, and his wife Manda died in 1979. Both are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Andrew and Gunda (Flom) Uvaas
Gunda Petrina Flom was born on January 16, 1888, at Flom, Mn.,to Elling and Oliane (Ellingstuen) Flom. She attended elementary school at Flom and then went to Oak Grove Seminary, Fargo, ND. She was confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Andrew and Gunda were married on May 29, 1918 by the Rev. J.R. Vaaler. They moved to Amidon, ND where they lived until their deaths. They had no children. Gunda passed away on December 16, 1952 at Bowman, ND. funeral services were held in ND and we assume she is buried there.
Andrew and Caroline (Green) Vange
Andrew O. Vange was born to Ole Johnson and Brita (Lassesdatter Vikoren) Vange in Vik Sogne, Norway. He came as a small child with his parents to the States. He was raised in Section 25 of Flom Township on the family farm.
Caroline Marie Green was born on February 12th, 1889 to Ole and Ingeborg Svastnen Green.
Andrew and Caroline were married in 1912 at Audubon. The were the parents of nine children.
Edith married Emmet Meyer and they lived in the Ogema prairies and Detroit Lakes area. Both are deceased and buried in Detroit Lakes. They had four children. Darlene, Wayne, Leroy and Lorraine.
Knute was born on June 16th, 1915. He never married. Knute died on March 8th, 1991 and is buried at Aspelund, Flom.
Ovidia married William Martinson and lived in the Detroit Lakes area. They were both employed in Detroit Lakes and were the parents of eleven children. Both are deceased and buried in Detroit Lakes. Helen, Arlene, Esther, Douglas, Carol, Robert, Marilyn, Judy, David, Dale and Dean.
Beata: See Rudolph and Beata Braaten
Edward was born on August 24th, 1920. Edward served in World War II and then again in the 1950’s. Edward never married. He is deceased and is buried at Aspelund, Flom.
Clara married Glen Hendrickson (deceased) she continues to live in the Minneapolis area. They had four children, Larry, Janice, Byron and Bryan.
Clarence married Dorothy Becker of Callaway. They lived in section 25 of Flom Township (family farm) where they were active in farming. They moved to the Detroit Lakes area where he continues to live. They are the parents of three children, Lawrence, Donna and Irene.
Arnold married Donna Hendrickson and they lived in Detroit Lakes. He is deceased and is buried in Detroit Lakes.
A baby was born to Andrew and Caroline on September 11th, 1923 and died on September 14th, 1923 and is buried in Aspelund, Flom.
Andrew died in 1949 and Caroline died in 1952. Both are buried at Aspelund Cemetery.
Edward Vange
Edward M. Vange was born on the home farm in section 25 of Flom township, to Andrew and Caroline Vange. He grew up here and received his education in Flom.
He farmed on the home farm in rural Flom until entering the service during WW II. He re-enlisted and served during the Korean Conflict. After he was discharged he came back to the Flom area and farmed, later in the Lake Park area. He moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn in the mid 1960’s where he worked for the City Parks Dept. He later worked for the Swift Turkey Plant there until retiring in 1983. He never married.
Edward died on June 23, 1995 at his home in Detroit Lakes, Mn. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom.
Ole and Brita (Lassedatter Vikoren) Vange
Ole Vange Sr. was born to John Markusson Vange and Kari Pedersdatter Stadheim on Vange, Vik, Sogne Norway. He was born on May 10th, 1846.
Brita was born on February 2nd 1842 to Lasse Erikson Malsnes/Vikoren and Barbra Nilsdatter Vikoren in Vik, Sogne, Norway. Vik is located along the Sogne Fjord.
Ole and Brita were married on December 29th, 1867 in Norway. They came to the Flom area and settle in section 25 in April 1886. Along with them they brought their three children, Andrew who was born on August 9th, 1869, Ole Jr. who was born on February 22, 1879 and a daughter Christina (Wallstrom). Here they were active in farming. Children born to them after they arrived in the states were Peder, John, Elling and Hans.
Ole Jr. never married and is buried at the Aspelund Cemetery, Flom. Ole Sr. died on March 21st, 1934 and Brita died on July 8th, 1926. They are both buried at the Aspelund Cemetery.
Dennis and Brenda (Gunderson) Vangrud
Brenda Noreen Gunderson was born on August 12, 1947. She attended school at Ulen, Mn and went on to Moorhead State University where she earned a degree in Elementary Education. She taught school in Fargo, ND. Brenda married Dennis Vangrud on June 20, 1970 at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn. Dennis was employed by NW Bell of Omaha, NE, he is now retired. Brenda currently works for a Food Service.
Brenda and Dennis are the parents of three sons; Daniel, Dale and Adam.
Daniel Joseph was born on June 6, 1972. He went to school at Omaha, Neb and is currently employed as an Electrician. Dale Allen was born on May 17, 1977. He graduated from Omaha High School and is an Electrician. Adam Lee was born on November 25, 1980. He graduated from Omaha High School.
Olaf A. Verdahl
Olaf Adolph Verdahl was born July 17, 1902 in Goodhue County, near Kenyon, Mn., to Halvor and Ellen (Solberg) Verdahl. He came to the Flom area with his parents in 1914. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith in Goodhue County and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran church, rural Flom, Mn. Olaf grew up on the farm and attended rural schools near Flom. Olaf and his brother farmed the family farm until 1965. Olaf never married.
In 1917 due to failing health he moved into Twin Valley, Mn and made his home with his sister and brother-in-law, Edith and Lars Prestegord.
In September 1974, Olaf became a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home, in Twin Valley.
Olaf had a special interest in cattle and horses that served him well on his years on the farm and that stayed with him throughout his life. He always enjoyed being with his family and friends and in later years, he especially liked to visit at the Senior Citizens gatherings at Flom and the Wild Rice pancake supper each fall.
Olaf passed away on November 16, 1989 at the Lutheran Memorial Home in Twin Valley, funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn with internment in the church cemetery.
Edwin R. Veum
Edwin Veum was born on a farm in Flom Township, December 27, 1891 the son of Elling and Ragnild Veum. He was baptized and confirmed in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church at Ulen, Mn. He grew up on the farm and attended rural school in that area. He was one of fourteen children born to the Veum’s.
He had never married and was the last surviving member of the Elling Veum family at the time of his death.
Besides doing farm work almost all his life, he was also employed by the Olson Seed Company in Moorhead, Mn for several yeas. Because of his heath he had been a resident of the Jones Retirement Center in Moorhead for the last few years. He was survived by several nieces and nephews.
Lars and Dorthea (Lee) Vigum
Lars Vigum was born on April 20, 1872, at Trondheim, Norway, the son of Johann and Beret Vigum. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, and spent his youth in Norway. He attended religious schools and served in the Norwegian Army. He came to America in 1;893 at the age of 21 years.
He married Dorthea Lee on October 18, 1905, at Fertile, Mn. They resided on a farm at Roseau for 8 years, then on farms in Mahnomen and Norman counties, before moving to Fossum township in 1935. He had been a resident of the Pioneer Rest Home since January 28, 1962.
Lars was actively engaged in farming and raising horses for many years. He had been a member of Ness Lutheran church for 22, years, Wild Rice Lutheran Church for 10 years and had served as custodian at Ness for 8 years. He is the last living member of the Johann Vigum family. He was proceeded in death by his parents, 3 brothers and 2 sisters.
Lars and Dorthea were the parents of one son; Oscar and one daughter; Hannah (Theodore) Skare of Gary.
Melvin and Ruby (Christensen) Vik
Ruby Pearl was born on July 16, 1916 in Norman County, Mn., to Pete and Mary (Olsen) Christensen. She attended school in the area and after completing her education she married Leonard Erickson (divorced). To this union one son was born; Alan on October 14, 1935, in Flom township. Alan died at the age of 20 years and is buried at Mahnomen, Mn.
Ruby married Melvin Vik of Mahnomen on October 5, 1947 at Washington State. They moved to Downey Ca. where Melvin worked fo Edison Electric and Ruby was a housewife. In the 1970’s they retired and moved back to Mahnomen, Mn. Rugy died in July 1984, Melvin continued living in Mahnomen. Ruby is buried in the Mahnomen, Cemetery.
Anne Teoline (Olson) Vinger
Anne was 37 years at the time of her death, (1866-1903). She had one daughter, Ruth Stolen. Anne passed away when Ruth was five years of age. Ruth was then taken in as a foster child by Christian and Mathea Engebretson. Ruth later married Oscar Skansgaard.
Anne Teoline had one brother, Hans Olson and a sister Tumina (Peter) Baukol, living in this area. Tobias Tollefson was also her uncle. Anna was born in Kvas, Lyngdal, Vest Agder Norway and is buried at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
William and Mary (Johnson) Voltz
William "Bill" H. Voltz was born on August 18, 1885, near Hope, North Dakota, in Griggs county to Herman and Doris (Rust)Voltz. He grew up on the farm and was baptized and confirmed in German, and also attended German parochial schools, as well as country school.
In 1911 he was united in marriage to Mary Johnson and they then made their home near Hillsboro, ND., where they farmed for several years. Mary passed away on July 15, 1922. After her death Bill lived with his sons and daughters for some time before coming to the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn, because of his age and failing health.
Bill and Mary were the parents of: Marian "Bud" Voltz, Clayton, Evelyn (Dowell) and Dorothy (see Boyd and Dorothy Johnson).
Bill is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Charles and Cora (Westby) Waller
Charles Aldus Waller was born on May 12, 1917 to John and Sophia (Weum) Waller. He grew up in the Flom area where he attended school. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. Following his graduation from Twin Valley High School in 1935 he attended NW School of Agriculture at Crookston, Mn. He returned to the Flom area where he worked for area farmers.
Charles and Cora were married at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom on June 1, 1941. Cora was the daughter of Julius and Helene (Lovlien) Westby.
They farmed south of Flom in Walworth township, Becker county, in section 21. Charles retired from farming in 1980, at this time their son Jerry took over the farming operation. Charles and Cora also owned and operated the Norwegian Maid Lefse factory at Ulen, Mn. They also opened their heart to 17 foster children from 1962 until the late 1970’s.
Charles and Cora were active members of their church and community. Cora was active in the Ladies Aid and Circles and taught Sunday School.
Charles having served on the church board and on the Walworth town board. He was a active member in the local Farm Bureau and a charter member of the Ulen Clinic building, serving as treasurer for some time. Charles and Cora were involved in the Walworth 4-H club and this proved to be a vital part in their lives and their children’s. Charles was a member of 4-H from his youth to adulthood. They were also members of the Ulen Rescue Squad.
Charles passed away on January 6, 1995 at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
After his death Cora remained on the farm where she resides today.
Charles and Cora were the parents of four children; Jerry, Charlotte, Diane, and Mary Lou.
James and Nina (Erickson) Waller
James Stanley Waller was born on June 26, 1912 to John and Ingeborg (Sophie Veum) Waller. At the age of eight years he moved with his family to the farm east of Twin Valley. He attended country school in that area. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom.
James married Nina Erickson on June 20, 1043, near Twin Valley, Mn. After their marriage they made their home on the family farm in section 1 of Home Lake township.. They eventually took over the operation of the farm from his parents. They retired in 1975 and moved into Twin Valley, Mn.
Even in his retirement Jim continued to help with the farming operation. Their son Ron took over the operation upon their retirement.
James remained a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church until it closure. At this time He and Nina became members of Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, Mn. James was avid reader and enjoyed visiting with his family and friends.
James died on April 12, 1995 at Dakota Hospital in Fargo, ND. Interment was made at Zion Lutheran Cemetery.
James and Nina are the parents of Ron, Sharon (Danny Buckle) and Sylvia (Merlyn Olson).
John C. and Ingeborg (Veum) Waller
John Clarence Waller was born on September 5, 1884 in Flom township, the son of Ole and Mary Waller, He was baptized in the Lutheran faith, and confirmed in the Norsk Lutheran church, Ulen, by Rev. Dale.
Sofie Ingeborg Veum was born on March 29, 1885 in Minnesota.
John and Sofie Ingeborg (Veum)were married on December 20, 1906, at Ada. They resided in Flom township for fifteen years, then moved to Home Lake township where they resided for several years. In 1946 they moved to Twin Valley, Mn. John had farmed in this community all his life, he had also served on the rural school board and the Twin Valley Creamery board for many years. The Shipping Assn board for twenty five years. He was on the board of trustees and a member of Immanuel Lutheran church all his life.
John passed away on April 9, 1964 in Twin Valley, Mn, and Ingeborg on April 5, 1958, they are both buried at Immanuel Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
They were the parents of Ruben, James, Charles and Gladys (Morris Bredman). One son Onil Edmore Waller was born on February 19, 1909 and passed away in 1922, he is also buried at Immanuel.
Ole Olsen and Oliane (Pedersdatter) Waller
John Clarence Waller's parents were Ole Olsen Waller who born was on May 13, 1850 in Skinfilli in Hvebert, Grue, Hedmark, Norway. He died in 1919 in Norman Co. Mn. He immigrated 1868. His parents were: Ole Olsen Skinfelli Waller who was born on November 28, 1810 in Aurbaekholen far in Moystad Grue Parish, Hedmark, Norway. His mother was Oliane Pedersdtr born in June 1811 in Grue parish, Hedmark, Norway. Ole Olsen Waller married Ingeberg (Emma) Austin who was born on November 16, 1852 in Wi. They were married in 1874 and were the parents of Esther Waller born in Polk Co Mn, Albert Oscar Waller born on January 4, 1875 in Polk Co. Mn., Fred Waller born January 1877 in Polk Co. Mn, Austin O. Waller born in June 1879 in Polk Co., Mn., Lena Waller born 1882, John Clarence Waller born on September 4, 1884 in Minnesota, and Willie Helmer Waller born on Augut 10, 1888 in Flom twp, Norman Co, Mn.
Ole and Ingeberg (Austin) Waller
Ole Waller having emigrated from Norway, came to Norman County in 1878; homesteading in section 18 near Frenchman's Bluff. southeast of Twin Valley, in what is now part of Flom Township.
In 1881 Flom Township was organized and Ole was elected Moderator.
He was a Charter Member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church which was organized in 1878. Services were held in the school houses for nine years.
Mrs. Waller, whose maiden name was Ingeberg Austin, helped organize the Immanuel Lutheran Ladies Aid.
Mr. and Mrs. Waller had seven children: Albert, Fred, Esther, Austin, Lena, John and Willie, all of whom are now deceased.
Due to failing eyesight Ole left the farming to a son and moved to Twin Valley in 1908 where he lived until his death.
There were thirty-one grandchildren. several of whom still live in Norman County.
By Mrs. Marths Bjerke 1976
Ruben and Dorothy (Hall) Waller
Ruben Ingvald Waller was born on October 22, 1910 in Flom township, the son of John and Ingeborg Waller. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran Faith as a young child. He attended country school in Home Lake township. As a young man he worked on area farms for several years.
Ruben and Dorothy (Hall) were married on December 5, 1934 on a farm near Twin Valley, Mn. They made their first home at the Wild Rice Children’s Home where Ruben was employed. After this they moved to a farm east of Twin Valley, where they lived for several years. Tuben also worked in the frain elevator construction business for 12 years. They semi-retired in 1958 and returned to Twin Valley, Mn.
Ruben was a past member of Immanuel Lutheran Church rural Flom, Mn., and was currently a member at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn.
Ruben and Dorothy were the parents of; R. Duane, Janice (Donald Fassbender) and one infant son who was born and died on November 18, 1935 and is buried at Immanuel.
Ruben passed away on March 2, 1985 and Dorothy passed away in 1980. After her death he was a resident at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley. They are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom.
Willie and Ella (Tomtengen) Waller
Ella was born on September 25, 1891 near Twin Valley, Mn where she grew up and attended schools. She was a telephone operator for many years.
Wille and Ella were married on June 18, 1916 at Ada, Mn. They were the parents of three sons; Wallie, Clayton and Wayne.
Ella passed away at Fargo, ND on June 3, 1969 at the age of 77 years. Funeral services were held at Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, Mn.
Timothy and Julie (Houglum) Waterbury
Julie was born on February 3, 1958 and was adopted by Joe and Gladys Houglum when she was six months old. Julie was also born in Minneapolis, Mn. Julie attended school at Waubun and graduated in 1976. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. After graduation she attended Detroit Lakes Tech, in DL, Mn. She married Charles Howard on July 9, 1977 (divorced) at Aspelund. Julie and Charles have two daughters; Stacy Lynn ( 9/31/1979) and Lora Ann (1/2/1981). Stacy and Lora are both graduates of Moorhead High School. Stacy wors at Hampton Inn in Fargo, ND and has a daughter Jazmine Lynn Joe Howard. Lora lives in Minneapolis, Mn and works for Wells Fargo. Julie lives in rural Moorhead, Mn, she is married to Timothy Waterbury. Julie works at Eventide Nursing Home.
Odin and Nora (Buchholz) Wermager
Odin Teron Wermager was born on January 28, 1896 on a farm near Gary, Mn. He was the son of Ole and Tilla Wermager. He was baptized and confirmed in the St. Petri Lutheran Church, rural Gary. He grew up on the farm and attended country schools. He was one of eleven children born to Ole and Tilla; Gyda (Benny Buchholz), Clara (Everson), Ruth (Ben Johnson), Carl, Clarence, Walter, and Miles. Two brothers and one sister proceeded him in death, we don’t have their names.
On April 27, 1918 he was united in marriage to Nora Buchholz at the home of her parents near Gary, Mn. They resided in several areas during their married life; Fertile, Gary, Waubun, Ada, Twin Valley and Flom, Mn., also Froid and Kalispell in Montana. In these areas he was engaged either in farming or in sales work. He sold farm machinery and equipment for many years, sold used cars, bough and sold horses as a special hobby and operated a livery stable for some time.
Odin and Nora were the parents of; Harold, Roger, Douglas, Donald, Audrey (Parisian), Thelma ( James McDermot), Helen (Lindberg/Malmskog),Norma (Marvin "Monday" Peterson), and Janice (Chandler Mickelson).
Odin passed away on March 23, 1977, funeral services were held at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn.
C. Robert and Sylvia (Huseby) Westby
Clarence Robert Westby was born on January 24, 1909 at Madison, SD. He was baptized at Madison, SD. At the age of two his mother passed away. When he was six (1915) years old his family moved coming to this area. He was confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN. His education was received from District 54 country school in Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn.
Sylvia Huseby was born on February 19, 1914 at Home Lake Township, by Twin Valley, Mn. She was baptized at home and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. He attended country school at Woodland Nook in Norman County.
Robert and Sylvia were married on October 10, 1934. They took up farming in Walworth Township where they remained until they retired and moved to Ulen, MN. Their grandson Dwight and Mary Beth Fevig took over the farm and live there today.
Robert kept busy with the tasks of being a farmer but in his spare time he enjoyed doing wood working. Sylvia enjoys sewing and baking and decorating cakes. Robert passed away on January 4, 2001 at Viking Manor, Ulen, Mn and is buried at Bethlehem North Cemetery, Ulen, Mn. Sylvia continues to live in Ulen.
Robert and Sylvia were the parents of one daughter; Emelyn Sophie Westby was born on September 20, 1936. She was baptized at home and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church. She attended country school at District 54 and then went to Ulen, where she graduated in 1954. After graduation she worked at J. C. Penney’s in Detroit Lakes, MN., and after her marriage to David Fevig she became to bookkeeper for their business, she is now retired. Emelyn married David Fevig on November 24, 1955 at Aspelund. David owned and operated Fevig Oil Company of Ulen, Mn up until his retirement at which point his son Doyle took it over. David passed away on January 8, 1996. Emelyn and David were the parents of three children;
Dwight born on October 13, 1957 in Virginia Mn. He married Mary Beth Moe on November 27, 1976. They live on the Westby family farm where they have raised their three children; Jason, Joshua and Jenna.
Ellen was born on January 9, 1960 in Detroit Lakes, Mn. She married Greg Zillmer on November 24, 1979. They live on a farm northwest of Ulen, Mn where they have raised their two daughters; Jessica and Megan.
Doyle was born on July 23, 1964 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. He married Wendy Herzog on December 18, 1983. They live in Felton, Mn. Doyle bought out his father’s business, Fevig Oil Co. in 1995. They have two children; Alex and Jordan.
Julius and Helen (Lovlin) Westby
Julius was born on January 7, 1877 in Decorah, Iowa. He had one brother Anthon and a sister Clara (Larson).
Helen Lovlin was born to Mr and Mrs Andrew Lovlin on December 9, 1880, at Madison, SD. She spent her youth there and attended elementary schools there, later she attended a special school for tailoring and dressmaking in Minneapolis, Mn. She worked in the dressmaking business until her marriage to Julius.
Julius and Helen were married on May 19, 1915, at Ada, Mn. Julius had two sons from his first marriage Robert and Clinton. The couple made their home in Walworth township, Becker county, Mn for 35. At which time they retired and moved into Flom in 1950, living on the east side of town. In 1955 Julius passed away and Helen moved in with her daughter Cora (Waller) and her family. She resided here for three years, then moving into the Hilde home in Ulen, Mn.
Helen was a active member of Aspelund Lutheran church and a very active and Life member of it's Ladies Aid.
Julius and Helen children were; Cora ( Charles Waller) and Milton, and two step sons from Julius' first marriage Robert and Clifford.
Milton and Helen (Jensen) Westby
Milton and Vila (Amonson) Westby
Milton Westby was born on October 28, 1916 to Julius and Helen Westby south of Flom. Here he grew up and attended school. He graduated from Twin Valley High School with the class of 1936. After graduation he farmed west of Flom before his marriage to Helen Jenson on July 8, 1938.
After their marriage they continued to farm for 15 years, before moving to Duluth, Mn where he worked in the iron mines. Milton lived in Sioux Falls, SD and Fort Collins Co for several years before his marriage to Vila Amonson at Watertown in 1965. He retired and they moved to Sturgis, SD, where he worked part time at Ace Hardware. Three years before his death he came back to this area and resided in Ulen until he became a resident of the Viking Manor Nursing Home in 1992. Milton died on January 7, 1993 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom.
Milton is the father of one son; Robert.
Andrew "Andreas" and Gertrude (Bjelde) Weum
Andreas "Andrew" Rognaldson was born on August 10, 1855 to Rognild Andersenand Kristi (Knutsdatter) Weum in Aurdal, Sogn, Norway.
Gertrude was born to Sjur Ingebardsenand Katrina (Sjursdatter) Bjelde in Aurland Sogn, Norway.
Andrew and Gertrude were married in 1800 on the Stundahl farm in Norway. They came to the United States in 1881, settling in the Flom area.
Andrew and Gertrude were the parents of nine children; Christian A., Alfred George, Edwin Gustav, Theodore Andrew, Severt, Emil, Rodi Christina (Herman Johnson) Clara, and Emma Alice.
Clara was born on November 16, 1888 and died in 1902.
Archie and Lena ( Johnson) Weum
Archie Charles Weum was born on September 14, 1921 near Flom, Mn., to Emil and Olga Weum. He was baptized and confirmed in the Aspelund Lutheran Church and attended country schools in the area.
He served his country during World War II, having served in the Army Engineers and overseas in the Pacific Ocean Area. He was a Veteran of WW II.
Archie married Lena Johnson at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn., on August 14, 1959. She had one daughter Sharon ( Stanley Sawyer). They resided in Mahnomen about two years, moving to St. Paul in 1959 and to Inver Grove Heights in 1968.
He did mechanic work for several years at Detroit Lakes, Mahnomen, and Wahpeton ND. He also farmed for a few years near Colfax ND and the last few years worked as a diesel mechanic at Pine Bend, Mn., being employed with the Ruan Transport Co. there.
Archie passed away on April 29, 1973 at the age of 51 years, at Inver Grove Heights, Mn. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn., interment at the Aspelund Cemetery.
Elling and Ragnild (Stene) Weum
Ragnild Stene was born on September 22, 1855 in Sogn, Norway. She grew up in Norway and it is there that she met and married Elling Weum. They immigrated to America in 1877, coming to the Flom area where they made their home and raised their family. They were the parents of six children; Sivert lived in Twin Valley, Mrs. Chris Hammer lived at Halstad, Mrs. Johnny Waller, Mrs. John Hagen, Mrs. Martin Lunde and Edwin all lived by Flom, Mn.
Ragnild died on Dec. 29, 1933 at the home of her daughter Mrs. Martin Lunde from pneumonia. She had been a resident of Flom twp for over 40 years.
Beside Ragnild she had three brothers who also immigrated; Mons and Lars Stene came to the Flom area and a brother Osten Stee went to Parkside, Sask.
Emil and Olga ( Nelson) Weum
Emil Ludwig Weum was born on September 20, 1893 to Andreas Rognaldson and Gertrude (Stundahl) Weum, near Flom, Mn.
Olga Nelson was born to Charlie and Anna Helen (Johnson) Nelson in 1900, at Audubon, Mn. She was baptized and confirmed (twice). She attended school to the eighth grade.
Emil and Olga were married on November 13, 1918 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. They settled east of Flom in section 34, on a farm that at one time Emil‘s father lived in. The house was just south of Gerald Lien’s driveway and some may remember it as being the Ingebretson house. It was in this house that Emil Weum was born. Emil and Olga had three of their children while living here, before moving to Voss. They were Alice, Archie and Eldred.
Emil and Olga were the parents of eight children; Archie Eldred, Gordon, Alice, Doris, Lorene, Hazel, Ruby, and Deline.
Archie Charles was born on September 14, 1921, near Flom, Mn. He served his country during WWII as a Corporal in the U.S. Army. He married Lena Larson Johnson on August 14, 1959. Lena was born on December 28, 1940. Archie Charles died on September 14, 1921 and Lena died on January 14, 2001. Lena had one daughter from her first marriage Sharon. Archie is buried at Aspelund.
Eldred was born on November 6, 1925. Gordon Lyle was born on November 6, 1941. Alice was born on August 18, 1819 (See Alice and Ray Korinta), Doris Irene was born on November 4, 1925. Hazel Ione was born on April 25, 1929 and died on May 6, 1995. Ruby Dolores was born on July 16, 1931. Deline Marie was born on October 29, 1933 and died on November 29, 1992. All of Emil and Olga’s children with the exception of Hazel and Gordon were baptized at Aspelund. Doris and Hazel were both confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Ogema, Mn.
Florence (Otten) White
Florence Otten was born on March 27, 1919 to Henry and Etta Otten at their home in Carlton County, Beseman Township, near Wright, Mn. She attended country school up thru the 8th grade. She was united in marriage to Ole White.
In 1957 Florence came to the Flom area with her two children; Robert and Pearl. She worked for Dan Houglum of rural Flom, Mn as a house keeper.
Here she also raised her two children. After Dan moved to the Hawley area, Florence then moved into Flom with her daughter Pearl where she lived in the Brenden House in section 28 of Flom Township. The house no longer stands as it was torn down after Ole and Norma Lunde built their new
home there in 1977.
Florence has two children: Robert and Pearl. Robert Eugene White was born on June 8, 1945 at Fargo, ND. He was baptized and confirmed on November 5, 1961 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN. He started school at Linell school where he attended through the 4th grade. He then moved with his mother and sister to the Flom area in 1957 where he attended Waubun school through the 9th grade. Robert worked as a farm laborer and then entered the army. He served in the armed forces in the Army from 1967-1971. He married Gay Krier on November 15, 1987. Robert has one step-daughter, Carmen and two step sons, Kevin and Keith. He has three step granddaughters; Amanda, Kim and Heather and two step grandsons; Tyler and Bruce. Robert and Gay live in Fargo, ND.
Pearl Irene was born on December 19, 1946. See: Robert and Pearl Ostenvik.
John A. and Eli J. (Kvondahl) Widme
John Andersen Widme was born in Aurland, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. He emigrated from Norway on April 21, 1875 with his parents, Anders Pedersen b.1822 and Gjertrud Sjuersdatter b.1819, brother, Anders b.1862 and 3 sisters, Martha, b.1851 Peroline, b.1853 and Ingeborg, b.1849. John also had a brother Anders who was born 1/23/1860, it is assumed that he died. They were living on the Vidme farm in Norway in the 1865 census of Norway in Aurland. They first lived in North Dakota before moving to Minnesota. It was there that he met and married his wife, Eli (Ellen Joanne) Kvondahl. She was born in 1863 in Hardanger, Norway. She came to America in 1881 and lived with her brother Asbjorn Johnson in North Dakota. John and Eli’s first son, Andrew was born at Pembina, North Dakota. The next son Joseph, was born at Hensel, North Dakota. When their son Julius was born, they lived 1/4 mile south of the Wild Rice Church in Flom Township. When their son Peter was born, they lived two miles north and 1/2 mile east of of the church. All the other children were born there and lived there until the house burned. They then moved 1/4 mile further east and lived there until Eli’s death. John died after a fall in 1914 while shingling the barn. He died the next day in May of 1914. He had worked hard to organize Bethlehem Church and is buried in the Bethlehem Cemetery. He was a song leader aat Bethlehem and his family were charter members. When Bethlehem Church was abandoned, the family joined Wild Rice Church, where Eli is buried.
Nine sons, Andrew, Julius, George, Chester, Joseph, John, Clarence, Peter and Leonard. Two daughters: Ella (Oscar) Braseth and Mabel (Tom) Gunderson.
Richard and Erna (Gunderson) Zimmerman
Erna was born on May 30, 1920. She attended school at Waubun, Mn. She married Richard Zimmerman on October 8, 1940. He was born on April 4, 1942. Richard and Erna lived at Northfield, Mn. Erna was kept busy with being a housewife and raising their four children; Loma (April 29, 1944), Wendy (June 17, 1951)
and the twins, Renee and Randy born on January 3, 1957. Erna passed away on May 11, 1980 and Richard on January 3, 1980.
Otto and Henrietta (Hanf) Zimmerman
Archie and Blanche (Hill) Zimmerman
Otto Zimmerman was born in Germany. At the age of 8 years, he came with his parents to America. They settled in Wisconsin where he grew to manhood. In 1886 he came to the Ulen area. Here he worked for the summer, going back to Wisconsin for the winter. IN the spring of 1887, he came back, bought the homestead rights to the NW quarter of section 22 in Walworth township, Becker country, Mn. He broke up the required five acres of land. He also built a barn for the oxen. He returned to Wisconsin and on January 31,1888 he married Henrietta Hanf. She was also born in Germany and came to the USA with her family at the age of eight years and grew up in Wisconsin.
Otto returned to Minnesota early in the spring that year but Henrietta came in March. She left spring weather and trees behind. At Ulen she found treeless plains and huge snow drifts because the winter of 87 and 88 had been a hard one in Minnesota.
Four children were born to them. Burt was born in 1889 and Archie in 1896. Julius joined the family in 1898 and Leona in 1901. When the Zimmerman’s came there were no herd laws, in other words, all cattle roamed loose and to protect your fields, they had to be fenced. As the fields became larger, it became more of a problem to fence them. By a vote in the town meeting, it was decided that cattle must be fenced in pastures.
At first the Zimmerman’s lived in what was referred to as a claim shack. The present home was built in 1896 at a cost of $500.00 for lumber. Henrietta hauled the lumber out from Ulen with a wagon and a yoke of oxen.
One of the first things the Zimmerman’s did was plant a grove of trees which still shelters the farm home today.
The four Zimmerman children went to school and graduated from the eighth grade in District 35. At one time, there were 40 students there. This school was located 7 miles east and 1 mile north of Ulen.
Archie began to work on the farm at an early age and continued farming until 1975, except for the time he served in the Armed Forces in World War I. He married Blanche Hill of Ogema, Mn., on March 4, 1953, at Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Blanche Hill was born on September 10, 1907 to S.L. and Anna (Whitman) Hill at Manchester, Iowa. She moved withher family to McGregor then moved to Powers Lake, ND in 1919. In 1928 they moved to Cass Lake and in 1937 they came to Ogema, Mn.
They continued to live on the Zimmerman homestead. Archie and Blanche owned and eighty-acre tract northwest of their home. This tract of virgin prairie land had never been broken. Through their generosity, it became a part of Nature Conservancy’s protected acres and will remain a living laboratory whereby students can study the flowers, grasses and wildlife of the prairie as it existed when our forefathers came to Minnesota.
It is know as Zimmerman Prairie. Archie and Blanche did this in tribute to their parents who broke the sod and tamed the wild prairies of Minnesota
Archie retired from farming in 1974. They remained on the farm until 1987 when they moved into Ulen, Mn. Here they remained until Archie's death in 1989. Blanche remained in Ulen and the last year she was a resident of Viking Manor Nursing Home, there.
Blanche was a active member of Walworth Baptist Church and the Ladies Aid. She was also a member of the Flom Senior Citizen Club. Blanche passed away on March 14, 2002 at the age of 94. Funeral services were held at Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom with interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Mn.
Last but not least, the bio’s of our two Norwegian Language translators:
Olaf and Grethi (Sø) Kringhaug
Olaf Kringhaug was born March 4, 1928 in Hommelvik, Malvik, Sør Trøndelag, Norway. His parents were Tron Kringhaug and Berntine (née)Svingen. He has a sister Tordis Marie, born in 1929.
Hommelvik is a small town nestled in a corner of the great Trondheim fjord. It is located on a bay with deep water so it has served as a port for lumber products and for many years for a former iron smelter. Olaf's family roots are strongly tied to that, now defunct, smelter. The town also serves as the administrative centre for the municipality of Malvk.
The family emigrated to Canada in 1929, eventually settling in British Columbia. Olaf had all his education there and graduated from UBC in 1954 as an MD. He worked in various places in BC until his retirement. His leisure time is now mainly spent with genealogy and particularly in translating Norwegian for all comers.
Olaf is married to Grethi Sø, who was born in 1932 in Jylland, Denmark but lived in Copenhagen until she came to Canada in 1957.
Editor’s note: Olaf has relatives in the Flom area.
Håkon and Aud (Vonen) Skaugvoll
Håkon Skaugvoll was born in Bergen, Norway, November 16th, 1930, to parents Nelly and Harald Hansen. Mothers father came from Fusa, south of Bergen, married mothers mother who came from Gildeskål, Nordland, and mother Nelly later went back to Bergen and married Harald who also had roots in Gildeskål, as his mother was born on Sørarnøy and father on Sørfinsæt. On Sørfinsæt the housefather, Hans Berntsen, came from a cotters place in Tydal in Sør-Trøndelag and settled down as fisherman and married Mathilde and they had a lot of children. But about 1900 they all moved to Bergen and some of the family took the name Tydal, and some Hansen after Hans Berntsen. Nelly and Harald married in 1921 and had 9 children, so Håkon has 2 elder and 2 younger sisters, 2 elder and 2 younger brothers. It was hard in the 30' and 40' especially during the WWII but all survived the war.
Besides his work for the the Governments Fishing Directorate he studied law and graduated from the University of Oslo 1963, and afterwards he continued to work for the police in Hardanger and since 1970 in Kristiansand. He retired in 1990 and are now mainly busy with genealogy and translations; but still missing skiing and walking in the mountains. He is married to Aud, who is an educated nurse, and they have two sons and so far three grandchildren.
Editor’s Note: Håkon has several relatives in the Flom area.
Remembering When
By Pearl (White) Ostenvik
Remember when you were young and started first grade? Because, back then there was no kindergarten. The school that I started in had four rooms. On room for coats, one room for storage, one room for 1st grade to 3rd grade, and one room for the 4th to the 6th grade. Each day we started with saying the Flag Pledge. We had learned the ABC’s and the 1123’s. It was not easy for me learning to print the ABC’s and numbers as I write with my left-hand and everyone else used their right hand.
Learning not to hold the pencil so tight, or the correct way to hold the pencil. Learning which was to print the ABC’s and 123’s. Then also learning what sounds each letter made. Then we started reading: Look Dick, See Sally Run, See Spot, and See Puff. There was also learning the colors and learning to stay inside the lines of what you were coloring. Then there was recess time, “Oh what fun it was.” So many different games to play there was tag, or kick ball, or else we would bat the softball. There was also the time of the day when the teacher had organized exercise like relay races, and drop the hanky. We had fun in the winter time outside. There was the game, The Fox and the Geese, and King on the big snow bank or it was fun just to fall backward and make a snow angel. (This winter the children could not do the fun stuff).
There was music time and singing songs like, Row, Row, Row ,Your Boat, She’ll be coming ‘round the mountain, Little Brown Jug and all the other old children’s songs. The different holidays are fun to remember like Valentine’s day, taking a box wrapping it with white paper and putting on read hearts, then making a hole in top for the Valentine cards, making May Baskets for May Day. Oh, and the Christmas programs. I still have the paper, on which is printed what I had to stand up in front of everyone and say for the Christmas program.
“Spirit of Christmas”
If only the spirit of Christmas would last.
Throughout the whole of the years, what
Glorious world it would be for all.
In this happy atmosphere, with everyone
Planning how he could help to lighten another’s load
Unselfishly giving the best that he has.
No matter how steep the road.
If only the spirit of Christmas would last.
How different the days would seem.
With friction and jealousy cast aside,
And peace the principle theme.
But strangely enough when the tree is bare
And the ornament packed away.
The spirit of Christmas is lost until
Another Christmas Day.
Thinking back to that time, I did not do very good on reciting this as the big words gave me trouble pronouncing. The teacher had to help me remember what words to say.
I know most older people when they remember there school days recall a one room school and walking a couple of miles, or the parents taking them with the horse and sleigh. The neighbor had a big vehicle which he used as a school bus to pick up all the children in the neighborhood. In fact he had to make two trips.
I do recall having to walk, because we would have a spelling test the first part of the week and if we got to many wrong then we would have to stay after school and write the words we got wrong, so many times. This was supposed to help get the words right when we would have the spelling test on Friday.
There was part on one school year when I did go tot a one room school I think mother took us to school with the car. The school had fuel oil for heat and one day in February there was no fuel oil because someone had taken it so there was no heat. The teacher dismissed school so we had to walk home that day.
The last part of my 5th grade we moved and I started school in town school. At recess time we had sidewalks where we played hop-scotch or jump rope. When we played jump rope we would say “down in the meadow sat, the name of the girl jumping rope, and along came. Name of a boy we knew the girl liked, how many kisses did she get in a week. We would then count until they missed. Another jump rope game was “teddy Bear, teddy bear”. Teddy bear, teddy bear turn around, teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground, teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around, teddy bear, teddy bear turn out the light. Another game we liked to play on the sidewalk as jacks. Marbles was another games that was played. Having a brother a year and a half older we used to play marbles. As you can see I recall the play time more then the reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Then there were the high school days, making airplanes and seeing who’s plane could fly the farthest. There was also shooting spit balls.
When I was in the 7th grade may trouble was chewing gum, and the study hall teacher did not like gum chewing. So therefore I was up in front of the study hall with gum on my nose. This was his way of teaching the students no to chew gum in his study hall. It didn’t stop me from having gum in my mouth which at that time was Juicy Fruit, I just didn’t chew it. I made a gum chain from the wrapper’s around each stick of gum. There was one time in the same study hall my girlfriend was doing some hand signing and the teacher had her go up in front of everyone and do it.
There was a class dance about one or twice a year that was held at the school I would get to attend. I would also get to go to a teen dance once in awhile at the Rancho Club. The two dances that I remember is the Twist and the Limbo. The older people in that area will remember the Rainbow’s End dance hall.
We were not allowed to go down town during the noon time. We had Wander’s Garage next door to the school where we could go to get pop, candy, gum, potato chips, and etc. The young people now have what they call the Junior-Senior Prom. When I was in the Junior and Senior class we had what we called a banquet.
I have may annual’s or yearbook’s from the last four years of school. The one I look at the most is my senior yearbook. On the inside cover is a place where the put the National Events in Review. The Biggest event was the assassination of the President; John F. Kennedy.
It is also nice reading what the classmates wrote in the autographs section. Most wrote the we should remember our senior class trip. I recall as senior’s we had a discussion about places like the Wisconsin Dell’s, ant the Twin Cities. We decided on Winnipeg, Canada, because maybe we would not ever get out of the United States again. The whole class did not get to go on the trip. Some of the senior boys during basketball tournaments in the Twin Cities got into trouble and could no go on the class trip as their punishment.
Graduation is a sad time, saying goodbye to your friends and everyone goes there own way. I think it is nice remembering that time in my life.
1910 Federal CENSUS of the Wild Rice Children's Home in Flom Township
Clarence Largis, age 14 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Helmer Hanson age 15 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Knut Gronstad age 17 born in Norway to Norwegian parents.
Willie Lystad age 15 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Edwin Lystad age 13 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Evandelene Pederson age 15 born in Denmark to Denmark parents.
Emalia Johnson age 15, born in Minnesota to Father from Wisconsin and mother from Norway.
Torgers Johnson age 11 born in Minnesota to father from Wisconsin and mother from Norway.
Lovise Larson age 13 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Arthur Larson age 11 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Henry Williams age 15 born in North Dakota to father from Minnesota and mother from Norway.
Roy Williams age 12 born in North Dakota to father from Minnesota and mother from Norway.
Gehard Hagen age 16 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Anner Olson age 14 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Julius Olson age 10 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Frans Parson age 14 born in Minnesota to Swedish father and Finnish mother.
John Parson age 9 born in Minnesota to Swedish father and Finnish mother.
Clara Gerdahl age 14 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Elmer Thorstensen age 10 born in Minnesota to Minnesota father and Finnish mother.
James Thorstensen age 8 born in Minnesota to Minnesota father and Finnish mother.
Malla Kittelson age 16 born in North Dakota to Wisconsin father and mother from Norway.
Howard Kittelson age 15 born in North Dakota to Wisconsin father and mother from Norway.
Blanche Kittelson age 12 born in North Dakota to Wisconsin father and mother from Norway.
Earl Hagen age 13 born in Minnesota to Wisconsin father and Minnesota mother.
Elma Hagen age 10 born in Minnesota to Wisconsin father and Minnesota mother.
Mary Knutson afe 19 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and Iowa mother.
Lena Knutson age 18 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and Iowa mother.
John Knutson age 11 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and Iowa mother.
Frank Knutson age 9 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and Iowa mother.
Oscar Knutson age 6 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and Iowa mother.
Elmer Falk age 13 born in Minnesota to Minnesota father and mother unknown.
Andrew Pederson age 13 born in North Dakota to Swedish parents.
Ragna Mosied age 13 born in Iowa to Norwegian parents.
Willie Mickelson age 14 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and Swedish mother.
John Mickelson age 10 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and Swedish mother.
Clarence Mickelson age 6 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and Swedish mother.
Eda Tonnesen age 13 born in Minnesota to Minnesota parents.
Mable Tonnesen age 10 born in Minnesota to Minnesota parents.
Regina Tonnesen age 6 born in Minnesota to Minnesota parents.
Albert Aserud age 12 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents
Joseph Aserud age 9 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Helmer Aserud age 7 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Bennie Ruud age 12 born in the USA to Norwegian father and Wisconsin mother.
Martin Ruud age 10 born in the USA to Norwegian father and Wisconsin mother.
Harry Ruud age 9 born in the USA to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Henry Reitan age 12 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Enga Reitan age 10 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Stella Reitan age 8 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Karolina Reitan age 4 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Lettie Heiberg age 10 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Elsie Heiberg age 8 born in Canada to Norwegian parents.
Henry Heiberg age 6 born in Canada to Norwegian parents.
John Heiberg age 2 born in Canada to Norwegian parents.
Clarence Knutson age 11 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Florence Nelson age 9 born in Minnesota to Swedish father and Norwegian mother.
Robert Lee age 1 and 4 months born in USA parents unknown.
Mable Holm age 9 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Lewis Holm age 6 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Allice Holm age 4 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Oscar Hendrickson age 10 born in Minnesota to Swedish parents.
Octavia Hendrickson age 7 born in Minnesota to Swedish parents.
Lester Anderson age 13 born in Wisconsin to Norwegian parents.
Ernest Anderson age 7 born in Wisconsin to Norwegian parents.
Hasel Jackobson age 9 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother ??
Francis Jackobson age 8 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother ??
Lester Tollerud age 13 born in Minnesota to unknown father and Minnesota mother.
Ruth Knutson age 13 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and Iowa mother.
Edwin Ruud age 7 born in USA to Norwegian father and unknown mother.
Chapter XXXIV.
History of Atlanta Township.
By Miss Mary A. Hanson.
The town of Atlanta, situated in the northwestern part of Becker County was first settled June 16, 1871, by N. N. Viger and family, who drove from Fillmore County with an ox team and prairie schooner and settled on Section 32 of said township.
Martin Hanson, a single man, settled on the same section the same year and resided there until his death in 1905.
The next settler was O. J. Jahr and family who settled on Section 30 in 1872. For several years these three homes were the only ones in the township, but in 1876 several new families arrived from Wisconsin and Iowa, among which were O. O. Noben, L. H. Hauge, H. J. Larson and others. Gradually the level prairies were broken up and converted into fertile fields, and groves and houses dotted the lonesome plains.
January 25, 1879, the township was organized as the town of Martin, but the name was changed to Atlanta at the following meeting, March 18, 1879.
The first town officers were: Supervisors, O. O. Noben, M. J. Brekke and C. G. Engebregtson,; clerk, H. J. Larson, which position he held for fourteen consecutive years; treasurer, C. G. Engebregtson; justice of the peace, J. A. Bemis, M. J. Brekke; constables, L. G. Engebregtson, H. A. Furuset; poundmaster, M. Wahl.
The first birth recorded in the town is that of the eldest daughter of John and Ellen Gunderson.
The first school district, No. 29, was organized in the spring of 1880, and the first term of school was held in the home of John Larson and taught by Miss Carrie Larson, with an enrollment of twelve pupils.
Since that time three more school districts have been organized, viz.: Nos. 33, 43, and 68.
The growth of the population has been slow but steady, till at the present time most of the land has been taken up or bought by actual settlers.
But one tragedy has occurred in Atlanta in the twenty-five years of its existence, viz.: that of the murder of Timan Ristvedt, a middle aged, single man who resided on his farm on Section 10. On the evening of November 8, 1897, he was found lying dead near the barn which had been set afire by the murderer. This was perhaps the most sensational murder case ever tried in Becker County. After a long trial the suspected murderer was acquitted for want of evidence and the case remains a mystery to this day.
On June 9, 1903, a cyclone passed over the central part of the town destroying nearly a dozen houses and the large Norwegian church which had just been completed. One person, Mrs. O. Berg, an old lady lost her life in the storm.
The earlier settlers of Atlanta were Scandinavians with the exception of two or three families, and during the first twenty years or more there were few changes excepting as new settlers were added from time to time, but toward the close of the nineties a number of transfers of real estate brought a considerable German element into the township.
On the whole the history of the township while uneventful has been a prosperous one. The bleak prairies of twenty-five years ago now are fertile fields, and the sod shanty is replaced by the commodious farm buildings.
Atlanta was so named from the resemblance its undulating surface bears to the Atlantic Ocean.
MARY A. HANSON.
OLE O. NOBEN.
Ole O. Noben was born in Slidre, Valders, Norway, Aug. 14, 1835. He came to America in 1851 and settled in Dane County, Wis., afterwards removing to Decorah, Iowa, in 1854, where on Sept. 16, 1859, he married Christina Lien. Coming to Becker County in the early days he took a homestead in Atlanta, where he has ever since made his home.
A man of education, and of energetic, progressive disposition, he did much in the development of the northwest part of the county. His homestead of virgin prairie has been converted into one of the best farms in Becker County, with a fine grove, substantial buildings and productive fields, and in ever way betokening the energy and thoughtfulness of its owner. He was always an advocate of good roads, and he was ever at the front in every movement for public improvement and good schools in his home town. In politics he was a lifelong Republican and ever since coming to the county he has taken part in the councils of his party. In the fall of '96 he was elected to the office of register of deeds, and served with ability until last January, having been re-nominated, but defeated by a very few votes at the last election. Mr. Noben has been a resident of this county about twenty years, and has figured prominently in the affairs of his town, and of the county.
He died of heart disease, on the 18th day of June, 1899, at his home in
Atlanta.--Detroit Record.
MRS. WEST.
"A Pioneer History of Becker County Minnesota" by Alvin H. Wilcox, 1907
"Hardback reprint copies of the 757 page book
A Pioneer History of Becker County Minnesota
are available from the
Becker County Historical Society
Phone: 218-847-2938,
FAX: 218-847-5048
714 Summit Avenue
PO Box 622
Detroit Lakes, MN 56502"
Early Settlers in Wild Rice Township
1-Søren Bergerson was born in Strøs parish, Odalen, Norway, on November 22nd 1823. He was married to Kirsti Berntsdatter the 25th April 1847. He emigrated from Norway with wife and two children in the spring of 1858 to find a new home in America. They arrived in Decorah, Iowa, in the month June the same year. Here he settled and started to work as blacksmith, which work he continued until the fall of 1862. By that time the war between the South and the North broke out, he finished his work as blacksmith, because he thought " Uncle Sam " had more need for him. He therefore enlisted in the army and participated in the war for 3 years; he served in the Company D, 6th Iowa Cavalry Volunteers under general Cullen; and was discharged in the fall 1865. Afterwards he went back to Decorah and continued his blacksmith business which he operated until the spring 1871, when he went to the west to find land. His decision was to go to Lake Park, Becker Co., Minnesota. But on his arrival there, almost all the land, which wood and prairie, was occupied, why he went further north. The 3rd of June 1871 he came to Wild Rice River, and then he decided to build and live there. He thought the same as expressed by Ivar Aasen, when he sings : " Here is the land, which I like best, and for this I have been longing a long time ". Because the land at that time was not measured , he settled on a piece of land but did not know in which section he was. In the fall the land was measured and it appeared that his farm was in section 35, Town 144, Range 44, which Town later was called Wild Rice. He left his family behind in Decorah, because he wanted to find land and erect house before he brought them to the new place. He went back to Decorah in the fall and stayed there during the winter. The next spring he bought a couple of oxes, wagon and other necessecities for a settler, got wife and children on the wagon and off they went for Wild Rice. But the pioneers life had its naughty sides. Thus they had the grasshoppers in 4 years, and they partly took all and partly most all of their crop.. Still he did not lose the spirit, but faithfully kept on.
His wife died 17th January 1884, and his only son 24th April 1889. In their marriage they had 4 children, of which 3 were born in Norway and 1 in Decorah, Iowa. One child died in Norway. When he went to Wild Rice for the first time he was together with Martin Johnson, Guldbrand Haagenson, Andrew Johnson and Gunder Gunderson.
2-Martin Johnson was born in Røkens parish, Norway, in the fall 1832. He left Norway in the spring 1854 and arrived to Dane Co., Wisconsin, the same spring. He stayed there for two years. From here he went to Freeborn Co., Minnesota. Here he was married to the maid Caroline Bergerson. In the spring 1871 he left Freeborn Co. along with Søren Bergerson, Guldbrand Haagenson and others to find a new home in the west. They came to Becker Co., Minnesota, first, but because he did not like the land hare, they went further north to Wild Rice River. Unfamiliar with the district they went to far east and entered The White Earth Reservation. Here Martin liked the land and prepared for settling on a ground. But because they met an indian camp, they learned that they had to go far to the west to find free land. When they came that far west, that they were sure they were out of the Reservation, Martin exclaimed : " Well, boys, here I will take land either its indians or Uncle Sams, what he really did, and after the measuring of the land, it turned out that it was on section 36, now Town of Wild Rice. By now Martin was busy, first he had to erect a house and then cleared the ground. The house was ready in a hurry, but unfortunately he had no plow. But he knew what to do; he went all the way to Alexandria to get a plow. And then it
was on plowing; it was the first land ever plowed in this settlement; may be the first in Norman Co. He also brought the first farm tools as hand rake, Reaper, a mower and a hayrake to the settlement. He took his land on June 3rd but his family did not arrive before the fall.
In the years 1872 to 1875 he seeded Martin wheat, but the grasshoppers reaped. In the spring of 1873 he bought 10 bushels of potatoes and in the fall he got back about a pail, the rest of it the grasshoppers took. They have had 11 children, of which 5 were born in Freeeborn Co., and 6 in Norman Co. His oldest daughter died in October 1885, the next oldest is married and lives in Town of Flom, and the others are staying at home.
3-Guldbrand Haagenson was born in Hitterdalen, Norway in 1833. He left Norway in 1858 and arrived in Winnesheik Co, Iowa, the same year. He lived there to the fall 1862 when he enlisted in company D 6th Iowa Cavalry Volunteers. Here he served for 3 years under general Cullen. Then he was discharged and went back to Winnesheik Co. Iowa, where he in the fall 1866 married the maid Ragnhild Christianson. The same fall he went to Freeborn Co., Minn., where he lived until the spring 1891, when he with Søren Bergerson, Martin Johnson and some others went to the west to find land. They arrived in Wild Rice the 3rd of June, and he then took land on section 35. His family came to him the same fall, and all the time they have had their home on this land. He too was amongst them, who had to suffer the grasshoppers ravages and the hard times that followed. They have had 10 children together; 1 was born in Winnesheik Co., 2 in Freeborn Co., and 7 in Wild Rice, of which 5 are passed away. The first child that died here was buried on the farm, because at that time there was no cemetery. Guldbrand Haagenson died from cancer on 18th April 1893 and is buried on the Wild Rice Cemetery.
4-Ole HansonAarstad is born in Ullensaker, Norway, the 16th of May 1823 and was married to the maid Agnethe Hermansdaughter Bjerkein the year 1855. They emigrated from Norway in the spring 1867 and arrived in Fillmore Co., Minn., the same spring. Here they stayed for 4 years, whereafter he moved west with his family to find Land under the Homestead Act. He arrived here in Wild Rice the 1st of July 1871 and took land on section 35. He too took land before it was measured, therefore he did not know on which section the farm was before it was surveyed in the fall. - Together they have had 8 children, of which 6 were born in Norway and 2 of them died there; and 2 are born after he came to Wild Rice, at the same time 3 of the children died here. By them was born the first child amongst the pioneers here, that is the girl Dorothea, born 28th September 1871. Also the first death in this settlement occured in this family, namely the son Anders who died during the night between 3rd and 4th January 1873. He left the home in the evening to visit one of the neighbors. In the morning he was brought back home as corpse, because he froze to death during the night. He too is buried on the farm, because there was no cemetery. Mr. Aarstad has suffered much sorrow and adversity after he came here. First he lost his oldest son, as mentioned, and some years later his wife turned mentally ill and to go to St. Peter. Again after some time one of his sons had to go to the same place, and after the inspectors statement, both are incurable. About 3 years ago, he had to bid farewell to another son who
died from consumption. And finally on January 11th, 1896, his oldest daughter was brought home as corpse from Fargo, N.D., where she served. This show that he has suffered much mourning. At present he lives alone on his farm, but is soon moving to Twin Valley to live with his son Charles Hanson, so it is to hope for, that he hereafter will see a better life in his old age.
5-Hans G. Urdahl was born in Aurlands Prestegjeld, Sogn, Norway on the 14th of February, 1848. He left Norway in the Spring of 1866 and came to Winnesheik County in Iowa that same year. He lived here a year and then moved to Houston County, Minnesota where he lived until the Spring of 1872, when he left to find new land. He came to Wild Rice and took land in Section 20, where he now lives. On the 20th of February, 1879, he was married to the maid Rangnilde Tvedstulen. They have 8 children, whereof 1 has died.
6-Eden Nilson was born in Langsrud, Sweden, July 5th, 1850. He left Sweden in the spring of '73 an came to Wild Rice the same spring, where he already had two brothers. He took land on section 18. In '84 he made a trip back to Sweden just to see the old homestead. Anyway he liked Wild Rice best, and in '85 he came back here. In 1892 he was married to Anna Erikson and still he lives on his farm in section 18.
7-Jakob O. Hereid is born in Ulvigs parish, Hardanger, Norway in the year 1848. He left Norway in the spring of '66 and arrived in St Croix Co., Wis., the same year. Here he lived until 1870 when he moved to Nicollet Co., Minn. He was married there to the maid Olina Knudson. From here he moved again in 1876, when he came here to Wild Rice and took land on section 10. They have had 12 children together, 3 born in Nicollet and 9 in Wild Rice, 2 are dead after they arrived here. His travelling comrades to here were Knut Torgerson, Børe Olson and Svend Quam.
8-Peter Olsen Skjæggerud is born in Grans parish, Hadeland, Norway, December 31th, 1885. He left his home to go to America in 1851. He arrived the same year in Town of Norway, Racine Co., Wis., where he again met his parents who had made the journey two years earlier. In 1854 the family came to Iowa and settled in Town of Frankville, Winnesheik Co., Iowa. Here he was married to the maid Thora Hendrikson and have 9 children. He lived here until the fall of '75 when he went to the Red River Valley, and arrived to Søren Bergersons House in Wild Rice November 12th. By that time no one had tried to use the power which Wild Rice River gives, and a Flour and Saw Mill was of great importance to the people around in this Settlement, it was on the purpose to supply for this need, Olson came here with a large family in the middle of the winter, with humble means and no houses for people and animals. But in the wilderness the brotherly love shows more up than may be other times and places. The people in the settlement came from far away and near by to help him by erecting houses, and as early as December 15th , he and his family could move in, in their own house. During the winter they logged, and in the spring the neighbors gathered again and helped with the erection of the mill house. A simple Flour and Saw Mill was started in 1876. That everything was very simple, shows the following exclamation from Johan Matson, a quite rational man, however. When he got the sight of the water wheel, he exclaimed : " When this wheel can run a saw, may we then see a glass cabinet even in the clouds". When they had to build the Mill on the northern beach of the river, they, who lived on the southern side, had to take their wheat and flour across the river on boat. Because not everybody was accustomed to handling a boat, there were many strange events. Once John Narum was headed for the mill, but losed the whole burden into the river. Ole Holum wanted to cross the river in a boat, but he did not know how to row, the stream in the river seized the boat, which made him scream and bemoan, as if he was near death. Before we got a bridge, Jakob Herreid crossed the river in the morning in the ice to get to his claim to do some work. The river ice had started to break up, but had fastened again, so one could walk on it in the morning, but during the day it broke up. Olson pulled together some poles and in the afternoon crossed the river to fetch Jakob, but he was long in coming, and Olson had to go back without Jakob because it darkened. It was Eastereve '76 and Jakob Herreid had to put up with staying overnight on the other side under the open sky the whole night. Then one started attempts to build a bridge. Olson arrange for materials and the neighbors came and helped by the erection. But the next spring when the the ice broke up, the bridge followed the ice down the river, as if it was made of straws. Later we erected a good wooden bridge. Now we have a gorgeous steel bridge, so we have no difficulties when crossing the river.After some years there came a young miller to this place, Jørgen Heiberg, son of merchant J. Heiberg in Bergen, Norge. Olson now sold the mill with all the accessories, and because Heiberg possessed more resources, he teared down the old mill, an erected a new one. which later over and over again has been improved, so it by now is one of the best mills of its kind in the West. Mr. Heiberg was at that time unmarried, but had a very cheerful maid to keep the house for him. One Sunday eve she should cross the river to fetch the post and so on for Mr. Heiberg. But because it was late and darkened, she stayed over night on the other side. Early Sunday morning Olson should carry her across the river. But unfortunately someone had been there and had taken the boat to the other side. Olson then wanted to go after it in a canoe he had, but the girl thought it too dreary to wait for him, and before Olson knew of it, she was in the canoe too, and the whole mess went into the river; Olson, the girl, the post, cream and eggs. The girl had fastened to the canoe, but all there was to see was the nose and the feathers on her hat, which came up of the water. Many such stories from those days could be told, but this must be enough to show how the conditions were at that time
9-Elling Tharaldson was born in Drangedals parish, Norway, June 15th, 1843. He left Norway in the spring of 1865 and came to Goodhue Co., Minn., the same year. Here he was married to the maid Anne Johnson, and then he went to Norman co., Minn., the same year, and settled in Town of Lake Ida. There he stayed for 10 years and then he moved to Town of Wild Rice, and lives now on section 17. Together they have 7 children, all born in Norman Co.
10-John Olson was born in Sweden in 1844. He left Sweden in '68 and arrived to the state of Maine the same year and lived there in 2 1/2 year. Then he went back to Sweden again, and here he was married to Kaisa Anderson in '72. Thereafter he went to America once more in '73 and then went all the way to Becker Co., Minn. There he stayed for 3 years and then moved here to Wild Rice and took land on section 18. They have had 6 children, one born in Sweden, one in Becker and 4 here in Wild Rice. John Olson died June 11th, '85. The widow and the children have operated the farm afterwards.
11-Ole Knudson Tofte was born in Hol Prestegjeld, Hallingdal, Norway, in March of 1822. He left Norway in the Spring of 1865 and came to Goodhue County, Minnesota in the same year. He was married in the Spring of 1876 to the maid Anne Johnson, they moved to Norman County, Minnesota that same year and settled in the Town of Lake Ida. They lived there for 10 years, whereafter they moved to
the Twon of Wild Rice and bought land in Section 17. In their family were 7 children, all born in Norman County.
12-Andreas Peterson was born in Vermland, Sweden in 1837 and was married to Johanna Johnson in the Spring of 1866. They left Sweden in the Spring of 1868 and came to Kandiyohi County, Minnesota the same year. They then moved to Becker County, Minnesota in 1871 and were there until the Spring of 1878, when they moved to Wild Rice and settled in Section 19. In there family were 7 children, 1 was born in Sweden, 3 in Kandiyohi County and 3 in Becker County. 2 of the children died in Becker County.
13-Edon Peterson was born in Vermland, Sweden in 1867. He left Sweden in the Spring of 1868 with his parents and came to Kandiyohi County, Minnesota. He came with his parents to Becker County in 1871 and then to Wild Rice in 1878 and took Land in Section 30 in 1888. He was married to the maid Lottie Johnson and had 3 children.
14-Cornelius Peterson was born in Kandiyohi County of Minnesota on the 19th of July, 1868 and came with his parents in 1871 to Becker County, Minnesota where he lived till the Spring of 1878 when he moved to Wild Rice. He was married in the Fall of 1894 to Minnie Rustad. They lived in Section 19, where they farm.
15-Sivert O. Brække was born in Voss Prestegjeld, Bergens Stift, Norway, on the 2nd of July, 1888. He was married in the Sprin of 1866 to the maid Anne Olson Rørgo. That same year they emigrated from Norway and came to Spring Prairie, Wisconsin, where they were till the Fall of the same year. Then they moved to Winnesheik County, Iowa, where they were for 2 years. Then they moved to Ottertail County, Minnesota, where they were till the Spring of 1878, when they moved to Twild Rice and settled in Section 19. They
have a family of 7 children, 4 were born in Ottertail County and 3 in Wild Rice. Mr. Brække died on the 15th of Februray, 1887. The widow still runs the farm.
16-Martin Gilbertson was born in Næs Prestegjeld, Romerike, Norway on the 11th of May, 1840. He was married to Anne Olson in 1866 and left Norway in the Sprin of 1869 and came to Fillmore County, Minnesota the same year. Here they lived for 6 years, whereafter they moved to Freeborn County, Minnesota, where they lived until the Spring of 1878. They then moved to Wild Rice, where
they took Land in Section 32. On the 14th of April, 1882, his wife died. In there family were 6 children, whereof 1 was born in Norway, 2 in Fillmore County, 1 in Freeborn County and 2 in Wild Rice. 1 child died in Fillmore County and 1 in Wild Rice. Mr. Gilbertson died in the Spring of 1893. His oldest son, Ole, runs the Farm.
17-Henry Peterson was born in Gjøvig, Norway, on the 15th of September 1852. He left Norway in the Spring of 1869 and came the same year to Stephenson County, Illinois, where he was for 2 years. He then moved to Decorah, Iowa. Here his served as a store clerk until the spring of 1879. He was married in Decorah to the maid Bertha Haug in the Fall of 1877. In the Spring of 1879 they moved to Wild Rice and took Land in Section 20. The first 2 years he was the Postmaster and had the Post Office in his house. He has also held Town positions such as Town Clerk and Assesor. They have 3 children, whereof 1 was born in Decorah and 2 in Wild Rice.
18-C.J. Skaurud was born in Winnesheik County in Iowa on the 14th of June in 1857. He was married to Helmine Vig in the Spring of 1879. They moved that same year from Iowa to Minnesota, where he was looking for a home. They came the same Summer to Wild Rice, where they settled in Section 3. In 1893 they rented the farm and moved to Ada, where he built a flour mill which he now operates. They have 5 children, all born in Wild Rice.
19-John Ryding was born in Sweden in 1854. He went to Norway, where in the Spring of 1880 he emigrated to America. He came to Wild Rice in the same year. In 1881 he took land in Section 20 in the Town of Fossum
20-Nils Wold was born in Quams Prestegjeld, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1828. He was married on the 26 of December, 1854 to the maid Cicilia Heiraas. They left Norway in the Spring of 1861 and come to Canada that same year, where they were for 2 years. Thereafter, they moved to Chicago, Illinois, and lived there for 2 years. From Chicago they moved to Sibley County, Minnesota where they lived until the Sprin of 1880: they moved to Norman County, Minnesota and settled in Section 21 in the Town of Wild Rice. In 1889 he began in Twin Valley a Hotel, this he did until 1895 and then his son took over. They have 12 children in the family, whereof 3 have died. 1 died in Trondheim, Norway, 1 died on the boat to America, and was buried at sea, and one died in Chicago, Illinois. None of the children were born in Wild Rice.
21-Peder O. Herreid was born in Ulvigs Prestegjeld, Hardanger, Norway on the 4th of September 1831. He attended a course at Søndre Bergenhus Agricultural School from where he graduated in '56.He emigrated from Norway in the Spring of 1857 to go to America. He came however stopped first in Canada for a time from he went to the State of Maine. He was there until 1860, when he went to St. Croix County, Wisconsin, where he was married in 1861 to the maid Julia Levorson and they lived there until 1869, when they moved to Nicollet County, Minnesota. They lived there till the Spring of 1880 when they moved to Norman County, Minnesota and settled in Section 27 in the Town of Wild Rice. The have had 8 children born in their family, of them, 6 have died: 2 in Wisconsin, 3 died in Nicollet County and 1 died while moving to Wild Rice.
22-P.B. Olson was born in Ekers Prestegjeld, Norway, the 6th of January, 1830. He emigrated from Norway in 1858 in the Spring to America, where he landed first in Eid in Canada, where he came to on the 14th of March. He left from Canada and went to Chicago, Illinois, where he was for 2 years. He then went to Scott County, Minnesota and was ther for 2 years. Thereafter he moved to Sibley County, Minnesota. Here he married in 1868 to Tilda Jensine Heiraas. They stayed in Sibley County until the Spring of 1880 when
they moved up to Norman County and settled in Section 27 of the Town of Wild Rice. They have 9 children in the family, whereof 6 were born in Sibley County and 3 in Wild Rice. One child died in Sibley, County.
23-Hans Nilson Kragerø was born at Kragerø, Norway in April of 1849. He left Norway in the Spring of 1866 and went to Chicago, Illinois the same year. Here he lived one year, whereafter he moved to Ossian, Winnesheik County, Iowa. Here he was married to the maid Annie Larson in the Winter of 1873. In the Spring of 1880 they moved up to Norman County and brought Land in Section 36 in the Town of Wild Rice, where they live now. They have 5 children, whereof 3 were born in Winnesheik County, Iowa and 2 in Wild Rice. One child has died, namely the youngest son, Almer died on the 28th day of August, 1895.
24-Albert J. Skaurud was born in Winnesheik County, Iowa, in 1863. He left from Iowa in 1880 to find a home in Norman County, Minnesota. He came the same year to Wild Rice and settled in Section 9. He was married in the Fall of 1884 to the maid Maria Haug. They had 2 children. Skaurud died the 1st of December, 1891. The widow continues to operate the farm.
25-Leonard Glaus was born in Vermland, Sweden in 1859. He left Sweden in the Spring of 1880 and came to Wild Rice, Norman County, Minnesota the same year and settled in Section 31. He was married to Thea L. Hove in the Fall of 1892. They have 2 children born, but one has died.
26-Ludvig Heiraas was born in Trondhjem, Norway on the 19th of April, 1849. He left Norway in the Spring of 1880 and came to Wild Rice where he took land in Section 24. He is not married.
27-John Heiraas was born in Trondhjem, Norway on the 19th of April, 1849. He left Norway with some Sailors in the Spring of 1878 and sailed around until 1881, when he left Sjøen and came to Norman County, Minnesota, and took land in Section 32 in the Town of Wild Rice, where he now lives. He is not married.
28-Olai O. Lene was born in Herrø Prestegjeld, Norway in 1861. He left Norway in the Spring of 1881 and came directly to Norman County and bought land in Section 5 of Wild Rice Township. On the 6th of February, 1889 he married Regine Hanson. They have 6 children.
29-Hans Hanson Kulsrud was born in Gjerdrums Prestegjeld, Norway, on February 12, 1825. He was married in 1850 to Martha Wilhelmsdatter, who was born July 10, 1826, and in 1871 in the Spring left from Norway and came to Allamakee County, Iowa in the same year. He lived there 5 year, then he moved to Fillmore County, Minnesota, where he lived til the Spring of 1881 then he moved to Norman County and bought land in Section 9, Town of Wild Rice. They have 4 children, of which 2 live with their old grandparents on the Farm.
30-Enok Tobiasien Birkeland was born in Lyngdals Prestegjeld, near Mandal, Norway in 1848. He left Norway in the Spring of 1868 and in the same year came to Ossian, Winnesheik County, Iowa. He he was married on the 13th of November, 1871 to the maid Karen Larson. That same Fall they went to Lyon County, Iowa, where they went to get some Homestad Land, and lived there until the Spring of 1881, when they sold the farm and moved up to Norman County, Minnesota, where he bought Land in Section 36, Town of Wild Rice. The have 10 children, whereof 5 were born in Lyon County, Iowa and 5 in Wild Rice. Three children died in Lyon County, Iowa.
31-Aron B. Johnson was born in Vermland, Sweden on the 10th day of October, 1833. He married the maid Agnethe Johnson in 1858. He left Sweden in the Spring of 1882 and in the same year came to Wild Rice, Norman County, Minnesota and bought land in Section 19. They have had 12 children born, all born in Sweden. Five of the children died in Sweden and 1 died after they came to Wild Rice.
32-Ole H. Sensland was born in Hjertdals Prestegjeld, Norway, on the 20th of August, 1844. He was married in 1870 to the maid Kari Halvorsdatter. They left Norway to make a home in America. They came to Dunn County, Wisconsin where they lived for 3 years. Then they moved to Otter Tail County in Minnesota, where they lived until the spring of 1882, then they came to Norman County, Minnesota where they took land in Section 4 of the Town of Wild Rice. They had 6 children born, 5 were in Wisconsin and 1 in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. One child has died.
33-Oscar Trandum was born in Ullensaker, Norway on the 5th of April, 1860. He emigrated from Norway in 1881 and came the same year to Goodhue County, Minnesota. He was there for a year and then in 1882 moved to Norman County, Minnesota and took land in Section 8 of the Town of Wild Rice. He was married in January of 1887 to the maid Amanda Olson, datter of Peter O. Skæggrud. Mr. Trandum died the 12th of July in 1887, leaving a widow with an unborn child. Since she has lived for most of the time on the farm. Mrs. Trandum was again married the 5th of March, 1896 to Mr. Nils E. Natvig.
34-P.O. Hanson was born in Ringebo Prestegjeld, Norway in 1858. He left Norway with his parents in the Spring of 1864 and the same year went to Waupacca County, Wisconsin. He he lived until 1879 and then moved to Clay County, Minnesota where he where he found work in Moorhead and in Glyndon. In 1882 he moved to Ada, Norman County, Minnesota where he worked for the firm Andrews and Hampton until the fall of 1887, when he moved to Twin Valley, Minn. where he built a store and began an ironmonger business on his own account. He was among the first to begin a business in Twin Valley.He sold the store and business in '90 to his brothers, S. O. and N.O. Hanson who now run the business. At the same time he bought land in Section 28 in the Town of Wild Rice, right by the city of Twin Valley, where he still lives. In '84 he married to Miss Amalia Grovende. They have had 6 children of whom 2 are dead, one in '88 and one in '91
35-Hermand V. Natvig was born in Hitternæs Prestegjeld, in Trondheim, Norway in 1852. He emigrated with his parents from Norway in 1869 and came to Dane County, Wisconsin the same year. Here they lived for 4 years and then went to Shelby County, Iowa. In the Spring of 1875, he married Sønneva Johnson. They left in the Spring of 1882 for Norman County, Minnesota and bought land in Section 7 in the Town of Wild Rice. They have 7 children born, 4 were born in Shelby County, Iowa and 3 in Wild Rice. 2 children
have died here.
36-E. J. Natvig was born in Varsdals Prestegjeld, Sogn, Norway, in 1823. He was married in 1847 to Kirsti Nelson. They left Norway in the spring of 1878 and came to America, and the same year to Shelby County, Iowa. They stayed there until the spring of 1882 and then came to Norman County, Minnesota and bought land in Section 7, Town of Wild Rice. His wife died on the 6th of February, 1891. They had 13 children born, 3 were born in Norway, 2 died in Norway, 2 were born in Shelby, Iowa and died there, 8 were born in Wild Rice whereof 6 have died. He married again in February of 1892 to the maid Anne Olson. With his last wife, he had one child.
37-Carl Haagenson was born in Hitterdals Prestegjeld, Norway in 1831. He was married to the maid Maria Olson in the fall of 1856. They have 4 children born, and 1 has died. His wife died in 1867. In the fall of 1869 he married Anne Karine Anderson. They left Norway in the spring of 1880 and went to Norway, Michigan the same year. Here they lived for 2 years and then in 1882 they came to Norman County, Minnesota and bought land in Section 27 , Town of Wild Rice, where they now live.
38-Nicolai Græsdahl was born in Søndmøre, Bergens Stift, Norway, in 1858. He left Norway in the Spring of 1883 and came to Wild Rice, Norman County, Minnesota in the same year. He was married in 1893 to Clara Tharaldson and has two children born.
39-Ole O. Normand was born at Vossestranden, Bergen, Norway in 1844. He left Norway with his parents in 1853 and came to Wisconsin the same year. He was here just one year when he moved to Nicollet Co., Minn. He lived there until 1884, with the exception of 3 years, when he served in the war. He served 1 year in Company B, 1st Minnesota Mounted Rangers under General Sibley, then 2 years in Company B, 2nd Cavalry Volunteers under General Sulley.In 1866 he was married. He came in 1884 to Norman Co., Minnesota and took land in Section 12 in Lake Ada. He moved in 1894 to the Town of Wild Rice and now lives on Section 8. He has had 6 children, 3 were born in Nicollet Co., 3 in Norman Co.; One is dead.
40-Ole E. Bakke was born in Sogn, Norway, in 1861. He left Norway in the Spring of 1867 and came with his parents and siblings to Winnesheik County, Iowa, the same year, where he lived for 5 years. He left for Fillmore County, Minnesota, where he lived unti 1882. Then he went to Montana, where he lived until 1884. He moved to Norman County, Minnesota, where he took land in Section 34, Town
of Wild Rice. He was married in the fall of 1885 to the maid Cecilia Syverson and they have 5 children.
41-Kristian Lane was born in Herrø Prestegjeld, Norway in 1854. He was married in 1883 to Karoline Johannesdatter Bøe. They left Norway in the spring of 1884 and came that same year to Wild Rice, Norman County, Minnesota, where they took land in Section 3. They have 10 children born, all in Wild Rice. 5 have died.
42-Bernt Quam was born in Indvigens Prestegjeld, Norway in 1855. He left Norway in the spring of 1883 and came to Swift County, Minnesota the same year. He was married in the spring of 1884 to Sigrid Pederson Eide. That same year they came to Norman County, Minnesota and bought land in Section 5, Town of Wild Rice. They have 6 children born, all in Wild Rice.
43-Mickel Elmstad was born in Vos Prestegjeld, Norway. He was married to Anna Stensdatter. They left Norway in the spring of 1871 and come to Winnesheik County, Iowa. She died in June of 1880. They had 4 children born, 1 in Norway and 3 in Winnesheik County, Iowa. In the summer of 1880 they moved to Norman County, Minnesota and lived until the fall of 1884 in Lake Ida, then he bought land in Section 7, Town of Wild Rice. He married in the fall of 1887 again to the widow Mrs. Ingeborg Tharaldson who had 5 children
born from her first husband.
44-Knut Hedahl was born in Østre Slidre, Valders, Norway. He emigrated from Norway in the spring of 1882 and came to the Town of Flom the same year. In 1885 he bought land in Section 18, Town of Wild Rice. In the fall of 1890, he married Annie Olson. They have 4 children born, whereof 1 died in the fall of 1891.
45-John Benson was born in Vermland, Sweden, in 1854. He was married to the maid Maria Johnson in 1881. They left Sweden in the spring of 1885 and came the same year to Wild Rice, where they bought land in Section 30. They have 7 children born, whereof 2 were born in Sweden and 5 in Wild Rice.
46-Nils P. Forseth was born in Gausdal, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway, on the 22, September, 1862. He left Norway in 1878 and in the same year went to Rock County, Wisconsin. Here he married Helene Rostad in 1883. They left in the spring of 1885 from Wisconsin to Norman County, Minnesota and bought land in Section 36 and 25 in the Town of Wild Rice. Here they lived until the spring of '91, when he sold his land and became U.S. Mail Carrier between Faith and Fossum, Twin Valley, Folkedahl and Ada. Here he drove the mail for 3 years while he with his family lived in faith, as long as his wife lived. His wife died the 24th July '92. In their marriage they had 3 children, all born in Wild Rice. In the fall of '94 he moved to Ada, where he now lives and works as a butcher. His oldest child, a daughter, is with R. Grutle in Fossum, the middle one with C.D.Tvedstulen in home Lake, and the youngest with Hans Nelson in Wild Rice. The middle one is a boy and the youngest a girl.
47-Bernt P. Evenvold was born in Gausdal, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway, July 26, 1863. He left Norway in 1883 and came the same year to Coon Prairie, Wisconsin where he lived one yearand then went to Waupacca County, Wisconsin, where he married in the spring of 1886 to Rhoda Forseth and in the same year came to Norman County, Minnesota and bought Land in Section 34 of Wild Rice. In '90 he sold this land, after which that same fall he left his family, wife and 3 children, which should have been his most precious possession on earth, and went out into the world. Where he is now, nobody knows. His wife has built a house and now lives on Section 35 in the Town of Wild Rice
48-Simon Haug was born in Rollags Prestegjeld, Norway, in 1826. He was married at Aurdal, Valders to Gunnild Michelson in 1856. They left Norway in 1871 and came to Black Earth, Dane County, Wisconsin the same year. He lived there until the Spring of 1886, when he moved his family to Norman County, Minnesota, and took land in Section 6 of the Twon of Wild Rice. They have 2 children,
both born in Norway.
49-Bernhard Jensen was born in Hitterdalen, Norway the 25th day of August, 1867. He left Norway in the spring of 1882 and came the same year to Wild Rice. He was married the 21st of July 1894 to Boliva Tomtengen and they live in Section 27 of Wild Rice.
50-Nils G. Hedalle was born in Østre Slidre Prestegjeld, Valders, Norway and was married to Marith Svensen in the spring of 1884. They left Norway right after to seek their fortune in America, and came to the town of Flom, Minnesota the same year. Here he lived for 2 years, after which he went to Clay County, Minnesota. Since he was not content there, he moved back in 1888 to Norman County and bought land in Section 18 in the Town of Wild Rice, where he now lives. He has had 5 children, one born in Flom, one in Clay County and 3 in Wild Rice.
51-Andrew Dahlbom was born in Vermland, Sweden, in 1868. He left Sweden in 1884 and came the same year to Wild Rice, Norman County, Minnesota, where he in 1888 bought land in Section 18 in Wild Rice. He married in 1892 to Mary Nelson and has 2 children born.
52-Jens Brodsho was born in Drangedals Prestegjeld, Norway, on the 5th of November, 1860. He emigrated from Norway in the spring of 1882 and came to the Town of Fossum the same year. He was married in 1888 to Clara Jensveen and settled in 1889 in the Town of Wild Rice in Section 33, where he lives now. They had 7 children born, 1 in Fossum and 6 in Wild Rice.
53-Hans Carlson was born in Hitterdalen, Norway, on the 9th of January, 1860. He emigrated from Norway in 1879 and came to Michigan, where he worked at the Iron Mines until the Fall of 1881. Then he went to Colorado and worked in the Silvermines until the Fall of 1889.From there he moved to Norman County, Minnesota and boought land in Section 35 in Town of Wild Rice. He was married the 26th of November, 1890 to Annie Haagensen and has 4 children.
54-Sivert T. Hove was born in Dane County, Wisconsin in 1861. He left Wisconsin in 1865 with his parents and came to Freeborn County, Minnesota. Here he lived until 1879, when he and his parents came to Norman County, Minnesota, where he bought land in the Town of Rockville, Norman County, Minnesota. He was married in March of 1885 to Karoline Haagenson. In the Fall of 1882 he bought his Father in law, Gudbrand Hagenson's Farm in the Town of Wild Rice, where he now lives. They have had no children.
55-Morten Johnson was born in Ringebo, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway, on the 17th of June, 1852. He left Norway in 1869 and came that same year to Waupacca County, Wisconsin, where he lived for 7 or 8 years. Then he left Wisconsin and came to Norman County, Minnesota, and settled first in Lake Ada where he lived for a 5 year period. He then moved back to Wisconsin, but returned to Norman County, Minnesota in 1894, and bought land in Section 8 in the Town of Wild Rice, where he now lives. He is unmarried but his elderly
parents live with him.
56-Emil Johnson was born in Vermland, Sweden, in 1870. He left Sweden in 1891 and came to Hickson, North Dakota that same year, where he lived until 1894, when he came to Norman County, Minnesota and bought land in Section 30. He was married the 15th of July, 1895 to Manda Olson.
57-John Hedin was born in Vermeland, Sweden, in 1862.He left Sweden in the Spring of 1885 and cam to Becker County, Minnesota where he lived for 2 years, then he went to Hickson, North Dakota, where he married Manda Gunderson. Here he stayed until 1894, when he moved back to Minnesota, and took land in Wild Rice, Norman County, Minnesota, in Section 29. He had 4 children born, 3 in
North Dakota and 1 in Wild Rice.
58-J. F. Heiberg *) is born in Bergen, Norway, 4th of July 1861. He emigrated from Norway in the spring of 1881 and came to Minneapolis, Minn. Shortle afterwards he went to Dane Co., Wis., and stayed there for a year. After that he went to Minnesota, and came here to Norman Co., where he bought the mill from Peter O. Skjægrud in Town of Wild Rice. The 18th January 1884 he was married to the maid Augusta Slettebakken. He has 5 children. With regard to the new mill by Heiberg it can be added : It was erected in 1882 and was 30 x 40, 3 floors height. In 1890 it was completely changed to roller mill. In 1892 it was improved, enlarged and added 10 feet, so it now is 30x50. The addition is used for rinsing and storing wheat. The mill also has its own Feed Department with excellent rinsing apparatus. Before we got the bridge across the river, there was a ferry on which one transported the wheat across the river. The mosquitos were so many those days, that when one wiped the face with the hand, it was filled of mosquitos. More to conclusion about Heibergs Park. Note from Håkon: *) J. F. Heiberg = Jørgen Faye Heiberg, born 4th July, bapt. 4th Aug 1861 in Nykirken, Bergen, parents : merchant Andreas Heiberg and wife Else Catharine Reutsch born Faye, married in the Cathedral of Bergen on 18th Nov 1849, father was at that time 29 and mother 22 1/4 years old. Digitalarkivet Emigrants from Bergen 1874-1930 says that Jørgen Faye Heiberg,19 years old, emigrated from Bergen 7th May 1880 with State Line
59-Dr. John O. Froshoug was born in the vicinity of Kristiania, Norway, 8th August 1837. At age 18 he went to Copenhagen, Denmark, to be educated as a veterinarian there. After 5 years of studies he graduated as a such. After that he went back to Norway and started to practice as veterinarian. He was married in 1867 and in 1870 he decided to go to America to see if it was possible to get a home there. He left his family behind in Norway, to fetch them later, if he decided to stay in America. He came first to Stoughton, Wis., where he lived for a short time, because he soon understood, that it was not enough to provide for a family, only to practice as a veterinarian, he also had to be a medical doctor for the people. For that reason he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he after 1 1/2 years of studies by a medical college there, took diploma as doctor. In the fall of 1872 he went to Albert Lea, Minn., where he settled as doctor and started a drugstore business. Here he lived untill 1875 when he moved to Lake Park, Becker Co., Minn., where he started a drugstore once more. In 1877 he decided to use his rights for a homestead, whereafter he the same year took land on section 22 in Town of Wild Rice, Norman Co., Minn. Because he had his Homestead here and the drugstore in Lake Park, and he often had to be on both places, he became post carrier between Wild Rice Postoffice and Lake Park. Every time he carried the post to Wild Rice, he went down to his Homestead and stopped there. He constructed soon a house, and to manage the household he got hold of a swedish Count and a swedish tanner, and the whole lot was given the Noble Name " The Barony of Poor Livelihood ". When the whole staff on " The Barony of Poor Livelihood " was gathered, it consisted of a norwegian doctor, a norwegian veterinarian, a swedish count, a swedish tanner and - a dog. But they were not alone all the time, because often the neighbors often visited them, and if the walls of the Barony could quote the many stories which happened here, then the book about it would be larger than this one. In the beginning of the '80s Dr Froshoug let his business in Lake Park come to an end, and decided to make Wild Rice to his future home. He then send to Norway for his family, which was his wife and 2 sons. He also bought 160 acres of land on section 28. Of this he sold 40 acres to the railway company for city ground where Twin Valley now is located, and where he setlled. He he stayed until 9th June 1889 when he passed away caused by tuberculosis. After his family came here, the family was increased with a daughter. Froshoug's oldest son followed in his fathers steps and be- came a doctor. He took his degree by Reokuk Medical College, Reokuk, Iowa, in the spring of 1896, and then went to Norse, Tex., where he lives by now. His younger son, Arnt, still lives in Twin Valley, where he runs business of hardware and farming machinery. Mrs. Froshoug wnet back to Norway in 1894 to be with her mother's side in her last days.
60-A. Stenseth is born in Skridje parish, Norway, 1857. In 1872 he was married to the maid Lovise Thorsen. This marriage did not last long, because she died after a year leaving him with their baby. In 1876 he was married again to Caroline Marcussen. He left Norway in the spring of 1882 to try his luck in America, and he came directly here to Norman Co., Minn., and obtained work by Heiberg's Mill. Here he worked for 4 or 5 years. In 1888 Heiberg postoffice started and A. Stenseth was hired as postmaster. In addition he has a small store. They have had 9 children, of whom 3 were born in Norway and 6 in Wild Rice. His wife is authorized midwife.
61-Andrew Johnson was born in Sweden about the year 1825. He also got married in Sweden, but when can not be told. About the year ‘55 or '56 he left Sweden and his family, and went to Norway, where he from what is told, stayed for about 12 years near Holmestrand. His family had to go ahead as good as possibly on their own. His wife died about 3 years after he left her, and his 4 sons, so to speak, became orphans. In '67 he went to America, and settled in Freeborn Co., Minn., where he stayed to the spring '71. Then he went with Søren Bergerson, Martin Johnson and others, when they went to the West. He then came here and took land near the others, and after the surveying of the land, it turned out to be in section 35 and 36 in Town of Wild Rice. In the winter of '74 he married again to the widow Anna Maria Engen. This marriage turned out to be unsuccessful too, and they lived together only for a year. They were divorced again by the civil law by which they had been married. Johnson lived thereafter alone on his farm, while his former wife moved to her son Edvard Engen, who lived in the south part of Town of Flom. In the years '80 to '82 his sons came over from Norway. They stayed with him for some time, but went out on their own. He sold his farm in '85 to Nils B. Forseth and moved then to Nils Nilson in Town of Flom. After a while he went back to the old country to see the old homestead. About a year later he came back, and builded a house on his son Andrews farm in Home Lake, to live there for the rest of his life. But in the fall of '91 he got tired by the life, and one night he sat the house on fire, and shot himself a bullet in the forehead. That way died Andrew Johnson.
From the book "Nogle Optegnelser om Settling m.m. indenfor de fire Towns Fossum, Wild Rice, Home Lake og Flom i Norman County, Minn". Collected by R. Grutle, Lars Aamoth, John Narum, O.S. Bently and John Hommelvig.
Translated by Håkon Skaugvoll and Olaf Kringhaug.
Early Settlers in Flom Township
The pages of American History are alive with the deeds of people who became famous and made the headlines and thrived on national glory and public honor. But the real down to earth, honest to God history was scrawled with the blood and sweat in rugged wilderness by courageous, rawboned pioneers who with simple tools overcame impossible natural obstacles. These people fashioned their sturdy homes of log or sod, built the churches and the schools raised their families with honor and dignity. Many of those pioneers were immigrants who left their homes in the Old Country to carve a new life for themselves in a strange and often hostile land. Thus it was with the Scandinavions who settled in Flom Township, during the 1870 to the 1890’s. They came to America in great numbers and their reasons for leaving their homes was varied, but mainly it was to get for themselves a new life. They were attracted by the stories of success by people who went before them. In America they could have free land. A homestead of 160 acres just for living on it for
five years, building a cabin and proving up the claim. Truly here in America they could be a (stor bonde) big farmer.
Let us trace their route from Scandinavia to America. They either traveled by sailing vessel or steamship. Most of those who came after 1880 came by steamer. It was faster and safer. It could take as long as 6 weeks to come by sail, but by steamer about 2 weeks.
The cost to travel by steamer was around $66.00, and by sail it was $53.00. Their route from Scandinavia took them by boat across the North Sea to Northern England, which took about 3 days. Once in England they followed the Tyne River to the port of Newcastle.
After docking there they boarded a train for Liverpool. From here they would continue the journey either by sailing vessel or steamship to America. At New York after going through custom and exchanging Krona for U.S. dollars, they would begin the westward travel by rail. Going to Wisconsin, Iowa and then to Minnesota, and some arriving here at their new destination in Flom Township.\par The following settlers lived in the township in April, 1896, when Flom Township celebrated their 25th Anniversary and the year they arrived.
1871: Ole O. Rishovd, Section 33
1872: Nicolai Overgaard, Section 8 Nels Nelson, Section 4 Jens Urdahl, Section 6 Jens Urdahl’s Mother, Section 8
1873: Lars Huseby, Section 10 Welleik Larson, Section 2 Ole P. Lien, Section 10 Peter O. Lien, Section 4 Gustav O. Lien, Section 15 Ole T. Rogen, Section 10
1874: Hans Flom, Section 14 Elling Flom, Section 21 Erick H. Flom, Section 21 Simon H. Flom, Section 12 Knut W. Larson, Section 10 Andreas Larson, Section 2 Wilhelm Larson, Section 2 Albert Larson, Section 1
1876: Hans H. Korsgaden, Section 2 Nils O. Midthun, Section 24 Knute Thompson, Section 24 Martin O. Kirkeby, Section 20
1877: Lars H. Korsgaden, Section 2 Knut Jacobson, Section 34 Knut A. Brenden, Section 28
1878: Even Tomtengen, Section 4 Hans Tomtengen, Section 23 Johanes Quit, Section 8 Ingebrigt Quit, Section 8 Elling Ness, Section 26 John Swenson, Section 32 Mrs. John Swenson’s Mother, Jens J. Kvidt, Section 12 Anne J. Quit, Gjert and Martin Quit, Einar Larson, Section 32 John O. Nysetvold, Section 32 John Dyrdahl, Section 30 Ole Nilson, Section 28 Christofer Flaten, Section 2 Mathias G. Flifleth, Section 5 Ole O. Waller, Section 18.
1879: Roland B. Johnson, Section 6 Andrew Benson, Section 9 Ole Sannan, Section 6 Andreas H. Dorseth, Section 29 Hans Dorseth, Section 29 John A. Dorseth, Section 29 Kristian Larson, Section 20 Iver A. Moen, Section 28 Anders Skeim, Section 11
1880: Even Mellum, Section 15 Emanuel Nielson, Section 7 Gunner O. Lund, Section 27 Nils E. Nelson, Section 28
1881: Johannes Borgen, Section 8 Iver H. Korsgaden, Section 35 Bernt Ask, Section 8 John H. Flom, Section 8 Ole Fossen, Section 9 John J. Stende, Section 31 John Dullum, Section 30 Sjur S. Stundahl, Section 10
1882: Ole A. Lee, Section 18 Erick A. Holum, Section 16 Thor A. Holum, Section 16 Hans Odegaard, Section 1 Gilbert Anderson, Section 18 Ole J. Lee, Section 18 Johannes Underdahl, Section 17 Elling Underdahl, Section 17 John E. Haugen, Section Anders R. Veum, Section 34 Thor E. Holum, Section 26 Lars J. Houglum, Section 23 Torris Stundahl, Section 10 Hans P. Lien, Section 5 Einar
S. Urdahl, Section 9 Johannes G. Moen, Section 16, Ole Iverson, Peter Stien, Section 5 Anders Winjum, Section 22 Helge Olson, Section 17
1883: Ole H. Olson, Section 36 Peder P. Baukol, Section 24 Mrs. Johannes Lee, Section 16 Lars Prestegaard, Section 3 Jacob Sannan, Section 7 Ole A. Hoien, Section 18 Erik S. Urdahl, Section 14
Andrew and Anna EKEN were married in 1889 and bought land in the NW 1/4, Section 3 that same year. They farmed here until April, 1909 when they moved into Twin Valley where he became a salesman. Andrew was a brother of A.B. Peterson and Peter Rindahl of Fossum Township.
The following is a list of the early settlers who came to Flom Township. It tells us where in Norway they came from and the section they homesteaded or settled on in Flom Township. This information is given to us by Oscar Lund. These records of these early pioneers were printed in the Norwegian language and were translated to English by Mr. Lund. We, the Flom History Committee, wish to thank Oscar Lund for letting us use them.
1-Johannes Bergen came in 1872 over to America from Tysnes Parish, Norway, and settled near Cresco, Iowa. In June of 1881 he came with his family in company with Ingebor Ingebrigsten and her family and then bought land in Section 8, where he now lives. They have four children, three born in Iowa and one here.
2-Ole A. Lee immigrated in 1867 from Aurlands Parish, Sogn, Norway to America. He stopped first in Bonnet Prairie, Wisconsin until 1869 and then went to Black Hammer in Houston County of Minnesota. In 1882 he came here and settled in Section 18. He was unmarried.
3-Nicloai Overgaard immigrated in 1879 from Vestaden Parish in Norway and settled first for a couple years in Filmore County of Minnesota. In 1872 he went westward with several families, all settling in Becker County of Minnesota. Overgaard then came here to Norman County and took land in Section 14 in Home Lake Township. This land he let Martha Urdahl take over. She was later married to Louis Qual. Now this land is owned by Albert Albertson. He was married and had one child. The 9th of July 1874 his wife died and was buried on the farm, because they had no cemetery in the settlement. This is the second person which is buried in these four townships. In 1879 he was again married, this time with Ingeborg Urdahl, and they settled on that land in Section 8, in the township of Flom, which he already had taken on homestead. He has now sold most of it to John Floen, and they live on 40 acres which he kept for himself. They have no children.
4-Lars Huseby immigrated from Lekanger Parish, Sogn, Norway in 1867 and settled in Rice County of Minnesota. In 1871 he was married to Miss Britha Thorpe. On June 24th he moved from Rice County together with Ole Rogen, Ole Lien, Lars Lockrem and John Waller. He then took land in Section 10. They had five children, one born in Rice County and four born here in Flom township.
5-Amund Holum came from Aurlands Parish, Sogn, Norway in 1856 and settled in Black Hammer, Houston County in Minnesota. There he lived until 1885 when he came here to Flom township with his youngest son, Ole and later another son, Thore. He had three children, namely:
5A- Erick A. Holum, who came together with his parents from Norway in 1856 and settled in Black Hammer, Houston County in Minnesota. There he lived until 1882. In 1882 together with his brother, Thore, they came to Norman County and settled in Section 16 where he bought land and lived. He was married in 1871 at Black Hammer and they had 14 children, whereof six were born at Black Hammer and eight were born here.
5B-Thor A. Holum came also in 1856 from Norway with his parents and lived at Black Hammer in Houston County of Minnesota until 1882 when he moved here with his brother, Erik. He also bought land in Section 16. He was not married.
5C-Ole A. Holum also came with his parents and brother in 1856 from Norway and lived at Black Hammer in Houston County of Minnesota until 1885 when he and his parents came here. He bought land in Section 22, but lived most of the time with Thor.
6-Jens Urdahl immigrated from Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1866 and spent his first years in Washington Prairie in Iowa. He moved to Black Hammer in Houston County of Minnesota where he spent four years. Then he moved to Becker County of Minnesota and stayed one year. He then came here in June of 1872 and took land in Section 6. On this land he lived until the fall of 1891, when he sold this land to Mr. Emil Smestad, who came from Dakota. Then he moved to Twin Valley, Minnesota. Here he lived until the spring
of 1894 when he moved to Section 8. He was the first man that settled in the Township of Flom, when he took homestead land in April of 1872. This nice farm, which he sold in 1891, he bought back again in 1894. He was married April 2, 1875 and had eight children.
7-Jens Urdahl's mother came in 1869 from Norway and settled in Houston County of Minnesota until she came up here with her other son, Erik and his son-in-law, Johannes Quit. She stayed awhile first with Jens, but tok homestead rights with the land that Johannes Quit now has. She died November 1879 and was buried in Wild Rice Church Cemetery. She was the first adult who was buried there.
8-Johannes Quit came over from Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1869 and settled at Black Hammer in Houston County of Minnesota. He moved up here in June 1878 and took land in Section 6, which his mother in law had taken. He was married in June 1857 and had six children. Of the children, four were born in Norway and two in Houston County of Minnesota.
8A-Ingebrigt J. Quit came with his parents from Norway in 1869 and then came here in 1878. In the spring of 1885 he married Ingeborg, daughter of Halvor Tvedstulen, and settled on the land in Section 8 which he had bought several years before. They had four children.
8B-Jens J. Quit came with his parents here in 1878. He was married in April 1887 to Gurine, daughter of Ingebrigt Ingebrigtson from Home Lake township and they settled on the land in Section 12. They had four children.
8C-Anne J. Quit was married with Nels Ingebrigtson from Home Lake township in April, 1887.
8D-Gjert and Martin were the youngest sons.
9-Hans Flom immigrated in 1857 from Aurland, Sogn, Norway and settled in Winnesheik County of Iowa. In 1874 he left Iowa and came here to Norman County and took land in Section 14. He was married in Norway having children, here they had three sons and one daughter. He sold his land in 1893 and moved in with his daughter, Martha, who in 1880 was married to John Homelvig in Home Lake township. Here he died in 1894 and was buried in Wild Rice Cemetery. His wife lives at Homelvig. Their sons are:
9A-Elling Flom. He came with his parents from Iowa in 1874. In 1883 he was married and settled in Section 21, which he owned. They had five children.
9B-Erik H. Flom came also in 1874 from Iowa with his parents. In 1886 he was married and settled in Section 21 where he had already bought land. They had four children.
9C-Simon H. Flom came also in 1874 with his parents from Iowa. He was married in 1889 and settled in Section 12. They had four children.
10-Wellick Larson came from Bamble Parish, Norway, in 1850 and settled first in Iowa, where he lived five years. Thereafter he move to Rice County in Minnesota. In 1873, together with Ole Rogen, Lars Huseby, Ole Lien and others, and took land in Section 2. Here he died in 1881 and his wife died in 1895, both are buried in Wild Rice Cemetery. They had five children, four boys and one daughter, namely:
10A-Knut B. Larson came with his parents here and also took land in Section 10, but in the spring of 1886 he sold this land and went to North Dakota, where he again too land in 1891. He came back here again and has since lived to be an old man on Thor Bamble's farm in Section 12. In 1876 he was married, they have had nine children, whereof four have died.
10B-Andreas Larson was married in November 1880 and settled on land in Section 2 which he had taken on homestead when he came here in 1874. They have had seven children, one having died.
10C-Wilhelm Larson was married in 1874 and lives on his father's farm in Section 2. They have had five children, whereof two have died.
10D-Albert Larson was married in 1892 and settled on his land in Section 1. They have two children, the sister, Amalie, was married in 1873 to John Gronoen and lived in the township of Fossum Minnesota.
11-Anders Skaim immigrated with his family from Aurland, Sogn, Norway, in 1845 and settled first in Koshkonong, Wisconsin where he lived two years. Thereafter he moved to Winnesheik County in Iowa where he lived near by Decorah, until in 1879 he moved here. He lived awhile with his children here, but since settled in Section 11, where he had 1/4 Section of land which now is owned by his son, Johannes. They have had five children, four girls and one boy. Three of the children were born in Norway, two in Iowa. Two children here in the settlement namely, John A. Skaim and Mrs. Ole Rogen. Two live in Moorhead, Minnesota, Mrs. T. Tollefson and Mrs. Ole Nilson Odegaard. A daughter, Mrs. Halvorson, lives near Glenwood, Iowa.
12-John A. Skaim was born in Koshkonong, Dane County Wisconsin and came with his parents to Iowa in 1847. He moved in 1884 and now lives on the land in Section 11, which his father had. He was married in Washington Prairie, Iowa in 1879 and they have 7 children, whereof five were born here in the settlement.
13-Lars H. Korsgaden immigrated from Northern Froen, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1871 and settled in Vernon County in Wisconsin where he lived six years. He moved from Wisconsin and came here in 1877 and took land in Section 2, where he now lives. He was married in the fall of 1871 in Vernon County and has ten children, whereof three were born in Wisconsin, one having died here.
14-Iver H. Korsgaden immigrated from Northern Froen, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1880. He stayed a years time in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, whereafter he came here in 1881 and bought land in Section 35, Township of Fossum, where he settled the year after, namely in 1882. This land he sold again in 1884 to his brother, Hans Korsgaden. He was married in Black River Falls in 1880. His wife died in 1882 and is buried in the Wild Rice Cemetery.
15-Hans H. Korsgaden immigrated from Nordre Froen, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1871 with his brother Lars, and settled in Vernon County, Wisconsin where he lived for five years. He left Wisconsin and moved here in 1876, one year before his brother, and took land in Section 2. He was married in Wisconsin and they have two children. The oldest daughter was married to Mr. A. Dorseth and lives west of Flom. The other children are at home.
16-Hans Peterson Odegaard immigrated from Eidnanger, Norway in 1854, settling at Bonnet Prairie, Wisconsin. He came here to Norman County in 1882 and settled on land he had bought in Section 1, Township of Flom, where he now lives. He was married in Wisconsin in 1875 and they have nine children, whereof the six youngest were born here.
17-Roland B. Johnson came here from Freeborn County, Minnesota in 1879 and took land in Section 4, Township of Home Lake, where now Anton Lerud lives to whom he sold his improvement in the spring of 1880. He moved here and bought railroad land in Section 6, Township of Flom. A few years later he sold half of the land to Peter Stein, and in 1895 sold the rest of the land and moved to Montana.
18-Nels Nelson immigrated from Varmland, Sweden in 1869 and stopped first in Red Wing, Minnesota. He moved to Norman County in 1872 and settled in Section 4 in Flom, where he took homestead. He was married in Becker County of Minnesota in 1872. They had four children whereof two have died.
19-Knut Stene immigrated from Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1870, stopped awhile in Goodhue County in Minnesota. He came here in March, 1884 and bought land in Section 1. He was married in Winnebago County in Iowa and they had eleven children, whereof five were born in Iowa, and six here in the settlement.
20-Even Mellum came from Birid, Norway to America and settled at Coon Praire, Wisconsin. He moved here in 1880 and took land in Section 15. He was married in 1882 and had eight children.
21-Even Tomtengen immigrated from Birid, Norway with his parents in 1850 and they settled first in Dane County in Wisconsin. In 1852 they went with their family to Vernon County in Wisconsin where he lived until he came here in 1878 in the township of Flom, where he bought land in Section 4. He was married in Vernon County in Wisconsin in 1865 and they had 12 children, whereof six have died. Six of the children were born here and six were born in Wisconsin. His wife died in November of 1891 and was buried in Immanuel Church Cemetery.
22-Hans Tomtengen came with his father from Wisconsin in 1878. He was married here in 1892 and settled on land in Section 33 which he had bought a few years before.
23-Emanuel Nielson immigrated in the spring of 1880 from Drammen, Norway and stopped in Chicago, Illinois. In the fall of 1880 he moved up here and bought land in Section 7.
24-Tosten A. Holum came over from Aurland, Sogn, Norway the summer of 1874 and settled first in Goodhue County of Minnesota where he lived for eight years. In 1882 he moved to Cavalier, North Dakota where he took land of homestead, but sold the land and moved here to Flom. He lived in Section 6 where he built a house on his son-in-laws, L. Quam's land. Of their children there are two sons and two daughters.
25-Ole P. Lien was born in Quam, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1837. He came over to America in 1869 and settled in Rice County of Minnesota where he lived for four years. In 1873 he moved here and took land in Section 10. He was married in Nordre Froen, Gudbrandsdalen in 1864 and had fourteen children, whereof ten were born here and four in Norway.
25A-Peter O. Lien came here with his parents. He was married in May of 1895 and had two children. He lived on the farm in Section 4, which before was owned by his mother's father, Jacob Branden.
25B-Gustav O. Lien was married in February of 1896 and lived at home with his parents.
25C-Ole Fossen was born in Nordre Froen, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1864 and came here to America in 1881. He came directly here and bought land in Section 9. He was married to Marith, daughter of Ole P. Lien, the 19th of June, 1887. They had three children.
26-Andrew Benson immigrated from Sonmore, Norway in 1873 and stayed first for three years in Rice County in Minnesota whereafter he worked on different jobs for three years. He came here in June, 1879 and bought 80 acres in Section 9. He was not married. His brother, Ole, was here also a couple of years but went back to Norway.
27-Lars Prestegaard immigrated from Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1871 but stayed first for a year in Goodhue County in Minnesota whereafter he went to Freeborn County in Minnesota where he lived for twelve years. He came here the spring of 1883 and settled on land in Section 3. He was married in Norway in 1866 and had ten children. Of the ten children, three were born here and two were married, namely Lena to Torres Stundahl and Sonneva to Mons Stene, who lived a little north of them in Fossum township.
28-Torres S. Stundahl came from Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1882 directly here to the settlement. He worked the first year with the farmers. He married in 1887 to Lena Prestegaard and settled in Section 10. They have five children.
29-Jacob Sannan was born in Strinden, Trondhjem, Norway in 1855 and came over to America at the age of fourteen in 1869. He came first to Minneapolis, after that he lived off and on at Minneapolis or Goodhue County both in Minnesota. In 1882 he married Sigrid J. Haugen, and the following year, 1883, went up here and settled on the land in Section 7 which he had already bought. He lived then on the farm for two years, whereafter he moved up to the 13 Towns in Polk County of Minnesota, where he took land. He left that again the same fall and then moved to Ada, Minnesota, where he operated a restaurant for two years. He moved again to his farm in the township of Flom, but was there only a year. They moved again to the "Vesten" but settled himself then in Twin Valley, Minnesota, where he operated the first restaurant and furniture store. Later he built his own store and operated a furniture store. After two and a half years he sold his store to the Sethney Brothers and moved back again to his farm in Flom township. They have had no children of their own but adopted a motherless girl when they lived in Ada, Minnesota.
30-Lars Quam was born in Aurlands Parish, Norway, the 18th of March in 1851. On the 2nd of May, 1870 he left Norway to go to America. In June he arrived in Quebec in Canada and the 2nd of July he came to Goodhue County in Minnesota. He soon left Goodhue County and went to Steel County in Minnesota where he lived one year, then moved again to Goodhue County. Next year he moved again to Steel County. In July of 1871 he went to Fillmore County in Minnesota and was there until 1873 when he again moved to Goodhue County. Here he lived until the spring of 1875 when he moved to Freeborn County and bought land 8 miles from Albert Lea, Minnesota. In the fall of 1876 he again moved to Goodhue County where he married Miss Sigrid Holum. They moved then to Goodhue again, where he again bought land. In the year of 1880 he sold the land in Goodhue County and moved westward to Walsh County in North Dakota where his wife's parents died and lived there until spring of 1884. He moved then to Park River, North Dakota where he built a boarding house. The same fall he sold out in Park River and moved here, where he bought land in Section 6, Township of Flom. They had six children.
31-Ole Sannan was born in 1846 in Stinden, Trondhjem, Norway, and immigrated to America in 1863 stopping first awhile in Red Wing, Minnesota. Otherwise he lived the first five years in Goodhue County in Minnesota. In 1868 he came to Minneapolis, Minnesota and was there two years. He went then to Watonwan County in Minnesota and took land on homestead. But after two years time, he left and came back again to Minneapolis in 1872 and lived there for 2 years. He moved then to Goodhue County and was there about four years. He then went westward to Becker County in Minnesota and was there about 1 1/2 years, whereafter he came here the fall of 1879 and bought railroad land in Section 5. He was married in 1883 to Marith H. Lien and had two children.
32-Hans P. Lien was born in Nordre Froen, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1836 and came here to America in 1882. He was married in Norway in 1862 to Marith Teigen and had just one child, Mrs. Ole Sannan, with whom they lived with since they came here.
33-Hans J. Flom was born in Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1848 and came to Red Wing, Minnesota in 1866. He came here to the settlement in 1886 and bought land in Section 17. He married in 1878 to Miss Martha Nilson and they had eight children.
34-Thorvald Urdahl was born in Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1835. He was married in 1865 to Miss Kirsten R. Loven and lived in Aurland until 1887 when he came with his family here. He bought land in Section 17. They had eight children in Norway.
35-Einar G. Urdahl was born in Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1866. He came here to America in 1882 and settled in the settlement. He was married to Martha C. Urdahl in 1893 and had one child. They lived in Section 9.
36-Kristian Ingebrigston was born in Oier, Norway and came to Westby, Iowa in 1876. He came here to Norman County in 1884 and bought land in Section 16. He married in 1885 to Miss Mathea Erickson. They had no children. They did however raise Ruth Stolen, who's mother died when she was very young.
37-Johannes G. Moen was born in Oier, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1848 and came to Coon Prairie, Wisconsin in 1873. He came here to the settlement in 1880 and bought land in Section 16 in Flom. The same year he married Mis Sigrid Erickson and had one child.
38-Bernt Ask was born in 1853 in Hedmarken, Norway and came to Spring Grove, Minnesota in 1876, where he lived six months. He went to Decorah, Iowa in 1876, living there until 1881, when he moved here and bought land in Section 6. He was married in Decorah, Iowa to Petrine Knudson. Bernt Ask died the 9th of July, 1892.
39-Gilbert Anderson Holie was born in Hadeland, Norway in 1851. He moved to Spring Grove in Minnesota in 1867. He moved up to Norman County in 1882. He was married in 1876 to Miss Randi J. Lee and had seven children. He bought land in Section 18. Gilbert died in 1894.
40-Ole J. Lee was born in 1862 in Houston County in Minnesota where he lived until the spring of 1882 when he came here and bought land in Section 18. He was married in 1886 to Marie Underdahl and had five children.
41-Johannes C. Underdahl was born in 1838 in Aurland, Sogn, Norway and came here to America in 1866 and settled in Fillmore County in Minnesota. He came here to Norman County in 1882 buying land in Section 17. He was married in Norway in 1864 to Christine B. Hoiom. They had eight children.
42-Elling J. Underdahl was born in Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1864. He came to Fillmore County in Minnesota with his parents in 1866 where he lived until 1882 when he came here. He was married in 1893 to Anne D. Kerkevold. They had three children. They lived in Section 17.
43-Jorgen Nilson was born in Aurland, Sogn, Norway and came to Goodhue County in Minnesota in 1870. He came here in 1885 and bought land in Section 17. In the same year he was married to Berthe J. Underdahl and they had seven children.
44-John H. Flom was born in 1855 in Hagre, Trondhjem, Norway. He arrived in Zumbrota, Goodhue County in Minnesota in 1879, where he lived until 1860 when he then moved to Wanamingo, Minnesota. He moved to Norman County in 1881 and took land eight miles south from Twin Valley. For several years since, he bought Nicolai Overgaard's land in Section 8 in Flom. He was married in 1876 to Randi J. Bratsburg and they had nine children.
45-John C. Haugen was born in Lesja, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1821. He was married in 1848 to Anne T. Holen, coming to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1880 and then here to Norman County in 1882. They had four children, thereof three lived here in the settlement, namely, the daughter mentioned before who is married to Jacob Sannan, and:45A-Ingebrigt J. Haugen, born in Lesje, Norway in 1850 coming here together with his parents to Minnesota (Minneapolis) in 1880 and then came up here in 1884. He was married in 1881 with Barbro Iverson and had seven children. He lived in Section 12 in Home Lake township and the brother:
45B-Andrew J. Haugen was born in Lesje, Norway in 1864. He came also to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1880 and up here in 1882. He was married in 1892 to Clara Ask. They had three children. they lived in Section 7, township of Flom.
46-Nils Midthun was born in Dane County in Wisconsin and came to Freeborn County in Minnesota in his 5th year. He came to Norman County in 1876 and took land in Section 24. He was married in 1877 and had ten children.
47-Ole H. Olson came here to Norman County in 1883 from Dodge County in Minnesota. He was married in 1885 and settled in Section 36 in Flom. They had 4 children.
48-Elling H. Aas came here to the settlement in 1878 and settled in Section 26. He came here from Houston County in Minnesota. He was married March 1, 1881 and had four children.
49-Henry Gunderson came from Clayton County in Iowa in 1885 with his wife. Both were born there. He settled in Section 35, where he bought land. They had seven children.
50-Anders H. Veum came in 1882 from Sogn, Norway with his family here to Norman County and settled in Section 34 of Flom township. He was born in Norway and had eight children.
51-Knut Jacobson came in 1877 to Norman County from Pope County in Minnesota. He settled on Section 34 in Flom Township,
where he took land on homestead. He was married in 1880 and had five children.
52-Knut A. Brandon came from Nordre Froen, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1867, settling first in Fillmore County in Minnesota. Later he went to Pope County in Minnesota, where he lived for eight years. He came to Norman County in 1877 and took land in Section 28. He was in Norway in 1867 and married Anne Olson and had eleven children.
53-Ole Thorson came here from Pope County in Minnesota in 1886 and lived in the township of Flom. In 1888 he bought a farm in Section 26. He was married in 1892 and had four children.
54-Iver Erlandsen Skansgaard came from Nord Fron, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway to America in 1880, settling first in St. Paul, Minnesota. He came here to Norman County in 1892. He was married in St. Paul to Anne Pedersen Aspehaug. they had seven children, whereof one was born in St. Paul and the others in the town of Flom. He lived in Section 28.
55-Lars D. Kjornes was born in Sogndal, Norway and came here to America in 1861, stopping first at Wisconsin. He moved to Becker County in Minnesota in 1874 and to Norman County in 1884. He was married the 5th of February, 1865 to Kristine Olson and had nine children. He lived in Section 21 where he had bought land. He served in the Civil War for four years, enlisting in 1861 in the 12th Wisconsin Infantry Co. K under General Grant and Sherman. He has seen action in 33 major actions, besides many small
skirmishes. He was mustered out after the war's ending.
56-Thor E. Holum came to Norman County in 1882 with his family from Houston County in Minnesota. He lived in Section 26 and had four children.
57-John Nygaard came from Goodhue County in Minnesota here to Norman County in 1889. He was married in 1891 and settled in Section 24 in Flom.
58-Ole Johnson Vang immigrated from Viks PArish, Sogn, Norway and came to Norman County in 1886 with his family, consisting of his wife and three children. He bought land in Flom in Section 25.
59-Lars J. Houglum came from Goodhue County in Minnesota to Norman County in 1882 with his family and bought land in Section 23. He had eight children.
60-Knut Thompson came from Freeborn County in Minnesota in 1876 and settled in Section 24 where he took land on homestead. He was married in 1881 and had 6 children.
61-Hans Olson came from Rock County in Minnesota to Norman County in 1888. He was married in 1892 and had two children. He lived in Section 13 where he bought land. He came from Kvas, Lyngdal, Vest Agder, Norway.
62-Amdrew A. Lomland came here to Norman County in 1895 from Clay County in Minnesota and bought a farm in Flom in Section 12. He had a wife and 5 children.
63-Johannes C. Skaim came to Norman County with his family from Houston County in Minnesota in 1892. From Sogn, Norway he came to Houston in 1869. He was married in 1872 and had four children. He bought a farm on Section 13, Flom township.
64-Emil Smestad was born in Eidsvold Parish, Norway in 1859, and then came to America with his parents in 1869. They settled in Allamakee County in Iowa, living there until 1878 when he moved with his parents west to North Dakota, where they took land. He alone went shortly after to Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He was then married to Kristine Satre. They went again to North Dakota, Cass County and took land. He sold the land again in 1891 and in the same fall came here to Norman County where he bought a farm in Section 6 in Flom of Jens Urdahl's. This farm he left in 1895 and has now bought land in Section 13. He has six children.
65-Mrs. Johannes Lee came to America in 1854 from Aurland, Sogn, Norway with her husband Johannes Lee. They settled first awhile in Wisconsin but moved shortly after to Houston County in Minnesota where they lived until 1883 when they came up here.
She lived on Section 16 where she had a little farm. They had seven children.
66-Gunder O. Lund was born in Goodhue County of Minnesota. He came here to Norman County in 1880 and bought land in Section 27 in the town of Flom. He was married in Goodhue County. He had eight children.
67-John Svendson Aas came from Trondhjem, Norway to America in 1866. He settled first in Iowa and moved then to Becker County in Minnesota in 1874. He came to Norman County in 1878 and took land in Section 32. He was married in Norway and had three children born in Norway and one in America. His son Ole J. Svendsen, died the 26th of January, 1896 of tuberculosis at his parent's home.
68-Mrs. John Aas' mother, Gisken Olson, died in 1890 at the age of 88 in the township of Flom. Mrs. Aas' father, Ingebrigt Olson, died in Rock County in Wisconsin at the age of 64.
69-Anders Winjum immigrated from Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1866, coming to Goodhue County in Minnesota. Here he lived until 1882 when he came to Flom and bought land in Section 22. He was married in Norway and had eight children whereof only two lived. He sold his farm to Kristen Prestegaard.
70-Ole O. Waller came from Grue in Solar, Norway to America in 1868 and settled in Northfield, Minnesota. He was here in 1874 and married to Miss Ingeborg OStensen. He came to Norman County in September, 1878 and took land in Section 18 in Flom township. They had seven children, whereof two were born in Northfield and five here in Flom.
71-Peter Stuenas came from Stordalen, Norway to America in 1876. He settled with his wife near Vermillon, South Dakota first and then came here to Norman County in 1891 and bought land in Section 31 in Flom township. His wife died November 10, 1894. He was again married the 17th of January, 1896.
72-Ole M. Hoien immigrated from Ostre Toten, Norway in 1882 and settled for a short while in Iowa. In the spring of 1883 he came here and bought land in Section 18 in Flom township. He was married in Norway to Oline Narum and had three children. His wife died the 24th of August, 1884 and also their youngest child.
73-Laurits O. Dahl came from Holand, Norway to America in 1872 and settled in Trail County in North Dakota. Then came to Norman County in 1892 with his wife and six children and bought the farm from Hans Flom's in Section 14 in the township of Flom.
74-Ole Steile came from Vang in Valders, Norway to America in 1886 and bought the farm of Edward Engen in Section 32. He was unmarried.
75-Knut R. Lunde came from Valders, Norway to America in 1884 and settled in Renville County in Minnesota. He came to Norman County in 1890. On the 9th of December 1893 he was married to Miss Louise Gustina Engeben and lived in Section 32.
76-Einar Larson Lovoen came from Selbu, Tronhjem, Norway to America in 1869 and settled in Iowa. He came to Becker County in Minnesota in 1871 and to Norman County in 1878 and took land in Section 32. In 1879 he was married to Magli Henningsdatter Stuedahl (a sister of Guri Nysetvold and Lisbet Sakrismo) and had four children, all have died.
77-John O. Nysetvold came from Trondhjem, Norway to America in 1872 settling first in Iowa. He came here to Norman County in 1878 and took land in Section 32. He was married in 1883 to Miss Guri Henningsdatter Stuedahl who had emigrated from Norway in 1882, and had four children, Ole, Ingeborg, Henry and Johan.
78-Martin O. Kirkeby came from Hakedalen, Norway to America in 1847 with his parents. They settled first in Wisconsin, but moved shortly thereafter to Winnesheik County in Iowa. Here he lived until he moved up here and was married to Miss Berthe Amlien. He came with his family here to Norman County in 1876 and took land in Section 20 in Flom. They had six children.
79-Mrs. Thorine Mathia, widow of Nils Daniels, came from Nordre Land, Norway in 1875. She lived first in Iowa, then in Goodhue County in Minnesota and then came here to Norman County in 1893. She became a widow the 8th of December 1894 and had three children living, one dead. She lived in Section 31, Flom township.
80-John L. Ask came from Hedemarken, Norway to America in 1868 settling in Wisconsin. He came here to Norman County in 1884. He was married in 1888 to widow Juliane Olson and had three children which were born here in the township of Flom. He had bought land in Section 29.
81-John Dyrdahl came from Aurland, Sogn, Norway to America in 1869 settling in Goodhue County in Minnesota. He was married the 4th of August, 1874 to Oline Haagenson. He came here in 1878 and took land on homestead in Section 3. They had eleven children.
82-Lars Erickson came from Trondhjem, Norway to Norman County in 1890. He was married in Norway to Magli Larson. They had three children, one born in Norway and two here in Flom He had land in Section 33.
83-Andreas Dorseth came from Vestre Toten, Norway to America in 1870, settling in Iowa. He was married in Norway to Helen Amlien and had five children, two born in Norway and three here. They moved here to Norman County in 1879 and took land in Section 29.
84-Andrew Dorseth came from Vestre Toten, Norway to America in 1870, along with parents and one brother, Hans. He married Mathilda H. Korsgaden in 1894 and lived in Section 29, Flom township. They had five children.
85-John Dullum from Trondhjem, Norway came to America in 1880 and settled first in Douglas County in Minnesota. He moved to Norman County in 1881 and bought land in Section 30. The same year he was married to Helen Mathiason and they had three children.
86-Ed H. Rude came from Odalen, Norway to America in 1883 and settled first in Wisconsin. He moved to Washington in 1887. He was married in 1881 and they had three children. He lived in Section 30 in Flom township.
87-Ole T. Rogen came from Vang, Valdres, Norway to America in 1857 and settled in Iowa. He married February 13, 1866 to Miss Ingeborg Skaim. In 1873 he moved to Norman County where he took land in Section 10. They had seven children, whereof two were born in Iowa and five here. He had served three years in the Civil War in the 15th Wisconsin Regiment, Co. K., having seen action in 14 encounters.
88-Hans Mollerstuen came to Norman County the 28th of March, in 1886, from Freeborn County in Minnesota. He married the 22nd of November, 1888 to Miss Martha T. Urdahl. They lived in Section 19 where he had bought land. They had four children.
89-Guldvrand R. Braaten came from Ringerike, Norway to America in 1878 and settled in Houston County of Minnesota. He moved here to Norman County in 1885 and lived in Section 22. He was married the 8th of December, 1884 to Anne Marie Botolfson Berquam. They had four children.
90-Ole Nilson Odegaard came from Valders, Norway to America in 1858 and settled in Winnesheik County, Iowa. He came to Norman County in 1878 and bought land in Section 28. He had, for many years, lived in Moorhead, Minnesota, but still owned the farm. He was married to Miss Kari Skiam, December 8th, 1865. They had no children, but adopted a motherless girl. Ole Nilson had served in the Civil War for three years in the 6th Iowa Regiment, Co.D.
91-John Vahle came from Voss, Norway to America in 1852 and settled in Goodhue County in Minnesota. Here he was married in 1880 and bought land in Section 3, Flom Township. They had two children.
92-Erik S. Urdahl came from Aurdahl, Sogn, Norway to America in 1883 and settled here in the new settlement. In 1887 he was married to Dorthea Rogen and they had one child. They lived in Section 14 of Flom Township.
93-Andreas Underdahl came from Aurland, Sogn, Norway to America in 1886 and settled in Mower County in Minnesota. He came to Norman County in 1887 and bought land in Section 21 in Flom, Minnesota. He was married in 1889 to Dina Underdahl and had three children.
94-Helge Olson Bergetangen came from Sigdal, Norway to America in 1853 and settled at Jefferson Prairie, Wisconsin. Later he moved to Iowa. He came to Norman County in 1882. He was married to Sigrid Gildorandson and had nine children. He bought land in Section 17 in Flom. He served in the Civil War one year in the 15th Wisconsin, Regiment Co.K. He became sick and had to stay at a hospital, whereafter he was mustered out.
95-Ole O. Rishovd came from Hallingdal to America in 1883 with a wife and five children. He settled first in Grand Forks County in North Dakota but moved here to Norman County to the Township of Flom.
96-Hans H. Lian came from Tydalen, Norway to America in 1869. He came first to Becker County in Minnesota, but moved in 1890 to Norman County. He had a wife and six children, all born in Norway.
97-John J. Stende came from Valders, Norway to America in 1869 together with his parents. They settled in Goodhue County of Minnesota. Here he was married the 4th of November, 1874 to Ingeborg Thoresdatter. They had three children, all born in Goodhue County. They came here to Norman County in October 1881 and took land in Section 31 in Flom. Since, they had four children.
98-Christofer Flaten came from Vang in Valders, Norway to America in 1871 and settled in Goodhue County in Minnesota. Here he
lived until 1878 when he moved to Norman County and took land in Section 29. In 1880 he was married to Margrethe Nilson. They had three children.
99-Ole O. Rishovd came from Sogn, Norway to America in 1871 and settled in Norman County and took land in Section 35. He had a wife and four children.
100-John Haugen came from Tydalen, Norway to America in 1891 and settled in Section 33, where he bought a few acres of land; otherwise he worked as a carpenter most of the year. He was married in Norway and they had three children when they came here. Since, they had three more.
101-Nils E. Nilson Odegaard came from Valders, Norway to Winnesheik County in Iowa with his parents in 1858. He lived there until he moved to Norman County in Minnesota where he took land in Section 28. There he operated with the Post Office of Wild Rice, Minnesota. He was married in Iowa but had no children.
102-Sjur S. Stundahl came from Sogn, Norway to America in 1881 and settled here in Flom. In Norway he was married to Miss Anne Larson. They had three children in Norway and seven more here.
103-Ole Iverson Sjothun came from Sogn, Norway to Freeborn County in Minnesota and here to Norman County in 1882. The 17th of April, 1884 he was married to Martha Grinde and had one child, which died in 1893.
104-Kristian Larson came from Faring in Hurdalen, Norway to America in 1868 together with his parents. They settled in the neighborhood of Ossian, Iowa where he lived until 1879 when he moved here to Norman County. In 1887 he was married to Gunhilde Olson and had five children. He bought land in Section 20.
105-Hans Erlandsen Skansgaard came to Norman County from Pope County in Minnesota. In 1888 he bought land in Section 27 of Flom Township. He was born to Erland Hanssen & Beret Nilsdatter Skansgaard in Sodørp, Nord Fron. Oppland, Norway. They also came to Flom Township. He was married to Anne Thorsen Volden on May 14,1903 and had 3 children.
106-Peter Stien was born in Bo Parish, Norway in 1838. He lived at home as a carpenter and boat builder until he immigrated to America in 1867. He was married in the fall of 1866 to Miss Gjertrud Olson. He settled in Stoughton, Wisconsin where he worked at the well known Mandts Wagon Manufacturing Co. until 1875 when he left Wisconsin and moved to Story City, Iowa. Here, and in the neighboring towns, he worked as a carpenter and blacksmith until the fall of 1881, when he moved to Rice County in Minnesota. Here he lived only to 1882 when in the spring he moved here to Norman County in Minnesota where he took 40 acres of land on preemption in Section 4 in Flom Township. He sold this land, though after a couple of years he bought 80 acres of Roland Johnson's land near the town of Fossum. Here he had a blacksmith shop, which he operated besides the farm.
107-Iver A. Moen came from Vang in Valders, Norway to America in 1864 and settled in Winnesheik County in Iowa. He came here to Norman County in 1879 and settled in Section 28 in the township of Flom. This land he sold again in 1892, but lived in Flom.
108-Mathias G. Flifeth was born in Faaberg, Norway in 1842 and immigrated to America in 1869, coming to Goodhue County in Minnesota. There he lived for three years, whereafter he went to Dunn County in Wisconsin, living there for about five years. He moved to Goodhue County again living there for two years. In 1877 he was married in Goodhue County to Miss Ronnoug Ulland. In 1878 he came here to Norman County and bought land in Section 5 in the township of Flom. They had five children.
109-Halvor Tvedten was born in Houston County of Minnesota in 1857. Here he lived until 1875 when he then moved westward to the Red River Valley and settled near the Buffalo River, Clay County, Minnesota. Here he did farm work for about four years, whereafter he bought land and farmed on his own. Three years later he sold that land but bought land two years later. This land he sold in 1895 and in the fall moved here, taking Jens Urdahl's farm on share, in Section 6 in Flom Township. Mr. Tvedten was married the 15th of April, 1880 in Houston County of Minnesota where his father-in-law lived. His wife died the 4th of April in 1895, leaving four children.
110-Johannes Rollefson Valler was born the 14th of April, 1849, in Saude Parish, Nedre Telemarken, Norway. In the spring of 1862 he immigrated to America and settled in Columbia County in Wisconsin. The 12th of September, 1873, he was married to Anna Svensdatter. They had eight children. The 11th of December, 1887 he was ordained of Forman Preus Pastor after he had acknowledged a call from congregations in Polk County in Minnesota. The churches of Wild Rice and Twin Valley had notified him the 14th of July, 1895, and he had moved here the 18th of September of the same year.
111-Hans Erickson was born the 28th of May, 1841, in Kvam, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway. In 1859 he went to Hoten to learn mechanics, and finished that course in 1861. Thereafter he went as a mechanic on a steamship for several years. He was a mechanic with Frydenlunds Brewery in Christiania for four years. He came to America in 1888 and bought land in Section 5. He was married on the 2nd Penticost day 1869 and had one son.
This completes the listing of settlers in Flom Township in 1896.
This township was translated by Oscar Lund.
Early Settlers in Fossum Township
1-A man by the name of Gunder Gunderson took land in Section 30, dug a cellar and lived there for a while but went down and never came back. It cannot be discovered, either where he came from or where he went to. It was the first land filed upon in Fossum. The land is now owned and built on by O. G. Bentley.
2-Hans P. Aamoth born in Lands Prestegjeld in Norway on the 5th of November 1820 but living most of his youth in Faaberg. In the spring of 1871 he emigrated with his family which consisted of his wife, and his 4 youngest children, as the 3 oldest had gone to America before and stayed for a while in in Rock County in Wisconsin where they had family and acquaintances and where their son Lars also was. In the spring of 1872 he moved with his family west to Zumbrota, Goodhue County in Minnesota, where their daughter Agnethe who was married to Johannes P. Lien.
Johannes P. Lien, his old father, together with Mrs. Lars H. Aamoth joined them and went west to find a home. They travelled by land west to Audubon, Becker Co., Minn. where they met their eldest sons Peter and Lars. They then travelled further together with their sons to the town of Fossum, where their sons Peter and Lars had earlier in the spring taken land.They came here the 3rd July, '72. Hans Aamoth bought some railroad land where he lived some years. Later he took a 1/4 section on homestead, where he lived until his wife died. She was born the 28th November 1820 and died the 24th July 1889 and is buried at St. Olaf Cemetery at Faith. After his wife's death he lived a bit with each of his sons until he died the 11th April 1895 at his son Ingvald's home in the City of Twin Valley. He was buried by his wife's side in St. Olaf Parish Cemetery. They have had 7 children, of whom 6 live, all in the Town of Fossum while the youngest son, Ingvald lives in Twin Valley. They are:
2.a-Peter H. Aamoth. He left Lillehammer, Norway in the spring of 1870 and came to Rock Prairie, Wisconsin where he remained with relatives for a year. Then he travelled west in the spring of 1871 to Minnesota and stopped in Becker County where he also took land. In the Spring of 1872 he sold his Improvement there and with his brother Lars he went to Wild Rice and took land in Fossum Township, where he still lives. In the Winter of 1878 he married Miss Lila Olson, daughter of Peter Olson Skægrud. They have 7 born and all are living.
2.b-Lars H. Aamoth was born at the Aamoth Farm on the 10th of March 1850 in Lands Prestegjeld, Norway. Eight years old he moved with his parents to Faaberg, where his father had bought the farm Lien Nordre, 1 Mil from Lillehammer ( 1 Norwegian Mil is 10.000 meter = 6 miles á 1682 meter) In the Spring of 1868 he travelled with his sister Agnethe, who was married to Johannes P. Lien, to America. They went with a sailing vessel, and the trip lasted 10 weeks before they arrived in America. They came to Rock Prairie, Wisconsin, in August of that year and stayed there with relatives, who had been there for several years. He stayed there until the fall 1871, then he went to Zumbrota, Goodhue Co., Minnesota, where his sister and brother had gone earlier. In the beginning of April 1872 he went by the railroad westwards to find a home of his own. He first made a stop at Oak Lake, Becker Co., Minnesota, where his brother Peter the year before took land. After a while he went with his brother Peter, who had sold his Improvement by this time, and Andrew Hanson and Jens Urdahl, to Wild Rice River, Norman Co., (at that time Polk Co.,) The three first mentioned took each one 1/4 Section land in Fossum Township, and Jens Urdahl took land in Flom Township. On this land, which he took in 1872, he has been living all the time since. On September 24th, 1872 he was married in Zumbrota Church by Pastor Nils Ulvisaker with the maid Ingeborg Christoffersdatter from Rock Prairie, Wisonsin. They had 10 children together, of which 2 are dead while they were little. Their two oldest daughters Clara and Thilda are married to the brothers Heregaard and are living near Orfordville, Rock Co., Wis. Most of the other children are at home.
2.c-Hans H. Aamoth came with his family over from Norway and bought land in Section 27 of Fossum Township in Minnesota, where he still lives. He is married to the daughter of Erik Ovaldson, Mina, in the Fall of 1891 and has 2 children born, whereof 1 has died.
2.d-Nils H. Aamoth came too with his parents to this place, and stayed with his father until he in 1885 bought a General Store in Faith from H.W. Hermand, together with A. Hanson. After some years they also bought the mill, so he operated both the store and the mill. In 1894 he sold his part of the store and the mill and moved to his father’s farm, which he had owned in some years, and where he still lives. He was married to Lina, daughter of Hans Ovaldson from Goodhue Co., Minn., in 1890 and at the present has two children.
2-E-Ingvald H. Aamoth lived in Twin Valley in the Township of Wild Rice.
2-F-Hans’ daughter Agnethe was married to Johannes P. Lien and lived in Fossum.
2-G-Hans’ daughter Oline was married to Andrew Hanson and lived at Faith.
3-John Jenson Grønøen was born the 28th of September 1849 on the Grønøen farm in Drangedal parish, lower Telemark, Norway. As a 21 year old boy he left Norway with his brother Jens in the spring of 1870 and went to America to find himself a home. Their brother Jørgen had gone ahead the year before. They met their brother in Leland Minn., and remained there until the next summer, when they went west to Rice Co. Minn. In the spring of 1872 they went further west in the company of Hakon Benson and wife. They were each equipped with a pair of oxen and went west by land. In three weeks time and many troubles they arrived at Norman
Co., where they all took land in the Town of Fossum. On the 28th of September 1872 John Grønøen was married to the Miss Amalia Larson, who the spring previously had come to the settlement together withher parents. They had 8 children, of whom one is dead. The others are at home and help their parents in operating the large farm. John Grønøen and Amalia Larson were the first to be married here in the settlement. The marriage was conducted in the Grønøen’s own house by Pastor K. Bjørgo, who at the same time held services here. At this service were the first children baptized in the congregation, namely Henry L. Aamoth, Karen Hanson and Nils J. Nelson.
4-Jens J. Mørland left Drangedal parish, Norway in the company of his brother John Grønøen. He also came to the settlement with his brother and took 1/4 section on homestead, which he has had as his home ever since. He lived alone on his farm right until the spring of 1884 when on the 27th of March, he married the Miss Elise Dalbu. They had 5 children but one died when it was little.
5-Hakon Benson was born the 15th August 1844 at Fossum Ironworks at østre Bærum, Norway. As a 20 year old boy he left Norway in the spring of 1864 and came to Chatfield, Fillmore Co., Minn. After he had stayed there for a while, he went to Faribault, Rice Co., Minn., where he worked until the fall of ’65, then he went to Olmsted Co. where he remained for 1* years. In March ’67 he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he stayed for a short time, and after went to Wisconsin and worked in the woods, also on the Mississippi River right until the fall of 1871. He then went to Faribault again. On the 14th of February 1872 he was married to the Miss Oliana Sander. The same year they prepared to travel west to find their own home. On the 22nd of May they left Faribault with a pair of oxen and a cow.
After 3 weeks on the way they came here to the settlement on the 14th of June 1872, and in the Town of Fossum they took 80 acres of land on homestead. A year later he bought the rights from his neighbour, Jørgen Grønøen, to 80 acres that he then put to a homestead with the first. This has been his home ever since. They had 12 children of which 2 died when they were small. Their first daughter, Mina Gustave, that was born the 30th of may 1875, died in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the 26th of January 1891. She had gone there for work but became sick and died without her parents knowing about it until she was already dead. Their oldest child Bernt Otto was born the 20th of December 1872, the first white child born in Fossum, perhaps the settlement.
6-Andrew J. Hanson. He left Modum, Norway, the 10th of August 1869 and came to Rice Co., Wis. Where he remained for only a short time, then went to Brown Co., Wis. In the spring of 1871 he came to Beder Co., Minn. where he took a 1/4 section land near the City of Audubon. After a short time he sold it to the railroad company. In the spring of 1872 he accompanied, as previously mentioned, Lars and Peter Aamoth and went to Wild Rice and took 1/4 section of land in the Town of Fossum. Here he erected a little shanty and ran a little grocery store until the spring of ’73. This was the first store in the settlement. Later in the spring of ’73 he moved to the Town of Flom, where he again took land and ran the same business for several years. In the spring of 1883 he moved back to Fossum, where he bought a 1/4 section of land, which he still owns. But he does not live on the farm, since he several years ago moved to Faith where, with L. Bjerknæs and O. Fredrikson, he runs a general store, grist mill and recently a saw mill.
7-Johannes Pederson Lien left Faaberg, Norway in 1868. As was usual at that time he went by sailing ship and it took a full 16 weeks before he came to his destination, Rock Prairie, Wisconsin. Here he stayed until the fall of that year, when he went to Zumbrota, Goodhue Co., where they had relatives. Here they lived until the spring of 1872 when they went west, as previously told, and came here to the town of Fossum the 3rd of July 1872. He lived the first year with his parents-in-law, Hans P. Aamoth, since he was married to his eldest daughter. Later he took a 1/4 section of land nearby, where they have since lived and still have their home. They have had 9 children, 3 girls and 6 boys. In 1889 the Lord sent them a heavy trial when he took from them 3 of their grown children, namely: Ingeborg Augusta, born 27th September 1871 and died 3rd November 1889, Johan Albert, born 9th October 1876 and died 22nd August 1889 and Anne Marie, born 23rd November 1873 and died 1st February 1890. The other children are at home except the eldest son, Peter, who was been married and for several years has worked on Ingvald H. Aamoth’s farm, which was old Hans Aamoth’s first home here.
8-Ole Ingebrigtson Quit. He was born in the fall of 1832 in Aurland parish, Sogn, Norway. In the spring of 1869 he left his home to go to America. He settled at Bonnet Prairie, Wisconsin. In the spring of 1870 he was married to the Miss Ragnilde Ingebrigtsdatter. They then moved to Black Hammer, Houston Co., Minnesota, where they stayed for 3 years. In the spring of 1873 they went west, came here and took a 1/4 section of land in Fossum, where they have lived ever since. They had 3 children but one died when it was little.
9-Ole Nilson Kragerø. He left lower Telemark, Norway, in the spring of 1866 and came to Winneshiek Co., Iowa, where he lived for 6 years. Afterwards he went to Jackson Co., Iowa, where he remained for about 4 years. In the summer of 1877 he left Iowa and came here, where he took a 1/4 section of land in the town of Fossum, where he still lives. His first wife was Ingeborg Melaas. She died December 1886 and is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery. In the summer or fall of 1867 he remarried to the widow Mrs. Anne Kaardahl, who a few years before had moved here to the settlement from Dakota. With his first wife he had 6 children, 4 boys and 2 girls, who
are all at home. With his second wife he has one child.
10-Peter P. Qual. He left Faaberg, Norway for America in the spring of 1871 and came to Rock Prairie, Wisconsin, where he worked through the summer. Later that fall he came to Zumbrota, Goodhue Co., Minn. He remained there until the spring of 1879 when he moved west and came here to the Town of Fossum, where he bought a 1/4 section of land and where he and his family still live.
11-Louis P. Qual was born in Faaberg, Norway in the year 1852. In the spring of 1870 he left his home and came here to America. He came first to Zumbrota, Goodhue Co., Minnesota where he had a brother, Kristian. He stayed here for a while and then in the woods in Wisconsin until he, with his brother Peter came here in the summer of 1878. A couple of years later he married Miss Martha Urdahl, who had a 1/4 section of land in Home Lake where he lived several years. He then sold the farm and bought 80 acres in Fossum, where he continues to live. Together they had 6 children, of which one died in a young age.
12- Olaus Norby. He left Norway in 1871 and came to Fillmore County in Minnesota. After some years he moved to Goodhue County in Minnesota, where he lived till the spring of 1879, when he together with Hans Tokerud went to vesten to find himself a home. He came here to Town of Fossum on March 8th and took 1/4 section of land on homestead close by Wild Rice River. On this land of his he had a good waterfall for a mill, which he some years latersold to a german, Mr. Sohler. He constructed by this waterfall a grinding mill and saw-mill. This was named Faith Millafter the Post Office which was established there shortly afterwards, and that was to large benefits for the people in the settlement, while earlier the mill was far away. Some years later he sold the rest of the farm to a german, Mr. Ohms, who in 4 years brought the post between Ada and Faith. At the same time he bought another farm a bit more to the south, where he still lives. He was married in Goodhue Co., Minn., to the maid Maren Ovaldson, before they came here, and together they have had 7 children.
13-Ole M. Dalby. He left Faaberg by Lillehammer, Norway, with his parents in 1879, and came to Black Earth, Wisconsin, where he the first year stayed with an uncle. In the spring of 1880 they went westwards to Audubon, Becker County in Minnesota, where his brother lived. After a week by his brother, he and his father went to town of Fossum, where his father took a 1/4 section Land on homestead in the vicinity of Johannes P. Lien. On this land he has been living all the time.His mother died years ago and is buried cemetary of Wild Rice congregation. His old father, Mikel, still lives and is hale and healthy although he is more than 70 years old. Ole Dalby was married in this settlement in the 1880's and has 3 children.
14-Anton Johnson Enger came as young boy from Toten, Norway, to Goodhue Co., Minnesota, where he for many years worked as clerk in a store on Wastedo. Later he established his own store in Dell, Olmsted County in Minnesota. Then he sold the store and went back to Norway again. In the spring of 1879 he came back to America, and came to this settlement where he in the fall of 1879 established a general store business in a small log house owned by Knut Larson, and erected on the land now owned by Sjur Stundahl in Town of Flom. On this place he carried on to the summer 1880 when he established a store in section 30 of Fossum, where Fossum Post Office came. Here he run a large and profitable business until 1890, when he sold to L. J. Morland, who still runs the business. Mr. Anton Johnson later went back to Norway, came back to America in 189l or 1892, but at present is home in Norway again.
15-Ole S. Bentley is born in Næs, Hallingdal, Norway, on February 2nd 1850. With his parents he left Norway in the spring of 1885. Arrived at Winneshiek Co., Iowa the same year where his parents had bought land. He remained with his parents until 1867, when he went to Decorah, Iowa and where he attended high school until the spring of 1868. He then took a position as a salesclerk with the firm, Olson and Thompson. He was with that firm until the fall of ’71. On the 26th of March that year he married Miss Anne Bergite
Bergerson. When in the fall of ’71 he quit the firm of Olson and Thompson, he got a position with the firm of Dusjin and Gaston. He was with them until the spring of 1874 when he moved to Northwood, Iowa, where he served as a clerk for 3 years and Deputy Postmaster for about 2 1/2 years. In the spring of ’79 he got a month’s holiday from the Post Office and made a trip to Wild Rice, Norman Co., Minnesota to visit his in-laws. On this trip he came to the conclusion he should take advantage of his homestead right and took land. In October of that year he sent his family to Wild Rice while he himself remained another three months with the Post Office in Northwood. Between Christmas and New Year’s he went west and came to Ada, Minn. On the morning of January 1st, 1880 he went on foot and arrived in the evening at Søren Bergerson’s in Wild Rice, where his family was. He took a 1/4 section of land in the spring of that year in the Town of Fossum, on Section 30, where he still lives. Almost all the time since he came here to Fossum he has held one or another public office in the Town such as Judge, Justice of the Peace; he has also been Clerk of School District 41 since it was organized in ’83. His children number 10, 5 boys and 5 girls. Of them, 2 were born in Decorah, 2 in Northwood and 6 in Fossum.
16-Martin Qual left Faaberg, Norway accompanied by his aged mother in the spring of 1872 to go to America and find his people who had left before and lived in Zumbrota, Goodhue Co., Minnesota, where they also went. They lived here until the spring of ’80 when they went west to find a home. He came here to the Town of Fossum where he bought an Improvement on a homestead. Later he bought a 1/4 section of railroad land, where he now lives with his aged mother.
17-T. Iverson. He left Telemark, Norway in the spring of 1861 and came to Koshkonong, Wisconsin, and stayed there for a couple of years after which he went to Waseca Co., Minnesota, in ’63. He stayed here all the time until the spring of ’80 when, with his family and brothers, Ole, Lars and Nils Amundson, they moved west to find homes for themselves. They came then to the Town of Fossum, where he took a 1/4 section of forest land in the Town of Fossum, near Faith, where he still lives with his family. In addition to
running his farm, he has been a teacher and chorister with St. Olaf Parish at faith, served by Pastor A. Lien of the Norwegian Synod. \par 18-Ole O. Jenssveen left Faaberg in Norway in the spring of 1855 to try his luck in America. He arrived at Rock Prairie, Wisc., the 3rd of July 1855. Here he stayed as a farm worker for the farmers until the fall of 1861, when he left Wisconsin and went to Zumbrota, Minn. His sister lived here and with her he had his home when he was not away for work. Here he was married to the maid Elise and he took on a farm on shares, which they worked for some years. In the spring of 1880, he moved with his family to the west and arrived on the 15th of May in the Town of Fossum. Here he bought first a 1/4 section of land in Section 33, later he also got his
father’s homestead which lay right next to his land. And here he has lived since. They have 6 children, 2 are married and the others are at home.
19-Aadne K. Fjeld was born in Telemarken, Norway. In the spring of 1852 he came to America and stoped first at Freeborn Co., Minnesota. When the war broke out between the North and the South, he went immediately into the field and remained until the end of the war. Later he returned to Freeborn Co., Minn., where he lived until the spring of 1880 when with his family, he moved west and came here to the settlement where he took land in the Town of Fossum and where he has lived since. His 2 sons, Knud and John are married and with their families live on land near their father, not far from Faith.
20-R. Grutle was born in Finaas Parish in Bergen Diocese, 1st July 1854.In the fall of 1870 he entered Kopervig Teacher’s Seminary from which he graduated in the fall of 1872. Right after, on the 8th of December, he began at a school in Jælse (Jelsa), 40 km out of Stavanger, where he remained for 4 years. On the 28th of May 1875 at Jælse, he married Miss Martha Ellingsdatter. In the beginning of October 1876 they left Jælse and drew to American after he had been hired by Pastor Nils Hvisaker as a teacher and choirmaster for the Minnesota Congregation, Goodhue County, Minnesota. On the 31st October they came to Lands Parish near Zumbrota and in a week’s time he began his duties for Minnesota Congregation. Here he remained for 4 years but since land was so expensive here that there was no opportunity to get his own home, they decided to move west to find a home. Through contact with Mr. Even Narum
he began to exchange letters with Pastor Sagen, who then was the minister for Wild Rice Parish and the result was that he was called by Wild Rice Parish to be teacher and choirmaster, which call he accepted. In the fall of 1880 he moved west and on the 8th of November he came to Mr. Ole Kallerud. Soon after he came here he began his duties in the parish, which duties he still continues. At the same time he has also served Twin Valley Parish as choirmaster, right from its foundation. The first winter they lived with Mr. Ole
Sannan and in the spring of 1881, they moved to their land in Section 31, Town of Fossum, where they still live. They have only one child, a son, born in Norway.
21-Ole K. Johnson was born in the fall of 1842 in Ramsey Co., Minn., where he lived with his parents until he was 24. He then left home to seek his own fortune and he went to Jackson Co., Minnesota, 1866, where he took a 1/4 section land on homestaed.. But he remained here just a year's time, after which he sold his rights and went to Freeborn Co., Minnesota. Here bought a farm and worked for about 10 years, after which he sold again and then went west. In the fall of 1881 he came to Ada, Minn., and in a short time he bought 160 acres in the Town of Fossum, where he still lives with his family.
22-Peter P. Kinseth. He left Trondhjem (Stjørdalen?) in the spring of 1871 and went to Goodhue Co., Minn., where he had family and friends. Here he stayed until the spring of 1881 when he came here to Norman Co. The 28th April the same year he took land on homestead in the Town of Fossum, where he still lives, not far from Faith.
23-Kristian P. Qual. He emigrated from Faaberg, Norway, 1867, to Goodhue Co., Minnesota. He remained there until 1882, when he went from Goodhue to Norman Co. to get a home for his family. He went to the Town of Fossum where he had previously bought a 1/4 section of land. He later sold this to his brothers, while he himself bought 80 acres of State land nearby, which is now his home.
24-Oluf Pederson. He was born in Sweden but came as a little boy to Kristiania, Norway. He left Kristiania on the 13th April 1882 and came to Ada, Norman Co., Minnesota, one day in May the same year, after which he went to Faith, where he got work with P. Sohler on the mill until it was finished. Later he bought 80 acres of land from Lars Norby – right by the mill, on which land he and his family live. He also drives the mail from Twin Valley and Faith.
25-Kristian Oleson left Norway in 1861 and on arrival in New York, he enlisted in the war and served there a full 4 years. When the war was over, he returned to New York but stayed there only a few weeks when he moved to Chicago, Ill., where he lived for 17 years. In 1882 he left Chicago to go west and find land. He took some land on homestead in the Town of Fossum, where he still lives with his family.
26-Amund G. Otternæs was born in Aurland Parish, Sogn, Norway in the year 1836. He emigrated from his home 1868 and came to Columbia Co., Wis., where he stayed for 3 years, After that he went to Goodhue Co., Minn., where he lived for about 4 years. He left Goodhue Co.., and came here to Norman Co. where he took a homestead in Section 34, Town of Fossum, where he still lives. In 1881 or 1882 hus wife died, with whom he had two children, a son and a daughter. The daughter several years ago married Arnt Thompson and lives in the Town of Flom. The son is sometimes home, sometimes with his sister. In 1883 he married again to Miss Ingeborg Lien, with whom he has 4 children.
27-Mons L. Stene. He was born the 8th of May 1869 in Aurlands parish, Sogn, Norway. He went to America the 2nd April 1882 and came to the Town of Flom the same year. He later bought 80 acres of land in the Town of Fossum, Section 35, where he still lives. In 1893 he married Mis Sønneva Prestegaard. They have two children of which one died young.
28-Peter Rindahl. He was born the 20th March 1847 on the Rindahl farm in Engan parish, Norway. As a 14-year old he left Norway with his parents and came to Madison, Wis.,1861. Here they remained for just a short time whereupon they went to Columbia Co. Wis., where they remained for 3 years. Froere they went to Goodhue Co., Minn. Here he was married in 1873. They lived here until 1876, then they moved to Dakota Co., Minn. where they lived until 1882, then in the spring they went northwest to find a new home. He then came to Norman Co., the Town of Fossum, where he had already bought a 1/4 section of land in Section 33, where he still lives. They have had 9 children all of whom are living home with their parents.
29-Carl S. Wroolie left Telemark, Norway in 1850 and came to faribault Co., Minn. Here he lived for about 32 years and came here to Norman Co., Minn. in 1882 and have remained mainly in the Town of Fossum and now the last years in Faith.
30-Elling R. Skilbred. He was born 22nd January 1852 in Bratsberg County, Norway. A little over 20 years old he married Else Marie, born on the Grønøen farm, 1856 (a sister to John Grønøen and Jens Morland) After their marriage they lived on the Juklum farm for a year. The 11th July 1882 they left Norway and emigrated to America.. On the 4th August they came to Norman Co., Minn., to their family, with whom they lived at first. In the spring of 1883, he bought 210 acres in the Town of Fossum, in Section 29. On the grounds of adversity and misfortune, partly with harvests and partly with livestock, he has twice sold off 80 acres. The first 80 acres now belongs to John Widme and the second 80 acres is now owned by L. Aamoth. They have had 8 children of which one doed in Norway.
31-Alenius Presteng emigrated from Trondhjem in 1866 and settled as a smith in Goodhue Co., Minn. He stayed there until 1878 when he moved up to Hawley, Minn. He lived here for just a year when he moved in1879 to the Town of Fossum where he bought a claim and took a 1/4 section of land om homestead in Section 31, where he bgan at his old trade as a smith. He was married in 1868 in Bang Church by Pastor B.J. Muus to Miss Hanna Gjervan. They have had 6 children of which 1 was born here. Alenius died in 1882 and is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
32-Gunhild Olson Ellingstuen emigrated from Nordre Froen, Norway in the summer of 1881 and came directly to the settlement. Right after she arrived she took 80 acres of land on homestead in Section 26 in the Town of Flom. She lived in recent years with her son, Peder, where she died on the 8th of November 1894 and is buried in St. Olaf Parish Cemetery at faith.
33-Ole Ellingstuen came here to the settlement with his mother in 1881 from Nordre Froen and settled on he land he now has in Section 36, Town of Fossum. He was married in 1887 and has 2 children.
34-Peder Ellingstuen, Ole’s brother came here N. Froen, Norway in 1880. Soon after he purchased land in Section 36, Town of Fossum, where he still lives. He lives alone since he is not married. Their sister is married to Elling H. Flom in the Town of Flom.
36-Knut Kleven was born the 16th February 1836 in Vaage Parish, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway. The 28th February 1863 he was married to Miss Rønoug Pedersdatter, who was born the 14th July 1841. In the year 1866 they emigrated to America and came to Coon Valley, La Crosse Co., Wis. the same year. Here they lived until the fall of 1883 when they left Wisconsin for the west to find a new home. They decided in the end to settle in the Town of Fossum where they bought land in Section 35 and where they still live. Together they have had 7 children, of which 1 is dead. The 6 who live are 4 girls and 2 boys. The eldest daughter is married to Gilbert
Goodrich, the next eldest is also married and lives with her husband on one of Dakota’s big farms where her husband is foreman. The 2 unmarried daughters are at home. Their two sons, Peter and Melvin operate a store – General Merchandise- 6 miles in the Town of Flom.
37-Ole Løken left Sundal, Norway in 1863 and came here to Norman Co. the same year and settled in the Town of Fossum, where he worked about for other farmers at first. In 1889 he took land on homestead in the same Town, where he now lives.
38-Thore Løken from Sundal, Norway, came to America in 1884. He came here and took land in nearby his brother Ole in 1888, where he now lives.
39-G. Vigerson emigrated from Norway in 1861 an arrived in Iowa the same spring. Here he lived for 8 years, whereafter he went to Yellow Medicine Co., Minnesota, in 1869, where they stayed for 2 years and in 1871 they moved to Swift Co., Minnesota, where they lived for 10 years. In 1883 he moved to Norman Co., Minnesota, and took land in Town of Fossum.
40-Tollef Henrikson is born in Orfordville, Rock Co., Wis., where he lived until he was more than 20 years old. Then he left Wisconsin and went to Burlon, North Dakota, where his brother Henrik lived. Here he stayed for a while, wherupon he moved to Norman Co. Minnesota, - to Town of Fossum - in the fall of 1884. Here he lived on different places , depending on his work. Some years later he was married to the Maid Helene Goodrich, who had taken 1/4 section land on homestead and bought 40 acres close by Wild Rice River, where they by now have their home. They have no children.
41-Nils S. Aamoth. He left Nummedal in Norway in the year 1871 and arrived in Goodhue Co., Minnesota, where he lived about 4 years. He then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he lived some years. In the year of 1885 he came to Norman Co., Minn., and bought land on section 35 in Town of Fossum, where he still lives. He was married in Minneapolis to Miss Dahl, and they have had 6 children.
42-Lars Bjærknæs emigrated from Norway to South Dakota, where he stopped for a short time. He came here to Town of Fossum in 1885. In 1893 he bought Mr. Hosø who operated a store in Faith with N. Aamoth and A. Hanson.
43-Nicolai Hanson emigrated from Eidsvold, Norway, with his parents in 1882 and arrived to Sabin, Clay Co., Minnesota, where they lived for two years. In 1885 he came to Town of Fossum, where he homesteaded and lives here.
44-Ole D. Pederson left lower Sogndal, as child with his parents in 1861 and came to Columbia Co., Wisconsin. Here they lived until 1864 when they moved to Goodhue Co., Minnesota. Here he lived with his parents in 23 years. In 1887 he left Goodhue Co. and came here to Town of Fossum, where he got 80 acres land after his deceased brother and lives there with his family.
45-Edvard Pederson was born in Boston, Wisconsin, in 1861. His parents moved from Wisconsin, when he was 1 year old, and settled in Goodhue Co., Minn. Here they lived in 28 years but then they moved to Norman Co. and arrived in Town of Fossum April 23rd 1891 where he bought land and by now lives with his wife. They have no children.
46-John A. Widme left Sogndal, Norway, in the year 1875 and came to Goodhue Co., Minnesota, where he lived for 7 years. Then he moved to Pembina Co., North Dakota, where he took land and lived for 9 years. In 1890 he left Dakota and arrived her in Norman Co., Minn. Here he at first worked as a renter of a farm in Town of Wild Rice. In 1894 he bought 80 acres land on section 20 in Town of Fossum, where he and his family now are living.
47-Andreas Pedersen Grande was born in The Ytterøen parish, Trondhjem County, Norway in 1837. He emigrated from Trondhjem the 3rd of May 1865 and came to La Crosse, Wis. Here he stayed for some weeks, and then he went to Bostwick Valley, Wisconsin, where he also stayed for a short time, wherafter he went to La Crosse. Here he was employed by an old german by the name Graham. The work consisted in travelling with a freighter up and down the Root River, transporting firewood, wheat and whatsoever down to La Crosse or other cities by the Mississippi. The life on this journeys was ups and downs, sun and rain; some times food more than needed, but also times when there was little to eat, and that was forgiven. While Mr. Graham was a very kind Man, he liked very much to stay with him. But it was Grahams bankruptcy in the fall of 1865 which made him leave the service. In the spring of '66 he was married by pastor Frich in La Crosse, from where he with his young wife went to Houston Co., Minnesota, where he bought 40 acres land. Here they lived until 1879 when he sold the land and moved to Fillmore Co., Minn. Here they stayed for one year only, and moved in 1871 to Lake Park, Minn., where he took 1/4 section land on pre-emption a few miles from the town. Here they lived some years and moved then up here to Town of Fossum, where he took land on Homestead on section 20. At the same time he also bought 1/4 section railway land on section 31, where he still lives. They have had 6 children together, 5 boys and 1 girl. At home now is only the youngest boy, the other boys are in Dakota, and the daughter at present is south by Lake Park
48-Faith. A german by the name H. Sohler builded the flour- and sawmill in the summer of 1882, about 2 miles west of the White Earth Indian Reservation. A bit later that summer came another german, H. W. Harman, and builded a little store and started to deal with General Merchandise, which he continued until 1885, when he sold to Nils Aamoth and Andrew Hanson. The miller H. Sohler operated the mill for about 4 years, whereupon he sold the mill and other things to two other germans, Ohm & Hoss. They operated the mill about 4 years, whereafter Ohm sold his part to Aamoth & Hanson. During the winter '93 Hoss sold his part to Lars Bjærknæs. The company then was called Aamoth, Hanson & Bjærknæs. They made great changes with the mill, when they installed complete Roller- Machinery. But during the winter the whole mill with all its content of machinery, wheat and flour. Because there was no insurance neither of the mill nor the equipment, the company sustained heavy losses. Soon after the Mill burned down, N. Aamoth sold his part of the business to Ole Fredriksen from Ada, Minnesota. The company now was called A. J. Hanson & Co. The last year they have increased the business not a little by purchasing pine logs from the Reservation and convert it to main lumber of all kinds. The flour mill was reopened in the summer '93, and that in much better conditions than before.
49-Gilbert Goodrich was born in Town of Rushford, Fillmore Co., Minn., October 31st 1856. Here he lived with his parents to 1869 when he moved to Lake Park, Minnesota, and lived there for a while. In 1877 he left Lake Park and went to Norman Co., Minn., where he took Homestead land on Section 24, where he still lives. November 27th 1887 he was married to the maid Mathea Kleven. Mr Goodrich has 3 children. He operates the farm and does carpenting as handicraft.
50-Iver R. Braget was born 29th Dec. 1850 in North Froen, the Gudbrandsdalen valley, Norway. Here he in 1876 was married to the maid Guri Østensdatter. They left Norway in the spring '84 and went to America to find a better home. At first they came to Lake Park, but soon they went to Norman Co., Minn., but because all the land was occupied, he had to work as common worker untill he was able to buy a little piece of land. On the section 36 in Town of Fossum he now has made a nice home where he lives with wife and some children.
Translated by Håkon Skaugvoll and Olaf Kringhaug.
From the book "Nogle Optegnelser om Settling m.m. indenfor de fire Towns Fossum, Wild Rice, Home Lake og Flom i Norman County, Minn".
Collected by R. Grutle, Lars Aamoth, John Narum, O.S. Bently and John Hommelvig.
Early Settlers in Home Lake Township
1. Jonas Homelvig came with his family from Homelvigen, Trondhjem, Norway in 1870 and went to Goodhue County, Minnesota. In the spring of 1871 he left Goodhue County and came to Norman County of Minnesota and took land in Section 14, Township of Home Lake. His wife died in 1885 and is buried at Wild Rice Parish Graveyard. He lived on his old farm until 1894, then he married Martha Vanberg and bought another farm by the old one where he now lives. His son, Johan Homelvig, took over the farm. He married Martha Flom, the daughter of Hans Flom in the town of Flom in 1880 and had 10 born, where some have died.
2. Peter P. Halle emigrated with his family from Størdalen Prestegjeld in Trondhjem, Norway in 1866 to Goodhue County, Minnesota where he bought land. Here he lived until 1871, when he moved to Norman County in Minnesta and bought land in Section 14 of Home Lake Township where he lives now. He was married in Norway and had 3 born where l has died.
3. Peder Waller came from Solør, Norway , to Goodhue County in Minnesota in 1867. He lived there with his family to 1871, then he moved to this place and took land on section 12, town of Home Lake Township, Norman County, Minnesota, where he still lives. This 3 families : J. Homelvig, P. Halle and P. Waller came together and were the first settlers in Home Lake Township, as well as they shared the burdens of the life of settlers as good as they could. P. Waller has had 7 children in addition to 3 died. His old father, Ole Waller came from Norway in 1869 to Goodhue County in Minnesota and came with the others to this place in 1871 and took land on section 12. He died in 1891. The widow lives at present with the son Peder, who now own their farm too.
4. Peder's brother, Johannes Waller, came from Solør, Norway, to Goodhue County in Minnesota, in 1867, and lived there to 1873. Then he moved here to Norman County in Minnesota but he did not take land before 1874, then he settled on section 24 of Home Lake Township. He is married to a daughter of Jakob Brænden, sister of Mrs Ole Lien, Mrs. Larson and Mrs. Hans Korsgaden of Flom. They have 5 children, 4 are dead.
5. Hans Lockrem came in 1855 from Valdres, Norway, with his parents and settled in Wisconsin. In 1857 they moved to Iowa and in 1859 to Rice County of Minnesota where he took land and lived to 1873, when he moved here to Norman County in Minnesota together with John Waller, Willie Larsson, Ole Lien, Lars Huseby and Ole T. Rogen. He then took land on section 24 in Home Lake Township where he still lives. He has wife and 5 childen. The two oldest daughters - one of them is married - are living in Fargo, North Dakota, the others are staying at home.
6. Christian Olson came to Norman County in Minnesota in 1873 an took land on section 2 in Home Lake Township, where he lived til he died in 1893. He was married and had 5 children. The family still lives on the farm. A child died in the fall of 1895.
7. Mrs. Ingeborg Mikkelson emigrated from Norway in 1870 and came to Winneshiek County in Iowa. Here she lived with her family - her husband died earlier - to 1878 when she moved to here in Norman County in Minnesota and took land on section 6 of Home Lake Township, where she and her son Matthias are living now. One son died a few years ago. Her oldest son has bought land on section 5 where he lives now. He has wife and 4 children.
8. Østen Hanson came from Lom, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway, to Winneshiek, Iowa, in1873. He lived there to 1879 when he moved to here in Norman County in Minnesota and took land on section 8 of Home Lake Township where he still lives. He is married and has 8 children. He came together with Andreas Dorseth of Flom.
9. Hans Erikson Wigesland came from Aurland in Sogn, Norway, 1848 to Wisconsin, where he stayed to 1851 and then he moved to Winnesheik County in Iowa. Here he stayed til 1878 and then came and bought land in Section 8 of Home Lake Township. He got married and had many born.
10. Helge Rinde emigrated from Sogn, Norway in 1860 and moved to Rice County in Minnesota where he lived until 1878, he then moved to Norman County in Minnesota and took land in Section 26 of Home Lake Township. He had a son Jens Helgeson. His wife died in 1894
11. Jens Huseby came from Sogn, Norway in 1867 and came to Rice County in Minnesota where he lived until 1878. He then moved to Norman County in Minnesota and took land in Section 26 of Home Lake Township where he lives. He was married and had 5 children born. His parent's lived in Rice County of Minnesota.
12. Carl Sollien emigrated from Toten, Norway and came to Norman County in Minnesota in 1879. He took a homestead in Section 26 of Home Lake Township where he lives. He was married and had 6 children born where one has died.
13. Thore Thompson came from Laerdals Prestegjeld, Norway to Amerika in 1873 and went to Winnesheik County in Iowa. He stayed there until 1879 when he came to Norman County in Minnesota and took land in Section 18 of Home Lake Township, where he lives. He was married and had 8 children.
14. Jens R. Ramsey was born in Winnesheik County of Iowa in 1855. He then moved in 1868 with his family to Freeborn County in Minnesota. He lived there until 1879, when he came here to Norman County in Minnesota and took land in Section 22 of Wild Rice Township. He lived there until 1887 when he moved to Home Lake Township and took land in Section 20 where he lives now. He was married and had 4 children born
15. Torgrim O. Thompson came from Stavanger, Norway to Iowa in 1859 with his family. He lived there until 1879, when he moved to Freeborn County in Minnesota where he lived until 1880. He then moved to Norman County in Minnesota and took land in Section 36 of Home Lake Township, where he lives. He has a wife and 6 children, 2 have died.
16. John Wangsnaes emigrated from Sogn, Norway in 1864 and went to Winnesheik County in Iowa. He lived there until 1879 when he moved to Norman County in Minnesota and took land in Section 4 of Home Lake Township. He was married to the daughter of Halvor Tvedstulen and had 5 children born. His wife’s family lived in Wild Rice Township.
17. John Tylden emigrated from Størdalen, Norway in 1871 and went to Iowa where he lived 1 year. In 1872 he moved to Goodhue County in Minnesota where he bought land and lived until 1880. He sold the farm and then came to Norman County in Minnesota and bought land in Section 28 of Home Lake Township where he lives. His wife died in 1873.
18. Gunnerius O. Dahl, son of Ole Fordal, came from Norway in 1874 to Goodhue County in Minnesota where he lived until 1880. He then came to Home Lake Township and took land in Section 28 where he lives. He was not married.
19. Anthon Lerud emigrated from Gjerdums Prestegjeld, Norway to Lansing, Iowa in 1873. He lived there until 1880, whe he moved to Home Lake Township and took land in Section 4. He was married and had 5 children born, none have died. He came here with Bernt Ask of Flom.
20. John Maehle came from Størdalen, Norway in 1875 to Lansing, Iowa. He then lived in Nicollet County until he moved in 1878 to Clay County in Minnesota where he bought land and lived until 1881. He then came to Norman County in Minnesota and took land in Section 32 where he lives now. His wife died in 1888. He remarried and has 3 children born who are living and 7 have died.
21. Ole Fordal emigrated from Størdalen, Norway in 1872 to Goodhue County in Minnesota where he bought land and lived until 1882. He sold the farm and came together with John Moen from Flom and Christ Qual from Fossum and took land on section 22 of Home Lake Township where he still lives. He has a wife and 2 children.
22. Jens Sethne came here from Toten, Norway in 1887. His wife died in 1892. He lives with his son Martinius who came here from Norway in 1886 and bought land in Section 35 of Home Lake Township.
23. Johan Sethne came from Toten, Norway in 1881. He bought land in Section 34 of Home Lake Township, where he lives alone. He is not married.
24. Ole Haugan came from Strinden, Trondhjem, Norway in 1881 and stopped in Minneapolis, Minnesota until 1882, when he came here and bought land in Section 11 of Home Lake Township. He died in 1889. His wife lives on the farm. They had children born that are alive and 6 have died. His son Sivert runs the farm.
25. Anders Bakke came from Aurlands Prestegjeld, Norway in 1868 to Winnesheik County in Iowa. From there he moved to Fillmore County in Minnesota in 1878 where he lived until 1882. He then came to Home Lake Township and bought land in Section 10, where he lives. He was married and had 10 children born. His oldest son Louis is married and lives with his parents.
26. Christian Dalhaug, son of Jonas Homelvig, from his first marriage, came from Trondhjem, Norway in 1882 to his father. He bought land in Section 23 of Home Lake Township where he lives now. Soon after his arrival he was married and has 6 children.
27. Martinius Aasgaard came from Hedemarken, Norway in 1866 to Trempealeau County in Wisconsin. He left in 1885 and came to Home Lake Township where he bought land in Section 26 and lives now. He is married and has 5 children living and 1 which died.
28. Ole Ramsey came here from Freeborn County in Minnesota in 1882 and bought land in Section 17 of Home Lake Township. He is not married.
29. Ole Hamre came following his parents from Sogn, Norway in 1875 and came first to Rice County in Minnesota. His father died in 1876. They stayed in Rice County until 1883, when he, in company with his brother Jens and his mother came to Home Lake Township and bought land in Section 30 where he still lives. He is married and has one child living, another child died.
30. Jens Ramsey, Ole's brother, also bought land in Section 30 of Home LakeTownship where he now lives. He is married and have 3 children born.
31. Peder Hambre came from Størdalen, Norway to Goodhue County, in Minnesota in 1869. He lived there until 1882 when he moved here. He is married and have 5 children born, all are grown-ups. Two sons live in Fargo, North Dakota and 2 daughters are in St. Paul, Minnesota. They live with their one oldest son.
32. Erik Hambre came with his parents and bought land in Section 11 of Home Lake Township where he lives now. He is married, but has no children.
33. Paul Johnson came from Gudbrandsdalen, Norway to Michigan in 1879. He lived there until 1881 when he moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and lived there until 1883. He then moved to Home Lake Township and bought land in Section 33. His wife died in 1892. His son lives with him (2 sons are living).
34. Fredrik Paulson, son of Paul Johnson, came here with his parents andbought land in Section 32 where he lives. He is married and has 5 living children, 3 have died.
35. Amund Skaim emigrated from Aurland, Sogn, Norway to Dane County inWisconsin in 1851. He lived there until 1853 when he moved to HoustonCounty in Minnesota. He lived there until 1882 when he came to Norman County in Minnesota where he lived in the town of Flom for 1 year. After that he took land in Section 34 of Home Lake Township where he lives. He is married and had 11 children born. He came here with Theodor Orvoll, Ole M. Lee and Ole J. Lee.
36. Theodor Orvoll was married to a daughter of Amund Skiam and now lives with them. They had 2 children born.
37. Erik Ramsey was born in Iowa in 1858 and moved with his parents toFillmore County in Minnesota in 1875. He was married there and in 1882 came here and bought land in Section 10 of Home Lake Township, where he now lives. His wife died in 1889. He married again and had 7 children born.
38. Jacob Lerud, brother of Anton Lerud, came from Norway to Allamakee County in Iowa in 1883. He then moved to Home Lake Township in Minnesota and bought land in Section 16. He was married and had 5 living children and 1 who had died.
39. Peter Ramsey, brother to Jens and Ole Ramsey, came here from Freeborn County in Minnesota in 1886 and bought land in Section 16 in Home Lake Township. He was married and had no living children.
40. Martin Bjerknaes came from Bergens Stift, Norway to Illinois in 1875. He lived there until 1885 when he came to Home Lake Township in Minnesota and bought land in Section 21, where he lives. His wife died in 1877. He married again and had 3 children living and 1 that had died.
41. Amund Olson came from Gudbrandsdalen, Norway to Fillmore County in Minnesota in 1860. He lived there until 1882 when he moved to Norman County in Minnesota and bought land in Section 36 of Home Lake Township where he lives. He is married and has 9 children born.
42. Erik Dyrdahl came from Sogn, Norway in 1886 to Washington Prairie in Iowa. He lived there until 1871 when he moved to Fillmore County in Minnesota where he lived until 1883. He then came to Home Lake Township and bought land in Section 36 where he lives. He has a wife and 3 living children, 1 has died. His oldest son is married and lives with him.
43. Peder Henry came from Sogn, Norway to Mower County in Minnesota in 1868. He lived there until 1882 when he moved to Norman County in Minnesota and took land in Section 10 of Home Lake Township. Peder died in 1888 and his wife died in 1892. Four children are living after him.
44. Peder’s son Nils Pederson lives on the Farm. He is married and has 3 children.
45. Andreas Ryding was born in Sweden and came from Holmestrand, Norway in 1882. He bought land in Section 24 of Wild Rice Township and lived there until 1887. He then moved and bought land in Section 2 of Home Lake Township where he now lives. He was married and had 5 living children and 1 that died.
46. Lewis Silve came from Paris, France to Steele County in Minnesota in 1877. He lived there until 1882 and then moved to Home Lake Township and bought land in Section 36. He was married and had 3 living children and 1 that had died.
47. Ole Hallerud was born in Vestre Toten, Norway and emigrated to Amerika in 1869 to Goodhue County in Minnesota with his wife and children. They lived there until 1878 when he and his family came to Norman County in Minnesota and took 80 acres of land in homestead in Section 12 of Home Lake Township. They had 5 children born and 2 that died. Two of the children married, the oldest daughter married Christ Tvedstulen and the youngest married Jens Sethney, and lived in Twin Valley. One boy is at home.
48. Christ H. Tvedstulen emigrated from Telemarken, Norway to America in 1862 and settled in Freeborn County in Minnesota. He moved to Norman County in Minnesota in July of 1877 and homesteaded in Section 34 of Wild Rice Township. On the 4th of June, 1879 Pastor Bjorgo married him to Johanne Hallerud and they moved to Section 11 in Home Lake Township. They had no children.
49. John C. Narum was born in Vestre Toten, Norway the 24th of April in 1847 and emigrated to Amerika in 1869 to Houston County in Minnesota. The same he married Elie Karine Hanson. In 1874 they moved to Norman County of Minnesota. They had 9 children born, 3 in Houston County, namley Karl, Anne Marie and Helene; 6 were born here in Home Lake Township, namely Hanne, Hans, Christian, Albert Kristofer, Martinius, Deoline and Julius. Two are married, namely Marie, married to Andrew Huseby and they live in Clay County in Minnesota and Hanne, married to Olaf Waller, they live in Syre, Home Lake Township and have a store.
