At this point in time all of our children are married. Each couple has two children. Our son John and his wife Julie (Justine) live in Enid, OK where John teaches at Phillips University and Julie at Enid High School. They have two daughters, Jennifer and Mary-Catherine. Linda (our oldest daughter) is married to Owen Christianson, a Lutheran pastor at Moose Lake, MN. Linda is a state teacher at the Minnesota Department of Corrections, Moose Lake. She and Owen have a son Peter and a daughter Rebekah. Our daughter Norma is a R.N.C. (registered nurse certified in college health) who works at the Luther College Health Service in Decorah. Her husband, Harley Refsal, is on the staff at Luther College and also is a well-known wood carver. They have two sons, Carl and Martin. Our youngest son Paul and his wife Katryn are both attorneys and live in Portland, ME where Paul has his own practice and Katryn works part-time. They have two children, Christopher and Anna. Family gatherings are especially happy times for us.

Our children’s interests are many and varied. John is an avid outdoorsman - especially a fisherman. We often enjoy his smoked fish. Both Linda and Norma were active in Girl Scouts and later both worked at Wilderness Canoe Base Bible Camp in northern Minnesota in the summer. Paul likes woodworking and is fond of skiing. All participated in band as well as other school activities. Also, all were confirmed at the Lyster Lutheran Church, a rural church on the Wisconsin side of the river. John, Linda and Paul are Luther College graduates. Norma is a graduate of Fairview School of Nursing in Minneapolis. She also attended Luther College for one year.

Now with all our children married, we also have eight grandchildren. Jennifer Boots is in graduate school in Fairbanks, AK. Her sister, Mary-Catherine, is a Rotary exchange student in Argentina this year. Peter Christianson, a college student, is currently studying Chinese in China. Rebekah Christianson, a high school senior, is interested in social work and volunteers at a nursing home and teaches Sunday School. Carl Refsal, a Luther College sophomore, is especially interested in vocal music and is a member of the Luther College Nordic Choir. Martin Refsal, age 12, is in the sixth grade and enjoys vocal music and playing string bass. Christopher Boots, a second grader in Maine, especially likes reading and swimming. Anna Boots, who is in pre-school, likes playing with dolls and swimming.

We have never regretted this move to northeast Iowa. The scenery is beautiful, the neighbors friendly, our church is nearby and we especially enjoy being close to family and extended family. Kenneth (b. 8 Jul 1916), as an only child, wanted to be closer to his parents when we came in 1977. We enjoyed visits to Hopkinton, IA while they were living. Kenneth’s father, Jay, was a barber in Hopkinton for 40 years. I, Julie Clauson Boots, was born 3 Sep 1916. My parents, John and Christine Clauson, are no longer living nor are my brothers Gerhard and Peter. I am grateful to have my sister Selma Clauson and sister-in-law Wilma on the home farm 2 1/4 miles from us. In nearby Decorah we enjoy having my sister Jarla Clauson and our daughter Norma Refsal, her husband Harley and their sons Carl and Martin.

Then, in addition to family, we find Decorah has so much to offer because of Luther College and Vesterheim Museum. We feel we have a great opportunity here to make a happy retirement home.

Borness, David and Diane (Miller)

(David and Diane Borness)

Diane A. Miller was born in Decorah, IA, the youngest daughter of Frank R. (deceased) and Esther R. (Stephens) Miller. She grew up and was educated in and around Decorah. As a youngster she spent many hours at the swimming pool. She also dreamed of growing up and someday marrying a horse rancher. She did grow up and in Feb 1969 married David E. Borness. David was born  to Einar S. and Jennie (Johnson) Borness. David and Diane farmed south of Decorah fora few years and then moved to Glenwood Twp. to (believe it or not) raise and train horses.

David and Diane have 2 children - Shanna L. and Keith D.

Borness, Engvold and Cecelia (Thorbjornson)

(Christine Kolaas)

Engvold and Cecelia Borness 40th anniversary

Envold Borness was born 20 Aug 1881 in Osteroy, near Bergen, Norway to Lars and dine Bernes. In Norway he was earning just $7.00 a year and he decided he should come to the “land of opportunity’’. His mother did not want her son, only 20 years old at the time, to leave the