Ida Margaret Smith was the daughter of Irvin and Agnes (Kuennen) Smith. Irvin Smith was born 3 Dec 1903 and died 6 Jul 1976. Ida's mother, Agnes (Kuennen) Smith, was born 30 Oct 1902. Ida Smith was born 3 Jul 1927. She was baptized 4 Jul 1927 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, St. Lucas. She graduated from high school.

When Clarence and Ida were married, they lived on a farm. Clarence farmed and later worked on road construction. Ida was a house wife and later worked at Graphics, Inc. in Calmar which is the printer for many local newspapers. They are the parents of 9 children: Judy, John, Janet, Jerome, Joan, Joyce, Jackie, Joey and Julie.

Ames, Miles and Iva May (Burns)

(Iva May (Bums Stendel) Ames)

Iva May Burns was born 9 May 1906 to Marion Burns and Myrta Ermina (Cooper) Burns in the Moneek area of Bloomfield Twp. She attended school in the rural Moneek school and graduated from Postville High School. At that time she became a rural school teacher. She married Hyless Stendel 28 May 1930. Hyless was born 29 Jul 1908 to John and Malinda (Schweinefus) Stendel in rural Bloomfield Twp.

Hyless and Iva May were the parents of 2 children,

 They were farm renters. Hyless died 16 Oct 1942. Iva May continued farming and teaching school to support her family.

Iva May (Burns) Stendel married Miles Ames 12 Nov 1946. Miles' daughter, Linda (b. 3 Apr 1936) joined the family. Miles and Iva May continued to farm on the place where the Burns family had settled in 1856. Darlene married Spencer Graves of Glenwood Twp.

Earl married Arlene Bodensteiner. They live on the Century Farm where Iva May’s grandfather homesteaded.

Iva May is a member of the Castalia Methodist Church and the UMW (United Methodist Women). She is a charter member of the Bloomfield Twp. historical Society. She is active in the Kews organization for Senior Citizens in Castalia. She lives in her home on the Century farm. Iva May welcomes company and enjoys her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Amundson, Albert and Josephine (Johnson)

(Marcella Iverson)

Albert Andreason Bakkum Amundson was born 28 Dec 1863 in Center Twp., Allamakee Co, IA, the son of Andreas Amundson Bondelids Bakkum and Bertha Reiarsdtr. Norstebon. His father was born 24 Dec 1823 in Nordre Land, Oppland, Norway. His mother was born 16 Dec 1826 in Nordsinnen, Nordre Land, Oppland, Norway. Albert took the name of Amundson.

Albert had 6 sisters and brothers: Caroline Pederson, Albert (died in infancy), Hans Robert Bakkum, Carl Martin Bakkum, Gustav Adolf Bakkum and Hannah Gilbertson (grandmother of Marcella Iverson, Decorah, IA). Andreas and Bertha are buried at the Old West Paint Creek Cemetery, rural Waterville, IA.

Albert married Josephine (Josie) Sophia Johnson of Arctanden Twp., Kandiyohi Co., MN on 27 Jun 1897. Josie was born 15 Jul 1875. They lived in Kerkhoven, MN where Albert had an optical and jewelry store. He later purchased a millinery store from Mrs. Skoge, which he moved into his store.

Albert and Josie were the parents of 4 children: William Dewey (b. 11 May 1898) was married to Jess Marion Dowsell. They lived at Kerkhoven and later Northfield, MN where he was an optometrist. He is buried in the Hillside Cemetery at Kerkhoven. Violet and Daisy (twins) were born 1 Apr 1900 at Kerkhoven and lived in Decorah; and Ernest Lanor born 24 Dec 1906 at Kerkhoven. He married Helen Marie Wendling of Decorah on 17 Aug 1932. Helen was born 26 Sep 1908. They lived Teanech, NJ where Ernest was a sculptor until 1958; later he had an electrical contracting business. Ernest is deceased.

A first cousin of the Amundson children, Oscelia Pederson, who was raised on a farm near Starbuck, MN tells how she remembers the Amundson family coming to visit, riding in a beautiful surrey, pulled by two beautiful horses. As a child (she is now 99 years old) Oscelia remembers looking out the window on Sundays hoping they would come. The twins were 4 years younger than she and they had many good times together.