50.Ingebrigt Ingebrigtson emigrated from Bergen’s Stift, Norway in 1857 and went first to Winnesheik County in Iowa. He got married on the 1st of Jan, 1858 and lived near Cresco, Iowa, until 1882 when they moved to Norman County of Minnesota and bought Land in Section 1 of Home Lake Township. They had 12 children born, 2 died in Iowa, 4 died in the Town of Flom of Diptheria, 1 died in Home Lake from a gunshot 17th May, 1887, and son Julian died at home the 15th of May, 1896.
51. Nils Albertson came to Norman County in Minnesota from Iowa in 1884. He married Anne Quit on the 13th of April, 1887. They have 6 children born. He lives by his fathers, Ingebr. Ingebritsons farm in Section 1 of Home Lake Township..
52. Anton Aalerud from Skjeberg, Norway came to America in 1888 and first stopped in Duluth, Minnesota. He came to Norman County in Minnesota in 1890. He was married the 6th of July, 1893 to Marie Aalen and have one child.
53. Ole A. Waller came from Kongsvinger, Norway in 1882 to Norman County of Minnesota. In 1890 he married Synneva Iverson and they had 3 children born. They lived in Section 13 of Home Lake Township.
The different Township Histories are taken from the following which was written in 1896:
From the book "Nogle Optegnelser om Settling m.m. indenfor de fire Towns Fossum, Wild Rice, Home Lake og Flom i Norman County, Minn". Collected by R. Grutle, Lars Aamoth, John Narum, O.S. Bently and John Hommelvig.
Translated by Håkon Skaugvoll and Olaf Kringhaug.
Cecil and Eleanor (Beckman) Cary
Cecil D. Cary was born in March of 1907 at Hawley, Mn to Ira Merton and Lillie (Smith) Cary. He moved from Clay County, Mn to Becker County, Walworth township with his family in the spring of 1921.
Cecil married Eleanor Beckman on June 6, 1935, near Twin Valley, Mn. They lived in Flom, on the north end of town, the west side of the street in the home currently owned by Marge and Jim Spielman.
Cecil worked as a farmer and trucker during his life. He also was a township treasurer for many years.
Cecil died in July of 1970. Funeral services were held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mahnomen, Mn with burial also at Mahnomen. After his death Eleanor moved to Mahnomen, where she resides today.
Cecil and Eleanor were the parents of three daughters; Gloria, Jacqueline and Laenea.
Marvin and Lorraine (Krebsbach) Svobodny.
Marvin and Lorraine Svobodny lived in section 1 of Flom township. Here they were active in farming and raising their family. Marvin was the son of Mr and Mrs. Joe Svobodny. Lorraine was the daughter of Arthur and Caroline Krebsbach. They were member’s of St. Michael’s Catholic church in Mahnomen.
After they retired from farming they moved off the farm selling it to Roger and Denise Bentley.
Marvin and Lorraine were the parents of five children; Carolyn (Gerald Minnie), Diane (Kevin Ruud), David, Robert “Bobby” and Lawrence “Larry”.
Carolyn married Jerald Minnie. They lived in Moorhead, Mn for a time, later moving in 1979 to the Flom farm in section 7 of Flom township. Here they raised their family and continue to live there today.
Larry answered the call to serve his country by entering the service in October of 1966. He left the United States for Vietnam on August 8, 1967. Larry died on September 13, in Vietnam as the result of wounds he received when the tank he was driving struck a hostile mine. (see Larry Svobodny in the Servicemen section).
Robert “Bobby” Svobodny attended school at Twin Valley, graduating in 1978 from Twin Valley High School. Gaylene Kazeck the daughter of Marie Kazeck graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1980. Bobby and Gaylene are the parents of two children; Joshua and Jill. They reside in section 3 of Flom township. Bobby owns his own construction business RTS construction and Gaylene is employed by the Twin Valley State Bank.
Diane married Kevin Ruud and they reside in Twin Valley, Mn. They are the parents of three children; Joe, Chad and Sheena.
Don and Ilene (Sargent) Ruud
In May of 1953 Don, Ilene and Douglas Ruud moved to section 2 in Flom township. We moved from our first home in Section 3, known as “Bucks place”, one mile to the west. We purchased the farm from Ilene’s parents, Maurice and Mildred (Bergeson) Sargent. Due to Maurice’s ill health they could no longer continue to farm.
An interesting note found in the abstract stated that in 1926, the farm consisting of 244 acres, was sold at a sheriff’s auction for $506.47.
We started out by having beef cattle, hogs, sheep and laying hens and raising winter rye, oats, barley, wheat , corn and later on included sunflowers and soybeans, Don did custom work, baling hay, planting corn, picking corn and chopping corn for silage. We welcomed electricity in 1956.
In the spring of 1990 a pair of trumpeter swans picked our area to nest. They have raised between four and seven cygnets every year, which seems to be a most successful comeback and we have thoroughly enjoyed observing their habits and mannerism.
Don’s parents were Henry and Annie (Kjeldson) Ruud of rural Twin Valley. Don entered the Army in 1944 where he was a paratrooper and when he got out of the service in 1946, he started custom hay baling for the farmers in the area. Don has enjoyed farming, hunting, fishing and flying his Piper J3 Cub.
Ilene graduated from Twin Valley High School with the class of 1949. Don and Ilene were married on December 10, 1950. We are members of Wild Rice Lutheran Church. Ilene has been active in various organizations in the area.
We have two children, Douglas Elliot born in 1951 and Donelle Dee born in 1953. Doug married Sandra Renae Bratvold in East Grand Forks in 1976. Sandy is a kindergarten teacher. They have three children, Ivory Leigh (1979), Brandon Christopher (1981) and Megan Jill (1985). Doug became the second generation to farm the land. Dee married Richard Haney in 1979 and divorced in 1985. She married David Jay Rodmyre in 1988 and was widowed in 1991. Dee is a computer systems analyst in Minneapolis.
John Swenson Aas was born in Tydal Norway on April 8, 1836. His parents were Sven Jonsen Hilmo b.1809 and Elizabeth Olsdatter Aas b.1805. In 1860 at the age 24 he was united in marriage to Anna Lisbet Ingebrigtsdatter, who was born in Tydal, Sor Trondelag, Norway on September 26, 1837 to Gidsken Hansdatter Brendåstrøa and Ingebrigt Olsen Aas. After their marriage they lived in Tydal on the Aas Farm. In the 1865 census for Norway they were living on the Aashaugen (øvre) Gård with their 3 sons and Anna’s parents. Before leaving their native land the name Aas was added to their name. In 1866 they immigrated to this country with their three sons, Ole, Sam, and Engebright. The ocean voyage was rough but with their strong faith and trust in God they come to Lansing, Iowa where they resided until 1874. They then moved to Lake Park, Minnesota and lived there a short time before coming to Flom Township, Norman County.
Here they homesteaded in Section 32 where they lived the rest of their life. A daughter Lena was born in this country.
John Swenson was an ardent pioneer worker with a strong and rugged constitution. As time progressed he built a home for his family, and then helped build a church. Before the church was built, they held services in their homes, often without a pastor. A pastor was called to serve their new church. With the coming of more settlers it was easier for Anna, his wife, to get together with other women to help sew, and shoulder each other's trials and hardships, of which there were many.
The Indians settled there also, and when treated kindly, proved to be friendly neighbors. Anna was the first Ladies Aid President of the Immanuel Church in 1880. A group of ladies from the surrounding neighborhood came in lumber wagons, walked, and carried their children, or pushed them in pushmobiles to the Swenson home. Mrs. John Nysetvold was secretary-treasurer, with Reverend Nykrem as their pastor. The first twenty-five cents was given by John Homervick of Lake Park, Minnesota. From this time the Ladies Aid met regularly at homes and school houses. The afternoons were spent knitting, crocheting and quilting. These articles later were sold and the money used to further the work of the Ladies Aid.
John's and Anna's eldest son Ole, born in 1859, never married and died at an early age in 1896. Sam, born in 1861, married Josephine Skofstad. They had five sons, Ernest, Clarence, Arthur, Sidney and Orin and one daughter Edith. Sam died in 1930,
Lena, born in 1877, married Edward Syverson of Ulen, Minnesota. They lived in St. Paul, Minnesota and had one daughter, Evelyn. Lena died in 1944. Engebrigt (Ed), was born September 1, 1865. His boyhood days were spent in Lansing, Iowa and Lake Park, Minnesota, where he began confirmation instructions. Later they moved to Flom Township where he continued his instruction, but often had to walk from Flom to Lake Park crossing the Buffalo River to get there. He was a member of the first confirmation class held in Ulen, Minnesota in 1881. It took place in Arne Evan's log cabin located on a farm on the river bank a short distance northwest of Ulen. As a boy, Engebrigt and his brothers made friends with the Indians. The Indians would often pitch their tents on the farm and come to the house to ask for food. Most of them were friendly and when the boys' parents went for supplies, which sometimes took several days, they visited with the Indians.
Engebrigt (later known as Ed) returned to Norway because of ill health, but came back in 1902 and was united in marriage to Katherine Veum. Katherine was born in Aurland, Norway March 14, 1884. She was the eldest daughter of Torsten and Ann Veum. Katherine came from a family of five girls and three boys. She was sixteen years old when she came to America with an uncle, aunt, and cousins. She worked for some of her cousins until her marriage to Ed. They made their home with Engebrigt's parents and cared for them. Engebrigt's father reached the age of ninety-eight lacking only ten days of his ninety-ninth birthday. He died in 1935 and Anna in 1923. Katherine and Ed had nine children. Mrs. Eddie (Anna) Erickson of Twin Valley, Minnesota, Mrs. Art (Cora) Olson of Santa Cruz, California, John of Ulen, Minnesota, Mrs. Victor (Mabel) Brabender, Mrs. William T. (Selma) Meyer, and Arnt all of Moorhead, Minnesota. Lawrence of Twin Valley, Minnesota. Norman of Dilworth, Minnesota and Mrs. Lester (Alpha) Gunnerson of Ada, Minnesota.
Katherine was a very devoted and busy mother, bringing up a large family, canning, sewing, knitting, and helping with outdoor chores, besides being a good friend and concerned neighbor. She was active in church work, the president of her Ladies Aid, and on many committees. In 1943 Katherine and Ed retired from the farm and moved to Moorhead, Minnesota. Their oldest son, John, bought the farm: and he and his wife Bernice, still live there. After moving to Moorhead, Katherine received her Life Membership from the Womens Missionary Federation of the N.I.C.A. In 1952 they celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary with an open house at the Immanuel Church, where they were Charter Members. Ed Swenson died March 29, 1956 at the age of ninety-one. Katherine lived alone doing little favors for friends and her children. She loved to help others and this is what made her most happy. In 1967, she became ill and spent some time in the hospital. After that, she was unable to live alone and is now residing at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley.
Martinus Larsen and Anna Maria (Larsen) Aasgaard
Martinus was born in Stange, Hedmark, Norway on April 29, 1858. He was the son of Lars Jensen Oerbaek Aasgaard, born February 18, 1830 in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway and his wife Marthe Krestine Olsdatter Brohaugh, born September 13, 1830 in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway.
Pastor James Hulberg wrote the following about the family:
“Lars Jensen and Marthe Krestine Brohaugh Aasgaard came to America from Norway in July 1869. They settled on the farm in Section 7, the Town of Hale, Trempealeau County, WI--later owned by Milo Rongstad.
Lars and Krestine lived in Stange, Prestegjold, Stor Hammer, Norway as prosperous farmers on the Aasgaard Farm. Unlike many in Norway at that time, they had plenty of land and employed servants and laborers. They were content until they heard from some Brohaughs from America of the new-found paradise. One of the Brohaughs was Marte Krestine's brother, a pioneer educator at the Lutheran Seminary located at Red Wing, Minnesota. So they sold their land and prepared to bring their seven children to the new world. When they left Norway, they took the name of the Aasgaard Farm.
They left Oslo on a boat called the "Anna Delieus" and eight weeks later landed in Quebec. The family suffered greatly on the trip from lack of food. One daughter died and had to be buried at sea. From Quebec they took a train to LaCrosse, WI.
Lars had planned to settle in Goodhue County, MN where the land was level and the soil was rich, but in LaCrosse, someone talked them into going to Hale Township in Trempealeau Co. because it looked so much like Norway.
The family had little money and no food, so they left some of their children along the way to work with various farmers. The children worked for room and board and one even got a bonus of a $2 pair of shoes!
After Lars and Krestine were settled, the sent for their children. The Aasgaards found Hale Co. to be very hilly and regretted they hadn't gone to Goodhue Co. Lars walked 130 miles to Red Wing, MN and returned full of gloom because he had not settled there. He also walked to LaCrosse (60 miles) when they needed provisions.”
The siblings of Martinus are as follows:
1-Othilde AASGAARD was born in Eidsvoll Akershus Norway.
2-Jens Larsen AASGAARD was born in Eidsvoll Akershus Norway 1854. Jens died 1950 in California. He married Alette LARSEN Sorlie in Wisconsin, 1877. Alette was born in Eidsvoll Akershus Norway 1860. She was the daughter of Hans F. LARSEN and Ingeborg Maria Andersdatter ROIESTUEN. Alette died 1936 in California. She was a sister of Mrs. Martinus L. Aasgaard (Anna Maria).
3-Olava AASGAARD was born in Eidsvoll Akershus Norway 1856. Olava died 1953. She married Gilbert (Gulbrand) PEDERSON in Albion Trempealeau Wisconsin, 1/29/1874. Gilbert was born in Norway 1852. Gilbert died 1928 in Wisconsin.
4-Ole Larsen AASGAARD was born in Stange Hedmark Norway 1860. He married Brita GRINDE in Twin Valley Minnesota. Brita died 1939 in Minnesota.
5-Inge Marie AASGAARD was born in Stange Hedmark Norway 1863. Inge died 1869 in Anna Delis Ship coming to America.
6-Laura Karen AASGAARD was born in Stange Hedmark Norway 1/16/1865. Laura died 9/28/1938 in Ashland Wisconsin, at 73 years of age. She married Anton Pederson SINRUD in Elk Creek Wisconsin, 11/17/1883. Anton was born in Norway 12/16/1858. Anton died 2/7/1948 in Ashland Wisconsin, at 89 years of age.
7-Mathilde AASGAARD was born in Eidsvoll Akershus Norway 1868. Mathilde died 1893. She married Ole O RONGSTAD.
Ole Kristoffersen Brohaugh
Lars’ parents were Jens Andersen Korslund b. 1795 and Mari Nielsdatter Oerbaek, b. 1793. Lars had 3 brothers, Niels Jensen Korslund, Bernt Jensen Korslund and Anders Jensen Oerbaek. Lars and his wife Marthe Krestine and their 6 children, Olava, age 13, Laura, age 4, Jens, age 15, Martinius, age 11, Ole, age 9 and Mathilde, age 11 months emigrated from Norway. The landed in Kvebek (Quebec).
Marthe Krestine’s parents are Ole Kristoffersen Brohaugh b. about 1808 and Berthe Olea Jensdatter, b. 1811. Marthe’s mother died when she was six years old. Her father then remarried to Karen Andersdatter Langseth in 1838. They had 8 children, with one dying at a young age. Karen died in 1861. In 1869, Ole and his 7 surviving children from his second marriage immigrated to America. They left in April 23 and arrived in New York City on May 17th on the ship “Alepo”. From New York they traveled on to Red Wing, Minnesota, the last stage of the journey being made by river steamboat. The family lived in Red Wing for about a year. Ole then purchased an 80 acre farm near the village of Esdaile, in Pierce County, Wisconsin, just across the river from Red Wing.Martinus came to the United States in 1869 at the age of 11 years with his parents and siblings and settled in Arena in Dane County, Wisconsin, where he worked for fifteen years. The name Aasgaard, comes from the Aasgaard Farm in Stange in Hedmark, Norway, where the family lived before they immigrated to America.
The name Aasgaard means "farm by the creek" in Norway is located north of Oslo near Lake Mjosa, the largest lake in Norway.
He was married in Wisconsin and in April of 1885, to Anna Maria Larsen, b. 12/12/1863 in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway. Her parents were Hans F. Larsen, b. about 1804 in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway and Ingeborg Maria Andersdatter Roiestuen, b. about 1809 in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway. They came to America in 1867 and homesteaded near the town of Garfield, in Jackson County, Wisconsin. Anna Maria’s siblings are as follows:
1-Julia LARSEN was born in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway. She married Ludwig PERSON.
2-Albert LARSEN. He married Sena SNEVE.
3-Christian LARSEN was born in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway. He married Cleante JOHNSON.
4-Lewis LARSEN was born in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway. He married Ingeborg.
5-Indiana LARSEN was born February 8, 1854 in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway. She married Andrew MOEN.
6-Alette LARSEN Sorlie was born in Eidsvoll Akershus Norway 1860. Alette died 1936 in California. She married Jens Larsen AASGAARD in Wisconsin, 1877. Jens was born in Eidsvoll Akershus Norway 1854. He was the son of Lars Jensen Oerbaek AASGAARD and Marthe Krestine Olsdatter BROHAUGH. Jens died 1950 in California.
Martinus and his wife,Anna Maria, moved to Minnesota. All their worldly possessions were represented by fifty dollars in cash. His brother Ole, had come to Norman County before him and was teaching school in Home Lake Township, School District No. 44. He was rooming at the John Homelvig farm to which Martinus and his bride came with a rented team of horses and wagon. He returned the team to Ada, making the trip back on foot: twenty six miles largely covered by swamps and water. In the spring of 1886 Martinus Aasgaard homestead one hundred and sixty acres of land in Section 26, Home Lake Township; and in 1898 he bought forty adjoining acres to increase his holding. He was granted ownership in October of 1892. He carried out an extensive series of improvements, including new building, the erection of fences and the setting out of groves. One well known feature of the farm was a well built round barn. In those days farmers had no cream separators so they took their milk to a creamery to be separated--sold the cream and took the skim milk back home with them. In 1891 a creamery was established in Home Lake Township. It was located north of what was known as Home Lake--the only lake in Norman County. Martinus Aasgaard and Anton Lerud helped organize this creamery and were stockholder. A few years later this creamery was sold to the Twin Valley Creamery Association and they moved the building to a site north of Twin Valley where it operated for many years. Mr. Aasgaard helped organize School District No. 16 in 1886--to serve the children living farther south in the township. A new building was put up for $55--the lumber cost $278.18 and M. Aasgaard painted it for $5. Martinus was the first clerk of the school board of District No. 16 and held that position for several years. He was a life long member of Wild Rice Synod Church and served the congregation as
Martinus Aasgaard Family
trustee for several years. He died in 1904 at the early age of forty six years.
The first year in Home Lake Township was one of hardships; credit was difficult to obtain and money was still more difficult to secure.
Lawrence, the oldest of their nine children, was born at this time (1885). He grew up to the life of a farmer and in 1909 bought a farm of his own in Home Lake Township and married Hannah Albertson. Both are now deceased. They had six children.
Inez, the second child of Martinus and Maria, was born in 1887. She was married to Warner Johnson and they had five children. They also farmed in Home Lake Township and are now deceased. (See Warner and Inez Johnson)
Mina was born in 1891 and was married to Ole Nysetvold, a contractor and builder, and they lived in Twin Valley. They are now deceased. To their union eleven children were born.
Oliver was born in 1893 and he stayed at home and helped his mother farm until he died in 1922.
Almer was born in 1895. He was drafted to serve in the first World War and gave his life for his country in France.
Julia was born in 1897. She married Sidney Aamoth and they had two children. He died and later she married John M. Bentley and they had two daughters. Julia died and John has died also.
Clarence was born in 1900 and was killed in an accident in 1928.
Two sons died in infancy, Phillip b.1903 and Joseph b.1889. They are buried in Wild Rice Cemetery.
The Aasgaard's were esteemed people in the community and were interested in the welfare of their family and were sympathetic to the needs of their neighbor's. Often, in the absence of a doctor, an undertaker, or a pastor, Martinus acted in those capacities, doing the best he knew how to show concern for his fellow man.
Martinus and Anna Maria are buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Ole Larsen and Brita (Grinde) Aasgaard
Ole was born in Stange, Hedmark, Norway on January 29, 1860. He was the son of Lars Jensen Oerbaek Aasgaard, born February 18, 1830 in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway and his wife Marthe Krestine Olsdatter Brohaugh, born September 13, 1830 in Eidsvold, Akershus, Norway. Ole came to America with his parents and siblings in 1869. He was a brother to Martinus L. Aasgaard. He first lived with his family at Whitehall, Wisconsin. He was educated in the schools at Beloit, Wisconsin and later attended Beloit college and the Luther college at Decorah, Iowa. He moved to Norman County in 1885.
The first teacher in Home Lake Township was Ole Aasgaard who received $105 for a three month term. The school year was divided into two terms: the first starting about March 10 and running to the first part of June--and the second from November first to the middle of January. Spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, grammar, and history were taught., he also clerked in a general store in Twin Valley when he was not teaching and children loved to have him wait on them because he gave such generous helpings of candy for their pennies. He lived in Twin Valley, MN.
He became a “self made” and “quite thought-provoking” philosopher. He wrote the book, “Fragments of Truth”.
He married Brita E. Grinde on November 25, 1887 at Syre, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Erick O. Grinde and his wife Randi. Brithe was born in Norway and came to America with her parents and brother Ole E. Grinde. She had the following siblings born in Home Lake Township:
1-Andreas Edward Grinde, born March 12, 1883. Never married. He died in 1949 at Ada, Minnesota.
2-Mrs. Syneva Thune
3-Anna Grinde
4-Mrs. Ed (Nettie) Garvick
5-Mrs. Oline Peterson
6-Sigvart
Brita lived in Home Lake Township before her marriage to Ole. They had the following children:
1-Idun, married to Howard Knudson. Lived Fargo, ND.
2-Dagney,was married to Sophus Thompson and lived at Dallas, Texas.
3-Eva, was married to Andrew Roden and lived at Fargo, ND.
4-Erling
Leander, was born November 20, 1891 and died on September 15, 1979 at
Sacramento, California. Marriage unknown. Had 3 daughters. He served in
WW I.
5-Rina, was married to Emil Frederickson and lived at Fargo, North Dakota. She Died ca. 1975. two children.
6-Ole Gifford, d 1966. Marriage unknown – son in Minneapolis and daughter married to one Weber, Casselton.
7-Alma. Lived in Fargo, ND.
In 1918 they moved to Fargo, North Dakota, when he retired from the
grain and lumber business in which he had been engaged for a long
period of years at Twin Valley, Minnesota and at Tolna and Bremen,
North Dakota. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Fargo and
was buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Twin Valley, Minnesota. Brita
died in 1939 and is also buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Twin
Valley, Minnesota.
A Horrible Accident
Little Charley Aasland Meets With a Horrible Accident
Such it was that befell Charley, the nine year old
son of Tenny Aasland, Friday evening. Mr. Aasland keeps his cow in Rev.
Krogstad’s pasture north of town and the boy was bringing the animal
home as he had done before, all spring. He had been in the habit of
tying the rope by which he led the cow, around his waist and though
frequently warned of it’s danger he had the halter tied around him
again this evening. After watering at Campbell’s barn and reaching the
house occupied by John ‘Hawley, the cow was frightened by a dog and
start to run, throwing the lad down. Mrs. Hawley was near enough to
attempt stopping the cow when it had run a few rods but she did not
succeed. The rope was long enough to clear the boy of the cow’s heels,
standing still, but the frightened brute ran the living bundle was
tossed up into the air and bounding forward would strike the cows heels
to be kicked and trampled upon at every bound. Not far from the start
the body of the boy came in contact with the stump of a small tree and
though almost sound the stump was broken off, so forcible was the
collision. The cow, evidently thinking a dog was at its heels, became
more frightened as it ran and instead of running home it took the main
road leading southwest and then turned west towards John Boppre’s
residence where Mr. Boppre, Ed Gilge and Fred Green succeeded in
stopping it and cutting the rope which Ed Gilge did with his teeth. The
boy was unconscious. The rope around his waist had drawn tight so it
was with difficulty it could be removed. With the exception of a
fracture of the scull no bone was broken but the little body was
literally thrashed. Sunday night, forty-eight hours after the accident,
he moved his eyes for the first time.
Since then sensibility has been gradually returning and Dr. Stuart, who
has attended him, say he thinks he will pull through. If he does, and
we hope he will and fully recover his activity, the fact is again
illustrated that a sound, healthy boy is about as tenacious of life as
anything created.
In the obituary for Charley Aasland’s father, Tenny Aasland in 1926,
survivors include Charles Aasland and a Mrs. Ed Gilge (remember he is
the one who cut the rope from Charley with his teeth).
Martinius and Margretha (Vehle) Agrey
Martinus Agrey was born June 8, 1857 at Ygre, Voss. Norway. His family
moved to Big Canoe, lowa and later moved to Goodhue county, Minnesota
with his parents,
Martinius Agrey Family
Erick Larson Brathole and Britta Monsdatter Ygre. Martinus, later known
as Martin Agrey, was married to Margretha Vehle, daughter of John
Larson Vehle from Voss. Norway, and they then moved to a farm in Flom
township four miles north of Flom in the year 1880. At this time no
more homesteads were available so they bought this quarter of land.
Their first thoughts were of establishing a church. This was done on
the south west corner of the farm and the church was called Bethlehem.
Today a small grave yard remains there. Much volunteer labor, Iove and
prayer went into the construction and maintenance of this church by the
Agrey family.
Seven children were born to this family, namely Edward, Joseph, Anna,
Luella. Alfred, Willie and George. This family resided in Flom township
for 26 years, and although they were not homesteaders, as they did not
prove a claim. they were never-the-less early pioneers who shared the
joys, sorrows and concerns of their neighbors.
They left Norman County in 1906 to homestead near Parkside,
Saskatchewan. Canada, where each of the five boys settled on individual
homesteads. Luella remained in the town of Flom and married Theo
Tollefson. and her descendants are in the Detroit Lakes. Minnesota,
area. Anna was married in 1910 to Emil Nilson and made her home on the
Nils Nilson farm. All the Agrey children have died, but they leave many
descendants both in Canada and throughout the United States.
Bert and Esther (Flom) Albertson
Bertinus (Bert) Albertson was born on August 25, 1898 to Nils and Anna (Kvidt) Albertson in Home Lake Township of Norman County on the farm known as the Schultz farm. He had eleven brothers and sisters. He was baptized in the Wild Rice Lutheran church, Twin Valley and confirmed at St. Petri Lutheran Church, Gary, Mn., in 1913. He spent his youth in Home Lakes twp., and Gary, Mn where he attended area elementary school. Bert’s father Nils came from the Bjornefjorden area near Bergen, Norway, his parents were Engebregt and Christi Engebregtsen. His mother Anna, came from the Aurland, Sogn area of Norway, her parents were see: Johannes and Margita (Urdahl) Kvidt.
Esther Palma C. Flom was born on February 13, 1896 in Flom Twp., on the farm now owned by Mark Seeger, She was the daughter of Randi and Simon Flom. Esther had seven brothers and sisters. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith and confirmed on March 28, 1911, by Rev. Vaaler. She grew up in the Flom area and attended rural elementary school. After which she attended Bethesda Nurses Training at Crookston, Mn where she graduated with a degree in nursing in 1917. After which she worked in the hospital until her marriage to Bert.
Bert and Esther were married on March 21, 1925. After their marriage they lived on a farm near Gary, Mn for 15 years before moving to Flom in 1940. Here they settle in section 33 of Flom Twp, their son Sanford lived there later, then Eugene and his family moved there from Flom and it is still occupied and in the family name, by Mary Albertson. Bert and Esther were the parents of two sons, Sanford: See Sanford and DonnaMae Albertson and Eugene; See Eugene and Mary Albertson.
Bert was a trustee of the Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn for many years. Esther worked as a private duty nurse and also worked at the Lutheran Memorial Home. She was very active in church work, the ladies aid and taught Sunday school.
Bert died on July 6, 1962 and Esther on May 1, 1963. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Eugene and Mary (Pederson) Albertson
Eugene Albertson was born on September 9, 1930 to Bert and Esther (Flom) Albertson at Crookston, Mn. He was baptized on September 9, 1930 and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He graduated from High School in 1948. After completing his education he went into the military, then came back to this area and farmed. He also drove truck for awhile, but loved milking cows and running his dairy operation.
Mary was born on November 19, 1929 to Johnny and Elizabeth Pederson in Kimbrae, Mn. She was baptized in the Presbyterian Church at Fulda, Mn, Murray Co. in the summer of 1936, and confirmed in 1944 in the Presbyterian church. On April 6, 1952 she was confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. Mary graduated from High School in 1948 and then went on to attend a Junior College in Worthington, Mn for one year. Mary worked at the Worthington Globe Newspaper after graduation from College, then went to the Worthington Creamery as a switchboard Telephone operator until she married Eugene Albertson.
Eugene entered the military serving in the US Marine Corps. While he was stationed in the service they lived in California. After he completed his military service they returned to this area, first living by Ulen, later moving into Flom and living on the farm known to many as the Brenden Farm. They later moved to the home place in section 33, where Mary still resides. They sold the building site in Flom to Orlando and Norma Lunde who built a new home there.
Eugene died on January 5, 1990 at his home near Flom. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn with interment at the church cemetery. At the time of his death Eugene was enjoying retirement and was active in his church and community. He was serving as a Sunday School teacher at Aspelund, of which he was thoroughly enjoying.
Eugene and Mary were the parents of two children; Deborah and Jerald. Deborah "Debbie" was born on November 21, 1955 at the Mahnomen Hospital. She was confirmed at Aspelund in 1970 and graduated from Twin Valley High School. After graduation she attended college at Moorhead Tech and has worked as a secretary and waitress. Debbie married Floyd Burnside of Hawley, Mn and they were the parents to two sons; Toby and Lucas (deceased). Toby is a Diesel Mechanic and Carpenter. Lucas was tragically killed in a accident when a tree fell on him. Lucas died on April 23,1988 and is buried in Clay County, Hawley, Mn. Floyd and Deborah live in Hawley, Mn. Jerald was born on October 3, 1956 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. , hospital. He was baptized in November 1956 and confirmed at Aspelund in 1972. He attended school at Twin Valley, Mn and after he completed his education he worked as a truck driver and carpenter. He resides in Moorhead, Mn.
Lester D. and Mazel (Thompson) Albertson
Lester D. Albertson was born in Flom on May 19,
1919, to the Clarence Albertson’s. He was baptized at Aspelund Lutheran
Church, Flom and confirmed at Syre Lutheran Church, Syre, Mn. He grew
up in the Twin Valley area. He entered the United States Army on June
28, 1941. Lester served as a Platoon Sergeant in the 772 Tank Battalion
of the 7th Army in the Rhineland and central European Campaigns in the
Second World War, and was honorably discharges from active duty on
October 15, 1945. Lester married Mazel Thompson on September 1, 1944 at
Columbia, South Carolina, and the family moved from Minnesota to
Burbank, California in 1953. Lester was a machinist, and in recent
years owned and operated a specialty machine shop in Burbank.
Lester and Mazel were the parents of six children; Nancy (Steve Webber), Bonnie (Thomas D’errico), Bruce, Robert, Mark and Kraig.
Sanford and DonnaMae (Dorseth) Albertson
Sanford Newman Flom Albertson was born on December 11, 1925 in Crookston, Mn. He attended school at Waubun and graduated from Waubun High School. He then went to Concordia College, Mhd., Mn where he studied until he enter the armed services. He served in the Army during WW II, having served in the occupation of Japan.
DonnaMae Dorseth was born on August 17, 1930 to Henry and Viola (Christensen) Dorseth. She grew up in section 29 of Flom Twp. Here she attended country schools; Woodland Nook, Flom School and then went to Waubun, Mn. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Sanford and DonnaMae were married on June 1, 1947 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, where they remained members until 1978. They made their home in Flom and Twin Valley until 1978, and during that time Sanford was employed by the state of Minnesota as a Dairy Herd Improvement Supervisor, and also at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley. DonnaMae operated the Flom Cafe for a number of years, and also worked at the Lutheran Memorial Homes.
In 1978, Sanford and DonnaMae left the area moving to Moorhead, Mn where were both employed by St Luke’s Hospital/MeritCare Hospital of Fargo, ND. Sanford worked as supervisor of Environmental Services and DonnaMae worked in the OB department. DonnaMae was present at the birth of her great niece Kayla Klemetson on September 13,1982. Sanford retired in 1990 due to ill health and passed away on September 16, 1995 at the age of 69. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom. DonnaMae continued to live in Moorhead after his death and worked at MeritCare, she retired in 2001 and continues to be very active in her church, Pontoppidan Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND.
Sanford and DonnaMae are the parents of two children; Susan DonnaMae and Steven: See Steven and Doreen (Cameron) Albertson.
Susan spent most of her childhood in Flom, with completing her first grade year at the Flom School, which was the last year before the school closed in 1954. She then went to Twin Valley where she graduated from High School in 1965. She then went to Moorhead, Mn.
Susan married Richard T. Johnson of Moorhead, Mn in 1965. They lived in Moorhead for many years before moving to Sioux Falls, SD where they reside now. They have two children; Stephanie DonnaMae Doscher who lives in Sioux Falls with her three children, Kendra, Seth and Jordan. Richard (Rick) T. Jr. lives in Chandler. Az. He is married to the former Heather Evans of Sioux Falls, SD.
Steve and Doreen (Cameron) Albertson
Steve Albertson, son of Sanford and DonnaMae (Dorseth) Albertson, was born on August 10,1950 in Fargo, ND. He attended school in Hendrum and Twin Valley, and graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1968. He entered the United States Marine Corps, October 1, 1968 and served three years, one of which was spent in Viet Nam. After his discharge, he attended Moorhead State University.
On October 13, 1972, Steve married Doreen Cameron, the daughter of Don and Irene Cameron of Fargo, They lived in Twin Valley where Steve worked under the University of Minnesota as a DHIA Supervisor, and Doreen worked for Lutheran Memorial Homes. In 1975 they moved to Fargo where Steve worked for NDSU and Doreen worked at Fargo National Bank.
In 1970 they purchased a dairy farm near Detroit Lakes, MN. Steve Doreen were named Honored Dairymen for Becker County for the year 1988. Steve and Doreen were members of the Minnesota Holstein Association and also the Holstein Association of America. Steve served on the Audubon
Elevator Board of Directors, the Becker County American Dairy Association Board of Directors, the Cass Clay Creamery Board of Directors, the 21st Century Genetics Board, and was a founding Director of Cooperative Resources International. Steve was also a Director for the Minnesota Association of Cooperatives He was a member of the VFW in Audubon. They were members of ST. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Audubon. In 1994, Steve had a heart transplant and was unable to continue dairy farming.
In 1995, they moved to Flom, where Steve is employed as Adjuster for Flom Region Mutual Insurance Company, and Doreen is the Chaplain at Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley. Steve is a member of Flom/Twin Valley VFW Post 3818, and Doreen is a member of the Auxiliary. They are member of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
Cynthia Mae Allrich
Cynthia "Cindy" Allrich was born on June 26, 1974 in Ada, Mn the daughter of Dennis and Mae (Stende) Allrich. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. She attended school at Twin Valley, Mn where she graduated in 1992. She was active in her school and church. While in school she was active in Music and was a cheerleader. She was always willing to sing for special music or the programs at Aspelund. Cindy was active in her church’s youth group.
She worked at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley for a number of years and was currently a student at Josef’s School of Hair Design in Fargo, where she would have graduated in June of 1994.
Cindy was tragically taken from this world on Tuesday , February 8, 1994 near Alexandria, Mn when the van she was riding in collided with a snow plow.
Cindy is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Anders and Johanne (Olsdatter) Amlien
To help some of us in the Flom area better understand our roots we are putting the names of the Amlien families members.
Anders Hansen was born in 1809, his wife Johanne Olsdatter was born in 1808. They lived in Vestre Toten, Norway. They were the parents of two daughters and the grandparents of one grandson who came to the Flom area. Helene Amlien Dorseth wife of Andreas Hanson Dorseth.
Ole Andersen born in 1839 father of Olaf Grefsrud. Ole took the Grefsrud name when he married because they lived on the Grefsrud farm.
Berthe Amlien Kirkeby born in 1848 wife of Martin Kirkeby.
Other siblings were Johannes born in 1842, Andrine born in 1845, Johanne born in 1851, Hans born in 1854 and Augusta born in 1857.
Mary Grefsrud and Clara Kirkeby were sisters, both born to Per and Gunnhild (Gronlie) Rue.
Andrew and Hilda (Dorseth) Anker
Andrew E. "Andy" Anker was born in 1898 to Charles Louis and Cecila Marie (Opdahl) Anker in Iowa. He came to this area as a young boy of 13 years with his father and siblings. His mother had passed away in Iowa in 1905.
Hilda Dorseth was born on January 10, 1907, at Flom to John and Lovise "Lizzie" (Carlson) Dorseth. It was here that she grew up and attended school, she was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. He father John ran the Hardware Store in Flom. Andrew and Hilda were married on April 4, 1931 at Twin Valley, Mn. After their marriage they remained in Flom living in the house known to many as the Creamery House, located next to the Creamery on the west side of town. Today that home is owned and occupied by Jeri Rush.
Andrew worked for the Flom Creamery until it's closing and Hilda raised their family of three children; Jerome, LaVonne (Daniel Zinda) and Joan (Klomstad) they also had one son who was born and died on October 22, 1939. In 1971 Andy and Hilda left Flom and moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn where they enjoyed their retirement years. Andy passed away in 1982 and in 1984 Hilda moved into the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, Mn where she resided until her death on August 16, 1986. They are both buried at Aspelund along with their infant son.
Charles and Mary Cecilia (Oppdal) Anker
Charles Lewis Anker was born on December 19, 1873 in Kossuth county, Iowa. Charles moved to Becker County, Mn in 1911 where he farmed until 1929 when he moved to Flom Township and purchased the home just north of Aspelund Lutheran Church (former Lenny and Hazel Seykora home). In his later years Charles moved in with his daughter Mrs. Oscar Thorson, where he made his home until his death on July 27, 1935. His son Elmer moved into the house by Aspelund when Charles moved in with his daughter. Funeral services were held at Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom, Mn.
Marlowe Anker
Marlowe was born to the Elmer Anker's. He grew up just Northwest of the Aspelund Lutheran church in section 33 of Flom township. He was killed in a car-motorcylce accident in 1974, near Isabella, Mn. Funeral services were held at Babbitt, Mn. He was only 38 years old at the time of his death.
Bernt L. and Petrina (Olson Eggebrattern) Ask
Bernt L. Ask was born in Norway on July 21, 1851 in the Village of Hadalen. He immigrated to the United States as a young man and settled at Decorah, lowa. Staying with relatives and working on farms, he soon met Petrina Olson Eggebraaten who was working at the Luther College in Decorah.
They were married during the spring of 1881. Shortly after this, Bernt struck out for Norman County, Minnesota, with a team of horses to homestead in Wild Rice Township, leaving Petrina in Decorah. He built a small barn on his homestead for shelter for the horses. It was during this time, while getting~ the homestead ready m anticipation of going back to Decorah, and bringing his family to their new home in Minnesota, that he encountered his first hardship. One night the barn caught fire and burned with the team of horses in it. Bernt went to lowa anyway and arrived back with his family and encountered another hardship. Someone had 'jumped’ his homestead. Bernt then looked around and purchased a small farm in Flom Township. It was on this land that Bernt built a log cabin and settled his family. During the ensuing years of their marriage, Petrina and Bernt had eight children; two boys, Carl and Oscar, and six girls, Clara, Amanda, Laura, Louise, Olga and Mabel.
In order to improve his land it was necessary to cut down and grub out the roots of the trees by hand. Horses and oxen were used to break up and plow the land in order to have some growing crops. As the children arrived, Bernt added onto the log cabin. Hardship was a common thing for these early settlers, and Bernt recalled, on the move fromDecorah to Norman County, they moved by team and wagon with two milk cows tied to the back of the wagon. At Breckenridge on the way, one of the horses died. It was necessary then to get another horse.
A one room country school, a mile from the log cabin, was affordable for the education of the children. The closest place for supplies was Flom. The Wild Rice Lutheran Church became the family church, and it was here that Bernt sang in the choir with Reinart Grutle. The children were baptized and
confirmed, and the adjoining cemetery later became the resting place of Bernt and Petrina.
There was a flour mill at Faith along the Wild Rice River. It was a day long trip to drive to Faith with a wagon load of wheat to have ground into flour and then return home. The closest town and railroad was at Twin Valley. Trips to Twin Valley were limited on account of the distance. The closest place for doctors and medical service was at Crookston or Fargo. Home remedies and make do were very common for these pioneers. When a tooth had to be removed, it was nothing for a neighbor to take a pliers and make the abstraction.
In 1892, Bernt became ill, and passed away at the age of forty-one. Today his illness would be appendicitis, but as no professional help was available at that time, he died at home. Petrina was left with the eight children, the youngest being thirteen months.
Of these eight, two stayed on in Norman County, Carl farmed and ran the dairy in Twin Valley. Laura worked at the Wild Rice Children's Home and later at the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center, Twin Valley. When the children grew up and moved away, Petrina returned to lowa and lived with her sister. In 1910 she married Andrew Eggebraaten who passed away in 1936, and Petrina lived until 1941. She was ninety-one years old at the time of her death.
Carl M. and Jonetta (Solum) Ask
Carl was born on August 17, 1880 to Bernt and Petrina Ask in Decorah, Iowa. He was baptize and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He came to the Twin Valley area as a small child.
Carl and Jonetta were married on August 6, 1909 at Rollag, Mn. They first settled on a farm near Flom, Mn where they lived until 1919. They moved near Twin Valley, Mn at that time and he owned and operated a dairy farm. In 1942 they retired and moved into Twin Valley, Mn where they have resided since.
Jonetta passed away in October 1964. After her death he moved into the Lutheran Memorial Home in Twin Valley, where he resided until his death on September 11, 1970, he was 90 years old.
Carl was active in both his church and community. He served as both deacon and trustee in the Zion Lutheran church and also was an active member in the Brotherhood.
He was secretary-treasurer of the Flom Fire Insurance Company for many years, also serving on the Wild Rice Orphanage board. He had worked for some time for Tobin Seed company as yard foreman.
Carl was a civic-minded citizen. He was most concerned with the good of his town. Many years he helped cut trees to trim the streets for Christmas. He was also an avid sports enthusiast, baseball being his favorite sport.
Carl and Jonetta were the parents of two children; Clifford, and Alice (Ray Setterholm)
He is buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, Mn.
Louis and Alma (Dorseth) Ask
Louis Bernard Ask was born on September 2, 1894, at Flom, Mn to John and Juliana (Olson Urness) Ask. He grew up in the Flom area. In 1908 he moved to Fargo and worked as a painter and decorator. Louis married Alma Elena Dorseth October 16, 1918 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. Alma was the daughter of Andrew and Mathilda Korsgaden Dorseth of Flom. She grew up in the Flom area where she was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church. Louis passed away on July 25, 1964 and Alma died on November 28, 1935, they are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Louis and Alma were members of First Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND after they were married. They were the parents of two daughters; Hazel Jean and Ann.
Hazel Jean Maxine Ask was born on May 22, 1919 to Louis and Alma (Dorseth) Ask in Fargo, ND. She graduated from Fargo Central High school and Concordia College. She taught High School in Hitterdal and Parker’s Prairie, Mn and was Principal in Kenyon, Mn. She married Corliss Jahr of Hitterdal, Mn on June 30, 1946. Corliss was born on August 6, 1915 to Olaf and Severina "Susie" (Quam) Jahr on the Jahr farm near Hitterdal, Mn. Hazel Jean and Corliss were the parents of four daughters; Jean Ann Hephzibah (deceased) Jean was married to Max McMillan (divorced) and they had one daughter Christina. Ruth married Mark Gunn and they are the parents of two children; Daniel and Heather, they reside in San Antonio, Texas. Carol married Mark Kiemele they are the parents of two children and reside in Colorado; Kyle and Lauren and Janice is married to Joel Broschat of Fessenden, ND. They are the parents of two children; Kelsey and David. Hazel Jean died on December 26, 1986 and Corlis on January 12, 1991 both are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Ann Ask lived in the apartment owned by her sister Hazel Jean and family in North Fargo. After Hazel Jean and Corliss’ deaths the house was sold and Ann moved into the high rise in South Fargo, where she died. She never married.
Daniel and Emily (Rasmussen) Askegaard
Daniel Martin Askegaard was born at Comstock, Mn on December 12, 1882 to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Askegaard, early Clay county settlers. After growing to manhood, he met and married Emily Rasmussen. They farmed near Comstock until 1940 when they moved to Flom , Mn. Around 1954 they retired from farming and began spending their winters in California and summers in Minnesota. They were the parents of three children; Harold, Philip, and Delpha (Edward Klosinski). Harold stayed around the Flom area and lived in section 28 of Flom township. In his later years he moved into the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn, where he still resides.
Philip lives in the Ontario, California area and Delpha married Edward Klosinski and they resided in Santa Barbara.
Daniel Askegaard passed away on December 24, 1964 in Santa Barbara, California, where he was spending the winter. He was a member of Aspelund Lutheran Church of Flom. Funeral services were held at Wright Chapel in Moorhead, Mn with Rev. Ronald C. Seedorf officiating. Burial was made in Hoff cemetery near Rustad, Minnesota.
Keith and Linda (Dorseth) Axvig
Ann Marie Linda Dorseth was born on May 16, 1940 at Ada, Mn to Henry and Viola (Christensen) Dorseth. She was baptized at home by Pastor A.H. Amundson and confirmed on June 12, 1955 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom by Rev. E.N. Torgerson. She attended country school at Woodland Nook from 1st - 6th grade, going the to Twin Valley where she graduated in 1958 from High School.
Linda has worked at the Hendrum State Bank, in Hendrum, Mn., Industrial Loan Co. of Moorhead, Mn, the City of Moorhead, Mahnomen Hospital and Mahnomen County Highway Dept in Mahnomen, Mn and the First Federal S & L of Red Lake Falls, Mn. He hobbies include Folk Art Painting, Rosemaling, oil and acrylic painting and water color. She also enjoys doing wood crafts, flower craft, crocheting and sewing.
Ann Marie Linda married Milan H. Syverson on October 21, 1960 at Hendrum, Mn. Milan was born on February 15, 1937 at Twin Valley, Mn. They were the parents of three children; Mitchell, Darin and Kelli. Linda and Milan were divorce in May 1969.
Mitchell Lee Syverson was born on January 21, 1962 at Fort Lewis, Mn to Linda and Milan Syverson. Mitch married Ellen Tesmer of Walhalla, ND on October 15, 1983 at Walhalla. Ellen was born on May 24, 1962 at Walhalla. They are the parents of two sons; Joshua Lee was born on September 18,1986 at the home of his Grandparents Keith and Linda Axvig, with grandma attending to the birth and acting as a midwife. After he was born medical help arrived and Ellen and Josh were taken to a area hospital. This was a very memorable day for Linda and Ellen. Adam Christopher was born on December 1, 1987 at Crookston, Mn. Mitch is employed at Motor Coach Industries in Pembina, ND. Ellen is self employed in Walhalla as a cosmetologist.
Darin Milan was born on March 10, 1963 at Moorhead, Mn., to Linda and Milan Syverson. He married Darlena Kay Cox on August 8, 1987 at Muncie Indiana. Darlena was born on October 17, 1964 at Muncie. Darin and Darlena are the parents of three children; Michelle Jo was born on September 13, 1986 at Muncie, LaNette Marie was born on March 21, 1989, at Muncie and Darin Wayne was born on September 18, 1992, at Muncie. Darin and Darlena were divorced on February 14, 1996.Darin is self employed as a drywall/painting contractor.
Kelli Ann was born to Linda and Milan Syverson on September 12, 1966 at Moorhead, Mn. She married Robert Lawrence Hicks on August 31, 1985 at Muncie, Indiana. Robert was born on October 13, 1966 at Muncie. They are the parents of three children; Sean Bradley was born on July 10, 1985 in Muncie, Krystal Nicole was born on March 1, 1988 and died on March 3, 1988 at Indianapolis, Indiana, and Krystyna Marie was born on November 3, 1989 at Muncie. Kelli and Rob were divorced on September 21, 1991. Kelli is employed as a dispatcher for Rodney Ulrich Trucking Firm, also manager of the Spot, in Red Lake Falls, Mn.
On November 21, 1970 Ann Marie Linda married Orvis D. Dullum at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN. Orvis was born on October 30, 1933 at Twin Valley, Mn. He attended school in the area and later worked for Wild Rice Electric of Mahnomen, until his retirement. Linda and Orvis were the parents of one child; Kirsten Alane Dullum, was born on September 17, 1975 at Mahnomen, Mn. Linda and Orvis were divorced in 1976. Ann Marie Linda married Keith Odin Axvig on July 12, 1980 at Red Lake Falls, Mn. Keith was born on October 23, 1942 at Grafton, ND. He had two daughters Coral Louise and Constance Louise from his first marriage.
Coral Louise (twin) was born on July 2, 1967 at Cresco, Iowa. Corrie is married to Larry Barnabo and they live in Lino Lakes, Mn. Larry is a self employed contractor and owner of Cor-Bar Sod Co. They have one child; Halle Mae who was born on June 17, 1996.
Constance Louise (twin) was born on July 2, 1967 at Cresco, Iowa. She is employed in Rochester, Mn as a cosmetologist. She has two children; Malcom born on February 21, 1994 and MacKenzie born on September
19, 1995.
In June of 1981 Keith adopted Linda’s daughter Kirsten Alane. Kirsten married Dustin James Demarais on June 14, 1998 at Gentily, MN. Dustin was born on May 9, 1975. They are the parents of two children; Wyatt Keith born on September 14, 1998 and Whitney Marie born on January 10, 2000. Kirsten is employed as a dental assistant for Nord Orthodontists in Grand Forks, ND., and Dusty is employed for the city of East Grand Forks as a lineman.
Keith owned and sold a number of newspapers in Minnesota, including the Twin Valley Times. He planned to retire in 2001, but the call of the newspaper was not out of his veins. He is currently employed at the Morrison County Record, out of Little Falls, Mn. He accepted the job of managing Editor of the news department there. Keith and Linda now reside at Brainerd, Mn. Where they are also kept very busy with church and community activities.
Harry and Debbie (Myers) Bain
Harry was born on August 31, 1956 to Clayton and Rita Bain in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. He attended school in Halifax, Nova Scotia and graduated from High School in Burin, Newfoundland.
He was baptized in Ontario and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. He worked as a apple grower in which he raised apples in his families orchard in Nova Scotia until 1980. Harry then went to Texas where he did carpenter work before his marriage to Debbie in 1981.
Debbie Myers was born on April 29, 1954 to Floyd and DeLane Myers in Ada, Minnesota. She was baptized at St. John’s Church, rural Ada, Mn. And confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. She graduated from Twin Valley High School and received an Associate Degree from University of Minnesota Crookston in Beef Production-Animal Science. After graduation she worked as a cow-calf producer, raising Angus Cattle until 1988, when she became a full time mother.
Harry and Debbie were married on French Man’s Bluff on July 3, 1981. The Bluff is located in section 18 of Flom township. After their marriage Debbie became a full time mother and did daycare out of her home for children in the Twin Valley and Flom areas. They did live in Twin Valley, before moving to the farm north of Flom in section 10 of Flom township, formally the Francis Boreen Farm. Harry is employed by Norman County East School District as a maintenance Engineer, a position which he has held since August 1990. Debbie provided daycare from 1991-1999, at which time she started to work for Flom Region Mutual Insurance Company, in Flom, Mn. Beside being a full time mother, and working at the insurance office Debbie also does maintenance work.
Harry and Debbie are the parents of five children; Hannah, Cyril, Althea, Clara and Olivia.
Hannah was born on December 16, 1984, Cyril was born on June 19, 1986, Althea was born on August 18, 1988, Clara was born on October 29, 1990 and Olivia was born on April 5, 1992. All of their children were baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. Hannah, Cyril and Althea have been confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. They all attend school at Norman County East.
The Bain’s family are active members of Woodland 4-H Club, in Norman County. Hannah and Althea are County Ambassadors in 4-H. Hannah, Cyril and Althea belong to the Young People’s Organization at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Andrew E. and Britta (Larsdatter Ramsøy) Bakke
Andrew E. Bakke was born January 24 1849 in Aurland Sogn Og Fjordane. Andrew came to Amhurst Township, Fillmore County MN in 1866. Andrew's parents, Andrew Eriksen and Britha Andersdatter Ramsøy came to America in April 8, 1867 to Winneshiek Iowa. Living in Iowa until 1869, the family later moved to Fillmore County Minnesota and finally arrived in Norman County in 1883.
Andrew's father, Andrew Eriksen was born April 7, 1814 in Sogn og Fjordane. He came from the farm Nornes in Sogndal. Andrew and Britha were married in 1840. Britha was born in 1818 in Aurland Sogn og Fjordane. She died before Andrew moved to Norman County. Andrew died on January 13, 1894. He is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church cemetery.
Andrew Eriksen and Britha Andersdatter had the following children, including Andrew Bakke.
Anders who was born 1843 and died 1845.
Olina who was born in 1840, married in 1863 to Ole Andersen Nasen of Voss. Olina died in Norway.
Brita who was born 1845, she came to the US in 1870 and died in Fillmore County.
Kari was born in 1851, she came to the US in 1867 and married Hans W. Erickson of Home Lake Township.
Peder was born in 1854 and he came to the US in 1867.
Gjertrud or Gertie was born 1858.
Ole E. was born in 1861.
Andrew Bakke married Britta (Betsey) Larsdatter Ramsøy on June 2, 1871 in Decorah, Winneshiek County, IA. Britta
Andrew E. Bakke Family
(Betsey) Larsdatter was born July 13, 1851 in Wisconsin to Lars Anderssen Ramsey and Ingeborg Torsteinsdatter Ramsey. In 1880, they moved to Norman County, to Section 10 in Home Lake Township. In 1895 they sold the farm and moved into Twin Valley, where he became a butcher.
Andrew and Britta's Children:
Louis Bakke was born January 1,1872, he married Ingeborg Bilden who died in 1898, then in 1899, he was married to Helen Johnson, he died February 7, 1926.
Anna Caroline Bakke Klemetsrud was born June 11, 1872, she married O.H. Klemetsrud, she died November 11, 1955.
Edward Julius Bakke was born December 25, 1875, he married Berdie Forseth, he died on March 20, 1925.
Isebel Bakke was born October 14, 1874 and died on September 11, 1878.
Bertise (Bert) Bakke was born June 27, 1879, he married Anna Anderson, he died on June 3, 1949.
Peter Bakke was born October 6, 1881, he married Henrietta Wernland, he died on November 1, 1939.
Igar (Edgar) Bakke was born on November 3, 1884 and died on October 26, 1956.
Bella (Isabelle) Bakke Bonn was born on September 21, 1886, she married Frank R. Bonn and she died on February 16, 1938.
Amanda Bakke Robertson was born on February 19, 1889, she married James P. Robertson.
Raymond Bakke was born on June 3, 1893, married Lena Larson and died on April 15, 1950.
Mable Bakke Lee was born on September 5, 1898, married Lyle Lee and died on September 23, 1972.
Andrew died November 14, 1917. His funeral was held at Synod Church (now Zion Lutheran Church) of Twin Valley. Britta (Betsey) died May 24, 1924 in Mahnomen, MN. Her funeral was held at the O.H. Klemetsrud home and Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, MN.
Leonard and Lorraine (Skansgaard) Bakke
Leonard Raymond Bakke was born at Winger, Minnesota on December 9, 1917. His father was Johan Olsen Bakke who was born to Ole Olsen Bakke and Gjertrud (Julia) Jonsdatter Skulborstad on October 10, 1881 at Kenyon in Goodhue County of Minnesota. Ole Olsen Bakke came to America in 1851 with his parent’s on the Bark Emmanuel ship which left Bergen, Norway and arrived in New York City on June 18, 1851. The captain of the ship was Captain Sørensen. Ole was born in Hemsedal, Buskerud, Norway to Ole Knudsen Bakke and Sigrid Evensdatter Grondale. His brothers and sisters who also came to America were:
Knud Olsen Bakke born January 27, 1839 at the Bakke Farm in Hemsedal, Buskerud, Norway.
Guri Olsdatter Bakke was born January 16, 1843 at the Bakke Farm in Hemsedal, Buskerud, Norway.
Sigrid Olsdatter Bakke was born August 1, 1844 at the Bakke Farm in Hemsedal, Buskerud, Norway.
Even Olsen Bakke was born January 9, 1848 at the Bakke Farm in Hemsedal, Buskerud, Norway.
Christine Olsdatter Bakke was born in the USA, more than likely in Rock County, Wisconsin. That is where the family is found in the 1860 census of Norwegian’s in America.
Leonard’s grandmother, Gjertrud (Julia) Jonsdatter Skulborstad was born at Stjørdal, Nord Trondelag, Norway to John Johnsen Skulborstad and Lisbet Davidsdatter Kleiven on April 27, 1853. She came to America by herself at the age of 18 in 1871. She married Ole Olsen Bakke in 1872 in Kenyon, Goodhue County of Minnesota. They had the following children:
Elise Gurina Bakke born September 11, 1873 in Goodhue County.
Sophie Kristine Bakke born November 16, 1875 in Goodhue County.
Ole Olsen Bakke born July 22, 1877 in Goodhue County.
Johan Olsen Bakke born October 10, 1881 in Goodhue County.
Emma Marie Bakke born October 24, 1882 in Goodhue County.
Carl Olsen Bakke born October 4, 1884 in Goodhue County.
Julius Olsen Bakke born April 3, 1886 in Goodhue County.
Emelia Bakke born October 22, 1888 at Minot, North Dakota. She was one of a set of Triplets.
Oscar Olsen Bakke born October 22, 1888 at Minot, North Dakota. He was one of a set of Triplets.
Julia Bakke born October 22, 1888 at Minot, North Dakota. She was one of a set of Triplets.
Oscar Julius Bakke was born February 11, 1891 at Fertile, Minnesota.
Gilbert Olsen Bakke was born March 30, 1893 at Fertile, Minnesota.
Selmer Olsen Bakke was born November 20, 1895 at Fertile, Minnesota.
Martin Olsen Bakke was born February 28, 1899 at Fertile, Minnesota.
Leonard’s mother, Edel Marie Krogstad, was born at Perley, Minnesota to Brynild Gunerius Krogstad and Martha (Marta) Jensdatter Rømo on June 20, 1890. She had the following siblings:
Clarence Henry Krogstad
Johnny Krogstad
Jens Krogstad born at Perley, Minnesota
Gilbert Krogstad born August 28, 1893 at Perley, Minnesota.
Sophie Berene Krogstad born June 22, 1897 at Perley, Minnesota.
Edel Marie’s father, Brynild Gunerius Krogstad, was born in Aremark, Østfold, Norway on May 14, 1862 to Brynild Jensen Krosby and Thora Sofie Goethesdatter. His father died about 5 months before he was born and he came to America with his mother. He married Martha (Marta) Jensdatter Rømo in Fargo, North Dakota on November 27, 1889. Martha was born to Jens Jensen Rømo and Matelie Edle Olsdatter Alstad at Hovin, Østfold, Norway on March 4, 1869. Jens Jensen Rømo was born to Jens Kristoffersen Rømo and Eli Rollaugsdatter Gresset on January 2, 1843 at Hegra, Nord Trondelag, Norway. He was married three times:
Marit Nilsdatter was his first wife.
Inga Albertine Arntsdatter was his second wife.
Matelie, the mother to Marta was his third wife, they married on April 16, 1867. Marta’s parents were Ole Person Alstad and Marta Haakonsdatter Fiskvik. She was born January 6, 1842 at Skatval, Nord Trondelag, Norway.
Leonard was raised on the family farm at Winger, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Winger Lutheran Church. He also attended Wooded Park Country School and the Agriculture College at Crookston, Minnesota.
He has the following brothers and sisters:
Olga Gertrude Bakke was born on January 6, 1916 and married Conrad Julius Osmondson.
Melvin Bernhard Bakke was born on October 27, 1919 and was not married.
Walter Edward Bakke was born March 1, 1922 and was married three times. First to Alvira Evelyn Raaen, who is the mother of Wayne Alan Bakke. Second to Ruth Seitz Manthey, and last to Joyce Stengl Anderson.
Orton Clifford Bakke was born on March 10, 1926 and was married to Hallis Arnitha Nansen.
Joyce Margaret Bakke was born November 8, 1929 and was married twice. First to Ordean Christianson and then to Norman Sannes. She was a twin.
Grace Jeanette Bakke was born November 8, 1929 and was married to Willard Elvin Peterson.
Leonard was inducted into the Army on May 20, 1942 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. On June 26, 1943, he embarked for the Aleutian Islands and spent 22 months on several of the islands during WW II. He was discharged on October 27, 1945.
On March 17, 1946 he married Lorraine Skansgaard at the Wild Rice Parsonage in Flom Township. Lorraine was born to Oscar and Ruth (Stolen Engebretson) Skansgaard on February 3, 1925 in Flom Township. Her father, Oscar Paul Skansgaard was born to Iver Erlandsen and Anne (Pedersdatter Aspehaug) Skansgaard on the family farm in Flom Township, Section 28. (See Iver Erlandsen and Anne (Pedersdatter Aspehaug) Skansgaard). Lorraine was baptized and confirmed at the Wild Rice Church where she also is a life time member. Lorraine’s mother, Ruth, was born on July 20, 1898 to Annie Teoline Olsdatter Fidjestol and Erick Stolen in Flom Township. (See Oscar and Ruth (Stolen Engebretson) Skansgaard) When Leonard and Lorraine were first married, they lived at Fosston, Minnesota where Leonard was employed by Armstrong Electric. That fall, they moved back to the farm in Section 16 of Flom Township. In the late 1940’s, Leonard formed his own Construction Company, known as Bakke Construction. He has built many homes and buildings in the surrounding area. Lorraine began a painting and woodwork finishing business in 1961 and was joined a short time later by Olga Stundahl. They have continued to work together for over 40 years.
Leonard and Lorraine have two sons and a foster son they have raised.
Larry, was born March 16, 1949 at Ada, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Church. He attended school in Twin Valley and graduated in 1967. He moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1972. He presently lives there with his wife, Susan (Hellum) and their two children, Brian and Heather. Larry has his own Construction Business.
Lyle was born June 8, 1950. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Church. He attended school in Twin Valley and graduated in 1968. He is married to Margit (Nysetvold) and they have 3 children.
Sonja, who is married to Matthew Roy. They live in Fargo, ND and have two daughters: Claudia and Meredith.
Erik, who is married to Mindy (Braseth), they live in rural Flom and have one daughter, Anikka Claone.
Sarah, who is attending Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.
Wayne, who was born November 20, 1953 to Walter and Evelyn (Raaen) Bakke. His mother died when he was a baby, and he was raised by Leonard and Lorraine. He lives in Fertile, MN and works for the railroad. He is not married.
Kaare and Selma (Sally) (Dorseth) Bakken
Kaare Bakken was born in Norway on July 29, 1903. He came to this country with his parents as an infant settling in Iowa and the family later moved to Audubon, Mn. He married Lucille Burk at Audubon on November 17, 1962.
Kaare managed creameries and was a butter maker at the Minnesota communities of; Flom, Twin Valley and Lengby. In 1961 he moved to Audubon where he and his brothers operated a bait business. He retired in 1978.
Kaare died of an apparent heart attack after checking his deer stand in Clearwater county near Bagley. Sheriffs officers said, Kaare Bakken 77, was stricken Friday afternoon and was found around 9 pm Friday night (1980). Funeral services were held in the First Lutheran Church of Audubon, Mn.
Kaare was married first to Selma “Sally” Dorseth, the daughter of John and Lovise (Carlson) Dorseth
Kaare and Selma were the parents of; Dale, Janet (Paul), and Kay (Leslie Leppich). A stepson Fred Burk and stepdaughter Ellen (Gerald Blees).
Alvin and Frieda (Flom) Baukol
Alvin and Mildred (VanScoik/Englesten) Baukol
Alvin was born in Flom township on May 12, 1897 to Peder and Tumine Baukol. He spent all his life in this community except for the eighteen months in the service of his country during World War I. He entered the service on February 1918, at Camp Dodge, and was wounded on October 10, 1918. He was in the Argonne Meuse and the Army of Occupations. He mustered out on May 24, 1919.
Frieda Otilla Flom was born on February 22, 1901 to Simon and Randi (Skiem) Flom, in Flom township.
Alvin was united in marriage to Frieda Flom on April 28, 1926. Two children were born to this union, they were; Duane and Roy.
Frieda passed away on July 4, 1933, in Almena, Wisconsin where she had gone to seek medical help. At the time of her death her sons were very young Duane only 6 years and Roy only 20 months. After her death Alvin married Mildred VanScoik/Englesten at Ada, Mn on October 4, 1939. Mildred had one daughter Deloris.
Alvin passed away on March 20, 1946 after suffering from a ruptured appendix. Alvin and Frieda are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Arnt and Gustine (Meyer) Baukol
Arnt was born in Flom township to Peder and Tumine Baukol. He
Gustine Meyer was born on January 17, 1911 at Cresco, Iowa, the daughter of George and Maude Meyer. She was baptized and confirmed in the Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. She grew up on the farm and attended country schools and Waubun High School. She was one of ten children born to George and Maude; others included Alton, Emmet, Francis, Raymond, Vernie, Orville (see Orville and Muriel Meyer), Orpha (Arvid Lundgren) Eva and Leora (Skarie),
Arnt and Gustine were united in married on December 21, 1937 at Ogema, here they made their home and farmed for a short time. They then moved to a farm in Flom township, where they were active in farming until 1970.
When they retired they moved off the farm and their son Gene took over the farming operations, Arnt and Gustine moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn at this time.
In addition to her role as a farm housewife and mother, she was active in the Aspelund Lutheran Church, the ALCW and it's Circles, and also taught Sunday School.
Arnt passed away on May 11, 1975 and Gustine passed away on April 29, 1979, at the age of 68 years. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Arnt and Gustine were the parents of; Archie, Gene (Lucille Unke) and Fern (Christ Blue).
Gene and Lucille (Unke) Baukol
Gene and Lucille Baukols’s farm is located in Section 24 of Flom Township. This is a third generation farm. Peder P. Baukol came to the area in 1883. He attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He also taught school at Hillsboro, ND, West Wild Rice and Aspelund. This farm went to Arnt Baukol in 1944 and then Gene R. Baukol in 1978. The farm stead was located by the Cheerful Nook School and the water supply for the school was obtained from this farm. Archie, Gene and Fern were able to go home for dinner. This school closed in 1948 and then they went to school in Waubun, MN with Gene graduating in 1955.
Gene married Lucille Unke in 1970 at rural St. Thomas, ND. Farming includes wheat, beans, corn and feeding beef. A son, Michael G. Baukol was born on January 6, 1972 and lives on this farm and works at Wild Rice Electric in Mahnomen. A second son, Paul R. Baukol was born January 21, 1974, he lives and works in Twin Valley at Centrol.
Joseph and Cora (Landsverk) Baukol
Joseph Baukol was born to Peder and Tumina Baukol on September 12, 1901, in Flom township, Norman County, Mn. As a young boy he grew up in the Flom area where he attended school at Cheerful Nook. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom , Mn.
Cora Landsverk was born to Carl and Anne Landsverk in Kenyon, Mn. Cora had two brothers; Kenneth and Edwin and a sister Alice (Barrett)
Joseph and Cora were married on February 22, 1925 at the Wild Rice Parsonage. During their lives they were active in farming, they purchased a farm in Popple Grove township of Mahnomen, County. Here they raised their two sons; Robert Earl born on February 12, 1926 (see Bob and Betty Baukol) and David Nyle who was born on April 6, 1941. David attended school and graduated from Ulen High School, he then went to Moorhead State University receiving a degree in teaching. He taught school at Starbuck, Mn. Here he met and married Joyce Johnshay of Starbuck. They had three daughters. David is now retired and they still reside in Starbuck. Joseph died on November 13, 1947 and Cora died on May 19, 1984. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Peder and Tomine Dortea (Olsdatter Fidjestodl) Baukol
Peder P. Baukol was born to Peder Olson and Kari (Tarud) Baukol on June 20th, 1853 in Norway. He has two brothers, Hans and Paul, and three sisters; Marit, Kari and Karen. Peder came to the United States in 1861 with his parents.
Tomine Dortea was born to Ole and Gunvor (Tollisdatter Fidjestol) Hansen Royseland in Kvas, Lyngdal, Vest Agder, Norway on the Fidjestodl Farm, on February 14, 1863. Tomine was baptized and confirmed in her home church in Norway. At the age of 21 she left Norway for America. She emigrated from Norway at Kristiansand, Vest Agder Harbor on June 13, 1884 by herself. She was the first of her family to leave Norway. She had these siblings; Hans Olson b.1869 and married to Amanda Tollefson. He emigrated from Norway on March 19, 1886 from Kristiansand, Vest Agder Harbor
Tobias b.
Annie Teoline (Vinger) b.April 8, 1865, she emigrated from Kristiansand, Vest Agder Harbor on March 31, 1888
Amalia b.1872, she never married.
Dorthea b.March 14, 1875, she came to America and married Olaf Fredrik Martinsson here in America. She had met him when they both served in Fjære by Grimstad in Norway. They had 7 children, two born in America. They returned to Norway and in 1915 bought the Fidjestol Farm.
Lisbet, b.June 3, 1867, who stayed in Norway.
Tumine came to Norman county, Minnesota where friends of hers had come before her and settled.
Peder moved from Vernon county, Wisconsin to Flom township in 1883.
On May 12, 1887 Peder and Tumine were married at the old Wild Rice Lutheran Parsonage and they resided on the home place. They farmed the land and Tumine took up the daily activities of being a farmers wife and raising their family. They were early members of the Wild Rice congregation and joined Aspelund in the later nineties, where they have taken an active part in their work since. The couple were honored with a beautiful celebration in honor of the Golden Wedding Anniversary.
Peder and Tumine were the parents of eight children; Alvin, Arnt (see Arnt and Gustine Baukol), Ludvig, Joseph (see Joseph and Cora Baukol), Clara (Arneson), Gunda (Solberg), Eva (Voeltz) and Agnes.
Ludvig was born in 1903 and died at a very young age on June 26, 1905. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Agnes was born on September 30, 1891 and died at a young age in 1900. She is also buried at Aspelund.
Clara Henrietta was born on April 5, 1887. She married Thomas Arneson, and they were the parents of two children; Erling and Evelyn. Thomas Arneson was a Medical Doctor and he was born in 1869. He died in Almena, Wisconsin in Barron county on June 29, 1948. Clara died on May 30, 1978. They are both buried at Aspelund.
Gunda was born on July 4, 1889. She married Peder Solberg on December 11, 1910, they had two daughters; Ethel (Derouch) and Polly (Stroud). Gunda died on June 4, 1979 and Peder died on August 30, 1957. Both are buried at Aspelund.
Eva was born on January 21, 1894. She married Otto Voeltz, they had one daughter Deloris (Lopez). Eva died on May 3, 1930 and is buried at Aspelund.
Peder Baukol died on July 26, 1942 and Tumine died on May 18, 1937. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Robert (Bob) and Betty (Hamernik) Baukol
Bob Baukol was born on February 12, 1926 to Joseph and Cora (Lansverk) Baukol. As a young boy he grew up on the family farm in Popple Grove township, Mahnomen County Mn. He was confirmed at Waubun, Mn and attended school at Waubun. In 1944 Bob graduated from Waubun High School.
Betty Hamernik was born on May 30, 1928 to Frank and Aloise Hamernik in Walworth township, section 9 on the family farm. She attended District 54 country school in Walworth township and graduated from Ulen High School in 1947.
Bob and Betty were married on September 18, 1949 at Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom. For the first years of their married life they lived by Waubun where Bob farmed for six years. In 1958 they moved to Dilworth, Mn and then in 1977 they moved to their present home in Moorhead, Mn. Bob has worked for Knerr Dairy in Fargo, ND and also at St. Ansgar’s Hospital in Moorhead, Mn.
Betty worked also worked at St. Ansgar’s Hospital in Moorhead, Mn.
Bob and Betty are retired now and reside in Moorhead. They are the parents of five children; Joan, John, Jim, Joyce and Jeff.
Joan was born on July 13, 1950. Joan was married to Wesley Hall and they are the parents of one son Joshua, who was born on August 11, 1974. Joan is married to Dennis Ness and they reside in Moorhead.
John was born on November 8, 1951. John married Terry Lindgren (sister to Karen Lindgren Baukol) on June 27, 1976. They are the parents of four children; Nathan born on August 3, 1977, Jeremy born on March 7, 1980, Nicole born on August 12, 1985 and Desiree was born on July 31, 1989.
Jim was born on August 12, 1955. Jim married Myrtle "Myrt" Svaleson, on March 17, 1979. They are the parents of two sons; Thomas born on April 8, 1982 and Benjamin was born on August 21, 1985.
Joyce was born on November 8, 1;956. Joyce married Randy Sayler of Lake Park, on April 17, 1982. They are the parents of three children; Joseph was born on September 28, 1982, Christina was born on June 25, 1987 and Allison was born on September 5, 1992.
Jeff was born on October 30, 1959. Jeff married Karen Lindgren of Moorhead, Mn (a sister to Terry Lindgren Baukol). They were married on May 17, 1980. Jeff and Karen are the parents of three children;
Amanda was born on November 9, 1981, Mike was born on October 3, 1984 and Matthew was born on June 19, 1992.
Roger and Denise (Bement) Bentley
Roger D. Bentley was born on April 29, 1855 to Eldo and Marlys (Lien) Bentley in Shirley, Mass. He was baptized at Shirley, Mass and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. Roger attended school at Twin Valley and graduated from High School there.
Denise A. Bement was born on October 19, 1954 to Ben Jr. and Sandy Bement in Mahnomen, MN. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Waubun, Mn. She attended school and graduated from Waubun High School. After graduation she went on to Moorhead State, Mhd. Mn., where she went one year. Denise went to NWTC and graduated with a degree in nursing.
Roger and Denise were married on September 10, 1976 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Waubun, MN. They first lived one mile northeast of Twin Valley, in Wild Rice Township, Norman County, they later moved five miles north of Twin Valley, still staying in Wild Rice Twp. It was in December of 1990 they came to Flom Township. They purchase the Marvin Svobodny farm in section 1 of Flom Township and have resided here since.
Roger and Denise had three sons; Jacob, Craig and Andrew. Jacob Odin was born on June 5, 1979 at Dakota Hospital in Fargo, ND. He was baptized at St. William’s Catholic Church in Twin Valley, Mn. He was attending school at Norman County East when he died on August 3, 1993. He is buried at St. William’s Catholic Cemetery, Twin Valley, Mn.
Craig Roger was born on March 18, 1981 at Dakota Hospital, Fargo ND. He was baptized and confirmed at St. William’s Catholic Church, Twin Valley, Mn. He attended school at Norman County East and graduated from there. He furthered his education at NWTC for one year. He is employed by O’Kelly’s in Fargo, ND and he resides in Moorhead, Mn.
Andrew William was born on September 17, 1982 at Dakota Hospital, Fargo, ND. He was baptized and confirmed at St. William’s Catholic Church, Twin Valley, Mn. He attended school at Norman County East and graduated from there. He currently works construction in Fargo, ND and lives in Moorhead, Mn.
Roger farmed until 1997 and then became self-employed, working as a sheet rock finisher. He is active in his church and community having served on the church council, Norman County Fair Board. He enjoys hunting and fishing in his spare time.
Denise works at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley as a LPN/Geriatrics. She is active in her church and community having served on the church council, Religious Ed Teacher/Coordinator, Rosary Altar. In her spare time she enjoys quilting.
Helge and Sigrid (Gudbrandsdatter Hovseie) Olson Bergetangen
Helge Olson Bergetangen was born March 28, 1832 in Sigdal, Norway to parents Ola Knutsen Eidal and Gunhild Helgesdatter Mjosengeie. Helge came to the US in 1852, having settled in an area known as "Little Iowa" in Ossian Iowa which is 18 miles south of Decorah, IA. On March 18, 1857, Helge was married to Sigrid Gudbrandsdatter Hovseie by Minister Vilhelm Koren at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, IA. Sigrid Gudbrandsdatter Hovseie, who was born July 31, 1830 in Hovseie, Sigdal, Norway. They left this area and moved to Freeborn County near the town of Albert Lea, MN.
On December 23, 1861, Helge enlisted in the 15th Wisconsin Regiment, Company K as a Private in the Civil War. He was a member of Clausen's Guard, who was an all Scandinavian regiment named in honor of the 15th first Chaplain. Mons Grinager was the captain of this regiment. In April of 1862, while on a steam boat near St. Louis Missouri, Helge contacted Lung fever and diarrhea from exposure to the very cold weather. Shortly there after, he contacted rheumatism and was treated at General Hospital near Cincinnati, Ohio beginning on July 28, 1862. He was mustered out (Discharged) on September 9, 1862 due to disability of rheumatism and deafness.
Helge and Sigrid continued to live near Albert Lea until 1866, when they purchased farm land near Mantorville, MN in Dodge County in August of 1866. This property was foreclosed on and sold at public auction in February 1870. In 1882, the entire family moved to Flom Township, Norman County, where they purchased land in Section 17. Paying $800 for 160 acres. They continued to farm until their deaths.
They had the following children:
Gubrand Olson was born 1851, Sigrid's son prior to emigration to the US (father unknown).
Ole Olson (Helgeson) was born January 9, 1858 in Little Iowa, Iowa, he married Sophie Johnson in February of 1884, Sophie died October 1885, Ole's second wife was Lena (Golena)Olson and Ole died on February 17, 1905 in Flom, MN. Ole is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church in Flom, MN.
Julia Olson was born 1859 in Little Iowa, Iowa and she died in 1935 in Seattle, Washington.
Gunhild Olson was born November 4, 1861 in Freeborn County, MN, she married Christian Nikolai Larson, and she died on January 13, 1944 in Crow Wing county, near Brainerd, MN. She is buried at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Knute Olson (Helgeson) was born September 19, 1865 in Dodge County, MN, he married Emma Pauline Fjild, and Knute died on October 28, 1941 in Seattle, Washington.
Christ H. Olson was born about 1869 in Dodge County, MN and he died in 1920.
Elsie Helene Olson was born November 30, 1874 in Dodge County, MN , she married Helford Hoien, Elsie died in November of 1973 in Seattle, Washington. She is buried at Pacific Lutheran Cemetery in Seattle, Washington.
Helge died on January 29, 1905 in Flom Township and is buried at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Sigrid died on December 24, 1914 in Flom Township and is buried at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Elvin and Mathilda ( Sether) Blomseth
Elvin Blomseth was born in 1912 to Rudolph and Julia (Johnson) Blomseth at Halstad, Mn. As a child he moved with his parents to Pequot Lakes, Mn and returned to the Halstad area in 1927. He married Mathilda Sether of Fargo, ND in 1935. Elvin worked on area farms and on a bridge building crew.
In 1949 he and Mathilda moved to a farm east of Twin Valley, Mn in Fossum Township from Halstad, Mn. They purchased the farm from Fred Sitko, it was originally the Orris Bentley farm.
Elvin was active in his community and church having serving on the Wild Rice Church Board and Cemetery Board, as well as a Norman County Commissioner.
Elvin and Mathilda had three children; Ronald, Clayton and Wallace (Linda Seykora).
Elvin died on May 25, 1996 he was proceeded in death by one daughter. He is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Wallace and Linda (Seykora) Blomseth
Wallace bought the farm in 1975 from his parents, when they retired and moved to Twin Valley, Mn. He married Linda Seykora daughter of Leonard and Hazel Seykora of Flom. Linda was raised on the Seykora family farm in section 3 of Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn. She graduated from Ulen High School.
Wallace and Linda were married in 1967 and have farmed since. Linda is currently employed at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley and also works one day a week at the Flom Cafe, which is owned by her sister Carol. They are the parents of two sons: Kevin and David. Kevin, who has two children; Brady and Olivia. David and his wife Lorie have two sons Wyatt and Dylan.
Gus and Ida (Howard) Boman
Gus Olaf Boman was born June 7, 1872 at Galet, Sweden. In 1887 he immigrated to America at age 15 with his brother, Carl. They worked their way to southern Minnesota doing odd jobs as they came along. Gus started working for a carpenter and enjoyed building things. While working around Owatonna, Minn. he met Ida Howard, a country school teacher. At age 38, he married Ida (31) at Owatonna. They lived in Aberdeen, S.D. for four years, doing carpentry work. They moved to Flom Twp; in May 1914 settling in a small log house in section 19 with their two year old son, Harry, to try farming.
On January 1, 1915 in a bad snow storm, Roy was born. Gus had walked about a quarter mile to the nearest phone to call the Dr. who said he would come when the weather got better. Lewis Kirkeby's mother accompanied Gus home to assist. The Dr. came out the next day and checked things out.
The log house had 3 rooms, kitchen, living room and a small bed room downstairs. The stairway to go upstairs was outdoors on the north side of the house so the upstairs wasn't used much in the winter.
In the fall of 1915 Ida started teaching school at Woodland Nook, a country school about 1/4 mile south. There were about 14 neighborhood children that attended. She taught there for three years. In the fall of 1918 she started teaching at the Home Lake school which involved walking 2 1/2 miles to and from school. In the winter Gus would take her with a horse and sled.
Roy and Harry went to school at Woodland Nook. Roy started when he was 5 and graduated from 8th grade at age 12. There was a high school in Twin Valley but no bus service. The girls who lived in the country would get a room with someone who lived in town. They would come home week ends to wash their clothes and get food for the next week. The best opportunity for the boys was the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston so several of the neighbor boys including Roy, went there. They had a working arrangement to pay their way. That is the students would work after school hours in the poultry barns or dairy barns. They would ride the train to Syre to come home for xmas.
Since Roy was 12 when he started, he graduated in 1931 at age 16. The school year ran from Oct. through March. Roy spent the summers grubbing and breaking up more land with ''horse power They had 27 tillable acres when he graduated from NWSA.
With continued hard work through the years, Roy acquired more land. He bought the first tractor, a John Deere ''B'' that Sig Anderson sold in his Twin Valley dealership.
Through the years they added a barn and a few other buildings. Gus liked to build rather than field work. In 1942 they had plans to build a house but World War II was going on and it was impossible to get materials. It was then that Harry decided to join the army and he became a cook in army camp in California. There he met and Married Neva but they had no children.After a couple of years he received a medical discharge due to a heart murmur, and he was very over-weight. He chose to stay on in California and became a cook in Veterans Hospitals. Roy continued to farm and since Gus was no longer able to help, Roy hired younger men to help with the field work.
When the War ended in August of 1945, Roy’s dream of a new house finally became true. Ole Nysetvold was the builder and Henry Lacina of Mahnomen did the plastering and inside work. Henry and Roy formed a lifetime friendship, going hunting together each deer season.
Roy, Gus and Ida were able to move into the house in late Oct. With the addition of more land in 1946, another tractor and other machinery were added including a combine. Roy was still unmarried at age 35 and people were concerned there would be no Bomans to carry on.
On Dec 2, 1950 Roy married Sylvia Buschette of Mahnomen. Son Steve was born Oct. 18, 1951. Kathy was born in April of 1954. Ida passed away on May 15, 1955. Gus continued to live with Roy and family till he died on March 22,1965 at the age of 92. Meanwhile the Boman family kept growing with David, born in March of l957, Diane in April of 1959, Eric in April of 1961, Beth in July 1964 and last but not least, Ruth in Dec. 1965. There are now 22 grandchildren! So much for the concern of the end of the Bomans! There are 8 grandsons with Boman as their last name.
Steve and Sandy have three, Scott, Seth and Sawyer and live 1/4 mile north of the farm. David has Mike, who is in the U.S.Navy in California, and Matt who works for Waubun Steel. He lives 1/2 mile west of the farm, near the lake. Eric and Joyce live just south of the farm and have 3 sons and one daughter, Kasey. Chris is in college Brad, is a senior, Andy is 7th grade and Kasey in 4th in NCE school. Kathy and her family live on Maple Lake. Kathy has worked at Riverview Hospital in Crookston for nearly 30 years.
Diane Mattsen and her family live in Ramsey, Minn. Beth and Brad Strum live in Twin Valley. She works for Prairie Dental and Brad in bookkeeper-manager of Ada-Beltrami CO-OP. Ruth Duchene lives in Moorhead, Minn. and works for Dr. Kline and Paul works for Magnum Electric.
In May 01, 1980 Roy suffered a severe stroke. After 6 months of hospitalization and Rehab he was able to come home. In January of 1982 he suffered several more strokes and after three months he entered the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home. He passed away on Feb. 14, 1985. Seventeen years later, Sylvia is still living on the farm, helping with the management. David and Seth do the farming.
Arthur and Helen (Lund) Boreen
On December 18, 1919, Arthur William Boreen and his wife Helen, loaded all their earthly possessions into a boxcar at Spicer, Minnesota and started out on the journey by train to Waubun, Minnesota. It was a cold, windy day but Art and Helen didn't have much time to think about comfort with nine year old Cora five year old Evander, four-year old Harry, and two-and-a-half year old Marion to care for and an assortment of livestock to tend to. They had brought along a team of horses and sled, three cows' two pigs and some chickens, all the farm machinery they owned and their household goods. It kept them busy keeping things some what organized and seeing that the children were warm as they rumbled northward across the frozen country-side to a place they had never seen.
Arthur had bought a quarter of land in Section 10 of Flom township from Frank Dicksheimer, a well known farm auctioneer in those days.
The train arrived in Waubun in the midst of a snowstorm but immediately the team of horses and sled were unloaded and the family set out on the eleven mile drive to the farm. They stopped at the George Sussner farm one mile south of their destination and spent the night there.
Helen Lund and her twin sister, Anna, were born June 17, 1889 near Earhard Minnesota to Einar and Sophia Lund who homesteaded there in the 1860's. They had come up from the Paynesville, Minnesota area by wagon and their families originally had come from Trondheim, Norway.
Arthur William Boreen was born in 1885 at Spicer, Minnesota to Nels and Christina Boreen. Nels was born in Sweden, and his wife was also Swedish. Art and his brother George, had staked homesteads out near Ross, North Dakota, in the early 1900's Helen Lund was keeping house for her brother, Martin, who had also staked a claim out there, when she met Arthur. They married in 1909 at Ross. and their first child, Cora was born there in 1910. The country was pretty bleak compared to the hills and lakes at Spicer; the crops were poor and the winters almost intolerable so by 1913 the brothers decided to go back home to Minnesota. Evander, Harry, and Marion were born in the six years Art and Helen farmed near Spicer before moving to Flom Township. Three more boys were born after they settled here; Byron in 1921, Francis in 1923, and Raymond in 1925.
Times were hard and it was a struggle to keep seven children fed and clothed, Arthur who had been plagued with a kidney ailment most of his life, was not in good health and Helen and the older children had to do most of the farm work. Helen sewed all the clothes for her large family and the days must have been long when everything had to be done by hand and homemade. Water was carried from a flowing well half way downhill from the house to the creek which meant the pails were empty when you walked down and full when you carried them up to the house. Byron and Francis were responsible for keeping the wood box full and that was a year around job as wood was the fuel used for both heating and cooking. In the coldest part of the winter, the big kitchen was closed off and the family confined themselves to the living room and downstairs bedroom plus two small bedrooms directly above the living room. The wood burning heater was located in the living room and vents in the ceiling carried heat to these bedrooms above. Cooking was done on a little kerosene stove put up in the living room during this time and it must have been pretty hectic with all those energetic children in that one room with their parents a good share of the day. Evander and Harry would spend weeks during the winter hauling firewood.
The Boreen children walked three-fourths of a mile to attend the Plentywood School. The Bethlehem church and graveyard were located across the road from the schoolhouse. The school marm and children carried water from the well at the Stundahl farm. There were as many as thirty-six children attending the Plentywood school during the winter months when the older boys were not needed at home. School was held from November first to April first. Mrs. Edwin (Valborg) Larson taught at Plentywood for four years and Mrs. Connie Fossen taught there during the years when the younger Boreen children were in school.
Mail was delivered by horse and carriage. John Pederson was the early mail carrier. Twice a week, cream and milk were hauled to the creamery at Flom and the family did their banking and picked up supplies on these trips as well as having feed ground at the mill in Flom.
At harvest time, the neighbors would have "threshing bees", where as many as sixteen men would work together. The women on the farm having the "bee'' would really have to slave over the hot stove during the threshing; cooking and baking for all those extra hungry men and with no conveniences like running water, refrigerators, or freezers. The biggest problem was keeping meat fresh in that weather.
Arthur Boreen died in 1936. By that time. Cora, Harry and Marion were out working and Evander, Byron, Francis. and Raymond were living at home and working out as much as they could.
Cora married Louis Hirsch in 1934 and they lived in Chula Vista, California. They had no children.
Evander married Elaine Gunderson of Gary and farmed north of Flom. They had a son, Allan and two daughters, Myrna and Darlene.
Harry, who was single sold his interest after farming with his brother, Francis on the home place since 1945. They bought the farm from their mother, at that time but she continued to live with them there until 1972 when Harry and Helen moved to a house near Flom.
Marion lives in Ada, Minnesota. She was married to Richard Welter.
Raymond lived in Burnsville. Illinois with his wife Rose.
Byron who died in 1970, lived in Lindenhurst, Illinois and his wife, the former Irene Lerud of Twin Valley and their four children. Bruce, Carol. Joan, and Barbara still reside there.
Francis lives in Twin Valley with his wife the former Mrs. Kathleen Olson of Comstock. Minnesota. He acquired two step-sons and two step-daughters at the time he was married in February 1971.
During the second World War. Harry and Byron served in the Air Force in England. Francis served with the Paratroopers on Corregidor, New Cuinea and Mindanao after the Japanese invasion of those islands and Raymond was a member of the Signal Corps serving in Germany.
Helen Boreen, cooked and kept house for her son, Harry, and loved to knit and crochet and grow a few flowers. For over twenty-five years she was active in the Sunshine Homemakers Club.
Those of the family still in this area have belonged to the Wild Rice American Lutheran Church all their lives and the younger children were baptized there and all of them were confirmed there. Arthur and Byron are buried in the Wild Rice Cemetery. The Boreen family roots are planted deep in eastern Norman County!
Byron and Irene (Lerud) Boreen
Byron B. Boreen was born in 1921 to Arthur and Helen (Lund) Boreen. He served in the U.S. Air Force during WW II from 1942 until 1945. He worked as an auto mechanic and body fender repair man. Byron's siblings were; Evander, Harry, Francis, Raymond, Cora (Louis Hirsch) and Marion (Richard Welter).
Irene J. Lerud was born in 1923 to Julius and Ida Lerud. She attended school in Twin Valley, Mn where she graduated. After graduation she worked in a defense plant in Illinois in 1942. Irene's siblings were; Clifford, Ansin, Maurice and Lillian.
Irene met and married Byron B. Boreen in 1945. Following their marriage, they lived in Chicago, Ill for six years, returning to the Flom area where they farmed for six years in section 10 of Flom township. In 1957, they moved to Lindenkust, Ill, where Irene lived until Byron's death in 1970. After that she lived in New Mexico for two years, and then back to Illinois where she lived in Antioch. She was employed as a machine operator for several years.
Byron and Irene were the parents of: Bruce, Carol, Joan, Barbara.
Evander and Elaine (Gunderson) Boreen
Evander Boreen was born on July 1, 1915 at Spicer, Mn to Arthur and Helen (Lund) Boreen. He grew up in the Flom area and attended Sunny Hill country school He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, where he remained a member his entire life.
Evander married Elaine Gunderson on March 12, 1944 at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. They farmed in Flom township in section 22 until their retirement in the early 1980’s. Their son Allan then took over the farming operation and continues to live on the family farm. In 1989 the moved into Twin Valley, Mn.
Evander passed away on April 11, 1993 at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley. After his death Elaine continues to live in the home in Twin Valley. Evander is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Evander and Elaine were the parents of ; Allan, Myrna (Frank Kenny) and Darlene (Greg Crawford).
George and Christine (Nelson) Boreen
Christine A. Nelson was born on May 5, 1896 at Reynolds, North Dakota and grew up in the Elizabeth and Rothsay area. She married George Boreen on February 5, 1908 at Ross, North Dakota. The couple lived at Ross and Spicer before moving to the Twin Valley, Mn area in 1920. The couple farmed. George passed away in 1941 and Christine died in 1977.
They were the parents of three sons and three daughters; Newman, Clifford, Grant, Clarice, Dorothy (Gilford Rogers) and Doris (Lawrence Gigler)
Harry Boreen
Arthur Harry Boreen was born on July 31, 1916 to Arthur and Helen (Lund) Boreen at Spicer, Minnesota.
In 1918 he moved with his family to a farm near Flom where he grew up and attended country schools here. Harry worked on farms in the Flom area and also in North Dakota before entering the Army Air Corps in 1941. He was an aircraft mechanic stationed in England until his discharge in 1945. After his discharge he returned to the Flom area and farmed with his brother Francis until 1974 when he went to work part-time for the John Deere dealer in Mahnomen, Mn.
Harry was confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church where he remained a member for his life-time. He was an active member of the Flom-Twin Valley VFW Post 3818, Flom League of Men, and the Flom Area Lion's Club.
He loved to fish and spent many hours enjoying his favorite sport both in the summer and winter months. Harry was always there to lend a helping hand for his many friends and he will be sadly missed by all who lives he touched. He always enjoyed a cup of coffee at the Flom cafe and to this day many refer to his chair, his spot as Harry's.
Harry passed away on January 12, 1988 at his home in Flom, located on the North Side of town, it is currently owned by John and Sandy Baker. He is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Newman and Malva (Gunderson) Boreen
Newman E. Boreen was born on January 9, 1913 near Willmar, Mn to George and Christine Boreen. At a young age he moved to the Flom area with his family. Here he was confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church and attended schools in this area.
On November 27, 1943 he was united in marriage to Malva Gunderson at Twin Valley, Mn. They settled on a farm near Flom where they not only here but also by Ada, for 16 years. After selling the farm Newman began working in the construction field. He worked in Greenland for three years, and near Aneta, ND for six years. In the early 1960’s he worked at the Beulah Coal Gasification Plant at Beulah, ND.
After his retirement they resided in Dilworth, Mn.
Newman passed away on December 26, 1985 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Newman and Malva were the parents of: Dennis, Darrell, Dean, and Diane.
Charles "Charlie" Braaten
Charlie was born on May 24th, 1942 to Rudolph and Beata (Vange ) Braaten.
He grew up on the home place in section 22 of Flom Township where he is still living today. As a young boy he attended school in Flom until the 6th grade when he went on to Twin Valley graduating in May of 1960.
Charlie took over the family farm after his father's retirement and has been active in farming. In the 1990's Charlie also started driving semi of which he was owner/operator of his own truck. Hauling gravel during the summer months for construction companies.
Charlie is active in his church Aspelund Lutheran Church of Flom, where he has served on the church council.
Charlie has never married, but hasn't quit looking.
Gerald "Jerry" and Peg (Flottemesch) Braaten
Jerry was born to Rudolph and Beata (Vange) Braaten on March 22nd, 1945.
As a young boy he attended country school at the Flom school until the 3rd grade. He then went to Twin Valley where he completed his education and graduated from Twin Valley High School in May of 1963.
Jerry married Margaret (Peg) Flottemesch the daughter of Herman and Marie Flottemesch of Callaway on November 16th, 1974. When they were first married they lived in Walworth Township on the Leonard Seykora farm.
Jerry works for Flom-Ulen Co-op as a bulk truck driver, delivering fuel and propane to area homes and businesses which he has done since 1977. Peg did some substitute teaching when they were first married. In 1975 she began working in Mahnomen County, for the University of Minnesota Extension Service. She continues to work there as Regional Educator and is located in the Mahnomen Extension Office.
Jerry and Peg have one daughter Laura Marie who was born in Detroit Lakes on July 23rd, 1976. Laura attended school at Waubun and graduated from Waubun High School in May of 1995. Laura has one son Christopher Jerald who was born on April 3, 2000 in Detroit Lakes.
Jerry is active in his community as a member of the Flom Area Lion's Club and is also active in his church Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom where he has served on the Church Council.
Gilman A. Braaten
Gilman A. Braaten was born on December 22, 1900 to Gulbrand and Anna Braaten of Flom township. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspleund Lutheran Church, Flom. He attended elementary school in the Flom area and after completing his education he started farming, which he did throughout his life. He never married
Gilman died suddenly on Friday January 30, 1970 at his home in Flom. Funeral services were conducted at Aspelund Lutheran Church with interment at the church cemetery.
Gulbrand and Anna (Botolfson Berkvam) Braaten
Gulbrand and Anna were both born in Norway. Gulbrand was from the Ringericke area and Anna from Flam-Aurland area. They were married in Spring Grove, Minnesota in the early 1880's. Gulbrand was born on July 22, ?? and Anna was born on October 26th, 1865. They moved to the Flom Township in section 22 in 1885 where they lived most of their lives, except for 8-10 years span of farming near the Greenbush-Badger, Minnesota area. Anna had two sisters living in that vicinity. A hundred and seventeen years later the home farm remains in the Braaten family with Charles still living on the home farm.
Gulbrand and Anna had a family of three girls and six boys. Inga (John Skofstad and Otto Larson) lived in the Fertile area, Ella (Matt Ostenvik) lived in the Gary area, Ricka lived in Flom See Ricka Bratten, Rudolph
(Beata Vange) lived on the home place in Section 22 See Rudolph and Beata Braaten, Melvin (Clara Houglum) lived in the Flom, Waubun and Twin Valley area, Gilman lived by Flom, Art lived in Montana, Anton lived in the Montana and Fertile, MN areas, and Olaf (Muriel) lived in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area.
Gulbrand and Anna had five grandchildren. Alvina Ostenvik had one sone Edward Euken of Tucson, Arizona. Melvin had one son Merrill (Norene) who lives in West Fargo, ND. Rudolph had three children. Carol (John Huhner) lives in Fargo, ND, Charles lived on the home place. See Charles Braaten,and Gerald "Jerry" ( Margaret "Peg" Flottemesch) live in Section 25 of Flom Township. Jerry and Peg have one daughter Laura and a grandson Christopher. See Jerry and Peg Braaten.
Melvin and Clara (Houglum) Braaten
Edward Melvin Braaten was born on April 29, 1898 to Gulbrand and Anna (Berkvam) Braaten. He was educated at Flom and Roseau, Mn.
Clara Lois Houglum was born on October 15, 1891, near Flom, Mn. Her parents were Lars and Carrie Houglum. She married Edward Melvin Braaten on April 19, 1932 at Twin Valley, Mn. After their marriage they homesteaded near Sidney, Mt. They came back to the Flom area and farmed until 1946 then moved and farmed west of Waubun, Mn. In 1968 they retired and moved into Twin Valley.
Clara passed away in 1980, funeral services were held at Aspelund with interment in the church cemetery. Edward Melvin passed away on January 16, 1982 and is buried at Aspelund. They were the parents of one son; Merrill
Ricka Braaten
The Area's First Lefse Factory
Ricka, daughter of Gulbrand and Anna Braaten lived most of her life in the village of Flom. She lived in the small house directly across the street from the school house. Her home was demolished several years ago. Ricka was well known for all the good lefsa and flatbread she baked for the Holidays. As Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter drew near, Ricka would be up long before dawn beginning her long days of baking lefsa and flatbread. Many of these days, Ricka would not be putting her rolling pin away until after dark. We have many fond memories or Ricka, with her hair tied back and her back stiff from the many hours of rolling out lefsa and then baking them on her wood range. The warm samples were delicious! Even Ricka was glad to see the Holdiays arrive so orders for her baking would lessen. Some years if Magda Skansgaard was staying in her home in Flom, she would help Ricka bake through the busiest times. In the later years, Alice Sandal assisted Ricka with the baking.
In the earlier years, Ricka had worked on several farms in the area baking and keeping house. Ricka also cooked at the Flom school for a time preparing dinners for the kids.
Ricka was born on July 3rd, 1892. She never married. She had two sisters Inga (Larson) and Ella (Ostenvik) and six brothers, Rudolph, Olaf, Arthur, Anton, Gilman and Melvin. Ricka was a member of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom and is buried there. Ricka died on May 31st, 1971.
Rudoph and Beata (Vange) Braaten
Rudoph Bernhard Braaten was born to Gulbrand and Anna (Berkvam) on January 12th, 1894. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. Rudolph attended school in Flom, Mn. Beata Vange was born to Andrew and Caroline (Green) Vange. As children Rudolph grew up on the farm in Section 22 of Flom Township and Beata grew up on the family farm in section 25 of Flom Township. Rudolph had three sisters, Inga, Ella and Ricka and five brothers Melvin, Gilman, Art, Anton and Olaf. Beata had four brothers, Knute, Edward, Arnold and Clarence and three sisters Edith (Meyer), Ovivia (Martinson) and Clara (Hendrickson).
He enlisted in the armed service of our country February 24, 1918, from Ada, Mn and served in the Casual Detailment, D.B. Fast Assault Supply Company 34 of the 9th Infantry, Army Expeditionary Forces in France, and saw action and served in the support troop at Ypers BEl, the Hindenberg Line, at the Advance Troops from Mountblocka to Auborganon. He was honorably discharge from Damp Dodge, Iowa April 10, 1919.
He married Beata Vange on May 18th, 1941 in Flom, Township. During their married life they farmed and settled on the home place in Section 22 of Flom Township. Rudolph was active in his community serving on the School Board and also was on various church boards and a trustee. Rudolph also sang in the church choir for many years. he was a member of Flom-Twin Valley VFW Post 3818 and Nesseth Lien Post #431 of the American Legion. Beata is very active in her church and community. Serving with the Ladies Aid at Aspelund Lutheran Church. She worked at Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley. And is currently on the Grandparent program at Norman County East where she helps the elementary children at the Gary Site. Beata to this day will still help out with the Sunday school at Aspelund substituting as a teacher for the Sunday school.
Rudolph and Beata have three children.
Carol married John Huhner and they live in Fargo where Carol works for Meritcare Hospital.
Charles "Charlie" see Charles Braaten.
Gerald "Jerry" see Jerry and Peg Braaten.
Rudolph died on February 17th, 1976 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery, Flom.
August and Lena Brenden
Lena was born on January 10, 1872 at Sogn, Norway. She came to Twin Valley, Mn at the age of 13, and completed her schooling there. Later she worked as a dressmaker at Moorhead, Mn.
August and Lena were married at the Wild Rice Church, in Flom township on May 26, 1897/ They farmed for several years near Flom. In 1917 they left the Flom area and moved to Montana where they farmed four miles southwest of Flaxville. They retired from farming and moved into Scobey, Montana in 1940.
August passed away in 1942, after his death Lena remained in the home until 1946 when she became a resident at the Daniels Memorial Home. Lena was a pioneer member of the Zion Lutheran Church at Flaxville.
They were the parents of two sons Thomas and Loyal and two daughters Aanada (Milton Hoff) and Alice (Lloyd Schaefer).
Funeral services were held at the Flaxville Lutheran Church and burial was at the Orville Cemetery.
Christopher and Hattie (Flom) Brevik
Christopher "Christ" Brevik was born in Norway in 1886. He was a farmer and trucker. He died as a result of a car accident in 1943.
Hattie Flom was born on May 26, 1889 on a farm near Flom. Mn., to Erick and Anna Flom. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. She attended rural schools and grew up on the family farm. As a young girl she was employed as a cook at the Sanatorium at Crookston, Mn and at the Teachers Training School at Portland, ND for several years.
Christ and Hattie were married on November 19, 1919 at Moorhead, Mn. After their marriage they moved to Twin Valley and rural Twin Valley, Mn., where they farmed for several years. She remained on the farm for three years after Christ’s death before moving into Twin Valley, Mn in 1946.
Hattie served her life in her role as a farm housewife and mother, and was a member of the Wild Rice Lutheran Church for many years. She was also very active in the church ALCW of which she was a life member.
Hattie passed away on June 9, 1971 at the age of 82 years. Christ passed away on April 12, 1943. They are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery. Christ and Hattie were the parents of Clifton, Howard, and Ardis (Elmer Horge).
Howard and Orvilla (Slininger) Brevik
Orvilla "Villie" Slininger was born on February 5, 1927 near Ada, Mn to Charles and Fanny (Hornby) Slininger. She attended country school near her home, and then worked in Ada prior to her marriage to Howard Brevik on February 18, 1945 at Moorhead, Mn.
They lived in Ada, for the first four years and then moved to Twin Valley, where they remained since. The resided in section 12 of Home Lake township until about 1990 when they moved into Twin Valley and their son Todd purchased the home place. Villie began working for the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center in the late 1970’s and continued there until early in 1992, because of failing health. Villie was a very active person, who loved and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She taught Sunday School for a number of years and was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Howard and Villie were the parents of four children; Geraldine "Gerry" (Roger Theis), Jeff, Karla (Frank Pederson) and Todd. Villie passed away on August 17, 1992 at her home in Twin Valley, Mn. She is buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, Mn. Howard also is buried in Zion Lutheran Cemetery.
Jeffrey and Jolene (Dorseth) Brevik
Jeffrey Howard Brevik was born on May 10, 1960 at Ada, Mn to Howard and Orvilla "Villie" (Slininger) Brevik. Howard’s parents were; Christopher Brevik and Hattie (Flom), they resided in Flom township.
He was baptized and confirmed (1975) at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. He attended school at Twin Valley, Mn and graduated with the class of 1978. He then went to Thief River Falls Tech School where he furthered his education in Auto Body Work.
After graduating from TRF Tech he worked for Larry’s Auto Body in Ada, Mn and purchased that business in 1996, it is now called Jeff’s Auto Body. Jeff enjoys spending his spare time hunting and loves to cook, at which he does an excellent job.
Jolene Annette Dorseth was born on April 21, 1962 at Detroit Lakes, Mn to Vernon and LaVonne (Hammer) Dorseth. She was baptized (1962 and Confirmed (1977) at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. She attended school at Waubun Ogema and White Earth Community Schools at Waubun until the 9th grade at which time she went to Twin Valley Public School, where she graduated with the class of 1980.
After graduation Jolene went to Moorhead Tech where she pursued a degree in Legal Secretary. She started working for the Farmer’s State Bank in Waubun after finishing Tech school, here she worked as a teller. In August of 1987 Jolene went to work for Wild Rice Electric in Mahnomen, where she is still employed today. Jolene enjoys spending her spare time reading and listening to music.
Jeff and Jolene were married on June 23, 1984, at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. The settled on a farm on the north side of home lake in Home Lake Township. Here they have remained and are busy raising their family of three boys. Adam Howard (twin) was born on March 4, 1987 at St. Luke’s, Hospital in Fargo, ND. He was baptized at Aspelund on April 19, 1987 and will be confirmed in the fall of 2002. He attends Norman County East where he is active in Football and Baseball. He enjoys hunting with his father.
Aaron Jeffrey Brevik was born on March 4, 1987 at St. Luke’s, Hospital in Fargo, ND. He was baptized on April 19, 1987 along with his twin brother Adam and will be confirmed in the fall of 2002. Aaron attends Norman County East where he is active in Football and Baseball. Aaron likes to hunt and looks forward to Deer Camp each fall with the anticipation of getting the "Big Buck".
Kristian Shane Brevik was born on April 28, 1995 at Merit Care Hospital in Fargo, ND. He was baptized at Aspelund in June of 1995. He attends school at Norman County East, Gary Site where he is an active little boy. Krisitan loves to play and socialize. In his spare time he enjoys spending his time with Jackie and Ernie Saeland.
Jens and Clara (Jensveen) Brodsho
Jens Johannes Brodsho was born on the Holte farm, in Drangedal parish, Telemark, Norway on November S, 1858. He was the 5th of 6 total children born to Johannes Aslakson and Kari Jensdatter. His childhood must have been harsh being a child of a "day laborer" and having his mother committed to the Guastad Mental Hospital in 1865 - eventually dying there in 1870.
In June of 1882, Jens migrated to America probably on the ship Thingvalla and came thru Castle Garden. Jens has a sister named Siri Christina (Eliassen) who was married and lived in Griggs County North Dakota so I suspect he was heading that direction when he stopped in Norman County.
Jens met Clara Jensveen and eventually married her in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church on August 4, 1888. Twelve or thirteen children were born to this couple and Jens settled in section 33 of Wild Rice. Apparently Jens was not the owner of this parcel of land and he agreed to "sell" his rights to it and moved to 40 acres in Fossum township in 1901 next to his father-in-law Ole Jensveen. Raising 13 children on a hilly 40 acres as a "day laborer" could not have been pleasant.
In 1908-1912 time era, Jens tried to establish a homestead in Grant County, North Dakota but was again thwarted by the legal system and lost his right to the land.
Jens began to feel like his was persecuted and that others were out to "get him". Conditions got so bad that in 1917, Jens was declared insane and admitted to the Fergus Falls Regional Medical Hospital. He was discharged from parole in 1919 and returned to his home in Fossum township.
In 1923, his grandson was orphaned and Clara Brodsho brought the 1 year old home to live with them. Living conditions and Jens' attitude never improved, so Clara left Jens with her 4 young children and went to the Homestead Montana area where Clara's brothers lived. The "story" was told that Jens was going to accompany them but at the last minute Jens refused so Clara left Jens with only his mattress and left him.
Jens became even more of a hermit and died in his shack on his 40 acres on January 26, 1937. Even in death, his grave site was unmarked and of little interest until a recent headstone appeared in the Wild Rice Cemetery in 2001.
By Richard Line
Elmer and Mabel (Smith) Brogren
Elmer and Mabel Brogren first made their home at Willmar, Mn. Mabel was the daughter of Henry and Emma Smith they came to Walworth around 1920 from Cottonwood, Mn. They had two children; Otis and Mabel. Otis became a teacher and taught in California for a number of years and he and his family lived in Glendale.
Mabel and Elmer were the parents of Vernon, Kenneth, Virginia, Virgil, Phyllis. After Kenneth graduated from School in 1936, the family came to Walworth to join her parents. Elmer passed away in 1934. They moved onto the farm in section 17 of Walworth township, today John Rikhus resides there.
Later they moved to section 34 onto the Somdahl place. They stayed here until Kenneth and Bernice were married at which time Henry and Emma, along with their daughter Mabel and grand daughter Phyllis moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn. Ken and Bernice took over the farming operation. They still reside on the farm. Mabel last years she resided with her grand daughter Phyllis and family in Detroit Lakes.
Vernon married Elzada Fagerlie and they farmed in Walworth for some years and then moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn. They are the parents of four children; James, Vernette (Darrell Olson), Vernon Jr. and Jerry.
Kenneth; see Kenneth and Bernice Brogren
Virginia married Raymond Fagerlie. They are the parents of ten children; Sharon ( Jim Miller), Sandra, David, Beverly (Dean Chadourne), Dale, Douglas, Debra (Bob Buth), Bonnie (Peter Lage), Dana and Brenda.
Virgil married Margaret Bromander. They are the parents of seven children; Marlys ( Toby Burda/ Darwin Leeds), Corrine (Baier), Darrell, Dean, Curtis, and Randy.
Phyllis married Julius Schmidt. They are the parents of seven children; Cheryl ( Joe Knopf), Karen, Linda, Donald, Lori, Lois and Brian.
Ken and D. Bernice (Fagerlie) Brogren
Ken and Bernice have lived all 58 years of their married life on the same farm, 6 miles south of Flom, know as the Somdahl farm. They raised cattle, sheep and chickens, also small grain, corn and soy beans. Ken also worked for ASC for 28 years, retiring in 1989.
They have one son and five daughters;
Ken Jr. married Carolyn Sandland and they have four sons. He has worked for Roseburg Lumber Co. for many years and lives in Myrtle Creek, Oregon.
Janice married Ross Hardesty and they live in Brainerd, Mn. Both of them work for Mills Motors. They have two sons and one daughter.
Barbara married Steve Kent. They both worked for the West Fargo, ND schools. They have two sons. Steve now works for Moorhead State Bank. Barb passed away in October 2000.
Lynette (Hellum) works for an investment company and an appraisal co. She lives by Anoka Mn. She has two daughters and one son.
Valerie married Randall Alland, they reside in Hawley, Mn. Randy works at the State Bank in Hawley and Valerie works for the Hawley School system. They have three daughters.
Carol is married to John Rikhus and they live in Hawley. John works for the Northway Carriers and Carol works for the V.A. Hospital in Fargo. They have two daughters.
The Brogrens also have 2 step grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Ken enjoyed fishing both summer and winter for many years, also made a lot of things from wood, most of which was given to family members.
Bernice does a lot of hand work; embroidery, hardanger, counted cross stitch and quilting. When the girls were younger she sewed most of their clothes.
They were members of Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen until last August when they last sermon was heard by several hundred people, many were former members. They now belong to Salem Lutheran Church in Hitterdal. Both Ken and Bernice held different offices at Atlanta over the years. Ken has also been on the Ulen school board, Flom Creamery board, Walworth twp board, Ulen Lions, Masonic Lodge and he helped organize the Becker County Soil and Water Conservation District. Bernice belongs to the Walworth Homemaker’s and Viking Manor Guild.
Jon Hugo and Clara (Solid) Bromander
Jon Hugo Vlademar Bromander was born on April, 23,1887 at Rinna, Ostergotland, Sweden.
Clara Matilda Solid was born on May 12, 1894 at Sloan, Iowa.
Both Hugo and Clara grew up on farms in northern Iowa. They were married on June 15, 1916. Their first years of married life was at Savage, Minnesota where Hugo was the Railroad Station Agent and Telegraphist. They came to this area and settled on a farm in Walworth Township, Becker County, Minnesota in the spring of 1920. Here they farmed and raised their family. The farm is located four miles south of Flom on Becker County Highway 7. After they retired from farming they moved into Flom and purchased the home just north of the VFW, which is currently owned by Arlen Lunde.
Hugo and Clara were the parents of five children. Gayle Charles was born in 1918, Margaret Helen (Brogren) was born in 1920, Kenneth Carl was born in 1922, Eilen died at birth in 1930 and Robert Clayton was born in 1932.
For many years they brought all their cream and eggs to Flom to be sold or exchanged for groceries. That was when they lived on the farm south of Flom.
Hugo thought it was an honor to have served on the first board of directors of Wild Rice Electric Cooperative at Mahnomen, Mn., along with Lewis Kirkeby of Flom and six other men and one woman. Hugo filled the vacancy on the board when Peter Ingebretson became project superintendent. They all were interested in getting electrical power to the rural families.
Hugo died on May 19, 1972. After Hugo died Clara moved into an apartment in Ulen and sold their house to Arlen Lunde. Clara died on April 24, 1977. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Beatrice (Syverson) Bromander
Beatrice Syverson was born on July 23, 1930 at Ulen, Mn to Olaf and Cora Syverson. After graduating from Ulen High School she attended Moorhead State College, receiving a teaching degree. She taught school for some years and then returned to MSC and received a degree of bachelor of science in 1958.
She taught school at Averill and Twin Valley and five years at Crookston, Mn.
Beatrice married Robert Bromander, son of Hugo and Clara Bromander on June 27, 1959. Beatrice and Robert were the parents of one son Jon, who was nine months old at the time of her death in 1961. She is buried at the West Cemetery in Ulen, Mn.
Benny and Gyda (Wermager) Buchholz
In the spring of 1942, the Benny Buchholz family moved to the Henry Haroldson home from Pinehurst Resort at Naytahwaush. Benny worked for Art Thorstenson who operated a grocery store and later worked for Pete Larson at the grocery store across the street from Arts. Benny loved hunting and fishing. Benny was born on March 20th, 1898 to Henry and Ellen (Stephenson) Buchholz. He died on September 19th, 1968 and is buried at Aspelund.
Gyda was born to Ole and Tilla (Gulbranson Dalen) Wermager. Gyda’s mother was born in Sondre Land, Norway and immigrated to America in 1884 with her mother and sister to join her father who had come a year earlier.
Benny and Gyda were married on Oct 3, 1923. Gyda did housework and babysitting for many different families. She loved to garden, canning, cooking, baking and embroidering. Benny and Gyda attended Aspelund, Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
It was four years after Benny's death that Gyda left their home in Section 33 of Flom Township, the home is currently owned by Judy Eisenhower. Gyda moved to Twin Valley where she has resided for 20 years at Valley Pines and now resides at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home also in Twin Valley. Gyda is 97 years old.
Ben and Gyda had seven children. Two infant baby girls are deceased. The oldest offspring in Imogene (Jacobson). She attended grade school at Naytahwaush and High School at Mahnomen and Waubun. She furthered her education for two years and received a degree in teaching. She taught school at five different country schools around Flom. She married Kenneth Jacobson in 1950. They had no children. Ken and Jean moved to Eveleth, Mn in 1952. Ken worked in the mines and also for the City of Eveleth. Ken was a avid hunter and fisherman. He died on April 26, 1980 and is buried at Aspelund. Jeanie worked in a diet kitchen at the Eveleth Fitsgerald Hospital for 31 years, retired and moved back to Twin Valley. Now she has been a part of the foster-grandparent program at the Norman County East Elementary School, Gary Site for 10 years.
Dona attended Naytahwaush and Flom grade schools, graduated from Waubun High School. She attended Aakers Business College at Grand Forks, and also met and married Boyd Erickson an Air Force officer.After six months of marriage Boyd was killed. Dona attended Lutheran Bible Institute of St. Paul and Emmanuel Nursing Home in Omaha, NE becoming a Registered Nurse. She married Perry Loten. Perry worked for Hormel Meat Company for 35 years and retired. They reside in Fremont NE.
Bernard attended grade school in Flom and graduated from Twin Valley High School. He served in the army 34 years, was stationed in Germany. He attended school under the GI Bill. He married Sharon LaFrineer and had two children. Tami and Perry. Perry was 16 when he was tragically killed in a car accident. They lived in Thief River. Bernard did engineering jobs, and owned "Auto Mart: He had a Auto Mart in Tonhawa OK., also. Bernard retired, now lives in Ponca City and has a part time job in a "Dollar Tree" store. He has four grandchildren and two step grandchildren.
Boyd attended grade school at Flom and graduated from Twin Valley High School. He joined the Air Force at the age of 18. He served in many bases throughout the US. He served 20 years in the Air Force, 16 of which were served overseas in Korea, Thailand, and Viet Nam. He retired at 38 years of age. He worked and lived in Grand Forks for five years, also worked in Texas and Ms. He married Shirlee William, they have three children and five grandchildren. They reside in Mineral Wells, Tx.
Linda attended grade school at Flom and graduated from High School in Twin Valley. She had various jobs in Fargo and married Ronald Olson. They have two children, Kristi and Tyler. They lived in Arizona, Fargo, Moorhead, Fort Collins, Minneapolis, Texas and now live in Smithville, Mo. They have one grandchild. Ronald sells, auto body computer software and Linda does interior decorating.
Kearney and Delores (Underdahl) Buckle
Kearney Gerald Buckle was born on June 10, 1920 on the family farm in Flom township, to William and Elisa Buckle. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He attended country schools in the area and graduated from Twin Valley High School. He grew up on the farm and spent much of his life on the family farm.
Kearney Buckle was inducted into the armed service of his country on February 4, 1942 from Ft. Snelling, Minnesota. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant as a Chief Radio Operator in the Signal Battalion of the Army, and was honorably discharged from Camp San Luis Obispo, California on February 17, 1944.
On June 22, 1946, he was united in marriage to Delores Underdahl at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. They lived in Detroit Lakes, Mn for one year, moving to a farm in Flom Township where they farmed for 11 years. In 1958 they moved into Twin Valley where he has lived ever since. He served as rural mail carrier for 20 years. He was quite active in church and Boy Scouts, having served on the Board of Deacons and presently on the Board of Trustees, and served as chairman of the Boy Scout committee for several years. He was a past commander of the American Legion Post here and was a regular member of the rifle squad for many years. He loved sports and played on the city baseball team as a young man, bowled on several teams and played a good game of horseshoe.
Kearney and Delores were the parents of: Danny, Michael, Kevyn and Kerry, Rebecca (William Sharff) and Roxanne.
Kearney passed away on January 6, 1977 at the age of 56 years. He is buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, Mn.
After his death Delores continued to live in Twin Valley, Mn for while and then moved to Moorhead.
William and Elisa (Thompson) Buckle
William Buckle was born on September 19, 1888, in Canada. He moved to the Flom, Mn area. Here he met and married Elisa Thompson on July 9, 1916. They lived in other areas including Hastings, ND, before moving to Valley City, Nd in 1944. In Valley City he was employed at the local mill company and also worked on farms in the area.
William died at the age of 90 in 1978, Elisa died in 1965. Funeral services for William were held at Grace Free Lutheran Church at Valley City, ND.
William and Elisa were the parents of six daughters; Velma (Scott Smith), Mabel (Clifford Glawe), Elvira (Leonard Krier), Marvel (Julian Landsem) and LaVerne (Victor Johnson) who all lived in Moorhead at the time of Williams death. One daughter Coral (Lowell Laufenberg), resided in Alice, ND.
Ira Merton and Lillie Jane (Smith) Cary
Ira Merton Cary was born November 29, 1871 at Saratoga, Winona County, Minnesota. He was the son of George Thomas and Ellen Jane (Abbott) Cary. Ira had two siblings, Ida May and William Wells Cary. When he was very young, he moved with his parents to St. Charles, Minnesota which is also in Winona County. Here he received his education. He taught school for several years in rural districts in that area. In 1902, he came to Hawley and purchased 240 acres in Section 31 of Cromwell Township in Clay County. Here he built a home and stable. On March 17, 1904 he married Lillie Jane Smith of St. Charles and they settled on their farm. There they raised small grain to feed their livestock and some potatoes, but their main crop was prairie hay. Ira rented land besides what they owned and cut, stacked and later baled the hay. It was loaded on railroad cars at Muskoda, just east of Moorhead, Minnesota. Everything was done with horses and there were no conveniences except a telephone. This was most likely a cooperative owned by the area farmers.
Their family of seven sons were all born here except Donald who was born after they moved to the Ulen, Minnesota area. The boys in order of their birth were Leslie, Cecil, Lowell, Kermit, Russell, Harold and Donald. The four older boys attended school in District #50 which was a mile and a quarter northeast of their home. They attended the Methodist church which was about two miles northwest of their home. I.M., as Mr. Cary was known, served on the school board and was assessor of Cromwell Township for a time.
In 1920, they sold their farm in Clay County and bought 200 acres in Walworth township in Becker County east of Ulen, Minnesota. They moved to their new home in the spring of 1921. Everything had to be moved by team and wagon. The cattle were driven the 27 miles. In 1924 they rented the adjoining half section of land from Sandstrom and moved onto that. While here the boys went to school in District #35 and the family attended Walworth Baptist Church. I.M. Cary served on the school board here and was Clerk of the Walworth township board for many years.
I.M. and Lillie retired from the farm in 1946 and moved to Twin Valley where they lived the rest of their lives. Mother Cary passed away on April 15, 1948 at the age of 66 years and I.M. passed away on August 22, 1954 at the age of 82.
Their children are as follows:
Leslie Merrille, born February 12, 1905, the oldest son married Irene Jore of Hawley and they had one son, Robert Lee, who died in a tractor accident on September 7, 1970. They farmed in Walworth township until retiring in 1969. Leslie died on April 22, 1973 at the age of 68. Irene lives in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
Cecil Duran, born March 6, 1907, who married Eleanor Beckman of rural Flom and lived in Flom. He was a trucker and a farmer. They had three daughters: Gloria, Jacqualine and Laenea. Cecil died on July 25, 1970 at the age of 63. Eleanor lives in Mahnomen.
Lowell Merton, born March 24, 1909, was also a trucker and farmer. He quit farming in 1959, but trucked until retiring in 1970. He was married to Nellie Westgaard from Detroit Lakes area. They had one son Raymond. They lived in Twin Valley from 1938 to 1948 when they moved to Ulen, Minnesota. Lowell died on September 7, 1997 at age 88. Nellie moved to Detroit Lakes and later to Middletown, Ohio near her son, Raymond, where she resides at the present time.
Kermit Emery, born July 21, 1914, was married to Eldora Marguerite Swenson, who was born March 16, 1918, of Ulen, Minnesota. They had three sons and one daughter. Their children are Bruce, Clark, Reeves and Nancy. Kermit was the Standard Oil bulk dealer in Twin Valley for over 30 years. Eldora died on July 12, 1991 at age 73. Kermit continued to live at Twin Valley, Minnesota until ill health forced him to enter the nursing home in Blue Earth, Minnesota where his son, Clark, is a Lutheran minister. Kermit died on December 21, 2000.
Russell served in the Air Force during WW 2. After his military discharge he worked for a sheeting dealer in Fargo until 1947, when he moved to Valley City, North Dakota and started his own heating and air conditioning business with a partner. He later was a city mail carrier and real estate salesman in Valley City. He married Frances Hanson of Ulen, Minnesota in January of 1948. They had two sons and a daughter, David, Wayne and Lorna. They are now retired and living in Valley City, North Dakota.
Harold served in the Navy during WW 2. After his discharge from the Navy he married Eileen Syverson of rural Ulen, Minnesota. They had five children, Ardean, Pamela, Keith, Neil and Bonnie. He farmed for many years and was a dispatcher for the Minnesota Highway Patrol at Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. He retired in 1987.
Donald Orval Cary, born July 10, 1922, served in the Navy during WW 2. He married Eunice Fevig of Ulen, Minnesota. They had one son, Dale. He farmed for awhile after his military discharge, was a long time auctioneer and owned a resort at Tulaby Lake in Minnesota. Donald died on October 4, 2000. Eunice lives in Moorhead, Minnesota.
John H. and Ellen (Christensen) Cavanaugh
Ellen was born on January 25, 1911 in section 30 of Walworth township to Pete and Mary Christensen. She attended rural schools in Ulen and Flom areas. She graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1930. In 1935 she married Jack Western, he died in 1936. No children. In 1946 she met and married John "Jack" H. Cavanaugh. They lived in Chicago, Illinois and Palo Alto, California. Here Jack worked for Boeing Aircraft and Ellen worked in a Department Store. Jack loved to work with wood and his specialty was making violins, which he focused more on in his retirement. Jack was a member of the Masonic Lodge and a Veteran having served in the Marine Corp.
Jack died on April 7, 1977 on his 78th birthday. Ellen continued to live in Palo Alto, until her death on September 17, 1983. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Clive S. and Myrtle (Berg) Chamberlin
Clive was born on a farm in Grand Park Township, Becker County, to Wells E. and Ida (Sauth) Chamberlin in 1896. He was the ninth of ten children born to them. Clive was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1918 from Detroit Lakes, Mn. He was ready to embark for overseas duty when WW I ended.
He was discharged at Sparta, Wi. Clive worked for logging camps during the winter and was a farmer all his life.
Myrtle Berg was born on February 24, 1909 in Thief River Falls, Mn. To Andrew and Maria Berg. She moved with her family to the Twin Valley area where she grew up. She graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1928. After graduation she went on to further her education at Moorhead State University receiving a teaching degree. Myrtle taught school in Norman County for five years. Before she attended Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis. She was teaching school in Becker County where she met Clive, he was on the school board.
Clive and Myrtle were married on June 2, 1936 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. They first resided at Height of Land Lakes in Becker County before moving to a farm in Fossum Township in 1938. They farmed near Twin Valley. In the 1950’s she returned to MSU and then taught school in Twin Valley until retiring in 1972.
Myrtle was a active member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, have served on the Ladies Aid, Church circles and also as a Sunday School teacher.
In 1969 they moved into Twin Valley, Mn., where they resided until their deaths. Clive passed away in 1980 and Myrtle on April 21, 1995. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Clive and Myrtle were the parents of; Clinton, Byron, Idabelle (James Buskirk), Bernice (Wayne Stiyer/Frank Stevenson), Grace (Elmer Machler), Rosella (Lyle Manthe), Ruth (Mark Becker), Linda (Douglas Maresh) and Carolyn Anderson (John Brewster).
Amos Christensen
Amos moved to Flom from Staples, Mn after he retired from the railroad. He made his home with his brother John. Amos did some farm work the first few years he was here. He also helped his brother with some of the painting. While painting the church at Syre the scaffolding broke and they fell down. John broke his ankle in the fall. Amos then set up a shoe and harness shop in the southwest corner of John Dorseth’s hardware store. He also worked at the Co-op in Flom part-time. He later acquired space between the Jacobson Cafe and the Narum Store.
Here he built a small shoe and harness repair shop. He left Flom after the second world war and went to the west coast. He lived with his daughter and son-in-law, Verna and Earl Ellingson. He returned to Minnesota in the early 1960’s and lived with a daughter and son-in-law Zola and John Pierce at Mora, Mn. He then returned to Oregon and lived out his remaining years with his daughter. He is buried in Oregon. He had five children: Kenneth, Wayne, Zola, Rena and Verna (Earl Ellingson)
Edvar and Austine (Stundahl) Christensen
Edvar J. Christensen was born in 1895 at West Branch, Iowa to Julius and Kerstin (Sorensen) Christensen. As a young man, he moved with his parents to Faith, Mn. Here he was raised on the family farm. Edvar’s siblings were William, John, Otto, Neil, Fred and Lena/Caroline.
Austine was born in 1895 to Torris and Olena (Prestegord) Stundahl. Austine’s siblings were; Lewis, Selmer, Olaf, George, Tilford, Marvin, Clara (Carl Aamoth/Andrew Syverson), Laura (Theodore Lerud), Selma (Henry Smith), Mabel (Ole Stavetieg) and Elvina (Guy Thompson).
After Edvar and Austine were married they rented a farm in Flom township, section 22 until 1942 when they purchased a farm near Ulen, Mn. They stayed here and farmed for nearly forty years.
Edvar and Austine were the parents of Thoris Julius and Kathryn (Lloyd Hegg). Beside their own two children they also helped raise a niece, Violet Rose Stundahl (Johnson Williams). She was the daughter of Lewis and Hulda Stundahl, when illness made it impossible for her parents to care for her. Edvar and Austine were a caring couple, who always enjoyed the fellowship of neighbors, friends and relatives. They hold many fond memories for those they left behind. Edvar died suddenly from a heart attack in his home on December 1, 1956. Austine passed away on May 22, 1970. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
George and Luella (Eyre) Christensen
George E. Christensen was born in 1892, not much is know about him or where he originally came from.
Luella Christensen was born in Missouri on September 26, 1888.
George and Luella were married on June 19, 1926 at Kenosha, Wisconsin. They came to Flom in 1937 and made their home here since. They were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. They had no children. George died in 1962 and Luella died in 1960, both are buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.
Henry Christensen
Henry Christensen was born to Jens and Anna Marie Christensen. He served his country during World War One, giving his life for her. Henry was a Corporal, Co. C., 16th Reg., lst Div. Son of Marie and Jens Christensen of Flom township. He Volunteered his service on April 27, 1917, and was sent to Camp Ft. Logan, Col. Henry was wounded twice and died on September 25, 1918. He also served on the Mexican border before his death. He was wounded in June, 1918. After recovering from his wounds, he joined his company and again went into action. He was severely wounded and died from wounds on September 25, 1918. He is buried near Lorraine France.
James Lee Christensen
James Lee was born on February 3, 1919 to Pete and Mary (Olsen) Christensen in Flom. He grew up and attended school at Sunny Hill country school. After finishing his education Jim entered the military to serve his country. He served in North Africa and in Sicily Italy. While he was serving in Italy, Jim was wounded in the Italy campaign and received the Purple Heart. He was a Veteran of WW II. Jim was a member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.
After his discharge he returned home to section 7 of Flom township. He farmed here until he retired from farming and started to work for Habedank Construction of Twin Valley, Mn. In his later years he moved to Section 29 of Flom township, where he lived on the old farm site of Henry and Viola Dorseth’s (Jim sister).
Jim enjoyed fishing, hunting and playing cards. It was always a treat to have "Uncle Jim" come and stay, along with his true companion was his dog, Eli the Purp Christensen" he was a brindle colored dog who when you got near the car let you know you were stretching your limits with him. Jim loved animals and that could be seen by his animal friends he shared his life with; Petrina, Tekla, Eli to name a few.
Jim passed away on April 6, 1984 at the Veteran’s Hospital in Fargo, ND. His funeral services were held at Walworth Baptist Church, Flom with internment at the church cemetery.
Jens and Anna Marie Christensen
Jens and Anna Marie came to this area from Mason City, Iowa. They lived on a farm five miles east of Ulen, Mn. They were the parents of five sons and one daughter; Carl, John Soren; see John Soren Christensen, Nils Peter; see Pete and Mary Christensen, Amos, Henry; see Henry Christensen, and Mary (Williams)
Carl moved from Iowa to Chicago, he was married and had two sons, Charles and Raymond. Mary their only daughter was married to John Williams. They lived on a ranch in South Dakota, (by Rapid City) where they mainly raised sheep, some cattle and horses. They had two sons; John and William.
John Soren Christensen
John Soren was born to Jens and Anna Marie Christensen in Mason City, Iowa. His family came to this area and settled east of Ulen, Mn. John went to photograph school at Staples, Mn. He returned to Flom and set up a studio in the house which is now owned by Elinor Swenson. His photo business usually kept him very busy on week ends, with wedding pictures, confirmation pictures, families and graduations. John was known through out the Flom, Ulen and Waubun area for his excellent work and reasonable prices. John was also a painter, this he did during the week, with doing wall papering besides. He was the handy man around Flom. Most of the buildings in the Flom area were painted by him. John never owned a car so he usually had to hire transportation.
He lived by himself most of the time, although John Haroldson rented a down stairs room from him for many years. He lived in Flom until his health began to fail from cancer. He then moved out to his niece’s home (Henry and Viola Dorseth’s). Here he stayed with family until his death on May 23, 1949. John Soren Christensen is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery. The Aspelund church had been painted both inside and outside by John over the years several times. He never married
John P. and Martha (Nelson) Christensen
John P. Christensen was born on a farm in West Branch, lowa, on September 27' 1890. His parents Julius and Kjersten Christensen had originally immigrated from Denmark.
Mr. Christensen was the eldest of seven children, six boys and one girl. He received a common-school education, and later with his family moved to Clements, Minnesota. where his family farmed.
In 1913 John, along with his brother Bill, dug wells in eastern Norman County and in Mahnomen County for about two years.
In 1914 John started farming in Flom Township. That summer he returned to Clements to get his bride, Martha Nelson. Her parents, Peter and Inga Nelson, had also immigrated from Denmark.
Four sons and two daughters were born to John and Martha. They were Kenneth, born February 7. 1916: Merrill, born June 10, 1918; Donald, born March 4, 1922; Robert, born December 6, 1926, Doris, born January 8 1931; and Ina, born November 1, 1932.
Their oldest son, Kenneth, lived at Detroit Lakes where he owned and operated Lakes Electric. He has three children, JoAnn. Ronald. and Allan.
Merrill lives at Cynthiana. Indiana. where he was a road construction engineer. He is married to Vivian Christensen and they have two daughters, Karen and Bonnie.
Donald lived near Twin Valley in Fossum Township, where he was engaged in farming. He raised registered Angus cattle, farrows and finishes about 800 head of swine and raises small grains along with his two sons Bruce and Micheal. Donald was married to Bernice Peterson and they have five children, Donna, Bruce, Donald Jr., Janice and Michael. Donald and Bernice are both deceased and buried at St. Olaf Cemetery at Faith, Minnesota.
Robert lives at Forrest Lake, Minnesota, where he is a building contractor. Robert was married to Elna Jane Dullum; They have five children; Cheryl, Renee, Steven, Kevin and Todd.
Doris was married to Arlin Wiger. They operate the home farm. Doris taught fourth grade at the Twin Valley Public School. They have three boys and a girl; Rollin, Dean, Pamela and Timothy.
Ina Mae was married to Duane Johnson. They lived at Gilbert, Minnesota. They have six boys Douglas, Dwight, Peter, Rodney, Neil, and Earl.
In 1916 John and Martha with baby Kenneth moved to Faith, where they farmed and lived until September of 1954. At that time they moved to Twin Valley. John passed away in 1956, and Martha at present is a resident of the Lutheran Retirement Center in Twin Valley.
In the 1930's times were tough, crops were short, but they got along with what they had. In 1932 a hail storm wiped out their entire crop. They bought oats for seven cents a bushel to feed the cattle and horses. During the winter months they would haul their cattle and pigs to Twin Valley where they were shipped by train to the market at South St. Paul. The cattle were hauled on sleds pulled by horses, leaving early in the morning and returning late at night. They had a road to town through the woods, across creeks and the river. Many times the road was rough and the weather so cold that they would walk behind to keep warm. During the winter they also cut cord wood, which was hauled to Mahnomen, Flom and Twin Valley.
John served on the school board of District 46, Faith, Minnesota. He was on the Fossum Township Board and was President of the St. Olaf Lutheran Church from 1941 until 1952. Martha was active in church. she sang in the church choir and held offices in the St. Olaf Ladies Aid. During the years her children were in 4-H, Martha was a club leader. She was also a member of the Homemakers Club, and was a seamstress for several families in the neighborhood.
Pete and Mary (Olsen) Christensen
Nels Peter Christensen was born on July 15, 1877 to Jens and Anna Marie Christensen, near Mason City, Iowa. He grew up in that area and attended school there. He had two brothers and one sister. Amos and John, Henry and Mary (Williams).
Mary Martha Olsen was born on September 23, 1884, in Mansfield Ohio, the daughter of James and Hannah Olsen. She grew up in Ohio and later moved to Iowa with her parents. Mary had on brother and a half sister, names unknown.
Peter and Mary were married on January 6, 1902 at Story City, Iowa. When they lived in Chicago, after they were first married Peter worked for a cabinet company, besides building cabinets they also made fire place mantels. Pete’s job was to deliver and install these mantel pieces in business places and homes. Two children were born to them while in Chicago; William ( died and is buried there) and Viola. They left Chicago in 1908 with their daughter Viola to come to Mn to farm. They lived on several farms in the Walworth township and Flom townships.
Lady luck did not smile on him here. He lost some cattle and buildings when he lived east of Ulen, when a tornado struck. He would tell that they saw the storm coming and ran from the house, laying down in a ditch until the storm was over. Mary, his wife, never lost her fear of storms after that. They moved to from Flom to west of Syre, not understanding alkaline which was prevalent in the soil and this transferred to the feed and grass, his livestock did poorly. They then packed up their belongings and moved to section 7 of Flom township. Here he lost the barn in an early morning fire. Besides losing the barn he lost his car, three horses, a sow and little pigs and some calves. He also lost his harnesses and many of his tools. One horse was able to break free and made it out of the barn. They never really were sure as to what started the firs, at first they thought it was started in the car, but later it was deemed to have probably started from damp hay. Then the 1930’s came and with that came the dust storms and depression. During this time it didn’t matter what you had to sell, it wasn’t worth anything.
Pete loved to work with mechanical things, especially motors, this was kind of a hobby for him. He was interested in bee keeping and had several hives of bee’s. He kept his family well supplied with honey. Mary not only took on the role of a housewife and mother but also took her talents to those in her community, doing practical nursing for friends, family and neighbors. She also did midwifery of which Glen Larson, son of Valborg and Edwin Larson was one of her deliveries. In her spare time she enjoyed crocheting and also her grandchildren say she could make the best Lemon Pie’s in the world. Mary was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary.
Pete and Mary were members of Walworth Baptist Church, Flom, Mn. Pete died on September 24, 1966, after which Mary continued living on the farm with her son Jim. She entered the Lutheran Memorial Home in 1969 where she resided until her death on March 1, 1975. They are both buried at Walworth Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pete and Mary were the parents of six children. William their first born was born and died while they lived in Chicago and is buried there. Viola was born in 1906, See: Henry and Viola Dorseth, Amos George was born in Walworth township on January 6, 1909 and died on February 2, 1909. There is a discrepancy with his name. To clarify this it is stated on both the birth and death records for Walworth Township that his name is Amos George. On his cemetery stone his name is George E. He is buried at Walworth. Ellen was born on January 25, 1911, See John and Ellen Cavanaugh, Ruby was born on July 19, 1916, See Ruby and Melvin Vik and James was born on February 3, 1919. See James Christensen.
Ronald C. and Mabel (Gregorson) Christensen
Ronald Charles Christensen was born on December 1, 1920 to William and Selma (Flom) Christensen. He was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He grew up on the family farm and attended elementary school and high school at Waubun.
On October 6, 1943, he was united in marriage to Mabel Gregorson at her parent's home near Ulen, Mn, by Rev. Amundson. They resided in Norman and Clay county for a few years, then moved to Babbitt , Mn in 1956.
During his life he farmed for a short time, was employed at the Ulen Creamery and later at Cass Clay Creamery for several years. He was last employed by the Reserve Mining Company as a shovel operator for almost 18 years at Babbitt.
Ronald and Mabel were the parents of one daughter; Marilyn (Craig Carlson), at the time of Ronald's death they were residing in Bloomington, Mn.
William and Selma (Flom) Christensen
William (Bill) Christensen was born August 31, 1893 at Brookings, SD to Julius and Kjerstin (Sorenson) Christensen. Bill’s father Julius Christensen was born on September 29, 1858 and his mother Hjersyen Marie Sornsen was born in June 1858, both in Tolne, Horns, Hjorring, Denmark. In 1913 he came to Mahnomen, Mn with his brother John and they started a well drilling business. He met and married Selma Flom daughter of Simon and Randi Flom in 1916. William operated a hardware store in Madock, Montana, from 1916 until 1920, when they returned to Flom township and started farming. Selma was a seamstress and worked for awhile in cook cars in the Cheyenne, ND areas during her life. In 1954, William and Selma retired from farming and moved to Twin Valley, Mn. Their daughter Ione and her husband Joe took over the farming operations.
The farm is located one mile south of Flom in section 22. They stayed here and raised their family, James, Ronald and daughter Ione (Joe Tobin), they had one infant daughter Irene, twin to Ione who died at birth.
Ruth Christine Churness
Ruth Christine Churness was born on October 16, 1898 at Fosston, Mn to Willie Churness and Anna Urdahl. She lived with her mother and step father until 1913 at Berthold, ND. At that time she became a resident at Grafton State Hospital until 1919, when she was placed at San Haven State Hospital, where she resided until her death. Ruth passed away on December 21, 1977.
At the time of her death there was no immediate family members, although she did have cousins in the Twin Valley area. Rev. Paul Mathre conducted the graveside services for her in the spring of 1978, where she was laid to rest beside her father, in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
William and Anna (Urdahl) Churness
William Churness was born in Crawford county, Wisconsin, moving to the Flom area with his parents. He also had five sisters and three brothers. He married Anna Urdahl in 1896, also of Flom. After their marriage they moved to Berthold, where they lived and were active in farming.
William Churness died unrepentantly of heart failure in 1911 at his home near Berthold, ND. He is survived by his wife and a daughter who deeply mourn over the loss of a most kind and loving husband and father.
Services were held over his remains in the United church at Berthold on Tuesday following his death, after which he was shipped to his former home in Flom for interment, which occurred Monday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. Here a very large crowd was gathered to pay respect to the one departed. Rev Nelson officiated.
A.O. and Marie (Huseby) Dahl
Ananias O. Dahl was born at Zombrota, Mn on June 19,1879. He came to the Syre area with his parents at the age of 3 years. He grew up here and was raised to manhood. He married Julia Tylden on June 26, 1909 and she died in 1924.
Marie Huseby was born at Syre, Mn on November 18, 1885, she was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. Here she grew to womanhood. She married Gustave Sagen in June of 1908 and they resided in Grand Forks, ND. He was killed in a train accident in 1913, and in September 1927 Marie married A. O. Dahl. They had resided there since.
Marie was a charter member of the Syre Lutheran Church and a life member of it's ALCW. Marie and Gustave were the parents of; Judien, Selmer and Gerhard Sagen. Marie and A.O. were the parents of; Raymond and Lillian. Marie also had two other daughters of which we don't know their maiden names; Ruth (Rossing) and Gladys (Peterson).
Marie passed away in 1964, and Ananias passed way at the age of 85 in Crookston, Mn in August 1967, funeral services were held at the Syre Lutheran Church, Syre, Mn.
Dorseth Family Farm History
The Dorseth farm was originally owned by the Northern Pacific Railroad. It was deeded to Lucy Holms in 1878 for the sum of $500.00. She was a rural school teacher in this area. She in turn sold the land to Andrew Skiem in 1880. Mr Skiem owned this farm for a few years and in the year 1882 sold the land to Andreas Dorseth. It has been in the Dorseth family ever since.
Andreas Hanson Dotset was born in Eina, Vestre Toten, Norway on August 14, 1836, to Madison A.H.Dotset and his wife. He married a young girl by the name of Helene (Amlien) while he lived in Norway. In April of 1870 Andreas and Helene left their native land with high hopes of making a better life for themselves and their children in the new world. A world that held the hopes and promises they so wanted. They packed up their belongings, along with their two sons; Andrew (a twin brother died at birth and is buried in Norway)see Andrew and Mathilda Dorseth) and Hans (See Hans and Ronnag Dorseth).
They boarded a ship and left, coming to America. They stopped in Wisconsin, where they lived with an aunt for a short time before moving on to Decorah, Iowa.Here they also had relatives and work was available on a farm. They arrived here in early July and spent the next seven years in Iowa. It was during this time their son John (See John and Lizzie Dorseth) was born, shortly after their arrival. A daughter Augusta (see Ole and Augusta Thorson) followed behind.
When they arrived in America a typo (all we can figure) changed their name from Dotset to Dorseth.
In the spring of 1877 they left Iowa for Minnesota, traveling first by rail and then by covered wagon to Becker County. Here they homesteaded in section 2. They built a sod house and lived on this land until they proved their homestead.
In May of 1882 they purchased 160 acres of land from Andrew Skiem in Section 29 of Flom township in Norman County, and moved his family here. This land had an abundance of good timber suitable for fuel and lumber. It also had a nice sandy loam soil which made farming easier. It was here that they built a log house, barn and granary.
Andreas and Helene (Eline) were charter members of Aspelund Lutheran Church. Andreas also helped plan and build the first church in 1885. Andreas died on August 27, 1924 and Helene (Eline) died on July 20, 1908, they are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church.
Andreas sold his farm to his son, Andrew and his wife Mathilda (Korsgaden) in 1897. See Andrew and Mathilda Dorseth. They had five children; Helmer, Henry(6/10/1895-9/20/1895), Henry, Alma (see Lewis and Alma Ask) and Mabel (see Edgar and Mabel Skansgaard).
In 1938, Andrew sold the farm to his son, Henry and his wife, Viola (see Henry and Viola Dorseth). They had five children; Vernon, DonnaMae, Gloria, Alden and Linda. After Henry's retirement from farming in 1965, the farm was rented to Vernon and his wife LaVonne. In 1974 they purchased the farm.
Vernon and LaVonne still own the farm, but no longer farm the land. They retired from farming in 1995 and rent the land to Lyle and Erik Bakke.
Adolph Dorseth
Adolph was born on November 24, 1904 to John and Lizzie (Lovise Carlson) Dorseth at Flom. He grew up in the town of Flom and farmed in this area. He entered the military service, serving his country during WW II. At the time of his death he was employed on the Boman farm near Flom, Mn. He had been operating a tractor when it tipped over on an incline, not far from the Boman building site. He managed to free himself and reach the farmyard, when he collapsed. He was taken to the Ada hospital where he later died from internal injuries on May 22, 1952.
Adolph never married, he had two brothers; Lawrence and Anton (Tony) and three sisters; Hilda
(Andrew Anker), Sally (Selma Bakken) and Jonette (Albert Thorson).
Albert and Agnes (Huseby) Dorseth
Albert Dorseth was born to Hans and Ronnag (Fossen) Dorseth on October 21, 1892 in Flom township.
He grew up on the family farm in section 28 of Flom township. Albert was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn., and attended elementary school in the Flom area. He later farmed for a number of years in the Flom area.
Albert married Agnes Huseby on April 17, 1927, at Flom, daughter to Ove Huseby's. They resided on the home farm for two years, then farmed in Mahnomen county eleven years before moving to Moorhead, Mn in 1954.
They were the parents of two daughters; Ardyce (Charles Donner) and Phyllis (David Bullert).
Albert died on April 4, 1965 and Agnes died on August 11, 1994, they are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Alden and Shirley (Wheeler) Dorseth
Alden Palmer Dorseth was born on February 21, 1936 in Flom township, Norman County, Minnesota to Henry and Viola (Christensen) Dorseth, on the family farm. He grew up on the family farm in section 29 of Flom township, attending school at Woodland Nook from 1941-1949, he then went to Twin Valley High School from 1949-1951. He attended two years of school at Northwest School of Agriculture at Crookston, MN from 1951-1953.
Alden entered the U.S. Army in 1954 and went to Fort Eustus, VA. He was discharged from the armed services in 1957 and came back to the Flom area. He attended Dakota Business College in Fargo, ND from 1959-1960. Mn ARNG from 1969-1994.
Alden married Shirley Wheeler of Clay county, Ulen, Mn on May 2, 1959. She was born on September 17, 1939 and raised just south of Ulen in Clay county. They lived in Wadena, Little Falls and for a short time they also lived in Ada, Mn. Alden worked at the Merickle Lumber Mills, in Wadena from 1961-1963, then he went to Fleet District Supply in Little Falls, Mn where he worked from 1963-1974, was employed by Camp Ripley at Little Falls, Mn from 1974-1994. Retired: Federal Civil Service 1994.
Alden and Shirley are the parents of four children; Deanna, Michael, Mark and Denise
Deanna Mary was born on August 28, 1961. Deanna and her husband Scott Fritz reside in Fergus Falls, Mn with their two daughters; Megan 8 yrs and Christina 5 yrs.
Michael was born on November 16, 1963. Mike and his wife Sandy reside in Princeton, Mn with their two sons; Erik 12 yrs and Alex 10 yrs.
Mark was born on April 17, 1966. Mark and his wife Cheryl live in Albany, Mn with their two sons; Mason, 6 yrs and Clayton 4 yrs.
Denise Leona was born on January 31, 1972. Denise and her husband Loren Klaphake live by Freeport, Mn with their two daughters; Aiyanna, 3yrs and Sophia 1yrs. Sophia was born on Great Uncle Vernon Dorseth’s 71st birthday.
Andrew and Mathilda (Korsgaden) Dorseth
Andreas (Andrew) was born to Andreas and Helene (Amlien) Dorseth in Vestre Toten, Norway on July 17, 1866. He immigrated in 1870 with his parents to Wisconsin and then on to Decorah, Iowa where they stayed until the spring of 1877. They were members of Glenwood Lutheran Church while there. In 1877 they left Iowa for Minnesota, they settled first in Becker county then the family came to Norman County where they remained since. In 1884 Andrew was confirmed in the old log church at Wild Rice by Rev. Sagen. He was a charter member of Aspelund Lutheran Church.
Mathilda Korsgaden was born in 1874 to Hans and Mary Hanson Korsgaden in Wisconsin. They came to Flom township when she was a child and settled in section 1. Mathilda died at a young age at Fergus Falls, Mn in 1915. She left behind her husband and four children. Both Andrew and Mathilda are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN.
Andrew and Mathilda were the parents of five children.
Henry A. was born on June 10, 1895 and died on September 20, 1895, he is buried at Aspelund. their second child a son was named Helmer (see Helmer Dorseth), then a third child was born in 1898, Alma (see Lewis and Alma Ask) a third son was born in 1900, they named him Henry Adolph (see Henry and Viola Dorseth), their last child a daughter Mabel was born in 1902 (see Edgar and Mabel Skansgaard).
Anton “Tony” Dorseth
Anton "Tony" Dorseth was born on October 15, 1908 to John and Lovise "Lizzy" (Carlson) Dorseth. He grew up in Flom and attended school here. After his father’s death Tony remained living in the living quarters in the rear of John Dorseth Hardware Store. He later purchased a trailer home and put that just to the west of the Hardware Store, he remained here throughout his life. As a young man he operated the family farm and continued farming until his retirement in the early 1970’s. Besides farming, Tony also worked for Edgar Skansgaard during the winter months.
Tony was a lifelong member of Aspelund Lutheran Church. Throughout his life, Anton was an avid hunter, trapper, and very interested in world affairs and had a special knack for remembering dates.
Tony died on December 22, 1992 at the Americana Health care Center in Fargo. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Gregory Lee Dorseth
My name is Greg Dorsey… I was born on May 1, 1955 at the Mahnomen hospital, the first born and only son of Vernon and LaVonne (Hammer) Dorseth. A few days after I came into the world, my parents took me to my home in section 25 of Flom township. The first year of my life was a struggle as there were many trips to visit the Doctors in Minneapolis. This was done by Mom, Dad and I boarding the train in Waubun and riding to Minneapolis where my mother’s aunt would pick us up and take us to our destination, the University of Minnesota Hospital. I had various tests done until they finally diagnosed me with Down’s Syndrome.
The first of many battles in my life had just began. My parents had been told by the Dr. in Ada that I would not live to see my 7th birthday, that I should be placed in an institution and left there, forget you ever gave birth to this child. Those are hard words for parents to hear, or anyone for that matter.
My parents took me home and gave me the love and nurturing that all children deserve, whether handicapped or not. I was guided by them and I was able to excel beyond what the Drs predications were. I was probably one of the first, if not the first child born in Flom Township with Downs. My family and my community didn’t shun me, they accepted me and helped me to grow.
When I was three years old I became a big brother, a little sister Teryl Jo was born in March of 1958. I was excited about the baby and truly adored her. It was shortly before my second sister Jennifer Lynne was born in 1960, that I went to live in Cambridge, Mn. In 1962 another sister, Jolene Annette, joined our family, I now had 3 sisters to love me.
This was not an easy decision for my parents to make. They discussed it at lengths and it was decided to better my life and help me to achieve more that I should go to a facility where they would specialize in helping and raising a handicapped child. It as a devastating day for me and my family. I didn’t understand exactly what was happening. I couldn’t comprehend that this was my new home and that when Mom and Dad left, I wasn’t going with them. It took sometime for me to adjust to this new life, but once again I overcame another obstacle in my life.
One day, my dad was talking to Olaf Haugo, and Olaf told him about the new facility in Brainerd MN, where there daughter Marie was living. So dad checked into having me move there. He was told there was about a two year waiting list. Then one day, my dad met Burnett Bergeson, our State Representative, in Flom having coffee, he told Burnett about having to wait to have me moved closer to home. He said, "Go home and put everything on paper that you told me, and send it to my office in St Paul". Within 30 days, I moved to the brand new facility at Brainerd, after living in Cambridge for one year.This was closer for my family, they would have half the drive to come and see me. With my Dad being a Dairy Farmer, it was not always easy to have someone to do the chores, so they could make the trip to Brainerd. I lived here for about 7 years. While living in Brainerd I enjoyed picnics at Lum Park with my family and the special visits to Paul Bunyan Land where I enjoyed the rides.
Once again I moved, each time getting a little closer to "Home". I moved to Fergus Falls State Hospital which was only a hour and a half drive from my home. Here I adjusted once again to a new home. I was able to work in the wood shop which I really enjoyed. We made various items for people to purchase for their homes. I remained here until 1982, when I made my final move.
Polk County opened what were called Group Homes, with two of those being in Ada, Mn. This was a new trend to housing for the handicapped, and
once again I was paving the road for others. When they brought up the possibility of my moving here, my parents were all for it. I would only be 20 miles away. I would be out of the Institution Life Style and be in a real home. I moved into Ada into the group home that was next to the High School (before the flood of 97). Here I shared a room with another boy. There were about 8 people who lived here with me. We had group home parents who worked shifts so we were never alone. We called them "Our Mother’s" We had our own living room, kitchen, dining room, this was great. We had our own job responsibilities to do each day.
In my room I could hang pictures of my family, have my own television and keep my possessions with me. I love it here, the freedom was a totally new experience for me. Group Homes were a new idea which I feel has been a great move for anyone with a disability. Here we all carry on the daily activities of a regular family.
I go to the DAC each day during the week. Here we would do wood crafts and other various items that we would put up for sale. I also had a job where I worked at a store in Ada, sweeping the floors a couple days a week. I liked this because now I would have a little spending money of my own. I later
worked at Garberg Foods in Twin Valley. I would go there once a week and help to stock shelves, I looked forward to this day each week, Bruce and Teresa Garberg were very good to me.
My life has been good. I have gone beyond their expectations for me, I celebrated my 47th birthday on May 1st 2002, that was a milestone in it’s self. My life has been plagued with different illnesses and each time that a curve ball was thrown at me I overcame the affliction and went on. But now I am faced with a new obstacle, I have been diagnosed with pre-leukemia, this obstacle I will not be able to over come. I have enjoyed going home in the summers to the farm and riding on the tractor with dad, and on the bale wagons with my sisters. I liked to feed the baby calves and do other chores. Holiday's are special for my family and me, when we all get together at Mom & Dad's, then I get to visit with sister's and their families.
Dale Evans Rogers wrote a book "Angel Unaware". It was about her daughter who was also born with Down’s. She didn’t live to be very old, but she spoke about her being placed on this earth to fulfill a mission for God. When her mission was completed there would be a mansion waiting for her to return to, "come home to". In My Father's House there are many rooms, a room for everyone.
I feel that was what I was sent here to do. As I see my life drawing to a close I feel that I have completed my mission. I believe I was sent here to open the eyes and hearts of my family and community to paved the road for other Handicapped Children. It is because of their love that I have succeeded.
Kids born today with the same health problems as I have had are better educated. They are main streamed into the world around them, no longer hidden from sight.
I didn’t achieve my goals, my mission by myself. Sure, I was teased by others, and this hurt my feelings the same as anyone else would have felt. I was stared at because I was different, not the same as other people. But I was not hid in a closet, or left in an institution and forgotten about. I was loved, guided, and nurtured through life.
Yes I feel I have opened the eyes of those in my family and my community. And I can proudly say that "I have fulfilled my mission, I have succeeded."
Hans and Ronnag (Fossen) Dorseth
Hans Dotset was born on January 30, 1865 in Vestre Toten, Norway, near the town of Eina. In 1870 he along with his parents Andreas and Helene (Amlien) Dotset and his brother Andrew immigrated to America.
Ronnag Fossen was born on September 27, 1870, in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway to Anotin and Sigurd Fossen. In 1882 she together with her family immigrated to America, making their home in Flom township with a sister. She had one brother Ole and two sisters; Gurie (Braget) and Anna ( Jacobson).
Hans and Ronnag were married on January 14, 1892 and they settled in section 28 of Flom township. Here they farmed the land and were active in their community and church. And it was here that they raised their family. Their children were; Thea (see Alfred and Thea Rue), Florence (Leslie Miller), Lillian (George H. Johnson), Mabel R. (see Bennett Ommodt), Ella see (Harry B.and Ella Gunderson), Walter, Rudy, and Albert.
Walter and his wife Katherine lived here for a few years after they were married. He then took a job in Iowa where they lived until their deaths. They have one son Dale Dorseth who still resides there and they were proceeded in death by an infant daughter, Linda who was born and died on September 26, 1941 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Helmer Dorseth
Helmer M. Dorseth was born on August 20, 1896 to Andrew and Mathilda (Korsgaden) Dorseth in Flom township. He grew up in the Flom area where he was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom Mn. He attended rural schools here. He worked on his father's farm and later moved in with his sister Mabel Skansgaard and her husband Edgar in section 33 of Flom township. He lived with Mabel and Edgar for 33 years. He was a farm laborer and worked his later years for his brother in-law Edgar.
At the age of 9 Helmer started to go blind and by the age of 13 was totally blind. They believed that his blindness was caused by Whooping cough, he was able to finish his education before going totally blind. It was always fun to try and sneak into Mabel's house, but Helmer was quick to state it must be the Dorseth girls coming for a visit. Maybe it was the giggling of Terri, Jennifer and Jolene as we walked through the door trying to fool him.
Henry and Viola (Christensen) Dorseth
Henry Adolph was born on November 30, 1900 to Andrew and Mathilda Korsgaden Dorseth, in section 29 of Flom township. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church. He grew up and attended school at Woodland Nook, Dist 42. After completing his education he farmed with his father, Andrew, in section 29. Viola Leona Christensen was born on November 4, 1906 to Pete and Mary (Olsen) Christensen in Chicago, Ill. She came to the Ulen area when she was almost two years old. She attended school at Flom and Plentywood and attended church at Walworth Baptist Church. She received her GED in 1968. Henry and Viola were married on June 27, 1928 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. It was a double wedding, along with Henry’s sister Mabel and her husband Edgar Skansgaard. They honeymooned at Itasca State Park.
They came back to Flom and farmed in section 29. Henry farmed until his retirement, at which time his son Vernon took over the farming operation. Henry and Viola left the farm in 1963 and moved into Flom. Here Henry operated the Long Branch Bar (Morck’s Cafe) and they lived above the business. They later purchased a home on the west side of town in section 33, the former Marvin Thompson home (at one time the Woodland Nook School house). Henry loved to Hunt, Fish, Play cards and horse shoes. Many a summer evening were spent with family and friends gathering for a horse shoe tournament while they lived at the farm. Viola worked at the cafe in Flom for many years and loved to garden. She sold flowers and plants out of the old John Dorseth Store in Flom in the spring of the year for her daughter Gloria of Francis Greenhouse of Mahnomen. Her flower beds and the VFW flower beds were meticulously cared for by Viola every summer. Viola was also active in her community. She was a member of the VFW Post 3818 Auxiliary, Aspelund Ladies Aid, Flom Homemaker’s Club, Flom Senior Citizen’s Club, and was a past 4-H leader, Sunday school teacher and youth leader.
Henry operated the Long Branch until his death on October 12, 1970, at the age of 69 years. After his death Viola continued living in Flom and their son and daughter in-law; Vernon and LaVonne Dorseth took over the Long Branch. In 1994 Viola moved from her home in Flom to the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center in Twin Valley, Mn. In 1996 she moved to the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn, where she resided until her death on July 7, 1998.
Henry and Viola are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Henry and Viola were the parents of five children; Vernon Henry: see Vernon and LaVonne Dorseth,
DonnaMae: See Sanford and DonnaMae Albertson,
Gloria: See Roland and Gloria Francis,
Alden: See Alden and Shirley Dorseth
Linda: See Keith and Linda Axvig.
John A. and Lovise (Carlson) Dorseth
John A. Dorseth, who is engaged in the hardware, furniture and undertaking business at the village of Flom, in Norman county, was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, February 25, 1871, son of Andrew H. and Helen (Amlien) Dorseth, natives of Norway, the former born at Eina Vestre Toten, who came to this country in 1870, when they came up into this part of Minnesota, where the former is still living, one of the best-known pioneers of Norman County.
Upon coming up here into the Red River country in 1879, Andrew Dorseth homesteaded a quarter of a section of land on the northern edge of Becker county, adjoining Norman county, and there established his home, remaining there until 1886, in which year he moved over into Flom township, Norman county, and settled on a farm in section 29 of that township, where his wife died in July, 1910, and where he is still living. He is a member of the Lutheran (Synod) church, as was his wife, and their children were reared in that faith. There were four of these children, the subject of this sketch, the third in order of birth, having two brothers, Hans and Andrew, and a sister, Augusta.
John A. Dorseth was but eight years of age when his parents came up here into the Red River country and he grew to manhood on the home farm, thoroughly familiar with pioneer conditions in this section and received his schooling in the schools of Flom township. As a young man he became engaged in well-drilling and farming and after his marriage established his home on the old homestead quarter section at the edge of Becker county, which he still owns and where he made his home for seven years, or until in May 1903, when he left the farm and moved to the village of Flom, where he became engaged in the general hardware, furniture and undertaking business and has ever since been thus engaged, his establishment being one of the best-known places of business in that thriving village. Mr. Dorseth also has given considerable attention to the general business affairs of the village and has served as a member of the board of directors of the Farmers State Bank of Flom, for two terms as treasurer of the Flom Creamery Company and for three years as secretary of the same. He served for about six years as justice of the peace and is the present constable of Flom township.
Mr. and Mrs. Dorseth, the latter of whom, before her marriage, was Lovise "Lizzie" Carlson, have six children, Adolph, Hilda, Anton, Lawrence, Jonnette and Selma "Sally". The family are members of the Lutheran (Synod) church and take an interested part in church work.
John A. Dorseth was the first of the Dorseth children to be born in the United States, he was the first to be American born. Lovise "Lizzy" Carlson was born on June 10, 1885 to Aud and Sarah (Williams) Carlson, she also had a sister who lived in this area; Mrs. August Benson. Lizzy passed away on September 24, 1919. At this time it was left up to John to raise his family. They lived in the apartment behind the Hardware Store in Flom. John passed away on November 17, 1963. It was at his funeral that many people from the area learned of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. John and Lizzie are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Lawrence “Doc” Dorseth
Lawrence Dorseth was born on September 10, 1910 to John and Lovise “Lizzy” Dorseth at Flom, Mn. He grew up in the Flom area and attended school here. He answered the call to serve his country during World War II. After completing his military service he returned to the Flom area and later moved later to Scobey, Montana where he worked for area farmers. Doc was a patient at the Veteran’s Hospital in Wyoming for many years.
Lawrence married Edna Bjarko in Montana on April 2, 1949. Edna was born on January 23, 1922. They were the parents of five children; Larry, Linda, Kay, John and Jeannie.
Doc lived in Scobey Montana for a some years, before returning to the Flom area in the late 1960’s. When he returned he lived with his brother Anton in the living quarters of his father’s Hardware Store. Lawrence later returned to Scobey Montana where he resided until his death on March 12, 1997. Edna passed away on January 23, 1985.
Rudolph Dorseth
Rudy was born on March 23, 1903 on the family farm in Flom township. Here he grew up and attended country school. After his father's death he remained on the family farm, took over the farming operations.
He was active in the farming operation until 1977 when he retired and moved into the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn. He never married. He died on June 19, 1987 and is buried at Aspelund. After Rudy left the farm it was sold to Joe and Ione Tobin, it now belongs to Charles Henderson’s
Vernon and LaVonne (Hammer) Dorseth
I grew up on the Dorseth family farm in section 29 of Flom Township. I attended school at Flom and Woodland Nook. I was baptized at the Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom by Rev. Norby. I attended Sunday School, and was a member of the Luther League at Aspelund. I was confirmed by Rev. A.H. Amundson on November 14, 1943. I was also a member of the Boy Scout Troop at Flom of which Rev. Amundson was the Scout Master.
In 1939, I joined the Flom 4-H Club, Mrs. Martinus Flaten was our leader. The Flom 4-H Club had the honor of being the largest Club in Norman County at that time. While a member of the club, I won several trips to the Minnesota State Fair. I had the privilege of being on the Norman County Championship Dairy Judging team. I was also awarded the Holstein silver medal for being top individual of the show. Other members of the team were, Willis Eken and Dennis Forsell. We were coached by Oswald Dahlenbeck, the Norman County Agent. The team then went to the Minnesota State Fair, where we placed in the top ten teams in the state.
I graduated from Waubun High School in 1948. After graduation I stayed on the farm and helped my dad with the farming. He had a dairy herd so our farming centered mostly around cattle, hogs, chickens and some sheep. Much of the farming during the years that I grew up was done with horses. We kept 8 or 9 horses for field work. I shall never forget my experience learning to do field work with a two or four horse hitch. There were some experiences that I’ll never forget. One time when I was seeding grain along what is now Highway 113, a truck came by with a tarp loose and flapping in the wind. This scared the horses and they started to run away. I was able to get them stopped but by then, one horse had gotten his head under the neck yoke strap of the other horse and started backing up. I hung up the lines and ran around to the front and tried to unhook the strap. I couldn’t budge it, and by this time, he had torn his bridle off. Then a car stopped and a man came running to help me. It was Charles Thorson, and I was never so glad to see someone come to help. He had a good sharp pocket knife and was able to cut the strap freeing the horse. I had other harrowing experiences with horses, but that one was the worst one.
In February 1952, I got my greetings from Uncle Sam. It said you are here by ordered to report for active duty to the recruitment center in Fargo, ND for an assignment for basic training. Others who left Flom at the same time were; Gordon Olson who went with to Fort Riley and Arlo Thompson and Eugene Albertson, they were assigned to the Marine Corps. The rest of us, Virgil Miller, Junior Albertson, Gordon Olson and myself went to Fort Sheridan, Il, where we received our uniforms and medical shots with the so-called "square needle". From there to Fort Riley, Ks for 16 weeks of Basic Training, then on to Camp Kilmore, NJ, where Junior and I were shipped out by boat for Germany. Gordon Olson went to Fort Benning Ga-Airbourne. It was here that Junior and I were separated, I went to the 373rd Armored Infantry and Junior to the 4th Div. I don’t remember if Virgil went overseas or not. I spent 18 months in Germany, and in that time I was able to visit Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Luxemburg. On February 15, 1954, I returned to the good old USA. I received my discharge at Fort Sheridan and boarded a train to Minneapolis, then a bus to Fargo, and by car home.
LaVonne Lue Hammer was born on November 21, 1935 to Edwin and Lucille (Fabre) Hammer. She was born at Twin Valley, Mn where her parents resided. LaVonne was baptized at the United Church of Christ church in Waubun, Mn in 1936 by Rev. C.L. Fields and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn by Rev. A.C. Odden. LaVonne was a member of the Luther League and church choir at Zion. She attended school in Twin Valley, Mn up until her sophomore year when her family moved to Crookston, Mn. After her father Edwin’s death the family returned to Twin Valley where she graduated from High School in 1953.
On June 20, 1954 Vernon and LaVonne were married at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. They lived in Moorhead for the first year of their marriage at which time Vernon was employed by Cass Clay Creamery and then at Dutch Maid Dairy. LaVonne worked for Bell Telephone Company.
In the spring of 1955 we moved back to Flom, renting a farm in section 25 of Flom township. Two years later, we purchased the farm from Henry and Helmer Dorseth. Our son Gregory, was born on May 1st, that year. In 1958, Teryl Jo (see Dale and Terri Thornton) joined our family. In 1960, our second girl, Jennifer Lynne was born ( see Mike and Jennifer Klemetson) and in 1962, our last daughter, Jolene Annette was born (see Jeff and Jolene Brevik).
I farmed with my dad until he retired from farming in 1965. He then took over the operation of the Long Branch Bar in Flom. He died on October 12, 1970. We then operated the Bar along with farming, until it was destroyed by fire on Palm Sunday, April 15, 1973. From 1980 to 1986, LaVonne managed the Flom Cafe and also did some catering service, besides helping on the farm. We were in the dairy farming business so there was ample work for all, even the girls learned to do field work and lots of chores between going to school, Sunday School, Church and 4-H. Dairying was good to us, we were able to build all the buildings on this farm. When we came here, there was just a small shed for a barn a and a very cold house. The highlight of our life was when we were able to build a new house in 1973. We contracted Swenson Bros. Of Flom for the job. They built us a nice cozy, warm house.
In 1963, Roy Boman, Dean Workman and I were given the highest award at the Crookston Winter Shows, as the Champion Adult Dairy Judging Team. IN 1968, LaVonne and I received the Norman County’s Honor as the Dairyman’s Award at the Crookston Winter Shows. In 1982, the Dorseth Farm was recognized as a Century Farm at the Minnesota State Fair by The Farmer magazine. We, along with other Century Farm families were recognized as Century Farm owners. The farm has now been in the family for 120 years.
Over the years I have had the privilege of serving 10 years on the Flom Creamery Board, and was President of the Board at the time of it’s merger with Cass Clay Creamery of Fargo, ND. I also served 9 years on the Cass Clay Creamery Board, and eighteen years on the Flom Township board. I have been a life long member of the Aspelund Lutheran Church, where my great grandfather, Andreas, was a charter member and helped plan and build the first Church. I have served on the Church Council several times and I also had the privilege of being a Sunday School Teacher. LaVonne was also a Sunday School Teacher and has held offices in the Aspelund Ladies Aid and for several years has been active in the Evening Group Bible Study where she has been the Bible Study leader for several years.
In 1980, LaVonne and Jennifer accompanied Mabel and Edgar Skansgaard to Norway, where they visited at the Mathias Dotsetsveen home and met several other cousins. The highlight of Mabel’s trip was to visit the home where her father, Andrew had been born. In 1983, LaVonne and I traveled to Norway and were guests of the Dotsetsveen home and visited the Dotset (Dorseth) farm in Eina, Vestre Toten. In 1998, we traveled again to Norway with Bob and Dorothy (Nysetvold) Hammer and again visited the Dotsetsveen’s and the Dorseth farm. We also traveled to Haltdalen, and visited the Nysetvold farm and several other points of interest. We joined a bus tour for the first 10 days and then rented a car driving from Trondheim to Oslo, visiting family and friends in-between.
James and Hilma (Hoseth) Dullum
James Dullum was born on August 26, 1897 in Flom township, Norman County, Mn to John and Helene Dullum. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. He grew up in the Flom area and later became active in farming in the Faith area. He also worked for the Faith Mill.
Hilma S. Hoseth was born to the S.A. Hoseth's in Faith. James and Hilma were married on November 6, 1924 at the home of her parent's in Faith. In 1927 the Dullum's went back into the farming operation with Hilma's brother Sander. James and Hilma purchased their own farm in 1939 south of Faith, here they remained active in farming until their retirement in 1975 when they moved into Twin Valley.
James and Hilma were active members of St.Olaf Lutheran Church, active in the Luther League, choir, treasurer of the church and league, member of the school board and township supervisor. They had no children.
James passed away on April 28, 1986 at the age of 88 years, he had spent his last few years at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, Mn. He is buried at St. Olaf Lutheran Cemetery.
Martin and Mary (Morck) Dullum
Martin Dullum was born on September 9, 1891 to John and Helen (Mathiason) Dullum in Home Lakes township of Norman County, Mn.
Mary Morck was born on August 3, 1888 to Paul and Karen (Bakken) Morck at Hillsboro, North Dakota. Her family later moved to the Flom area where she attended school.
Martin and Mary were married on March 25, 1916. After their marriage the settled on a farm near Flom where they remained until 1928 when they moved to Home Lake township, where they purchased another farm. They retired in 1962 when they moved into Twin Valley, Mn.
Martin and Mary were the parents of six children; Paul, Roy, Richard, Milo, Bernice (Glawe) and Helen (Rude).
Martin passed away in 1964/1969. After his death Mary remained in their home until 1976 when she moved into the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley. Here she resided until her death on November 24, 1982 at the age of 92 years. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Olaf and Thelma (Ovaldson) Dullum
Thelma Mildred Ovaldson was born on September 20, 1909 to Martin and Emma (Fossen) Ovaldson, east of Twin Valley, Mn. Here she was raised and attended country schools. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Olaf was born February 20, 1908.
Olaf and Thelma were married on November 8, 1928 at Wild Rice. They lived on a farm until 1954 when they moved into town to make their home. Olaf then worked for the Norman County Minnesota Highway Department. Thelma was employed by the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home for 31 years of her life, only retiring three years before her death.
They were active members of Zion Lutheran Church, in Twin Valley. Here Thelma was active in the ALCW. She enjoyed spending time with people especially caring when working and visiting with the elderly, realizing how much they have to offer. Thelma was also a camera buff who took pictures of everything because she felt that every place and every moment was worth remembering.
Thelma passed away on June 29, 1988 at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn.
Olaf died April 23, 1989.
Olaf and Thelma were the parents of; Marlin, Orvis and Ellna Jane (Howard Knapp). They are both buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, Mn.
Paul and Deloris (Telehy) Dullum
Paul Johan Dullum was born to Martin and Maria Dullum on October 2, 1916 near Flom, Mn. He grew up and attended school in this area. He entered the United States Army on April 16, 1941. He was stationed in Europe and discharged on September 20, 1945.
Paul married Deloris Telehy in 1947 and they made their home in North Dakota, where Paul worked for Northwestern Bell. He moved to the
Minneapolis area where they lived for a few years before returning to Twin Valley, Mn. He made his home here until his death on November 17, 1990 at the Veteran’s Hospital in Fargo, ND. Paul is buried at the Twin Valley, Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Paul and Deloris were the parents of; Ann (Del Corley), Barbara (Kenneth Fried), Carmen (James Nitschke), and Darlene (Jerry Baggett).
Watson and Della (Hudson) Dunham
Watson N. Dunham was born on December 5, 1865 to Jesse and Francis Dunham in Hebron township, Nicollet county, Minnesota. After his father’s death he continued to arm and stayed in Nicollet county until 1903 when he together with Merrill Purrier purchased land in Clay county. In 1904 he married Della Hudson at Minneapolis, Mn and they came to the Ulen area to make their home.
