portion of their land for the Madison Settlement Cemetery, now known as the Bergan Cemetery. The Evenson home became a stopping place for migrating Norwegians, giving them a certain prominence in Winneshiek Co. Both placed a high value on education and religion. The Luther College Pioneer Monument includes the words “First subscriber to the Luther College Building Fund, Johannes Evenson, October 1857.” Johannes and Catherine had 10 children: Amelia (m. Elling Void), Eleanora “Nora" (m. Knut L. Moe), Bertha Elise Cecilia “Elsie” (m. Gilbert N. Plaugen), Eivind Theodore, Maria Fredrikka (m. H.E. Gulbrandson), Theodore J. (m. Gena Moebeck), Lena Sophie Louise (m. Gilbert Narve Gilbertson), Edwardine “Edva" (m. Gilbert I. Kaasa), Anna C. (m. Oscar Bauder) and Emma Henrietta (m. Albert 0. Johnson). Johannes was 62 when Emma was born. Six of the Evenson girls became teachers.

Johannes died 23 Aug 1887 at the age of 72. He is buried in the Madison Lutheran Church cemetery, Madison Twp., Winneshiek Co. Catherine continued raising her youngest children at home until the death of her daughter, Elsie, in 1892. Elsie, married to Gilbert N. Haugen, an Iowa State Senator, left 2 small children. Catherine and her daughters, Edva and Emma, moved to Northwood, IA to help care for the children. Catherine died in Northwood 3 Dec 1901. She is buried next to Johannes in the Madison Lutheran Church Cemetery. Johannes Evenson and Catherine Helene Anderson Evenson are the great-great-great-grandparents of my 2 year old daughter, Ingrid Martina Rotto. Ingrid's father is Jon Rotto (m. Beth Hoven). Jon has built a home in Glenwood Twp. and currently is an owner/operator of Hometown Taxi in Decorah. He also is a part-time rural mail carrier and plays Scandinavian-American old-time dance music in the band “Foot-Notes.” Jon’s mother is Lena Rufsvold Rotto (m. John Rotto). She lived in Decorah while attending Luther College. Her mother was Norma (Gilbertson) Rufsvold who was born in Madison Twp. As a girl, Norma moved to South Dakota with her parents Gilbert and Lena (Evenson) Gilbertson.

Everman, Fred and Lena (Schweinefus)

(Arlene Everman)

Frederick Everman was born in Niendorf, Mecklenburg/ Schwerin, Germany 9 Nov 1889. His parents were Friedrich Wilhelm Christof and Wilhelmine Marie (Baethke) Everman. Fred came to America with his parents in 1891. They settled in the area of Postville in Allamakee Co. Friedrich, Sr. was born 27 Mar 1861 in Niendorf, Mecklenburg/Schwerin Province Germany.

In 1882 he married Minnie Baethke. Friedrich and Minnie (Baethke) Everman became the parents of 5 children. They were: Wilhelm, Rudolph, Fred, Cynthia (Mrs. William Baltz), and Walter.

Fred Everman married Lena Schweinefus 24 Feb 1921. She was the daughter of Charles and Anna (Althouse) Schweinefus. Lena was born 13 Aug 1898 near Eldorado, IA in Fayette Co. Fred was a carpenter. Then later, after marriage, they moved to a farm near Castalia, in Sec. 20 of Bloomfield Twp. where they lived until they retired in 1948 and moved to Castalia. They were the parents of 3 children.

Jeanette Marie was born 10 Dec 1921 near Castalia. She married Leslie Anderson 6 Jun 1943. They were farmers in Fayette Co. near Castalia. Jeanette died of cancer 28 Jul 1981 at LaCrosse, Wl. The children of Leslie and Jeanette were: Janice (m. Roger Torson), Lyle, Marilyn (m. Roger Falb), and Stanley, who died of complications of bone cancer 17 Aug 1994.

Leon Charles was born near Castalia. He married Arlene Engelhardt 29 Nov 1948. They farm near Castalia on the same farm owned by his parents, Fred and Lena, in Sec. 20 of Bloomfield Twp. The children of Leon and Arlene are: Bruce, Byron, and Luann (m. David Haberechter).

Lois Janice is a Doctor of Medicine in Poplar Bluff, MO. Her home is in Doniphan, MO.

Fred served on the church council of Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia. He was mayor of Castalia for 10 years. He died 29 May 1971 at Postville, IA. Lena was active in the women’s organization of the Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia. She loved flowers and found time to grow a good supply of garden vegetables which she shared with her neighbors. Lena died 17 Mar 1976 at Postville. Fred and Lena are both buried in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Castalia.

Everman, Leon and Arlene (Engelhardt)

(Arlene Everman)

Leon Charles Everman was born near Castalia in Bloomfield Twp. Winneshiek Co., IA. His parents were Fred and Lena (Schweinefus) Everman. Leon grew up on the family farm in Sec. 20. He attended school in Castalia and later graduated from Castalia High School.

Leon married Arlene Engelhardt 29 Nov 1948 at Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia. Arlene was born at Monona, Clayton Co., IA. Her parents were Edwin and Anna (Stee) Engelhardt. When Arlene was a small child the family moved to Castalia. Arlene attended school in Castalia and Postville.

After marriage, Leon and Arlene moved to the Everman family farm, Sec. 20, Bloomfield Twp., near Castalia, where they have continued to live for 47 years. They are members of Zion Lutheran Church where Arlene has been a Sunday School teacher for many years. They are the parents of 3 children.

Bruce Owen was born in Postville, IA. He married Kristy Lee Small 7 Jun 1980 at Fridley, MN. He and his wife Kris live in Dayton, MN. Bruce is employed at Precision Diversified Industries Inc. of Plymouth, MN as a computer programmer in the blueprint to circuit board transfer. Kris works at RedLine Medical Supply Co. in Maple Grove, MN.

Byron Jeffery was born at Postville. He married Sandy Sue Boyson 29 Jan 1977 [The date in the book is 1976, Bryon provided the correct date of 1977 on March, 12, 2016, IAGenWeb coordinator] at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville. Sandy was born at Marshalltown, Marshall Co., IA. Her parents are Neils