Eittreim, Orrin and Jean (Brown)

(Marilyn Eittreim)

Jean Brown married Orrin Eittreim in 1955.

Orrin Hale Eittreim was born in Decorah to Oliver and Mabel (Rohm) Eittreim. He was named after his maternal grandfather, Ole Helgeson Rohm, and was baptized by his grandfather, Rev. K.O. Eittreim, in First Lutheran Church in Decorah. Orin attended schools in Decorah and graduated from high school in 1950. He played violin as a young child. Orrin became an accomplished oboe player and played with the Luther College band while he was in high school and with the LaCrosse Symphony while he was at Luther. After graduation from Luther in 1954 he enrolled at Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, MN.

19 Feb 1955 Orrin married Jean Brown from Decorah, a high school and college classmate. Shortly after their son Stephen was born they discovered Jean had Hodgkins disease. Since she was not well enough to have another child they decided to adopt a child. In 1959 they were delighted to adopt Julie. In 1963 the same adoption agency asked them to take David, age 3, and Daniel, age 2.

Stephen married Lorrie Brown in 1990. Stephen has 2 daughters, Curissa and Amber. Julie is a social worker and lives in Crystal, MN. She has a son, Brandon. David and Sandy were married in 1979. They have one son, Aaron. Danny married Heidi Marshall in 1985. They have a son, Matthew, and a daughter, Amanda.

Orrin completed the seminary in 1958. He was ordained at First Lutheran Church in Decorah and began his ministry in Riverdale, ND. Since then he served parishes in Bottineau, ND and several parishes in Minneapolis.

In 1980 he bought his first computer and soon was involved in computer consulting.

In 1983 Orrin and Jean joined a group from Peace Presbyterian Church. Soon Orrin was hired to be their choir director. This fulfilled a dream Orrin had long had - hoping he could use his love of music in serving his church. Orrin took his choir on tour to Norway in 1987, to Germany and Austria in 1989 and to England and Scotland in 1993. This last tour was only two months before his death.

Orrin had experienced a life threatening stroke in 1989 but had recovered quite well. 16 Aug 1993 he had a severe heart attack and passed away while having his blood pressure taken.

Orrin's wife Jean had taught in the Minneapolis schools since 1968 and she continued to teach for the year following Orrin’s death, she retired from the Minneapolis school system in 1994 but has kept busy organizing an after school program at Peace Presbyterian Church.

Ellickson, Ashley, Sr. and Elise (Haugen)

(Vernon Ellickson)

Ashley Eli Ellickson, Sr. was born 13 Jan 1861 on a farm about 6 miles northeast of Albert Lea, MN, the son of Nels H. and Diana (Anderson) Ellickson. After the Indian scare the family moved to Decorah. Nels enlisted in the Fifth Iowa Cavalry under Capt. George L. Gardener in the Civil War.

Ashley, Sr. married Elise Haugen 10 Jul 1889. Elise was born 6 Sep 1866. Ashley, Sr. spent a few years on a claim in northwest South Dakota near Strool. In 1912 he came back to Decorah. He was employed at the Decorah-Posten in charge of the composing room from 1893 to 1897. He then went to Lac Qui Parle Co., MN where he engaged in the newspaper business at Madison. Afterwards he published newspapers at Montevideo and Appleton, MN.

Ashley and Elise had 6 sons: George died at age 4, Emick (20 Sep 1891) married Lettie Thorson, George married Luella Thygessen from Allamakee Co., Ashley Eli, Jr. (9 Apr 1898-8 Sep 1967) married Bertha Signa Gillman 25 Jan 1920, Peter G. married Verona Cobb (widow with 2 children), and Harold married Margaret (maiden name unknown).

Ashley, Sr. died 28 Feb 1942 and Elise died 12 Mar 1933. They are buried at Union Prairie Cemetery.

Ellickson, Vernon and Dorothy (Frey)

(Vernon Ellickson)

When Vernon’s great-great-great-grandfather Hemle came to America he changed his name to Ellickson and his great-great-grandfather Hovet changed his name to Thorson.

Vernon’s grandaughter Tammy Ellickson Werner recently visited the family farm “Himle" on a trip to Norway in the summer of 1995. She met some of the Himle’s who remain living on the original Himle farm.

Engebret Haugen Ellickson (10 Aug 1892) and Oletta Thorson (20 Sep 1891) were married 20 May 1914. They had two children, Vernon Emick (23 Oct 1915) and Roger Donald (6 Aug 1917-Nov 1969). All of the Ellickson and Thorson relatives were immigrants from Norway.

Vernon married Dorothy Frey 21 Nov 1938 after meeting her at a dance at the Spillville Pavillion. Dorothy was the daughter of Dave (12 Jan 1896-May 1970) and Emma (Swehla) Frey (Jul 1918-Jan 1973). The Freys were long