In 1907 they joined the Walworth community when they moved to the Foster farm and in 1927 they moved to their present home.
In 1942 Watson went on a trip to the west coast, while on his way home he suffered a stroke in Burbank California. Watson passed away on December 22, 1942. Funeral services were held at Walworth Baptist Church, with interment at the church cemetery.
Watson and Della were the parents of; John, Harry, Donald, Mrs. Harold Baker, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Odin Jahr, Mrs. Jimmy Frank and Mrs. Palmer Tungesvick.
Erick M. Dyrdahl
Erick M. Dyrdahl, one of the pioneer residents of this section, passed away at the Anfin Vangen home in the township of Home Lake on January 16, 1916, at the age of nearly 80 years old.
He was born in Norway on June 22, 1836 and came to America in 1868 making his home first in Iowa. In 1883 he moved to Norman County and settled on a farm in Home Lake twp., where he had resided up until three years ago. Since then he has lived with Mr and Mrs Anfin Vangen of Home Lake twp. Besides his many friends he leaves to mourn him his two sons: John Erickson of Flom, and Martin Erickson of Fisher.
Funeral services were held at Immanuel Lutheran church, Flom and he is buried there.
Henry Olai Dyrdahl
Henry Olai Dyrdal, 57, Syre Mn, father of 10 children died early Friday in a Fargo, hospital from complications following gangrene which began in his leg from freezing his toe December 23, while working with a CWA highway construction crew near Syre, Mn. He was admitted to a Fargo Hospital January 22.
He was born in Goodhue county, Mn on November 5, 1876. He was active in farming here up to the time of his death.
He is survived by his wife and children being; Eleanor, Lillian, Donald, Henry, Irvin, Clifford, Josephine (Albertson), Arthur and Hazel. He had two brothers who survived him; Morris and Obert, sisters were; Laura (Bartholmue) and Elvina (Urdahl). He funeral was held at Syre Lutheran church with burial in the church cemetery.
John O. and Olena (Hogenson) Dyrdahl
Olena Hogenson was born in Grue Soler, Norway on March 13, 1837. When she was ten years old she came to the United States and first settled in Goodhue County, Mn. She married John O. Dyrdahl of Goodhue County, Mn in 1873. They stayed there until 1878 when they packed up their belongings and head for Norman county, taking up a homestead in what at that time was Wild Rice Township. The county was later divided differently so that the farm in now located in Flom twp.
John O. Dyrdahl passed away in Aug. 1913. He was one of Norman County’s pioneer settlers and was well known to almost every resident of this section of the county. He was engaged in the cattle buying business for a number of years. He had been ailing for about a year and was 63 years old at the time of his death. After his death Olen sold the farm and moved her family into Twin Valley, Mn. She lived here until her death in 1917.
They were the parents of twelve children of which eight were still living at the time of Olena’s death. They were: Mrs. John Erickson of Flom, H. O. Dyrdahl of ND, Mrs. H. Kragero, Elmer , Morris, Obert, Mrs. Selmer Urdahl and Miss Laura Dyrdahl all of Twin Valley. A son John proceeded them in death in 1909, see John Dyrdahl, Laura Christina and Almar are all buried along with Olena and John O. at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn. They may have lost a child while living in Goodhue county before coming here.
John (Johan) Adolph Dyrdahl, son of John O. and Olena (Hogenson) Dyrdahl, who live four miles east of Syre in Flom township, died Thursday (1909) last of heart troubles. The deceased had been ill some two or three weeks previous to his death and physicians had informed his parents that he could not possibly survive for any considerable length of time, hence the end was not unexpected. At his death the deceased was 29 years of age. Funeral services were held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn., where he was laid to rest.
Elmer Oscar Dyrdahl was born in Flom township on May 6, 1883 to John O and Olena (Hogenson) Dyrdahl. He grew up in this area, later moving into the Twin Valley where he resided until his death on august 23, 1922 at the age of 39 years. Funeral services were held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn where he was laid to rest in the church cemetery.
Maurice and Alma (Ramsey) Dyrdahl
Severt Maurice Dyrdahl was born in Flom on May 14, 1888. He was baptized on July 8, 1888 into the Christian faith. He was confirmed in the Lutheran church in 1903, by Rev. Dahle.
Maurice married Alma Caroline Ramsey in Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn on June 19, 1918.
He spent his whole life working in the Twin Valley area as a carpenter. They were members of Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn and Maurice had served as a honorary member of the Volunteer Firemen’s Benefit Association.
Maurice and Alma were the parents of; Julian, Genevieve (Carriveau), Mary Ann (McDougall), Olive (Albertson), Robert and Ruth (Hoien).
Andrew B. and Anna (Hagen) Eken
Our father's paternal grandparents, Martha and Peter (last name unknown) lived in Bergen Stift Sogn, Norway. They rented small farms in the area. Martha died at the age of 97 and Peter was 70 years old at the time of his death. They had two sons, Hans and Bottolf Bottolfson Eken, our grandfather.
Our father's maternal grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Engebret Nelson. They lived with their family on a small farm which they rented in Bergen Stift Sogn, Norway. They had eight children, one being Agatha Engebretson, who was our grandmother.
Agatha Engebretson and Bottolf Bottolfson Eken were married in Norway and lived there until 1861 when they moved with their family to America. The family left Norway in a small sailship and arrived in America some seven or eight weeks later. There were five children. The family first settled in Wisconsin. Their home was surrounded by a tribe of Indians but they did them no harm.
In 1864 the family arrived in Goodhue County, Minnesota. This trip took about three weeks by oxen.
Our dad, Andrew B. Eken, was born December 29, 1857 and died October 21, 1933. He often told about how as a young lad he hauled threshed wheat by wagon to Red Wing, Minnesota, to the elevator or mill and the dangers of being robbed on the return journey.
About 1884 or 1885 Mr. and Mrs. Bottolf Bottolfson Eken and their four sons. Albert, Andrew, Ole and Peter, moved to Twin Valley, Minnesota where they bought land.
Our mother, Anna Hagen, was born in Telemark, Norway, on March 12, 1867 and came to America with her parents, Anders and Bergit Hagen, in 1886. They settled on a farm in Grant County, Minnesota. On November 1, 1888, Anna went to Twin Valley to stay with her oldest brother, Torstein Hagen, who was teaching parochial school there. She went to work for Bottolf Bottoltson Eken, where she met our father and they were married on September 21, 1889. They bought some land m Flom Township and built a home, and farmed until moving into Twin Valley in April, 1909.
There were ten children born to Andrew and Anna Eken: Bernard Alfred Eken, born September 1890 and died September 1891.
Anna Eken, born April 13, 1892 who died April 13, 1892. Alfred Eken born June 15, 1894, who was killed in a train accident in Hammond, Indiana, on January 20, 1923. He married Anne Van Pelt, and they had two children, Leonard Andrew, born March 21, 1920, who died December 19, 1940, and Alfred Ray, Jr., born May 5, 1921.
Bernard Eken, born December 30, 1895 and died February 19, 1960. He married Hazel Hoekstra on February 28, 1927, and they had four children—Willis Ray who is presently (1975) serving his second term as State Representative, Marjorie (Mrs. Ray Dahl) and two sons who died in infancy.
Alma Eken, born December 4, 1898 and died December 11, 1898. She was the first person buried in the old Bethlehem (East Wild Rice) Cemetery.
Bertha Eken, born November 9, 1900 and died April 13, 1921.
Minnie Sophie Rinerson, born February 21, 1902. She married Herbert Rinerson in 1927. He died on January 23, 1937. They had five children—Betty (Mrs. Robert Paulson), LaVonne (Mrs. Otto Olsgaard), Heloise (Mrs. Bernard Evenson), Donna (Mrs. Archie Olson) and Lochiel. Minnie Rinerson is now a resident of Bethany Nursing Home in Fargo, North Dakota.
Leonard Arthur Eken, born March 19, 1904 and died March 19, 1973. He never married.
Hannah Josephine Morgan, born February 6, 1906. She married Willard Morgan on November 27, 1935, Rev. Torstein Hagen, uncle of the bride performing the ceremony. They had one son Jerry. Hannah lives in Portland, Oregon. Constance Bertine Ferch, born May 17 1907. She married Ira Ferch on September 21 1934 which would have been her parents' 45th anniversary. They had two daughters, JoAnn (Mrs. Ron Dimmer) and Jean (Mrs. Art Flemmer). Connie lives in Fargo, North Dakota.
Minnie Eken Rinerson tells of one frightening experience when she was about 5 or 6 years old. Her father had gone to town, some 7 miles away, this particular Sunday afternoon. There was a knock at the back door. It was a man, begging for food. Her mother prepared a sandwich and handed it to the man standing on the porch and proceeded to hook the screen door. The man became a bit irate at not being allowed to come into the house to eat his lunch. Mrs. Eken and her children left the house by way of the front door and started down the road to the neighbors. They had not gone far when she realized that Connie, the baby, was sleeping in the bedroom. One of the older boys went back and rescued her.
Lars Kopstad, though not a blood relative, was considered one of the Eken family. He was born in Norway on March 6, 1885 and died at the Ada Hospital on March 17, 1960. He came to America at the age of twenty-one years and worked on farms in the Flom-Fossum area. He later worked at a harness shop in Twin Valley, and then opened his own shoe repair and harness shop. Many residents in and around the Twin Valley area will no doubt remember getting their shoes sewed up for a nickel or a dime by Lars.
By Mrs. Minnie Rlnerson and Mrs. Hannah Morgan
Leonard Eken
Leonard Arthur Eken was born on March 19, 1904 on a farm in Flom township, to Andrew and Anna Eken. He was baptized in the old Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and confirmed in the United Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, MN. He attended elementary schools here and two years at a Seminary in Red Wing, Mn. He never married.
He spent several years in Chicago, Illinois, where he was employed at a Children’s Home, and the later years he lived in North Dakota and California. He worked with youth in different churches and was also a baker by trade.
Leonard was busy making preparations for his birthday at Atascadero, Calif, when he suddenly died of an apparent heart attack at the age of 69 on March 19, 1973. Interment was at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, Mn.
Christian and Mathea (Vangen) Engebretson
Christian Engebretson was born in 1860. Mathea Ericksdatter Vangen was born in 1858 and baptized June 13, 1858 in Oier, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway to Erik Andersen b.1804 and Maren Kristiansdatter b.1823. In the 1865 census of Norway they lived on the Hujordsstuen Farm in Oier. He came to America in 1883 and lived in Wisconsin for 1 year before coming to the Flom area. They were married on April 3, 1885 in Ada, Minnesota.
They lived and farmed in Section 16 of Flom Township. They had no children of their own, but did take in a foster daughter that they raised, Ruth (Stolen), Mrs. Oscar Skansgaard.
They were members of Immanuel Church for a few years and then were received into membership at Bethlehem Church in 1885. In 1923, their membership was transferred to Wild Rice Lutheran Church. At the time of Christian’s death, a sum of money was left for the church, when it was rebuilt in 1932, his wife used that money to buy the beautiful altar that adorns the church today. He was a very kind, considerate and generous man. Christian died in 1930 and Mathea died in 1940.
Iver K. and Ada L. (Peterson) Engebretson
Iver Kenneth Ingebretson was born on June 26, 1890 in Nicollet County, Mn the son of Knute and Oline Engebretson. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith and confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn., on November 26, 1904. He grew up on the family farm and attended rural schools in the area.
Ada Peterson was born on August 27, 1896 to Peter and Helene Peterson, at Forest Lake Iowa. They came to the Atlanta township area where they resided just south of the Atlanta Lutheran Church. Here she grew to womanhood and attended rural schools.
Iver and Ada were married on June 22, 1916 in the Atlanta Lutheran Church. After their marriage they farmed in Lake Park and also in Flom township in section 34 and in the Ulen area for 49 years. In 1965 they retired from farming they moved to Twin Valley, Mn., in 1968.
In 1966 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at Aspelund Lutheran Church. They were the parents of one son Kenneth.
Iver passed away on March 10, 1971 and Ada passed away on June 19, 1978. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
The Edward E. Engen Family
Edward Engen came to the United States from Norway in the early 1860's. Shortly after he arrived in America, he had the good fortune to hear Abraham Lincoln give a street speech in Chicago during one of his political campaigns. He stated that he scarcely understood a word but that he enjoyed it anyway.
Later Mr. Engen came to Minnesota and after driving a team on the construction work for the first railway in the state (this was the Rollingstone Valley Railroad, from Winona to Rollingstone Valley in 1862) he found his way north to the Twin Valley area where he settled with his wife and household goods.
They settled in the valley east of Twin Valley. They were the first settlers. There were several squatters on land in the area but none had actually taken up residence. Several parties returned the following fall and winter and became neighbors of the Engen family,-among them being Martin Johnson, Soren Bergeson, Gilbert Haakenson, and Andrew Johnson.
There was also a small French settlement near the Engen homestead which consisted of three huts. One hut contained a number of tools and there was quite a tract of potatoes planted. Later some Frenchmen visited Mr. Engen and tried to sell him their property.
At first all of the Engen's neighbors were Indians. They developed the habit of coming to his house about three o'clock in the afternoon and staying all night. He finally broke them of that too friendly a habit.
In the fall Per Waller, John Homelvig, and Peter Helle arrived and became Mr. Engen's neighbors in what is now Flom Township. Joe Swenson, John Nysetvold and Einar Larson moved in shortly and the country begun to be settled.
1871 and 1872 were very dry years. No water ran in the Wild Rice River and everything suffered. 1873 was just the opposite. Everything was flooded. A Rev. Bjorge, pastor at Glyndon. Minnesota. told Mr. Engen that he and two companions traveled from Glyndon overland to Fisher's Landing through Crookston in a skiff without benefit of portage. The Indians said the Red River was fifty miles wide in places.
From that time on the country developed fast and wonderfully. Mr. Engen went to Saskatchewan, Canada, for the period of twenty five years to farm but came back about 1917 to purchase a home in which to retire.
(The above account was condensed from an article appearing in the Clay and Norman County History of 1918 by Turner and Semling Vol. 1) By Mrs. Gerald F. Olson
Alvin S. and Evelyn (Tobin) Erickson
Alvin was born on August 8, 1905 to John and Johanne Erickson in Home Lake township. He grew up on the family farm. He was baptized and confirmed in the Immanuel Lutheran church and attended rural school. He was apprenticed with a shoemaker at Shelly, Mn for six months.
Evelyn Tobin was born to Joseph Patrick Sr and Minnie (Ramsey) Tobin.
Alvin and Evelyn were married on February 26, 1938 at the Immanuel parsonage and they resided at Flom for five years. They spent 8 years in Twin Valley and 3 and one half years in Macintosh, Mn. They moved to Cloquet Mn, where they resided for 3 years, at which time the moved into Duluth, Mn, where they stayed for 3 more years. They moved to Fergus Falls, Mn where they resided for 7 years.
While they were in Flom, Alvin hauled mail on the Star Route for 5 years, farmed for several years and was a shoe repairman for 18 years. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran church all his life.
Alvin and Evelyn were the parents of six children; Alvin Jens, Thomas Joel, Marcia (George) Wendling, Arleen (Donald ) Fenske, Mary Ellen (Jerry) Johnson and Jacalyn Sue Erickson.
Alvin passed away on January 5, 1970, with services held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom. Interment at the church cemetery. After his death, Evelyn married Carl Gunderman and they reside in Fergus Falls, Mn.
Clarence and Alma (Hanson) Erickson
“Every member bring four logs six inches thick.” Thus was the beginning of the first church building of the Wild Rice Congregation.'The congregation had been organized July 20. 1873 in the three room log home of Andrew and Oline Hanson. Services were held in the Hanson home much of the time until the church was finished. Pastor K. K. Bjorge had come from Lake Park. Minnesota, to preach in the morning. At the organizational meeting in the afternoon Pastor Bjorge was called to be the first pastor and nineteen families signed as the first members. He often walked from Lake Park and would stay for several days with the Hansons and other families while he performed his pastoral duties.
Andrew J. Hanson was among the very earliest pioneers who in 1872, settled in what is now Fossum township. He was born in Modom, Norway, and emigrated in 1869 with his parents, Hans and Lena Hanson, two brothers and one sister, Nels, Gulick and Johanna Hanson Arthur.
Andrew Hanson married Oline Marie Aamoth. She was born in Prestegjeld, Norway, and emigrated with her parents, Hans and Karen Aamoth, one sister and five brothers,
Agnes (Mrs. John Lein), Peter. Hans, Ingvold. Lars and Nels. The other members of the family were Alma (Mrs. Clarence Erickson), Annie (Mrs. Oscar Peterson), Ida (Mrs. Julius Lerud), Karen, George, Henry and Hans.
Andrew J. Hanson at first farmed, then moved to Flom where he was the first postmaster and mail driver, being appointed March 13, 1874, serving until March 21, 1877. He brought mail from Lake Park along with goods for the local store. For several years, until his health failed, he operated "A. J. Hanson and Co." in Faith. The following is a copy of an advertisement printed in the Twin Valley Times in 1897
A. J. HANSON AND CO. FAITH, MINNESOTA MANUFACTURERS OF THE BEST FLOUR IN NORMAN COUNTY AND CHEAPEST LUMBER MARKET
WE SELL CHEAP BECAUSE WE MANUFACTURE OUR OWN LUMBER ALSO DEALERS IN GENERAL MERCHANDISE WE DELIVER OUR FLOUR IN TWIN VALLEY ON SHORT NOTICE
Indians would come to the store bringing deer, and skunk skins, handmade articles as bags and beads which they exchanged for groceries, tobacco, etc. Often they would pitch their tents near by. At this time the United States Post Office was located in the Faith Store and Andrew Hanson was postmaster.
Andrew Hanson and his father-in-law, Hans P. Aamoth, had the first horse team in the area. Andrew Hanson, Pete Aamoth and Knute Larson owned and operated the first horse-power driven threshing machine in the area. The second steam threshing machine in Fossum was owned by Andrew Hanson.
After Hanson's death his wife. Oline, remained on the farm for a number of years.
She moved to Twin Valley where she made her home with her daughter, Alma, until her death in 1924.
Edward and Mary Louise (Elstad) Erickson were among the early pioneers in the Western part of Home Lake Township.
Edward Erickson was born in Ulsaker County, Norway, emigrating with his parents, Simon and Christina Erickson, and brothers and sisters Carl, Anne, Regina Anton, and Karen. Edward Erickson married Mary Louise Elstad who emigrated from Norway to Norman County with her parents, Lars and Karen Rees Elstad, and brothers and sisters, Hilda (Mrs. James Johnson), Thea Hanson, Mrs. Lena Gaines, Mrs. Maggie Bjerke, Ole Michael and Christian. Edward Erickson was a carpenter, cabinet maker, and farmer. The first frame school house in Home Lake Township was built by him for sixty dollars. This building was later moved along Highway 32 and is still in use as a home. When the Twin Valley Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was organized, Edward Erickson was elected "kirkesanger."
The family of Edward and Louise Erickson are: Sister Edwardine Erickson, Benjamin Weem, Clarence, Edwin, Selmer, Anna, Inga and Mina (Mrs. Fred Eads).
Clarence Erickson resided in Twin Valley and the vicinity all of his life as has his wife Alma. Their children are Lottie (Mrs. Irving Jahr); Jane (Mrs. Richard Coleman), Lyle Merriam, Edna (Mrs. R. Earl McDougall), and Alice (Mrs. Olaf Johnson).
Clarence Erickson was an industrious man of many talents always giving his best effort. He was a licensed engineer at the Durling Roller Mills, Assistant to Henry Vehle in the elevator, owner and operator of a steam threshing machine, house painter, owner of a dray line for several years and licensed engineer for Ottertail Power Co. Alma Erickson is giving of her talents, working with crafts at the Home. During her many years as a dedicated wife, mother and homemaker she diligently sewed for her family, raised and canned bushels of vegetables and fruits which she shared with relatives and friends. In her spare moments she crocheted and embroidered. She is a life member of Zion Lutheran Ladies Aid of which for many years she gave generously of her time and talents. She is also a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary.
Christopher and Tammy (Syverson) Erickson
Christopher Duane was born on February 16, 1968 to Duane and Ruth (Jacobson) Erickson in Detroit Lakes,Mn. He grew up on the family farm in section 8 of Walworth Twp, Becker County, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn He attended school and graduated from Ulen-Hitterdal in 1986. He then went to NDSU in 1997 where he attended classes. Chris came home and farmed with his father, later going on his own. Chris enjoys farming, fishing, coon hunting, deer hunting and ice fishing.
Tammy Lynn Syverson was born on October 15, 1966 at Moorhead, Mn to Arvin and Diane (Klevgaard) Syverson of rural Ulen, Mn. She is one of four daughters born to the Syverson’s. Tammy was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn. She attended school in Ulen-Hitterdal, Moorhead and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1985. Tammy attended Northwest Practical Nursing Program where she earned her LPN degree in 1994.
Chris and Tammy lived in rural Ulen 3 miles east and a half mile north before moving into Flom in 1989. They
purchase the home on the east side of town, known as the Liz Pederson home in. They stayed here until 1993 when
they moved into Ulen, living in Ruth Erickson’s home on the northwest side of town. In 1995 Chris and Tammy
purchased the homeplace from Chris’ father Duane.
Chris and Tammy are the parents of three children; Cody, CieGie and Carlie.
Cody was born on September 22, 1988, in Fargo, ND. He was baptized at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. He attends school in Ulen-Hitterdal, were he is active in baseball, basketball, football, choir and class president, beside helping his father on the farm.
CieGie was born on January 27, 1992 in Fargo, ND. She was baptized at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN. She attends school at Ulen-Hitterdal Elementary in Hitterdal. CieGie has been active in just for Kix dance in Hawley for five years, softball, swimming, basketball and volleyball.
Carlie Ann was born on December 21,1994 in Fargo, ND. She was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn. Carlie attends Ulen-Hitterdal Elementary in Hitterdal, Mn. Carlie has been active in Just for Kix Dance and Tee Ball at the Ulen Hitterdal Elementary in Hitterdal, Mn.
Harland and Anna (Hamernik) Erickson
Harland Erickson was born on July 7, 1921 to Cora Hanson (1883-1971) and Albert Leslie Erickson (1884-1950’s), eighteen miles north of Detroit Lakes, Mn. Harland was the youngest of four children born to Albert and Cora; Leslie Alice Erickson born Sept 9, 1914, Helen Isabell (Pfarr) August 4, 1916, Laura Ida (Rumberg) born Feb 21, 1924 and
Harland.
Anna Hamernik daughter of Frank and Aloise (Dvorak) Hamernik was born on February 8, 1922, on the family farm in section 9 of Walworth Twp., Becker County, Mn. Here she grew up and attended school. Anna was a life long member of Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom, Mn.
Harland and Anna were married on June 4, 1944 at the Walworth Baptist Church. This was the First Public Wedding performed at Walworth Baptist church. Harland had purchased a farm in 1943 in Section 8 of Walworth twp and it is here that Harland and Anna lived when they were first married for some 30 years.
They were the parents of one son; Duane born on January 27, 1946.
In 1974 Harland and Anna retired from farming, turning the farm over to their son Duane. They then moved to Florida were they continued to work through their retirement. In 1986 they came back to Minnesota and made their home on Cotton Lake near Rochert, Mn.
Harland and Anna were married 50 years, when Anna passed away on December 3, 1994, she is buried at the Walworth Baptist Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Harland remarried on May 27, 1995 to Helen (Stende) Oschner, and they reside in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Duane Leslie Erickson was born to Harland and Anna (Hamernik) Erickson on January 27, 1946. He was the only child of the Erickson’s. He grew up on the family farm in Section 8 of Walworth Twp. Becker County, Mn. Here he attended school in Ulen and Crookston, Mn. On February 4, 1967 Duane married Ruth Jacobson of rural Lake Park, Mn. Ruth was born on July 27, 1947, the oldest daughter of Wallace and Lorraine Jacobson.
Duane and Ruth had four sons, Christopher Duane: See Christopher and Tammy (Syverson) Erickson, Darin Wade, Chad Monroe and Eric Karl.
Darin Wade was born on November 11, 1969 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn. He attended school at Ulen-Hitterdal graduating in 1988. Darin married Jennifer (Dybsetter) Merit on March 11, 1995. Jennifer was born on January 28, 1969. They have two children; Jacob Merit (from Jennifer’s lst marriage) was born on March 2, 1993 and Ella born on August 21, 1996. Darin farms and attends night school and Jennifer is a LPN in Moorhead.
Chad Monroe was born on April 12, 1971 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. He was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN. He attended Ulen-Hitterdal school and graduated from there in 1989. Chad has one daughter Chelsie Marie Kollman born on June 4, 1990. Chad owns a Truck Line in Fargo, ND.
Eric Karl was born and died on February 7, 1980. Eric is buried at the Bethlehem North Cemetery, Ulen, MN
Duane and Ruth divorced in 1985. Duane continued living on the farm until 1995 when he sold it to his eldest son Chris. Duane married Barbara (Myhre) Christianson, on July 13, 1985. Duane and Barb continued living on the farm until he sold it to Chris, they then moved to the Fargo-Moorhead area where they lived until 2001 when they purchased the Livdahl home in Ulen where they reside now. Ruth Erickson married Kuldip Lumb of India on June 1, 1991.
Karl and Johanna (Dyrdahl) Erickson
Karl John Erickson was born at Washington Prairie, Iowa on September 19, 1869. He was baptized on October 15, 1869. His parents moved to Norman county and were members of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, until Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom was organized. Karl was confirmed at Wild Rice in 1884.
Johanna Dyrdahl was born to John and Oline Dyrdahl. (See John and Oline Dyrdahl)
Karl and Johanna were married on March 9, 1893. They lived in the Flom area and the last residence they lived at was 1/4 mile west of Flom. Mary Albertson lives there now. Lyle Sandals mother Lillie (Erickson) Sandal told of how she helped with the laths for back plastering the walls.
Karl and Johanna’s children were; Jens (James) Melvin Erickson. He was killed in action in World War I, in the Gesner France on October 1918.
Lillie Erickson Sandal (See Sivert and Lillie Sandal),
Lenora Erickson Thompson was born on August 30, 1899 and died on December 23, 1975. She is buried at Immanuel Cemetery.
Dell Erickson was born on April 28, 1897 and died on October 28, 1987, he is buried at Immanuel Cemetery.
Janette (Nettie) Erickson Thompson was born on January 5, 1902 and died on October 28, 1976, she is buried at Immanuel Cemetery.
Alvin Erickson was born on June 8, 1905 and died on January 5, 1970. He is buried at Immanuel Cemetery.
Josephine Erickson Thiel was born on July 7, 1910 and died on July 29, 1976, she is buried at the Ada, Cemetery.
Johnnie Erickson was born on April 29, 1912 and died on March 23, 1976. He is buried at Immanuel Cemetery.
Milton F. and Grace (Dahlgren) Erickson
Milton was born on September 1, 1909 in Duluth, Mn. He was orphaned as a child and moved to the Wild Rice Children’s Home in Flom township. Here he grew up and graduated from High School.
He then went to Concordia College in Moorhead, Mn where he graduated in 1933, with a bachelor’s degree.
Milton married Grace H. Dahlgren on March 27, 1935 in Fargo, ND. They lived in Fargo until moving in 1939 to Moorhead. He operated a Standard Oil service station in Fargo until 1958. He was the manager of the Concordia College Bookstore from 1963 until retiring in 1975.
Grace died in 1977 and after her death he became a resident at Bethany Homes in April of 1991. Milton died age the age of 82 (1991). Milton and Grace were the parents of ; D. Bruce and Jeanne (Paul Hoseth).
Rueben and Myrtle ( Thorson) Erickson
Rueben Erickson was born on August 22, 1909 at Twin Valley, Mn to Edwin and Hannah (Olson) Erickson. He attended Banner School near Flom.
Myrtle Thorson was born on February 23, 1905 in Flom, Mn to Thorvold and Johanne Thorson. Her mother died when she was quite young and her father raised all four daughters; Myrtle, Bennette, Valborg and Mildred. Myrtle grew up in Flom and it was here that she attended school and church. As a young girl she worked at Narum’s Store in Flom and later clerked at Hovden’s store in Twin Valley, Mn and then at Black’s store in Fargo, ND.
Rueben and Myrtle were married on October 12, 1940 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. They farmed southwest of Twin Valley until 1972 .
They purchased his parents' farm in 1943. They had no children.
Rueben had served on many local boards and also worked for the Agriculture Department on the county School board, and the Zion Church Board for many years. The last 10 years of his farming he worked for the Norman County Agricultural Department as an inspector. He retired in 1975, sold the farm and moved into Twin Valley. He served as sexton for Zion Lutheran Church, Cemetery, and worked restoring neglected cemeteries in Norman County for several years.
Myrtle was a member of Zion Lutheran Church Twin Valley, she was active in church activities and also in the ALCW.
Myrtle died on May 29, 1990 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fargo, ND. Interment was at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Ingebrigt Fredrikson and Ann (Olson Holum) Erie
Ingebrigt was born in Lærdels, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway on April 25, 1863 to Fredrik Ingebrigtsen b.1817 and Britha Thorsdatter b.1825. He was baptized on May 25, 1863. In the 1865 census of Norway, he was living on the Hunderi farm in Lærdals with his parents and these siblings. Britha Fredriksdatter b.1855, Kari Fredriksdatter b.1859, Martha Fredriksdatter b.1861 and Thorine Fredriksdatter b.1865. Another sister Anne Fredriksdatter was born in 1867. He left from Bergen, Norway for America when he was 27 years old on May 16, 1890. In 1890, he married Anna Olson Holum. They first lived in Spring Grove and then in South Dakota before coming to Norman County. They lived in Section 16 of Flom Township. They had no children. Ingebrigt died on July 29, 1936 and is buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery. Mrs. Erie died
Elvina (Ostenvik) Eukin
Elvina married a Mr. Eukin and they had a son born in early 1941. His name was probably Edward, Ella called him Eddie. Elvina became very ill with what they call "sleeping sickness" and died in October 1941 at the age of 25 years, leaving behind her 9 month old baby, her husband and her parents. She was so well thought of in the town where they lived that all the business closed because of her funeral that day.
This loss of so young and vibrant a daughter was a devastating blow to Ella and Matt and a shock to the rest of the family as well. She is buried in a cemetery in this area, but not at Aspelund.
William and Yvonne (Narum) Fischer
She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. She graduated from High School and then went to Concordia College in Moorhead, Mn for one year. She married William Fischer, on March 24, 1951 and they were the parents of one son; Wayne Ernest born on November 19, 1953. William passed away on May 19, 1994 and is buried in South Dakota. Yvonne works at a bank in Brookings South Dakota as a bank teller.
Christoffer and Margaret (Nilsdatter Oydegaard) Nelson Flaten
Christoffer N. Flaten was born Kristoffer Nilson on September 5, 1842, in Vang in Valdres, Norway, the son of Nils Kristofferson Berge and Beret Torsteinsdotter Kvam. The 1865 Norwegian Census shows him as a "tjenestedraeng" or servant on the Soijne Farm at Vang.
Kristoffer came to America in 1871 and settled in Goodhue County, Minnesota. He remained there until coming to Lake Park, Minnesota, in 1878. We can only guess that Christoffer (and his brother Tosten) took the Flaten name from the Flatene (Fladene) farm they were working on at the time they left Norway. Tosten spent several years in Ada, Minnesota, with his family but later moved to the Minneapolis area where most of his descendants now live. Christoffer and Tosten had five other siblings who, to the best of our knowledge, remained in Norway.
On June 4, 1878, Christoffer purchased 160 acres of Northern Pacific Railroad property in Section 29 of Flom Township in what was then Polk County for the sum of $700.
This is the portion of the Flaten/Olson farm which lay on the east side of the road. On July 30, 1978, Christoffer purchased an additional 80 acres of Northern Pacific Railroad property in Section 29 for the sum of $320. This would later become the Peter and Clara Flaten Johnson farm. Eleven years later, Christoffer homesteaded 160 acres in Section 30 of Flom Township.
This is the portion of the Flaten/Olson farm which lay on the west side of the road. The original deed for the homestead was obtained from the land office in Crookston, Minnesota, and was signed by President Benjamin Harrison on June 12, 1889. Those were the days when presidents had time to sign each and every land acquisition in the west, when cattle ran free on the plains; and the Indians from the east paid regular visits to farmers and trading posts.
Margaret Nelson was born Margrethe Nilsdotter Oydegaard on January 14, 1854, in Vang in Valdres, Norway, the daughter of Nils Olson Oydegaard and Margrete (Marit) Nilsdotter Dahl.
Margaret came to America with her parents and siblings in 1860 when she was six years old. They settled in Washington Prairie, Iowa. Following the death of Nils, Margaret and her four brothers came with their mother to Flom Township. Marit died on January 1, 1896, and is buried in the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery. Margaret's brothers included Ole E. Nelson, who had served in the Civil War for three years while living in Iowa, and came to Flom Township in 1878 where he purchased land in Section 28. He married Carrie E (Kari) Skeim in Iowa. In later years, Ole and Carrie lived in Moorhead, Minnesota, but still owned the farm. They eventually retired to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Their only child was Julia E. Nelson who later married Edward Riedasch; and they resided in Kent, Washington. Ole and Carrie are buried in the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery
A second brother of Margaret's was Nils E. Nelson who married Anna Kallerud Skofstad in Iowa. Nils and Annie Nelson came in 1875 to Flom Township and homesteaded the northwest quarter of Section 28 of Flom Township (later known as the Askegaard place). To the Nelson homestead, people came for their mail and groceries as there was a post office there. This was before the village of Flom existed. Anna (Annie) taught in country schools and walked for miles back and forth to school over very poor roads.. They had no children; however, Annie's niece, Josephine E. Skofstad, came to live with them in 1874 at the age of three. She would later marry Sam (Sven) J. Swenson. In 1886, Nils Styve came to live with Nils and Anna; it is not known whether he was related to them or just an orphan they adopted. Nils died in 1901, and Annie continued to operate the farm with the help of a hired man. She died in 1928. Annie was remembered as a kind lady who was always willing to help anyone in need. Nils and Annie were members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and are buried there, as is Nils Styve.
A third brother of Margaret Nelson Flaten's was Christian (Christ) Edgar Nelson who married Lillie Tovna. They lived for a time in Park River, North Dakota, where he was in business, before moving to Seattle, Washington, where many of their descendants now live. Their children were Mildred who married Ray Clough, Lillian Nelson and Dayton Nelson. They all lived in the Seattle area.
Margaret Nelson Flaten's other siblings included Helge who we assume died in Iowa prior to the family's move to Flom Township, Margrete and Ingebor, twins who died in Norway as infants, Ed (Evan) who died in 1886 and is buried in the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, and a baby girl who died as an infant in Norway.
Christoffer Flaten and Margaret Nelson were married in 1880 and settled in a log house in Section 29 of Flom Township where their four children were born. Nils Martinus Flaten, born in 1881, married Nora Christine Qualley and continued to operate the Flaten farm after Christoffer's death.
Emma Bertine Flaten, born in 1884, died in a diphtheria epidemic that swept the country in 1891; many families lost several children at the time. Emma is buried in the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery. Clara Maria Flaten, born in 1886, married Peter Lundgren Johnson; and they farmed in Section 29 of Flom Township. Inga Amelia Flaten was born in 1891 and married Nels J. Skauge of Fargo, North Dakota, where they lived until the time of their deaths. They are buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Fargo.
Submitted by Kathleen Olson Solseth
Martinus and Nora (Qualley) Flaten
Nils Martinus Flaten (known as Martinus) was born to Christoffer and Margaret Flaten on August 30, 1881, at his parents' log home in Section 29 of Flom Township. He and his sisters, Clara and Inga, were some of the first students at the Woodland Nook School, which was organized in 1883 and located across the road from the Flaten farm. Martinus was confirmed by Rev. J. R. Vaaler at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, and he attended Park Region Lutheran College at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and the North Dakota Agricultural College in Fargo. He later took over the family farm where he was a dairy and grain farmer and raised certified seed grain and potatoes. He was especially interested in certified grain. He was a member of the Crop Improvement Association and was named one of the Pioneer Seed Growers of Minnesota. Martinus was very active in civic affairs and was a long-time chairman of the Norman County ASC Committee and had served as chairman of the township board. Martinus passed away on January 23, 1958, after a short illness and is buried in the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Norah Christine Qualley (known as Nora) was born in a log home on her parents' farm near Hendrum, Minnesota. She was the oldest of the twelve children of Even and Emma Ingberg Qualley. She attended a country school, finished the eighth grade in Hendrum, and was confirmed at the Concordia Lutheran Church near Hendrum. She attended Moorhead Normal School in Moorhead, Minnesota and started teaching when she was 18, teaching three months in the fall and three months in the spring for $45 per month. She taught in several different schools, including McIntosh, Minnesota, her home school near Hendrum, and the Flom School where she came in the fall of 1913. Teaching was a difficult task in those days and included things like carrying water, starting fires in the wood stove, and fixing the kindling in the evening, which would usually be out by morning. Sometimes tramps would come during the night and burn up
the kindling. She worked for her board the first year she taught, getting up at 3:00 a.m. to make breakfast for the hired men. She would mix bread in the evening and then knead it in the morning so it was ready for the lady of the house to put in pans and bake. Sometimes there were as many as 40 students in grades one through eight in a single-room schoolhouse with just one teacher. Nora and her sister, Martha Qualley (later Martha Rude), taught together in Flom; one had grades one through four and the other grades five through eight. She had attended summer school and gone back to Moorhead Normal School for her second year, graduating in 1911. It was also while teaching in Flom that a handsome young farmer from west of town came to call.
One of her former students recalls that the kids liked to stay after school to spy on the evenings when Martinus came to call on the teacher. Nora taught in Flom for three years and then stayed at home one year before marrying Martinus Flaten in 1917.
Nora was a member of the Wild Rice Lutheran Church for over 70 years where she was active in the Ladies Aid, taught Sunday School for 40 years until the age of 85, and was also Sunday School superintendent for many years. She remembered walking to Ladies Aid and home again many times, a distance of 3 miles. They had church suppers in the early days when each one brought their chicken, lefse, buns and pies. She also remembered donating an eight-gallon can of peeled potatoes one year. Nora was also a member for many years of the Flom Happy Homemakers Club. Over the years, Nora made over 100 quilts and lap robes which were given to friends, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as many that went to Lutheran World Relief.
Nora helped to organize the Flom Flyers 4-H Club in 1928 at the Woodland Nook School. The Club met in homes, toured farms, and was very active in showing projects at the county fair, state fair, and also at the Crookston Farm Crop Show with livestock, home economics, music and talent plays. The Club used much of their money in the community by buying large stage curtains and also chairs for the Flom Community Hall. The cost of the curtains was $100 and the chairs $50. It was at a 4-H meeting that the discussion to build a community hall came about. Norman County Agent Landsverk was very active in getting people interested in this project. Nora was a 4-H leader for 35 years, and many remember her helping them with their 4-H records and getting projects ready at fair time.
Nora outlived all of her eleven brothers and sisters, her husband, her only child, and many friends her age and younger; but she continued to have a full life even into her last years. At the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley where she moved in 1984, she kept busy in the Activity Room helping to make quilts, etc., for several years. Even in her last years, as a resident of the nursing home, visitors always received a smile and a clasp of the hand, even when her hearing and eyesight were failing and conversation was sometimes difficult. On days when her hearing was better and conversation easier, even in her 100th year, her family was amazed at her clear mind which could still enjoy a funny story and remember details of the many, many people who had touched her life. On November 24, 1988, two months past her 100th birthday, the Lord took her
Home on Thanksgiving Day. Nora is buried in the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Martinus and Nora were married at Hendrum, Minnesota, on June 20, 1917, and made their home west of Flom on the farm where Martinus had been born and raised. They were honored as the Norman County Farmer and Homemaker of the Year at the Crookston Winter Shows in 1942.
Martinus and Nora had only one child, Irene Margaret; however, the Flatens opened their home to several foster children as well. In January 1944, Shirley Ann and Darlene Beverly Austad came to make their home with the Flatens and stayed until graduation from Twin Valley High School. Shirley later married Vernon Eklund of Twin Valley, and they made their home in the Minneapolis area. Currently, they are retired and live near Aitkin, Minnesota.. They have three children, Devon, Kimberly, and Jeffrey (now deceased). Darlene married Ernest Visto of Oakes, North Dakota; and they made their home in Christine, North Dakota, where Darlene still resides. They have two children, Darla and Connie.
Submitted by Kathleen Olson Solseth
Lars Kristoffersen and Inge Marie (Olsdatter) Larson Flesvik
Lars Kristoffersen Flesvik was born June 16, 1816. His parents were Kristoffer Tostensen Bjørnstadt and Margrethe Sorensdatter Aarnes. Inge Marie Olsdatter Bjørtomte was born November 3, 1823. Her parents were Ole Eriksen Bjørtomte and Ragnild Andersdatter Torset.
They were both born in Feiring, Akershus; Lars on the Bjørnstadt farm.
Lars and Marie were married November 18, 1847 in the Feiring Parish and came to the US on the ship Bark Olaf, on April 12, 1868. All of the children, except Olava, came with them. Olava immigrated to the US in 1872.
Children of Lars and Inge Marie:
Anne Magrethe Larson was born March 18, 1848, Feiring, Akershus. She married Hans Gunilius Nelson on February 20, 1873 in Winneshiek, IA. Anne died on April 3, 1915 in Twin Valley, MN.
Olava Larson was born January 27, 1851, Feiring, Akershus. She married Ole Melaas on June 26, 1874 at the Washington Prairie Church, Winneshiek, IA. Olava died on September 24, 1940 in Ulen, Becker Co, MN.
Karen Evina Larson was born June 19, 1854, Feiring, Akershus. She married Enoch Tobias Berkland on November 13, 1871, Washington Prairie Church, Winneshiek, IA. Karen died on April 4, 1940 in Norman County.
Ragnild Marie Larson was born January 7, 1857, Feiring, Akershus and died Jan 27, 1862, Feiring, Akershus.
Ida Jørgine Larson was born July 25, 1859, Feiring, Akershus and died on March 26, 1935 in Crookston, MN.
Christian Nikolai Larson was born October 13, 1862, Feiring, Akershus. He married Gunhild Olson Bergetangen on December 6, 1887 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. Christian died on March 14, 1940 in Great Falls, MT and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church
Cemetery (see separate article on Christian Nikolai Larson and Gunhild Olson Bergetangen).
Ole Ragnvald Larson was born August 10, 1867, Feiring, Akershus and died before 1870 in Winneshiek County, IA.
Regina Marie Larson was born June 16, 1870, Winneshiek Co. IA and died September 22, 1893 in Norman Co.
Lars died December 29, 1893 and Inge Marie died March 9, 1907. Both Lars and Inge Marie died in Norman County and are buried at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Mathias and Ronnag (Ulland) Flifleth
Mathias was born 1842 in Faaberg, Oppland, Norway.
Ronnag Ulland was born on Nov. 6th, 1844 to Peter and Bertha Ulland in Faaberg, Gulbrandsdalen, Norway. She immigrated to America in 1872, coming to Zumbrota, Goodhue county where she was united in marriage to Mathias on January, 1876.
They came to Norman County in 1878, making their home at the Andrew Hanson place, now a part of the farm that was owned by the Wild Rice Children’s Home. They later moved to their farm in Flom Township, one mile east of Fossum.
To this union six children were born;
George and Peter were a set of twins born near Zumbrota, Mn in 1877. They came with their parents to the Flom area when they were one year old. They took over the family farm where they lived until their deaths. George died in 1960 and Peter died on April 28th, 1946. Neither of them ever married. They are buried at Wild Rice, rural Twin Valley. Bernhard was born in 1879 and died 1888. He is buried at Wild Rice, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
The Flifleth's had one infant who was born in 1881, who died after birth. No name is recorded, the child is said to be buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Anton was born in 1883 in Flom Township he died in 1947 at Fergus Falls, Mn where he had resided for a number of years. He never married and is buried at Wild Rice, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Bertha married Noldus Nelson and they lived in the Grygla, Mn., area.
Josephine Flifleth was born in 1886 in Flom Township on a farm near Fossum, Mn. She lived her life on the family farm where she cared for her elderly parents and helped her brothers Peter and George with the farm work. She was also the organist at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn for many years. Josie never married. She died in 1973 and is buried at Wild Rice.
Mathias died on Oct. 23, 1925 and Ronnog died on Oct. 23, 1931, they are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Anthony Flom
Anthony Flom was born in Flom township on September 7, 1890 to Elling and Oliana (Olson) Flom. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He attended the rural schools in the area. He lived all of his life with the exception of two or three years when he went to Hingham, Mt and homesteaded. He returned to Flom and live his life here. He served his country during WW I He was first examined in February , 1918 but failed to pass at that time. He entered the service on October 14, 1918, at Vancouver Barracks. He was discharged on December 20, 1918,and is a Veteran of that War. He never married.
Anthony was a past chairman and active member of the town board for 30 years, an active member of the American Legion for 42 years and a member of Nesseth-Lien Post since it was organized, township chairman, a member of the ASC committee for many years, and a member of the board of trustees of the Wild Rice church for many years.
He died in 1960
Burton Flom
Burton Flom was born on November 25, 1899 to Elling and Oliane (Ellingstuen) Flom, on the family farm in Flom township. Here he was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church and attended school in the area. He grew to manhood in the Flom community taking an active part in community affairs and was the principal member of the family in caring for his invalid mother for so many years.
Following his mother's death he attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, Mn, training as a automobile body repair man, which became his life work.
In 1941 he left for Portland Oregon, where he resided for seven years and was employed in the auto body repair business, as a specialist. He returned to Minnesota in 1948 at which time he became associated with Larry's Auto Body and Repair Shop of Fargo, ND, and later of Moorhead, Mn. He worked there until due to ill health he was unable to work any longer.
Burton was a kindly and considerate person, a devoted son to his parents, a loving brother, concerned with the welfare of all with whom he came in contact, and regular in church membership and attendance. He passed away at St. Luke's Hospital in Fargo, ND on July 5, 1957. His funeral was held at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. No records indicated his burial.
Clarence Flom
Clarence was born on December 8, 1897 near Flom to Erick and Anna (Nelson) Flom. He was born and lived in the Flom area all his life. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn., and was a life member of that congregation. Here he attended school and later engaged in farming.
He was active in farming along with his sister Ella (Adolph Ruud). In the mid 1950’s Clarence and his sister moved off the farm and into Twin Valley, Mn where he resided at the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center until the early 1980’s when he became a resident of the Nursing Home. Here he lived until his death on October 28, 1987 at the age of 89. Funeral services were held at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn with interment in the church cemetery. (he is in a unmarked grave).
Edwin and Rose (Olson) Flom
Edwin Flom was born in 1893 to Elling and Oliana (Olson) Flom. He grew up in Flom twp, he entered the military in 1918. He first went to Camp Dodge, Camp Mills, he served as a Pvt. Supply Company 337 F.A. 88th Division. He left the United States on August 18, 1918 to served his country and arrived back in January, 1919. His military service ended in February , 1919 when he was discharged.
Rose E. Olson was born on May 13, 1894 at Tracy, Mn to Gust and Amanda Olson. She was baptized, confirmed and attended elementary schools there. They came to the Flom area in 1917. Here they settled on a farm in section 21 of Flom township, directly north of the Flom farm. It was here that she met and married Edwin Flom in 1932 at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. They lived in section 21 of Flom Township, along Hwy 113. The home still stands but hasn't been occupied for years. It is now owned by Kenneth Holum.
Rose was a member of the Wild Rice church for many years, she was also active in the ALCW there. She was a member to the American Legion Auxiliary, and past treasurer of the Flom School Board, a position she held for several years.
They were the parents of one son: Phillip
Edwin passed away on February 25, 1938 and Rose passed away on May 22, 1971, both are buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Elling H. and Oliane (Ellingstuen) Flom
Elling H. Flom was born in Winnesheik county, Iowa on September 15, 1858. Together with his parents he moved to Norman county in 1874. He had two brothers; Simon and Erick and one sister: Martha (John Homelvig). He was a pioneer of Norman county and was one of the organizers of Flom township, where he served as supervisor for a number of years, and in 1880 was elected treasurer of Flom twp., which office he held for 30 years in succession. He also served as a member of the school board for many years and other offices of public trust. He was a active member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, practically all the time since that congregation was formed.
Oliana was born in 1863 in Norde, Fron, Gulbrandsdalen, Norway. She immigrated to American when she was 18 years old with her parents. She was a active member at her church Wild Rice, having served on the ladies aid for 54 years.
Elling married Oliane Ellingstuen on December 19, 1882 and they moved onto the farm, staying here until their deaths. To this union nine children were born, Olga, Alma (Marie Alma), Gunda (see Andrew and Gunda Uvaas), Mildred, Hans, Anthony, Edwin, Burton and Kenneth.
Elling was a highly respected member of the community, a kind and loving husband and father. He passed away at his home in Flom township on March 26, 1923, after suffering a heart trouble and bronchitis for a number of years. He is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Eric H. and Anna (Nelson) Flom
One of the progressive and enterprising farmer of Norman County is Eric H. Flom, the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Flom township, where he carries on general farming and dairying and who was one of the organizers of Norman County, was born in this county, June 4, 1860, a son of Hans and Margarita (Regsland) Flom both natives of Norway, from which they came to America after their marriage. Soon after they arrived on American soil, the father and mother came on out to Minnesota, and took a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in section 14, Flom township, about a mile and a half from the farm on which the subject of this sketch now lives. Both spent their lives of the home farm, which was sold after their deaths occurred. They were the parents of four children, namely: Martha, now residing in Dakota; Elling, living in section 20, Flom township; Eric H., the subject of this sketch; and Seamen, deceased.
Eric H. Flom received his early education in the schools of Norman County, although the educational advantages of his school days were nothing to compare with those that the children of the present enjoy, because the country was then new. Living under pioneer conditions on his father's farm, here he gained the hardihood, thrift and industry which were invaluable when he started to himself a short distance from the home place. For the first twelve years of his farming operations, he used oxen, and now he uses horses and draught animals. He has now one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land, all well improved with a good farm plant and under a high state of cultivation. The plant consists of excellent buildings, including a large barn and silo, which are absolutely indispensable to the progressive and enterprising farmer. His comfortable farm house is beautifully situated in a fine grove. here on his farm he carries on mixed farming and has some stock.
Mr. Flom was untied in marriage to Anna Nelson, who was born in Norway, and this marriage has resulted in the birth of the following children:
Hattie, Nora, Henry, Clarence and Ella. Mr. and Mrs. Flom are consistent and conscientious members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church. The former helping to erect the church edifice which has since burned down. He has a share in the creamery at Flom, which enterprise is of great importance to him in the marketing of his dairy products.
Mr. Flom has always taken a deep interest in the social, civic, and moral progress of the community in which he has always lived. He helped to organize Norman County, and whenever any movement is stated locally for the community's betterment, it is assured of Mr. Flom's unstinted support and loyal-cooperation.
from the 1917 History of Clay and Norman Counties Minnesota
Gerhard Flom
Gerhard was born in 1907 to Gulak and Kari Flom in Flom Township. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended school at Sunny Hill country school. After he finished school Gerhard worked for Burnett Bergeson and later he became a custodian at the Minnesota State Capitol during the legislative sessions.
In his later years he worked for Phil Roger and Sherman Hoseth on their farms as a hired man. Gerhard enjoyed his retirement by traveling, he made three trips back to the "old country" Norway and one trip to the Holy Land. Gerhard died on March 13, 1993 and is buried at Aspelund. He never married.
Gulak (Gullick) and Kari Flom
Gulak was born in 1847 in Norway. Kari Flom was born in 1874 in the Flom Valley, in Norway. Her maiden name was also Flom. In Norway you take the name of the farm on which you live, having the same name doesn’t mean you are related, just from the same area.
Kari Flom was born in the Flom Valley in Norway, December 16, 1874. She was baptized and confirmed in the Flom Lutheran Church there and attended parochial schools there also.
Gulak and Kari were married in 1897 in Norway and shortly thereafter they ventured out on a new life together, in a new country. They first came to Syre, Mn where they settled for three years, after which they move to a farm one mile south of the Wild Rice church, this being where the parsonage used to be. They remained here and raised a family. Gerhard, Anna married William Erickson, Mabel married Virgil Lamberg, Agnes (see Elmer and Agnes Sandal), Ruth and Tina
Gulak passed away on February 12, 1930. After his death Kari moved to Red Wing, Mn where she lived wit her daughter. Kari died on October 8, 1973. They are both buried at Wild Rice.
Hans and Ida (Fjeld) Flom
Hans Flom was born in Norman county on February 10, 1890 to Randi and Simon Flom. He grew up on the family farm and later went to Montana where he and his brother-in-law were partners in a hardware and implement business. From there he entered the army and served during World War I. He was wounded in France and returned to his parents' farm in Flom township. Later he managed the shipping association in Syre and Gary, Mn. He also traveled for the Independent Silo Company.
On November 27, 1930 he was united in marriage to Ida Fjeld at Gary, Mn. They moved to the Bagley community in 1934 where he was connected with a shipping association. In 1937 they moved to a farm northwest of Bagley where they lived for eleven years, they moved into the town of Bagley in 1948 where they made their home since.
Hans died on February 19, 1958 from a coronary heart attack, his funeral was held at the First Lutheran church and internment was in the Bagley cemetery.
Hans M. and Anna (Gunderson) Flom
Hans M Flom was born at Flom on June 19,1883 to the Elling and Oliana Flom. He was baptized and confirmed (1899) at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended country school in the Flom area later going to college at Grand Forks, ND, from which he graduated. After graduation he taught district school for some time. He later went to South Dakota, where he homesteaded, which land he continued to own until his death. His brothers were; Anthony, Berton, Kenneth and Edwin. His sisters were; Alma, Mildred, Olga all who proceeded him in death and only surviving sister is Gunda (Andrew Uvaas).
Anne Helene Gunderson was born on August 15, 1883, in Strand township, the first daughter of Ole H. and Olivia Gunderson. She spent her childhood years on the farm near Gary, and attended elementary and parochial schools there. She was confirmed in the Gary Lutheran Church on January 1, 1899. She continued her education at Fertile, Crookston College , Moorhead Normal School and the University of North Dakota.
Hans and Anna Gunderson were married on July 23, 1935; they had no children. Just five years after they were married Hans was killed while working at the Cargilll Grain Company, where he was employed. After his death she stayed in Gary until 1942 when she moved back to live with her brother Henry who lived on the family farm.
Much of Anna's life was devoted to service within the church. She was a leader and member of the Luther League, a choir member for 15 years, taught Sunday School for 15 years, and parochial school for several terms. She was an active member of the Ladies Aid of which she served as president and librarian. She was the recipient of an award for her services rendered to Christian Education.
She was a public school teacher in North Dakota for 25 years, she also was active in the communities where she taught. She served as a leader for both boys and girls for 4-H clubs for many years. She received a citation from President Franklin D. Roosevelt for patriotic services rendered during World War II. Although she lived and served in many communities during her life, except for short terms of residence in Fargo, ND and Faith, SD most of her life has been spent in and around Gary.
He later commenced to buy grain and was engaged in that line of work for over twenty years, and came back to this area settling in the village of Gary, Mn. where he continued to be engaged in this line of work until just before his death.
On account of his honesty and efficiency he was entrusted with many duties in the way of public offices and trusts. He held public offices too numerous to mention, and was always ready and willing to do his part.
Anna passed away on December 31 at the age of 88 years, at the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center in Twin Valley, Mn. Funeral services were held at Gary Lutheran Church, Gary, Mn.
Henry B. and Mabel (Knutson) Flom
Henry B. Flom was born at Flom, Mn on June 15, 1895 to Erick and Hannah Flom. He grew up in the area where he attended school and grew into manhood. He married Mabel Knutson on May 4, 1929, at Ada, Mn and soon afterwards they moved to Clover Township, Clearwater county, Mn, where they were engaged in farming. They had no children. Henry died on October 28, 1962 at Bagley, Mn.
Kenneth V.R. Flom
Kenneth was born on August 24, 1906 to Elling and Oliana (Olson)Flom. He grew up in Flom township, he later entered the U.S. Navy during WW II. He married Grace Warne in St. Paul on July 19, 1941 and they resided in Detroit Lakes, Mn. He maintained a insurance office at Gary, Mn. He was active in the American Legion, having been a past 9th District Commander of the American Legion. He was also active in the Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post 40, and the Masonic Lodge and Order of the Eastern Star.
Kenneth died on March 15, 1961. He was the last survivor of his immediate family. He is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Lisa I. Flom
Lisa Isabelle Flom was born on November 24, 1891 to Simon and Randi (Skeim) Flom on the family farm in Flom township. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. She grew up on the family farm in section 12 of Flom township, here she attended rural schools. After completing her education she went to Moorhead State College. After which she taught in rural schools in Norman County and North Dakota. Lisa then went to Dakota Business College in Fargo. After completing her education there she moved to Los Angeles, California, where she was employed as a legal secretary for various law firms for over 40 years. She never married.
Lisa traveled extensively all over the world, and could translate four different languages. She did a lot of traveling as a hobby and served as a guide and director for excursions and group traveling. In her later years she came back to the area and entered the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home, in Twin Valley, Mn where she lived until her death on February 7, 1975. Lisa was the last surviving member of the Simon Flom family, she is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Marie Alma Flom
Marie Alma was born on December 4, 1884 , to Elling and Oiana (Olson) Flom. She was the oldest of the Flom children, and grew up in the Flom area where she attended school. She spent most of her life on the family farm. In 1930 Marie became stricken with rheumatism, and although she sought medical aid at several places, she was unable to get any permanent help and death finally came as the only relief for her.
Marie Alma aka Alma Marie died on February 4, 1923 at the home of her parents. Her funeral was held at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, where she was laid to rest.
Marie was a loving daughter and sister. She bore the sufferings of her long illness with patience. That she was loved by all who knew her was shown by the many tokens of love and affection that were shown her during her illness. She leaves a place in the hearts of relatives and friends which can never be filled. She remained on the family farm most of her life except for the few years that she lived in Amidon,ND , where she proved up a homestead.
Mildred T. Flom
Mildred Therese was born on March 16, 1903 to Elling and Oliana (Olson) Flom. She attended rural schools in the area and lived on the family farm most of her life, except for the months spent with her sister in Amidon, ND. On August 10, 1924 she passed away at the home of her sister after just a few months of illness. Mildred was a very kind and loving daughter and sister, she will leave a place in the hearts of relatives and friends which can never be filled. She is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Olga B. Flom
Olga Bertine Flom was born to Elling and Oliana (Olson) Flom on October 11, 1896 and lived on the home farm all her life with the exception of a few years while attending school and teaching school. Olga was a loving daughter and sister, she bore the suffering of her long illness with tuberculosis with patience and that she was loved by all who knew her was shown by the many tokens of love and affection that were sent to her during her illness. She passed away on November 13, 19922 at the home of her parents. She leaves a place in the heart of relatives and friends which never can be filled.
Funeral services were held at Wild Rice Lutheran church, rural Twin Valley, Mn where she was also laid to rest.
Simon and Randi (Skeim) Flom
Simon Flom was born to Hans E. and Margrett (Wigesland) Flom in Decorah, Ia. He came to the Flom area as a young man and settled in Flom township, where he lived for about forty years. He was among the first settler's of Norman County.
Randi Skeim was born in Aurland, Sogn, Norway on March 24, 1861 and came to America in 1884, settling in Norman County, Mn.
Simon and Randi were married on April 25, 1888, after their marriage they stayed in Flom township where they were occupied in the normal daily routines of farming. The settled in section 12 of Flom township, the land is currently owned by Mark Seeger.
Simon and Randi were the parents of eight children; Hans (baby), Hans (see Hans Flom), Lisa, Esther; see Bert and Esther Albertson, Mabel (Peter Kjilen), Freida (Alvin Baukol) , and Selma; (see William and Selma Christensen) and Ina.
Ina B.L. Flom was born in 1900 to Simon and Randi (Skeim) Flom at Flom, Mn. She never married and died on October 19, 1921,at the early age of 21 from polio. She is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Baby Hans Flom was born in 1889 and died in 1889, he is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Francis and Constance (Huseby) Fossen
Francis Fossen was born in 1904 to Ole and Marit (Lien) Fossen. He was baptized and confirmed in Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He attended rural school at Plentywood.
Constance Huseby was born to Ove and Charlotte (Nelson) Huseby in 1907. She attended rural school and graduated from Twin Valley High School. After high school, she attended Moorhead Normal School for one year and received her teaching certificate. She taught school before her marriage to Francis in 1930.
After their marriage Francis and Connie focused on their farming operation and raising their family. In the early 1940’s Connie went back to teaching in the Twin Valley area until her retirement in 1972. They first resided on his parents’ farm in Flom township, which they did for one year, then they moved to another farm in section 15 of Flom township. They resided here for seven years. They moved from Flom township to Home Lake township, where they resided for one year, before moving to Rockwell township in 1939, they remained here until Francis’ death in 1970. After Francis’ death Connie moved into Twin Valley and lived there until she moved to Grand Rapids, Mn, where she lived the last eight and one-half years of her life as a resident at a Nursing Home there. Francis served on the rural school board and township boards. He was a very talented violinist and a hunting and trapping enthusiast. Connie was a avid seamstress and also enjoyed crocheting and making quilts.
Francis died in 1970 and Constance died on September 12, 1995, they are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Francis and Connie were the parents of Harlem (Glenyce) , Alden "Buddy" (Mary) and LaVance (Boedigheimer).
Ole E. and Marit (Lien) Fossen
Ole was born in Nordre Fron, Oppland, Norway and left for America at the age of 17. He married Marit Lien who was the daughter of Ole P. and Embjar Lien in 1887. Marit was born in 1867 in Norway. She came to America when she was three years old. She was a midwife and delivered many babies in the neighborhood. They lived in Section 9 of Flom Township. The following children were born to them: Francis and Otto, Milla (Otto) Rogers and Emma (Martin) Ovaldson.
Marit died in 1946 and Ole died in 1944, both are buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Roland and Gloria (Dorseth) Francis
Gloria Charlene Dorseth was born to Henry and Viola (Christensen) Dorseth on August 4, 1934 at Ada, Mn, Norman County. She grew up in Flom township in section 29. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. She attended school at Woodland Nook until the 8th grade. Gloria then attended school, grades 9-12 at Twin Valley High School, where she graduated.
Roland Francis was born on October 2, 1930 to Harlow and Rose Francis at Gibbon, Mn. He was baptized at Gibbon, Mn and confirmed at Mahnomen, Mn. He received his education at Mahnomen, where he graduated from High School. After graduation he started farming.
Gloria and Roland were married on September 21, 1953 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Waubun, Mn. They settled down on their farm Northeast of Mahnomen, in section 31 of Chief township, in Mahnomen county where they still reside. They are member’s of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Mahnomen. Gloria is active in Catholic daughters of America and Roland is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Roland also enjoyed playing drums for the Athman’s Band.
Gloria and Roland are the parents to thirteen children; Keith, David, Loren, Scott, Roger, Linda, Kevin, Nancy, Todd, Anisa, Angie, Eric and Andy.
Keith Roland was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, in Mahnomen. He graduated from Mahnomen High School and then continued his education at Detroit Lakes Vo-Tech, Keith is a carpenter. Keith married Judy Guenther on April 12, 1975. They are the parents of six children. Jason, Tessi, Cory, Kyle, Brian and Adam. Jason and Anna Fish are the parents of one daughter; Charisma, they will be married on July 6, 2002. Keith and Judy live Northeast of Mahnomen, near the family farm.
David Wayne was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s, and graduated from Mahnomen HS. After graduating he attended Detroit Lakes Vo-Tech and is a carpenter. He married Elinor Anderson of Lengby, Mn on July 23, 1976. They are the parents of three children; Nicholas, Daniel and Anna. David and Ellie live in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Loren James was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s and he graduated from Mahnomen HS. He went to Brainerd, Mn where he received an education in Horticulture. Loren has two children from his first marriage; Christina who has four children and Jason who has one child. Loren married Dianne Gustofson on June 26, 1996, they live in Bagley, Mn., where Loren is self employed as a florist.
Scott Henry was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s, he graduated from Mahnomen HS. Scott married Mary Hoeschen of Waubun, Mn on July 15, 1978. They are the parents of two children; Sonja who is married to David Hansen (6-23-2001) and Sarah. Scott and Mary live in Detroit Lakes, Mn where Scott is employed as a carpenter.
Roger Allen was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s and graduated from Mahnomen HS. He married Peggy Winter of Waubun on October 11, 1980. Roger and Peggy are the parents of three children; Jeffrey, Tammy and Tyler. Roger and Peggy live in Mahnomen Mn where Roger is employed as a carpenter.
Linda Charlene was born on January 4, 1960. She was baptized and confirmed at St.Michael’s and graduated in 1978 from Mahnomen HS. Linda married Tim Benson on June 13, 1985 and they have two children; Jake and Josie. Linda works as a Florist and keeps busy taking care of her family. Linda and Steve live in Chicago, Il.
Kevin Dean was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s and graduated from Mahnomen HS. After graduation he attended Moorhead Vo-Tech where he received an education in Heating and Refrigeration. He married Jeri Jo Hegg on October 11, 1985. They have three children; Kevin James, Nichole and Kristi. Kevin and Jeri live in Bemidji, Mn.
Nancy Lynn was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s and graduated from Mahnomen HS. After graduation Nancy received a degree as a florist. She has a Sr. Degree FTD as Florist and works in the FM area as a florist. She married Luke Dewey of Mahnomen, Mn and they are the parents of three children; Chad, Alexa and Markus. Nancy and Luke live in Moorhead, Mn.
Todd Michael was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s, he graduated from Mahnomen HS. After
graduation he started working as a carpenter and landscaper. He married Sue Strand on March 11, 1989 and they are the parents of four children; Derrek, Ashley, Danielle and Nathan. Todd and Sue live in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Anisa Marie was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s and graduated from Mahnomen HS. After graduation she married Russell Jasken of Ogema, Mn., on October 3, 1987. They are the parents of four children; Brian, Eric, Ariel and Erin. Anisa and Russ live south of Ogema where Russ is active in farming. Anisa keeps busy as a housewife and mother, besides being a Pre-School Teacher.
Angie Kaye was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s, she graduated from Mahnomen HS. After graduation she entered the Army National Guard of which she is still active in. She married Steve Larson on July 10, 1992. Steve and his brother were tragically killed while they were working in a trench on the building site of Steve and Angie’s new home. The trench caved in on them and both perished. Steve is buried at Hendrum, Mn. Angie keeps busy raising her children; Cody, Taylor, Tony and Sylas, they live at Hendrum, Mn.
Eric John was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s and graduated from Mahnomen HS. He married Janis Starkey on March 28, 1992, they are the parents of two children; John and Kurtis. Eric is employed as a carpenter and landscaper. He and Janis live Northeast of Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Andrew Thomas was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s and graduated from Mahnomen HS. He married Christy Hemberger on December 18, 1999. Andy and Christy live southeast of Detroit Lakes,where he is employed as a carpenter and landscaper and Christy is a teacher.
David and Sharon (Sethney) Gerjets
David Gerjets was born to George and Mabel/Maybelle (Blomseth) Gerjets. George and Mabel lived in Ada, Mn. Where George operated the Ada Dray Line and Hotel, in Ada, which he did until 1972. George and Mabel were married on March 16, 1931 in Ada, Mn.
David was one of seven children born to George and Mabel. Those being; Victoria, Allen, Earlin, Rudolph, David, Doris (Virgil Busch), and Alva.
Sharon Lou Sethney was born to Lester and Marjoirie (Mesker) Sethney. Sharon grew up in Twin Valley, Minnesota. She attended school here and graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1956. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley. She had one brother Gerald Sethney and one sister Sonja (Arne Martinson). She married Mr. Evenson (divorced) and to this union four children were born; Nona, Kevin, Anita and Jeff.
David marrired Sharon (Sethney) Evenson on May 11, 1968. They lived the first five years of their marriage in Twin Valley, then they purchased the former Benny Buchholz farm site just southwest of the Aspelund Church, in Section 33 of Flom township. Here they raised Sharon’s children. All four were confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
David worked for Abbott Arne and Schwindt Construction. Sharon kept busy with being a housewife and mother. She loved to work in her yard and it showed her talents as the yard was always neat and orderly. Sharon loved to hunt, David and Sharon enjoyed coon hunting with their dogs, and they enjoyed fishing.
Sharon was active in her church, teaching Vacation Bible School, Sunday school, and was a active member of Aspelund Bible Study and ALCW. Sharon had a love for life, she was taken from this world early, but she put up a brave and courageous battle with the cancer that spread within her. On October 6, 1992, she lost her battle. She is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Hilbert A. and Alma (Johnson) Gravely
Hilbert Arnold Gravely was born to Lars and Helen (Haadtvedt) Gravely.
Alma Elizabeth Johnson was born on June 9, 1891 at Colfax, ND to John and Amanda (Ruud) Johnson. It was at Colfax that she grew up and was an active member of Richland Lutheran Church Young Ladies Aid.
Hilbert and Alma were married on February 5, 1924 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. They resided at Detroit Lakes and then moved to Leonard ND prior to their moving to Flom, Mn. Here they operated their business and made their home. The Johnson and Gravely business was located where to Co-op is today.
They were active in Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. Where he was active on the church board and she was active in the Ladies Aid, and they were active members of the Luther League.
Hilbert passed away on April 27, 1994 and Alma on March 4, 1947. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery. They had no children.
Olaf O. and Marie (Rue) Grefsrud
Olaf O. Grefsrud was born on December 23, 1993 to Mr and Mrs. Ole Grefsrud in Norway. He spent his youth in Norway and came to America as a young man. He first settled in North Dakota in the early 1900's. He then came to Norman County and here he purchased the one room school in Flom and started a Meat Market.
Marie Rue was born on April 8, 1887 to Per and Gunnhild (Gronlie) Rue in Iowa.
Olaf and Marie were married on December 7th, 1916 at Lake Park, Minnesota.
They were the parents of two sons. Palmer was born in 1917. Gordon J. was born on July 22nd, 1921 and died on July 30th, 1921. He is buried at Aspelund.
In 1920 they moved to a farm in Walworth Township where they farm.
On April 22, 1922 Marie passed away. Palmer was only four years old at the time. Olaf and Palmer then moved to Flom, Township.
Olaf returned to Norway in the fall of 1947 then came back within a years.
He died on September 15, 1961. Both Marie and Olaf are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery, Flom.
Palmer and Mildred (Jacobson) Grefsrud
Palmer was born September 30, 1917 to Olaf and Marie (Rue) Grefsrud in Flom Township. He grew up in the Flom area with his father on a farm and attended area schools. He married Mildred Jacobson on April 18, 1941 at the Wild Rice Parsonage, the settled on the home farm in Section 30 of Flom Township where they lived for 60 years. He was active in farming until his later years. Mildred was born to Nels and Clara (Kvidt) Jacobson of the Flom area.
Palmer and Mildred had three sons born to them. Sherwood lives by Davenport, ND,
Ronnie in West Fargo, ND
Myron lives in Moorhead.
Palmer passed away on September 18, 2001 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom. Mildred moved to Twin Valley and currently lives there.
Oscar and Minnie (Underdahl) Groslie
Minnie Underdahl was born on June 26, 1894, near Flom, Mn to Andrew and Dina Underdahl. She was raised and attended school in this community. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Oscar and Minnie were married on July 17, 1925 in the Wild Rice Parsonage. They made their home in Virginia, Mn for the first two years and then returned to Twin Valley, Mn, where they remained until 1958 when they moved into Ulen. After Oscar’s death on September 30, 1960 Minnie made her home with her two daughters until her death on January 3, 1986.
Minnie was a past member of the Flom-Twin Valley VFW Auxiliary, Post 3818.
They were the parents of two daughters; Charmaine (Orlean Jensen) and Fern (Leo Ashmore).
Funeral services for Minnie were held at Calvary Lutheran Church, Ulen, with interment at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley.
Irene (Lien) Gudding
Growing up in the Flom Community holds many special memories of life on the farm, attending grade school in Flom, studying for state board exams at the end of 8th grade. Then High school after that. Cleaning and raking the school yard on the last day of school was fun. This was all followed by bonfires, marshmallows and wiener roasts.
The days before television were fun. The whole family would help with the evening chores so we could get done on time to gather in the living room to listen to some of the radio program’s, such as Fibber McGee and Mollie, Jack Benny, Truth or Consequences, This IS Your Life and so on. Mom would pass out apples or oranges or popcorn balls which she sometimes made. Especially during the Holidays. Being together was really special!
I remember saving nickels which I kept in a little coin purse. This was money for ice cream cones! Mork’s Cafe had the "best tasting" old fashioned ice cream cones in the world! I remember the free movies at the Flom Outdoor Theater. We, kids sat on the ground on blankets with cousins, sisters and brothers. We enjoyed seeing movies about; Roy Rogers and his horse, Trigger, or Gene Autry Westerns and the East Side Kids and others. If we got chilly or the mosquito’s got too mean, we’d go to the car where the folks were and watched from there.
Sometimes after the movies there was a dance at the Flom Hall. I guess that’s where a lot of us kids learned to dance.
I remember Sunday School and Catechism and being part of the wonderful Christmas programs at Aspelund Lutheran Church. The one Christmas program that stands out most in my memory is when there was so much snow that all the country roads were blocked the night of the program. Dad hooked up the horses, Daisy and Dolly to grandpa’s sleigh and the folks tucked us all in the sleigh and covered us with blankets. There was jingle bells on the sleigh and a lantern for light. Then after the program, everyone was given Christmas treats which were brown bags filled with apples, peanuts and Christmas candy.
I was baptized in November 1934 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church by Rev. Amundson, and confirmed on June 27, 1948 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN. By Rev Einar Torgerson.
When I got married, I moved away from the Flom community and over the years since, have lived in St. Paul, MN; Mounds View, MN; Fargo ND; Clinton, IA; Olympia Wa; Lacey, WA; San Dimas, CA; Brooklyn Park, Mn and Moorhead, Mn where I live at the present time.
I have five girls and one son; Cheryl (Dave) Braton lives in Bismarck, ND. Their sons are Matthew (Shelley),
Michael (lives in Germany), and Sarah their daughter resides in Minneapolis, MN.
Theresa (John) Hoffman lives in Olympia, WA and has three children; Seth, Nathan and Bethany.
Jean (Stan) Walker lives in Moorhead, MN and has three children; James (Brookings SD), Steven and Jenny.
Denise (Steve) Warner lives in Rochester, WA and has three children; Bronze (has a baby due in early June of 2002), Hope and Olivia.
Mark and Mairead Gudding live in Oxford, Mi and will soon be relocating to Providence, RI for the fall school term of 2002. They have two daughters; Marina and Clio.
Kristen Syverson is the youngest and lives in Moorhead, Mn she is looking forward to buying a new home in 2002 in Fargo, ND.
I have lived in several different areas, but there’s no place that ca n take the place of growing up in the country and the Flom Community for special memories and I feel enriched in having been a part of it during my growing up years.
Adelia Belinda Gunderson
Adelia was born in 1895 to Henry and Beata Gunderson. She grew up in Flom township section 35, living her entire life on the family farm. After her parents died she and her brother Clarence continued living there. Adelia died on October 5, 1981 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Benhart and Sophia (Larson) Gunderson
Benhart was born July 6, 1891 to Henry and Bertha (Embretson) Gunderson of Flom. He had seven brothers: Edwin, Burton, Clarence, Perry, Herbert & Floyd and four sisters: Mrs. Henry Olmen, Adelia, Mabel (Rue) & Geneva (Jacobson)
Sophia Larson was born December 25, 1889 to Christian and Gunhild (Olson Bergetangen) Larson. She had four sisters: Mrs. John Saxvold, Ella (Nelson), Mrs. Raymond Bakke & Minnie (Campbell) and two brothers: Lawrence & Charles
Benhart married Sophia on August 5, 1915 at Ada, Minnesota.
They had a house built in Flom, which was purchased from Sears, Roebuck and Company.
Benhart was a Star Route Mail carrier for a few years, delivering mail from Syre, Minnesota to Flom.
Sophia was a professional seamstress, sewed her wedding gown and also for many others!
They farmed until they retired. They bought a house in Detroit Lakes and lived there for several years.
Three children were born to Sophia and Benhart, namely:
La Vern who was married to Ihlor Bjerke in 1939. They have two children, Darwin and Kathy. They also have three grandchildren, Pat, Ameria and Andy and two great-grandchildren named Arro and Cameron.
Vivei married Warren Strang in 1948.
Junior B. married Rose in 1971.
La Vern and Vivei wore their mother’s wedding gown at their own weddings.
Vivei and Junior served in World War II and Junior also served in the Korean War.
Benhart died July 28, 1974.
Sophia died October 30, 1975.
They are both buried at Aspelund Cemetery, rural Flom.
Blessed be their memories!
Charles and Mary Lou (Korzendorfer) Gunderson
Charles was born on February 11, 1928. He attended school at Waubun, Mn. He later moved to Virginia, Mn,
where he worked for the Iron Range, he is now retired. He married Mary Lou Korzendorfer on April 2, 1953.
They had two children; Timothy born on June 29, 1951 and Maxine born on October 28, 1953.
Clarence Gunderson
Clarence (Clancy) was born in 1899 to Henry and Beata (Embretson) Gunderson in Flom township. He grew up on the family farm where he resided his entire life. After his parents death, Clarence and his sister Adelia continued to live on the family farm. Clarence died on March 11, 1983 and is buried at Aspleund.
The farm is now owned by Gerald Lien.
Clifford and Laura (Menk) Gunderson
Clifford Gunderson as born on February 13, 1911 at Flom, Mn. He attended school in the Flom area and graduated from Waubun High School. He married Laura Menk on December 30, 1936, at Waubun, Mn. After their marriage they lived in Waubun, where he worked at the Post Office and was Post Master from 1945 until 1950. In 1950 the family moved to Hillsboro, North Dakota where he was co-owner of the Coast to Coast Hardware Store. In 1957 he sold his share of the Hardware store and opened Gundy’s TV and Radio Repair Shop, which he operated until his retirement in 1980.
Clifford and Laura were the parents of Robert and Allen.
Clifford passed away in 1982, funeral services were held at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, with burial at Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Edmond and Mary Ann (Knudson) Gunderson
Edmond Oliver was born on December 14, 1937. He attended school at Ulen, Mn and graduated in 1958. He went on to further his education at Interstate Business College, Fargo, ND and at NDSU in Fargo. He worked for First Bank of ND as Vice President of the Trust Department. Edmond married Mary Ann Knudson of Portland, ND on December 17, 1966. She attended school at Portland, ND and furthered her education at Concordia College. She works for Oak Grove Lutheran HS, in Fargo, ND. Edmond is now retired. Edmond and Mary Ann are the parents of two children. Heidi Coranda who was born on July 26, 1972. She graduated from Fargo North and went on to Pepperdine Univ. graduating on May 16, 1998. She is living in Malibu, California. Scott Edmond was born on September 22, 1974. He graduated from Fargo North. He went on to further his education at Concordia College and is now living in Kansas City, Kansas and is attending Medical School there. He married Nicole Trites on July 27, 2001.
Edsel and Lorraine (Haugen) Gunderson
Edsel Edmond was born on September 18, 1939. He attended school at Ulen, Mn and went on to Moorhead State University, in Moorhead, where he graduated with a degree in Accounting and Marketing. He worked as a manger of Branch Operations at Dakota Clinic, Fargo, ND. He married Lorraine Haugen of Moorhead, on July 1, 1961 at Moorhead, Mn. Lorraine worked for Merchants National Bank, Fargo, ND. They are now retired.
Edsel and Lorraine have two children; Larry Dean born on December 31, 1963. He attended school at Detroit Lakes, Mn and graduated from Moorhead State University. He is Director of Finance for a Medical Clinic in Minneapolis, Mn. He married Ann Margaret Stackpool on June 31, 1995. They have one daughter Amy who was born on December 21, 1996 and one son Nathan born on August 4, 2000.
Kimberly Dawn was born on March 27, 1967. She attended school at Detroit Lakes, Mn and went on to the U of M in Minneapolis, where she received a degree in Interior Design. She married Jeffrey Arsenault of Fridley,
Mn on June 1, 1992 in Detroit Lakes, Mn. Jeff was also a graduate of the U of M in Minneapolis. They have three children; Andrew Jeffrey born on May 8, 1994, Allison Nicole born on January 15, 1998 and Rachel Elizabeth born on December 5, 1999.
Emmett and Adeline (Solberg) Gunderson
Emmett was born on November 17, 1917. He attended school at Waubun, Mn and later moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn where he was employed as a carpenter. He is now retired and resides in Twin Valley, Mn. Emmett married Adeline Solberg. Adeline was born on March 13, 1922. They were married on February 7, 1942. They were the parents of Roger (November 12, 1943), Russell (June 27, 1947) and Harlan (February 24, 1956).
Harold and Ramona (Solberg) Gunderson
Harold Noel was born on July 14, 1926. He attended school at Waubun, Mn. He later moved to rural Glyndon, Mn and then to Detroit Lakes, Mn. He was employed as a carpenter. Harold "Noel" married Ramona Solberg on April 21, 1951. Ramona was born on April 1, 1930. They were the parents of Neal Andrew Miller who was born on February 21, 1962.
Harry Burton and Ella (Dorseth) Gunderson
Harry Burton Gunderson was born on July 1, 1887 to Henry and Beata (Embretson) Gunderson in Flom township, section 35.
Ella Dorseth was born on June 12, 1895 to Hans and Ronnaug (Fossen) Dorseth, near Flom in section 28 of Flom Township.
H. B. and Ella were married in Lake Park, Mn on April 29, 1915. They owned and operated a grocery store in Waubun, Mn for 68 years. They had one son Belford.
Henry E. and Bertha (Embretson) Gunderson
Henry E. Gunderson, one of Norman county’s most substantial and progressive farmers and the owner of a fine place in Flom township, where he and his family are very comfortably situated, was born on a pioneer farm in Clayton county, Iowa, September 14, 1859, and there grew to manhood, but has been a resident of the Red River country since 1882. He is a son of : Embrets and Isabel (Bjern) Lair, natives of the kingdom of Norway, who became pioneers in Clayton county, Iowa, and there spent their last days, the former dying at the age of sixty-eight when the subject of this sketch was but five years of age. Embrets Lair was a landowner in Iowa.and left a good piece of property to his family when he died. His widow survived him about thirteen years, she being sixty-six years of age at the time of her death. They were the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth in order of birth, the others being Ole and Jergen, who are married and still living on the old home place in Iowa; Gunhild, deceased, and Embret, who is married and is still living in Iowa.
Reared on the home farm in Clayton county, Iowa, Henry E. Gunderson received his schooling in the local school of that neighborhood and remained at home until after his marriage at the age of twenty-three, when he and his bride, in 1882, came up into the valley of the Red River of the North and two years later bought a tract of three hundred and twenty acres, a half section, in section 35 of Flom township, Norman county, where they established their home and where they ever since have resided, useful and influential pioneers of that part of the county. As he prospered in his farming operations Mr. Gunderson bought an additional quarter section in section 35 of Flom township and forty-five in section 15 of Fossum township, being now the owner of five hundred and twenty-acres of excellent land, two hundred and forty acres is under cultivation. There are natural groves of poplar on his place and his buildings are substantial and up-to-date. In addition to the central farm house there is a well-built bungalow on the place and the general farm plant is looked upon as one of the best equipped in that part of the county. All of the buildings are lighted by electric light and the appointments of the place are in other respects equally up-to-date. Mr. Gunderson gives considerable attention to the raising of live stock and at the time of this writing in 1917 had on his place sixty-five head of cattle, eight head of horses and fifteen hogs. For four or five years after beginning his farming operations here Mr. Gunderson farmed with oxen and he has witnessed a remarkable revolution in farming methods since those days.
On August I 7, I 882, in Clayton county, Iowa, Henry E. Gunderson was united in marriage to Bertha Embretson, who was born in Iowa on July 9, 1865, and to this union eleven children have been born, namely:
Jesse, who is married and is living at Faith, Norman county;
Burton, who is married and who lives at Waubun, Mahnomen county, Minnesota; Edwin, also married. who is living at Waubun;
Perry and Herbert, twins, the former of whom is living in North Dakota and the latter on the home place;
Bernard, who is married and living at Flom, and Adelia, Mabel, Clarence, Geneva and Floyd, at home.
Mr. Gunderson served for about eighteen years as treasurer of the local school board. He is a stockholder in the Co-operative Creamery Company and in the Farmers State Bank of Flom and was one of the organizers of the first-named concern.
Oliver and Elpha (Miller) Gunderson
Elpha was born on February 22, 1915. She attended school at Waubun, Mn. She later moved to Walworth township after her marriage to Oliver Gunderson on March 21, 1936 at the Ulen parsonage. The day that Elpha and Oliver were to be married there was so much snow that they had to take the sleigh to Ulen for their wedding. Oliver was the son of Lisa Klemetsdatter and Carl Gunderson. Both Lisa and Carl were from the Guldbrandsdal area in Norway and had immigrated here to Atlanta township.
Elpha grew up on the Miller farm in section 33 of Flom township. All but the first year of Elpha and Oliver’s married lives were spent on their farm in section 34 of Walworth township. Oliver worked one year at Dale, Mn and at the stockyards in Fargo, ND as a carpenter. Oliver and Elpha purchased the home farm in 1950. He retired from farming in 1975, when his sons; Wayne and Wallace took over the family farming operation.
Oliver passed away on December 28, 1985 of heart failure. Elpha passed away on February 16, 2000. They are both buried at Atlanta Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Ulen, Mn.
Elpha and Oliver were the parents of seven children; Orwin Elton, Edmond Oliver, Edsel Ordean, Wayne Curtis, Wallace Duane, Brenda Noreen,
Orwin Elton was born on September 11, 1936 and died on September 14, 1936. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Perry E. Gunderson
Perry Gunderson was born on April 4, 1889 to Henry and Beata (Embretson) Gunderson in Flom Township. He grew up in the area and attended school here. On October 8, 1933 Perry died at the Deacon Hospital in Grand Forks, ND. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Virgil and Betty (Voolley) Gunderson
Virgil was born on June 2, 1930. He attended school at Waubun, Mn and later moved to Moorhead, Mn then to Great Falls and Billings Montana. Where he is employed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield. He married Betty Voolley on September 29, 1951. Betty was born on May 2, 1931. Virgil and Betty are the parents of three children; Jeanne born on November 15, 1957, Lori born on August 16, 1959 and Kathy born November 8, 1964.
Wallace Duane Gunderson
Wallace Duane Gunderson was born on March 31, 1944 to Oliver and Elpha (Miller) Gunderson. He helped his father farm and later took over the farming operations with his brother Wayne after his fathers retirement in
1975. He was employed by American Crystal Sugar in Moorhead, Mn. Wallace passed away on February 16, 2000, at his home. He is buried at Atlanta Lutheran Cemetery, rural Ulen, Mn.
Wayne Curtis Gunderson
Wayne Curtis Gunderson was born on March 31, 1944 to Elpha (Miller) and Oliver Gunderson. He grew up on the family farm, helping his father with the farming operations. In 1975 when his father retired from farming
Wayne and his brother, Wallace took over the farming operation. He remained on the family farm and was active in his church; Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn, here he served on the Church council, until Atlanta‘s closing in August of 2001. Wayne is employed by American Crystal Sugar of Moorhead, Mn. He continues to live on the family farm in section 34 of Walworth township.
Ole and Anna Haagenson
Ole Haagenson was born on November 2, 1830, and Anna Haagenson was born on March 25, 1843. Not much is known about them, other than they were the parents of two children; Haaken and Anna Marie.
Anna Marie was born on April 14, 1880 in Dooray township in Murray County of Minnesota. In some places you will see she is referred to as Marie and others Anna Marie. She came to this area with her parents. Here she met and married Bernt "Ben" Haroldson. Ben was the son of the Gjermund Haroldson’s. He had two brother’s; Harold and Knute and one sister Birgitte.
Anna and Ben were the parents of Marvin, George, John, Henry, Stanley, Stanley Kermit, Kermit, Ole, Gladys, and Alma.
See the " Ben and Marie Haroldson Tragedy Story"
John G. Hadeland
John G Hadeland was born on August 11, 1894 in Norway. He came to this country in 1910 and settled in Van Hook, North Dakota. He married Mabel Johnson on October 24, 1923 at Stanley, ND. She died on June 25, 1973. His brothers were Ole Haddeland of Flom, Lars of New Town, ND.
John was a veteran of WW I and a member of the Gary American Legion. The moved to Gary in 1950 where he farmed until retiring in 1960. John passed away on August 22, 1979 at a Mahnomen Nursing Home, interment at the St Petri Cemetery, rural Gary, Mn.
They were the parents of; Celia (Norman Nystad), Dianna Moon.
Ole and Alice ( Tomtengen) Hadeland
Ole Hadeland was born on September 12, 1892 to Gunlef and Anna Haddeland in Norway. He was baptized, confirmed and attended school to the 8th grade all in Norway. Ole had two
sister Netta and Aasa and one brother Tonnes who stayed in Norway, He had three brothers who also came to America; Lars, John (see John Haddeland) and Karl. In 1910 Ole left Norway and came to the United States, settling first at Ruby, ND. He later left there and went to Glasgow, Montana here he worked on the Fort Peck Damn when is was built. Ole was in the armed services for two years at which time he served in France. He came to the Flom area, settling in section 23 of Flom Township in 1938.
Alice E. Tomtengen was born on November 5, 1895 to Hans and Anne Tomtengen in Flom Township. She had one sister Elenora (Filipi). Alice was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund. She attended school in the area up to the 8th grade. As a young lade Alice moved to Montana, there she married George Ulmer. When he died she married Ole Hadeland on May 5, 1934 at Fort Peck, Montana.
Ole worked construction and farmed during his life and Alice was a homemaker. Taking care of her husband and their one daughter; LaDonna (Thompson). They adopted LaDonna; who was born on May 5, 1937. See Jerome and LaDonna Thompson
Ole and Alice lived their lives on the farm in section 28. Ole and Alice lived in one house on the farm and their daughter LaDonna and her family lived on the same farm in a second house on the building site. They stayed on the farm until their retirement in 1969 when they moved to Twin Valley, Mn.
Ole served in WWI as a Pvt. in Co F 305 infantry, he was a Veteran. Ole died on August 29, 1972 and Alice died on June 4, 1978. Both are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN.
Carl and Lena (Thompson) Hagen
Carl Hagen was born at Newfolden, Mn to Erick and Eli Hagen. He grew up in that area and was inducted into the US Army in June 1918. He lost his leg as a result of those injuries. He saw action in Argonne Forest in France with the army Expeditionary Forces. He was honorably discharge in July 1919.
Lena Thompson was born in 1899 to Knute and Ann (Otterness) Thompson in Flom township. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund and became a active member of Wild Rice and it's organizations. She grew up in Flom township on the family farm and attended country schools here.
Carl and Lena were married in 1919 at her parent's home by Rev. B.J. Larson. They lived in Twin Valley for two years, then moved to Flom township, where they farmed for 35 years, retiring in 1956. The continued to live on the farm until 1966, when the moved into Twin Valley.
Carl and Lena were the parents of: Gerald (Ruth), Lowell (Clarice), and Allen.
Carl passed away in 1975 and Lena in 1988, they are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
John and Fannie (Fajmon) Halva
John Halva was born on December 5, 1884 in Czechoslovakia and came to the United States with his mother and sister in 1898. One brother Joe of Hutchinson and a sister Mrs. Theresa Jelinck, of St. Paul, Mn are listed as survivors in his obituary.
Fannie Fajmon was born on October 1884, near Silver Lake/Hutchinson, Minnesota to the Joseph Fajmon’s. She has one sister Anna Fajmon of Washington, D.C. listed as a survivor in her obituary. John and Fannie were married on March 18,1913, at silver Lake, Mn by the Rev. Joseph Krench. The resided in Atlanta township, Becker County, Mn where they were active in farming. For thirty years they stayed here and in 1943 they packed up their belonging and moved to Flom township, Norman County, Minnesota where they purchased a different farm and resided there for twenty three years. John passed away on October 27, 1966. Fannie passed away on January 22, 1968 at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, Mn.
John and Fannie are both buried at Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom, Mn.
Louis and Alice (Doroff) Halva
Louis "Louie" Halva was born to John and Fannie (Fajmon) Halva in Becker, County, Mn. He grew up here and attended schools. He purchased a farm in Norman county Flom township section and it is here he has resided since.
Alice Alta Doroff was born on March 23, 1909 at Max, North Dakota. She grew up in North Dakota and as a young girl worked in restaurants in Fargo. She also did housework for some time.
Louie and Alice were married in South Dakota on March 17, 1954. Since that time they have lived in section 9 of Flom township, where they have made their home.
Alice passed away on December 29, 1976 at the age of 66 years. Funeral services were held at Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom with interment at the church cemetery.
After her death Louie continued to live on the farm until 2002 when due to a fall he was hospitalized at Meritcare Hospital in Fargo, after his discharge he moved into the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley. Louie had sold the farm to Todd Manthe a few years ago, he continued to reside there.
Frank and Aloisie “Louise” (Dvorak) Hamernik
Frank John Hamernik, an immigrant from Strizov, Czechoslovakia, came to the Flom area in 1913. He was born on December 31, 1888 to John and Anna Hamernik. His father had a woodworking shop in Strizov. In Czechoslovakia, the name Hamernik means carpenter or woodworker. Frank had a older brother and sister, also named John and Anna.
Frank came to the United States on August 29, 1909. Along with his came his brother John and a friend of theirs. They first lived in Chicago and later moved to Omaha where they worked in a meat packing plant. His brother John and their friend left the United States and returned to their homeland, but Frank remained behind, choosing to stay in America. He moved to Minnesota along with a friend John Kroplak and his family. John Kroplak has been injured in a accident at the meat packing plant in which he lost a hand. They came to Minnesota and took up the occupation of farming. At this time Frank moved onto a farm located two and a quarter miles south of Flom and the Kroplak family lived on a neighboring farm. The farm Frank moved onto is still in the Hamernik name and is where his son Stanley lives today.
Aloise "Louise" Dvorak was born in Czechoslovakia, she came to the Flom area in 1918. Louise was born on May 9, 1899 to Matthew and Anna Dvorak on a farm in Cejov, Czecoslovakia. She had two brothers; John and Jim. Their mother Anna died when they children were quite young. Their father married a woman by the name of Katie. Matthew and Katie were the parents of one daughter Georgie. Louise came to America only to help the next door neighbor, Mrs. Fafloc, also of Cejov. She was coming to America with her three children to be reunited with her husband and their father. Louise came with to help her with the children on their journey which was by boat across the ocean and then by rail to Omaha. Louise came with full intentions of returning home after the voyage was completed and the family reunited and settled in America. However, prior to her return to Czechoslovakia she planned a trip to the Flom area where she would visit with a relative of her step-mother Katie. This person just happened to be Mrs. John Kroplak. She came here for a visit and met Frank Hamernik,
Frank and Louise were married on June 20th, 1918 in Minnesota. They farmed in section 9 of Walworth Township, Becker County, Minnesota. It is here they raise their family of 9 children. Frank and Louise retired from farming in 1959 and moved into Ulen, Mn. Their son Stanley took over the family farm where he lived today.
Frank and Louise were active members in the ZCBJ Lodge for over 60 years and were members of Walworth Baptist Church, rural Ulen.
They were the parents of 10 children;
Rose who was born on February 22, 1920 and died on March 28th, 1920 is buried at Walworth Baptist Church Cemetery. (Name on her tombstone is Ruzena)
Anna was born on February 8th, 1922. See Harland and Anna Erickson
Frank Jr. was born on October 4th, 1924, he married Marlys Williams of White Earth, Mn. Frank worked for the Ford Motor Co. in Minneapolis until he retired. They now live in Eagen, Mn. They are the parents of three children; Denise (Tony) Zinger, who live in Coon Rapids, Mn and have three daughters; Rachel, Amanda and Alicia. Doug married Dawn Hobby of Minneapolis. The live in Houston Texas with their three children; Amy, Christopher and Rebecca. Diane lives in Minneapolis, Mn.
Georgia "Georgie" was born on May 11, 1926, she married Carl Fuchs of Felton. They have made their home in Lake Park, Mn where they raised their family of five children. Wallace and Sandy live in Horace ND and they have two children; Jeff and Jennifer. Virginia "Ginny" and Dave Strem live in Fertile, Mn. They have four children; Daniel, Debbie, Kelly and Ryan. Nancy and Bob Anderson live in Willow City, ND. Ione and Bob Bloom live in Montana. They had three boys; Brian, Benjamin and Brent (who died in 1994). Lyle and Diane live in rural Fertile, Mn, and they have three children; Travis, Kristi and Timmy.
Betty was born on May 30th, 1928. See Bob and Betty Baukol.
Stanley was born on March 20th, 1930. See Stanley and Jean Hamernik
Jerry was born on December 21st, 1931. See Jerry and Colleen Hamernik
Helen was born on April 19th, 1933, she married Marvin Slette of Mahnomen. They are the parents of five children. Renae, Jerome, Loren, LaVonne and Bruce.
Irene was born on July 6th, 1935. See Marlin and Irene Klemetson
Edward was born on October 17th, 1937, he married Arlene Hedahl of Twin Valley. They made their home in Fridley, Mn where they raised their two children. Craig and Laurie live in Wisconsin with their children Lucas and Megan. Marcia and Dan Oltrogge live in Colorado with their two children, Alaina and Stephen.
Jerry and Colleen (Holt) Hamernik
Jerry Louis Hamernik was born on December 21st, 1931 to Frank and Louise (Dvorak) Hamernik in Detroit Lake’s Mn. He was baptized at Walworth, Baptist Church. As a young boy he grew up on the home farm in Section 9 of Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn.
He attended country school at Dist 54 and then went to Ulen where he graduated from High School in May of 1950. After he graduated Jerry entered the Army and was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, he completed his military service in 1954. He was a Veteran of the Korean War.
After he returned home from the service Jerry became active in farming and purchase a farm in section 4 of Walworth Township in 1957 from Fred McCormick.
Colleen Holt was born on January 29th, 1939 to Jessie and Alex Holt of Calvin North Dakota. She was baptized at the Calvin Presbyterian Church. She grew up there and attended school in Calvin where she graduated from High School in 1957. After graduation Colleen attended air line school in Minneapolis, Mn and secretary school in Fargo, ND. She worked at Archer Daniels Midland Co in Minneapolis and also at the REA in Langdon, ND. She gave up sitting at a desk on a chair to the life of a farmer’s wife; milking cows.
Jerry and Colleen were married on November 19th, 1960 at Calvin, ND. They returned to Walworth and made their home on the farm Jerry had purchased in section 4. It was here they raised their two sons;
Roger was born on July 3rd, 1964. (See Roger and Kris Hamernik.)
Rodney Allen was born on May 16, 1966. Rodney was baptized at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. He attended school at Ulen-Hitterdal, graduating in 1984. After graduation he went to NDSCS in Wahpeton, ND where he received a degree in Ag in 1987. Rodney is active in his church and community having served on the church council at Aspelund, a member of the Flom League of Men, coached basketball at Ulen-Hitterdal for 10 years. He is also noted as the person to put up the Christmas Decoration for the town of Flom. In his spare time during the winter Rodney has taken up the hobby of ice fishing, something his father truly loved.
Jerry and Colleen were active in their church and community. They were first members of Atlanta Lutheran Church and in 1974 they transferred their membership to Aspelund Lutheran Church.
Jerry passed away on January 9th, 1982 while ice fishing on Leach Lake by Walker, Minnesota. He died doing what he really enjoyed.
After his death Colleen and her sons Roger and Rodney continued farming which they still do to this day. Colleen began working for the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn in 1988, where she works as a dietary aide. In her spare time she enjoys visiting with family and friends, playing cards and won’t turn down a invitation to BINGO.
Roger and Kris (Nasset) Hamernik
Roger Lynn Hamernik was born on July 6th, 1964 to Jerry and Colleen (Holt) Hamernik in Detroit Lakes, Mn. He was baptized at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. He attended school at Ulen-Hitterdal and graduated in May of 1982. He went on to further his education at NDSCS in Wahpeton, ND receiving a Associate in Science Degree for Ag-Business in May of 1984.
After graduation Roger returned home where he is active in farming with his brother Rodney. They continue to farm the family farm in Section 4 of Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn.
Roger was active in Chi-Rho at Aspelund, Walworth Willing Worker’s 4-H Club, FFA and Band in school. He has been active in Flom League of Men, has served on the church council at Aspelund and is currently serving on the Board of Directors for Twin Valley-Flom Credit Union.
Kris Nasset was born on February 16th, 1967 to Kelly and Donna (Thompson) Nasset at Dakota Hospital in Fargo, ND. She grew up in Moorhead, Mn. She attended Moorhead Public Schools and graduated from Moorhead High School in May of 1985. After graduation Kris worked at Merit Care in Fargo in the medical records for eleven years. She then was employed by Muscatel Auto in Moorhead as Office Manager for four years at which point she went to KRJB radio station in Ada and worked as their office manager for 8 months. Kris is currently operating a Licensed Daycare out of their home in Moorhead.
Roger and Kris were married on July 1st, 2000 at Aspelund, Lutheran Church, Flom, MN. They have two children; Matthew David (by Kris’s first marriage) was born on February 9th, 1996 at Merit Care Hospital in Fargo, ND. He was baptized at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Moorhead. Matthew is currently in Kindergarten at George Washington Elementary School in Moorhead. Aubrey Lynn Hamernik was born on July 30th, 2001 at Merit Care in Fargo. She was baptized at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom Mn.
Roger and Kris are currently living in Moorhead, Mn, their future plans are to move to the Flom area in the summer of 2002. They have purchased the former Milton and Esther Kirkeby building site in section 20 of Flom Township.
Stanley and Jean (Matson) Hamernik
Stanley Joseph Hamernik was born on March 20, 1930, to Frank and Aloise (Dvorak) Hamernik in Walworth Township, on the family farm. He was baptized at Detroit Lakes, Mn and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. As a young boy he grew up on the family farm in section 9 of Walworth Township. He attended country school at District 54 and graduated in 1949 from Ulen High School in Ulen, Mn.
Stanley entered the armed forces in 1951, serving in the Air Force. Stanley was honorably discharged in 1955. He is a Korean War Veteran.
Upon his completion of his military service he farmed with his father for three years until his marriage and then he took over the family farm where he was born and raised on in section 9 of Walworth Township.
Jean Loraine Matson was born on January 4, 1934 to Rudolph and Inga Matson on the family farm in Hagen Township. Jean was baptized and confirmed at Jevnaker Lutheran Church. She attended school at Felton, Mn and graduated in 1952. After her graduation she worked at the Felton school for two years and at the Telephone Company in Fargo, ND for four years.
Stanley and Jean were married on Oct 11, 1958 at Jevnaker Lutheran Church, Felton, Mn. They lived on the family farm where they milked cows, raised livestock and small grains. Stanley has served on the Walworth Town Board as clerk for 32 years, a charter member of the Flom Area Lions Club, where he now serves as treasurer, he has also served on the church council and is an active member of the Flom-Twin Valley VFW Post 3818. Jean has served as a 4-H leader, is also a member of the Flom-Twin Valley VFW Auxiliary Post 3818, taught Sunday school, a member of the Aspelund Ladies Aid and a long time member of the Walworth Country Homemakers.
They retired from farming in 1997 and now rent out the farm, and still reside on the home place. Stanley now works part time for a neighboring farmer. Here they raised their family of six children. Kevin, Julie, Patty, Daniel, Stephanie and Jason.
Kevin Jerome was born on July 30, 1959 in Moorhead, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. He graduated from Ulen-Hitterdal High School in May of 1977. He married Connie Anderson daughter of Roger and Carol Anderson of Faith, on January 17, 1984 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Faith, Mn (divorced). They are the parents of three children; Kristen was born on May 8th, 1984 and is currently a senior at Norman County East. Jai Anthony was born on June 27, 1987 and is a 8th grader at Norman East. Kathryn Lynne was born on June 15, 1991 and is a 4th grader at Norman County East. Kevin farmed with his father for the first years that he and Connie were married, he then worked in Waubun for Burkel Turkey Farm at the elevator. He is now working at the Audubon Elevator in Audubon, Mn where he currently resides. All three of Kevin’s children were baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN.
Julie Kay was born on July 10, 1961 in Moorhead, Mn. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. She graduated in 1979 from Ulen-Hitterdal High School. After graduation she went on to further her education at Agassiz Valley School of Practical Nursing, where she received a degree as a LPN. She then began working at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn where she is still employed. Julie married Garrett Thornton son of Duane and Myrna Thornton of Twin Valley, Mn on November 20, 1982 at Aspelund. Garrett works for his father
Duane Thornton doing construction work for DB Thornton Construction. Julie and Garrett have four children; Kraig Michael was born on March 29, 1983, Kelsey Marie was born on October 25, 1989, Kurt Allan was born on May 23, 1993 and Kaitlyn Jean was born on Oct 27, 1994. Kelsey, Kurt and Kaitlyn all attend Norman County East, Kraig is a graduate of Norman County East. All four children were baptized at Aspelund and Kraig was also confirmed there.
Patty Jean was born on April 20, 1964. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund. She graduated from Ulen-Hitterdal in May of 1982. She went on to further her education at Moorhead Tech. She married Alan Boreen on June 24, 1989 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. They have two sons Evan Allen was born on September 17, 1992 and attend school at Norman County East- Gary Site. Alex Michael was born on March 17, 1997. Patty worked for the Flom -Twin Valley VFW and than began working for the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn in 1991 as a Dietary Aide, where she is currently employed.
Daniel Scott was born on May 24, 1966. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund. He attended school at Ulen-Hitterdal graduating in May 1984. He went on to school at Moorhead State University, Moorhead, Mn. He began working for Hardee’s in 1987 where he is still employed as Manager of the Easten Hardee’s in Moorhead. He married Shelli Stach of Kragnes, Mn on December 5, 1992 they reside in Glyndon, Mn. They are the parents of two children; Ryan Joseph was born on April 2, 1994 and Kylie Mae was born on June 2 1996. They both attended school at DGF (Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton).
Stephanie Jo was born on November 21, 1977. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. She graduated from Ulen-Hitterdal High School in 1996. She has one daughter Ciera Rose who was born on March 22, 1997. Ciera was baptized at Aspelund. Stephanie is married to Ryan Olson. They were married on April 17, 2000 in South Dakota and had their vows blessed in December 2000 in Aspelund Lutheran Church Flom. Stephanie is employed by REM North Star Inc. They live in Ulen, Mn.
Jason Erik was born on May 20, 1980 in Fargo, ND. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund. On May 22, 1998 he graduated from Ulen-Hitterdal. He is currently employed by Circle E Farms of Ulen, Mn and also at the Easten Hardee’s in Moorhead, Mn. Jason lives at home on the family farm with his folks.
Carl Orvis Hamre Jr.
Carl Hamre "Junior" was born on February 15, 1930 in section 1 of Atlanta township. He grew up and attended school at Dist 127 (across from Gullard’s) and District 29, where the Atlanta Town Hall is now located after completing his education at the are country schools he then went to Lake Park High School. Carl is a graduate from Lake Park High School.
Carl was baptized and confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn.
He lived on the home place, taking over the family farm in section 10 of Atlanta Township. He farmed here until 1980 when he moved into Flom living in the former Selma Malmskog house on the SW side of town in section 33 of Flom township. Carl turned the farm over to his nephew Mark Hamre at this time. Mark and his wife Cathy and children still reside on the family farm. Carl still went out to the farm to help Mark with the farming operations, he did this up until his death in about 1995.
Carl worked at the Flom VFW in the late 70’s early 80’s. One instance that is sort of comical about the times he worked at the VFW happened one night. Carl was still living on the farm, after completing a night of work and cleaning up the VFW he decided to spend the night, it may have been due to weather that he decided this or just intuition. While sleeping he heard a noise, only to discover that someone was attempting to break in through the back windows. Carl immediately ask "What are you doing" at which point the would be robbers left the scene. It is not known who was trying to break in, but I’m sure they may have had to clean something out of their shorts, afterwards.
Carl passed away in around 1995, funeral services were held at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen with interment at the church cemetery.
Clarence and Thilda (Prestegord) Hanson
Clarence Melvin Hanson was born on April 25, 1911 in Bear Park Township, north of Gary, Mn. He was the son of Hans and Karen Hanson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Sundal Lutheran Church and attended schools in that area. His brothers were; Louis, Alfred Horn, Sander, Helmer, Geff and sisters were; Genora (Lee), Gladys (Bennett Jacobson), Sylvia (Joseph Johnson), Helma, and Lillian.
Clarence enjoyed gardening and doing woodwork in his later years.
Thilda Prestegord was born in 1914 to Louis and Kari (Myrvold) Prestegord. Her siblings were: Leroy, Selmer, Sidney, Kenneth, Ervin, Leslie, Myrtle (Arnold Pieper), Louise (Miller), Verna (Bill Grieg) and Jean (Peter Bartlette). She was a life long member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Clarence and Thilda were married on March 22, 1941 at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. After their marriage Clarence worked at the Wild Rice Children’s Home for several years before he began farming east of Twin Valley, Mn. They farmed for over 30 years and retired in 1971. They remained on the home farm until 1981, at which time they moved into Twin Valley where they lived until their deaths.
Clarence and Thilda were the parents of; Alan, Dennis, Eileen (Robert Boomgaarden), Joan (Alex Cartierof) and Clarene (Tim Gunnerson).
They were members of Wild Rice Lutheran Church where they are both buried. Clarence passed away on November 17, 1984 and Thilda passed away on June 28, 1990.
Louis and Esther (Prestegord) Hanson
Louis was born in 1908 at Gary, Minnesota to Hans and Karen Hanson. He married Esther Prestegord in 1941 at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. Esther was born in 1910 to Elling and Helga Prestegord. They first farmed in Bear Park Township and later moved to her parent’s farm in Fossum Township on Section 34. Louis did carpenter work. Esther was an active member of Wild Rice Church where she was baptized. She attended Plentywood School. They loved children, but had none of their own.
Louis died on July 7, 1987 and Ester died on January 7, 1985. Both are buried in Wild Rice Cemetery.
Ben and Marie (Haagenson) Haroldson Tragedies
Marvin Haroldson was born to Ben and Maria of Flom, Mn. The following is his obituary from 1922: It is our sad duty this week to chronicle the tragic death of little Marvin Haroldson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Haroldson of Flom, twp.
Last Thursday evening, August 15, at 8:30PM little Marvin as usual was leading a gentle horse to water. This particular time was his last time in doing so as the horse became frightened and little Marvin was kicked fatally and he was found shortly afterwards with a crushed skull. Nobody was near enough to see how it happened. A physician was called and everything was done to prolong his stay on earth. He was under the competent care of his nurse, Miss Rogen for thirteen hours and he died the next day at 9:30 a.m.
Little Marvin was born February 15, 1914 and at the time of his death he was 8 years, six months and one day old.
He was a very bright and active little lad, and was well liked by everybody who knew him. He was well advanced in his school work and he always did his best. His sudden departure was a severe blow to his parents, sisters and brother.
He is survived by his parents, Maria and Ben Haroldson and his sisters, Alma and Gladys, and brothers, John, George, Henry, Ole and Kermit.
This tragedy occurred in the Haroldson family on August 15, 1922...on September 18th, 1922 the following tragedy happened in Moorhead, Mn.
Mr. and Mrs. Ben Haroldson and two of their children, Gladys aged 11 and Kermit age 6, were killed and their daughter Alma was seriously injured shortly before 5:00 Monday afternoon when the Ford car in which they were riding was crushed under the wheels of a freight car on the Tenth street crossing of the Great Northern in Moorhead, Mn. Mr. Haroldson and the two younger children met instant death and Mrs. Haroldson died about two hours later at the St. Ansgar hospital in Moorhead. Alma Haroldson suffered a broken hip, had both knees dislocated and was otherwise severely bruised but will recover.
The party left Flom at about ten o’clock in the forenoon on Monday to take Alma to the State Teacher’s College at Moorhead, where she expected to attend the fall term. Upon arriving at the College they were informed that the dormitory was filled and that it would be necessary for her to secure a place to board and room before she could register. The family then drove to the Ernest Moore home in Moorhead, where they had lunch, and were on their way back to the College when then accident occurred.
Mr. Haroldson, at the wheel, drove onto the railroad crossing when the shouts of a brakeman nearby attracted his attention. Instead of attempting to continue to cross the track, he then turned his machine on the crossing, directly in the path of a string of box cars that were being shunted across the street. A street car was parked near the crossing in such a manner as to block his view of the railroad track in the direction from which the shunted cars were moving. The freight train was said to have been moving very slowly and a brake man stood on top of the car which hit the Haroldson automobile and yelled and screamed at the approaching cars throwing his hat into the air and doing everything possible to attract the attention of the occupants, but they saw him too late.
An eye witness said that the car skidded for a few feet, then overturned and was crushed under the wheels of the boxcar, as the members of the ill-fated family screamed with fright.
Miss Alma Haroldson was conscious nearly all of the time that she was pinned underneath the wreckage, while rescuers worked to release her and other members of the family. Mrs. Haroldson, although fatally injured was also conscious most of the time up to her death.
The remaining member of the family, George and John (twins) aged 19; Henry, 18; and Ole 16; were immediately notified of the accident and were taken to Moorhead by Ernest Narum that same evening. Rev. and Mrs. B. L. Opdahl, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Rogen and M.E .Dahl autoed to Moorhead yesterday morning to be of any assistance possible and to help make arrangements for the funeral.
It will be remembered that another member of the family, Marvin, eight years old, was killed less than a month ago as a result of having been kicked by a horse he was leading to water. Mr. and Mrs. Haroldson were both born in Murray county, Mn, the former on May 16, 1873 , and the latter on April 13, 1880. They were married in Marshall county in 1899 and moved to Flom township, where they have since resided. They have been prominent residents of this section of the county and their loss will be distinctly felt. At the time of their death, Mr. Haroldson was a trustee of the Aspelund church at Flom and treasurer of the school district and his wife had been president of the Aspelund ladies aid during the past three years. The accident was perhaps the saddest that has ever occurred in this community and the sincere sympathy of our people goes out to the bereaved relatives.
Funeral services were conducted at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn and the family was laid to rest in the church cemetery there.
Gladys Marie: was born on March 16, 1911 and died in the car/train accident on September 18, 1922
Stanley Kermit was born on February 15, 1914 and died on February 28, 1914. (they had two Stanley Kermit’s the latter went by Kermit)
Stanley Kermit was born on March 23, 1916 and died in the car/train accident on September 18, 1922.
Alma was born on April 4, 1901 she was injured in the car/train accident on 9/18/22. She died on April 20, 1925.
John Haroldson was born to Ben and Anna (Haagensen). He lived in Flom where he owned and operated John’s recreation. Many individuals enjoyed playing pool here. John also sold insurance and the pool hall was later run basically as an insurance office with John’s living quarters also there. John never married. He served his country and is a veteran. John passed away on May 1, 1992 and is buried at Aspleund.
George B. and Florence (Olson) Haraldson
George B Haraldson was born on October 1, 1902 (twin brother to John) in Dovray, Mn., to Bernt and Anna Marie Haraldson. He moved with his family in 1911 to a arm one mile north of Flom in section 21 of Flom township. Here the family was raised. George was very active in playing baseball in the Twin Valley/ Flom area.
George married Florence Olson on October 31, 1925. They lived in Moorhead where George worked for the Jewel Tea Co. They moved back to the Flom area for three years where he farmed with his brother, Henry. George served on the Flom School board. In 1936 they left the Flom area and moved to Underwood, Mn where they bought and operated a restaurant for five years. During this time George also served as Justice of the Peace.
From 1942-1945 he worked in a shipyard in Richmond, California, building liberty ships for the war effort and later at a shipyard in Duluth, Mn. In 1946, after helping Walter Olson and Anton Flom with the harvest George and his family packed up and moved to Seattle Washington. Here he worked in the lumber industry and operated lumber drying kilns until his retirement in 1978. He truly enjoyed their frequent visits with his brothers and friends in Flom. An ardent reader of the Twin Valley Times, he kept well informed of the news from "back home".
George died on November 5, 1996 in Seattle Washington, following surgery on a fractured hip, sustained in a fall. He enjoyed excellent health right up to the time of his surgery.
George and Florence were the parents of; Dolores and Delwyn.
Henry and Thea (Oien) Haroldson
Henry Haroldson was born on May 19, 1904 to Ben and Anna (Haaagensen) Haroldson. He grew up in the Flom area and married Thea Enanda Oien, on September 17, 1946. She was the daughter of Hans and Sina (Johnson) Oien of Walworth Twp, Becker county, Mn. Thea was born on January 2, 1910 and grew up in Walworth township in section 10. Henry and Thea have one son: Lyle, who is married to Debbie Urdahl. They have three children.
Both Henry and Thea are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery. Thea died on June 8, 1983 and Henry died on July 9, 1991.
John Haraldson
John Haraldson was born on October 1, 1902 at Dovray, Mn to Bernt and Anna Marie (Haagensen) Haraldson. He grew up near Flom, and attended area schools. On August 18, 1942 he entered the Untied States Army and served until his discharge on April 16, 1943.
After his discharge he returned to Flom and was employed at the General Store. He later owned and operated the Pool Hall in Flom. He also worked at Flom Mutual Insurance Company as an insurance agent for many years. He lived in the Flom area until the late 1980’s when he became a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, Mn.
He was active in the American Legion Nesseth- Lien Post 431 and Flom-Twin Valley VFW Post 3818. He was a lifelong member of Aspelund Lutheran Church in Flom and had served on the church council.
John died on May 1, 1992 at the VA Hospital in Fargo, ND. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom.
For information on Johns family see Haraldson Tragedy.
Ingebrigt and Barbro (Engen) Haugen
Ingebrigt was born at Lesja, Oppland in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway in 1850. He emigrated from Norway at the age of 30 years. He first came to Minneapolis where he lived for several years. He married Barbro Engen in 1882 in Minneapolis. She was born to Iver and Barbro Engen in 1852. They moved to Norman County after a year of marriage and lived with the Jacob Sannan family for several years. In 1887, they took up a homestead in Rockwell Township. Seven years later, they moved to Home Lake Township. The following children were born to them: Bennie, Simon, John and Ingvald; Anna, Barbro (Bella), Two children died in infancy.
Ingebrigt died September 6, 1939 and Barbro died July 12, 1936. They are both buried in Wild Rice Cemetery.
John I. and Thea (Veum) Haugen
John I. Haugen was born on February 12, 1888 in Rockwell township to Ingebrit and Barbro (Engen) Haugen. He married Thea Veum here in November of 1909. They moved to Flom township a year after they were married. John was active in his community have served on Flom township board, rural school board and a trustee of Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. John passed away in 1964 and Thea on July 27, 1946. They are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Flom Township.
They were the parents of four sons; Wildord, Armin, Harold and Clayton, and two daughters; Pearl (Dell Erickson) and Lucille (Harold Holtman).
Allan Haugo
Allan was born in Popple Grove township, the third child of Olaf and Haze (Syverson) Haugo on July 18,1936.
He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended school at Waubun where he graduated with the class of 1954. He then went to Moorhead State University for two years, before entering the service.
Allan entered the Naval Aviation Cadet Program at Pensacola, Fl and completed Advanced training at Beeville, Tx. He was commissioned 2nd Lt. in the USMC and was stationed at Cherry Point Marine Cops Air Station, NC for one year.
Allan went overseas in July 1959, and was stationed with the U.S. Marine Attack Squadron 332 1st Marine Aircraft Wing at Iwakuni, Japan. Allan was killed on June 8, 1960, when his left main landing gear collapsed as he landed at a base in Osan, Korea, after returning from a night training flight.
Allan is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Anne Haugo
Anne was born at Forest City, IA to T.T. and Anne (Skjelbreid) Haugo on December 23, 1906. She came with her parents to Mahnomen County in 1914. Anne was confirmed in 1920 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. She attended Waubun High School for two years and graduated from Mahnomen High School in 1926. At the time of her death, she had just received work that she could enter nurses training at St. Olaf Hospital in Austin, Mn. Anne was operated on for a brain tumor in Rochester, Mn on April 2, 1929, but died on April 3, 1929, after regaining consciousness for a short time. She is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
David and Jean (Skaarer) Haugo
David was born on July 17, 1934 to Olaf and Hazel (Syverson) Haugo in Mahnomen, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended school at Popple Grove School, Waubun Public School and he graduated from Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, Minnesota.
On April 7, 1961 he married Jean Skaarer at the Wild Rice Parsonage at rural Twin Valley, Minnesota. Jean was born on March 23, 1937 to Henry and Bertha Skaarer in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Jean graduated from Fargo Central High School. She also graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. She was a teacher in Waubun for many years.
David and Jean live in Popple Grove Township and farm.
They have the following children:
Ann, married to Troy Oanes. They live in Moorhead, Minnesota and have 3 daughters, Kari, Amanda and Grete.
Allan, married to Vicki. They live at Waubun, Minnesota and have 4 children, Jessica, Aaron, Ben and Jacob.
John, married to Jackie. They live at Mahnomen, Minnesota and have 2 children, Trevor and Justine.
Paul, married to Kim. They live at Maple Grove, Minnesota and have 2 children, Clara and Emma.
Gary, married to Amie. They live at Fargo, North Dakota.
Dean, married to Jen. They live at Breckenridge, Minnesota.
Jacob Haugo
Jacob Haugo was born on March 15, 1905 to Tarjie and Anne Haugo at Forest City, Iowa. He came with his parents to the Flom area in 1914. He attended rural schools in Iowa and in Popple Grove Township of Mahnomen County, Mn.
Jacob was a farmer and laborer and served in the United States Army during World War II, serving from 1942 until 1944.
He enjoyed spending is free time hunting, which was a life passion with him. He retired in 1965 and spent most of his time at the retirement homes in Middle River, Bemidji, Battle Lake and Twin Valley.
Jacob died on November 4, 1988 at the Fargo VA Hospital, funeral services were held at Wild Rice Lutheran Church with interment in the church cemetery.
Marie Haugo
Marie was born at the Mahnomen Hospital on December 26, 1937, the fourth child of Olaf and Hazel (Syverson) Haugo. She was baptized at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. Marie was afflicted with disabilities from the time of her birth, which caused her to be an invalid. She was lovingly cared for by her parents and family until she was sixteen years old. Marie then went to the State Hospital in Fairbault, Mn where she became a resident until her move to Brainard State Hospital in Brainerd, Mn. Marie died at the Brainerd State Hospital on August 11, 1963, she is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Olaf and Hazel (Syverson) Haugo
Olaf Haugo was born to Tarjei and Anne (Skjelbreid) Haugo in Lake Mills, Iowa on January 11, 1912.
He moved with his family to Mahnomen County in 1914. He attended Popple Grove School. After completing his education Olaf started farming in Popple Grove Township.
Olaf married Hazel Syverson at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn, on December 24, 1933. Hazel was born on January 19, 1907 to Ole and Barbro (Hogenson) Syverson from east of Ulen, Minnesota. Hazel was baptized and confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen. She graduated from Ulen High School and Moorhead State Teachers College. She was a teacher as well as a farm wife and mother. They resided on the farm in Popple Grove township where they remained active in the church and community events. Olaf was an active member of Wild Rice, having served on various boards. In 1972 Olaf and Hazel relieved the Valley Farmer and Homemaker Award at the Crookston Winter Shows. He served on the Board of Directors of Harvest States Cooperative, St. Paul, Mn., for eighteen years.
Olaf passed away on February 10, 1999, after his death Hazel remains on the farm in Popple Grove township.
They were the parents of nine children; David, John, Allan, Marie, Olaf, Donald, George, Carole (Roger Olson) and Patricia (Blair).
Richard Haugo
Richard was born on September 21, 1898 at Forest City, Iowa to T. T. and Anne (Skjelbreid) Haugo. He moved with his parents to Mahnomen County in 1914. He farmed in Popple Grove township until his retirement. Richard was active in the Wild Rice church, serving on the Board of Trustees. In 1959 he married Helen Solberg in Los Angeles, Ca. Following their marriage, they moved to Scobey, Mt. Helen died in 1979 and Richard moved to the Retirement Home in Twin Valley, Mn. He died on April 23, 1984.
Richard is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery. They had no children.
Tarjei and Anne ( Skjelbreid) Haugo
Tarjei, known as T. T. was born on July 12, 1870 in Mo, Telemarken, Norway. He was the oldest of four children born to Torjus and Anne (Medbo) Haugo. He immigrated with his family to the United States in 1888. He returned to Norway and Married Anne Skjelbreid on February 23, 1895. Anne was born in Laardal, Telemarken, Norway on May 2, 1874. She was the oldest of seven daughters born to Aslak and Anne Skjeldbreid.
Tarjei, brought his new wife back to the United States and they first farmed near Forest City, Iowa, in the spring of 1895. They left Iowa and came to Minnesota, settling in Mahnomen County in 1917.
T.T. was known as a highly competent horse doctor in the area. He resided on the family farm until he entered the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center in 1957.
Anne was active in the Lutheran Church and Ladies Aid. In 1950 she relieved her life membership ring from WMF. She loved the outdoors and often took her grandchildren on tours of her flower garden.
T.T. died on December 7, 1961 and Anne died on February 5, 1951, they are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Anne and Tarjei were the parents of eleven children; Torjus, Aslak, Richard, Andrea, Sverre, Jacob, Anne, Einar, Olaf, Esther, and Sigvold.
Knut and Aase Helgeson
Mrs. Knut Helgeson a former resident of Ulen township, having lived in the northeast part since 1882 passed away in December of 1937. She had lived the last few years in Twin Valley, Mn with her son. She was born on March 22, 1851, in Wisconsin, and given the Aase. Knut was born on October 12, 1843 and passed away on September 27, 1925. They are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn. Her obituary states she is survived by several sons and daughters, but no names were given.
Jearly Hellikson
Jearly was born on April 29, 1914 in Walworth township. He attended school at District #35 in Walworth. After completing his education he entered the U.S. Army in 1944. He served his country in the armed forces by serving in Germany. After completing his military duration he returned and lived in Ogema, Mn. In 1946 he moved to section 1 of Walworth township, where he took up farming. Jearly raised mostly small grains, cattle and sheep.
He farmed until 1969 at which time he retired from farming and was employed in the Detroit Lakes area at various jobs, and also at the Flom Co-op, from 1973 or 1974 until he retired in in 1979. When he retired he moved off the farm and purchased a home in Ulen, Mn. Here he remained until his death on August 29, 1981.
We got to know Jearly when we moved to a farm across the road from him in 1966. He was a great neighbor and friend. Our children, as well as their friends, when they came for a day of play, were always looking for an excuse to go see Jearly. They enjoyed bringing him a loaf of homemade bread or some cookies or whatever excuse they could think of to go for a visit. Many time he would bring them home again in a wagon or sleigh pulled by his beloved dog, Tuffy.
Barth and Kelly remember him spitting snooze on the shears (his way of lubricating the shears) when he was shearing sheep, they also remember being very careful where they stepped.
They also remember Jearly "inventing" many contraptions with old washing machine parts etc. And they remember his friendship with Eddie Ronning. He visited with us many a night until the wee hours of the morning! He was a very special person in our family’s lives and left us with many good memories.
I remember how he very faithfully visited his mother until her death. He was a very hard and loyal worker at the Flom Co-op and loved sharing stories with anyone willing to listen.
By Mary Lou Syverson
Manley and Evangelyn (Narum) Hillstad
Evangelyn "Vangie" was baptized at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn and confirmed at Gary Lutheran Church, Gary, Mn. She graduated from Gary High School. After graduation Vanie attended one and one-half years of business school. Vangie married Manley Hillstad on September 3, 1955 at Gary, Mn. Vangie and Manley live at Mahnomen, Mn where Manley was employed by Wild Rice Electric until his retirement. They are the parents of : Diane Lynn (Spaeth) born on August 2, 1956. Duane Manley was born on December 31, 1958. Todd Alvin was born on November 13, 1960. Jay Howard was born on November 25, 1962 and Carrie Maureen was born on June 28, 1966.
Erick Hjellum (Jellum)
Erick Jellum was born in 1864. He never married. He died in 1915. Not much is known about him other than he had a sister in Mayville, ND and a brother in Ft Berthold, ND. His funeral was held at Wild Rice where he was laid to rest.
Erick Jellum, of the town of Flom, was killed Tuesday. He was hauling bundles to a threshing machine, and was about to quit for dinner. He climbed onto the wagon pole to get a hold of the reins just as the whistle blew. The team started, throwing him to the ground, the wheels of the loaded wagon passing over his body and instantly killing him. Mr. Jellum was about 50 years old. The funeral was held Wednesday at Flom and was largely attended, there being over thirty teams in the procession. Mr. and Mrs. Jorgen Nelson, old friends of the deceased, were sent for as soon as the accident happened and remained until after the funeral-Mahnomen Pioneer
Dennis and Renae (Johnson) Hoekstra
Renae Alice was born on March 31, 1947 to Mervin and Clarice (Brateng) Johnson. Dennis was born on November 16, 1944. Renae and Dennis were married on June 17, 1966. They are the parents of three daughters; Shantel, Kristen and Marti.
Shantel "Shelly" was born on March 9, 1969. She married Todd Brevik on April 20, 1991. Todd the son of Howard and Villie Brevik was born on September 16,1963. They are the parents of three daughters; Hailey , Kelsey and Skylar.
Kristen was born on November 5, 1973. Kristen and her husband have one son; Cole.
Marti Lynn was born on May 11, 1989. She is currently a 7th grader at Norman County East.
Gilbert and Ragnild (Christiansdatter) Hogensen
Introduction
This is the story of the Gilbert and Ragnild Hogensen family who in 1871 became one of the early settlers of Wild Rice. According to the book “Nogle Optegnelser om Settling m.m. indenfor de fire Towns Fossum, Wild Rice, Home Lake, og Flom i Norman County, Minn.” written in 1896, 10 children were born to this couple. 8 birth records were found leading to the assumption that the other 2 children were Alfred and Hilda Carlson who were listed as boarders in the 1900 census.
Ragnild was the sister of Christian Ellingson and the aunt to the Aaby brothers. The Aaby’s probably would not have come to Norman County had it not been for this ancestor blazing the trail for them and the others which followed.
Gilbert was born in Hetterdal Norway on 7/12/1828 under the name of Gulbrand Hagenson. Immigrating in 1858, he settled in Iowa and on October 7, 1862, Gilbert enlisted in Company D, 6th Regiment, Iowa Calvary as a blacksmith. According to his Civil War pension, he was listed as 5' 4" with light hair and blue eyes. Gilbert was discharged in Sioux City, lowa on 10/17/1865. Returning to Winnesheik County, Gilbert met the Christian Ellingson family and married Ragnild Christiansdatter on 11/30/1966.
After becoming a citizen of the United States on 1/13/1868, the lure of available land induced Gilbert and family to move to Freeborn County. They probably stayed the Ragnild's uncle Halvor Tveitstulen who moved to Manchester township in 1864. Harvest must have been good because in 1869, Ragnild's brother Christian came with his parents to be neighbor's of Gilbert and Ragnild. No land ownership was found for either the Ellingsen or Hogensen family in Freeborn County. As available land was become nonexisting in Freeborn County, the quest for land Gilbert could own became a passion.
In 1871, Gilbert and a group of men ventured north to the yet open territory in Polk County. Finding suitable land near the Wild Rice River, Gilbert applied for a homestead of 160 acres on 6/3/1871 in township 144N, range 44w, section 26,35. Twin Valley history books claim Gilbert and the other men were among the first settlers in what became Wild Rice Township. Returning to his wife and family, Gilbert must have left his pregnant wife (Anne born 9/25/1872 in Freeborn) while he returned to his homestead and built a 14' by 15' house with sod roof, 2 windows and 1 door.
Grasshoppers ruled the valley from 1872-part of 1876 causing much hardships on the family. No children were born and 1 child named Karen died and was buried on the homestead due to no cemetery available yet in Wild Rice. Probably what became their main source of income was collecting buffalo bones. In 1870, 15 million buffalo roamed
the west but by 1878, the buffalo became virtually extinct and collecting the bones at $8-$10 per ton kept many families alive during the grasshopper invasion as well as the
economic depression from 1873-1878.
Ragnild was pregnant and gave birth to Hilda on 7/8/1876. It may be a coincidence but in 1876 the Tveststulen family moved from Freeborn to Section 34 in Wild Rice Township.
Joy and sorrow followed Gilbert and Ragnild in 1878. On 4/18/1878 twins were born and on 5/15/1878, Gilbert finally paid the $14 to officially claim his homestead. However, on 9/1 first Helena died and on 9/17 Julia died. Two more children were to be born to Gilbert and Ragnild. Sadly again tragedy struck when Hans was born, stillborn in 1880 and Tilda,who was born in 1882 was not alive in the 1885 census.
In 1881, Gilbert filed for a civil war pension for the condition of deafness and loss of vision in his left eye due to exposure. He was granted $20 per month. When Gilbert died in 1893, Ragnild has to resubmit and prove herself as the sole wife of Gilbert to continue receiving the pension.
In 1889 Ragnild's brother Christian came from Minihaha Co and stayed on the homestead. Harvest and financial times must have been good to Gilbert at that time because on 10/31/1890, Gilbert loaned Christian $121 to get his land in Home Lake Township.
Health concerns caused Gilbert to sell his property to His son-in-law Syvert Hov on 6/24/1892 for $400. The story of the selling is found on page l73 of the History of the People of Norman County written in 1976.
Gilbert died of cancer on 4/1841893 leaving at that time a wife and 3 children.
Karoline-26
Anne-21
Hilda-17
Ragnild continued to live with Karoline and Syvert Hov as she is listed on the 1900 census with them.
However another question loomed following the 1900 census. Syvert homesteaded 160 acres in Rockwell township in 1889. In 1901, Syvert sold his property in Rockwell and sold the property in Wild Rice never to be heard of again. Records show a quit deed on 1/6/1901 where “Caroline” Hogenson reacquired the W 1/2 NE 1/4. Ragnild died in Norman County on 2/20/1903 of heart disease and is buried in an unmarked grave in Wild Rice Cemetery probably with Gilbert and 4 of her children.
Locating the 3 children not buried was difficult.
1-Karoline, the wife of Syvert was never found. No record of her death was found.
2-Anne also seemed to just disappear from the records as no marriage/death was found.
3-Hilda was found married to Anton Krogstad on 6/20/1896 and was found in Knox, Benson County, North Dakota where she raised 6 children and died 5/16/1936.
Conclusion
Today we plan our lives almost as if we were going to live forever. It was different to our immigrant ancestors. Childbirth, hard work, unfriendly weather, lack of medical care, and economic hardship separated many mothers and fathers from their children. This is just one family story of the heartbreaks of the heartbreaks of determined people trying to make a better place for their children-yet they had to bury some of them before the rewards could be developed. Sadly, only unmarked graves exist for this family in Norman County. No one would have known they were one of the pioneers of this great county had not a family historian dug into the background of them-so please write your family history so the past is not forgotten.
By Richard Line
From 1899
Bolt Brings Death to a Farmer in the Town of Fossum
Last Friday afternoon a death came suddenly and without a moments warning to Valentine Hlubek, who lives in the eastern part of this county (Norman), two and a half miles from Faith. While stacking grain in the field a bolt of lightning suddenly flashed forth from the heavens above striking Mr. Hlubek in the head and instantly killing him. And his two horses. His hat was ton from his head, his shirt was torn to shreds and one of his shoes was pulled from his foot, but no mark or scar was made by the lightning’s terrific bolt.
Mr. Hlubek was a resident of this county for a number of years. He was about 50 years of age and leaves a wife and six children, the youngest of whom is 12, years of age.
A queer feature of the accident was that there was no storm to speak of in that locality and the bolt of lightning which caused such horrible results came from a n almost clear sky. A few clouds 2 which indicated rain passed over that locality, but no rain fell.
N.C. (Nels Constant) and Marie Bennette (Thorson) Holm
Bennett Thorson was born on Jan. 31, 1902 at Flom, Minnesota to Johanne and Thorvald Thorson. She was baptized, confirmed and grew to womanhood in the Flom area. Her mother died on August 30, 1911 leaving Thorvald with four small children to raise. At this time Bennette took on not only the roll of sister but also as mother to her young siblings.
On June 26, 1923 , she was united in marriage to Nels Constant Holm. After their marriage they lived in the Flom area and had just moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota in May of 1931 where they had made their home since. H.C. was employed at Ryder, ND at the Federal Intermediate Credit bank. To this union one daughter was born. Janet Marie was born on August 5, 1931 at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake, ND. She passed away on Aug. 8, 1931 at the age of only three days. Funeral services were conducted at Immanuel, Lutheran Church, rural Flom where she is buried.
Bennette Holm passed away on August 12, 1931 only four days after her infant daughter’s passing. She died from paralysis of the heart, her sister Valborg was with her at the time of her death. Services for Bennette were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn where she had been an active member in all church activities before and after they had become members. Mr and Mrs. Holm had become members of Aspelund church in 1923.
Bennette was laid to rest at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn where she is laid to rest beside her mother and infant daughter.
Clarence and Elma (Lien) Holum
Elma Lien was born in Flom, Mn to Emile and Gustave Lien. She grew up in Flom and married Clarence Holum there in 1915. After their marriage they farmed near Madoc, Montana until Clarences death in 1962.
Elma enjoyed needlework and baking. In 1980 Elma moved into the Daniels Memorial Nursing Home where she lived until her death in 1986. Funeral services were held at Scobey Lutheran Church, Scobey, Montana with interment at the Orville Cemetery.
Erick Amundson and Randi (Otterness) Holum
Erick A. Holum came from Aurland Prestegjeld, Sogn, Norway, in 1856 with his father and mother, Amund and Anna Holum, and two brothers, Thor and Ole. They settled in Blackhammer, Houston County, Minnesota. In 1882 he came to Norman County and homesteaded in Section sixteen.
Erick married Randi Otterness in Houston County on February 22, 1871. To this union fourteen children were born. Several died in early childhood because of the Diphtheria Epidemics.
Those who lived on were:
Martha (1875-1960) Berthold, ND
Erick Olie (1877-1966) Joplin, Montana
Anna Julia (1882-1966) Twin Valley, MN
Armund (1885-1963) Scobey, Montana
Jens (1887- ) Scobey, Montana
Edith (1889-1965) Joplin, Montana
Clarence (1891-1962) Scobey, Montana
Arthur (1891- ) Great Falls, Montana
Garfield (1894-1968) California
Tilforde (1892-1893) buried at Wild Rice Cemetery
Anna Julia, the only one who remained in Norman County, married Henry O. Lien and they lived in Flom Township.
By Recelia Lien/Stene
Kenneth and Edna (Schroeder) Holum
Kenneth "Kenny" was born on November 1, 1924 to Knute and Minnie Holum at Voss, Minnesota. He was baptized at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, and baptized at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, MN. He attended school at Flom, Mn.
Edna was born on September 24, 1927 to Henry and Helen Schroeder in Mahnomen County, Mn. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mahnomen, Mn. Attended school at Popple Grove Township, Waubun High School, after graduation she attended Moorhead State Teachers College, Moorhead, Mn. After receiving her degree she taught elementary school at Hitterdal, Mn from 1947-1949.
Kenneth and Edna were married on June 19,1949 at Wild Rice Lutheran, rural Twin Valley, Mn. They settled down to the life of a farmer and housewife, residing in Section 16 of Flom Township, Norman County, Mn. Here they raised their five children; Wayne, Gail, Curtis, Joan and Douglas.
Wayne K. Holum was born on January 2, 1951 at Ada, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended school at Twin Valley, Mn and after graduation he entered the Air Force Academy, in Colorado. He was a Air Force pilot from 1973-1999. And is a pilot for Southwest Airlines now. During his military life he lived on many different military bases and Phoenix, Arizona area. He has three children; Stephanie, Jennifer and Christopher.
Gail L. (Tensfeldt) was born on February 12, 1953. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church and attended school at Twin Valley, Mn. After her high school graduation she went to Moorhead State University, Moorhead, Mn where she received a teaching degree. She taught in San Antonio, TX, Twin Valley, Mn, Tacoma Wa and Home schooling. She is married to Jon R. Tensfeldt and they have one son Matthew.
Curtis J. was born on June 4, 1954 at Ada, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended school at Twin Valley and after his High School graduation he joined his father in the family farming operation. He lives in rural Twin Valley. Curt has two children; Brock and Emily.
Joan M. was born on December 30, 1955 at Ada, Mn. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. She attended school at Twin Valley and after graduation she went to Concordia College in Moorhead, Mn. Joan is married to Col. James Lampkin and they have lived at many different Army Bases and are now near Fort Leavenworth, Ks. Joan is a artist.
Douglas M Holum MD was born on October 15, 1958 at Ada, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended school at Twin Valley and after graduating he went to Concordia College in Moorhead, UM Duluth, UM at Minneapolis receiving a degree in Medicine. He started his practice at Spicer and Willmar, Mn, later moving to his present practice at Mitchell SD. Doug and his wife Barbara have two children; Erik and Paige.
Kenneth and Edna continue to live on the farm north of Flom. They are both active in their church and community. Kenneth has served on the school board for 18 years, church council, PTA, Church choir and quartets and also solos. He was on the Flom Co-op board for 23 years and is a member of the Flom Area Lions since 1983. Edna is a lifetime member of the Wild Rice Ladies Group, which she has also served as a officer.
Knut and Minnie (Storbeck) Holum
Knut B Holum was born on March 23,1886 to Thor and Karen (Lee) Holum in Flom township. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He attended rural elementary schools in this area also.
Knut married Minnie Storbeck of Ulen on December 12, 1917 at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn. Minnie was born in 1894 near Ulen, to the Amund Storbecks of Ulen, Mn. They resided in the village of Voss, located in Atlanta Township, Becker county Minnesota. Here they operated a store until they moved to Flom Township in 1928 and farmed. They retired from farming in 1949 and moved to Flom.
They were the parents of two children; A son Kenneth: (See Kenneth and Edna Holum) and a daughter Clara Michels.
Knut Holum died on June 23, 1965 at the Ada Hospital, Ada, Mn. Minnie Holum died on February 5, 1972 at a Fargo Hospital. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Thor E. and Karen (Lee) Holum
Thor E. Holum was born in 1848 in Norway. He and his brother Ole immigrated to the United States.
Thor lived at Spring Grove, Mn where he met and married his first wife. They had one child, Marie, with his first wife, who died shortly after Marie was born. He later married Karen Lee in Spring Grove, Mn.
They came to Flom Township, here they raised their family of seven children;
Edward:
Knut: see Knut and Minnie Holum,
George: was born in 1892. He was killed by a runaway in 1896 and is buried at Wild Rice,
Clarence: was born in 1890 he died in 1892 from diphtheria and is buried at Wild Rice,
Thea:
Engeboor: was born in 1883 and died in 1892 and is buried at Wild Rice.
Barbara: was born in 1881 and died in 1892 she is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Thor and Karen both passed away in 1926 and are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Alfred and Mabel (Stene) Horn
Alfred horn was born in 1904 to Hans and Karen (Olson Tangen) Hanson Horn. Alfred was one of eleven children born to Hans and Karen, the others were; Sander, Clarence Hanson, Helmer, Louis Hanson, Geff Hanson Horn, Genora (Lee), Gladys (Bennett Jacobson), Sylvia (Joe Johnson), Hilma Hanson and Lillian Hanson.
Mabel Louise Stene was born on June 9, 1909 to Mons and Suzanne Stene. She was raised on the family farm east of Twin Valley, Mn. Here she attended country schools. She was baptized and confirmed in Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Alfred and Mabel were married on October 2, 1940 at the Wild Rice parsonage in Flom township. They first made their home northeast of Gary and farmed there. In 1946, they moved to a farm east of Twin Valley, Mn.
Here they remained for over 20 years. In 1967 they moved to Grandin, ND where they resided for six years and they returned to Twin Valley in 1973 where they remained until their deaths.
Mabel was a member of the Wild Rice Church and it’s Ladies Aid there and she enjoyed crocheting and needlework.
Alfred and Mabel were the parents of; Milan, Kermit, Aldon, Arlene (Alfred Sauk), Fern (Leo Bauer), and Linda ( Gerald Nelson).
Mabel passed away on November 2, 1984 and Alfred passed away on June 12, 1995, they are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Geff and Florence (Hagen) Hanson Horn
Geff was born on November 29, 1916 to Hans Hanson and Karen Tangen Horn. He was baptized and confirmed at Sundal Church. He married Florence Hagen in 1957. They were the parents of Harvey, Anna Marie (Taroldson) and Gloria Fay (Sirjord).
Geff passed away in 1984 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Hoseth Family
To follow the family tree, be sure to watch for the second name. That will tell you the father’s name, ex; Hakonson is son of Hakon, Hansdtr is daughter of Hans.
The Hoseth family geneology starts with Lars Hoset, we don’t know his date of birth, but he died in 1665. He had one daughter Marit, who was born in 1641.
Marit Larsdtr was born in 1641 and died in 1724, she married Anders Hakonson Hoset who was born in 1646 and died in 1723. They were the parents of two sons; Hakon and Hans.
Hakon Anderson Hoset was born in 1666 and died in 1744. He married Mali Hansdtr Bremset who was born in 1665 and died in 1729. They were the parents of one daughter Mali Hakonsdtr who was born in 1715.
Hans Andersen Hoset married Marit Olsdtr who was born in 1686 and died in 1739. They had one son, Ola.
Mali Hakonsdtr Bremset was born in 1715, she married Peder Ivarson Borsttroem, who was born in 1717 and died in 1761. They were married in 1740. There are no children listed for them.
Ola Hansen Hoset was born in 1723 and died in 1778. He married in 1752 to Mali Osdatr Skjelstad, who was born in 1732 and died in 1759. They had one daughter, Marit.
Marit Olsdatr Hoset was born in 1756 and died in 1823. She married in 1779 to Anders Pedersen (Borsettroen) Hoset, who was born in 1750. They were the parents of ; Peder Andersen Hoset.
Peder Andersen Hoset was born in 1780 and died in 1859. He married Sigrid Johnsdtr Hegre in 1806. Sigrid was born in 1784 and died in 1860. They were the parents of Marit (1808) and Anders Pedersen Hoset (1811)
Anders Pedersen Hoset was born in 1811 and died in 1880. He married Kari Pedersdtr Kyllo in 1839. Kari was born in 1793 and died in 1863. Kari was the widow of Hans G. Traelstad, she had one son Gunnar (1821-1876) who took the Hoset name after her marriage to Anders. Kari died in 1863, after her death
Anders married Marit Petersdtr Kindseth on February 25, 1864. Anders and Marit (Kindseth) left Norway and immigrated to America shortly after they were married. They were the parents of eight children; Karen Anna, Peter, Severin, Andrias, Martine, Martin, Martin, and Anders. Marit was widowed at 40 years of age. Twelve years after Anders death she married Kristopher Romo in 1892. Kristopher was born in 1827 and died shortly after their marriage in 1892.
Kristopher had one child from his first marriage to Gundhild Gederas; Elizabeth Vangsness.
Karen Anna was born in 1864 in Norway, she died in 1887. Peter Magnus was born in 1867 and died in 1887. They both died from scarlet fever.
Peter Severine was born in 1870 and died in 1944. He came to Norman County, Mn and homesteaded in the Twin Valley area. Peter went by his second name Severin. (see Peter and Helene Hoseth)
Andrias was raised by the Peter Blakstad family and took their last name. He lived at Hadar. He had six children; Alvin, Peter, Alma, Palma, Julia and Edna.
Martine was born in 1874 and died at the age of four months.
Martin was born in 1875 and died at the age of three months.
Martin was born in 1876 and died in 1960. He homesteaded in Ellingson, South Dakota, with his cousin Martin Kindseth in 1908. Martin’s son George was born in SD. Later Martin and his family returned to Zumbrota and he worked there as the janitor of Lands Church for 25 years. Martin had four children; George, Dena, Victor and Mabel.
Anders was born in 1879 and died in 1958. He married twice. We don’t know the names of his wives, although we do know they were sisters. He was able to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary with his first wife. After her death he married her sister and they also celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Anders farmed in Cherry Grove. Anders had eight children; Alfred, Lillian, Clara, Rachel, Helen, Stella, Edna and Lloyd.
Arnold M. and Harriet (Korsgaden-Veum) Hoseth
Arnold M. Hoseth was born on June 5, 1899 to Severin and Helena (Ovaldson) Hoseth in Fossum Twp, Norman County, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Olaf’s Lutheran Church, Faith, Mn., and attended school at Faith and Mahnomen, Mn.
Harriet Lorraine Korsgaden-Veum was born on October 4, 1904 to Hans and Anna Marie Korsgaden in section 12 of Flom Township, Norman County, Mn. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 5 miles north of Flom. She attend school at the Banner Country School up to the 8th grade. In 1907 Hans Korsgaden passed away and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. Her mother remarried Severt Veum around 1911.
Arnold and Harriet were married on November 28, 1924 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. After their marriage Arnold and Harriet took over the family farm in Section 12 of Flom Township. Here Arnold was busy in the daily routines of a farmer and Harriet took on the responsibilities of a farmers wife and a mother to their two sons :Arnold Ray and Sherman. Today, their grandson Corey Hoseth, his wife Cass and their family reside on the home place. Arnold served on the Banner School Board for at least 20 years.
Arnold Ray Hoseth was born on January 10, 1927 in Section 12 of Flom Township, Norman County, Mn. Here he attended school and later married Erma Nelson from Bagley, Mn. They had no children.
Sherman was born on February 26, 1931: See Sherman and Jean Hoseth Arnold passed away on December 13, 1989 at Mahnomen, Mn and Harriet passed away on August 18, 1980 at Dakota Hospital, Fargo, ND. They are both buried at the Twin Valley Cemetery.
Severin A. and Helene (Ovaldson) Hoseth
Severin A. Hoseth was born on February 21, 1870 to Andrew and Marit (Kindseth) Hoseth in Goodhue County, Minnesota. He married Helene Ovaldson on November 6, 1898 by Rev. L.M. Boem in Goodhue County. Helene was born in Goodhue County on February 21, 1872. Her father was among the first settlers in Goodhue county. She grew to girlhood on the home farm, where she lived
In the spring of 1899 they came to Norman County where they purchased a farm and built their home one mile north of Faith. They resided there until the spring of 1927 when they retired from active farming and moved to their farm one and one half miles south of Faith. Mrs. Hoseth died December 22, 1938 and Severin died January 17, 1944. They are both buried in St. Olaf Cemetery at Faith.
The following children were born to them.
Arnold; see Arnold and Harriett Hoseth
Hilma was born on June 11, 1902, she married James Henry Dullum on November 6, 1924. James was born on August 26, 1897. Hilma died in June 1992 and Jim on April 28, 1986. They had no children.
Sander Hilford Hoseth was born on July 2, 1905 and died on April 28, 1980. He lived in the Faith area, where he was active in farming.
Myrtle Edna Hoseth was born on April 16, 1907 and died on April 10, 1920 just six days short of her thirteenth birthday.
Sherman and Jeannine (Hinkley) Hoseth
Sherman was born on February 16, 1931 to Arnold and Harriet Hoseth in rural Mahnomen, Mn. He attended school here and graduated from Twin Valley, HS. He attended the University of Mn. Moorhead and received a BA & MA.
Jeannine was born on May 23, 1934 to Orville and Caroline Hinkley. She attended school in St. Paul, Mn where she graduated from Washington High School. She then went to nursing school for one year.
Sherman and Jean were married on June 5, 1954 at St. Paul, Mn. They have made their home since in section 13 of Flom Township, Norman County, Mn.
Sherman farmed and was a school teacher, he taught for several years at NDSCS at Wahpeton, ND, after retiring from teaching he focused on his farming and job as an Insurance Agent. Jean has kept herself busy with being a homemaker and working at the Flom Cafe for a few years in the 80’s.
Sherman and Jean are the parents of six children; Renee, Sheila, Vicki, Blair, Corey and Melanie.
Renee went to school in Waubun and married David Sogge from there. They live by Glyndon, Mn where she keeps busy as a housewife and secretary for Sogge Tax Service. They have three children; Chad, Crystal and Cameron.
Sheila went to school in Waubun and graduated in 1974. She is married to Jari Boettcher and they live at Hermiston, Ore where they keep busy running their Nursery and Landscaping Business. They have three children; Shannon, Kari and Aaron.
Vicki went to school in Waubun and graduated in 1975. She lived in Lakewood Col., where she is a manicurist. She has two son Tyson and Tucker.
Blair went to school in Waubun and graduated in 1980. He went on to NDSU where he received a BA. He and his wife Debbie live on the former Korsgaden farm where Blair is active in farming and Debbie went to Bemidji, Mn where she received a degree in nursing. She works as a RN in Mahnomen. Blair also keeps busy with his Seed Sales. They are the parents of three children; Ashley, Shauna and Marty.
Corey graduated from Waubun and went to MSU Mhd where he received a BS degree. He is active in farming. He married Cassandra O’Connell and they are the parents of three children; Gabel, Laurel and Tate. Corey and Cass are the owner’s of Flom Insurance Agency, in Flom, where they both work. Cass taught Spanish for a few years at Norman County East. They make their home on Corey’s grandparents farm (Arnold and Harriet’s) in section 12 of Flom Township.
Melanie graduated from Waubun, furthering her education at Bemidji where she received a RN degree in nursing. Melanie and Kevin Quick live by Borup, Mn where he farms and does custom chopping. She works at Ada as a RN. They are the parents of two children, Danika and Tyrell.
Daniel "Dan" Houglum
Dan was born on August 24, 1910 to Martin and Sena Houglum near Audubon, Mn. He grew up In the Audubon, Cormorant areas. In the 1930’s he served in the CCCs. He bought a farm near Flom (the Jacobson Farm) and farmed there until his retirement. In the late 1970’s he moved to Hawley, Mn Dan enjoyed spending time at this Cabin on Long Lost Lake near Bagley, Mn. Where he loved to hunt and fish.Dan died on June 23, 1999 and is buried at the First Lutheran Church Cemetery at Audubon, Mn.
Edward C. and Alma (Jesness) Houglum
Edward Carl Houglum was born on March 29, 1889, on a farm in Flom township, the son of Lars and Karie Houglum. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom. He grew up on the family farm in section 23 of Flom township, currently owned by Jerome and LaDonna Thompson. He attended country school, and he also attended the Crookston Business College, in Crookston, Mn. He assisted on the farm as a young man and also worked as a
bookkeeper in a logging camp near Big Fork, Mn.
Alma Jesness was born on October 20, 1891 on a farm near Fosston, Mn, to Ludvig and Oline Jesness. She was baptized and confirmed at Fosston, Mn. She attended elementary schools there and grew up in the area. She furthered her education and graduated from Normal School Training at
Lars and Karie Houglum Family
Crookston, Mn. She taught in rural schools for eight years in Clearwater, Polk and Norman Counties. She was also a Sunday School and parochial teacher for many years.
On June 2, 1918 he was united in marriage to Alma Jesness at Fosston, Mn. They made their home on the home farm near Flom for three years. In 1921, they moved to Fosston, Mn where they lived until 1931. At that time they moved back to the Houglum farm, near Flom, where they farmed until 1968, when they retired and moved to Moorhead, Mn.
Edward was a member and served on various boards of the Immanuel Lutheran Church for many years. He also was a past member of the local Rural School Board.
Alma was quite active in the Ladies Aid of the Immanuel Lutheran Church of which she was a member since 1931. She was also a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Moorhead , since 1968.
Edward and Alma were the parents of Monroe, Edgar J. and James. Edward passed away on May 17, 1974 at the age of 85, Alma passed away on December 24, 1973. They are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Edward S. and Pauline (Shefveland) Houglum
Edward Slemer Houglum was born to the Andrew Houglum's on April 10, 1892 at Lake Park, Mn. Edward married Pauline Shefveland on June 26, 1919 at Audubon, Mn. He was a member of the Bethania Lutheran Church, and had served on the Perley Creamery Board. Edward and Pauline had farmed in the Lee township until retiring in 1958. Edward died on February 9 at the Americana Nursing Home in Moorhead, Mn.
Edward and Pauline were the parents of: Carol (Andreen Midthune), Betty (Thomas Belvins), Ruby (Myron Miller), Ethel (Ralph Hest), Dr. Arvid Houglum, Edward Houglum Jr. Edward and Pauline would be the Grandparents to: Joe, Dan, and Alan Houglum who lived around Flom.
Joe and Gladys (Stende) Houglum
Joseph Henry Houglum was born to Martin and Sena Houglum, on April 22, 1916. He grew up in the Cormorant area where he was baptized and confirmed at Cormorant Lutheran Church. He attended school at Cormorant Grade school and the attended Pelican Rapids High School. Joe entered the military on August 1, 1941, serving his country in the Army. During his duration in the service he was stationed on the East Coast, also over seas in Germany and France. He was discharged from the service in January 1946, at which time he started farming.
Gladys Victoria Stende was born on August 29, 1927 to Edwin and Nellie (Nelson) Stende. Gladys was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. Gladys attended school at District 46 country school and graduated from Ulen High School. After graduation she attended Moorhead State University where she earned a teaching degree. She taught country schools for two years before her marriage to Joe Houglum. Joe and Gladys were married on September 7, 1947 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. After their marriage the settled into the lives of a farmer and his wife. Joe and Gladys farmed in Flom township in section 23 for many years. It was here they raised their family; Jon Gregory and Julie Ann. Joe and Gladys both worked for American Crystal Sugar in Moorhead, the later years of their farming,in 1981 they sold the building site to Alan and Diane Stangel, they just built a new home on the building site and the old house was moved off. The land was sold to Doug Ruud. Joe and Gladys purchased a new home in Moorhead, Mn. They worked for American Crystal Sugar until their retirement. Joe passed away on January 25, 2001 he is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom. Gladys continues to live in Moorhead.
Jon and Melany (Harrison) Houglum
Jon Gregory was born on June 22, 1953. He was adopted by Joe and Gladys at the age of six weeks. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. He graduated from Waubun High School in 1971,and served in the Armed forces in a medical unit. After he returned home he attended college in Grand Forks, ND and Moorhead, Mn. He moved to Murfreesbor, Tn and is employed at the Veteran's hospital in Nashville, Tn. Jon was born in Minneapolis, Mn.
Jon married Melany Ann Harrison (January 21, 1952), daughter of Swanson and Clara Harrison on October 17, 1973. They had two sons; Jon Anthony (12/17/1974) and Matthew Lawrence (12/29/1990). Jon Anthony married Christy Beard and they have a daughter Brandy Nicole. Melany passed away on March 25, 2001, just two months to the day after Jon's father Joe passed away. Jon resides in Christiana, Tenn.
Clifford Huseby
Clifford was born to Ove and Charlotte (Nelson) Huseby in 1918. He lived at home with his parents until their deaths. He never married. He moved into the Lutheran Memorial Home where he resided until his death in 1986.
Hans and Clara (Grondahl) Huseby
Hans Edwin Huseby was born on April 9, 1890, in Home Lake Township to Jens and Eli (Rinde) Huseby. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, by Rev. Vaaler.
Clara Grondahl was born in Anthony Township of Norman County on February 7, 1896. She attended rural school in that area and also attended Moorhead State Teacher's College in Moorhead.
Hans and Clara (Grondahl) were married on June 28, 1922, at West Marsh River Lutheran church at rural Halstad, Mn. Hans spent his entire life in this community. He had served as township supervisor for 20 years, active in the school board, church secretary and cemetery sexton for many years. He had also served as township assessor for 2 years until his health failed.
After Hans' death Clara remained on the farm with her son James until she became a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in 1985. She resided here until her death on January 21, 1987.
Hans and Clara were the parents of James, who continues to live on the family farm in section 26 of Home Lake township, with his wife Harriet, Ellen (David Cross), JoAnn (James Grondahl), and Barbara (Walter Gwin).
Hans passed away on October 4, 1963 at St. Ansgar's Hospital, Moorhead, Mn. Both are buried at Syre Lutheran Cemetery, Syre, Mn.
Hilman and Mabel (Low) Huseby
Hilman Julian Huseby was born on August 22, 1903 on the family farm in Home Lake township, to Ove and Charlotta Huseby. He was baptized at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church. Hilman grew up on the farm and attended country school in the Woodland Nook School.
In April of 1935 he married Mabel Low at the Wild Rice Lutheran parsonage. They have lived in the Twin Valley area all the time and more recently, right in the city. He was an avid sportsman, a good gardener, and an ardent reader. Hilman passed away on October 2, 1977 at the age of 74 years. He is buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, Mn.
Hilman and Mabel were the parents of; Eunice (Vernon Strommen), Ina Mae (James Thierel), Virgil, and Donald.
Jens and Eli (Rinde) Huseby
Jens T. Huseby was born on November 22, 1851, at Sogn, Norway. He came to America and settled in Rice County, Mn. in 1866. He met Eli Rinde daughter of Helje and Kari (Offerdal) Rinde and married her on May 28, 1877. They came to Norman County, Mn the following year, taking a homestead in Home Lake township in 1878. They resided there until about 1923 when they moved to Syre, Mn.
Jens and Eli were the parents of five children; Ove (see Ove and Charlotte Huseby), Hans E., Helmer (passed away in 1913), Mrs. A.O. Dahl and Mrs. Martin Ellefson.
Jens passed away on March 1, 1935 at the age of 83 years. Funeral services were conducted at Syre Lutheran Church, Syre, Mn with interment at the church cemetery.
Lars and Bergit (Thorpe) Huseby
Lars was born in 1831 and immigrated from Lekangers Parish Sogn, Norway in 1867. He first settled in Rice County, Mn. He met and married a young woman by the name of Bergit Thorpe in 1871. The settled in section 10 of Flom township where they farmed. Here they raised their family; Sven (See Sven and Anna Huseby) , Nels (1880-1940) and a daughter Mrs. C.J. Narum.
Ove and Charlotte (Nelson) Huseby
Ove Huseby came to Norman County at the age of three months with his parents, Jens and Eli Huseby, from Rice County near Northfield, Minnesota. His father, Jens, was born November 22, 1851 at Leganger, Sogn, Norway and came to Rice County in 1866. His wife, Eli Rinde, who was also born in Sogn Norway in 1856, came to Rice County in 1867. Jens Huseby and Eli Rinde were married near Northfield, Minnesota on May 28, 1877. The following year, in 1878, they came to Norman County and homesteaded in Home Lake Township near Syre Minnesota where James Huseby now lives. They had five children Ove, Helmer, Hans, Marie, and Bennetha. In 1924 they moved to Syre. Their son, Hans, took over the farm. Jens died on March 1, 1935. Eli passed away July 15, 1943.
Ove Huseby was born February 16, 1878 in Rice County. He was baptized by Rev. Kvammen. He attended the country school and helped his father with the farm work. Wood was their only fuel and that had to be hauled a distance of ten miles with teams and sleigh. In June, 1893, he was confirmed by Rev. Hans Johnson at the Wild Rice Church.
Charlotte Nelson, daughter of Hans and Anna Nelson, was born November 15, 1878 in Ossian, lowa. She was baptized by Rev. Koren In 1880, at the age of two years, she came with her parents to Norman County. She attended the country school. She was confirmed at the Wild Rice Church by Rev. Hans Johnson in June, 1893. As a young girl she worked several years at the Wild Rice Children's Home near Fossum, Minnesota. Later, she attended a dress making school in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
On June 23, 1902, Ove Huseby and Charlotte Nelson were married at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church by Rev. J. R. Vaaler. After the wedding ceremony the bride and groom left for the bride's home in a buggy decorated with wild roses. About two hundred guests attended the reception at the Nelson home which lasted three days, and included big dinners and suppers. Neighbor ladies had spent several days baking pies, cakes, bread, and preparing the full meals.
Ove served for many years on the town board, school board, and was a trustee of the Wild Rice Church, where they were lifetime members. Charlotte belonged to a Homemakers Club and was a charter member of the Wild Rice Ladies Aid.
Mr. and Mrs. Ove Huseby and Clifford lived in Home Lake Township until the fall of 1946, when they sold their farm home to Lawrence Swenson and moved to Charlotte's childhood home. In 1947 they celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. Ove died on January 29. 1951 and Charlotte on January 1 1966.
They were the parents of eight children.
Hilmen of Twin Valley, Minnesota.
Clifford
Almer lived in Babbitt. Minnesota;
Agnes (Mrs. Albert Dorseth) and
Constance (Mrs. Francis Fossen) both lived in Twin Valley; Sylvia (Mrs. Robert Westby) lived on a farm near Ulen, Minnesota;
Arla (Mrs. Elmer Anker) lived in Fargo, North Dakota.
One son died in infancy.
Sven and Anna (Rogen) Huseby
Mr. and Mrs. Sven Huseby were descendants of the first pioneer who settled near Flom in Norman County. Their parents, the Lars Huseby and the Ole Rogen families were with the first settlers to move from Decorah, lowa in 1868, and after a five-year stay near Northfield, Minnesota, to homestead in Norman County in 1873.
Sven Bernard Huseby was born November 23, 1874 in Flom Township, Norman County, the son of Lars and Bergitta Huseby. He was baptized by Rev. Knute Bjorge and confirmed by Rev. Hans Johnson.
Anna Mathilda Rogen was born April 25, 1876, the daughter of Ole and Ingeborg Rogen near Flom and grew up on a farm there. She was baptized by Rev. Bjorge and confirmed by Rev. Hans Johnson.
On July 12, 1899, Sven and Anna were united in marriage by Rev. J. R. Vaaler at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. They resided on a farm near Flom for 17 years after which they moved to Twin Valley, where Mr. Huseby was manager of the Twin Valley Co-op Shipping Association. They celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in July 1949, in Twin Valley.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Huseby were Charter members of Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, and Mr. Huseby served on the Board of Trustees from 1930 to 1939. Mrs. Huseby was honorary life member of the Zion American Lutheran Church Women.
They had one daughter, Selma, (Mrs. Lawrence Mueller) and two grandchildren, Paul and Linda Mueller.
Sven Huseby passed away on November 20, 1967, at the age of 74 years, 11 months, 20 days.
Anna Huseby passed away suddenly on March 20, 1967, at the age of 90 years, 11 months.
Among the pioneers' stories about Norman County (Eastern) is the story which describes the battle of Frenchman's Bluff. A band of Indians had attacked some early French settlers there. Bones of human skeletons were found on the top of the highest hill which was a part of the Sven Huseby farm. A marker was placed on this spot several years ago by the Minnesota Geological Society.
Please note: In four issues of the Twin Valley Times covering February 1961 there is a very good "pioneer article" about Ingeborg Rogen, mother of Anna Huseby. This article includes much of the history of Norman County.
Orville and Ruth (Erickson) Ingebretson
Orville was born on January 22, 1912 in Becker County, Mn to Peter and Mabel Ingebretson. He grew up here and attended school. He then went to Crookston Agricultural School and after completing his education he began farming in the Flom area.
Orville married Ruth Erickson on June 18, 1936. He later had a trucking operation and treaded in horses which he supplied for the Marshall Plan. In 1954 he moved his family to Wolf Point, Mont. Where he worked as a carpenter for the Montana Highway Department. After retiring he moved to Aqua Dulce.
Orville and Ruth were the parents of Curtis and Annette (Terry Coon).
Orville passed away on March 21, 1993 at Missions Hills California. Interment in Dawson Memorial Cemetery in Glendive.
Peter and Mabel (Lovaas) Ingebretson
Peter Ingebretson, b.12-31-1879 at Lake Park, MN to Ole Bergaard Ingebretson and Guri Einarsdtr Brekken Ingebretson. Ole and Guri emigrated from Tydal, Norway, 4-24-1861.
Peter was the sixth child in a family of 11 children. When he was between 4 and 6 years old, he went to live with Christ and Maren Pederson as their child. Ole Ingebretson and Maren Pederson were first cousins. He was never formally adopted, but they raised and educated him. He ran the farm all his adult life and inherited it. He was schooled at Walworth Dist #46 and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School Was baptized at the Walworth Baptist Church. Was a member of that church since 1902.
Peter married Mabel Lovaas, b. 9-11-1884, daughter of Christian and Mary Anderson Lovaas, married on 12-29-1910, in Swift County, MN. She was baptized in the Baptist faith. Educated in the Ortonville, MN area She was a full-time homemaker and mother.
Mabel was interested in art and as a young woman did some lovely oil paintings. She was a quiet, capable woman, active in her church, a good support for her husband. Mabel died of complications from breast cancer on 5-27-47 at Detroit Lakes, MN. She is buried in the Walworth Baptist Cemetery.
Peter spent 52 years as a farmer in Walworth Township, was very active in his community and the Walworth School District #46. He started the drive for electricity through the REA in August 1939 and was instrumental in keeping the Wild Rice Electric Cooperative project moving. Became Project Superintendent in June 1940 and resigned in May 1942.
In 1958, he was selected and honored as Brothers Keeper in the Red River Chapter of Credit Unions for his outstanding contributions in the credit union, church, co-op and civic affairs. He held offices of trust in township and county . was always interested in the cooperative movement,served on the local creamery board of directors in the Big 5-Co-op Association served as president of the union and was a member of the advisory committee for the Big 5. He was also on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota League of Credit Unions.
He and Mable moved to Mahnomen while he worked at the office of the Wild Rice Cooperative project.
In 1944 they moved to Detroit Lakes, where he was active in general insurance work. They were very much a part of the Flom Community . They raised seven children.
Peter died 8-3-1960 some months after he suffered a massive stroke at Detroit Lakes, and is buried in the Walworth Baptist Cemetery.
Peter and Mabel Ingebretson children
All of their 7 children were baptized in the Walworth Baptist Church, they don't have confirmation.Also, all the children went to Walworth Dist #46 School. They all were born at home on the farm., Walworth Township I am not presuming to try and write any history for those who are still alive. Orville and Ruth are gone as are Eleanore and Hilton.
A. Orville - b.1-22-1912, He graduated from the N.W. School of Agriculture, Crookston, MN On June 18, 1936 he married Ruth Erickson. He was first a farmer, then had a trucking operation and traded in horses which he supplied for the Marshall Plan. In 1954, they moved to Wolf Point, Montana, and he worked on building the Fort Peck Dam, and later worked for the Montana Highway Dept. as night custodian. After retirement, he became active in the restoration of buggies, wagons, and cutters,which appeared in movies such as "Little House on the Prairie." They moved to Agua Dulce, Calif. where he worked making a full scale reproduction of a authentic mud wagon stagecoach.
Orville died 3-21-1993 in Mission Hills, Calif., and is buried
in Dawson Memorial Cemetery, Glendive, MT Ruth Ingebretson b. 1-6-1914, on a farm near Twin Valley, MN to Gust and Otila Bergeson Erickson. She was raised and educated in Twin Valley, MN, attended Moorhead State College in Moorhead, MN She taught schools in Minnesota and Montana, including the Flom school. She was District Mgr. of Field Enterprises Corp while she lived in Wolf Point, Montana. She died 10-12-1991 in Agua Dulce, CA and is buried in Dawson Memorial Cemetery, Glendive, Montana. Ruth and Orville had two children, Curtis b. 6-5-1942, married to Joyce Smith on 4-21-1973, and lives in Monroe, N.C. Rynette, b. 7-27-1949, married Terry Coon 8-23-1967. They live in Glendive, Montana and have two children, Tara and Rhett and Tara has two grandsons.
B. Paul- b, 12-10-1913., He was confirmed 3-26-1943 in the Vanport Church He graduated from the N.W. School of Agriculture, Crookston, MN Paul has been a carpenter and in the building business all his life.
He married Evelyn Ostenvik on 12-24-1937, in Flom, MN. Evelyn B. 3-26-1918 to Wm and Elsie Ostenvik at Flom, MN. She was baptized on 4-21-18, at Aspelund Church, Flom. Confirmed at Aspelund in 1932.
She attended Flom School, graduated from Waubun High School and graduated from business college in Portland, OR. She ran a children's nursery during WWII at Vanport, OR. Was a secretary and for many years worked as a chief clerk and office manager in railroad sales offices in Portland, OR. Hobbies, music, computer, genealogy, reading, and grandchildren.
In his youth Paul did oil paintings. He played trombone in the band. He has made many beautiful carvings for gifts. They settled in Detroit Lakes and built their home there. During WWII, they moved to several places for war work - to Sioux Falls S. Dak. for some months, then to Lake Pendorielle, Ida. from there he was sent to Portland, OR. He headed a crew who did the finish work on oil tankers. From then on he was a finish carpenter and in the building business until he retired due to health reasons. They built their home in Portland, OR. He invented a lefse making machine - one that worked successfully, but he wanted to improve it,so started on a new one. Unfortunately, his health and family work, and time, all made it impossible to continue. He still makes wonderful lefse by hand - which is much enjoyed and looked forward to by friends and family.
Paul was active with boy scouts, the schools, a lot of building work at church, and in the community,
Paul and Evelyn had three children:
CLAUDIA, b. 1-11-39, at Detroit Lakes, Mn, Went to schools and college in Oregon and is a teacher.
She married 2nd Lt. Ralph Wyatt on August 20, 1960, and spent her life moving many places with her Air Force husband , lived 4 years in Japan where she taught school and where their son Kristoffer was born. Ralph retired in 1990 as a full Colonel in the AF. They live in Corvallis, Or. They have two daughters, Kirsten, married to a Saudi Arabian, lives in Saudi Arabia, has two little sons; Kimberly Maren, b. in Los Angeles, is a graphic artist with a computer firm in Portland.
PAUL DAVID, b. 5-29-1941 in Detroit Lakes. educated in Portland Schools - college in Vancouver,\ WA. He was a grocery store manager - now retired - Very talented - does beautiful carving and makes furniture and built his own home. He had three children. Richard Paul, Portland, Or. is unmarried. He was in the Navy for some years and served in the Gulf War in 1987. Theresa - is an electrical engineer works for Computer Cast Parts. She is a Major in the National Guard and served in the Gulf War in 1981. Denise is married To Robb Tetz and they have a son, Nicholas. She works for the Teacher's Credit Union in Portland.
Claudia and Paul David were baptized in the Vanport Oregon Lutheran Church on 3-26, 1943.
ERIK, , b. 9-5-47, Portland,OR. Baptized and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Church, Portland,OR. was educated in Portland, Oregon, graduated from Princeton University, New Jersey in 1969. was a International Scholar at Oslo, Norway, the same year and later studied city planning at the U. of Oslo. Got his graduate degree at the University of Oregon
while working for the Oregon Department of Transportation - Was a supervisor for that department. He married Cynthia Bates 4-22-1972 at Oakland, CA. They had three children:
Peter, b. 12-29-1978, lives in California,graduated from Haverford College, PA, in 2001, works in Walnut Creek, Calif. Britta, b. 12-11-82 is a student at Swarthmore College, PA Krista b. 7-25-84, Senior at Lincoln HS, Portland, OR Erik died 11-25-1993 in Portland, is buried in Lone Fir Cemetary, Portland, OR his death was a great loss to Paul and Evelyn and the whole family
C. Chester - b. 9-28-1915, attended N.W. College of Agriculture, Crookston He married Ilith Brandt 10-21-1939, They had five children: Carmen, Denise, Stephen, Mark and Ben. All are married and have children. Ilith and Chester live in Moorhead, MN
D. Muriel b. 11-16-1917, Graduated from Twin Valley High School Married Frederick McCormick, b. 10-28-1915, m. 10-20-38. They had four children, Linda, Marcia, Fred,and Patty. All are married and have children. Frederick died 3-17-1994. Buried in Glen Haven Memorial Gardens, Minneapolis, MN Muriel lives in Minneapolis, MN
E. Eleanore - b. 1-16-1920, graduated from Twin Valley High School,attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and spent some time at Moorhead State Teachers College
She married Hilton Hansen 9-2-41, He was born 1-23-12 in
Iowa. He was a student Pastor at the Walworth Baptist Church . He became a Baptist pastor and was also a farmer in Britt,Iowa. They adopted a son, Allen b. 2-1-50 and he died 11-1-84. Hilton died 11-26-1961 in Britt, Iowa. Eleanore died 9-4-1985 Britt, Iowa.
