the public and Lutheran cemeteries on Memorial Day, it is easy to see a relative's monument anywhere I turn.

Dahl family. Top, left to right: Arnold, Sverre, Berner, Melvin. Bottom: Caroline, Helen, Maurice and Bert.

Dahl, Bertin “Bert” and Karoline (Stenkjaer)

(Barry M. Dahl)

Bertin Simonsen (Tommerdal) Dahl was born 8 Feb 1888 in Leksvik, NordTondelag, Norway. His parents were Simon Svendsen Tommerdal and Jonette Olsdtr Alset; she was from the neighboring village of Rissa in Sor Trondelag. (The Dahl family traces its lineage back to Sheriff Jens Hotran (b. ca 1450) in Skogn, Norway.)

Bert was baptized and confirmed in the Leksvik church. When he was 25, he emigrated to the U.S. He lived for several years in the Hesper-Mabel area with uncle John S. Tommerdal. Bert returned to Norway where he married Karoline Johan Arnstsdtr Stenkjaer on 6 Apr 1915 in the Cathedral Church in Trondheim. Karoline was the daughter of Johan Amt Mortinusen Scherset and Berit Larsdtr Lian, both of Leksvik.

Bert and Karoline left Norway from Bergan 27 Apr 1915 on the ship Bergenfjord. The crossing took seven or eight days, finally ending at New York’s Ellis Island. They came the rest of the way by rail. At first they rented a farm located in Sec. 26, Hesper Twp; in 1919 they purchased the farm where they lived for the rest of their years. Bert and Karoline were blessed with seven children during their marriage (all born in Hesper Twp):

John Melvin (b. 16 Dec 1915) attended the Rotvold school. John married Norma Vick of Riceford, MN 16 Dec 1941 in Mabel, MN. Norma is the daughter of Gilbert and Emma (Traaen) Vick of Spring Grove, MN. John and Norma farmed for many years north of Mabel between Tawney and Choice on Highway 43. They currently live in Mabel. They are the parents of Marilyn and Norene.

Sverre Julius (b. 29 Sep 1917) also attended the Rotvold school. Sverre served four years in World War II as a tank operator. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge and the Seigfried Line. Sverre married Norma Bjertness of Black Hammer, MN 3 Jul 1949. She was the daughter of Andrew and Maren (Grimley) Bjertness. Sverre and Norma were the parents of Sverre, Bonnie and Charles. They farmed the “Old Koppen Farm" for many years just west of Hesper. Norma passed away in

Apr 1974 and Sverre in Oct 1980. Both are buried in the Hesper Lutheran Cemetery.

Carl Berner (b. 12 Jul 1919) attended the Rotvold school. He married Marion Welch 30 Sep 1942 in Mabel, MN. She was the daughter of Myron and Emma (Klegseth) Welch of the Hesper-Mabel area. Marion died 14 May 1971. She is buried in the Hesper Lutheran Cemetery. Barney, as he likes to be called, worked as a mechanic and on several area farms. He is currently living in the Green Lea Manor (nursing home), Mabel. Barney and Marion had three children: Sharon, Barry and Dennis.

Arnold Inaolph attended the Rotvold school. He served in the Army Air Corp as a high speed Morse code operator in the U.S. and Newfoundland from Aug 1942 until Oct 1944. He married Violet Faa 30 Jul 1947 in Mabel. She is the daughter of Julius and Minnie (Veum) Faa. Arnold and Violet live in Waterloo, IA where Arnold was employed by the Rath Packing Company for many years. They are the parents of five children: Gerald, Carolyn, Barbara, Colleen and Brian.

Hildus Orlando was born 25 Aug 1923 and died 13 Oct 1923. He is buried in the Hesper Lutheran Cemetery.

Helen Marjorie attended the Rotvold school and graduated from Mabel High School. Helen married Harold Selness 9 Nov 1947 at the Hesper Lutheran Church. He was the son of Thomas and Caroline (Haokedahl) Selness. Helen and Harold are the parents of 16 children: Paula, Bert, Karen, Sunday, Barbara, Gary, Steven, Mark, Diane, Eric, Rolf, Caroline, Todd, Ruth, David and Wendy.

Maurice Julian attended school in the Hesper area. He served for several years in the Armed Forces. He was stationed near Detroit in the 99th Anti-Aircraft Battalion. Maurice married Avon Krueger 16 Feb 1955 at Burr Oak, IA. Avon is the daughter of Alfred and Palma (Hagen) Krueger. Avon and Maurice are presently farming on the original Bert Dahl farm just south of Hesper. They are the parents of 12 children: Maurice, Bruce, Carol, Joyce, Mary, Richard, Sandra, Leslie, Jeffrey, Steven, Brian and Michael.

Bert and Karoline were members of the Hesper Lutheran Church their entire lives. Karoline was the president of the Leksvik Lag, an annual meeting of the immigrants from Leksvik, Norway.

Karoline died 4 Apr 1945 at age 56 in Spring Grove. Bert died at his home 28 Sep 1962. Both are buried at the Hesper Lutheran Cemetery.

Dahle, Arthur and Alice (Thompson)

(Lila Kuntz)

Arthur Lloyd Dahle was born in Madison Twp on 30 Oct 1901 and died 25 May 1945. He was the son of Anton O. and Lizzie (Lisa) Marie Wold Dahle. Lisa was the adopted daughter of Elling and Mary Void, natives of Norway. When Elling and Mary came to the United States, they purchased a farm in Madison Twp. They are buried in the Void Cemetery east of Madison Lutheran Church. Arthur’s father, Anton was born in Madison Twp 28 Jul 1866 and died Dec 1943. His mother was born 25 Dec