Ransome and his parents moved to an acreage within the Decorah city limits on the Locust Road when he was 3 years old. There his father established Bolson’s Oakview Poultry Farm and Hatchery. Ransome attended the Decorah public schools and graduated from Decorah High School in 1936. He attended Luther College from 1936-37.

On of the joys of living on the Locust Road in the 1920’s was sliding down the steep road. In the wintertime, farmers would come to Decorah with their horse drawn sleighs. The farmers would be on their way home when the kids got out of school. The kids would hitch a ride up the hill on the farmer’s sleighs and then slide down on their sleds.

Ransome attributes his love of baseball to his father who would play “catch” with him behind the house day after day. After pitching in high school, he pitched for the Decorah Boosters in 1938. During his lifetime, Ransome also pitched a lot of chicken manure!

Ransome did not participate in many school activities, but usually hurried home to help with chores. One of his jobs in the winter was to fill the wood box for the wood burning kitchen stove. In those days people took a bath once a week in the wash tub; in the winter the tub would be set next to the stove.

From the time his parents caught him dipping some of their prize chickens in a water tub, Ransome was in love with chickens. After attending Luther College, he helped with the family poultry business. During the Depression, he would accompany his father to farms in the area to cull the hens and delouse the good ones by dipping them in water containing sodium fluoride. They were paid 1 1/20 for culling and 20 for debusing. Ransome followed his father as superintendent of the Poultry Department at the Winneshiek Co. Fair. A position he held until the poultry show was discontinued.

Ransome participated in all aspects of the family business. For years they shipped 300 White Orpington chicks to a customer in Meridian, ID. Ransome would take the chicks from the incubators as soon as they hatched, pack them in boxes, take the boxes to the Railway Express Office in Calmar late at night and ship them to Idaho. They always arrived in Idaho in good condition.

After the poultry operation was discontinued in the 1980’s, Ransome drove school bus. He drove for the Decorah schools for 14 1/2 years and also drove some for the North Winneshiek schools.

Ransome was married 12 Jul 1943 to Constance Harriet Hexom at the Big Canoe Lutheran Church. Connie's parents were Pastor and Mrs. Wm. T Hexom. Connie graduated from Decorah High School in 1941 and attended Luther College 1941-42.

Ransome and Connie have 5 children: Cheryl Louise, Daryl Loren, Joeyl Lorence, Terry Lynn and Loryl Leie. They 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Ransome and Connie have always been active in church work. They originally were members of the Decorah Lutheran Church. Ransome was one of the founders of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in west Decorah which was dedicated in 1958. He served on the Steering Committee, has been a member of the Board of

Trustees and the president of the congregation. Ransome and Connie have served as co-presidents of the Couples Club. Connie is active in church Circle.

Bolson, Spencer and Carol (Peterson)

(Gail Bolson-Magnuson)

Spencer Benjamin Bolson was born in Winneshiek Co., IA , the son of Stephen Bolson and Esther Rebecca (Lovstuen) Bolson. Stephen was born in Winneshiek Co. 28 Oct 1894. E. Rebecca was born 7 Sep 1896. They were married 27 Nov 1919 at Glenwood. Spencer has 3 brothers: Hubert ; Raymond ; and Kenneth . Two other brothers, Arnold and Milford, died at birth. They were all born in Winneshiek Co. Stephen Bolson served in the Army during the first World War, then returned to Decorah and started the painting contracting firm of S. B. Bolson & Sons.

Spencer married Carol June Peterson, who was born  in Winneshiek Co. to Oliver and Annie (Sollien) Peterson. Oliver was born 12 Mar 1903 in Clayton Co. near McGregor, IA. Annie was born 28 Feb 1909 in Highland Twp., Winneshiek Co. Oliver and Annie were married 19 Oct 1929 at Big Canoe parsonage. Carol has 5 brothers and sisters: Beulah ; Sylvia ; Alton ; Lorraine  and Robert .

Spencer and Carol are members of First Lutheran Church in Decorah. Spencer likes bow hunting and muzzleload shooting, and Carol enjoys baking and canning. They both love doing outdoor activities together, including canoeing, hiking and camping.

Bolson, Stephen and E. Rebecca (Lovstuen)

(Gail Bolson-Magnuson)

Stephen Benjamin Bolson was born 28 Oct 1894 in Glenwood Twp. to Anton and Anne (Guldselien) Bolson. Anton was born 24 Jul 1857 in Glenwood Twp. Anne was