F. Ervin - b.1-20-1922, attended Twin Valley High School and the University in Boulder, Colorado He married Carol Boynton 12-26-1925, m.8-28-54 He was a Navy Chaplain. They had two children, Charles, b.7-1-55. unmarried, and Julie b. 3-14-58. She married Sonny Evans, and they have 2
daughters. Ervin and Carol live in Minneapolis
G. Anne (Esther) -b. 4-13-1924 She married Roy Berg, b.1-13-23. They had one son, Thomas, b. 8-18-60 and he married Maureen Kane - They have two sons. Anne and Roy live in retirement in Arlington, IL
Albert and Tillie (Berger) Jacobson
Albert Christian Jacobson was born on February 23, 1888 in Flom township to Knut and Anna Jacobson. He grew up in Flom township.
Mathilda "Tillie" Berger was born on October 16, 1890 to John Pedersen Berger and Karen Marie Halvorsen in Montevideo. Mn. Her family later moved to Henning, Mn. John Berger was born February 4, 1858 in Norway to Johanna Berger. Karen was born on February 28, 1860 in Norway to Halvor Gunderson (11-28-1932 to 4-19-1918) and Ingeborg Jorgensen (12-28-1840 to 2-13-1917). John passed away in March 1935 and Karen in August 1923, they are both buried at the Syre Cemetery.
Albert married Tillie Berger of Henning, Mn. in 1919. After they were first married they resided on a farm in Flom township until 1926 when they moved to Flom and they entered the restaurant business. They operated Jacobson’s Cafe on the east side of Main Street in Flom, with their residence above the Cafe. Albert ran Jacobson’s cafe until his death on September 24, 1942. After his death Tillie remained in Flom. In the later years she would spend time traveling between her children’s homes, but still keeping her home above the Cafe, even after they closed the cafe down she continued to live there. Tillie passed away on January 24, 1967. At the time of her death she was residing at Eveleth, Mn. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn. After her death the old cafe building was sold to Don and Kay Johnson who owned Johnson’s Store in Flom. After the Store burned in 1981, they rebuilt, moving the new store further north. Johnson’s Market was built on the former location of Jacobson’s cafe.
Tillie Jacobson was a member of the Aspelund ALCW, she was a very kind and generous person and if the situation occurred, she was always willing to help her neighbors and friends. Albert and Tillie were the parents of six children;
Joyce, Adeline, Kenneth, Muriel, Edwin and a infant son (unmarked grave at Aspelund)
Joyce C. was born on December 17, 1911. She married John Skansgaard, son of Iver Erlandsen and Anne (Pedersen Aspehaug) Skansgaard, in Flom township, on July 20, 1929. They were the parents of two children; Ronald D. (Joanne) and Sandra K. (Tom) Moe. Sandra has two children; Trevor J. Seidl and Stephanie E. Seidl.
Adeline E. was born on November 12, 1920. She married Hans P. Mitchell. They had no children.
Kenneth Jerome was born on October 29, 1922. He married Imogene Buchholz , daughter of Benny and Gyda Buchholz of Flom on June 24, 1850. He died suddenly from a heart attack at his home in Eveleth, Mn on April 26, 1980, he is buried at Aspelund. They had no children. After his death Imogene moved back to Twin Valley, Mn where she still resides at Valley Pines. She works at the Norman County East Elementary School in the Grandparent program.
Muriel J. was born on September 12, 1921. She married Donald F. Aagenes. They had two children; David and Vicki. David A. (Patricia) Aagenes, they have three sons; Jason D., Daniel P., and Kyle C. Their daughter Vicki L. Aagenes Parise, Vicki has two daughters, Christina D. and Jill J. Muriel J. Aagenes passed away on February 2, 1978 and is buried at the Concordia Cemetery, Fertile, Mn.
Edwin M. was born on June 19, 1932. He has three children; Laura, Randy and Kim. Laura (Mark) Thompson, they have a son William Randy (Rachael) Jacobson , they have three children; Edwin, Lidia, and Alex. In 1978 Edwin married Dorothy Christianson.
There was also an infant (still born) during the later half of the 1920, and he is buried in an unmarked grave in Aspelund Cemetery, Flom.
Arthur and Geneva (Gunderson) Jacobson
Arthur Julius Jacobson was born on January 23, 1898, in Jackson county, Mn., to John and Milla Jacobson. He was baptized in the Belmont Lutheran Church there. He came to the Flom area with his parents at an early age. He was confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn., on October 19, 1913. He grew up in this area and attended country schools here.
Geneva Gunderson was born on November 23, 1901 to Henry and Bertha Gunderson in Flom township, Mn. She was baptized on the home farm and confirmed at Aspleund Lutheran Church. She attended rural elementary schools in the area.
Arthur and Geneva were married on November 26,. 1033 at the Wild Rice Parsonage. After their marriage the resided on his father's farm for a year, on the T. R. Rue farm for nine years and then they moved to their own farm stead in Mahnomen County, Popple Grove township in 1943. Here they raised their daughter; Junnell. Junnell married Dennis Jenson, and they resided in Moorhead, Mn. at the time of her mother's death, when Arthur died they were listed as living by Lake Park, Mn. In 1965 they retired and moved to Twin Valley, Mn, where they lived until their deaths.
Arthur also had a special hobby of raising , buying and selling horses. Geneva was active in her community and church. She was a member of her church circle and a efficient homemaker and loved flowers.
Carl and Clara (Jacobson) Jacobson
Carl Martin Jacobson was born on April 9, 1896 at Lakefield, Mn to John and Milla Jacobson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Belmont Lutheran Church at Jackson, Mn. He came to this area when he was 16 years old.
Carl served in the armed services of his country during World War 1, in the infantry, and also in the home guard, Company M at Moorhead during World War II.
As a young man he did mechanical work at the Smith Motors in Moorhead, Mn, for over 20 years. He then attended the Crookston College of Engineering, where he graduated and then was employed with the Moorhead High School as a heating engineer. Hen then went to Moorhead State College where he was employed for 20 years until his retirement.
On November 8, 1920 he was united in marriage to Clara Jacobsen at her parents home in Flom township. They made their home in Moorhead, Mn for many years.
Clara passed away in 1955. Because of failing health in his last years, Carl became a resident of the Fair Meadow Nursing Home at Fertile in 1975.
Carl was active for many years as a member of the Moorhead American Legion Post and was a member of the Drum and Bugle Cops there. He was also an entertaining violinist and played for many years.
Carl and Clara were the parents of two children; Earl Jacobson and Majorie (John) Knight. The Jacobson woods to many who live around here is located where the Old Aspelund Cemetery is.
Jewitt and Lorraine (Opsahl) Jacobson
Jewitt was born on June 29, 1918 in rural Flom township to Nels and Clara (Kvidt) Jacobson. He was raised and attended school near Flom. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church rural Flom.
After completing his education he served in the United States Army during World War II, of which he entered on January 13, 1942 and served in Puerto Rico for two years. He was discharged on November 15, 1945.
Jewitt married Lorraine Opsahl on January 5, 1945. They lived in Detroit Lakes, Mn where he worked as an auto mechanic. In September of 1964, he became an instructor at the State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND. Where he taught auto mechanic until his retirement in June of 1983. They left the Wahpeton area in 1985 and moved to Fargo, ND.
Jewitt passed away on April 18, 1988 in Fargo. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn with interment at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom. After his death Lorraine remained in Fargo, where she still resides.
John and Emelie (Johnson) Jacobson
John Jacobson was born near Windom, Mn in October 1868. He spent his childhood on the farm. In 1889 he was married to Emelie (Millia) Johnson.
After their marriage they settle on a farm near Jackson and lived there for many years. In 1912 they sold out and packed up moving to the Flom area. It was here they purchased a farm 2 1/4 miles northeast of Flom. Here they built a fine home to raise their family in.
John and Millia were the parents of five children. Caroline who died at the early age of two. Nels, Minnie, Carl and Arthur.
After John's death in 1942 Millia moved into Flom into the home on the west edge of town last occupied by Carl Hamre. She later entered the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Home in Twin Valley where she lived until her death in September of 1959 at the age of 91 years.
Millia had come to the United States from Norway when she was 20 years old. She was a good cook. Always had cookies and good doughnuts on hand whenever some one would come to visit. The coffee pot was always on at her house.
John and Millia were faithful members of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rural Flom. John also had served on the church council of which he was treasurer at the time of his death.
Knut and Anna (Fossen) Jacobson
Knut Jacobson was born in Norway on April 9, 1844 to Jacob A. Brenden and Guri Braget Brenden. Knut came to Norman County from Pope county, Mn in 1877. He settled in section 34 of Flom township, where he homestead.
Knuts parents Jacob A. Brenden was born on October 23, 1815 in Norway and died on January 4, 1890. Gurie Braget Brenden was born on December 23, 1817 and died on September 4, 1895.
Anna Fossen was born in Norway on June 2, 1853 to Sigrid P. Fossen. Anna’s mother Sigrid was born to Neils K. Flaten and Ronnag Olsdatter on March 30, 1823 and died on November 25, 1908. Sigrid Fossen is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Knut and Anna were the parents of six children; Eline (see Ole and Eline Johnson), Julia (see Ole and Julia Odegaard) , Albert (see Albert and Tillie Jacobson), Clara, Gina and Edwin.
Clara was born on November 17, 1889 and died on September 10, 1955. She was married to Carl Johnson who was born on April 9, 1896 and died on July 18, 1976. Clara and Carl were married in 1920. They were the parents of two children; Marjorie "Margie" (John) Knight and Earl.
Gina was born on February 5, 1882 and died on September 1, 1894. She is buried at Aspelund Cemetery.
Edwin Jacobson was born in 1897. He served his country during World War I in the 118th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division during World War I. He was a veteran of WW I, he died on September 25, 1918 and is buried in the Somme American Cemetery in Bony France.
Nels and Clara (Kvidt) Jacobson
Nels Jacobson was born on April 26, 1894, in Jackson county, Mn, to John and Milla Jacobson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Belmont Lutheran Church at Jackson. He also attended country school there. He came to the Flom area at the age of 16, in 1912. Nels had one brother Carl and one sister Minnie ( Lien), there was one other brother and one sister who proceeded him in death.
On April 23, 1916, he was united in marriage to Clara Kvidt at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. They farmed near Flom for 46 years, moving into Flom in 1958 when they retired from farming. Nels lived in the home currently occupied by Elinor Swenson, on the east side of main street, next to Flom Regional Insurance company. His last few years he was a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center in Twin Valley, Mn.
Clara passed away on August 27, 1961, and Nels passed away on February 19, 1975, they are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom.
Nels and Clara were the parents of four children; Newman (Doris Burda), Jewitt (Lorraine), Mildred (Palmer Grefsrud) and Hazel ( Leonard Seykora).
Newman and Doris (Burda) Jacobson
Newman C. Jacobson was born on March 16, 1926 at Twin Valley, Mn to Nels and Clara (Kvidt) Jacobson. He was raised and attended school in this area. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn.
Newman and Doris were married on September 24, 1949 at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn. Doris Burda was born on July 27, 1927 in Nebraska, to Bernard and Pearl (Irish) Burda. She moved to the Ulen area in 1940 with her family when they moved here from Primrose, Nebraska. Here Doris grew up and attended school. Newman and Doris have one son: Loren. Loren and his wife reside in Wisconsin and are the parents of three children; Tim, Cindy and Ryan.
After they were first married they lived and farmed in the Twin Valley and Flom area for six years. Newman then went to work at the Flom Creamery for eight years and Doris ran the Cafe in Flom during this time. They lived in John Christensen’s Photo Studio on the north side of town.
In October of 1964 Newman and Doris left the Flom area and settled in West Bend Wisconsin where he was employed for the city of West Bend. Doris during this time was employed at a furniture store.
Newman was active on Pool and Horseshoe leagues in the West Bend area, as well as spending time with his family and friends. Newman passed away on September 17, 1987 at the age of 61 years. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom with interment at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom.
After his death Doris remained for a short time in West Bend before moving to Detroit Lakes, Mn where she still resides. She is an active member in her church, Aspelund. Doris and Newman loved to visit with friends, enjoyed dancing and socializing.
Ole and Karen (Hattleberg) Jacobson
Ole Jacobson was born on June 7th, 1858, in Winneshiek county, Iowa to Jacob Olson and Anna Hanson. When he was a year old they moved to Freeborn county, Mn.
In 1880 he was united in marriage to Karen Oline Hattleberg and the same year they moved to Lake county, S.D. While they lived in South Dakota they were engaged in farming for many years and then took up the carpenter trade which he followed as long as he was able to work.
Ole and Anna were the parents of ten children. One boy passed away in infancy. Alfred and Adolph lived in Madison, SD; Henry moved to Eureka, Ca; Corrin ( Mrs Nerdahl) lived in Ada, Mn; Odin, Spokane, WA; Alvin lived in Orlando, CA; Olga (Karth) lived in Oswego, NY; Edwin, Chicago, Ill; and Anna (Raad) lived in Twin Valley, Mn.
Ole was a charter member of the Prairie Queen Lutheran Church of Lake county SD, the church he loved. At it’s golden jubilee in 1933 he was an honorary guest-one of the few living charter members.
In 1942 he suffered a severe heart attach from which he never recovered and another attack in 1943 which left him a invalid. During the last few months of his life he was confined to his bed. On Sunday September 16th 1945 at 8:45 he slept peacefully away. Ole is buried at the Prairie Queen Church near Madison, SD.
Ole was a serious minded man and a true Christian. He lived for others that they might be happy.
Alma Johanna Jensen
Was born in 1892 to John and Amelia Jensen. She worked most of her life in the local area doing housekeeping. She lived her entire life in Fossum Township. Alma was very dedicated to her church, Wild Rice, where she was a lifelong member. In her later years, she lived with her nephew, Clifford Dalhaug. She never married.
C.L. and Mary (Jorgenson) Jensen
Mary Annetta Jorgenson was born on February 27, 1883 at Geneva she married Carl Jensen on June 18, 1903 at Winnebago City. Carl served parishes in Iowa and Nebraska before coming to the Walworth Church in 1915. He retired in 1941 and they moved into Ulen, Mn. Their later years they lived in the Rest Home.
Mary died in 1946 and is buried at Walworth Baptist Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
They were the parents of three sons, Paul (see Paul and Frances Jensen), Gordon and Norman.
Carl Olaf and Regina (Korsgaden) Jensen
Carl was born on September 18, 1877 to John and Amelia Jensen. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He received his education in Norman County schools and furthered his education at Park Region College at Fergus Falls, Mn.
Regina was born on April 13, 1886 to Lars and Ronnag Korsgaden. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice. She received her education in Norman County and was a life long member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Carl and Regina were married at Wild Rice on November 19, 1905. They settled in Fossum township and raised their family here. They were the parents to; Kenneth, Sanford, Arnold, Oris, Howard, Lyle, Helen (Arne Eide), and Gelaine (Arthur Gredvig).
Carol was active in church and community organizations having served faithfully on many of the church boards, he was also financial secretary for twenty years. He also served on township boards and school boards at Marsh Creek and Twin Valley. Regina and Carol were very concerned about their children’ welfare and their public and Christian education. They were successful farmers in Fossum Township.
Carl died on September 24, 1953 and Regina died on August 7, 1960. Both are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Don Jensen
Don was born in June of 1948. He farmed for awhile and was married to Verna Mergenthal. They had three children. Nickole (deceased and buried at Immanuel), Jodi and Donivan. Jodi is married to Matt Kvien and they live in Laverne ND with their four children: John 10 years, Lane 4 years, Karlee 3 years and Sage who was born in August of 2001.
Donivan lives in Fargo with his two sons Austin is 7 years and Elias is 4 years. Donivan had one daughter Mia Lynn who is deceased and is buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, MN.
Don now is employed at Norman County Highway Department. He continues to live on the family farm in section 36 of Home Lake Township. In his spare time he runs some feeders and raises Longhorn Cattle. He also has some Quarter horses and a team of Belgian mares for giving sleigh and wagon rides. He enjoys living the life of a "cowboy" going on yearly trips to Medora ND where he enjoys the life outdoors while helping with the annual branding of cattle for a friend. Don and his children love to work with horses and this is also a very high interest with the grandchildren.
Lars and Sena (Simenson) Jensen
Lars Jensen was born in Jutland, Denmark and Sena Jensen was born in Oslo, Norway. They both grew up near Springfield, Mn., where they met and were married on March 30th, 1904. All five of their children were born near Clements, Mn. They came to Flom Township around 1918. They had 10 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Lars died on March 18th, 1957 and
Sena died in 1960 they are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn
Their children are:
James Ed Jensen he married Lillie Prestegord in 1943 and they farmed in Flom Township for many years. Ed died on July 14th, 1982. Lillie lives in Twin Valley, Mn They have two children and two grandchildren. Linda married Richard Ringerud and they live in Fridley, Mn. Larry married Mary Ann and they live in Fayetteville, NC. They have two daughters Kelly and Renee.
Olga Jensen Kragero was married and lived many years in Fargo, ND. She died on March 11, 1962 and had one child Curtis who is married to Charlotte and they live in Fargo, ND. They have six children, Susan, Terry, Robert, Sharon, Larry and Curtis Jr.
Mabel Jensen Stenseth. She married Charles Stenseth and they lived for many years in Heiberg, outside of Twin Valley, MN. Charles died on October 23rd, 1968 and Mabel died January 27th, 1988. They have one daughter Carol Jean Stenseth who resides in Twin Valley, MN. She works for Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley.
Lillie Jensen Jones was married and lived many years in the state of Washington. She died on March 5th, 2001. Lillie had four children and six grandchildren. They are Leonard (deceased), Lorraine, Lyle and Lois.
Lester Jensen married Reome Raad: See Lester and Reome Jensen
Lester and Reome (Raad) Jensen
Lester Jensen left home at the age of 14. He worked on various farms in North Dakota and Minnesota before ending up at the Henry Spielman farm.
While working there he met Reome Raad. She had been sent by her mother to help Mrs. Spielman with some things in the house. Sometime during the day she "happened" to meet the hired man. Lester and Reome were married on October 11th, 1941 at Mahnomen, Mn. Lester continued to work for Spielmans until 1943 when he bought a farm in Home Lake Township and started farming on his own.
Their first child Don was born in June 1948. About a year later the barn was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. No one was injured but some cattle were lost. In May of 1953 a daughter Bonnie was born. A short time later disaster struck again. When they lost their entire herd of milk cows to Bang's disease. They always managed to survive like the strong always do and continued to work and live on the farm until Lester's death in 1982. Reome continued to live on the farm until 1994 when she moved to Twin Valley, Mn. Reome is still active in the Aspelund Lutheran Church where she helps with quilting, and with the women's organizations. She still loves to go out to the far and mow the grass during the summer.
Lester and Reome have two children. Don: See Don Jensen
Bonnie was born in May of 1953. After graduating from High School Bonnie went on to further her education at Moorhead Tech. She worked for St. Luke's Hospital for a while then she joined the Women's Army Corp. She ended up in Lawton, Oklahoma and graduated from Lawton University. It was here she met and married Gaylon Anderson. They later moved to Minneapolis, Mn, Albert City, IA, Evansville, Ind., and now are living in Bellvue, Nebraska. Gaylon has continually worked for Con Agra as a Finance controller and Bonnie always ends up with a teaching job wherever they get transferred to. Bonnie and Gaylon have two sons: Geoff who lives in Terre Haute, Indiana and Erick who lives at home.
John and Amelia (Larson) Jenson
John Jenson was born to Jens Jorgen and Elise Oldsdatter Knutson on the Gronaya Farm near Telemarken, Norway on September 28, 1849. John’s parents died when he was ten years old. His father was a teacher and a farmer. After his death, John and his siblings lived with various relatives. At sixteen he and another boy hired out as cabin boys on a seafarer, which took them to Havana, Cuba, and later into the Mediterranean Sea as far as the Turkish, coast. There the whole personnel of the boat with the exception of the captain and Mr. Jenson succumbed to yellow fever. Mr. Jensen was brought through by the tender care of the captain and he in turn took care of the captain later. From there he was sent home on another ship. His pay was very meager and the work very hard, but the roving spirit of adventure was not quenched, and he again set out with his brother at the age of 18 for Leland Illinois. He stayed there for a couple of months and then moved on to Rice county, Mn., remaining there until in 1873 when he, together with a friend Henry Benson, and John’s brothers; George Johnson (Jorgen) and Jens Morland (Jens took the last name of his uncles farm in Norway where he was raised) set out in a covered wagon and oxen for Norman County, Mn. The trip taking three weeks. John Jenson settled in Section 20 of Fossum township He endured the early hardship of pioneer days and to augment his not always plentiful supply of cash, went to Hawley, Mn in the early summer of 1873 to break land for a Scotch farmer there. It was while he was there on a week day that the then young pastor Bjorgo came and had services in a Norwegian home near Hawley. John laid off the afternoon to take in the services and told about the settlement near the Wild Rice river and he and his companion, Mr. Urdahl, induced the pastor to promise a visit a little later on in their home community. Thus two young men, just in their early twenties, had desire enough to plead for a pastor and did bring about the formation of the Wild Rice congregation that at one time numbered as many as 183 families. He took an active part in the formation of the congregation and was among those who furnished both logs and work for the first church. He also stood as the first groom, being married on September 28, 1873. The congregation was organized on July 20, 1873 on Rev. Bjorgno’s first trip to the area, on his second trip to the congregation he performed the wedding ceremony of John and Amelia.
Amelia Larson was born in Decorah, Ia to Wellick and Kirsti Larson. Soon after her birth, the family moved to Fairbault, Mn, where they lived until 1873. It was then that they traveled to Norman County by ox cart. Amelia was a charter member of the Wild Rice congregation where she was active in Ladies Aid and other church activities.
John and Amelia had the following children; William (Jens) , Carl O., Edward, Elisa (Oscar Dahlhaug),
Clara who died at the age of two, Alma, Birdie who died at the age of 14, Clara Valmin (Sigurd Dahlhaug) and Nile.
John died on May 5, 1940 and Amelia died in 1939 both are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Rev A.H. Amundson pastor and friend wrote these words of John; Mr. Jenson was a sturdy pioneer embodying those sterling qualities we love to find among these fine old folks. His church was uppermost in his hear and he came faithfully to worship as long as he could and he often sent for his pastor for communion and spiritual service. That was also his last conscious act before the Lord called him home. He kept well up with his affairs until the end and the sad news of the war in Norway saddened his heart a lot. The words written at the passing of his wife, the following are very fitting to his also;
We need to pause when these venerable pioneers pass on. They have done much for church and state. And their love for their special institution - the church- is specially worth mentioning. Here they came with small means to wring a home and a living out of the wilderness for them and their families. It was work -more hard work and many privations that faced them daily. And for that reason they seemed to have a special love for the church that is hard to find in the growing generation. The church stood as an unfailing rock of comfort and cheer and here they sought renewed courage and strength to continue the daily grind. And so they learned to love and esteem the church in a very special manner and also the servant of the church. And they shared liberally as God prospered them. May the memory of them be enshrined in the hearts of many as we honor them one by one in the passing.
Nile and Ida Jenson
Nile was born in 1899 to John and Amelia Jensen near Twin Valley, Mn. Ida (Jenson) was born on 1904 to Hans P. and Lena (Haugness) Jenson. He and Ida were married in 1924 in Ada, Mn. They settled on the farm near Borup, Mn where they stay until 1940, when they moved to this area.
Children born to them were: Vernon, Norris, Leland, Donald, Delano, Dennis, James, Nile Jr., Vernette (Christianson), Iola (George Samuels) and Deloris Gilberth (Homer Neeley).
Nile died on November 27, 1976 and Ida died on January 25, 1991; both are buried at Wild Rice.
Paul and Frances (Larson) Jensen
Frances Larson was born on May 28, 1909 at Tracy, Mn. She came to the Twin Valley area with her parents when she was a child. She received her education at Home Lake Country Schools and then went to Twin Valley High School where she graduated. After completing her education she attended Normal School in Ada, Mn.
She taught for a few years before her marriage to Paul Jensen on June 14, 1933 in Twin Valley, Mn. They made their home in Walworth township in section 4. Paul passed away on January 26, 1973 at which time their son Phillip took over the farming operations. Frances "Peaches" continued to live on the farm with her
son until 1985 when she moved into the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, Mn. Here she remained until her death on May 15, 1987.
The Jensen’s were active in the church, Walworth Baptist Church which is located just north of their homeplace. Their son Phillip continued to farm until his retirement, due to heath in the 1980’s. At this time he rented out his farmland until his death.
Paul and Frances were the parents of; Phillip and Marian (Carl Shaw).
Paul, Frances and Phillip are all buried at Walworth Baptist Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Ole Olson and Eliza (Everson)Jensveen
On August 31, 1840 Ole was born in Sakssumal, Faaberg, Oppland, Norway the 7th of 8 total children. His father died in 1844 and his mother (Marit) remarried in 1846. Leaving the area on April 17,1855 with another family, Ole most likely sailed on the William Tell, leaving Christiania on May 2 and arriving in Quebec on June 18. He settled in Rock Prairie, Wis. and is on the 1860 census. In 1868 Marit sailed on the Emerald with husband Peder and their only child Johannes (Lien).
The clan migrated to Goodhue County in the 1870's where Ole married Miss Eliza Everson on February 7, 1871. Staying there about 9 years, Ole and family moved to Fossum township and resided in Section 33 farming 160 acres until 1914 when declining health mandated a move into Twin Valley. Ole died July 17, 1919 and Eliza died on May 27, 1922. They are buried in unmarked graves lot 14, block 9, in the Twin Valley Cemetery.
Picture: Top Oscar, Julia, Edward Clara, Ole, Eliza, Arthur, Sophia
The Ole Olson Jensveen children;
1. Clara b. 7/16/1871 d. 2/10/1953 Culbertson, MT of Arteriosclerosis
2. Julia b. 4/21/1873 d. 12/11/1943 Plentywood, MT of Mycardial infarction
3. Edward b. 12/18/1878 d. 3/22/1960 Moorhead, MN of Arteriosclerosis
4. Oscar b. 12/18/1878 d. 11/13/1967 Harve, MT of Acute Cardiac Failure
5. Sophia b. 7/12/1882 d. 11/19/1916 Twin Valley, MN of Tuberculosis
6. Arthur b. 1/11/1885 d. 11/2/1968 Plentywood, MT of Cerebro Vascular Disease
Peder died July 4, 1882 and Marit moved into the Jensveen house and is listed on the 1885 state census. Marit died December 15, 1894. Both Peder and Marit are buried in unmarked graves is the Wild Rice Cemetery. Johannes Lien, Ole's 1/2 brother died February 6, 1924 and is also buried in the Wild Rice Cemetery.
Richard Line, Santee, California
Russell and Eleanor (Ramsey) Jeske
Russell Jeske was born on June 18, 1914 in Springfield, Mn to Ernest and Clairbel (Spielman) Jeske. He moved with his family when he was a year and a half to Twin Valley, Mn. Here he grew up and attended school and graduated with the class of 1932. He was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, Mn. As a young man he worked for area farmers for several years.
Russell and Eleanor were married on July 6, 1941 at Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, Mn. They made their home in section 2 of Flom Township, and farmed with her parents for the first five years. It was during this time they purchased a farm southwest of Mahnomen and it was to become their home. They moved onto this farm in 1946 and remained there until 1985, at which time they sold the farm and moved into Twin Valley, Mn.
Russell worked for Sig Anderson starting in 1960 at the Implement in Mahnomen, which he later purchased and renamed Mahnomen Implement. He retired from the business in 1980.
Russell and Eleanor were active member in their church Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn., both having been a part of the church choir. Russell was also active in the Men's Quartet and served many years on the church boards. Russell enjoyed fishing, woodworking, gardening and flowers, he enjoyed sharing his beautiful gladiolus that he grew with the church and many friends.
Russell passed away in 1989 at the age of 74. Eleanor remained in their home in Twin Valley until the late 1990's when she moved into the Normandy Apartments in Twin Valley, after their completion. Russell is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Vincent V. and Anna (Schwartz) Jirava Sr.
Vincent V. Jirava was born on Nov.11,1884 in Otrocineves, in Czechoslovakia. In 1909 he purchased 80 acres from a land agent in yellow Medicine County, Canby, Mn and moved onto the prairies three and three-quarter miles west of Ogema, Mn. At this time there were no roads for one to travel on, only trails leading through the new land.
Anna Schwartz was born on July 31, 1886 to Joseph and Barbara (Stanek) Schwartz in Yellow Medicine, Co., Mn. She received a education at the rural schools in the area southwest of Canby, Mn. She was the tenth child born to the Stanek’s.
Vincent and Anna were married on March 8, 1991 at Canby, Mn. The lived in Spring Creek Township in Section 21 west of Ogema, Mn where they farmed. Vincent also worked in the lumber camps in Northeast Minnesota for 12 winters. He served as treasurer for Spring Creek Twp., for many years. Anna served on the school board many years in District 106, which was located five miles west of Ogema, Mn. They also boarded county school teachers for many years.
Vincent and Anna were the parents of children: Their first child Jerry died just a few months after being born.
Vincent II: He attended country school in Dist. 106. He farmed west of Ogema and married Beulah Polda in 1946. They had two sons; Wayne, who lives in Ritzville, Wa., where he farms. He is married and has three sons.
Roger died of a brain tumor at the age of 42 in Ritzville, Wa., he was married and had four children, they all live in the state of Washington.
Vincent died on Sept. 15, 2000 in Ritzville, Wa., he was cremated and his ashes were spread on his grandson Ron Jirava’s farm. His widow Beulah is Jean Casper’s sister, who lives in Ogema where they were born to Anna and George Polda.
Vladimir (Lod) farmed west of Ogema also. He married Mae Reed on Sept. 3, 1939. Their first son died just a few days after birth and is buried at the Ogema City Cemetery. Barbara lives north of Callaway and is married to Glenn Donely, they have three daughters; all married and living in Minnesota. Gerald and Debbie live west of Ogema and have one son and three daughters. Lloyd and Linda (Teiken) also farm and they have one daughter and three sons; all who live in Minnesota. Eileen is married to Art Groth, they have two sons and two daughters all who live in Minnesota. Carla married Dick Wirth and they had five children. She later married Verlyn Menning and they live near St.Cloud, Mn. Larry is married to Susan Mikkelson and the live in Webster SD, they have three grown children. Merlyn and Marge (Safar) live in South Dakota. Lod and Mae live in Ogema, Minnesota.
Jerome "Bud" was born on November 18, 1922 on the home farm three and three-quarter miles west of Ogema. He farmed all his life. Bud married Marcy Mikkelson on June 15, 1947 in Lake Park by the same Lutheran minister Rev. Anders who married Marcy’s parents on Feb 23, 1923 and two of Marcy’s sisters before her.
Bud and Marcy had a herd of dairy cattle and polled Hereford’s. In 1976 they sold their dairy her and focused on raising wheat, barley, oats, corn and soybeans. Bud was a member of Mn Crop Improvement Assn., served as President for a few years in the 1950’s. He also served on the Spring Creek Township Board for 34 years. He was elected to the Board of the Flom Co-op Oil Assn and served for 38 years, also Mn State President of the Western Fraternal Life Assn in 1986. In Feb. 1966, they were chosen as Red River Valley Farmer and Homemaker Award for Becker County.
In June of 1968 three of Bud and Lod’s first cousins came to Minnesota from Prague, Czechoslovakia for a three week visit. In march of 1974 Bud and Marcy went to Czechoslovakia where they visited with family for three weeks.
Marcy was Dist 1 Secretary for 10 years in the WFLA. They attended many meetings over the years. Both also served on the church board of the Ogema Congregational Church UCC which merged with the Waubun and Mahnomen congregations and became "Circles of Faith" and made a new church on Hwy 59 and Hwy 113 corner in 1996.
Bud and Marcy became parents to seven children; Their first born was Jerome Benjamin II. He was married to Liz Kohler and they had two boys and two girls. They were divorced and he later married Sharon Leerson , they are now divorced. They all live in Mn.
James married Margaret Reller, they farm at the home place. They are the parent’s of three daughters.
Janis is married to Gerry Schram, they have two sons and live east of Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Janell is married to Duane Stalberger, they have two children who are both married. They live west of Ogema.
Jean was born on July 1, 1954 and died on November 16, 1954 of a brain tumor. She is buried at the Ogema City Cemetery.
Joanne is married to Paul Stalberger and they live east of Ogema. They have two children.
Jane is married to Roger Foltz and they live southeast of Callaway. They have four children. They lost their daughter Amanda in July 1994, at the age of 15 to heart failure due to a virus which attacked her heart.
Bud and Marcy moved to Big Floyd Lake in 1990 and lived there for eight years, they then moved to 507 Broadway Ave in Detroit Lakes, Mn where they reside now. Bud commutes to the arm during the growing season.
Alvin and Edna (Raad) Johnson
Edna Irene Raad was born on September 2, 1923 at Twin Valley, Mn. She attended rural school near Flom and graduated from Waubun, Mn with the class of 1943. She married Alvin Johnson on September 18, 1943, at Twin Valley, Mn.
They lived on a farm east of Ulen, Mn after their marriage until 1946 when they moved to Flom. In 1953 they left Flom and moved to Beltrami, Mn. Here Edna worked in a Crookston Hospital. They left the Beltrami area in 1968 moving to Ada, Mn. In Ada she worked at the Ada Produce, Ada Bakery, Duff’s Super Valu and Gary’s Parts Store.
Edna and Alvin were the parents of; Dean, Daryl, Dannie, Deon, Darlene (Anderson), Daralynn (Gnadt), Doreen (Olson) and DeAnn ( O’Neil).
The following is a report by the Highway Patrol:
Edna Johnson age 61 of Ada, died Thursday after a trip to a Fargo hospital by ambulance was halted because of storm conditions followed by a collision.
The state Highway Patrol office in Detroit Lakes said Johnson was a patient in a Norman County ambulance.
The patrol said visibility was near zero about 2:30 pm when the driver slowed to a stop on Minnesota Hwy 200 to turn around about four miles west of Ada. The ambulance and a vehicle collided at that time.
Funeral services were held at Grace Lutheran Church of Ada, with interment at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom.
Boyd and Dorothy (Voltz) Johnson
Boyd L. Johnson was born in 1920 near Hunter, ND to Fred and Olga (Stai) Johnson. He grew up near Hillsboro and worked there until his marriage to Dorothy Voltz.
Dorothy Irene Johnson was born on October 18, 1920 at Bohnsack, ND, the daughter of William and Mary (Johnson) Voltz. Her mother died when she was only two years old and she lived with her grandmother near Kelso, ND, where she attended school. Dorothy worked as a housekeeper.
Boyd and Dorothy were married on February 25, 1939 at Fargo, ND. They moved to the Twin Valley area in the early 1940’s, then moved near Gary, and then to the Flom area. Boyd worked at the CCC camp in Ely, Mn before starting to farm. In the late 1950’s. Dorothy began working in Stende’s Red Owl Store in Flom.
Boyd and Dorothy later purchased the store on April 1, 1968, renaming it Johnson’s Food and Locker. They operated the store along with their son Donald and his wife Kay until it was destroyed by fire on October 25, 1981. When the new store was built in 1982 she worked part time until the summer of 1992.
Boyd began working for American Crystal Sugar Company in 1958. He worked 18 campaigns at the Moorhead plant and during the summer months he would work construction, which he did until the mid 1960’s. In the mid 1970’s he began working full time at American Crystal Sugar Company in Hillsboro, ND, which he did until his retirement at the age of 65.
Dorothy was a long time member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary of the Flom- Twin Valley Post 3818.
Dorothy passed away on November 6, 1992. They are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Boyd and Dorothy were the parents of William “Bill”, Donald (see Don and Kay Johnson), Duane “Butch” (see Duane and Carol Johnson) , Bonnie (Gorden Swenson), Donna (Gerald Lien), Sandy (see Lyle and Sandy Seykora), and Betty (Dale Thompson).
Bill married Mary Zimmer, they are the parents of two children; Sheridan is married to Betsy Lien and Shireen is married to Harley Riger and they have one son; Isaac.
Bonita “Bonnie” married Gorden Swenson and they reside at Barnesville, Mn. They are the parents of four children; Philip is married to Jamie Lewis, Daniel, Paul and Leah.
Donna married Gerald Lien and they reside in section 34 of Flom township. They are the parents of three children; Gerri, Debbie and David. Gerri married Charlene Remis and they have three sons; Erik, Kristian and Aaron. They reside in Moorhead, Mn where Gerri is employed at Flint Communications and Char is a special Ed teacher and volley ball coach. Debbie married Jeff Opsahl and they farm in section 23 of Home Lake township, where they reside with their three sons; Tyler, Ethan and Kelby. Jeff also coaches basketball and Debbie (Squeak) works at the grade school in Gary, Mn. David married Christina Sagen, they reside in section 33 of Flom township on the farm formally known as the home of Kenneth Johnson. They have one son Parker David. David is employed by Advanced Elevator and also farms with his father. Christina has her own business in their home; Lien Financial Services.
Betty married Dale Thompson, they are the parents of two daughters; Kelly Jo and Sarah. Dale also grew up in the Flom area, the son of Marvin and Marilyn Thompson.
Carl and Alma (Nelson) Johnson
Alma Nelson was born on December 3, 1886 at Moorhead, Mn. She married Carl John and they farmed near Willmar, Mn. They were the parents of five children; Edward, Elsie, Hilda, Bernard and Helen.
Edward was born on November 30, 1914 and died on May 8, 1959. Elsie was born on March 16, 1916 and married Levi Dahl. Hilda was born on April 30, 1917. She married Stanley Bergstrand. Bernard was born on March 15, 1919. He married Doris Peterson and Helen was born on September 1, 1922. She married Vernon Sjoberg.
Donald and Kay (Rikhus) Johnson
Donald Eugene Johnson was born to Boyd and Dorothy (Voltz) Johnson. He attended school at Gary and Twin Valley, Mn, graduating from Twin Valley High School. Don worked at the Flom Creamery from 1959-1963 at which time they moved to Casselton, ND where he worked for Grant R. Mattson John Deere Implement as a parts man.
Kay Patricia Rikhus was born to Norman and Mildred (Jadrny) Rikhus. Kay is a graduate of Ulen High School.
In 1968 Don and Kay left Casselton for a new adventure. They returned to Flom and purchased the Red Owl Store from Sylve and Shottie Stende. Along with Don’s parents Boyd and Dorothy they renamed the store " Johnson’s Food and Locker. On October 25, 1981 the store burned to the ground. At this time the store was located in the newly built Flom Co-op Oil until October of 1982, when it moved into it’s new and present location. The store was renamed "Johnson’s Market"., and is owned by Don and Kay.
Don and Kay are the parents of two sons; Randy and Richard.
Randy Scott graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1980, he then went to NDSU in Fargo, ND to further his education. He works at IBM at Rochester, Mn. Randy married Kimberly Erica Hornseth in St. Paul. Randy and Kim live at Dodge Center, Mn with their three daughters; Gretchen Anika, Rachel Erin and Ashley Claire.
Richard Allen graduated from Twin Valley High School and then went to NDSU to further his education. Rich works for Elk River Machine Company in Elk River, Mn. Rich married Tanya Sue Gillen at White Bear Lake, Mn and they are the parents of two sons; Cooper Riley and Dustin Alexander. They recently moved to Isanti, Mn.
Duane and Carol (Seykora) Johnson
Duane C. “Butch” Johnson the son of Boyd and Dorothy (Voltz) Johnson and Carol Seykora the daughter of Leonard and Hazel (Jacobson) Seykora were married in October of 1965. They made their home in Flom, purchasing the former Ostenvik home from Magda Skansgaard. Here they lived and raised their family of four children; Leon, Dee Ann, Teresa and Stacy.
Butch was employed at the Flom Co-op from 1964 as the bulk truck driver and in 1977 took over the manager’s position with the retirement of Lyle Klemetson. Carol has managed the Flom Cafe since the fall of 1987 to the present. She presently has employed by her; Irene Klemetson, Cindy Skansgaard, Linda Blomseth, Stacy Johnson, Jennifer Klemetson and her daughters; Kayla and Katie who help out occasionally.
Leon is married to Connie Christianson and they have one daughter; Jacey. They reside in Montevideo, Mn where Leon is employed as a Farm Service Agent and Connie is employed as an Occupational Therapist.
Dee Ann is married to Mike Wolfswinkel and they reside in Lake Park, Mn. Mike is owner operator of his own trucking company and Dee Ann works at Country Furniture. Mike has two daughters from his first marriage; Jennifer and Casey. Mike and Dee Ann are the parents of two sons; Adam and Cody.
Teresa is married to Steve Wasvick and they reside at Grand Forks, ND. Teresa is employed by Alerus Financial in Grand Forks, ND and Steve is an electrician. Steve has one son from his first marriage; Nathan.
Stacy lives in Fargo, ND where she is employed by the Catholic School System.
Edwin A. and Gladys (Asp) Johnson
Edwin A. Johnson was born on April 16, 1919 in Flom township. He grew up in a Christian and loving family, the youngest of 10 children born to Herman and Rodi (Weum) Johnson. He received his draft notice on December 8, 1941, participating in the invasion of Africa in November of 1942. He was wounded on April 23, 1943. After recovering from his injuries, he earned a degree in education from the U of Mn in 1948.
While there he joined the choir at University Hope Lutheran Church where he met his bride-to-be, Gladys. He married Gladys Asp on August 3, 1947 in a double wedding ceremony with Gladys' sister Elenore. Gladys was born on December 10, 1928.
He earned a Master's degree in education at the U of ND in 1953 and a Master's degree in chemistry education at the U of ND in 1963. He taught High School science and chemistry for 8 years in Frazee, Mn, 7 years in Meridian, and 18 years in Borah in Boise, Idaho, where he retired from teaching in 1981.
Ed was a longtime faithful member and worker in the Lutheran church. He was a charter member of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in southeast Boise. His greatest gifts were as a prayer warrior, singing praises as a choir member, and as a Bethel teacher. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
Edwin and Gladys were the parents of four children; Kent, Dennis, Marcia (Milleville) and Kevin. Edwin is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
George C.A. and Clara (Hegreberg) Johnson
George C.A. Johnson was born on November 7, 1906. Clara was born on December 3, 1904. George and Clara Hegreberg were married on June 17, 1931. They had no children. They farmed and in their later years moved into the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn. George died on December 10, 1998. Clara remained at the Nursing Home in Twin Valley, until the new facility was constructed in Ada. She then moved there until her death. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery, where they were members.
Harry Olaie Johnson
Harry Olaie Johnson was born on August 12, 1939, in Flom township, to Nels and Anna (Ronning) Johnson. He grew up in section 33 of Flom township on the cart trail. He moved to Grand Forks, ND where he was a cook for many years.
Harry married Karen Holth in 1964. They were the parents of two daughters; Karri and Jodi. Harry was very proud of his two daughters and his three grandsons.
Harry was a excellent cook. He also was a very funny and quick-witted person. He enjoyed playing jokes on people and also had many friends. Harry loved to draw and was very artistic.
Harry was killed in a tragic accident on May 10,2002, when he was involved in an car pedestrian accident in Grand Forks, ND. Funeral services were held in Grand Forks, ND and interment was made at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. He is buried beside his parents.
Herman S. and Rodi (Weum) Johnson
Herman S. Johnson was born on September 23, 1871 to Martin and Caroline Johnson in Freeborn County, Minnesota. He came with his parents as a child to Norman County, where he remained the rest of his life. Herman and four brothers; Adolph, Johanes, Ferdenant and Oscar. He also had five sisters; Sophia, Lovisa, Josephine, Mathilda and Helena.
Rodi Kristina Weum was born on May 4, 1881 to Andrew Ragnoldson and Gertude Sjrusdatter (Stundahl) Weum at Albert Lea, Minnesota. She came to Norman County as a child with her parents.
She had five brothers; Severt, Christian, Edwin, Theodore and Alfred.
Herman and Rodi were married on June 14, 1905. They lived in the Flom area and it was here they raised their family of ten children. Herman farmed and also did carpenter work in the Flom area. Rodi kept at home raising their 10 children. They were; George C.A. , Sophia and Clara, Sophia C., Mervin, Rose, Gertrude, Mabel, Stella and Edwin. All of their children were born at Flom except George C.A. Johnson, he was born at Lake Park , Mn.
Herman died on November 27, 1955 and Rodi passed away on March 29, 1957. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
James and Beverly (Narum) Johnson
Beverly was baptized at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn and confirmed at Gary Lutheran Church,
Gary , Mn. After graduation from Gary High School she married James Johnson on June 29, 1949 at Gary, Mn. Beverly and James owned their own business and raised their three children. Keith James was born on January 5, 1950, Dale Bradley was born on February 25, 1952 and Ross Allen was born on December 16, 1953. They reside in Engelwood, Florida.
Kenneth Johnson
Kenneth was born to Ole and Eline Johnson on Dec 1913. He grew up on the family farm 1/2 mile south of Flom. He worked for various farmers during his life. Kenneth enjoyed gardening and loved to work in his garden. He showed great pride in his vegetables. Kenneth was a avid hunter and trapper. He spent many hours walking his trap lines to see what his efforts brought. He trapped mostly Muskrat and Mink around the area. He enjoyed deer hunting with a great passion. Many stories can be told about Kenneth and his love for the outdoors by others who hunted with him. The night before the big deer hunting season Kenneth slept very little, the anticipation of the hunting season kept him in high gear and on many occasions he told of washing his floors at 3 AM. He was always ready when we came to pick him up. No matter how ill Kenneth was in the fall of the year he would always spring back for the deer season. He taught me as a youngster (Jennifer Dorseth Klemetson) the skills needed to hunt. I became hunting at the age of 8 and would tag along with Kenneth through the trees and sloughs. He didn't like to sit on post. I had a very special bond with Kenneth and it was from him that I received my nickname George which still sticks to this day. It was after my Grandpa Henry died that I started to call Kenneth Grandpa which seemed to tickle him. Kenneth lived on the family farm south of Flom until the 1980's when he entered the Moorhead Health Care Center in Moorhead. Here he lived until his death on October 24th, 1999. Kenneth is survived by one sister Inger Cooper who lives in Moorhead, MN with her daughter Carole.
Lawrence Julius Johnson
Lawrence was born on December 30, 1913, one of a set of twins born to Ole and Eline Johnson at Flom, Mn, the other being Kenneth Johnson. Lawrence was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. He attended elementary schools and grew up around Flom, in section 33 of Flom township.
He was inducted into the armed services on his country on September 15, 1942 at Ft. Snelling, Minnesota and was honorably discharged from Camp Carson, Colorado, on May 31, 1945. He had been attached to the 8th General Hospital there. He served overseas in the Pacific Ocean area, much of it in New Caledonia.
Lawrence never married.
For many years he was employed with the Foss Lumber Company in Moorhead, Mn and more recently he was a resident of the Americana Nursing Home in Moorhead.
Lawrence passed away on Wednesday night, September 14, 1977 at the age of 63 years. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn with interment in the church cemetery.
Mabel (Ommodt) Johnson
Mabel worked for several years in the creamery in Hawley, Mn, and also several years at the bank in Hawley before moving to Tacoma, WA. In Tacoma, she worked as a bookkeeper until her retirement. She passed away in 1983.
Melvin and Genevieve (Rue) Johnson
Melvin (Mike) B Johnson was born on June 17th, 1909 to Warner and Inez (Aasgaard) Johnson. He had three brothers Wilford, Alvin and Carrol and one sister Bernice (Swenson).
Genevieve (Genny) Rue was born to Henry and Mabel (Gunderson) Rue.
Mike and Genny lived in Flom in the Former Narum house in section 33 of Flom Township. Here they raised their four children.
Sharon (Tourville) lived in Chandler Arizona and is now deceased.
Gary lies in Brooklyn Park, Mn,
Diane married Harold Arends and they live in Inner Grove Heights, Mn and
Keith married Sue Mertens of Ogema where they live.
Mike had his own mechanic shop in Flom. Genny worked at the Flom Cafe and Flom VFW for many years before moving to Detroit Lakes, Mn in the 1980's.
All of Mike and Genny's children were baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. They are all graduates of Twin Valley High School, Twin Valley, Mn.
Mervin and Clarice (Brateng) Johnson
Mervin Fred Johnson was born on September 1, 1910, to Herman and Rodi Johnson. Clarice Brateng was born on July 25, 1922 to Morris and Astrid Bratgeng near Wannaska, Minnesota. He married Clarice Brateng on August 12, 1944 at Crookston, Mn Clarice had three brothers; Earl, Dean, and Ernest and three sisters; Irene (Osell), Marion (Haugen) and Lila (Alten). Mervin and Clarice lived in Twin Valley, Mn. They were the parents of one daughter; Renae who was born on March 31, 1947.
Mervin passed away on November 5, 2001 and Clarice on December 14, 1998. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Nels and Anna (Ronning ) Johnson
Nels O. Johnson was born on December 15, 1897 to Haakon and Gjertrud Johnson. Haaken was born in Norway, and immigrated to the United States. After coming to American he went by Henry. He died on July 26, 1938 and is buried at Aspelund. Gjertrude was also born on Norway and came to the United States. She died on January 21, 1945 at East Grand Forks, Mn and is buried at Aspelund. Nels had one brother Wilhelem.
Anna Ronning was born to Ole and Ronnaug Ronning on September 6, 1905 in Norway. She came to this country along with her parents.
After Nels and Anna were married they settled down in Section 33 of Flom Township were they raised their family. They lived on the cart trail 1/4 miles south of Flom and 1/4 mile west. The house still stands to this day along the trail. It was here that Nels and Anna raised their family of eleven children. Nels was well known in the Flom area for his large garden. He sold vegetables to local people. He was also a excellent hunter and trapper.
Lillian Johnson lived in Seattle Washington, she is deceased and buried at Seattle.
Roy Gordon, was born on February 28, 1929 and grew up at Flom. He went to school at Flom and worked for area farmers. He was a Veteran of the Korean War, having served in Korea, he was a Pvt HQ Col BN 65 Inf. Roy died on November 15, 1967 and is buried at Aspelund.
Johnny Stanley, was born on June 29, 1932. He grew up by Flom and attended school in Flom. He worked for area farmers and then worked for a elevator company in North Dakota. He served in the US Army as a Cpl., during the Korean War, he died at the age of 55 in the VA Medical Center in Tacoma, WA. He died on April 12, 1988 and is buried at Aspelund. Flom Mn.
(The women pictured are the mother’s of Nels and Anna)
Violet attended school in Flom and also at Twin Valley High School. She worked for H.B. Olson at his store in Flom. She married Herbert Schroeder, and they have one adopted son Herbert Jr. Herbert served in the navy during Work War II. He is deceased and is buried at Mahnomen East Cemetery.
Vivian grew up by Flom and attended school in Flom and graduated from Twin Valley High School. She married Jerome Anker of Flom in June 1955. They have three children; Jerry Dean, Debbie Buchholz and Sandy is married to Greg Pulczinski.
(The man in the picture is Hawken Johnson)
Darlene grew up by Flom and attended school in Flom, graduating from Twin Valley High School. She married Tom Griffen and lives at Hazen, ND. She has three children;
Dodie, who is married to Arliss Maas. They have 3 children, Clifton, Sadie and Collin.
Denise, who is married to Dale Oestreich. They have 2 children, Dusty Rose and Olivia.
Blake Griffin who is not married.
Harry grew up by Flom and went to school in Twin Valley where he graduated. He and his wife Karen have two children; Jodi and Karri. (See Harry Johnson)
Dennis grew up by Flom (twin to Donald) and graduated from Twin Valley High School. He worked for area farmers. He served his country during the Viet Nam War and is a Veteran. He married Sharon Gunderson on September 13, 1975. They have three children Aaron married to Josie Nelson of Gary, Mn. Dennis Jr. and his wife Barbara live at Grand Forks, ND and Derek lives in Fargo and is employed there.
Donald grew up at Flom,(twin to Dennis) he went to school in Twin Valley. He is a Veteran of the Viet Nam War, having served his country. He and his wife Sharon live at Grand Forks, ND. He is employed by a bottling Company as a route salesman. They have two boys.
Rita grew up by Flom and went to school at Twin Valley where she graduated from High School. She married David Ladoricer and they have three children. They reside in Carpenter Wyoming.
Renae Alice Johnson was born on March 31, 1947, the youngest child of Nels and Anna lived at home with her parents until their deaths. She then lived in Fergus Falls, Mn until moving to Ada, Mn where she lives at the REM Group Homes.
Ole and Eline (Jacobson) Johnson
Ole Johnson was born on June 19th, 1871, in Venstra, Gulbrandsdalen, Norway to Johan and Elizabeth (Kultrud) Johnson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith in his native land, Norway. He left for America when he was 19 years old, coming directly to Flom, Mn. Where he has resided every since.
Ole came to his untimely death as he was struck by a car just as he entered the highway directly east of his home. Death was instant. The community extends to the bereaved their most sincere sympathy in this grief. This has been very evident by the many kindnesses shown during the days that have elapsed since the tragedy. Many people were unable to get into the church as so many turned out to pay their last respects
Ole had two brothers; Paul and Osten and six sisters; Karen, Ragna and Ana were born and died in Norway, Mrs. John Brenden, Sina (Oien) and Ronnaug (Ronning).
Eline Jacobson was born on September 3, 1881 in Flom Township to Knut and Anne (Fossen) Jacobson. She had three sisters: Gina, Julia Ovida, Clara and two brothers; Albert and Edwin. She grew up in the Flom area in section 34.
Ole and Eline were married on February 11th, 1899 and made their home in section 33 of Flom Township. (The building site is currently owned by David and Christina Lien). It was here they raised their thirteen children.
Their first born child Sophia died as a child. It is said that she is buried at Aspelund in the family plot.
Cora was born on March 3rd, 1899. She married William Johnson, son of Haakon Johnson. William (Wilhelm) was born on December 28th, 1886. He had one brother Nels. they had two children. Evelyn and Marlin. Cora died on March 31st, 1946 and William died on December 15th, 1976, they are both buried at Aspelund, Flom, Mn.
Selma was born on February 9th, 1901. She married Ernest Moore. Ernest was born on August 21st, 1896. The Moore’s were the parents of three children; Ethyl (Mundt), Alice (Metson) and Alvin Orville he was born on August 11th, 1922 and died on July 31st, 1926. He is buried at Aspelund, Flom, Mn.
Selma and Ernest lived in Fargo, ND. Where he worked for Doyle Cab in Fargo, ND. After his death Selma moved to El
Monte, California where she resided until her death. They are both buried at Aspelund, Flom, Mn. Selma died on March 28th, 1967 and Ernest on March 20th, 1943.
Julia (Inanda) was born on April 24th, 1903. She married Julian Herman Sandal on June 18th, 1921. Julian was a salesman for Swift Co. and they lived east of Syre. Julia moved to Moorhead, Mn where she worked for St. Ansgar Hospital in Moorhead in the housekeeping department. She loved to come back to Flom and stay on the home farm while her brother Kenneth was living there. They had one son Owen Julian who was born on September 16th, 1939. Owen married Judy McGurran in South Dakota, they were the parents of two children. Laurie Julia was born on December 7th, 1958 and Jay Owen was born on August 1, 1968. Owen was a business manager at a Jr. College in Coon Rapids, Mn up until the time of his death on January 5th, 1976. Julian, Julia (Inanda) and Owen are all buried at Aspelund, Flom, Mn.
Alma was born in 1904, she married Harry Helstrand and they were the parents of two children; Helen and Raymond.
Mabel was born in 1909, she married Herman Paulson and they were the parents of three children; Delores, Charles and David.
Myrtle Ovidia was born on June 17th, 1907 and died on May 9th, 1917, she is buried at Aspelund, Flom, MN.
Alice Valborg was born on December 8th, 1911 and died on June 2nd, 1924, she is buried at Aspelund, Flom, Mn.
Edwin Selmer was born on March 25th, 1912 and died on December 18th, 1918, he is buried at Aspelund, Flom, Mn.
Lawrence Julius was born on December 30, 1913, one of a set of twins born to Ole and Eline Johnson at Flom, Mn, the other being Kenneth Johnson. Lawrence was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. He attended elementary schools and grew up around Flom, in section 33 of Flom township.
He was inducted into the armed services on his country on September 15, 1942 at Ft. Snelling, Minnesota and was honorably discharged from Camp Carson, Colorado, on May 31, 1945. He had been attached to the 8th General Hospital there. He served overseas in the Pacific Ocean area, much of it in New Caledonia. Lawrence never married.
For many years he was employed with the Foss Lumber Company in Moorhead, Mn and more recently he was a resident of the Americana Nursing Home in Moorhead. Lawrence passed away on Wednesday night, September 14, 1977 at the age of 63 years. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn with interment in the church cemetery.
Kenneth Alvin was born on December 30, 1913 (twin). See Kenneth Johnson.
Inger was born in 1916, she married Carl Johnson and they had one daughter Carole. Inger lives in Moorhead with her daughter Carole. She is the only surviving child of Ole and Eline at the time this book is being published.
Helen Marie was born and died the same day in Fargo, ND. It is said that she is buried at Aspelund in the family plot.
Ole and Eline lived their lives just a half mile south of Flom. It was here they raised their children. After their deaths their son Kenneth remained on the home place.
Ole died on August 29th, 1939 and Eline died on January 20th, 1951 they are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Peter and Clara (Flaten) Johnson
Peter Lundgren Johnson, known as Pete, was born on June 30, 1879, in Malmo, Sweden, and came to the United States in 1899. Sometime before 1900, a feed mill had been established by a Mr. Irish in the town of Flom where the Flom Post Office is now located. It was later operated by a Mr. Solee and Haakon Hanson. In 1908, Pete Johnson took over the shop and was the town blacksmith for many years. He had previously been a blacksmith in Ulen, Minnesota, before marrying and coming to farm in Section 29 of Flom Township.
Clara Maria Flaten, daughter of Christoffer and Margaret Flaten, was born on April 6, 1886, in Section 29 of Flom Township. She had rheumatic fever as a child which left her
with a leaky heart valve. She died of heart failure at the age of 45, leaving six young children. Clara was a wonderful wife and mother, working very hard to care for her large family despite her health problems. She was a dressmaker and sewed most of her four daughters' dresses as long as she was able.
Peter and Clara were married on December 26, 1911, in Twin Valley, Minnesota. Clara passed away on November 17. 1931, and is buried in the Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery. Peter's death came on October 3, 1966; and he is also buried in the Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Elna Margaret Johnson, born on October 4, 1912, was the oldest child of Peter and Clara. She married John Lorentzen in 1947, and they made their home in the Flom area. Following John's death, Elna moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she married John Banbur. Following John Banbur's death, she moved to Montana to be near her only child, Marion Johnson. She now makes her home in Cascade, Montana. Marion married Shirley Bickel of Ulen, Minnesota; and they had three children, Sherie, Randy and Tammie. Marion and Shirley took over the family farm of his grandfather and lived there for a few years before moving to Montana where he worked for many years as a welder for the Anaconda Mining Company.
Hilda Idella Johnson was born on February 26, 1914. She attended high school in Fargo, North Dakota, staying with her aunt and uncle, Nels and Inga Skauge, while working for her room and board. After high school graduation, she started nurse's training at St. Ansgar's Hospital in Moorhead, Minnesota, and graduated as a Registered Nurse. She did nursing in several places in Fargo and Moorhead hospitals and also in Montana. In 1943, Hilda enlisted in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant and worked as an army nurse during World War II. She served in hospitals in England and behind the war front in France. After the war and her marriage to Quentin Starren of Warroad, Minnesota, she continued her nursing career at Norfolk, Virginia. Hilda and Quentin had one child, Diane, and made their home in Chula Vista, California. Hilda passed away in California in March 2002.
Kora Pauline Johnson was born on January 4, 1916. She graduated from high school in Waubun, Minnesota, and worked at Herbst Department Store and as a dining room hostess at the Graver Hotel, both in Fargo, North Dakota. She later moved to Great Falls, Montana, where she married
Richard Nitschke. They had two children, Jon and Dennis. Kora passed away in Great Falls, Montana, in October 1996.
Arnold Lester Johnson was born on March 8, 1918. He graduated from high school in Waubun, Minnesota. Arnold was among the first from the Flom area to be drafted into the U.S. Army in 1940 at the beginning of World War II. He served as a heavy artillery soldier on the European Front until the end of World War II in 1946. Arnold lived in Venice, California, until his death there in 1981.
Ruby Elvira Johnson was born on October 30, 1920. She graduated from high school in Waubun, Minnesota, and later married Joseph Lorentzen of Lake Park, Minnesota, where they farmed the Lorentzen family farm. Their three children are Richard, David and John. Ruby continues to make her home on the farm near Lake Park with her son, John.
Milford Dayton Johnson was born on October 10, 1925. He attended high school in Waubun, Minnesota, and was drafted into the U.S. Army and served in the States. He later lived in Long Beach, California, for many years where he was a painter and maintenance repair man. Milford passed away in California in October 2001.
Submitted by Kathleen Olson Solseth
Rolland and Bonnie (Nohr) Johnson
Rolland "Peanuts" Johnson was born on February 24, 1942 to August and Erma (Habedank) Johnson at Twin Valley, Mn. He grew up and attended school there graduating from High School in 1960. He then went to Moorhead State University where he graduated in 1966 with a teaching degree.
Rollie and Bonnie were married on January 30, 1965 at Gary Lutheran Church, Gary, Mn. They first made their home in Moorhead then lived near Waubun, Mn, where Rollie taught school from 1966 until 1971. They left the Waubun area and moved to Monticello, Mn where Rollie taught school for three years. They came back to the Waubun area where Rollie taught until 1982. They purchased land in section 19 of Flom township in 1976 and made their home there.
Rollie also worked part time in his own business, Johnson TV and Repair. He quit teaching in 1982 and focused on his business full time until his death.
Rollie was a member of Aspelund Lutheran church, where he served on church council, board of education, and was also a Sunday school teacher. He was also a member of the Flom League of Men and Flom Area Lion’s Club. Bonnie was also active in the church having taught Sunday School and on the ALCW. Bonnie worked at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley.
Rollie passed away on Wednesday, December 29, 1994 after a courageous battle with cancer. His love for music and the Lord was shown up until his death.
Rollie and Bonnie are the parents of three children; Kelly (Johnson), Scott and Matthew.
Scott Johnson
Scott Daniel Johnson was born on July 2, 1968 in Mahnomen, Minnesota to Rolland and Bonnie (Nohr) Johnson. He first lived in Waubun, Mn and started school there. His family then moved to a home east of Twin Valley, Mn when he was eight years old. This is where he was raised on the east side of section 19 of Flom township across the road from Immanuel Lutheran Church. He was confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, and graduated from Twin Valley High School with the class of 1987. In high school Scott was involved in music and found a great enjoyment in fishing, reading.
After graduation Scott entered the military service in the Army National Guard and in the spring of 1989 he entered the US Army. He was trained in the infantry and stationed in Germany during the Persian Gulf War. After his honorable discharge in 1993, he returned to Twin Valley, Mn.
Scott was married to Heather Bueng (divorced) and they are the parents of one son; Bryce. Scott especially treasured the time he spent with his son, and was a devoted father.
Scott worked at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn from 1994 as a nurses aide until his death, after a short battle with cancer. He was a well liked and respected co-worker and loved by the residents there.
Scott died on April 3, 2002 in the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, with interment at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.
Warner and Inez (Aasgaard) Johnson
Warner Johnson was born in Springfield, Wisconsin, not sure when he came to Minnesota. He married Inez Aaasgaard at Twin Valley in 1908. They made their home and farmed in Norman County. Warner and Inez had 5 children;
Melvin, married Genevieve Rue and they had 4 children;
Bernice, married John Swenson and they had 2 sons;
Walter died at an early age;
Alvin, married Edna Raad and they had 8 children;
Wilfred never married as far as we know; and
Carrol married Sylvia Barker and they had 2 children.
Wilfred is the only living child and resides in Sterling, Illinois. Inez became ill and passed away in 1936, leaving Warner to raise the 2 younger boys. For a time they lived with their sister, Bernice, and later went back to live with their father.
Melvin was a mechanic in the Flom area, Bernice married John Swenson and farmed in Norman County, Alvin lived around the Ada/Beltrami area and worked with machinery, Wilfred, after service, moved to Illinois and worked in the factory there, and Carrol made a career in the military. After Warner retired, he moved to Arlington, Virginia, where he lived with his son Carrol. He passed away in 1959 at Arlington, Virginia and is buried in Syre Cemetery by Twin Valley, Minnesota.
Edwin A. Kaushagen
Edwin was born to Hans and Maren (Roen) Kaushagen in 1894 in Clay County, Mn. He moved with his parents to Flom Twp in 1903 where he has lived since. Edwin died in 1914 as a result of a automobile accident which occurred on the previous Monday. The young man was not quite twenty-one years of age and had a large number of friends in this vicinity.
Hans H. and Maren (Roen) Kaushagen
Hans was born on October 18, 1851 in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway to Hans and Bertha Kaushagen. He immigrated with his parents to America when he was five years old. They first settled in Wisconsin for a short time before moving to Fillmore County, Mn.
Maren was born on September 27, 1851 in Norway. She came to American in 1867, where she first settled in Fillmore county, Mn.
Hans and Maren were married in 1874, in Fountain, Mn. They stayed in Fillmore County until 1882, when they packed up their belongings and head Clay county, where they lived by Borup. In 1903 they came to Norman County, Flom Township. Here they lived and raised their family.
Hans and Maren were the parents of seven children; Henry, Anton, Eli, Melvin, Edwin A., Hannah (see Ludvig and Hannah Korsgaden) and Lena (Ole Solberg).
Kindseth family
The Kindseth family starts with Mads Ertsgaard who was born about 1550. It is know that he paid the land tax on the Ertsgaard farm in 1590. He farmed until 1615. Little else is know of Mads, other than he had a son, Ola.
Ola Madsen Ertsgaard was born around 1585. He farmed during the years 1619-1642. He was married and had a son; Sverke.
Sverke Olsen Ertsgaard was born in 1605. His father let him begin to run the farm in 1632, and he is mentioned as being a farmer until 1672. He was named as a member of a jury in 1671.
Mads Sverkson Ertsgaard was born in 1624 and died in 1724. He lived to be 100 years and one month old. Mads married Anne Kjerbergsdtr Havdal. They were the parents of seven children, on of those children was Sverk Madsen Ertsgaard, who later moved to the Bjorken Farm.
Sverk Madsen Bjorken was born in 1669 and died in 1761. He received the deed to the Bjorken farm in 1704, and moved there in 1705. He married Anne Eilifsdtr Rodde. They had five daughters and two sons. One of those daughters was Anne Sverksdatter Bjorken.
Anna Sverksdatter Bjorken was born in 1720 and died in 1767. She married Ander Larsen Staurset from Hebra in 1744. They were the parents of three children; the oldest son being Lars Andersen, who later moved to the Kleven farm.
Lars Andersen Kleven was born in 1747 and died in 1786. He obtained the deed to the Kleven farm in Hegra in 1774 from his father, who had bought it at an auction. He married Gudlaug Johnsdtr Mona in 1774. She was a widow, her first husband being Markus Borstad. Lars and Gudlaug’s second son Anders Larsen Kleven received the deed to half of the farm in 1813.
Anders Larsen Kleven was born in 1782 and died in 1842 or 1849, the date is unclear. He married Mali Pettersdtr on June 1, 1809. Mali was born in 1778 and died in 1856. Their third son was Petter Andersen Kleven, who moved to the Kindseth farm in Stjordal.
Peter Andersen Kleven moved to the Kindseth farm and took Kindseth as his name. He was born on August 28, 1814 on the Kleven farm in Hegra. He married Marit (Martha) Johnsdtr Skulborstad on June 14, 1838. Marit was born on June 14, 1838. They were the parents of eight children; Mali, Marit, Anne, John, Anders, Serine, Peter and Magnus.
The Kindseth farm near Stordal in the year 1865 totaled about 40 acres, of which about 20 were tillable. This was a very small farm to feed a family of eight children. Their livestock in 1865 (from the land register) consisted of 1 horse, 6 cows, and 16 sheep. The taxable value of the land was $1,390. The reason why so many people immigrated from Norway in the late 1800’s was economic. Especially after the Civil War years, poor conditions in Norway and the availability of cheap and good farming land in America caused many to leave their homeland.
The oldest son John left for American in 1866. He arrived in Goodhue Co. Mn. In the future years he helped his brothers and sisters become established in the United States, as each of them settled in Goodhue Co. (Belle Creek) for some time. Peter and Marit Kindseth were the parents of eight children; Mali, Marit, Anne, John, Anders, Serine, Peter and Magnus. Mali was born in 1839, she married Hagen (Hilaunte) Hilan and had six children; of which two were Anna and Hans. Anna married Lars Gjemse, they had six children; Harold, Clara (Johnson), Minda, Louis, Rueben and one other daughter. Hans married and had five children; Henry, Orban, Mabel (Balsco), Leonard, George and there was one half sister Emily Mattson.
Marit (see Anders and Marit Hoseth)
Anne (see Anne and Hans Johnson Kindseth family).
John (Joseph) married Mette Froyum (aunt of Mrs. Martin Hoseth). They were the parents of six children; Martin, Anna (Frigaard), Julia (Rostad), Sophie (Peterson), Helen (Grover) and Clara (Hilan).
Anders was born in 1848 and died in 1919. He married Sara Johnsdtr and they had two children; John and Martin.
Serine was born in 1851, she married C. Jackson and they were the parents of six children; three sons of which we don’t know the names.
The three daughters were; Anna, Clara (Hendrickson) and Emily. They lived in the Albert Lea area.
Peter (See Peter and Olive Kindseth)
Magnus was born in 1857 and never married. He farmed in the Twin Valley area by Peter Kindseth’s.
Anne and Hans Johnson Kindseth Family
Anne was the daughter of Peter and Marit Kindseth. Anne married Hans Johnson. She died in 1864 while on the ocean. Anne and Hans had one son, John, he was raised as by the Kindseth’s and took the Kindseth name. John (Johnson) Kindseth married Oline Tangmo. They were the parents of seven children; Herman, Julia, Manda, Oscar, Hilda, Mabel, and Joseph.
Herman never married.
Julia was born in 1898 and died in 1979. She married George Tranholt. They were the parents of two children; Kenneth and Delores.
Manda was born in 1902. She married Louis Kaste and they are the parents of three children; Ione, Mardell, and Robert
Oscar married Myrtle Olson and they are the parents of one daughter; Vivian and two sons: Vernon and Douglas. Vivian married Hilbert Satrom and they are the parents of five children; Vonnie, Michael, Kevin, Cindy and Debbie.
Hilda was born in 1910. She married Hartvig Kvidt they they were the parents of four children; Helen, Lowell, Judean, Claudia.
Mabel was born in 1912. She married Leonard Slette and they had three children; Marvin (see Frank and Louise Hamernik under Helen),
Olive (Krebsbach) and Theodora (Klemetson).
Joseph married Devoil Gill, there are the parents of two children; Rose Oline and John.
Peter and Olive (Mahre) Kindseth Family
Peter was born in 1853 to Peter and Marit Kindseth, he died in 1953. He married Olive Mahre. They had seven children; Peder, Olga (Huseby), Annie (Martell), Martin, Magnus, Mary (Larson) and Julia (Erickson). They lived in the Twin Valley, Mn area.
Peder and Mary Olson Kindseth
Peder married Mary Olson, they were the parents of two daughters; Olga and Mildred. Olga, who married Herbert Sulerud. They had four children, Jerome (dec), David, Janice and one other daughter. Mildred married a man by the last name of Wetner
Millard and Lourena (Erickson) Kjos
Millard Kjos was born in 1910 near Faith, Mn to Ole and Manda (Norby) Kjos. Millard’s mother died when he was very young, so he lived with an aunt and uncle; Ida and Albert Peterson.
Lourena Margaret Erickson was born on December 6, 1908 near Ulen, Mn to Oscar and Ada (LaFayette) Erickson. She graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1925 and attended teacher’s training in Ada, graduating in 1926.
After graduating she taught school at Sunny Hill in Flom Township, and in Becker County, Lincoln School in Mahnomen and at the Jensen School.
Lourena married Millard Orlander Kjos on December 26, 1933 at the Wild Rice Lutheran Parsonage, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
The couple made their home in Popple Grove township, where they were active in farming. Millard died on July 31, 1962. After his death Lourena continued to operate the farm until the late 1970’s when she moved into Twin Valley, Mn.
They were member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, where Lourena was a active member of the Ruth circle and the Ladies Aid. Lourena died on August 25, 1996 at Twin Valley. Millard and Lourena are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
They were the parents of five children; Marvin, Earl, Shirley (Rea), Marilyn (Day) and Linda (Wayne Pudwill)
Hans and Olga (Kindseth ) Huseby
Olga the second child born to Peter and Olive married Hans Huseby. They had three children; Herbert, Paula, never married and Alice (Altermat)
Ed and Annie (Kindseth) Martel
Annie married Ed Martel and they were the parents of six children; Leonard, Olive, Edward, Clara, Anna and Henry.
Leonard, who died in the service.
Olive who married Calmer Pederson and they had five children; Lavonne (Voltz), she had two children; Terrie and Shellie. Kenneth married and had two children; Rebecca and Neela. Luanne and Arvid and Arlin (twins). Arvid who married Diane Portz and they reside in Twin Valley,
They are the parents of Steven, Brian, and Crystal. Arlin married Carol Portz and they reside in Twin Valley with their family.
Edward married and had two children Brian and Loren.
Clara married Squire and had two children; Fredrick and Wendy (Mellem).
Anna married Keevle and had one child Harold.
Henry married and had three children; Carol, David and Heather (David Peterson).
Martin Kindseth
Martin Kindseth was born to Peter and Marit Kindseth. He never married.
Magnus and Charlotte (Bjerkley) Kindseth
Magnus was born to Peter and Marit Kindseth. He married Charlotte Bjerkley and they were the parents of eight children. Adeline, Howard, Orin, Marly, Francis, Lloyd, Donald and Pearl.
Adeline married Wallace Waller and they were the parents of five children; Waldo, Kim, Mark, Brian and Daria.
Howard married Camilla Severtson. They were the parents of five children; Rosline (Lene), Larry, Bruce, Douglas, and Heather (David Peterson).
Orin married Ruth Peterson and they are the parents of Connie, Kevin, Richard, Michael and Curtis.
Marlys married Morris Stephenson and they are the parents of four children; Barbara, Phillip (deceased), Hazel (Lloyd Thompson), and Linda (see Gary and Linda Lunde).
Francis married Jean Weum and they are the parents of one child; Drew.
Lloyd married Joyce Horn and they are the parents of one child; Lauren
Donald died in the service
Pearl died at a early age.
Mary (Kindseth) and Melvin Larson
Mary Kindseth married Melvin Larson and they were the parents of four children; Manford, Loris, Loraaine and Allen.
Manford who married Myrtle Lien. They are the parents of Marion who married Larry Narum and had two children; Mark and Lisa. Marlene married C. Knutson and had four children; Randy, Clinton, Lori (Byron Thronson) and Roger.
Loris married Maxine Hovelson and they had five children; Myron (who married Norma Jean Olson), Donna, Lisa, Elizabeth and one son.
Lorraine married Arnold Bjorge and they have one child Daryold.
Allen married Gregerson and they have six children; Robbin, Debbie, Judy, Becky, Donald and David.
Julia (Kindseth) and Carl Erickson
Julia Kindseth married Carl Erickson and had eight children; Edwin, Sander, Keith, Clarice (who married a Olson and had eight children; Carolyn, Eldon, Myron, Sharon, Evelyn, Loren and Darlene). Milo married and had five children; Ingrid, Marty, Wayne, Douglas and Grant.Violet married a Voje. Obert married and had two children; Koreen and Lee Ann. Esther married Danielson and had two children; Susan and George.
Carl Kirkeby
Carl Kirkeby was born on July 28, 1873, in Winnesheik county, Iowa. He came with his parents to the Flom area in 1876 and they settled in section 20 of Flom township. Carl died on March 8, 1923 at his home in Flom township after a two and a half year illness, the cause of his death being anemia.
Carl had two sisters; Julia ( H. Amlien) , Johanna (Thorvold Thorson) and three brothers; Albert, Ole and Lewis, and two infant siblings. He never married. He is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Kari-Jo Kirkeby
Kari-Jo Lynn Kirkeby was born on March 2, 1962 at Bagley, Mn. She reached the age of 6 years, 6 months and 4 days when Leukemia claimed her life. She had battled the illness for about two years.
Kari-Jo was the daughter of Mr and Mrs Douglas Kirkeby of Glencoe. She lived at Clearbrook Minnesota with her family and was baptized on April 29, 1962 at First Lutheran Church. In 1966 the family moved to Glencoe where Douglas is a member of the Glencoe Public School faculty, being Senior High School Counselor. Kari-Jo attended Lincoln Elementary School where she completed kindergarten last fall.
Funeral services were held at Christ Lutheran Church of Glencoe with interment at Mount Auburn Cemetery, Glencoe.
Lewis and Clara (Rue) Kirkeby
Lewis was born on November 13, 1891 in Flom Township, Norman County, Mn, to Martin and Berte (Amlien) Kirkeby. He was raised on the family farm which his parents had homestead on in 1887. He was the youngest child of Martin and Berte. He attended rural school at Woodland Nook and was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley. Lewis loved to listen to Baseball games on the radio and was an avid fan.
Clara Rue was born on June 7, 1892 to Per and Gunnhild (Gronlie) Rue, at Ulen, Mn. She attended rural schools in the area. Clara loved to sew and was also noted for her love of baking.
Clara and Lewis were married on November 28, 1914 at Lake Park, Mn. In 1919 they purchased the family farm in section 20 of Flom township, from his parents Martin and Berte Kirkeby, and took up residence there. Here they farmed the land and were active in the community and church.
Lewis and Clara remained on the home place until 1958 when they retired from farming and turned it over to their son Milton and his wife Esther. Milton and Esther had been living just a few miles away in section 8 of Flom township, Nick and Jean Revier currently live here.
Besides being engaged in farming for over 45 years, Lewis was a member of the Wild Rice Electric Board of which he was on the first board of directors, a past president of the Flom Co-op Creamery Board, and the Flom Mutual Fire Insurance Co., he also served on the rural school board and Flom township board, and on the Church Board. Clara spent many years as Sunday School teacher and was a member of the Homemaker's Club. She was also active in 4-H.
Lewis passed away on January 5, 1972 at the age of 92. Clara remained living in Twin Valley until her death on March 4, 1985. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Lewis and Clara were the parents of six children; Gilma (Orrin Swenson), Milton, who later purchased the farm from his father. Lloyd, Vernon and twin sons; Douglas and Darrell.
Gilma married Charles Orin Swenson. They were the parents of Phyllis, Carol and Roger. Phyllis (Bruce Nuros, deceased). They had two children; Kris and Kelly. Carol (Stan Geriger), they have two children, Sarah and John. Roger has two children; Heather and Jasmine.
Lloyd married Helen Knoll of Mandan, ND. They are the parents of Lynnette ( Fritz Koppe), Arlen, Dennis (deceased and buried at Hereford Tx), Allen and Dolus.
Vernon married Gladys Jacobson of Ulen, Mn. they are the parents of one daughter Sandra (Larry Helgeson) of Ortonville, Mn.
Douglas married Twyla Brouer from Leeds ND. Douglas is deceased and buried at Glencoe, Mn. They are the parents of Kari Jo (see Kari Jo Kirkeby) and Kevin who resides in Rochester, Mn.
Darrell and his wife Sharon are the parents of three children; Tracie, Jay and Robbie.
Milton and Esther (Johnson) Kirkeby
Milton took over farming operation when his father retired in 1958. Here Milton and Esther raised their family of three children; Myrna, Doyle and David. Milton and Esther were both active in the community and church, having served on various boards.
In the fall of 2001 Milton and Esther moved off the family farm and in April of 2002 they held an auction sale. The building site was then sold to Roger and Kris Hamernik.
Myrna married Jim Skaurud and they have two daughters; Jennifer and Cindy.Jim and Myrna reside in rural Twin Valley, Mn.
David married Karen Kurpius, and they have two daughters, Tami and Kari. David and Karen reside at Thief River Falls, Mn.
Doyle married Marilyn Murray of Waubun, Mn and they are the parents of four children; Denise, Renee, Michael, and Thomas. They reside in the Minneapolis/St Paul area.
Martin and Berte (Anderson Amlien) Kirkeby
Martin Olson was born on June 24, 1850, (there is some confusion on his date of birth as it is also the possibility of July 7). He was born at Kirkebyhaugen, which is near Hakadal in Akershus County, Norway. His parents were Ole Olson and Marthe Carine (Karine) Larsdatter. When he was four years old, in 1854 he left Norway with his parents, a 11 year old half-brother, Jens Christian; and his baby brother Anton. They began the long ocean voyage to America. His mother Karine, and presumably his brother, Anton, died of illness on the ship before reaching Quebec, Canada, where the Norwegians immigrating to American in 1854 landed. (Per Vesterheim Gen. Center, Madison, WI) After their arrival his father, along with his two sons traveled to the United States, first to Wisconsin. Here they remained for a couple of years, then they moved on to Glenwood township in Winneshiek County, Iowa, where they would locate near many other Norwegian immigrant families.
Martin’s father Ole remarried before 1860 to a lady named Magnild, who was 12 years older than Ole. She took on the responsibility of raising Martin and Jens. The boys worked on the farm and attended school and church when possible as most children of their time and background did. Martin is still shown as living with his father and step mother in the 1870 census as a farm laborer, and was using the name Kirkeby, the name of the village or farm from which they had left in Norway. Jens (John) took on the name of Olson.
Berte (Bertha) Anderson Amlien was born on August 18, 1848, in Vestre Toten, Oppland County, Norway. She came to the United states with her parents (possibly Peter and Ragnild Anderson but not proven) in 1870 and settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa. After a short stay in Wisconsin, her family joined the Washington Prairie Congregation where the Kirkeby's were already members. This is where Bertha and Martin met and on November 26, 1872, they took out a marriage license. They were married on December 7, 1972 by Rev. Vilhelm Koren, pastor of that congregation.
Four years after they were married they set out for the new west, arriving in Norman county where they homesteaded the farm stead that has been in his home since. ( The Kirkeby farm was sold in April 2002 to Roger and Kris Hamernik who are currently remodeling the home and hope to move in by August).
Here they shared the pioneer days both in building up a home and in building the community and church.
Bertha passed away on April 23, 1918 and Martin passed away on November 12, 1941. They are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Martin and Bertha joined Wild Rice just a few years after it was started. They were faithful and
supportive members, having served on the board and various committees. They also too an active part in shaping it’s policies during its formative and later years. Martin was also a member of the Wild Rice Electric Board, a past president of the Flom Co-op Creamery board and the Flom Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He also served on the school board and the Flom township board. Martin was one of the first members of the first school board members of Woodland Nook School. The Kirkeby's donated land for the first Woodland Nook school to be located on. Martin and Bertha were engaged in farming for over 45 years.
Martin and Bertha were the parents of eight children; two died in infancy, Carl, Albert, Ole, Lewis, Johanna (Thorvold Thorson) and Julia (Amlien). No records to confirm where the two who died in infancy are buried.
Editor's Note: Berte Amlien was born to Anders Hansen and Johanne Olsdatter Amlien in Vestre Toten, Norway. She was a sister to Helene (Amlien Dorseth) and Ole Grefsrud, his son Olaf immigrated to America and was the father of Palmer Grefsrud. Because Ole moved onto the Grefsrud farm when he married, he dropped the Amlien name and took the farm name of Grefsrud.
Martin Olesen Kirkeby was born on July 7, 1850 and Baptized on July 22, 1850, in Norway according the to Churchbook's in Norway.
Erick and Marit (Johannesdatter) Klemetson
Erick Klemetson was born on July 9, 1854 at Tretten, Gudbrandsdal, Norway and was married to Marit Johannesdatter from Ringebu, Gudbransdalen. Erick was the second son of Karen Eriksdatter and Klemet Jorgenson, Stangstad. Erick grew up and attended religious school until he was 12. At age 15, he began to make his own career by herding goats, a job he did until he was 18. At that time he entered apprenticeship to learn the art of cabinet making and carpentry. He did this work until he was 28, except for one year when he served in the Norwegian military. Erick was confirmed by Rev. Skavang who married him and Marit Johannesdatter on January 2, 1880. Economic conditions were very bad due to a purely agrarian society in Gudbrandsdalen, a mushrooming population, and a shortage of land on which to farm. The couple was attracted by the possibility of free land in America and left Oslo in June, 1882 on the ship "Wisconsin" bound for Hull, England. From Hull, they crossed England by rail to Liverpool where they boarded another vessel bound for New York. After passing through immigration in New York they traveled by rail to Lake Park, MN to join his brother Johannes and Mathea who had arrived there a couple of months earlier.
They lived in Lake Park for one year , and moved with Johannes and Mathea to their homestead in Atlanta Township 15 mile North of Lake Park. They stayed with his brother for the next three years.
For some years, Erick worked at carpentering helping to build Atlanta Church and various other buildings east of Ulen. Erick and Johannes would leave home early on Monday morning to walk many miles to the job site. They would stay all week, returning Saturday night to spend Sunday with their families.
In the Spring of 1886, Erick and Marit took a homestead on Section 18 in Walworth Township where they lived and farmed for 32 years. Times were tough for Erick in the early years on the homestead. At first, there wasn't a railroad to Ulen and he had to travel to Lake Park for groceries and other supplies; a distance of 25 miles. At first he had no machinery, equipment or farm supplies, therefore he had to hire someone to do the work for him until he could acquire the items himself. On his farm, Erick built a house and log barn.
Eight children were born to Erick and Marit.
Karsten Klemetson was born March 19, 1881, Gudbrandsdal, Norway and died January 16, 1882 in Norway.
Karsten Klemetson was born August 13, 1882 Gudbrandsdal, Norway and died in August 1882, Lake Park.
Mary Klemetson was born November 27, 1883 in Atlanta Township, she married Sig Melby and Mary died June 10, 1923.
Julia Emma Klemetson was born in 1885 and died December 15, 1891, buried Atlanta Church.
Anna Kristine Klemetson was born April 1, 1887, she married Edward Hoganson from Ulen and Anna died March 20, 1914.
Liaf Einar Klemetson was born August 21, 1889, Walworth Township, he married Josie Hendrickson who died in 1925, second marriage to Josephine Gunderson, Liaf died January 29, 1978.
Enok Martin Klemetson was born July 6 1891, he married Marie Skrien and Enok died September 13, 1980.
Alma Karoline Klemetson was born June 17, 1893, Walworth Township, she married Alfred Christenson and Alma died January 20,1933.
Two boys, both Karsten's, died in early childhood. There were other moments of heartbreak for the couple, as all three daughters died young, and leaving families of young children. They took in members of their extended family at times of need. Mother Karen Eriksdatter, also spent several years with them.
In 1918, Erick and Marit quit farming and moved to Ulen. Son, Liaf took over the homestead. Erick passed away at his home at Ulen on Sunday evening February 9, 1935. He had been ill for some time following an attack of flu or pneumonia. Marit continued to live in their house in Ulen until she died on October 21 1937.
Excerpts from Ardith Klemetson Fuglie article from her published " The Klemetson Family History" printed in May of 1999
Gustav and Olga (Peterson) Klemetson
Gustav Edward Klemetson was born on June 29, 1897 to Johnannes Klemetson and Mathea Sylte, on the family farm in Atlanta Township in section 10. He was baptized and confirmed in Atlanta Lutheran Church. He attended school at District 29 for eight years. They would to school each day, which was just under two miles. One day while walking home from school it was raining, Gustav arrived home soaking wet. He asked his father why he didn't come and pick him up from school, like some other parents did? Johannes just looked at his son and laughed, he was probably remembering all the times he had walked 20 to 40 miles each week to work.
Olga was born on April 19, 1906 to Peter and Helena Peterson on the family farm in Atlanta township. She was baptized and confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn , where she grew up and attended country schools and then Ulen High School. After graduation she went to Fergus Falls Park Region College. After receiving her teaching degree, Olga taught in country schools for two years.
Olga had two sisters; Ada (Iver Engebretson), Edna (Ernest Narum/Oscar Moen) and two brothers Melvin and Palmer.
Gustav and Olga were married on June 29, 1927 at the Atlanta Lutheran Church. Gustav and Olga grew up only a short distance from each other. Olga living on the east side of section 9 of Atlanta Township on the west side of the road, and Gustav grew up on the west side of section 10 on the east side of the road.
After their marriage they made their home in Walworth township where they farmed for 39 years. In 1966 they retired and moved into Ulen, Mn. They exchanged homes with their son and daughter in-law; Marlin and Irene Klemetson. Marlin and Irene took over the farming operation at this time and they still live on the family farm in section 8 of Walworth township.
Gustav was very active in his church and loved music. He enjoyed fishing both winter and summer. He was a craftsman having made his grandchildren and even a great grand daughter (Kayla) furniture or play cupboards.
Olga was very active in both church and community affairs. She was a life long member of Atlanta Lutheran Church. She was superintendent, an officer and instructor in the Sunday ‘School for many years. She sang in the church choir, and was very active in the Atlanta ALCW as an officer and member, and served in her Circles.
During her life she was active in the 4-H program, the homemakers, and the local PTA at school. She loved and raised many flowers and was a member of the Hitterdal-Ulen Garden Club. She was also a member of the Viking Manor Ladies Guild.
Olga passed away on September 20, 1977 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fargo, ND, at the age of 71. Funeral services were held at Atlanta Lutheran Church with interment in the church cemetery.
Their life was unique in that they were baptized, confirmed, married, celebrated her 25th, and 50th wedding anniversaries, and had their final memorial service from the Atlanta Lutheran Church. They are both buried at Atlanta Lutheran Cemetery.
Atlanta Lutheran Church closed their doors in the summer of 2001, the final sermon was held with a large number of past members and present members, families and friends in attendance.
Gustav and Olga were the parents of four children; Justin (see Justin and Muriel Klemetson, Marlin (see Marlin and Irene Klemetson), Ardith (Winton Fuglie) and Orpha (Gene Schultz).
Justin and Muriel (Hanson) Klemetson
Justin Phillip Klemetson was born on September 11, 1929 in Walworth township to Gustav and Olga (Peterson) Klemetson. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school at District 46, and graduated from Ulen High School. He joined the Reserves and served in the U.S. Air Force in 1948, during the Korean War. He was stationed at an air base at Victorville, CA. Upon his discharge he attended school at Wahpeton, ND for two years studying mechanics.
He farmed the Art Hansen farm east of Ulen for a number of years and later purchased the Nelson (Nelson Brothers) Farm located six miles east of Ulen. He married Muriel Hansen in 1955. Muriel was born on April 15, 1935. They farmed and raised their family of six children; Jane Louise was born on August 11, 1955 and died in 1960. She is buried at the Ulen Cemetery.
Susan Joyce Klemetson was born on August 2, 1957. She married Lonnie Anderson of Ulen, Mn on June 17, 1978. They are the parents of two children; Kristin and Luke. Sue and Lonnie live in Ulen, Mn.
Karen Ann Klemetson was born on April 17, 1959. She married Gary Urdahl in 1981 (divorced) they are the parents of two children; Lindsay and Jonathan. Karen married Leon Andersen of Twin Valley, Mn. Leon had two children from his first marriage to Mary Beth Mathre, they are Susan and David. Leon and Karen are the parents of two children; Karissa and Jacob. Leon and Karen reside in Fargo, ND.
Janet Kay Klemetson was born on August 18, 1961. She married Brian Maesse and they are the parents of two sons; Griffen and Tate. They reside in Ulen, Mn.
Robert Phillip Klemetson was born on May 22, 1964. He married Stacy Jorgenson of Fargo on July 9, 1994. They reside in Ulen, Mn with their two children; Lydia and Treyton, one daughter Emily is deceased and is buried at Ulen North Cemetery.
Jennifer Marie Klemetson was born on November 24, 1974. She married Cris Anderson of Hitterdal, Mn on October 19, 1999. They reside in Hitterdal, Mn.
Klemetson/Sylte Families come to American
Johannes (John) Klemetson was the first child born to Clemet Jorgeson and Karen Eriksdatter on November 24, 1850 on the Simensgaard farm located east of Tretten, Norway. He was baptized on December 8, 1850 and confirmed at the age of 15 in the Tretten church. As a young boy he herded goats and helped with other chores on the Simensgaard farm. He later worked for no pay as an apprentice to a painter. In the capacity he learned the art of mixing and applying oil paints, a trade which he could make good use of in his life later, both in Norway and in the United States. In the 1875 census both Johannes and his brother Erik were living in Stor Elv Dale (Big River Valley). The curator at Lillehammer said that a railroad was being built there at that time and there was a strong possibility they both worked on that project. Johannes told his son, Gustav, that he and Erik worked there all year and came back only once a year by walking over the mountains to celebrate the Christmas Holidays.
Mathea Sylte was the third eldest child born to Kristin and Else Sylte. For her first thirteen years she lived a better life as a daughter of a land-owner (free-holder). Then the family was forced to move. Kristen lost the farm because of a default of payment on a lumber export to England, all of the family had to find employment on farms in the area. Mathea cared for the children on the Moe farm for eight years.
On November 18, 1878, Johannes married Mathea Sylte of Ringebu. They first lived in Tretten for four years, up to the time they immigrated to America. The left the native land of Norway on February 16, 1882. Their Oslo passport records indict the following names: Johannes Klemmetsen, age 31 from Oier, Mathea age 28, Karen age 2, and Kirstine Klemmetsen age 20. All traveling to Lake Park on the ship "Orlando" leaving Oslo Norway on February 17, 1882 with paid tickets. They traveled first to Hull, England by coastal steamer; then by train to Liverpool where they caught another ship to New York. From New York they traveled by train to Lake Park, Minnesota.
Kristine Klemetson (Johanne's sister) and Gunder Sylte were married shortly after they arrived in Lake Park, so it is reasonable to assume that Gunder sent the party tickets for their passage to the New World.
For their first years in America, Johannes and Mathea lived on the Sorenson farm located southwest of Lake Park. Mathea was a housekeeper and Johannes the hired man. Johannes attended English language classes at night in Lake Park for a time, however he never did learn to use the language on a regular basis.
Their first summer at Lake Park was a heartache. Their second child, Klaus was born in August; then both Kauls and daughter, Karen died from the summer flu, both within two weeks of each other. Mathea later told her daughter Esther that "I knew when I didn't go crazy then, that I never would!"
The children are buried in unmarked graves at the Lake Park Cemetery on the northeast edge of town.
In 1883, Johannes bought a foreclosed farm in Atlanta Township for $600. He and Mathea drove their span o oxen and wagon the 15 miles out from Lake Park to their new home. There, they would remain for the rest of their lives. Johannes broke the virgin prairie with his oxen, however later traded them off for a team of horses called Lyno and Sam. The following year, Johannes' brother Erik and his wife Marit and their family arrived to live with them.
Erik and Johannes would walk to Lake Park and Hawley or wherever they could find work, to do carpentry and painting. The women and children stayed behind to tend to the chores and herd the livestock. In that time period there were no fences in which to contain your livestock, making this quite the task to keep the animals in sight. Mathea would often tie her young son Christ on her back while rounding up the cattle or doing the milking. All week the women would tend to the needs and duties of the farm. It was no easy task for them and times were difficult for the pioneers. On Saturday night the men would walk home to spend the weekend with their families, bringing with them any staples that they would need, such as coffee, sugar, salt as well as items needed on the farm. Johannes once said " All I have are my two hands to work with and a strong determination to keep going." He did just that. He didn't expect an easy life for himself, but he hoped for a better life for his family.
Johannes and Mathea were here to help organize Atlanta Lutheran Church, which was just down the road from their farm. They were there to help with the construction. The first cemetery was located on Johannes' farm, until land was donated and a church built just north of the farm.
They moved the cemetery to its new location. Johannes was a trustee, deacon and caretaker of Atlanta Church and Cemetery for many years.
Johannes and Mathea were the parents of nine children; Karen and Klaus both died at an early age and are buried at Lake Park, Joseph took over the family farm after Johannes' retired, he later sold the farm to the Hamre Brothers who own it today. Adolph, Anna, Martin, Christ, Esther and Gustav (See Gustav and Olga Klemetson).
Five of the Klemetson children moved to Montana where they homesteaded; they were Adolph, Anna, Martin, Christ and Esther. Gustav remained in the Ulen area, farming in Walworth Township.
Johannes was of a small stature, kindly and soft spoken. He was never afraid of heights and was the one who would volunteer to paint the church steeple, or grease and repair the windmill. He enjoyed his pipe. Johannes lived to be 91 years old Mathea lived to be 90, they are both buried at Atlanta Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Ulen.
Liaf Einar and Josie (Hendrickson) Klemetson
Liaf Einar Klemetson was born August 21, 1889 in Walworth Township to parents Erik Klemetson and Marit Johannesdatter. He attended school at District 46 in Walworth Township. He was baptized and confirmed in 1904 at Aspelund Lutheran Church near Flom.
Liaf married Josie Emma Hendrickson. Josie was born in Palo Alto Co, IA on January 3, 1894 to parents Hans Peter (H.P.) Hendrickson and Anna Margaret Bendixen. At age 11, Josie and her parents settled on a farm two miles south of Ulen, MN. She graduated from Ulen High School and Crookston Business College. She spent three years as a Stenographer in Brandon, Canada and one year in Iowa. She passed away on October 25, 1925 in Ulen after a 10 day illness from Toxemia due to pregnancy.
They had the following children:
Clinton Einar Klemetson was born on June 28, 1916 in Walworth Township, he married Macel Lien from Ulen. They currently live in Ulen, MN.
Harold Leonard Klemetson was born on February 15, 1918 in Walworth Township, he married Dorothea Skiver. They live in Valencia, California.
Lavern Emogene Klemetson was born on November 23, 1919 in Walworth Township, she married Sid Holmen. He died on December 24, 1999. She lives in Boulder, Colorado.
Eldora Margaret Klemetson was born on August 31, 1921, she married Milton Swenson from Hitterdal, MN.
Lyle Ordell Klemetson was born November 6, 1922, he married Norma Elaine Peterson from Ulen, Lyle died on June 6, 1977. See Lyle and Norma Klemetson.
Raymond Waldo Klemetson Miller was born on April 25, 1924, he married LaVera Carlson. LaVera died on February 2, 1996. Raymond lives in Copperopolis, California.
When Josie died, Raymond was a little over one year old, he went to live with Liaf's cousin, Karen Langaard Miller and her husband Alfred Miller in Fargo , ND. The Miller's never had children of their own, but raised and claimed Raymond and his family as their own.
When Raymond was in first grade, the Miller's had his name changed to "Miller". In addition, Lyle was only three years old and he lived with his Grandparents, Erik and Marit Klemetson in Ulen until he was 11 years old, when he returned to the family farm.
Liaf's second marriage was to Josephine (Josie) Gunderson from Atlanta Township, the daughter of Lisa Klemetsdatter and Carl Gunderson, in 1929. They had the following children:
Lorraine Maxine Klemetson was born on April 24 in Walworth Township, she married Harold Lunde. They live in near Lake Park, MN.
Eileen Joyce Klemetson was born on April 20, 1931 in Walworth Township, she married Charles Peterson from Hitterdal, MN. They live in Medford, Oregon.
Janice Darlene Klemetson was born on September 2, 1936 in Moorhead, MN, she married Philip Hayes. They live in Austin, Texas.
Marlys Louise Klemetson was born on May 9, 1940 in Walworth Township, she married Ted Hanson from Lake Park, MN. They live in International Falls, MN.
Liaf was on the Walworth Town Board, School Board and the Becker County Fair Board. Liaf farmed the home farm on Section 18 in Walworth Township until he retired in 1946 and moved to Detroit Lakes.
Liaf died on January 29, 1978 in Detroit Lakes, MN and Josie died on November 15, 1989. They are both buried in the Calvary Cemetery at Ulen, MN.
Lyle and Norma (Peterson) Klemetson
Lyle Ordell Klemetson was born to Liaf Einar Klemetson and Josie Emma Hendrickson on November 6, 1922 at Ulen, MN. Lyle's mother Josie passed away on October 25, 1925 just before Lyle's 3rd birthday.
After his mother's death, Lyle lived in Ulen with his grandparents, Erick and Marit Klemetson until he was 11; when he moved back to the farm in Walworth Township.
He attended District 46 school and later attended Crookston, MN Agriculture College. Lyle served in the US Navy in World War II. He was married to Norma Elaine Peterson on July 3, 1942 in Moorhead, MN, after which they made their home at Flom. Norma was born on January 13, 1923 in La Moure, ND to Carl J. Peterson and Annette Isabella Thompson. She grew up living in various towns in North Dakota and Minnesota. She graduated from Ulen High School.
Lyle was a manager of Flom Co-op Oil Company for 33 years, from 1948 to 1977.
The following article regarding Lyle Klemetson appeared in the Ulen Union in 1972: "When Lyle Klemetson took the job at the cooperative in Flom, MN pop-45, in Nov '43, he actually planned to stay for only one month. At the time the US Navy and World War II were more on his mind than working at the local co-op. But Hilbert Gravely, who managed the co-op jointly with George Johnson, had other ideas. With capable help in scarce supply, he visited the local draft board authorities and arranged that a one-year deferment be extended to Klemetson. So Klemetson stayed on for 12 months, and then went off to service.
After his two-year hitch was up, Klemetson came back to Flom as he says, 'just to say hello and visit', He wasn't looking for work, nor was he planning to settle in Flom-he was more interested in farming. When Gravely offered him a job, however, at $90 a month, Klemetson found it very tempting, but as he says, "I held out for $110 a month." Gravely also provided a modest apartment. So $110 a month, and a place to live, were adequate inducements to keep Lyle Klemetson in Flom, employed at the co-op. Today, 26 years later, Klemetson manages the Flom Co-op Oil Association. He has since 1955. That year it was incorporated and became a member of Central Exchange. Sales in 1955 totaled $89,980. Each year but one since then the co-op has seen growth in sales. In the 17 years that Klemetson has been a manager more than $344,000 in savings have been returned to patrons."
Lyle and Norma were members of Aspelund Lutheran Church. Lyle served on the Flom Township Board and the Twin Valley School Board. Norma was member of the Aspelund Lutheran Church Ladies Aid. In addition, she was a bookkeeper at Flom Co-Op Oil for over 20 years, retiring at age 65. Lyle and Norma enjoyed traveling and spending time at their lake cabin on South Twin Lake. They had three children,
Sherrie, currently resides in Flom and works for Minnesota State University Moorhead,
Lyle resides in Alexandria MN and
Douglas in Fargo ND.
Lyle passed away on June 6, 1977 of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. As a memorial to Lyle, a stained glass window was installed at Aspelund Lutheran Church. In addition, a flag and flag pole have been donated to Aspelund Lutheran Church in memory of Lyle and Norma. Norma continued to live in Flom until her death on October 28, 1998. Norma liked to cook and she was an excellent baker. She also enjoyed visiting over coffee with her friends at the Flom Cafe and spending time with her family, especially her Grandchildren. They are both buried in Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery of Flom.
Written by Rob Erickson with excerpts from Ardith Klemetson Fuglie article from her published " The Klemetson Family History" printed in May of 1999
Marlin and Irene (Hamernik) Klemetson
Marlin Herbert was born to Gustav and Olga Klemetson of Ulen on December 27th, 1930. As a young boy he grew up on the family farm in Walworth township. He was baptized and confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church rural Ulen. He graduated in May of 1949 from Ulen High School. He entered the army in June 1953 serving his country.
Irene Elenore was born to Frank and Aloise Hamernik on July 6th, 1935. Irene was baptized and confirmed at Walworth Baptist Church and confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran church, both rural Ulen. She grew up and attended District 54 & 46 country school. She graduate from Ulen High School in May of 1953.
Marlin and Irene were married on December 27th, 1954 at Walworth Baptist Church rural Ulen. The first months of their marriage they lived in Texas where Marlin was stationed in the service. After Marlin was finished with the service they moved back to Ulen and Marlin began working for the Creamery in Ulen. They lived in Ulen until 1966 when Gustav retired from farming and Marlin took over the family farm. Irene started to work at the Flom Cafe after all the kids were gone from home where she is still employed. Marlin and Irene still live on the family farm in Walworth township.
Marlin and Irene are the parents of 5 children.
Debra Renae was born on Oct 20th, 1955. She married Ron Knudtson on Oct 4th, 1975. They live in Breckenridge where Deb works for Wilkin County and Ron is a instructor at NDSCS. They have 2 children. Jan Louise born February 13th, 1980 and Jeffrey Ronald born May 26th, 1983.
Michael Allen was born on March 19th, 1957. See Mike and Jennifer Klemetson
Ronald Dean was born on September 15th, 1959. He was married to Laurie Peterson of Ulen and they had 3 children. Ashley Dawn was born February 26th, 1984, Trent Aaron was born on August 13th, 1985 and Travis Jay was born on December 5th, 1987. Ron is the manager of the Nordic Lounge in Ulen. His children live with their mother in rural Felton and attend school in Ada.
Sheryl Marie was born on October 29th, 1968. She is married to Duane (Dewey) Vetsch of Albertville, MN. They have one son Derek Allen who was born on March 22, 2001. Sheryl works at the Monticello Hospital-Big Lake Community Hospital as a respiratory therapist and Dewey works for Scherer Bros. Truss Co. of Albertville.
Matthew Eric was born on January 8th, 1974. He married Staci Herzog of Ulen on September 30th, 19 . They have 2 children. Alayna Louise was born on June 24th, 1998 and Noah Matthew was born on August 17th, 2000. Matthew works for Sparak of Fargo, ND and Staci is a stay at home mom.
Marlin and Irene are active in their church, Bethlehem Lutheran in Ulen, Minnesota.
They are also active in their community.
Mike and Jennifer (Dorseth) Klemetson
Michael Allen was born to Marlin and Irene Klemetson in Detroit Lakes, MN on March 19th, 1957. He was baptized at Atlanta Lutheran Church rural Ulen, and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen. He attended Ulen Elementary School and Graduated in 1975 from Ulen-Hitterdal High School. He then went on to further his education at Detroit Lakes, Vo-Tech receiving a degree in Architectural Drafting. After graduation he worked for the State of Minnesota in St. Paul in the Highway Dept.
Jennifer Lynne was born to Vernon and LaVonne Dorseth in Detroit Lakes, MN on June 9th, 1960. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. She attended school in Waubun from Kindergarten through 11th grade. In 1978 she graduated from Twin Valley High School.
On June 27th, 1981 Mike and Jennifer were married at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. At that time they were living in West Fargo, ND where Mike worked for C & J Distributing and Jennifer worked at Northwest Professional Color. In 1984 Mike and Jennifer moved to rural Ulen where Mike worked for Circle E Farms until January 1995 when he began working for Flom-Ulen Co-op where he continues to work. Jennifer has operated a daycare from their home from 1986-1995. In 1995 she began working for ACI in Twin Valley working there until February 2000. Jennifer is currently doing daycare in their home taking care of Christopher Braaten. She is also the custodian and grounds keeper for Aspelund Lutheran Church. In 1985 the Klemetson's moved to the Flom area renting a home from Joe and Ione Tobin, the former Hans Dorseth farm north of Flom. They lived here until December of 1988 when they moved into Flom and rented the Mike and Genny Johnson home. In June of 1990 the Klemetson's purchased their first home. They bought Mabel Skansgaard's home in Flom. Here they have the best of both lives. Living on a farm in town. This house was built in 1936 by Andrew Dorseth for his daughter Mabel and her husband Edgar. The Klemetson's have kept busy raising Chickens, rabbits, pigs and even a lamb Esther as 4-H projects for the kids to exhibit at the Mahnomen County Fair.
Mike and Jennifer have been blessed with four children. Kayla Jerilyn arrived on September 13th, 1982. Kayla is currently a freshman at Minnesota State University Moorhead. She enjoys doing needlework, cooking and visiting with friends. Jacob Henry arrived on December 2nd, 1983. He is currently a Senior at Norman County East, Twin Valley, MN. Jacob has always been the outdoors type. He enjoys the area around him and is active in FFA (Forestry) and Nature. Katie Lue arrived on October 28th, 1986 and is a freshman at Norman County East. Katie enjoys Volley ball at school, writing and being with her friends. Jared Frank arrived on July 22nd, 1988 and is a 7th grader at Norman County East. He enjoys football and is into Nascar's. All of Mike and Jennifer and their children have been active in their church and community. They are all also members of Popple Grove 4-H club of Mahnomen County.
Ray and Alice (Weum) Korinta Sr.
Alice was born on August 18, 1919 to Emil and Olga (Nelson) Weum in section 34 of Flom township. She was baptized at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. Alice was confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen on September 23, 1933. At the time they lived in Voss, Mn. A small town near the Atlanta Lutheran Church, in section 3 of Atlanta township. It was during this time that her parents moved to the Robert Westby farm in section 15 of Walworth township. Because of her classes at Atlanta Alice was ahead of the children in confirmation at Aspelund. Instead of starting classes over she walked to the Atlanta Church for three months to finish her confirmation. That was about a 5 1/4 mile walk one way. Alice married Ray Korinta on July 3, 1942 at the Wild Rice Parsonage. Ray was also baptized at Aspelund. Ray and Alice were the parents of five children; Joyce, Raymond Jr., Lois, Allen and Donna.
Joyce Marie was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund, she married Robert E. Jelle on July 2, 1966. They are the parents of three children.
Raymond Emil Jr, was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund, he married Helen Babbitts on August 10, 1974. They are the parents of two children.
Lois Eileen was baptized at Aspelund, she married Dale Burfeind on April 11, 1970. They are the parents of two children.
Allen Rudolph was baptized at Aspelund, he married Barbara Allen on April 1;7, 1976. They are the parents of four children.
Donna Alice was baptized at Aspelund, she married Daniel Teiken on August 24, 1973 (divorced) and they are the parents of three children. Donna married Donovan Engle on August 10, 1984 and they have one child.
Korsgaden Family History
Hans Larson/Graesletten married Marit Olsdatter Brennhaugen, birth dates and marriage date is unknown to us at this time. We were unable to find history out on them, other than by looking at their names we know that Hans lived on the Graesletten farm and Marit on the Brennhaugen farm.
After their marriage they lived on the Graesletten farm at the time their first three children were born. This is reflected by their last name being the Graesletten farm name. They moved to the Korsgaden farm and here they had six more children, as their last name is that of the Korsgaden farm. Both farms were located in Sodorp Nord Fron Oppland, Norway.
The following were the names and years the children were born to Hans and Marit. Ronnaug Hansdtr Graesletten was born in 1830. Anna Hansdtr Graesletten was born in 1833. Tosten Hanson Graesletten in 1935. Ragnild Hansdtr Korsgaden in 1838. Ole Hanson Korsgaden in 1842. Marit Hansdtr Korsgaden in 1842. Lars Hanson Korsgaden in 1847. Hans Hanson Korsgaden in 1849 and Iver Hanson Korsgaden in 1953.
Of the nine children born to Hans and Marit three of them immigrated to the United States, those being Hans (see Hans and Mari Korsgaden) , Lars (see Lars and Ronnag Korsgaden) and Iver (See Iver Korsgaden). All three of these boy settled in Flom township.
Gordon and Arlene (Broers) Korsgaden
Gordon Everette Korsgaden was born on August 27, 1926 in Flom township to Ludvig and Hannah (Kaushagen) Korsgaden. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school and graduated from Twin Valley High School.
As a young man he farmed with his father before entering the United States Army on June 19, 1952. He served in Korea, and was discharged at Fort Sheridan, Il on June 1, 1954.
Gordon married Arlene Broers on March 20, 1960 at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. They made their home in Twin Valley. Gordon worked as a carpenter with Dahl construction, Moorhead, and Pramhus Construction, Fargo, ND. In the early 1980’s he began working on his own as a carpenter in Twin Valley and Fargo- Moorhead. He semi retired in 1991.
Gordon was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, where he served on the Board of Trustees. He was also a member of the Twin Valley Nesseth-Lien Post 431 and the Ada VFW Post 7557. He was also a member of the Twin Valley Fire Department for over 20 years.
Gordon passed away on December 17, 1992, interment at the Twin Valley Memorial Gardens.
Gordon and Arlene are the parents of; Kevin and Craig.
Hans and Anna Marie (Odegaard) Korsgaden
Hans L. Korsgaden was born in 1873 to Lars and Ronnag Korsgaden. He came to this area at the age of four years, with his parents. He grew up in section 2 of Flom township with his brothers; Ludvig, Thorwald, Otto and sisters; Inanda (Wilson), Emma (Jordahl), Mary, Send (Qual) and Regina (Jenson).
Anna Marie Odegaard was born to Hans Peder and Anna Jensina (Loven) on April 17, 1884 at Twin Valley, Mn. She died in 1971 at Twin Valley, Mn at the age of 87 years. Most of Anna Marie’s family immigrated from this area to Prince Albert Sask., see Hans and Ann (Loven) Odegaard family.
Hans and Anna Marie were the parents of one child; Harriett L. Korsgaden who was born on October 4, 1904. (See Arnold and Harriett Hoseth).
Hans died in 1907 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn. After his death Anna Marie married Severt Weum in 1910 at Twin Valley, Mn.
Hans and Mari Korsgaden
Hans Korsgaden was born in 1849 in Sodorp Nord Fron Oppland, Norway the eighth child born to Hans Larson Graesletten and Marit Olsdtr Brennhaugen. He grew up in his native land of Norway and immigrated to America in the late 1800’s. In the Norman County Plat book it records Hans as owning land in the SE corner of Section 2 and the NE corner of section 11.
Hans and Mari later moved closer to Mahnomen, Mn. The area in which they lived east of Mahnomen, was referred to as “Little Norway”. The land they once owned is where the Casino now stands. Hans’ dream was to help each of his children out in life, by having enough to purchase a quarter section of land for each child. This dream was fulfilled. Hans and Mari were active members of the First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen. Here they were active in the foundation of the church and congregation. Hans died 1936 and Mari in 1934. Their son Halfert passed away in 1935. They are all buried at First Lutheran Church Cemetery west of Mahnomen, Mn. Most of the Hans Korsgaden family is buried in the Mahnomen, area.
The children born to Hans and Mari were; Halfert (1872-1935), he suffered from rheumatoid arthritis and died at a early age. He never married. Mathilda (see Andrew and Mathilda Dorseth), Gene (Kleven), Thea (Gunderson), Hermina (George Lee), Inanda (Gilbert Kvale) and Julia (Lars Lee) 1888-1986. Julia married Lars Lee and they were the parents of Rueben, Leslie and Marcella (Addison Sanden).
Iver H. and Ellen Korsgaden
Iver H. Korsgaden was born in 1858 in Norway to Hans Larson/Graesletten and Marit Olsdtr Brennhaugen. Iver grew up in his native land of Norway in the Sodorp Nord Fron Oppland, Norway. He left Norway and came to the United States in 1880. When he first arrived here he lived in the Black River Falls, Wisconsin area and later came to the Flom area in 1881. He purchased land in section 35 of Fossum township and settled there until 1882.
As far as his marriage we don’t know much about it other than he may have married a woman by the name of Ellen from Black River Falls area. We don’t have any information other than she is buried at the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley in 1882, shortly after their marriage and their arrival to this area. Also in the cemetery plot is a baby buried in the same lot by Ellen which may have been their child.
Iver sold his farm in 1884 to his brother Hans. Iver died in 1901 and is buried at the Wild Rice Cemetery, in the same lot as Ellen and a baby.
Editor’s Note: there were two Hans Korsgaden’s. Hans H. was a brother to Lars and the Great Grandfather to Vernon Dorseth. Hans L. was a son to Lars and the Grandfather to Sherman Hoseth.
Lars and Ronnag Korsgaden
Lars was born in 1847 in Froen, Gulbrandsdalen Norway. In 1871 he came to America, settling in Vernon County, Wi. He lived there for six years before coming to this area in 1877. He settled in section 2 of Flom township.
Ronnag was born on January 21, 1849 in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway. Ronnag came to America in 1871 first stopping in Wisconsin where she met Lars Korsgaden. She and Lars were married in 1871 in Wisconsin, they resided her until 1877 when they left Wisconsin and came to Flom township. Here they settled in section 2.
To this union eleven children were born; five proceeded their parents in death. Sena (see Ed and Sena Qual), Inanda, Thorvald see Thorvald and Clara Korsgaden, Regina (Carl Jenson), Emma (George Jordahl), Ludvig, Hans L (see Hans and Anna Marie Korsgaden)., Otto, Mary,and Iver.
We are only able to find ten of the eleven children's names. They may of had one prior to coming to Flom and it would be buried in Wisconsin.
Lloyd A. Korsgaden
Lloyd was born on August 18, 1913 in Flom township to Ludvig and Hannah Korsgaden. He grew up in the area. He worked for various farmers in the area when he became ill and was taken to the Grand Forks Hospital. He died on July 13, 1980, after battling pinkeye which in turn became so badly infected and resulted in a brain tumor. Lloyd is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Ludvig and Hannah (Kaushagen) Korsgaden
Ludvig Korsgaden was born on September 22, 1883 to Lars and Ronnag Korsgaden in Flom Township, Norman County, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Hannah Kaushagen was born on November 20, 1887 in Clay County, Mn to Hans and Maren (Roen) Kaushagen. She attended rural school and after completing her education she went on to Moorhead State College, receiving a teaching degree. She taught school in Clay and Norman counties.
Ludvig and Hannah were married on November 21, 1912 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. They lived on his father's farm near Flom for 40 years before moving into Twin Valley in 1952. Ludvig had been a member of the rural school board, a member of the Board of trustees for 19 years. He was very interested in parochial school and did much to promote it during the summer months. In 1962 Ludvig and Hannah celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at Wild Rice. Hannah had served on the rural school board and was a past Sunday school teacher. To this union six children were born; Lloyd, Ervin, Oral, Marvin, Gordon, and Vivian ( Kenneth Halvorson).
Ludvig passed away at his home in Twin Valley on November 12, 1963 after a long period of illness. Hannah passed away in 1969. Both are buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Marvin Korsgaden
Marvin was born in 1920 to Ludvig and Hannah Korsgaden. He attended Banner School. After he completed his education he went to Chicago, Ill, where he worked in a factory. He entered the military in 1942 and served his country. He was stationed in New Delhi, India and was discharged in 1946.
Marvin returned home to Minnesota and worked at Norman County Soil and Conservation Service, and later was a carpenter for Great Plains Supply in Twin Valley, MN. He never married. Marvin passed away on January 10, 1993 and is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Marvin had four brothers; Ervin, Lloyd, Oral and Gordon and one sister Vivian (Kenneth Halvorson).
Oral Korsgaden
Oral was born on October 9, 1917 in Flom township to Ludvig and Hannah Korsgaden. He attended rural schools in the area. After he completed his education he helped his uncle Anton Korsgaden farm in the Flom area. Oral married Avis Weium on November 10, 1946 in Twin Valley, Mn. After farming with his uncle for a few years they purchased the farm in section 1 of Flom Township.
Avis and Oral lived on the farm until 1983 when they sold it to Blair Hoseth. They moved into Twin Valley at that time. Oral died on April 23, 1991, Avis continues to live in Twin Valley and remains active in the community and her church, Wild Rice. Oral is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Otto Korsgaden
Otto was born on September 15, 1891 to Lars and Ronnag Korsgaden in Flom township. Otto was first taken sick about seven weeks ago and a short time later was taken to a hospital in Grand Forks where his condition appeared to improve quite rapidly. He was brought home again a week ago last Saturday and felt better for a few days but gradually grew weaker until death came as a release from his sufferings. He was afflicted with ah complication of diseases, heart failure causing his death. The fact that the young man was not yet twenty-six years of age makes the occurrence a doubly sad one. He died in 1917 and is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Thorvald and Clara (Smestad) Korsgaden
Thorvald was born on June 24, 1880 in Flom township to Lars and Ronnag Korsgaden. He was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He grew up in the Flom area where he attended schools.
Clara Christina Smestad was born on November 29, 1887, near Kindred, ND. She grew up in the Kindred area, later coming to this area where she was confirmed in Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Thorvald married Clara Smestad on June 1, 1905, at the Wild Rice Church. They farmed in the Fossum area for twenty six years. In 1931 they moved into Twin Valley and resided there for 36 years. They were the parents of Leroy, Lillian (Clarence Haglund), Hazel (Louis Edlund, Gladys (Bob Braham), and Beatrice (Bill Bergess) and one son who proceeded him in death.
Thorvald spent his whole life in the Flom-Twin Valley area except for the one year he lived in Seattle, Washington during World War II. Thorvald passed away in 1965 at the age of 85 years. Funeral services were held at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn with internment at the church cemetery. Clara passed away at St. Luke's Hospital in Fargo, ND on December 31, 1968 at the age of 80. She is also buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Ole Nelson and Ingeborg (Melaas) Kragero
Ole Nelson and Anna (Kaardahl) Kragero
Ole N. Kragero was born December 20, 1844 at Porsgrund, Telemarken, Norway and came from that place to America at the age of 19 years, settling in Iowa where he resided for about 13 years. He was married to Ingeborg Millaas in 1865 and they moved to Windom, MN where they lived for about 4 years before coming to Norman County. Mr. Kragero took a homestead in Fossum township and his wife died there December 27, 1886.
The following children were living with them in the 1885 census of Fossum Township:
Nels age 15, Martin age 12, Hans age 9, Matilda age 7, Adolf age 5. Ida was born February 1881 and died December 27, 1882 and is buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
He was married to Mrs. Anna Kaardahl in 1889 and moved to Twin Valley and remained there the rest of their lives. Mr. Kragero died on July 21, 1929 at the age of 84 years, 7 months and one day. His second wife preceded him in death the 21 of January, 1929.
Ole and his first wife Ingeborg are buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Joe and Mary (Torvik) Krpalek
Joe Krpalek was born in Czechoslovakia on February 2, 1874. He married Mary Torvik in 1898 in Czechoslovakia. Mary was the daughter of John Turek/Torvik, She was born in Bohemia on December 17, 1875, as were both her parents
Joe and Mary immigrated to the United States about six years after they were married. They first settled in Omaha, Nebraska, where they resided until 1913, when they left and came to Minnesota. They settled in Walworth township, Becker County, Minnesota where they made their home until their deaths.
Joe and Mary were the parents of five children; Joseph, Mary (Nick Theis), Bessie (Alphonso Kudrna), Julia (Ralph Chamber) and John. Only Mary stayed in the area, she married Nick Theis and they lived in section 22 of Walworth township. Bessie, Julia and John all moved to Albany Ore.
Mary Krpalek died in November 1928 at the age of 52, from blood poisoning. and Joe passed away on December 29,1940, they are both buried at Walworth Baptist Cemetery, rural Flom.
Elmer and Ruby (Opdahl) Kvidt’s Family
My parents, Elmer and Ruby Kvidt live on a farm located three and one half miles north of Flom, Minn. in Norman County. This has been "home" to me all my life. They have lived there since 1931. This is the story of the history of my parent’s family.
My grandfather Kvidt, namely Jens, was born in Norway and came to this country as a young man. He met my grandmother Hannah Albertson, who was born in the state of lowa, fell in love and they became man and wife and then homesteaded in Section 12 in Norman County. That farm is located three miles north and two and a half miles east of Flom. They lived there until the early 1930's and then moved to the farm where my parents did live. Until a few years ago, members of the family continued to live on the original homestead farm. It may be remembered as the Nils Jacobson farm.
My father was the youngest of eight children born to Jens and Hannah Kvidt. Three sisters and a brother still survive. Their children are John (deceased); Clara, Mrs. Nils Jacobson (deceased); Maynard (who died while in the service during World War 1); Thilda. Mrs. Charles Ommodt, who resided in Moorhead Hartvik, lived in Mahnomen with his wife Hilda; Mabel, Mrs. Henry Ommodt, who made her home in Moorhead Nolda, Mrs. William Ommodt, who last lived in Twin Valley, and my father, Elmer Kvidt. Oh, what a good time and what good memories I have of when we all used to get together. Both my dad's parents are deceased and are buried in the East Wild Rice Cemetery; my grandfather passing away in 1931, and grandma in 1944.
My grandfather Opdahl, namely B. L. Opdahl, was also born in Norway and came to America as a young man. Here he met my grandmother, Anna Jensen, who was born in Wisconsin, and they became man and wife. My grandfather studied for the ministry and became an ordained Lutheran pastor as a young man. They served parishes in various parts of Minnesota as well as other states. My grandmother tells of when they, as a young couple, homesteaded in North Dakota and lived in a sod house, and the wild horses would come to their front door and stomp their feet wanting to get in. This probably was not only the front door, but the only one.
Grandma and grandpa Opdahl were the parents of seven children. They are Frances (Mrs. Fred Batzler) Roald, Deborah (Mrs. Alfred Gniffke), Arville (Mrs. Roy Nelson), Stanley, and Anna Marie (Mrs. Leslie Carlson), and my mother, Ruby Kvidt.
From the years 1919-1930, Grandpa Opdahl served as the pastor of the East Wild Rice, the Immanuel, and Aspelund Lutheran Churches. It is while they lived at the parsonage of these charges that my mother met my dad. Grandma resided in the Danube Rest Home in Minneapolis and celebrated her 90th birthday in March of 1975. Grandpa passed away in 1951 and is buried in Minneapolis.
My parents were married in March of 1931 and have lived on their present farm since. My dad worked out on local farms before their marriage and farmed for many years after and for the last several years has rented the farm land out, but continue to make their home there. Dad worked on construction work with a local contractor.
I have one younger brother and two younger sisters. We all belonged to the East Wild Rice Lutheran Church, attended its Sunday School, and were active in different areas. My brother and I attended the old Plentywood School which was located just north of my parents farm, and we attended the Twin Valley High School. My sisters attended the Twin Valley School both at grade school and high school levels. I myself live in Portage, Wisconsin, and have a 17-year old daughter, Loriann. My brother Eldred lives with his wife, Lois, and their children Randy, Jan, and Scott at rural Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. My sister, Janice Atkinson, her husband Gene, and their children Annette and Aaron live in Portage and my sister Korella Seizler her husband Larry, and their children, Jason and Heather live at Cross Plains. Wisconsin. We are a very close family, enjoy each others' company and get together as often as possible.
This is the story of my parents and grandparents. I am proud to say that I grew up in Norman County. Twin Valley, Minnesota. I am sure I speak for the rest of my immediate family when I say that I am proud of ancestors and am thankful for them. I am sure they would be as proud of my family as I am. I am thankful also that we are a God-fearing people and that my ancestors had the privilege of settling in this good country, America.
By Betty A. Ring
Leslie and Helen (Sovain) Kvidt
Leslie A. Kvidt was born on January 16, 1917 near Flom, Mn to Alfred and Lena Kvidt. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He attended school in the area. As a young man he worked on the family farm and was also a farm laborer for area farmers.
He served his country in the United States Army from 1942 until his discharge, serving in the 91st Infantry in Europe and Africa. He was awarded the Bronze Star.
After his discharge he returned to the Twin Valley area to farm. He was a member of the Flom-Twin Valley VFW Post 3818, having served as commander for one year.
Leslie married Helen Sovain on November 27, 1948. He worked at Twin City Hardwood Company until retiring.
Leslie passed away on January 31, 1994 at his home in St. Paul, Mn. Interment was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Leslie and Helen were the parents of two sons and four daughters.
Martinus and Margaret (Kaushagen) Kvidt
Martinus Kvidt was born on April 14, 1893 near Flom, Mn. Here he grew up and attended rural school. After completing his education he enlisted in the Army, serving during World War I. After being discharged he returned to the Flom area and was active in farming.
Margaret Kaushagen was born on April 24, 1902 in Norman County, Minnesota. As a young girl she moved with her family to Thief River Falls, Mn where she attended school. She worked at various jobs there before moving near Twin Valley, Mn in 1923.
Martinus and Margaret were married on January 26, 1929 at Thief River Falls, Mn. They lived in the Flom area until 1941, when they moved closer to Twin Valley. In 1945 they moved into town.
Margaret passed away on December 10, 1985, funeral services were conducted at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley.
Martinus and Margaret were the parents of Jerry, Allen and Hope (Don Seeger).
LaPort Family
The Laport family goes back to 1776 on American soil. It is probably the family who has been in America the longest.
as most of the families around Flom immigrated from Norway in the mid to late 1800's.
Abraham LaPort (Layport) was born around 1776, probably in Maryland, of French ancestry. He was born to George Layport (Layporth) and Nancy McCaslin. Nancy was the daughter of the Patrick McCaslin's. It is not sure where they
were married other than a probability of Harrison Co. Ohio.
Abraham married Margaret Blakley who was born in 1775. They were the parents of three children; John L. who was born in 1800, Abraham W. who was born in 1812 in Harrison Co. Ohio and Bazaleel who was born on November 2, 1818. John L. married Verlinda Harrison. Abraham W. married Elizabeth Elliott on October 3, 1839, in Logan Co. Ohio. Bazaleel married Nancy Roberts on March 16, 1843. Abraham died on December 25, 1859 and Margaret died in 1894.
The next generation:
Abraham W. LaPort was born in 1812 to Abraham LaPort and Margaret Blakley. He married Elizabeth Elliott who was born in 1819. Elizabeth was the daughter of Moses Elliott and Rebecca Duly (Dulea).
They were the parents of five children; Elliott who was born in Logan Co. in 1840, Rebecca who was born in 1844 in Logan Co, Margaret who was born in 1847 in Logan Co., she is believed to have died before 1907. Anna who was born in 1849 in Logan Co. and Amos Walton LaPort who was born on March 2, 1852 in Logan Co. (see Amos Walton LaPort).
Elliott married Sarah McBaskey on June 12, 1865. Margaret married George C. Nelson on October 3, 1872 and Amos Walton married Anna Maryha Harms on March 20, 1874.
Amos Walton and Anna Maria (Harms) LaPorte
Amos Walton LaPorte, better known to his many relatives, neighbors and friends as Grandpa LaPorte passed away at his home Thursday morning, June 7, 1933. Old age and heart trouble of many years standing being the cause of his death.
Mr. LaPorte was born in Logan, Ohio, February 3, 1852, and had reached the ripe old age of 82 years, 5 months and 4 days, and was lovingly cared for in his last illness by his son and family. At the age of 11 years, he with his parents, moved from Logan to Boone County, Iowa where for 25 years he worked as a coal miner. Then he engaged in farming. He was married on March 20, 1874, to Anna Maria Harms and to this union were born eight children, namely Charles Abraham, Emor Eli, Blanche (Mrs. Warrington), Hattie Elizabeth, Edward Mathias, William Henry, Emma Grace (Mrs. Phillips) and Mary Hazel, (Mrs. McClintoc).
Anna Maryha Harmms was born on May 28, 1852 in New York to Charles Harmms and Harriett Marshall. She died on July 14, 1900. Amos was left alone to care for his family through the death of his wife. His two oldest children have also preceded him in death.
Believing there were opportunities in Minnesota he, together with his daughter Hattie, who is an invalid, and his son E.M. LaPorte and family, bought and settled on the old Homelvig farm in Home Lake township in the spring of 1914, where the family has since lived and where Grandpa has made a large place for himself in the love and esteem of his neighbors and large circle of friends who, together with his family, his aged sister of Heston, ND, his 34 grand-children and 25 great-grandchildren, mourn his loss and revere his memory.
Funeral services were held at the farm home Saturday afternoon, the 9th of June, and were conducted by Rev. C.L. Jensen, after which the remains, accompanied by his grandson and name-sake Amos, were taken to Sac City, Iowa for burial beside the grave of his wife.
Romans, 8:25- But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. and verse 39-nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amos and Anna's family: Charles Abraham was born on December 2, 1875, He married Sylvia Ross. Blanche Mona was born on November 24, 1876, She married Edward Lorenzo Warrington on December 1, 1897. Emor Eli was born on December 8, 1878, he married Minnie Bell Phillips on March 1, 1898. Records indicated the first three children were born in Boone Co. Iowa. We don't know for sure where the next three were born. Hattie Elizabeth was born on September 17, 1881 and died on January 24, 1948, Edward Mathias was born on June 6, 1886, he married Minnie Bell Phillips, after his brothers death. Edward died on March 15, 1979, William Henry was born on April 28, 1888, he married Hazel Cooper, and died in 1969.
Emma Grace was born on March 20, 1891 in Sac Co. Iowa, she married John Ira Phillips on September 1, 1908, she died on March 13, 1969, and Mary Hazel was born on October 7, 1894, (see Mary Hazel and W.H. Holtman).
Elmor Eli and Minnie ( Phillips) LaPorte
Edward M. (E.M.) and Minnie LaPorte
Minnie Bell Phillips was born in Sac County, Iowa on August 2, 1882, to Peter Phillips and Mary C. Sprauge. she grew up in this area and was united in marriage on March 7,1899 to Elmor Eli LaPorte. They were the parents of four children John Ira (see John Ira and Alice (Aasgaard) LaPort), William Henry both of Flom, Anna Bell (Sam Taylor) moved to Sac County, Iowa and Mary Hazel (W.H. Holtman) of Twin Valley.
Elmor died on June 30, 1908. After his death she married Edward M. LaPorte on January 26, 1909.
Edward M. "Tice" LaPort was born on June 30, 1886, in SacConty,Iowa, to Amos and Anna LaPort. He was raised in the Lakeview Iowa, area. On January 26, 1910, he married Minnie Belle Phillips (his brother Elmor's widow) in Sac City, Iowa. They came to Norman County in the 1950's. In the fall of 1977 Edward moved to Waskish, it was here that he passed away. To this union seven children were born; Amos Walton, Phillip Jessie, Charles Abraham (see Charles LaPort), Eva Myrtle (Harold Natwick), Orville Theodore, Wayne Mathias and Goldie Irene who died in infancy.
Minnie died on June 19, 1934 and Edward M. died on March 15, 1979. They are both buried at Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom, MN.
Phillip J. LaPort was born on April 6, 1912. He served his country in World War II as a PFC in the Army. He recieved a Purple Heart.
Phillip died on October 21, 1997 and is buried at the Walworth Baptist Cemetery, rural Flom.
Mary Hazel (LaPorte) and W.H. Holtman
Mary Hazel was born in Sac City, Iowa, on March 24, 1902, to E. M. and Minnie (Phillips) LaPorte. When she was eleven years old she converted to the Free Methodist church at Sac City. At the age of twelve years she moved with her parents to Minnesota.
Wilhelm and Mary Hazel were married on November 15, 1933. They lived three miles northeast of Twin Valley until the passing of her mother in 1934, at which time they moved to her father's farm in Home Lake township, where they remained until their deaths. They had no children.
Mary died on February 27, 1939. Funeral services were held at the Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom, Mn, on Saturday March 4. Interment was made in the church cemetery.
Charles A. LaPort
Charles A. Laport was born October 10, 1914, in Norman County, Mn., to E.M. and Minnie Bell (Phillips) LaPort. Here he grew to manhood. He served his country in World War II in the U.S. Army. Veteran. After his discharge in 1945, he came back to Twin Valley, where he farmed. In 1950 he moved to the Wilton area where he resided until his death on October 7, 1977. Funeral services were held at the Olso-Schwartz Funeral Home in Bemidji, Mn and he was laid to rest in Walworth Baptist Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
John Ira and Alice (Aasgaard) LaPort
John Ira was born on February 10, 1904 to Emor and Minnie Bell (Phillips) LaPort in Sac City, Iowa. At the age of 10 he moved with his family to this area, he recieved his education at Home Lake Country School. He was confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
After completing his education he focused on farming as a occupation. He had lived in Walworth township of Becker County and settled down in Home Lake township of Norman County. He farmed in section 26 of Home Lake township, he purchased this farm in the 1940's.
Alice Aasgaard was born on January 1, 1913, on a farm in Home Lake township to Lawrence and Hannah (Albertson) Aasgaard. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. Alice attended country schools in the area.
John and Alice were united in marriage on December 1, 1935, at the home of her parent's in Home Lake township. John and Alice made their home on the M. Aasgaard Farm, grandparents to Alice. They were members of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, where Alice was a life member. She was active in ALCW, circles, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.
John was a member of the Wild Rice Church, his specialty was cooking and baking for his family.
John passed away on September 29, 1986 and Alice passed away on April 3, 1975, they are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
John and Alice were the parents of: Lowell, John, Allan, Monrad, Amos, Donald, Anna Marie, Linda (Hoss), and Manette.
Anna Marie LaPort
Anna Marie Claire LaPort was born on April 5, 1947 at the Ada Hospital to John and Alice (Aasgaard) LaPort. She was baptized at the Wild Rice Church on May 11, 1947. When she was 5 and one-half months old she suffered sever attacks of epilepsy, which later caused her death. She died at the Mahnomen Hospital on August 20, 1950, at the age of three years, four months, and fifteen days.
Lowell Eldon LaPort
Lowell Eldon LaPort was born on December 13, 1936, to John and Alice (Aasgaard) LaPort, in Home Lake township, Norman County, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended school in Syre, Mn and then went to Twin Valley High School. He lived in Becker County, in Walworth Township and later moved to Norman County, Home Lake township.
He grew up on the family farm and was in farming operations with his brothers. Lowell died on March 22, 1994 at St. Luke's Hospital in Fargo, ND. Lowell is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
John Allan LaPort
John A. LaPort was born on April 15, 1940 at home in Walworth township in Becker county. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended school at Twin Valley, Mn. After completing his education he started farming with his brothers.
John married Georgianne Olson on July 17, 1976. They had one daughter Ricka Laport. Ricka married Mike Brendle and they are the parents of two sons, Michael Scott and Zachary Jordan.
Monrad LaPort
Monrad was born on April 19, 1943 at home in Home Lake township. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He attended school at Twin Valley, Mn. After completing his education he started farming with his brothers.
Amos W. and Lonnie (Opsahl) LaPort
Amos was born on June 23, 1946 at the Ada Hospital. Amos was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He grew up on the family farm and attended school at Twin Valley. After he graduated from High School he entered the military service, of which he served his country for two years. He came home to the Flom area after his discharge and farmed with his brothers. Amos married Lonnie Opsahl, the daughter of Ludwig and Doris Opsahl.
Amos and Lonnie LaPort live in section 24 of Home Lake Township with their three children; Sarah, Kayla and Nathan. Their children were baptized at Wild Rice Lutheran Church and all attend Norman County East school.
Jack and Linda D. (LaPort) Hoss
Linda was born at Ada, Mn. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. She attended school at Twin Valley, Mn. Linda and Jack have three children and three grand children. Jack Jr., Jeffrey and Anette (Carlson) (Dave)
Manette LaPort
Manette was born at Ada, Mn, she was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. She attended school in Twin Valley, where she graduated from High School. After graduation she went to Detroit Lakes Vo-Tech and then entered the Army. Manette served her country for four years. After completing her military duration she returned to the Twin Valley area, where she is employed at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, Mn.
Donald W. LaPort
Donald was born on September 14, 1954 at Ada, Mn. He grew up on the family farm in Home Lake township. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He attended school at Twin Valley, Mn and after graduating he went to Moorhead Tech. He currently works at Auto Value in Mahnomen, Mn.
Anton S. and Adelia (Montgomery) Larson
Anton Larson was born in Tracy, Mn on January 28, 1879 he was the fourth son of Hans T. and Turi Larson. He had three brothers; Martin of Twin Valley, Lewis of Brahm, Mn and Hans of Jamestown, ND.
He was confirmed in the United Lutheran Church at Tracy in 1893.
He married Adelia Montgomery on May 2, 1907, at Tracy, Mn. After their marriage he and his wife were active members in the church at Tracy, Mn. Here Anton and his brother Martin farmed their home place two miles northwest of Tracy. They came to the Flom area settling on the John Narum place in Home Lake. Here they raised their family of eight children; Manly, Mildred, Frances (Paul Jensen), Carrabelle (Gale Elliott), Theodosia, Theodora (Lawrence Peterson), Martha (Art Sorenson) and Margaret.
They remained here until 1933 when they retired due to poor health and moved to the Presting residence near Twin Valley, MN.
His health had been failing for the last five years with a chronic attack of Huntington’s carea and complications which became very serious the last week and caused him to take his life Wednesday morning, Sept 4 at the age of 56 years, 7 months and 6 days.
Funeral services were held at Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom with interment at the church cemetery.
Ernest and Evelyn (Ommodt) Larson
Ernest C. Larson was born on June 27, 1911 at Centuria, Wisconsin to Erling and Christine (Thompson) Larson. As a young boy he moved with his family to Hurdsfield ND, living there two years before moving to Minnesota. He worked on farm in the Flom and Waubun area as a young man.
Ernie married Evelyn Ommodt on September 28, 1940 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. They farmed on Evelyn’ home farm and they also operated the Flom Cafe and VFW in the early 1970’s.
Besides farming, from which he retired in 1975, Ernie also drove school bus for the Twin Valley school system and was employed as a grader operator for Lunde Blade and Gravel of Flom, both for 18 years.
Ernie passed away on August 17, 1993 in Dakota Hospital in Fargo, ND. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery. After his death Evelyn remained on the farm for a few years, before moving into Waubun, where she resides today.
Ernie and Evelyn were the parents of two children; Myron and Linda (Frank Hesby).
Ida G. Larson
Ida Larson was born on July 25, 1859 to Lars and Inga Marie Larson. Ida was born near Christiana, Norway and came to this country with her parents in 1868. They first settled in Iowa before coming to Norman county, Mn. Here she attended school and further her education at Sioux Falls, SD and Moorhead, Mn. After receiving her degree she taught in country schools in the Flom area for about twenty years.
Ida died on March 26, 1935 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fargo, ND. Her funeral was conducted from the Wild Rice church and interment was also made in the church cemetery.
Christian Nikolai and Gunhild (Olson Bergetangen) Larson
Christian Nikolai Larson was born October 13, 1862 in Feiring, Akershus, Norway. He is the son of Lars Kristoffersen Flesvik, born June 16, 1816, and Inge Marie Olsdatter Bjortomte, born November 3, 1823. They were both born in Feiring, Akershus; Lars on the Bjornstadt farm.
Lars and Marie were married November 18, 1847 in the Feiring Parish and came to the US on the Bark Olaf, April 12, 1868. All of the children, except Olava, came with them. Olava immigrated to the US in 1872.
Children of Lars and Inge Marie in addition to Christian Nikolai Larson:
Anne Magrethe Larson was born March 18, 1848. She married Hans Gunilius. Anne died on April 13, 1915 in Twin Valley, MN.
Olava Larson was born February 20, 1851. She married Ole Melaas on June 26, 1874. Olava died on September 24, 1940 in Ulen, Becker Co, MN.
Karen Evine Larson was born June 19, 1854. She married Enoch Tobias Berkland on November 13, 1871. Karen died on April 2, 1940 in Norman County.
Ragnild Marie Larson was born January 7, 1857 and died Jan 27, 1862.
Ida Jørgine was born July 25, 1859 and died on March 26, 1935 in Crookston, MN.
Ole Ragnvald Larson was born August 10, 1867 and died before 1870 in Winneshiek, IA.
Maria died 5 years old.
Regina Marie was born June 16, 1870 and died September 22, 1893 in Norman Co.
Lars died December 29, 1893 and Inge Marie died March 9, 1907. Both Lars and Inge Marie died in Norman County and are buried at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Christian was married on December 6, 1887 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church to Gunhild Olson Bergetangen who was born November 4, 1861 in Freeborn County, MN. She moved to Norman County as young girl with her parents Helge Olson Bergetangen and Sigrid Gudbrandsdatter Hovseie (see article on Helge Olson Bergetangen). Christian and Gunhild purchased land in Section 20 of Flom Township which they farmed until 1924.
Children of Christian and Gunhild:
Ida Maria Saxvold was born May 5, 1888, married John M. Saxvold on June 17, 1917 in Norman County, MN, Ida died on November 21, 1959 at Pequot Lakes, MN.
Sophia Elise Gunderson was born December 25, 1889, married Benart Gunderson on August 5, 1915 in Ada, MN and Sophia died October 30,1975 at Detroit Lakes, MN.
Minnie Georgine Dahl was born April 12, 1899, married Nels S. Dahl on May 25, 1922 in Norman County. Nels died on January 23, 1936. Minnie married Malcolm Campbell in 1946 and Minnie died October 8, 1980 at Moorhead, MN.
Ella Mabel Nelson was born September 25, 1892, married Norman Nelson on September 23, 1915 in Norman County, and Ella died December 1, 1983 at Twin Valley, MN.
Lawrence Helmer Larson was born a twin on October 23, 1895, he married Frieda Stundahl on December 23, 1919. Frieda died on August 1, 1925 in Flom Township. Lawrence then married Nora , Lawrence died on July 15, 1979 at Los Angeles, CA.
Lena Henrietta Bakke was born on October 23, 1895, married Raymond Bakke on April 9, 1916 in Twin Valley, MN and Lena on May 18, 1968 at Crookston, MN.
Charles Gerhard Larson was born August 17, 1906, and died April 6,1978.
Christian died on March 14, 1940 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery. Gunhild died on January 13, 1944 in Crow Wing County at Brainerd, MN, she is buried at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery near Twin Valley, MN.
Eddie and Amy (Stende) Larson
Amy Stende was born on January 26, 1920 in Edina, Mn. She attended school near Flom and Twin Valley, Mn.
In 1940 she moved to Fargo, where she worked at National Tea Grocery as a produce manager. On September 6, 1947 she married Eddie Larson in Moorhead. They resided in Fargo until their deaths.
Eddie died in 1970 and Amy on May 5, 2002 at Rosewood in Fargo. Burial was made at Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, ND.
They were the parents of two sons; Victor Stende and Ronald Larson.
Evert and Marjorie Leinum
Evert was born to Severt, who was born January 26, 1884 in Albion Township of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, to Andrew and Engeborg Andrine (Pederson) Leinum and Flossie Mae (Griffin) Leinum, who was born on May 26, 1894, on July 13, 1913 in Clay County, Minnesota. He moved with his parents and siblings to a farm one and one-half miles west of Ulen in 1914.
He had the following brothers and sisters: Evelyn, Emma, Sanford, Cecil, Florence, Charlotte and Virginia.
Evert served in the Army Air Corp in World War II in the Burma-India Theatre. He returned to the farm after the war and bought his own farm near Flom, Minnesota. There he operated his own trucking business. His wife, Marjorie, was active in the community and also was involved in many organizations along with Evert such as Farmers Union, Atlanta Church and volunteer work in the community. Marjorie died unexpectedly of cancer and shortly thereafter Evert became very ill and lost his eyesight prior to his death in February of 1981.
Henry Lian
Henry Lian was born on September 15, 1907 in Flom. He grew up in the Flom area and married Vivian Smith on August 27, 1930 in Crookston, Mn. They lived in Caledonia, ND, before moving to Hillsboro. He worked as a farm hand for Ralph Diehl for more than 30 years.
Vivian died on April 3 and Henry on June 16, 1992. Funeral services were held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Hillsboro. They had no children.
Peter and Randine (Klemetson Hanson) Lian
Peter Lian lived in Walworth Township in Section which is directly across to the west of Walworth Baptist Church. Many people today know the building site as that where Raymond Stende lives. Peter was born on Aug. 4, 1857 in Tydal, Trondheim, Norway and immigrated to the Flom area. Peter lived here and met a young widow Randine whom he married in 1892. Randine had immigrated to the United States along with her sister Lisa and Mother Karen Eriksdatter in 1885. They came from the Gulbrandsdalen area in Norway.
They came to the Atlanta Township area where they lived with her brothers Erik and Johannes Klemetson who had immigrated and homesteaded earlier.
It was here that she met and married a young man by the name of Samuel Hanson who had immigrated from Telemark in southern Norway. They lived by Lake Park, Mn and farmed. They had one daughter Minnie who was born on November 5, 1888. When Minnie was only two weeks old her father was killed in a tragic accident. He fell off his wagon on the way home from Lake Park and was run over. After his death Randine and her infant daughter packed up and moved back into her brother Erik's home in Atlanta township. Peter and Randine lived in Walworth township for twelve years. It was at that time that Peter filed a claim for 160 acres of land east of Middle River. This was to be about 150 miles from Randine's family. They moved with their six children in a wagon, taking all their possession with them to an undeveloped area in Minnesota.
Their children were:
Minnie Gunhild Hanson Lian was born on November 5, 1888. She married William Dittberner in 1913 and divorced in 1922. They had two daughters Irene and Mildred. She married Edwin Shogren in 1923. They had one son Howard Shogren born on August 6, 1925. Minnie died January 4, 1979 and is buried at Internment Hillside Cemetery.
1-Gusta Caroline Lian was born on March 31, 1893 at Ulen, Mn their first born. She married John Aune of Gatzke, Mn on April 11, 1912. They had 7 children.
Olaf born November 12,1912, Esther born on February 3, 1914, Glen who was born on March 29, 1916, Mildred who was born on February 1, 1919, Juel born on November 16, 1921, Kenneth born on December 31,1924 and Marvel born on April 28, 1926. Gusta died on January 12, 1974. Both are buried at Moose River Cemetery.
2-Clara Louise was born on October 17, 1894 at Ulen, Mn she married Tom Ostby on March 31, 1917. They had 2 children. Thorfin born May 5, 1918, Clayton born on October 14, 1919, Clara died in March 1987 and is buried at Moose River Cemetery.
3-Herman Oscar was born on September 17, 1896 east of Ulen in Walworth Township. He married Ethel Lenora Johnson on August 12, 1928. They had children.
Marvel born on August 29,1929, Kenneth LeRoy born on September 26, 1932, Erline Herman born on Oct 6, 1935, JoJean born July 31, 1939 and Keith born July 20, 1943. Herman died on October 13, 1967 and Ethel died Nov. 7, 1982 both are buried at Moose River Cemetery.
4-Josie Sarine was born on Nov. 15, 1898 east of Ulen, Mn she died at the age of 12 and is buried at Moose River Cemetery.
5-Pauline Randine was born on January 11, 1901 at Ulen, Mn. She was only a baby when her parents left the Flom area and headed north to Gatzke. She married Edwin Myron in 1924. They had one daughter Mae Ruth born on June 14, 1925 in Minneapolis, Mn. Edwin died in 1933 leaving a young widow and child behind. Pauline died on March 21, 1989. Edwin and Pauline are both buried at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens, Crystal, Mn.
6-Clarence was born on February 1, 1903 at Gatzke. He married Ellen Bloomquist on April 3, 1927. They were the parents of LaVonne Lou born June 23, 1932. Ellen died on Oct. 21, 1989 and Clarence died on Aug. 26, 1991. Both are buried at Moose River Cemetery.
7-Martin Luther was born on February 18, 1905 at Gatzke, Mn. He married Pearl Keneston on April 29, 1944. They had one son David Martin born on March 20, 1951. Martin died on July 2nd, 1971 and is buried in Glen Haven Cemetery in Crystal, Mn.
8-Alice Rosella was born on Jan. 6, 1906 at Gatzke. She married Ray Eastby in August 1928.
They had 2 children.
Beatrice was born on Nov, 30, 1930
and Rodney was born on April 29, 1934.
Alice died on Feb. 23, 1994 and Ray died on Nov. 25, 1986
Sidney F. and Edna (Smith) Lian
Sidney F. Lian was born on May 4, 1909 at Flom, Mn. He moved to Gatzke, Mn at an early age. He later moved to Hillsboro, ND, area and then returned to Gatzke where he farmed for several years.
Sidney and Edna Smith were married on December 1, 1931 at Crookston, Mn. The couple moved to the Moorhead, Mn. Here Sidney started construction work. He was a member of the Eagles and Moose Lodge.
Sidney and Edna were the parents of three children; Larry, Sally (Marvin Erickson) and Mary Ann (Floyd Marshall). Sidney passed away in 1972. He is buried at Moorhead Memorial Gardens.
David and Christina (Biegler) Lien
David Eric Lien was born on March 14, 1968 to Donna and Gerald Lien of Flom. He was born in Ada, MN.
Schooling: Twin Valley High School North Dakota State University (Degree in Agricultural Economics)
Baptized: Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom
Confirmed: Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom
Occupation: Works for Advance Elevator in Fargo, ND. He installs passenger elevators throughout the region.
Christina Lynn (Biegler) Lien was born on November 12, 1972 to Peter and Kaaren Biegler of Fargo, ND. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Schooling: West Fargo High School
North Dakota State University (Degrees in Economics and Business Administration)
Baptized: St. Bernards Catholic Church, Wauwatosa, Wisc.
Confirmed: Blessed Sacrement Catholic Church, West Fargo ND
Occupation: Financial Planning for Lien Financial Services
David and Christina were married at Aspelund Lutheran Church in Flom, MN on October 22, 2000.
They are located 1/4 mile south of Flom on County Rd 38.
They have one son, Parker David Francis Lien, born on January 19, 2002 in Fargo ND.
Baptized: St. Williams Catholic Church in Twin Valley MN
Blessed: Aspelund Lutheran Church in Flom, MN
Emil and Marie (Qual) Lien
Emil Lauritz Lien as born on February 20, 1879 on a farm in Fossum township which at that time was in Polk county, Mn. He was born to Johannes and Agnetta (Pederson) Lien, who had immigrated from Norway and settled here.
Emil was baptized in the Lutheran Faith and confirmed in Wild Rice Lutheran Church on June 17, 1894 by Rev. Hans Johnson. At the 100th anniversary of the Wild Rice Church, he was the oldest confirmed member in attendance. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school, he went on to further his education at Fergus Falls, Mn at the Business College.
On June 25, 1902 he was united in marriage to R. Marie Qual in the Norwegian Synod Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, Mn. They then made their home in Twin Valley where they lived the rest of their lives. Marie passed away on August 22, 1973 and Emil passed away on July 8, 1974 at the age of 95 years. In 1972 they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
Emil owned and operated his own dray service in Twin Valley, Mn., for many years, when all the freight came in by railroad and had to be delivered to the stores and home. He also as the river for a special delivery service in the early days for salesmen and others who had to get to neighboring towns in their line of work. He also was a rural mail carrier for many years. He had a good memory of incidents and happenings and saw Twin Valley originate from it’s infancy to the present. He was also a charter member of the Zion Lutheran Church, in Twin Valley.
Emil and Marie were the parents of J. Leonard, Archie M., E. Milton, Morrell E., Agnes ( E.J. Mattson), Morraine ( L. D. Norden) and Esther Sandvold. Emil and Marie also had two children who proceeded them; and infant son Arnold and Floyd. Floyd was killed in action on D-Day in France in World War II.
German Lien Family (as told by Frances Lien)
German had grandparents named Ole and Embjor Lien. His folks were Gustav and Emilia Lien and they had seven children. On of them was German Lien, who I fell in love with. I met him at a dance where he played the violin and banjo. German Lien, Frances Fossen and Harold Skansgaard were the players around Flom at the time.
They talk about instant love… I saw German come in that night and that was it for both of us. Eight months later we got married and had five children; Hilmer, Irene, Marion, Gerald and Carolyn. We had 14 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. We left Flom in 1961 when we moved to Moorhead and ran "Frans Cafe" on Main Ave. Gerald bought the farm from us so there were still Lien’s around Flom for some years to come. Gerald and Donna Lien are still on the farm. They had three children; Gerri, Debra and David. David recently moved back just south of Flom with is wife Christina. They now have a son, Parker. Looks like he will be a good farmer too.
Editors note: German Lien was born in Flom Township on June 30, 1908 to Gustav and Emilia (Vangen) Lien. He married Frances Wolbeck on December 20, 1929 at Flom, Minnesota. German died on January 21, 1983 and is buried in Aspleund Cemetery.
Frances was born to Henry and Anna Wolbeck.
Gustav and Emilie (Christianson Vangen) Lien
Gustav Lien was born in 1874 to Ole and Embjar (Brenden) Lien. He grew up in the Flom area always living on the family farm.
Emilie Vangen Christianson was born on March 5th,1877 in Nordre Fron Gulbrandsdalen, Norway to Mr. and Mrs. Tosten Vangen. She was baptized and confirmed in Norway and at the age of sixteen left for America, coming to Norman county. It was here she met Gustav.
Gustav and Emilie were married at the Wild Rice Parsonage on January 15th, 1896 by Rev. J.R. Vaaler.
Emilie and Gustav made their home in Flom Township where they lived all their married life.
Gustav and Emilie were the parents of seven children; Ella (Clarence Holum), Olender, Minnie (Knute Thompson), German, Selma (David Lindemann) two daughters Ella and Gerda died in infancy.
Gustav died in 1945 and Emilie died on May 7th, 1945. Both are buried at the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Hans Peter and Anna (Ramberg) Lien
Hans Peter (Peter J.) Lien was born to Johannes and Agnethe (Aamoth) Lien in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway in 1867. He immigrated to America with his parents in 1868.
Hans married Anna Ramberg in 1890 and farmed in Fossum township, for five years. He then purchased a farm three miles west of Twin Valley, MN. They stayed there for 20 years, at which time they sold the farm and moved back to Fossum Township where they resided for 16 years. His last three years he lived in Twin Valley, Mn.
They were the parents of five children; John A. , Phillip A., James A, Arthur and Ida ( Thorpe). John was born in 1891 and died while in the service. He served his country as a member of C.A. 118 Inf. in World War I. He is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Anna died in 1930 and Hans died on June 1, 1937 both are buried at Wild Rice. His obituary states his name as Hans Peter.
Henry and Anna ( Holum) Lien
Henry O. Lien was born on April 29th, 1877 to Ole and Imburg/Embjor (Brenden) Lien, south of the Plentywood school in section 10 of Flom, Township. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, Twin Valley. As a young boy he grew up in Flom Township receiving his education in District 12, Plentywood School.
Anna Julia Holum was born in Section 21, Flom Township, to Erick A. and Randi (Otterness) Holum.
Anna was the only child and remained in Norman County.
Henry and Anna Holum were married on November 22, 1905, by Rev. J.R. Vaaler. They were married in a double wedding with Henry’s sister Emma and Peter Braget. They were the parents of three children.
Rosalie (Oscar Stene), Odella (Melvin Aune, and Hazel (Albert Stene).
Henry was skilled at drilling flowing wells and farming.
Henry passed away on December 22nd 1945. He was a life member of the Wild Rice Church. Anna passed away on February 14th, 1966. Both are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Hilmer Lien Family
I was born in an old house August 21, 1930, that used to occupy space just east of Flom on the ground that Gerald and
Donna now farm. As I recall the house did stand for a number of years and was always vacant. Who it belonged to and when it disappeared I do not recall. I am the oldest son of German & Frances Lien (Wolbeck). German was the youngest son of Gustav and Amelia Lien who used to farm 2 miles north of Flom.
German used to farm 2 miles north and 1 mile east of Flom. It was from here that I first attended grade school at "Cheerful Nook" which used to stand approximately 2 miles north and 2 miles east of Flom. The location is now overgrown with trees on the edge of land that David Lien has farmed the passed several years. When I was in the sixth grade we purchased the Farm just east of Flom that Gerald & Donna now farm and Changed schools From Cheerful Nook to Flom. I was 12 years old at the time and this was a late fall or early winter move. I vividly remember starting to walk to Flom school and trying to break a trail in the snow. There was a lot of prairie grass in those days that trapped the snow. The snow was not hard enough to carry my person so that every step I took I sank in the snow up to my waist it seemed. There was times when I didn’t think I was go to make it but finally I did. Of course when the end of the school day came I had to walk home again and tomorrow repeat the task. After a few days and weeks the snow began to carry me.
I graduated from Waubun high school in 1948 and spent that summer at home and going to a Gale Institute in Minneapolis in the Fall of 1948. They specialized in training people to communicate with Morris Code (*) and to perform the functions required to operate a railroad depot. There were many railroad depots in those days. This was the time when Railroad agents and operators who used to work 7 days a week began to work 5 days a week. This was the
beginning of the 40 hour week and it created a great demand for agents and operators to man the 7 day operations for this industry. I working for the Great Northern Rail road after school in July 1949 and retired from the Burlington Northern in October 1988. During my tenure I spent several years in various stations and locations in North Dakota and Minnesota. Some of the locations that I remember were Argyle , Noyes, Glyndon, Moorhead Junction, Minnesota. Edmore, Webster, Towner,and Devils Lake, Grand Forks, ND. While in Grand Forks I used to work at a location known as P.A. Tower lining switches for the trains as they entered and departed the Grand Forks Terminal. These towers were built high off the ground so we had a good view of the approaching traffic. This tower was heated with a coal burning stove and I remember in the winter storms of sitting by stove which was red hot, with my body being comfortable on the side next to the stove and freezing on the other side of my body. Insulation had not been invented yet.
While going to school at Gale Institute in Minneapolis during the evening I worked days at the Minneapolis Honeywell company in their coil winding department and my job was to keep the assembly line supplied with the materials necessary to make all kinds of coils. I was called a supply boy. Most of the people that were on the assembly line were women, which was okay with me. There was this one acquaintance that I made while working there who would later play an important part in my life. While we worked together for about 10 months at Minneapolis Honeywell, this was merely an acquaintance relationship. In the spring of 1950 while working a Telegraph position on the afternoon shift in Alexandria, MN we met again. We hadn’t seen or communicated with each other since my departure from Honeywell so we had much to reminisce about. Reminiscing turn to romance and we would later marry. I married Marion Mae Ketelle, August 25, 1951 Marion was the daughter of Harlan and Opal Ketelle from Osakis, Minnesota Marion died in the spring of 1972.
We had 3 sons:
Michael G. Lien (1953) in Amherst, Wisconsin
Patrick H. Lien (1955) in Durham, North Carolina
Barry K. Lien in (1957) in Fort Worth, Texas
The boys were all born at St.Ansgar Hospital in Moorhead, MN. Mike and Patrick graduated from Moorhead High and Barry was graduated from Centrailia, IL high school .I spent about 20 years working a communication job in Fargo and was promoted to assistant Agent in about 1970. Later I become an assistant train master and in 1970 I was promoted to train master and served some time at Rochelle, IL and then Centrailia, IL
It was while in Centrailia that Ettamae and I met. We had both lost our spouses during the years of 1971 and 1972.
Marion Ketelle died from cancer and Ettamae’s husband, John Garcia from Kidney failure.
I am now married to Ettamae Garcia (Koehler), the daughter of Edward and Irene Koehler from Carlyle, Illinois.
Ettamae was formerly married to John Garcia. John died in 1971. They had 3 children
Suzanne Schrieber (1951) In Breese, Illinois
Michael Garcia (1953 ) in Breese, Illinois
Karen F. Becker (1956 ) in Breese, Illinois
One of the things I remember was Saturday night in Flom with free movies. The lot just across the street from the Coop station used to serve as the movie sight. The early birds would park along the south side of the road so that they
could watch the movie from their cars. I still can recall parts of some of the movies they saw there and practically all the cartoons with Betty Boop, (I believe that’s how it was spelled). Any way she was always portrayed in cartoon style
as the beautiful girl and there always seemed to be this big black spider that was always trying to get her. To this day I
cannot stand spiders. Hmmn!
I remember one snow storm incident that took place some year probably 1947-1948 when a lot of people got stranded in Flom. The Hall was opened up for refuge that night. I don’t remember what people did for entertainment but I remember there where numerous trips to the local restaurants for food. Maybe even a Beer. Somewhere during the late evening I walked home for Flom and did the chores. Then walked back to Flom to join the other stranded people. On my return trip to Flom I remember meeting Lyle and Donna Simonson. They were walking home. I guess they decided not to be stranded anymore.
One more remembrance: some time around 1942 there was this man named Jimmy Christianson (don’t know if I spelled that right or not) who was a pilot in the air force. My dad and he were pretty good friends as I recall. Well anyway Jimmy was home for a week or two (vacation time I suppose). I don’t know the details of how this developed but when he was returning to service he was to fly over Flom. He had the airplane in Fargo and a time was specified for the event. Needless to say many people gathered on the streets of Flom and at the specified time the plane appeared from the Southwest. There were several flyovers high and low and fly arounds. I remember perhaps the last cycle when he was low enough and tilted the plane enough so that we could see him waving to us from the cockpit. Then as he straightened the plane out and flew away he rolled the plane from side to side in essence to wave good bye with the airplane. This airplane had a maximum speed of 210 miles per hour. Wow! That was difficult to believe in those days.
After 5 years in Centrailia, Il I was promoted to Colorado Division Safety & Rules supervisor and worked the division out of Denver, CO. My territory ran from Hayes, Nebr. to Denver and from Amarillo, TX to Cheyenne, Wyo. While working out of Denver from Dec 1978 to Oct 1988 (retirement date) we lived in Arvada, Co about 10 miles north of downtown Denver.
Current events: October 2001 we moved from Colorado to Breese, Ill and are in the process of building a home. The home is close to Ettamae’s family and will eliminate some of the long trips from Colorado to Illinois each year. It also gets me closer to my family. Not next door but closer. The house now has the wood floor installed and interior doors and trim should be next. The kitchen cupboards are in the living room and their installation should begin to happen this week.
We are both doing well
Hilmer and Ettamae Lien
* When I think back to that time in history when the Morris Code was the means of communication on the railroad it blows my mind. The system relied on copper wire (Copper was also expensive and subject to being stolen by the mile at night) strung for miles along the right of way and subject to occasional breakage which made it inoperative. There were a few telephones in those days which relied on the same wire system and seldom worked. If they were working it was almost impossible to use them because only two people could use the one wire at a time. One on each end of course. As time passed in the 1950’s the Morse Code was replaced with telephone systems and Teletype machines. WOW what an improvement. As I ponder the present day with satellites, wireless telephones, computers, E-mail and Web sites, it’s little wonder that no one ever mentions the Transatlantic Cable. I wonder what ever happened to it?
James A. and Clarice (Sannen) Lien
James Alfred Lien was born on April 19, 1903 in Wild Rice township to Hans Peter and Anna (Ramberg) Lien. He married Clarice Sannen on November 2, 1929 at Twin Valley, Mn. They farmed in Home Lake township for many years, moving into Twin Valley in September 1956, where he resided until his death on July 18, 1960.
James and Clarice were the parents of one daughter; LaVerne (Jewell Gunderson), they live in Twin Valley, Mn.
John O. Lien
John O. Lien was born on April 19, 1972 to Ole P. and Embjar (Brenden) Lien. He never married. On July 9, 1919 John passed away at his home in Flom township after a fall from a wagon. In the fall John struck his head after which he complained of headaches.
Johannes and Agnethe (Aamoth) Lien
Johannes Pederson Lien was born May 3, 1847 near Faaberg in Gudbrandsdalen Norway. He was the only child of Peder Engebreten and Marit Arnesdatter. Marit was also the mother of Ole Olson Jensveen and I image kept in contact with him after Ole left for America in 1855. Lien means open meadow or pasture in Norway and the farm Lien is located not far from the Jensveen farm in Gudbrandsdalen area.
Johannes married Miss Agnethe Aamoth in February 1867 in Norway and their first child Peter was born shortly after on April 8, 1867. Plans were probably made for move to America and on May 14, 1868 Johannes Pedersen Jensveen, Agnete Jenssen Handsatter, and son Hans Peder Jenssen left Christiania on the Emerald heading for Quebec arriving July 17, 1868. The family settled in Goodhue County probably near Ole Jensveen and in 1872, the Johannes Lien family migrated to the then Fossum Township, Polk County where he eventually homesteaded 160 acres in Section 28. In 1910, Johnannes donated 4 acres for a new school to be built (Webster) which was sometimes called the Lien School.
Johannes died February 6,1924 and his wife died October 1, 1936. Both are buried in the Wild Rice Cemetery.
Children:
Peter J Lien b. 4/8/1867 m. 1890 (AnnaR'unburg) d. 6/1/1937 in Norman County
Carrie Lien b 9/23/1869 m. 10/14/1901 (Henry Vehle) d. 11/14/1963 in Norman County
Ingeborg Pederson b. 9/15/1871 d. 11/4/1889 in Norman County
Anna Lien b. 12/8/1873 d. 2/14/1890 in Norman County
Johannes A Pederson b. 10/15/1876 d. 8/22/1889
Emil Lien b. 2/20/1879 m. 6/25/1902 (Marie Qual) d. 7/8/1974 in Norman County (see Emil and Marie (Qual) Lien)
Nels Lien b.7/26/1881 m. 12/01/1904 (Clara Bergeson) d. 9/31/1939 in Beltrami County ( he drowned)
Sebert Lien b. 10/6/1883 m. 8/7/1907 ( Ella Rikhus) d. I/25/1972 in Ulen (see Sebert and Ella (Rikhus) Lien)
Louis Lien b. 2/10/1886 d. 3/21/1967 in Norman County
By Richard Line
Lewis J. Lien
Lewis J. Lien was born in 1886 to Johannes an Agnethe Lien, in Fossum Township of Norman County. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley. He never married. Lewis died in 1967 and is buried at Wild Rice.
Odin Edwin & Leona (Prestegord) Lien
Odin was born on January 23, 1897 on the family farm in Flom township to Peter O. and Anna (Otterness) Lien. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He grew up in Flom township and on April 21, 1936 he was united in marriage to Leona Prestegord at the Wild Rice Parsonage. They were active in farming through their lives. Odin also served on the rural school board and had been a trustee of the church.
They were the parents of two sons; Phillip and Everett. Phillip was born in 1940. He was active in farming and also hauled milk for the local creamery. He never married. He died on December 18, 1964. They also had three daughters; Marlys (Eldo Bentley), LuVerne (Eugene Paulsrud), and Elaine (Charles Swenson).
Odin passed away on July 20, 1973, he is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Ole P. and Emjor (Brenden) Lien
Ole P. Lien was born in Kvam, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway. He married Emgjar Brenden in Nord Fron, Gudbrandsdalen in 1864. When he was 27 years old they came to America and Homesteaded a farm in Flom Township.
They had seven children, two were born in Norway, Peter O. and Marit (Mary). Five in America: John O., Henry O. Emma, Gustav O. and Lena. All of the boys had the letter O for a middle name for Ole. This is a custom that was familiar in Norway.
Emgjors parents were Jacob A. Brenden and Guri K. Brenden. Peter O. married Anna Amundson, they had 5 children.
Marit married Ole Fossen and they had 4 children.
John O. never married.
Henry O. married Anna Holum. They had 3 children.
Emma married Peter Braget and they one child.
Lena married Oscar Hedahl and they had one child.
Oscar O. married Hattie Mehlum and they had 4 children.
Gustav O. married Emeline Vangen and they had 5 children.
Their children are:
Elma, married Clarence Holum and they had 5 children.
Olender married Minnie Jacobson and they had 9 children.
Minnie married Knute Thompson and they had 9 children.
Selma married Dave Lindeman and they had 3 children.
German married Frances Wolbeck.
They had 5 children:
Hilmer and Etta Mae live in Illinois.
Irene and Julian Gudding live in Moorhead, MN.
Marion Bond lives in Moorhead, MN.
Carolyn Krejsi lives in Moorhead, MN.
Gerald and Donna live on the farm in section 34 of Flom Township.
Oleander and Minnie (Jacobson) Lien
Oleander E. Lien was born in 1897 to Gustav and Emilie (Vange) Lien. He grew up in the area.
Minnie Jeanette Jacobson was born on November 22, 1900 at Jackson, Mn the daughter of John and Milla (Johnson) Jacobson. She was baptized there and moved with her family to a farm near Flom in 1911. She was confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn, on November 28, 1915. She attended school at Jackson and at Flom.
Olenader married Minnie Jacobson in 1921 at the Wild Rice Parsonage. They made their home near Flom until 1943 when they moved to a farm in the Borup area. They resided here until 1954 they returned to the Flom area, moving onto a farm near Faith, Mn. They stayed here until they retired and moved into Twin Valley, Mn. Olender died on December 19, 1964, after his death Minnie continued to lived in Twin Valley until moving to Mahnomen and residing in the Mahnomen Nursing Home in 1994. She passed away on May 5, 1996. They are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
They were the parents of eleven children; Lloyd, Milo, Myrtle (Manford Lien), Gladys (John Fredricks), Orva ( Walter Johnson), Mavis (Cyril Flicek), Joyce (Virgil Monplaisir), Shirley (Ted Kaiser), Carol (Art Benson), Burnice (1928-1928) and Ervin J. ( 1926-926) both died in infancy, they are buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Petter O. and Anna (Amundson) Lien
Petter O. Lien was born July 9, 1864. at Nordre Fron Guldbransdalen, Norway of parents Ole P. Lien and Emjor (Brenden) Lien. Ole died in 1923 and Emjor in 1912. Petter's parents left Norway when Petter was five years old and settled in Rice County, Minnesota, where they stayed for four years and then they moved to Norman County, Flom township. Three and a half miles north of the village of Flom, eight and a half miles southeast of Twin Valley is where Petter (Dad) grew up to manhood along with four younger brothers and three sisters.
I cannot tell much about how they moved their belongings from place to place but presumably they used covered wagons, as that's how they grubbed and cleared off the brush and trees, with wagons and oxen.
When Dad was twenty-nine years old, he decided to establish his own home. He bought a quarter of land from his grandfather, Jacob A. Brenden, and built a log house not too far from his grandparents. Grandfather Jacob died in 1890. and his wife Guri died in 1896.
On May 4, 1893 Petter (Dad) was united in marriage to Anna Amundson. stepdaughter of Amund Otterness, by Reverend Hans Johnson. Anna was born September 23, 1874 in Gudbrandsdalen, Norway. Seven children were born to this union: Ella and Laura took sick and died when they were three and five years old. Ida. Odin. Pauline. Julia. and Elenora have lived out their full lives.
Petter (Dad) died in 1944 and Anna Mother) died in 1962. Ida raised a family of six children while married to Helmer Larson who is now deceased. Mrs. Emil Warnsholz (Laura) of Austin. Minnesota: Melvin Larson of Beaver Bay. Minnesota died November 10. 1974: Hjalmer Larson lives in Tucson. Arizona: Palmer lives in Belcourt, North Dakota: Mrs. Earle Newman (Lillian) of Fort Francis, Ontario, Canada; Mrs. John Wentz (Marilyn) of Fargo, North Dakota. Ida died April 2, 1969.
Odin married Leona Prestegard in 1936. They raised five children: Marlys (Mrs. Eldo Bentley). Twin Valley, Minnesota: Phillip who died in 1964: LuVerne (Mrs. Eugene Paulsrud). Halstad, Minnesota; Elaine (Mrs. Charles Swensen), Thief River Falls. Minnesota: Everett married and lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota: Odin died on July 21. 1974.
Pauline (Mrs. Oscar Rust) had two children and lives at Galesburg, North Dakota. Her children are: Reverend Kenneth Rust, who is a pastor at Belgrade, Minnesota: and Edris Ann (Mrs. Herbert Meier) who now lives at Perham. Minnesota.
Julia (Mrs. John Norman Severtson) now lives in Ada, Minnesota and they have three children: Jean, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Lyle, of Fresno, California, and Paul, of Mobile. Alabama.
Elenora and Erling (a grandson) still lived in Dad and Mother s last home here on earth.
We were all baptized and confirmed at the East Wild Rice Lutheran Church, that is all three generations, except for my children.
Petter (Dad) worked very hard to clear off the land with oxen so he could break it up into fields. Later he bought horses to work with. He drove nine miles east towards Waubun, Minnesota and bought some hay meadow, that he mowed and raked for hay and then he hauled it home for winter feed for the horses and cows. Mother would pack canned fish, dried beef, eggs, and other foods that Dad could fix on a camp stove, and the men would be gone for most of the week. There were two bachelor neighbors that Dad would hire when help was needed for grubbing and haying. Their names were Andrew Benson and John Tangner.
I (Pauline) used to carry lunch to dad when he was breaking up land close to home, and one time he turned under a large patch of wild strawberries that grew up after the hazel nut brush was cleared off. We used to pick quarts and quarts of nice large berries. For several years neighbors were asked to come over and pick. As a child of nine or ten years old, I felt badly to think Dad could destroy all those great plants, as I did treasure the strawberries more than bushels of wheat or flax that could be raised there instead.
My folks lived a good life together in spite of all the hard work that had to be done by hand in those days. Even so they had much to be thankful for. This information was submitted by the oldest daughter of Petter Lien, Mrs. Pauline Rust of Galesburg, North Dakota.
Peter O. and Anne (Otterness) Lien Family
Peter O. Lien was born in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway to Ole P. and Embjor (Brenden) Lien. He came to this county as a young boy and resided in Norman County all his life. He married Anne Otterness who was the daughter of the Armund Oterness.
Anne Otterness was born on September 23, 1874 in Guldbrandsdalen, Norway to Mr and Mrs Amund Otterness. She was baptized in Norway and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. Her family came to the United States when Anne was only seven years old.
