Signe married Christian L. Johnson 4 Jun 1930. They became the parents of 2 children, Lester and Christine. Christian died of cancer Jan 1932. After his death, Signe and her 2 children made their home with her parents Engvold and Cecelia Borness for a number of years.

On 29 Jan 1935 Signe married Bernard Ehler in Ossian. They became the parents of 4 children: Gerald, Carol, Phyllis and Wanda. Signe and Bernard farmed with Bernard’s parents on the Tovson farm just north of Ossian for several years and then on the Dahms farm near Castalia, IA. For 2 years they farmed on the Crow farm near West Union and in 1943 bought the Steinar Lee farm in Springfield Twp. south of Decorah. They farmed there until their retirement in 1971 when they bought a home in Calmar where they lived the rest of their lives.

Lester Johnson is married to Gloria Keune. They are retired and living near Chatfield, MN. They are the parents of 3 children: Dawn (married to Jerry Moen), Lance (married to Janet Robertson) and Gayleen (married to Mark Maass). They also have eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Christine Johnson is married to Kenneth Kolaas. They are retired and live in Fort Atkinson, IA. They are the parents of 6 children: Sherry (married to Leon Bachelder), Kim (married to Renee Frye), Linda (died as an infant), Steven, Robyn, and Scott (married to Theresa Day). There are 8 grandchildren.

Jerry Ehler is married to Judy Peterson and they farm south of Ossian. They are the parents of Bruce, Dean, Joel (married to Tiffany Vanderwert), Kathy and Chad.

Carol Ehler is married to Bernhard Gluth and they live in Decorah where Bernie is semi-retired. They have 3 children: Janann (married to Carl King), Kevin, and Kaarin (married to Marvin Sears). They have 4 grandchildren.

Phyllis Ehler married Kenneth Jauert. They lived near the Springfield Lutheran Church, rural Decorah. (Phyllis died 21 Oct 1995. She is buried in Springfield Lutheran Church Cemetery.) They had two sons and a daughter: Russell (married to Jan Bessingpas), Danette (married to Gary Franzen) and Rodney. They have 4 granddaughters.

Wanda Ehler is married to Michael Johnson. They make their home at Polk City, IA. They have 3 children: Krista, Jason and Caitlin.

Bernard enjoyed baseball games and visiting with friends and family. Signe was an excellent cook, enjoyed sewing and quilting, as well as playing cards. They were very devoted to their children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren and the feeling was mutual.

Bernard died 16 May 1980 and Signe died 31 Oct 1991. They are buried at the Springfield Lutheran Church Cemetery, near Decorah.

Ehler, Joseph and Mary (Boeckman)

(Charles Ehler)

Joseph Ehler was born 16 Apr 1877 on a farm 3 miles south of Calmar on Hwy. 150. He was the son of Bernard and Johanna (Huinker, Holthaus). Bernard homesteaded in Winneshiek Co. and came to America from

Reckinghaushen-Muster, Prussia (Germany) in 1859. He married Johanna who was first married to John Holthaus (Sr.). John’s first wife died. He went to Germany and brought Johanna back to America as his wife. John had 2 children from his first marriage: Carolina and Anna. He and Johanna had 2 children: John and Barney. John died due to an illness and Johanna then married Bernard Ehler. They had 4 children: William, Elizabeth, Joseph and Henry. Bernard died 10 Jun 1888 and Johanna died 10 Oct 1914. Both are buried at the St. Marys Cemetery in Festina, IA.

Mary (Boeckman) and Joseph Ehlers October 1, 1901

Mary Boeckman (b. 8 May 1879) was the oldest child of Henry and Theresa (Knipping) Boeckman. Henry Boeckman (b. 26 Oct 1849 in St. Louis, MO) was the son of Bernard and Elizabeth Boeckman. When he was seventeen years old he came to Winneshiek Co. and settled near Festina. Theresa Knipping (b. 28 Dec 1854 in Cincinnati, OH) was the daughter of Francis and Anna Marie Knipping. When she was five years old her parents moved to Iowa and settled near Festina. Henry and Theresa were married 12 Feb 1876. They farmed in the Ossian area and had 9 children: Mary, Bernadine, Frank, Will, Rose, Edith, Laura, Tacklaand Angelyn. Henry died 8 Mar 1923. Theresa died 15 Jun 1931.

Joseph and Mary were married 1 Oct 1901 at St. Francis DeSales in Ossian. They had 7 children: Alfred, Bernard, Marie, Victor, Ralph, Irene and Jerome. They farmed 4 miles northeast of Ossian until 1931. Joe Ehler was all over the neighborhood. He loved to visit with people and was always extending a helping hand to others. Joe was a better carpenter than farmer. Joe and Mary and family moved to the Tovson farm in 1928 as they were foreclosed by William Ehler. They moved to the town of Ossian in 1936 into a house on the north side of town. He was a very religious individual and was well thought of in the community. Joe died at the home of his son Victor Ehler at Waucoma, IA. He was staying with Victor and Clara Ehler 10 Feb 1939 and had a stroke in the morning while Victor was doing chores. He died 11 Feb 1939 and was buried at the St. Francis DeSales Cemetery.