Peter and Anne were married on May 4, 1893 at the Wild Rice Parsonage by Rev. Hans Johnson. Anne was a good seamstress and a loving and kind mother. she was a Life member of the Wild Rice Ladies Aid.
They settled on a farm in Flom township and it was here they raised their family; Odin, Ida ( Larson), Pauline ( Oscar Rust), Julia (Norman Sivertson) and Eleanor Lien.
Peter died on August 22, 1944 and Anne on October 5, 1962, both are buried at Wild Rice. After their deaths their daughter Elenora continued to live on the family farm.
Elenora was born in 1908 near Flom, Mn. She attended rural schools.Elenora continued to live on the family farm in section 4 of Flom township, even after her parents deaths. Elenora never married and stayed on the farm until ill health forced her to move to the Lutheran Memorial Home in Twin Valley, here she died on January 24, 1986.
Elenora had one son Erling Lien who was born in 1929. Erling was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended Plentywood school. Erling was injured as a child when he was kicked in the head by a horse. He was a jovial sort of fellow who loved to visit. He worked at home and for other farmers in the area. Due to ill health he had to leave the farm and move into the Lutheran Memorial Home in Twin Valley, where he died on November 20, 1992. He is buried at Wild Rice.
Sebert and Ella (Rikhus) Lien
Sebert Adolph Lien was born on October 6, 1883 on a farm in Fossum township. The son of Johannes and Agnethe (Aamoth) Lien. He was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He grew up on the farm and attended rural school, and later attended the Business College at Grand Forks, ND.
As a young man he worked in the grain elevator business in various towns in North Dakota, moving to Ulen in 1903.
Sebert and Ella were married on August 7, 1907 at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn. After their marriage they made their home in Ulen, where he served as manager of the Cargill Elevator for many years, retiring in 1947 with over 45 years in the business.
During Sebert’s life he was Mayor of Ulen for many years, served as village clerk for several years, a member of the village council, and also the First South Wild Rice Lutheran Church council for many years. He was also a past member of the Ulen Volunteer Fire Department.
They were the parents of four children; Harold, Earl, Macel (Clinton Klemetson) and Nile. Two infant sons and one infant daughter proceeded them in death.
Sebert passed away on January 25, 1972 at the age of 88 years, he is buried at the North Ulen Cemetery.
David C. and Selma (Lien) Lindeman
David was born in 1913 to Robert and Della (Vadnaes) Lindeman in Waubun, Mn. He married Selma Lien, daughter of Gustav and Emilie (Vangen) Lien. They lived in International Falls for several years before his death in 1952, he is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery. After David's death she returned to the Flom area. She did child-care for Charles and Cora Waller of Walworth Township, Becker County. Then in 1970 she made her home with her nephew and his wife, Jerome and LaDonna Thompson of Flom. She remained here until the last four years of her life in which she resided at the Mahnomen Nursing Home, Mahnomen, Mn. Selma is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery. They had two sons; Lew and Lowell and one daughter; Linda (Bak).
Lowell was born on September 8, 1938 on a farm in Flom Township. He grew up in the area, and attended school here. He also worked for area farmers in Waubun, Borup, Fertile and Ada. He was inducted in the armed services on December 12, 1961. He was discharged on August 19, 1965 in Georgia. He was involved in a car-pedestrian accident in Marietta, Georgia, he died almost instantly from injuries resulting from the accident on September 25, 1965. Lowell has just left a diner where he had eaten lunch when he attempted to cross a four lane highway in Marietta, Ga., when he was struck by a on coming car. He never married. Lowell is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Lewis and Julia (Smidge) Lockrem
Julia was born on February 9, 1850 in Sogning, Norway, to Hans and Kari (Ofredal) Smidge. Her father died when she was young, her mother married Helge Rinde. Julia came to the United States as a child with her mother and step father. Julia married Lewis (Lars) Lockrem and they settled on a farm in Home Lake township in section 24, the farm site is currently owned by Amos and Lonnie LaPort.
Lewis was born on October 29, 1842 in Valders, Norway. He came to America when he was seven years old with his parents. They settled in section 24 of Home Lake township. They were one of the first settler's of this vicinity.
Lewis and Julia were the parents of one son; A.C. Lockrem and two daughters; Ella (W.H. Diemert) and Amanda (Gust Presting).
Lewis died on May 17, 1924 and Julia died on June 22, 1898. They are both buried at the Wild Rice Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Lloyd O. and Ethel Lockrem
Lloyd O. Lockrem was born on February 7, 1907. He spent part of his youth in the Twin Valley/Flom area. He married Dorothy Tepper. Lloyd was residing in Novato, California at the time of his death on February 22, 1979. His wife Ethel proceeded him in death. He was survived by one sister (Harriette Hoganson) who was residing in North Moorhead at that time. Lloyd was the son of AC Lockrem.
Gunder and Anna Margaret (Hagen) Lund
In June 1857 Ole R. Lund, his wife and four children from Hammar, Stjordal, east of Trondhjem. Norway boarded a sailing vessel bound for the United States. They arrived at Red Wing, Minnesota where they stayed with friends who had arrived several years earlier. Here two more children were born, Gunder and Ellen.
Ole Lund found land to his liking north of Wanamingo and gained title to it in 1860. A dug-out home was erected in the side of a hill. It had a front of logs with a door and window. The roof was of poles covered with sod and birch bark. The family lived in this home for twelve years. A new home of sawn lumber was then built nearby.
In the fall of 1878 Gunder enrolled in the then St. Olaf School at Red Wing, studying there until March 18, 1880. Having met his future wife, Anna Margaret Hagen, who came from Trondhjem, Norway they married in 1881. Soon thereafter they decided to seek a new home in the Wild Rice settlement in Norman County. Gunder purchased 160 acres of land at five dollars per acre in the northwest quarter of section 27, Flom Township.
The young couple moved to the area via Northern Pacific immigrant car with horses, cattle, farm machinery and household goods. They unloaded at Lake Park, Minnesota into wagons and set out for their new home where in due time a house of lumber was built.
A young Indian couple lived nearby in a teepee. They would come and ask for milk and food for themselves and their baby. Mrs. Lund noted that they were friendly.
Crops were very good and it wasn't long before Gunder in partnership with Thor Amundson purchased a threshing outfit. They bought a Canton Monitor that was pulled with oxen. Later they bought a Case tractor engine with a diamond shaped smoke stack. This was one of the first self-propelled engines in the county. Gunder was engineer, Thor was the separator man and Theodore Oswald was the fireman.
In 1894 a new 4,000 bushel granary was built. Gunder built in a grain elevator which was powered by a family horse named Boken. On top of this machine was a platform where a driver could stand with a whip to see that Boken kept moving. At harvest time, the women of the house, with the help of hired girls, had their hands full preparing food for the crew of some thirty hungry Tronders, Sognings and others.
Gunder Lund served as a commissioner from 1885 to 1891 and was foreman on the road constructed southeast out of Twin Valley. The Lund family has in their possession the first road petition issued on October 14, 1881 which was signed by Peder B. Olson. P. O. Herrid, Hans Tvedtstulen. John Froshaug and others.
The first Mutual Fire Insurance Company was organized September 17. 1887, with E. L. Tomtengen, president: G. O. Lund, secretary: Henry
Benson, treasurer: John Homelvig, Hans Aurdal, Overlie and P. N. Aamoth, directors. Mr. Lund was secretary until his death in 1910. The Flom Mutual Fire Insurance Company is still in existence.
In 1897 Gunder bought land in section 28. Wild Rice Township and he built a seven bedroom brick house and other buildings. Here the ten Lund children grew up.
Martin experimented with electricity and telegraphy, attended the St. Paul School of telegraphy and became a railway agent at Milltown,Wisconsin.
Peter also took up telegraphy and was a helper at many depots before becoming an agent at Gary until being transferred to the Northern Pacific main line at Hawley, Minnesota, then to Twin Valley until he was transferred to New York Mills, Minnesota. Peter's son Howard, is president of the Lund Boat Works and Dynamics Homes, Incorporated.
Jonatha or Nettie (Mrs. V. E. Smith) studied music and stenography. She was employed by attorneys Niles and Engeseth for several years. Her husband was a barber for over fifty years. He also operated the Cozy Theater and Valley Hotel, was a band director, ball player and Mayor of Twin Valley.
Margaret married Mel Hawkins of Ada where they operated a watch repair and jewelry store. Both are deceased. In 1905 Margaret was pianist for the Mahnomen-Waubun orchestra.
Gunda (Mrs. Arne Elleraas) was married June 14, 1908. Arne was County Auditor for thirty-five years. Both are deceased.
Alma (Mrs. A. Holm) of Porterville, California was employed by the Elizabeth Arden cosmetic firm until her retirement. She and her husband also operated an auto court at Los Angeles for a number of years.
Melvin was employed at the Northern Pacific depot in Twin Valley until he entered the service in World War I as a bugler. Later he was employed by the Los Angeles Park and Recreation Board until retirement.
Deborah, a twin, taught schools in Minnesota and North Dakota until she married Ben Eide of Bowdon, North Dakota. They operated a large beef and grain farm until they retired.
Evelyn (Mrs. J. K. Helsing) taught school until her retirement. The country school preserved by the Norman County Historical Society was one of her former schools.
Oscar, the recorder of the Lund family history, has been a farmer, helper at the Northern Pacific depot, lawn mower repairman, has worked on state highway maintenance, plumbing and was a fireman for Willis Waller's steam burning steam threshing rig. Oscar's hobby was band and orchestra for pleasure and entertainment.
The Lund's attended the Aspelund Church. Gunder Lund was the first organist and his daughter, Jonatha, later became organist.
Gunder was active in his community have served as a county commissioner during his life. He died on May 23, 1910 and Anna died on April 23, 1941, they are said to be buried in Twin Valley, Mn.
Melvin Lund
Melvin Lund was born to Gunder and Anna Hagen Lund on August 17, 1895 at Flom. He grew up here attending school at Twin Valley, Mn. He was a bugler in the Army during World War II. After his commitment to the armed forces was over he worked for Burlington Northern Railroad at Twin Valley, Mn. and later working as a gardener at the county hospital in Los Angeles. He had prospected for uranium in Nevada and was an outstanding musician. In 1978 he moved to Ada, Mn and where he resided until 1983 when he returned to Twin Valley, Mn., where he lived at the Lutheran Memorial Homes.
Melvin died on January 10, 1984 at Twin Valley. Funeral services were held at the Fredrickson Funeral Chapel in Ada, with burial in Twin Valley, Mn.
Olaf Martin Lund
Olaf Lund was born on June 16, 1882 in Flom township. He had resided in Flom most of his life where he did radio, television and watch repair work. He never married. He died at the age of 76 in October of 1958, funeral services were held at the Wagstrom Funeral Home in Twin Valley. Olaf is buried in Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Oscar and Margaret (Houkom) Lund
Oscar Johannes Lund was born on September 3, 1894, near Flom, Mn. The son of Gunder and Anna (Hagen) Lund. He grew up on a farm near Flom and attended school in Twin Valley, Mn. He graduated from high school at the Northwestern School of Agricultural in Crookston, Mn.
After completing his education he came back to his parents farm where he continued the farming operation with his parents after his father’s death. During this time he also worked for the Minnesota Highway Department for a few years.
Oscar married Margaret Houkom at Fargo, on June 29, 1938. Oscar began Lund Plumbing and Heating which he operated in the Twin Valley area until his retirement in the late 1950’s. He also worked on a small engine repairs out of his home.
Margaret died in 1968. After her death Oscar moved into the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center and later the Nursing Home.
Oscar was a lifetime member of the Western Minnesota Steam Thresher’s Reunion, a member of the Minnesota Historical Society, and the Norman County Historical Society. He played the trombone and was a member of the Wild Rice Farmer’s Club Band which was organized in 1910. In the 1920’s and beyond, he played with the Twin Valley, Community Band. He was an avid reader and was especially interested in Viking history and the history of Frenchman’s Bluff, which is located in Flom township.
Oscar died on February 4, 1990. He is buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, Mn.
Oscar and Margaret were the parents of; Mary (Dennis Walaker).
Christ and Mina (Thorson) Lunde
Christ Lunde was born on December 2, 1891 to Swen and Ingeborg Lunde at the home of his parents in Walworth Township, Becker County Mn. He had 3 brothers Martin, Severt and Albin and one sister Agnes (Raun). Christ died on October 10th, 1966.
Mina Thorson was born on May 25th, 1893 to Ole and Augusta (Dorseth) Thorson. She was born on the family farm near Flom. She had two brothers Albert and Oscar and one sister Alma. Mina died in 1943.
Christ and Mina (Thorson) Lunde were married on June 24th, 1917.
After their marriage they moved into the old log house on the Lunde farm while his parents moved into their new home across the road. In 1922 Christ and Mina moved away and his brother Martin and his wife Annie moved into the family home.
Christ and Mina were only away for a short time, returning in 1923. Christ farmed in Becker County for 19 years; then they moved to a farm 2 1/2 miles east of Flom in 1936. Christ lived here until his death. Christ loved farming and liked to tell the story about bringing his livestock back to the barn. One old cow marched in and took the same stall she had occupied when they had lived there before. The old log house was later torn down but it had served the Lunde's well. Tow large stones which helped to support the log structure were placed in the center of as a memorial flower garden.
Christ and Mina were the parents of one son Orlando (Ole) Lunde who was born on October 10th, 1920. See Ole and Norma Lunde.
David and Diane (Haverkamp) Lunde
David was born on March 25th, 1948 to Orlando and Norma (Rikhus) Lunde in Detroit Lakes, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. He attended school at Babbitt, Mn, and Waubun, Mn. His last four years he attended Crookston Ag School at Crookston, Mn where he received his diploma.
Diane Haverkamp was born on March 3rd, 1950 to Gordon and Veronica (Winter) Haverkamp in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
She was baptized in Waubun in May of 1950 and confirmed at St. Benedicts Catholic Church in White Earth in 1961. She attended grades 1-4 at Callaway then went to St. Benedicts Mission, White Earth where she attended from grades 5-8. Her High School years she attended at Detroit Lakes.
David and Diane were married on May 23rd, 1970 at Assumption Catholic Church in Callaway. They have lived in Flom in the former Eugene and Mary Albertson farm in section 28. In 1977 when Ole and Norma Lunde built their new home on the building site in Section 28 David and Diane moved their family to the home farm in Section 36 where they have lived since. David and Diane active in farming taking over the family farm with his brother Gary after Ole’s retirement from farming.
David has served on the Flom-Ulen Co-op Board since 1979, he is also on the Triangle Agronomy Board. Diane is a Life-Member of Flom-Twin Valley VFW Ladies Aux. 3818. They are both members of St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Waubun, Mn.
David and Diane are the parent’s of five children. Brenda was born on April 10th, 1969 in Detroit Lakes, Mn. She married Branden Norris on July 18th, 1999 and they live in Prior Lake, Mn where Brenda works for CMPI- Des Moines, IA. Where she is a construction manager. Branden is a electrician apprentice. They have one son Presley who was born on October 7th, 2000.
Cindy (Cynthia) was born on December 19th, 1970. Cindy attended school in Bemidji, Minnesota and also worked in Montana. She had a son, Isaac David born to her on May 13, 2000. He was the joy of her life. Her and Isaac moved back to the Flom area shortly after his birth, to be closer to the family. Isaac had medical problems and lost his fight for life on May 23, 2002
Jeff was born on December 21st, 1971. See Jeff and Jodi Lunde
Jason was born on February 4th, 1973. See Jason and Mindy Lunde
Chrissy was born on April 19th, 1978. She attended school at Waubun Elementary and graduated from Waubun High School. She married Beau Jacobson on September 16th, 2000 and they live by Hitterdal, Mn.
Jason and Mindy (Zima) Lunde
Jason was born on February 4th, 1973 to David and Diane Lunde. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Ann’s catholic church in Waubun, MN. He attended school at Waubun and after graduating he furthered his education at Northwest Technical College in Detroit Lakes.
Mindy Zima was born on January 5th, 1976 to Henry and Sherry Zima. She was baptized and confirmed in Ogema.
She attended elementary school at Ogema and graduated from Waubun High School, Waubun, Mn.
Jason and Mindy were married on April 29th, 1995 at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Ogema, and have made their home in Section 12 of Home Lake Township, Norman County. Jason works for Lunde Blade and Gravel and also farms with his father David. Mindy works at the Waubun school where she is the High School Secretary.
Jason and Mindy are the parents of three children. Austin Henry was born on December 30th, 1995 in Detroit Lakes, Brooke Louise was born on May 6th, 1998 also in Detroit Lakes and Coy Michael was born on January,9th, 2001 at
Perham.
Jeffrey and Jodi (Donner) Lunde
Jeff was born on December 21st, 1971 to David and Diane Lunde in Detroit Lakes, Mn. He was baptized at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic church in Ogema, Mn. and was confirmed at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Waubun, Mn. He attended school at Waubun graduating from there and then furthering his education at Alexandria Tech in Alexandria, Mn. Jeff is self employed farming with his father, David and also does trucking with his own semi.
Jodi Donner was born on June 26th, 1977 to Ronald and Laura (St. Claire) Donner in Detroit Lakes, Mn. She was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Ogema, Mn. Jodi attended school in Detroit Lakes. After graduating from High School she then attended UMC. She moved to the Flom area in 1998.
Jeff and Jodi were married on May 20th, 2000 at the home of Oliver and Emily Donner. Jeff and Jodi purchased the former Larry Malmskog home in section 12 of Walworth Township in Becker County where they reside.
The Lunde’s have two children. Hadlie Jane Lunde was born on April 15th, 1998 at Detroit Lakes, Mn and Wylie Kae Lunde was born on July 28th, 2001 at Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Gary and Linda (Stephenson) Lunde
Gary Ornell was born to Orlando and Norma Lunde on November 30th, 1944 in Detroit Lakes, Mn. Gary grew up 2 miles east of Flom. He attended school in Flom for 4 years and then transferred to Waubun, graduating from Waubun High School. Linda Lee was born to Maurice and Marlys Stephenson on January 21st, 1947. Linda graduated from Twin Valley High School. Gary and Linda were married on September 11, 1965. He entered the US Army December 20th, 1965 and was stationed in Fort Lewis Washington until being sent to serve his country in the war in Viet Nam.
Gary returned to Flom after being in the Army and farms 2 miles east of Flom. Besides farming, Gary and Linda both work for Flom Region Mutual Insurance. Gary and Linda have 3 daughters, Michelle, Lisa and Valorie.
Michelle married Mike Clark and they have two children, Christopher and Erica. Michelle is a dental hygenist.
Lisa married Thomas Dubbles and they have three children, Courtney, Matthew and Jocelyn. Lisa is a homemaker and teaches piano.
Valorie married Peter Steichen and they have two children, Benjamin and Natalie. Valorie is in Cancer Research in the Roger Maris Cancer Center.
All three daughters and their families reside in Dilworth, Mn.
Martin and Annie (Veum) Lunde
Martin Lunde was born on February 27, 1894, on a farm in Walworth township, Becker county, Mn. He was the son of Sven and Ingeborg Lunde. Martin was baptized and confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn. He attended rural schools and grew up in the Flom area.
Martin and Annie F. Veum were married at the Wild Rice parsonage on December 14, 1919. After their marriage they moved to a farm near Ulen, where they lived for four years, then moved to a farm in Flom township where they farmed for 26 years.
In 1949, the retired from farming and moved into Flom. The home they lived in was on the north side of town, west side of the street, current owner is Mark Floberg, many may remember it as the home of Harold and Martha Skansgaard. At this time Martin was the Star Route mail carrier for 25 years, until 1973. He also drove a school bus for many years, and served as custodian of Immanuel Lutheran Church. He served on varios boards and committees of the church. He also was a past member of the rural school board.
When Martin and Annie moved to Flom their daughter Donna and her husband Lyle took over the farming operation.
Martin and Annie were the parents of one daughter; Donna (Lyle Simonson). Annie passed away on April 8, 1966 and Martin passed away on May 25, 1974. They are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Orlando S. (Ole) and Norma (Rikhus) Lunde
Ole was born on October 10th, 1920 in the Lunde log home that his grandfather Swen Lunde had built. Ole married Norma Rikhus on May 17th, 1944. Ole farmed the family farm until his sons Gary and David took it over. Norma works as a book keeper at the Flom-Ulen Co-op. In 1977 Ole and Norma left the family farm and moved into Flom where they had built a new house. Ole was well noted for his backhoe work and gravel business which his son Arlen took over after his death. Ole died on April 25th, 1994.
Ole and Norma were blessed with 5 children, 3 boys, Gary, David and Arlen and 2 daughters, Sandra (Forness) and Rhonda (Tweeter).
Gary Ornell was born on November 30th, 1944. See Gary and Linda Lunde.
Arlen Dwayne was born on November 12th, 1946. He was married to Jane Catherine Foltz.(divorced) They had three children. Christy Maried Lunde was born on January 6th, 1972. She married Jeff Eichkloff and they have 2 children, Bailey and Alissa. Dwayne Michael was born on Dec.1st,1972. Chad Allen was born on Dec 1st, 1976 and he is married to Joni Syverson. Arlen lives in Flom where he operates Lunde Blade and Gravel.
David Orlando Lunde was born on March 25th, 1948. He married Diane Havercamp on May 23rd, 1970. They have 5 children. Brenda Sue was born on April 10th 1969. She married Branden Norris and they have one son Presley. Brenda and Branden live in southern Minnesota.
Cynthia Louise was born on December 19th, 1970. Cindy had a son Isaac David, who died on May 23, 2002 at home. Cindy lives north and east of Flom on the Eldon Thorson place.
Jeffrey David was born on December 21st, 1971. He married Jodi Donner and they have 2 daughters. Hadlie & Wylie. They live south and east of Flom in Becker County.
Jason Michael was born on February 4th, 1973. He married Mindy Zima and they have 3 children. Austin, Brooke and Coy. They live north and west of Flom by Homelake.
Chrissy Kersting. was raised by David and Diane as their daughter when Diane's sister and her husband Wayne Kersting along with their other daughter Bridget were tragically killed in a small plane crash in Florida when Chrissy was very young. Chriss is married to Beau Jacobson of Hitterdal.
David and Diane live on the home place east of Flom. Where they are active in farming the family farm with David's brother Gary.
Sandra Jeanne was born on November 15th, 1949. She married Terry Forness on February 11, 1972. They are the parents of 3 children.
Brian Lynn was born on September 5th, 1972.
Jill Marie was born on May 13th, 1974 and is married to Jason Blanchard.
Trina Jo was born on November 7th, 1975.
Sandra and Terry lived in Colorado for many years and are now living in the Minneapolis/St Paul area.
Rhonda Lee was born on April 26th, 1960. She married Jim Tweeter on August 16th, 1986. They currently live in West Fargo but will soon be moving to their lake home on Dead Lake.
Severt and Carrie (Smebak) Lunde
Carrie Smebak was born on March 31, 1891, in Walworth township, Becker county, Mn. The daughter of Paul and Marhea Smebak. She grew up in that area and attended rural schools there, and was baptized and confirmed at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn.
Carrie married Mikkel Storbeck and they lived on her parent’s home farm. He passed away in 1939. They were the parents of four children; Erling, Carrol, Martha (see Harold and Martha Skansgaard) and Marie (see Clinton and Marie Rishovd)
Carrie married Severt Lunde on October 24, 1956 at the Hitterdal parsonage. They resided on a farm in Walworth township. She lived here until June 16, 1967 when she moved to the Lutheran Memorial Home in Twin Valley because of her health.
Carrie was active in the Ladies Aid and ALCW for many years, having been conferred a life membership. She also served as church organist for several years.
Carrie died on January 27, 1968 at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, Mn at the age of 76 years. Funeral services were held at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen with interment in the church cemetery.
Stanley and Eldora (Stende) Lunde
Stanley Lunde was born on October 2, 1920 to Severt and Carrie (Raun) Lunde. He grew up in the area. He married Eldora Stende, daughter of Palmer and Olive (Purrier) Stende on September 20, 1947. Eldora was born on May 5, 1923.
Stanley and Eldora first lived on a farm in Atlanta township and later they mvoed to the farm vacated by SEvert and Carrie Lunde in section 19 of Walworth township. Connie Lunde and her children reside on the farm today. Here Stanley and Eldora raised their family which included a number of foster children. They farmed the land and had a dairy operation which they did until 1968. After they went out of the dairy business, Stanley focused on small grains and also sold certified seed. In 1983 Stanley and Eldora built a new home across the road to the north of their existing homeplace. Their new home was built in section 18 on the south side of the section. This was the original homestead of Stanley's grandfather Swen Lunde. They operated the Henhouse Greenhouse for a number of years from this location.
Stanley and Eldora were the parents of five children; Carol, Steve, Collene, Ann and Alan.
Carol June (Lockhart) was born on June 24, 1948 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. She married Mike Lockhart on August 13, 1972. They are the parents of two children; Jeff (7/8/1974) and Jean (11/18/1976).
Steven Paul was born on December 3, 1949 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. He married Constance Bates (divorced) on November 23, 1978. They are the parents of four children; Emily (1982), Marcus (1984), Thomas (1985) and Jonathan (1978). Steve and Connie lived on the home farm in section 19, where Connie and the children reside today.
Collene Mae was born on May 9, 1952. She married Edmund Anderson , son of Juel and Ethel Anderson of Hitterdal, Mn on December 26, 1952. They live just east of Ulen, where Ed is active in farming and Collene is employed by Meritcare Clinic, in Ulen. Ed and Collene have three children; Seth (1981), Cara (1985) and Ingrid ( 1988).
Ann Dorene was born on May 4, 1955. Ann married Dunae Shane on August 8, 1874, the son of Clifford and Rose Shane of Brandt, SD. They currently live in Detroit Lakes, where Duane is employed by ACS. They have three children; Rebecca (1984), Benjamin (1988) and Rachel ( 1992).
Alan Scott was born on April 15, 1957. Alan and are the parents of two children; Eric and
Bill and Magda (Skansgaard) Lusso
William "Bill" Lusso was born on June 30, 1909.
Magda Borghild Skansgaard was born on March 21, 1906 near Flom to Hans and Anna (Thorson) Skansgaard. She grew up in the area and attended school here. She spent most of her life in the Flom area working as a housekeeper of which she did housework for Ervin Peterson until his tragic death.
Bill and Magda were married on July 17, 1962. They lived in the Grandin, ND area. Magda died in 1970 at the age of 64 from cancer. They had no children.
Bill and Magda are both buried at Aspelund Cemetery, Flom.
Martin and Selma Malmskog
Selma and Martin Malmskog and their children, moved to the Flom area in 1933. Their farm, located two miles south of Flom, is now known as the Duane and Helen Malmskog farm.
Selma, born in northern Minnesota, married Paul Waleski. They had two children; Ernest and Aida. Paul was killed in a forest accident.
Selma later married Martin, born in Sweden, who came with his parents to northern Minnesota as a child.
In 1929 they moved to a farm seven miles northeast of Ulen where they lived until moving to the Flom area.
They were members of the Walworth Baptist Church. Their children all graduated from District 46 grade school located two miles west of the farm.
Ernest went on to Crookston where he graduated from the Agricultural College. After military service in the Marine Corps during WW II, he was employed as a manager in the dairy industry, retiring from Cass Clay Creamery Company. He and his wife Harriet (Danielson) are now enjoying their retirement at their lake home in Minnesota. They have five children.
Aida graduated from Waubun High School and chose nursing as her profession. She is married to Norman Jensen. They are now both retired and reside at a senior resort city in Oregon. Howard served in the Army during WW II and after completion of this military service, got his degree from North Dakota Agriculture College. He was employed as a County Agent at the time of his death in 1957. He was married to Opal (Mattson) and they had five children.
Lorrayne, Verda, Duane, Gene, Larry and Shirley all graduated from Ulen High.
Lorrayne continued on to Detroit Lakes Business College. She is now retired from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs and currently lives in California where she and her daughter and son-in-law manage their rental property. She was married to Thomas Adams, now deceased , and has two children.
Verda attended Business College in Fargo and later go her degree from Eastern Oregon State University. She is retired from the U.S. Forest Service and lives in Oregon. She was married to Walter Spickelmier who died in 1984. She ahs two children.
Duane continues to manage the Malmskog farm in Minnesota. He is married to Helen (Wermager).
Gene made the U.S. Air Force his career. After hiss military was completed, he managed the Control Tower at the Ardmore Airport in Oklahoma until retiring a year ago. He and his wife Ramona (deceased) had five children. Losing one son Mike who is deceased. He and his wife Rita (Mason) now travel around the country, with Oklahoma as their home base.
Larry served in the U.S. Air Force after high school. He and his wife VonDell (Pohalla) divorced, farmed for many years in the Flom area. They have three children; Jill, Jane and Judy. He married Lois (Seykora) and they reside at the lake home in Minnesota.
Shirley graduated from Business College in Fargo and, after several years of employment, retired from the Minnesota School Department to accompany her husband, Harlan Zurn, on his transfer to South Carolina. Now they are both retired and enjoying their lake home (across the lake from Ernest and Harriet). They have five children, losing one to death. On July 8, 2001, descendants of the family gathered at the Flom Hall for a family reunion. More than 60 people came from many different states.
Being in the Hall brought back to me memories from past years when families gathered in the Hall for wedding dances and farewell dances for the boys going off to World War II.
The day was Sunday with beautiful sunshine and I walked outside remembering, while a teenage, driving the family’s’ red pickup past the Hall and up to the brick creamery where one of the gallant men working inside would come out and unload the cream cans my dad had sent me to town with. I turned and walked East, thinking of Mork’s Cafe where ice cream cones cost a nickel; Thorstenson’s Store next to the Cafe and, on the other side of the road, Jacobson’s cafe and Narum’s Store.
On the corner, across from the Co-op, there once was a grassy field where people spread their blankets on summer Saturday nights and watched free shows on the big white movie screen.
"How fortunate I am, " I thought, "that after 50 plus years, with Duane and Helen on the farm and Flom still two miles up the road, I can come ‘home’ again."
Submitted by: Verda (Malmskog) Spickelmier
Arthur and Viola (Precht) Manthe
Arthur Ernest Manthe was born on August 13, 1903 to Carl and Emma Manthe, in Freedom township, Waseca county, Minnesota. He grew up in that area.
Arthur married Viola C. Precht on May 20, 1929 at Mankato, Mn. After their marriage they resided in Blue Earth County, Mn for three years.
They later moved to Waterotwn, Mn and resided there for eight years. They moved to Pemberton, in Blue Earth county where they lived for 23 years, coming to this area in 1963.
They were the parents of; Ronald, Dale, Lyle, Dean and Janice (Robert Westphal).
They were members of Calvary Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn. Arthur died on June 6, 1967 at the Mahnomen hospital.
Helmer O. Melaas
Helmer Melaas was born on April 4, 1889 on a farm in Walworth township, near Flom. He was born to Ole and Olava Melaas. Helmer was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. He attended country school in the area and grew up in the Flom vicinity. He never married.
As a young man he was a butter maker for several years. He was called into the services of his country in World War 1, and served overseas. After being in the service he was limited to how much physical work he could do, but he still did some carpenter work, and farmed, had some cattle and chickens and a garden. The last few years, he had lived at the Nursing Homes in Alexandria, Hawley, Twin Valley and Erskine, Mn.
Helmer passed away on Thursday evening, July 22nd, 1976 at the Pioneer Memorial Home in Erskine, Mn. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Ida Cornelia (Caroline) Amalia Melaas
Ida was born on October 20, 1878 to Ole and Olava Melaas, in Ossian, Iowa. She never married. Ida recieved a teaching degree and taught in area rural schools.
Ida was involved in a tragic accident which occured in her home. As she was working in the kitchen her clothing caught fire from a blaze in the kitchen stove.
She ran into the yard and neighbors helped to extinguish the flames. She was rushed to the Ada hospital, but her burns were so severe that she died there about one and a half hours later.
James Fredrickson the Norman County Coroner, stated that she was charred from toes to neck and had also recieved second and third degree burns to her face. Miss Melaas was at this time 79 years old and residing in the eastern part of Twin Valley, there was no damage to her home. Ida passed away on December 27, 1957 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom , Mn.
Joseph and Louise (Ask) Melaas
Louise Ask was born on December 23, 1883 to Bernt and Petrina Ask in Flom township. She grew up in this area, attending rural schools and was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice church.
Joseph and Louise were married on June 6, 1903 in at the Wild Rice Church. AFter their marriage they resided on a farm at Lonetree, ND, where they homesteaded. They later moved to Shevlin, Mn and in 1910 they moved to Fertile, Mn, where Joe operated a livery stable and was grain buyer and manager of Monarch Elevator Company for many years. In September, 1961 they moved to the Lutheran Memorial Home where Louise lived until her death.
Louise was active in the Ladies Aid and Sewing Circle of the church and has been amember of the Concordia Lutheran church at Fertile for 60 years. She enjoyed working in the Activity Room at the Lutheran Memorial Home.
Joseph and Louise were the parents of; Beatrice (Karl Zilliox) and Vera (Willard Knapp).
Joseph died on October 24, 1965 and Louise passed away on February 19, 1980, they are both buried at Concordia cemetery, Fertile, Mn.
Leonard Milton Melaas
Leonard was born on January 28, 1885 to Ole Olson and Olava (Larson) Melaas in Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn. He was baptized at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn, and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn, on November 18, 1900.
He never married. Leonard passed away on February 12, 1954 at his home in Walworth township. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church with burial in the church
cemetery.
May O. Melaas
May O. Melaas was born on October 27, 1880, in Walworth Township on a farm. The daughter of pioneer parents; Ole and Olava Melaas. She grew up on the farm, and was baptized in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. She attended rural school in this area, and one year at Twin Valley. She never married.
During her life she did housework in private homes on farms and in towns for many years. The latter years she stayed at home. The last 17 years of her life she was a resident at Twin Valley, Mn and was residing at the Pioneer Rest Home in Erskine at the time of her death on September 4, 1971, at the age of 90 years.
Funeral services were held on September 6 with Rev. Percy Smerek officiating, and interment was at the Aspelund Cemetery.
Mina Mathilda Melaas
Mina was born on May 23, 1875 to Ole Olson and Olava (Larson) Melaas in Ossian, Iowa. She never married. Mina passed away in 1918 and is buried at Aspelund.
Ole and Olava (Larson) Melass
Olava Larson was born on January 27, 1851 to Lars Kristoffersen Flesvik and Inga Marie Olsdatter Bjortomte in Feiring, Hurdalen, Norway. Olava came to Ossian, Iowa on May 24, 1872. She came four years after her parents and the rest of her family had immigrated from Norway. Her sister were Anne Margrethe (Nelson), Karen Evina (Berkland), Ragnild Marie and Ida Jorine. She had two brothers; Christian Nicolai and Ole Ragnvald.
Ole and Olava were married on June 26, 1874 at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Ole and Olava lived in Iowa until June 15, 1879 when they came to Norman county, Mn and moved onto a farm here. The Melaas' lived in section 6 of Walworth township, in the same section as the Rue's and Purrier's. Melaas' lived on the west side of the Lake. The land is currently owned by Chris Erickson.
Ole and Olava were the parents of Helmer, Leonard, Oscar, Hilda, Mina, Ida and May.
Oscar Julius Melaas
Oscar was born on December 27, 1882 to Ole and Olava (Larson) Melaas in Walworth township, Becker county, Mn. He was baptized in Wild Rice Lutheran Church and confirmed in Aspelund Luther Church (November 20, 1896). He started farming on the home place at an early age and worked at it all his life.
He retired to a smaller farm in 1955. His health began to fail, and a few years later he began living in Twin Valley, Mn. He never married. Oscar passed away on January 18, 1968, he is buried at Aspelund.
Emil W. and Mildred (Jenson) Meyer
1t was in the year 1915 that William C. Meyer of Redwood County. Minn. purchased a farm located in Sec 25 in the SE part of Flom Township from Mrs. Malhilda Olson of Twin Valley. The agents for the transaction were P. C. Neisen and Jergen Nelson. The next year a son, Julius, together with his wife, Lenora, and family, began farming this land and built the house which still stands there today, although the house has undergone several remodelings in the interim.
Four years later. Julius gave up farming to enter another professiom and the land was rented to neighhors until another son, Emil W. Meyer came to run the farm which he later purchased from his father. In 1923 he married Mildred Jensen of Redwood County, and the two established this farm as their home and business. Here they continue to reside at the present time, some 52 years hence.
Early neighbors were Newton Midthune. Andrew Vange George Meyer (no relation). Eldor Hendrickson, Henry Gunderson, and John Jacobson.
Six children were born:
Joyce (Mrs. Matthew Martin of Seattle, Wash.):
Vivian. who died in infancy:
William C., who died at 36 years:
Lois (Mrs. Raymond Bergeson of Ortonville. Minn.:
Merlyn of Gary. Minn.: and
Russell of Bagley. Minn.
The family’s whole life was centered about the home. Local Community, church and school. Home was security: it meant food, shelter, clothing, love, and a center of learning of values, all attained through cooperation and total commitment of each family member. The land was good, providing a livelihood for the family. Only one son. William, continued farming, establishing his own farm in the SE corner of Flom Township of Norman County. He farmed there for ten years before he died in 1966.
Within the communily, Emil served on the town board for Flom Township for 30 years, together with Martinus Flaten, Anton Flom, and later with Anton Nelson.
In the early years travel to church was by horse and buggy, some 15 miles to Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley. Later as the family grew, they became active at Aspelund Church near Flom where Joyce served as organist for four years. For the past 27 years thev have been members of Trinity Lutheran in Waubun. Minnesota.
School has been a constant in the life of this family. In 1923-24 Mrs. Meyer taught in the Flom School and the following year taught at Cheerful Nook School. District 47. Emil later served on the District 47 school board for a number of years along with Henry Spielman and Theodore Thompson.
It was at this same Cheerful Nook School where all of the children, except Russell. who attended Waubun Consolidated School. gained their elementary education, grades one through eight. It was a good school, where, in spite of its physical limitations, few materials, and meager library, the basics were well taught, together with love of country, respect for individuals and their families, and reverence for religion, as was manifested by the many performances put on at the Halloween and Christmas programs for the families of the community.
The school day began with the ringing of the bell at 9:00 A.M. and was over at 4:00 P.M. with time out for two fifteen minute recesses and an hour for lunch. The students walked a maximun of two and a half miles one way to school in good weather, and the Dads brought them by horse and sled during the coldest part of the winter. Hot lunches consisted of food brought from home in a jar and heated in a pan of water on top of the wood burning stove. The curriculum included reading or language, arithmetic, history, and geography each day with spelling, penmanship, and manual arts once a week. (Manual arts consisted of making book ends, bread boards, or bird houses by the boys and embroidery for the girls.)
After elementary school, all the Meyer children attended and graduated from Waubun High School, some seven miles away, but sometimes as much as 35 miles away by school bus since the farm was at the beginning of the bus roule. At the present time all of the four living children are teachers: Lois teaches kindergarten and the other three teach secondary mathematics.
Merlyn Meyer is the only memher of the second generation who has continued his residence in Norman County. He married Gwendolyn Holte of Hawley and lives in Gary, where he teaches in the high school. They have three children. Rebecca, Roger and David.
All in all. the Emil W. Meyer family has twelve grandchildren. four girls and eight boys. four of whom will carry on the Meyer name in generations to come.
Orville and Muriel (Stende) Meyer
Orville, son of George and Maude (Wheeler) Meyer and Muriel Stende were married at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom on September 15, 1946 by Rev. Torgerson.
Muriel was born near Flom on March 19, 1926 to Edwin and Nellie Stende. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church and attended school at District 46. She graduated from Ulen High School and attended Detroit Lakes Business College.
Orville attended schools in the area and served in the army stationed in Korea. After his discharge they lived in Fargo where he worked part time at the Post Office and attended Interstate Business College when it was down town Fargo. Muriel worked as a stenographer.
After Orville’s graduation they moved to Grandin, ND They moved there in June of 1949 and have remained there since.
Three sons were born to this union; Terry, Wendel and Bradley. They all live in Fargo.
Orville started as a bookkeeper at the Hommerding Elevator and later managed the Grandin Hi-Way Service for 32 years. After semi-retiring he worked for the Stop-And-Shop. He still enjoys keeping books for the Lockhart Elevator on a part time basis.
The Meyers enjoyed setting up at the Flea Markets at Detroit Lakes for many years. Muriel worked for 17 years at Agway in Grandin and wrote for the Hillsboro Banner for nine years.
Terry married Clarice Bueng from Twin Valley. Wendel married Marcia Benson and Bradley married Bonnie Jo Haas.
The Meyer’s have 7 granddaughters, two step grandsons, two great grandsons and one great granddaughter.
William C. and Violet (Dahlsad) Meyer
William C. Meyer was born on October 20, 1929 near Flom, Mn, to Emil and Mildred Meyer. He grew up in the Flom area. After completing his education he started farming in Flom township section 36. He married Violet Dahlsad on December 10, 1955 at Waubun, Mn. On March 23, 1966 Bill Meyer passed away after being hospitalized at Mahnomen and Crookston hospitals He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Waubun. After Bill's death Violet sold the farm to Marlyn and Mary Lou Syverson. Violet met and married Dennis Thorson of Flom, they live in Twin Valley, Mn.
N.O. and Anna (Thompson) Midthun
N. O. Midthun was born on September 18, 1853, in Dane County, Wisconsin. He moved with his parents to Freeborn county, Mn., in 1858. In 1876 he left Freeborn county coming to the Flom area, here he met Anna Thompson and they were married that same year.
Anna Thompson was born on August 4, 1857, in Freeborn ocunty and came to Norman county with her parents while quite young.
During the time they lived in the Flom area Mr. Midthun was one of our well known and highly respected pioneer farmers, he also held many offices of public trust, among them being that of county treasurer. The family moved to Twin Valley, Mn and resided there until a few months before Mr Midthun’s death, at which time they were living in Grand Forks, ND. N.O. Midthun died on January 4, 1924 at the home of his daughter and son in-law; Rev. and Mrs. S. L. Tallakson. Anna Thompson Midthun died on January 20, 1927.
N. O. and Anna were the parents of thirteen children; Mrs. Tallakson of Thief River Falls, Thelma of Thief River Falls, Mrs. R. Buckneberg, of Moorhead, Emma of Perley, Ellen (deceased), Theodore of Thief River Falls, Henry of Winger, Alfred of Ray, ND, Newton of Hawley, Nils of which we are only able to find 10 names. Ellen was born on October 16, 1880, she never married. She died on June 16, 1919 and is buried at Aspelund.
Herman and Nora (Flom) Miller
Herman C. Miller was born on August 25, 1880.
Nora Susan Flom was born on September 11, 1892 in Flom township, to Erick and Anna Flom. She grew up and attended school in the Flom area. she was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Herman and Nora were married on September 30, 1912 at Flom. The couple resided in the Flom area where they farmed in section 33 of Flom township for 45 years. This is located on the cart trail one-half mile south and one-half mile west of Flom on the south side of the trail, known to many as Ronning's trail. In amongst the trees a lone evergreen tree marks the building site.
After Herman's death Nora moved into Flom in 1958. She was a member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church for many years and then transferred her membership to Aspelund Lutheran Church where she was also a member for many years. She was a life member of the ALCW
Herman and Nora were the parents of four sons and three daughters; Emmett, Noel, Charles, Virgil, Elpha (Oliver Gunderson), Erna (Richard Zimmerman), and Eileen ( Clifton Thorpe).
Nora passed away on Jamuary 21, 1969 at the age of 76 years at the home of her daughter in rural Ulen. Herman passed away on April 9, 1957. They are both buried at Aspelund Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Clayton and Myrtle (Johnson) Minnie
Myrtle Johnson was born on June 27, 1915 in Home Lake township, near Twin Valley, Mn., to Mr and Mrs. George A. Johnson. She attended rural school in Home Lake Township and grew to womanhood here. She was one of seven children born to the Johnson’s. She had one brother and sister who proceeded her in death, those who survived here were; Norman, Mabel (Vernon Peppel), Esther (Milton Kirkeby) and Vivian ( Glen Hanson).
Clayton and Myrtle were married on April 4, 1937 at Ada, Mn. They were the parents of: Jerald, Mavis (Gordon Stich), Carol (Jerry Grieve), Linda (Lyle Larson) and Sandy (Hoffman). Myrtle passed away on July 29, 1983 and is buried at Sundal Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fertile, Mn.
Lisa Minnie
Lisa Minnie was born on September 20, 1965 at Mahnomen, Mn to Jerald and Carolyn (Svobodny) Minnie. She spent her early part of her life at Moorhead, Mn and later moved to the Twin Valley area at the age of 14. They lived in section 7 of Flom township, the former Flom farm last owned by Gerhard Flom. She attended school at Twin Valley and graduated from there with the class of 1984. After completeing her education she went to North Dakota State University at Fargo, where she was a student at the time of her death.
Lisa passed away on May 22, 1985, funeral services were held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, in Ada, Mn.
Johannes and Sigrid (Vangen) Moen
Johannes G. Moen was born in Oier, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway on February 7, 1848 and was baptized and confirmed in his childhood home. He came to Esophia in Coon Prairie, Wisconsin in 1874 according to the 1900 Federal census records. He came here to the Flom settlement in 1882 and bought land in Section 16 in Flom. The same year he married Miss Sigrid Erickson Vangen.
Sigrid Ericksdatter Vangen was born in 1853 in Oier, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway to Erik Andersen b.1804 and Maren Kristiansdatter b.1823. She was baptized on May 16, 1853. In the 1865 census of Norway they lived on the Hujordsstuen Farm in Oier. Sigrid was a sister to Mathea (Ericksdatter Vangen) Engebretsen who also lived in Flom Township. Sigrid came to America in 1881.
Johannes and Sigrid had one son, Emil, who was born November 3, 1885 and died in January of 1970 in Flom Township. Emil never married.
Johannes was a member of the Wild Rice congregation since coming to this area. He was of a very quiet but kindly disposition. He died on December 15, 1939. His wife Sigrid had died in 1919. They are both buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
John and Clara (Pojar) Molacek
Clara Pojar was one of 15 children born to Herman and Katie (Hruby) Pojar. She was born on August 20, 1891 at Beemer, Nebraska. Here she grew up and attended school. She married John Molacek on January 20, 1914.
After their marriage they moved to Callaway, Mn where they farmed for many years. Following their retirement they moved into Callaway. John died on March 4, 1967, Clara remained in Callaway until 1979 when she moved into Flom and resided with her daughter and son-in-law; Lillian and Clarence Seykora. Clara remained living here until 1990 when she became a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, Mn.
Clara celebrated her 100th birthday just three weeks before her death on September 9, 1991. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, with interment at Oakgrove Cemetery, rural Lake Park, Mn.
Leslie and Myrtle (Rasmussen) Moore
Leslie Robert Moore was born on September 27, 1899 to John and Mary (McCann) Moore at Lynd. Here he was raised and attended schools. He lived on a farm with his family there until the age of 16 when they moved to a farm south of Flom. As a young man he farmed with his parents.
Les married Myrtle Rasmussen on November 14, 1923 at Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom, Mn. They made their home on the farm in Home Lake township for seven years before they purchased his parent’s farm in section 9 of Walworth township, where they remained through their lives.
They farmed until the mid- 1960’s when they sold the farm to their son Eldon and Les retired. They continued to live on the farm in the original home his parents had own. Eldon and his family lived on the same farm also in a second house.
Leslie was baptized at the Walworth Baptist Church in 1936, where he remained a member for his lifetime. He served as township assessor and treasurer of the school board and enjoyed helping out with the 4-H group in his community.
Les moved into the Lutheran Memorial Nursing home in early 1988 where he lived until his death on February 24, 1988.
Paul and Karen (Bakken) Morck
Paul was born on April 14, 1843 to Ole Frederick and Marit. Paul had two brothers Amund and Anders.
Karen Bakken was born in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway on June 16, 1852 to the Torger Bakken's. She left Norway in 1882 and settled in Hillsboro, ND.
Here she met and married Paul Morck and they were married in 1885 ( it reads that she married Paal Morken, so there may have been a name change at some time in the later years). They first came to this area and settled in Walworth township, they lived there about 10 years. They came to the Flom area around 1895. It was here they made their home for around 38 years. The later years after Paul's death Karen lived with her son Oscar and his wife Alvina in Flom. Where she reamined until her death. Paul died on January 6, 1903 and Karen on August 23, 1936. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery Flom, Mn.
Not much is known about them other than they were the parents of Oscar T. who ran Morck's cafe in Flom, Marie (Martin Dullum) and Clara (Giskaas), they also had one son who proceeded then in death, no name or place of burial is known.
Karen was a woman of a sociable and friendly nature. She had a large number of friends in the community.
Martin and Olga (Swenson) Morland
Olga Swenson was born on March 8, 1889 in Ulen township to Ole and Maria Swenson. She was baptized and confirmed in the Immanuel Lutheran Church rural Flom, Mn. She grew up in this area and attended school here.
Martin and Olga were married on May 14, 1927 at Bruce, Alberta, Canada. They made their home at Bruce, Alberta for 20 years, where Martin was engaged in farming. Martin passed away on January 19, 1946 and in 1947 Olga moved back to Twin Valley, Mn where she made her home until her death on April 28, 1970.
Olga and Martin had no children. She is buried at Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Flom. We don’t know where he is buried, most likely in Alberta.
Floyd and Delane (Warnsholz) Myers
Floyd Myers was born on January 3, 1923 to Norman and Lena (Holte) Myers in Clay Country, Moorhead, Mn. He attended school in Moorhead and Borup, Minnesota, graduating from Borup High School.
After completing his education he started farming and raising Purebred Angus Cattle. Floyd was married to Dorothy Manning in 1943, she died in March of 1950 and is buried in Ada. Floyd and Dorothy were the parents of three children; Ricky, Terryl and Norman.
Delane Pauline Marie Warnsholz was born on July 19, 1929 to Arthur and Clara (Hagenah) Warnsholz in Norman County, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Church, in Green Meadow township of Norman County, rural Ada. She attended school at District 51 and Ada High School.
Floyd and DeLane were married on July 19, 1952 at St. John’s in Green Meadow township, near Ada, Mn. Floyd and DeLane were the parents of two children; Rodney and Debbie (see Harry and Debbie Bain).
Floyd and DeLane moved to the Flom area in March of 1959, when they purchased the Sven Huseby farm in section 18, of Flom township. Here they farmed and raised cattle on what is known to many as French Man’s Bluff. DeLane has worked as a homemaker and Pre school Aide. She still resides on the family farm in Flom township.
Floyd passed away on November 2, 1996 and is buried in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, at Twin Valley, Mn.
Ricky Edward was born on May 18, 1944 to Floyd and Dorothy. He married Marcia Jenson in 1968, in Fargo, ND. They had one son, Marty born in 1969. Ricky married Donna Warner in Spokane, Wa in 1982 and they now reside in Missoula Montana.
Terryl Mae (Terrie) was born on January 10, 1946 to Floyd and Dorothy. She married Stan Wieczorek in 1966 in Norman County, Mn. They have two children; Matthew and Andrea.
Norman Carl was born on December 10, 1945 to Floyd and Dorothy. He married Nadine Heth in Fargo, ND, in 1969. They reside in Delano, Mn. They did live in Norman county in section 12 of Home Lake township before moving to Delano. They are the parents of three children; Sarah Alise, Luke Ryan and Nesa Alise.
Rodney was born on February 8, 1953 to Floyd and DeLane. He married Phyllis Lehman on May 18, 1973 at Worthington, Mn. They have four daughters; Brenda, Johanna, Becky and Melissa. They have lived in Billings, Montana since their marriage and Rodney has always worked for John Deere there.
Debbie was born on April 29, 1954 to Floyd and DeLane (see Harry and Debbie Bain).
Narum Memories
The following is written by: Yvonne Narum, daughter to Ernest and Edna. She tells us about their lives and of growing up in Flom.
Ernest Alvin Narum was one of 12 children born to Nels and Eva Narum. He ws born in a log house, one mile north of Flom, Mn and about two and a half miles southwest. Ernest's father, Nels owned two stores, one in Flom, Mn population 100 and also one in Waubun, Mn. His mother Eva homesteaded out on the farm. There are alot of brave tales to tell about Eva. When she camae over on the boat from Sweden she couln't talk english. Way up to her death she had broken english. She'd plow the fields with the oxen. All the children were born in the log hosue since they didn't go to the hospital in those days. One of the twins passed away and they kept the box in the grainery until spring when they could bury her. She was from the Smaaland area in Sweden and they are all known to be artistic adn very hard workers. Ernest bought the grovery store in Flom after Nels passed away. He bought it right before the depression. The stock market crashed before 1930 adn the banks went broke and people who had moeny in the bank lost all their money. Everyone used to talk about the dirty thirties when they had such bad dust storms. The drought hit at the same time. Seed wasn't perfected like it is now and their crops would blow out of the field. The government started a program planting trees to prevent soil erosion. That is how the Gary pines got started abou 1 mile north of Gary, Mn.
Ernest married Edna Peterson in 1927. She went to school in Fergus Falls and taught school one year before they were married. We lived in a little white hosue on the corner south of our grocery store, L.B. Hartz Grocery Store. We were all born in that house except Evangely. When Yvonne was about in 6th gade our parents made an apartment in the garage that was connected to the grocery store. My dad used to tell me I scared the customers away when I practiced my trumpet.
Today I'd call that grocery store my parents owned "a small mini mall". You could buy most anything in that store. Motivated by ambition to get ahead they ahd a locker, Post Office, gas pump, dry goods department such as buying material and sewin gneeds, hardware such as selling bicycles etc., trading eggs from farmers to trade for groceries, my father would take a atruck and sell the eggs to Fairmont in Moorhead, minnesota. My father also hired Cecil Cary to sell gas to the farmers. Cecil always called me Vonnie. I couldn't say Vonnie, so I called myself "Nonnie". To even make a little mor money to support a family fo five children, my father went out in the country to sell Maytag Washing Machines. We had a little partition in the store where we'd have a dark room. You'd hold an egg up to a light to see if that was a fresh egg. Lots of times chickens would hide their nests in the woods and the farmers wouldn't know it and bring in old eggs. We'd have to separate the good and bad eggs in egg crates. The farmers also rented lockers to keep the meat they butchered frozen until they came to get the key to pick up their meat. they didn't have deep freezes in those days.
They slaughtered the animals in the east end of the store and I never liked the smell coming into our apartment. I would sit and watch them stick the pigs to draw the blood out to kill them. People would want the blood to make Blood Sausage. You'd cook it with flour and make it real thick and then boil it in cloth sacks. Then you'd slice it like sausage and put it in a frying pan and make a white gravy. Norwegians really like this. They also would make rolla pulsa. It is fat pork rolled up like a jelly roll and tied with string. You would boil that. You could slice that and eat it cold with mustard. No wonder so many people had high chlosteral.
Pete Larson was our butcher. He made the best homemade sausage. He would smoke them in the smoke house. My father also hired his borther, Clarence Narum to work in the grocery store. I was in 1st grade with their daughter Muriel who lives in Blue Earth, Mn as of 1989. I'll never forget the yellow and blue Hiawatha bicycle that I got for my birthday that came from our Gamble Store. It was my first bike. I'd drive around the four mile square alot. That was one of the thrills of my life.
Before my dad got married he ws kicked by a mule on his spine. He started to get paralized on his right leg and it kept on gradually getting worse. Finally his whole right side was paralized. He'd get alot of infections by cuts and burns because he couldn't feel anything. He'd put his hand on a hot tractor when he ws out selling washing machines to the farmers and would get a bad burn. He fell down in 1947 and got blood poisoning. They took him to the hospital and gave him a blood transfusion. He never came out of it. You caould see by te look on his face he died a thousand deaths but never complained. He was blessed with extra strength to get all the work he did, when he wasn't feeling well. He went to doctors all over the United States but it was impossible to operate on his spine. He went to the Hines Hospital in Chicago and the Veteran's Hospital in Fargo. He got the most relief by going to the doctors in Canistota, South Dakota. Mother would go along and get treatments too because he relaxed her nervous condition.
She would have less heart spells. Since our parents had such long, hard working hours in the grocery store there wasn't any time for family entertainment. Once they took our whole family along to Canistota
adn that was such a thrill. They took us to the point in South Dakota, near Yankton whree you are on the
border of three states. On the Fourth of July sometimes we got to go to White Earth to see the Indian Pow Wow. We'd have todrive to neighboring towns to go to a movie. I remember the one show I got to see that was Heidi with Shirley Temple. The little town of Flom would have a free movie on the screen outside in the summertime. Everyone would come to town on Saturday night. I was so disgusted because I had to work in the store. I remember on Sunday afternoos we sould visit our elatives on the farm. It was also fun going to church Ice Cream Socials.
The store had and old fashioned store front. It was sided with metal. Candy would be in bulk in a glass
counter. The different kinds of candy were divided by glass. There was mostly penny candy and nickle candy. I can still remember begging for a penny candy. I can hear my mother saying, "I suppose". The big treat was going to Morck's restauraant and getting a five cent ice cream bar. cookies would come in bulk in a long paper sack. you'd grind coffee in an electric grinder for the customer. You could dial the coffe grinder for fine frind, medium or coarse. Prunes, apricts and raisins and dates came in bulk too. We sold primost which is a rich spread you'd put on your bread. This is commonly made in Norway from goats
milk or cows milk. It kind of tastes like brown sugar. At Christmas time lutefish would come soaked in lye in big, round, wooded barrels. Each customer woudl receive a small sack of candy. Mother would do alot of canning real alte at night. We always got the peaches and pears that were starting to get too ripe.
Considering all the things sold in the store, it wasn't that large. It had wooden floors that were oiled. The
little town of Flom had two grocery stores, a gas station, two restaurants, a creamery which brought alot of farmers in to sell their milk, a Post Office, beer Parlor, barber shop. Years ago they had wooden posts on main street that they would hitch their horses to when they would shop. Uncle Willie Ostenvik had a feed mill on the north edge of town to grind the armeres grain to make feed for the animals.
Right south of our store was a red barn that was not being used. Right next to the barn was a one room school house where we went to school. I guess our folks decided to sell the store in Flom because five of us would have to go on the school bus to Waubun, Mn to high school. That was about 20 miles away (It is 10 miles to Waubun and 10 miles back again). Some years after the store in Flom was sold it burned down. I think another store was built in it's place.
Something that I have always remembered about my life in Flom was when my parents befriended a man who lived in a shack east of Flom. His name was Olaf Lund. He wore the same army suit and had a beard and long hair. His main meals were oatmeal. He only had orange boxes for furniture. He repaired clock and watches for everyone. He had them ticking all over his house. I don't htink he took a bath. He did have an odor. My folks would invite hime for meals. My father would also take him along to Fargo. People would stare because not many wore beards in that day. His means of transportation was a bicycle.
We moved to Gary, Minnesota when I was a sophomore in High School, in 1944. No home ec, band or choir in Gary. My father bought the Gary Seed and Produce and the L. B. Hartz Store. Mother still worked in the store in Gary. We all had our assigned tasks to do at home. One of us would work in the grocery store in the summer time. Every summer I candled eggs in the Gary Seed and Produce. Dad also sold see in the Produce. He would go to small towns near Gary and buy eggs from the grocery stores and bring them back to Gary, and have them candled. He hired alot of ladies to candle eggs. The ladies anad I would make up poems when we were working. After the eggs were sorted in the right egg crates we would put them on racks on an oiling machine. We would start the electric motor and the racks with the eggs would go around and around like the ferris wheel until all the eggs were oiled. That would sela the eggs so they would stay fresh. Then we'd put them in egg creates. The Gary Seed and PRoduce was right next to tthe railroad tracks. We would put the egg crates in the train box cars and they would be shipped to the Jews in Chicago. We did this right up to the time my father passed away. World War II started December 7, 1941, prices went up after that and people were getting back on their feet after the depression. People were getting out of debt and we didn't get as many hand me down clothes.
My father was a super shopper. He'd buy our girls Christmas dresses when he went to Fargo, when he sold eggs to Fairmont Creamery. They'd all just fit and were beautiful. I remember the crepe dresses he bought for us. Mother sewed alot of dresses for us too. My father bought my graduation dress when he went to Fargo. I really liked it. It was poweder blue. It had a brown trim hanging from the waist, with some orange trim.
My father had good morals. He didn’t drink or smoke. He was also one of the founders of the Gary State Bank at Gary, Mn. Of course, he was one of the first bank directors. He was a person that was all business and not much joking or fooling aorund. He had to keep his mind serious to support his family during all these hard times. He talked real fast. Alot of hsi hired help couldn't understand him and would have to ask him to repeat what he said. He had one speed and that was fast. He was a very large man. Even though my parents worked long, hard hours we stil made it to the Lutheran Church every Sunday. I was very fond of my father and it was very hard on me when he passed away. There was a big empty space in our home after he was gone.
My parents had a lively interest in home, Church, School and community affairs. My life has been blessed through their training and their ideals for me. My memory of them is always being active and forward looking. God Bless their memory.
Editors Note: I really enjoyed reading this and as Yvonne described Narum's Store I could envision walking through it. Although in my day it belonged to Sylve Stende's and then to Don and Kay Johnson. My father worked there as the butcher when Stende's owned the store. We would peek through the windows in the back store room so we could watch in the slaughter house as Vernon took the animal down. The sound of the chain being pulled on the pulley to lift the animal still sticks in my mind. I enjoyed going into the dry goods part of the store. It was here that we would be able to purchase a new pair of jeans or a pair of tennis shoes, for school. I enjoyed watching the ladies come in an purchase their embroidery floss and maybe dish towels for them to embroider on. It wasn't until I read this that I really thought about taking a walk through the store again. Hope you enjoy your walk down memory lane.
There are many interesting stories about different people who lived in and around Flom. I remember hearing the story of Olaf going to Fargo with Ernest Narum. On this journey he was walking the streets of Fargo, looking around and window shopping like so many people do. He must have looked like a transcient to the people there. The clothes, unshaven and just walking while he waited for Ernest to finish his business. When it was time to go, Ernest was unable to locate Olaf, after doing some searching and asking around he finally did locate him at the jail. The police had taken him in, thinking he was a transcient, and not just a innocent man waiting for his ride to finish business in town. Jennifer (Dorseth)
Elwood Narum
Elwood was baptized at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom and confirmed at Gary Lutheran Church, Gary, Mn. He graduated from Gary High School and went to work as a salesman. He also owned his own furntiure store. Elwood has one daughter Joni Marie who was born on March 11, 1963. Elwood and Diane reside in Burnsville, Mn.
Ernest and Edna (Peterson) Narum
Ernest Alvin Narum was born on March 20, 1898 at the home of his parents Nils A. and Eva (Johnson)
Narum in Walworth township, Becker county, Minnesota. He attending rural schools When he was seven years old his family moved to Waubun, Mn. He attended school here until he was fifteen years old. Ernest then moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn where he completed his education and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School with the Class of 1916. After graduation he moved back to Flom where he worked in his father's store here.
Ernest served his country in the Army of the United States in the summer of 1918, near the end of World War I. When he was released from the Army he returned to Flom and continued working in the family business here.
Edna Peterson was born to Peter and Helena Peterson in Atlanta township, Becker County, Mn, just south of the Atlanta Lutheran Chruch, rural Ulen. She grew up here and was a member of Atlanta Lutheran Church. She attended rural schools and then graduated from Ulen High School. After graduation she went to Fergus Falls, Mn where she attended Normal College. After graduating she taught school for one year, and then ran general stroes in Flom and Gary.
Ernest and Edna were married on June 29, 1927at Atlanta Lutheran Church. They made their home in
section 33 of Flom township in the town of Flom. The home maybe known to many as the Mike and
Genny Johnson home. They lived here and worked at Narum's Store until 1943 when they moved to Gary, Mn. In Gary, they were active in church and civic affairs. Ernest served on the school board, was a member of the American Legion Post 505, in charge of local advancement of the local Boy Scout Troop No. 206, a member of the Board of Directors of the Gary State Bank, and one of the founders of that institution. He operated businesses there such as Narum Seed adn Produce Company adn the Red Owl Store. Ernest was very active in the welfare of young people of his community, his latest venture as the laying of concrete on the floor of his potato house for them to use as a roller skating rink.
Edna was involved with various church activities, Legion Auxillary, and served on the School Board. She had been a member of the Multi-County Nursing Board and a 4-H leader. She was officer of district Garden Club, helped neighbors and loved to cook Norwegian dishes for company. She always had a garden and beautiful flowers.
Ernest and Edna were the parents of five children; Yvonne, Lovilla, Beverly, Elwood and Evlangelyn (Manley Hillstad).
Ernest passed away on September 4, 1947 at Crookston, Mn. He is buried at Gary Lutheran Cemetery, Gary Mn.
After his death Edna married Oscar Moen of Gary on April 12, 1951. They resided in Gary and Oscar continued to farm until into his 90's. Edna and Oscar would spend the winter months in Arizona and summer here in Minnesota. Oscar died on December 2, 1983 and is buried at St. Petri Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Gary, Mn. After his death Edna moved from her home in Gary, Mn to Grand Forks, ND.
She resided here until her death. Edna died on March 4, 1987 at Rochester, Mn and is buried at Gary Lutheran Cemetery, Gary, Mn.
Johannes C. and Karine (Hanson) Narum
John C. Narum was born in Vestre Toten, Norway, around 1849. He immigrated to the United States around 1866 and settled in Houston County, Mn. Here he met and married Karine Hanson. They lived in Houston County about five years and in 1875 moved here to Norman County, Mn. They took up a
homestead in Home Lake township section 12. Living here until 1913 when they sold their home and bought forty acres in the township of Flom, south of the Wild Rice Church and lived there until his death on September 16, 1914.
John and Karine were one of the earlier settlers to this area. They were the parents of eight children-five boys and three girls. They are also the parents to two adopted daughters; Deoline Thompson and Alma Anderson.
John was a kind hearted man and a good church member, always willing to help when help was needed. Funeral services were conducted at Wild Rice Lutheran Church by Rev. Vaaler on September 21. Many people came to pay their respects to the deceased and his family.
Albert Christopher Narum was born in 1879 to John and Karine Narum. Albert married a girl by the name of Martina, she was born in 1875. Albert passed away in1945 and Karine ion January 18, 1963.
They are all buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Nelson Brother's
Many may have heard about the Nelson Brother's who farmed together. They were known for their threshing. Gladys Houglum, their neice remembers the large Steam Engine coming down the road. The Nelson Brother's were also noted for their musical talents, they enjoyed having house parties and dances. Each brother would play a instrument; Charlie the accordian, Frank the violin and John on the mandolin or organ. In those days many people got together and enjoyed music and dancing till wee hours of the morning.
The brother's lived together and farmed with the exception of Hjalmer. He and his wife Bernice lived on a seperate farm. Charlie not only farmed with his brother's but was known as the cook. The boys lived and farmed together until 1962 when they bought a home in Twin Valley (still living together) and retired from farming.
Frank was born on January 24, 1890 at Cumming, ND. He served his country during WW I overseas and is a Veteran of WW I. He came home after serving his duration in the military and settled on a life as a farmer. Frank died on September 3, 1978 and is buried at Aspelund.
John Arvid was born on February 25, 1895 at Audubon, Mn. He was confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church in the adult confirmation class by Pastor Greenquist. He never married. He served his country during World War I, serving overseas in the Army. He is a Veteran. After completing his military duation he came back to the Flom area and farmed. John died on April 24, 1982 and is buried at Aspelund.
Charlie August was born on May 9, 1884 in Moorhead, Mn. He was the cook for the Nelson Brother's and also farmed with them. Charlie died on September 19, 1966, he is buried at Aspelund.
Hjalmer was born on September 29, 1898 at Audubon, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. At the age of five he moved with his family to the Flom area. He was a veteran of WW II and a member of the American Legion. Hjalmer farmed with his brothers.
Bernice O. Prestegord was born on July 1, 1908 to Ole L. and Betha (Olson) Prestegord in Flom township. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. She attended rural elementary schools. Bernice spent much of her time caring for her father and then her invalid mother. She also farmed with her borth, Lawrence. She was a very active member in her church and ALCW, taught sunday school, Vacation Bible School and also did a considerable amount of singing.
Hjalmer married Bernice Prestegord on November 26, 1961 at the Wild Rice Parsonage. They had no children.
Hjalmer died on March 22, 1970 and Bernice died on January 24, 1965, they are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Elling and Bertha (Stende) Nelson
Bertha was the oldest child of Ingeborg and Johan Stende. She was born at Dennison, in Warsaw township, Goodhue County, Mn., on July 13, 1876. She came with her parents, her brother, John and sister Julia to Flom township i October 1881 at the age of 5. She attended rural school in the Woodland Nook School, and after she completed school she went to Northfield to live with her aunt, Marit Steile where she attended an academy which is a private high school. After graduation she came back to the area and attended Moorhead Normal School earning a teaching degree. She taught school for about 20 years, some of which was done at the Dyrdahl school and later at District 46.
In 1915 she left Minnesota and went to Seattle where she married Elling Nelson. He had grown up in the area so they had known each other for quite some time. They remained in Seattle until Elling's death in 1932. Bertha died on May 29, 1958.
Charley and Anna (Johnson) Nelson
Charles (Charley) Nelson was born on April 16, 1851 to Nels and Sarah (Protho) Anderson in Westengotland, Sweden. When he immigrated to America he changed his name to Charley Nelson. He had one brother John who was killed in a railroad accident and a sister Kajsa who stayed in Sweden.
Anna Helena Johnson was born to Nels and Mary Johnson in Trollhattan, Vestserjortland, Sweden on April 19, 1860. Their first child John was born while they were still living in Sweden.
Charley and Anna were married at Trollhattan, Vesterjortland, Sweden. Charley and Anna came to the United States and first settled in Alexandria, Mn. They moved to Moorhead, Mn where Charley was a brick layer and then went to work for the Railroad. After Charley and Anna left Cummings, ND they went to Audubon, Mn, then to the Ulen area. Here they settled in Walworth township and purchased the Pete Jensen farm and the Higbie farm. In 1918 they bought a farm from Mr Zerney, here they lived the rest of the lives. The farm is now owned by Justin and Muriel Klemetson and is located in section 27.
Charley died on January 31, 1928 and Anna died on December 24, 1931, they are both buried at Aspelund Cemetery.
They were the parents of eleven children; Their first child John Arvid was born in Sweden, in 1882 he died at the age of six. Selma Caroline was born in Cummings, ND and died at the age of two. They both died from diptheria and their place of burial is not for certain, although family members believe them to be buried at Cummings ND. They named two other children John Arvid and Selma also.Their other children were; Frank, John Arvid, Charlie, Hjalmer (see the Nelson Brother's), Nellie (See Edwin and Nellie Stende), Selma ( Helmer Sather), Alma (Carl Johnson), Olga (see Emil and Olga Weum) and Clara (See Edward and Clara Sanden) and Alma (see Alma and Carl Johnson)
Hans and Annie M. (Larson) Nelson
Hans Nelson, was born April 20, 1847 in Telemarken, Norway, where he was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. At the age of sixteen he immigrated to America, coming to Chicago in 1865. After a brief stay in Chicago, Illinois, he moved westward to Ossian, lowa. In 1873 he married Anna Larson, who had come to Ossian in 1868, with her parents from Christania (now Oslo), Norway, where she was born on March 18, 1848.
In the spring of 1879 Hans Nelson, his brother, and a brother-in-law left lowa by wagon and a team of oxen to find land on which they would like to homestead. Their search took them to Norman County three miles from Twin Valley, Minnesota. In the summer of 1880, the Nelson family left Ossian, lowa, by train to Lake Park. They had to go by team and wagon to Fossum Township in Norman County, a distance of more than thirty miles.
The first winter was spent in a dugout before they got the log cabin erected. Later appropriate farm buildings took the place of these primitive structures. In these days a trip to the nearest town for groceries took two days. This meant Mrs. Nelson and the children were left home alone for the night. Since the farm was located on a creek that the Indians followed for hunting and trapping, Mrs. Nelson warned the children not to make a sound to let the Indians know they were awake. At night, as the Indians walked by, they pounded on the outside of the house, while on the inside some very frightened people lay. During the day the Indians came and asked for food. Mrs. Nelson laid out her very best, so as not to offend them. What they didn't eat, they took along, leaving not a scrap behind.
Hans Nelson helped to organize the school district and gave the district an acre of land, on which the first schoolhouse was built.
Hans and Anna Nelson had five children Noldus, Oscar, Willie, Almer, and Charlotte. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson lived on the farm until the death of Mrs. Nelson on April 3, 1915. Mr. Nelson then retired from farming and made his home in Twin Valley with his sister, Mrs. Sagen, near Heiberg, Minnesota and later at the home of his daughter, Charlotte, where he died on December 29, 1945.
Hjalmer and Bernice (Prestegord) Nelson
Hjalmer Nelson was born on September 29, 1898 near Audubon, Mn., to Charles and Annie Nelson. He came to the Flom area with his parents at the age of five years. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.
Bernice O. Prestegord was born on July 1, 1908 to Ole L. and Bertha (Olson) Prestegord in Flom township. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Church, and attended rural schools in the area. She spent much of her time caring for her father and then her invalid mother for three and one-half years. Bernice also farmed with her brother Lawrence.
Hjalmer and Bernice were married at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church on November 26, 1961. After their marriage they resided south of Flom for two years and then moved to their new farm in Fossum township in1963. They had no children.
Hjalmer was a veteran of World War II, a member of the American Legion, a past member of the Aspelund Lutheran Church and more recently a member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He famred all his life and also farmed jointly with his brothers for several years.
Bernice was a very active member in the church and the ALCW, taught Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School. She also did a considerable amount of singing.
Hjalmer passed away quite suddenly at the Ada hospital on March 22, 1970. Bernice passed away on January 24, 1965. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
N.E. and Annie (Skofstad) Nelson
Annie Skofstad was born February 10, 1849, in Muskego, Racine County, Wisconsin to Johannes and Berta Skofstad. who immigrated to America in 1840 from Drammen, Norway.
She married N. E. Nelson May 4, 1869. He was born March 4, 1845. They operated a general store in Decorah, Iowa for a few years. Then they moved to Norman County, Flom Township, NW 1/4 of Section 28 where they operated a store and post office in the late 1800's before the village of Flom existed.
N. E. Nelson died February 3, 1907, he was a brother of Mrs. Nels Flaten, also of Flom Township). They had no children. However, Annie’s niece, Josephine E. Skofstad, came to live with them in 1874 at age three years and Nils Styve came to live with them January 6. I886. He was born May 20. 1883, and died at a young age, May 17, 1892
Annie continued to operate the farm after N. E.’s death with the help of a hired man until she died October 21, 1928 while staying with her brother at Lawrence, Kansas. She and her husband are buried at Immanuel Cemetery, Flom Township. She was remembered as a kindly lady who was always willing to help anyone in need.
Josephine Skofstad was born June 13, 1872, to Eben Skofstad and Mary Hegg Skofstad in Muskego, Wisconsin. Eben was a brother of Annie Nelson with whom she grew to adulthood. She married Sam J. Swenson March 14. 1892 (See John Swenson Aas familv).
Note of interest about Johannes Skofstad, 1794-1851, family of Muskego. Eben served in the Civil War with the 15th Wisconsin Regiment. His cousin. Col. Hans Heg was killed in action, and a statue of him now stands at the Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin.
Also, Johannes was one of the pioneers who built the first Norwegian Lutheran Church at Muskego, Wisconsin the first church of its kind in America. It was later moved to Lutheran Theological Seminary, Minneapolis, where it now stands. The Rev. H. A. Stub preached the first Norwegian sermon in America within its walls in 1848.
This information was gathered from notes in an old Bible with the inscription under its cover (From Brother Albert. May 4, 1869).
Emil N. and Anna Bertine (Agrey) Nilson
Emil N was born in Flom Township to Nils and Anna Marie Nilson. He married Anna Bertine Agrey in 1910, at Parkside, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Anna Bertina Agrey was born on March 23, 1884, in Flom Township to Martin and Margaret Agrey. She received her education in rural school and attended Concordia College for a short time
Emil and Anna were married on November 30, 1910, at Parkside, Sask., Canada. They farmed in Flom Township until their retirement and then moved to Twin Valley where they remained until Emil’s death in 1950. After Emil died she made her home in Jamestown, ND. They are both buried at Wild Rice.
They were the parents of two children; Marvin A. and Winona (Kenneth) Urdahl.
Marvin A. and Gladys (Mikkelson) Nilson
Marvin Nilson was born on August 29, 1911 at his home farm near Twin Valley, Mn where he grew up. He attended schools in this area and then wen to the University of Minnesota.
He married Gladyce Mikkelson on September 7, 1937 at Twin Valley, Mn. He was a member of the Wild Rice Rural Electric Association, Flom township board, director of the Twin Valley-Flom credit Union and County President of the Farmer's Union.
They were the parents of two children; Karen and Marvin C.
Marvin A. Nilson passed away on May 27, 1969 at LaCrosse, Mn enroute to his home at Twin Valley, Mn. He is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Nils and Anna Maria (Swanson) Nilson
Nils Nilson came to the U.S.A. from Langeserud, Wermiand, Sweden and shortly after his arrival in 1872 was united in marriage to Anna Maria Swanson who had arrived from Sulerud, Wermiand, Sweden. They established a homestead claim, approximately five miles north and one half mile west of what is now the village of Flom in Flom Township. They were one of the very earliest settlers so had their choice of beautiful, rich farm land, but nearly all of it was heavily wooded. Several of Nil's brothers followed to this country, namely John, who homesteaded on the adjoining farm, and Otto and Eden, leaving one sister, Katrina in Sweden. Nil's father, Nils Petterson. came to visit and decided to help clear some land for Nils. He also cleared land on some unclaimed land and when chided about this he replied in his native tongue, "There is so much land here that no one will ever claim it all so what difference does it make."
Many hardships were encountered by these early pioneers. We remember being told how grandpa Nils walked to Lake Park, Minnesota to bring home flour for the family. In those days, walking across country for supplies became a three-day-trip. Also to bring in money for necessities, it was necessary for Nils to work for the Northern Pacific Railroad that was being built at that time. This cash was also used for machinery and supplies. His wife and two small sons, Wilhelm and Nils Emil, were left at home to take care of the livestock that was slowly accumulating. Much of the variety that was in their daily diet came from the apple trees and crabapples, plum, gooseberry and currant bushes and rhubarb plants which they had planted.
Two other children, a boy Albert and a girl Anna, were born to this family, but died in early childhood and were buried in the farmyard. A flower bed was planted over their graves.
The first log cabin was built on this homestead in 1872 and was soon replaced by a larger home and in 1908 a third house consisting of eight rooms with a large addition was built, and is still in use today. The total cost of the structure at that time was $1800. The original log house still stands and was used throughout the years as a blacksmith shop for farm repair.
Nils Nilson died very suddenly August 9, 1913, at the age of 68, his wife, Anna Maria, died February 12, 1917, just four years later at the age of 70.
Emil and Wilhelm Nilson assumed farming together. Emil was united in marriage to Anna Bertina Agrey in 1910. Two children were born to them a son, Marvin, and a daughter, Winona. Emil, Anna, and Wilhelm farmed and lived on this homestead for twenty-seven years. In 1937 Marvin was married to Gladyce Mikkelsen and then this third generation was engaged in active farming for thirty-two years until Marvin's death on May 26, 1969.
Each generation on this farm has seen many changes in the care and production of this land. Marvin lived a very active life serving his community and throughout the years was very active serving on township and county boards. At the time of his death he was county commissioner of this area.
Marvin and Gladyce were the parents of two children, Karen and Marvin C., Karen now resides in St. Paul, Minnesota, the wife of Dr. David Davis. They have two children David and Naomi. Marvin married Sylvia Gaasland and they live at Blue Earth, Minnesota with their three children Diane, Curtis, and Elizabeth.
This farm is still in the Nilson family, since it was homesteaded in 1872.
Wilhelm Nilson
Wilhelm Nilson was born in 1875 to Nils and Anna Marie in Flom Twp. He graduated from the University of Minnesota, taking up electrical engineering. He taught school for a time and also farmed. He never married. In his later years he lived with a nephew, Marvin A. Nilson until he went to the McIntosh Rest Home where he died in 1957. He is buried at Wild Rice.
Archie and Lovilla (Narum) Norden
Lovilla was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran church of Flom, Mn. After completing her
education she attended one year of nurses training. Lovilla married Archie Norden on December 26, 1949 at Gary, Mn. They were the parents of five children. Mark Allen was born on August 2, 1950, Roberta LoAnn was born on August 8, 1951, she passed away in November 2000. Daniel Archie was born on May10, 1953, Bradley Steven was born on May 24, 1957 and Susan Marie was born on January 31, 1959.
Archie passed away on March 21, 1987 andis buried at Grand Forks, ND.
Lovilla and Archie owned their own business. After Archie's death she married Gary Decicco on February 16, 1992 at Ft Myers Florida. He passed away on August 31, 2001, and is buried in New York. Lovilla continues to live in Ft Myers Florida.
John O. and Guri (Henningsdatter Stuedahl) Nysetvold
John Olsen Nysetvold was born April 15, 1850 at Haltdalen, Norway (although his Bible says March 15, 1850) to Ole Svendsen Ramlo/Nysetvold and Kari Jonsdatter Hilmo. His parents were not married. His father, Ole, was born on the Ramlo Farm in Haltdalen to Svend Olsen Ramlo and his wife Marit Pedersdatter Brenden on 8/12/1827. His father was a lensman or sherrif. He (Ole) purchased the Nysetvold farm in 1856 from his uncle, Borre Olsen Ramlo, who emigrated also to Iowa with his family. His father (Ole) went on to marry Anne Larsdatter Bjorgum in Haltdalen. To them were born the following children:
Marit Olsdatter Nysetvold, b.1/23/1854, married Anders Johnsen Tamlag. They took the Nysetvold name when they came to America. They lived in Flom Township for a short while and then moved up by Fosston, Minnesota. They lived there for a few years and then moved to Alberta, Canada.
Ragnhild Olsdatter Nysetvold, b.1856, married to Hans Simensen Heksem. They lived in Haltdalen, Sor Trondelag, Norway.
Beret Olsdatter Nysetvold, b.1862, married to Ole Pedersen As/Brendaes. They also took the Nysetvold name and lived in Haltdalen, Sor Trondelag, Norway. Some of their children did also use the Brendaes name. They purchased the Nysetvold farm in 1905.
Ingeborg Olsdatter Nysetvold, b.1871. She did not marry.
John’s mother, Kari, never did marry. She was born in Tydal, Sor Trondelag, Norway on June 9, 1823 to Jon Svendsen Midtaunet/Hilmo and Karen Pedersdatter Aas. She also came to America and lived the rest of her life with her son, John, at Flom, Minnesota and is buried in the Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery in an unmarked grave. Kari had two brothers.
Svend Jonsen Hilmo, b.1809, who married Lisbeth Olsdatter Aas and who’s son, John Svendsen Aas, also lived in the Flom area. His biography is found elsewhere in this book.
Peder Jonsen Hilmo, b.9/14/1815, who married Magnhild Estensdatter Lillebakken. They moved to Leksvik, Sor Trondelag, Norway and lived there. They had a son, Edvard Pedersen Hilmo/Lokken who emigrated from Norway and lived in Canada.
John was baptized and confirmed in his native country. He also attended school there. He helped his father operate the farm and so acquired a practical training that was a great benefit to him in America. On April 19, 1872 John Nysetvold emigrated from Norway to America on the Steamship “India” and landed in New York on the 19th of May. He went first to lowa where he worked for two of his uncles almost a year, (These uncles were Jonas Svendsen Ramlo and John Svendsen Ramlo, who lived in the Waterloo Ridge area) then he went on to Wisconsin where he worked six years lumbering in Dunn County. While there, he also applied for and received his Naturalization papers under the name of John O. Nasvold. These are dated the 7th day of April, 1874 in Dunn County. By now he had enough capital to set himself up in farming, and in 1878 he came to Norman County, Minnesota. In the 1880 census of Norwegian’s living in Minnesota, he is shown living with his mother, Kari, in Fossum Township of Polk County. Norman County was not in existence at that time. Here he homesteaded 160 acres in section 32, Flom Township, where he lived the rest of his life. This land was purchased under the name John O. Nesvold. The land office was in Crookston, Minnesota and the date he received the title to the land was December 19, 1885. The land was obtained under the Homestead Act of May 20, 1862.
To break up the land he used oxen, which served his purpose for fourteen years. These were also used to haul his grain thirty miles to the nearest market. Soon he began building first house, a small frame structure fourteen by sixteen feet, roofed with pieces of sod. The other farm buildings were of logs, but as time went by he added to the farm home and barn — the former becoming an eight room house. He was a grain farmer; raising mostly wheat and had some graded stock. In 1883, John was united in marriage to Guri Henningsdatter Stuedahl, who was born in Tydal, Norway, April 22, 1857, to Henning Henningsen Stuedal and Ingeborg Olsdatter Stuedal. Guri’s sister, Lisbet, was married to Anders Pedersen Sakrismo. They are the parents of Peder Sakrismo, who also lived in the Flom area. Guri’s sister Magli, who was married to Einar Larsen Lovoen, also lived in the Flom area. Two of her brothers came to America. They were Anders and Henning.
John and Guri were charter members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, Aspelund, at Flom and he served as trustee many years. He helped organize the school district and was its clerk for over thirty years.
He was the first township clerk of the Flom Township board. Before Flom had a designated post office the Nysetvold home was used as a post office for a period of time. Mrs. Nysetvold carded and spun her own wool and knit for her children and later stockings, mittens and scarves for the grandchildren. John died in 1929, Guri in 1935.
There were four children born to this union:
Ingeborg, (Belle) the only daughter, born in 1883, took over where her mother left off and was house keeper for her two brothers who never married, but continued the farm after their father died. Belle served many years as church organist. One Sunday a year an offering was taken to pay the organist. She was a competent seamstress and sewed for many friends. She had flocks of chickens and a large garden, and was a wonderful cook. She died in 1961.
Henry, born in 1890, and Johan (Johnny), born in 1892, were a team - working together, using and updating the good farming methods of the father. They, too, were active in community and church. Johnny died in 1964;
Henry sold the farm to a relative and moved into Twin Valley where he lived until he died in 1973.
Ole, born in 1885, spent his boyhood on the home place— but found a higher interest in building than in farming. He spent some time in Montana as a carpenter and when he returned to Norman County he bought a tract of land in Twin Valley—built a home and was married in 1912. His bride was Mina Aasgaard who was born in Home Lake Township in 1891, the daughter of Martinus and Maria (Larsen) Aasgaard of Stange in Hedmark and Eidsvoll in Akershus. Ole inherited the industry and thrift of his forbears. and in a few years had advanced himself to become an architect, contractor and builder. Many buildings, churches, homes, barns, etc., stand today as monuments to his talent and industriousness. His sons helped him when they became old enough. The second world war came and all four sons, Miles, Orwin, Arnt and Paul, entered military service and served overseas.
Building was at a standstill and Ole had a family to feed. He went to Couer d Liene, Idaho, and worked on a government project in the forties, and later worked on the' Alaskan Highway, putting up buildings necessary for the 'work of the road crews. When the war was over he was back in Twin-Valley actively drawing plans and contracting for building projects again. Ole was active in the community, being a member of the Twin Valley Council many years, a member of the fire department, a trustee of Zion Lutheran Church where they were lifetime members! Mina was a Sunday School teacher and a life member of Zion Church Women. There was a large garden for her to can and preserve; she sewed all her children's clothes, was a good friend and a concerned neighbor. Ole died in 1962 and Mina in 1967 To their union were born eleven children:
Gladys (Mrs. Andreas Heiberg)
Miles, married to Myrtle (Boberg)
Orwin, married to Ida (Hara)
lona (Mrs. Kermit Kvenvolden)
Arnt, married to Verna (Knutson)
Paul, married to Betty (Wien
Loanna (Mrs. Wayne Wagstrom)
Judith (Mrs. Marlowe Pfaff)
Enid (Mrs. Lloyd Burkholder)
Dorothy (Mrs. Robert Hammer)
One daughter died in infancy.
Edwin and Helen (Stende) Ochsner
Helen Stende was born on October 11, 1920 to Edwin and Nellie (Nelson) Stende. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. She attended rural schools in the Flom area and then went to Twin Valley High School where she graduated.
Edwin Ochsner was born on August 6, 1912 to Geroge and Marth Ochsner at Medina, ND.
Helen married Edwin Ochsner on June 13, 1943 after their marriage the farmed in the Ogema area. In 1965 they moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn here Helen worked at Swift's Inc for 28 years and retired in 1983. Ed died on February 14, 1994. After his death Helen married Harland Erickson (a widower; see Harland Erickson). Helen and Harland reside in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Helen and Ed were the parents of two children; Elwood and Robert. Elwood was born on August 17, 1944, he married Terry Buchholz. Robert was born on August 21, 1946, he is married to Lynette Grahn.
Hans Peder and Anna (Loven) Odegaard Family
Hans Peder Odegaard was born on June 30, 1849. He died on March 5, 1900 in Twin Valley, Mn at the age of 50 years.
Anna Jensina Loven was born in Rio Wisconsin on August 28, 1852, to Hans Loven and Ingeborg. She died on March 2, 1942 in Prince Albert Sask, at the age of 89 years.
Hans and Anna were married in Rio, Wisconsin. They were the parents of; Peder Gustave born on July 5, 1876. He died on March 29, 1957 in Shellbrook Sask. at the age of 80 years. Peter married Annie Vhali in Twin Valley, Mn in 1901. It is unknown where Annie was born. She died in 1917 in Kilwinning Sask. They were the parents of Bert, Marvil, Lillian, Helmer, James and Erwin.
Henry Alvin born on April 8, 1880. He died on December 29, 1951 in Shellbrook Sask. At the age of 71 years. He married Mabel Louise Low in Ordale Sask, in 1936. Mabel was born in Three Crees Sask on April 15, 1913. After Henry’s death she married Arnold Adamson in Shellbrook Sask. In 1953. Henry and Mabel were the parents of Lois Lorraine (April 8, 1937), Henry Murray (June 9, 1940), Eileen Mae born on May 4, 1944. Eileen was married twice. Once to Lorne Collins in 1965 and then to Joseph Derr on December 10, 1983.
Edward Severin was born in Twin Valley, Mn on February 19, 1882. He died on September 20, 1906 at the age of 24 years.
Anna Marie was born on April 17, 1884. (see Hans Korsgaden and Anna Marie Odegaard) George Rudolph was born on August 3, 1886. He died in 1966 in Brantford Ont, at the age of 79 years. He married Mary Elizabeth Jennings, in Prince Albert Sask, on March 17, 1920. Mary was born in Ireland. George and Mary were the parents of: Aileen (1922), Wildfred (1924), He was married twice. The first time he married Olga in Ontario. The second marriage was to Joyce Anderson in London England in 1945. Doreen Iris ( 1926). Brian (1930) Brian died in 1990 in Paris Ont, at the age of 60 years. Gordon (1931).
Theodore Bernard was born on May 23, 1888 (twin), in Twin Valley, Mn He died on August 27, 1965 in Duncan BC, at the age of 77 years. His body was interred August 30, 1065 in Duncan Anglican Cemetery. He married Annie Louise Roach in Valbrand Sask, on November 12, 1916. Annie was born in London England on January 11, 1883. She died on December 27, 1962 in Duncan BC at the age of 79 years. Theodore immigrated in 1910 with his destination a homestead in Valbrand Sask. Theodore and Annie were the parents of Hazel ( October 16, 1917), she married Donald Carlson in 1938. June (June 17, 1919), Hans (August 10, 1920) and Walter Theodore ( August 25, 1921).
Emma S. was born on May 23, 1888, (twin) was born in Twin Valley, Mn. She died in August 1971 in Prince Albert Sask, at the age of 83 years. Emma married Martin Oscar Nordby in November of 1909. They were the parents of Marvil (April 27, 1911-July 23, 1996), buried at Dry Creek Cemetery, Sask.
Erchil (May 12, 1912), Evelyn (1913), Ferdinand (Mary 9, 1915), Harriet ( May 5, 1917), Peder (July 2, 1918), Blanche (December 20, 1920), Wallace (August 11, 1921), Roland (December 21, 1922), James and Jeanette: twins (August 21, 1924) and Shirley (August 29, 1929)
Ida Pernilla was born on December 12, 1890, in Twin Valley, Mn. She died on November 4, 1984 in Shellbrook Sask, at the age of 93 years. She is buried at Dry Creek Cemetery in Sask. Ida married Arthur (Archie) Lohmeier in Twin Valley, Mn onDecember 5, 1912. Arthur was the som of Henry and Emma Lohmeier. Archie died on May 22, 1948 in Prince Albert Sask, he is burried in Valbrand Sask, Dry Creek Cemetery. Ida immigrated in 1913, with her destination homestead. Ida and Archie were the parents of; Harvey ( June 11, 1913) and Iona Ardis ( February 19, 1915).
Clarence Jonathan was born o February 24, 1893 in Twin Valley, Mn. He married Nanny Marie Peterson in Valbrand Sask, in 1918. Clarence and Nanny
Marie were the parents of; Marion (1919) and Doris (1921)
Hattie Palma Anetta was born on May 24, 1897 in Twin Valley, Mn. She was confirmed at Twin Valley, Mn at the age of 17 years. Hattie died on September 29, 1967 in Prince Albert Sask, at the age of 70 years, she is buried at Prince Albert Memorial Gardens, Sask. Hattie married Agdar Johan Fjerwold in Prince Albert Sask, on July 20, 1935. Hattie and Agdar had one child; Larry Agdar who was born on June 22, 1936.
Ole and Julian (Jacobson) Odegaard
Julia was born on July 6, 1885 and died on November 19, 1957. She married Ole Odegaard who was born on January 21, 1886 to Hans Peterson and Anne P. Odegaard. He died on April 24, 1972. They are both buried at Aspelund. They had one daughter Eva (Evelyn) who was married to Archie Waller, they had one son Bruce. Hans Peterson Odegaard immigrated from Eidnanger, Norway in 1854. He first settled in Bonnet Prairie, Wisconsin. He came to Norman county in 1882 and settled on land he bought in Section 1 of Flom township. Hans and Anne P. Odegaard were married in 1875
Chester and Eleanor (Stende) Odland
Eleanor Stende was born on March 27, 1919 at Ulen, Mn to Edwin and Nellie (Nelson) Stende. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. Eleanor attended rural schools in the Flom area. Eleanor married Chester Odland on December 12, 1943 at Flom. The couple had lived in Minneapolis, and Detroit Lakes before residing in Moorhead, Mn. Eleanor was a sister to; Clarence, Lester, Sylve, Gladys, Helen, and Muriel Stende.
They were the parents of seven children; George (11-21-44), Eugene (3-20-1946), Larry (1-21-1950), Myron (3-5-1952), Linda Ponto (12-7-1947), Nancy Colewell (4-4-1958) and Carol Martinez (5-8-1954). Eleanor died on April 18, 1967 at the young age of 48, she had been ill for some time. She left her husband and all the children still at home.
Eleanor is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn. Chester died on March 17, 1987, he is burid in the cemetery of the Crow River Church at Belgrade, Mn.
Tennis and Hanselina (Rinde) Oftedahl
Tennis Oftedahl was born in Norway on October 16, 1873. He came to the United States and to Minnesota at the age of 18. In June of 1898 he married Hanselina (Lena) Rinde, daughter Hans and Kari Rinde of Flom township. They farmed in the area until 1948 when Lena passed away.
Hanselina "Lena" Rinde was born to Helge and Kari Rinde on September 12, 1864 in Rice county. She was baptized in Rice county, and moved to this area with her parents when she was a child. She was confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Tennis and Lena were married in Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom on May 27, 1899. They resided in Home Lake township after their marriage for twenty years. before moving to their persent farm in Wild Rice township in 1917.
The following is a story relating to Lena's death; Tragedy struck the Tennis OFtedahl home last Wednesday morning, fire completely destroying the residence and Mrs. Oftedahl meeting her death as a result of the conflagration. The origin of the fire is unknow, as Mrs. Oftedahl was at home alone at the time of the fire, her husband having gone to town with the cream. Mrs. Oftedahl had evidently tried to extinguish the blaze with the result that her clothing caught fire and her lifeless body, quite badly burned, was found at the well, about three yards from the residence.
The fire was detected after it had gained considerable headway by M.H. Brevik, local mail carrier, who called the Twin Valley fire department. Although prompt response was botained, all the firemen could do was to safeguard the other buildings in the farm yard. Lena died on June 16, 1948, at the age of 83 years, 9 months and 25 days.
Lena was very acrtive in her church and a member of the Ladies Aid with which she was affiliated for many years, she had many friends throughout this area. Lena was a respected and esteemed by all who knew her. The entire community joins with us in extending sincere condolences to the family.
After Lena 's death he stayed on the farm until failing health caused him to moved into Twin Valley around 1965, Tennis then moved in with his daughter Tonette Skauge and her family.
They were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, where he directed the choir for many years.
Tennis and Lena were the parents of Tonette ( Fred Skauge) and Ludvig.
Funeral services for Lena were held at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, with interment in the church cemetery.
Hans and Sina (Johnson) Oien
Hans was born on February 4, 1883 to the Iver and Thora Oien in Walworth township, Becker County, Mn. His parents were both born in Norway; Iver on December 7, 1853 and Thora H. in 1853. They had only one child Hans. Iver died on February in 1936 and Thora on March 31, 1943 both are buried at Aspelund.
Hans grew up in Walworth township and was a member of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
Sina Johnson was born in 1879 in Norway. She had one sister Anna (Rishovd). Hans and Sina were married on September 10, 1909 in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Hans and Sina were the parents of five children; Tilford, Lawrence, Johnny Sandvick, Alice; see Carl and Alice Sandal, and Thea; see Henry and Thea Haroldson.
Johnny Sandvick Oien
Johnny Sandvick Oien was born on November 8, 1911 to Hans and Sina (Johnson) Oien. He grew up on the family farm in section 10 of Walworth township, Becker county, Mn. After his father's death in 1941 Johnny took over the operations of the family farm. Johnny died unexpectantly at the age of 32 from a heart attack. Johnny was at his home in Walworth township at the time of his death. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom with interment at the church cemetery. Johnny passed away on November 3, 1943.
Tilford Oien
Tilford was born on May 30, 1916 in Walworth Township to Hans and Sina (Johnson) Oien. Here he grew up on the family farm located in section 10. He took over the farm and in his later years he moved into Flom where he lived with his sister Alice (Sandal) until he entered the Lutheran Memorial Nursing home in Twin Valley, Mn. Tilford died on February 23, 1999 and is buried at Aspelund.
Arnold and Selma (Lee) Olson
Arnold Olson was born to Hans and Amanda (Tollefson) Olson in Flom Township on February 7, 1901. He was married to Selma Lee on June 23, 1923 at Grand Forks, North Dakota. They came to the Kvaas Farm and farmed together with his parents. Their daughter, Betty Lou was born on August 23, 1924.
Around 1932, they purchased the Tom Helland farm located 1 1/2 miles east of the Kvaas Farm in Popple Grove Township of Mahnomen County. Their son, Gordon Wayne was born November 16, 1939 in Crookston, Minnesota and died the same day. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery at Flom, Minnesota.
Arnold and Selma purchased a home in Detroit Lakes in 1962 and retired after 38 years of farming. For some years after, they divided their time between the farm and their home in town.
Selma died on August 21, 1977. Arnold died on November 27, 1993. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery at Flom, Minnesota.
Betty Lou’s mother Selma, was born to Louis and Betsy (Tveten) Lee on August 4, 1903. She died on August 21, 1977.
Betty Lou grew up on her parent’s farm in Popple Grove Township, Mahnomen County, Minnesota. She attended school in Waubun, Minnesota and graduated from there in May of 1942. She married Allan Houglum on May 18, 1946.
Allan was born to Martin and Sena (Severtson) Houglum on March 31, 1924. He has the following siblings: Mendley, Dennel (Dan), Raymond, Pearl (Briggs), Robert, Joseph, Lucille. They were all born and raised in the Audubon/Cormorant, Minnesota area. They moved to the Flom Area around 1939. Martin Houglum was born in 1873 and died in 1964, Sena Severtson was born in 1878 and died in 1959.
Allan and Betty Lou have two children:
Bonita Louise, born August 15, 1955 and Bradley Allan born December 7, 1957.
Allan is currently resides at the Lisbon Veteran’s Home in Lisbon, North Dakota.
Betty Lou lives on the farm with her son, Bradley.
Arthur and Irene (Flaten) Olson
Arthur E. Olson ("E for Excellent", he often said), son of Martin and Selma Knutson Olson, was born at his parents' farm home on July 23, 1915 near Geneseo in southeastern North Dakota. He attended school near Geneseo and was confirmed at the Bergen Lutheran Church there. Art came to the Ada, Minnesota, vicinity in 1933, along with three brothers, a sister and several neighborhood boys, to seek employment. He was employed at Ira and Claris Miller's farm and also for William Ashbach in the Ada area before coming to Flom, after hearing that a farmer west of Flom was looking for a hired man. Having grown up in the "Dust Bowl" of North Dakota during the Depression years, the wooded region near Flom looked pretty inviting. He almost changed his mind about coming,
however, when he arrived at the corner north of the Martinus Flaten farm and found the road nearly impassable; but Art forged ahead, not even knowing at that time about "The Farmer's Daughter" who would become his bride six years later. Despite the huge snowdrifts, the hard work of farming with horses, and the unfamiliar language (Norwegian), Art stayed at the Flaten farm until 1942 when he entered the U.S. Army and ended up marrying "The Farmer's Daughter" in 1943. Art often called Flom, "Little Norway".
After the short time Art and Irene spent in Kansas and Mississippi, Art was sent to Europe with the 94th Infantry Division, where he served under General Patton in Germany during World War II. He was awarded the Bronze Star with the Oak Leaf Cluster for "distinguishing himself by his outstanding leadership ability and forceful initiative. In addition to maintaining an uninterrupted flow of supplies to his unit, he led a platoon on two aggressive assaults and accomplished his mission, despite intense hostile fire, with the greatest of success."
Discharged from the U.S. Army in 1945, he returned to the Flaten farm where he and Irene farmed until his retirement in
1984.
Art was very active in church and community affairs. He and Irene were members of Wild Rice Lutheran Church where he served on the church council, as Sunday School superintendent and in the church choir. He also served on the World Hunger Task Force of the Northern Minnesota District of the American Lutheran Church, a project that was dear to his heart.
Art also served on the Board of Directors of the Flom Co-op Oil, the Norman County Fair Board, the Norman County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation (ASC) Committee, the East Agassiz Soil Conservation Service Board, the Twin Valley School Board, and as a 4-H leader.
He was also a member of the Lions Club, VFW POST 3818 of Flom, and the Nesseth-Lien American Legion Post of Twin Valley, serving as leader of its firing squad for nearly 40 years, rarely missing a Memorial Day observance or funeral of a departed comrade. Art loved his country and was proud to have served it in time of war. Art passed away on March 17, 1986, and is buried in the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Irene, the daughter of Martinus and Nora Flaten, was born on May 20, 1919 and grew up on her parents' farm in Flom Township, which would be her home for most of her 67 years. She attended Woodland Nook School and later graduated from Twin Valley High School at the age of 16.
In 1939, she received the Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Following graduation, she taught in Peterson, Minnesota, and later at Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. She then returned home to the farm to marry "the hired man", Arthur Olson.
Irene's work outside the home took her back to Twin Valley High School where she taught German and history and to the U.S. Postal Service where she faithfully served as a clerk in the Twin Valley Post Office for 20 years, retiring in January 1986.
Irene was also very active in her church and community. A member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church her entire life, she served on the church council, as church treasurer, as a Sunday School teacher and choir member, and as a member and officer of the Wild Rice American Lutheran Church Women, serving as president at the time of her death. Irene was also a
member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Twin Valley, the VFW Auxiliary of Flom, and the Flom Happy Homemakers Club. She also served as a 4-H leader. Irene was a faithful wife and loving mother.
Being the quiet wife of a vivacious husband, she was the "hub" around which the family moved.
A deep thinker, she was widely read and an "expert" to her family on many subjects. Cherished by her husband, Art called her his "Honey Bee". Irene passed away on September
4, 1986, less than six months after the death of her husband, and is buried in the Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Art and Irene had four children. Kathleen Faye was born on October 30, 1946, and married Larry Solseth of Twin Valley on December 22, 1968. They live in Fargo, North Dakota, and have two children. Nathan Paul married Allison Moe; and they live in Fargo, North Dakota. Melissa Kay married Michael Lynnes of Leonard, North Dakota, where they live with their two children, Zachary Michael and Rebecca Kathleen. Kathleen has a small clerical business which she runs out of their home.
Noreen Sheila was born on February 18, 1950, and married Scott Pederson of Twin Valley in April 1969. She later married Rodney Stromberg of Fargo, North Dakota, on December 23, 1972. They had two children. Stephen Lee lives in Phoenix, Arizona; and Angela Beth lives in Fort Collins, Colorado. Noreen also currently lives in Fort Collins where she manages a Blockbuster Video Store.
Laurel Lee was born on February 14, 1954, and married George James Yost of Ada, Minnesota, on December 30, 1972. They live in Ulen, Minnesota, and have three children. Jamie Lee lives in Fargo, North Dakota; and Ryan Patrick lives in Houston, Texas. Kristin Amber currently attends the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Laurel is the secretary/bookkeeper at the Viking Manor Nursing Home in Ulen.
Marlin Arthur, often returned to by his father as "Son One", was born on November 1, 1960. He lives in the Briarwood community south of Fargo, North Dakota, where he is the accountant at Dakota Bumper Exchange of Fargo. It is interesting to note that Marlin, having never met his grandfather, Martinus Flaten, bears a striking resemblance to him in looks, temperament and mannerisms.
In 1990 the Flaten-Olson farm was sold to Curtis Holum, marking the end of a 112-year period of ownership by the Flaten and Olson families.
Submitted by Kathleen Olson Solseth
Gilmer and Mabel (Berg) Olson
Gilmer Olson was born on February 2, 1901 near Lake Preston, SD, to John and Nettie Olson. He moved with his family to Madison, where they lived for three years before moving to a farm in Home Lake township.
Mabel Berg was born in 1902 to Minnie (Kjos) and Christ Berg. She baked at a restaurant and dormitory in Montana. During WW II she worked in a ship yard. She had one sister Nora (Stordahl).
Gilmer married Mabel Berg on February 28, 1925, near Twin Valley. They were the parents of one daughter Verna (Leslie Prestegaard) born in 1926. They moved to Flom township and farmed here until Mabel’s death in 1947. Gilmer then worked for neighboring farmers and the Bergeson Nursery. He was also the janitor of the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, near Twin Valley, for 19 years. He lived just north of the church.
One of Gilmer’s favorite enjoyments in life was working as a steam engine operator at the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion at Rollag. For many years he operated the largest steam engine at Rollage, and he trained younger men to operate the steam engines and carry on the tradition. He also enjoyed working outdoors trimming and pruning trees and shrubs.
Gilmer passed away on February 27, 1992 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Hans and Amanda (Tollefson) Olson
Hans Olson was born on the Fidjestodl Farm in Kvaas, Lyngdahl, Vest Agder, Norway in 1869 to Ole and Gunvor (Tollisdatter Fidjestodl) Hansen Royseland. He left Norway on March 19, 1886 from Kristiansand, Vest Agder and entered at Ellis Island in New York. His destination was Minnesota. Two of his sister’s also emigrated from Norway to America, Anne Teoline (Mrs. Ole Vinger) left Norway on March 31, 1888 and Tomine Dorthea (Mrs. Peder Baukol), who left Norway on June 13, 1884.
He married Amanda Tollefson on May 27, 1892. They purchased the SW 1/4 of Section 13 in Flom Township from Andrea Otterness in October of 1892. The land had originally been Northern Pacific Railroad property.
They had eight children born to them: Theodora (Dora) (Mrs. Dortinius Larson), Geneva (Mrs. Olaf Solberg), Anna (Mrs. Harold Solberg), H. Arnold, Alpha (Mrs. Olaf Tveten), Myrtle (Mrs. Oscar Kindseth), Guy and Selma (Mrs. Hans Tveten).
Their son Guy, rented the farm in 1932. He married Alice Larson on October 26, 1934. She was the daughter of Erling & Christina (Thompson) Larson and was born at Centuria, Wisconsin on June 28, 1914. They rented the farm until May of 1945 when they purchased it. They had 2 sons Lloyd and Merlyn.
Guy originated the dairy business, even though his father milked cows for the family’s use. Guy milked 12 cows by hand and sold the cream. In 1937, he mechanized his farm by selling his horses and purchasing a new Allis Chalmers WC tractor and John Deere plow for $900. Guy was the first in the neighborhood to go all tractor power. The tractor was the first WC Chalmers sold at Johnson & Gravely in Flom and is still in working order on the farm. Another highlight for the Olson Farm was Christmas Eve of 1945. That was the day electricity was hooked up to the farm, and they had purchased a string of Christmas tree lights just in case.
During the 1950’s, Guy switched from dairy to beef, having only two dairy cows for house use. During the 1960’s, Merlyn showed an interest in farming and rekindled the interest in dairying. He remodeled the barn and built the herd to 31 cows. Merlyn married Sylvia Waller in June of 1970. She is the daughter of James and Nina (Erickson) Waller. Guy and Alice moved to Twin Valley. They both worked for Lutheran Memorial homes for several years. Alice died in 1990 and Guy in 2000.
Merlyn and Sylvia purchased the farm in March 1973. They have two children, Crystal (Mrs. Rodney Lampton) and Matthew.
Now the farm has been continuously owned and lived on by the Olson Family for 110 years. Merlyn and Matthew continue to dairy and are presently the only dairy farm in Flom Township. They have a 60 cow tie stall barn with E-Z track computeriws automatic take-off milkers.
Kenneth E. and Helen (Kyllingstad) Olson
Kenneth Olson, the son of Ole K. and Laura Olson was born March 11, 1906 in Anthony Township of Norman County, Minnesota. Being the youngest of six boys he moved to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, and worked at the city light plant for twelve years.
He was united in marriage to Helen Kyllingstad, the daughter of Carl and Mathilda Kyllingstad of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. In 1942 he moved to Vancouver, Washington to work in the shipyards as a steamfitter for three years.
After his mother's death, in 1945, he moved back to Anthony Township and farmed his parents' farm for ten years. In 1955, he purchased his own farm, the former Wild Rice Children's Home in Section 6 of Flom Township.
Kenneth and Helen are the parents of three children, namely: Mrs. W. F. (Barbara) Roper of Abilene, Texas;
Ronald, and
Donald both farming at home and two grandchildren Joel and Jeff, Barbara’s children who live in Texas.
Milford and Ruth (Hanson) Olson
Milford A. Olson was born at Lake Park, Mn. on October 25, 1905 to Mr. and Mrs. Ole Olson. He spent his early boyhood there and moved with hish familly to the farm at Fossum, where he remained the rest of his life. He was confirmed by Rev. Opdahl in 1921. He attended country school at District 41.
Milford and Ruth were married on June 21, 1931. They were blessed with three children; Carol ann, Linda Ruth and a daughter Myrna Ruth (who passed away in infancy and is buried at Wild Rice). When they were first married they lived in Twin Valley, Mn for the first two years and then moved out on the Olson farm where they have lived since. Milford loved to hunt and trip. He also hauled grain for farmers and gravel for road construction. They were faithful members of the Wild Rice Congregaton.
Milford was only 35 years of age when he died. He had suffered the last two years from malignant hypertension and everything was done to stay the malady, but to no avail. Much suffering has been his lot, especially this past year, but he has borne the cross with remarkable courage and fortitude. Milford died on December 18, 1940 and is buried at Wild Rice.
Ole Helgeson Olson and Golena (Lena) Christiana Olson
Ole Helgeson Olson was born in Little Iowa, Iowa, which was one of the first Norwegian settlements in the United States, on January 9, 1858 to Helge and Sigrid Bergetangen Olson (See article on Helge and Sigrid Olson).
Ole was 24 years old when his family moved to Flom Township in 1882. He farmed a couple of miles east of Flom in section 36 of Flom Township. He married Sophie Johnson on February 19, 1885. Sophie was born about 1863, the daughter of Martin and Caroline (Bergerson)Johnson. Sophie died in October of the same year. Ole marrried his second wife, Golena (Lena) Olson in 1886 or 1887.
Lena was born January 28, 1870 in Atwater, Minnesota to Knut Olsen and Berit Narvesdatter. Knud and Berit came to America from Sigdal, Norway in 1857. Knut and Berit lived in Dodge County for several years. They moved from from there to Atwater, Minnesota until 1877, when they moved to Louisville, Minnesota. Lena's parents purchased a farm and lived there until their deaths. In 1891, Ole purchased 40 acres of land from his father, Helge Olson in section 20 of Flom Township.
Ole and Lena Olson had the following children:
Cecelia Karoline Olson was born on May 6, 1888 and died on April 5, 1892. Cecelia is buried in the original Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Bertine Heline Olson was born in June 28, 1889 and died on April 7, 1892. Bertine is buried in the original Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Helmer Clarence Olson was born on March 31, 1891. He married Lillian Oswell in Duluth about 1923 or 1924 and Helmer died on August 31, 1964 in Seattle King County, Washington.
Bertha Cecelia Bertina Olson was born on February 3, 1893. She married Arthur Otterstetter in Duluth, Minnesota. Bertha died in December 1985 in Southgate MI.
Sophia Elvera Olson was born on March 13, 1894. She married Gilbert Erickson in February of 1919 in Duluth, Minnesota. Sophia died on January 15, 1993 in Duluth, Minnesota.
Oscar Carl Olson was born April 30, 1896. He married Cecelia (Lucille) Linzmeier on June 28, 1926 in Blenker, Wisconsin. Oscar died on March 16, 1978 in Duluth, Minnesota.
Julia (Olson) Caza was born on January 14, 1898. She married John Joseph Caza in Duluth, Minnesota. Julia died on December 31, 1989 in Duluth, Minnesota.
Leonard Oleander Olson was born on October 23, 1901. He married Esther Skudstad about 1940. Leonard died on August 18, 1945 in Duluth, Minnesota.
Edlin Milford Olson was born on October 16, 1904. He married Elfreida Severson in Duluth, Minnesota about 1947. Edlin died on October 21, 1978 in LaPorte, Indiana. He is buried in Duluth, Minnesota.
Ole Helgeson Olson was killed when a load of hay tipped over on him on February 17, 1905. The exact particulars are not known, however, it seems that Ole had been after a load of hay and was on his way home when somehow the load tipped over, covering him up. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery. His children were age three months to fourteen years old at the time of his death. Lena and the children moved to Crookston, Minnesota in 1908. They later moved to Duluth, Minnesota in 1912. Lena died on July 16, 1945 in Duluth, Minnesota. She is buried at the Bethany Cemetery in Duluth, Minnesota
Walter Olson
Walter Olson came to Flom township from Tracy, Mn with his parents; Gust and Amanda Olson in the early 1900’s. They settled on a quarter section of land in the NE 1/3 of section 21. The farm was formerly known as the Churness farm.
Walter had one brother Bill and two sisters; Rose (see Rose Flom) and Florence (Haraldson).
Walter farmed with his parents until they retired and then he took over the farm. His parents both died in 1949 and are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery. Walter acquired three more quarters of land thru the years. He bought the Underdahl quarter which adjoined his farm and the Haraldson quarter all in section 21. He also acquired a quarter section in section 20 of Flom township known as the Bill Olson quarter.
Walter always had a lot of cattle, and limited amount of good fence, as a result his cattle were know to frequent the neighbors fields occasionally.
Walter served his country in the United States Army during WW I, and was taken prisoner for a time. He said he got very little food in prison. He was also exposed to Mustard Gas. Walter was a member of the American Legion and Flom-Twin Valley VFW Post 3818, of which he served as the commander for a time.
During his retirement, Walter spent many winters in Brownsville, Texas. From there he would got to Monterrey, Mexico and visited the Suarez family, Marina Suarez is married to Delwyn Haraldson, who is Walter’s nephew. While in Monterrey Walter met Alicia Suarez, Marina’s sister, fell in love and they were eventually married.
Walter bought a house in Monterrey and lived there until his death. Walter is buried in Monterrey, Mexico.
Alicia was a very kind and caring person and took very good care of Walter, during his failing health and before he passed on.
Walter was a good friend and neighbor, a kind and gentle person who never used profanity. His favorite saying was "that beats all."
submitted by Kenneth Holum
Henry and Mabel (Kvidt) Ommodt
Henry was born to John and Annie (Anderson) Ommodt on March 11, 1897, he was born in Finley, Wisc. He married Mabel Kvidt daughter of Jens and Hannah (Albertson) Kvidt on July 16, 1899. They farmed in the Flom area for seven years and in 1929, he began working in the Flom Creamery. He was named manager of the creamery in 1931 and continued in that capacity until his death on August 18, 1958. Mabel passed away on October 24, 1984.
They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn. Henry and Mabel had one son; Donald
Donald Henry Ommodt and his wife Evelyn live in Fargo, ND. Don worked at the bank in Waubun, Mn for 2 and a half years before beginning work at Cass Clay Creamery in 1953. He held several positions with the company before becoming general manager in 1965. He was later promoted to President in 1983. During this period the company continued to grow and grew ten fold during the 20 years 1965-1985. Don retired in 1997 from Cass Clay Creamery, but continues to be President of the Hour of Worhsip in Fargo, ND. Don and Evelyn have four children; Linette (Hartman), Kevin, LeeAnn (Leech) and Jodi.
Ommodt Family; John and Annie (Anderson) Ommodt
The Ommodt family moved to the Flom area in 1912 and lived about five miles northeast of Flom, on the farm currently owned by David Haugo. It is located in Popple Grove Township of Mahnomen County. At that time seven of their 10 children still lived with them and they farmed in that area for many years. John Ommodt was born in Norway in 1854 and came to America at the age of 15. He married Annie Anderson in 1880 and lived in Wisconsin, southern Minnesota and western North Dakota before moving to the Flom area. The seven children that were with them were Martin, Bennett, Charley, Alice, Henry, Mabel and William, several of which stayed in the Flom area for most of their lives.
Martin and Inga (Helland) Ommodt
Martin Ommodt married Inga Helland on November 19, 1916. She was born to the Helland’s at Kragnes, Minnesota. They made their home on a farm northeast of Flom, just east of the Ommodt home place. Around 1924 his health began failing and eventually became crippled and finally bedridden. He passed away on April 5, 1935 and Inga passed away in 1970. Both are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom Mn.
They were the parents of three children; Evelyn (Larson), Ardis (Hanson) and Marlin.
Evelyn married Ernest Larson, they lived on the home place in Popple Grove Twp where they farmed and raised their family. They were the parents of two children; Linda (Hesby) and Myron. Today Evelyn is living in Waubun, Mn.
Ardis married Neil Hanson (deceased), they farmed near Rosholt, SD. They had two children; Doreen (Murphy) and Wanda (Jensen).
Marlin married Alvira Walz of Waubun. They lived in Kent, Mn for many years both are deceased. They had no children.
Bennett and Mabel (Dorseth) Ommodt
Bennett Ommodt was born on November 8, 1890. He married Mabel Dorseth on May 6, 1917. Mabel was the daughter of Hans and Ronnaug Dorseth, she was born on March 1, 1898 near Flom. She grew up on the family farm in section 28 of Flom Township.
Bennett held several positions including manager of Flom C0-op Creamery. He later went on to hold several government positions including USDA leadership positions. He was instrumental in setting up the cheese grading program for the USDA which became the standard for many years. Bennett and Mabel had one son; Bennett V. Ommodt
Bennett V. “Bud” Ommodt worked for Government services for many years and has since retired. He lives in Alexandria, Va. Bud has two children, Dana K and Robert Bennett.
Charley and Thilda (Kvidt) Ommodt
Charley was born in 1893 to John and Annie (Anderson) Ommodt. He married Thilda Kvidt in 1916. Prior to his marriage he attended the state college at Brookings, SD. After his marriage he operated creameries in Sundal, Barnesville and Hawley, MN. In 1925 he became field manager of Land O’Lakes Creameries, continuing in that position until he was appointed assistant commissioner of agriculture. He held that position three and on half years before becoming the Commissioner of Agriculture in 1937. Following this he was manager for resettlement farms in the Thief River Falls area until becoming manager of Cass Clay Creamery, Moorhead, Mn in 1941. Charley was credited with building Cass Clay Creamery into a regional company over the 22 years he managed it. During these years the company grew rapidly and moved from Moorhead to a new plant in Fargo, ND. Following his death a tribute was written and printed on the annual statement of the creamery. It read in part: “With the passing of Mr. Ommodt, the dairy industry ahs lost a great champion and we personally lost a good friend. The work he did speaks eloquently of what can be done by one who had talent and a real devotion to his calling. He was a dedicated man. He gave the wholehearted attention of his keen mind and physical being to the dairy industry day after day, throughout his life.” Charley and Thida had one daughter; Florence (Carlson).
Florence and her husband Milton Carlson lived in Starbuck, Mn for many years and taught school there. Florence passed away in 1999. They had two children; Kay (Newstrom) and Don.
William and Nolda (Kvidt) Ommodt.
(the Ommodt-Kvidt connection-three brothers married three sisters)
Bill Ommodt was born on June 22, 1902 to John and Annie (Anderson) Ommodt at Pittsville, Wisconsin. Nolda was
born on November 11, 1902 to Jens and Hannah (Albertson) Kvidt. They were married on December 5, 1925. They
started their farming career on the home farm where John Ommodt had built all the buildings, In 1945, they moved to
the arm which they had bought earlier and lived there until retiring in 1965 when they moved to Flom. They lived in Flom east of the old school house until l990. They sold their home to Jeanine Hoseth’s mother and step father Fred Klingfuses, they in turn sold it to Mike and Shari Qual who still reside there. When Bill and Nolda left Flom they moved to the retirement home in Twin Valley (Valley Pines). Bill passed away on May 8, 200 and Nolda passed away on September 1, 1996.
Bill and Nolda had one daughter; Arla. Arla was married to Kenneth Bromander, son of Hugo and Clara (Solid) Bromander of Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn. Kenny and Arla farmed on the Bromander family farm just four miles south of Flom. They were in the dairy business for 25 years and continued to grain farm for several years after that. Arla taught English and Speech at Ulen High School for many years during the time they were farming.
Kenny and Arla were bless with four children; Katherine (Blascyk), Lowell, Karen (Runck) and Roger. After they retired from farming they moved into Twin Valley, Mn. Kenny passed away on April 16, 1998, he is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. After Kenny died Arla continued to live in Twin Valley until the spring of 2001. It was at this time that Arla married Russell Kent. They moved to his farm near Ogema, Mn.
Adolph and Inga (Strand) Opsahl
Adolph and Johanna (Bakken) Opsahl
Adolph Selmer Opsahl was born on February 14, 1887 in Ulen township, to Ludvig and Eline Opsahl. He married Inga Strand on December 16, 1914. They had one daughter Ellen who along with her mother passed away in 1918 during the flu epidemic. After Inga’s death Adolph married Johannah Bakken and they were the parents of three children; twins, Elna and Irene and one son Ludvig.
Adolph served for many years on the Home Lake township board and school board. He farmed and threshed in this community. Adolph passed away on October 12, 1946 at St. John’s Hospital in Fargo, ND.
Ludvig and Eline were the parents of; Lewis, Ole, Adolph, Mrs. Lewis Ramsey, Mrs. Knute Knutson and Inez. Three sons proceeded them in death, they were; Joseph, Oscar and Henry.
Adolph, Johanna, Lewis, and Mabel are buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. We don’t know where his first wife Inga and their daughter Ellen are buried.
Lewis and Mabel (Evanson) Opsahl
Lewis E. Opsahl as born on July 29, 1891, in Clay county, Minnesota. He grew up in Clay country where he attended schools in the Ulen area.
Mabel Evanson was born in 1895.
Lewis married Mabel Evanson on September 5, 1914 near Twin Valley, Mn. After their marriage they farmed in the Ulen and Twin Valley areas until retiring in 1974. At that time they moved into Twin Valley, in 1980 Lewis moved into the Lutheran Memorial Homes where he resided until his death in 1982. Mabel passed away in 1983, they are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Lewis and Mabel were the parents of; Eldred, Mildred (Sagen), Evelyn (Norman Albertson).
Ormbreck Family History
Marit "Marie" Kvale was born on August 25, 1860 to Thorsten and Berit Kvale in Vang Valdres, Norway. She came to America in 1885, coming to the Minneapolis, Mn area. Here she met and married Ole Christoferson on May 30, 1891, also of Minneapolis. To this union four children were born; Chris, Oscar, Alfred and Clara. Clara died at the age of sixteen months. Ole passed away on August 13, 1899. He is buried in southern Minnesota, not sure of the exact location.
On November 30, 1901 she married Halvor Ormbreck and move to the Flom community. They lived in section 19 of Flom township on the farm owned today by Sylvia Boman. Halvor was one of the organizers of the Flom Co-op Creamery in 1902. He also worked in Waubun for a short time as manager of the yard at the Wilcox Lumber Company in Waubun, Mn., before the family moved to Ulen, Mn. (The Waubun Diamond Jubilee Book records the name as Orenbrech).
Halvor and Marit were the parents of two children; Bertha (Walter Halvorson) and Ingeborg (Gordon Evans). Halvor passed away on June 16, 1912. Halvor was the father of seven children with his first marriage. They were; Julia (Beneke), Henry, Berget (Andrew Peterson), Helga (Ben Ybarra), Ruth (Ole Peterson) two children Halvor John (1895-1908)and Signe (1882-1908) are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn. We don't know where his first wife is buried or her name.
After Halvor’s death Marit moved to Ulen, Mn where she opeated a store. She resided in Ulen until her last four years of life. At this time she lived with her daughter Ingeborg , at LeSueur. Marit was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Ladies Aid, the American Legion Auxiliary, all of Ulen. She was a devoted Christian mother and loved by all who knew her.
Marit passed away on May 28, 1946 at LeSueur at the age of 85 years. God Bless her memory.
Halvor and Marit are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Chris Ormbreck married Christine Vesterheim from Fertile, Mn. Three of their boys remained in the Ulen area, they were; Clayton, Neal and Paul. Paul worked at Northwestern State Bank of Ulen until his retirement.
Hans and Jorgine (Farkvam) Martinusson Ostenvik
Hans Kornelius Martinusson, born 1841, at Alesund, Norway to Martinus Hanson Korneliusson, his mother's name does not show on the records and it is believed they were among those lost when the Alesund Church burned in 1904. His baptism and confirmation dates also are not yet found. He was educated in Alesund, became a Seaman (Not a fisherman). Probably was retired since he was past his 50th birthday and thus was able to leave Norway.
Hans was married on April 12, 1866 to Jorgine Rasmusdtr Farkvam, b.1849 in Molde, Norway to Anne Eriksdtr Seth (Saet) and Rasmus Jorgen Farkvam. Her baptism or confirmation records are not known, or where she was educated. Because she married a Seaman,she at times lived in
Orsta where some of the Farkvam family resided.
Hans and Jorgine with her husband at sea so much of the time, suffered sadness alone. She bore 16 children - eight of whom died when very young from sickness and epidemics, one was severe whooping cough, in Norway.
Hans and and Jorgine emigrated from Orsta,Norway on June 20, 1891 with children
HANS JORGIN Martinusson, b. 1873;
ANNE Martinusson, b. 1879;
RASMUS Matias Martinusson b. 1881;
WILHELM Andreas Wexels Martinusson, b.1887 at Alesund.
ANTON remained in Alesund to finish his schooling and another daughter, GINA, was already in the U.S., as well as ANNA.
MATHIAS (Matt) Ostenvik was born in Norman County, Minnesota, November 23, 1981.
The family changed the name from Martinson to OSTENVIK After their arrival in the U.S.
Hans and Jorgine were not young emigrants. Their eldest daughter Anna, b. 1866 persuaded her family to come to America - and not too long after she and her husband Matias Benson moved back to Alesund where they lived the rest of their lives. Hans was a kind, gentle and helpful man - They were a devout Lutheran family. Jorgine knew the Bible almost by heart.
They lived in Gary, Twin Valley/Heiberg area and the date they moved to Flom, MN is not known but it was some years before 1917.
Hans and Jorgine lived with Elsie and William Ostenvik until their deaths. When they lived on the Faith farm,Pastor Opdahl used to come and visit her and even though she was practically bedridden, he came one day and persuaded her to go with him to a celebration at the Wild Rice Children's Home.
Hans died January, 1918 at Flom, and Jorgine died in 1926 at the farm at Faith, MN. They are both buried in the Immanuel Cemetary at Flom, MN.
Mathias and Ella (Braaten) Ostenvik
Mathias "Matt" Ostenvik was born on November 23, 1891, in Norman County to Hans and Jorgine Ostenvik, just a
few months after they arrived in America. He was their last child born to them and the first to be born here in the new
land. He grew up in the Twin Valley/Heiberg area where he was baptized, confirmed and attended school. It was
sometime in the years before 1917 that they family moved to the Flom area. Matt continued to live with his brother
and his wife when they moved to a farm near Faith, Mn, in 1923. He stayed with them up through the first months
after his marriage to Ella.
Ella Braaten was born in section 22 of Flom Township on September 18, 1895 to Gulbrand and Anna Braaten on the
family farm. She grew up in the Flom area and attended school here.
Matt and Ella were married on November 17, 1923. They lived with Matt’s brother for the first few months of their
marriage up until they purchased a farm in the Flom area.
Ella had a daughter Elvina who was born in 1916. She was seven years old when Matt and Ella were married.
Although never formally adopted by Matt, she took the Ostenvik name- she was a bright, pretty red-haired child. She went to school in the Flom area. It speaks well for Matt and Ella that she grew up a happy, self assured young woman.
Matt and Ella had one son born to them on May 25th, 1925 who was born in Flom, Mn. He was a beautiful and healthy boy. He died on January 31, 1926 from a abdominal obstruction. At his funeral six little girls carried his white coffin. It was a very sad day for his parents, family and friends. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. Matt and Ella had no more children.
Matt had a love for music as did his brothers, Rasmus and William. When they got together they would have a great time fiddling song like "Turkey in the Straw", Setergjenten’s Sondag" and songs by Norwegian composer Edvard Greig, among other songs they loved to play. His brother Anton lived father away so didn’t share in the fun-but he too, was a good violin player. Matt was a farmer all of his life until he retired.
Ella was a quiet, neat little woman. She was so allergic to poison ivy that every time she went to clean the graves which folks did every Memorial Day, she suffered with really serious poison ivy rashes. She was a good wife, mother and aunt. A capable gentle person. Her bachelor brothers used to live with she and Matt during the winters, so she was also a good sister and family person.
Matt was interested in music and loved the violin, and he and Elvina used to have lots of fun with Matt playing the violin and Elvina chording on the organ. He used to play the baritone and bass instruments in bands and orchestras and Elvina’s Uncle William taught her to how to play the cornet so that little combo used to be asked to play at various functions.
Matt died on January 9, 1971 and Ella died on February 9, 1978, they are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Rasmus and Alma (Jellum) Ostenvik
Rasmus was born and baptized as Rasmus Matias Martinusson in Alesund, Norway b. 6-21-1881. Records show he emigrated to America under that name with his parents Hans and Jorgine Martinusson Ostenvik in June 1891. He was confirmed and educated in the Twin Valley/Heiberg area. Rasmus was a farm worker in the Flom area when a young man.
On 3-26-1925 he married Alma Jellum, b. 1901 in Goodhue County, MN, she and they first farmed the Holm farm in Flom. Several of their children were born there.
Their children:
1. Rose Alice b. 12-26-1926, died in January. She lived only about a week when she died a crib death - (sudden death infant syndrome) She is buried in the Aspelund Cemetary, January 1927..
2. Ardis, b.12-1927, in Flom, she married Oliver Larson b.4-1908. d.6-1989 and is buried in Ulen Cemetary. They had two children (a)Valerie, b.in Ulen, married 1968 to Alvin Knutson, Jr. b.1944, d. 1975. They had five children: Valerie, Heidi, Lynn, LaDonna, and Timmy. In 1976 she married Alvin Knutson.Sr., b. 1918, d.1987. They had one child, Jason, b. 1978. (b) Oliver Leland-b.1954, married Luann Beth Kjos b.1959, married 1977. They had two children Tyler and Brett.
3. Jane-b.1929 in Flom, married in 1951 at Tacoma. WN. to Robert Bassett, b.1929. They had four children, Terry b. 6-21-953, d. 6-22-1953. Roberta,married Bernard Kozak in 1988 in C leveland, Ohio, their child- Kevan Kozak, b.1988. Michael Bassett, b. 1961 marriedFelicia Farr, Ft.Worth, Tex. No children. Sally Lee Bassett, was stillborn 11-16-1962, Jane later married Don Cramer - they had no children.
4. Darlene, b.1931at Flom,MN. In 1950 married Orlin Wasfaret at Bethlehem Lutheran Chuch, Ulen, MN, They had four children:(a) Randy, b. 1951,
and d.1996. married Kathryn Gooding, Ulen, 1971- they had a daughter Tina. They divorced. In 1976 he married Noy Pingwung, Sattahip, Thailand. He retired as Master Sgt. in the USAF - spent 22 years in this service. He is buried in the
Bethlehem Luth.W. Cemetary, Ulen, MN. (b) Robin-b. 1955, married Gerald Johnson, Watertown, S.Dak and they adopted Kellie Jo b.1972, Moorhead . (c)Angel b.1960 In 1976 ,she married Kenneth Warling.and they divorced March 1981 - had no children. Later Angel married Jackie Heimbach - their children ,Jennifer,b.1976(adopted,) Tiffany b.1979 (adopted). Jared, b. 1985, and
Jacob.b. 1989.
(d)Jeffrey Wasfaret - b.11-18-1957, d.10-16-1981 as result of a car accident.
5. Ruby Violet. b. 4-1934 at Bagley, MN first one not born at Flom, MN. in 1952 married Waldo Hammer, Hitterdahl, MN he was b. 1932 and d. 2-5-1987.
They had two daughters, Kimberley b.1953 at Naval Hospital.Oakland, Calif. married in 1971at Seattle,WN to Robert Pennini, JR. b.1952, They had 2 children, Aaron and Crystal. Kimberley & Robt.divorced in Calif.
1975. She in 1975 married at Seattle.WN., James Lykken, b. 1949 in Grafton, S.Dak., and they have two children born at Renton, WN, Lisa and Stephanie.
Ruby's second dtr. Tonda b.1956 at Renton, WN. They divorced in 1979 and In 1983, she married James Crowder, b.1953 at Gadson, Alabama.
They had children born at Renton, Kira, 1985, Rachel, b. 1987 and a full-term baby stillborn, 1959 at Renton.
6. Harlan (twin to Harlow) b. 7-16-1939. stillborn
7. Harlow, b. 7-16-1939 at Ulen, MN -in 1961 was married at Barrett.MN toGloria Johnson, b. 1940 They had two daughters - (a)Brenda b.1963 at Fergus Falls, MN- in 1985 she married at Heron Lake. MN, Jeffrey Appel.b.1963.
Their son Jeremy b. 1987. (b) Lisa. b.11-17-1966 at Fergus Falls, MN.
She married Darren Saner, b. 1967, Freeman, S. Dak. m. 8-13-1988, and they have two children Melissa Saner, b.January 1991 and Kyle Saner b. 3-10-199
William and Elsie (Narum) Ostenvik
William Ostenvik was born 10-01-1887, baptized Wilhelm Andreas Wexels Martinusson in Alesund, Norway, to Hans Kornelius Martinusson, born Alesund, and Jorgine Rasmusdtr. Farkvam born, Molde Norway.
In America the surname was changed to Ostenvik, an americanized version of Orsta Vik. They first settled in Gary, MN and then Twin Valley/Heiberg area. He was confirmed and went to school in that part of Minnesota. He was a farmer, miller, and a musician.
His parents and family came to Flom some years before 1917, and at first farmed the Lund Farm.
William married on June 24, 1917, Elsie Louise Narum, b. 11-10-1891, twin to Ned Narum, daughter of Nels and Eva Narum,Walworth Township,where she was one of the 11 children born to Nels and Eva in the log cabin on their homestead. She went to school at Dist #46, Walworth School. When she was 16, the family moved to Waubun.
Wm, along with his brother, Matt, started the Flom Roller Mills in Flom where they ground flour, about in 1918.
The huge engine furnished electric power for the town, which made life more pleasant. The power was on from 6pm until 11pm and then turned on again in the morning. The lights winked twice to warn when the lights would go off and they would need kerosene lamps.if they wantedto stay up late.
They moved into an apartment above the restaurant in Flom because the house moved to the mill property needed a lot of work done it to make it livable. They lived there until they stopped grinding flour, and then they moved to a farm near Faith, MN area in 1923. In 1927, they moved back to Flom
and ground feed in the mill. The house had been worked on and made livable so they could live by the mill. There was another small house built alongside it, but it had no foundation, but was set on blocks We had a tornado in 1928 which tore that building of the "foundation" and broke it apart into a pile of small pieces and shredded wood. The sewing machine foot treadle and metal framework was broken into many small pieces, Bestemor's beautiful rosemaled trunk, full of her lovely dishes, had the lid completely torn off and every dish in the trunk was in little pieces. There was nothing left to salvage- everything in that house was gone. Elsie and Wm had planned on that being an extra room. The storm was frightening because the main house shook a lot and Dad would not go into the cellar because he felt the whole thing could come down on us.
William owned a couple of threshing rigs and was kept very busy during the harvest season. For some years, he rented land near Flom and raised grain.
In earlier years before the town hall was built, the mill was used sometimes for dances when the town had some big celebration. It also was a wonderful place for band
practices.
Wm was very neat and kept the mill tidy- the eldest child was to sweep and dust and in the winter the broom and dusting brush handles were like a chunk of ice, and after the work was done, it was painful to go into the house where the heat made the cold hands really hurt. For this chore 5 cents was earned, which then was a lot of money. the child would approach him to tell him the job was done with fear and trembling that it would not be done well enough because he would always say"Does it stand inspection?" of course,he said it was fine
People were afraid to work in the mill and when he was very ill once, that child had to try and help- The engine was hard to start - he had to stand inside that huge wheel to make it turn and start the engine. It was dangerous. Then that 12 year old had to put the sacks of grain on one foot to use it to help carry sacks in from the loading platform and out again when the job was done. The tall wheat sacks were very hard to handle. The gunny sacks seemed easier - they had to be fastened on the chute to fill them after they were ground. Made one realize that being a miller was a heavy job.
William was a talented musician and was asked by the Reverend and Mrs. Norby if he would start a choir and he ended up directing choirs at Aspelund and Wild Rice Churches. At one time combined them into 100 members. He spent a lot of time through the year coaching singing groups - such as thje men's quartet.
In the spring of 1932 there was discussion about something to do with the young people,and he did something - started the Flom 4-H Band! He got hold of instruments, music, music racks, etc., taught children, spent endless hours helping kids to learn and that fall,the band went to the State Fair in St. Paul and competed with huge well-established bands with beautiful, ornate uniforms. The performance was considered excellent by the judges, and if we had known we should have had an overture, we would have won first place, but we proudly came in 2nd. Considering that just a few months before most of the young people had not played an instrument ,or read music, this was little short of a miracle.
It took a truly dedicated teacher to inspire these young people to accomplish this as well as to have a teacher willing to give so much of himself. this was a generous gift,. freely given, and a valuable one to the community. He dicontinued this work in about 1937.
There was no way children in Flom could get to high school unless they roomed and boarded in the town where the High School was located and few could afford to do this, but in 1932 William was one of the men who gathered together and managed to make arrangements to have a bus from Flom to Waubun High School that fall. Martin Lunde was the bus driver. It was not easy for him that year, since Norman county did not clean the snow for part of the way and the bus could not get through so he had to resort to using an open sled pulled by horses for a few weeks - The next year Norman County opened the road. In the winter Mr Lunde had to rise early to get to Flom to pick up the students at 5 am.
When REA came in and everyone could grind their own feed, Wm bought land in Mahnomen County amd built a cabin there and sold the mill. The material was used to build a house in Gary. They moved to the Mah- nomen area about in1949., and he cleared the this forest land by cutting down trees,sawing his own lumber
to build a house, and digging a basement. Unfortunately, Elsie got sick, had surgery for cancer, but died in 1958 and then he, too, got cancer and died in 1960. He never got a chance to build their home. Elsie and Wiliam are both buried in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetary, Flom, MN
William and Elsie were good, kind, honorable people. He was a hard-working, responsible and honest generous man who contributed much to his community and to his family.
Children of William and Elsie Ostenvik
A. EVELYN, born 3-26-18, Flom, MN.
See Paul and Evelyn Ingebretson
Baptized 4-21-1918 - Aspelund Church (Godparents Anna & Andrew Rogen and Thorvald Thorson)
Confirmed 1932 Aspelund Church
B. HELEN, b. 12-2-1919, Flom.
Baptized at Aspelund
Confirmed at Aspelund
School - Flom School, Twin Valley High School, and Graduated from Waubun High School
Helen did housework around the area, then went to Minneapolis, MN and worked there. During WWII she lived in Tacoma, WN did domestic work on railroad cars. She moved back to Minneapolis for some time and then moved to Portland, OR where she worked at a plant where they made burlap bags.
She met Harland Schultz in Portland and married him on June 24, 1950. They had one child,
Linda, b. 4-6-1953. Linda attended Portland schools and graduated from Franklin H.S. She married G. Putnam in Portland, They had two children Heather and Roy.
They were divorced and she married Don Worthington,and they have one daughter, Jennifer, now 22 years old. Linda is a phlebotomist, her husband is a medical courier in Portland.
Helen died from emphysema and heart failure on 5-25-1978 and her husband died from heart problems on 5-24-84. They are both buried at Lincoln Memorial Cemetary, Portland OR
C. WILMER, b 4-16-1921, Flom, MN
Baptized at Aspelund+
Wilmer was a farm worker and worked very hard all his life for many farmers in the community.
He lived in the Flom area until his last years when he lived in one of the little retirement houses as a neighbor of John Haroldson in Twin Valley. Wilmer was very ill with cancer and had several operations.
He than went into the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley.
Wilmer died 8-12-87 there, and is buried in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetary Cemetary. He was unmarried.
D. ALICE- b. 3-30-23, Flom, MN
Baptized at home on the farm at Faith, MN by Pastor Opdahl.
Confirmed - 11-1936 at Immanuel Lutheran Church
Attended Flom School
Alice was and is a homemaker. Her hobbies were sewing - she made many quilts for her brothers. and she loved to read, and travel.
She married Alvin Ochsner on 11-23-1941 at her parents home, Flom, MN She and Alvin lived on a farm in Waubun and then one in Ogema in 1943. They then moved to Missoula, MT, where Alvin worked for the Northern Pacific R.R. as a locomotive fireman. In 1948, he went to work for Armours, W. Fargo,and they had a home built there. When the plant closed, he was transferred to Armours, Portland, OR and they moved there on 8-1959. He worked for them until he retired in1979, Alice still lives in their home in Portland. Alvin died 2-5-2000 and is buried in Columbia Pioneer Cemetary, Portland.
ALICE AND ALVIN HAD 4 CHILDREN
Harold, b.1-01-43 - in Detroit Lakes Hospital - hospital honored him as being the first baby born in Detroit Lakes in 1943. He was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flom, confirmed at Faith Lutheran Church in West Fargo,graduated from Jefferson HS. Portland, OR. in 1962. Attended Multnomah College, Portland,
Harold served in the US Navy for ten years. He died on 11-17-1998 as result of an accident at Nabisco Co., Portland,OR
Harold was buried in the Willamette National Cemetary,Portland, OR on 11-23-1998
He had no children.
Gwendolyn- b. to Alice and Alvin 11-24-1944 at Detroit Lakes. She was baptized at the Lutheran Church, Waubun, MN and confirmed at Faith Lutheran Church, West Fargo, and graduated from Jefferson High School, Portland, OR in 1962. She attended business college and studied the comptometer. Gwen married Ladd Dick in Portland, OR in 1965 and they had two children,
Lane and Lori Dick.
Gwen lives in Nevada - has three grandchildren.
Ivan - b. 2-7-1948 at Detroit Lakes. Baptized at Faith Lutheran Church, W.Fargo, confirmed at St. Johns Lutheran Church, Portland, OR. He graduated from Benson High School,Portland,
He went to Multnomah College in Portland, but was drafted and served in the US Army.
He has his own home, but takes care of his mother, Alice, who is wheelchair bound and blind, besides his fulltime work at Precision Cast Parts, Portland. His hobby is the computer and reading, and before his father died,. he took annual vacations to interesting places like the Fiji Islands.
Daniel Scott Ochsner was born in Moorhead, MN on 12-15-1949.
Baptized at Faith Lutheran Church, West Fargo, confirmed St. Johns Lutheran Church, Portland. Graduated from Roosevelt H.S., Portland, OR in 1967. He enlisted into the US Army Corps at age 17, and served in Viet Nam for 18months,after which he served for one year in Korea where he met a Korean girl - After he was out of the service
He flew back to Korea and married Pokh Cha there and brought her home to Portland. They had a son Lester born in 1978.
Scott died 5-30-1980 and was buried in the Willamette National Cemetary, Portland, OR 6-3-1980.
E. JOHN - b. 3-2-1925 on a farm near Faith, MN
He was baptized with Alice in June 1925 by Pastor Opdahl
No record of his confirmation
He attended Flom School
He was a farm worker - bought his farm in Mahnomen County in 1960 where he still lives.
He never married. His hobbies - he likes to visit, and going to auctions sales.
F. ERVIN -b. 11-20-1926 on the farm at Faith, MN
His baptism and confirmation date are unknown'
He attended Flom School and Waubun H.S. On his 17th birthday, he enlisted in the US Army
He and John both stayed with Alice in W. Fargo and found work in that area- He never had trouble finding work wherever he went. He was a very bright boy. Stayed a while with Evelyn and Paul in Portland and worked at several jobs here. He worked at the Vets Hospital in the kitchen at Milwaukee, Wisc. in the 1980's. He was ill for many years and suffered from emphysema and heart problems and died 7-5-1993. Ervin was buried in Wood National Cemetary, Milwaukee, Wisc. Ervin never married.
G.GRACE- b.2-17-1930, at Flom, MN
Baptized and confirmed at Aspelund.
Attended Flom School, Waubun HS, and graduated from Boulder City HS, Boulder City, Nevada
At age 17 she went to live with her sister Evelyn & Paul Ingebretson, Portland, OR. and attended Morrison Secretarial Schjool. After graduating she worked at several jobs.
She married Len Anderson, b. 5-2-1921 at Bethel Lutheran Church Portland,and they had two sons, David b. 9-26-51 and Curtis, b. 12-15-1952. Both are teachers
and married. David married Susan Single and they had three children and 2 grandchildren.
David is the musician and his three children play the violin and cello and bass violin. David plays the bass violin in the Portland Philharmonic Orchestra. When her children were grown, Grace went to work in the Multnomah County Assessors Office where she worked the rest of her life.
Grace enjoyed her music all her life - She played the organ and sang at many weddings and funerals only about a month before she became totally down in bed with her cancer, she sang at a funeral. She was well known and had many friends. She died 5-9-1987 and is buried at Willamette National Cemetary, Portland, OR.
Grace's husband served in the US Army in WWII. He was a mechanic, and after he retired, his hobbies were in art, doing pencil drawings and oil paintings. He died suddenly at his son, David's home on 10-19-1998. He is buried in the Willamette Natl. Cemetary.
H-ROBERT Eldon Ostenvik as born on January 11, 1933 at home in Flom to William and Elsie (Narum) Ostenvik. He was baptized on April 10th, 1933 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom. On June 12th, 1949 he was confirmed at the First Lutheran Church, Mahnomen, Mn.
He received his education his first year at the Flom school, then he went to Porland Oregon where he attended one year. He came back to the area and attended one year of school in Waubun. The family moved and he went to the Ahmann school in rural Mahnomen where he completed his education in 1948.
Bobby worked at various jobs during his life. He farmed, drove Milk truck, did mechanic work and his last job was a custodian in Moorhead.
Pearl Irene White was born on December 19, 1946 in Fargo, ND. She was baptized and confirmed on November 4, 1961 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN. She received her education at Linnell School in Becker County where she attended her first grade year. Pearl then went to school until 5th grade at Carsonville, from there she went to school at Waubun, where she received her diploma and graduated in 1964. Pearl went on to further her education at Detroit Lakes where she attended one year of business college. When Pearl married Bobby she took on the responsibility of being a Homemaker which she enjoyed. She loves to do needle work and crafts in her spare time.
Bobby and Pearl were married on June 5, 1971 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. They lived by Mahnomen from the time they were married until 1974 when they moved to Glyndon, Mn. They stayed there until 1992 when they moved to Felton, Mn where Pearl still resides.
Bobby passed away on March 8, 2000 and is buried at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn.
I-RALPH Evan Ostenvik was born on September 29, 1936 at home in Flom. He was the first born of the set of Ostenvik Twins. He was baptized on November 1, 1936 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom. He was confirmed at First Lutheran Church, of Mahnomen, Mn on March 30, 1958.
Ralph attended his first year of school (1944) at the Flom, Mn school. He then attended school in Waubun until 1946 when the family moved. He then went to school at the Ahmann school in rural Mahnomen. Ralph helped his parents out on the farm, he then helped his brother Robert farm until 1974 when Bobby and Pearl moved to Glyndon. Ralph moved with them to Glyndon and then to Felton in 1992 where he still resides with his sister in-law Pearl.
J-RAYMOND George Ostenvik was born on September 29, 1936 at home in Flom, Mn. He was the second born of the Ostenvik Twins. He was baptized on November 1, 1936 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom and confirmed on March 30, 1958 at First Lutheran Church of Mahnomen, Mn. He attended Flom school his first grade year, then went to Waubun until 1946. His family moved to the Mahnomen area and he then attended Ahmann School, rural Mahnomen, Mn. He has been a farm laborer and has stayed on the family farm which William and Elsie moved to in 1946, in rural Mahnomen.
Amund and Ingeborg (Ytterlie) Otterness
Amund Otterness was born in 1835 in Sogne, Fjord, Norway, in the area also known as Ottness. He married Martha Ytterlie in Norway. They immigrated to America in 1862, arriving in Goodhue county. Martha passed away at the early age of 30, while they were living at Goodhue, Mn. Amund packed up his belongings and two children Andrew and Anna and left Goodhue county in 1865. They come to Norman county where they homestead in Fossum township, near the site of the Fossum Store. Ten years after Martha's death Amund married Ingeborg Lien also had two children from her first marriage; Anna (P.O. Lien) and Petra (John Vehle). Together Amund and Ingeborg had Albert see (Albert Otterness), Edwin (see Edwin Otterness), Sena (Lyle Neft) and Amanda (Johnnie Schow).
Ingeborg was born in 1850 in Guldbrandsdalen, Norway. She was born Ingebor Pauline Lien. She came to America with her sister and other relatives in 1881. She settled in Flom Township and married Amund Otterness in 1883.
Amund died in 1920 and Ingeborg died in 1920, they are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley.
Andrew Otterness died as a teen-ager, we don't know the date or where he is buried.
Albert Otterness
Albert was born to Amund and Igneborg (Lien) Otterness in 1885, in Fossum Township. He grew up in the area, he married Ellen Haugen in 1911 at Crookston, MN. They farmed near Crookston for seven years, then moved to the Twin Valley area in 1919 and farmed here until 1927. Albert also was employed by the county.
Albert and Ellen were the parents of ; Elmer, Alfred, Alma (Halvor Halvorson), Inanda ( Manley Berg), Dorothy (Ernest Goff) and Lillian (Ben Wirth/Mjor)
Edwin Otterness
Edwin was born in 1886 to Amund and Ingeborg (Lien) Otterness in Fossum township. He spent his entire life in this community. He married Clara Rikhus in 1931. Clara was born to Anton A. and Annie Gilbertson Rikhus (see Anton and Annie Rikhus). Clara grew up in the Flom township, just north of Flom. They were the parents of one daughter; Carol Cassman. Edwin died in 1971 and is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Amund and Martha (Ytterlie) (Kvidt) Otterness Family
Amund (Kvidt) Otterness was born in 1835 in Aurland Sogn. Norway. He grew up there, and worked as a carpenter. He married Marthe Monsdatter Yttreli. They had two children, Andrew and Anna. In 1869, he and his family came to America, settling in Columbia County, Wisconsin: later moving on to Housten County, Minnesota.
Amund had two brothers, Ole and Johanas Kvidt. They had taken claims in Fossum Township in Norman County. Deciding this would be a better place to live, he moved there and stayed with his brothers until he could get his claim and build a house. This was a very small house with a sod roof, but it was a place to live and call home.
This area was newly opened up so there were no roads and no churches. The nearest town was Lake Park. Minnesota, a two day trip by oxen.
The settlers all worked together to make roads. Each settler was assessed so many days work as a poll tax.
Amund had brought his carpenter tools along from Norway. He helped build the first Wild Rice Church in 1874.
Marthe, his wife passed away. In 1881, his daughter, Anna, was married. After being left alone, he had to have a housekeeper, so he hired Ingeborg Lien, a widow with 2 children, (Anna and Petra), who had just come from Norway, and was staying with her Aunt, Mrs. Lien. After she had worked there for sometime, they were married and to this union, five children were born: Lena, Albert, Sena, Edwin and Amanda.
There were many hardships through the years such as a complete loss of crops from grasshopper and droughts.
This claim was close to the Reservation. They had many encounters with the Indians. Some were very friendly. Amund's daughter. Anna. seemed to get along well with the Indians. They would bring necklaces and trinkets. She even was given an Indian pony. The Indians had learned to like milk. so if they happened by when the cows were being milked, they would take all the milk. If refused the milk, they would become very angry and chop their axes into the walls or whatever was near.
By 1885, things were getting a little better so a larger house was built. This was also built from logs. They lived in this house until 1912, when a frame house was built, which still stands on the place.
After Amund passed away in 1919, his son operated the farm.
In 1967, being elderly and in poor health, he had to leave the farm so decided to make his home at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley. He passed away in 1971.
By Mrs. Phillip Hovde
Christian and Maren (Aas) Pederson
Maren Aas was born on February 17, 1856 to Svend Olsen Jenshauggjardet Aas and Kari Pedersdatter Brendås on Jenshaugen Vestre in Tydal, Sor Trondelag, Norway She immigrated to America in June 1882, coming to the home of Ole Ingebretson near Lake Park, Minnesota, where she worked for sometime and later worked at Heiberg and Ada, Mn. She had the following siblings:
Ragnhild b.1834 and married to Lars Olsen Stuevold in Tydal.
Ole Jensen Aashaug b.1836, never married and took over the farm in Tydal.
Peder b.1838 and married to Beret Jonsdtr. Østby from Smedgjardet.
Kari b.1841 and married to Even Olsen Østby, they moved to Skultrø in Tydal.
Sigrid b.1843 and had a son with Ole Antoniussen Hars: Svend b.1865
Ingeborg b.1850 and married to Ole Jensen Aas, they came to America.
Anders b.1853 and married to Ingeborg Tomasdtr. Østby from Høglia. They came to America in 1882. They lived in Baltic, South Dakota
Christian “Christ” Pederson was born in Denmark on May 24, 1852 to Peder Christensen and Berte Nelson. Who were farmer‘s in Denmark. He emigrated from Denmark and came to America and settled in Walworth Township. We do not know where he was born, nor do we know when he came to America. Christ was issued a pre-1908 homestead and cash entry land patent on property in Walworth township. He had been there a long time before 1908.
Maren was united in marriage to Christian Pederson on September 22, 1883 and they immediately settled on his homestead in Section 4 of Walworth township. Section 4 is the same section where Walworth Baptist Church is located. Here they farmed the land and became very active in the church.
Maren and Christian were the parents of; a foster son, Peter Ingebretson, who lived with them since 1888. They had no children, but took into their lives the son of Maren’s first cousin, Ole Ingebretson, of Lake Park, Mn. Whose mother, Maren Pedersdtr Lovoen Bergaard born in 1811 was a sister to Maren Pederson’s mother, Kari Pedersdtr Loveon born in 1811. Peter was between four and six years old at that time. Maren and Christ nurtured and educated him to adulthood. He knew his birth family and kept in touch with them. Maren became his mother and his and Mabels children were much loved by her.
Christian and Maren were both charter members of Walworth Baptist Church. They were among the members who met on the 11th of July, 1897 and voted to organize a Baptist church which was to be named Walworth Danish-Norwegian Baptist Church. This church was located quite near to their farm. They were active members and leaders of this church all their lives. They were very well thought of and respected in the community. The farm was near Flom, so Flom was very much a part of their lives. Christian died on October 28, 1918 and Maren passed away on January 22, 1939 at her home in Walworth township. After their death’s Peter inherited the farm in Walworth township, where he farmed for some 56 years. Maren was of a quiet, unassuming character and a devout Christian. She possessed a keen mind and her judgment and counsel were clear, freely given and found good by her neighbors and many loyal friends she had acquired through the years.
Johnny and Liz (Brigger) Pederson
Johannes "Johnny" Pederson was born on October 29th, 1892 to Lars Pederson and Johanna Christensen (sister of Julius Christensen). He was born in Springdale, Iowa. He was baptized in 1936 and attended school grades 1-5. He was confirmed in the Lutheran faith in 1959. Johnny’s father Lars was born in Denmark and settled in Iowa in 1885, in Springdale Township, Cedar County, Iowa. From there they moved to Sanborn, Mn and finally to Fulda, Mn where Lars is buried.
Elizabeth "Liz" was born on August 19th, 1904 to Harman Brigger and Ida Grunzke in Kinbrae, Mn. She was baptized the summer of 1936 and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in 1959. She attended school up to the 8th grade.
Johnny and Liz were married on November 5th, 1920 at Worthington, Mn. They started their married life in Kinbrae, Mn, Nobles County, Mn. They moved to Fulda, MN in Murray County living there until they left in 1950 coming to the Flom area. Here they farmed and did a lot of fishing, which they loved. They purchase a farm in 1949 from Mrs. Bloomquist of Waubun, it was know to many as the Brenden farm in section 28 of Flom Township (Norma Lunde currently lives on that lot). They farmed there until the fall of 1958 when they purchased the Westby house on the southeast side of Flom in Section 34. At that time their daughter Mary and her husband Eugene took over the farm and lived in the home in section 28.
Besides farming Johnny also had other jobs such as a school bus driver, carpenter and truck driver. Liz loved to garden, fish, raise capon chickens. She loved to make quilts and do needlework. Liz also was a school bus driver and drove Johnny’s second bus.
Johnny and Liz were the parents of four daughters;
Elizabeth was born on May 20th, 1921 at Kinbrae, she died one day after her birth and is buried at Kinbrae, Mn.
Bernice married James Jackson on December 28th, 1946 at Oaklanad, California. He was in the Army and is retired now, and they live in Mesa, Az and Blaine Wa. They have three children; Bob married Ingrid Jones. They have three children. They are in service and finance. They have three children. Jim has two children and is not married, he is in college pursuing finance in Boston, Mass. Susan married Carl Knight after he died she married Paul Schaeffer. Susan has two children and one grandchild. She lives in California.
Beatrice married Del Klanderud, they had the Jacobson’s Cafe in Flom for a short time after Tillie retired. They have one daughter Pat who is married to Jim Hall, their daughter Samantha is in school. Pat has two children by her first marriage Beth who is working in Mesa and Richie who is attending school. They all live in Mesa Arizona.
Mary: See Eugene and Mary (Pederson) Albertson
Albert and Christine (Swenson) Peterson
Albert B. Peterson was born in 1852 in Sogn, Norway. He came to this country at the age of eight. He lived in Columbia County, Wi., for three years, then moved to Goodhue County, Mn.
Christine Swenson was born on February 23, 1857 in Goodhue County, Mn to Mr. and Mrs. John Swenson. She spent her childhood and girlhood in Goodhue county.
Albert and Christine were married on July 8, 1875 in Goodhue county. They resided there until 1882, when they moved to Norman County and settled on the farm in section 33 of Fossum Township, there that was to be their home for almost half a century.
In 1928 they moved to Twin Valley, Mn, where she resided until her death on her 61st wedding anniversary.
They were the parents of ten children; Joseph, Mary Floen, Martin, George, Clarence, Ervin, Francis, Ella, Hattie Grande, and Delly Peterson.
They were members first at Immanuel where he held a leading part in organizing the Immanuel congregation.
Because of distance and for the benefit of the settlements further north, he later helped organize the Bethlehem congregation in 1895. In 1923 when Bethlehem and Wild Rice became one church they went to Wild Rice Lutheran Church, where they are buried.
At her funeral Rev. J.E. H. Akre, who was a frequent guest there twenty five years ago, spoke freely of that home as a home where hospitality, sweet kindliness, and gentle Christian spirit sat in the high seat and a finer complement can not be paid to any home. Humble in sprit, sincere in faith, confident and trustful in the faith of her Savior, so I found her when I called.
Clarence and Agnes (Gunderson) Peterson
Clarence Peterson was born in 1893 to Albert and Christine (Swenson) Peterson, near Twin Valley, Mn.
Agnes Gunderson was born in 1895 to Ole and Olivia Gunderson at Gary, Mn. She grew up and attended school at Gary. She went on to further her education at Moorhead State Teachers College in Moohread, where she received her teaching degree. She taught elementary school for several years in Norman County.
Clarence and Agnes Gunderson were married in 1919 at Gary, Mn. He was a partner in a hardware store in Gary.
After their marriage they moved to Canby, ND until 1922 when they moved back to Gary. He also was engaged in farming and trucking until 1960 when they moved to Fargo, ND and he was employed as a automobile salesman.
Carl and Annette (Thompson) Peterson
Carl Peterson was born May 28, 1880 at Elbow Lake, MN, the son of John Peterson Eik and Anna Kaasa. Carl was married to Annette Isabelle Thompson on November 30, 1901. Carl was a Foreman on the Railroad and the family lived in various towns in North Dakota and Minnesota. When Carl retired they lived in Fargo ND for several years until moving to Flom. Carl died October 22, 1957 in Twin Valley MN. Funeral services were conducted at Aspelund Lutheran Church in Flom. Carl is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Moorhead, MN.
Annette Isabelle Thompson, the daughter of Tosten Thompson and Dora Haukom, was born July 3, 1881 in Valley City, ND. She died on November 24, 1948 in Hillsboro, ND.
They had the following children:
Clifford Arnold Peterson was born August 23, 1902 in Elbow Lake MN, he married Arlaeen Geiger and had a son, Wallace. Clifford died on December 23, 1946 in California.
Grace Burnette Peterson was born March 1, 1904 in Elbow Lake MN, she married Martin Schlieman. They had one adopted son, Darwin. Grace died on March 18, 1976 in the state of Washington. She is buried at Spring Canyon Cemetery.
Donald Truman Peterson was born March 25, 1908 in Elbow Lake, MN , he married Gladys Falstad. They had three children. Donald died on May 7, 1988 in White Bear Lake, MN.
Alice Genevieve Peterson was born November 13, 1909 in Enderlin, ND, she married Melvin Jaranson. They had two daughters. Alice died on October 20, 1983 at Detroit Lakes, MN. She is buried at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Fargo, ND.
Lyle Kenneth Peterson was born July 19, 1912 in Verona, ND, he married Phylis Norby. They had three children. Lyle died on May 4, 1990 at Fargo, ND. He is buried at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Twin Valley, MN.
Lauretta Irene Peterson was born July 21, 1914 in Harvey ND, she married Kenneth Akesson. They had two sons. Lorretta currently resides in Renton, Washington.
Harry Carl Peterson was born July 26, 1916 in Fingal, ND, he married twice and had one son by his first wife. His second wife was Arlean Pearson. Harry died February 3, 1995.
Raymond Leroy Peterson was born June 28, 1919 in Deisen, ND, he married Betty in 1946. They had three daughters. Raymond died on March 3, 1998 in Minnesota. He is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetary.
Norma Elaine Peterson was born on January 13, 1923 in La Moure, ND, she married Lyle Klemetson July 3, 1942 , Norma died on October 28, 1998 in Fargo, ND. Norma is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery in Flom (see separate article on Lyle and Norma Klemetson).
Ella Peterson
Ella Peterson was born in 1889 to Albert and Christine (Swenson) Peterson. She never married and died at the age of 99.
Flom Farmer Killed By Bull Last Saturday
Elvin Peterson
People of this community were shocked and grieved Saturday evening when it was learned that Elvin Peterson, well-known young farmer of Flom Township, had been killed by a bull. The accident occurred at about 7 PM and there were no witnesses. He was found dead by his housekeeper, Magda Skansgaard, upon his failure to return to the house for the evening meal. Dr. Theodore Loken of Ada, deputy coroner, was called to the scene and determined from the evidence that the death was accidental. He died on July 19th, 1947.
Born in Home Lake township January 5th, 1902, to Nels and Elsie Peterson. The deceased was 45 years old and lived in the community practically all his life. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
He had operated the home farm in Flom Township for a number years and was unmarried.
Joseph B. Peterson
Joseph Peterson was born in 1876 to Albert and Christine (Swenson) Peterson. He married Julia Shawstad at Gary, Mn. They operated grocery stores in Gary and Knox, ND, before moving to Hinghan, Mt., where he homesteaded and operated a bank. They later moved to Butte, Mt, where he operated a hotel. He moved back to Moorhead, Mn. In 1971 to live with a brother.
Nels and Elsie (Olson) Peterson
Nels Peterson was born in 1865 in Sogn, Norway. He came to Minnesota at the age of nine years.
Elsie Olson was born in 1863. Nels and Elsie were married at Fargo and after their marriage the farmed in Section 8, Flom Township, Sunny Hill School District. They later moved to Twin Valley. They were among the early members of the Wild Rice Church to celebrate their golden wedding in 1938.
Nels and Elsie were the parents of eight children. Oliver, Albert, Elvin, William, Petrina (Nick) Pogrebra, Amanda (Theodore) Kapp, Alice (W.H.) Morrison and Emma (Howard) Groebe.
Oliver Peterson
Oliver Peter was born in 1891 to Nils and Elsie Peterson of Flom Township. He grew up in the Flom area and later took up a homestead in Havre, Montana. He entered the service in the fall of 1917. He started his training in Camp Lewis, Washington, then was transferred to Camp Merrit, NJ. He sailed from there in Decemeber and was one of the first Norman County Men to arrive in France, arriving there Christmas Day 1917. In the service he was a Pvt. in Company B. 127th Inf. 32nd Div. He had been in the front line only a few weeks when he recieved wounds in action. He was only twenty five years old at the time. Oliver was a well known and highly respected person in the southeatern part of Norman County. It is said that he was wounded on the later part of July and he died at the base hospital 43, on August 5, 1918 in France. It is said that he is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Peter M. and Helena (Brekke) Peterson
Peter M. Peterson, son of Mikkel and Anna Peterson, was born on March 16, 1868 in Winnebago County, near Forest City, Iowa.
Helena Halvorson Brekke was born in Winnebago County at Forest City, Iowa on October 14, 1871, the daughter of Ole and Live Halvorson Brekke, who had come to that area from Telemark, Norway.
Peter was one of 12 children, and Helena was the oldest of seven girls. They were united in marriage in November 1889 and to this union five children were born. They were Melvin and Ada (Iver Engebretson) were born while they lived in Iowa. Palmer, Olga (Gustav Klemetson) and Edna (Ernst Narum/Oscar Moen), were born on the family farm in Atlanta Township, section 9.
In 1890, Peter and Helena along with Peter’s parents Mikkel and Anna went to Dreary, Idaho and filed on a tree claim. Helena did not like the big timber country, so they came back to Iowa and in 1896 they came by immigrant car, back to Minnesota, where more land was available. Here they settled down on a farm in Atlanta Township (section 9). In 1902, all of their buildings, some of their machinery and livestock were destroyed by a tornado which was a most disastrous event. There was no insurance in those days, so it meant starting all over again, from scratch. They would gladly have returned to Iowa, but they did not have enough money to move. Thus with a lot of hard work, determination and they put the bit in their mouth, as the old saying goes and carried on.
On February 14, 1914 another devastating blow came to the family. Peter was kicked by a horse and died from injuries he received. At this time their children Melvin and Palmer were old enough to carry on the farming operation. They helped Helena with the farming until she retired and moved to Gary, Mn to live with her daughter Edna.
Melvin later purchased the farm from his mother and it was here he raised his family. Melvin and Mabel lived on the farm and raised their family. After Melvin’s death Mabel moved to town and the house was rented out, until it was destroyed a few years ago by fire. Today their son Myron owns the farm.
Darrell and Linda (Gunderson) Phelps
Linda Jane Gunderson was born on July 4, 1942. She attended school at Ulen, Mn and went on to Concordia College in Moorhead, Mn. She married Darrell Phelps on August 7, 1965 at Atlanta Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn. Darrell was a teacher and principal, sold Real Estate and also worked for the US Postal Service. Linda worked as a cashier for Morrells in Sioux Falls, SD, also was a school secretary there. They are now retired and live in Mission Texas.
Linda and Darrell are the parents of; Mark Darrell who was born on June 6, 1968. He graduated from Brookings College in South Dakota. He is unmarried. David Allen was born on February 5, 1970. He graduated from Brookings College in South Dakota and is unmarried. Brian Lee was born on January 9, 1974. He married Dawn Postrallo on October 4, 1997 at Sioux Falls, SD.
Thorval and Cecil (Strand) Potter
Thorval Potter was born on November 1, 1858 at Wautoma, Wisconsin to Andrew and Live Potter. He came to the Lake Park area in 1874.
Thorval and Cecil Strand were married on December 5, 1885. They farmed in Walworth township of Becker County from 1885 until 1915 when they bought a farm north of Ulen, Mn. They lived here until 1942 when they moved into Ulen where they made their home. Cecil passed away on March 27, 1948. They last few month of Thorval’s life he was a resident at the Lutheran Memorial Home in Twin Valley, Mn.
Thorval had many public interests and served many years as County Commissioner, assessor, on town
boards, school boards and he also was active in Church work until age prevented him from going on with his public duties. Thorval passed away on September 15, 1950 in Twin Valley, Mn. Funeral services were held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn.
Thorval and Cecil were the parents of Alfred, Laura (Morken), Agnes (Paul Perry), Tina (Alfred Knutson) and Clarence ( who died in infancy).
Arnold Prestegord
Arnold Clifford was born on July 12, 1932 to Severt and Borghild Prestegord. He married Virginia Grenbowski on October 8, 1952. Virginia was born on July 9, 1933. Arnold and Virginia were the parents of four children; Steve, Vernon, Eddy and Dorothy (Larry Vincent).
Arnold married Darlene Glawe in 1981. Darlene was born on May 10, 1938 to Theodore and Margaret (Kraft) Glawe. She grew up in the Detroit Lakes area. She married Melvin Askelson in 1956. After their marriage they farmed in the Felton, Mn area. Melvin passed away in 1972.
Melvin and Darlene were the parents of; Duane, Deloris (Billy Halvorson), Elaine, Denise (Roger Halvorson) and Julie (Richard Klemetson).
After Arnold and Darlene were married they lived at Felton, Mn and in 1989 they moved to Twin Valley, Mn. Darlene passed away on November 13, 1995 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery. Arnold resides in Twin Valley, Mn.
Elling and Helga (Brenden) Prestegaard
Elling was born on October 6, 1878 to Lars and Lukris (Wangen) Prestegaard, in Freeborn Conty, Mn. . He grew up in the Flom area and later married Helga Brenden.
Helga was born in 1891 in Guldbrandsdalen, Norway. She came with her mother Ronnog to America when she was around 15 years old.
Elling and Helga were married in 1908 by Rev. J.R. Vaaler. Elling purchased about eighty acrfes of wooded land, cleared it and started farming. He was a long time and faithful member of the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. In 1936 Helga became ill and was admitted to a Fargo Hospital for gall bladder surgery, she did not recover and died there on March 19, 1936. Elling died on January 20, 1946. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Elling and Helga were the parents of four children; Lewis, Esther, Hazel (see LeRoy and Hazel Stundahl) and Joyce (Harold Balzum).
Lewis R. was born in 1909 in Fossum Township. He attended rural schools here. He never married. Lewis died on February 16, 1949 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Esther was born in 1910. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. She attended rural school at Plentywood. In 1941 she married Louis Hanson. Louis was born in 1908 at Gary, Mn, to Hans and Karen Hanson. After their marriage they farmed in Bear Park township until moving to her parents farm in section 34 of Fossum township. Esther was a active member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church. Louis did carpentry work, besides farming. Esther and Louis loved children but had non of their own. They shared their loved with many nieces and nephews who would spend their summers with them.
Esther died on January 7, 1985 and Louis on July 7, 1987. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Lars O. and Lukris (Wangen) Prestegaard
Lars Olssen Prestegaard (Feten) was born on June 24, 1833 to Ole Toraldsen Pretegaard and Synnove Kristensdatter Kvam in Aurland Sogn, Norway.
Lukris Olesdatter Wangen was born on March 29, 1845 to Ole Ellginsen Vangen and Tora Skjerdal, in Aurland Sogn, Norway.
Lars and Lukris were married in their native land of Norway in 1866. A few years after they were married they left Norway and immigrated to America, along with them came their two young daughters and a adopted nephew. When they arrived in America they first settled in Freeborn County, Minnesota and later moved to the Flom area. By looking at the dates of their childrens births we can figure they left Norway around 1870 and came to the Flom area around 1883.
Lars O. died on December 10, 1923 and Lukris on November 7, 1932, they are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Lars and Lukris were the parents of eleven children; Ole (see Ole J. and Ingeborg Prestegaard), Soneva L. (see Mons L. and Soneva Stene), Olina (see Torris and Olina Stundahl), Thora, Jensina, Ole L. (see Ole L. and Bertha Prestegaard), Elling (see Ellings and Helga Prestegaard), Louise (see Torris and Louise Stundahl), Theodore L. (see Theodore and Martha
Prestegaard) , Louis (see Louis L. and Carrie Prestegaard), and Severt (see Severt L. and Borghild Prestegord).
Thora was born on November 12, 1871 in Freeborn County, Mn. She was the first child of Lars and Lukris’ to be born on American soil. Thora grew up in the Flom area and married
Christian Nelson on December 29, 1899 in Norman County, Mn.
Jensina “Sina” was born in August of 1874 in Freeborn County, Mn. She married Paul Hanson on July 20, 1899 in Norman County. They had one daughter Luella (Olson) who was born on January 7, 1901. Luella died on October 3, 1947. Sina Passed away on March 24, 1927. We weren’t able to find out where they were buried before the book went to print.
Lars and Edith (Verdahl) Prestegord
Lars Andreas Prestegord was born on December 20, 1918 to Severt and Borghild (Bottolfs) Prestegaard. He was born in Flom township, Norman County, Mn. As a child he was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn.
Lars married Edith Ottilas Verdahl on December 4, 1941/Decemer 5, 1942 (received two dates). They were married at the home of her parents, near Flom.
Lars served his country by entering the military on April 30, 1942, where he served in the Army Air Corps, as an aircraft mechanic, during WW II. On November 9, 1945 he was honorably discharged from the service. They returned to the area setting down in section 20 of Fossum township. Lars worked most of his life on construction doing shingling, painting, and repair work. He was also know for working on church steeples.
Lars and Edith were active in the church and were members of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. Lars served on the church council for many years. He enjoyed doing woodwork in his shop during the winter months.
Lars died on October 24, 1987 at his home, at the age of 68. He is buried at Wild Rice Lutehran Cemetery.
Lars and Edith were the parents of two children; Richard and Janice (Bobby Brevik).
Louis L. and Carrie (Myrvold) Prestegaard
Louis L. Prestegaard was born in Flom township to Lars and Lukris (Walden) Prestegaard on August 9, 1886. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He grew up and attended rural schools in the Flom area.
Carrie Myrvold was born on March 25, 1888 in Hadeland, Norway to Andrew and Mina Myrvold. She was baptized and confirmed in Jaren, Norway and grew to womanhood in her native land. At the age of 17, she left Norway with her parents and they came to America, first settling in North Dakota and then coming to this area shortly after.
Louis and Carrie were married on March 5, 1909, in a double wedding ceremony at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. Following their marriage they resided on a farm in Flom township, retiring to Twin Valley in 1955.
Louis was an active life-long member of the Wild Rice church, serving on various boards there, also serving on the Flom township board and the Rural School board for many years. He was also custodian at Wild Rice for several years and took care of the Twin Valley skating rink for two years. He and his wife liked to sing and sang for the old people in the Norwegian language on many occasions.
Bringing up a large family and with her role as a farm housewife, Carried worked hard and diligently. Being a very pleasant and likeable person, she had many friends, Carrie was a member of the Wild Rice Lutheran church for many years and a conferred Life Member of the ALCW.
Carrie passed away on January 19, 1966 and Louis passed away on November 28, 1969, they are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Louis and Carrie were the parents of a very large family; Leroy (see Leroy and Clarice Prestegord), Leslie, Kenneth, Sidney (born around 1918), Erwin, Selmer (born around 1919), Minnie and Johnny (twins born in 1920 and both died in infancy and are buried at Wild Rice Cemetery), Myrtle (Arnold Pieper), Jean, Meldford Duane (1931-1932 buried at Wild Rice Cemetery), Louise (Anthony Miller), Thilda (see Clarence and Thilda Hanson) and Hillery “Verna” (Syverson Kreig).
Ole L. and Bertha (Olsen) Prestegaard
Ole L. Prestegaard as born on March 7, 1875 in Freeborn County, Mn., to Lars and Lukris (Wangen) Prestegaard. He came to the Flom area with his parents as a small child. Here he grew to manhood.
Bertha Olsen was born in March of 1873 in Bergen, Norway.
Ole and Bertha were married on May 20, 1903 in Grand Forks, ND and moved to the Twin Valley area shortly after their marriage.
Ole was for many years, until his death the financial secretary for Wild Rice Lutheran Church, and a member of the Plentywood School board.
He passed away on May 18, 1932 and Berth in 1949. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Ole built a fine home for himself and his family, here they raised their four children; Lawrence Alfred, Alice, Bernice and Lillie.
Lawrence Alfred was born on his mother’s birthday on March 31, 1904. He lived with his parent’s north of Flom on the family farm. He attended rural school at District 12, Plentywood. He never married He died on April 11, 1960 at his hoem and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Alice Sophia was born on November 20, 1905. She grew up on the family farm and attended school at District 12, Plentywood. As a young girl she worked at various places. She married Carl Richard Rasmussen on October 8, 1928. Carl was born on June 1, 1897, at Hunter, ND. He served his country during WW I. After their marriage they lived at Hunter, but later moved to Ulen, Mn. Alice died on January 3, 1953 and Carl on March 4, 1977. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery. Alice and Carl were the parents of three children; Vernon, Donn (Sip) and Ruth (Rude).
Lillie Christine as born on May 5, 1910. She married James Ed Jenson on October 16, 1943. James was born on December 27, 1904.
Ole J. and Ronnag M. (Larson) Prestegaard
Ole Jensson was born on September 27, 1857 in Aurland, Norway to Jens Olesson Prestegaard and Johanna Kristensdatter. He was the second child born to them. Ole’s older brother Kristen Jensson Pretegaard was born in June of 1853 and a younger brother Ostein Jensson Prestegaard was born in 1859. Both Kristen and Ostein immigrated to America, although we have no information on them.
In 1862, when Ole was only 6 years old his mother was hospitalized with leprosy and his father’s health was failing. Because of his parent’s health Ole was adopted by his uncle and aunt Lars and Lukris Prestegaard. In 1871 when the family left Norway, he immigrated along with them. They first settled in Freeborn county, Mn and later came to the Flom area around 1883. Here he grew to manhood.
Ole married Ingeborg Bothum, who died in 1911. We don’t know where she is buried. Ole and Ingeborg were the parents of seven children: Peter, Sena (Wangsness), Bertina, (Vollum), Johan (was born in 1883 and die don February 12, 1945. Ostina (Christopherson), Dorthea (Gaylord) was born in 1886. Ida (Hanson) was born in July 1899 and died in December of 1975.
Bertina was born in 1881. She married Nels Vollum and they were the parents of five children; Esther, Pearl, Thelmer, Norman and Iner. Nels died on April 14, 1937 and Bertine in July of 1976.
Ostina married M. C. Christopherson and they were the parents of two children; Inez Irene and Kenneth.
After Ingeborg’s death in 1911, Ole married Ronnag M. Larson.
Ronnag was born on July 18, 1870 in Nordre Fron Gudbrandsdalen, Norway. She was baptized on August 28 of that year and confirmed on May 10, 1885. Ingeborg left her native land of Norway and came to the Flom area in 1906 with her daughter. Ronnag’s daughter Helga Prestegaard married Mr. Elling. She passed away in 1936. Ronnag stayed in the Flom area for a short while, then moved to Montana where she married Mons Skeim. Only eight weeks after their marriage Mons was lost in a snow storm and died. After his death she returned to this area and married Ole J. Prestegaard in 1914.
Ole and Ronnag purchased property in the area and lived here for twenty years. After Ole’s death in 1934 she remained in their home, where she lived practically alone. Her last winter that she was on this earth a elderly lady stayed with her.
Ronnag was a true Christian woman, faithful church worker and a kind neighbor. She was beloved for her simplicity, sincerity and her devoted work. Blessed be her memory.
Ole died on March 3, 1934 and Ronnag in 1937. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Severt and Borghild (Bottolfs) Prestegord
Severt was born on August 13, 1888 in Flom township to Lars and Lukris (Wangen) Prestegaard. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
He spent his youth in the Flom area where he grew to manhood.
Borghild Bottolfs was born in Mordum, Norway to the Andrew Bottolfs on April 14, 1898. She immigrated to America with her father at the age of sixteen and they settled in the Twin Valley area.
Severt and Borghild were married on July 3, 1915 at the Wild Rice parsonage. They farmed in Fossum township for 29 years, at which time they moved to Winger, Mn in 1945. Here they farm for a years but returned to this area in 1946 and went back into farming. They remained on the farm until 1957 when they retired and moved into Twin Valley, Mn.
Severt served on the board of trustees of Wild Rice Lutheran church for many years, had served as a trustee for the Norwegian Parochial School at Wild Rice for several years, and had been a church delegate from Wild Rice for many functions.
The Prestegord’s were well known in the area for their musical talent of singing. Severt passed away on September 12, 1962 at his home. Borghild passed away on April 26, 1964.
They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Severt and Borghild were the parent’s of seven children; Lars Andreas (see Lars and Edith Prestegord) , Alfred, Martin, Arnold (see Arnold Prestegord), Lenora Bertina (Berger Locken), Selma (Sigvold Hassel) and Hilda (Gerald Grove).
Lenora Bertina was born on August 16, 1917 in Flom township. She married Berger Locken on November 19, 1936 and they had four children. Berger passed away in August of 1973. Alfred Bernard was born on December 6, 1924. He married Betty Ellen Carlson and they were the parents of four children, of which one died in infancy. Alfred served his country during WW II in the Navy.
Martin Olag was born on June 16, 1927. He married Irma Malinda Allrich on July 16, 1947. Irma was born on April 5, 1929 and they were the parents of six children.
Selma Bernice was born on July 13, 1920 in Fossum. She married Sigvard Hassel on December 21, 1938. Sigvard was born on June 28, 1914. They were the parents of seven children.
Hilda Mary was born on October 28, 1922. Hilda married Gerald Grove on March 28, 1951. Hild and Gerald reside in Twin Valley, Mn. They are the parents of four daughters; Linda (Vigessa), Ellie (Meyer), Susie (Johnson) and Gerri (Bueng).
Theodore L. and Martha (Boslie) Prestegord
Theodore L. Prestegaard was born on November 5, 1884 to Lars and Lukris Prestegaard, the seventh child and first one to be born in Flom township. He was baptized and confirmed at
Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He grew up on the family farm and attended rural school here.
Martha Boslie was born in 1883 in Stavanger, Norway, to Nils and Barbo Boslie. She immigrated to American, coming to Norman County, when she was nineteen years old.
Theodore and Martha were married on March 6, 1909 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. They made their home in Fossum township, where they farmed for 21 years. They quit farming and moved to Grand Forks, ND where they remained for five years, at which time they moved to Gilby , ND for a short time, before returning to this area. They came back and settled on a farm in Fossum township, where they resumed farming until retiring in 1956. After their retirement they moved into Twin Valley.
Theodore was active in his church and community. Having served on the Board of Trustees of the Wild Rice Church for some time and also served on the Rural School Board. He was fond of music and singing and knew many of the Old Norwegian Hymns.
Martha passed away on June 23, 1965 and Theodore passed away on May 18, 1977 at the age of 92 years. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Theodore and Martha were the parents of: Louise T. (who was born and died in 1910 and is buried at Wild Rice) and Leona (Odin Lien) who was born about 1914.
Merrill and Mary (Hodson) Purrier
Merrill, the son of Joseph and Olive Purrier, was born on September 5, 1857 at Plattsburg, New York. He was one of a family of ten children. When Merrill was only a young boy, his family emigrated to Nicollett County, Mn, near Mankato. In 1893, Merrill was married to Mary Ellen Hodson, who also lived in the Mankato area. Mary was the oldest daughter of James and Minerva Hodson. Five children were born to the Purriers while they lived in Nicollet county.
On day the family went to Judson, Mn, their nearest town, to do some trading, as it was called then. While there, Merrill met Watson Dunham a friend and neighbor. They also met a land agent by the name of Wadell. He talked the men into going to Clay county to look at land that he wanted to sell. Since both men were of an adventurous nature, they left on the train that very afternoon for Ulen and left Mary with a team of horses hitched to a buggy and five small children to get home the best way she could. Getting home involved fording the Minnesota River. It was a frightening experience. Years later, Olive, took a picture of the place where they crossed--she was a baby at the time. Merrill and Watson purchased the land they had gone to see. It was 320 acres owned by Mr. And Mrs. A. P. Brandvold in Section 4, they paid $7000.00 for it. They also rented the S.O. Holte farm 4 miles east so they could live in the buildings. The land was poor and consisted mostly of a sand ridge. Later that same year, Merrill loaded all of the family and belongings in rail cars and they moved to Clay County. He and Watson went with the train to feed and milk the cows and care for the animals. The family arrived in Ulen early in the morning and they were taken to the Fred Revine restaurant for breakfast and then on to the farm.
The Ole Burud family lived to the north and they were the first neighbors to call. The children called them Mr and Mrs Ole. Bururd was just to hard to say. Claude Sanford came the next spring and they had many good friends and neighbors while they lived in Hagen. Jesse, Lee, James and Ted went to school in District 56. Some of their teachers were; Ina Anderson., Clara Wiger and Mathilda Rost. The Purrier’s later moved to the Ole Fuglie farm but still went to the same school.
Mary’s sister came from Mankato later and married Watson Dunham. Another brother, Joseph, married Ona Anderson of Hagen. They had many good friends and neighbors in Hagen, township. One of the bad things the family remembers were the dirt storms. At time, the dust blew so bad the children had to hold on to each other to find their way home. There were lots of grasshoppers, too, but somehow the family managed to put up enough hay to feed the cattle and they lived well. They had a big garden and "boarded" the teachers. Hannah Mellum and Charlotte Skalet both stayed at the Purrier home when they taught school Besides the teacher, the Purrier’s took in agents, peddlers and sometimes beggars--anyone passing through the country that needed a home for a night.
Mr. Purrier rented the land from Edwin Evans and one day he came with his new Ford touring car. That was an exciting event. He asked Ted, Olive and Lucy if they wanted a ride, which they did! What a thrill to go so fast! They were dropped off at the schoolhouse and walked home-thrilled with their new adventure.
The family enjoyed school picnics and house parties, but all of the church services in the neighborhood were in either Norwegian or German. It wasn’t until they moved to Walworth township that they found a church home at the Walworth Baptist Church. It was in 1911 that they left Clay county. Merrill and the boys found work that winter cutting wood to be sold. They walked two miles and cut cord wood all winter for $3.00 a cord, cut and piled.
Jesse and James helped on the farm and Lee and Ted worked for neighbor farmers. Lee went to North Dakota to work on summer and was called into the Army to serve during World War I in Germany. James was called , but the war ended before he could be sent overseas. Ted served during WW II. The youngest son, Lyle, died in the flu epidemic of 1920.
The depression hit the family hard. Jesse and James managed to hold on to enough to keep the family going and stay on the farm and later they purchased it. Louis and Ted went into trucking. The following were married: Lee married Gertrude Bergeson and they became the parents of seven children. Olive married Palmer Stende (see Palmer and Olive Stende). Lucy married Arthur Burud and they had one daughter. Louis, married Pearl Grande and they had three children. Alice married James Wheeler and they had one son.
Purrier’s buried at Walworth Baptist Cemetery: Merrill (1857-1925), Mary Ellen (1872-1957), Schuyler Lyle (1908-1920), Jesse M. (1893-1968), James Earl, he was a Pvt Co C125 Engineers WW I, he was born on February 24, 1897 and died on November 7, 1971, Teddy W. was a Pvt US Army WW 2, he was born on May 12, 1899 and died on June 24, 1982.
Edward and Sena (Korsgaden) Qual
Edward P. Qual was born on August 7, 1968, at Faaberg, Norway. He came to the United States with his mother the following year. They resided in Goodhue county, Mn until 1881, when they moved to the vicinity of Faith, in eastern Norman county.
Sina Korsgaden was born to Lars and Ronnag Korsgaden in Flom, township. She grew up in the Flom area. On June 12, 1901 she married Edward Qual.
Edward and Sena owned a general store and he was postmaster for a time at Qual, Mn. The postoffice later was discontinued and in 1907 he moved to Mahnomen, Mn and was associated with stores there. IN 1938 he retired to the Detroit Lakes, Mn area where he lived for 15 years, until his death in 1954.
Ludvig Qual
Ludvig Oscar Qual was born on May 22, 1889 on a farm in Home Lake Township. He was born to Louis and Marth Qual. He was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He worked on the home farm most of his life. He had never married.
He was a brother to Gustave and Marie (Lien).
He moved into the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center and later in the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home, due to his age and health. He died on January 28,1 972 at the age of 82 years, at St Ansgars’s Hospital in Moorhead, Mn.
He is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Note: Qual, Minnesota was located in Fossum township. It has a Store and Post Office, it was conducted by Sievert Aamoth.
Michael and Sharilyn (Stone) Qual
Michael was born on February 27, 1965 to Sherman and Sandra Qual in Mahnomen, MN. He attended and graduated from Mahnomen Public School. He was baptized and Confirmed in the First Lutheran Church of Mahnomen, MN. Sharilyn (Stone) was born September 26, 1968 to Dave and Marilyn Stone in Red Lake Falls, MN. She attended and graduated from Waubun-Ogema-White Earth Public Schools. She was baptized in the Methodist Church of Erskine by Rev. Carl Clausen (Grandpa) and Confirmed in the United Church of Christ of Ogema, MN
Michael and Sharilyn were married on April 22, 1989 at the First Lutheran Church of Mahnomen, MN.
Michael was working on a farm in Ada and Shari was a beautician for Cost Cutters of Moorhead. In 1989 we moved to Ada where we made our home for 4 years before moving to Flom Township. In January of 1993, Sharilyn started the Hair Palace of Flom and in April of 1993 we moved to Flom when Michael started with Spielman Farms Inc. We rented and bought the Harry Boreen home. When our family started to grow we needed a bigger home, so we moved to the up town area of Flom. In 1995 we bought the Bill Ommodt’s home. Currently Michael works for Aggregate Ind. of Mahnomen, MN and Shari will be graduating from Minnesota State University of Moorhead (MSUM) in December 2002 with a degree in Special Education EBD/SLD.
Children:
Ashay Alizabeth was born on February 11, 1991 at Merit Care in Fargo ND. She died on February 11, 1991 and is buried at the Riverside Cemetary in Mahnomen, MN.
Zackary Michael (9) was born on July 23, 1992 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes, MN. He was baptized Zion Lutheran Church of Ada, MN. He currently attends Waubun-Ogema-White Earth Public Schools and is in the 4th grade where he is active in wrestling, basketball, and the Rising Sun 4-H group.
Macaylee Nicole (8) was born on February 9, 1994 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes, MN. She was baptized in the United Church of Christ in Waubun, MN. Macaylee attends Waubun-Ogema-White Earth Public Schools and is in the 2nd grade where she is active in dance, piano, basketball, and the Rising Sun 4-H group.
Maddison Kay (3) was born on Novemeber 22, 1998 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes, MN. She was baptized in the Circle’s of Faith Church of Waubun, MN. She currently attends Val Syverson’s Wonder Noses daycare of Flom. Maddison is very active in dance and coffee time up at the Flom Cafe.
Adolph and Anna (Jacobson) Raad
Adolph and Anna Raad were both born and raised in South Dakota. They were married on March 29th, 1916 in Nunda, SD. In 1918 they moved to Northern Minnesota. In 1921 they bought a farm in Flom Township but the house burned
down before they could move into it.
Anna's father, Ole Jacobson and Adolph then built the new house where they raised their eight children. Around 1950 they retired and moved to Crookston, Mn. Adolph had a variety of jobs in his lifetime including:
Farming, hauling lumber, owned a hay business, custom work for threshing, clover hulling, silo filling, wood sawing, assessor of Flom Township, had a ward line and did leather work. They had 39 grandchildren and 64 great grandchildren. Adolph and Anna are buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery near Flom.
Their children are:
Leola Raad Kenny who was born in Madison, SD. She married Ed Kenny and they live in Myrtle Creek, Oregon. They have five children.
Reome Raad Jensen was born at Waubun, Mn. See Lester and Reome Jensen
Orville (Buddy) Raad was born at home near Waubun, Mn. He married Doris Hill and they lived on the family farm in Flom Township before moving to Shevlon, MN. They are both deceased. They had six children, three of who are also deceased, Laurie, Mary and Brian. Shirley lives in Atlanta, Georgia, Carla in Minneapolis, MN and Sheila in Boise, Idaho.
Edna Raad Johnson was born at home near Twin Valley, Mn. She married Alvin Johnson and they lived at Flom for several years where Alvin worked at Mike's garage. They later moved to Beltrami and then to Ada, Mn. They had nine children. Two are deceased, a baby and a daughter Darlene, Dean is in Texas, Darolynn and Annie are in Michigan, Daryl in Fergus Falls, Mn, Danny in Illinois, Dolly in Georgetown, Mn and Deon near Ada, Mn.
Lorraine Raad Piper was born at home near Twin Valley, Mn. She married Gordon Piper and they live in Columbia Heights, Mn. They have six children.
Milo Raad was born at home on the family farm near Twin Valley, Mn. He lived for many years in Fergus Falls, Mn and then later in Ulen, Mn. He is deceased.
Lois Raad Piper was born on the family farm. She married Clifford Piper and they live in Blaine, Mn. They have eight children.
Allen Raad was born on the family farm. He is married and lives in Virginia, Mn They have three children. Steven is married with two children and lives near Eveleth,MN Cindy is deceased and Sally is married and has three children. She lives in Duluth, MN.
Louis and Rachel (Opsahl) Ramsey
Rachel Marie Opsahl, was born to Ludvig and Eline Osahl on August 6, 1893 near Ulen, Mn. She grew up and attended local schools and bacame a dress maker. She married Louis Ramsey on January 23, 1918 and they farmed near Syre, Mn until 1938. Then Louis and Rachel bought a farm in Flom township in Section 11 and moved there in March 1938. They raised grain, milked cows, and had hogs and chickens. Louis had a threshing machine, so he did custom threshing for some of the neighbors in the area.
In 1951 they sold the farm to Geff Horn and moved into Twin Valley, Mn. Louis passed away on September 28, 1954 at the age of 64 as a result of a tractor accident while working on his farm in Mahnomen County. After his death Rachel continued to live in Twin Valley, Mn.
Rachel liked growing things and she always had pretty flower beds and a beautiful vegetable garden. After they moved to Twin Valley, Mn., Rachel began a floral business, making corsages, bouquets for weddings and often decorated the church. She also made wedding cakes. One of her favorite times was the Junior-Senior Prom. She kept up this hobby until she was in her eighties.
Louis and Rachel had one daughter; Eleanor (Russell Jeske).
Rachel lived her last years in Nursing Homes in Ulen and Twin Valley, Mn. She passed away on September 12, 1990 at the age of 97 years. They are both buried at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, Twin Valley.
Christian and Anna Rasmussen
Christian F.W. Rasmussen was born on April 18, 1864. Anna Margaret Hanson was born on January 7, 1964. Both were born in Denmark. They were married on November 20, 1885 in Kjoge Sjaeland, Denmark, and came to the United States in December of the same year, at the age of 22. They first arrived and settled in Storden, Minnesota, in Cottonwood County where they were employed on a farm for one year. The Rasmussen’s then rented a farm until 1902 when they purchased a farm in Section 4 of Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn. This farm was located one mile south of Flom in the Northeast corner of Section 4. Besides farming the land they purchased, they also rented additional farmland.
Christian and Anna were the parents of nine children; Helmer, Arvilda, Rudolph, Anna, Henry, Theodore, Myrtle (Leslie Moore), Violet ( Curtiss Olson) and Fred. Six of their children were born while they lived at Storden, Mn, with three of them passing at a very early age, they are buried at Storden, Mn.
Their last three children were born while they lived in Walworth Township.
Christian passed away in March of 1915 and Anna in December of 1944. They were members of Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom, Mn.
Burton and Agnes (Lunde) Raun
Burton Hanson Raun was born on February 3, 1896, near Fertile, Iowa, to Marcus and Anna Raun. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, attended rural schools and at the age of 18 years he came to the rural Ulen area.
Burton and Agnes were married on December 30, 1920 at the Sven Lunde residence near Ulen. They then farmed near Ulen for eight years, moving to Kathryn,ND in 1928. Theylived there for two years, moving to Pine River, Minnesota in 1930, where they farmed for ten years. They returned to this area where the purchased a farm in Ulen township and resided until Burt’s passing in 1971.
Burt was a veteran of World War I, he was inducted into the armed service December 17,1917, from Moorhead, Mn. He served in the Army Expeditionary Forces in France from September 3, 1918 to February 10, 1919. He was honorably discharged on March 20, 1919, from Camp Dodge, Iowa. He was a member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Ulen. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen for many years.
During their lives they farm for many years and retired in 1961. They Raun’s celebrated their Godlen Wedding Anniversary on August 30, 1970 at the home farm and at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Burton passed away on November 25, 1971 at the age of 75 years, funeral services were held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn.
Burton and Agnes were the parents of Maynard, Lyle, Ingeborg (Roland Asleson), Beverly (Darrell Monteith, Barbara (Eugene Rasmusson) and Arlene (William Stanger).
Marcus and Anna (Thorson) Raun
Marcus Hanson Raun was born in Kolding, Denmark on August 22, 1865, to Hans Hanson and Karen Raun. He was brought to Jesus as an infant through Holy baptism. He renewed his baptismal covenant by the rite of confirmation in the church where he was baptized in October of 1879.
In February 1880 he came to American and lived at Sabula, Iowa where he worked two years as a youth
among strangers. From here he moved to Mason City and was employed by the Milwaukee Railroad Co. for about fifteen years, first as a fireman and later as engineer and held a life certificate as engineer on that railroad.
Marcus and Anne Kjestine (Aanaas) Thorson were married on September 27, 1884 at Fertile, Iowa. To this union eight children were born; Carrie (Severt Lunde), Eda, (Lewis Halvorson), Amanda, Harry, Luvina (Chris Klemetson), Burton, Arthur and Esther (she died at the age of 4).
Because of his failing health Mr. Raun had to leave the employment of the railroad and moved on a farm near Fertile, Iowa in 1893. This land was nearly all covered with timber. This remained their home until 1915 when they moved to this area, which remained their home until their deaths. Amanda never married and remained with her parents and in their later years she kept house for them.
Marcus was always interested in church work and was on of the charter member of Trinity Lutheran church of Mason City, Iowa and also became an active member of the Lutheran church of Fertile, Ia. When they moved here he joined the Lutheran church at Ulen where he continued his life as a devout Christian who established a fine home environment, on who regularly read the Bible and conducted family devotion without fail. Blessed be their memory.
Anne passed away on November 23, 1926 and Marcus at the age of 69 years 5 month and 18 days in 1935.
They are both buried at Ulen West Cemetery.
Alfred Rickhus
Alfred Rickhus was born to Anton and Anna (Gilbertson) Rickhus on March 29, 1909, southwest of Flom Minnesota. Here he lived with his family before entering the Wild Rice Children’s Home, where he grew up and attended school.
He lived and farmed with his father east of Twin Valley, and after his father’s death Alfred took over the farming operation, with his mother.
They operated the farm until 1973, when he moved into Twin Valley, Mn, where he made his home until his death on March 3, 1990, at the Mahnomen Nursing Center.
Alfred never married. Alfred is buried at North Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Ulen, Mn.
Anton and Anne (Gelbertson) Rickhus
Anne Gelbertson was born in 1885, the daughter of H. O. Gelbertson and his wife, Esther. Helgaen Gelbertson and his wife were married in Hallingdal, Norway and immigrated to America and lived at Spring Grove before taking a homestead near Ulen, Minnesota.
Mr. Gelbertson built a log house on land that was to be used for the building of the railroad. He gave up the land and moved his home into the woods. Anne was two years old at the time.
Anne attended school in Ulen. She studied reading, choir and singing, as she recalls.
She married Anton Rickhus and they were farmers near Flom. Anton was born in Norway in 1872. He came to the United States when he was eleven years old and they settled in the Flom area. All of Anne's brothers and sisters have passed away except one sister. She has a daughter living in Oregon and a daughter and son living in the Twin Valley area.
Anne recalls that Mrs. Ulen was a sister to her grandmother. In Norway, her grandmother had a grocery store.
Anton and Anie were the parents of Ed, Alfred, Martin, Christ, Alice (Stafford) and Clara (Otterness). Anton died on November 10, 1954 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
Helge and Kari (Iversdatter Ofredalen) Rinde
Helge (Helje) Hanson Rinde was born in 1826 to Hans Trulson Ulvestadn and Eli Heljestre Vestreim in Rinde Feios, Leikoanger, Sogn, Norway. He married Kari Ivarsdatter Ofredal who was born in 1825,in Offerdal, Aardal, Sogn, Norway. They were married in 1855 in Leikanger, Sogn, Norway. She at the time was a widow from Ardal, Nowary. Her first husband was Hans Anderson Smidge, whom she married in 1844. With him she had four children; Endre, Anders (see Anders Smidge), Jorunn (see Julia Lockrem) and Ivar Smidge.
Helge and Kari were the parents of two sons; Hans (1858-1888) and John see John Rinde, and three daughters; Eli (J.T. Huseby), Carrie ( Mons E. Hammer see below) and Lena (seeTennis and Lena Oftedahl).
Helge and Kari both died in 1894 and are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Eli married J.T. Huseby. She was born in 1856 in Smidje, Leikanger, Sogn, Norway. Hans was born in 1858 in Smidje, Leikanger, Sogn, Norway.
Note: Carrie and Mons (Mike) Hammer had three children: Edwin, Annette (Reseland) and Christine Hammer.
They lived in Heiberg, Mn. Edwin married Lucille Fabre of Waubun and they are the parents of Robert, LaVonne (Dorseth) and Janine.
John H. Rinde
John was born ot Helje and Kari (Ofredahlen) Rinde in 1878 near Nerstrand, Rice County, Mn. He was baptized in Valley Grove Church, by Rev. N. Quammen. John came to Norman County, Mn with his parents in the spring of 1878, he was confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He remained at home with his parents until 1894 when he moved in with his sister Carrie and her husband Mons Hammer at Heiberg, Mn., he also lived with Alfred Swenson for a time.
They had just completed the potato harvest on the Swenson farm and were preparing to go to town when the accident occurred. Milton Christensen had been hunting in the area and had placed his loaded gun in the cab of the truck. In attempting to remove the gun before leaving the gun discharged accidentally, killing John Rinde who was standing in the truck box. Funeral services were conducted at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn with interment at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Clinton and Marie (Storbeck) Rishovd
Clinton Rishovd moved to Flom in 1956 when he purchased the School House. Before that he had farmed with his brothers south of town. He continued to farm and in the Fall he would trap for about three months.
He married Marie Storbeck on October 15, 1960 and continued to live in Flom. They are members of Aspelund Lutheran Church.
After retiring in 1988 we moved to Detroit Lakes and continue to reside there.
Edwin A. Rishovd
Edwin Arthur Rishovd was born to Ingebret and Anna (Oien) Rishovd on the family farm in section 10 of Walworth township. Here he was raided and attended country schools.
Edwin spent his entire life on the family farm. As a young man he farmed with his parents, later taking over the farming operation with his brother Teddy. Edwin was an avid hunter and trapper.
Edwin died at his home on July 16, 1987 at the age of 78 years.
Both Edwin and Teddy are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Ingebret O. “Ed” and Anna Marie (Oien) Rishovd
Ingebret O. was born to Ole Olsen and Aagot (Olasdatter) Rishovd in Hol, Hallingdal, Norway on October 14, 1860 on the Riishovd Farm.
He emigrated from Norway at the age of 19 and came to America. He came directly to this area in 1879. He lived with his brother who had come earlier and worked around at farm labor and began his profession as a painter.
He married Anna Marie Oien on December 19, 1902 at Lake Park, Minnesota. Anna Marie was born to Iver and Thora Oien. The following children were born to them: Clinton, Odin, Thomas, Edwin, Harry, Palmer, Oliver, Alice Evelena (Davis), Ida and Alpha (Louderback).
Ingebret died January 15, 1943 and Anna died in 1956. Both are buried in Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Odin Rishovd
Odin Adolph Rishovd was born on April 18, 1906 to Ingebret and Anna Marie (Oien) Rishovd near Flom, in Walworth township of Becker County. Here he attended school and was raised. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn, where he remained a member throughout his life.
He served as church custodian for nearly 30 years and also dug graves for many years at the cemetery. Odin also farmed south of Flom in section 33 where he resided until 1970 when he retired and moved into Flom, purchasing the former Ricka Braaten home on the east side of town.
Odin always enjoyed being outdoors and spent many hours over the years hunting , fishing and trapping gophers.
Odin passed away on June 29, 1988 at St. Mary's Hospital in Detroit Lakes, Mn. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church with interment at the church cemetery.
Ola Olson Rishovd, 1826 to USA 1885
“From the Book "Rosemaling in Hallingdal"
Translated by Aaron Swenson
Rishovd is a remote off the main path Farm. It is high in Sudndalen. It was a seter until the late 1700's. Here Ola Rishovd was born August 20, 1826, the youngest of six children. These are his siblings: Nils, Anders, Knut, Embrikk and Guri. His parents Ola Nilsson & Kari Andresdtr. had to sell the Farm with a Foreclosure auction when Ola was half grown. At the age of 30, he bought back the Farm, he had to borrow 150 riksdaler, mortaging the Farm. This mortgage was more than he could handle. He was in a bad economy. Ola married Ågot Olsdtr. Hytteplassen f.January 16, 1824 in 1859. Ågot’s parents were: Ola Hytteplassen and Sigrid Kvamshaugen and she was born in Hovet, Buskerud. They had five children, Ingebret, Ole, Mrs. Krogstad and Mrs. Dan Danielson. Ågot also had the following siblings: Anders, Tomas, Rangde (Hallsteinsgard-Mork), Margit (Lisleslett, Gro and Sigrid (Kongsrud). In 1881 the Rishovd farm was sold at public auction. The new owner sold again in 1885 and Ola with family emigrated from Norway to the USA. The oldest son had emigrated three years before.
If Ola Rishovd studied with older Hallingdal Rosemaler's it is unknown.
However, it is simple to see he used the Beara Tradition, (Nils Beara was a well known early Halingdal Rose Painter) which was used by many in Hol, Halingdal, of the Sand Grøt school. Ola later used flowers influenced by Munedal and Telemark Rosemaler's.
The tone of his craft was in the height of Hallingdal best. In creating new form, he was helpless, compared to older Hallingdal painters. However, he was capable of doing good work. That which often spoiled the entirety is unsure and urgently need of color. When Ola started paintin, the last of the 1840’s, Rosemalling had reached it’s peak and was on a downward slide, confusion and failure of color knowledge took over Hallingdal painting and added to it’s downfall. Only the older painters , those that had been trained in the high period of rosemalling had strength to show advantages and hide disadvantages. It is in this light you have to look at the work of Ola Rishovd. His colors are often restless and in reciprocal disagreement. Older painters like Pål Grøt and certainly Torstein Sand, used strong colors but they had the ability to bring them together, like strings of a violin. It is first and formost the angry gold color that spoiled Rishovd’s painting. With light red, dark red, parisian blue mixed with white, a deep green color that he sometimes uses works better. With that as ground color, it gives the work a pleasant look. The trunks he painted often used English red or lead red as ground, sometimes leisured with a brown was with scrolls.
In Ola Rishovd time, woodgraining became popular, simulating oak and other woods. Ola learned this technique. He sometimes used gold brown oak grain on cupboards as background color and a gold brown wash over Rosemalled areas.
You will find much rosemalling after Rishovd, both in Hol, Hallingdal and Sogn. He worked steady from 1850-1880. His best work was done in the early years. The living room at Halvorsgård and south Berg is painted as early as 1852. At Mork Larsgård, it is written on (From Skap) Front cupboard (painted Ola Rishovd for Erik Larson Larsgård June 1856) The year after he painted living room at south Berg, the red fråmskop has gold panels in doors with roses in red and blue. The crown moulding is white, decorateing in black. At Granne gård, north Berg, where he painted in 1880 it is written on From skap:
Kogskab er en kilde skjon
Klg cupboard is a fountain of beauty
Øs deraf saa faar du løn
From there you get a reward
Gud give os mad i dette skab
God give us food in this cupboard
At mette mig og mine smaa
To feed me and all my children
He has painted at upper Jorde and at north Sindrol. The painting in bedroom off the living room at Halvorgård, that is dated November 25, 1869 is much different from his other work. Ceiling and walls are light blue with margleizing in darker blue. In five white decorated areas he has painted an angel bird. Luther, with book in hand, the King and Queen, a loudly colored building with steeple and spire, a Kings castle, other wise there is very few people in his paintings.
A chair from Sudndalen (Norsk Folkmuseum) has a picture showing how weaving is done. (Hol’s book II pages 595-624) Smaller work he has done, a clock and shelf at Gullstein. (Hol Book II page 619) Trunk from Hagalesletten (T. Moen Hovet) Trunk from Loyte (Hallingstad Hol) Historisk museum has a trunk Berg dated 1864. Norsk Folkemuseum has one from 1866.
Ola Rishovd often went over the mountains to Sogn, often to Aurland. Gammel at Sinjarheim, a little mountain farm, high up in Aurland Valley, you will find his Rosemalling.
Ola Rishovd is buried at Aspelund Cemetery at Flom, Minnesota.
Ole O. and Kari (Sjursdatter Stundahl) Rishovd
Ole O. Rishovd was born to Ole Olsen and Aagot (Olasdatter) Rishovd in Hol, Hallingdal, Norway on April 5, 1860. He was married to Kari Sjursdatter Stundahl in Aurland, Sogn og Fjordane in 1881. She is the daughter of Sjur and Katarina Stundahl. They came to America in 1883 and settled in the Flom area.
The following children were born to them: Olaus, Severin and Agatha. A daughter, Sofia was born and died in 1886.
Ole died November 30, 1932 and Kari died December 21, 1932. Both are buried in Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery at Flom, Minnesota.
Thomas Chester “Teddy” Rishovd
Thomas C. Rishovd was born to Ingebret and Anna (Oien) Rishovd, on April 28, 1914 in Walworth Township of Becker County, Mn. Here he was raised and attended country schools.
He worked on the family farm before entering the service of which he was a veteran of WW II. After serving in the European Theatre for several years Teddy returned home to the farm where he was raised and lived their with his brother Edwin.
Ted was a member of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. As a young man he enjoyed baseball and hunting.
Teddy passed away on July 21, 1987 at his home in Walworth township.
Agnes Rogen
Agnes was born on July 15, 1908 at Flom, Mn. She moved to the Twin Valley area with her parents around 1919. Here she attended school and graduated in 1927 from Twin Valley High School. She remained at home with her parents after graduation and after her mothers death she took on the housekeeping duties.
Agnes was a cheery and friendly disposition, active in church and in the L.D. R. and readily made friends of all with whem she came in contact with.
Agnes died in July 1942 at Crookston, Mn where she had undergone a major operation. She was just a few days short of her 34 birthday. She had four sisters and two brothers; Mrs. C.E. Wein, Valborg, Blenda, Eva, Martin and Paul. She is buried at Twin Valley, Mn., services were held at Zion Lutheran Church.
Andrew and Anna (Solum) Rogen
Andrew Rogen was born at Decorah, lowa, March 1, 1868, to parents, Ole and Ingeborg Rogen. When he was a year old he came with his parents by covered wagon to Flom Township, Norman County, Minnesota, where they settled on a homestead. The trip had taken three weeks. He was the oldest of a family of seven children. When he was sixteen years old he left home to look for work. He took the train from Ada, intending to go to Moorhead, Minnesota. At Glyndon he apparently did not have the patience to wait for the train to Moorhead and walked the railroad tracks carrying his belongings in a small immigrant chest. When he came to Moorhead, he went to the home of his aunt, Mrs. Ole Nelson. His first job was working on a farm near Argusville, North Dakota, for about eighteen months. He next took a job with the Martinson General Store in Moorhead as a delivery boy using one horse and a light wagon. He became a clerk and bookkeeper and spent ten years at this job. In 1895, he married Anna Solum, who was born at Rollag, Minnesota, June 16, 1875. The wedding was held in the church at Rollag. During the first year of their marriage their small home was swept off the foundation by the flooding of the Red River. He told of taking furniture out through the upstairs window, loading it on a raft, and taking it to higher ground.
In 1899, Andrew and Anna with their daughter, Blenda, moved to Faith, Minnesota, where he had purchased the store. He operated this store for one year, and then moved to Flom, Minnesota, having purchased the store there. He also was postmaster, operated a feed mill, saw mill, dealt extensively in horses and also did some farming. In 1919 he sold out at Flom and moved to Twin Valley, Minnesota where he owned and operated the Corner Store, and Little Red Grocery. In 1946, he sold the Little Red Grocery and retired. In his retirement he worked up a considerable business selling greeting cards and notions. Anna passed away in 1930, Andrew, in 1950.
Andrew and Anna Rogen became the parents of seven children—
Belinda, born in 1898. After finishing grade school at Flom she took nurses training at St. Luke's Hospital, Fargo, North Dakota, graduating as a registered nurse in 1921. She practiced her profession for just a short while before she became ill. She passed away at Sunnyrest Sanitorium, Crookston, Minnesota, in 1925.
Alpha, born in 1901, after finishing grade school at Flom, she attended business college at Fargo, and in 1922, she married Edwin C. Wien at Moorhead. They are now living at Bremerton, Washington, where Edwin retired from the Navy Yard. They became the parents of three daughters.
Valborg born in 1903, finished the grades at Flom and attended school for a short time at Twin Valley. She spent several years working in her father's stores, also working at stores in Sheyenne, North Dakota, and Minneapolis. In 1926 she was married to Andrew Hedin, of Minneapolis. He worked for the Omaha Railroad for forty-two years. They are now retired and living at Twin Valley. They are the parents of two sons.
Paul, born in 1905, graduated from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, in 1930 and Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1933. He is now retired from social work and lives at Crosby, North Dakota.
Agnes, born in 1908, graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1927. She was her father's housekeeper after her mother passed away in 1930. She passed away in 1942.
Eva, born in 1910, graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1929. She worked in Minneapolis and Glenwood, Minnesota. In 1931, she married George Zemke a salesman at Glenwood. They became the parents of two sons.
Martin. born in 1912 graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1931. He spent the major part of his life as a salesman. In 1946, he married Charlotte Williams of Fargo, North Dakota. They became the parents of two daughters. In 1971, he passed away at Spokane, Washington.
Blenda Rogen
Blenda was born on August 5, 1898 at Moorhead, Mn and when she was seven weeks old moved with her parents to Faith, Mn. When she was one and one half years old her parents moved to Flom, Mn. She attended school at Flom finishing the eight grade there. She stayed home for a few years before furthering her education at St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Fargo, ND., where she graduated on May 12, 1921.
After graduation she did private nursing at various places until in October 1922, when due to ill health she had to give up her work. She then went to Sunnyrest Sanatorium at Crookston where she remained until her death on December 14, 1925 at the age of only 24. She is buried at Twin Valley, Mn and services were held at Zion Lutheran Church.
Martin Rogen
Martin Sylvester Rogen "Marty" was born on November 15, 1912 to Andrew and Anna Rogen. He was born in Flom, Minnesota. He grew up in the Flom area and was baptized at Aspelund Lutheran Church. In 1919 his family moved to Twin Valley, Mn were he finished school and graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1931.
After graduation he worked in Fargo and Glenwood before moving to Spokane, Washington. He served three adn a half years in the Army, most of the time overseas. He followed the profession of salesman. He was a member of Central Lutheran Church and served as deacon and trustee, taking an active part in church work.
Martin and his wife Charlotte were the parents of Clo Ann (Albert Kovats, and Marcille Clair.
Marty was a cheerful and happy person, he passed away at his home in Spokane on April 13, 1971. His funeral was at Central Lutheran Church at Spokane.
Ole T. and Ingeborg (Skeim) Rogan
Ole T. Rogan, residing on Section 10, Flom Township, was one of the influential and better known citizens of Norman County. He was of the earliest settlers of that region, taking up his residence on his farm when the land was wild and Indians were more in evidence than civilization. He remained to accumulate a well improved and valuable farm which was the direct result of his own industry and good management, he had a good reputation as a citizen and agriculturalist.
Our subject was born near Christiana, Norway, August 20, 1840. His father Thomas Rogan. was a farmer throughout his career, and was a blacksmith by trade. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Dorst Oleson, and her father, Ole Nelson was a farmer by occupation. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Halga Thompson, was a farmer also.
When our subject was fifteen years of age, the parents and children immigrated to America and settled in Winneshiek County, lowa. Our subject was the oldest of a family of six children, and he was early put to farm work.
At the age of twenty years he enlisted in Company K. Fifteenth, Wisconsin, a Scandinavian regiment enlisted from Madison, Wisconsin. He was sent south and was under General Rosecrans. The first engagement was at Union City, Tennessee, and our subject then went through Tennessee and Kentucky, and participated in the battle of Stone River, Nashville, Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain and the Atlanta campaign.
He went to Savannah, and was then returned to Chattanooga, and in February, 1865, was mustered out of the service. He served three years in active army life and was injured by falling off his horse. After the battle of Chickamauga he was confined to the hospital three weeks. He enlisted as a private and was mustered out of the service with the rank of sergeant. He was appointed an orderly to carry messages for General Rosecrans, and served thus one year as sergeant.
After his return from the war, he worked for farmers in lowa for one year, and then followed farming for himself in lowa for three years.
He came to Norman County, Minnesota with his family in 1873, driving overland four hundred miles with ox team and covered wagon, one month being consumed in the journey. Upon his arrival in Norman County he took up his residence on the farm which he purchased. He built a log shanty with a sod roof and built a sod barn. He farmed with oxen ten years and broke land with them. He passed through six years of grasshopper times. He worked for others to make a living for his family. These were the most discouraging times of his life. He had no market nearer than thirtyfive miles, and he endured many deprivations and hardships.
He became the fortunate owner of two hundred and eighty acres of land, with one hundred and fifty acres under cultivation. He followed diversified farming and had many head of cattle and horses.
Our subject was married in 1866 to Ingeborg Johnson Skeim, a native of Norway and a daughter of Andrew Johnson Skeim, who was a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Rogan were the parents of seven children, named as follows:
Andrew, a merchant of Flom;
Dorothy. Mrs. Erick Urdahl,
Girty. Mrs. E. O. Bakke;
Anna, Mrs. Sven Huseby,
Kaia,
Taedamin, and
Otto.
Mr. Rogan served as postmaster of Flom for five years, took part in the organization of his township and was one of the first township officers. He was a member of the G.A.R.
O.T. Rogen
Ole T. Rogen was born in 1841 in Norway. He immigrated to the United States first stopping in Wisconsin before coming to Norman County, Mn where he settled.
Ingeborg Skeim was born in 1844 in Norway, she came to this country as a child with her parents when she was seven years old. They lived in Dane County, Wi and later in Winneshiek, Ia.
Ole and Ingeborg were married in 1866. When they came to the Flom area in 1873 he accompanied by; J. J. Waller, Ole P. Lien and Lars Huesby. Ole settled in Section 10 of Flom Township, he lived here until the last five years of his life at which were spent in Twin Valley, Mn.
Ole served his new country by giving of his service in the Civil War. He died in 1909 and Ingeborg died on October 19, 1932.They are both buried at Wild Rice.
They were the parents of three sons: Andrew, Ted and Otto, and four daughters; Mrs. S. L. Huseby, Mrs. Erick Underdahl, Mrs. George Dahl and Mrs E. O. Bakke.
Paul Rogen
Paul Oliver Rogen was born on July 20, 1905 to Andrew and Anna (Solum) Rogen. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. He attended grade school at Flom until his family moved to Twin Valley in 1919, where he attended Twin Valley High School and graduated with the class of 1923. He then went to Concordia College in Moorhead, where he graduated in 1930. After completing his education at Concordia he went on to Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Mn where he graduated in 1933.
Paul worked for his father in the mercantile store in Flom and Twin Valley and he also worked as a painter-decorator in Fargo.
Paul served his country during World War II in the United States Navy. He entered the service on March 25, 1942 and was discharged on October 2, 1945.
Paul worked in the county social service in the North Dakota communities of Wahpeton, Finley, Cavalier and Crosby, before returning to Twin Valley, Mn for his retirement.
He was the last member of the Andrew Rogen family, having been proceeded in death by his parents, five sisters and one brother. Paul died on September 2, 1991 at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, he is buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley, Mn.
Carl Ronning
Carl was born on February 19, 1913 to Ole and Ronnag (Johnson) Ronning near Flom. Here he grew up and attended school. After completing his education Carl entered the United States Army where he served from May 5, 1942 until he was discharged in 1946. Carl then returned to the Flom area and worked for the Swenson Brother’s Construction as a carpenter until the mid 1970’s. He continued to live in section 33 of Flom township until his later years when he moved to Ulen, Mn. Here he was a boarder of Silven and Mabel Syverson’s. He remained here until the late 1980’s when he became a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Homes.
Carl passed away on January 28, 1992 at Twin Valley, Mn. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
Helmer Ronning:
Helmer J. was born on July 9, 1908. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
He worked in Flom for Art and Reggie Thorstenson at their IGA Store.He was inducted into the armed forces on March 31, 1942, served in the 90th Inf in World War II. He served his country in the military as a Pvt 1st Class Co. C 359 Inf WW II BSM-PH. In World War II he received the Purple Heart. He was discharged from active duty on November 11, 1945. He never married. He worked for Thorstenson’s for twenty five years and when they moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn he moved with them. Helmer died on September 7, 1964 and is buried at Aspelund.
Ole and Ronnaug (Johnson) Ronning
Ole Ronning was born in Gudbrandsdalen, Norway. He married Ronnaug Johnson in Norway in 1903. In 1904, we find him leaving Norway for America. Ronnaug was born in 1876 in Nordre Fron, Oppland, Norway to Johan Olsen Kaltrud and his wife Lisbet Østendsdatter who were married November 3, 1870 in Sodorp, Oppland, Norway. In the 1900 census of Norway, we find her living on the Kaltrud Farm with her parents and her son, Sigurd O. Kaltrud who was born July 14, 1899. Also living there are her brothers Østen J. Kaltrud b.1874 in Vaage, Oppland, and Paul J. Kaltrud b.1893 in Nordre Fron, Oppland. Two of her sisters were also living on the farm: Anæ J. Kaltrud b.1883 and Anna J. Kaltrud b.1886, both in Nordre Fron, Oppland. Ronnaug’s brother, Ole Johnson b.7/23/1871 also came to the Flom area. Ole and Ronnaug lived just south and west of Flom on the cart trail known to many in the area as Ronning’s Trail. Here they raised their children.
John, Carl, Edwin, Helmer, Gustav, Orville, Sigurd, Alvin and Anna.
John did carpenter work in Flom area. He also worked for E. A. Narum at Narum's store in Flom. He married a girl from White Earth, Mn. They resided there where he was employed by the school.
Carl was born on February 19, 1913. Worked construction with the Swenson Brother’s of Flom, Mn for many years before retiring and moving to Ulen, Mn. Carl was a veteran of WW II, he was a SGT US Army during WWII. Carl died on January 28, 1992 and is buried at Aspelund, Flom.
Edwin was born in March of 1919. He worked for various farmer’s in the area. He was well noted for being the one who would pick berries in the fall for canning. Many gallons of Chokecherries, Cranberries and grapes were picked by him. He was a kind and decent person. I can remember one Christmas when he stayed at my parents (Vernon Dorseth’s) that we were all sitting and opening up our presents. Edwin sat and watched us three girls with the excitement of the holiday season and giggling with delight as we opened our presents. We handed Edwin his gift from under the tree and he just sat there not knowing what to do, holding back tears as he looked at the beautiful package with his name on it. When Edwin opened that gift, there in the box was a simple pair of slippers for him to wear in the evenings after coming in from chores. Edwin choked back tears as he told us it was his best Christmas ever, one would have thought we had given him all the gold in the world, but it was just the simple gesture of friendship and the true meaning of giving at Christmas that has always stayed in my mind.
Edwin died sometime in the fall of 1979, the date says November 3, 1979. He had disappeared in the fall, a local person was out deer hunting when he happened to come across the body. Edwin is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn In 2000 Jacob Klemetson made him a foot stone to mark his grave as a 4-H project. He received Grand Champion at both the local Mahnomen County level and also at the State Fair, along with it he received the community caring hands award. On the footstone are the words: Amazing Grace …….. I once was lost but now am found.
Helmer J. was born on July 9, 1908. He worked in Flom for Art and Reggie Thorstenson at their IGA Store. He served his country in the military as a Pvt 1st Class Co. C 359 Inf WW II BSM-PH. In World War II he received the Purple Heart. He never married. He worked for Thorstenson’s for twenty five years and when they moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn he moved with them. Helmer died on September 7, 1964 and is buried at Aspelund.
Gustav Adolph lived at home and never married. He died on September 28, 1956 and is buried at Aspelund.
Orville was a born on July 28, 1921. He never married. Orville served his country during WW II as a Pvt lst Class in the Army. After he came back from the service he worked for the Flom Co-op then he moved to Moorhead and worked for Sioux Oil. Orville was a good guitar player, he like to play the guitar and sing. He died on July 25, 1996 and is buried at Aspelund, Flom, Mn.
Sigurd was born on July 14, 1899 in Norway. He came to America at the age of 6. He lived at home and was a carpenter by trade. He never married. He was in the process of building a barn on the Vernon Dorseth farm when the scaffolding went down and Sigurd fell to his death. He died at the scene on June 20, 1959. He is buried at Aspelund. Flom, Mn.
Alvin was born on December 20, 1915. He grew up in the Flom area and served his country in the military. He served with the troops that were sent in to liberate Norway. He was among the unit of "Ski Troouper", he was among the first to be sent in beause he could speak fluent Norwegian. He met and married Bernice Reynold on July 26, 1967 at Moorhead, Mn. She had two sons James and Bernard and two daughters; Delores ( C. Moss) and Darlene (James Loock)They lived in Moorhead, Mn where he worked for Power Construction Co. Alvin is buried at Riverside Cemetery in Fargo, ND.
Anna married Nels Johnson: See Nels and Anna Johnson
Alfred and Thea (Dorseth) Rue
Alfred Rue was born on Nov. 16, (17th according to the obit) 1897 to Peter and Gunnild (Gronlie) Rue in Walworth Twp, Becker County, Mn. He was confirmed in 1913 at Aspelund church by the Rec. B.L. Larson.
Thea H. Dorseth was born on Oct. 29th, 1900 to Hans and Ronnag (Fossen) Dorseth in Flom Twp. She grew to womanhood on the family farm located in section 28 of Flom Twp.
Alfred and Thea were married in the fall of 1922. The lived in Flom for a few years before moving to the farm where they lived until his death. They settled in section 30 of Flom township on the farm known to many as the Boyd Johnson farm.
They remained here active in farming until Alfred's death.
Alfred and Thea had two children; Donald and a son who was born and died on April 23, 1932, just 6 days following Alfred's death.
After Alfred's death Thea moved to Sauk Center, Mn where she worked as a Matron in a girls reform school. She remained there until 1965 when she retired and moved to Fargo, ND where she resided until her death.
Alfred passed away on Sunday morning April 17th, 1932 at his home the cause of death was from pleurisy and pneumonia.
Just six days later Thea gave birth to their second son who was born and died on April 23rd. Thea died on July 8, 1986 at Fargo, ND. Alfred, Thea and infant son are all buried at Aspelund, Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Dina Rue
Dina Rue was born in Ossian, Iowa on May 25, 1881 to Per and Gunhild (Gronlie) Rue. The family moved to Walworth township when she was two years old. Here she resided since, except for a few winters in which she would live in Ulen, Mn.
Dinah (Dina) Rue never married, she died on Spetember 21, 1956 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom ,Mn.
She had three brothers; Ole, Alfred, Henry, sisters; Olina, Clara (died in infancy), Clara (Kirkbey) , Marie (Grefsrud) and Clara.
Henry and Mabel (Gunderson) Rue
Henry John Rue was born on May 5th, 1895 in Clay County near Ulen, Mn to Peder and Gunnild (Gronlie) Rue. He had three brothers Alfred, Ole and Henry and three sisters Clara (Kirkeby) Dinah and Marie (Grefsrud).
Mabel Gunderson was born 1897 to Henry and Bertha (Embretson) Gunderson.
Mabel had four brothers: Clarence, Edwin, Burton and Floyd and one sister Adelia. They lived one mile east and 1/4 mile south of Flom in section 35.
Henry and Mabel were married on October 28th, 1917. Henry and Mabel started their married life out farming 1 1/4 miles southeast of Flom. Here they lived in a log home for a few years until they built a new house.
They stayed here and farmed from 1917 to 1941 in the Flom area. They then moved to Popple Grove Township in Mahnomen County. This farm is currently
owned by Mark and Ranelle Fogelson.
They moved off the farm and into Waubun in 1981 where they lived until Henry's death in 1983 at the age of 87 years. Mabel then moved to Twin Valley and lived in the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home until she passed away on March 6th, 1988 at the age of 91.
They were lifetime members of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN where they are buried.
Henry and Mabel had three children. Genevieve (Johnson) Verna (Christensen) and Delyle. All three of their children were baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
Peder (Per) and Gunnild (Gronlie) Rue
Peder O. Rue was born on May 3, 1855 in Telemarken, Norway. He was baptized in Norway. At the age of three he left with his parents for America, coming to Ossian, Iowa in the spring of 1858. Here he grew to manhood, being confirmed in the Washington Prairie church by Dr. V.Koren.
Gunnild Gronlie was born on Sept. 29, 1859 to Mr. & Mrs. Gronlie in Decorah,Iowa.
Peter and Gunnild were married in 1881 at Ossian, Iowa, by Dr. V. Koren. A year after they were married they left Iowa for Lake Park, Mn., coming here in the spring of 1882. They recieved a letter from Olava Melaas urging them to come and take land as their neighbors. They settle on the homestead west of Flom and resided there until their deaths.
Peder filled a very eminent place in his communityand his church. With his very fine and kindly Christian personality he has wonthe esteem of all. He has been ver iberal in his help both tothose who sought and especially to his church.
To this union eight children were born; Clara, Mari, Alfred, Ole, Dina, Clara, Henry.
Ole was born on July 27, 1884 in Walworth Twp, and died on April 3, 1953.He never married.
Alfred was born on Nove 16th, 1897. See Alfred and Thea Rue.
Henry was born in 1895 in Walworth Twp. See Henry and Mabel Rue.
Clara (Kirkeby) See Lewis and Clara Kirkeby.
Marie (Grefsrud) See Olaf and Marie Grefsrud,
Clara who was born in 1890 and died on August 19, 1891. Is said to be buried at the Old Aspelund Cemetery, and Dina (called Randina in the 1900 census) who was born on May 25, 1881 and died on Sept 21st, 1956. She never married.
Peter died on January 23, 1855 and Gunnild died on May 1, 1939. Peter, Gunnild, Ole, Alfred, Henry, Clara, Mari and Dina are all buried at Aspelund Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Douglas and Sandra (Bratvold) Ruud
Douglas grew up on the family farm with his parents, Don and Ilene, and his sister, Donelle. He graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1969. He furthered his education at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul and Morris campuses. Doug returned to the area to farm in partnership with his dad.
After Don retired, Doug continued farming on his own, making him a second generation farmer. He married Sandra Bratvold on July 3, 1976 in Grand Forks, ND. They met when she obtained a teaching job at the Twin Valley school.
Sandra graduated from East Grand Forks Senior High. Her parents are Orien and Delores (McKeever) Bratvold. She has one brother, Gary. He is also an educator, serving as Superintendent of the Bagley Public Schools. Sandra received her teaching degree from Moorhead State University and has taught Kindergarten in the district all of her teaching career.
Doug and Sandy have three children: Ivory (1979), Brandon (1981) and Megan (1985). Ivory graduated from Norman County East in 1997, with Brandon following in 2000. Megan will graduate in 2003. Ivory graduated from Concordia College in 2001 and is currently employed as Assistant to the Engrossing Secretary at the Capitol in St. Paul, Mn. Brandon attends Minnesota State University, Moorhead, Mn.
Doug and Sandy have been active in the community. They attend Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, are past members of Jaycees and Women of Today. Sandy is a member of the Twin Valley Modern Study Club, Education Minnesota, and Delta Kappa Gamma. Doug was elected to the Wheat Growers Association Board. Both were selected as delegates in the Red River Valley Emerging Leadership Program.
Ernest and Jackie Saeland
Ernie Saeland was born in Hillsboro, ND. He moved to a farm southeast of Twin Valley, Mn on the west side of Fossum, he was two years old when he moved to this area, with his parents Otto and Atelia in 1952. Ernie was confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran and graduated from Twin Valley High School.
After graduation he moved to Fargo, ND and attended Hanson’s Mechanical Trade School.
Ernie met Jackie in Fargo at the time he was going to school. Jackie was born in Breckenridge, Mn and attended Fargo North High School. Jackie attended church at Elim Lutheran Church, in Fargo.
Ernie and Jackie were married in 1972. They moved to the farm in Fossum Township near Twin Valley, in 1973. It is at this time that Ernie started his own business "Ernie’s Repair Service" which he continues to operate. Jackie does daycare in her home, which she has been doing for many years.
Ernie and Jackie have two children.
Brian was born in 1971 at Fargo and Terri Jo was born in 1975 at Ada, Mn. Brian is married to Shayne Rankins whom he married in 2001. They live in Fargo, ND where Brian is employed by T & M Transport in West Fargo, ND as a accountant. Shayne is employed by Slumberland in Dilworth, Mn.
Terri married Vance Kaupang in 1996. They live on a farm near Winger where Vance farms with his father, and during the school year he is employed as a teacher in Erskine. Terri does substitute teaching and daycare on days she is not teaching.
Ole and Ingeborg (Johnson) Saeland
Ole Saeland was born in Christiansand, Norway, on October 2, 1875. It was there he grew up into manhood.
In his native land he met and married Ingeborg Johnson on May 15, 1900. In 1902 Ole left his native land of Norway to pursue a dream and better life for his family. He first settled in Valley City, ND and in 1904 he sent for his family to join him in the new land. They remained in Valley City until 1915 when they packed up their belongings and came to Norman County, Mn. Here they settled on a farm near Gary, Mn where he resided until his death. Around 1952, Ingeborg passed away. After her death Ole stay with a daughter and her family until he died on January 25, 1954 at St. Olaf, hospital, Austin, MN from a severe heart attack at the age of 78. Funeral services and interment were at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Faith, MN.
Ole and Ingeborg were the parents of seven children; Carl, T. G., Margaret, (Melvin Hugland), Lyle, Otto, Trygve, Ralph, and one daughter who died in infancy.
Otto E. and Atelia (Soliah) Saeland
Otto Emil Saeland was born to Ole and Ingeborg Saeland on June 7, 1907, at Valley City, ND. He was baptized on July 3, 1909 at Valley City. He was confirmed in the St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Faith, Mn., on November 26, 1922. He came with his parents to this area in 1915 and attended country school and grew up here in the Faith area. Otto had four brothers; Torlaf, Carl, Trygve, and Rolf and one sister; Margaret.
Otto went to Hatton, ND where he worked for a farmer there. The farmer had a daughter named Atilia Soliah who was born on October 24, 1908. Otto got to know Atilia , which led to a courtship and later marriage.
Otto married Atelia Adeline Soliah on June 27, 1949 in the Bethany Lutheran Church at Hatton, ND. They made their home for three years in that area. The Saeland's then moved to Fossum, Mn where they moved onto a farm. Here they farmed for many years. Thier son Ernie and his wife Jackie currently own the farm on the west side of Fossum.
Atelia passed away on August 26, 1954 and is buried at Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery, in rural Hatton, ND. Otto passed away on February 13, 1979. Otto is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Otto and Atelia were the parents of one child; Ernest (see Ernie and Jackie Saeland)
Trygve Saeland
Trygve Saeland was born on October 28, 1910 to Ole and Ingeborg (Johnson) Saeland at Valley City, ND. In 1916 he moved with his family to the Twin Valley area whre he was raised on the farm and attended Faith School. On September 26, 1926 he was confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Faith, Mn.
As a young man he worked at teh Hormel packing palnt in Austin, Mn. He also worked at several logging camps before entering the Army on May 5, 1942, to serve his country during World War II. He was stationed in Europe and Africa until his discharge on October 12, 1945. At that time he returned to the area and took over the family farm.
He retired and sold the farm in 1976, but continued to make the farm his home until the time of his death, on May 5, 1988.
He was a longtime member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Faith, Mn and also served on the Fossum Town Board for several years. He was a member of the Nesseth-Lien Post No. 431 of Twin Valley. Trygve enjoyed playing cards and coming into town to eat, which gave him the chance to visit with people and enjoy the company of others.
He is buried at St. Olaf Cemetery, Faith, Mn.
Andrew and Esther (Stueness) Sakrismo
Andrew Sakrismo was born on July 25, 1906, near Gatzke, Minnesota, to Peter and Anna Sakrismo. He spent the first years of his life in the Gatzke area and when he was 12 years old his family moved to the Flom area.
Here they moved onto a farm and were active in the farming operation. He was confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. As a young man he worked in the Flom community and also spent some time in Montana.
Andrew married Esther Stueness on June 23, 1936 on the farm in Flom township. They took up farming and remained in this area where they raised their family. They were the parents of: Loyal and Phillp. Their son Loyal took over the farming operation after Andrew's retirment and resides on the home farm in section 36 of Home Lake Township.
Andrew was active in his church and community having served on the Church board, Immanuel Cemetery Board and also as the school board where he was a clerk for many years. They were member of Immanuel Lutheran church until it's closing and then joined Aspelund Lutheran Church where they remained. Andrew was an avid hunter throughout his life.
Andrew passed away on March 12, 1986 in St. Mary's Hospital in Detroit Lakes, Mn. Funeral services were held at Aspelund with interment at Immanuel Cemetery. After his death Esther remained on the farm, later moving into Ulen where she resides today.
Johnny Sakrismo
Jahann "Johnny" Sakrismo was born on December 21, 1916 on a homestead in Rollis Township in Marshall County, to Peter and Anna Sakrismo. He was raised and attended area schools in the Flom community and graduated from Waubun High School. Johnny was known throughout the area for being a brick and block layer nearly all his life. Over the years, he had worked on many porjects in this part of the state. He had lived on the family famr all of ihis life and had operated it for the last many years. Johnny also worked in Alaska for several summers.
He was a life-long member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. the Detroit Lakes Lodge of the Sons of Norway, the Local 12 Brick and Block Layers Union of Crookston. He never married.
Johnny passed away on Monday, January 27, 1983 at his home section 32 of Flom Township. Funeral
services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church Flom, Mn with interment at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.
Lars and Alice (Jensvold) Sakrismo
Lars was born on August 16, 1910 to Peder and Anna (Swendson) Sakrismo at Gatzke, Mn He attended country school and was baptized and confirmed at Syre Lutheran Church, Syre. Lars was a farm laborer around the Flom area. He later moved to the iron range and worked for the railroad. He then worked on the West Coast in a Lumber Mill. When WW II came he served in the Pacific Theater.
Alice was born on June 10, 1923 to Jens and Sigrid Anna (Aas) Jensvold in Tydal, Norway. When she was five years old her mother died and she moved in with the Sakrismo family who became her foster parents. As a young girl she would work with them milking goats and house chores. She later worked at the Hotel Vaekrastua and also as a nanny in Oslo. During the German Occupation, Alice served as a cook in Norwegian Home Guard.
Lars and Alice were married on August 23, 1947 at Tydal, Norway. Alice came to the United States in 1948 with her infant daughter Sigrid. Lars and Alice farmed and had dairy cattle living in Section 1, Ulen Township, Clay County, Mn. He also did mason work. Alice took on the duties of a farm wife and mother when she came to America. She helped with the dairy operation and raised their family. After her children had all left home Alice worked at the Flom Cafe. Through out most of her life she was always knitting; caps, scarves, sweaters and was well known for her mittens and gloves, which she would sell.
Lars died on November 19, 1988 and Alice died on November 2, 1999, they are both buried at Immanuel Cemetery.
Lars and Alice were the parents of four children; Sigrid, Linn, Stephen and Sonja.
Sigrid Marie was born on January 6, 1948 in Norway. She attended school at Ulen, Minnesota and graduated from there. She is married to James A. Beckstrom. They have two children,
Andrea T. Sunde, born December 4, 1971. She has a son Austin A. who was born May 19, 1995.
Carl R. who was born April 20, 1974. He is married to Sarah M. Baumgartner.
Linn Audrey was born on December 10, 1952. See Linn and Jeri (Busby) Sakrismo.
Stephen Jon was born on August 19, 1960 (twin).See Stephen and Tammy (Ritter) Sakrismo.
Sonja Beret was born on August 19, 1960 (twin). She is graduated from Ulen-Hitterdal High School and attended Moorhead Vo-Tech where she took up Commerical Art. She was married to Greg Tigue on September 24, 1994, who was born September 8, 1963 in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. Sonja works as a Dental Lab Tec at Precision Dental Lab and Greg is an Electrical Design Consultant at Vareberg Engineering. They have one daughter, Natalie Ann who was born March 2, 1998. The Tigue Family lives in Moorhead, MN.
Linn and Jeri (Busby) Sakrismo
Linn Audrey was born on December 10, 1952 to Lars and Alice (Jensvold) Sakrismo in Ada, Mn. He was baptized on March 15, 1953 and was also confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. He attended school at Ulen, Mn from grades 1-10, then Ulen and Hitterdal schools merged and he went to Ulen-Hitterdal High School for grades 11-12 graduating in May 1971. Linn went to Bemidji State University from 72-75 then went back in 79 graduating in January of 1980. He worked in Fairbanks Alaska as a custodial worker at Pioneer Home, and also was a carpenter through the Local Union 3113. He came back and started to work as a carpenter for Swenson Brother’s Construction, Flom, Mn which he did for several years.
Jeri Lyn Busby was born on May 20,1957 to Loyal and Doloris (Hogenson) Busby in Moorhead, Mn. She was baptized in 1957 and confirmed on June 18, 1972 at Salem Lutheran Church, Hitterdal, Mn. Jeri went to Hitterdal Public School at Hitterdal, Mn for elementary school. Then with the merger of Ulen-Hitterdal she attended Jr and Sr High at Ulen-Hitterdal High School at the Ulen Site. She graduated on May 29, 1975. After graduation she attended Moorhead State University at Moorhead, Mn where she graduated May 25, 1979,with a degree in teaching. She was first employed as the High School Business Teacher at Annandale, Mn from September 1979 until May of 1982. She is currently employed as a High School Business Teacher at Detroit Lakes, Mn where she has been since 1982.
Linn and Jeri were married on August 14, 1982 at Salem Lutheran Church, Hitterdal, Mn.
They live in Section 19 of Flom Township in Norman County . Here they are raising their three daughters; Amanda, Christine and Heidi.
Amanda Ruth was born on July 23, 1985. She was baptized on September 29, 1985 and confirmed on June 4, 2000 both at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. She will be a senior at Norman County East this fall (2003).
Christine Ann was born on September 28, 1987. She was baptized on November 22, 1987 at Aspelund. She will be a freshman at Norman County East this fall.
Heidi Jean was born on July 3, 1990.
She was baptized on August 19, 1990 at Aspelund. Heidi is a 6th grader at Norman County East-Gary Site and next year will be a 7th grader at the Twin Valley Site.
Sakrismo Family
Peder and Anna were married in 1902, in Tydal, Norway. Peder was the son of Anders and Lisabet Sakrismo. Anna Svenson VoId was the only child of Greta Pehrson from Ljungdalen, Sweden, and Svend VoId of Tydal.
They came to America in 1904, landing in Halifax, Nova Scotia in February, and arriving by train in Syre, Minnesota. Peder's maternal uncle, Anders H. Stuedal, had sent them tickets so they came to his farm near Flom.
Peder's mother's four siblings, Magli Larson, Guri Nysetvold, Henning and Anders H. Stuedal, were all settled on farms in the same section near Flom.
Henning and Anders never married. Henning died early in life. Magli and Einar Loven had four children, all of whom died in early infancy. Three are buried on the farm, the fourth in the Immanuel Cemetery by his parents.
Einar also died suddenly, so Anders moved to live with his sister Magli. When she passed away, he moved back to the neat log house in the Sakrismo yard. Guri and Joe Nysetvold had four children, Ole, Ingeborg, Henry , and Johnny. They and Magli and Anders added very special meaning to our lives
as we were growing up.
The first two years in the Flom area, Dad worked on farms, the first year at the N.C. Flaten farm. The second year both Mom and Dad were employed by Andrew Dorseth. Mother kept house and took care of Andrew's four small children. Well do we remember our mother saying, "Men han Anders Dorseth var en snild man. "
A couple of Tydalings, Peter Aune and Joseph Peterson, from Gatzke, came for a visit. They encouraged the folks to move to the Gatzke area, where land was still available for homesteading. There was a large group of Tydalings already settled there. While there, my Dad farmed and worked in the lumber camps near Bemidji during the winter months. Much of the land in that area was flat, with poor drainage and was covered with peat, so it took many years before they got deep drainage ditches and were able to burn off the peat. Eventually it became very good land for farming.
Dad's uncle wanted them to move back to his farm, so in April, 1917, they finally did. Dad purchased the farm and it was their home for the remainder of their lives. The move from Gatzke to Flom took four days, with three stops: Middle River, Crookston, and Syre.
Our parents were active members and supporters of the Lutheran church. Our Dad was also active in community affairs. Our parents were neither rich nor poor in money, but we look back with rich memories to a home of good Christian living and a wealth of memories of all the fine times we had with our many friends. Our parents always welcomed our friends and food and lodging were readily shared whenever or with whomever as the need or occasion arose.
Mother passed away peacefully at home on New Year's morning in 1957, in the presence of family and a neighboring nurse, Mrs. Bert Albertson.
Dad went to Norway in May, 1958, after an absence of 54 years and died suddenly in the house where he was born in July, 1958. Their final resting place is the beautiful Immanuel Cemetery , located a mile and a half north of the homeplace.
The following are updates of what was written 25 years ago:
There were eight of us children: Elizabeth, Anders (Andrew), Sven (Sammy), Lars (Lewey), Greta, Petrina (patsy), Johan (Johnny), and Singne Marie (the only one with two names).
Elizabeth
Elizabeth and Sidney Swenson (also Tydal ancestry) lived near Flom. Sidney was a builder. In fact, he was 23 years old when he and Ted Puffier, with the help of Peder and the boys, built the house at Sakrismo' sin 1927. To this day, there is not a sag in the house anywhere. Elizabeth was a skilled seamstress, a very loving and caring big sister. Elizabeth passed away in November, 1977, Sidney in September, 1978. Their twin sons, Aaron and Arvid, have their own construction company and live on the home place .
They have added a beautiful Scandinavian Heritage room to their home, which attracts many visitors from far and near. Jeanine, their sister, and husband, Luveme Ehnert, live near Frazee. Vern is retired from the Minnesota Highway Dept., and Jeanine is a retired nurse. All four of the above are very much involved and skilled in Norwegian arts and crafts, as well as other crafts, too. Jeanine and Vern have two sons. Robert is a construction engineer for Powers Construction in Fargo. Erik graduated from Vo Tech in Alexandria and is employed by Tool & Die Co. in Detroit Lakes.
Andrew
Andrew and Esther (Stueness), also of Scandinavian descent, retired from fanning. Andrew passed away in March, 1981 Esther has a nice apartment in an assisted living complex in men. She will celebrate her 90th birthday on July 20, 2002. She still is an expert cook and baker of Norwegian kringles, lefse, etc.
Their two sons are Phillip and Loyal.
Phillip and Diane (Norwegian heritage) live in West Fargo. Phillip is retired from Class Clay. Diane is teaching in West Fargo. They have two children, Lisa and Tony.
Lisa and Mike Trinka live in West Fargo. Lisa is a teacher, but presently a stay-at-home mom for their three children, Allison, Thomas, and David. Mike is a graduate of N.D.S.U. in Grand Forks and works in Investments.
Anthony and Linda live in West Fargo. Anthony attended Moorhead Tech. and N.D.S.U. and works for Thermo-King in refrigeration. Linda works for Bremer Banks.
Loyal and Patty (Krueger) operate a dairy farm on the home place. Besides helping Loyal with farm work, Patty works as a secretary for Peterson Insurance in Ulen. They have three children: Tracie, Troy, and Tricia.
Tracie and Bruce Paulsrud live in Rantoul, lllinois, where Bruce is employed by the University as an Extension Specialist. Tracie is an English teacher, but presently a stay-at-home Mom for their children, Andrew and Elizabeth.
Troy works for Meineche Construction in Fargo. He is a busy and loving dad for his two little girls, Shanea and Chelsie.
Tricia and Gordon HaIl live in Red Lake Falls. Tricia works as a cook in Thief River Falls and Gordon has been employed as an engineer for the county but is presently moving to another position.
Sven (Sammy)
Sven (Sammy) never married and passed away rather young in July, 1957, from damaged lungs caused by exposure to a poisonous gas which forms from the silage in silos. He was fanning with his Dad at the time he became ill.
Lars (Lewey)
Lars(Lewey) worked on farms and the railroad. He served in the Japanese theater in IeShima, Okinawa. He came home from the war on Christmas Day, 1945, and on Christmas Day, 1946, he and his sister traveled to Tydal, Norway, to visit their ancestral homes. While there he met and married Alice Jensvold, and they made their home on a farm in the Northeast part of Clay County. Lewey passed away in November, 1988. Later, Alice moved to Ulen. She passed away in November, 1999.
Their four children are Sigrid, Linn, Stephen, and Sonja. Sigrid and Jim Beckstrom live in Moorhead. Sigrid, a Concordia graduate, works in the registrar's office at Concordia. Jim is employed by Accent Construction Co. in Fargo. Their daughter, Andrea Sunde, also a Concordia graduate, works at Merit Care. She has one son, Austin. Their son Carl and his wife, Sara, both Concordia graduates, live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Carl is manager of Walgreen Drugs by Wells Fargo.
Linn and Jeri (Busby) live near Flom in the lovely home built by themselves near the Immanuel Church. Linn majored in business at Bemidji State but chose to continue in construction work. Jeri teaches business at Detroit Lakes High School. They have three daughters: Amanda a senior in
high school, Christine in ninth grade, and Heidi, in seventh grade.
Stephen and Tammy(Ritter) live in Moorhead. Stephen, a Concordia graduate, works for Wells Fargo. Tammy works as a secretary and receptionist for Muchler Bartrum Architects. They have two children; Kari, a senior in high school, and Tanner, who is in junior high.
Sonja and Greg Tigue live in Moorhead. Sonja is a dental lab technician and Greg an electrical design consultant. They have one sweet little daughter, four-year-old Natalie Ann.
Greta
Greta and Arvid Engeseth (Gulbransdal) retired from farming near Lake Park. They spent their retirement years at their beautiful lake home on Lake Tulaby. Arvid passed away suddenly in March, 1987. Since then, Greta spends the winter months with her daughters, Yvonne and Randie and the rest of the year in her own home at the lake.
Yvonne Opdahl lives in Mahnomen and is an English teacher at the Twin Valley High School.
Randie Conner lives in Morris and was also an English teacher but is now retired due to ill health.
Petrina (Patsy)
Patsy was married to Marvin VanDenEinde. They lived north of Mahnomen. Patsy died and Marvin still lives on the farm.
The following children were born to them Sharon, Mylla and David:
Sharon is married to George Spaeth. They live in Chief Township in Mahnomen County. Their children are:
Michael who is married to Bobbi Johnston, they live in Eau Claire, WI with their 3 children, Jacob, Joshua and Amber.
Andrew who is married to Teresa Capliner. They live and farm in Mahnomen county with their 2 children, Gregory and McKenna.
Thomas who is married to Lori Dorfler. They live in Fargo, ND with their two children, Tyler and Zachary.
William who is married to Tracy Koski. They live in Hawley, MN with their two children, Sammy and Jon.
Theresa who is married to Kevin Podlak. They live in Mahnomen with their 4 children, Amanda, Benjamin, Nicholas and Christopher.
Howard who is married to Trina Jordahl. They live in Fargo, ND with their two children, Autumn and Mattia.
George who is married to Julie LaVoy. They live in Fargo, ND with their son Payton.
Christine who is employed by the County Attorney’s office in Mahnomen.
Mylla is married to Will Marwitz. They live at Pipestone, MN. Mylla is a Tutor and Will is a retired English Teacher. They have the following children:
Jorden who is married to Leigh Erickson. They live in Janesville, MN
Tamara who is married to Mike Furth. They live in New Ulm, MN with their son Samuel.
Ryan who is married to Tasha Langdahl. They live in St. Cloud, MN.
Alison is currently in St. Paul, MN studying for the Bar exam. She will be in Brainerd, MN in the fall.
David is married to Maureen Busby. They live on the family farm and have 3 children, Katie, Ezra and Emily.
Johnny
Johnny spent many years doing seasonal masomy work in Alaska. After our parents died he purchased the homeplace where he farmed and also did masomy work. He died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 66. Having never married, he spent much of his time being a wonderful uncle, good brother, and friend.
Singne
Singne and Bjarne Aune (also Tydal ancestry) were married in June, 1952. We spent most of our married life in Alaska, Bjarne in construction, Singne in teaching; but we did have an interest in fanning in Minnesota and spent a few years there. All told, we really lived an interesting life. (I might add that Bjarne's grandfather, Joe Haugen, built the Aspelund Church; he lived near the church before moving to Gatzke.)
We were blessed with four children, Ann Louise, Thelma Mignon, Beth Renelle, and Peter Erik.
Ann and Gustav Langworthy live in Fairbanks. Gus retired from the Operating Engineers Union and has recently completed the Aviation Maintenance Technology program at the University of Alaska. Ann received her nursing degree from the University of Minnesota but at present is a stay-at-home mom for their five children Ruth, Rebecca, Renee, Peter (twins), and Rachel, ranging in ages from 14-8.
Thelma and Daniel Hess live in Fairbanks. Dan works for the Federal Government as a welder. Thelma has degrees in both business and teaching but is also a stay-at-home mom for their three children Amber, Joel and Andrew.
Beth received her undergraduate degree in music at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and her master's in counseling at the University of Alaska. She taught music in the Fairbanks public schools for 20 years, was president of the teacher's union for two years, and most recently has been working as a counselor at Arctic Light Elementary on the Ft. Wainwright AnDy Base in Fairbanks. Beth is unmarried and has no children.
Peter Erik died in a car accident shortly before his 20th birthday in 1977. He had been working for two years following his high school graduation and was planning to enter college to study mechanical engineering at the time of his death.
Contributed by the Sakrismo Family
Stephen and Tammy (Ritter) Sakrismo
Stephen Jon Sakrismo was born on August 19, 1960 (twin to Sonja Tigue) to Lars and Alice (Jensvold) Sakrismo at Ada, Mn. He grew up on a small dairy farm near Flom, Mn. He was confirmed in May of 1975 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. He attended school at Ulen, Mn where he graduated in May 1978 from Ulen-Hitterdal High School. He furthered his education at Concordia College in Moorhead, Mn where he graduated in May of 1992, majoring in Business Administration/ Accounting and minored in Scandinavian Studies. Stephen is employed with Wells Fargo Banks (formally Norwest) where he has been employed since July 1, 1982. His position is a Correspondent Banker for Wells Fargo covering North Dakota, Montana and Northwest Minnesota.
Tammy Jo Ritter was born on November 28, 1961 in Moorhead, Mn to Harvey and Muriel Ritter (Harvey is deceased). She attended school in Moorhead and graduated from Moorhead High School in June 1980. Tammy went to Moorhead Vo-Tech where she took up secretarial classes, graduating from Moorhead Tech in 1982. She is currently employed by Mutchler Bartram Architects in Fargo, ND as a
Office Assistant.
Stephen and Tammy Jo Ritter were married on March 16, 1985 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Moorhead, Mn. They have made their home in Moorhead where they are raising their two children; Kari and Tanner.
Kari Marie was born on August 27, 1985 and is currently a Junior at Moorhead, High School. She participates in Cross County, Track and Gymnastics. Tanner Jon was born on August 22, 1989 and is currently a 6th grader at Robert Asp in Moorhead, Mn. He enjoys recreational and traveling soccer.
In their spare time Stephen enjoys woodworking, golf, hunting, and likes to travel. He was able to go to Norway in 1980 and plans are to return for a visit in July 2002.
The Sakrismo’s are members of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Moorhead, Mn.
Sven Sakrismo
Sven Sakrismo was born on December 8, 1908 in Marshall County, Mn. He moved here with his family and was active in the family farming operation with his father. He died in 1957 at the age of 48 at a Crookston, Mn hospital where he had been a patient for about two months. Funeral services and burial were held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn.
Albert Sandal
Albert J. Sandal was born on January 23, 1908 at LaMoure, ND, to John and Agnes Sandal. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith at LaMoure, and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom Mn. , in 1922.
He attended rural schools in the area and Northwest Agricultural College at Crookston, Mn.
He served in the 3269th Ordinance Base Depot and in the European-African Middle Eastern Theater during World War II. Albert worked on farms all his life, living in section 19 of Flom township, currently owned by David Boman. He had been a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church for many years. He was a member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Post 3818 at Flom, Mn. He never married.
Albert passed away on July 15, 1973, at the age of 65 years, at the Mahnomen Hospital. He is buried at Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Carl and Alice (Oien) Sandal
Carl I. Sandal was born on Marchy 4, 1902 at Fort Dodge, Iowa, coming to the Flom area in 1910. Carl was baptized at Fort Dodge, Iowa, he was confirmed on November 4, 1917. He attended elementary school in the area and then went on to the Agricultural College at Crookston, Mn. Carl operated a small grocery store in Moorhead before coming to the Flom area. Prior to his marriage he had lived at the Mabel and Edgar Skansgaard home in Flom, renting one of the rooms upstairs.
Alice Regina was born on December 2, 1919 in Walworth Township. She grew up here and attended Aspelund Lutheran Church. She married Carl Sandal on June 18, 1949 at Hitterdal, Mn at the parsonage.
They lived in Flom in section 34 the later years, on the east side of town. Carl farmed and did work as a DHIA tester. He last worked at the Flom Co-op in Flom. Carl died on June 12, 1968 quite suddenly. Alice did housekeeping duties for various people in the area. She remained in Flom after Carl died. On July 27, 1996 Alice passed away, they are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN.
Elmer and Agnes (Flom) Sandal
Elmer J. Sandal was born at Fort Dodge, Iowa to John and Johannes Sandal. He came to the Flom area with his parents as a child. They settled in section 19 of Flom township and here he grew to manhood. Elmer served his country during WW I of which he was a veteran.
Agnes Louise Flom was born on September 24, 1901 at Flom, Mn., to Gulak and Kari Flom. She grew up in the area where she attended rural schools.
After completing his military service he married Agnes Louise Flom, on November 8, 1934. They resided in Flom township. Where they were active in farming. In 1952 they moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn, where they had lived the last twenty years, until his death on September 7, 1972, Agnes passed away on August 1, 1979 at a Detroi Lakes Hospital. She had been a resident of the Frazee Retirment Center for several years. They are buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Elmer was a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Barracks 2175. At his funeral WWI Veterans served as pallbearers and the Barracks also had charge of military rites.
John S. and Johanne (Oen) Sandal
John S. Sandal was born in 1863.
Johanne Oen was born in Syndfjord, Norway on December 4, 1868. She came to American with her parents in 1890 and they settled at Fort Dodge, Iowa. At the time of her death there was a brother George Hetle of Grand Rapids, ND and as sister Mrs. Elling Orness of Dickey, ND, listed as survivors.
John and Johanne were married in Fort Dodge, Iowa on May 6, 1895. They moved on to Marion, ND in 1904, where they lived for six years, before coming to Norman County, Mn. Here they settled in section 19 of Flom township in 1910. This is currently owned by David Boman. John died on April 14, 1917, he is buried at Immanuel Cemetery.
John and Johanne were the parents of eight children…All boys!
Elmer was born in 1896 (see Elmer and Agnes Sandal), Immanuel Cemetery
Sivert was born in 1897 and died in 1957, Immanuel Cemetery
Julian was born in 1899 (see Julian and Julia Sandal), Aspelund Cemetery
Carl was born in 1902 (see Carl and Alice Sandal), Aspelund Cemetery
Arthur was born in 1903 and died in 1957. Immanuel Cemetery
Martin was born in 1905 and died in 1954. Immanuel Cemetery
Albert was born in 1908 (see Albert Sandal), Immanuel Cemetery
Alfred was born in 1912 and died in 1990, he is buried in Santa Barbara California.
Sivert and Lillie (Erickson) Sandal
Sivert Benjamin Sandal was born July 22, 1897 at Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was baptized by Rev. O. Shefeland. He came with his parents, John and Agnes Sandal, to Flom Mn, when he was a child. He was confirmed by Rev. O.N. Nelson.
On October 21, 1918 he was inducted into the U.S. Army, where he served three months.
On February 20, 1921 Sivert and Lillie were married, to this union one son Lyle, was born. Sivert and Lillie farmed in section 19 of Flom township. Their son Lyle took over the farming operation until he retired. Lyle still resides on the home farm.
Sivert passed away suddenly at the age of 60 years, on the farm. He is buried at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. After his death Lillie continued to live on the farm with her son Lyle, which she did until the last few years when she moved into the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley.
Anker and Guri (Braaten) Sanden
Anker, the son of Wilhelm and Sigri Sanden was born in Nes, Hallingdal, Norway on May 12, 1860.
There he grew up and at Norway’s military age he entered the service and trained as all young men did.
During this time, his family left Norway. After completing his military service, he too, had visions of America, the land of opportunity. As much as he liked to go, he hated to think of leaving his sweetheart, Guri Braaten of Gol, Hallingdal, to whom he was engaged. However, after due consideration, it as decided he should go to seek his fortune in this new land and that she would wait for work from him when to come.
Anker arrived in American in 1887. Since his parents had already settled in Walworth township he naturally went there. Anxious to get a start in this country, he hired out to Lars Hitterdal near Hitterdal, Mn to work as a farm laborer. There he worked faithfully, earned money so that he could send Guri money for passage far. She was patiently waiting to come to America. The following ears she arrived.
They were married by Rev. Hans Johnson at the Wild Rice parsonage a short distance northwest of Flom, Mn.
They built a small log house on his father’s farm where they lived for a few years. Anker continued to work for Mr. Hitterdal. Each weekend he walked to and from the Hitterdal farm which was a distance of about 16 miles. Guri also got a job as "hired girl" for Arne and Gunhild Evans, of Ulen. Which was a 10 mile walk from her home. As pay, Guri received a cow which was the start of Guri and Anker’s dairy herd.
They were both ambitious and eager to get a good start and a good home for themselves. They worked and saved and in 1891, they were able to buy a quarter section of land from Andrew and Mary Larson, adjacent to his parents’ land for the sum of $3.00 per acre. This was the northeast quarter of section 23.
Now they had their own farm. Now their next move would be to build a home on this property. Never letting up, they toiled on and on and soon built al log house and moved in with their family of two girls.
How proud they must have been. They were making progress in spite of hardships and handicaps. Years passed and the family increased and by 1902, the second house was completed. A new additions were added in later years. They were blessed with twelve children. Life in pioneer days was not an easy life.
They worked from early morning until late at night, tilling soil, raising cattle and poultry.
All the necessities of life came from the farm. In spite of hard labor and anxieties, life had it’s pleasures.
The Lord was merciful as health and happiness prevailed.
The Aspelund Lutheran Church of Flom, Mn was their home church. There the children were baptized
and confirmed in the Norwegian language. All attended school District #35.
Both Anker and Guri died on the farm, he in January 1933 and she in 1944. They are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Anker and Guri were the parents of; Christina, Wilhelmina, Sophie, Edward, Ole, Ida, Caroline, Albert, Anna, Theoline, Gilbert and Elmer.
Christina married Helmer Arneson and they settled at Lake Eunice township.
Wilhelmina married Herman Sams and they lived in Duluth, Mn.
Sophie was born on October 11, 1892. She married Albert Krause and they were the parents of Clyde, Joe,
Raymond, Adolph, Melvin, Robert, Alice Gladys and Hazel. Sophie and Albert are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom.
Edward was born on December 16, 1894. He married Clara Nelson, the daughter of Charley and Anna (Anderson) Nelson. They were the parents of; Hermine Grace, Gladys Annabelle, Mavis Annabelle, Laurine Rose, Anna Helen, Ellen Clarice and Edsel Charles. Edward and Clara are a buried at Aspelund. Ellen Clairce Sanden was born on December 24, 1920 in Walworth township, Becker County, Mn. She died on January 25, 1921 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
Ole was born on October 4, 1896. He never married and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Ida married Henry Anderson. They lived at Detroit Lakes, Mn., and they are both buried at Detroit Lakes.
Caroline married Edgar Brattland. They lived on a farm near Hendrum, Mn, until his death. Caroline then moved to Moorhead, Mn.
Albert married Ella Malvick. The lived in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Edward: see Edward and Clara ( Nelson) Sanden
Anna married Edwin Somdahl and he passed away on May 24, 1984 and is buried at the Ulen North
Cemetery. Anna then moved to Turtle Lake, south of Lake Park, Mn.
Theoline married Alfred Kaiser. They lived in Murfreesboro, Tennesse and are both buried there.
Gilbert married Berlette Shay. They resided in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Elmer was born on March 18, 1915 in Walworth township. He never married. Elmer passed away on May 24, 1995 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church.
Edward and Clara (Nelson) Sanden
Life was simple in Walworth township in 1894. People depended on the land and their cattle for a living, and on their neighbors for help with the work and during a crisis. But to Anker and Guri Sanden it was a special year. That was the year their fourth childe and first son was born.
Edward Sanden was born on December 16, 1894 on the farm his dad had purchased in 1891, four years after his arrival in America. He grew up on this farm was baptized and confirmed in the Norwegian language at Aspelund, in Flom ,Mn. He attended school in District No 35 located two miles from his home. The school in enrollment from 24 to 30 students a year.
Edward, or Eddie as he was called, and his brothers and sisters walked to and from school every day. One day on the way to school they saw a skunk. Eddie and a neighbor boy, boys being boys, decided to throw stones at it. Needles to say, the skunk defended herself the only way she could. When the boys got to school, they smelled so bad that the teacher wouldn’t let them in. They sat in the wood shed until noon.
By that time, Eddie’s buddy was allowed to go back into the schoolhouse, but Eddie’s clothes still smelled too strong; so he was sent home. It didn’t hurt his feelings though, because school to him, as to most boys, was a necessary evil.
There were five boys and seven girls in the Sanden family; so there was never a dull moment. Card parties and dances were the chief means of entertainment. It was nothing to drive several miles by horses for a good game of cards, summer or winter.
One celebration the family never missed was the 14th of June Celebration at White Earth. Anker would drive there with horses and a lumber wagon, he and Guri up front on the seat and the family riding in the back.
Along with the good times came hard work. Wood was used for fuel and had to be hauled for miles. Eddie, his Dad and a brother would drive to White Earth or Popple Grove, Northwest of Waubun, with two teams to get the fuel. They would cut down the trees, trim them, cut them and load them on the sleigh and go home again the same day. After they got the wood home, it had to be sawed, and split with an ax so it would fit into the cook stove and wood heater.
Another important item was flour. After harvest in the fall, Eddie would haul a load of wheat to the Faith Mill and trade it for flour. Sometimes he would drive to the Mill at Richwood and get the flour there. He would get enough flour to last until the next harvest.
Eddie farmed with his Dad and brothers until his marriage, taking time to go into the army during World War I.
On January 28, 1920 he married Clara Nelson of Detroit Lakes, Mn. They drove to Ogema by sleigh and horses, stayed at a hotel there, then took the train to Detroit the next morning, returning the same night on the "Midnight Flyer". All this as necessary even though Ed was sporting a new Model T. Ford, as there were no snowplows to clear the roads. They had their wedding dance later at his folks’ house, a gala affair, even though the weather was cold.
Clara was the daughter of Charley and Anna Nelson, also of Walworth township. She was 9th in the family of eleven, having five brothers and five sisters.
Ed and Clara bought some land not far from his folks, built their home, planted trees and began farming. All the work was done by horses until tractors came into use.
Haying was an important time as it meant feed for the cattle all winter, or extra money if it could be sold. A garden was a must as it meant vegetable for the winter. Wild plums and strawberries were also appreciated.
Since there was no electricity, all the vegetables, fruits and meat had to be canned.
Wood and water had to be carried into the house every day. It was the job of the younger children to "keep the wood box full." Kerosene lamps and lanterns were used as light. The lamp chimneys and lantern globes had to be cleaned often, and the wicks trimmed so they wouldn’t smoke.
Seven children were born to the Sandens. They were all baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, of Flom. They attended school in District No 54, the Wild Rose school. It was a one room school with a large entry where the janitor supplies and some wood for the heater were stored. There was a barn on the school yard, too. One third of it was used as a wood shed and the other part was for horses. Some of the children drove to school or rode horseback and would leave the horses there all day.
The school term was eight months long, closing about the first of May each year. When the school closed in 1944, the children were bussed to Ulen and attended school there.
In 1945, the Sandens moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn. Ed first worked for the Madison Silo Co. summers and the Addison Miller Ice Co. winters. Later he worked at Swift and Co., until his retirement in 1949. Clara passed away on April 24, 1975 and Ed on July 31, 1984.
The Sanden children are Ellen, Edsel, Gladys, Mavis, Anna, Lorraine and Hermine.
Ellen Clarice was born on December 24, 1920 and died on January 25, 1921 in Walworth. She is buried at Aspleund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Edsel married Mary Morris. They lived in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Gladys Annabelle was born on June 30, 1923, she died on September 6, 1924 at the age of 14, months.
Gladys is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Mavis graduated from Ulen High School and went on to Moorhead State University. She taught for many years at Frazee, Mn. She married Ervin Swapp, he is buried at Aspelund.
Anna graduated from Ulen High School and Moorhead State University. She taught at West Concord. Anna married Burton Bisbee.
Lorraine graduated from Detroit Lakes High School. She went on to graduate from Glenwood Hills Hospital, in Minneapolis and Kahler Hospitals School of Nursing, in Rochester, Mn. She worked as a private duty nurse.
Hermine graduated from Detroit Lakes High School and Gale Institute. She married Richard Rew and they lived at Blomkest, Mn. She passed away on January 18, 1978.
Written by Mavis Sanden Swapp
Henry and Thora (Nykriem) Sannan
Henry was born in 1884 to Ole and Marit (Lien ) Sannan. He grew up in the Fossum area.
Thora Nykriem was born to Severin and Martha at Ulen, Mn in 1885.
Henry and Thora were married in 1905 at Ulen, Mn. They operated general stores, first in Ulen, then in Fossum for thirty years. In 1963 they moved to Twin Valley, Mn
They were the parents of five children; Silas, Maxwell, Harvey, Clarice (James Lien) and Ruby (Gust Burkhart).
Ole and Marit (Lien) Sannan
Ole Sannan was born on May 25, 1846 at Trondhjem, Norway to Hans Johnson and Girsten Imdatter.
He immigrated to the United States in 1870, coming to Norman County. He settled on the farm just east of the Wild Rice church in Section 5 of Flom Township, where he endured the early day struggles of pioneer life. Here he built a home.
Marit Lien was born in 1862 to Hans and Marith (Teiger) Lien in Guldbrandsdalen, Norway. She immigrated from Guldbrandsdalen, Norway in 1887.
Ole and Marit Lien were married on May 11, 1888, in the old log church of the Wild Rice congregation. The Sannen’s made their home on the farm until the 90’s when they moved to Twin Valley and were for some years engaged in a business there. They moved back to the farm for a short time, but later sold it to Erick Ballangrud, and in 1898 they moved to Felton, being engaged in a business there until 1900. From there they packed up their belongings and moved on once again this time to Ulen, Mn. Where they were engaged in the restaurant business until 1915, when they sold out and retired to a five acre tract they purchased from their son, Henry Sannan. Here they build and enjoyed a most comfortable home in their old age.
They were the parents of two children. Henry and Hannah Asleson.
Maurice and Mildred (Bergeson) Sargent
I was the fifth child born to Lauritz and Lena Bergeson and was named Mildred after my sister, who died at the age of four.
I was eight years old when we came to Norman County in 1916 and attended Home Lake School, District 44, where we had the usual amount of mumps. measles, chicken pox and small pox. To compensate for this, we had many enjoyable times when our families would gather at the schoolhouse for special holidays, bringing a bounteous lunch and to top it all off, the Basket Social which was the highlight of the fall season. My teachers were Sophie Bergeson, Mrs. Ida Boman and Ella Stondahl.
In 1922, I was quite severely burned on my arms and face and our neighbors, the John Olsons, took me into their home and let me use their bedroom to make it more convenient. Dr. Haugseth and his good wife came out regularly to take care of the burns until they were healed. Our Saviours Lutheran Church sent red carnations, Mrs. Pete Grande gave a woolen quilt and a total of $140 cash was collected for my benefit.
In 1929, I worked at the County Farm (sometimes called the Poor Farm). Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Restad were managers and Adolph later became Sheriff of Norman County.
While there, I met my husband, Maurice Sargent, who came to Green Meadow Township from Quimby lowa in 1914 with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sargent and his brothers and sisters, namely: Edwin, Roy, Alice, Edith. Louisa and Esther. They moved to Ada in 1925.
We were married September 27, 1930 and lived in Ada for the next six years while Maurice worked with Clarence (Brownie) Braaten in his farming operations and there our daughters, llene and Marlene, were born.
We then moved to the M. B. Johnson farm, southwest of Borup, where we lived for eight years and where our third daughter. LeAnn. joined her sisters. In 1944, we purchased a farm in Flom Township and here our fourth daughter, Sheila was born.
Maurice suffered a heart attack in the fall of 1950 and again good neighbors came to the rescue and did the fall plowing. History repeats itself.
We moved to Twin Valley in 1953. Maurice passed away July 21. 1956 and I have continued to make my home there.
Our daughters are now:
Ilene, Mrs. Donald Ruud, who with her husband purchased the farm in Flom Township that we lived on. They have two children: Douglas, and Donelle.
Mrs. Edgar (Marlene) Ruud is married to Donald's brother and they live on a farm a mile away. Edgar is also employed as a carpenter. They have four children: Randi, Kelly, Kevin and Robin.
LeAnn and her husband Thomas Erickson. live at Cottage Grove, Minnesota. Their four children are: Cynthia; Candace; Cherise; and Coby.
Mrs. Peter (Sheila) Ryhn and family make their home in Morris, Minnesota where Peter is a Certified Public Accountant. Their two sons are Steven and Michael.
Selma (Stende) and Helmer Sather
Selma was born on August 18, 1891, the second child of Charley and Nellie's to be named Selma. She married
Helmer Sather and they lived in Fargo, ND. They had no children. They later moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Selma died on February 2, 1965. Selma and Helmer are both buried at Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Ruth Narum Schwab
Ruth Narum Schwab, born on January 12, 1902, passed away on June 11, 1988 at Riverside, Ca. She was proceeded in death by Uncle Phil and her oldest son, Donald. Carl, David, Dick and Phillip survive.
Aunt Ruthie was the "end of the line" of the original Nels Narum family who lived in the Waubun area. She graduated from Detroit Lakes High School about 1917, and taught school near St. Cloud.
In 1904, Grandpa Nels founded the first general store in Waubun and was one of the original incorporators of the village in Mahnomen County. Uncle Albert Narum and cousin John Blomquist were among the many mayors of the village as well as businessmen promoting a small town.
Uncles Ned, Ernest, Albert and Clarence, all owned general stores in Waubun, Flom and Barnesville, with Ned and Burnetter (Nelson), later moving to Stillwater where for years they operated the I.G.A. Store, now Super Valu. Albert also operated the well-known "Rainbow’s End", a popular Sunday evening ballroom featuring large traveling orchestras.
My mother, Anna, started the first Sunday School in Waubun in 1909. We lived in Barnesville from 1921-1935 where Dad operated Olson’s Dairy. We moved to Frazee and came to Detroit Lakes in 1942.
Uncle John and Aunt Inez were Becker County residents and he was County Auditor about 1920. After he passed away Aunt Inez, who taught school in Oak Park, Il, summered in Detroit Lakes and had many friends through the Methodist Church. I have a copy of a deed from John and Inez to the First Lutheran Church property on Lake Avenue. The old Courthouse stood on the corner of Lake and Front Streets.
If there were prizes for the most letters written between families, the Narum’s would take first prize. Aunt Ruth got more news for a three-cent stamp than anyone I ever knew. Aunt Edna ran a close second.
Uncle Bill and Aunt Gladys lived in Houston, Texas, and independent Grandma Narum would take off unannounced for Houston from Barnesville with her ever-packed suitcase before my mother would know she went!
For years, in Barnesville, my Grandma furnished flowers for everybody and everything. She was a miniature Bergen’s Floral! And antiques!
We still have calendar plates and goblets, embroidery and souvenirs from the Waubun store, given as prizes with groceries. It is all part of our family history. Grandma’s all velvet 1908 hand embroidered quilt was shown here last year at the Mall. All the Aunts had a part in quilting at home.
I’m still wearing Aunt Ruth’s fur piece on a suit and have had it shown at "fashion shows" and dress-ups. Cousin Vangie Hillstead represented the Narum’s at the Waubun Diamond Jubilee Parade in 1982 with old clothes and dolls and a buggy.
The Narum family pioneering in this area were an industrious, independent and enterprising group. Nothing went to waste or waist!
I had a heavy crocheted bedspread from odds and ends store string.
Many of the Narum’s had large families and we still keep in contact. My brother, Eldred sees the California Clan. The Christmas list is still long.
We all benefited from our family closeness. When times were tough the family pitched in to help each other. The Narum’s will long be remembered by the pioneers of today, who likewise went through good and bad times, but came out the better for it by being independent and resourceful.
By Bea Wisted
Mark and Ava Jo (Skaurud) Seeger
Mark and Cindy (Rothe) Seeger
Ava Jo Skarud was born on November 3, 1956 to Donald and Marion (Logan) Skaurud. He attended school at Twin Valley and graduated with the class of 1975. While in School she was active in Band, chorus and class plays. After graduating she furthered her education at Moorhead Tech for two years. She worked one year for Dosland Law Office in Moorhead, Mn.
Ava Jo and Mark were married on November 5, 1977 in Twin Valley, Mn. They farmed in section 12 of Flom township. Ava Jo also was employed by the Twin Valley State Bank and later was employed by Twin Valley-Flom Credit union from 1989 until January 1993.
Ava Jo belonged to the Seek and Share Homemakers Club and the Twin Valley Riders Club. A lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church, she was baptized and confirmed there and held several offices in the women’s organization.
Ava Jo died on July 26, 1993 following a long battle with cancer.
Mark and Ava Jo were the parents of two children; Gina and Travis.
After Ava Jo’s death Mark married Cynthia Roth. Cindy is currently a judge in North Dakota. They continue to live on the family farm in section 12.
Richard Willys Seeger
Richard Seeger was born near Clear Lake, Iowa, on January 20, 1916 to Mr. and Mrs. William Seeger.. He was baptized in that area. In the spring of 1917 he came with hi parents to Norman County, Mn. Locating on the farm know as to Odegaard place. When about 14 years old, Richard was confirmed in the Wild Rice church. He attended school at Twin Valley, Mn and graduated in 1934. After his graduation he stayed home with his parents. He became suddenly ill on Wednesday, January 15, and passed away on January 16, at home. He was only 19 years, 11months and 26 days.
Richard was a boy of sterling qualities, who made friends with all who learned to know him. He made many friends during the years he attended the local high school, to whom news of his death came as a severe shock. In the home perfect harmony, love and kind consideration were always manifested. He leaves his father and mother; five brothers and sisters; Phillip, Janice, Duane, Allen and Carol Ruth, who keenly feel and sadly mourn the loss of a loving son and brother.
Funeral services were conducted from the Seeger home and the body taken to Clear Lake, Iowa, for burial beside that of his brother, Jewell Edward, who proceeded him in death 15 years ago.
Clara and Carl Aamoth/Andrew Severson
The following is an article from 1948, written about the tragic accident which claimed the life of Clara Severson.
Three killed and Two Injured in Auto Collison 1948
One of the most tragic accidents involving local people in many years took place last Wednesday afternooon during hazardous driving conditions caused by sleet and ice. In a head-on collision between a pickup in which Mrs. Andrew Severson, 60 and twin sons, Andrew, and Sander, all of Twin Valley, were returning from Fargo, and a car in which Mr. and Mrs. George McEvers of Baker, Mn were riding. Mrs Severson and Mr. and Mrs. McEvers were killed and both Andrew and Sander severson are still in serious condition with fractured skulls. The accident took place on Highway 32 about 2 and one-half miles north of Hitterdal, Mn, about 5:00 pm. There were no witnesses to the crash and both vehicles were badly smashed.
The tragedy was a severe shock to the family and relatives, as well as to numerous friends, and we join with the community in extending sincere condolences to the Severson family.
Mrs. severson was born in Flom township, on August 23, 1888, the former Clara Stundahl. She was married 26 years ago to Andrew Severson.
Surviving are Mr. Severson, the two son, Andrew and Sander, five daughters; Mrs. Howard (Camilla) Kindseth, Rose Ann, May, June, Mrs. Arnold (Rose Marie) Krueger. Five sisters; Mrs. Ole Stavetieg, Mrs. Guy Thompson, Mrs. Selma Smith, Mrs, Theodore Lerud, and Mrs. Ed Christensen. Six brothers; George, Marvin, Selmer, Treford, Louis and Olaf.
Funeral services took place from the St. Olaf church at Faith, Mn, monday afternoon, with Rev. C.E.L. Lucky officiating.
Reverend Theodore Lerud, brother-in-law of the deceased, spoke in behalf of the family. The church proved far too small to accommodate the large crowd attending the last rites. Burial took place in the St. Olaf church cemetery.
Clarence and Lillian (Molacek) Seykora
Clarence A. Seykora was born on August 26, 1914 near Owatanna, Mn to Joseph and Josephine (Starman) Seykora. At the age of two he moved with his family to a farm near Flom, Mn in Walworth township of Becker county. Here he grew up and attended school. He helped his father on the family farm as a youth, later farming with his father.
Lillian Molacek was born on October 28, 1914 to John and Clara (Pojar) Seykora near Callaway, Mn. She attended country school in that area and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School.
Clarence and Lillian were married on October 5, 1936 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. After their marriage they settled on a farm south of Flom in section 3 of Walworth township, here they operated a grain and dairy farm. They remained here until 1974 when they built a new home in Flom in section 33. Here they resided until their deaths. When they moved off the farm their son Warren took over the farming operation and reside there today.
In 1979 Lillian's mother Clara Molacek moved into their home in Flom and Lillian cared for her until 1990 when Clara became a resident at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, Mn.
Clarence and Lillian were active member of Aspelund Lutheran Church of Flom. Clarence, having served as a council member and as Sunday School Superintendent for several years.Lillian was active in the Ladies Aid and Circles. She also was a member of the Senior Citizens Club and the Diet Club in the area. Lillian also did daycare for Joshua Nogowski for his first year of life.
Clarence was also active in his community having served on the Ulen School Board for over 20 years, the Flom Co-op Oil Board for 24 years, and as chairman of the Wild Rice Rural Electric Board for 14 years. He also served for several years on the board of directors of the Flom Mutual Fire Insurance, Walworth township, Flom Creamery and the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center.
Clarence and Lillian were the parents of three children; Lyle (See Lyle and Sandy Seykora), Helene (Maruice Bjorgan) and Warren (See Warren and Sharon Seykora). Helene married Maurice Bjorgan and they resided in Red Lake Falls, Mn. Where they raised their four daughers; Maureen, Gaylene, Michelle and Lynelle. Helene is deceased.
Clarence died on May 3, 1991 and Lillian on December 29, 1995. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom.
Joe and Josephine (Starman) Seykora
Joe J. Seykora was born in April 1883 in Somerset township, Steele County, Mn. He married Josephine Starman in 1905. They moved to the Flom community in 1916 where they purchased a farm south and east of Flom in Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn. Joe was active in his community serving on the school board for Dist 54, Walworth Townboard and also on the Flom Cooperative Creamery Board for many years.
They had eight children. Margaret, Norine, Josephine, Helen, Jenny, Clarence (See Clarence and Lillian Seykora), Leonard (See Leonard and Hazel Seykora) and Arnold who died in infancy.
Joe Seykora died from a heart attack at the age of 54 in December of 1937. He was on his way home from Waubun at the time of his death. After his death his wife Josephine continued living on the family farm for many years. Their son Leonard took over the farm at this time.
Leonard and Hazel (Jacobson) Seykora
Leonard Seykora was raised in Walworth township in Becker County, Mn, He took over the family farm after his father's death in 1937.
Leonard married Hazel Jacobson in 1944. At this time Hazel was employed at the Flom Cooperative Creamery in Flom, working for Henry Ommodt. Leonard and Hazel stayed on the family farm where they worked hard tilling the soil. It is here they raised their three daughters: Carol (See Duane and Carol Johnson) Linda (Wally Blomseth) and Lois (Larry Malmskog).
In 1974 Hazel and Lenny sold the family farm and purchased the Elmer Anker house in Section 33 of Flom Township. This was the ideal spot for them to live as the were also custodians at Aspelund Lutheran Church. They did the custodial work for over 25 years, which also included being the grounds keeper for the cemetery.
After Leonard's death in 1997 Hazel decided it was time to move on. She had a sale and also sold the house at this time. Hazel then moved into Valley Pines in Twin Valley, Mn where she continues to live today.
Lyle and Sandy (Johnson) Seykora
Lyle C. Seykora was born on January 25, 1941 in Fargo, ND to Clarence and Lillian (Molacek) Seykora. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. He attended school and graduated with the class of 1959 at Ulen High School. After graduating he farmed with his father until 1962 when he started working for the John Deere dealership in Mahnomen, Mn.
Lyle married Sandy Johnson the daughter of Boyd and Dorothy (Voltz) Johnson on February 8, 1963 at Grace Lutheran Church in Sisseton, SD. They moved to Mahnomen following their marriage. Lyel went into partnership with Roger Viker and Russell Jeske at the Mahnomen Implement and in 1984 Roger Viker, Mike Nelsen and Lyel went into partnership. In 1989 Lyle became sole owner of the Implement.
Lyle was active in his church and community, having served as president of the Mahnomen Lion's Club and also president of the Mahnomen Booster's Club. He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen, Mn.
Lyle passed away on June 15, 1994 at Mahnomen, Mn. He is buried at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery, Mahnomen, Mn.
Lyle and Sandy were the parents of: Kim (Thomas Egan), Jeffrey, Brenda and Jeremy.
Kim is married to Thomas Egan and they have two children; Katie and Michael.
Jeremy is married to Alyssa Kerney.
Jeffrey L. Seykora was born on November 23, 1967 at Detroit Lakes, Mn., the son of Lyle and Sandy (Johnson ) Seykora. He resided in Mahnomen, Mn with his parents until his unexpected death on September 10, 1968 at his home in Mahnomen. Jeffrey was only nine months old at the time. He is buried at the Mahnomen Cemetery, Riverside.
Brenda J. Seykora was born to Lyle and Sandy (Johnson) Seykora at Detroit Lakes, Mn on March 6, 1971. She died at the age of seven months at Roseau, Mn. She had been ill since birth. Funeral services were held at First Lutheran Church, in Mahnomen with interment at the Mahnomen Cemetery, Riverside.
Warren and Sharon (Matter) Seykora
Warren was born to Clarence and Lillian Seykora. He was raised on the family farm in Walworth Township. He was baptized and confirmed in the Aspelund Church. He attended school in Ulen, MN and graduated from there. He took over the family farm and still lives there today.
He married Sharon Matter in 1974. She is the daughter of Jerome and Mary Matter of rural Callaway, MN. Sharon has a Ceramic’s business and travels around to shows in the area. They have 5 children: Anne, Amy, Jamie, Aaron and Jenae.
Alfred and Gladys (Loften) Skansgaard
Alfred Skansgaard was born Sept. 17, 1899, to Iver and Anne Skansgaard, and was raised on the family farm in Section 28 of Flom along with a sister and five brothers. Alfred was confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church. He met Gladys Loften, the daughter of local farmers, John and Inga Loften, while she was working at Jacobson’s Cafe. The couple married August 29, 1933, and together raised five children. Alfred did blacksmithing and ran a thrashing rig while they lived various places in the Flom area where a son, Gerald, and two daughters, Ann and Yvonne, were born. The Family moved to Duluth, MN. June 1941,
where two more daughters, Sharon and Charmayne, were born. They joined First Lutheran Church. The Family made many visits to Flom over the years. In Duluth, Alfred became employed by U.S. Steel and remained in that career until his retirement in 1965. When the children were older, Gladys worked seven years for Western Electric until that company moved out of Duluth. She became an employee of St. Louis County as Special Diets Cook for Miller Hospital and later as Supervisor and Head Cook for the Senior Center until her retirement July 16, 1982. Alfred and Gladys have seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Alfred passed away April 29, 1982, at his home in Duluth, MN. and is fondly remembered as a good natured easy going man. Gladys continues to live independently.
Burnelle Duane Skansgaard
Burnelle was born on July 13, 1932 at Flom, Mn to Harold and Martha Skansgaard. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. He attended school in Waubun and Twin Valley, graduating from high school in 1950. From 1951 until 1955, he served in the United States Air Force. Having been stationed in Korea for one year.
Following his discharge he worked for several years in Babbitt, and for the Reserve Mining and for Minn-Tac Mining in Virginia, Mn., as a heavy equipment operator. In 1978 he moved to Beulah, ND and worked at the coal gasification plant until 1980.
In the early 1980’s he moved to Long Beach, California and worked as a boiler maker until the mid 1980’s when he retired due to ill health. He then moved to Ada, Mn where he resided until becoming a resident at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in the fall of 1995. Burnelle died March 23, 1996 and is buried in Aspelund Cemetery.
Burnelle was a member of the American Legion, and the VFW.
Burnelle married Carol Fevig (divorced) of Ulen, Mn while he was in the service. They were the parents of four children. Mark, Mike, Joni and Jon.
Edgar and Mabel (Dorseth) Skansgaard
Edgar Thorvald Skansgaard was born on March 18, 1904 to Hans and Anna (Thorson) Skansgaard in Flom township. He grew up on the family farm in section 27 of Flom township. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn and it was here that he attended rural schools. It was the year after Edgar was confirmed that he was elected as secretary of the Aspelund Congregation, he was the youngest member ever to hold that office. He was selected because he was one of the few members able to write the minutes of the church counil in Norweigan.
Mabel Annette Dorseth was born on February 9, 1902 in section 29 of Flom township at the home of her parents Andrew and Mathilda (Korsgaden) Dorseth. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. She was raised on the home farm and attended grade school in Flom. She went to Mahnomen, Mn where she attended High School. Mabel's mother passed away in 1915, when Mabel was only 13 years old. It was after this that Andrew became a full time parents raising his family.
Edgar and Mabel were married on June 27, 1928 in a double wedding ceremony along with her brother Henry and his wife Viola (Christensen). For their honeymoon they enjoyed a camping trip to Itasca State Park. They resided in the Flom area and were active in farming, in 1936 Mabel and Edgar moved into their new home located in section 33 of Flom Township on the south edge of Flom. Mabel had purchased the land with consisted of 40 acres in section 33 and 40 acres in section 34 from her father Andrew for $1.00. Andrew had built a fine home here for his daughter and her husband to live in. Mabel and Edgar were active in farming until their retirment in the mid 60's when they went out of the Dairy operation and focused more on small grains. They later rented the farm land out, at this time Edgar focused more on his insurance business, which he operated until his retirement in 1984 at which time he sold his insurance business to Ben Syverson.
They were active in their church and community, both serving on various boards within Aspelund Lutheran Church and on the church choir. Mabel had also been active in the Sunday School. Edgar was also clerk of Flom township for 52 years, first as justice of the peace, then for several years as town clerk and as treasurer. He was secreatry of the Flom Co-op Creamery Board until 1970 when the creamery merged with Cass-Clay Creamery. Edgar was very active in working for the coming of REA, and he spent much time and traveled many miles working for that goal. He also served on and was clerk of the Flom School Board. Edgar was also memorial secretary for 25 years. Edgar enjoyed many hobbies, such as playing the organ and violin and he was a good craftsman making many beautful things from wood. He was an avid fisherman. Many an hour were spent fishing on Twin Lake with Mabel and Edgar. He was one of the few who had a pontoon, of which he had constructed himself. Mabel and Edgar were excellent singers, of which we loved to sit and listen to them sing hyms, while Edgar played the organ.
Mabel boarded many people in her home in Flom. The upstairs consisted of four rooms of which two were adjoining. Some of the people who lived here were; Helmer (Mabel's brother) Dorseth, Carl Sandal, Lois Gotchell the school marm and her three children of which we can only remember the names of two; Marilyn and Bobby and Mike and Genny Johnson lived here when they were first married.
Mabel and Edgar never had any children, but they were like a second set of grandparents to their nieces and nephews and the great-neices and nephews. Many a weekend during the summer months were spent at their lake cabin on Lynnwood of South Twin. And there always seemed to be an aray of family and friends coming through to visit.
Mabel and Edgar loved to garden. They enjoyed raising vegetables in the latter years and always had beautiful flower beds both at home and at the lake.
On June 12, 1986 Mabel went home, she had told us that she would be going home on thursday, and she did. Mabel died peacefully at St. Mary's Hospital in Detroit Lakes, Mn at the age of 84 years. A void was left in the hearts of her family and friends. After her death Edgar remained in Flom until 1987 he then went to live in the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley. Edgar passed away on December 24, 1987 at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn. He had recieved the best Christmas present ever-he went home to be with Mabel.
Submitted by Mabel's Great Niece Jennifer Dorseth Klemetson
Erland Hansen and Berith (Nilsdatter Løken) Skansgaard
Erland Hansson Kjorstadmoen was born in Sodorp, Nord Fron, Oppland, Norway to Hans Hansen and Anne Jacobsdatter on December 4, 1827. He was baptized and confirmed in Norway. He married Beret Nielsdatter Løften on November 27, 1851. Beret was the daughter of Niels Erichsen and Ragnil Thronsdatter. She was born in 1825 in Sodorp, Nor Fron, Oppland, Norway. She had the following siblings: Johannes, Kari, Thore, Mari, Mari and Erik Nielsen Loften.
Four sons were born to Erland and Beret:
Iver, (see Iver and Anne Skansgaard)
Hans, (see Hans and Anne Skansgaard)
Amund
Niels
The family is found living on the Skansgaard farm in the 1865 census of Norway and the 1875 census of Norway. Skansgård was a small farm under Kjorstad in Sør-Fron. It was a husmannsplass. It was named Skansgård when a husman came back from a war and named it so. The name is not rooted in farm names in Fron. Løften was a husmannsplassar in Nord-Fron.
Not much is known about Amund and Niels. Amund was born on January 10, 1859 and Niels was born on October 11, 1854. Amund emigrated from Bergen, Norway on March 24, 1880 on the Stjerne Line. His place of residence was given as Haus. The day before, on March 23, 1880, his brother Niels emigrated from Bergen, Norway on the Inman Line. His place of residence was given as Haus. It is not known if the brothers were in this area when they came here. We do know that they lived on the West Coast, probably in Washington State. Amund changed his name to Edward Holmer and Niels changed his name to John Ring. It is known that Amund/Edward worked on “Bergen’s banen” in Norway in 1880. The road was built at that time from Bergen to Voss. Amund/Edward also used the name A.E. Holm. He stated in one letter to his parents that he had changed his name because it was hard for people to pronounce Skansgaard. Both men were known to have been in the Salt Lake City, Utah area at the turn of the century. One letter was received from Niels/John that was written on April 29, 1894 from a hospital in Salt Lake City. He talks of being very sick and about going to San Francisco to receive treatment from a Chinese doctor. That letter he signed Neils Erlandson. Amund/Edward died in 1936 in Washington State it is presumed. A letter was received from the Royal Norwegian Consulate in Seattle, Washington. It was to do with an estate that was left after his death.
Erland and Beret emigrated from Oslo, Norway on April 25, 1884 on the Rollo. Their passage was prepaid, more than likely by one of their sons who were already all in America. Their place of residence was S. Fron and Storback was their destination in America. They landed in Quebec, Canada in May of 1884. Starbuck, Minnesota is where they first went to when they arrived here. His contract #16575 with Allan Brothers & Co. for his and Beret’s passage, reads as follows:
Erland Hansen has received of the undersigned, (agains payment of passage-money, including landing money in Quebec, Boston, Halifax, Portland or Baltimore, as specified) Through ticket #16575 for 2 adults to be forwarded to Starbuck, Minn. in the following manner:
1. By Steam-Ship to Hull, where the separate Steam-Ship ticket is to be given up;
2. By Railway to Liverpool;
3. By Steam-Ship to Quebec, Boston, Halifax, Portland or Baltimore;
4. By Railway to destination.
During the whole journey hence to America, passengers will be supplied with good and sufficient food as well as with suitable lodging; and this arrangement stands equally good in the event of any unavoidable delay or accident interrupting the journey, which in that case will be continued as soon as possible in a satisfactory manner.
Passengers must attach a full and plain address to each of their luggage packages.
10 Cubic feet Luggage pr Steam Ship and 100 pds pr. Railway free for each passenger above 12 years old; for children between 1 and 12 years of age, half the quantity.
On arriving in England, passengers must not hasten to go on shore, but wait until they are fetched by our Correspondents’ people, who will make themselves known by showing a list of all the Passenger’s names.
Passengers should not have any dealings with Interpreters. Tins and bedding should be bought in Norway or in Liverpool.
On arriving at America, Passengers must be careful not to let themselves be persuaded to take Lake-Steamer tickets instead of their railway tickets.
Passengers should hold to this contract and show it as often as they have occasion, but not give it up until they arrive at their destination.
A deposit of 20,000 Norwegian Kroner has been made to the Norwegian Government as security for due fulfilment of this contract.
E. H. Skansgaard made his Declaration of his intention to become a citizen in Pope County of Minnesota. He could not write, so he signed with an X and it was witnessed by A.L. Brevig. We do not know how long they stayed in the Starbuck area.
When they came to Flom Township, they lived in Section 27 on a farm.
Beret died May 24, 1898 and Erland died November 29, 1909. They are both buried in Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Hans Erlandsen and Anne (Thorson Volden) Skansgaard
Hans was born at Sodorp, Nord Fron, Oppland, Norway on June 16, 1863 to Erland and Beret Skansgaard. He was baptized and confirmed in his native country. In 1882, he emigrated from Norway to America. He came to Flom Township and lived in Section 27. He married Anne Torsdatter (Thorson) Volden on May 14, 1903. Anne was born to Tor Olsen Volden and Marit Iversdatter Milsteinstuen in Nord Fron, Oppland, Norway on June 26, 1865. She had two brothers who also came to America, Ole and Thorvald.
Anne immigrated to America with her parents in 1883. Her family also first went to the Starbuck area in Pope County of Minnesota as many Norwegians did who came from the Gudbrandsdalen Valley of Norway. Both Hans and Anne were very active in the Community and at Aspelund Church.
When Hans was courting Anne, he wrote her the following poem:
Fossum, Minn
Feb. 4th 1894
Oh gentle thought speak to my heart
Whenever life feels long and hard
Do sweetly fade out every pain
And cause me smile through tears again
Three children were born to Hans and Anne, they maybe would have had more, but were 38 and 40 years of age when they married.
Edgar (see Edgar and Mabel Skansgaard)
Magda (see Bill and Magda Lusso)
Harold (see Harold and Martha Skansgaard)
Hans died on May 8, 1953 and Anne died August 28, 1954. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery at Flom.
Harold and Martha (Smebak/Storbeck) Skansgaard
Harold A. Skansgaard was born on March 23, 1909 to Hans and Anne (Thorson) Skansgaard. While a young man he was employed in farming, driving truck, carpentry as well as working on the railroad for a brief time.
Martha Pauline was born on February 2, 1913, near Ulen, Mn.
Harold and Martha were married at the Wild Rice Lutheran Parsonage on January 8, 1932. They farmed near Flom and Harold also worked on road construction which included helping to build the Alaskan-Canadian (Alcan) Highway in 1942 and 1943. In 1952, he began driving bus for the Twin Valley school district and continued until 1971. From the 1960's until his retirement in 1989, at the age of 80 he was employed at the Flom Post Office.
Harold served on the Tri-Valley Board of Directors from 1977 to 1982. Together with his wife, he also served as a volunteer coordinator for transportation for many years. Harold was a life long member of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. He had served as sexton of the cemetery, on the memorial committee, and in various church council positions and also sang in the choir. His greatest enjoyment was music and he belonged to the Flom Male Quartet for several years.
Martha worked as Post Mistress for the Flom Post Office for 27 years. They lived in the living quarters behind the Post Office until the fire of 1973, which destroyed the west side of main street in Flom. At this time they purchased the home of Martin and Annie Lunde on the north end of town.
Here they remained until their deaths. Martha was a active member of Aspelund Lutheran church, having served on the Ladies Aid, Circles and was active in the Sunday School.
Harold died on September 5, 1996 at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn. Martha passed away on January 19, 1985. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Harold and Martha were the parents of one son; Burnelle
Herman and Emelia (Stuhr) Skansgaard
Herman Skansgaard was born to Iver Erlandsen and Anne (Pedersdatter Aspehaug) Skansgaard on July 12, 1905 on the Skansgaard Farm in Section 28 west of Flom. He attended Flom School and was baptised and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church.
He married Emelia Stuhr who was born on October 1, 1907 and had two children with her:
Lyle Skansgaard and Lowell Skansgaard
Later he married Betty Green in California and had a daughter with her:
Karen Skansgaard
Herman died in San Diego, California on January 1, 1957 and is buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery there.
Ingvald Skansgaard
Ingvald was born on December 3, 1922 to Oscar and Ruth Skansgaard in Flom Township. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended school at the Sunny Hill School. He lived in Flom Township his whole life and farmed.
He was very active in the Community. He served on the Church boards and Cemetery association board. He was a member of the Wild Rice Conservation Club, volunteered at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home, was a Director of the Urdahl Foundation, a member als of the American Legion and the VFW. Ingvald was a veteran of WWII, serving in Japan and the Phillippines from 1944-1946.
Ingvald had one sister, Lorraine (Bakke) and one brother, Robert, who preceded him in death.
Ingvald never married. He died on March 25, 1997 and is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Iver Erlandsen and Anne (Pedersdatter Aspehaug) Skansgaard
Iver Erlandsen Skansgaard was born in Sødorp, Nord Fron, Oppland in Norway in 1852. His parents were Erland Hansen Skansgaard and Bereth Nilsdatter. He was baptized on March 21, 1852 and confirmed in his native Norway. When he was about 28 years old, he decided to emigrate from Norway to America. He left from the Bergen, Norway Harbor on May 5, 1880.
When he first came to Minnesota, he lived in St. Paul and worked for the railroad. While in there, he met and married Anne Pedersdatter Aspehaug.
Anne was born August 18, 1861 in Øier, Oppland, Norway, in the Gudbrandsdalen Valley. She was baptized on Septpember 29, 1861. Her parents are Peder Knudsen and Sicil Pedersdatter Aspehaug. Anne had many brothers and sisters.
Her brothers were: Amund Mellum, Knud, Anders, Johannes, Matias & Ole. Her sisters were: Sina (Stueness), Anne, Karen, Anne & Ingeborg. Amund Mellum came to America with his family, but lived out his last years with the Iver Skansgaard family at Flom. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery. Sina was married to Peter Stueness and died shortly after giving birth to a daughter who also died. She is buried in Immanuel Cemetery in Flom Township.
Anne left Norway in 1889 and was heading for Baldwin, Wisconsin. Later, she moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, where she met and married Iver. Their first child was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. Cecelia (Sophie) Skansgaard, on September 22, 1891. Iver at that time was working for the railroad. He saw that with his lack of knowledge with the English language, there would be no chance for advancement. He and his wife, Anne and daughter Sophie, moved to Flom Township in Norman County. They settled down in the SW 1/4 of Section 28 and lived there until their deaths. Iver can be remembered as being seen walking to Flom carrying his cream to the Creamery. This was a daily trip in his later years when he was unable to drive his horses. Their other children are as follows:Cecelia (Sophie) Skansgaard was born on September 22, 1891 in St. Paul, Minnesota. She never married. She was a lifetime member of Aspelund Lutheran Church and is buried in the cemetery there. She died in January of 1971. She did housework in the area and later made a home and cared for Oline Hanson of Perley, Minnesota.Emil Skansgaard, born January 3, 1893 in Flom Township, he died November 17, 1967 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery. He never married and lived at home with his family.Nels Skansgaard, born September 26, 1894 in Flom Township, (See Nels and Caroline Skansgaard)
Oscar Paul Skansgaard, born September 10, 1897, (See Oscar and Ruth Skansgaard)
Alfred Skansgaard, born September 17, 1899 in Flom Township, (See Alfred and Gladys Skansgaard)
John Skansgaard was born
Herman Skansgaard, born July 12, 1905 in Flom Township. All the children attended the Flom School, located in Flom, Minnesota.
John and Joyce (Jacobson) Skansgaard
John was born to Iver Erlandsen and Anne (Pedersdatter Aspehaug) Skansgaard on September 4, 1901 on the Skansgaard Farm in Section 28 west of Flom. He married Joyce Jacobson, the daughter of Albert and Tilla Jacobson, on July 20, 1929. Joyce was confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church at Flom, Minnesota. She also helped out in the cafe that her parents operated in Flom.
Two children were born to Joyce and John: Ronald and Sandra
They lived in Grand Rapids, Minnesota where they operated a restaurant. He then worked on the Alcan Highway during WW II. He attended welding school in Vancouver, Washington and later moved to Eveleth, Minnesota where they owned and operated Johnnie’s Eat Shop and also operated a cafe in Bovey, Minnesota. They later moved to Cherry and he worked for Rhude and Fryberger Mining Company in Hibbing, Minnesota for 23 years.
John died on May 8, 1988 and is buried in Aspelund Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Nels and Caroline (Rishovd) Skansgaard
Nels Skansgaard was born to Iver Erlandsen and Anne (Pedersdatter Aspehaug) Skansgaard on September 26, 1894 on the Skansgaard Farm in Section 28 west of Flom. He married Caroline Rishovd on August 12, 1927 in Ulen, Minnesota.
Nels and his brother Alfred had a mecanic shop and gas station in Flom in the early 1930’s. Later, they moved to Hillsboro, North Dakota where he was employed as a mechanic.
The following children were born to them: Irene, married to Marvin Wendt; Blenda, married to Earl Gilbertson; Newman, Gary and Roger have all died and are buried at Riverside Cemetery at Hillsboro; Dale
Nels died as the result of a drowning accident at Lake Ashtabula in June of 1965 in North Dakota. He is also buried at Riverside Cemetery.
Caroline later married Henry Grothman of Hillsboro, North Dakota. She died and is buried at Riverside Cemetery also.
Oscar and Ruth (Stolen Engebretson) Skansgaard
Oscar Paul Skansgaard was born to Iver Erlandsen and Anne (Pedersdatter Aspehaug) Skansgaard on September 10, 1897 on the Skansgaard Farm in Section 28 west of Flom. He was baptized and confirmed in the Aspelund Lutheran Church by Rev. Larson and grew up in the Flom area, attending the Flom School.
Ruth Engebretson was born to Anna Teoline Olson on July 20, 1898 in Flom Township. She was united in marriage to Oscar at the Wild Rice parsonage by Rev. B.L. Opdahl on October 20, 1921. Ruth’s mother Anna, came from the Fidjestol Farm in Kvaas, Lyngdal, Vest Agder, Norway. She had a brother, Hans Olson and a sister Tomine Dorthea (Baukol) who also came to Flom Township.
They farmed in Flom Township for 44 years, retiring in 1965. During his life, he was quite active in church work, serving on the Board of Trustees for several years and was custodian of the Wild Rice Lutheran church for many years. He later served as cemetery sextant for several years.
Three children were born to Oscar and Ruth:
Ingvald (See Ingvald Skansgaard)
Robert (See Robert Skansgaard)
Lorraine (See Leonard and Lorraine Bakke)
Oscar died on May 8, 1970 at Crookston, Minnesota at the age of 72 years. Ruth died on October
Robert Skansgaard
Robert was born to Oscar and Ruth Skansgaard on November 27, 1927 in Flom Township.
He was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He attended Sunny Hill School.
He lived in this area his whole life with the exception of two years spent in the U.S. Army during the Korean war.
Robert had one sister, Lorraine (Bakke) and one brother, Ingvald.
Robert died on January 8, 1959 after and illness of about 18 months.
He is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Nickolai Olaf and Josephine (Hopperstad) Skauge
Nickolai Olaf Skauge was born September 24, 1873 at Spring Grove, Minnesota to Ole and Elizabeth (Rommereim) Skauge. Six years after his birth, the family moved to Norway Township in Lincoln County, South Dakota, and then later they moved to Mayville, North Dakota. Mr. Skauge’s father then took a claim for land near Clifford, North Dakota, where the family made their home until 1902. Nickolai had the following siblings:
Rachael, Anton and Ludwig who died when very young.
Mr. Skauge attended the Bruflat Academy at Portland, North Dakota for three years and from there went to Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, where he remained for three years, being called at that time to take over the management of the Wild Rice Lutheran Children’s Home. He came here to Flom Township on September 2, 1902, and on the 25th of that month was married to Miss Josephine Hopperstad of Ridgeway, Iowa.
Josephine was born in Iowa on September 19, 1882 to Endre Johanneson and Johanna E. (Thorsdatter Vold). Her father was born on October 27, 1838 in Vik, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway to Johannes Olsen Hopperstad and Barbro Lassesdatter Boe and her mother was born December 25, 1844 at Vik, Sogn og Fjordane to Tor Endreson Brekke Holstad Vold and Solveig Olsdatter Hønsi. Josephine’s parents were married November 9, 1866 in Iowa. They had the following children, which were siblings of Josephine:
John, Sylvia, Bertina, Marthilda, Theodore, Gilbert and Ole.
Nickolai and Josephine were the parents of the following children:
Ludwig, Paul, Hartwig, Adolph, Ted and Nickolai. Nickolai and Paul died at a young age. Olivia (Lind), Dorothy (Howard) and Edith (Gretter).
Nickolai was the superintendent of the Wild Rice Children’s Home in Flom Township for over 25 years. He died in 1928 and his wife Josephine died in 1963. They are both buried in Wild Rice Church Cemetery in Flom Township.
Ole A. and Elizabeth (Rommereim) Skauge
Ole A. Skauge was born on September 24, 1847 in Lindaas, Bergen, Norway. He was married their also to Miss Elizabeth Rommereim on June 27, 1870. They left Norway in 1873 with their children and came to Spring Grove, Minnesota. They lived there until 1879 when they went to South Dakota. Ole was a carpentar and he followed the trade. They lived in South Dakota until 1881 when they moved to Hillsboro, North Dakota. He was engaged in farming there until 1910, when they moved to the Wild Rice Children’s Home and lived with their son Nickolai and his family.
There were 8 children born in all to the couple. Only two were living at the time of Ole’s death in 1918. The rest died at young ages.
Nickolai A. Skauge and Rachael Skauge were the surviving children.
Both Ole and Elizabeth are buried in Wild Rice Church Cemetery in Flom Township.
Skeim Family History
This history is based on family letters by Sophia Skeim, Iris Skeim, interviews and letters from Sylvia Duckstad Quie, Lisa Locken, and current family cousins, Jeff Skeim, Erik Hanson, Luanne Skaim Tillman of Decorah, Iowa. and Barbara Murry. The narrative was written by Barbara Murry and Jeff Skeim.
Common variations of the family name are spelled Skeim, Skaim, Skieim, Skajem, and Skahjem.
Norway
Anders' grandfather, Anders Nilsen, had moved from Indrilid and married a Skajem girl and therefore became owner of the farm. Thereafter the decedents of Anders Nilsen became known by the Skajem farm name.
Anders Johanneson Skajem was born Nov 14, 1814 and wife Gertrude Veum Skeim was born April 14, 1816. Anders was the son of Johannes Anderson Skajem and being the second son was not first in line to inherit the family farm. The farm ended up going to his older brother Gjert Johannesen Skajem.
Anders Skeim was tall, blonde, right handed, enjoyed very good health, was exceedingly optimistic, and was a born leader. He was a successful farmer and a very good father.
When he was a young man he married Gertrude Veum and together, they came to the United States to establish a home.
Anders and Gjertrud’s first three children were born in Norway:
a. Ingeborg, b. 5-16-1844, Mrs. Ole T. Rogen; d. 1932
b. Kari, b. 10-24-1846, Mrs. Ole Nelson Odegard
c. Anna, b. 8-3-1849, Mrs. Baar Halverson
Anders and Gjertrud and the three children left Norway for America in 1850 or 1851. Their oldest daughter, Ingeborg Skeim (Rogen) was seven years old. It took sixteen weeks on the boat from Bergen to Gubeck (ajubeck).
Arrival: Wisconsin
The first stopping place was at Dane County, Wisconsin, in the later months of 1850 or 1851. Here, they joined the Lutheran Church at Koshkonong. J.J. and Severina were born there in Dane County, Wisconsin, and were both baptized by Rev. Preus, Koshkonong Church, the first Lutheran church in Wisconsin. This is where Ingeborg met Ole Rogen, her future husband.
When Anders Johanneson Skeim arrived, in America in 1851, he, had $.25 cents left The first thing he did was to build a house, Norwegian style for another Norwegian. It took him ten weeks to build the log house as he had to cut and prepare the logs himself. He got eighteen dollars for that. That was good pay, in those days. Then he worked for another man for two days and had to take wares instead of money. Reportedly, he either got two steer calves and an old stove or two axe handles. Wages were 25 cents a day.
John, who was often called J.J., and Severina were born in Wisconsin.
d. John (Johannes) Johnson (Johanneson) Skeim, b. 6-10-1853
e. Severina Skeim, b. 5-14-1855 Mrs. Tobias Tollefson
On to Iowa
In 1856, the Skeim family moved to Winneheik, County, and lived near Decorah, Iowa till 1868. They took a homestead and Anders worked long and hard to make his family comfortable. Here, they were members of the Rev. J. Koren’s church. John J. received a grade school education and as a young man was employed in Ben Bear’s Store. As a young man, J.J. had a serious cold that turned to pneumonia and he couldn’t do heavy work after that time. J.J. Skeim and Nikolina (Lena) Lillegraven met in 1879 in Decorah and were married there.
Norway
Lena’s father, Nikolai Stabell Jenssen Folkedal, was born in 1815. Sigrid Arnvensdtr Lillegraven was born in 1822. Nikolai married Sigrid in 1843. They had 10 children. Nikolai was a shoemaker and is listed in the census as having lived on Lillegraven in 1865. He purchased subdivision 1 of Storegraven (the Captain's farm) for 1525 speciedaller and moved there, but continued to use Lillegraven as a surname. He was a Corporal, and later a Sergeant. According to his grandson, Sverre, he was a sergeant for 25 years before he and his wife bought the farm. Often an officer had a farm as part of his wages. Nikolai died in 1888. Sigrid died in 1898. Nikolina Gurine was born on October 12, 1854. This is documented in the family papers, and at the church in Norway, although American records list both 1855 and 1856.
Lena emigrated to the states from Bergen Harbor on the 20th of April 1875, without any of her immediate family. We can speculate that she traveled with cousins or neighbors. She was about 21 years old, at the time. Her brother, Endre, (1857 -1905), had emigrated either in 1874, or on April 13, 1875. Johan (1867-1939) emigrated on May 18, 1888, and settled in Minneapolis. Letters from the family in Norway record the following description of Lena's decision to immigrate. Nikolina was helping on the farm. One night she was working in the barn pulling out hay, making suitable bundles for the cows, when she suddenly decided to leave for America. She borrowed money from her parents, and left soon after.
Lena and J.J. had nine children: Anna Sophia, Gustav Adolph, Clara Nikkolina, John Norman, Alert Melvin, Stella Margrette, George Severin, Enanda Henriette, and Guy Earnest.
Next Move: Minnesota
Anders and Gjertrud again moved to a homestead near the Wild Rice River near what was to become Flom and Twin Valley, Minnesota and lived there five years. While we don't know why they moved, we can assume they were pulled by the call of good land. It is unclear whether Anders initially worked for other land owners, or whether he initially purchased his own farm.
In approximately 1879, J. J. Skeim came up to see what the Northern Minnesota country was like.
Grasshoppers were very bad at that time. He decided not to stay, went back to Decorah, Iowa and got a clerking job at the then C.M. Goddard department store.
Both Kari and Anna and their families later moved to Norman County in 1885 or 1886.
Lena and J.J. Skeim’s children, Anna Sophie and Gustov Adolph were born in Decorah, Iowa. In 1884 or 1885, they decided to move to Minnesota to buy Anders Skeim's farm. The Railroad - Northern Pacific had been built as far as Moorhead at that time. They came on the train to Moorhead. Sophie was old enough to enjoy the trip, recalling the porters who worked on the train, while Gustov cried through much of the trip. Trips on the railroad were very difficult. The benches were hard, there was little room, and nothing to do but sit the entire time. Clara, Norman, Stella, George, Melvin, and Guy were all born there on the family farm. They attended the Wild Rice Lutheran Church and were confirmed there.
Other records differ slightly in Anders move and whether it predated JJ Skeim coming to the area. By another account, he moved to the Flom area in 1879. He lived awhile with his children, and later settled in section 11, where he had 1/4 section of land, which was later owned by his son, Johannes. Two of Anders and Gjertrud’s five children lived in the settlement, namely; John J. Skeim, and Ingeborg, or Mrs. Ole Rogen. Two lived in Moorhead, Mn; Severina, or Mrs. Tobias Tollefson and Kari, Mrs. Ole Nilson Odegaard. Daughter Anna, Mrs. Halvorson, lived near Glenwood, Iowa.
We do have records from the Deed of Record of Polk County, Minnesota, indicating Ole T. Rogen and his wife sold Anders 160 acres in the SW Quarter of Section 11 for $500 on 8-4-1880. Anders purchased the north half of the SW Quarter + the SE Quarter of the SW Quarter of Section 27 containing 120 acres for $330 on 7-29-1880, from Andrew Benson. He also purchased 160 acres in the NE Quarter of Section 29 for $500, 6-8-1880, from E.G. Holmes.
The Aettarbok for Aurland lists a Marta, who was born to Gjertrud in 1842. Marta would have been the first born and may have been an illegitimate daughter, as a Toreson is listed as her father, rather than Anders. There is a Toreson Olsen who lived on a neighboring farm, who was approximately the same age as Gjertrud. It’s possible that the family didn’t allow the marriage as Toreson may have been of the wrong social class. Marta didn’t emigrate with Gjertrud, Anders, and the other children.
One may speculate that leaving her oldest daughter behind would have been a heartbreaking event for Gjertrud. Marta, and her husband, Gjert Loven, also emigrated to the Twin Valley area in 1871 and farmed near Anders and Gjertrud. While we don’t know through written records, we can speculate that mother and daughter were finally united again.
Anders’ nephew, Johannes Gjertson Skajem and his sister Randi Skajem also later immigrated to the Twin Valley area where records show Johannes son, Gjert C. in 1895 as being 18 years old along with sisters Ingaborg 26, and Martha at 16. Anders' younger brother Johannes and sister Anna Loven
immigrated later to Decorah, Iowa where another younger brother, Nils Skajem, had already relocated from Norway. Johannes used the spelling Skaim, for his family in Iowa.
Gertrude Veum Skeim was a very capable woman of unusual character. Everyone that knew her loved her, she was always right at hand in times of trouble and her presence was most desirable. She loved the out-of-doors and would at time spend a whole day fishing at a near by creek. Once after spending
a day fishing in early spring rain and thaws, she became ill with pneumonia and died, at the age of 77. She was buried at Wild Rice Church Cemetery, near Twin Valley, Minnesota.
Severina Skeim, the youngest daughter of Anders and Gjertrud, had married Tobias Tollefson, before 1873. Their daughter, Amanda, was born in Decorah, Iowa on June 19, 1873. In 1876, Severina and Tobias, took Amanda, and along with some neighbors, started out for Minnesota in a covered wagon.
Bad luck struck them nearly right away. They had not gone very far when they had a run away and one horse broke his leg and had to be killed.
However, the courageous family bought a pair of oxen from a settler along the way and continued the journey. They milked the cow they had brought along. Their food consisted mostly of mush and milk.
There were no roads and the journey across the endless prairie was a rough one. When they came through what is now Detroit Lakes, MN, there were only a couple of houses and Lake Part had only a depot. It took them five weeks to get this far.
All the wagons went on to Clay County except the Tollefson’s and another family. They settled in Norman County on a piece of land in Section 13, two miles north and east of Flom. The first year the family lived in a dugout with a small window on one side.
Kerosene lamps were used, and when they ran out of kerosene they would burn rags soaked in a dish of lard. Amanda’s brother was born in that dugout. The closest neighbor was four miles away, and they walked to Lake Part twenty miles to get supplies and mail.
They plowed up a piece of prairie and seeded grain. Six Indians were seen walking across the field on their way to White Earth. They were sent by the Sioux Indians to get the Chippewa of White Earth Reservation to join them in war against the white people. They could clearly hear the war drums at White Earth that day, but they did not go to war as the soldiers from Fort Snelling came and pushed them back. Amanda was 12 years old when she started school, and walked four miles to and from school, with a two-month term of school for the year. She was confirmed in Wild Rice which was seven miles away. Amanda lived on the farm in Flom Township for many years. The farm was sold to her son, Guy, who has now sold it to his son, Merlyn. Merlyn and his wife, Sylvia have two children and are presently operating the farm.
Several incidents of J.J.’s life were related to Emerson Murry by his mother, Estelle Skeim. She described the time that J.J. had hired combiners to come and harvest his crops. Sparks from one of the combines set the wheat field on fire, and the entire crop was lost. J.J. came into the house, without saying a word, and went directly to bed.
Later in his life, J.J. was gored by a bull. He suffered significant injury and never fully recovered. He died several years later, and it may be speculated that the injury caused the onset of the kidney problems which lead to his death.
Obituary - Anders Skeim
Twin Valley Times
May 25, 1898, Vol 3 #20
Andres Johanneson Skeim, of town of Flom, died on Tuesday, May 24 aged 84 years. The funeral takes place next Saturday from the Wild Rice Church.
There are a number of errors in names in the obituary.
Obituary from the Fertile Journal
J. J. Skeim Passes Away: Died at His Home in Fertile on October 5th After a Long Illness
The following, taken from last weeks Fertile Journal, will be of interest to our readers, as the deceased was a resident of this section of Norman county until a few years ago, and was very well know to our residents.
After a somewhat prolonged illness, J. J. Skeim died Thursday, October 5th, of Bright's disease and heart failure. Deceased was born June 10, 1853, in Dane county, Wis. From there he moved to Iowa where he was married to Miss Lena M. Graven in 1879. He moved to Norman county in 1883, where he resided until the spring of 1912 when he came to Fertile. Deceased leaves a wife and nine children, all living. They are Mrs. B Bucksad, Melvin, Enanda and Guy, of Fertile: Adolph, of Ray, N.D., Mrs. Ed T. Gunderson, of Waubun; Norman and Mrs. R. M. Murry, of Cooperstown, N.D., and George, of Tower City, N.D.
The funeral took place Monday of this week, the remains being interred in the Pleasant Hill cemetery.
Obituary of Lena Skeim
Nikkolina Skeim Rites Conducted Here on Friday
Mrs. Nikkolina Skeim, as pioneer resident of the Fertile community died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Brown Duckstad, in Fertile, on Tuesday morning, September 21, having been in poor health the past several years. She was 87 years old.
Funeral services were conducted at the Concordia Lutheran church at two p.m. on Friday, September 24, with Rev. F. W. Tolo officiating. Vocal music was furnished by Mrs. J. B. Austinson, soloist, and the St. John’s quartette. Interment was made in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers were three sons of Mrs. Skeim - Melvin, George and Guy, and three of her sons-in-law, Victor Sellberg, Edwin Gunderson, and R. H. Murry.
Mrs. Skeim was born to Jens and Sigrid Granvin at Hardanger, Norway on October 20, 1856. When she was 18 years old she sailed to America, going to Big Canoe in Winnishiek County, Iowa.
On July 12, 1879, she was united in marriage to John J. Skeim of Decorah, Iowa. They made their home at Glenwood until the summer of 1883.
Mr. and Mrs. Skeim moved to Norman county in 1883, locating on a farm in Flom township. They remained there until the spring of 1912, when they moved into Fertile to make their home. Mr. Skeim died October 5, 1916.
Nine children were born to Mrs. Skeim, all of whom survive with the exception of a son, Adolph, who passed away December 10, 1927. The survivors are:
Mrs. Sophie Duckstad, Mrs. Victor (Enanda) Sellberg, and Melvin Skeim, all of fertile; Mrs. Ed Gunderson (Clara), Detroit Lakes, Minn; Norman Skeim, Big Lake, Minn., Mrs. Ray (Estelle) Murry, Dunseith, N.Dak., George Skeim, Litchfield, Minn., and Guy Skeim, Rolla, N.Dak.
Mrs. Skeim is also survived by 25 grand children, and 13 great grandchildren.
The Children
Anna Sophie Skeim
The oldest child of Lena and J.J. Skeim, Sophie Skeim married Brown Duckstad, in Fertile. In 1883 Brynjolf Dugstad, an eighteen year old former carpenter's apprentice from Voss, Norway, arrived at Ellis Island. He had ten dollars and a ticket on the railroad to Beltrami, Minnesota.
From Beltrami, with his satchel in hand, he walked across the prairie, past the site that was to be Fertile, east to the Lars Duckstad farm. (Father of Peter and Reverend B.J. Duckstad).
Brynjolf took the name Brown Duckstad. He worked on farms and a ranch in Dakota for four years. He saved his wages and came back to Fertile and built a building out of home sawed lumber and opened a hardware store.
Brown Duckstad continued in the hardware business until his death in 1934. He was Postmaster, served on the village council, school and church boards, helped organize the power plant, the brick factory, the Fertile Oil, and the Our own Hardware Wholesale Co. he was Vice President of the First State Bank, and chartered the American State Bank of Erskine.
Major John Benjamin Duckstad, the oldest son died in World War I in France. At the military academy, his closest friend and roommate had been Dwight Eisenhower. Lisa became a school teacher; Johnny a coach and school superintendent; Valborg, a teacher and Red Cross officer; Walter, a Navel officer, a state representative and an investment consultant; Sylvia Quie, a school teacher; Paul, a Navel officer, automobile dealer and banker; and Eleanor Vine.., a school teacher.
Obituary for Sophia Skeim
Pioneer resident of Fertile, Mrs. Brown Duckstad, died.
Mrs. Broth Duckstad, an active pioneer of the Fertile community, died Aug 18, 1975 at Elim Nursing Home in Princeton, MN, at the age of 96.
Anna Sophia was the oldest of nine children of Mr. and Mrs. John Skeim, born in Decorah, Iowa on June 28, 1879. The family and were uncle Adolph moved to Twin Valley, where they lived on a farm. At the age of 17, Mrs. Duckstad went to Moorhead to study dress designing. She worked in her profession for many years in Moorhead. She married Brown Duckstad of Fertile in 1901. Mr. Duckstad was the postmaster of Fertile, serving from 1898 to 1907. He served on the Fertile City Council in 1891, 1895, ‘96, 1900-01, and '02. He founded Fertile hardware Store about 1889 and was vice president of the First State Bank of Fertile from 1914-1947.
Mrs. Duckstad had always been very active in community activities in Fertile and was chairman of the Red Cross Chapter during the First World War in 1918, and of the Charity Sewing Circle of Concordia Lutheran Church for more than 20 years. She was an active member of Concordia Church.
Mrs. Duckstad was on the Building Committee of Concordia Lutheran Church. She was a Gold Star Mother, having lost a son, Bennie, in World War I.
Several years ago she suffered a fractured hip and had to curtail her community activities. Since her accident, she had been a resident of several convalescent homes, until recently when she began to fail in health. She had been a resident at Elim Nursing Home in Princeton, MN.
She is survived by five children; Norman Duckstad, Princeton, MN; Valborg, Seattle; Paul, Fairfax, MN; Mrs. Sylvia Quie, Farmington, MN; Mrs. Eleanor Vine, Menomonie, WI; 17 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren; a brother, Norman Skeim, Princeton, MN; 2 sisters, Mrs. Victor Sellberg of Fertile; Mrs. Estelle Murry of Bismarck, ND; and another brother, Guy Skeim of Fertile.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Walter, and three children, John Benjamin, (Bennie), Lisa Steps, and John (Johnny). Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in Concordia Lutheran Church of Fertile with Rev Ralph Teltefsen and Rev G. W. Tolo of Moorhead officiating.
Enanda Skeim and Victor Sellberg
Enanda was the favorite aunt of Sylvia Duckstad and she remembers that she loved to visit their "humble" place in the country, as they farmed near Fertile. She remembers that she was a wonderful listener for teenagers. She and Victor later bought a "tiny doll house" of a home on the same block as Lena, and lived in town.
Victor Sellberg was born October 5, 1892 at Fertile, Minnesota to August and Olina Sellberg who farmed in Norman County, near Sundal. He was born and raised there until he left home to work on the railroad. He went into the service in 1918 and returned home in 1919. He came home and on October 16, 1920, he married Enanda Skeim of Fertile. Enanda was born March 19, 1896, in Twin Valley, Minnesota to John and Lena Skeim.
Victor and Enanda farmed at Fertile in Norman County until moving to Fertile in 1960. Victor continued farming in semi-retirement for many years. They were members of St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Victor and Enanda had two daughters, June of Washington, D.C., and Mrs. James (Sylvia) Stephens of Garrison, North Dakota. One granddaughter, Diane Stephens, teaches high school in Rapid City, South Dakota.
They celebrated their 50th anniversary of St. John's church in 1970.
Victor and Enanda were living at the Fair Meadow Nursing Home the last years. They celebrated their 64th anniversary there on October 16, 1984.
Enanda passed away October 23, 1884. Victor still lives at the nursing home. He is one of the few World War I veterans. He is 94 (in 1986), and looks great and still enjoys his family and friends.
Obituary for Enanda Skeim Sellberg
Mrs. Victor (Enanda H.) Sellberg, 88, of Fertile, Mn. Died Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 23, 1984, at Fair Meadow Nursing Home in Fertile.
Mrs. Sellberg was born March 19, 1896 at Twin Valley, Mn to John and Lena Graven Skeim. She was baptized and confirmed in the Norwegian Lutheran Church and attended rural school. She moved to Fertile as a young girl with her family and worked as a dressmaker for several years. Oct 16, 1920 she married Victor E. Sellberg at Crookston, Mn. The couple lived in Norman County, where they farmed until retiring in 1960 and moved into Fertile. Victor continued to farm in semi-retirement for many years.
Mrs. Sellberg was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Fertile, and the Ladies Aid of the church and was a former adult....... Victor and Enanda just recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.
Family members include her husband, Victor of Fertile, two daughters, Mrs. James (Sylvia) Stephens of Garrison, ND, and Miss June Sellberg of Washington, CD; a sister, Mrs. Estelle Murry of Bismarck, ND: a granddaughter, Diane Stephens of Rapid City, SD and several nieces and nephews.
She as preceded in death by her parents; and brothers and sisters, George, Melvin, Norman, Buy, Clara, and Sophie.
Funeral services were held Friday, Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. in St. John’s Lutheran Church with Rev. Gerald While officiating. Interment was in the Concordia Cemetery, Fertile.
Organist was Mrs. Carroll Swenson and soloist, Mrs. Larry Brdahl. Pallbearers were Ford Hanson, Irving Indahl, Ed Kilen, Arthur Lundberg, Leroy Petry, Cyrus Sannes. Stenhoels Funeral Homes, Crookston.
Melvin and Alice Skeim
Melvin Skeim was born May 30, 1889, at Twin Valley where he grew up and attended the local
schools. As a young man he worked on farms in North Dakota and in 1912, he moved to Fertile with his parents and was employed at Brown Duckstad’s hardware store.
On June 10, 1921, he married Alice Larson, who was born August 5, 1901, in Sundal Township. They made their home in Fertile, where Mr. Skeim was then employed at the Victor Hoglund furniture store.
In 1940, they bought the store, which they owned until his death on February 14, 1956.
He was a member of the American Legion and active in community affairs. They were both active members of Concordia Lutheran Church, where Alice used her musical talents in many ways. She was a member of a local quartet and they were busy at various church and community events. She taught Sunday School at Concordia Church for many years. Alice was honored after singing in the choir for over fifty years.
Obituary for Melvin Skeim
Funeral services were held Saturday, Feb 18. For Alert Melvin Skeim who died Feb 14 at a Crookston hospital. Services were conducted at the Concordia Lutheran church in Fertile at 1:45 p.m. with Pastor G. W. Tolo officiating.
Special music at the service was furnished by Paul Rogen who sang, "Does Jesus Call," and "Behold a Host." Mrs. J. B. Austinson was organist.
The pallbearers where Norman Duckstad, James Skeim Charles Hanson, Arnold Hanson, Glenn Hanson, and Gene Skeim.
Alert Melvin Skeim was born May 31, 1889 to Lena and John Skeim, who then resided on a farm in Norman county, east of Twin Valley, Minn. At the age of 23 he moved with his parents to Fertile where he was employed at the Brown Duckstad Hardware.
He was united in marriage to Alice Larsen of Sundal on June 10, 1921. In later years he had been engaged in the furniture business here.
He was preceded in death by this father and mother, and one brother, Adolph.
Besides his wife, he is survived by four sisters, Mrs. Sophia Duckstad and Mrs. Victor Sellberg of Fertile, Mrs. Ed Gunderson of Detroit Lakes and Mrs. Estelle Murry, of St. Petersburg, Fla; three brothers, Norman Skeim of Princeton, Minn, George Skeim of Lichfield, Minn, and Guy Skeim of Crookston.
Mr. Skeim had been in poor health for a number of years and Monday, Feb 6, at 5:30 p.m. suffered a stroke and was brought to the hospital in Crookston where he died, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
He was a faithful member of Concordia congregation, attending services regularly, was a loyal citizen, a good friend and neighbor. He was a member of the American Legion Post No 233.
Gustof Adolph Skeim
G. A. Skeim, Son of Mrs. J. J., Buried December 16
G. A. Skeim, son of Mrs. J. J. Skeim and brother of Melvin and Guy, died Dec. 10, at the hospital in Billings, Montana following an operation for a ruptured appendix. Departed, whose home was at Minot, was block man for the De Laval Cream Separator Co., and was on the road at Miles City when taken ill. Upon hearing of his brother's troubles, Melvin left here Dec 2 and stayed with G. A. for a week. He seemed a little better when Melvin left for home but suffered a relapse immediately thereafter and soon passed away. The remains arrived here dec. 13 and the funeral took place Dec. 16, interment being made at Pleasant Hill cemetery.
G. A. Skeim was born at Washington Prairie, Windson County, Iowa, Dec 18, 1881. Together with his parents he moved to Flom township, Norman county, when a small boy and where he lived until he was of age. He then came to Fertile and was employed in the Brown Duckstad Hardware for three years. Leaving here for Williston, N. D. in 1908 he found employment with the Wheelock Hardware Co. where he remained for six years. It was there that he was married to Miss Gina Lewis. Upon taking up work with the De Laval Co, he moved to Minot where he made his home thereforth. He leaves behind a wife and three children, the latter being Leo 17, Leonore 11, and Charles 8, all of Minot. Also his mother, Mrs. J. J. Skeim of Fertile and four brothers and four sisters - Mrs. Brown Duckstad, Fertile; Mrs Edwin Gunderson, Waubun; Mrs. Raymond Murry, Hope, N.D.; Mrs. Victor Sellberg, Fertile; Norman, Fargo, George, Litchfield; and Melvin and Guy of Fertile.
Obituary for Guy Skeim
Guy Ernest Skeim, 78, Fertile, died Saturday, April 21, 1979, at Fair Meadow Nursing Home in Fertile.
He was born in Flom, MN, Oct. 18, 1900 the son of John and Lena Graven Skeim. He married Sylvia Glendora Fuglseth on Oct 5, 1929 at Fertile.
The couple lived in Rolla, ND where he managed the Turtle Mountain Creamery from 1937 until 1944 when they moved to Crookston where Mr. Skeim operated Skeim Refrigeration until moving to Florida in 1964.
They returned to Fertile in 1975. Mr. Skeim was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Fer4tile, a member of the Crookston Elks, and a charter member of the Crookston Eagles Aerie for 37 years.
Survivors include his wife Sylvia, one daughter, Mrs. Sheila Ward of Bradenton, FL; 4 grandsons, 2 sisters, Mrs. Estelle Murry, of Bismarck, ND, Mrs. Enanda Sellberg, Fertile and one brother, Norman, Princeton. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a son, Gene.
Funeral services for Guy Skeim were held Wednesday, April 25, 1979at 2 p.m. in Concordia Lutheran Church with Rev Ralph Teilefsen officiating. Interment will be in the Concordia Cemetery.
Special music was provided by Alice Skeim Rev Teilefsen, and Mrs. Ray Christian.
Casket bearers were Randy Fuglseth, Wayne Fuglseth, James Fuglseth, Donald Fuglseth Jr.. Roger Benbo, and Allan Johnson.
Erikson-Vik Funeral Home
Estelle Skeim Murry
1934-45
Mrs. Ray Murry was a member of the Dunseith Lutheran Ladies Aid, which had been organized Dec. 9, 1932.
Parairie Past and Mountain Memories - a history of Dunseith, N. Dak. 1882 - 1982; p. 317
Easter Song Service...
Last Sunday evening at the Community Church, an Easter song service was given by a group of singers from Dunseith & San Haven that drew a large attendance and was much enjoyed by all who were present. The members of the chorus were......Mrs. R.H. Murry...
Parairie Past and Mountain Memories - a history of Dunseith, N. Dak. 1882 - 1982; p. 336
Obituary for Estelle Skeim Murry
Twin Valley, Minn. - Estelle M Murry, 95, formerly of Twin Valley, died Sunday, March 22, 1987, in Missouri Slope Nursing Home, Bismarck.
Services will be at 5 p.m. today in Grand Forks Norman Funeral Home. Burial will be at Fertile, Minn.
Estelle Skeim was born May 22, 1891, in Twin Valley, the daughter of John and Nikoline Skeim. She attended schools in Fertile and Crookston. After she married Ray Murry in 1914 in Ray, N.D., they lived in Culbertson Mont., Hope, and Dunseith, N.D. He was a state senator from 1941 to 1949. He died in 1977.
Survivors are her son, Emerson, retired North Dakota National Guard Major General, Bismarck; daughter Marguerite Foley, Woodburn, Ore; eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
(John) Norman Skeim
Norman and Laura had a "blue baby" at Christmas time. Most of the family came to Fargo for the wake, which was held in their apartment.
Family of J.J. Skeim and Lena (Lillegraven) Skeim: Children:
a. Anna Sophie Skeim, b. 1880, d. 1975 - buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery,Fertile, MN Spouse - Brown Duckstad; b. 1865, 1934, buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery,Fertile, MN
b. Gustav Adolph Skeim b. 12-18-1881, d. 12-9-1925 buried Pleasant HillCemtery, Fertile, MN Spouse - Gina Lewis, b. 12-10-1881, d. 12-16-1974 buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Fertile, MN
c. Clara Nikolena Skeim, b. 5-20-1887, d Spouse - Edward T Gunderson
d. Estelle Margrette Skeim, b. 5-27-1892, d. 3-22-1987 - buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Fertile, MN Spouse - Raymond Henry Murry, b. 4-6-1890, d. 3-22-1977 - buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Fertile, MN
e. George Severin Skeim, b. 12-6-1894, d.
f. Enanda Henriette Skeim, b. 3-19-1896, d. 1984, - buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Fertile, MN Spouse - Victor E. Selberg, b. 1892, d. 1986
g. John Norman Skeim, b. 5-31-1899, d.
h. Alert Melvin Skeim, b. 5-31-1899, d. 1956 - buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Fertile, MN Spouse - Alice M Larson, b. 1901
i. Guy Ernest Skeim, b. 10-18-1900, d. 4-1979 Buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Fertile, MN Spouse - Sylvia Glendora Fugleseth, b. 5-7-1905, d. 5-22-1992 - buried Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Fertile, MN
Anton Sletten
Anton was born in Norway on March 8, 1889 to Peter and Marit (Lein) Sletten. When he was 5 years old, he came to America with his parents and his brother. He served with the Minnesota Home Guard and was stationed at Fort Snelling during WW I. He had never married. He farmed and worked as a carpenter. He also worked in an iron foundry in Hibbing for several years and also worked as a lumberjack. He died January 12, 1965 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery in Flom Township.
Paul and Gina (Thorpe) Sletten
Paul was born in Norway on January 3, 1891 to Peter and Marit (Lein) Sletten. He came to America with his parents when he was 3 years old.
Gina Thorpe was born October 30, 1886 in Rockwell Township of Norman County to Halvor and Gunhild Thorpe. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith, attended rural area schools and was confirmed in Zion Lutheran church by Rev. J.R. Vaaler.
Paul and Gina were married in Crookston in 1917. They lived at Hibbing three years and then moved to Rockwell Township in 1921 and to Fossum Township in 1954.
Three children were born to Paul and Gina: Palmer, Gifford and an infant daughter who died.
Paul died in August of 1975 at Twin Valley, Minnesota. He is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Gina died March 23, 1969 at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley. She is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Peter and Marit (Lein) Sletten
Peter Sletten was born in Gudbrandsdalen, Norway on February 15, 1863, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Per Sletten and attended Norwegian Parochial schools there. In 1882, he married Marit Lein. They came to America in 1894 and settled in Flom Township with his wife and small children. Much of the land was covered with timber and had to be cleared. His time was spent cutting trees and grubbing stumps. He also worked five winters at a logging camp near Hibbin, Minnesota. He also dug many wells in the area by hand. Peter also helped dig both basements of the former and present Wild Rice Churches, along with considerable work on the church yard and cemetery. He had unusual physical stamina. When he was nearly ninety years old, he helped cut and piled 1,400 oak fence posts for a neighbor.
He prided himself in raising gardens, and his specialty was raising strawberries. During the depression years, he spent some time with his nephew, Peter Haugen and family at Maddock, North Dakota.
Peter and Marit had two sons:
Anton, who was born in 1889 and died in 1965.
Paul, who was born in 1891 and died in 1975.
His wife Marit, died April 27, 1930 and is buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Peter died June 8, 1965 at Ada, Minnesota and is buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Anders H. Smidge (Smidji)
Andres H. Smidji was born on February 20, 1848 at Leikanger, Sogn, Norway to Helje and Kari (Offerdal) Rinde. He came to the United States with his parents and three sisters to Rice County, Mn in 1862. They left Rice County coming to Norman County, Mn in 1876, when he settled on a homestead in Section 26 of Home Lake township. He remained here until 1886 when he moved into Twin Valley, Mn. Anders moved in with his sister Carrie (Mons) Hammer in 1920 where he resided until his death on April 16, 1926 at the age of 79 years.
Funerals services were conducted at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn with interment at Wild Rice Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Edward and Marie (Van Dermeer) Smith
Edward Smith was born on August 19, 1890 in Pennsylvania. Marie Van Dermeer was born on October 1895 in South Dakota. Edward came to Minnesota in 1918 coming to Georgetown, Mn. He he met and married Marie Van Dermeer on April 7, 1918.
Edward took up the occupation of farming and settled in Section 5 and 7 in Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn. Marie took on the duties as a farmers wife and mother. They were the parents of three children; Margaret Hatledahl,, she and her husband had they had no children. She is now a widow and resides still in Hawley.
Ervin: (See Ervin and Rosanna Smith)
Marvin was born on June 28, 1931, he died on July 9, 1999 and is buried at the Mayflower Cemetery, Huntville, Arkansas.
Edward died at Lake Park, Mn and Marie died on January 24, 1975 at Huntsville, Arkansas, they are both buried at Riverside Cemetery in Moorhead, Mn.
Ervin and Rosanna (Buethner) Smith
Ervin was born on April, 26, 1926 in Home Lake Township, Norman County, Mn. He attended school at District 46 in Walworth, Twp, Becker County, Mn. He was baptized on July 8, 1926 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church and Confirmed on June 9, 1957 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn.
Rosanna Buethner was born on December 4th at Hunter North Dakota in Cass County ND.She was baptized and confirmed (Apirl 6, 1941) at St. John’s Lutheran Church at Hillsboro, ND.
She attended all twelve years of school at Bohnsack School, Hillsboro, ND. She furthered her education at Interstate Business College in Fargo, ND. She was employed as a Secreatry for the Army/Air Force and also at Western States Life Insuarance Company in Fargo, ND.
After Rosanna married Ervin they settled in section 7 of Walworth, Township. Later they moved across the road to Section 12 of Ulen Township where they have made their home since. Ervin passed away on December 28, 1985 at Ulen, and is buried at the Ulen Cemetery.
Ervin worked as a truck driver for Indianhead anad Glendenning Freight Truck Lines. He entered the Army on October 24, 1950 and served in the during the Korean Conflict. While serving in Korea he was awarded the Bronze Star. He was discharged on September 8, 1952. After his time in the service he returned home and started farming, later he started his own trucking "Ervin Smith Trucking".
Ervin was active in community affairs and boards having served as Post Commander of both the Ulen VFW Post 5115 and American Legion Post 412. He served on the boards for the Ulen Townboard for 19 years and also on the Tri County Elevator Board in Ulen for several years.
Rosanna took up the duties as a wife and mother, raising her children. She has been very active in their church, Calvary Lutheran in Ulen and also active in the Ladies Auxillary.
They are the parents of two children; Virginia and Richard. Virginia Lee was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lexington, Ky and confirmed at Calvary Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn. She attended school at Ulen and furthered her education one year at NDSU and one year at Wahpeton.
She married James Baron (divorced) and they are the parents of four children; Lydia, Herbert, Joanna and Mike. Lydia Kelley and her husband Jim have one child Audrianna and live in Gillette, Wy. Herbert and his wife Priscilla have two children; Jacob and Raeanna and they live in Gillette, Wy. Joanna is married to Joshua Cabral, they have one son Anthony and they live in Ft. Benning, Ga. Michael Baron lives in Ft. Benning, Ga.
Richard "Dick" Smith was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, Mn and was confirmed at Calvary Lutheran Church, Ulen, Mn. He went to Ulen-Hitterdal where he graduated from High School. He then went to Moorhead Tech in Moorhead, Mn., for two years. He married
Mary Burnside, they are the parents of three children. Jodi Armstrong lives in Ada, Mn with her two sons Colton and Steele, Dean lives in Fargo, ND and Amber is attending college at NDSU in Fargo, ND. Richard and Mary live in section 12 of Ulen township where they are active in farming, having taken over the family farm from his father Ervin.
Henry and Selma (Stundahl) Smith
Selma Stundahl was born on July 10, 1895 to Torris and Olena ( Prestegord) Stundahl. She attended rural school near Twin Valley and helped her parents on their farm. At the age of 16 she began working as a housekeeper in private homes in Fargo, ND.
Henry P. Smith and Selma Stundahl were married on March 24, 1915 in Twin Valley, Mn. After their marriage the farmed near Galesburg, Page and Chaffee North Dakota. In 1944 they moved to Halstad, Mn and opened Smith’s Locker Plan and Grocery Store. After Henry’s death Selma continued to work in the locker and Store until retiring in 1954.
Henry and Selma were the parents of T. Palmer, Harold, Donald, Dwayne, Grace (Hunter), Phyllis (Jack Farrell), Thelma (Hahn), Betty Lou (Arnold Peterson), Dolores (Dusty Rhoades), Verna (Robert Raidt), Shirley (Roy Flieth) and two children proceeded them in death; Hans Peter and Sivert.
Henry died in May 1948 and Selma on August 24, 1990. Selma is buried at Elm River Cemetery, Galesburg, ND. Henry could possibly also be buried there.
George O. and Emma Mathilda (Neil) Solberg
George (Jorgen) O. Solberg was born in Goodhue County, Mn on May 28, 1864 to Olaf and Esther (Aaker) Solberg. Both his parents were born in Norway after they were married there they immigrated to America and settled in Goodhue County. They stayed in Good hue county until their deaths.
George grew up in the Goodhue area where he attended public school. He had four siblings: Anna, Knute, Ellen and Peter.
Emma Mathilda Neil was born at Vasa, Mn on September 22, 1865 to Adolf Fredrick and Anna Katherine
(Hellegrees) Neil.
George and Emma were married on November 6, 1895 at Minneapolis, Mn. To this union eight children were born; Esther, Olaf, Harold, Clara, Helen, Victor (Knute) , Anna and Emma.
After he completed his education he started farming in Goodhue county and was admired on his successful farming operations. When he was thirty-one he left his father’s farming operation and started out for himself, farming on a tract of land in Goodhue county. Later, he became employed by the Farmers Fire Insurance Company at Vasa, Mn as their inspector. In 1913 he left Goodhue county and came to Norman county where he purchased one hundred and eighty acres in Flom township. Here he settle on with general farming operations, stock raising and breeding thoroughbred Holstin cattle.
He was a prosperous farmer and well respected by those around him. He had a fine farm with many out building which well supplied him on his farm. They were both active members in their church, Aspelund and their community; serving on the American Red Cross Association, giving that worthy organization all their moral support and of their time.
George was a true American-born citizen and was proud of it. His father served in the Civil War as a lieutenant and in the home guard. George kept up the family honor of serving their country during the Spanish- American War, he offered his services to the United States army, but since he was married, he was unable to participate.
George and Emma were members of Aspelund Lutheran Church were they are buried. George died on February 8, 1942 and Emma on May 10, 1935.
Harold and Anna (Olson) Solberg
Anna Olson was born on July 16, 1898 near Flom, Mn to Hans and Amanda (Tollefson) Olson. Here she grew up on the family farm and attended school. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
Anna and Harold were married on November 6, 1920 near Flom. They first lived in Fargo for a year before moving to Oregon City, Oregon, where they lived for two years. They returned to the Flom area where they farmed until their retirement in the early 1960’s. They remained on the farm, but spent time at Fox Lake near Detroit Lakes.
Harold died on July 17, 1966. Anna moved to the Wimmer Homes in Twin Valley, Mn where she made her home for 20 years. She was the first person to reside at the Wimmer Homes. Anna became a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Homes in 1990.
Anna was a lifetime member of Aspelund . Anna died on March 9, 1991 at the Ada Hospital. They are buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Harold and Anna were the parents of; Robert, Ramona (Harold Bettendors) and Adeline (Emmett Miller).
Robert and Velma ( Rottman) Solberg
Robert Allan Solberg was born on October 4, 1925 to Harold and Anna (Olson) Solberg near Flom. He attended country school and following graduation from Waubun High School he farmed with his parents.
Robert married Velma Rottman on September 18, 1965 in Minneapolis, Mn. They operated the family farm until the mid 1970’s. He then worked in the construction business with his brother-in-law, building houses in the Detroit Lakes area. Robert retired at the age of 65. During his retirement years he sold antique cars, tractors and parts. He enjoyed going to swap meets and reading. He was an active member of the Church of God in Fargo, ND.
Robert passed away on December 24, 1995 at his home. Funeral services were held at Anderson Funeral Home in Twin Valley, Mn with interment at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Robert and Velma were the parents of two daughters; Debbie (Thomas Randle) and Janet (Jesse Garcia).
Victor Solberg
Victor "Knute" Solberg was born on January 19,1904 at Vasa, Minnesota to George and Emma. He came to this area with his parents. He served his country in WW 2. He died on December 23, 1970 and is buried at Aspelund.
Carl A. and Oliane (Jensdatter Sethney) Solien
Carl was born in Vestre Toten, Oppland, Norway on October 18, 1858 to Andreas Hansen and Maria Olsdatter. In the 1865 census of Norway he was living with his parents on the Bakken farm in Vestre Toten and his brother Ole C. Andreasen, age 10 and his sister Helmine Andreasdatter, age 13.
When Carl was 19 years old, he decided to come to America. On June 27, 1878, he boarded the steamship “Angelo”. Before arriving in America, he decided to change his name from Andreasen to Solien, which is a farm name in Norway. His destination was Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. He more than likely took the train to Lake Park, Minnesota and then walked to Flom, Minnesota, to visit with the Dorseth’s, who came from the same area in Norway. He traveled on to Crookston, Minnesota, where he filed a claim for his land in Section 26, of Home Lake Township. There he made a dug-out for a home and went to southern Minnesota and worked for a year. When he returned to his claim, he learned from his nearest neighbor, Mrs. Jens Huseby, that Indians had been living in his dug-out, and she had been bolting her doors while the Indians were there. Carl worked on the Martin Kirkeby farm until he was married in 1881 to Oliane Jensdatter Sethney. Oliane was born in Vestre Toten, Oppland, Norway, north of Oslo, about 8 miles. She was the oldest of 7 children born to Jens A. Anderson and Marie Johannesdatter. In the 1865 census of Norway, she was living with her parents on the Gjerdingen farm in Vestre Toten. The following siblings were also living there:
Johan Andreas Jensen, age 3
Marthinus Jensen, age 1
Johanne Maria Jensdatter, age 7
Later the family moved to the Sethne Farm. At the age of 24, Oliane decided to leave Norway and departed June 3, 1880 on the steamship “Angelo”. Her destination was Lake Park, Minnesota, she later moved to Wild Rice Township until she married Carl Solien in January of 1881. Olianne was her christened name and she Americanized it to Alianna. She was a charter member of the Wild Rice Ladies Aid.
The following children were born to Carl and Alianna:
James Arthur, Joseph Harry, Otto, August, Mina, Julia Marie, Hilda A., Ovidia Clara, Clara Ovidia and Alma Henrietta.
Carl died on December 24, 1946 and Alianna died on September 13, 1930. Both are buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Albert and Jennie (Burns) Spielman
Albert was born on October 24, 1880 at St. Charles, Mn., to Andrew and Mathilda Spielman. He had six siblings: Henry, Robert, Frank, Ernest, Belle (Jeske) Guensohn and Evelyn Jensvold.
Jennie Burns was born on January 12, 1891, near Sparta, Wisconsin to Matt and Arvilla Burns. During her early eyars, she lived at St. Charles, Mn and Minneapolis where she was employed. She had four siblings: Clarence, Gene, Bert and Gladys.
Albert and Jennie were married on September 18, 1907 in Minneapolis, Mn. A son Harold was born to them on June 28, 1908. They resided in St. Charles for eight years. The family then moved to Flom township in 1915. Where they settled on a farm in section 8 of Flom Township. Charles joined the family in 1925.
Jennie was a Mid-Wife and helped with the births of many of the babies in the area. Albert passed away on October 11, 1963 and Jennie passed away on April 24, 1966. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Charles and Elenore (Nyberg) Spielman
Charles, son of Albert and Jennie Spielman was born on July 14, 1925. He is a life long resident of Flom Township. Charles received his education at Sunny Hill Country School. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Charles served our country in the military service from 1950-1953. He was also Constable for Flom Township for many years.
Charles and Elenore (Nyberg) were married on July 24, 1964 in Ada, Mn. They settled in Flom Township, living in section 8. Here they raised their three daughters; Karen, Kathy and Pam.
Besides farming with his brother Harold, he has enjoyed Gunsmithing. Charles also worked in Law Enforcement for 30 years.
Charlie and Elenore continue to live on the home farm in section 8 of Flom Township.
Harold and Ila (Aamoth) Spielman
Harold was born on June 28, 1908 to Albert and Jennie (Burns) Spielman at St. Charles, Mn. Here he grew up and was baptized. At the age of 7 the family moved to Flom Township and settled on a farm in section 8. He attended school at Sunny Hill Country School. He lived and farmed in Flom Township all his life. He had one brother, Charles.
Ila M. Aamoth was born on December 27, 1910 to Ingvald and Mina (Christianson) Aamoth in Twin Valley, Mn. She grew up in Twin Valley and it was there she received her High School Education. She attended Moorhead State Teachers College. Ila taught school for six years at Lerdal, Heiberg and Sunny Hill schools.
She had three sisters; Altha (Fred) Johnson, Cora (Melvin) Bjerke and Erna (Harold) Sherman. And two brothers: Selmer and Clifford Aamoth.
On June 29,1935 Harold and Ila Ammoth were married. . To them one child was born, and died at birth, on February 13, 1937. He is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Harold and Ila settled in section 9 of Flom Township where they farmed. Ila was church organist at the Wild Rice Lutheran Church for 55 years. She also gave Piano lesson for 35 years to many of the local children in the area. Rachel Stundahl was her first student. Harold enjoyed fishing and bowling in his spare time.
Harold died on January 28, 1988 he is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery, next to their baby. Ila continued to live on the farm until the fall of 1998, when she moved into Twin Valley, Mn. She has been a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley since 2001.
Lloyd and Ruth (Schroeder) Spielman
Lloyd Donald Spielman was born on July 19, 1924 at the home of his parents in Flom Township. He was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mahnomen, Mn and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn, on April 28, 1940. He attended school at Cheerful Nook up to the eighth grade and then went to Twin Valley High School where he graduated with the Class of 1942.
Ruth Louise Schroeder was born on October 24, 1921 at the home of her parents in Mahnomen County. She was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Mahnomen, Mn and confirmed at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mahnomen on June 13, 1937.
After Lloyd and Ruth were married they settled in Flom township and it was here that they were active in farming and raising their family. They are the parents of four children; James David, Louise Elsie, Paul Lloyd and Mark Henry.
James David was born on September 23, 1946, he was baptized on October 31, 1946 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church and was also confirmed here. He attended school at Waubun Mn, where he also graduated. On October 7, 1967 he married Marjorie Swenson, the daughter of Lawrence and Elinor Swenson of rural Flom, Mn. They are the parents of two children; June (Stine) who lived in Fargo, with her husband and three sons. James David Jr. lives in Corona California with his wife.
Louise Elsie was born on July 14, 1948. She was baptized on September 3, 1948 and confirmed in 1963 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Faith, Mn. Louise married James Stromberg on July 18, 1970 and they are the parents of Daivd, Michael and Christopher. David resides in Arden Hills, Mn. Michael resideds in Wisconsin and is a pilot. Christopher is employed at Stanford California where is teaching and researching of lasers.
Paul Lloyd was born on July 28, 1950. He was baptized on August 25, 1950 and confirmed in 1965 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. He married Catherine Powers on May 28, 1972, the have one son David Paul who works as a Nurse in St. Mary’s at Rochester, Mn.
Mark Henry was born on August 31, 1953. He was baptized on October 15, 1953 and confirmed on April 28, 1968 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. He graduated from Waubun High School. Mark married Jenifer Thompson, daugher of Kalmer and Gloria Thompson of rural Flom, Mn. They are the parents of three daughters; Kay (Burkett), Kelly (Kent) and Tammi. All three of Mark and Jenifer’s children were baptized and confirmed at Aspelund, as was Jenifer.
Allan and Diane (Neisen) Stangel
Allan E. Stangel was born on March 4, 1949 to Ernest and Lucille (Lambert) Stangel at Detroit Lakes, Mn. He attended school at Waubun, Mn where he graduated from High School.
Diane Neisen was born on October 14, 1955 to Math and Celestine (Haider) Neisen, in Mahnomen, Mn. She attended school at Mahnomen where she graduated from High School.
Allan and Diane were married on October 3, 1981 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Beaulieu, Mn. When they were first married they lived in West Fargo, ND., until 1982. At this time Allan became employed at John Deere in Mahnomen, Mn. Diane was a bookkeeper for Aakre’s TV and Appliance.
They now own their own business in Waubun, MN., Stangel’s repair. Where Allan works as a mechanic and Diane is the bookkeeper.
Allan and Diane purchased the building site previously owned by Joe and Gladys Houglum in section 23 of Flom township. They are the parents of two children; Christopher and Jennifer.
Christopher Allan was born on March 18, 1984 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. He was baptized on April 1, 1984 and confirmed on May 9, 2002 at St. Ann’s Catholic church in Waubun. Chris graduated from Waubun High School in 2002.
Jennifer Ann “Jenny” was born on August 24, 1985 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. She was baptized on September 8, 1985 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Waubun. Jenny is currently a student at Waubun- Ogema- White Earth Community Schools.
John and Nettie (Maresh) Stangel
John was born to Michael and Pauline (Fisher) Stangel at Spencer, Nebraska. He came to this area as a young child. In 1914, he married Nettie Maresh at Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Nettie was born to Joseph and Josephine (Hasek) Maresh at Pisek, North Dakota in 1895. At the age of nine, she moved with her parents to the Thief River Falls area.
John and Nettie were confirmed as adults in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church in 1954.
Two sons were born to them:
William and Ernest
John died in 1977 and Nettie died in 1986. Both are buried in Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
David and Jill (Brown) Steichen
David Lee Steichen was born to C. Roy and Alice (Peterson) Steichen on August 28, 1959 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes, Mn. As a young boy he grew up in Walworth Township in section 30. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Ulen. He was active in the Walworth Willing Worker’s 4-H club of Becker County. He was also active in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Sunday school and Luther League. He attended Ulen Elementary school and graduated in 1977 from Ulen-Hitterdal High School. He went on to further his education at Moorhead State University graduating in Business Management in May 1982. He worked for Circle E Farms of Ulen from 1978 to 1996. He joined the Army National Guard on January 20, 1994 and took his basic training at Fort Sill, Okalahoma.
David first lived in Walworth township in Becker County, Mn on the building site formerly know as the Fordyce, Harlan and Eunice Larson place. He moved to Flom township in 1985. Where he rented the former Harold "Red" Askegaard house in section 28. He lived here until 1989 when he moved to the former Clarence Stende farm in section 5 of Walworth township of Becker County. In 1990 Dave purchased the former Narum House. Mike and Genny Johnson home in Flom. Here he resided until his marriage to Jill.
It has been said that Jared paved the way for Dave’s children. From the time Jared Klemetson was born, Dave was there to take him for the day, to spend time with him and enjoy watching him grow. He filled the role of Jared’s Godfather with the love, care and guidance one can be proud of. There is a special bond between them.
Dave was an active member of the Flom community while he lived here. Always there to give a helping hand. He was a great handy man to have around and could be found fixing items for people when he was needed. He is very talented with wood working and has constructed various items in his bachelor days. He has made from entertainment centers, dressers, airplanes (for the four Klemetson kids) and made many intricately designed scroll saw clocks. These talents are now sitting on the side lines until their children are older. "I think it’s called retirement"
Dave began working for the US Postal Service in September of 1997, where he continues to work out of the Trollwood Office in Fargo, ND.
Jill Lorraine Brown was born to Arlo and Jean (Johnson) Brown on July 30, 1959 at St. John’s Hospital in Fargo, ND. She was baptized and confirmed at Dilworth Lutheran Church, Dilworth, Mn. As a young girl she was raised in Dilworth and was active in basketball, softball and Luther League. Jill graduated from Dilworth High School in 1977. She went on to further her education at Jamestown College, Jamestown, ND. After graduating in 1981, she attended St. Luke’s School of Medical Technology and became a certified medical technologist. Jill then went on to become a Lutheran Minister and received her education from Luther Seminary in 1993.
Jill accepted a position as Minister for Atlanta rural Ulen and Salem Lutheran Church, Hitterdal in January of 1994. She was actively their pastor until August 2001, after the birth of the twins when she took a leave of absence. In September 2001, Jill accepted the position of Assistant to the Bishop of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod where she is currently employed and works out of the Moorhead office.
Dave and Jill were married on December 30, 1995 at Dilworth Lutheran Church, Dilworth, Mn. They reside in Dilworth where they are raising their family of four children; Mark, Luke, Grace and Paul.
Dave and Jill are kept very busy with their jobs and raising their children. They have truly been blessed with four beautiful and active little ones. Mark arrived on December 27, 1996. He was the first to arrive and paved the way for the others. Being a parent was totally new to Jill, but as stated before, Jared had given Dave a lot of knowledge in raising babies and children. Luke James was the next to arrive, he was born on May 2, 1998. Now the Steichen’s were the parents of two handsome little boys, what more could one ask for… The good Lord saw that they were handling the two boys and decided that he would see what would happen by giving them two at one time. Thus Grace Jean and Paul Alan were born on July 26, 2000. There is never a dull moment in their lives. The family is complete.
Nels Nilsen and Marit (Stende) Steile
Marit was born in Norway to Johannes and Berit Stende on February 19, 1854. She came with her parents to America at the age of 15. She was confirmed in Norway.
Nelson Nilsen Steile was born on February 20, 1853. Marit met and married Nels Steile in Minnesota. They had only one child a daughter Marie who lived only a short time. On March 5, 1882 Nels passed away, he was only 29 years old. After his death Marit moved in with her father Johannes Stende and kept house for him, until his death in 1899. Her brother Syver Stende also lived with them.
They made their home in an upstairs apartment over the First National Bank on sixth street, in Northfield. Her occupation in the 1900 census lists Marit’s occupation as a dressmaker. Besides Marit and her brother Syver Stende, records indicated that a nephew also lived with them. His name was Nels Stende. He was born on June 1878 and had immigrated to American less than a month before the 1900 census was taken. He would be the grandson of Berit’s brother Havard.
Marit did on November 30, 1932 and is buried at the Northfield Cemetery, beside her husband Nels Steile and their daughter Marie.
Alfred and Violet "Bessie" (Franklin) Stende
Alfred was born on April 17, 1893 to John and Ingeborg (Leine) Stende. He was the youngest child of John and Ingeborg. Alfred attended grade school in a rural school and was an active member of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom ,Mn. After his father's death in 1948 Alfred and his brother Edwin stay home and did the farm work and built the barn on the home farm in Norman County. Alfred was married when he was 27 years old to Bessie Violet Franklin.
Bessie was born on Feburay 18, 1890 to Hirman and Martha Jane Franklin in Oscaloosa, Iowa. Her father died soon after her birth She made her home with her grandmother, aunt and uncle; James and Sarah McCulley. She came with them to Minnesota at the age of 16 and it was here she met and married Alfred Stende. After their marriage the continued to live on the home farm for a few years, until they purchased a farm in Walworth township, in section 5. This farm remains in the family and their son Ray continues to live there.
Alfred farmed until his health failed and he passed away in July 1934, after an illness of three years. Alfred passed away at the University Hospital in Minneapolis, Mn. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom.
Violet was a homemaker who loved gardening and canning and especially liked flowers. She was a member of the ALCW and its circles at Aspelund Lutheran Church.
Alfred and Bessie were the parents of three sons; Raymond (see Raymond Stende) , Arnold and Alfred. Alfred was born on August 20, 1934, just six weeks after his father died. After Alfred's death the family remained on the farm.
Arnold went into military service and eventually he and alfred both wen to work in the Twin Cities. Arnold married Beverly (Cavanaugh ) Benthage on December 19, 1947 (divorced). Theya re the parents of one daughter; Catherine Ann who was born in 1949. Alfred married Loraaine Joyce Olson on Ocotber 20, 1964. She died in 1974 anad is buried at the Ft. Snelling Cemetery. He then married Donna Butcher, she had one daughter Helen from he first marriage. Alfred worked for Globe Roofing in St. Paul from the time he was 18 years old until his retirement. After retiring he and his wife helped his step-daughter Helen with her daycare center. Even after Donna's death in 1990, Alfred continued to run the daycare business with Helen. Ray continue to farm and care for his mother. Bessie passed away a the Sunnyside Rest Home, near Lake Park, Mn on May 12, 1980, and is buried at Aspelund Cemetery.
Clarence and Betty (Lovejoy) Stende
Clarence Julian Stende was born on September 30, 1917 to Edwin and Nellie Stende, in rural Norman County, Mn. He attended rural schools and worked on his home farm. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Chruch, Flom. He farmed in Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn. in section 5. He married Betty Lovejoy, daughter of Charles and Genevieve Lovejoy. Betty taught school for many years and after retiring from her teaching job she reamined in Twin Valley for a few years. She now lives at Dwight, ND. They had one daughter; Mae Cynthia. Mae married Dennis Allrich of Twin Valley (divorced) and they had four children; Cindy (deceased), Wendy, Karen and Jeff. Mae married Kevin Awender of Twin Valley and they have one daughter Heather. Mae and Kevin also live in Dwight, ND.
Clarence died on November 8, 1994 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery. Betty served as church organist for many years at Aspelund. She retired from playing the organ when she moved to Dwight, ND.
Edwin and Nellie (Nelson) Stende (excerpt from the Stende Family Book)
Edwin Stende and Nellie Nelson met while Ed was out hunting and stopped at the Nelson farm to water his horse. In those days that was quite a few miles to go huntin. It leaves one wondering if Ed knew he would find more than water at the Nelson arm. At any rate, he liked what he found. Ed and Nellie were married at Lake Park on December 14, 1916 after a short courtship.
Nellie was employed at the Dr. Gosslie home in Moorhead, Mn when she and Ed were courting. That courtship consisted of sending post cards back and forth. Years later their offspring would go upstairs and look in the old trunk and read some of the cards they exchanged. Apparently Ed hadn't heard from Nellie for some time as one of his post cards carried the question, "Are you dead?" Nellie was very much alive and thoguht a great deal of her tall, dark and blue-eyed Ed and she wasn't about to let him slip away.
Nellie came from a musical family. All four of her brothers played musical instruments and played for dances at house parties in the area. She was the daughter of Charley and Anna Nelson. Charlie was railroad forman at Audubon and also served at Ulen in that capacity. Nellie was born at Cummings, ND which is about forty miles north of Fargo, ND.
Large families were common then. Nellie had five brothers and five sisters. Two of whom did not reach adulthood. Ed was the son of John and Ingeborg Stende. His parents came from Norway and settled at Northfield before coming to the Ulen/Flom area. They stayed on a place acaross the road from the now Palmer Grefsrud farm while waiting for their house to be built on the farm they purchased.
In those early years Indians would come to their place asking for food. Grandpa Stende tried to pass off some sour milk to them-which they refused. The good milk was given to them because when settlers would not give the Indians the food they requested, the Indians would ride their horses through the settler's gardens until they trampled them to nothing. Grandma Stende was afraid of them and one can imagine the fear she must have felt.
Many years later Ed would point out the old farm place where his folks lived, it is known as the Kalmer Thompson farm. After moving off the home place Ed and Nellie lived in the Flom area. For a time they lived in Flom, moving from there to a place near the Aspelund Lutheran Church in 1923. At this time Leonard Seykora's live there (it is the green house north/west of Aspelund). they also lived at the Duane (Smiley) Malmskog famr and Leslie Moore farm both in Walworth township. In 1930 they bought a farm two miles south and one mile west of Flom from Mary Chrisene from Waseca, Mn. Where they lived until retiring to Twin VAlley in 1949. By the time they bought this farm their family ahd grown with the birth of three sons and four daughter, Clarence, Eleanor, Helen, Sylve, Eugen Muiriel and Gladys. Lester was born three years after they bought the farm.
The house had two bedrooms upstairs and one downstairs. Nellie put calcimine on the walls upstairs. It was cheaper than paint and covered the brown spots on the walls. The spots, which Nellie said came from former renters who chewed tabacco. All the children grew up in this house. In the winter time when it go cold we crowded into four rooms downstairs. The dining room became the kitchen and the upstairs was closed off.
Along with farming Ed held various jobs. When he lived at Flom he was a mail carrier. He would meet the train in Syre and take the mail to FLom. He used live coals in a footwarmer to help keep warm. These old footwarmers can be seen at flea markets and antique shops. One time when he had to stay over at Syre (possibly because of a snow storm) rats or mice ate up his horse blankets.
In the winter the old pot belly stove in the living room kept the house cozy. Nellie spent a good deal of the winter making piece quilts. There were many pretty patterns with a lot of work stitching. Then she would put up the frame in the living room and we would hlep with the quilt. The younger kids would sit under the frame and push the needles back up to the one tying the quilt.
Christmas as sometimes lean on the farm during those depression years. One year there were no figts, only a box of apples to share. The children were just as excited about opening the box of apples as they would have been with gifts. Sometimes the children would put on a Chrsitmas program with just the folks as the audience. One year there were candles on teh tree, which were briefly lit, but the beautiful sight w burned forever into our memories.
Life onthe farm was not always good even though there are many fond memories. Some years there were no crops because of the drought, but we always managed to get the money somewhere to keep things going. A good share of the food was produced on the farm. During the depression years President Franklin Roosevelt devised a program called the WPA.. It was to help needy people find work. Ed worked on this program and helped build the Flom Hall. It is a beautiful building and used for many community events.
One time Ed bought a horse. He was a beautiful white animal although rather wild. Gladys and Muriel were in the woods near the fence and thought it would be fun to scare the horse when he came by. The girls jumped out of the woods and said, "Boo". The horse took one big leap over the fence and down a trail and across the fields. Needless to say, Dad, Mom and Clarence spent the entire evening rounding up the horse and that was the last them the girls had any bright ideas for some time.
In the late 1930's came rumors of war in Europe. In a few years the world had erupted into a global war and things would never be the same. Rationing of food supplies became necessary. Women left to work in war factories and everyone tried to do his share to help the war effort. Women wne to town to pick out flour and feed sacks which came in prints to use for making dresses or aprons. 4-H lcubs helped with salvage work, collectin waste fats which were used in explosives, paper, iron and everyone planted Victory gardens to help raise food.
Sylve and Eugene enlisted in the army. Sylve served in the Pacific on Saipan Island. Eugene was sent to Germany. He was killed by a sniper bullet just before the end of the war. We were home listening to reports on the radio and rejoicing that Germany had been defeated when the drayman from Ulen came with the telegram that Eugene had been killed in action. Sylve luckily came home without a scratch, but his hearing is impaired today, which is attributed to war noise.
This story was written by Muriel Stende Meyer in tribute to her family and the memories she has of their life together.
Eugene Stende
Eugene Lemoyne Stende was born on June 8,1924, at Flom, Mn, of parents Edwin and Nellie Stende. He was baptized and confirmed in Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
He was inducted into the Army and trained at Camp Blanding, August 1944. He served overseas about nine months, being constantly in combat action in France and Germany. He was cited for Superior performance of duty and given Combat Infantryman Badge by Major General James A. Fleet, Commander of the 90th Division of the Third Army. He was rapidly promoted in the field until he reached Staff Sergeant and was kill in action o April 25 while leading the attack on Lowendorf.
He is mourned by his parents, Edwin and Nellie Stende, Mrs. Edwin Oschner, Mrs. Chester Odland, Gladys, Clarence, Lester and Cpl Sylve now on furlough from the Pacific Area.
Memorial service were held from Aspelund Lutheran Church on Sept, 9, 1945, in order that his brother in service can attend.
May the fine service rendered by Eugene ever be remembered with gratitude. He is the first gold star service man of Aspelund Congregation. Eugene is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Peace be with his memory
HEADQUARTERS, 357TH INFANTRY
APO 90, c/o Postmaster
New York, New York
8 May 1945
Mrs. Nellie Stende
Box 49, Route No 2
Ulen, Mn
Dear Mrs. Stende:
The officers and men with whom he served have asked that I express to you their heartfelt sympathy over the death of your son, Staff Sergeant Eugene L. Stende, ASN 37581515, who was killed in action against the enemy on 25 April 1945. In your hour of grief it is their wish that you know that the men with whom he fought so valiantly share your loss.
He fell during operations in which the Third United States Army, after driving across central Germany to the border of Czechoslovakia, had turned south towards the Danube River and Austria. Following in the wake of advancing armored units, this regiment was eliminating pockets of enemy resistance which had been by-passed. His company had the mission of clearing the two small towns of Od and Lowendorf. A platoon guide, he was advancing towards Lowendorf with his unity when the company was fired upon by enemy troops. In the fighting which followed he was killed instantly when he was struck by an enemy rifle bullet.
He was buried in the United States Military Cemetery, Nurnberg, Germany, in Grave Number 74, Row Number 3, Plot B. A Protestant chaplain officiated at the service when he was laid to rest.
It is given, perhaps, only to those who have stood on a battlefield to know of the high courage with which your son and his comrades have so successfully carried the fight to the enemy. His devotion to duty, his loyalty and his acceptance of responsibility will forever be a credit to him and the nation he served so well.
There is nothing that I might say that can in the least measure ease your irreparable bereavement. Yet this is pride in his contribution to the cause of freedom. Our ultimate victory will provide a symbolic monument to augment the white wooden cross which now adorns his grave.
Sincerely yours,
ROY G. MOSHER
Capt., 357th Infantry
Asst. Adjutant.
Irene Stende
Irene Stende was born to John J. and Della (Jensen) Stende on September 14, 1907. She grew up in Ulen, where she attended school. After graduating she went on to NDSU in Fargo, ND. Here she recieved an education in teaching. She taught rural schools for a number of years before she became elementary prinipal in the Ulen Public school system. She later became a Junior High teach in Ulen and remained in Ulen, where she lived in the family home.
Family Information for Johannes Stende:
Johannes Stende was born to Syver Guttormson and Else Johannisdtr. Syver and Else were married on June 23, 1803. In looking through the census reports for 1801 in Norway, we find that Syver Guttormsen is listed living at home with
his parents: Guttorm Syverson age 54 and Ragnild Ovesdtr. age 50, Syver’s age 21, his siblings are Ove Guttorrmsen age 18, Groe Guttormsdtr age 24, Giertrud Guttormsdtr age 11, Ambior Guttormsdtr age 9 and Kari Guttormsdtr age 5. They reside on the Strand Farm, in Vang, Oppland, Norway.
In checking out Else’s family we find they are living on the Svien farm. Johannes Johansen age 50, Berit Nielsdtr age 44 are her parents. Their children are John-henrich Johansen age 16, Else Johannsdtr age 20, Lisbet Johannisdtr age 17, Ingeborg Johannisdtr age 10, Berit Johannisdtr age 7, Mari Johannisdtr age 4 and Ragnild Johannisdtr age 1.
Syver Guttormson and Else Johannisdtr were married on June 23, 1803.
We also found that Johannes Stende had a child Else Johannsen, who was christened on July 26, 1840. The parents are listed as Johannes Syversen and Anne Knudtsdtr, in the church records.
Johannes Syverson and Berit Johnsdatter Stende
Johannes Syverson and Berit Johnsdatter Stende were both born at Vang, Valdres, Norway. Johannes was the youngest son of Sigurd (Syver in the Norwegian Church Books) and Else, born on June, 8, 1817. Berit was born in 1814.
Johannes and Berit were married in 1850, and the children were all born in Norway. They were the parents to John Johanneson Stende born on May 12, 1951( See John and Ingeborg Stende), Marit Johannesdatter who was born on February 9, 1854 and died on November 30, 1932. Their last child was Syver Johanneson born on September 20, 1856, (See Syver J. Stende).
In 1869 Johannes and Berit Norway, coming to American, a land of opportunity and a new life. They traveled across the ocean on the Norwegian sailing vessel called Valkyrie. After 49 days aboard the ship they landed in Quebec, Canada on June 22, 1869. They may their way to Minnesota, possibly by rail and stagecoach.
The Stende’s joined the Vang Lutheran Church in Holden Township, Dennison, Minnesota in 1869. Syver the youngest child was later confirmed here. John and Marit were confirmed while they still lived in Norway. Not much is known about their lives the early years they were here. Relatives have done research and are unable to find Berit’s name in the 1880 census. It is believed that she may have died while they lived in Dennison. The census lists Johannes is listed as living with his son John and wife Ingeborg, as well as their children; Bertha, John and Julia.
In 1881 when John and Ingeborg moved from Dennison to Norman County it is believed that Johannes and Syver stayed in southern Minnesota, moving to Northfield. Here they more than likely moved in with Johannes’ daughter Marit. Johannes died in 1899 of a heart attack and is buried at the Northfield cemetery.
John "Johan" and Ingeborg (Leine) Stende
John J. Stende was born on May 12th, 1851 to Johannes and Beret (Johnsdatter) Stende in Valdres, Norway. He immigrated to America in 1869 on the Sailboat Valkyrie. They came to the Farmington and Northfield, Mn area. When they lived in Northfield they lived above the lst National Bank at the time that the Jesse James gang tried to rob it.
Ingeborg J. Leine was born on July 2nd, 1849 to Jorand and Toris Leinein Vang, Valdres, Norway. She immigrated to America at the age of 28 and settled in Goodhue County, Mn.
John and Ingeborg were married on April 11, 1874 in Goodhue County, Mn. They left Goodhue County and moved to Norman County, Mn in October of 1881. They built a log house on the farm now owened by Kalmer Thompson’s in section 31 of Flom Township. They were one of the first families of the Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn congregation.
John and Ingeborg were the parents of seven children; John, Thomas, Edwin, Alfred, Bertha, Julia and Mathilda.
John J. see John and Della (Jensen)
Thomas see Thomas and Annie Stende
Severt Edwin see S. Edwin and Nellie Stende
Alfred see Alfred and Violet (Bessie) Stende
Bertha see Bertha and Elling Nelson.
Julia was born on March 12, 1880 and married Clarence Melbye. She died on December 21, 1952.
Mathilda was born on January 22, 1888 in Flom township, she remained at home with her parents. After her father's death Mathilda and her mother Ingeborg moved into town and rented an apartment. When Ingeborg died in 1937, Mathilda moved into the home formerly occupied by the Clarence Melbye family. Mathilde did housework for several families around town. She had a long time friendship with Adolph "Duffy" Vadner but neither of them ever married. She spent the last years of her life in Eventide Nursing Home in Moorhead, she died on October 25, 1987. Mathilde was always know for her sharp toungue and quick wit. She once wrote to Sidney in her later years. "If you thing getting old is any fun, you should try it sometimes."
John J. and Della Amanda (Jensen) Stende
John J. Stende was the oldest son of Johan and Ingeborg was born on August 23, 1877. He grew up in the area and attended school at Woodland Nook, this was two miles from their home. Back in those days students were required to spend only 40 days in class. This made education minimal for farm boys.
John married Della Amanda Jensen. She was born on February 2, 1883 to Nels Peter and Rose (Burfield) Jensen in Goodhue county, Mn. John and Della grew up as neighbors in the Flom area after her parents moved here. After their marriage they lived on a farm in Walworth township, it became the the Tom Stende farm in later years. Their first three children were born here. J. Palmer, Rueben, and Irene Rose. They then moved to Ulen, Mn. Here he was a rural mail carrier for many years. The Stende's had four more children; Sidney, Donald, Russell and Ruby. He died on November 22, 1948 following Kidney surgery and is buried at the West Cemetery by Ulen, Mn. Della continue to live in Ulen with her daughter Irene until her death from complications following a broken hip on July 22, 1972.
J. Palmer and Olive (Purrier ) Stende
J. Palmer was born on October 4, 1902 to John J. and Dell (Jensen) Stende. He was born on the family farm in Walworth township (Tom Stende farm) and later moved to Ulen with his family. He married Olive Purrier who was born on July 29, 1901 to Merrill and Mary (Hodson) Purrier in Nicollet county, Mn.
Palmer and Olive began their married life in a small aprtment in Ulen where Palmer drove a dray team and wagon for O.T. Reiersgord. They moved west of Ulen to the farm that Palmer's dad owned. They later moved to a farm six miles east of Ulen. The farm was forfeited to the state for taxes and Palmer bought it after several years. This farm is located in Walworth Township, in section 21, currently owned by Carol (Lunde) and Mike Lockhart, a granddaughter to Olive and Palmer. Palmer passed away on May 24, 1970. Olive continued to live on the farm., her granddaughter Carol and her husband Mike Lockhart also lived on the home place. Later Mike and Carol built a new home, tearing down the old house. A small house was built south of the new one and Olive lived here for a number of years, until she moved into Ulen and rented an apartment there.
Palmer and Olive were the parents of three daughters; Eldora (see Stanley and Eldora Lunde), Arlene (Nygaard) and Marilyn.
Lester Stende
Lester Stende was born on December 30, 1933 to Nellie and Edwin Stende. The night he was born the kids were
awakened by the sound of a baby crying. They wondered what it could be, until Ed walked into the darkened
room with a kerosene lamp to tell them they had a new baby brother. Lester attended school at District 46 in
Walworth township. Lester worked in the Cafe in Twin Valley, and also at the Hartz Grocery Store as produce
manager. He retired from there to work full time on his antique hobby. Lester lived at the family home until
his sudden death. He cared for his parents during the time they lived and had many friends in the Twin Valley
area. Lester died on October 30, 1990 and is buried at Aspelund.
Mathilde Stende
Mathilde Stende was born on January 22, 1888 near Flom to John and Ingeborg Stende. She was raised on the family farm and attended school in the area. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
After completing her education she worked in Ulen and also in Fargo, ND. She also spent much of her life caring for her mother in the later years. After the death of her mother and two sisters she moved into Eventide Nursing Home in Moorhead, Mn.
She never married. Mathilde passed away on October 25, 1985 in Fargo, ND Interment was at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Raymond Stende
Ray Stende was born on September 14, 1921. He grew up in the Flom area, where he attended school and church. He took over the family farm and cared for his mother after his father's death. Ray was active in his church and community; having served as a 4-H Leader, Sunday School Teacher and has been on the Walworth Town Board for a number of years.
He is a member of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. Ray farmed for many years in section 5, after retirement he began working at the Shooting Star Casino, Mahnomen, Mn where he is employed today.
Severt Edwin and Nellie (Nelson) Stende
Editor's note: we have found different spellings; Syver/Sever and Severt. To clarify this Severt Edwin Stende is a nephew to Sever/ Syver Stende. They are both buried at Aspelund.
Severt Edwin "S. Edwin" Stende was born on July 22, 1885 to John and Ingeborg Stende in the log house in Norman County, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church of Flom. He grew up in Norman County, Mn. and attended school at Woodland Nook. His dad died when he was 23 years old so he stayed and helped on the family farm. He was a lifelong member of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
Nellie Nelson was born on December 6, 1892 to Charles and Anna (Anderson) Nelson in Cummings, ND. She grew up in the Cummings ND, Audubon and Ulen Mn. She moved to the Flom area with her parents in 1903.Here she attended elementary school. She was confirmed by Pastor Greenquist in the adult confirmation class at Aspelund.
Edwin Stende and Nellie Nelson were married on December 14, 1916 at the parsonage in Lake Park by Pastor Larson.
They settled near Flom and moved several times in those first few years of marriage but always staying around Flom. Later they moved to a farm two miles south and one miles west of Flom with their seven children. On son Lester, was born at their new home. They lived around here and farmed for 33 years, retiring to Twin Valley in 1949. When they retired they moved to Rwin Valley, Mn.
Edwin farmed in the area and served as a mail carrier between Flom and Syre for the Star route for five years and as janitor at Aspelund Lutheran Church for about nine years as well as his farming duties.
Nellie was a member of the Gold Star Mother of the American Legion Auxillary. After moving to Twin Valley Nellie worked as a cook at Helleruds, Cafe for a time. Nellie died on March 10,1970 and Edwin died on July 10,1972. The had fifty-five years of blessed married life. Edwin passed away on July 10, 1972. They are both buried at Aspelund Cemetery, Flom.
Edwin and Nellie were the parents of eight children; Clarence (see Clarence and Betty Stende), Eleanor (see Eleanor Odland), Helen (see Helen and Edwin Ochsner), Sylve (see Sylve and Charlotte Stende) , Eugene (see Eugene Stende), Muriel (see Orville and Muriel Meyer), Gladys (see Joe and Gladys Houglum) and Lester (see Lester Stende).
Sylve and Charlotte (Odegaard) Stende
Sylve was born on July 19, 1922 to Edwin and Nellie (Nelson) Stende. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. He attended school at District 46 and Flom. After school he entered the Army and was stationed on the Hawiian Islands and in Saipan Islands. After his discharge he farmed near Walcott, ND. Sylve served in the US Army during WW II. After completeing his military duration he came back to the Flom area. Sylve married Charlotte Odegaard on June 6, 1948. They lived in Flom in the Northwest corner of section 34, the house is currently owned by Don and Kay Johnson. They ran the Red Owl Store in Flom, they are the parents of five children. Rodney was born on November 10, 1949 and is married to Katherine Honek, Gary was born on August 17, 1951 and is married to Margaret Hagen, Susan (Klabo) was born on November 19, 1952, Peggy was born on December 31, 1957 and is married to Michael Fugelberg and David was born on July 11, 1959 and is married to Mary Thompson (who was also raised in Flom/Ulen area). The Stende's lived in Flom
until the late 1960's around 1968, they sold the store to Dorothy Johnson and Donald and Kay Johnson. The Stende's moved to Mayville where they purchased another Red Owl Store, which they operated until their retirement. Sylve and Chottie live in Portland ND now.
Syver J. Stende
September 30, 1856 to April 11, 1936 Copied from the Ulen Union; June 7, 1935.
Syver J. Stende, Long familiar figure in Northfield, retires.
Syver J. Stende who has been employed as custodian at the First National Bank for the past thirty-six years and his niece Mrs. Bertha Nelson, left Wednesday morning for Ulen, Mn where they will make their home. In appreciation of his services, Mr. Stende was presented with a gold watch by the staff of the First National Bank.
Mr. Stende, who will be eighty years old September 30, came with his parents from Norway when he was twelve years of age. The family came to Red Wing and not locating the friends whom they expected to meet, caught a ride to Farmington and then walked from Farmington to Northfield.
They located in Goodhue county near Dennison and later came to Northfield. Mr. Stende made his home in an apartment over the First National Bank with his sister, Mrs. Mary Steile, until she passed away in 1932. His niece then came to live with him.
During his many years of efficient service in Northfield he has also been employed in the offices of the late Dr. A.F. Pringle, Drs J.R. and J.G. Phillips, at the Northfield National Bank and the Congregational Church.
Mr. Stende has been a faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.
“Sever” as he is familiarly called, will be sadly missed by his Northfield friends who wish him many years of happiness in his new home.
Copied from Sever’s Obituary in the Ulen Union
Sever J. Stende died at his home in the village Saturday, April 11, at 9:15 p.m. following an illness of about nine months.
Mr. Stende was born in Vang, Valdres, Norway, September 30, 1855. His parents were Johannes and Berit Stende. At the age of 12 years he, together with his parents and a brother and sister, came to Goodhue county, Minnesota, and settled near Dennison. Here he was confirmed by Rev. B.J. Muus, Pastor of the Vangs church near Dennison. He continued to live in that community for a few years until he moved to Northfield, Mn. While there he worked at different occupations until the year 1899 when he became custodian of the First National Bank. This work he had for 36 years, until June 1, 1936, when he retired and moved to Ulen, where he lived until his death on April 1.
All the while he lived in Northfield he was a faithful member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church, and where he will be greatly missed by his friends and relatives, as there he spent the greater part of his life. He is proceeded in death by his parents, his brother John Stende and his sister Marit Steile, also a nephew Alfred Stende.
He is survived by three nephews: John, Thomas, And Edwin Stende and three nieces, Bertha Nelson, Mathilda Stende and Mrs. C.A. Melbye, all residing in Ulen and nearby community, and twenty-seven grandnieces and grandnephews.
Mr. Stende never married. His sister, who early became a widow, kept house for him till her death in 1932. Since then his niece, Bertha Nelson, made her home with him.
His funeral takes place this afternoon at 2 o’clock, from the Aspelund Church, near Flom, with Rev. A.H. Amundson, assisted by Rev. J.J. Tanner in charge.
Thomas and Annie (Johnson) Stende
Thomas Christian Stende was born on November 8, 1882 in Walworth township, Becker county, Mn. to John and Ingeborg (Leine) Stende. He grew up in Walworth township, where he attended school.
Annie Johnson was born on August 11, 1881 to the Lewis and Severina Johnson in Walworth township, Becker County, Mn. She grew up in Walworth and attended school in the area. Annie was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Thomas and Annie were married on July 1, 1911 at Aspelund. They resided on a farm south of Flom. In 1954 Thomas passed away and Annie became a resdient of the Luthrean Memorial Home on July 8, 1963. She was the last surviving member of her family and a life member of the Aspelund Lutheran Church. Annie passed away on December 5, 1964.
They are both buried at Aspelund.
Thomas and Annie were the parents of one son, Leland and two daughters Inez ( see Howard and Inez Stevens), Amy (Eddie Larson) and one infant daughter who was born and died on November 25, 1914.
Albert and Hazel (Lien) Stene
Albert Stene was born on October 14, 1900 at Twin Valley, Mn. to Mons and Soneva (Prestegord) Stene. He
grew up in the Twin Valley area.
Hazel Lien was born on May 14, 1911, to Henry O. and Anna Julia (Holum) Lien.
Albert and Hazel were married on February 19, 1930 at Twin Valley. After they were first married they stayed in the Twin Valley area before moving to Fertile, Mn where he was employed by Land O'Lakes. He worked at the plant for a number of years before going to work for Great Northern Railroad. Hazel worked as a cook at the elementary school from 1954 to 1967.
They were the parents of; Hilda (Wallace Bartz), Arvid, LaVonne (DuWayne Miller), Myron, and Darlene, one daughter Eloris Luverne proceeded them in death in 1933.
Albert died on June 19, 1967 near Rollag, Mn. in Lake Fifteen. He was in a boat when it capsized while he was fishing. Clad in heavy clothes and overshores, they believed he was pulled under by the weight of the clothing. Funeral services were held at Grace Lutheran Church in Ada, Mn. Hazel passed away on October 7, 1987. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Arvid and Corrine (Burkhard) Stene
Arvid Harlow Stene was born on November 20, 1938 at Flom, Mn. The son of Albert and Hazel (Lien) Stene. He grew up and attended school at Ada and entered the Untied States Air Force in 1956, and was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD.
Arvid married Corrine Burkhard on November 9, 1956 at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada. They first lived at Rapid City, SD and then Alaska for one year, before moving to Illinois. Following his discharge in 1964, they remained in Belleville, Illinois, he worked as a manger of a restaurant, hotel and motel for the next four years.
In 1967 they moved to Fertile , where he farmed and then began working for Tilden Farms, where he worked until his death on March 29, 1993.
He was an active member of Varnes Lutheran Church, serving as an usher, trustee and auditor. Interment was made at Varnes Lutheran Cemetery, Fertile, Mn.
B. LeRoy Stene
B. LeRoy Stene was born on Janyaryt 13, 1907, to Lars and Brita Stene. He ws married to Lucille Daniels of Twin Valley, Mn on May 17, 1933. They resided in Minneapolis for about 28 years.
LeRoy passed away at the Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in Minneapolis, Mn on January 15, 1972 at the age of 65 years. Interment was held at the Acacia Park Cemetery, Minneapolis.
Carl J. and Mary Ellen (Villebrun) Stene
Carl John Stene was born on July 22, 1902 near Twin Valley, Mn to Mons and Sonive Stene. He grew up on a farm in Fossum township, was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church and attended rural schools in the area.
Carl and Mary Ellen Villebrun were married on January 31, 1944, at the Wild Rice parsonage. After their marriage they resided on his father's farm. In 1950 they moved to Mahnomen, Mn where they spent 19 years before coming back to Twin Valley because of failing heath in April of 1969.
Carl farmed and worked on farms for many years and was a long time member of the Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Carl and Mary Ellen were the parents of Judith (Gerald Skaja) and Shirley Ann (Douglas Tovsen).
Carl passed away on December 28, 1969 at the age of 67. He is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Eloris Luverne Stene
Eloris was born to Albert and Hazel (Lien) Stene at their home in Flom township on August 16, 1932. She and her sister were staying at the home of her Grandparents Henry and Anna ( Holum) Lien while their parents were recoperating at the Sanitorium at Crookston, Mn. Eloris died on November 10, 1933 and is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Her obituary reads as follows: To them it must have been a meassage hard to get, but what a comfort as they turn to see they ways of the Savior to whom they had given her in holy baptism. How He has taken their loved one into his arms away from the trials and the works of the world into His home of glory forever.
Emil and Alma (Underdahl) Stene
Alma Underdahl was born on December 1, 1889 on a farm near Flom Mn. Her parents were Andrew and Dena Underdahl. She was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, and attended country schools in the area. She grew up on the family farm.
Emil and Alma were married on April 14, 1926, at Twin Valley, Mn. They lived in Flom township and farmed until their retirement. When they moved off the farm and into Twin Valley.
Alma passed away on December 19,1978, at the age of 89 years. They had no children. She was survived by one sister; Minnie (Groslie) of Ulen. Interment was at the Twin Valley Memorial Gardens.
Lars and Brita Stene
Lars Stene was born on Oct 21, 1850 at Aurlands Sogn, Norway to Lars Olson Stene and Lukris Knudsdatter Nesby. He also had two brothers; M.L. Stene of Twin Valley and Osten Stene of Canada. He was confirmed on June 25, 1865, and in the year 1891 he came to the United States. Here he settled in Norman County taking up a homestead where he has since lived.
On May 26, 1892 he married Brita Ericksdatter Veum, who came from Norway that spring. The were married in the Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, MN.
Lars and Brita were the parents of three sons; Louis"Lewis", Emil and B. Leroy Stene all who lived in the Flom area. Lars was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in the early days, later joining Bethlehem church until it was dissolved.
Lars died on October 19, 1933 at his home and is buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, MN.
Leonard and Rose (Johnson) Stene
Rose Helgina Johnson was born on February 6, 1912 in Flom, Mn to Herman and Rodi (Weum) Johnson. She grew up in the Flom, area in section 33 of Flom township. She attended rural school at Flom. She worked several years as a hired girl, before her marriage to Leonard Stene on June 17, 1935 at Flom. After they were married they farmed in Anthony Township, near Halstad, Mn until their retirment in 1975 when they moved into Ada, Mn. Rose entered the Lutheran Memorial Home in Twin Valley, Mn in November of 1990.
Rose and Leonard were the parents of; Carl, Gloria (Harry Boland), Sylvia ( James Olson), Betty (Richard Pigg) and Linda (Jerry Olson).
Leonard passed away in December of 1990 and Rose died on August 6, 1991 and is buried at East Marsh River Cemetery, Halstad, Mn.
Lewis and Lillie (Slette) Stene
Lewis Oscar Stene was born on December 25, 1892 on a farm in Fossum township, to Lars and Brita Stene. He was baptized in the Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. He attended contry schools and grew up on the family farm.
He enlisted in the armed service of his country from Ada on June 18, 1918 and served in the 94th Special Reserve Squad, Detachment No. 53, 163rd Depot Brigade at Vancouver, British Columbia. He was honorably discharged from Camp Dodge, Iowa, on February 1, 1919.
Lillie Theadora Slette was born to Lauritz and Thea (Ramberg) Slette on August 15, 1898 at Cottonwood, Mn. In 1901 she moved with her family to the Faith area where she attended country school and later Mahnomen High School. After completeing her education in Mahnomen she went on to Normal School and became a teacher. She taught country schools in Norman and Mahnomen counties.
Lewis married Lillie Slette on April 3, 1926 at her parents home near Faith, Mn. They made their home and farmed in Flom township for 46 years, beforeretiring and moving into Twin Valley, Mn., in 1971.
Lewis was a member of the American Legion for over 55 years and had been awarded his 50-years pin. Lewis loved music and played the violin for many years.
Lewis passed away on August 4, 1978 at the Lutheran Memorial Home in Twin Valley, Mn., at the age of 85 years. Interment at the St. Olaf Lutheran Church Cemetery, Faith, Mn. After his death Lillie remained in their home until May of 1987 when she entered the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn.
Lillie was a lifetime active member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, of Faith, Mn. She taught confirmation classes as a young woman and became a life-long member of the Ladies Aid. She enjoyed gardening, especially flowers, and she always had beautiful flowers on the farm. She also like to sew for herself and her grandchildren, and she especially like to bake the good Norwegian foods.
Lewis and Lillie were the parents of; Marian (Allan Seeger), Lois ( Myron Klemetson) and Lowell Bernard Stene.
Lowell Bernard Stene
Lowell Stene was born on February 23, 1936 to the Lewis and Lillie Stene, in Flom township. He attended school here and graduated from Twin Valley, High School in June of 1953. After graduation he moved to Moorhead, Mn where he was employed by the Lavelle Lumber Sales, Co.
At the time of his death he was operating a fork lift truck overturned, pinning him beneath it. He was taken to a Fargo hospital. He died a short time after being admitted from internal injuries, on December 18, 1954.
He was never married. He had two sisters; Lois (Myron Klemetson) and Marian (Allen Seeger).
Funeral services were held at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Faith, Mn.
Luella Stene
Luella Stene was born on September 29, 1895 to Mons and Soneva (Prestegord) Stene. She grew up in the Flom area, where she attended school. She was a member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley,
Mn. She was employed by Ole Grefsrud starting in 1923, where she worked until the time of her death on November 26, 1939.
Luella had been sick about a month when she passed away at the Ada Hospital. Funeral services were held at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, with burial in the church cemetery. She never married.
Mons L. and Soneva (Prestegaard) Stene
Mons L. Stene was born on June 8, 1869 in Aurland Sogn, Norway. He was baptized and confirmed in his native land of Norway. In 1889 at the age of twenty-one years, he immigrated to America, and settled in Flom township. Mons came to the Flom area where four of his brothers and sisters had already come and settled before him. He later bought land near Fossum, Mn in section 35.
Soneva L. Prestegaard was born on March 10, 1869 in Aurland Sogn, Norway to Lars and Lukris (Wangen) Prestegaard. As a young child she immigrated with her family to America.
First they settled in Freeborn County, Mn and then a few years later came tot the Flom area in 1883. She grew up on the family farm in Flom township.
Mons and Soneva were married on November 8, 1893. After their marriage they farmed in the area where they had 160 acres, ten milk cows and nine horses. They never had a tractor, nor much school in the English language. This did not stop him from being active in his community and church. Mons served on the township board, school board, creamery board and for many years a supervisor over road construction (building).
Mons passed away on July 18, 1943 and Soneva on January 21, 1962. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran.
Mons and Soneva were the parents of ten children; Lewis Leonard (1896-1915), Oscar (see Oscar and Rocelia Stene), Severt (see Severt and Selma Stene), Albert (see Albert and Hazel Stene), Carl (see Carl and Mary Ellen Stene), Luella (6/20/1894-9/4/1894), Luella Olena (second one ) she was born on September 29, 1895. She never married and did housework for people. She died in 1939.Thelma ( Joel Knudson) was born about 1905, Mabel (10/12/1906-6/6/1908) and Mabel Louise who was born on June 9, 1909. She married Alfred Horn on October 2, 1940. They were the parents of six children and lived in Twin Valley.
Oscar and Rocelia (Lien) Stene
Oscar R. Stene was born on October 9, 1897, the son of Mons and Soneva (Prestegord) Stene. On April 10, 1929, he married Rocelia Enanda Lien, the daughter of Henry O. and Anna (Holum) Lien, of Flom township. Rocelia was born on October 18, 1906.Oscar and Rocelia farmed in section 3 of Flom township and were members of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, MN. IN 1950 the moved to rural Gary, Mn where Oscar worked for area farmers. In 1966 they moved to Twin Valley, Mn. In 1989 they celebrated sixty years of marriage. Rocelia was an active member of her church, senior citizens, and homemaker’s club.
Oscar’s family consisted of: brothers; Lewis, Leonard, Albert, Severt and Carl, sister; Baby Luella (June 1894-Sep 1894), Luella Olena, Thelma, Mabel (October 1906-June 1908), and Mabel Louise.
Rocelia’s family consisted of: sisters; Odella (Melvin Aune) and Hazel (Albert Stene).
Oscar and Rocelia Stene are both deceased. Oscar passed away on December 1, 1989 and Rocelia passed away on February 13, 1995. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Rocelia’s parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents are all buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Three generations of her family, her father, herself and her three children, all went to school in District 12, Plentywood School. Rocelia remembered it was always a blizzard on Valentine’s Day and they had almost a three mile walk to go to school.
They were the parents of three children; Ardis, Olive and Harvey.
Ardis Sylvia was born on January 5, 1930. She married Royal Mahlum on June 26, 1949. They are retired and live in Fertile, Mn. They have three daughters; Kleone Mahlum Wangen, of Oakdale, Mn. Kleone is the mother of two children; Janelle (Mahlum ) Carrol of China Spring, Tx and she has four children, and Crystal (Mahlum )Broden of Gary, Mn and she is the mother of two children.
Olive Roleen was born on July 6, 1931. She married Donald Axdahl on June 12, 1955, they live in Frazee, Mn., and both are retired. Olive and Donald are the parents of four children; Darwin, Orwin, Glenda and Ross. Darwin lives at Frazee, Mn. Orwin resides at Box Elder, SD and has one son. Glenda (Axdahl) McMichael resides at Plano, Tx., and had two daughters. Ross resides at Warren, Mn and has one daughter.
Harvey Milo was born on January 16, 1934. He married Arlys Tolness on May 24, 1958. She passed away on October 9, 1994. They were the parents of four children; Susan, Nanette, Kevin, and Rochelle. Harvey is retired. He married Corrine Stene on August 8, 1998 and resides in Fertile, Mn.
Susan resides at Princeton, Mn and has one son. Nanette (Furman) resides at St. Cloud, Mn and has one daughter. Kevin resides at Princeton, Mn and will be married on May 31, 2002 to Debora Lynn Huber. Rochelle (Lundberg) resides at Princeton, Mn and has one daughter.
Severt and Selma Stene
Severt was born on August 16, 1899 to Mons and Soneva (Prestegaard) Stene. He grew up in the Flom area and married Slema Eide of Mayville, ND on June 16, 1927. They were the parents of twin sons who died at birth. Selma died on August 9, 1963.
After Selma’s death Severt married Borghild Myregard in 1964. They farmed in the Mayville, ND area. The both died on June 14, 1972.
Severt Stene and his wife Borghild, along with Mr. And Mrs. Olav Aarsvold, all of Blanchard, ND, drowned while on a fishing trip to Lake of the Woods in 1972. Their funerals were held jointly at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church in Fargo. A second service was held at Hillsboro, ND with burial at Perry Cemetery, near Portland, ND.
Howard and Inez (Stende) Stevens
Howard Stevens was born on January 13, 1908 to Milo and Betsy Stevens at Hawley, Mn. Inez Sylvia Stende was born on April 19, 1912 to Thomas and Annie Marie ( Johnson) Stende. Inez grew up in the rural Flom area, where she attended school and was a member of Aspleund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Howard and Inez were married on August 16, 1940. They lived on three different places in Walworth township before settling down in section 23. Here they farmed and raised their family. They were the parents to two sons; James and Wayne.
In 1946 Howard and Inez were faced with a tragedy of their home burning: Mr. and Mrs. Howard Stevens, Walworth township, lost all their hosuehold goods and other personal porperty when their hosue was destroyed by fire about 8:30 Saturday morning.
The fire started when the Stevens were in the barn milking. Mr. STevens first noticed heavy black smoke coming from the chimney as he went to fee the hogs. He rushed to the house and opened thekitche door, but was met by a rush of flame. He then ried a bedroom window, with the same result. So all he could do was watch the place burn. A favorable wind prevented spread of the fire to other buildings.
Cause of fire is unknown. There had been no fire in the furnace and breakfast was made on the gas stove, leaving on ly the pilot light burning on that. Stevens rents the farm from Ben Case.
This was only one of the tradgeies that came on Howard and Inez, it was in the 1970's they lost their barn to a fire.
In later years Howard suffered poor health and became blind. Inez continued to live on the farm following his death until because of health she moved into the Viking Manor in Ulen. Their son Jim and his family resided with them. After their deaths Jimmy continued to live on the farm until his death in 2001. Howard passed away on August 10, 1984 and Inez on March 11, 1986, they are both buried at Aspelund.
James and Elvena (Happy) (Mitchell) Stevens
Jim was born on December 9, 1932 to Howard and Inez (Stende) Stevens. He grew up in Walworth township, on the family farm. He attended school, after completeing his education he entered the armed forces. After he completed his time in the service he came back to the family farm and continued to live there until his death.
Jim married Elvena "Happy" Mitchell, she was born on November 27, 1937 to Mary Jane (Wilson) at Rock Dam, Mn. Jim and Happy were the parents of three children; Daniel, Cathy and Robert. After the children were grown, Jim and Happy divorced. Jim continued to live on the farm with his children, his parents and his uncle Leland live there for a time.
After Jim's retirment from farming he and Happy were remarried. They lived on the farm until their death's in 2001,
just weeks apart.
Danny was born on February 9, 1955, he attended school at Ulen. He attended church at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. Danny married Beverly Askelson in 1976 (divorced). They had two sons; Tee-Jay Daniel on October 22, 1976 and Tony James on January 15, 1980. Danny has worked for area farmers and is skilled at making repairs to cars and farm machinery. Danny has a daughter Tana LaShell who was born on July 5, 1983, she lives with her mother. Another daughter Jade Danielle was born on July 31, 1990, to Lisa Halvorson, the daughter of Duane and Sheryl Halvorson of Hitterdal. Jade lives with her mother in Ulen. Danny lives on the east edge of Ulen.
Cathy Stevens was born on December 13, 1957. She attended school at Ulen-Hitterdal and attended sunday school at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. Cathy married Bruce Bjorgan, son of George and Hilda Bjorgan of Ulen, Mn. Bruce and Cathy were the parents of Tyrone (1974), Victoria (1975), Michael (1976) and Crystal (1978). Cathy was tragically killed in a car accident on December 16, 1982. After her death, Bruce raised his family. He purchased his father's farmsite and continues to live there.
Robert "Bobby" Stevens was born on October 29, 1960. He attended school at Ulen-Hitterdal and graduated from there in 1978. He attended Sunday School at Aspelund Luteran Church, up to the 6th grade. Bobby married Patty Hagen, daughter of Lowell and Clarice Hagen of Hitterdal, Mn., in 1985 (divorced 1989). They are the parents of two children; Cassidy Wade born on April 20, 1984 and Cassandra Fawn born on October 29, 1987. Robert married Beck Ann Halvorson in 1990, daughter of Duane and Sheryl Halvorson of Hitterdal. They are the parents of three daughters; Robin, Brianne and Bobbi Jo. Bobby is employed by the Shooting Star Casino, where he has worked since they started.
Wayne and Irene (Jones) Stevens
Wayne Douglas Stevens was born on November 28, 1937 at Ulen, Mn to Howard and Inez (Stende) Stevens. He attended school in the Ulen area.
He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Wayne married Irene Jones of Mahnomen, Mn on March 29, 1957 at Bellville, Ill.
Wayne served his country in the Air Force and after completing his military duration he worked for Western Union until his retirement in 1989. The couple lived in various communities before moving to Carlisle, Iowa where they lived for 15 years. The last two years they had lived in Chariton, Iowa. Wayne was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and served as a scoutmaster.
Wayne died on July 9, 1990 at the Ramsey County Medical Center in St. Paul, Mn as a result of burns sustained while attempting to rescue a friend from a pickup camper fire. Wayne is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove.
Wayne and Irene were the parents of Harold and Leona (Pat Kernes).
Albert O. Stien
Albert O. was born in 1869 in Wisconsin. He received his education there and in Flom Township. He worked for his father for several years before taking up carpentry, and became engaged in building houses and farm buildings in this vicinity. He also served as Justice of the Peace for one year. Albert died on November 17, 1951 at Litchfield, Mn Hospital. He is buried at Wild Rice.
Rhoda was born in Iowa in 1880. She grew up here. She died on May 12, 1923 and is buried at Wild Rice.
Edward D. Stien
Edward D. was born in 1886 in the old log house with a shingled roof. He made his home here on the farm, farming with his brother, Julian. Edward and Julian continued to live on the farm after their fathers death in 1906. Their mother stayed with them until her death on September 5, 1940. Edward served his country in WWI. He entered the service in 1917 at Camp Dodge, and also was at Camp Logan, and Camp Upton. He served overseas in France. In 1918 he was gassed at Verdun Front and mustered out in 1919. He is a WW I Veteran. He died on October 22, 1951 and is buried at Wild Rice.
I. B. Stien
The following is the obituary for Isreal B. Stien
This community was shocked last thursday when the sad news reached here that Isreal B. Stien had been accidently killed while blasting stumps with dynamite near the John Jenson farm in the town of Fossum at about twelve o'clock on that day. Mr. Stien and two of the Jenson boys were removing stumps from a piece of land by using dynamite. When the fuse had been lighted the three men ran to what they thought was a safe distance, but Stien was struck in the head by a flying piece of the stumpand knocked unconscious.
Dr. Arneson was immediately summoned but upon reaching the Jenson home, where the unfortunate man had been taken, the doctor found life extint.
Deceased was 29 years of age and came to America from Norway eight years ago, practically all the time being spent in tthe town of Fossum. He was a hard working young man and sent most of the money earned to his aged parents who still reside in Norway. Who we understand have been in need. Beside his parents the deceased leaves two brothers and two sisters in Norway, and this entire section of the county to mourn his tragic death.
Rev. Nelson conducted the funeral service over his remains at Bethlehem Lutheran church, Monday afternoon, the chruch being crowded with sorrowing firends of the deceased.
Julian G. Stien
Julian G. was born in 1883 on the original forty acre tract he father first owned. He grew up and took over the farming operation from his father.
Peter and Gertrude (Anderson/Olson) Stien
Peter I Stien was born on January 9, 1838 in Norway. He lived in Norway until he reached the age of 30 receiving a formal education and learning his trade. He was a blacksmith, wagon maker and boat builder. It was in 1968 that he said good-bye to his native land and struck out for the New World- America.
Gertrude Olson was born in Helgeland, Norway, on October 7, 1847. She spent her childhood and girlhood days there and came to American in 1868.
Peter and Gertrude first lived in Iowa, then Wisconsin before coming to Norman County.
After he first arrived here he wandered here and there, working at his trade. In 1882 he came to Flom township. Here he found farmers who were in much need of in knowledge and abilities of his trade. The people here got together and purchased tools for him and made a fine shop. He built a log house with a clay roof and became a permanent settler of this area.
As the business throve with the passing years he found himself going more and more into farming. He started out with forty acres in section 4, but after two years he sold that and purchased eighty acres in section 5. He added more acreage to his farm all in section 5 as the years went by. Most of the land he purchased was in standing timber and needed to be cleared. The cost of doing this was about $8.00-$9.00 per acre. After it was cleared they started to raise small grains and eventually went into Shorthorn cattle and blooded swine.
Section 5 of Flom Township would be where the Wild Rice parsonage is located. Much of the land in that section is now owned by Lyle Manthe.
Peter is said to have died in 1906, but we are not sure where he is buried. He is said to be a active member in the United Lutheran Church, and served on the first church council at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. It is said that a child who died in infancy and he may be buried at Bethlehem cemetery in an unmarked grave.
Peter and Gertrude were the parents of eight children. Four died in infancy.
Albert O. was born in 1869 in Wisconsin. He received his education there and in Flom Township. He worked for his father for several years before taking up carpentry, and became engaged in building houses and farm buildings in this vicinity. He also served as Justice of the Peace for one year. Albert died on November 17, 1951 and is buried at Wild Rice.
Rhoda was born in Iowa in 1880. She grew up here. She died on May 12, 1923 and is buried at Wild Rice.
Julian G. was born in 1883 on the original forty acre tract he father first owned. He grew up and took over the farming operation from his father.
Edward D. was born in 1886 in the old log house with a shingled roof. He made his home here on the farm, farming with his brother, Julian. Edward and Julian continued to live on the farm after their fathers death in 1906. Their mother stayed with them until her death on September 5, 1940. Edward served his country in WWI. He entered the service in 1917 at Camp Dodge, and also was at Camp Logan, and Camp Upton. He served overseas in France. In 1918 he was gassed at Verdun Front and mustered out in 1919. He is a WW I Veteran. He died on October 22, 1951 and is buried at Wild Rice.
Martin and Agnes (Morgan) Strand
Martin was born in Norway in 1894. He emigrated from Norway when he was 17 years old. He married Agnes Munter in 1933 at Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Agnes was born 0n June 20, 1897 to parents Morgan E. and Marhelda (Olson) Morgan. She first married Archie Munter and they lived in Buxton and Hillsboro, North Dakota. The following children were born to them:
Lloyd, Duane, Beverly (Tarvestad), Colleen (Martin) and Alvina (Tozlain).
They later moved to Cook, Minnesota, where they lived for three years before moving to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When Archie died, she returned with her family to the Buxton area. After her marriage to Martin, they farmed in the Halstad area. In 1953, they moved to a farm east of Twin Valley in Flom Township. Martin died on February 14, 1980, Agnes stayed on the farm with her son Lloyd until 1992 wben she moved to Fargo, North Dakota to live with her daughter. She lived to be over 100 years old. She died on January 24, 1998. Both her and Martin are buried in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Anders Henningsen Stuedahl
Funeral services were held from the P. Sakrismo home Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 1 p. m. and from Immanuel church at 2 for Anders Stuedahl who passed away Thursday morning, January 12, after a lingering illness. Rev. A. H. Amundson assisted by Rev. I. J. Tanner officiated. Two solos were rendered by Harold Skansgaard accompanied on the organ by Mrs. H. Skansgaard. The body was laid to rest in the Immanuel cemetery.
Anders Henningson Stuedahl was born on Stuedahl in Tydal, Norway on Nov. 16, 1851, of parents Henning Henningson Stuedahl and wife, Ingebor Oldsdatter Stuevold. He was baptized January 3, 1852 and confirmed October 11, 1868, in Tydal's church. In 1882 he left for America and came to Lake Park andi from there to Flom to his sister. In 1892 he went back to Norway to take care of his aged father till he died. In 1894 he returned to Flom. In 1897 he bought a farm in Flom township and lived there till 1917 when he sold the farm. He then made his bome, with his sister, Mrs. Soven till her death in 1928. Since then he has made his home at the Sakrismo farm till his death. They have cared for him the past three years during his lingering illness. He passed away January 12, 1938, at the age of 87 years, 1 month and 26 days.
He leaves to mourn his passing three grand children, Arthur Kirchevold, of Pinewood, Minn.; Mrs. Iver Hoven, of Pinewood, and Mrs. Sylvia Erickson, Thief River Falls, and seven great grand children. Also two sisters, Anna Blom, of Montana, and Lucie Henningsgsard in Norway. His sister, Mrs. Nysetvold passed away three years ago and Mrs. Soven 11 years ago. He is also uncle to Mrs. P. Sakrismo.
Visitors from the outside were:
From Pinewood: Helmer Kirchevold Mrs. Hans Kirchevold, Mrs. Iver Hoven and Arthur Kirchevold.
From Gatzke, Minn.: Erik Aune, Mrs. Ole Ostby, Olaus Erickson and Thomas Ostby.
From Grygla, Minn.: Lars Nygsard, Mrs. Gust Saxvold and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Vold.
From Twin Valley: Mr. and Mrs. Ole Nysetvold and family and Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Heiberg.
Mr. Stuedahl was a kindly soul, retiring still he won the esteem of those who came in contact with him. Blessed be his memory.
Peder Pederson Stueness
Peder Stueness was born at Bjugn, Sor Tronderlag, Norway in 1850. He was born to Peder Peterson and Mabel Pederson. In 1800 he immigrated to America, settling in section 31 of Flom Township, Norman County, Mn.
Peder’s first wife Karen (last name unknown) was born in 1849 in Norway. She died on November 20, 1894 and is buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Peder married Sena Pederson Aspehaug on January 18, 1896 in Minnesota. Sena was born in Oier, Oppland, Norway in 1861 to Peder and Cecile Pedersen Aspehaug. Sena’s sister was Mrs. Iver Skansgaard. They had one daughter born was stillborn on March 12, 1899. Sena died on February 3, 1899 and is also buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom.
After the death of his second wife Peder married Bertha Mattison on June 5, 1899 in Minnesota. Bertha was born in 1870 in Ringsaker Hedmark Norway. She had immigrated to America with her two sisters, the year is unknown.
Peder Stueness passed away on October 5, 1925 and is buried at Walworth Baptist Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Bertha and Peder were the parents of; their first child was born in 1900 (Stillborn), Mabel, Agnes, Paul, Mary, Bennie and Esther.
Mabel was born in 1902, she married Clarence Gustafson (both deceased) and they were the parents of six children.
Agnes was born in 1904, she married Harold Hekala (both deceased). They lived in Buhl, Mn and were the parents of one son. He is married and lives in the Twin cities.
Paul was born in 1905 (deceased), he married Margaret Holmquist. They were the parents of 4 children.
Mary was born in 1908, she married Math Anderson (both deceased) and they were the parents of 4 children.
Bennie was born in 1910 he married Veronica Bennay (both deceased) and they were the parents of 5 children.
Esther was born in 1912, she married Andrew Sakrismo. Esther resides in the Assisted Living Apartments in Ulen, Mn. Esther will be celebrating her 90th birthday this year. (see Sakrismo)
Peder and Bertha also opened their hearts and home to two Foster Children; Herman and Christine. Herman married Berth on June 12, 1927 in Norman County, both are deceased and buried at Walworth Baptist Cemetery. Christine married Leonard Burtness. They moved to Washington State where their children reside today.
Editor’s note: Two miles west of Flom use to be known as “3 Pete Corner” as Peder Stueness, Peder Sakrismo and Pete Johnson all lived there at one time.
Edvar and Austine (Stundahl) Christensen
Edvar Christensen was born in 1895 to Julius and Kjerstin (Sorenson) Christensen at West Branch, Ia. As a oung man, he moved with his parents to Faith, Mn. there they farmed.
Austine Stundahl was born in 1896 to Torris and Olena (Prestegord) Stundahl. After her marriage to Edvar they rented land until 1942, when they purchased a farm near Ulen, Mn. Here they stayed and farmed for nearly forty years. They had one son Thoris, who grew up and married Rose, they also farmed all their lives in the Ulen area and raised their family there. Their daughter; Kathryn (Lloyd Hegg). Besides raising their own children they also raised a niece, Violet Rose Stundahl (John Williams) when illness made it impossible for her parents (Lewis and Hulda Stundahl) to care for her. They were a caring couple and enjoyed being with neighbors, friends and relatives.
Edvar died on December 1, 1956 and Austine died on May 22, 1970, they are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Elster and Joyce (Underdahl) Stundal
Elster Stundahl was born in 1921 in Flom township to Lars and Bella Stundahl. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. He grew up on the family farm northwest of Flom. He grew up here and attended school at Sunny Hill grade school and then went to Twin Valley. After completing his education he worled with his parents on their farm and took over the operation after his father's death.
Joyce Ione Underdahl was born on March 8, 1927, at Virginia, Mn. to Arthur and Frieda Underdahl.
She was baptized at Virginia, Mn and confiremd at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. She attended elementary schools and high school at Twin Valley, Mn.
Elster and Joyce were married on June 17, 1944 at Wild Rice. They made their home on a farm in Flom township in section 17, for several years, moving to Twin Valley in 1969. When they lived in Twin Valley, they were both employed by the Viking Snowmobile Plant, in town. He was one of the last employee's working at the Viking plant when it closed it's doors in the mid 1970's. After retirement he became active as a Tri-Valley volunteer.
Elster loved music and played the guitar. He was an active member of Wild Rice Lutheran Church, having served on various boards and offices for the church. Joyce kept busy with the daily tasks of being a farmers wife and a mother to their children. She also taught Sunday School for nine years, and was active in the Wild Rice ALCW and it's circles. The last few years she worked at the South Side Cafe.
Elster and Joyce were the parents of; Larry, Roger, Jodi and Karen (Dennis Meland). Joyce passed away in 1974. After her death Elster married Sharon Torkelson. Elster passed away in 1985. Elster and Joyce are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
George Stundahl
George C. Stundahl was born on August 19, 1905 to Torris and Olena Stundahl, in Flom township. He grew up in the Flom area where he attended school. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran church. He never married.
George served his country during World War II, He entered the U.S. Air Force on May 27, 1942, at Ft Snelling. He was
honorabley discharged on September 22, 1945 afrom AAF Ordnance, Keans, Utah. He had served overseas in Panama.
Returning home after his discharge he began farming which he did until his death on April 10, 1967, at his home. He was 61 years old. George was a member of the Wild Rice Church, Nesseth-Lien Post 431 of the American Legion. He is buried at Wild Rice.
Lars and Bella (Nygaard) Stundahl
Lars Stundahl was born on July 6, 1979 to Sjur and Anna Stundahl, in Sogn, Norway. He immigrated to the United States, first he came to Lake Park, then on to Twin Valley, MN where he settle in section 17 of Flom Township. Lars had two brothers Severt Severtson who lived in Fargo, ND, Carl Stundahl lived by Twin Valley and a sister Mrs. Ed Swedenberg of Braham, Mn.
Bella Parnell Nygaard was born near Gary, Mn to Rasmus and Berget Nygaard in 1885. She was baptized and confirmed in the Gary Lutheran Church (St.Paul’s). She attended rural schools in that area where she grew up.
Lars and Bella were married in 1906 at the Gary parsonage. They farmed for eight years in the Waubun area before settling in Flom twp. It was here they took up the occupation of farming and raising a family of five children. Elster, Bernice (Edward Forsell) Lillian (Selmer Low), Minerva (Donald Ford) and Deloris (Kenneth Riste).
Lars Stundahl died in 1940 while tending to his cows in the barn. A bolt of lightening is said to be the cause of his demise, he was killed instantly while milking in the barn at 7:15 am. He was found midway in the barn. No damage was done to the structure. It was believed the bolt may have entered through either of the two open barn doors. No other deaths or material damage in that area was reported.
Following Lars’ death, Bella continued living on the farm and later moved to Ada before becoming a resident at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Homes.
They were members of Wild Rice Lutheran Church where they were both active in the church organizations. Bella died on July 16, 1973 at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn. Both are buried at Wild Rice Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Lars Stundahl's Obituary written by Rev. A.H. Amundson
One of the prominent memberts of Flom township, Lars Stundahl, was struck by a a bolt of lightning early Friday morning as he was milking. He had just finished one cow and arose to change to the next when the bolt passed through him. His son, Elster, and daughter, MInerva, who were helping him, escaped with a shock although just a few feet away from their father.
Medical and other help was summoned at onece, but nothing could be done. The Lord had called him.
Lars Stundahl farmed succsessfully a number of years on the present farm, which he had bought and built up as a home. He spent his whole life i nour community with the exception of the first year, being born in Sogn, Norway, July 6, 1879, the son of Sjur and Anna Stundahl. They left for the land of promise and were among the early settlers who came in the eighties to augment those who had come in the seventies. He was confirmed by Rev. Hans Johnson in June 1894, and spent his boyhood
and early manhood years on his father's farm. That farm is still occupied by one of the fmaily, Carl. On July 29, 1906, he was united to Belle Nygard of Gary, Mn., in holy wedlock and five children blessed their union.
Mr. Stundahl took a very active part in the affairs of the Wild Rice congregation, the church of almost his entire life. He was a member to the Board of Trustees for almost four terms-it would have been 12 years in November. He took his responsibilities seriously and carried on his work with sincerity and faithfulmess. He was also a member of the cemetery committee. He was always active in the different affairs of the congregation and no one was more ready to volunteer his services for work days than Mr. Stundahl. When others gave one day he often gave two and offered more. We shall miss his companionship, his readiness to respond, his cheerfulness and his deep sincerity.
With his jovial friendsliness and his deep sincerity, his with, his open heartedness and yet having a mind of his own and following through as he saw things, he made a very valuable member, friend and neighbor. We shall deeply miss him in his varous walks and endeavors. He was a man of industry and his own things were always well taken care of.
LeRoy and Hazel (Prestgord) Stundal
LeRoy Stundahl, was born in 1911 in Moorhead, Mn to John and Sophie ( Stundahl) Lukas. His mother died when he was a very small baby, so he and his sister Alice, were raised by their grandfather Sjur Stundahl and their uncle Carl. That is why they took the last name of Stundahl. He was raised and attended school near Twin Valley, Mn.
LeRoy married Hazel Prestegord on April 2, 1938 at the Wild Rice parsonage. They were active in farming and LeRoy also worked for area farmers.
LeRoy was very active in church and community affairs. LeRoy and Hazel had no children. Although in the later years of his Uncle Carls life he made his home with them. They also took in Hazel's younger sister Joyce, after the death of their mother. The Stundahl's were known for always having goodies and traditions were carried out, of course, even having a Christmas Tree not only decorated in their home but also one decorated outside.
LeRoy passed away on December 12, 1984 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Lewis and Hulda (Milsten) Stundahl
Lewis Stundahl was born on February 11, 1891 in Fossum township to Torris and Olena (Prestegord) Stundahl. He attended school in the area, he then went to diesel machine school in Fargo, ND. On September 14, 1918 he entered the service to serve his country. He was first stationed at Camp Grant. He was on his way to Alabama when the war ended and he returned home, he was a veteran of WW I.
Hulda J. Milsten was born in 1896 to Joseph and Hannah Milsten near Gary, Mn. She grew up in the Faith, Mn area. After she completed her education she went on to get a teaching degree. She taught in rural schools for awhile.
Lewis and Hulda were married in 1919. They purchased a piece of land in Flom township, and lived in a log house there.
Due to ill health Hulda was unable to raise their three daughters and Lewis took on the duties of being a father and mother to their family and other relatives also were there to help him. Theie girls were; Harriet (Robert Kaiser), Doris (Norval
Thompson) and Violet ( John Williams). Lewis once said " He raised the girls on his knees, meaning prayer and faith."
Lewis passed away in 1957 and Hulda passed away in 1977, both are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Mervin and Olga (Tastad) Stundahl
Mervin was born on March 28, 1912 in Flom Township to Torris and Olena (Prestegaard) Stundahl. He was the youngest of 13 children. He was baptized and confirmed in his faith at Wild Rice Luteran Church. He attended Plentywood school near Flom. At the age of 14, he went to North Dakota and worked at a farm near Galesburg and later at a farm near Thompson.
On November 9, 1941, he was united in marriage to Olga Tastad in Gary, Minnesota. Olga was born to Iver E. and Minnie C. (Thompson) Tastad. Iver was born in Stavanger, Norway and came to the United States in 1893 at the age of 16 years.
Mervin and Olga made their home on a farm near Flom for the first nine years of marriage. In 1950, they purchased their farm northeast of Twin Valley, where Olga lives today. In addition to operating his farm, he also did custom combining and spraying. Following his retirement, he helped his son-in-law farm and his son with his electrical business.
Olga has painted, wallpapered and stained many a house in the area with her partner Lorraine Bakke for many years.
Two children were born to Mervin and Olga:
Faye (Deceased), married to Bob Hlubek
Wayne, married to Carolyn Orre
Mervin died on Wednesday, June 27, 2001 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Selmer E. and Isabel (Olson) Stundahl
Selmer E. Stundahl was born in rural Twin Valley, Mn on July 11, 1898, the son or Torris and Oline Stundahl. He grew up in this area, was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran church, and attended the rural schools here.
Isabel was born in 1894. She met her husband Selmer at the Children'shome in Chicago where they were both employed.
Selmer and Isabel were married on June 22, 1934, at Calamus, Iowa. After their marriage they resided near Twin Valley, Mn for six years and then moved to Calamus, Iowa for seven years, before returning to the Twin Valley area in 1947. Here they made their home. He had been engaged in farming all his life. He was a member and very active in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Selmer and Isabel were the parents of one daughter Rachel, who was born in 1937. She started Sunday School at the age of three years and by the time she was eight she had never missed a sunday (214 sundays). She was stricken with polio and passed away on September 1, 1948.
Selmer passed away on May 12, 1971 and Isabel on February 23, 1983. The family is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Sjur and Anna (Stene) Stundahl
Sjur Stundahl was born in 1853 in Norway to Sjur and Katarina Stundahl. He grew up there and met Anna Stene, they were married in 1871. Anna was born on April 20, 1853 in Norway, she had two brothers who came to Norman county also, they were Mons and Lars Stene and as sister Mrs. E. Veum. In 1881 they immigrated to American coming directly to Norman county where they homesteaded in Flom twp. It was here they worked the land and raised a family, they were the parents of nine children; Sivert Syverson, Tho Syverson, Carl Stundahl, Alfred Stundahl, Lars Stundahl, Emil Stundahl, Frieda (Lawrence Larson), Kathrine /Katie (N.V. Jenson), Tina Swedberg, Sophie (John Lukas) and Lukris Winger (Lars Prestegord).
They were members of Wild Rice Lutheran Church. Sjur died in 1934 and Anna died in 1919, both are buried at Wild Rice.
Theodore Olaf Sr. and Verna (Gordon) Stundahl
T. Olaf was born on August 27, 1900 at Twin Valley, Mn., to Torris anad Olina Stundahl. he grew to manhood here and in 1925 moved to Chicago, Illinois. Olaf's siblings were;Lewis, Selmer, George, Tilford, Mervin, Clara (Carl Aamoth/Andrew Syverson) Laura (Theodore Lerud), Slema (Henry Smith), Austine (Edvar Christensen) Mabel ( Ole Stavetieg) and Elvina (Guy Thompson).
Verna Gordon was born in 1909.
Olaf and Verna were married on August 18, 1932 in Chicago. When they were first married they worked at the Children's Home in Chicago. The couple moved to Twin Valley, Engelwood, Col and back to Chicago again before moving to Sioux Falls in 1956. Olaf was employed at Augstanan College until retiring in October of 1970. They lived on a farm in section 22 of Flom township from 1938-1941.
Olaf passed away in 1971 and is buried in Hills of Rest Cemetery, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
They were the parents of two sons; Theodore Olaf Jr. and Vernon John. Funeral services were held in Sioux Falls SD at Our Savior's Lutheran Church.
Tilford and Agnes (Fladeland) Stundahl
Tilford C. Stundahl was born on July 22, 1910 at Twin Valley, Mn, Torris and Olena Stundahl.. He grew up in this area.
Agnes Fladeland was born in 1911. Tilford and Agnes were married on February 19, 1938 at Grand Forks, ND. She and Tilford were the parents of one daughter JoAnne ( Leonard Denson).
Tilford and Agnes lived in the Twin Valley area later moving near Grand Forks, ND where they were also active in farming. They left North Dakota and moved to Milwaukee Wisconsin where Tilford was employed as a cement mason for over 31 years. They left Wisconsin and returned to the Flom , Mn area where they were once again active in farming, which they did for the last 14 years of Tilford’s life.
Tilford passed away on June 27, 1986. Agnes passed away on December 7, 1995. They are both buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Torris and Olena (Prestegaard) Stundahl
Torris Stundahl was born in Aurlands Prestegjoeld Sogn, Norway on August 17, 1862 to Sjur and Kathrine Stundahl. He was baptized and confirmed in his home congregation. In 1882 he left his native land for America and came to Flom Township where he bought a home in section 10, residing there ever since.
Olena Prestegaard was born to Lars and Lukris Prestegaard in 1869. She married Torris Stundahl on November 1887.
Together they took on the duties of a farmer and his wife. Here they raised their children. Lewis, Selmer, T. Olaf, George (see George Stundahl), Tilford, Mervin, Clara (Carl Aamoth/Andrew Severson), Laura (Theodore Lerud), Selma (Henry Smith), Austine (Edvar Chrsitensen), Mabel (Ole Stavetieg) and Elvina (Guy Thompson).
Olena passed away in November 1920, one child proceeded her in infancy. After her passing he married her sister Louise (Henry Jensen)
Torris and Louise (Prestegaard/Jensen) Stundahl
Torris Stundahl was born in Aurlands Prestejeld, Sogn, Norway on August 17, 1862 to Sjur and Katherine Stundahl. He was baptized and confirmed in his home congregation. In 1882 he left his native land for America and came to Flom township, where he bought a home in section 10. He resided there until his death.
Olena Prestegaard was born to Lars and Lukris (Wangen) Prestegaard on September 13, 1869 in Aurland Sogn, Norway. She immigrated to America when she was a small child along with her parents.
Torris and Olena were married in November 1887. Together they took on the duties of a farmer and his wife. Here on the family farm they raised their children; Lewis (1891), Selmer (1898-1971), T. Olaf (see Olaf and Verna Stundahl), George (see George Stundahl), Tilford (see Tilford and Agnes Stundahl), Mervin (see Mervin and Olga Stundahl), Clara (see Carl Aamoth/Andrew Severson), Laura (Theodore LeRud), Selma (Henry Smith), Austine (see Edvar and Austine Christensen), Mabel ( Ole Stavetieg) and Elvina (Guy Thompson).
Olena passed away in November 1920, one child proceeded her in death, having died in infancy. After Olena’s death Torris married her sister Louise who was a widow, having been married to Henry Jensen. Louise was born on April 24, 1882.
Aaron and Arvid Swenson
Twin sons Aaron and Arvid were born to Sidney and Elizabeth (Sakrismo) Swenson. . They were baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom. They were raised on the family farm located on the west side of section 33 of Flom township. This land has been owned by the family for over 100 years.
Their father Sidney built the home that is still being occupied by the twins. They attended country school at Woodland Nook then went to Twin Valley High School where they graduated with the Class of 1957.
Arvid answered the call to serve his country. He joined the United States Army of which he served for two years. After completing his military service, Arvid returned home to the Flom area.
Aaron and Arvid have worked together side by side in their construction business "Swenson Brother’s Construction". A business they have operated for over 40 years. They have done numerous building projects in the Flom area, from houses to garages, they helped with the construction of both the VFW Mall and the Flom-Ulen Co-op building in Flom. The addition to Aspelund was also constructed by them along with volunteers from the church. Many of the buildings one looks at was constructed by these two individuals.
They have also built homes outside the Flom area.
Aaron and Arvid have enjoyed traveling. They have made five trips to Norway and seven trips to Alaska. In later years they have had a great interest in Norwegian Folk Art, they are members of Vesterheim Wood Workers of Decorah, Iowa. They have taken many Folk Art classes at Vesterheim, from Norwegian instructors. The classes they have taken area Wood Carving, Knife making and Lofting. They are also involved with Milan Folk Art School in Milan, Mn.
Aaron has two wood carvings that are being displayed in the "Migration of A Tradition". This is a three year exhibit which will travel from New York City across the United States to Washington State. From there it is off to Oslo, Norway to also be exhibited. Aaron is also recognized as a "Master Craftsman" by the Minnesota Arts Board of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Aaron and Arvid have a art studio right on the farm they live on. They have also built a Norwegian Heritage room onto their home. It is furnished as a room from the late 1700’s to early 1800’s. Most of the furniture are reproductions built by Aaron and decorated by Gold Medallist Rosemaller, Karen Jenson. Karen is a good friend of their who owns the Milan Folk Art School, in Milan., Mn. The have also collected various items on their travels to Norway and received them from Norwegian friends. The Swenson Boys have had numerous visitors come to view they heritage room. These visitors have been from all over the United States and from Scandinavia.
Aaron and Arvid are both fluent with the Norwegian language. They enjoyed going to the Host Fest in Minot, ND and also the Nordic Fest in Decorah, Iowa. You will most likely see them there.
They are active in their church, Aspelund, which they joined after the closing of Immanuel Lutheran Church, having served on the church council and helping with various improvements at the church. They are also active in their community. Arvid has served on the Flom township board for a number of years.
Ed and Katherine (Veum) Swenson
Ed Swenson was born to John and Anna Swenson Aas in Norway. Katherine Veum was born on March 14, 1884 in Norway. She grew up in her native land and left at the age of 16, for the New World. Katherine settled in the Flom area. It was here she married Mr. Swenson on May 18, 1902, at Flom and they settled down to farming in the area. In 1943 they left the farm and moved to Moorhead, Minnesota when they retired. He died in 1956.
The last eight years of Katherine's life she resided at Twin Valley, Mn. Katherine died at the age of 93 at Twin Valley, Mn. Funeral services were held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. She died in 1978.
They were the parents of; John, Mabel (Brabender), Selma (Meyer), Arnt, Lawrence, Alma (Erickson), Norman, Cora (Olson) and Alpha (Gunnerson).
Lawrence and Elinor (Huebner) Swenson
Lawrence Swenson was born on October 14, 1913 to Ed and Katherine (Weium) Swenson, in Becker County, Mn. Here he grew up and attended country school and also worked as a carpenter for Sidney Swenson.
Lawrence married Elinor Huebner at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom on October 1, 1942. He worked part-time in carpentry and bough a farm in section 25 of Home Lake Township. Here they raised their family of two daughters; Jean Marie and Marjorie (Spielman).
After they retired from farming they worked as custodians at the Twin Valley and Ulen Medical centers and at Twin Valley Cenex and Centrol. They moved to Flom in the early 1990’s due to failing health for Lawrence. They purchased the home once occupied by John Christensen as his photo studio, which is located right next to their daughter Marge Spielman.
Lawrence was a past member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he had served on the church board and as a deacon. Elinor is a active member of the Aspelund Ladies Aid. After Lawrence’s death Elinor continues to live in Flom.
Lawrence died on June 19, 1994 at his home in Flom, interment was made at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery.
I came to Flom on October 1, 1942. I married Lawrence Swenson at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. We first lived on the Bennie Stueness farm for two years. While living there a daughter Jean Marie was born on May 15, 1944. On September 1, 1946 we bought the Ove Huseby palace. Our second daughter Marjorie was born while we lived here. She arrived on April 5th, 1948. We lived here and farmed until 1994 when we moved into Flom. Lawrence died on June 21, 1994. I have since continued living in Flom in the house that at one time was the John Christensen Photography Studio.
We took a trip to California in May of 1979. Here we visited with his sister Cora Olson. After Lawrence died my brother Bill took me along with him to Arizona every winter from February to March. This we did until March of 2000. We would visit our two sisters there and also our uncle along with the cousins.
Since 2000 I have been going to Fargo and helping my granddaughter June (Spielman) and her husband Michael with their family. They have three boys; Jacob now 3 and their twin sons; Aaron and David who will be two on March 28th. They take a lot of energy but I have never gotten tired of them.
I am thankful God has given me so many friends and relatives. They help me live and enjoy life here.
John and Bernice (Johnson) Swenson
John Swenson, third child of Ed and Katherine Swenson, married Bernice Johnson on October 7, 1933 at the Warner Johnson residence near Twin Valley, Minnesota. John worked as a carpenter/painter at that time and later went into farming. They farmed in Clay County, Minnesota until 1945 when they moved to the Swenson Homestead in Norman County. In 1946 they purchased the homestead and held it until 1994 when it was sold to the Hamernik boys. John and Bernice had two sons, Wayne and Ralph.
Wayne married Virginia Wood and they have a daughter, Dianna and a son, Glen. Dianna and her husband, Steve, and son, Joshua and daughters, Jessica and Jennifer, live in Ramsey, Minnesota. Glen and his wife, Janelle, have two boys, Eric and Tyler and they live in Apple Valley, Minnesota.
Ralph married Delight Ruther and they have two sons and a daughter. Bradley and Anne, his wife, have a son, Benjamin. Brad and Anne make their home in Moorhead. Shelley and her husband, David, have a son, Levi and a daughter, Emiley. They make their home in Moorhead. Jon has a daughter, Alexis and they also make their home in Moorhead.
John lost his beloved, Bernice, and the boys lost their mother way too early in life from leukemia in 1977. John passed away in 1994. Bernice passed away on September 19, 1977 at St. Luke's Hospital in Fargo, ND, at the age of 65 years. They are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Sidney and Elizabeth (Sakrismo) Swenson
Sidney and Elizabeth (Sakrismo) Swenson were married at Elizabeth’s childhood farm home (the Peter Sakrismo farm) on October 28,1935. Everyone was excited and many preparations were made. There was the major house cleaning and food for a dinner to be prepared for all the guests who would be attending. Furniture was removed from grandpa and grandma’s bedroom to make room to set up tables to make sure all guests would have a place to sit down to dinner. This was a very special occasion. I’m sure there were some last minute details to attend to. Having read the newspaper article written about the wedding, it sounds like it was a splendid event.
Mom and dad’s first home after their marriage was on dad’s family home in Walworth Township, across the road from the Engebretsen farm now the home of Colleen and Rodney Hamernik. Those living with the folks at that time were dad’s brothers, Ernest and Orin. Mom found herself cooking and caring for three men. As a new bride this was quite a challenge. A baby girl was stillborn on December 21,1937. This was heartbreaking for mom and dad; however, on October 24, 1938 there was much joy as twin boys were born, Aaron and Arvid. This became a very busy household; caring for two babies plus all the activities and duties farm work requires.
Dad was a carpenter and constructed many buildings (houses, barns, etc.) in the community and later in the 1950’s in Fargo, ND. He constructed a house in Flom in 1939as they wished to have a home of their own. There they lived for two years. Forty acres of land became available a mile west of Flom. The price for the forty acres was $400.00. So a decision was made to sell the house for $600.00 and purchase the land. A prospective buyer said he would pay $400.00 for the house in exchange for the land. Dad didn’t accept this offer. He offered the purchase of the house to aunt Singne (Sakrismo) Aune as a rental home. She purchased the house with a loan from the Ulen bank for $600.00.
At this time she was teaching and received a small income.
Much work was needed, as the property had never been occupied. This was a major project. The land was cleared; a house and barn were built plus other out buildings.
A girl, Jeanine, was born December 23, 1942 at Fargo, ND, bringing a welcome addition to the family.
Mom and dad lived on the farm all their lives. We were raised here and have many fond recollections of growing up on the farm. Many guests and extended family members enjoyed moms cooking and hospitality. She was an excellent seamstress, sewing many of my clothes and her own. Dad was a mentor for Aaron and Arvid; teaching and getting them started in the building construction business.
The home place now belongs to Aaron and Arvid. They have completely renovated the buildings and have a beautiful, spacious home.
Jeanine married Luverne Ehnert of Frazee, MN on June 3rd, 1967. The Ehnerts reside in rural Frazee. A highlight of my parents’ life was their two grandsons, Robert and Erik. These two brought much joy to them in their last years.
The church, God’s Word and the Sacraments were a vital part of our life. We were members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom. My parents belonged to the congregation all their lives and were active members of the church family giving of their time and talents.
Elizabeth was born May 30, 1904 to Peder and Anna (Svenson Vold) Sakrismo and was taken to her heavenly home on November 18,1977. Sidney was born April 15, 1903 to Sam and Josephine (Skofstad) Swenson and taken home September 7, 1978.
Kelly and Val-Jean (Burja) Syverson
Happily Everafter
Once upon a time in October of 1988 in the magical land of Baltimore, Maryland a young Prince, Kelly John Syverson met a not so young Princess, Val-Jean Burja and so begins our story.
After much intervention by the Good Lord the Prince and Princess finally were together again later that month. A mere month later Kelly received word on his LONG awaited transfer from Virginia to Germany. Within the next month, on Thanksgiving night he told Val of his plans to move and ask her to go with him. On Christmas morning in the living room of Poppy and Grammy, the good king and queen of the North, they were officially engaged.
In late December, Kelly brought Val to the magical land of Flom to meet the good king and queen of the FAR North, Granma and Granpa. They had Tom & Jerry’s up Flom, met the local nobility and began making plans for a June wedding. Val and Grammy came back in April for final touches and a wonderful wedding shower at the Aspelund Church.
There are still jokes about the "locusts" that descended from the East for the beautiful wedding in the Ulen Park and the wedding dance in Flom. Talk still remains of the Guardian Angels (Gary and Linda Lunde) that kept showing up to save the bride and groom that week,
although since the bride and groom are now both over 40 the details have become fuzzy. Shortly after the festivities the newlyweds were off to honeymoon in Germany for 4 1/2 years.
Joshua Reed Syverson arrived on All Saint’s Day, November 1, 1992. He quickly won the hearts of the hospital staff in Landstuhl, Germany and members of the Protestant Service at Chapel Two on Ramstien Air Force Base. Granma and Granpa came to meet him, stand for him at his Baptism and spend Christmas.
They Syverson’s left Germany in early December 1993, spent Christmas on the east coast with Val’s family and headed to Minnesota in January. They traveled "home" in a Beverly Hillbillies looking truck with another blessing from the honeymoon in "tow".
Safe and sound and settled in Fred and Caroline Klingfuses’ home they waited for the new arrival. Of course they had to wait through a record setting ten day cold streak! Assistant coach Becky Christensen (Kelly’s sister) was there for the arrival of Hannah Rishell Syverson on February 5th, 1994 at Merit Care in Fargo. Kelly and Val liked the place so much they made three more trips!!! Hannah was a totally wonderful surprise as Kelly and Val were both convinced SHE was a HE!!! It’s made no difference to Josh, she’s still his number one fan and she is his closest confidant.
On Norwegian Independence Day, 1994 the Syverson’s set up their new homestead south of the barn on Granma and Granpa’s place (where Val insists she will remain forever!). The birds (emus) arrived in June and so began the dark period of the fairy tale. However now they look back with confidence at the lessons learned and the priorities they helped define.
As the Syverson’s worked on building their new life they decided it was time to add another blessing and so on October 22, 1996, Nicholas Morken Syverson joined the family ranks. This time Granma and Auntie Becky were there for the arrival. Granma was just a TISH nervous about getting to the hospital on time.
Smiley Malmskog literally scared the life out of Val on January 31st, 1998 after his offer to "pull the calf." Later that night Kelly, Val and Auntie Becky brought Nathanael Braseth Syverson ;(Nanil) into this world during a horrible flu epidemic!
Well, another two years passed and the calendar showed it was time for another blessing. On July 13, 2000 Adam Burja Syverson FINALLY arrived! Big sister Hannah and cousin Amanda stood guard faithfully over the phone anxiously awaiting the news. Aunt Heidi, Uncle Ivan, cousins Amanda and Andrew stopped by to see him on their way back to Texas.
Santa Claus days in Flom, wedding dances, and Tom and Jerry’s remain great sources of joy and memories shared by the Syverson. They 125th Year Celebration is looking to be a memorable day too; complete with a mix of new and old memories, and an experience to share with friends planning to visit from Germany. Life is busy and blessed for this crew. They continue to live happily everafter just outside of Flom.
Marlyn and Mary Lou (Hilde) Syverson
Marlyn and Mary Lou Syverson and their three children, Becky age 7, Barth, age 6 and Kelly age 4, moved to the Flom area in September, 1966 from Felton, Minnesota. They moved to the farm owned by Violet (and at that time, the late Bill Meyer) Meyer Thorson.
Marlyn's parents, Selmer and Cora (Morken) Syverson, residents of Atlanta Township were no strangers to the Flom area, as they did lots of "trading" in Flom. Mary Lou's first recollection of Flom was riding with Henry Holte when he brought his daughter, Volberg, back to Flom for her teaching duties in the 1940's. Mary Lou's parents were Hanord and Amanda (Braseth) Hilde, residents of Keene Township, southwest of Ulen.
We bought Violet's equipment and leased her dairy herd of twelve cows and started a career in the dairy business. We eventually purchased the farm and remained in the dairy business until 1987, expanding the herd to 60 cows in a tie stall barn with pipeline equipment. After selling the cows, the farming operation turn to small grain, corn and beans. In 2000 we placed half of our acreage into CRP and in 2001 the other half was accepted.
Marlyn enjoys restoring tractors, machinery and fishing. Since 1990 Mary Lou has been employed as secretary of the Wild Rice Parish consisting of the Wild Rice and Aspelund churches.
Jerly Hellickson was our closet neighbor. Our children, with the addition of Heidi born in 1969 and Carter born in 1971, all thought Jerly was just the best person ever created. He had sheep and he showed our children, as well as the neighbor children, how he sheared them. Another favorite was his dog named Tuffy that would pull them on a sleigh in the winter and a wagon in the summer. He even gave them one of his lambs so they could raise it as their own special pet. He was a very special person to Marlyn and
Mary Lou too, always there when needed. Jearly worked at the Flom Co-op for a number of years and moved into Ulen in 1979. He died in 1981.
Becky married Mike Christensen from the Faith area in 1977. They have five children, Jon, Anthony, Chelsey, Tryson and Emilee.
Kelly married Val Jean Burja of Baltimore, Maryland in 1989 and they have five children, Joshua (born in Germany), Hannah, Nicolas, Nathanael, and Adam.
Heidi and Ivan Yuhanna were married in 1991. Ivan was from Pakistan and along with his two brothers, Ray and Moses, was a college student in the Fargo, Moorhead area. Heidi and Ivan now reside in Red Oak, Texas, just south of Dallas and are the parents of three children, Amanda, Andrew and Benjamin.
Carter and Amy Weires were married in 1998. Amy was from the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area and that is where they reside along with their three children, Chase, Cora and Rylee.
Barth is single and very special to all of his nieces and nephews and all the other children he has gotten to know.
We have enjoyed traveling here in the states and into Mexico, as well as other countries. In 1986 we flew to London, England and joined a tour group, touring several countries and spending some time with Kelly in Germany who was stationed there at that time with the Air Force. In 1991 Mary Lou had the chance to travel to Norway with her brother, Harry Hilde and a cousin, Owen Braseth. We returned to Germany in 1992, to get aquatinted with our newest grandson, Joshua, son of Kelly and Val and had the opportunity to spend Christmas in Germany.
In June 2000 we traveled to Norway with a group of about 20 Hilde cousins and spent some time in Hallingdal and other areas of Norway, which were important in our family history.
We have been blessed with good health and a family that has given us the opportunity to experience different cultures and create friendships from areas all over the United States as well as other countries. We look forward to traveling and enjoying our family.
Selmer and Cora (Morken) Syverson
Selmer Syverson was born on March 31, 1892 on a farm four miles east of Ulen, Mn in Walworth township. He was the son of Ole and Barbara Syverson and one of a family of fifteen children. He attended school in District 48 near the farm. He served in the Army during World War I.
In 1923 Selmer married Cora Morken, born on January 22, 1900, the daughter of Ole and Christina Morken. Cora was one of ten children and they lived in the town of Voss, in Walworth township. Voss was located seven miles south of Flom. Voss died with the coming of the automobile.
The first ten years of their married life they lived on a farm four miles east of Ulen, near his home farm. They then moved to a farm about one mile east of Voss. They had eleven children, five boys, Orin (died at the age of two years), Lyle, Marlyn, Waldo, Selmer (Allen) and six girls; Chrystella (Townsend), Vivian (Beske), Eileen (Cary), Orrine (Ellefson), Carla (Forsythe) and Fern (Saatoff), all the children are residents of Minnesota, with the exception of Chrysteel, a resident of Roswell, New Mexico.
Cora and Selmer were baptized and confirmed in the Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen. It is there that they are also buried. They were members of Flom Co-op and Flom Co-op Creamery. They purchased much of their machinery in Flom and were regular shoppers in Flom.
Andrew Thompson
Andrew Thompson was born on July 8, 1887 to Knute and Anna Thompson Sr. in Flom township. He was baptized at home and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran church. He never married.
He had farmed for many years, and also worked on farms in Minnesota and Montana. He also worked with the Tobin Seed Co. for several years. He was a veteran of World War I, and had served in France. He was a member of the Nesseth-Lien Post 431 of the American Legion. After he retired from farming he bought a small trailer house and moved to Twin Valley, Mn. Due to ill health, he bacame a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Homes.
Andrew loved to play his accordionand to entertain the residents and visitors.
Andrew passed away on February 16, 1970 at the age of 82 at the Ada hospital. He is buried at the Wild Rice Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Arnold and Beatrice (Wasfaret) Thompson
Arnold Julius Thompson was born on September 29, 1907 in Wild Rice township to John and Anna Thompson. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Arnold and Beatrice Wasfaret were married on May 25, 1932, at the Wild Rice church. They farmed near her until 1951 when they moved toTwin Valley, Mn. After they moved to Twin Valley, Arnold was employed by the Village, he also had worked for Otter Tail Power Co. at Heiberg, Gunnafson and Bjorge Excavating and Habedank Construction, Co-op Elevator and the Faith Flour and Seed Mill. He served on the rural school board for seven years as their clerk, and was active in Evangeglism Committee, treasurer of Lutheran Brotherhood, and other church organizations.
Arnold and Beatrice were the parents of Terry and Angie ( Owen Weium).
Clara Thompson and Walter Perry/George Schriver
Clara Thompson was born to Knute and Anna (Otterness) Thompson in Flom township. She grew up on the family farm. Clara maarried Walter Carroll Perry in 1927. Walter was the son of McClellan and Charlotte Zickel Perry. Walter was born in Jaspar County, Ia. Clara and Walter were the parents of one daughter Charlotte Stephes. Walter died in 1936, he is buried at Wild Rice. After his death Clara married George Schriver.
Clayton and Juanita (Aasgaard) Thompson
Clayton was born on October 15, 1925 to Knute and Minnie (Lien) Thompson in Flom Township. He was the fifth child born to the Thompson’s family of ten. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, and attended country school in the area. He graduated from Waubun High School. In 1944 he entered the US Army and served during WW II in Japan and the Philippines, being honorably discharged in 1946.
After he returned home he helped his father with the farming operation and also worked for several area
farmers. He also worked in the logging near Grygla, Mn.
Clayton and Nita were married at the Wild Rice Church in October of 1948. They resided in Dent, Mn the first year they were married where he worked as a mechanic. In March 1949 they moved to rural Ulen, Mn where they were active in farming until 1966. At that time they moved to a farm just northeast of Twin
Valley, where they have resided since. At this time Clayton was employed as a carpenter for Great Plains Supply for several years. In his retirment years, he was employed by Norman County Weed Control.
Clayton was a member of the Nesseth-Lien Post 4431 of the American Legion and had been a member of the Flom-Twin Valley VFW Post 3818. Clayton was an avid reader and enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed working in the woods. He was an excellent woodsman who taught his children and others to respect nature and all this it offers. He greatly enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, such as fellowship with friends and family over coffee.
Clayton passed away on August 22, 1994 and is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Clayton and Nita were the parents of; Loren (deceased and buried at Wild Rice), Clayton Jr "Bub", Kevin, Vicki, (Hurlburt), Kelly (Sauer), Wanda (Asleson), and Lynelle (Slinginger).
Duane and Carol (Bronken) Thompson
Duane L. Thompson was born on September 17, 1934 to Knute and Minnie (Lien ) Thompson, in Flom township. He attended rural school near Flom and then went to Twin Valley. He farmed with his parents before entering the US Army on January 18, 1955. He was discharged on October 18, 1957. He was a veteran.
Duane married Carol Bronken of Mahnomen, Mn on August 16, 1956. After their marriage he worked for a period of time as a construction worker for Great Plains in Twin Valley, Mn. He was also a member of the Twin Valley Rodeo Club.
Duane and Carol lived in section 31 of Flom township and it was here they raised their family. Duane passed away on August 19, 1985 and is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery. After his death Carol continued to live on the farm and resides there today.
Duane and Carol are the parents of; DuWayne "Butch", Robert, Gene, Kathleen (Doug Ellingson), Theresa (Jim Tjon), Beverly , Suzanne (Rodney Horn) and Angela.
Henry and Janette (Erickson) Thompson
Janette "Nettie" Erickson was born on January 5, 1902 to Jon and Joanne (Dyrdahl) Erickson near Flom, Mn. She attended schools in that area and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheram faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. At the age of 16, she moved to Perley, where she worked as a waitress. It was here that she met Henry Thompson and married him on September 28, 1923.
They farmed in the Twin Valley and Gary, Mn areas until 1942 when they moved into Twin Valley. It was at this time that Nettie started to work for the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center, where she was employed as a nurse’s aid for 33 years. She retired in 1983. Nettie was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley. She was an avid sports fan who enjoyed watching or listening to all types of sporting events.
She always was a wonderful cook, and she took great pride in that.
Nettie and Henry were the parents of; Ronald, Howard, Jean (Germolus) and Nancy (Brekke), two sons Ernest and Robert proceeded her in death.
Nettie passed away in October of 1987 and is buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley.
Jerome and LaDonna (Hadeland) Thompson
Jerome was born on April 21, 1932 to Knute and Minnie (Lien) Thompson in Flom Township, Norman County, Mn. He was baptized on Oct 16, 1932 and confirmed on October 14, 1945 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He attended country school in Flom twp and graduated from Twin Valley High School. Jerome enlisted in the armed services and is a Veteran.
LaDonna Hadeland was born on May 5, 1937 in Wolf Point, Montana. She was adopted by Ole and Alice Hadeland. She was baptized at Fort Peck, Montana on May 6, 1937 and confirmed on June 8, 1952 at Aspelund.
Jerome and LaDonna were married on February 12, 1956 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. To this union eight children have been born. Sonja LaVonne was born on October 5, 1956 and was baptized at Aspelund. She passed away on July 4, 1957, she is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Jerri Lee was born on December 29, 1957. He lives on the Hadeland home place in section 28 with Harriett Keezer. They have five children; Nakoya Keezer, Verna Keezer, Josie Keezer, Laura Lee Thompson born on April 21, 1982 on Grandpa Jerome’s birthday, and Jeremy Jerome Thompson. Jerri was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund, attended school graduating in 1976 from Waubun High School. He attended one year of college and is currently employed by Lunde Blade and Gravel of Flom, Mn.
Cheryl Ann and Cherri Annett were born on November 18, 1958. They were baptized by Pastor Greenquist. Cheryl Ann died on Novmeber 21 and Cherri Annett died on November 22 1958. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom.
Jimmy Dean was born on April 7, 1960. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund and attended school at Waubun, graduating in May of 1978. Jim has five children. Jason, Tara, Joey, Kaitlyn and Maggie. He and his wife Karen live in rural Waubun, Mn. He works for Norman County.
Two still born sons were born to Jerome and LaDonna; one on January 18, 1962 and one on January 2, 1965. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Jeffery Jerome was born on March 26, 1973. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund, he attended school at Waubun and graduated from there. He married Tiffaney Greene and lives in rural Mahnomen. Jeff works at the Shooting Star Casino in the Maintenance Dept. They have five children.
Jerome was active in farming and has been employed at the Flom Co-op Oil for over 30 years. He is active in sports and played for the Twin Valley Twins Baseball Team for 20 years and later played an manged the Old Timers Softball Team for Waubun, Mn until he was 62. He is a member of the Flom-Twin Valley VFW Post 3818, he is currently the Commander of the VFW Post at which he has served several terms.
LaDonna was a housewife, then she operated the Flom Cafe for five years, until it burned down on April 15, 1973. This day is one that remains in many people memories as it was the day that their son Jeffrey was to be baptized at Aspelund Lutheran Church, when church was interrupted that morning of the news of the fire the men left to help and baptism was postponed until a later Sunday. After the cafe burned LaDonna started to work at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home as a trained Med Aide in Twin Valley where she has been employed for 28 years.
John and Anne (Kvidt) Thompson
John Albert Thompson was born on January 10, 1878 in Blooming Prairie, Mn the third child of Mr and Mrs. Trogrim Thompson. While a young boy, he moved with his parents to a farm in Home Lake Township which his father had homesteaded. He spent his early manhood there with the exception of about four years when the Thompson family lived on a farm near Roseau, Mn. He was baptized in the congregation at Blooming Prairie and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Anne Kvidt was born on January 23, 1884 in the United States.
At the age of 29 he was united in marriage to Anne Kvidt in the church in Twin Valley. To this union one child was born, namely Arnold Thompson. They resided in Twin Valley for about three years after which they moved to a farm in Fossum township, where he spent the remainer of his life. Anne passed away on June 8,1925, after a quick bout of phneumonia.
John was a conscientious and loving husband, father and brother and was neighborly and kind to all who enjoyed his acquaintance. He passed away on February 10, 1945 at the age of 67 years.
Kalmer and Gloria (Albertson) Thompson
Kalmer was born on June 8, 1920 to Knute and Minnie (Lien) Thompson. He attend country school in the area and was baptized at Wild Rice Lutheran Church and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church.
He served his country from 1942-1945 in the military service, of which he was a Prisoner of War for thirteen months. After release from the POW camp and completing his military service he came back to the Flom area and started farming.
Gloria Albertson was born on December 3, 1931 to Ed and Jo Albertson. She attended school in Gary, Mn and Twin Valley, Mn. She was baptized at St. Petri Lutheran church of Gary, and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church of rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Kalmer and Gloria were married on October 9, 1950 at Hitterdal, Minnesota. After their marriage they farmed in section 31 of Flom township and Gloria took up the duties of being a farmer’s wife and raising their family. Kalmer and Gloria still live on the farm in section 31.
They are the parents of five children; Danny, Jenifer, Sandra, Jane and Steven.
Danny was born on June 10, 1952 at the Ada Hospital. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom , Mn. He attended school at Twin Valley, Mn. He now resides in Twin Valley, Mn.
Jenifer was born on December 28, 1953 at Paynesville, Mn. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund. Jenifer and Mark Spielman were married on August 25, 1973 at Aspelund. They are the parents of three daughters; Kay born August 24, 1975 at Ada, was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund. She married Bill Burkett. They have one daughter Cassandra who was born on July 8, 1999, in Fargo, ND. Kay and Bill live in Horace, ND. Kelly was born on December 5, 1977 at Ada. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund. Kelly married Leslie Kent in Aspelund and they are the parents of one daughter Alanis who was born in Detroit Lakes, Mn on January 7, 1999. Tammi was born on April 10, 1979 in Ada. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspleund.
Sandra was born on June 30, 1956 in Paynesville, Mn. Sandy married Darrel Seeger on August 21, 1976 at Aspelund. They have two children; Stephanie Kathie was born on November 2, 1980 in Fargo, ND and Dustin Joel was born on April 7, 1983 in Fargo, ND. Sandy and Darrel moved to Renton , Wa in 1986 where they lived until 2001, when they moved back to Minnesota.
Jane was born on November 27, 1958 in Ada. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund. She attended school at Twin Valley, Mn. After graduating from High School in 1977 she went to Fargo and worked for a few years. Jane then moved to Oregon where she still resides.
Steven was born on November 28, 1968 in Mahnomen, Mn. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund. He went to school in Twin Valley, Mn where he graduated. Steve married Becki Dietz on May 9, 1998, they reside in Oakes, ND.
Knut and Anna (Otterness) Thompson
Knut Thompson was born in Winneshiek County,Iowa in 1855 to Thor and Thorand Thompson. In 1857, they moved to Albert Lea in Freeborn County, where he went to shcool until he was 12, years old. At 21 he came to Norman County, Minnesota by covered wagon to make his home here in what is now Twin Valley, Mn. This journey was a long and hazardous one. There were no raods, few rivers having bridges and hostile Indians. Here Knut and his father both homesteaded, Knut's land being in the SW quarter of section 24 of Flom township. To this homestead farmland, Knut was to bring his bride Anna Otterness five years later.
Ann Otterness was born on November 15, 1864 at Aurlanad, Sogn, Norway, her parents being Amund and Martha Ytterlie Otterness. In 1867 she, her parents and younger brother Andrew immigrated to this country,landing at Castle Gardens, Quebec. From there they traveled by boat and railroad to Columbia County, Wisconsin. Here they lived for two years. They moved on to Goodhue, Minnesota in Houston County, where Anna received her only formal schooling of five days. It was here that Anna's mother died of cancer at the early age of thirty.
In the spring after her mother's death, Anna moved with her father and brother to Norman County, and settled near the site of the Fossum Store. This country was at that time a vast wilderness, mostly inhabited by animals. Here Amund Otterness homesteaded and built a crude cabin for himself and his family. It often happened that Anna and Andrew were alone when their father was off hunting and working. Neighbors were few and they became very friendly with the Indians who would travel through. All her life Anna always loved and enjoyed an Indian celebration. Then years after Martha's death, Amund married Ingeborg Lien and they had five children.
Knut and Anna Thompson were the parents of 12 children; Theodore, Manda, Theodore, Andrew, Julia, Knute, Elisa, Ludwig, Lena, Clara, Elvina, and Joseph.
Theodore died in infancy in 1881, he is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery. Manda (see Knute and Manda Urdahl), Theodore A (see Theodore and Thora Ekvall Thompson)Andrew E.(see Andrew E. Thompson), Julia (Alfred Ekvall), Knute (see Knut and Minnie Lien Thompson), Elisa (Bill Buckle), Ludwig (see Ludwig and Alice Ommodt), Lena ( see Carl and Lena Hagen), Clara ( see Clara Thompson and Walter Perry/ George Schriver), Elvina ( Elmer Morud) and Joseph (Gladys).
Julia married Alfred Ekvall and they had one child; Aurel. Elisa married Bill Buckle and the were the parents of; Velma, Mabel, Elvira, Kearney (see Kearney and Deloris Buckel) , Marvel, LaVerne, Coral and Jean. Elvina was born on June 9, 1906, she married Elmer Mourd, he was born on February 2, 1907. They are the parents of: Marilyn, Beverly, Joanne and Ronald. Joseph and his wife Glady were the parents of one child; Susan. Joe Thompson was a missionary.
Knute A. and Minnie (Lien) Thompson
Knute Andrew Thompson was born on January 26, 1892 on the family farm in Flom township, to Knute and Anna Thompson. He grew up on the Flom area, and attended rural schools here. He was baptized and confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church.
Minnie Lien was born in Flom Township to Gustave O. and Emile (Wenge) Lien.
Knute and Minnie were married on March 30, 1918 at the Wild Rice Parsonage. AFter their marriage they made their home on a farm in Flom Township wehre they farmed for almost fifty years, retiring in 1967 and moving into Flom. They purchase the home that was occupied by Thora Thompson in section 33 of Flom township on the soutwest side of town. In 1968 they were honored with a celebration for the Golden Wedding Anniversary in the Wild Rice Church.
As a young man he homesteaded land near Saskatoon, Canada. Besides farming for many years, he also sold Raleigh product for about five yers. He also did a lot of custom threshing for other farmers in his area.
All five of his sons served in the military service. Knute and Minnie were the parents of; Kalmer (see Kalmer and Gloria Thompson), Clayton (see Clayton Thompson), Duane (see Duane and Carol Thompson), Jerome (see Jerome and LaDonna Thompson), Arlo, Ethel (Floyd Boals), Mazel (Lester Albertson), Vivian (Melvin Oster), and Eileen (C.L. Fields).
Knute and Minnie were married on march 30, 1918 at the Luterhan parsonage in Twin Valley. After they were married Knute took up the occupation of farming and Minnie took on the responsibilities of being a farmer’s wife and raising a family. They were the parents to; Ethel, Calmer (see Kalmer and Gloria Thompson), Mazel,
Clayton (see Clayton and Nita Thompson), Arlo, Jerome (See Jerome and LaDonna Thompson), Duane (see Duane and Carol Thompson) and Eileen.
Knute died on January 22, 1972 at the Ada Hospital and Minnie on March 25, 1983 at a Crookston, Mn hospital. They are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Ethel was born on September 11, 1918. She first married Ben Klinnert. After his death she married Floyd Boals. Ethel worked as a housewife and raised her family of eight children. She lives in Fargo ND.
Mazel was born on November 27, 1923. She married Lester Albertson (deceased) and resides in California.
Arlo was born on March 1, 930. He served his country in the military services. He married JoAnn Albertson (deceased) and they were the parents of eight children. Arlo resides in Kansas.
Eileen was born on January 14, 1937 she married C.L. Fields. They are the parents of six children and reside in Texas.
Ludvig and Alice (Ommodt) Thompson
Alice Ommodt was born to John and Annie (Anderson) Ommodt. Ludwig Thompson was born to Knute and Anna (Otterness) Thompson. He grew up in Flom township on the family farm. Alice married Ludvig Thompson and they lived in Minnesota for a number of years before moving to Tacoma, WA. They have both since passed away. They had one son, Kermit.
Kermit and his wife Eleanor reside in the Seattle, Wa area. He worked for Boeing as an electronics engineer for many years and designed Electronic equipment for missiles, space systems, airplanes, etc. They have three children; Patsy (Jackson), Harold and Donna (Moneymaker).
Theodore and Thora (Ekvall) Thompson
Thora Bothilda Ekvall, was born on July 21, 1891 to Nels and Bothilda Ekvall at St. Paul, Mn. She grew up in St. Paul where she atteded elementary school and as a young girl was employed with the Briggs Candy Factory.
Theodore and Thora were united in marriage on November 25, 1915. They first resided on a farm in Flom township for 37 years. After Theodore passed away Thora moved to Flom in 1954. She lived in the house last occupied by Knut and Minnie Thompson in section 33 on the west side of town. She was a hard and diligent worker as a farm wife and mother. Thora was a member of Aspelund Lutheran Church for many years, and a member and past officer of the Aspelund ALCW. Theodore passed away on December 29, 1952 and Thora passed away on April 16, 1966. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Theodore and Thora were the parents of Marvin, Marshall, Bergloith (Kenneth Ostlund) and Ebba (Selmer Saensgaard).
Marshall Eugene Ekvall Thompson was born on July 29, 1917 to Theodore and Thora Thompson. He passed away in 1919 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
William and Lenora (Erickson) Thompson
William "Bill" Thompson was born in Home Lake township on June 2, 1898 to Torgrim and Johanna Thompson. He grew up and attended public schools in Twin Valley, Mn.
Bill married Lenora Erickson on May 28, 1922 in the Wild Rice parsonage. They lived in Flom, Twin Valley and Granite Falls, Mn. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1972.
Bill was engaged in farming until retiring. He was the park superintendent of the City park in Granite Falls for 14 years.
Bill and Lenora were the parents of Leona ( M.H. Lindbeck).
Bill died on July 24, 1973 following a heart attack at the age of 75 years. Funeral services were held at Granite Falls, and at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, with interment at the Immanuel Cemetery.
Dale and Teryl (Dorseth) Thornton
Dale Allan Thornton as born on July 29, 1956 at Ada, Mn., to Harold and Grace (Hirchert) Thornton. He was raised in the Twin Valley area where he was baptized and confirmed at Syre Lutheran Church, Syre, Mn after it closed he attended church at Trinity Lutheran Church and attended school at Twin Valley, Mn. He graduated from Moorhead Tech Diesel Technology Program.
Teryl Jo (Terri) Dorseth was born on March 26, 1958 at Detroit Lakes, Mn to Vernon and LaVonne
(Hammer) Dorseth. She was baptized at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn in 1958, and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.in 1973. She attended school at Waubun Community Schools at Waubun, Mn where she graduated in May of 1976. She attended Concordia Language Villages at Bemidji, Mn through the sons of Norway in 1975 she went to the Language Village-Culture Camp at Hamar Norway for 6 weeks. Of which she attended the language camp, recieving a High School credit and toured various parts of Norway. After graduation she attended Moorhead State College for one year of general studies. She went to NWTC-DL in their satelite Nursing Program, from 1992 and graduated in 1994 with a LPN degree.
Dale started working at Colfax, ND for Donald Kummer after recieveing his degree from Moorhead Tech in May of 1978. He continued to work there until April of 1982 when he started driving Semi over the road. In August of 1982, they returned to the Flom area and Dale was employed by the FLom Co-op until 1984, when he began working for Mark Seeger as a over the road truck driver. He did this until 1985 when they left the Flom area and moved to Carrington, ND where he was employed as a Truck Driver over the road. They came back to the Flom area in 1988 and lived in the former Mabel Skansgaard home in Flom. Dale at this time purchased his own truck and continued driving throughout the United States.
In 1994 he started his own business of Gravel hauling and Backhoe work during the summer and driving truck in the winter months. In 1998 Dale started working for Mark Habedank as a Farm Laborer and his employed there today.
Terri started working at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Homes in Twin Valley, Mn in 1988 as a Nurse's Aid and TMA. She continued working at the Home, taking care of her family and going to school until she recieved her degree in 1994. At that time she went to work at Bridges Medical Center in Ada, Mn where she is still employed as a LPN. Besides working at Bridges she is also employed by Norman County Ambulance in the EMS department, as a EMT-Intermediate which she has done since 1995. She is also a volunteer of the Twin Valley Rescue Squad which she has been with since 1993.
Dale and Terri were married on February 4, 1978 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.They currently reside in Twin Valley, Mn on the East edge of town. They are the parents of four sons; Jon
Allan, Jason Lee, James Brandon and Benjamin Andrew.
Jon Allan Thornton was born on June 25, 1978 at St. Angar's Hospital in Moorhead, Mn. He was baptized on July 27, 1978 and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church. He school at Twin Valley, grades K-1, Carrington ND from grades 2-4 and graduated from Norman County East, Twin Valley, Mn. Jon currently resides in Flom, Mn in the home owned by Dave Steichen, many may remember it as the Narum house or Mike and Genny Johnson's home in section 33 of Flom township. Jon is not married.
Jason Lee Thornton was born on January 29, 1981 at St. Ansgar's Hospital in Moorhead, Mn. He was baptized on March 29, 1981 at Aspelund Lutheran Church and confirmed there also. He attended school at Carrington, ND 1-2 and Twin Valley/Norman County East and recieved his GED. He is currently employed as a farm laborer in the Twin Valley area and is unmarried.
James Brandon Thornton was born on August 18, 1982 at St. Ansgar's hospital in Moorhead, Mn. He was baptized on October 31, 1982 at Aspelund and confirmed on October 18, 1998 at Aspelund Lutheran Church. He is a 2001 graduate of Norman County East and is currently attending Northland Tech College in Thief River Falls, Mn. He is pursuing a career in Aviation Maintanence. He enjoys playing football ( of which he was named all conference for NCE in 2001, and Best Defensive Player in 2001) and Baseball.
Benjamin Andrew Thornton was born on June 22, 1985 at St. Ansgar's Hospital in Moorhead, Mn. He
was baptized on August 8, 1985 at Aspleund and confirmed there also. He is currently attending Norman County East and is a sophomore. He enjoys playing sports like; Football, Baseball, Basketball and cars.
He plays on the Norman County East Football team and on the Norman County East-Ulen-Hitterdal Titans Baseball team.
Franklin and Dorothy (Dobereiner) Thornton
Franklin Thornton was born on June 25, 1911 in Flom township of Norman County. He grew up on the family farm in Walworth township, Becker County, Mn. Franklin married Dorothy Dobereiner at the Syre Lutheran Church, Syre, Mn on September 12, 1934. The first year oftheir married life they lived with her fold, the C.L. Dobereiners, and farmed an 80 acre piece of land. the only equipment Franklin owned was a team of horses and a walking plow with which he plowed that piece of land. When it came time to seed and harvest, he was lent help from his father-in-law and brother-in-law, the later George J. Hirchert.
That fall they moved to a farm southeast of Flom where they lived a couple of years adn then moved back to the Syre area.
They made their home on a farm five miles north of Ulen until for health reasons, they were forced to sell out. When Frank and Dorothy retired they moved to South Fargo, ND where they remained. Frank passed away in the spring of 1985.
Frank and Dorothy celebrated their silver wedding anniversary, their 40th and also their Golden wedding anniversary. They were the parents of one child; Frances Darlene. She married Herbert Monson and they had two children; Mark and Elizabeth.
Herman and Frances (Starman) Thornton
Herman Frederick Thornton was born on November 12, 1888 in Iowa County, Iowa, to Albert harvey Thornton who was born on December 28, 1863 in Iowa County, Iowa and Lillian Angeline Cheney who was born on December 12, 1866 in Millersburg, Iowa County, Iowa.
Frances M. Starman was born in Somerset township, Steele county, Mn on July 3, 1888, to Frank and Josephine Starman.
Herman and Frances were married on February 7, 1910. They first resided in Owatonna and Plummer, Mn before coming to this area in 1916. They lived for awhile in section 8 of Walworth township. The farm is now owned by Duane Erickson.
They were members of Walworth Baptist church, rural Flom, Mn. Frances was active in the Walworth Ladies Aid.
Herman passed away on November 24, 1994 in Twin Valley, Minnesota.
Herman and Frances were the parents of seven sons; two proceeding her in death, Albert (Nov. 12, 1913 in Flom township), Franklin (June 25, 1911 in Flom, Mn) , Harold, Lawrence, Norman and Elmer.
Frances Starman Thornton and Josephine Starman Seykora were sisters.
Clifton and Eileen (Gunderson) Thorpe
Eileen Gunderson was born on June 26, 1924. She attended school at Waubun, Mn. After graduation she married Clifton Thorpe on April 29, 1949. He worked with North Star Dairy in Detroit Lakes, Mn and Eileen worked as a church secretary at Grace Lutheran Church and at the Becker County Courthouse in Detroit Lakes, Mn. They were the parents of five children; Nadine (August 18, 1951), Cynthia (December 19, 1952), Brian (September 24, 1955), Annette ( February 14, 1957) and Jennifer ( February 22, 1958).
Albert T. and Jonette (Dorseth) Thorson
Albert Thorvald Thorson was born on February 17, 1900 to Ole and Augusta (Dorseth) Thorson on the family farm in section 26 of Flom township.
Jonnette Dorseth as born to John and Lovise (Carlson) Dorseth on December 6, 1912 at Flom, Mn. She grew up in the town of Flom where her father operated Dorseth’s Hardware Store.
Albert and Jonnette were married on March 20, 1929.
Albert owned and operated a service station in Flom, they also had a Cafe for a period of time and Albert also worked for a gas company selling gas stoves. He then went to work on the Alaskan Highway for a period of time in which he was a timekeeper until 1943 when they moved to International Falls, Mn. In 1963, he retired and they moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Albert and Jonnette were members of Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. They were the parents of two daughters; Lois (Ray Engstrand) and Jeanniane (Laurel Aasgaard).
Albert passed away on July 9, 1979 at the age of 79. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. After his death Jonette continued to live in Detroit Lakes, living the past few years at the Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Alma Helene Thorson
Alma was born on July 10, 1905 at Flom, Mn., to Ole and Augusta (Dorseth) Thorson. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. She grew up on the family farm one mile east of Flom in section 26. She never married and lived her life on the family farm. The last few years she was a resident at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley, due to her health.
Alma had two brothers; Albert and Oscar.
Alma passed away on April 18, 1979 at the age of 73 years. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, with interment in the church cemetery.
Charles Thorson
Charles was born on January 3, 1924, near Flom to Oscar and Stella (Anker) Thorson. He grew up on the family farm in Flom township in section 24, here he attended school, and
graduated from Waubun High School. He was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. As a young man Charles worked for area farmers. He began farming on his own on the family farm with his brothers, Eldon and Dennis in 1946. He retired in the late 1980’s from farming but remained living on the farm with his brother Eldon. Due to health he became a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Homes for a short time, before his death.
Charles was a lifetime member of Aspelund and a charter member of the Flom Area Lion’s Club. He had served as the treasurer of that organization since it was founded, and had also been a active member of the Flom Community Club for a number of years. In the past, Charles had been honored as the "Dairyman of the Year."
Charles passed away on February 25, 1991 after a brief illness with cancer. He is buried by his parents at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
Ole and Augusta (Dorseth) Thorson
Ole Thorson, one of the best-known and most substantial farmers and stockmen of the Flom neighborhood, former assessor of Flom township, former president and present member of the Board of directors of the Flom Creamery Company, former secretary-treasurer of the Flom Mutual Fire Insurance Company and for years regarded as among the most progressive and public -spirited citizens of that community, is a native of the kingdom of Norway, but has been a resident of Minnesota since he was eighteen years of age and of Norman county since the spring of 1886, being therefore very\properly regarded as one of the "old settlers" of this section. He was born at Guldbrandsdalen, in Norway, December 10, 1863, son of Thor and Marit (Walden) Thorson, also natives of that country, who were the parents of three children, the subject of this sketch having a sister, Annie, and a brother, Thorwald. In 1888, a couple of years after Ole Thorson had settled in Norman county, his parents joined him here and the father is still living.
Reared on a farm in his native Norway, Ole Thorson received his schooling in the neighborhood schools and remained at home until he was eighteen years of age, when, in the spring of 1881, he came to the United States and proceeded directly on out in to Minnesota, his objective point being Pope county. There he remained about five years, or until the spring of 1886, when he came on up into the Red River country and became engaged in farming in the township of Flom, in Norman county. Two years later, in 1888, Mr. Thorson bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 26 of that township and, his parents joining him in that year, established his home there. He married in 1892 and has ever since made that place is home, he and his family being very comfortably situated . As he prospered in his operations Mr. Thorson added to his land holdings until now he is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres and has one of the best -equipped farm plants in the Flom neighborhood. In addition to his general farming Mr. Thorson has given considerable attention to dairying and to the raising of live stock and has done very well, long having been recognized as one of the most progressive farmers in that part of the county. He was one of the organizer of the Flom Creamery Company, served as secretary-treasurer and later as president of the same and is still a member of the board of directors of that thriving concern. From 1897 to 1912 he served as secretary -treasurer and as a member of the board of directors of the Flom Mutual Fire Insurance Company and in other ways has given of his time and attention to the general business affairs of his home community. Mr. Thorson also has ever given a good citizen’s attention to the civic affairs of his home county and for four years 1913-1917, served very acceptably as a member of the board of commissioners of Norman county. He also served for seven years as assessor of Flom township and for about twenty years as clerk of his home school district, to the duties of all of these several public offices giving his most thoughtful and intelligent attention.
In 1892 Ole Thorson was united in marriage to Augusta Dorseth, daughter of Andreas Dorseth and wife, and to this union four children have been born, Mina (Christ Lunde), Oscar, Albert, and Alma. The Thorson’s are members of the Lutheran (Synod) church and take an interested part in the various beneficences of the same, as well as in the general good works and social activities of the community in which they live.
TIP FROM 1945: To make your application for your second and third allotment of canning sugar, please return the address slip to which your first stamps were fastened on a written request. Please make the request only by mail. War Price & Rationing Board, Ada.
Oscar and Stella Thorson
Oscar Thorson was born in 1896 to Ole and Augusta (Dorseth) Thorson, in Flom township. Here he was raised to manhood.
Stella Viola Anker was born on May 26, 1900 in Kossuth County, Iowa, to Charles Lewis and Mary Cecilia (Oppedal) Anker. Stella was on of four children born to the Anker’s, her brother’s were Andrew and Elmer and a sister Clara (Wise). Their mother passed away on May 27, 1905, prior to their coming to the Flom area. Charles packed up his family and moved to the Flom area when Stella was eleven years old. It was here they remained.
Oscar and Stella were married on June 28, 1923 and they settled into farming. They lived in section 24 of Flom township. They were active members of Aspelund Lutheran Church, and active in their community.
Oscar passed away in 1946, after his death Stella remained on the farm. He sons having taken the farming opereation over. In the later years of Stella’s life she moved into the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley. Stella passed away on May 27, 1985.
Oscar and Stella were the parents of three sons; Charles, Eldon and Dennis. Charles and Eldon took over the farming operation after their father’s death. The farm remains in the Thorson name.
Thorson Brothers
Charles Orlando Thorson as the first born child of Oscar and Stella. He was born on January 3, 1924. He lived on the family farm his whole life and actively farmed with his brother Eldon, until his death on February 25, 1991. He never married. Charles is buried at Aspelund.
Charles was very active in his church and community, having served on various boards which included the Flom Community Club and Flom Area Lion’s.
After Charles’ death Eldon remained on the Farm until 2000 when he moved into the Normandy apartments in Twin Valley, Mn.
Thorvald and Johanne (Kirkeby) Thorson
Thorvald was one of triplets born to Marit and Thor Valden in Gulbrandsdalen, Norway on March 7th, 1872. He came with his parents to America in 1891 and settled in this community. Johanne Kirkeby died on August 30th, 1911 and is buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Thorvald and Johanne were married on December 18th, 1900 in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. To this union four daughters were born; Bennett (N.C.) Holm, Mildred (G.O.) Hanson, Myrtle (Reuben) Erickson and Valborg (Ted) Wendt.
When Johanne died she left Thorvold to raise their four daughters. He was not only a kind and loving father, but also took the place of a mother. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn and served on the different church boards of the congregation. He was always interesting in the up building of the community and served on various local and township boards.
During his later years he devoted much of his time to selling insurance and continued doing so until his health failed.
Thorvald died on March 5th, 1947 at the home of his daughter Myrtle Hanson. He is buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
Art and Regina (Strand) Thorstenson
Arthur Harold Thorstenson was born on September 18, 1898 to Hans and Lena Thorstenson at Battle Lake, Mn.
Helga Regina Strand known to all as Reggie was born on May 9, 1904 in Kindred, ND. She graduated from High School in Fargo, ND in 1923. She received her teaching degree and taught school at Colfax, ND for two years and in Hickson, ND for two years.
Art and Reggie were married on February 3, 1931 in St. Cloud, Mn. The owned and operated a grocery store in Flom from 1931 to 1956. They left the Flom area and moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn where they operated the Detroit Music Company for 10 years.
Art died on December 21,1973 and Reggie continued to live in Detroit Lakes, Mn until her death on June 18, 1995. Reggie had been a resident of the Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes since 1994. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn.
Joseph and Ione (Christensen) Tobin
Joseph Patrick Tobin was born on April 7,1923 to Joseph and Minnie (Ramsey) Tobin in Chicago, Illinois. He was baptized in Chicago and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn. He attended school and received a GED. He served his country as a member of the armed forces in the Army.
Ione was born on October 15, 1926 (twin Irene deceased) to William and Selma (Flom) Christensen in Flom. She was baptized at home and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. She went to country schools in the area and after finishing attended one year at Fargo Business College, Fargo, ND.
Joe and Ione were married on December 10, 1949 at Wild Rice. They lived in Home Lake Township in Section 17 and settled on the Christensen home place in section 22 of Flom Township, here they raised their family and farmed. Ione kept busy with the normal activities of a farmer’s wife and mother.
Joe and Ione were the parents of two sons;
Warren J. was born on December 20, 1958 at Ada, Mn. He was baptized in February at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. He graduated from Twin Valley High School and after graduation attended school at UND Grand Forks, ND. graduating in 1973. He served his country by joining the Air Force. Warren married Sally Fischer of East Grand Forks, Mn. They have four children. Patrick, Sarah, Katrina and Joseph.
Terry L. February 15, 1955 was born on he was baptized at Zion in Twin Valley and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN. He attended school at Twin Valley where he graduated from High School. After graduation he attended UND where he graduated in 1977. Terry married Diane Houglum from Waubun, Mn. They live in Wahpeton, ND with their two sons, John and Joshua
The Tobias Tollefson Family
Tobias Tollefson was born on a farm in Kvaas, Lyngdal, Vest Agder, Norway on March 9, 1849. He was a son of Tolli and Anne (Tollisdatter Fidjestodl) Olsen Kvaas, farmer’s from Norway who spent their life in their native land. Tobias had two sisters who also emigrated from Norway to America. Anne Oleane (Mrs. Gabriel Peterson Aas) who homesteaded and lived at Sims, North Dakota and Anne Tobine (Mrs. Elias Larson) who also homesteaded at Sims, North Dakota. Anne Tobine Larson is buried in Aspelund Cemetery. Mr. Tollefson was the seventh, in order of birth. in a family of eight children. He was reared on a home farm age of seventeen years he went to sea, and sailed three years, visiting Sweden, England, France, Denmark and Belgium. He came to America at the age of twenty years, settled on a farm in lowa and worked at farm labor there for three years, and then began farming for himself. He continued this for three years and then with an ox team started for Minnesota. Five weeks were consumed on the trip. Upon his arrival in Norman County he entered claim to government land, which is in Section 34 of Flom Township and presently owned by Gerald Lien, and erected a shanty 12 x 14 feet and with oxen began farming the land. It was timber and he and his son, cleared the same of stumps and brought the land to a high state of cultivation.
Prairie fires were numerous, indian disturbances, scares and blizzards were numerous and the property was barely saved on many occasions. The farm consisted of six hundred acres of land, with plenty of timber, pasture and hay land on same. The buildings of the home farm included residence, barn and outbuildings necessary for the comfort of the family and the sheltering of stock and products, and were of substantial nature. Mr. Tollefson moved with his family to Moorhead, Minnesota, in 1892, and resided there five years in order to give his children a liberal education. He had a ten acre tract of land there and from this small acreage netted enough to almost clear expenses of living there.
He returned to the farm in Norman County in 1897 to reside and farmed for many years before retiring to Moorhead.
He was married, in 1872, to Severina Johnson Skeim, a native of lowa. Mrs. Tollefson's father, Andrew Johnson Skeim, was a native of Aurland, Sogn, Norway. Her mother, Gertrude Andersdatter Veum, was also born in Aurland, Sogn, Norway. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Tollefson. named as follows: Amanda Josephine, now Mrs. Hans Olson; Theodore; Thea (Gullings) and Selma (Baker).
Even and Anna (Halvorson)Tomtengen.
E. L. (Even) Tomtengen was born in Bire, Norway, on October 30, 1842. He came to this country with his parents as a boy of eight years of age. They settle in Coon prairie, Wis, where he remained for 28 years. While in Wisconsin he kept a store at Esophia, he gave that place it’s name and was it’s first postmaster. He married Anna Halvorson and soon after they were married they left Wisconsin coming to Norman County, where they have resided since.
E. L. has served on various boards and is very involved with his community. Here he served as school and town clerk, and also as county commissioner of the 5th district. He lead a good and useful life. He was a good husband, a kind father and an obliging neighbor.
E. L. died on Setpember 3, 1906 funeral services were conducted by Rev. Vaaler.
Hans E. and Anne (Volden) Tomtengen
Hans E. Tomtengen was born in September 1865 to Even and Annie Tomtengen in West Vernon County, Wisconsin. As a young boy Even immigrated with his parents to the United States from Birid, Norway in 1850. They first settled in Dane County, Wisconsin. In 1852, they went to Vernon County, Wisconsin where they lived until the came to the Flom area in Norman County, MN in 1878.
Anne was born on December 11th, 1872 to Erland Grassletten and Anne Volden at Sondre Fron, Gulbrandsdalen, Norway. She immigrated to the United States at the age of 18, coming to the Flom area. On August 10th, 1892 she was united in marriage to Hans E. Tomtengen. They farmed in Flom Township in Section 33, until her husbands death on March 4th, 1922. After that she moved into Twin Valley in 1923 and resided there until she went to live with her daughter, Mrs. Elenora (Ben) Flilipi at Tabor, Mn. The spring of 1945 she moved with them to Fisher, Mn where she lived until her death.
Anne Tomtengen had a happy and sunny disposition and was beloved by all who knew her. Her collection of Norwegian poems was a beautiful testimony of her faith in her Lord and Savior.
Hans and Anne were the parents of two daughters; Elenora Amalia (Filipi) was born on September 4th, 1893. She married Benjamine Flilipi. Elenora died on January 8th, 1990 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, Mn. Alice E. (Hadland) was born on November 5th, 1895. See Ole and Alice Hadland.
Hans died on March 4th, 1922 and Anne died on September 27th, 1945. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom, MN.
Lorraine (Christensen) Trevelyan
Lorraine Henrietta Christensen was born on January 14, 1924 to Pete and Mary (Olsen) Christensen. Lorraine was named after her uncle Henry Christensen who was killed in WW I near Lorraine France on September 25, 1918. Her sister Viola was the one who picked out her name in honor of Uncle Henry.
Lorraine attended school at Sunny Hill and graduated from Twin Valley High School She then went to Chicago to the Chicago School of Nursing and graduated from there as a Registered Nurse. Lorraine worked at hospitals in Chicago, California and Washington.
She married Ralph Trevelyan on February 22, 1957 and they lived in Seattle, Washington. Here Lorraine worked at the Abbott Children’s Hospital, until she retired. Ralph passed away in 1972 and is buried in the state of Washington. Lorraine moved back to this area in 1986. On August 12, 1988 she married Melvin Vik, they resided in Mahnomen, Mn. Lorraine passed away in 1995 and is buried in the Mahnomen Cemetery on the east west side of town.
Halvor and Aslaug (Ellingsdatter) Tveitstulen
Halvor was born in Hjartdal parish, Telernark, Norway in 1816 on the Tveitstulen farm near the Ab0 farm. In 1844 Halvor married Aslaug Ellingsdatter - 7 years after Aslaug's older brother Christian married Halvor's sister Kari. In 1860 Christian and Kari sailed on the Amelia to Quebec and settled in Boone Co. Illinois. In 1862, Halvor, Aslaug, Aslaug's mother Helge, and 6 children probably sailed on the Amelia heading to Quebec. At sea, Helge and 1 of the children died resulting in a party of 7 that settled near Christian and Kari in Boone County. I imagine the 2 farnilies wrote to each other and Helge dreamed of seeing America - but typhoid occurred on the Ameila in 1862 resulting in many deaths and failed dreams.
Little Halvor (age 1) died in Jefferson Prairie in 1862. In 1864 Anna (who became the wife of John Vangness) was born while the family was still in the Boone County area. Needed more land and better opportunity, the family moved in 1864 to Freeborn County. ln 1869 another child 14 year old Helge died in Freeborn County. By this time, Aslaug's brother and 2 of his children were also living in Freeborn County as neighbors.
The last child Ingeborg was born in 1867 (who became the wife of Ingebrit Kvidt) and the oldest son Torbjorn married in 1873. Grasshoppers were prevalent from 1872-1876 so again the family was forced to move this time because of mother nature. Ragnild and Gilbert Hogenson the niece and nephew to Aslaug were homesteading in Wild Rice township and so the Halvor Tveitstulen family moved in 1876 to the then Polk County and homesteaded 160 acres in 1883 in section 26 of Wild Rice Township. Here they finished raising there family and both spouses and there children were well liked and were friends to all.
Halvor died 11/22/1910 and Aslaug died 3/13/1914 and both are buried in the Twin Valley Cemetery. One sad note was that of the total of 9 children, 4 were males. 2 boys died in 1862 and even though the other 2 boys married, no offspring were born to the male lineage leaving this Tveitstulen name to become nonexistent. The 3 girls who made it to adulthood did ma'Ty and had 8 (Mrs Hans Urdahl), 6 (Anna Vangness), and 8 ( Mrs. lngebrit Kvidt) children respectively.
By Richard Line
Olaf and Alpha (Olson) Tveten
Olaf Tveten was born on November 13, 1897 in Norway, where he grew up and attended school. At the age of 17, he moved to the United States. He first worked in the Crookston area where he worked on several farms and attended school. He came to the Flom area later and worked at the bank as a cashier. Olaf had one sister Sigrid (Nymoen) who remained in Norway and one brother Hans.
Alpha Olson was born on May 8, 1996 to Hans and Amanda (Tollefson) Olson. She had two brothers; Guy and Arnold and four sisters; Myrtle (Oscar Kindseth), Anna (Solberg), Dora (Larson) and Selma (Tveten).
Olaf and Alpha were married on October 26, 1924, near Flom. During their first years of marriage they left the area and lived at Sand Creek, Montana where they were active in farming until 1937, when they left Montana and returned to the Flom area. Here they purchased a farm in Mahnomen County where they remained. Olaf not only farmed but was know for his raising of goats. They retired from farming in 1984.
Olaf passed away on September 19, 1986 and Alpha passed away on May 8, 1996. They are both buried at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn.
Olaf and Alpha were the parents of four children; Lowell, Omar, Allan and Beulah (Albert Prestrude).
Albert and Dora (Johnson) Underdahl
Albert John Underdahl was born to Elling and Annie (Benson) Underdahl, on October 15, 1892, on a farm north of Flom. Here he grew up and attended Sunny Hill School. He was baptized and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. As a young man he worked in a sawmill at Faith, Mn, before entering the United States Army during World War I. After military service, he returned to the Twin Valley area and on March 11, 1924, he married Dora Johnson in Twin Valley.
They resided near Faith, Mn for a time before moving to Virginia, Mn where he worked in the mines for a few years. They returned to the Twin Valley area, where he helped his brother, Clarence, with the farming operation for about six years. Dora died in May 1937. After her death Albert moved to International Falls, Mn, where he worked for M & O Paper Mill in the storeroom, retiring in 1959.
In 1962 Albert moved to Fairmont, Mn where he resided until 1966. He lived in Minneapolis until the early 1980’s, when he moved to Onamia, where he was a resident of Mille Lacs Nursing Home.
Albert died on August 1, 1989 at the age of 96. Funeral services were held at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn with interment in the church cemetery.
Albert and Dora were the parents of Doris (Ray Freeberg), Betty ( Michael Lovejoy) and Ardell.
Alfred J. and Alice (Lukas Stundahl) Underdahl
Alfred was born on October 6, 1882 to Johannes and Kristi Underdahl, near Lanesboro, Minnesota. He grew up in that area and came to this vicinity as a young man. He helped his mother farm the home farm for several years. He attended rural school and was confirmed in the Wild Rice Lutheran church on June 5, 1898.
Alice Cecelia Stundahl was born in 1909 to John Lukas and Sophie Stundahl, in Moorhead, Mn. She was baptized at Bethany Lutheran Church in Moorhead and confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn. She made her home with her Grandfather Sjur Stundahl and Uncle Carl after the death of her mother. Here she attended rural schools in the area. Alice was active in her church in the ALCW, she loved to sing and knew many hymns.
Alfred and Alice were married on February 18, 1935 at Moorhead, Mn. After their marriage they resided on the farm in Flom township for several years. He was also employed in a elevator in Berthold, ND for a short time. In 1948 he and his wife moved to Fossum townshipand resided there for 18 years. It was their home until the time of his death. Besides farming in this area he also worked for the County Highway Department erecting and removing snow fences in the vicinity. Alfred was the last surviving member of his family. He died on April 19, 1966, and Alice passed away on September 29, 1971.
Alfred had one daughter Lila (Wayne Howe)
Arthur and Frieda (Klefler) Underdahl
Frieda Klefler was born on August 12, 1902 at Minneapolis, Mn to Henry and Augusta (Janke) Klefler. The family moved to Virginia, Mn and then to Kensal, ND where she graduated from High School. She taught school in North Dakota and then moved back to Virginia, Mn.
Art and Frieda were married on April 10, 1926 at Virginia. They moved to the Flom area where they were active in farming and then operated a store in Fertile, Mn. They moved to Twin Valley for one year before moving to a farm east of Twin Valley, where they remained until their retirement. After retiring they moved into Twin Valley, Mn where they remained. Frieda entered the Lutheran Memorial Retirement Center and resided there her last three years. Art passed away in 1976 and Frieda passed away on April 2, 1991 , they are buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery.
Frieda was active in her church and community. Frieda also taught school in Twin Valley in the 1940’s.
Art and Frieda were the parents of; Delores (Kearney Buckel), Carol (Robert Awender) and two children who proceeded her in death; Joyce and Darrell.
Elling and Anna (Benson) Underdahl
Elling was born on February 4, 1864 in Sogn, Norway to John and Christina Underdahl. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith in his native land. He came with his parents to American when he was two years old. They settled first in Fillmore county and it was here that Elling was confirmed. At the age of 19 he came to Twin Valley, Mn and settled on a farm in Flom with his parents.
Anna Benson was born in Steele County, Mn in 1876. She came to Becker County, Mn at the age of five with her parents. Her brothers were: August Benson who lived by Faith and Hans Benson of Mahnomen.
Elling married Annie Benson on December 28, 1891. They were the parents of Albert, Elmer, Clarence, Orlin, Lloyd , Clarence, Ruth, Stella, Esther, and Bernice.
Clarence was born in 1894 and died in 1895, Bernice was born in 1914 and died on January 15, 1915. They are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Lloyd and Pearl (Burns) Underdahl
Lloyd Abner Underdahl was born on November 18, 1911 in Twin Valley, Mn to Elling and Annie (Benson) Underdahl.
He grew up and attended school in rural Flom, having attend country school at Sunny Hill. After completing his education he went to International Falls, Mn where he worked in the Paper Mill. In 1944 he came back to the area and settle near Gary, Mn on a farm. In began operating the Happy Hour Tavern in Ada, Mn in 1946 and in 1948 he owned the Studebaker Garage in Ada, Mn. He also sold Nashes and Crosley cars. He purchased and operated the Anthony Store in 1950 and moved to Halstad in 1963 where he owned and operated the Variety Store until his retirement in 1979.
He was a member of the Halstad Lutheran Church, the Sons of Norway at Halstad and for over 50 years he was the leader of the Lloyd DeBoy and His Orchestra.
Lloyd married Pearl Burns on December 23, 1933 at International Falls, Mn. They were the parents of; Boyd, David, Myrna (Duane Thornton) and Pamela (Charles Gunnerson). Three children proceeded him in death they were: Dennis Roy who was born in 1941 and died on November 30, 1941 at the age of six months. Carlisle Shirley was born in 1937 and died on August 20, 1941. She died from encephalitis at the age of three. Baby Underdahl was born on February 11, 1951 and only lived for five minutes. All three children are buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
Lloyd passed away on May 22, 1988. Funeral services were held at Halstad Lutheran Church with interment at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Einar and Martha C. (Urdahl) Urdahl
Einar was born in Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1866. He emigrated from Norway in 1882. He married Martha C. Urdahl in 1893. They lived in Section 9 of Flom Township. Both Einar and Martha are buried in Zion Cemetery in Twin Valley, Minnesota.
To them were born two children, Eva, who was married to Joe Juve and Selmer, who was married to Elvina Dyrdahl.
Selmer and Elvina had the following children:
Einar, who was born in the Brenden log house in Flom; Dennis, Howard, David, Eidor, Orla (Brusven), Eva Urdahl, Zella (Wierneke), Betty (Anderson), Joan Kosovik and Eva Laurele (Quirk)
Selmer and a friend owned a cafe/butcher shop in Flom at one time. Selmer and his wife Elvina are buried at the Badger Cemetery in Badger, Minnesota.
Erick G. and Randi Urdahl
Erick was born in Aurland, Sogn, Norway on October 24, 1841 to Gjert Eriksen Vikesland Urdahl and Marta Toraldsdatter Prestegaard Urdahl. He married Randi and to them ten children were born.
Oscar, Lars, Gjert, Erick, Emil, Theodore, Mrs. J. Kirkeby, Mrs. Albert Kirkeby, Mrs. Einar Urdahl and Minnie Urdahl. He also had the following siblings: Torald, Jens, Hans, Margretta Kvidt and Martha Qual.
Randi was also born in Norway. She immigrated to America as a young girl. She lived in southern Minnesota before moving to Norman County. They lived five miles east of Twin Valley.
Erick died in 1925 and Randi died in 1915. Both are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery.
Jens Gjertsen Prestegaard and Thuri (Thorpe) Urdahl
Jens Gjertsen was born in Aurland Sogn, Norway on May 16, 1838 to Gjert Eriksen Vikesland and Marta Toraldsdatter Prestegaard, the name was changed to Urdahl. He married Thuri Thorpe in Norway and they later emigrated from Norway to America and homesteaded in Flom Township.
They donated 160 acres of land and buildings and $1,500 in money to build an orphan’s home in the year of 1898. The land and buildings were located east of Twin Valley, near the Wild Rice Church. The place today is across the road from Ernie’s Repair in Fossum.
The following child was born to them: Mathilda.
Jens died in 1904 and Thur died in 1899. Both are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Knute and Manda (Thompson) Urdahl
Knute Urdahl was born in Norway on July 6, 1898. He came to America and Norman County with his parents when he was eight years old. They family settled in section 17 of Flom township, and it was here he grew to manhood.
Manda Thompson was born on December 21, 1882 on the family farm in Flom township, the daughter of Knute and Anne Thompson. Manda was baptized in 1883 and confirmed in 1898 at Wild Rice Lutheran Church. She grew up here and attended country school. She furthered her education at Grand Forks, ND at the business college there.
She married Knute Urdahl on June 30, 1903 at the Wild Rice Church. In her role as a pioneer housewife sha also did a lot of knitting and crocheting. She was a great conversationalist and had a pleasing personality. She was a Life Member of the Wild Rice ALCW.
Knute passed away on February 10, 1958 and Manda passed away on November 13, 1979 at the age of 96 years. They are both buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
They were the parents of seven children; Kenneth, Monroe, Monroe (2) Clarbelle (Bertsch), Constance, Irene (Salisbury) and Mildred (Iverson).
Thorald and Kjestina (Liven) Urdahl
Thorald and Kjestina Urdahl came to Flom Township approximately in the year 1886 from Sogn, Norway, and settled on the farrn south of the Wild Rice Churcb on the east side of the road, later purchasing land in Section 17 of Flom Township. They built a log house there which is still in use. To this marriage, six children were born, namely, Martha, Anna, Lena, Bertha, Gjert, and Knute.
Gjert Urdahl homesteaded near Flaxville, Montana, but returned to Twin Valley, Minnesota, to spend his retirement. He never married and especially enjoyed his nieces and nephews. He died in 1930.
Martha married Hans Mollerstuen and to this union eleven children were born, namely, Tideman, Oscar, Bella, Harry, Stina, Agnes, Mabel, Benny, George, Johnny and Elvin.
Anna married Andrew Anderson and also lived near Flaxville. They had five children, namely, Cora, Nettie, Belle, Richard, and Orville.
Lena was married to August Brenden in 1896. They also had five children, namely Inanda, Thomas, Casper, Alice and Loyal. They homesteaded near Scobey, Montana.
Bertha married Nels Duckstad and the following girls were born to them, Constance Myrtle, Valda, Phyliss and another. They lived at Columbus, North Dakota.
All of Thorald and Kjestina Urdahl's children, except Bertha and Knute, homesteaded in the area around Flaxville, Montana. Knute farmed in that area for four years from 1914-1918 on the farm commonly known as "Old Orville." Then he returned to Flom Township and resumed farming on the home farm. Knute Urdahl married Manda Thompson June 30, 1903. Seven children came to bless this home, twin girls, Constance and Clarabelle, Kenneth, Irene, Monroe, Mildred and Monroe. Constance died while still an infant and the first Monroe died at the age of two years.
Clarbelle married Frank Bertsch and Irene married Cy Salisbury. They are both retired and live at Hayward, California. Kenneth married Winona Nilson and they reside at Jamestown, North Dakota, where they have made their home since 1948. Mildred married Gerald Iverson and presently lives in Mahnomen Minnesota, and Monroe married Juliette Aasgeard and they live on the home farm, the third generation living in the same home built by Thorald and Kjestina Urdahl.
All of Thorald Urdahl's children have died. Knute died in 1958, and his wife Manda died in 1979. Both are buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Andrew and Gunda (Flom) Uvaas
Gunda Petrina Flom was born on January 16, 1888, at Flom, Mn.,to Elling and Oliane (Ellingstuen) Flom. She attended elementary school at Flom and then went to Oak Grove Seminary, Fargo, ND. She was confirmed at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Andrew and Gunda were married on May 29, 1918 by the Rev. J.R. Vaaler. They moved to Amidon, ND where they lived until their deaths. They had no children. Gunda passed away on December 16, 1952 at Bowman, ND. funeral services were held in ND and we assume she is buried there.
Andrew and Caroline (Green) Vange
Andrew O. Vange was born to Ole Johnson and Brita (Lassesdatter Vikoren) Vange in Vik Sogne, Norway. He came as a small child with his parents to the States. He was raised in Section 25 of Flom Township on the family farm.
Caroline Marie Green was born on February 12th, 1889 to Ole and Ingeborg Svastnen Green.
Andrew and Caroline were married in 1912 at Audubon. The were the parents of nine children.
Edith married Emmet Meyer and they lived in the Ogema prairies and Detroit Lakes area. Both are deceased and buried in Detroit Lakes. They had four children. Darlene, Wayne, Leroy and Lorraine.
Knute was born on June 16th, 1915. He never married. Knute died on March 8th, 1991 and is buried at Aspelund, Flom.
Ovidia married William Martinson and lived in the Detroit Lakes area. They were both employed in Detroit Lakes and were the parents of eleven children. Both are deceased and buried in Detroit Lakes. Helen, Arlene, Esther, Douglas, Carol, Robert, Marilyn, Judy, David, Dale and Dean.
Beata: See Rudolph and Beata Braaten
Edward was born on August 24th, 1920. Edward served in World War II and then again in the 1950’s. Edward never married. He is deceased and is buried at Aspelund, Flom.
Clara married Glen Hendrickson (deceased) she continues to live in the Minneapolis area. They had four children, Larry, Janice, Byron and Bryan.
Clarence married Dorothy Becker of Callaway. They lived in section 25 of Flom Township (family farm) where they were active in farming. They moved to the Detroit Lakes area where he continues to live. They are the parents of three children, Lawrence, Donna and Irene.
Arnold married Donna Hendrickson and they lived in Detroit Lakes. He is deceased and is buried in Detroit Lakes.
A baby was born to Andrew and Caroline on September 11th, 1923 and died on September 14th, 1923 and is buried in Aspelund, Flom.
Andrew died in 1949 and Caroline died in 1952. Both are buried at Aspelund Cemetery.
Edward Vange
Edward M. Vange was born on the home farm in section 25 of Flom township, to Andrew and Caroline Vange. He grew up here and received his education in Flom.
He farmed on the home farm in rural Flom until entering the service during WW II. He re-enlisted and served during the Korean Conflict. After he was discharged he came back to the Flom area and farmed, later in the Lake Park area. He moved to Detroit Lakes, Mn in the mid 1960’s where he worked for the City Parks Dept. He later worked for the Swift Turkey Plant there until retiring in 1983. He never married.
Edward died on June 23, 1995 at his home in Detroit Lakes, Mn. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom.
Ole and Brita (Lassedatter Vikoren) Vange
Ole Vange Sr. was born to John Markusson Vange and Kari Pedersdatter Stadheim on Vange, Vik, Sogne Norway. He was born on May 10th, 1846.
Brita was born on February 2nd 1842 to Lasse Erikson Malsnes/Vikoren and Barbra Nilsdatter Vikoren in Vik, Sogne, Norway. Vik is located along the Sogne Fjord.
Ole and Brita were married on December 29th, 1867 in Norway. They came to the Flom area and settle in section 25 in April 1886. Along with them they brought their three children, Andrew who was born on August 9th, 1869, Ole Jr. who was born on February 22, 1879 and a daughter Christina (Wallstrom). Here they were active in farming. Children born to them after they arrived in the states were Peder, John, Elling and Hans.
Ole Jr. never married and is buried at the Aspelund Cemetery, Flom. Ole Sr. died on March 21st, 1934 and Brita died on July 8th, 1926. They are both buried at the Aspelund Cemetery.
Dennis and Brenda (Gunderson) Vangrud
Brenda Noreen Gunderson was born on August 12, 1947. She attended school at Ulen, Mn and went on to Moorhead State University where she earned a degree in Elementary Education. She taught school in Fargo, ND. Brenda married Dennis Vangrud on June 20, 1970 at Atlanta Lutheran Church, rural Ulen, Mn. Dennis was employed by NW Bell of Omaha, NE, he is now retired. Brenda currently works for a Food Service.
Brenda and Dennis are the parents of three sons; Daniel, Dale and Adam.
Daniel Joseph was born on June 6, 1972. He went to school at Omaha, Neb and is currently employed as an Electrician. Dale Allen was born on May 17, 1977. He graduated from Omaha High School and is an Electrician. Adam Lee was born on November 25, 1980. He graduated from Omaha High School.
Olaf A. Verdahl
Olaf Adolph Verdahl was born July 17, 1902 in Goodhue County, near Kenyon, Mn., to Halvor and Ellen (Solberg) Verdahl. He came to the Flom area with his parents in 1914. He was baptized in the Lutheran faith in Goodhue County and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran church, rural Flom, Mn. Olaf grew up on the farm and attended rural schools near Flom. Olaf and his brother farmed the family farm until 1965. Olaf never married.
In 1917 due to failing health he moved into Twin Valley, Mn and made his home with his sister and brother-in-law, Edith and Lars Prestegord.
In September 1974, Olaf became a resident of the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home, in Twin Valley.
Olaf had a special interest in cattle and horses that served him well on his years on the farm and that stayed with him throughout his life. He always enjoyed being with his family and friends and in later years, he especially liked to visit at the Senior Citizens gatherings at Flom and the Wild Rice pancake supper each fall.
Olaf passed away on November 16, 1989 at the Lutheran Memorial Home in Twin Valley, funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn with internment in the church cemetery.
Edwin R. Veum
Edwin Veum was born on a farm in Flom Township, December 27, 1891 the son of Elling and Ragnild Veum. He was baptized and confirmed in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church at Ulen, Mn. He grew up on the farm and attended rural school in that area. He was one of fourteen children born to the Veum’s.
He had never married and was the last surviving member of the Elling Veum family at the time of his death.
Besides doing farm work almost all his life, he was also employed by the Olson Seed Company in Moorhead, Mn for several yeas. Because of his heath he had been a resident of the Jones Retirement Center in Moorhead for the last few years. He was survived by several nieces and nephews.
Lars and Dorthea (Lee) Vigum
Lars Vigum was born on April 20, 1872, at Trondheim, Norway, the son of Johann and Beret Vigum. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, and spent his youth in Norway. He attended religious schools and served in the Norwegian Army. He came to America in 1;893 at the age of 21 years.
He married Dorthea Lee on October 18, 1905, at Fertile, Mn. They resided on a farm at Roseau for 8 years, then on farms in Mahnomen and Norman counties, before moving to Fossum township in 1935. He had been a resident of the Pioneer Rest Home since January 28, 1962.
Lars was actively engaged in farming and raising horses for many years. He had been a member of Ness Lutheran church for 22, years, Wild Rice Lutheran Church for 10 years and had served as custodian at Ness for 8 years. He is the last living member of the Johann Vigum family. He was proceeded in death by his parents, 3 brothers and 2 sisters.
Lars and Dorthea were the parents of one son; Oscar and one daughter; Hannah (Theodore) Skare of Gary.
Melvin and Ruby (Christensen) Vik
Ruby Pearl was born on July 16, 1916 in Norman County, Mn., to Pete and Mary (Olsen) Christensen. She attended school in the area and after completing her education she married Leonard Erickson (divorced). To this union one son was born; Alan on October 14, 1935, in Flom township. Alan died at the age of 20 years and is buried at Mahnomen, Mn.
Ruby married Melvin Vik of Mahnomen on October 5, 1947 at Washington State. They moved to Downey Ca. where Melvin worked fo Edison Electric and Ruby was a housewife. In the 1970’s they retired and moved back to Mahnomen, Mn. Rugy died in July 1984, Melvin continued living in Mahnomen. Ruby is buried in the Mahnomen, Cemetery.
Anne Teoline (Olson) Vinger
Anne was 37 years at the time of her death, (1866-1903). She had one daughter, Ruth Stolen. Anne passed away when Ruth was five years of age. Ruth was then taken in as a foster child by Christian and Mathea Engebretson. Ruth later married Oscar Skansgaard.
Anne Teoline had one brother, Hans Olson and a sister Tumina (Peter) Baukol, living in this area. Tobias Tollefson was also her uncle. Anna was born in Kvas, Lyngdal, Vest Agder Norway and is buried at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
William and Mary (Johnson) Voltz
William "Bill" H. Voltz was born on August 18, 1885, near Hope, North Dakota, in Griggs county to Herman and Doris (Rust)Voltz. He grew up on the farm and was baptized and confirmed in German, and also attended German parochial schools, as well as country school.
In 1911 he was united in marriage to Mary Johnson and they then made their home near Hillsboro, ND., where they farmed for several years. Mary passed away on July 15, 1922. After her death Bill lived with his sons and daughters for some time before coming to the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn, because of his age and failing health.
Bill and Mary were the parents of: Marian "Bud" Voltz, Clayton, Evelyn (Dowell) and Dorothy (see Boyd and Dorothy Johnson).
Bill is buried at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley, Mn.
Charles and Cora (Westby) Waller
Charles Aldus Waller was born on May 12, 1917 to John and Sophia (Weum) Waller. He grew up in the Flom area where he attended school. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom, Mn. Following his graduation from Twin Valley High School in 1935 he attended NW School of Agriculture at Crookston, Mn. He returned to the Flom area where he worked for area farmers.
Charles and Cora were married at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom on June 1, 1941. Cora was the daughter of Julius and Helene (Lovlien) Westby.
They farmed south of Flom in Walworth township, Becker county, in section 21. Charles retired from farming in 1980, at this time their son Jerry took over the farming operation. Charles and Cora also owned and operated the Norwegian Maid Lefse factory at Ulen, Mn. They also opened their heart to 17 foster children from 1962 until the late 1970’s.
Charles and Cora were active members of their church and community. Cora was active in the Ladies Aid and Circles and taught Sunday School.
Charles having served on the church board and on the Walworth town board. He was a active member in the local Farm Bureau and a charter member of the Ulen Clinic building, serving as treasurer for some time. Charles and Cora were involved in the Walworth 4-H club and this proved to be a vital part in their lives and their children’s. Charles was a member of 4-H from his youth to adulthood. They were also members of the Ulen Rescue Squad.
Charles passed away on January 6, 1995 at the Lutheran Memorial Nursing Home in Twin Valley, Mn. He is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery.
After his death Cora remained on the farm where she resides today.
Charles and Cora were the parents of four children; Jerry, Charlotte, Diane, and Mary Lou.
James and Nina (Erickson) Waller
James Stanley Waller was born on June 26, 1912 to John and Ingeborg (Sophie Veum) Waller. At the age of eight years he moved with his family to the farm east of Twin Valley. He attended country school in that area. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, rural Flom.
James married Nina Erickson on June 20, 1043, near Twin Valley, Mn. After their marriage they made their home on the family farm in section 1 of Home Lake township.. They eventually took over the operation of the farm from his parents. They retired in 1975 and moved into Twin Valley, Mn.
Even in his retirement Jim continued to help with the farming operation. Their son Ron took over the operation upon their retirement.
James remained a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church until it closure. At this time He and Nina became members of Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, Mn. James was avid reader and enjoyed visiting with his family and friends.
James died on April 12, 1995 at Dakota Hospital in Fargo, ND. Interment was made at Zion Lutheran Cemetery.
James and Nina are the parents of Ron, Sharon (Danny Buckle) and Sylvia (Merlyn Olson).
John C. and Ingeborg (Veum) Waller
John Clarence Waller was born on September 5, 1884 in Flom township, the son of Ole and Mary Waller, He was baptized in the Lutheran faith, and confirmed in the Norsk Lutheran church, Ulen, by Rev. Dale.
Sofie Ingeborg Veum was born on March 29, 1885 in Minnesota.
John and Sofie Ingeborg (Veum)were married on December 20, 1906, at Ada. They resided in Flom township for fifteen years, then moved to Home Lake township where they resided for several years. In 1946 they moved to Twin Valley, Mn. John had farmed in this community all his life, he had also served on the rural school board and the Twin Valley Creamery board for many years. The Shipping Assn board for twenty five years. He was on the board of trustees and a member of Immanuel Lutheran church all his life.
John passed away on April 9, 1964 in Twin Valley, Mn, and Ingeborg on April 5, 1958, they are both buried at Immanuel Cemetery, rural Flom, Mn.
They were the parents of Ruben, James, Charles and Gladys (Morris Bredman). One son Onil Edmore Waller was born on February 19, 1909 and passed away in 1922, he is also buried at Immanuel.
Ole Olsen and Oliane (Pedersdatter) Waller
John Clarence Waller's parents were Ole Olsen Waller who born was on May 13, 1850 in Skinfilli in Hvebert, Grue, Hedmark, Norway. He died in 1919 in Norman Co. Mn. He immigrated 1868. His parents were: Ole Olsen Skinfelli Waller who was born on November 28, 1810 in Aurbaekholen far in Moystad Grue Parish, Hedmark, Norway. His mother was Oliane Pedersdtr born in June 1811 in Grue parish, Hedmark, Norway. Ole Olsen Waller married Ingeberg (Emma) Austin who was born on November 16, 1852 in Wi. They were married in 1874 and were the parents of Esther Waller born in Polk Co Mn, Albert Oscar Waller born on January 4, 1875 in Polk Co. Mn., Fred Waller born January 1877 in Polk Co. Mn, Austin O. Waller born in June 1879 in Polk Co., Mn., Lena Waller born 1882, John Clarence Waller born on September 4, 1884 in Minnesota, and Willie Helmer Waller born on Augut 10, 1888 in Flom twp, Norman Co, Mn.
Ole and Ingeberg (Austin) Waller
Ole Waller having emigrated from Norway, came to Norman County in 1878; homesteading in section 18 near Frenchman's Bluff. southeast of Twin Valley, in what is now part of Flom Township.
In 1881 Flom Township was organized and Ole was elected Moderator.
He was a Charter Member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church which was organized in 1878. Services were held in the school houses for nine years.
Mrs. Waller, whose maiden name was Ingeberg Austin, helped organize the Immanuel Lutheran Ladies Aid.
Mr. and Mrs. Waller had seven children: Albert, Fred, Esther, Austin, Lena, John and Willie, all of whom are now deceased.
Due to failing eyesight Ole left the farming to a son and moved to Twin Valley in 1908 where he lived until his death.
There were thirty-one grandchildren. several of whom still live in Norman County.
By Mrs. Marths Bjerke 1976
Ruben and Dorothy (Hall) Waller
Ruben Ingvald Waller was born on October 22, 1910 in Flom township, the son of John and Ingeborg Waller. He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran Faith as a young child. He attended country school in Home Lake township. As a young man he worked on area farms for several years.
Ruben and Dorothy (Hall) were married on December 5, 1934 on a farm near Twin Valley, Mn. They made their first home at the Wild Rice Children’s Home where Ruben was employed. After this they moved to a farm east of Twin Valley, where they lived for several years. Tuben also worked in the frain elevator construction business for 12 years. They semi-retired in 1958 and returned to Twin Valley, Mn.
Ruben was a past member of Immanuel Lutheran Church rural Flom, Mn., and was currently a member at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn.
Ruben and Dorothy were the parents of; R. Duane, Janice (Donald Fassbender) and one infant son who was born and died on November 18, 1935 and is buried at Immanuel.
Ruben passed away on March 2, 1985 and Dorothy passed away in 1980. After her death he was a resident at the Lutheran Memorial Homes in Twin Valley. They are both buried at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Flom.
Willie and Ella (Tomtengen) Waller
Ella was born on September 25, 1891 near Twin Valley, Mn where she grew up and attended schools. She was a telephone operator for many years.
Wille and Ella were married on June 18, 1916 at Ada, Mn. They were the parents of three sons; Wallie, Clayton and Wayne.
Ella passed away at Fargo, ND on June 3, 1969 at the age of 77 years. Funeral services were held at Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley, Mn.
Timothy and Julie (Houglum) Waterbury
Julie was born on February 3, 1958 and was adopted by Joe and Gladys Houglum when she was six months old. Julie was also born in Minneapolis, Mn. Julie attended school at Waubun and graduated in 1976. She was baptized and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom. After graduation she attended Detroit Lakes Tech, in DL, Mn. She married Charles Howard on July 9, 1977 (divorced) at Aspelund. Julie and Charles have two daughters; Stacy Lynn ( 9/31/1979) and Lora Ann (1/2/1981). Stacy and Lora are both graduates of Moorhead High School. Stacy wors at Hampton Inn in Fargo, ND and has a daughter Jazmine Lynn Joe Howard. Lora lives in Minneapolis, Mn and works for Wells Fargo. Julie lives in rural Moorhead, Mn, she is married to Timothy Waterbury. Julie works at Eventide Nursing Home.
Odin and Nora (Buchholz) Wermager
Odin Teron Wermager was born on January 28, 1896 on a farm near Gary, Mn. He was the son of Ole and Tilla Wermager. He was baptized and confirmed in the St. Petri Lutheran Church, rural Gary. He grew up on the farm and attended country schools. He was one of eleven children born to Ole and Tilla; Gyda (Benny Buchholz), Clara (Everson), Ruth (Ben Johnson), Carl, Clarence, Walter, and Miles. Two brothers and one sister proceeded him in death, we don’t have their names.
On April 27, 1918 he was united in marriage to Nora Buchholz at the home of her parents near Gary, Mn. They resided in several areas during their married life; Fertile, Gary, Waubun, Ada, Twin Valley and Flom, Mn., also Froid and Kalispell in Montana. In these areas he was engaged either in farming or in sales work. He sold farm machinery and equipment for many years, sold used cars, bough and sold horses as a special hobby and operated a livery stable for some time.
Odin and Nora were the parents of; Harold, Roger, Douglas, Donald, Audrey (Parisian), Thelma ( James McDermot), Helen (Lindberg/Malmskog),Norma (Marvin "Monday" Peterson), and Janice (Chandler Mickelson).
Odin passed away on March 23, 1977, funeral services were held at Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, Mn.
C. Robert and Sylvia (Huseby) Westby
Clarence Robert Westby was born on January 24, 1909 at Madison, SD. He was baptized at Madison, SD. At the age of two his mother passed away. When he was six (1915) years old his family moved coming to this area. He was confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN. His education was received from District 54 country school in Walworth Township, Becker County, Mn.
Sylvia Huseby was born on February 19, 1914 at Home Lake Township, by Twin Valley, Mn. She was baptized at home and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. He attended country school at Woodland Nook in Norman County.
Robert and Sylvia were married on October 10, 1934. They took up farming in Walworth Township where they remained until they retired and moved to Ulen, MN. Their grandson Dwight and Mary Beth Fevig took over the farm and live there today.
Robert kept busy with the tasks of being a farmer but in his spare time he enjoyed doing wood working. Sylvia enjoys sewing and baking and decorating cakes. Robert passed away on January 4, 2001 at Viking Manor, Ulen, Mn and is buried at Bethlehem North Cemetery, Ulen, Mn. Sylvia continues to live in Ulen.
Robert and Sylvia were the parents of one daughter; Emelyn Sophie Westby was born on September 20, 1936. She was baptized at home and confirmed at Aspelund Lutheran Church. She attended country school at District 54 and then went to Ulen, where she graduated in 1954. After graduation she worked at J. C. Penney’s in Detroit Lakes, MN., and after her marriage to David Fevig she became to bookkeeper for their business, she is now retired. Emelyn married David Fevig on November 24, 1955 at Aspelund. David owned and operated Fevig Oil Company of Ulen, Mn up until his retirement at which point his son Doyle took it over. David passed away on January 8, 1996. Emelyn and David were the parents of three children;
Dwight born on October 13, 1957 in Virginia Mn. He married Mary Beth Moe on November 27, 1976. They live on the Westby family farm where they have raised their three children; Jason, Joshua and Jenna.
Ellen was born on January 9, 1960 in Detroit Lakes, Mn. She married Greg Zillmer on November 24, 1979. They live on a farm northwest of Ulen, Mn where they have raised their two daughters; Jessica and Megan.
Doyle was born on July 23, 1964 at Detroit Lakes, Mn. He married Wendy Herzog on December 18, 1983. They live in Felton, Mn. Doyle bought out his father’s business, Fevig Oil Co. in 1995. They have two children; Alex and Jordan.
Julius and Helen (Lovlin) Westby
Julius was born on January 7, 1877 in Decorah, Iowa. He had one brother Anthon and a sister Clara (Larson).
Helen Lovlin was born to Mr and Mrs Andrew Lovlin on December 9, 1880, at Madison, SD. She spent her youth there and attended elementary schools there, later she attended a special school for tailoring and dressmaking in Minneapolis, Mn. She worked in the dressmaking business until her marriage to Julius.
Julius and Helen were married on May 19, 1915, at Ada, Mn. Julius had two sons from his first marriage Robert and Clinton. The couple made their home in Walworth township, Becker county, Mn for 35. At which time they retired and moved into Flom in 1950, living on the east side of town. In 1955 Julius passed away and Helen moved in with her daughter Cora (Waller) and her family. She resided here for three years, then moving into the Hilde home in Ulen, Mn.
Helen was a active member of Aspelund Lutheran church and a very active and Life member of it's Ladies Aid.
Julius and Helen children were; Cora ( Charles Waller) and Milton, and two step sons from Julius' first marriage Robert and Clifford.
Milton and Helen (Jensen) Westby
Milton and Vila (Amonson) Westby
Milton Westby was born on October 28, 1916 to Julius and Helen Westby south of Flom. Here he grew up and attended school. He graduated from Twin Valley High School with the class of 1936. After graduation he farmed west of Flom before his marriage to Helen Jenson on July 8, 1938.
After their marriage they continued to farm for 15 years, before moving to Duluth, Mn where he worked in the iron mines. Milton lived in Sioux Falls, SD and Fort Collins Co for several years before his marriage to Vila Amonson at Watertown in 1965. He retired and they moved to Sturgis, SD, where he worked part time at Ace Hardware. Three years before his death he came back to this area and resided in Ulen until he became a resident of the Viking Manor Nursing Home in 1992. Milton died on January 7, 1993 and is buried at Aspelund Lutheran Cemetery, Flom.
Milton is the father of one son; Robert.
Andrew "Andreas" and Gertrude (Bjelde) Weum
Andreas "Andrew" Rognaldson was born on August 10, 1855 to Rognild Andersenand Kristi (Knutsdatter) Weum in Aurdal, Sogn, Norway.
Gertrude was born to Sjur Ingebardsenand Katrina (Sjursdatter) Bjelde in Aurland Sogn, Norway.
Andrew and Gertrude were married in 1800 on the Stundahl farm in Norway. They came to the United States in 1881, settling in the Flom area.
Andrew and Gertrude were the parents of nine children; Christian A., Alfred George, Edwin Gustav, Theodore Andrew, Severt, Emil, Rodi Christina (Herman Johnson) Clara, and Emma Alice.
Clara was born on November 16, 1888 and died in 1902.
Archie and Lena ( Johnson) Weum
Archie Charles Weum was born on September 14, 1921 near Flom, Mn., to Emil and Olga Weum. He was baptized and confirmed in the Aspelund Lutheran Church and attended country schools in the area.
He served his country during World War II, having served in the Army Engineers and overseas in the Pacific Ocean Area. He was a Veteran of WW II.
Archie married Lena Johnson at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn., on August 14, 1959. She had one daughter Sharon ( Stanley Sawyer). They resided in Mahnomen about two years, moving to St. Paul in 1959 and to Inver Grove Heights in 1968.
He did mechanic work for several years at Detroit Lakes, Mahnomen, and Wahpeton ND. He also farmed for a few years near Colfax ND and the last few years worked as a diesel mechanic at Pine Bend, Mn., being employed with the Ruan Transport Co. there.
Archie passed away on April 29, 1973 at the age of 51 years, at Inver Grove Heights, Mn. Funeral services were held at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn., interment at the Aspelund Cemetery.
Elling and Ragnild (Stene) Weum
Ragnild Stene was born on September 22, 1855 in Sogn, Norway. She grew up in Norway and it is there that she met and married Elling Weum. They immigrated to America in 1877, coming to the Flom area where they made their home and raised their family. They were the parents of six children; Sivert lived in Twin Valley, Mrs. Chris Hammer lived at Halstad, Mrs. Johnny Waller, Mrs. John Hagen, Mrs. Martin Lunde and Edwin all lived by Flom, Mn.
Ragnild died on Dec. 29, 1933 at the home of her daughter Mrs. Martin Lunde from pneumonia. She had been a resident of Flom twp for over 40 years.
Beside Ragnild she had three brothers who also immigrated; Mons and Lars Stene came to the Flom area and a brother Osten Stee went to Parkside, Sask.
Emil and Olga ( Nelson) Weum
Emil Ludwig Weum was born on September 20, 1893 to Andreas Rognaldson and Gertrude (Stundahl) Weum, near Flom, Mn.
Olga Nelson was born to Charlie and Anna Helen (Johnson) Nelson in 1900, at Audubon, Mn. She was baptized and confirmed (twice). She attended school to the eighth grade.
Emil and Olga were married on November 13, 1918 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, Mn. They settled east of Flom in section 34, on a farm that at one time Emil‘s father lived in. The house was just south of Gerald Lien’s driveway and some may remember it as being the Ingebretson house. It was in this house that Emil Weum was born. Emil and Olga had three of their children while living here, before moving to Voss. They were Alice, Archie and Eldred.
Emil and Olga were the parents of eight children; Archie Eldred, Gordon, Alice, Doris, Lorene, Hazel, Ruby, and Deline.
Archie Charles was born on September 14, 1921, near Flom, Mn. He served his country during WWII as a Corporal in the U.S. Army. He married Lena Larson Johnson on August 14, 1959. Lena was born on December 28, 1940. Archie Charles died on September 14, 1921 and Lena died on January 14, 2001. Lena had one daughter from her first marriage Sharon. Archie is buried at Aspelund.
Eldred was born on November 6, 1925. Gordon Lyle was born on November 6, 1941. Alice was born on August 18, 1819 (See Alice and Ray Korinta), Doris Irene was born on November 4, 1925. Hazel Ione was born on April 25, 1929 and died on May 6, 1995. Ruby Dolores was born on July 16, 1931. Deline Marie was born on October 29, 1933 and died on November 29, 1992. All of Emil and Olga’s children with the exception of Hazel and Gordon were baptized at Aspelund. Doris and Hazel were both confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Ogema, Mn.
Florence (Otten) White
Florence Otten was born on March 27, 1919 to Henry and Etta Otten at their home in Carlton County, Beseman Township, near Wright, Mn. She attended country school up thru the 8th grade. She was united in marriage to Ole White.
In 1957 Florence came to the Flom area with her two children; Robert and Pearl. She worked for Dan Houglum of rural Flom, Mn as a house keeper.
Here she also raised her two children. After Dan moved to the Hawley area, Florence then moved into Flom with her daughter Pearl where she lived in the Brenden House in section 28 of Flom Township. The house no longer stands as it was torn down after Ole and Norma Lunde built their new
home there in 1977.
Florence has two children: Robert and Pearl. Robert Eugene White was born on June 8, 1945 at Fargo, ND. He was baptized and confirmed on November 5, 1961 at Aspelund Lutheran Church, Flom, MN. He started school at Linell school where he attended through the 4th grade. He then moved with his mother and sister to the Flom area in 1957 where he attended Waubun school through the 9th grade. Robert worked as a farm laborer and then entered the army. He served in the armed forces in the Army from 1967-1971. He married Gay Krier on November 15, 1987. Robert has one step-daughter, Carmen and two step sons, Kevin and Keith. He has three step granddaughters; Amanda, Kim and Heather and two step grandsons; Tyler and Bruce. Robert and Gay live in Fargo, ND.
Pearl Irene was born on December 19, 1946. See: Robert and Pearl Ostenvik.
John A. and Eli J. (Kvondahl) Widme
John Andersen Widme was born in Aurland, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway. He emigrated from Norway on April 21, 1875 with his parents, Anders Pedersen b.1822 and Gjertrud Sjuersdatter b.1819, brother, Anders b.1862 and 3 sisters, Martha, b.1851 Peroline, b.1853 and Ingeborg, b.1849. John also had a brother Anders who was born 1/23/1860, it is assumed that he died. They were living on the Vidme farm in Norway in the 1865 census of Norway in Aurland. They first lived in North Dakota before moving to Minnesota. It was there that he met and married his wife, Eli (Ellen Joanne) Kvondahl. She was born in 1863 in Hardanger, Norway. She came to America in 1881 and lived with her brother Asbjorn Johnson in North Dakota. John and Eli’s first son, Andrew was born at Pembina, North Dakota. The next son Joseph, was born at Hensel, North Dakota. When their son Julius was born, they lived 1/4 mile south of the Wild Rice Church in Flom Township. When their son Peter was born, they lived two miles north and 1/2 mile east of of the church. All the other children were born there and lived there until the house burned. They then moved 1/4 mile further east and lived there until Eli’s death. John died after a fall in 1914 while shingling the barn. He died the next day in May of 1914. He had worked hard to organize Bethlehem Church and is buried in the Bethlehem Cemetery. He was a song leader aat Bethlehem and his family were charter members. When Bethlehem Church was abandoned, the family joined Wild Rice Church, where Eli is buried.
Nine sons, Andrew, Julius, George, Chester, Joseph, John, Clarence, Peter and Leonard. Two daughters: Ella (Oscar) Braseth and Mabel (Tom) Gunderson.
Richard and Erna (Gunderson) Zimmerman
Erna was born on May 30, 1920. She attended school at Waubun, Mn. She married Richard Zimmerman on October 8, 1940. He was born on April 4, 1942. Richard and Erna lived at Northfield, Mn. Erna was kept busy with being a housewife and raising their four children; Loma (April 29, 1944), Wendy (June 17, 1951)
and the twins, Renee and Randy born on January 3, 1957. Erna passed away on May 11, 1980 and Richard on January 3, 1980.
Otto and Henrietta (Hanf) Zimmerman
Archie and Blanche (Hill) Zimmerman
Otto Zimmerman was born in Germany. At the age of 8 years, he came with his parents to America. They settled in Wisconsin where he grew to manhood. In 1886 he came to the Ulen area. Here he worked for the summer, going back to Wisconsin for the winter. IN the spring of 1887, he came back, bought the homestead rights to the NW quarter of section 22 in Walworth township, Becker country, Mn. He broke up the required five acres of land. He also built a barn for the oxen. He returned to Wisconsin and on January 31,1888 he married Henrietta Hanf. She was also born in Germany and came to the USA with her family at the age of eight years and grew up in Wisconsin.
Otto returned to Minnesota early in the spring that year but Henrietta came in March. She left spring weather and trees behind. At Ulen she found treeless plains and huge snow drifts because the winter of 87 and 88 had been a hard one in Minnesota.
Four children were born to them. Burt was born in 1889 and Archie in 1896. Julius joined the family in 1898 and Leona in 1901. When the Zimmerman’s came there were no herd laws, in other words, all cattle roamed loose and to protect your fields, they had to be fenced. As the fields became larger, it became more of a problem to fence them. By a vote in the town meeting, it was decided that cattle must be fenced in pastures.
At first the Zimmerman’s lived in what was referred to as a claim shack. The present home was built in 1896 at a cost of $500.00 for lumber. Henrietta hauled the lumber out from Ulen with a wagon and a yoke of oxen.
One of the first things the Zimmerman’s did was plant a grove of trees which still shelters the farm home today.
The four Zimmerman children went to school and graduated from the eighth grade in District 35. At one time, there were 40 students there. This school was located 7 miles east and 1 mile north of Ulen.
Archie began to work on the farm at an early age and continued farming until 1975, except for the time he served in the Armed Forces in World War I. He married Blanche Hill of Ogema, Mn., on March 4, 1953, at Detroit Lakes, Mn.
Blanche Hill was born on September 10, 1907 to S.L. and Anna (Whitman) Hill at Manchester, Iowa. She moved withher family to McGregor then moved to Powers Lake, ND in 1919. In 1928 they moved to Cass Lake and in 1937 they came to Ogema, Mn.
They continued to live on the Zimmerman homestead. Archie and Blanche owned and eighty-acre tract northwest of their home. This tract of virgin prairie land had never been broken. Through their generosity, it became a part of Nature Conservancy’s protected acres and will remain a living laboratory whereby students can study the flowers, grasses and wildlife of the prairie as it existed when our forefathers came to Minnesota.
It is know as Zimmerman Prairie. Archie and Blanche did this in tribute to their parents who broke the sod and tamed the wild prairies of Minnesota
Archie retired from farming in 1974. They remained on the farm until 1987 when they moved into Ulen, Mn. Here they remained until Archie's death in 1989. Blanche remained in Ulen and the last year she was a resident of Viking Manor Nursing Home, there.
Blanche was a active member of Walworth Baptist Church and the Ladies Aid. She was also a member of the Flom Senior Citizen Club. Blanche passed away on March 14, 2002 at the age of 94. Funeral services were held at Walworth Baptist Church, rural Flom with interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Mn.
Last but not least, the bio’s of our two Norwegian Language translators:
Olaf and Grethi (Sø) Kringhaug
Olaf Kringhaug was born March 4, 1928 in Hommelvik, Malvik, Sør Trøndelag, Norway. His parents were Tron Kringhaug and Berntine (née)Svingen. He has a sister Tordis Marie, born in 1929.
Hommelvik is a small town nestled in a corner of the great Trondheim fjord. It is located on a bay with deep water so it has served as a port for lumber products and for many years for a former iron smelter. Olaf's family roots are strongly tied to that, now defunct, smelter. The town also serves as the administrative centre for the municipality of Malvk.
The family emigrated to Canada in 1929, eventually settling in British Columbia. Olaf had all his education there and graduated from UBC in 1954 as an MD. He worked in various places in BC until his retirement. His leisure time is now mainly spent with genealogy and particularly in translating Norwegian for all comers.
Olaf is married to Grethi Sø, who was born in 1932 in Jylland, Denmark but lived in Copenhagen until she came to Canada in 1957.
Editor’s note: Olaf has relatives in the Flom area.
Håkon and Aud (Vonen) Skaugvoll
Håkon Skaugvoll was born in Bergen, Norway, November 16th, 1930, to parents Nelly and Harald Hansen. Mothers father came from Fusa, south of Bergen, married mothers mother who came from Gildeskål, Nordland, and mother Nelly later went back to Bergen and married Harald who also had roots in Gildeskål, as his mother was born on Sørarnøy and father on Sørfinsæt. On Sørfinsæt the housefather, Hans Berntsen, came from a cotters place in Tydal in Sør-Trøndelag and settled down as fisherman and married Mathilde and they had a lot of children. But about 1900 they all moved to Bergen and some of the family took the name Tydal, and some Hansen after Hans Berntsen. Nelly and Harald married in 1921 and had 9 children, so Håkon has 2 elder and 2 younger sisters, 2 elder and 2 younger brothers. It was hard in the 30' and 40' especially during the WWII but all survived the war.
Besides his work for the the Governments Fishing Directorate he studied law and graduated from the University of Oslo 1963, and afterwards he continued to work for the police in Hardanger and since 1970 in Kristiansand. He retired in 1990 and are now mainly busy with genealogy and translations; but still missing skiing and walking in the mountains. He is married to Aud, who is an educated nurse, and they have two sons and so far three grandchildren.
Editor’s Note: Håkon has several relatives in the Flom area.
Remembering When
By Pearl (White) Ostenvik
Remember when you were young and started first grade? Because, back then there was no kindergarten. The school that I started in had four rooms. On room for coats, one room for storage, one room for 1st grade to 3rd grade, and one room for the 4th to the 6th grade. Each day we started with saying the Flag Pledge. We had learned the ABC’s and the 1123’s. It was not easy for me learning to print the ABC’s and numbers as I write with my left-hand and everyone else used their right hand.
Learning not to hold the pencil so tight, or the correct way to hold the pencil. Learning which was to print the ABC’s and 123’s. Then also learning what sounds each letter made. Then we started reading: Look Dick, See Sally Run, See Spot, and See Puff. There was also learning the colors and learning to stay inside the lines of what you were coloring. Then there was recess time, “Oh what fun it was.” So many different games to play there was tag, or kick ball, or else we would bat the softball. There was also the time of the day when the teacher had organized exercise like relay races, and drop the hanky. We had fun in the winter time outside. There was the game, The Fox and the Geese, and King on the big snow bank or it was fun just to fall backward and make a snow angel. (This winter the children could not do the fun stuff).
There was music time and singing songs like, Row, Row, Row ,Your Boat, She’ll be coming ‘round the mountain, Little Brown Jug and all the other old children’s songs. The different holidays are fun to remember like Valentine’s day, taking a box wrapping it with white paper and putting on read hearts, then making a hole in top for the Valentine cards, making May Baskets for May Day. Oh, and the Christmas programs. I still have the paper, on which is printed what I had to stand up in front of everyone and say for the Christmas program.
“Spirit of Christmas”
If only the spirit of Christmas would last.
Throughout the whole of the years, what
Glorious world it would be for all.
In this happy atmosphere, with everyone
Planning how he could help to lighten another’s load
Unselfishly giving the best that he has.
No matter how steep the road.
If only the spirit of Christmas would last.
How different the days would seem.
With friction and jealousy cast aside,
And peace the principle theme.
But strangely enough when the tree is bare
And the ornament packed away.
The spirit of Christmas is lost until
Another Christmas Day.
Thinking back to that time, I did not do very good on reciting this as the big words gave me trouble pronouncing. The teacher had to help me remember what words to say.
I know most older people when they remember there school days recall a one room school and walking a couple of miles, or the parents taking them with the horse and sleigh. The neighbor had a big vehicle which he used as a school bus to pick up all the children in the neighborhood. In fact he had to make two trips.
I do recall having to walk, because we would have a spelling test the first part of the week and if we got to many wrong then we would have to stay after school and write the words we got wrong, so many times. This was supposed to help get the words right when we would have the spelling test on Friday.
There was part on one school year when I did go tot a one room school I think mother took us to school with the car. The school had fuel oil for heat and one day in February there was no fuel oil because someone had taken it so there was no heat. The teacher dismissed school so we had to walk home that day.
The last part of my 5th grade we moved and I started school in town school. At recess time we had sidewalks where we played hop-scotch or jump rope. When we played jump rope we would say “down in the meadow sat, the name of the girl jumping rope, and along came. Name of a boy we knew the girl liked, how many kisses did she get in a week. We would then count until they missed. Another jump rope game was “teddy Bear, teddy bear”. Teddy bear, teddy bear turn around, teddy bear, teddy bear, touch the ground, teddy bear, teddy bear, turn around, teddy bear, teddy bear turn out the light. Another game we liked to play on the sidewalk as jacks. Marbles was another games that was played. Having a brother a year and a half older we used to play marbles. As you can see I recall the play time more then the reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Then there were the high school days, making airplanes and seeing who’s plane could fly the farthest. There was also shooting spit balls.
When I was in the 7th grade may trouble was chewing gum, and the study hall teacher did not like gum chewing. So therefore I was up in front of the study hall with gum on my nose. This was his way of teaching the students no to chew gum in his study hall. It didn’t stop me from having gum in my mouth which at that time was Juicy Fruit, I just didn’t chew it. I made a gum chain from the wrapper’s around each stick of gum. There was one time in the same study hall my girlfriend was doing some hand signing and the teacher had her go up in front of everyone and do it.
There was a class dance about one or twice a year that was held at the school I would get to attend. I would also get to go to a teen dance once in awhile at the Rancho Club. The two dances that I remember is the Twist and the Limbo. The older people in that area will remember the Rainbow’s End dance hall.
We were not allowed to go down town during the noon time. We had Wander’s Garage next door to the school where we could go to get pop, candy, gum, potato chips, and etc. The young people now have what they call the Junior-Senior Prom. When I was in the Junior and Senior class we had what we called a banquet.
I have may annual’s or yearbook’s from the last four years of school. The one I look at the most is my senior yearbook. On the inside cover is a place where the put the National Events in Review. The Biggest event was the assassination of the President; John F. Kennedy.
It is also nice reading what the classmates wrote in the autographs section. Most wrote the we should remember our senior class trip. I recall as senior’s we had a discussion about places like the Wisconsin Dell’s, ant the Twin Cities. We decided on Winnipeg, Canada, because maybe we would not ever get out of the United States again. The whole class did not get to go on the trip. Some of the senior boys during basketball tournaments in the Twin Cities got into trouble and could no go on the class trip as their punishment.
Graduation is a sad time, saying goodbye to your friends and everyone goes there own way. I think it is nice remembering that time in my life.
1910 Federal CENSUS of the Wild Rice Children's Home in Flom Township
Clarence Largis, age 14 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Helmer Hanson age 15 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Knut Gronstad age 17 born in Norway to Norwegian parents.
Willie Lystad age 15 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Edwin Lystad age 13 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Evandelene Pederson age 15 born in Denmark to Denmark parents.
Emalia Johnson age 15, born in Minnesota to Father from Wisconsin and mother from Norway.
Torgers Johnson age 11 born in Minnesota to father from Wisconsin and mother from Norway.
Lovise Larson age 13 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Arthur Larson age 11 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Henry Williams age 15 born in North Dakota to father from Minnesota and mother from Norway.
Roy Williams age 12 born in North Dakota to father from Minnesota and mother from Norway.
Gehard Hagen age 16 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Anner Olson age 14 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Julius Olson age 10 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Frans Parson age 14 born in Minnesota to Swedish father and Finnish mother.
John Parson age 9 born in Minnesota to Swedish father and Finnish mother.
Clara Gerdahl age 14 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Elmer Thorstensen age 10 born in Minnesota to Minnesota father and Finnish mother.
James Thorstensen age 8 born in Minnesota to Minnesota father and Finnish mother.
Malla Kittelson age 16 born in North Dakota to Wisconsin father and mother from Norway.
Howard Kittelson age 15 born in North Dakota to Wisconsin father and mother from Norway.
Blanche Kittelson age 12 born in North Dakota to Wisconsin father and mother from Norway.
Earl Hagen age 13 born in Minnesota to Wisconsin father and Minnesota mother.
Elma Hagen age 10 born in Minnesota to Wisconsin father and Minnesota mother.
Mary Knutson afe 19 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and Iowa mother.
Lena Knutson age 18 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and Iowa mother.
John Knutson age 11 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and Iowa mother.
Frank Knutson age 9 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and Iowa mother.
Oscar Knutson age 6 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and Iowa mother.
Elmer Falk age 13 born in Minnesota to Minnesota father and mother unknown.
Andrew Pederson age 13 born in North Dakota to Swedish parents.
Ragna Mosied age 13 born in Iowa to Norwegian parents.
Willie Mickelson age 14 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and Swedish mother.
John Mickelson age 10 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and Swedish mother.
Clarence Mickelson age 6 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and Swedish mother.
Eda Tonnesen age 13 born in Minnesota to Minnesota parents.
Mable Tonnesen age 10 born in Minnesota to Minnesota parents.
Regina Tonnesen age 6 born in Minnesota to Minnesota parents.
Albert Aserud age 12 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents
Joseph Aserud age 9 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Helmer Aserud age 7 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Bennie Ruud age 12 born in the USA to Norwegian father and Wisconsin mother.
Martin Ruud age 10 born in the USA to Norwegian father and Wisconsin mother.
Harry Ruud age 9 born in the USA to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Henry Reitan age 12 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Enga Reitan age 10 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Stella Reitan age 8 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Karolina Reitan age 4 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Lettie Heiberg age 10 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Elsie Heiberg age 8 born in Canada to Norwegian parents.
Henry Heiberg age 6 born in Canada to Norwegian parents.
John Heiberg age 2 born in Canada to Norwegian parents.
Clarence Knutson age 11 born in Minnesota to Norwegian parents.
Florence Nelson age 9 born in Minnesota to Swedish father and Norwegian mother.
Robert Lee age 1 and 4 months born in USA parents unknown.
Mable Holm age 9 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Lewis Holm age 6 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Allice Holm age 4 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother unknown.
Oscar Hendrickson age 10 born in Minnesota to Swedish parents.
Octavia Hendrickson age 7 born in Minnesota to Swedish parents.
Lester Anderson age 13 born in Wisconsin to Norwegian parents.
Ernest Anderson age 7 born in Wisconsin to Norwegian parents.
Hasel Jackobson age 9 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother ??
Francis Jackobson age 8 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and mother ??
Lester Tollerud age 13 born in Minnesota to unknown father and Minnesota mother.
Ruth Knutson age 13 born in Minnesota to Norwegian father and Iowa mother.
Edwin Ruud age 7 born in USA to Norwegian father and unknown mother.
Chapter XXXIV.
History of Atlanta Township.
By Miss Mary A. Hanson.
The town of Atlanta, situated in the northwestern part of Becker County was first settled June 16, 1871, by N. N. Viger and family, who drove from Fillmore County with an ox team and prairie schooner and settled on Section 32 of said township.
Martin Hanson, a single man, settled on the same section the same year and resided there until his death in 1905.
The next settler was O. J. Jahr and family who settled on Section 30 in 1872. For several years these three homes were the only ones in the township, but in 1876 several new families arrived from Wisconsin and Iowa, among which were O. O. Noben, L. H. Hauge, H. J. Larson and others. Gradually the level prairies were broken up and converted into fertile fields, and groves and houses dotted the lonesome plains.
January 25, 1879, the township was organized as the town of Martin, but the name was changed to Atlanta at the following meeting, March 18, 1879.
The first town officers were: Supervisors, O. O. Noben, M. J. Brekke and C. G. Engebregtson,; clerk, H. J. Larson, which position he held for fourteen consecutive years; treasurer, C. G. Engebregtson; justice of the peace, J. A. Bemis, M. J. Brekke; constables, L. G. Engebregtson, H. A. Furuset; poundmaster, M. Wahl.
The first birth recorded in the town is that of the eldest daughter of John and Ellen Gunderson.
The first school district, No. 29, was organized in the spring of 1880, and the first term of school was held in the home of John Larson and taught by Miss Carrie Larson, with an enrollment of twelve pupils.
Since that time three more school districts have been organized, viz.: Nos. 33, 43, and 68.
The growth of the population has been slow but steady, till at the present time most of the land has been taken up or bought by actual settlers.
But one tragedy has occurred in Atlanta in the twenty-five years of its existence, viz.: that of the murder of Timan Ristvedt, a middle aged, single man who resided on his farm on Section 10. On the evening of November 8, 1897, he was found lying dead near the barn which had been set afire by the murderer. This was perhaps the most sensational murder case ever tried in Becker County. After a long trial the suspected murderer was acquitted for want of evidence and the case remains a mystery to this day.
On June 9, 1903, a cyclone passed over the central part of the town destroying nearly a dozen houses and the large Norwegian church which had just been completed. One person, Mrs. O. Berg, an old lady lost her life in the storm.
The earlier settlers of Atlanta were Scandinavians with the exception of two or three families, and during the first twenty years or more there were few changes excepting as new settlers were added from time to time, but toward the close of the nineties a number of transfers of real estate brought a considerable German element into the township.
On the whole the history of the township while uneventful has been a prosperous one. The bleak prairies of twenty-five years ago now are fertile fields, and the sod shanty is replaced by the commodious farm buildings.
Atlanta was so named from the resemblance its undulating surface bears to the Atlantic Ocean.
MARY A. HANSON.
OLE O. NOBEN.
Ole O. Noben was born in Slidre, Valders, Norway, Aug. 14, 1835. He came to America in 1851 and settled in Dane County, Wis., afterwards removing to Decorah, Iowa, in 1854, where on Sept. 16, 1859, he married Christina Lien. Coming to Becker County in the early days he took a homestead in Atlanta, where he has ever since made his home.
A man of education, and of energetic, progressive disposition, he did much in the development of the northwest part of the county. His homestead of virgin prairie has been converted into one of the best farms in Becker County, with a fine grove, substantial buildings and productive fields, and in ever way betokening the energy and thoughtfulness of its owner. He was always an advocate of good roads, and he was ever at the front in every movement for public improvement and good schools in his home town. In politics he was a lifelong Republican and ever since coming to the county he has taken part in the councils of his party. In the fall of '96 he was elected to the office of register of deeds, and served with ability until last January, having been re-nominated, but defeated by a very few votes at the last election. Mr. Noben has been a resident of this county about twenty years, and has figured prominently in the affairs of his town, and of the county.
He died of heart disease, on the 18th day of June, 1899, at his home in
Atlanta.--Detroit Record.
MRS. WEST.
"A Pioneer History of Becker County Minnesota" by Alvin H. Wilcox, 1907
"Hardback reprint copies of the 757 page book
A Pioneer History of Becker County Minnesota
are available from the
Becker County Historical Society
Phone: 218-847-2938,
FAX: 218-847-5048
714 Summit Avenue
PO Box 622
Detroit Lakes, MN 56502"
A Pioneer History of Becker County Minnesota
Chapter XXXV.
History of Walworth Township.
By Albert E. Higbie.
Being one of the first settlers in the town of Walworth, I will relate
some of my early day pioneer experiences. In the fall of 1878, I, my
wife and son six months old, left the home of my childhood in Jefferson
County, Wisconsin, and started west in search of homestead land.
We landed in Audubon and during the winter of 1878-79 kept the Audubon
Hotel, and in March, 1879, filed on the northeast quarter of section
22, Township 142, Range 43 and on the first of June we moved on for
actual settlement. The nearest neighbor was eight miles away, O. O.
Noben in Atlanta. At the time Walworth and Atlanta were organized into
one township called Atlanta. In the fall and winter of 1879, three
families consisting of my brothers and myself built a shanty on the
south branch of the Wild Rice River and spent our first winter of
pioneering. That winter was very cold and the snow was deep. We hauled
our wood from the Wild Rice River, a distance of fifteen miles and
without any such roads as we have now. There was only a stage road
going from the Wild Rice River to Lake Park. In the spring several
settlers moved on claims they had taken. Among the first was Anthony
Johnson on Section 8, and the Morks. There were several of the Mork
brothers and sisters and their families still reside on Section 34.
Their father died in the early day, and their mother died in 1904,
having lived a very useful and helpful life, always ready to lend a
helping hand to the sick, which was very neeful in an early day for
many times a doctor could not be had within twenty-five miles.
All the old settlers called for Gradma Mork in time of sickness.
Our town meetings were at first held jointly with Atlanta, and the
first one we attended was at O. O. Noben's house a distance of eight
miles. The heavy growth of grass afforded a good hiding place for the
mosquitoes which made travel nearly impossible without a smudge.
In the year 1882, it became necessary to divide the two townships, and
the petition being completed it was handed to me to be sent in. I
suggested if no objection were raised that it be named Walworth, after
a beautiful prairie county in Wisconsin. In an early day every little
slough was filled with water and wild ducks and geese were numerous.
The sand-hill crane was a common bird, and occasionally a deer or moose
would be seen grazing with the stock on the open prairie.
Our town being new, it was noted for its hunting grounds, and hunters
came from many different states, and put up with what poor
aecomniodations could be had for the sake of the huntmg. I remember
well a large white crane that was shot by W. E. Reid, of Detroit. The
bird was mounted and is now on exhibition in a hotel office at Wadena.
One morning as I went to my sod barn, directly back of it sat a flock
of about seventy-five geese in the tall grass. The only gun I owned was
air old army muzzle loading musket. I loaded that to the brim, and let
drive at them and the result was that five large geese fell but I was
the loser of one front tooth as it was nearly as dangerous to be behind
it as in front, for it would kick like a mule! We encountered many
hardships and numerous persons became discouraged and left, but what
still remain are well-to-do farmers.
The prairie lands of Walworth as they appeared twenty-seven years ago
seemed little fit for habitation, but their present thriving condition
has been accomplished by hard work and good judgment. The settlers that
have lived through it are now happy and that much wiser for the
experience they have had.
In the year 1882, a log schoolhouse was built on Section 21. This
answered the purpose for school, town hall and church. Miss Christina
Johnson was the first teacher to wield the rod, Miss Lizzie Hunt the
second, and Fred L. Day of Audubon succeeded her. The attendance was
very small on account of the distance to walk and poor roads, and many
days there was not a scholar in attendance.
On such an occasion Mr. Day would frequently go to his boarding house
and play checkers. On one of those occasions, Mr. Chapin, county
superintendent, happened to visit the school, but all old timers know
that checkers was Mr. Chapin's favorite game, and he soon took a hand
in with him. In those days we only had four or five months school in
the year, only just what the law required to get state aid, but now we
have four good school buildings in the township, each of which has
school from eight to ten months in the year.
After a heavy growth of grass in the summer months, the following fall
the prairie fires would sweep along at the rate of forty miles an hour
and with only now and then a little patch of breaking to check its
speed.
For many years the nearest post-office and market was Lake Park, a
distance of fifteen miles, but now we are blessed with a railroad
station, rural free delivery and a nearby market. All the old settlers
came with very little money, but lots of courage and energy for which
they have reaped the benefit, for now it has the name of being one of
the finest towns in the county. A fine prairie country covered with
beautiful groves planted twenty-five years ago with our own hands and
land valued at $30 per acre, and fine buildings and windmills and
everything that helps to make farm life a pleasure. We think all have
been amply repaid and have no complaints to offer.
FATAL AND DESTRUCTIVE WIND STORM JUNE 9TH.
Strikes Eastern Clay and Western Becker Counties. -- Five Killed and $20,OOO Worth of Property Destroyed.
For the first time, people of this locality beheld the destructive effects of cyclonic winds.
The storm originated north of Ulen Monday evening at 5:30 p. m. and
passed in a southeasterly direction through the southwest corner of the
town of Walworth and the northeria part of Atlanta carrying death and
destruction throughout its ten mile course.
In the town of Ulen and three miles north of the village of Ulen four
children of the family of Mr. Hoium were killed and six dwellings
destroyed.
--June 11, 1902.
Albert E. Higbie.
He was one of the old settlers of Walworth Township, and was born in
Rome, Wisconsin, June 26th, 1851, and was the son of William and Emma
Higbie. He was married in 1874 to Flora Tallmadge. Mrs. Highie was born
in Amsterdam, New York, May 12th, 1858, and was the daughter of Henry
and Jane Tallmadge. Two children have been born. Claude E. was born in
Wisconsin, in 1878, and came with his parents to Walworth when six
months old. Frank E., was born in Walworth, July 25th, 1881, and was
the first child born in the township.
Anthony Johnson.
Anthony julinson settled on Section 8 in the township of Walworth in
the spring of 1880, and has resided there continuously ever since. He
now owns a fine farm, and has filled many township offices with honor
to himself and advantage to the township
N. P. Johnson
Among the old settlers I will mention N. P Johnson who settled on
Section 8, in an early day, and has held several township offices, and
P. P. Berg who came from Audubon in the year 1882, located on Section
28, and has taken an important part in township and school matters. He
now has a fine farm on which are fine buildings surrounded by a grove
of evergreen and fruit trees.
John Anderson.
John Anderson came in the early eighties but sold his farm three years
ago, and went back to Denmark to stay, but after a year came back here
and said Walworth was good enough for him.
The first town meeting held in Walworth after being set off from the
town of Atlanta was at the school house on Section 21, on the third day
of April, 1883. Anthony Johnson was elected town clerk; Simon Jenson,
A. E. Higbie and L. Johnson, supervisors; N.A. Narum, justice of the
peace and 0. Benson, constable. The town was bonded for $150 to improve
the highways.
The first death in the town was Frederlck Mork, infant son of Anna and Fredrick Mork.
ALBERT E. HIGBIE.
Walworth Township Pioneers
Becker County
Minnesota
The following is a list of individuals who were issued pre-1908
homestead and cash entry land patents in Walworth Township (Township
142N, Range 43W, 5th Meridian), Becker County, Minnesota obtained from
the CD-ROM Minnesota Pre-1908 Homestead & Cash Entry Patents from
the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management,
7450Boston Boulevard, Springfield, Virginia 22153.
AAS, HALVOR H.
ALME, ANDREW T.
ALME, PAUL T.
ALME, THOR
ANDERSON, JAMES
ANDERSON, JOHN
BENSON, OLE
BERG, PEDER P.
BERGET, HANS P.
BJORGE, PETER E.
FINROW, CHRISTIAN H.
FREDLUND, OLOF N.
HAIBY, ANDREW L.
HANSON, ANDREW
HANSON, OLAUS
HIGBIE, ABRAM
HIGBIE, ALBERT
HIGBIE, JAMES H.
HIGBIE, JAMES
HOGANSON, NELS
JOHNSON, ANTHONY
JOHNSON, HENRY
JOHNSON, LOUIS
JOHNSON, NILS P.
JOHNSON, NILS
KJORUM, OLE J.
KLEMMETSON, ERIK
KLOVSTAD, ANDERS I.
KNUDSOD, MARTHIN L.
KVISTAD, PETER L.
LARSON, NEILS C.
LEE, JOHN
LOKKEN, SIMEN O.
LUNDE, SVEND S.
LYSNE, HENRIK H.
MELAAS, OLE O.
MOE, GULAK K.
MORK, OLE O.
MORKEN, ANDRES O.
MORKEN, FREDRICK O.
MORKEN, THOR
NARUM, NELS A.
OIEN, IVER I.
OLMAN, HANS S.
OLSON, BERGETE
OLSON, JOHN
OSENG, SIMEN A.
PEDERSEN, MATHIAS
PEDERSON, CHRIST
PEDERSON, OLOF
PETERSON, PETER O.
POTTER, THORVAL
RYGH, JOHANNES H.
RYKHUS, ANDERS P.
SANDEN, OLE W.
SANDEN, WILHELM O.
SVENDSEN, CHRISTOPHER
SWENSON, SEVERT
THOMPSON, LOUIS
TORGERSON, CHRISTOPHER
WILLIAMSON, OLE
WOOD, CHARLES
ZIMMERMAN, OTTO
THE OLD COUNTRY CHURCH
You're old with time
But very rich in design
This old country church
I love to call mine.
Your stately walls all carved from wood
Your steeple pointing heavenly as it should.
The bell in the tower, rings for worship on the hour.
Its musical tone echoes and re-echoes across the land.
Like the music of his almighty's holy band.
This old country church does creak and groan,
as the bell rings forth its welcome tone
Come many or come alone
You are welcome to worship in Gods home.
It was my grandfathers sweat and toil,
that set you upon this sacred soil.
Now beneath your silent sod he does sleep
His soul in Gods eternal hands to keep.
It's here I stand and gaze around
It's here where all my youthful memories abound.
It's here that I was brought to Holy Baptism.
It's here that I learned to read and recite the holy catechism.
I remember well that Christmas nite,
When the holy story we were to recite.
I took my place before your throne.
The people stared as I stood there alone.
It was then that fear gripped my heart,
For you see, I'd completely forgotten my part.
I gazed at the audience so silently.
Then the packages beneath the tree.
While the teacher quietly prompted me.
With head held low I took my place among the rest.
Thinking that on this nite of all nites I'd not done my best.
It was here, at your altar we pledge with love from our hearts
to love and honor until death do we part.
Now I've grown old and silver streaks my hair.
I stand amid these memories and gaze.
Voices are near, It's my children I hear.
Then a smile embraces my face.
First, it was my children,
and now it's my children's children,
that are taking my place.
It's that ever passing circle of time.
God has created this holy design.
This old country church I love to call mine.
By Vernon Dorseth
Early Settlers in Wild Rice Township
1-Søren Bergerson was born in Strøs parish, Odalen, Norway, on November 22nd 1823. He was married to Kirsti Berntsdatter the 25th April 1847. He emigrated from Norway with wife and two children in the spring of 1858 to find a new home in America. They arrived in Decorah, Iowa, in the month June the same year. Here he settled and started to work as blacksmith, which work he continued until the fall of 1862. By that time the war between the South and the North broke out, he finished his work as blacksmith, because he thought " Uncle Sam " had more need for him. He therefore enlisted in the army and participated in the war for 3 years; he served in the Company D, 6th Iowa Cavalry Volunteers under general Cullen; and was discharged in the fall 1865. Afterwards he went back to Decorah and continued his blacksmith business which he operated until the spring 1871, when he went to the west to find land. His decision was to go to Lake Park, Becker Co., Minnesota. But on his arrival there, almost all the land, which wood and prairie, was occupied, why he went further north. The 3rd of June 1871 he came to Wild Rice River, and then he decided to build and live there. He thought the same as expressed by Ivar Aasen, when he sings : " Here is the land, which I like best, and for this I have been longing a long time ". Because the land at that time was not measured , he settled on a piece of land but did not know in which section he was. In the fall the land was measured and it appeared that his farm was in section 35, Town 144, Range 44, which Town later was called Wild Rice. He left his family behind in Decorah, because he wanted to find land and erect house before he brought them to the new place. He went back to Decorah in the fall and stayed there during the winter. The next spring he bought a couple of oxes, wagon and other necessecities for a settler, got wife and children on the wagon and off they went for Wild Rice. But the pioneers life had its naughty sides. Thus they had the grasshoppers in 4 years, and they partly took all and partly most all of their crop.. Still he did not lose the spirit, but faithfully kept on.
His wife died 17th January 1884, and his only son 24th April 1889. In their marriage they had 4 children, of which 3 were born in Norway and 1 in Decorah, Iowa. One child died in Norway. When he went to Wild Rice for the first time he was together with Martin Johnson, Guldbrand Haagenson, Andrew Johnson and Gunder Gunderson.
2-Martin Johnson was born in Røkens parish, Norway, in the fall 1832. He left Norway in the spring 1854 and arrived to Dane Co., Wisconsin, the same spring. He stayed there for two years. From here he went to Freeborn Co., Minnesota. Here he was married to the maid Caroline Bergerson. In the spring 1871 he left Freeborn Co. along with Søren Bergerson, Guldbrand Haagenson and others to find a new home in the west. They came to Becker Co., Minnesota, first, but because he did not like the land hare, they went further north to Wild Rice River. Unfamiliar with the district they went to far east and entered The White Earth Reservation. Here Martin liked the land and prepared for settling on a ground. But because they met an indian camp, they learned that they had to go far to the west to find free land. When they came that far west, that they were sure they were out of the Reservation, Martin exclaimed : " Well, boys, here I will take land either its indians or Uncle Sams, what he really did, and after the measuring of the land, it turned out that it was on section 36, now Town of Wild Rice. By now Martin was busy, first he had to erect a house and then cleared the ground. The house was ready in a hurry, but unfortunately he had no plow. But he knew what to do; he went all the way to Alexandria to get a plow. And then it
was on plowing; it was the first land ever plowed in this settlement; may be the first in Norman Co. He also brought the first farm tools as hand rake, Reaper, a mower and a hayrake to the settlement. He took his land on June 3rd but his family did not arrive before the fall.
In the years 1872 to 1875 he seeded Martin wheat, but the grasshoppers reaped. In the spring of 1873 he bought 10 bushels of potatoes and in the fall he got back about a pail, the rest of it the grasshoppers took. They have had 11 children, of which 5 were born in Freeeborn Co., and 6 in Norman Co. His oldest daughter died in October 1885, the next oldest is married and lives in Town of Flom, and the others are staying at home.
3-Guldbrand Haagenson was born in Hitterdalen, Norway in 1833. He left Norway in 1858 and arrived in Winnesheik Co, Iowa, the same year. He lived there to the fall 1862 when he enlisted in company D 6th Iowa Cavalry Volunteers. Here he served for 3 years under general Cullen. Then he was discharged and went back to Winnesheik Co. Iowa, where he in the fall 1866 married the maid Ragnhild Christianson. The same fall he went to Freeborn Co., Minn., where he lived until the spring 1891, when he with Søren Bergerson, Martin Johnson and some others went to the west to find land. They arrived in Wild Rice the 3rd of June, and he then took land on section 35. His family came to him the same fall, and all the time they have had their home on this land. He too was amongst them, who had to suffer the grasshoppers ravages and the hard times that followed. They have had 10 children together; 1 was born in Winnesheik Co., 2 in Freeborn Co., and 7 in Wild Rice, of which 5 are passed away. The first child that died here was buried on the farm, because at that time there was no cemetery. Guldbrand Haagenson died from cancer on 18th April 1893 and is buried on the Wild Rice Cemetery.
4-Ole HansonAarstad is born in Ullensaker, Norway, the 16th of May 1823 and was married to the maid Agnethe Hermansdaughter Bjerkein the year 1855. They emigrated from Norway in the spring 1867 and arrived in Fillmore Co., Minn., the same spring. Here they stayed for 4 years, whereafter he moved west with his family to find Land under the Homestead Act. He arrived here in Wild Rice the 1st of July 1871 and took land on section 35. He too took land before it was measured, therefore he did not know on which section the farm was before it was surveyed in the fall. - Together they have had 8 children, of which 6 were born in Norway and 2 of them died there; and 2 are born after he came to Wild Rice, at the same time 3 of the children died here. By them was born the first child amongst the pioneers here, that is the girl Dorothea, born 28th September 1871. Also the first death in this settlement occured in this family, namely the son Anders who died during the night between 3rd and 4th January 1873. He left the home in the evening to visit one of the neighbors. In the morning he was brought back home as corpse, because he froze to death during the night. He too is buried on the farm, because there was no cemetery. Mr. Aarstad has suffered much sorrow and adversity after he came here. First he lost his oldest son, as mentioned, and some years later his wife turned mentally ill and to go to St. Peter. Again after some time one of his sons had to go to the same place, and after the inspectors statement, both are incurable. About 3 years ago, he had to bid farewell to another son who
died from consumption. And finally on January 11th, 1896, his oldest daughter was brought home as corpse from Fargo, N.D., where she served. This show that he has suffered much mourning. At present he lives alone on his farm, but is soon moving to Twin Valley to live with his son Charles Hanson, so it is to hope for, that he hereafter will see a better life in his old age.
5-Hans G. Urdahl was born in Aurlands Prestegjeld, Sogn, Norway on the 14th of February, 1848. He left Norway in the Spring of 1866 and came to Winnesheik County in Iowa that same year. He lived here a year and then moved to Houston County, Minnesota where he lived until the Spring of 1872, when he left to find new land. He came to Wild Rice and took land in Section 20, where he now lives. On the 20th of February, 1879, he was married to the maid Rangnilde Tvedstulen. They have 8 children, whereof 1 has died.
6-Eden Nilson was born in Langsrud, Sweden, July 5th, 1850. He left Sweden in the spring of '73 an came to Wild Rice the same spring, where he already had two brothers. He took land on section 18. In '84 he made a trip back to Sweden just to see the old homestead. Anyway he liked Wild Rice best, and in '85 he came back here. In 1892 he was married to Anna Erikson and still he lives on his farm in section 18.
7-Jakob O. Hereid is born in Ulvigs parish, Hardanger, Norway in the year 1848. He left Norway in the spring of '66 and arrived in St Croix Co., Wis., the same year. Here he lived until 1870 when he moved to Nicollet Co., Minn. He was married there to the maid Olina Knudson. From here he moved again in 1876, when he came here to Wild Rice and took land on section 10. They have had 12 children together, 3 born in Nicollet and 9 in Wild Rice, 2 are dead after they arrived here. His travelling comrades to here were Knut Torgerson, Børe Olson and Svend Quam.
8-Peter Olsen Skjæggerud is born in Grans parish, Hadeland, Norway, December 31th, 1885. He left his home to go to America in 1851. He arrived the same year in Town of Norway, Racine Co., Wis., where he again met his parents who had made the journey two years earlier. In 1854 the family came to Iowa and settled in Town of Frankville, Winnesheik Co., Iowa. Here he was married to the maid Thora Hendrikson and have 9 children. He lived here until the fall of '75 when he went to the Red River Valley, and arrived to Søren Bergersons House in Wild Rice November 12th. By that time no one had tried to use the power which Wild Rice River gives, and a Flour and Saw Mill was of great importance to the people around in this Settlement, it was on the purpose to supply for this need, Olson came here with a large family in the middle of the winter, with humble means and no houses for people and animals. But in the wilderness the brotherly love shows more up than may be other times and places. The people in the settlement came from far away and near by to help him by erecting houses, and as early as December 15th , he and his family could move in, in their own house. During the winter they logged, and in the spring the neighbors gathered again and helped with the erection of the mill house. A simple Flour and Saw Mill was started in 1876. That everything was very simple, shows the following exclamation from Johan Matson, a quite rational man, however. When he got the sight of the water wheel, he exclaimed : " When this wheel can run a saw, may we then see a glass cabinet even in the clouds". When they had to build the Mill on the northern beach of the river, they, who lived on the southern side, had to take their wheat and flour across the river on boat. Because not everybody was accustomed to handling a boat, there were many strange events. Once John Narum was headed for the mill, but losed the whole burden into the river. Ole Holum wanted to cross the river in a boat, but he did not know how to row, the stream in the river seized the boat, which made him scream and bemoan, as if he was near death. Before we got a bridge, Jakob Herreid crossed the river in the morning in the ice to get to his claim to do some work. The river ice had started to break up, but had fastened again, so one could walk on it in the morning, but during the day it broke up. Olson pulled together some poles and in the afternoon crossed the river to fetch Jakob, but he was long in coming, and Olson had to go back without Jakob because it darkened. It was Eastereve '76 and Jakob Herreid had to put up with staying overnight on the other side under the open sky the whole night. Then one started attempts to build a bridge. Olson arrange for materials and the neighbors came and helped by the erection. But the next spring when the the ice broke up, the bridge followed the ice down the river, as if it was made of straws. Later we erected a good wooden bridge. Now we have a gorgeous steel bridge, so we have no difficulties when crossing the river.After some years there came a young miller to this place, Jørgen Heiberg, son of merchant J. Heiberg in Bergen, Norge. Olson now sold the mill with all the accessories, and because Heiberg possessed more resources, he teared down the old mill, an erected a new one. which later over and over again has been improved, so it by now is one of the best mills of its kind in the West. Mr. Heiberg was at that time unmarried, but had a very cheerful maid to keep the house for him. One Sunday eve she should cross the river to fetch the post and so on for Mr. Heiberg. But because it was late and darkened, she stayed over night on the other side. Early Sunday morning Olson should carry her across the river. But unfortunately someone had been there and had taken the boat to the other side. Olson then wanted to go after it in a canoe he had, but the girl thought it too dreary to wait for him, and before Olson knew of it, she was in the canoe too, and the whole mess went into the river; Olson, the girl, the post, cream and eggs. The girl had fastened to the canoe, but all there was to see was the nose and the feathers on her hat, which came up of the water. Many such stories from those days could be told, but this must be enough to show how the conditions were at that time
9-Elling Tharaldson was born in Drangedals parish, Norway, June 15th, 1843. He left Norway in the spring of 1865 and came to Goodhue Co., Minn., the same year. Here he was married to the maid Anne Johnson, and then he went to Norman co., Minn., the same year, and settled in Town of Lake Ida. There he stayed for 10 years and then he moved to Town of Wild Rice, and lives now on section 17. Together they have 7 children, all born in Norman Co.
10-John Olson was born in Sweden in 1844. He left Sweden in '68 and arrived to the state of Maine the same year and lived there in 2 1/2 year. Then he went back to Sweden again, and here he was married to Kaisa Anderson in '72. Thereafter he went to America once more in '73 and then went all the way to Becker Co., Minn. There he stayed for 3 years and then moved here to Wild Rice and took land on section 18. They have had 6 children, one born in Sweden, one in Becker and 4 here in Wild Rice. John Olson died June 11th, '85. The widow and the children have operated the farm afterwards.
11-Ole Knudson Tofte was born in Hol Prestegjeld, Hallingdal, Norway, in March of 1822. He left Norway in the Spring of 1865 and came to Goodhue County, Minnesota in the same year. He was married in the Spring of 1876 to the maid Anne Johnson, they moved to Norman County, Minnesota that same year and settled in the Town of Lake Ida. They lived there for 10 years, whereafter they moved to
the Twon of Wild Rice and bought land in Section 17. In their family were 7 children, all born in Norman County.
12-Andreas Peterson was born in Vermland, Sweden in 1837 and was married to Johanna Johnson in the Spring of 1866. They left Sweden in the Spring of 1868 and came to Kandiyohi County, Minnesota the same year. They then moved to Becker County, Minnesota in 1871 and were there until the Spring of 1878, when they moved to Wild Rice and settled in Section 19. In there family were 7 children, 1 was born in Sweden, 3 in Kandiyohi County and 3 in Becker County. 2 of the children died in Becker County.
13-Edon Peterson was born in Vermland, Sweden in 1867. He left Sweden in the Spring of 1868 with his parents and came to Kandiyohi County, Minnesota. He came with his parents to Becker County in 1871 and then to Wild Rice in 1878 and took Land in Section 30 in 1888. He was married to the maid Lottie Johnson and had 3 children.
14-Cornelius Peterson was born in Kandiyohi County of Minnesota on the 19th of July, 1868 and came with his parents in 1871 to Becker County, Minnesota where he lived till the Spring of 1878 when he moved to Wild Rice. He was married in the Fall of 1894 to Minnie Rustad. They lived in Section 19, where they farm.
15-Sivert O. Brække was born in Voss Prestegjeld, Bergens Stift, Norway, on the 2nd of July, 1888. He was married in the Sprin of 1866 to the maid Anne Olson Rørgo. That same year they emigrated from Norway and came to Spring Prairie, Wisconsin, where they were till the Fall of the same year. Then they moved to Winnesheik County, Iowa, where they were for 2 years. Then they moved to Ottertail County, Minnesota, where they were till the Spring of 1878, when they moved to Twild Rice and settled in Section 19. They
have a family of 7 children, 4 were born in Ottertail County and 3 in Wild Rice. Mr. Brække died on the 15th of Februray, 1887. The widow still runs the farm.
16-Martin Gilbertson was born in Næs Prestegjeld, Romerike, Norway on the 11th of May, 1840. He was married to Anne Olson in 1866 and left Norway in the Sprin of 1869 and came to Fillmore County, Minnesota the same year. Here they lived for 6 years, whereafter they moved to Freeborn County, Minnesota, where they lived until the Spring of 1878. They then moved to Wild Rice, where
they took Land in Section 32. On the 14th of April, 1882, his wife died. In there family were 6 children, whereof 1 was born in Norway, 2 in Fillmore County, 1 in Freeborn County and 2 in Wild Rice. 1 child died in Fillmore County and 1 in Wild Rice. Mr. Gilbertson died in the Spring of 1893. His oldest son, Ole, runs the Farm.
17-Henry Peterson was born in Gjøvig, Norway, on the 15th of September 1852. He left Norway in the Spring of 1869 and came the same year to Stephenson County, Illinois, where he was for 2 years. He then moved to Decorah, Iowa. Here his served as a store clerk until the spring of 1879. He was married in Decorah to the maid Bertha Haug in the Fall of 1877. In the Spring of 1879 they moved to Wild Rice and took Land in Section 20. The first 2 years he was the Postmaster and had the Post Office in his house. He has also held Town positions such as Town Clerk and Assesor. They have 3 children, whereof 1 was born in Decorah and 2 in Wild Rice.
18-C.J. Skaurud was born in Winnesheik County in Iowa on the 14th of June in 1857. He was married to Helmine Vig in the Spring of 1879. They moved that same year from Iowa to Minnesota, where he was looking for a home. They came the same Summer to Wild Rice, where they settled in Section 3. In 1893 they rented the farm and moved to Ada, where he built a flour mill which he now operates. They have 5 children, all born in Wild Rice.
19-John Ryding was born in Sweden in 1854. He went to Norway, where in the Spring of 1880 he emigrated to America. He came to Wild Rice in the same year. In 1881 he took land in Section 20 in the Town of Fossum
20-Nils Wold was born in Quams Prestegjeld, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1828. He was married on the 26 of December, 1854 to the maid Cicilia Heiraas. They left Norway in the Spring of 1861 and come to Canada that same year, where they were for 2 years. Thereafter, they moved to Chicago, Illinois, and lived there for 2 years. From Chicago they moved to Sibley County, Minnesota where they lived until the Sprin of 1880: they moved to Norman County, Minnesota and settled in Section 21 in the Town of Wild Rice. In 1889 he began in Twin Valley a Hotel, this he did until 1895 and then his son took over. They have 12 children in the family, whereof 3 have died. 1 died in Trondheim, Norway, 1 died on the boat to America, and was buried at sea, and one died in Chicago, Illinois. None of the children were born in Wild Rice.
21-Peder O. Herreid was born in Ulvigs Prestegjeld, Hardanger, Norway on the 4th of September 1831. He attended a course at Søndre Bergenhus Agricultural School from where he graduated in '56.He emigrated from Norway in the Spring of 1857 to go to America. He came however stopped first in Canada for a time from he went to the State of Maine. He was there until 1860, when he went to St. Croix County, Wisconsin, where he was married in 1861 to the maid Julia Levorson and they lived there until 1869, when they moved to Nicollet County, Minnesota. They lived there till the Spring of 1880 when they moved to Norman County, Minnesota and settled in Section 27 in the Town of Wild Rice. The have had 8 children born in their family, of them, 6 have died: 2 in Wisconsin, 3 died in Nicollet County and 1 died while moving to Wild Rice.
22-P.B. Olson was born in Ekers Prestegjeld, Norway, the 6th of January, 1830. He emigrated from Norway in 1858 in the Spring to America, where he landed first in Eid in Canada, where he came to on the 14th of March. He left from Canada and went to Chicago, Illinois, where he was for 2 years. He then went to Scott County, Minnesota and was ther for 2 years. Thereafter he moved to Sibley County, Minnesota. Here he married in 1868 to Tilda Jensine Heiraas. They stayed in Sibley County until the Spring of 1880 when
they moved up to Norman County and settled in Section 27 of the Town of Wild Rice. They have 9 children in the family, whereof 6 were born in Sibley County and 3 in Wild Rice. One child died in Sibley, County.
23-Hans Nilson Kragerø was born at Kragerø, Norway in April of 1849. He left Norway in the Spring of 1866 and went to Chicago, Illinois the same year. Here he lived one year, whereafter he moved to Ossian, Winnesheik County, Iowa. Here he was married to the maid Annie Larson in the Winter of 1873. In the Spring of 1880 they moved up to Norman County and brought Land in Section 36 in the Town of Wild Rice, where they live now. They have 5 children, whereof 3 were born in Winnesheik County, Iowa and 2 in Wild Rice. One child has died, namely the youngest son, Almer died on the 28th day of August, 1895.
24-Albert J. Skaurud was born in Winnesheik County, Iowa, in 1863. He left from Iowa in 1880 to find a home in Norman County, Minnesota. He came the same year to Wild Rice and settled in Section 9. He was married in the Fall of 1884 to the maid Maria Haug. They had 2 children. Skaurud died the 1st of December, 1891. The widow continues to operate the farm.
25-Leonard Glaus was born in Vermland, Sweden in 1859. He left Sweden in the Spring of 1880 and came to Wild Rice, Norman County, Minnesota the same year and settled in Section 31. He was married to Thea L. Hove in the Fall of 1892. They have 2 children born, but one has died.
26-Ludvig Heiraas was born in Trondhjem, Norway on the 19th of April, 1849. He left Norway in the Spring of 1880 and came to Wild Rice where he took land in Section 24. He is not married.
27-John Heiraas was born in Trondhjem, Norway on the 19th of April, 1849. He left Norway with some Sailors in the Spring of 1878 and sailed around until 1881, when he left Sjøen and came to Norman County, Minnesota, and took land in Section 32 in the Town of Wild Rice, where he now lives. He is not married.
28-Olai O. Lene was born in Herrø Prestegjeld, Norway in 1861. He left Norway in the Spring of 1881 and came directly to Norman County and bought land in Section 5 of Wild Rice Township. On the 6th of February, 1889 he married Regine Hanson. They have 6 children.
29-Hans Hanson Kulsrud was born in Gjerdrums Prestegjeld, Norway, on February 12, 1825. He was married in 1850 to Martha Wilhelmsdatter, who was born July 10, 1826, and in 1871 in the Spring left from Norway and came to Allamakee County, Iowa in the same year. He lived there 5 year, then he moved to Fillmore County, Minnesota, where he lived til the Spring of 1881 then he moved to Norman County and bought land in Section 9, Town of Wild Rice. They have 4 children, of which 2 live with their old grandparents on the Farm.
30-Enok Tobiasien Birkeland was born in Lyngdals Prestegjeld, near Mandal, Norway in 1848. He left Norway in the Spring of 1868 and in the same year came to Ossian, Winnesheik County, Iowa. He he was married on the 13th of November, 1871 to the maid Karen Larson. That same Fall they went to Lyon County, Iowa, where they went to get some Homestad Land, and lived there until the Spring of 1881, when they sold the farm and moved up to Norman County, Minnesota, where he bought Land in Section 36, Town of Wild Rice. The have 10 children, whereof 5 were born in Lyon County, Iowa and 5 in Wild Rice. Three children died in Lyon County, Iowa.
31-Aron B. Johnson was born in Vermland, Sweden on the 10th day of October, 1833. He married the maid Agnethe Johnson in 1858. He left Sweden in the Spring of 1882 and in the same year came to Wild Rice, Norman County, Minnesota and bought land in Section 19. They have had 12 children born, all born in Sweden. Five of the children died in Sweden and 1 died after they came to Wild Rice.
32-Ole H. Sensland was born in Hjertdals Prestegjeld, Norway, on the 20th of August, 1844. He was married in 1870 to the maid Kari Halvorsdatter. They left Norway to make a home in America. They came to Dunn County, Wisconsin where they lived for 3 years. Then they moved to Otter Tail County in Minnesota, where they lived until the spring of 1882, then they came to Norman County, Minnesota where they took land in Section 4 of the Town of Wild Rice. They had 6 children born, 5 were in Wisconsin and 1 in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. One child has died.
33-Oscar Trandum was born in Ullensaker, Norway on the 5th of April, 1860. He emigrated from Norway in 1881 and came the same year to Goodhue County, Minnesota. He was there for a year and then in 1882 moved to Norman County, Minnesota and took land in Section 8 of the Town of Wild Rice. He was married in January of 1887 to the maid Amanda Olson, datter of Peter O. Skæggrud. Mr. Trandum died the 12th of July in 1887, leaving a widow with an unborn child. Since she has lived for most of the time on the farm. Mrs. Trandum was again married the 5th of March, 1896 to Mr. Nils E. Natvig.
34-P.O. Hanson was born in Ringebo Prestegjeld, Norway in 1858. He left Norway with his parents in the Spring of 1864 and the same year went to Waupacca County, Wisconsin. He he lived until 1879 and then moved to Clay County, Minnesota where he where he found work in Moorhead and in Glyndon. In 1882 he moved to Ada, Norman County, Minnesota where he worked for the firm Andrews and Hampton until the fall of 1887, when he moved to Twin Valley, Minn. where he built a store and began an ironmonger business on his own account. He was among the first to begin a business in Twin Valley.He sold the store and business in '90 to his brothers, S. O. and N.O. Hanson who now run the business. At the same time he bought land in Section 28 in the Town of Wild Rice, right by the city of Twin Valley, where he still lives. In '84 he married to Miss Amalia Grovende. They have had 6 children of whom 2 are dead, one in '88 and one in '91
35-Hermand V. Natvig was born in Hitternæs Prestegjeld, in Trondheim, Norway in 1852. He emigrated with his parents from Norway in 1869 and came to Dane County, Wisconsin the same year. Here they lived for 4 years and then went to Shelby County, Iowa. In the Spring of 1875, he married Sønneva Johnson. They left in the Spring of 1882 for Norman County, Minnesota and bought land in Section 7 in the Town of Wild Rice. They have 7 children born, 4 were born in Shelby County, Iowa and 3 in Wild Rice. 2 children
have died here.
36-E. J. Natvig was born in Varsdals Prestegjeld, Sogn, Norway, in 1823. He was married in 1847 to Kirsti Nelson. They left Norway in the spring of 1878 and came to America, and the same year to Shelby County, Iowa. They stayed there until the spring of 1882 and then came to Norman County, Minnesota and bought land in Section 7, Town of Wild Rice. His wife died on the 6th of February, 1891. They had 13 children born, 3 were born in Norway, 2 died in Norway, 2 were born in Shelby, Iowa and died there, 8 were born in Wild Rice whereof 6 have died. He married again in February of 1892 to the maid Anne Olson. With his last wife, he had one child.
37-Carl Haagenson was born in Hitterdals Prestegjeld, Norway in 1831. He was married to the maid Maria Olson in the fall of 1856. They have 4 children born, and 1 has died. His wife died in 1867. In the fall of 1869 he married Anne Karine Anderson. They left Norway in the spring of 1880 and went to Norway, Michigan the same year. Here they lived for 2 years and then in 1882 they came to Norman County, Minnesota and bought land in Section 27 , Town of Wild Rice, where they now live.
38-Nicolai Græsdahl was born in Søndmøre, Bergens Stift, Norway, in 1858. He left Norway in the Spring of 1883 and came to Wild Rice, Norman County, Minnesota in the same year. He was married in 1893 to Clara Tharaldson and has two children born.
39-Ole O. Normand was born at Vossestranden, Bergen, Norway in 1844. He left Norway with his parents in 1853 and came to Wisconsin the same year. He was here just one year when he moved to Nicollet Co., Minn. He lived there until 1884, with the exception of 3 years, when he served in the war. He served 1 year in Company B, 1st Minnesota Mounted Rangers under General Sibley, then 2 years in Company B, 2nd Cavalry Volunteers under General Sulley.In 1866 he was married. He came in 1884 to Norman Co., Minnesota and took land in Section 12 in Lake Ada. He moved in 1894 to the Town of Wild Rice and now lives on Section 8. He has had 6 children, 3 were born in Nicollet Co., 3 in Norman Co.; One is dead.
40-Ole E. Bakke was born in Sogn, Norway, in 1861. He left Norway in the Spring of 1867 and came with his parents and siblings to Winnesheik County, Iowa, the same year, where he lived for 5 years. He left for Fillmore County, Minnesota, where he lived unti 1882. Then he went to Montana, where he lived until 1884. He moved to Norman County, Minnesota, where he took land in Section 34, Town
of Wild Rice. He was married in the fall of 1885 to the maid Cecilia Syverson and they have 5 children.
41-Kristian Lane was born in Herrø Prestegjeld, Norway in 1854. He was married in 1883 to Karoline Johannesdatter Bøe. They left Norway in the spring of 1884 and came that same year to Wild Rice, Norman County, Minnesota, where they took land in Section 3. They have 10 children born, all in Wild Rice. 5 have died.
42-Bernt Quam was born in Indvigens Prestegjeld, Norway in 1855. He left Norway in the spring of 1883 and came to Swift County, Minnesota the same year. He was married in the spring of 1884 to Sigrid Pederson Eide. That same year they came to Norman County, Minnesota and bought land in Section 5, Town of Wild Rice. They have 6 children born, all in Wild Rice.
43-Mickel Elmstad was born in Vos Prestegjeld, Norway. He was married to Anna Stensdatter. They left Norway in the spring of 1871 and come to Winnesheik County, Iowa. She died in June of 1880. They had 4 children born, 1 in Norway and 3 in Winnesheik County, Iowa. In the summer of 1880 they moved to Norman County, Minnesota and lived until the fall of 1884 in Lake Ida, then he bought land in Section 7, Town of Wild Rice. He married in the fall of 1887 again to the widow Mrs. Ingeborg Tharaldson who had 5 children
born from her first husband.
44-Knut Hedahl was born in Østre Slidre, Valders, Norway. He emigrated from Norway in the spring of 1882 and came to the Town of Flom the same year. In 1885 he bought land in Section 18, Town of Wild Rice. In the fall of 1890, he married Annie Olson. They have 4 children born, whereof 1 died in the fall of 1891.
45-John Benson was born in Vermland, Sweden, in 1854. He was married to the maid Maria Johnson in 1881. They left Sweden in the spring of 1885 and came the same year to Wild Rice, where they bought land in Section 30. They have 7 children born, whereof 2 were born in Sweden and 5 in Wild Rice.
46-Nils P. Forseth was born in Gausdal, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway, on the 22, September, 1862. He left Norway in 1878 and in the same year went to Rock County, Wisconsin. Here he married Helene Rostad in 1883. They left in the spring of 1885 from Wisconsin to Norman County, Minnesota and bought land in Section 36 and 25 in the Town of Wild Rice. Here they lived until the spring of '91, when he sold his land and became U.S. Mail Carrier between Faith and Fossum, Twin Valley, Folkedahl and Ada. Here he drove the mail for 3 years while he with his family lived in faith, as long as his wife lived. His wife died the 24th July '92. In their marriage they had 3 children, all born in Wild Rice. In the fall of '94 he moved to Ada, where he now lives and works as a butcher. His oldest child, a daughter, is with R. Grutle in Fossum, the middle one with C.D.Tvedstulen in home Lake, and the youngest with Hans Nelson in Wild Rice. The middle one is a boy and the youngest a girl.
47-Bernt P. Evenvold was born in Gausdal, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway, July 26, 1863. He left Norway in 1883 and came the same year to Coon Prairie, Wisconsin where he lived one yearand then went to Waupacca County, Wisconsin, where he married in the spring of 1886 to Rhoda Forseth and in the same year came to Norman County, Minnesota and bought Land in Section 34 of Wild Rice. In '90 he sold this land, after which that same fall he left his family, wife and 3 children, which should have been his most precious possession on earth, and went out into the world. Where he is now, nobody knows. His wife has built a house and now lives on Section 35 in the Town of Wild Rice
48-Simon Haug was born in Rollags Prestegjeld, Norway, in 1826. He was married at Aurdal, Valders to Gunnild Michelson in 1856. They left Norway in 1871 and came to Black Earth, Dane County, Wisconsin the same year. He lived there until the Spring of 1886, when he moved his family to Norman County, Minnesota, and took land in Section 6 of the Twon of Wild Rice. They have 2 children,
both born in Norway.
49-Bernhard Jensen was born in Hitterdalen, Norway the 25th day of August, 1867. He left Norway in the spring of 1882 and came the same year to Wild Rice. He was married the 21st of July 1894 to Boliva Tomtengen and they live in Section 27 of Wild Rice.
50-Nils G. Hedalle was born in Østre Slidre Prestegjeld, Valders, Norway and was married to Marith Svensen in the spring of 1884. They left Norway right after to seek their fortune in America, and came to the town of Flom, Minnesota the same year. Here he lived for 2 years, after which he went to Clay County, Minnesota. Since he was not content there, he moved back in 1888 to Norman County and bought land in Section 18 in the Town of Wild Rice, where he now lives. He has had 5 children, one born in Flom, one in Clay County and 3 in Wild Rice.
51-Andrew Dahlbom was born in Vermland, Sweden, in 1868. He left Sweden in 1884 and came the same year to Wild Rice, Norman County, Minnesota, where he in 1888 bought land in Section 18 in Wild Rice. He married in 1892 to Mary Nelson and has 2 children born.
52-Jens Brodsho was born in Drangedals Prestegjeld, Norway, on the 5th of November, 1860. He emigrated from Norway in the spring of 1882 and came to the Town of Fossum the same year. He was married in 1888 to Clara Jensveen and settled in 1889 in the Town of Wild Rice in Section 33, where he lives now. They had 7 children born, 1 in Fossum and 6 in Wild Rice.
53-Hans Carlson was born in Hitterdalen, Norway, on the 9th of January, 1860. He emigrated from Norway in 1879 and came to Michigan, where he worked at the Iron Mines until the Fall of 1881. Then he went to Colorado and worked in the Silvermines until the Fall of 1889.From there he moved to Norman County, Minnesota and boought land in Section 35 in Town of Wild Rice. He was married the 26th of November, 1890 to Annie Haagensen and has 4 children.
54-Sivert T. Hove was born in Dane County, Wisconsin in 1861. He left Wisconsin in 1865 with his parents and came to Freeborn County, Minnesota. Here he lived until 1879, when he and his parents came to Norman County, Minnesota, where he bought land in the Town of Rockville, Norman County, Minnesota. He was married in March of 1885 to Karoline Haagenson. In the Fall of 1882 he bought his Father in law, Gudbrand Hagenson's Farm in the Town of Wild Rice, where he now lives. They have had no children.
55-Morten Johnson was born in Ringebo, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway, on the 17th of June, 1852. He left Norway in 1869 and came that same year to Waupacca County, Wisconsin, where he lived for 7 or 8 years. Then he left Wisconsin and came to Norman County, Minnesota, and settled first in Lake Ada where he lived for a 5 year period. He then moved back to Wisconsin, but returned to Norman County, Minnesota in 1894, and bought land in Section 8 in the Town of Wild Rice, where he now lives. He is unmarried but his elderly
parents live with him.
56-Emil Johnson was born in Vermland, Sweden, in 1870. He left Sweden in 1891 and came to Hickson, North Dakota that same year, where he lived until 1894, when he came to Norman County, Minnesota and bought land in Section 30. He was married the 15th of July, 1895 to Manda Olson.
57-John Hedin was born in Vermeland, Sweden, in 1862.He left Sweden in the Spring of 1885 and cam to Becker County, Minnesota where he lived for 2 years, then he went to Hickson, North Dakota, where he married Manda Gunderson. Here he stayed until 1894, when he moved back to Minnesota, and took land in Wild Rice, Norman County, Minnesota, in Section 29. He had 4 children born, 3 in
North Dakota and 1 in Wild Rice.
58-J. F. Heiberg *) is born in Bergen, Norway, 4th of July 1861. He emigrated from Norway in the spring of 1881 and came to Minneapolis, Minn. Shortle afterwards he went to Dane Co., Wis., and stayed there for a year. After that he went to Minnesota, and came here to Norman Co., where he bought the mill from Peter O. Skjægrud in Town of Wild Rice. The 18th January 1884 he was married to the maid Augusta Slettebakken. He has 5 children. With regard to the new mill by Heiberg it can be added : It was erected in 1882 and was 30 x 40, 3 floors height. In 1890 it was completely changed to roller mill. In 1892 it was improved, enlarged and added 10 feet, so it now is 30x50. The addition is used for rinsing and storing wheat. The mill also has its own Feed Department with excellent rinsing apparatus. Before we got the bridge across the river, there was a ferry on which one transported the wheat across the river. The mosquitos were so many those days, that when one wiped the face with the hand, it was filled of mosquitos. More to conclusion about Heibergs Park. Note from Håkon: *) J. F. Heiberg = Jørgen Faye Heiberg, born 4th July, bapt. 4th Aug 1861 in Nykirken, Bergen, parents : merchant Andreas Heiberg and wife Else Catharine Reutsch born Faye, married in the Cathedral of Bergen on 18th Nov 1849, father was at that time 29 and mother 22 1/4 years old. Digitalarkivet Emigrants from Bergen 1874-1930 says that Jørgen Faye Heiberg,19 years old, emigrated from Bergen 7th May 1880 with State Line
59-Dr. John O. Froshoug was born in the vicinity of Kristiania, Norway, 8th August 1837. At age 18 he went to Copenhagen, Denmark, to be educated as a veterinarian there. After 5 years of studies he graduated as a such. After that he went back to Norway and started to practice as veterinarian. He was married in 1867 and in 1870 he decided to go to America to see if it was possible to get a home there. He left his family behind in Norway, to fetch them later, if he decided to stay in America. He came first to Stoughton, Wis., where he lived for a short time, because he soon understood, that it was not enough to provide for a family, only to practice as a veterinarian, he also had to be a medical doctor for the people. For that reason he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he after 1 1/2 years of studies by a medical college there, took diploma as doctor. In the fall of 1872 he went to Albert Lea, Minn., where he settled as doctor and started a drugstore business. Here he lived untill 1875 when he moved to Lake Park, Becker Co., Minn., where he started a drugstore once more. In 1877 he decided to use his rights for a homestead, whereafter he the same year took land on section 22 in Town of Wild Rice, Norman Co., Minn. Because he had his Homestead here and the drugstore in Lake Park, and he often had to be on both places, he became post carrier between Wild Rice Postoffice and Lake Park. Every time he carried the post to Wild Rice, he went down to his Homestead and stopped there. He constructed soon a house, and to manage the household he got hold of a swedish Count and a swedish tanner, and the whole lot was given the Noble Name " The Barony of Poor Livelihood ". When the whole staff on " The Barony of Poor Livelihood " was gathered, it consisted of a norwegian doctor, a norwegian veterinarian, a swedish count, a swedish tanner and - a dog. But they were not alone all the time, because often the neighbors often visited them, and if the walls of the Barony could quote the many stories which happened here, then the book about it would be larger than this one. In the beginning of the '80s Dr Froshoug let his business in Lake Park come to an end, and decided to make Wild Rice to his future home. He then send to Norway for his family, which was his wife and 2 sons. He also bought 160 acres of land on section 28. Of this he sold 40 acres to the railway company for city ground where Twin Valley now is located, and where he setlled. He he stayed until 9th June 1889 when he passed away caused by tuberculosis. After his family came here, the family was increased with a daughter. Froshoug's oldest son followed in his fathers steps and be- came a doctor. He took his degree by Reokuk Medical College, Reokuk, Iowa, in the spring of 1896, and then went to Norse, Tex., where he lives by now. His younger son, Arnt, still lives in Twin Valley, where he runs business of hardware and farming machinery. Mrs. Froshoug wnet back to Norway in 1894 to be with her mother's side in her last days.
60-A. Stenseth is born in Skridje parish, Norway, 1857. In 1872 he was married to the maid Lovise Thorsen. This marriage did not last long, because she died after a year leaving him with their baby. In 1876 he was married again to Caroline Marcussen. He left Norway in the spring of 1882 to try his luck in America, and he came directly here to Norman Co., Minn., and obtained work by Heiberg's Mill. Here he worked for 4 or 5 years. In 1888 Heiberg postoffice started and A. Stenseth was hired as postmaster. In addition he has a small store. They have had 9 children, of whom 3 were born in Norway and 6 in Wild Rice. His wife is authorized midwife.
61-Andrew Johnson was born in Sweden about the year 1825. He also got married in Sweden, but when can not be told. About the year ‘55 or '56 he left Sweden and his family, and went to Norway, where he from what is told, stayed for about 12 years near Holmestrand. His family had to go ahead as good as possibly on their own. His wife died about 3 years after he left her, and his 4 sons, so to speak, became orphans. In '67 he went to America, and settled in Freeborn Co., Minn., where he stayed to the spring '71. Then he went with Søren Bergerson, Martin Johnson and others, when they went to the West. He then came here and took land near the others, and after the surveying of the land, it turned out to be in section 35 and 36 in Town of Wild Rice. In the winter of '74 he married again to the widow Anna Maria Engen. This marriage turned out to be unsuccessful too, and they lived together only for a year. They were divorced again by the civil law by which they had been married. Johnson lived thereafter alone on his farm, while his former wife moved to her son Edvard Engen, who lived in the south part of Town of Flom. In the years '80 to '82 his sons came over from Norway. They stayed with him for some time, but went out on their own. He sold his farm in '85 to Nils B. Forseth and moved then to Nils Nilson in Town of Flom. After a while he went back to the old country to see the old homestead. About a year later he came back, and builded a house on his son Andrews farm in Home Lake, to live there for the rest of his life. But in the fall of '91 he got tired by the life, and one night he sat the house on fire, and shot himself a bullet in the forehead. That way died Andrew Johnson.
From the book "Nogle Optegnelser om Settling m.m. indenfor de fire Towns Fossum, Wild Rice, Home Lake og Flom i Norman County, Minn". Collected by R. Grutle, Lars Aamoth, John Narum, O.S. Bently and John Hommelvig.
Translated by Håkon Skaugvoll and Olaf Kringhaug.
Early Settlers in Flom Township
The pages of American History are alive with the deeds of people who became famous and made the headlines and thrived on national glory and public honor. But the real down to earth, honest to God history was scrawled with the blood and sweat in rugged wilderness by courageous, rawboned pioneers who with simple tools overcame impossible natural obstacles. These people fashioned their sturdy homes of log or sod, built the churches and the schools raised their families with honor and dignity. Many of those pioneers were immigrants who left their homes in the Old Country to carve a new life for themselves in a strange and often hostile land. Thus it was with the Scandinavions who settled in Flom Township, during the 1870 to the 1890’s. They came to America in great numbers and their reasons for leaving their homes was varied, but mainly it was to get for themselves a new life. They were attracted by the stories of success by people who went before them. In America they could have free land. A homestead of 160 acres just for living on it for
five years, building a cabin and proving up the claim. Truly here in America they could be a (stor bonde) big farmer.
Let us trace their route from Scandinavia to America. They either traveled by sailing vessel or steamship. Most of those who came after 1880 came by steamer. It was faster and safer. It could take as long as 6 weeks to come by sail, but by steamer about 2 weeks.
The cost to travel by steamer was around $66.00, and by sail it was $53.00. Their route from Scandinavia took them by boat across the North Sea to Northern England, which took about 3 days. Once in England they followed the Tyne River to the port of Newcastle.
After docking there they boarded a train for Liverpool. From here they would continue the journey either by sailing vessel or steamship to America. At New York after going through custom and exchanging Krona for U.S. dollars, they would begin the westward travel by rail. Going to Wisconsin, Iowa and then to Minnesota, and some arriving here at their new destination in Flom Township.\par The following settlers lived in the township in April, 1896, when Flom Township celebrated their 25th Anniversary and the year they arrived.
1871: Ole O. Rishovd, Section 33
1872: Nicolai Overgaard, Section 8 Nels Nelson, Section 4 Jens Urdahl, Section 6 Jens Urdahl’s Mother, Section 8
1873: Lars Huseby, Section 10 Welleik Larson, Section 2 Ole P. Lien, Section 10 Peter O. Lien, Section 4 Gustav O. Lien, Section 15 Ole T. Rogen, Section 10
1874: Hans Flom, Section 14 Elling Flom, Section 21 Erick H. Flom, Section 21 Simon H. Flom, Section 12 Knut W. Larson, Section 10 Andreas Larson, Section 2 Wilhelm Larson, Section 2 Albert Larson, Section 1
1876: Hans H. Korsgaden, Section 2 Nils O. Midthun, Section 24 Knute Thompson, Section 24 Martin O. Kirkeby, Section 20
1877: Lars H. Korsgaden, Section 2 Knut Jacobson, Section 34 Knut A. Brenden, Section 28
1878: Even Tomtengen, Section 4 Hans Tomtengen, Section 23 Johanes Quit, Section 8 Ingebrigt Quit, Section 8 Elling Ness, Section 26 John Swenson, Section 32 Mrs. John Swenson’s Mother, Jens J. Kvidt, Section 12 Anne J. Quit, Gjert and Martin Quit, Einar Larson, Section 32 John O. Nysetvold, Section 32 John Dyrdahl, Section 30 Ole Nilson, Section 28 Christofer Flaten, Section 2 Mathias G. Flifleth, Section 5 Ole O. Waller, Section 18.
1879: Roland B. Johnson, Section 6 Andrew Benson, Section 9 Ole Sannan, Section 6 Andreas H. Dorseth, Section 29 Hans Dorseth, Section 29 John A. Dorseth, Section 29 Kristian Larson, Section 20 Iver A. Moen, Section 28 Anders Skeim, Section 11
1880: Even Mellum, Section 15 Emanuel Nielson, Section 7 Gunner O. Lund, Section 27 Nils E. Nelson, Section 28
1881: Johannes Borgen, Section 8 Iver H. Korsgaden, Section 35 Bernt Ask, Section 8 John H. Flom, Section 8 Ole Fossen, Section 9 John J. Stende, Section 31 John Dullum, Section 30 Sjur S. Stundahl, Section 10
1882: Ole A. Lee, Section 18 Erick A. Holum, Section 16 Thor A. Holum, Section 16 Hans Odegaard, Section 1 Gilbert Anderson, Section 18 Ole J. Lee, Section 18 Johannes Underdahl, Section 17 Elling Underdahl, Section 17 John E. Haugen, Section Anders R. Veum, Section 34 Thor E. Holum, Section 26 Lars J. Houglum, Section 23 Torris Stundahl, Section 10 Hans P. Lien, Section 5 Einar
S. Urdahl, Section 9 Johannes G. Moen, Section 16, Ole Iverson, Peter Stien, Section 5 Anders Winjum, Section 22 Helge Olson, Section 17
1883: Ole H. Olson, Section 36 Peder P. Baukol, Section 24 Mrs. Johannes Lee, Section 16 Lars Prestegaard, Section 3 Jacob Sannan, Section 7 Ole A. Hoien, Section 18 Erik S. Urdahl, Section 14
Andrew and Anna EKEN were married in 1889 and bought land in the NW 1/4, Section 3 that same year. They farmed here until April, 1909 when they moved into Twin Valley where he became a salesman. Andrew was a brother of A.B. Peterson and Peter Rindahl of Fossum Township.
The following is a list of the early settlers who came to Flom Township. It tells us where in Norway they came from and the section they homesteaded or settled on in Flom Township. This information is given to us by Oscar Lund. These records of these early pioneers were printed in the Norwegian language and were translated to English by Mr. Lund. We, the Flom History Committee, wish to thank Oscar Lund for letting us use them.
1-Johannes Bergen came in 1872 over to America from Tysnes Parish, Norway, and settled near Cresco, Iowa. In June of 1881 he came with his family in company with Ingebor Ingebrigsten and her family and then bought land in Section 8, where he now lives. They have four children, three born in Iowa and one here.
2-Ole A. Lee immigrated in 1867 from Aurlands Parish, Sogn, Norway to America. He stopped first in Bonnet Prairie, Wisconsin until 1869 and then went to Black Hammer in Houston County of Minnesota. In 1882 he came here and settled in Section 18. He was unmarried.
3-Nicloai Overgaard immigrated in 1879 from Vestaden Parish in Norway and settled first for a couple years in Filmore County of Minnesota. In 1872 he went westward with several families, all settling in Becker County of Minnesota. Overgaard then came here to Norman County and took land in Section 14 in Home Lake Township. This land he let Martha Urdahl take over. She was later married to Louis Qual. Now this land is owned by Albert Albertson. He was married and had one child. The 9th of July 1874 his wife died and was buried on the farm, because they had no cemetery in the settlement. This is the second person which is buried in these four townships. In 1879 he was again married, this time with Ingeborg Urdahl, and they settled on that land in Section 8, in the township of Flom, which he already had taken on homestead. He has now sold most of it to John Floen, and they live on 40 acres which he kept for himself. They have no children.
4-Lars Huseby immigrated from Lekanger Parish, Sogn, Norway in 1867 and settled in Rice County of Minnesota. In 1871 he was married to Miss Britha Thorpe. On June 24th he moved from Rice County together with Ole Rogen, Ole Lien, Lars Lockrem and John Waller. He then took land in Section 10. They had five children, one born in Rice County and four born here in Flom township.
5-Amund Holum came from Aurlands Parish, Sogn, Norway in 1856 and settled in Black Hammer, Houston County in Minnesota. There he lived until 1885 when he came here to Flom township with his youngest son, Ole and later another son, Thore. He had three children, namely:
5A- Erick A. Holum, who came together with his parents from Norway in 1856 and settled in Black Hammer, Houston County in Minnesota. There he lived until 1882. In 1882 together with his brother, Thore, they came to Norman County and settled in Section 16 where he bought land and lived. He was married in 1871 at Black Hammer and they had 14 children, whereof six were born at Black Hammer and eight were born here.
5B-Thor A. Holum came also in 1856 from Norway with his parents and lived at Black Hammer in Houston County of Minnesota until 1882 when he moved here with his brother, Erik. He also bought land in Section 16. He was not married.
5C-Ole A. Holum also came with his parents and brother in 1856 from Norway and lived at Black Hammer in Houston County of Minnesota until 1885 when he and his parents came here. He bought land in Section 22, but lived most of the time with Thor.
6-Jens Urdahl immigrated from Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1866 and spent his first years in Washington Prairie in Iowa. He moved to Black Hammer in Houston County of Minnesota where he spent four years. Then he moved to Becker County of Minnesota and stayed one year. He then came here in June of 1872 and took land in Section 6. On this land he lived until the fall of 1891, when he sold this land to Mr. Emil Smestad, who came from Dakota. Then he moved to Twin Valley, Minnesota. Here he lived until the spring
of 1894 when he moved to Section 8. He was the first man that settled in the Township of Flom, when he took homestead land in April of 1872. This nice farm, which he sold in 1891, he bought back again in 1894. He was married April 2, 1875 and had eight children.
7-Jens Urdahl's mother came in 1869 from Norway and settled in Houston County of Minnesota until she came up here with her other son, Erik and his son-in-law, Johannes Quit. She stayed awhile first with Jens, but tok homestead rights with the land that Johannes Quit now has. She died November 1879 and was buried in Wild Rice Church Cemetery. She was the first adult who was buried there.
8-Johannes Quit came over from Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1869 and settled at Black Hammer in Houston County of Minnesota. He moved up here in June 1878 and took land in Section 6, which his mother in law had taken. He was married in June 1857 and had six children. Of the children, four were born in Norway and two in Houston County of Minnesota.
8A-Ingebrigt J. Quit came with his parents from Norway in 1869 and then came here in 1878. In the spring of 1885 he married Ingeborg, daughter of Halvor Tvedstulen, and settled on the land in Section 8 which he had bought several years before. They had four children.
8B-Jens J. Quit came with his parents here in 1878. He was married in April 1887 to Gurine, daughter of Ingebrigt Ingebrigtson from Home Lake township and they settled on the land in Section 12. They had four children.
8C-Anne J. Quit was married with Nels Ingebrigtson from Home Lake township in April, 1887.
8D-Gjert and Martin were the youngest sons.
9-Hans Flom immigrated in 1857 from Aurland, Sogn, Norway and settled in Winnesheik County of Iowa. In 1874 he left Iowa and came here to Norman County and took land in Section 14. He was married in Norway having children, here they had three sons and one daughter. He sold his land in 1893 and moved in with his daughter, Martha, who in 1880 was married to John Homelvig in Home Lake township. Here he died in 1894 and was buried in Wild Rice Cemetery. His wife lives at Homelvig. Their sons are:
9A-Elling Flom. He came with his parents from Iowa in 1874. In 1883 he was married and settled in Section 21, which he owned. They had five children.
9B-Erik H. Flom came also in 1874 from Iowa with his parents. In 1886 he was married and settled in Section 21 where he had already bought land. They had four children.
9C-Simon H. Flom came also in 1874 with his parents from Iowa. He was married in 1889 and settled in Section 12. They had four children.
10-Wellick Larson came from Bamble Parish, Norway, in 1850 and settled first in Iowa, where he lived five years. Thereafter he move to Rice County in Minnesota. In 1873, together with Ole Rogen, Lars Huseby, Ole Lien and others, and took land in Section 2. Here he died in 1881 and his wife died in 1895, both are buried in Wild Rice Cemetery. They had five children, four boys and one daughter, namely:
10A-Knut B. Larson came with his parents here and also took land in Section 10, but in the spring of 1886 he sold this land and went to North Dakota, where he again too land in 1891. He came back here again and has since lived to be an old man on Thor Bamble's farm in Section 12. In 1876 he was married, they have had nine children, whereof four have died.
10B-Andreas Larson was married in November 1880 and settled on land in Section 2 which he had taken on homestead when he came here in 1874. They have had seven children, one having died.
10C-Wilhelm Larson was married in 1874 and lives on his father's farm in Section 2. They have had five children, whereof two have died.
10D-Albert Larson was married in 1892 and settled on his land in Section 1. They have two children, the sister, Amalie, was married in 1873 to John Gronoen and lived in the township of Fossum Minnesota.
11-Anders Skaim immigrated with his family from Aurland, Sogn, Norway, in 1845 and settled first in Koshkonong, Wisconsin where he lived two years. Thereafter he moved to Winnesheik County in Iowa where he lived near by Decorah, until in 1879 he moved here. He lived awhile with his children here, but since settled in Section 11, where he had 1/4 Section of land which now is owned by his son, Johannes. They have had five children, four girls and one boy. Three of the children were born in Norway, two in Iowa. Two children here in the settlement namely, John A. Skaim and Mrs. Ole Rogen. Two live in Moorhead, Minnesota, Mrs. T. Tollefson and Mrs. Ole Nilson Odegaard. A daughter, Mrs. Halvorson, lives near Glenwood, Iowa.
12-John A. Skaim was born in Koshkonong, Dane County Wisconsin and came with his parents to Iowa in 1847. He moved in 1884 and now lives on the land in Section 11, which his father had. He was married in Washington Prairie, Iowa in 1879 and they have 7 children, whereof five were born here in the settlement.
13-Lars H. Korsgaden immigrated from Northern Froen, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1871 and settled in Vernon County in Wisconsin where he lived six years. He moved from Wisconsin and came here in 1877 and took land in Section 2, where he now lives. He was married in the fall of 1871 in Vernon County and has ten children, whereof three were born in Wisconsin, one having died here.
14-Iver H. Korsgaden immigrated from Northern Froen, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1880. He stayed a years time in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, whereafter he came here in 1881 and bought land in Section 35, Township of Fossum, where he settled the year after, namely in 1882. This land he sold again in 1884 to his brother, Hans Korsgaden. He was married in Black River Falls in 1880. His wife died in 1882 and is buried in the Wild Rice Cemetery.
15-Hans H. Korsgaden immigrated from Nordre Froen, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1871 with his brother Lars, and settled in Vernon County, Wisconsin where he lived for five years. He left Wisconsin and moved here in 1876, one year before his brother, and took land in Section 2. He was married in Wisconsin and they have two children. The oldest daughter was married to Mr. A. Dorseth and lives west of Flom. The other children are at home.
16-Hans Peterson Odegaard immigrated from Eidnanger, Norway in 1854, settling at Bonnet Prairie, Wisconsin. He came here to Norman County in 1882 and settled on land he had bought in Section 1, Township of Flom, where he now lives. He was married in Wisconsin in 1875 and they have nine children, whereof the six youngest were born here.
17-Roland B. Johnson came here from Freeborn County, Minnesota in 1879 and took land in Section 4, Township of Home Lake, where now Anton Lerud lives to whom he sold his improvement in the spring of 1880. He moved here and bought railroad land in Section 6, Township of Flom. A few years later he sold half of the land to Peter Stein, and in 1895 sold the rest of the land and moved to Montana.
18-Nels Nelson immigrated from Varmland, Sweden in 1869 and stopped first in Red Wing, Minnesota. He moved to Norman County in 1872 and settled in Section 4 in Flom, where he took homestead. He was married in Becker County of Minnesota in 1872. They had four children whereof two have died.
19-Knut Stene immigrated from Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1870, stopped awhile in Goodhue County in Minnesota. He came here in March, 1884 and bought land in Section 1. He was married in Winnebago County in Iowa and they had eleven children, whereof five were born in Iowa, and six here in the settlement.
20-Even Mellum came from Birid, Norway to America and settled at Coon Praire, Wisconsin. He moved here in 1880 and took land in Section 15. He was married in 1882 and had eight children.
21-Even Tomtengen immigrated from Birid, Norway with his parents in 1850 and they settled first in Dane County in Wisconsin. In 1852 they went with their family to Vernon County in Wisconsin where he lived until he came here in 1878 in the township of Flom, where he bought land in Section 4. He was married in Vernon County in Wisconsin in 1865 and they had 12 children, whereof six have died. Six of the children were born here and six were born in Wisconsin. His wife died in November of 1891 and was buried in Immanuel Church Cemetery.
22-Hans Tomtengen came with his father from Wisconsin in 1878. He was married here in 1892 and settled on land in Section 33 which he had bought a few years before.
23-Emanuel Nielson immigrated in the spring of 1880 from Drammen, Norway and stopped in Chicago, Illinois. In the fall of 1880 he moved up here and bought land in Section 7.
24-Tosten A. Holum came over from Aurland, Sogn, Norway the summer of 1874 and settled first in Goodhue County of Minnesota where he lived for eight years. In 1882 he moved to Cavalier, North Dakota where he took land of homestead, but sold the land and moved here to Flom. He lived in Section 6 where he built a house on his son-in-laws, L. Quam's land. Of their children there are two sons and two daughters.
25-Ole P. Lien was born in Quam, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1837. He came over to America in 1869 and settled in Rice County of Minnesota where he lived for four years. In 1873 he moved here and took land in Section 10. He was married in Nordre Froen, Gudbrandsdalen in 1864 and had fourteen children, whereof ten were born here and four in Norway.
25A-Peter O. Lien came here with his parents. He was married in May of 1895 and had two children. He lived on the farm in Section 4, which before was owned by his mother's father, Jacob Branden.
25B-Gustav O. Lien was married in February of 1896 and lived at home with his parents.
25C-Ole Fossen was born in Nordre Froen, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1864 and came here to America in 1881. He came directly here and bought land in Section 9. He was married to Marith, daughter of Ole P. Lien, the 19th of June, 1887. They had three children.
26-Andrew Benson immigrated from Sonmore, Norway in 1873 and stayed first for three years in Rice County in Minnesota whereafter he worked on different jobs for three years. He came here in June, 1879 and bought 80 acres in Section 9. He was not married. His brother, Ole, was here also a couple of years but went back to Norway.
27-Lars Prestegaard immigrated from Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1871 but stayed first for a year in Goodhue County in Minnesota whereafter he went to Freeborn County in Minnesota where he lived for twelve years. He came here the spring of 1883 and settled on land in Section 3. He was married in Norway in 1866 and had ten children. Of the ten children, three were born here and two were married, namely Lena to Torres Stundahl and Sonneva to Mons Stene, who lived a little north of them in Fossum township.
28-Torres S. Stundahl came from Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1882 directly here to the settlement. He worked the first year with the farmers. He married in 1887 to Lena Prestegaard and settled in Section 10. They have five children.
29-Jacob Sannan was born in Strinden, Trondhjem, Norway in 1855 and came over to America at the age of fourteen in 1869. He came first to Minneapolis, after that he lived off and on at Minneapolis or Goodhue County both in Minnesota. In 1882 he married Sigrid J. Haugen, and the following year, 1883, went up here and settled on the land in Section 7 which he had already bought. He lived then on the farm for two years, whereafter he moved up to the 13 Towns in Polk County of Minnesota, where he took land. He left that again the same fall and then moved to Ada, Minnesota, where he operated a restaurant for two years. He moved again to his farm in the township of Flom, but was there only a year. They moved again to the "Vesten" but settled himself then in Twin Valley, Minnesota, where he operated the first restaurant and furniture store. Later he built his own store and operated a furniture store. After two and a half years he sold his store to the Sethney Brothers and moved back again to his farm in Flom township. They have had no children of their own but adopted a motherless girl when they lived in Ada, Minnesota.
30-Lars Quam was born in Aurlands Parish, Norway, the 18th of March in 1851. On the 2nd of May, 1870 he left Norway to go to America. In June he arrived in Quebec in Canada and the 2nd of July he came to Goodhue County in Minnesota. He soon left Goodhue County and went to Steel County in Minnesota where he lived one year, then moved again to Goodhue County. Next year he moved again to Steel County. In July of 1871 he went to Fillmore County in Minnesota and was there until 1873 when he again moved to Goodhue County. Here he lived until the spring of 1875 when he moved to Freeborn County and bought land 8 miles from Albert Lea, Minnesota. In the fall of 1876 he again moved to Goodhue County where he married Miss Sigrid Holum. They moved then to Goodhue again, where he again bought land. In the year of 1880 he sold the land in Goodhue County and moved westward to Walsh County in North Dakota where his wife's parents died and lived there until spring of 1884. He moved then to Park River, North Dakota where he built a boarding house. The same fall he sold out in Park River and moved here, where he bought land in Section 6, Township of Flom. They had six children.
31-Ole Sannan was born in 1846 in Stinden, Trondhjem, Norway, and immigrated to America in 1863 stopping first awhile in Red Wing, Minnesota. Otherwise he lived the first five years in Goodhue County in Minnesota. In 1868 he came to Minneapolis, Minnesota and was there two years. He went then to Watonwan County in Minnesota and took land on homestead. But after two years time, he left and came back again to Minneapolis in 1872 and lived there for 2 years. He moved then to Goodhue County and was there about four years. He then went westward to Becker County in Minnesota and was there about 1 1/2 years, whereafter he came here the fall of 1879 and bought railroad land in Section 5. He was married in 1883 to Marith H. Lien and had two children.
32-Hans P. Lien was born in Nordre Froen, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1836 and came here to America in 1882. He was married in Norway in 1862 to Marith Teigen and had just one child, Mrs. Ole Sannan, with whom they lived with since they came here.
33-Hans J. Flom was born in Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1848 and came to Red Wing, Minnesota in 1866. He came here to the settlement in 1886 and bought land in Section 17. He married in 1878 to Miss Martha Nilson and they had eight children.
34-Thorvald Urdahl was born in Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1835. He was married in 1865 to Miss Kirsten R. Loven and lived in Aurland until 1887 when he came with his family here. He bought land in Section 17. They had eight children in Norway.
35-Einar G. Urdahl was born in Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1866. He came here to America in 1882 and settled in the settlement. He was married to Martha C. Urdahl in 1893 and had one child. They lived in Section 9.
36-Kristian Ingebrigston was born in Oier, Norway and came to Westby, Iowa in 1876. He came here to Norman County in 1884 and bought land in Section 16. He married in 1885 to Miss Mathea Erickson. They had no children. They did however raise Ruth Stolen, who's mother died when she was very young.
37-Johannes G. Moen was born in Oier, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1848 and came to Coon Prairie, Wisconsin in 1873. He came here to the settlement in 1880 and bought land in Section 16 in Flom. The same year he married Mis Sigrid Erickson and had one child.
38-Bernt Ask was born in 1853 in Hedmarken, Norway and came to Spring Grove, Minnesota in 1876, where he lived six months. He went to Decorah, Iowa in 1876, living there until 1881, when he moved here and bought land in Section 6. He was married in Decorah, Iowa to Petrine Knudson. Bernt Ask died the 9th of July, 1892.
39-Gilbert Anderson Holie was born in Hadeland, Norway in 1851. He moved to Spring Grove in Minnesota in 1867. He moved up to Norman County in 1882. He was married in 1876 to Miss Randi J. Lee and had seven children. He bought land in Section 18. Gilbert died in 1894.
40-Ole J. Lee was born in 1862 in Houston County in Minnesota where he lived until the spring of 1882 when he came here and bought land in Section 18. He was married in 1886 to Marie Underdahl and had five children.
41-Johannes C. Underdahl was born in 1838 in Aurland, Sogn, Norway and came here to America in 1866 and settled in Fillmore County in Minnesota. He came here to Norman County in 1882 buying land in Section 17. He was married in Norway in 1864 to Christine B. Hoiom. They had eight children.
42-Elling J. Underdahl was born in Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1864. He came to Fillmore County in Minnesota with his parents in 1866 where he lived until 1882 when he came here. He was married in 1893 to Anne D. Kerkevold. They had three children. They lived in Section 17.
43-Jorgen Nilson was born in Aurland, Sogn, Norway and came to Goodhue County in Minnesota in 1870. He came here in 1885 and bought land in Section 17. In the same year he was married to Berthe J. Underdahl and they had seven children.
44-John H. Flom was born in 1855 in Hagre, Trondhjem, Norway. He arrived in Zumbrota, Goodhue County in Minnesota in 1879, where he lived until 1860 when he then moved to Wanamingo, Minnesota. He moved to Norman County in 1881 and took land eight miles south from Twin Valley. For several years since, he bought Nicolai Overgaard's land in Section 8 in Flom. He was married in 1876 to Randi J. Bratsburg and they had nine children.
45-John C. Haugen was born in Lesja, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1821. He was married in 1848 to Anne T. Holen, coming to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1880 and then here to Norman County in 1882. They had four children, thereof three lived here in the settlement, namely, the daughter mentioned before who is married to Jacob Sannan, and:45A-Ingebrigt J. Haugen, born in Lesje, Norway in 1850 coming here together with his parents to Minnesota (Minneapolis) in 1880 and then came up here in 1884. He was married in 1881 with Barbro Iverson and had seven children. He lived in Section 12 in Home Lake township and the brother:
45B-Andrew J. Haugen was born in Lesje, Norway in 1864. He came also to Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1880 and up here in 1882. He was married in 1892 to Clara Ask. They had three children. they lived in Section 7, township of Flom.
46-Nils Midthun was born in Dane County in Wisconsin and came to Freeborn County in Minnesota in his 5th year. He came to Norman County in 1876 and took land in Section 24. He was married in 1877 and had ten children.
47-Ole H. Olson came here to Norman County in 1883 from Dodge County in Minnesota. He was married in 1885 and settled in Section 36 in Flom. They had 4 children.
48-Elling H. Aas came here to the settlement in 1878 and settled in Section 26. He came here from Houston County in Minnesota. He was married March 1, 1881 and had four children.
49-Henry Gunderson came from Clayton County in Iowa in 1885 with his wife. Both were born there. He settled in Section 35, where he bought land. They had seven children.
50-Anders H. Veum came in 1882 from Sogn, Norway with his family here to Norman County and settled in Section 34 of Flom township. He was born in Norway and had eight children.
51-Knut Jacobson came in 1877 to Norman County from Pope County in Minnesota. He settled on Section 34 in Flom Township,
where he took land on homestead. He was married in 1880 and had five children.
52-Knut A. Brandon came from Nordre Froen, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway in 1867, settling first in Fillmore County in Minnesota. Later he went to Pope County in Minnesota, where he lived for eight years. He came to Norman County in 1877 and took land in Section 28. He was in Norway in 1867 and married Anne Olson and had eleven children.
53-Ole Thorson came here from Pope County in Minnesota in 1886 and lived in the township of Flom. In 1888 he bought a farm in Section 26. He was married in 1892 and had four children.
54-Iver Erlandsen Skansgaard came from Nord Fron, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway to America in 1880, settling first in St. Paul, Minnesota. He came here to Norman County in 1892. He was married in St. Paul to Anne Pedersen Aspehaug. they had seven children, whereof one was born in St. Paul and the others in the town of Flom. He lived in Section 28.
55-Lars D. Kjornes was born in Sogndal, Norway and came here to America in 1861, stopping first at Wisconsin. He moved to Becker County in Minnesota in 1874 and to Norman County in 1884. He was married the 5th of February, 1865 to Kristine Olson and had nine children. He lived in Section 21 where he had bought land. He served in the Civil War for four years, enlisting in 1861 in the 12th Wisconsin Infantry Co. K under General Grant and Sherman. He has seen action in 33 major actions, besides many small
skirmishes. He was mustered out after the war's ending.
56-Thor E. Holum came to Norman County in 1882 with his family from Houston County in Minnesota. He lived in Section 26 and had four children.
57-John Nygaard came from Goodhue County in Minnesota here to Norman County in 1889. He was married in 1891 and settled in Section 24 in Flom.
58-Ole Johnson Vang immigrated from Viks PArish, Sogn, Norway and came to Norman County in 1886 with his family, consisting of his wife and three children. He bought land in Flom in Section 25.
59-Lars J. Houglum came from Goodhue County in Minnesota to Norman County in 1882 with his family and bought land in Section 23. He had eight children.
60-Knut Thompson came from Freeborn County in Minnesota in 1876 and settled in Section 24 where he took land on homestead. He was married in 1881 and had 6 children.
61-Hans Olson came from Rock County in Minnesota to Norman County in 1888. He was married in 1892 and had two children. He lived in Section 13 where he bought land. He came from Kvas, Lyngdal, Vest Agder, Norway.
62-Amdrew A. Lomland came here to Norman County in 1895 from Clay County in Minnesota and bought a farm in Flom in Section 12. He had a wife and 5 children.
63-Johannes C. Skaim came to Norman County with his family from Houston County in Minnesota in 1892. From Sogn, Norway he came to Houston in 1869. He was married in 1872 and had four children. He bought a farm on Section 13, Flom township.
64-Emil Smestad was born in Eidsvold Parish, Norway in 1859, and then came to America with his parents in 1869. They settled in Allamakee County in Iowa, living there until 1878 when he moved with his parents west to North Dakota, where they took land. He alone went shortly after to Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He was then married to Kristine Satre. They went again to North Dakota, Cass County and took land. He sold the land again in 1891 and in the same fall came here to Norman County where he bought a farm in Section 6 in Flom of Jens Urdahl's. This farm he left in 1895 and has now bought land in Section 13. He has six children.
65-Mrs. Johannes Lee came to America in 1854 from Aurland, Sogn, Norway with her husband Johannes Lee. They settled first awhile in Wisconsin but moved shortly after to Houston County in Minnesota where they lived until 1883 when they came up here.
She lived on Section 16 where she had a little farm. They had seven children.
66-Gunder O. Lund was born in Goodhue County of Minnesota. He came here to Norman County in 1880 and bought land in Section 27 in the town of Flom. He was married in Goodhue County. He had eight children.
67-John Svendson Aas came from Trondhjem, Norway to America in 1866. He settled first in Iowa and moved then to Becker County in Minnesota in 1874. He came to Norman County in 1878 and took land in Section 32. He was married in Norway and had three children born in Norway and one in America. His son Ole J. Svendsen, died the 26th of January, 1896 of tuberculosis at his parent's home.
68-Mrs. John Aas' mother, Gisken Olson, died in 1890 at the age of 88 in the township of Flom. Mrs. Aas' father, Ingebrigt Olson, died in Rock County in Wisconsin at the age of 64.
69-Anders Winjum immigrated from Aurland, Sogn, Norway in 1866, coming to Goodhue County in Minnesota. Here he lived until 1882 when he came to Flom and bought land in Section 22. He was married in Norway and had eight children whereof only two lived. He sold his farm to Kristen Prestegaard.
70-Ole O. Waller came from Grue in Solar, Norway to America in 1868 and settled in Northfield, Minnesota. He was here in 1874 and married to Miss Ingeborg OStensen. He came to Norman County in September, 1878 and took land in Section 18 in Flom township. They had seven children, whereof two were born in Northfield and five here in Flom.
71-Peter Stuenas came from Stordalen, Norway to America in 1876. He settled with his wife near Vermillon, South Dakota first and then came here to Norman County in 1891 and bought land in Section 31 in Flom township. His wife died November 10, 1894. He was again married the 17th of January, 1896.
72-Ole M. Hoien immigrated from Ostre Toten, Norway in 1882 and settled for a short while in Iowa. In the spring of 1883 he came here and bought land in Section 18 in Flom township. He was married in Norway to Oline Narum and had three children. His wife died the 24th of August, 1884 and also their youngest child.
73-Laurits O. Dahl came from Holand, Norway to America in 1872 and settled in Trail County in North Dakota. Then came to Norman County in 1892 with his wife and six children and bought the farm from Hans Flom's in Section 14 in the township of Flom.
74-Ole Steile came from Vang in Valders, Norway to America in 1886 and bought the farm of Edward Engen in Section 32. He was unmarried.
75-Knut R. Lunde came from Valders, Norway to America in 1884 and settled in Renville County in Minnesota. He came to Norman County in 1890. On the 9th of December 1893 he was married to Miss Louise Gustina Engeben and lived in Section 32.
76-Einar Larson Lovoen came from Selbu, Tronhjem, Norway to America in 1869 and settled in Iowa. He came to Becker County in Minnesota in 1871 and to Norman County in 1878 and took land in Section 32. In 1879 he was married to Magli Henningsdatter Stuedahl (a sister of Guri Nysetvold and Lisbet Sakrismo) and had four children, all have died.
77-John O. Nysetvold came from Trondhjem, Norway to America in 1872 settling first in Iowa. He came here to Norman County in 1878 and took land in Section 32. He was married in 1883 to Miss Guri Henningsdatter Stuedahl who had emigrated from Norway in 1882, and had four children, Ole, Ingeborg, Henry and Johan.
78-Martin O. Kirkeby came from Hakedalen, Norway to America in 1847 with his parents. They settled first in Wisconsin, but moved shortly thereafter to Winnesheik County in Iowa. Here he lived until he moved up here and was married to Miss Berthe Amlien. He came with his family here to Norman County in 1876 and took land in Section 20 in Flom. They had six children.
79-Mrs. Thorine Mathia, widow of Nils Daniels, came from Nordre Land, Norway in 1875. She lived first in Iowa, then in Goodhue County in Minnesota and then came here to Norman County in 1893. She became a widow the 8th of December 1894 and had three children living, one dead. She lived in Section 31, Flom township.
80-John L. Ask came from Hedemarken, Norway to America in 1868 settling in Wisconsin. He came here to Norman County in 1884. He was married in 1888 to widow Juliane Olson and had three children which were born here in the township of Flom. He had bought land in Section 29.
81-John Dyrdahl came from Aurland, Sogn, Norway to America in 1869 settling in Goodhue County in Minnesota. He was married the 4th of August, 1874 to Oline Haagenson. He came here in 1878 and took land on homestead in Section 3. They had eleven children.
82-Lars Erickson came from Trondhjem, Norway to Norman County in 1890. He was married in Norway to Magli Larson. They had three children, one born in Norway and two here in Flom He had land in Section 33.
83-Andreas Dorseth came from Vestre Toten, Norway to America in 1870, settling in Iowa. He was married in Norway to Helen Amlien and had five children, two born in Norway and three here. They moved here to Norman County in 1879 and took land in Section 29.
84-Andrew Dorseth came from Vestre Toten, Norway to America in 1870, along with parents and one brother, Hans. He married Mathilda H. Korsgaden in 1894 and lived in Section 29, Flom township. They had five children.
85-John Dullum from Trondhjem, Norway came to America in 1880 and settled first in Douglas County in Minnesota. He moved to Norman County in 1881 and bought land in Section 30. The same year he was married to Helen Mathiason and they had three children.
86-Ed H. Rude came from Odalen, Norway to America in 1883 and settled first in Wisconsin. He moved to Washington in 1887. He was married in 1881 and they had three children. He lived in Section 30 in Flom township.
87-Ole T. Rogen came from Vang, Valdres, Norway to America in 1857 and settled in Iowa. He married February 13, 1866 to Miss Ingeborg Skaim. In 1873 he moved to Norman County where he took land in Section 10. They had seven children, whereof two were born in Iowa and five here. He had served three years in the Civil War in the 15th Wisconsin Regiment, Co. K., having seen action in 14 encounters.
88-Hans Mollerstuen came to Norman County the 28th of March, in 1886, from Freeborn County in Minnesota. He married the 22nd of November, 1888 to Miss Martha T. Urdahl. They lived in Section 19 where he had bought land. They had four children.
89-Guldvrand R. Braaten came from Ringerike, Norway to America in 1878 and settled in Houston County of Minnesota. He moved here to Norman County in 1885 and lived in Section 22. He was married the 8th of December, 1884 to Anne Marie Botolfson Berquam. They had four children.
90-Ole Nilson Odegaard came from Valders, Norway to America in 1858 and settled in Winnesheik County, Iowa. He came to Norman County in 1878 and bought land in Section 28. He had, for many years, lived in Moorhead, Minnesota, but still owned the farm. He was married to Miss Kari Skiam, December 8th, 1865. They had no children, but adopted a motherless girl. Ole Nilson had served in the Civil War for three years in the 6th Iowa Regiment, Co.D.
91-John Vahle came from Voss, Norway to America in 1852 and settled in Goodhue County in Minnesota. Here he was married in 1880 and bought land in Section 3, Flom Township. They had two children.
92-Erik S. Urdahl came from Aurdahl, Sogn, Norway to America in 1883 and settled here in the new settlement. In 1887 he was married to Dorthea Rogen and they had one child. They lived in Section 14 of Flom Township.
93-Andreas Underdahl came from Aurland, Sogn, Norway to America in 1886 and settled in Mower County in Minnesota. He came to Norman County in 1887 and bought land in Section 21 in Flom, Minnesota. He was married in 1889 to Dina Underdahl and had three children.
94-Helge Olson Bergetangen came from Sigdal, Norway to America in 1853 and settled at Jefferson Prairie, Wisconsin. Later he moved to Iowa. He came to Norman County in 1882. He was married to Sigrid Gildorandson and had nine children. He bought land in Section 17 in Flom. He served in the Civil War one year in the 15th Wisconsin, Regiment Co.K. He became sick and had to stay at a hospital, whereafter he was mustered out.
95-Ole O. Rishovd came from Hallingdal to America in 1883 with a wife and five children. He settled first in Grand Forks County in North Dakota but moved here to Norman County to the Township of Flom.
96-Hans H. Lian came from Tydalen, Norway to America in 1869. He came first to Becker County in Minnesota, but moved in 1890 to Norman County. He had a wife and six children, all born in Norway.
97-John J. Stende came from Valders, Norway to America in 1869 together with his parents. They settled in Goodhue County of Minnesota. Here he was married the 4th of November, 1874 to Ingeborg Thoresdatter. They had three children, all born in Goodhue County. They came here to Norman County in October 1881 and took land in Section 31 in Flom. Since, they had four children.
98-Christofer Flaten came from Vang in Valders, Norway to America in 1871 and settled in Goodhue County in Minnesota. Here he
lived until 1878 when he moved to Norman County and took land in Section 29. In 1880 he was married to Margrethe Nilson. They had three children.
99-Ole O. Rishovd came from Sogn, Norway to America in 1871 and settled in Norman County and took land in Section 35. He had a wife and four children.
100-John Haugen came from Tydalen, Norway to America in 1891 and settled in Section 33, where he bought a few acres of land; otherwise he worked as a carpenter most of the year. He was married in Norway and they had three children when they came here. Since, they had three more.
101-Nils E. Nilson Odegaard came from Valders, Norway to Winnesheik County in Iowa with his parents in 1858. He lived there until he moved to Norman County in Minnesota where he took land in Section 28. There he operated with the Post Office of Wild Rice, Minnesota. He was married in Iowa but had no children.
102-Sjur S. Stundahl came from Sogn, Norway to America in 1881 and settled here in Flom. In Norway he was married to Miss Anne Larson. They had three children in Norway and seven more here.
103-Ole Iverson Sjothun came from Sogn, Norway to Freeborn County in Minnesota and here to Norman County in 1882. The 17th of April, 1884 he was married to Martha Grinde and had one child, which died in 1893.
104-Kristian Larson came from Faring in Hurdalen, Norway to America in 1868 together with his parents. They settled in the neighborhood of Ossian, Iowa where he lived until 1879 when he moved here to Norman County. In 1887 he was married to Gunhilde Olson and had five children. He bought land in Section 20.
105-Hans Erlandsen Skansgaard came to Norman County from Pope County in Minnesota. In 1888 he bought land in Section 27 of Flom Township. He was born to Erland Hanssen & Beret Nilsdatter Skansgaard in Sodørp, Nord Fron. Oppland, Norway. They also came to Flom Township. He was married to Anne Thorsen Volden on May 14,1903 and had 3 children.
106-Peter Stien was born in Bo Parish, Norway in 1838. He lived at home as a carpenter and boat builder until he immigrated to America in 1867. He was married in the fall of 1866 to Miss Gjertrud Olson. He settled in Stoughton, Wisconsin where he worked at the well known Mandts Wagon Manufacturing Co. until 1875 when he left Wisconsin and moved to Story City, Iowa. Here, and in the neighboring towns, he worked as a carpenter and blacksmith until the fall of 1881, when he moved to Rice County in Minnesota. Here he lived only to 1882 when in the spring he moved here to Norman County in Minnesota where he took 40 acres of land on preemption in Section 4 in Flom Township. He sold this land, though after a couple of years he bought 80 acres of Roland Johnson's land near the town of Fossum. Here he had a blacksmith shop, which he operated besides the farm.
107-Iver A. Moen came from Vang in Valders, Norway to America in 1864 and settled in Winnesheik County in Iowa. He came here to Norman County in 1879 and settled in Section 28 in the township of Flom. This land he sold again in 1892, but lived in Flom.
108-Mathias G. Flifeth was born in Faaberg, Norway in 1842 and immigrated to America in 1869, coming to Goodhue County in Minnesota. There he lived for three years, whereafter he went to Dunn County in Wisconsin, living there for about five years. He moved to Goodhue County again living there for two years. In 1877 he was married in Goodhue County to Miss Ronnoug Ulland. In 1878 he came here to Norman County and bought land in Section 5 in the township of Flom. They had five children.
109-Halvor Tvedten was born in Houston County of Minnesota in 1857. Here he lived until 1875 when he then moved westward to the Red River Valley and settled near the Buffalo River, Clay County, Minnesota. Here he did farm work for about four years, whereafter he bought land and farmed on his own. Three years later he sold that land but bought land two years later. This land he sold in 1895 and in the fall moved here, taking Jens Urdahl's farm on share, in Section 6 in Flom Township. Mr. Tvedten was married the 15th of April, 1880 in Houston County of Minnesota where his father-in-law lived. His wife died the 4th of April in 1895, leaving four children.
110-Johannes Rollefson Valler was born the 14th of April, 1849, in Saude Parish, Nedre Telemarken, Norway. In the spring of 1862 he immigrated to America and settled in Columbia County in Wisconsin. The 12th of September, 1873, he was married to Anna Svensdatter. They had eight children. The 11th of December, 1887 he was ordained of Forman Preus Pastor after he had acknowledged a call from congregations in Polk County in Minnesota. The churches of Wild Rice and Twin Valley had notified him the 14th of July, 1895, and he had moved here the 18th of September of the same year.
111-Hans Erickson was born the 28th of May, 1841, in Kvam, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway. In 1859 he went to Hoten to learn mechanics, and finished that course in 1861. Thereafter he went as a mechanic on a steamship for several years. He was a mechanic with Frydenlunds Brewery in Christiania for four years. He came to America in 1888 and bought land in Section 5. He was married on the 2nd Penticost day 1869 and had one son.
This completes the listing of settlers in Flom Township in 1896.
This township was translated by Oscar Lund.
Early Settlers in Fossum Township
1-A man by the name of Gunder Gunderson took land in Section 30, dug a cellar and lived there for a while but went down and never came back. It cannot be discovered, either where he came from or where he went to. It was the first land filed upon in Fossum. The land is now owned and built on by O. G. Bentley.
2-Hans P. Aamoth born in Lands Prestegjeld in Norway on the 5th of November 1820 but living most of his youth in Faaberg. In the spring of 1871 he emigrated with his family which consisted of his wife, and his 4 youngest children, as the 3 oldest had gone to America before and stayed for a while in in Rock County in Wisconsin where they had family and acquaintances and where their son Lars also was. In the spring of 1872 he moved with his family west to Zumbrota, Goodhue County in Minnesota, where their daughter Agnethe who was married to Johannes P. Lien.
Johannes P. Lien, his old father, together with Mrs. Lars H. Aamoth joined them and went west to find a home. They travelled by land west to Audubon, Becker Co., Minn. where they met their eldest sons Peter and Lars. They then travelled further together with their sons to the town of Fossum, where their sons Peter and Lars had earlier in the spring taken land.They came here the 3rd July, '72. Hans Aamoth bought some railroad land where he lived some years. Later he took a 1/4 section on homestead, where he lived until his wife died. She was born the 28th November 1820 and died the 24th July 1889 and is buried at St. Olaf Cemetery at Faith. After his wife's death he lived a bit with each of his sons until he died the 11th April 1895 at his son Ingvald's home in the City of Twin Valley. He was buried by his wife's side in St. Olaf Parish Cemetery. They have had 7 children, of whom 6 live, all in the Town of Fossum while the youngest son, Ingvald lives in Twin Valley. They are:
2.a-Peter H. Aamoth. He left Lillehammer, Norway in the spring of 1870 and came to Rock Prairie, Wisconsin where he remained with relatives for a year. Then he travelled west in the spring of 1871 to Minnesota and stopped in Becker County where he also took land. In the Spring of 1872 he sold his Improvement there and with his brother Lars he went to Wild Rice and took land in Fossum Township, where he still lives. In the Winter of 1878 he married Miss Lila Olson, daughter of Peter Olson Skægrud. They have 7 born and all are living.
2.b-Lars H. Aamoth was born at the Aamoth Farm on the 10th of March 1850 in Lands Prestegjeld, Norway. Eight years old he moved with his parents to Faaberg, where his father had bought the farm Lien Nordre, 1 Mil from Lillehammer ( 1 Norwegian Mil is 10.000 meter = 6 miles á 1682 meter) In the Spring of 1868 he travelled with his sister Agnethe, who was married to Johannes P. Lien, to America. They went with a sailing vessel, and the trip lasted 10 weeks before they arrived in America. They came to Rock Prairie, Wisconsin, in August of that year and stayed there with relatives, who had been there for several years. He stayed there until the fall 1871, then he went to Zumbrota, Goodhue Co., Minnesota, where his sister and brother had gone earlier. In the beginning of April 1872 he went by the railroad westwards to find a home of his own. He first made a stop at Oak Lake, Becker Co., Minnesota, where his brother Peter the year before took land. After a while he went with his brother Peter, who had sold his Improvement by this time, and Andrew Hanson and Jens Urdahl, to Wild Rice River, Norman Co., (at that time Polk Co.,) The three first mentioned took each one 1/4 Section land in Fossum Township, and Jens Urdahl took land in Flom Township. On this land, which he took in 1872, he has been living all the time since. On September 24th, 1872 he was married in Zumbrota Church by Pastor Nils Ulvisaker with the maid Ingeborg Christoffersdatter from Rock Prairie, Wisonsin. They had 10 children together, of which 2 are dead while they were little. Their two oldest daughters Clara and Thilda are married to the brothers Heregaard and are living near Orfordville, Rock Co., Wis. Most of the other children are at home.
2.c-Hans H. Aamoth came with his family over from Norway and bought land in Section 27 of Fossum Township in Minnesota, where he still lives. He is married to the daughter of Erik Ovaldson, Mina, in the Fall of 1891 and has 2 children born, whereof 1 has died.
2.d-Nils H. Aamoth came too with his parents to this place, and stayed with his father until he in 1885 bought a General Store in Faith from H.W. Hermand, together with A. Hanson. After some years they also bought the mill, so he operated both the store and the mill. In 1894 he sold his part of the store and the mill and moved to his father’s farm, which he had owned in some years, and where he still lives. He was married to Lina, daughter of Hans Ovaldson from Goodhue Co., Minn., in 1890 and at the present has two children.
2-E-Ingvald H. Aamoth lived in Twin Valley in the Township of Wild Rice.
2-F-Hans’ daughter Agnethe was married to Johannes P. Lien and lived in Fossum.
2-G-Hans’ daughter Oline was married to Andrew Hanson and lived at Faith.
3-John Jenson Grønøen was born the 28th of September 1849 on the Grønøen farm in Drangedal parish, lower Telemark, Norway. As a 21 year old boy he left Norway with his brother Jens in the spring of 1870 and went to America to find himself a home. Their brother Jørgen had gone ahead the year before. They met their brother in Leland Minn., and remained there until the next summer, when they went west to Rice Co. Minn. In the spring of 1872 they went further west in the company of Hakon Benson and wife. They were each equipped with a pair of oxen and went west by land. In three weeks time and many troubles they arrived at Norman
Co., where they all took land in the Town of Fossum. On the 28th of September 1872 John Grønøen was married to the Miss Amalia Larson, who the spring previously had come to the settlement together withher parents. They had 8 children, of whom one is dead. The others are at home and help their parents in operating the large farm. John Grønøen and Amalia Larson were the first to be married here in the settlement. The marriage was conducted in the Grønøen’s own house by Pastor K. Bjørgo, who at the same time held services here. At this service were the first children baptized in the congregation, namely Henry L. Aamoth, Karen Hanson and Nils J. Nelson.
4-Jens J. Mørland left Drangedal parish, Norway in the company of his brother John Grønøen. He also came to the settlement with his brother and took 1/4 section on homestead, which he has had as his home ever since. He lived alone on his farm right until the spring of 1884 when on the 27th of March, he married the Miss Elise Dalbu. They had 5 children but one died when it was little.
5-Hakon Benson was born the 15th August 1844 at Fossum Ironworks at østre Bærum, Norway. As a 20 year old boy he left Norway in the spring of 1864 and came to Chatfield, Fillmore Co., Minn. After he had stayed there for a while, he went to Faribault, Rice Co., Minn., where he worked until the fall of ’65, then he went to Olmsted Co. where he remained for 1* years. In March ’67 he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he stayed for a short time, and after went to Wisconsin and worked in the woods, also on the Mississippi River right until the fall of 1871. He then went to Faribault again. On the 14th of February 1872 he was married to the Miss Oliana Sander. The same year they prepared to travel west to find their own home. On the 22nd of May they left Faribault with a pair of oxen and a cow.
After 3 weeks on the way they came here to the settlement on the 14th of June 1872, and in the Town of Fossum they took 80 acres of land on homestead. A year later he bought the rights from his neighbour, Jørgen Grønøen, to 80 acres that he then put to a homestead with the first. This has been his home ever since. They had 12 children of which 2 died when they were small. Their first daughter, Mina Gustave, that was born the 30th of may 1875, died in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the 26th of January 1891. She had gone there for work but became sick and died without her parents knowing about it until she was already dead. Their oldest child Bernt Otto was born the 20th of December 1872, the first white child born in Fossum, perhaps the settlement.
6-Andrew J. Hanson. He left Modum, Norway, the 10th of August 1869 and came to Rice Co., Wis. Where he remained for only a short time, then went to Brown Co., Wis. In the spring of 1871 he came to Beder Co., Minn. where he took a 1/4 section land near the City of Audubon. After a short time he sold it to the railroad company. In the spring of 1872 he accompanied, as previously mentioned, Lars and Peter Aamoth and went to Wild Rice and took 1/4 section of land in the Town of Fossum. Here he erected a little shanty and ran a little grocery store until the spring of ’73. This was the first store in the settlement. Later in the spring of ’73 he moved to the Town of Flom, where he again took land and ran the same business for several years. In the spring of 1883 he moved back to Fossum, where he bought a 1/4 section of land, which he still owns. But he does not live on the farm, since he several years ago moved to Faith where, with L. Bjerknæs and O. Fredrikson, he runs a general store, grist mill and recently a saw mill.
7-Johannes Pederson Lien left Faaberg, Norway in 1868. As was usual at that time he went by sailing ship and it took a full 16 weeks before he came to his destination, Rock Prairie, Wisconsin. Here he stayed until the fall of that year, when he went to Zumbrota, Goodhue Co., where they had relatives. Here they lived until the spring of 1872 when they went west, as previously told, and came here to the town of Fossum the 3rd of July 1872. He lived the first year with his parents-in-law, Hans P. Aamoth, since he was married to his eldest daughter. Later he took a 1/4 section of land nearby, where they have since lived and still have their home. They have had 9 children, 3 girls and 6 boys. In 1889 the Lord sent them a heavy trial when he took from them 3 of their grown children, namely: Ingeborg Augusta, born 27th September 1871 and died 3rd November 1889, Johan Albert, born 9th October 1876 and died 22nd August 1889 and Anne Marie, born 23rd November 1873 and died 1st February 1890. The other children are at home except the eldest son, Peter, who was been married and for several years has worked on Ingvald H. Aamoth’s farm, which was old Hans Aamoth’s first home here.
8-Ole Ingebrigtson Quit. He was born in the fall of 1832 in Aurland parish, Sogn, Norway. In the spring of 1869 he left his home to go to America. He settled at Bonnet Prairie, Wisconsin. In the spring of 1870 he was married to the Miss Ragnilde Ingebrigtsdatter. They then moved to Black Hammer, Houston Co., Minnesota, where they stayed for 3 years. In the spring of 1873 they went west, came here and took a 1/4 section of land in Fossum, where they have lived ever since. They had 3 children but one died when it was little.
9-Ole Nilson Kragerø. He left lower Telemark, Norway, in the spring of 1866 and came to Winneshiek Co., Iowa, where he lived for 6 years. Afterwards he went to Jackson Co., Iowa, where he remained for about 4 years. In the summer of 1877 he left Iowa and came here, where he took a 1/4 section of land in the town of Fossum, where he still lives. His first wife was Ingeborg Melaas. She died December 1886 and is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery. In the summer or fall of 1867 he remarried to the widow Mrs. Anne Kaardahl, who a few years before had moved here to the settlement from Dakota. With his first wife he had 6 children, 4 boys and 2 girls, who
are all at home. With his second wife he has one child.
10-Peter P. Qual. He left Faaberg, Norway for America in the spring of 1871 and came to Rock Prairie, Wisconsin, where he worked through the summer. Later that fall he came to Zumbrota, Goodhue Co., Minn. He remained there until the spring of 1879 when he moved west and came here to the Town of Fossum, where he bought a 1/4 section of land and where he and his family still live.
11-Louis P. Qual was born in Faaberg, Norway in the year 1852. In the spring of 1870 he left his home and came here to America. He came first to Zumbrota, Goodhue Co., Minnesota where he had a brother, Kristian. He stayed here for a while and then in the woods in Wisconsin until he, with his brother Peter came here in the summer of 1878. A couple of years later he married Miss Martha Urdahl, who had a 1/4 section of land in Home Lake where he lived several years. He then sold the farm and bought 80 acres in Fossum, where he continues to live. Together they had 6 children, of which one died in a young age.
12- Olaus Norby. He left Norway in 1871 and came to Fillmore County in Minnesota. After some years he moved to Goodhue County in Minnesota, where he lived till the spring of 1879, when he together with Hans Tokerud went to vesten to find himself a home. He came here to Town of Fossum on March 8th and took 1/4 section of land on homestead close by Wild Rice River. On this land of his he had a good waterfall for a mill, which he some years latersold to a german, Mr. Sohler. He constructed by this waterfall a grinding mill and saw-mill. This was named Faith Millafter the Post Office which was established there shortly afterwards, and that was to large benefits for the people in the settlement, while earlier the mill was far away. Some years later he sold the rest of the farm to a german, Mr. Ohms, who in 4 years brought the post between Ada and Faith. At the same time he bought another farm a bit more to the south, where he still lives. He was married in Goodhue Co., Minn., to the maid Maren Ovaldson, before they came here, and together they have had 7 children.
13-Ole M. Dalby. He left Faaberg by Lillehammer, Norway, with his parents in 1879, and came to Black Earth, Wisconsin, where he the first year stayed with an uncle. In the spring of 1880 they went westwards to Audubon, Becker County in Minnesota, where his brother lived. After a week by his brother, he and his father went to town of Fossum, where his father took a 1/4 section Land on homestead in the vicinity of Johannes P. Lien. On this land he has been living all the time.His mother died years ago and is buried cemetary of Wild Rice congregation. His old father, Mikel, still lives and is hale and healthy although he is more than 70 years old. Ole Dalby was married in this settlement in the 1880's and has 3 children.
14-Anton Johnson Enger came as young boy from Toten, Norway, to Goodhue Co., Minnesota, where he for many years worked as clerk in a store on Wastedo. Later he established his own store in Dell, Olmsted County in Minnesota. Then he sold the store and went back to Norway again. In the spring of 1879 he came back to America, and came to this settlement where he in the fall of 1879 established a general store business in a small log house owned by Knut Larson, and erected on the land now owned by Sjur Stundahl in Town of Flom. On this place he carried on to the summer 1880 when he established a store in section 30 of Fossum, where Fossum Post Office came. Here he run a large and profitable business until 1890, when he sold to L. J. Morland, who still runs the business. Mr. Anton Johnson later went back to Norway, came back to America in 189l or 1892, but at present is home in Norway again.
15-Ole S. Bentley is born in Næs, Hallingdal, Norway, on February 2nd 1850. With his parents he left Norway in the spring of 1885. Arrived at Winneshiek Co., Iowa the same year where his parents had bought land. He remained with his parents until 1867, when he went to Decorah, Iowa and where he attended high school until the spring of 1868. He then took a position as a salesclerk with the firm, Olson and Thompson. He was with that firm until the fall of ’71. On the 26th of March that year he married Miss Anne Bergite
Bergerson. When in the fall of ’71 he quit the firm of Olson and Thompson, he got a position with the firm of Dusjin and Gaston. He was with them until the spring of 1874 when he moved to Northwood, Iowa, where he served as a clerk for 3 years and Deputy Postmaster for about 2 1/2 years. In the spring of ’79 he got a month’s holiday from the Post Office and made a trip to Wild Rice, Norman Co., Minnesota to visit his in-laws. On this trip he came to the conclusion he should take advantage of his homestead right and took land. In October of that year he sent his family to Wild Rice while he himself remained another three months with the Post Office in Northwood. Between Christmas and New Year’s he went west and came to Ada, Minn. On the morning of January 1st, 1880 he went on foot and arrived in the evening at Søren Bergerson’s in Wild Rice, where his family was. He took a 1/4 section of land in the spring of that year in the Town of Fossum, on Section 30, where he still lives. Almost all the time since he came here to Fossum he has held one or another public office in the Town such as Judge, Justice of the Peace; he has also been Clerk of School District 41 since it was organized in ’83. His children number 10, 5 boys and 5 girls. Of them, 2 were born in Decorah, 2 in Northwood and 6 in Fossum.
16-Martin Qual left Faaberg, Norway accompanied by his aged mother in the spring of 1872 to go to America and find his people who had left before and lived in Zumbrota, Goodhue Co., Minnesota, where they also went. They lived here until the spring of ’80 when they went west to find a home. He came here to the Town of Fossum where he bought an Improvement on a homestead. Later he bought a 1/4 section of railroad land, where he now lives with his aged mother.
17-T. Iverson. He left Telemark, Norway in the spring of 1861 and came to Koshkonong, Wisconsin, and stayed there for a couple of years after which he went to Waseca Co., Minnesota, in ’63. He stayed here all the time until the spring of ’80 when, with his family and brothers, Ole, Lars and Nils Amundson, they moved west to find homes for themselves. They came then to the Town of Fossum, where he took a 1/4 section of forest land in the Town of Fossum, near Faith, where he still lives with his family. In addition to
running his farm, he has been a teacher and chorister with St. Olaf Parish at faith, served by Pastor A. Lien of the Norwegian Synod. \par 18-Ole O. Jenssveen left Faaberg in Norway in the spring of 1855 to try his luck in America. He arrived at Rock Prairie, Wisc., the 3rd of July 1855. Here he stayed as a farm worker for the farmers until the fall of 1861, when he left Wisconsin and went to Zumbrota, Minn. His sister lived here and with her he had his home when he was not away for work. Here he was married to the maid Elise and he took on a farm on shares, which they worked for some years. In the spring of 1880, he moved with his family to the west and arrived on the 15th of May in the Town of Fossum. Here he bought first a 1/4 section of land in Section 33, later he also got his
father’s homestead which lay right next to his land. And here he has lived since. They have 6 children, 2 are married and the others are at home.
19-Aadne K. Fjeld was born in Telemarken, Norway. In the spring of 1852 he came to America and stoped first at Freeborn Co., Minnesota. When the war broke out between the North and the South, he went immediately into the field and remained until the end of the war. Later he returned to Freeborn Co., Minn., where he lived until the spring of 1880 when with his family, he moved west and came here to the settlement where he took land in the Town of Fossum and where he has lived since. His 2 sons, Knud and John are married and with their families live on land near their father, not far from Faith.
20-R. Grutle was born in Finaas Parish in Bergen Diocese, 1st July 1854.In the fall of 1870 he entered Kopervig Teacher’s Seminary from which he graduated in the fall of 1872. Right after, on the 8th of December, he began at a school in Jælse (Jelsa), 40 km out of Stavanger, where he remained for 4 years. On the 28th of May 1875 at Jælse, he married Miss Martha Ellingsdatter. In the beginning of October 1876 they left Jælse and drew to American after he had been hired by Pastor Nils Hvisaker as a teacher and choirmaster for the Minnesota Congregation, Goodhue County, Minnesota. On the 31st October they came to Lands Parish near Zumbrota and in a week’s time he began his duties for Minnesota Congregation. Here he remained for 4 years but since land was so expensive here that there was no opportunity to get his own home, they decided to move west to find a home. Through contact with Mr. Even Narum
he began to exchange letters with Pastor Sagen, who then was the minister for Wild Rice Parish and the result was that he was called by Wild Rice Parish to be teacher and choirmaster, which call he accepted. In the fall of 1880 he moved west and on the 8th of November he came to Mr. Ole Kallerud. Soon after he came here he began his duties in the parish, which duties he still continues. At the same time he has also served Twin Valley Parish as choirmaster, right from its foundation. The first winter they lived with Mr. Ole
Sannan and in the spring of 1881, they moved to their land in Section 31, Town of Fossum, where they still live. They have only one child, a son, born in Norway.
21-Ole K. Johnson was born in the fall of 1842 in Ramsey Co., Minn., where he lived with his parents until he was 24. He then left home to seek his own fortune and he went to Jackson Co., Minnesota, 1866, where he took a 1/4 section land on homestaed.. But he remained here just a year's time, after which he sold his rights and went to Freeborn Co., Minnesota. Here bought a farm and worked for about 10 years, after which he sold again and then went west. In the fall of 1881 he came to Ada, Minn., and in a short time he bought 160 acres in the Town of Fossum, where he still lives with his family.
22-Peter P. Kinseth. He left Trondhjem (Stjørdalen?) in the spring of 1871 and went to Goodhue Co., Minn., where he had family and friends. Here he stayed until the spring of 1881 when he came here to Norman Co. The 28th April the same year he took land on homestead in the Town of Fossum, where he still lives, not far from Faith.
23-Kristian P. Qual. He emigrated from Faaberg, Norway, 1867, to Goodhue Co., Minnesota. He remained there until 1882, when he went from Goodhue to Norman Co. to get a home for his family. He went to the Town of Fossum where he had previously bought a 1/4 section of land. He later sold this to his brothers, while he himself bought 80 acres of State land nearby, which is now his home.
24-Oluf Pederson. He was born in Sweden but came as a little boy to Kristiania, Norway. He left Kristiania on the 13th April 1882 and came to Ada, Norman Co., Minnesota, one day in May the same year, after which he went to Faith, where he got work with P. Sohler on the mill until it was finished. Later he bought 80 acres of land from Lars Norby – right by the mill, on which land he and his family live. He also drives the mail from Twin Valley and Faith.
25-Kristian Oleson left Norway in 1861 and on arrival in New York, he enlisted in the war and served there a full 4 years. When the war was over, he returned to New York but stayed there only a few weeks when he moved to Chicago, Ill., where he lived for 17 years. In 1882 he left Chicago to go west and find land. He took some land on homestead in the Town of Fossum, where he still lives with his family.
26-Amund G. Otternæs was born in Aurland Parish, Sogn, Norway in the year 1836. He emigrated from his home 1868 and came to Columbia Co., Wis., where he stayed for 3 years, After that he went to Goodhue Co., Minn., where he lived for about 4 years. He left Goodhue Co.., and came here to Norman Co. where he took a homestead in Section 34, Town of Fossum, where he still lives. In 1881 or 1882 hus wife died, with whom he had two children, a son and a daughter. The daughter several years ago married Arnt Thompson and lives in the Town of Flom. The son is sometimes home, sometimes with his sister. In 1883 he married again to Miss Ingeborg Lien, with whom he has 4 children.
27-Mons L. Stene. He was born the 8th of May 1869 in Aurlands parish, Sogn, Norway. He went to America the 2nd April 1882 and came to the Town of Flom the same year. He later bought 80 acres of land in the Town of Fossum, Section 35, where he still lives. In 1893 he married Mis Sønneva Prestegaard. They have two children of which one died young.
28-Peter Rindahl. He was born the 20th March 1847 on the Rindahl farm in Engan parish, Norway. As a 14-year old he left Norway with his parents and came to Madison, Wis.,1861. Here they remained for just a short time whereupon they went to Columbia Co. Wis., where they remained for 3 years. Froere they went to Goodhue Co., Minn. Here he was married in 1873. They lived here until 1876, then they moved to Dakota Co., Minn. where they lived until 1882, then in the spring they went northwest to find a new home. He then came to Norman Co., the Town of Fossum, where he had already bought a 1/4 section of land in Section 33, where he still lives. They have had 9 children all of whom are living home with their parents.
29-Carl S. Wroolie left Telemark, Norway in 1850 and came to faribault Co., Minn. Here he lived for about 32 years and came here to Norman Co., Minn. in 1882 and have remained mainly in the Town of Fossum and now the last years in Faith.
30-Elling R. Skilbred. He was born 22nd January 1852 in Bratsberg County, Norway. A little over 20 years old he married Else Marie, born on the Grønøen farm, 1856 (a sister to John Grønøen and Jens Morland) After their marriage they lived on the Juklum farm for a year. The 11th July 1882 they left Norway and emigrated to America.. On the 4th August they came to Norman Co., Minn., to their family, with whom they lived at first. In the spring of 1883, he bought 210 acres in the Town of Fossum, in Section 29. On the grounds of adversity and misfortune, partly with harvests and partly with livestock, he has twice sold off 80 acres. The first 80 acres now belongs to John Widme and the second 80 acres is now owned by L. Aamoth. They have had 8 children of which one doed in Norway.
31-Alenius Presteng emigrated from Trondhjem in 1866 and settled as a smith in Goodhue Co., Minn. He stayed there until 1878 when he moved up to Hawley, Minn. He lived here for just a year when he moved in1879 to the Town of Fossum where he bought a claim and took a 1/4 section of land om homestead in Section 31, where he bgan at his old trade as a smith. He was married in 1868 in Bang Church by Pastor B.J. Muus to Miss Hanna Gjervan. They have had 6 children of which 1 was born here. Alenius died in 1882 and is buried at Wild Rice Cemetery.
32-Gunhild Olson Ellingstuen emigrated from Nordre Froen, Norway in the summer of 1881 and came directly to the settlement. Right after she arrived she took 80 acres of land on homestead in Section 26 in the Town of Flom. She lived in recent years with her son, Peder, where she died on the 8th of November 1894 and is buried in St. Olaf Parish Cemetery at faith.
33-Ole Ellingstuen came here to the settlement with his mother in 1881 from Nordre Froen and settled on he land he now has in Section 36, Town of Fossum. He was married in 1887 and has 2 children.
34-Peder Ellingstuen, Ole’s brother came here N. Froen, Norway in 1880. Soon after he purchased land in Section 36, Town of Fossum, where he still lives. He lives alone since he is not married. Their sister is married to Elling H. Flom in the Town of Flom.
36-Knut Kleven was born the 16th February 1836 in Vaage Parish, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway. The 28th February 1863 he was married to Miss Rønoug Pedersdatter, who was born the 14th July 1841. In the year 1866 they emigrated to America and came to Coon Valley, La Crosse Co., Wis. the same year. Here they lived until the fall of 1883 when they left Wisconsin for the west to find a new home. They decided in the end to settle in the Town of Fossum where they bought land in Section 35 and where they still live. Together they have had 7 children, of which 1 is dead. The 6 who live are 4 girls and 2 boys. The eldest daughter is married to Gilbert
Goodrich, the next eldest is also married and lives with her husband on one of Dakota’s big farms where her husband is foreman. The 2 unmarried daughters are at home. Their two sons, Peter and Melvin operate a store – General Merchandise- 6 miles in the Town of Flom.
37-Ole Løken left Sundal, Norway in 1863 and came here to Norman Co. the same year and settled in the Town of Fossum, where he worked about for other farmers at first. In 1889 he took land on homestead in the same Town, where he now lives.
38-Thore Løken from Sundal, Norway, came to America in 1884. He came here and took land in nearby his brother Ole in 1888, where he now lives.
39-G. Vigerson emigrated from Norway in 1861 an arrived in Iowa the same spring. Here he lived for 8 years, whereafter he went to Yellow Medicine Co., Minnesota, in 1869, where they stayed for 2 years and in 1871 they moved to Swift Co., Minnesota, where they lived for 10 years. In 1883 he moved to Norman Co., Minnesota, and took land in Town of Fossum.
40-Tollef Henrikson is born in Orfordville, Rock Co., Wis., where he lived until he was more than 20 years old. Then he left Wisconsin and went to Burlon, North Dakota, where his brother Henrik lived. Here he stayed for a while, wherupon he moved to Norman Co. Minnesota, - to Town of Fossum - in the fall of 1884. Here he lived on different places , depending on his work. Some years later he was married to the Maid Helene Goodrich, who had taken 1/4 section land on homestead and bought 40 acres close by Wild Rice River, where they by now have their home. They have no children.
41-Nils S. Aamoth. He left Nummedal in Norway in the year 1871 and arrived in Goodhue Co., Minnesota, where he lived about 4 years. He then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he lived some years. In the year of 1885 he came to Norman Co., Minn., and bought land on section 35 in Town of Fossum, where he still lives. He was married in Minneapolis to Miss Dahl, and they have had 6 children.
42-Lars Bjærknæs emigrated from Norway to South Dakota, where he stopped for a short time. He came here to Town of Fossum in 1885. In 1893 he bought Mr. Hosø who operated a store in Faith with N. Aamoth and A. Hanson.
43-Nicolai Hanson emigrated from Eidsvold, Norway, with his parents in 1882 and arrived to Sabin, Clay Co., Minnesota, where they lived for two years. In 1885 he came to Town of Fossum, where he homesteaded and lives here.
44-Ole D. Pederson left lower Sogndal, as child with his parents in 1861 and came to Columbia Co., Wisconsin. Here they lived until 1864 when they moved to Goodhue Co., Minnesota. Here he lived with his parents in 23 years. In 1887 he left Goodhue Co. and came here to Town of Fossum, where he got 80 acres land after his deceased brother and lives there with his family.
45-Edvard Pederson was born in Boston, Wisconsin, in 1861. His parents moved from Wisconsin, when he was 1 year old, and settled in Goodhue Co., Minn. Here they lived in 28 years but then they moved to Norman Co. and arrived in Town of Fossum April 23rd 1891 where he bought land and by now lives with his wife. They have no children.
46-John A. Widme left Sogndal, Norway, in the year 1875 and came to Goodhue Co., Minnesota, where he lived for 7 years. Then he moved to Pembina Co., North Dakota, where he took land and lived for 9 years. In 1890 he left Dakota and arrived her in Norman Co., Minn. Here he at first worked as a renter of a farm in Town of Wild Rice. In 1894 he bought 80 acres land on section 20 in Town of Fossum, where he and his family now are living.
47-Andreas Pedersen Grande was born in The Ytterøen parish, Trondhjem County, Norway in 1837. He emigrated from Trondhjem the 3rd of May 1865 and came to La Crosse, Wis. Here he stayed for some weeks, and then he went to Bostwick Valley, Wisconsin, where he also stayed for a short time, wherafter he went to La Crosse. Here he was employed by an old german by the name Graham. The work consisted in travelling with a freighter up and down the Root River, transporting firewood, wheat and whatsoever down to La Crosse or other cities by the Mississippi. The life on this journeys was ups and downs, sun and rain; some times food more than needed, but also times when there was little to eat, and that was forgiven. While Mr. Graham was a very kind Man, he liked very much to stay with him. But it was Grahams bankruptcy in the fall of 1865 which made him leave the service. In the spring of '66 he was married by pastor Frich in La Crosse, from where he with his young wife went to Houston Co., Minnesota, where he bought 40 acres land. Here they lived until 1879 when he sold the land and moved to Fillmore Co., Minn. Here they stayed for one year only, and moved in 1871 to Lake Park, Minn., where he took 1/4 section land on pre-emption a few miles from the town. Here they lived some years and moved then up here to Town of Fossum, where he took land on Homestead on section 20. At the same time he also bought 1/4 section railway land on section 31, where he still lives. They have had 6 children together, 5 boys and 1 girl. At home now is only the youngest boy, the other boys are in Dakota, and the daughter at present is south by Lake Park
48-Faith. A german by the name H. Sohler builded the flour- and sawmill in the summer of 1882, about 2 miles west of the White Earth Indian Reservation. A bit later that summer came another german, H. W. Harman, and builded a little store and started to deal with General Merchandise, which he continued until 1885, when he sold to Nils Aamoth and Andrew Hanson. The miller H. Sohler operated the mill for about 4 years, whereupon he sold the mill and other things to two other germans, Ohm & Hoss. They operated the mill about 4 years, whereafter Ohm sold his part to Aamoth & Hanson. During the winter '93 Hoss sold his part to Lars Bjærknæs. The company then was called Aamoth, Hanson & Bjærknæs. They made great changes with the mill, when they installed complete Roller- Machinery. But during the winter the whole mill with all its content of machinery, wheat and flour. Because there was no insurance neither of the mill nor the equipment, the company sustained heavy losses. Soon after the Mill burned down, N. Aamoth sold his part of the business to Ole Fredriksen from Ada, Minnesota. The company now was called A. J. Hanson & Co. The last year they have increased the business not a little by purchasing pine logs from the Reservation and convert it to main lumber of all kinds. The flour mill was reopened in the summer '93, and that in much better conditions than before.
49-Gilbert Goodrich was born in Town of Rushford, Fillmore Co., Minn., October 31st 1856. Here he lived with his parents to 1869 when he moved to Lake Park, Minnesota, and lived there for a while. In 1877 he left Lake Park and went to Norman Co., Minn., where he took Homestead land on Section 24, where he still lives. November 27th 1887 he was married to the maid Mathea Kleven. Mr Goodrich has 3 children. He operates the farm and does carpenting as handicraft.
50-Iver R. Braget was born 29th Dec. 1850 in North Froen, the Gudbrandsdalen valley, Norway. Here he in 1876 was married to the maid Guri Østensdatter. They left Norway in the spring '84 and went to America to find a better home. At first they came to Lake Park, but soon they went to Norman Co., Minn., but because all the land was occupied, he had to work as common worker untill he was able to buy a little piece of land. On the section 36 in Town of Fossum he now has made a nice home where he lives with wife and some children.
Translated by Håkon Skaugvoll and Olaf Kringhaug.
From the book "Nogle Optegnelser om Settling m.m. indenfor de fire Towns Fossum, Wild Rice, Home Lake og Flom i Norman County, Minn".
Collected by R. Grutle, Lars Aamoth, John Narum, O.S. Bently and John Hommelvig.
Early Settlers in Home Lake Township
1. Jonas Homelvig came with his family from Homelvigen, Trondhjem, Norway in 1870 and went to Goodhue County, Minnesota. In the spring of 1871 he left Goodhue County and came to Norman County of Minnesota and took land in Section 14, Township of Home Lake. His wife died in 1885 and is buried at Wild Rice Parish Graveyard. He lived on his old farm until 1894, then he married Martha Vanberg and bought another farm by the old one where he now lives. His son, Johan Homelvig, took over the farm. He married Martha Flom, the daughter of Hans Flom in the town of Flom in 1880 and had 10 born, where some have died.
2. Peter P. Halle emigrated with his family from Størdalen Prestegjeld in Trondhjem, Norway in 1866 to Goodhue County, Minnesota where he bought land. Here he lived until 1871, when he moved to Norman County in Minnesta and bought land in Section 14 of Home Lake Township where he lives now. He was married in Norway and had 3 born where l has died.
3. Peder Waller came from Solør, Norway , to Goodhue County in Minnesota in 1867. He lived there with his family to 1871, then he moved to this place and took land on section 12, town of Home Lake Township, Norman County, Minnesota, where he still lives. This 3 families : J. Homelvig, P. Halle and P. Waller came together and were the first settlers in Home Lake Township, as well as they shared the burdens of the life of settlers as good as they could. P. Waller has had 7 children in addition to 3 died. His old father, Ole Waller came from Norway in 1869 to Goodhue County in Minnesota and came with the others to this place in 1871 and took land on section 12. He died in 1891. The widow lives at present with the son Peder, who now own their farm too.
4. Peder's brother, Johannes Waller, came from Solør, Norway, to Goodhue County in Minnesota, in 1867, and lived there to 1873. Then he moved here to Norman County in Minnesota but he did not take land before 1874, then he settled on section 24 of Home Lake Township. He is married to a daughter of Jakob Brænden, sister of Mrs Ole Lien, Mrs. Larson and Mrs. Hans Korsgaden of Flom. They have 5 children, 4 are dead.
5. Hans Lockrem came in 1855 from Valdres, Norway, with his parents and settled in Wisconsin. In 1857 they moved to Iowa and in 1859 to Rice County of Minnesota where he took land and lived to 1873, when he moved here to Norman County in Minnesota together with John Waller, Willie Larsson, Ole Lien, Lars Huseby and Ole T. Rogen. He then took land on section 24 in Home Lake Township where he still lives. He has wife and 5 childen. The two oldest daughters - one of them is married - are living in Fargo, North Dakota, the others are staying at home.
6. Christian Olson came to Norman County in Minnesota in 1873 an took land on section 2 in Home Lake Township, where he lived til he died in 1893. He was married and had 5 children. The family still lives on the farm. A child died in the fall of 1895.
7. Mrs. Ingeborg Mikkelson emigrated from Norway in 1870 and came to Winneshiek County in Iowa. Here she lived with her family - her husband died earlier - to 1878 when she moved to here in Norman County in Minnesota and took land on section 6 of Home Lake Township, where she and her son Matthias are living now. One son died a few years ago. Her oldest son has bought land on section 5 where he lives now. He has wife and 4 children.
8. Østen Hanson came from Lom, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway, to Winneshiek, Iowa, in1873. He lived there to 1879 when he moved to here in Norman County in Minnesota and took land on section 8 of Home Lake Township where he still lives. He is married and has 8 children. He came together with Andreas Dorseth of Flom.
9. Hans Erikson Wigesland came from Aurland in Sogn, Norway, 1848 to Wisconsin, where he stayed to 1851 and then he moved to Winnesheik County in Iowa. Here he stayed til 1878 and then came and bought land in Section 8 of Home Lake Township. He got married and had many born.
10. Helge Rinde emigrated from Sogn, Norway in 1860 and moved to Rice County in Minnesota where he lived until 1878, he then moved to Norman County in Minnesota and took land in Section 26 of Home Lake Township. He had a son Jens Helgeson. His wife died in 1894
11. Jens Huseby came from Sogn, Norway in 1867 and came to Rice County in Minnesota where he lived until 1878. He then moved to Norman County in Minnesota and took land in Section 26 of Home Lake Township where he lives. He was married and had 5 children born. His parent's lived in Rice County of Minnesota.
12. Carl Sollien emigrated from Toten, Norway and came to Norman County in Minnesota in 1879. He took a homestead in Section 26 of Home Lake Township where he lives. He was married and had 6 children born where one has died.
13. Thore Thompson came from Laerdals Prestegjeld, Norway to Amerika in 1873 and went to Winnesheik County in Iowa. He stayed there until 1879 when he came to Norman County in Minnesota and took land in Section 18 of Home Lake Township, where he lives. He was married and had 8 children.
14. Jens R. Ramsey was born in Winnesheik County of Iowa in 1855. He then moved in 1868 with his family to Freeborn County in Minnesota. He lived there until 1879, when he came here to Norman County in Minnesota and took land in Section 22 of Wild Rice Township. He lived there until 1887 when he moved to Home Lake Township and took land in Section 20 where he lives now. He was married and had 4 children born
15. Torgrim O. Thompson came from Stavanger, Norway to Iowa in 1859 with his family. He lived there until 1879, when he moved to Freeborn County in Minnesota where he lived until 1880. He then moved to Norman County in Minnesota and took land in Section 36 of Home Lake Township, where he lives. He has a wife and 6 children, 2 have died.
16. John Wangsnaes emigrated from Sogn, Norway in 1864 and went to Winnesheik County in Iowa. He lived there until 1879 when he moved to Norman County in Minnesota and took land in Section 4 of Home Lake Township. He was married to the daughter of Halvor Tvedstulen and had 5 children born. His wife’s family lived in Wild Rice Township.
17. John Tylden emigrated from Størdalen, Norway in 1871 and went to Iowa where he lived 1 year. In 1872 he moved to Goodhue County in Minnesota where he bought land and lived until 1880. He sold the farm and then came to Norman County in Minnesota and bought land in Section 28 of Home Lake Township where he lives. His wife died in 1873.
18. Gunnerius O. Dahl, son of Ole Fordal, came from Norway in 1874 to Goodhue County in Minnesota where he lived until 1880. He then came to Home Lake Township and took land in Section 28 where he lives. He was not married.
19. Anthon Lerud emigrated from Gjerdums Prestegjeld, Norway to Lansing, Iowa in 1873. He lived there until 1880, whe he moved to Home Lake Township and took land in Section 4. He was married and had 5 children born, none have died. He came here with Bernt Ask of Flom.
20. John Maehle came from Størdalen, Norway in 1875 to Lansing, Iowa. He then lived in Nicollet County until he moved in 1878 to Clay County in Minnesota where he bought land and lived until 1881. He then came to Norman County in Minnesota and took land in Section 32 where he lives now. His wife died in 1888. He remarried and has 3 children born who are living and 7 have died.
21. Ole Fordal emigrated from Størdalen, Norway in 1872 to Goodhue County in Minnesota where he bought land and lived until 1882. He sold the farm and came together with John Moen from Flom and Christ Qual from Fossum and took land on section 22 of Home Lake Township where he still lives. He has a wife and 2 children.
22. Jens Sethne came here from Toten, Norway in 1887. His wife died in 1892. He lives with his son Martinius who came here from Norway in 1886 and bought land in Section 35 of Home Lake Township.
23. Johan Sethne came from Toten, Norway in 1881. He bought land in Section 34 of Home Lake Township, where he lives alone. He is not married.
24. Ole Haugan came from Strinden, Trondhjem, Norway in 1881 and stopped in Minneapolis, Minnesota until 1882, when he came here and bought land in Section 11 of Home Lake Township. He died in 1889. His wife lives on the farm. They had children born that are alive and 6 have died. His son Sivert runs the farm.
25. Anders Bakke came from Aurlands Prestegjeld, Norway in 1868 to Winnesheik County in Iowa. From there he moved to Fillmore County in Minnesota in 1878 where he lived until 1882. He then came to Home Lake Township and bought land in Section 10, where he lives. He was married and had 10 children born. His oldest son Louis is married and lives with his parents.
26. Christian Dalhaug, son of Jonas Homelvig, from his first marriage, came from Trondhjem, Norway in 1882 to his father. He bought land in Section 23 of Home Lake Township where he lives now. Soon after his arrival he was married and has 6 children.
27. Martinius Aasgaard came from Hedemarken, Norway in 1866 to Trempealeau County in Wisconsin. He left in 1885 and came to Home Lake Township where he bought land in Section 26 and lives now. He is married and has 5 children living and 1 which died.
28. Ole Ramsey came here from Freeborn County in Minnesota in 1882 and bought land in Section 17 of Home Lake Township. He is not married.
29. Ole Hamre came following his parents from Sogn, Norway in 1875 and came first to Rice County in Minnesota. His father died in 1876. They stayed in Rice County until 1883, when he, in company with his brother Jens and his mother came to Home Lake Township and bought land in Section 30 where he still lives. He is married and has one child living, another child died.
30. Jens Ramsey, Ole's brother, also bought land in Section 30 of Home LakeTownship where he now lives. He is married and have 3 children born.
31. Peder Hambre came from Størdalen, Norway to Goodhue County, in Minnesota in 1869. He lived there until 1882 when he moved here. He is married and have 5 children born, all are grown-ups. Two sons live in Fargo, North Dakota and 2 daughters are in St. Paul, Minnesota. They live with their one oldest son.
32. Erik Hambre came with his parents and bought land in Section 11 of Home Lake Township where he lives now. He is married, but has no children.
33. Paul Johnson came from Gudbrandsdalen, Norway to Michigan in 1879. He lived there until 1881 when he moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and lived there until 1883. He then moved to Home Lake Township and bought land in Section 33. His wife died in 1892. His son lives with him (2 sons are living).
34. Fredrik Paulson, son of Paul Johnson, came here with his parents andbought land in Section 32 where he lives. He is married and has 5 living children, 3 have died.
35. Amund Skaim emigrated from Aurland, Sogn, Norway to Dane County inWisconsin in 1851. He lived there until 1853 when he moved to HoustonCounty in Minnesota. He lived there until 1882 when he came to Norman County in Minnesota where he lived in the town of Flom for 1 year. After that he took land in Section 34 of Home Lake Township where he lives. He is married and had 11 children born. He came here with Theodor Orvoll, Ole M. Lee and Ole J. Lee.
36. Theodor Orvoll was married to a daughter of Amund Skiam and now lives with them. They had 2 children born.
37. Erik Ramsey was born in Iowa in 1858 and moved with his parents toFillmore County in Minnesota in 1875. He was married there and in 1882 came here and bought land in Section 10 of Home Lake Township, where he now lives. His wife died in 1889. He married again and had 7 children born.
38. Jacob Lerud, brother of Anton Lerud, came from Norway to Allamakee County in Iowa in 1883. He then moved to Home Lake Township in Minnesota and bought land in Section 16. He was married and had 5 living children and 1 who had died.
39. Peter Ramsey, brother to Jens and Ole Ramsey, came here from Freeborn County in Minnesota in 1886 and bought land in Section 16 in Home Lake Township. He was married and had no living children.
40. Martin Bjerknaes came from Bergens Stift, Norway to Illinois in 1875. He lived there until 1885 when he came to Home Lake Township in Minnesota and bought land in Section 21, where he lives. His wife died in 1877. He married again and had 3 children living and 1 that had died.
41. Amund Olson came from Gudbrandsdalen, Norway to Fillmore County in Minnesota in 1860. He lived there until 1882 when he moved to Norman County in Minnesota and bought land in Section 36 of Home Lake Township where he lives. He is married and has 9 children born.
42. Erik Dyrdahl came from Sogn, Norway in 1886 to Washington Prairie in Iowa. He lived there until 1871 when he moved to Fillmore County in Minnesota where he lived until 1883. He then came to Home Lake Township and bought land in Section 36 where he lives. He has a wife and 3 living children, 1 has died. His oldest son is married and lives with him.
43. Peder Henry came from Sogn, Norway to Mower County in Minnesota in 1868. He lived there until 1882 when he moved to Norman County in Minnesota and took land in Section 10 of Home Lake Township. Peder died in 1888 and his wife died in 1892. Four children are living after him.
44. Peder’s son Nils Pederson lives on the Farm. He is married and has 3 children.
45. Andreas Ryding was born in Sweden and came from Holmestrand, Norway in 1882. He bought land in Section 24 of Wild Rice Township and lived there until 1887. He then moved and bought land in Section 2 of Home Lake Township where he now lives. He was married and had 5 living children and 1 that died.
46. Lewis Silve came from Paris, France to Steele County in Minnesota in 1877. He lived there until 1882 and then moved to Home Lake Township and bought land in Section 36. He was married and had 3 living children and 1 that had died.
47. Ole Hallerud was born in Vestre Toten, Norway and emigrated to Amerika in 1869 to Goodhue County in Minnesota with his wife and children. They lived there until 1878 when he and his family came to Norman County in Minnesota and took 80 acres of land in homestead in Section 12 of Home Lake Township. They had 5 children born and 2 that died. Two of the children married, the oldest daughter married Christ Tvedstulen and the youngest married Jens Sethney, and lived in Twin Valley. One boy is at home.
48. Christ H. Tvedstulen emigrated from Telemarken, Norway to America in 1862 and settled in Freeborn County in Minnesota. He moved to Norman County in Minnesota in July of 1877 and homesteaded in Section 34 of Wild Rice Township. On the 4th of June, 1879 Pastor Bjorgo married him to Johanne Hallerud and they moved to Section 11 in Home Lake Township. They had no children.
49. John C. Narum was born in Vestre Toten, Norway the 24th of April in 1847 and emigrated to Amerika in 1869 to Houston County in Minnesota. The same he married Elie Karine Hanson. In 1874 they moved to Norman County of Minnesota. They had 9 children born, 3 in Houston County, namley Karl, Anne Marie and Helene; 6 were born here in Home Lake Township, namely Hanne, Hans, Christian, Albert Kristofer, Martinius, Deoline and Julius. Two are married, namely Marie, married to Andrew Huseby and they live in Clay County in Minnesota and Hanne, married to Olaf Waller, they live in Syre, Home Lake Township and have a store.
50.Ingebrigt Ingebrigtson emigrated from Bergen’s Stift, Norway in 1857 and went first to Winnesheik County in Iowa. He got married on the 1st of Jan, 1858 and lived near Cresco, Iowa, until 1882 when they moved to Norman County of Minnesota and bought Land in Section 1 of Home Lake Township. They had 12 children born, 2 died in Iowa, 4 died in the Town of Flom of Diptheria, 1 died in Home Lake from a gunshot 17th May, 1887, and son Julian died at home the 15th of May, 1896.
51. Nils Albertson came to Norman County in Minnesota from Iowa in 1884. He married Anne Quit on the 13th of April, 1887. They have 6 children born. He lives by his fathers, Ingebr. Ingebritsons farm in Section 1 of Home Lake Township..
52. Anton Aalerud from Skjeberg, Norway came to America in 1888 and first stopped in Duluth, Minnesota. He came to Norman County in Minnesota in 1890. He was married the 6th of July, 1893 to Marie Aalen and have one child.
53. Ole A. Waller came from Kongsvinger, Norway in 1882 to Norman County of Minnesota. In 1890 he married Synneva Iverson and they had 3 children born. They lived in Section 13 of Home Lake Township.
The different Township Histories are taken from the following which was written in 1896:
From the book "Nogle Optegnelser om Settling m.m. indenfor de fire Towns Fossum, Wild Rice, Home Lake og Flom i Norman County, Minn". Collected by R. Grutle, Lars Aamoth, John Narum, O.S. Bently and John Hommelvig.
Translated by Håkon Skaugvoll and Olaf Kringhaug.
Cecil and Eleanor (Beckman) Cary
Cecil D. Cary was born in March of 1907 at Hawley, Mn to Ira Merton and Lillie (Smith) Cary. He moved from Clay County, Mn to Becker County, Walworth township with his family in the spring of 1921.
Cecil married Eleanor Beckman on June 6, 1935, near Twin Valley, Mn. They lived in Flom, on the north end of town, the west side of the street in the home currently owned by Marge and Jim Spielman.
Cecil worked as a farmer and trucker during his life. He also was a township treasurer for many years.
Cecil died in July of 1970. Funeral services were held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mahnomen, Mn with burial also at Mahnomen. After his death Eleanor moved to Mahnomen, where she resides today.
Cecil and Eleanor were the parents of three daughters; Gloria, Jacqueline and Laenea.
Marvin and Lorraine (Krebsbach) Svobodny.
Marvin and Lorraine Svobodny lived in section 1 of Flom township. Here they were active in farming and raising their family. Marvin was the son of Mr and Mrs. Joe Svobodny. Lorraine was the daughter of Arthur and Caroline Krebsbach. They were member’s of St. Michael’s Catholic church in Mahnomen.
After they retired from farming they moved off the farm selling it to Roger and Denise Bentley.
Marvin and Lorraine were the parents of five children; Carolyn (Gerald Minnie), Diane (Kevin Ruud), David, Robert “Bobby” and Lawrence “Larry”.
Carolyn married Jerald Minnie. They lived in Moorhead, Mn for a time, later moving in 1979 to the Flom farm in section 7 of Flom township. Here they raised their family and continue to live there today.
Larry answered the call to serve his country by entering the service in October of 1966. He left the United States for Vietnam on August 8, 1967. Larry died on September 13, in Vietnam as the result of wounds he received when the tank he was driving struck a hostile mine. (see Larry Svobodny in the Servicemen section).
Robert “Bobby” Svobodny attended school at Twin Valley, graduating in 1978 from Twin Valley High School. Gaylene Kazeck the daughter of Marie Kazeck graduated from Twin Valley High School in 1980. Bobby and Gaylene are the parents of two children; Joshua and Jill. They reside in section 3 of Flom township. Bobby owns his own construction business RTS construction and Gaylene is employed by the Twin Valley State Bank.
Diane married Kevin Ruud and they reside in Twin Valley, Mn. They are the parents of three children; Joe, Chad and Sheena.
Don and Ilene (Sargent) Ruud
In May of 1953 Don, Ilene and Douglas Ruud moved to section 2 in Flom township. We moved from our first home in Section 3, known as “Bucks place”, one mile to the west. We purchased the farm from Ilene’s parents, Maurice and Mildred (Bergeson) Sargent. Due to Maurice’s ill health they could no longer continue to farm.
An interesting note found in the abstract stated that in 1926, the farm consisting of 244 acres, was sold at a sheriff’s auction for $506.47.
We started out by having beef cattle, hogs, sheep and laying hens and raising winter rye, oats, barley, wheat , corn and later on included sunflowers and soybeans, Don did custom work, baling hay, planting corn, picking corn and chopping corn for silage. We welcomed electricity in 1956.
In the spring of 1990 a pair of trumpeter swans picked our area to nest. They have raised between four and seven cygnets every year, which seems to be a most successful comeback and we have thoroughly enjoyed observing their habits and mannerism.
Don’s parents were Henry and Annie (Kjeldson) Ruud of rural Twin Valley. Don entered the Army in 1944 where he was a paratrooper and when he got out of the service in 1946, he started custom hay baling for the farmers in the area. Don has enjoyed farming, hunting, fishing and flying his Piper J3 Cub.
Ilene graduated from Twin Valley High School with the class of 1949. Don and Ilene were married on December 10, 1950. We are members of Wild Rice Lutheran Church. Ilene has been active in various organizations in the area.
We have two children, Douglas Elliot born in 1951 and Donelle Dee born in 1953. Doug married Sandra Renae Bratvold in East Grand Forks in 1976. Sandy is a kindergarten teacher. They have three children, Ivory Leigh (1979), Brandon Christopher (1981) and Megan Jill (1985). Doug became the second generation to farm the land. Dee married Richard Haney in 1979 and divorced in 1985. She married David Jay Rodmyre in 1988 and was widowed in 1991. Dee is a computer systems analyst in Minneapolis.
All material on this page has been researched and compiled by Margit
(Nysetvold) Bakke, Jennifer (Dorseth) Klemetson, Arvid & Aaron
Swenson, Vernon Dorseth & Ray & Lois (Thorson) Engstrand from local resources from
the Flom
Community and its residents. All Rights Reserved. Republication or
redistribution of
content or any derivative work for "private use only" is permitted, as
long as users acknowledge and attribute any use of material found on
this website to "The Flom Book Committee" and the Flom Community. No
part of this
website may be reproduced or reused for commercial use without written
consent from Margit (Nysetvold) Bakke and the Flom Book Committee.
Excerpts from the Flom 125th Book.
Margit (Nysetvold) Bakke
PO Box 291
Flom MN 56541-0291