Peterson, Waukon, IA; Eliza “Lizzie" married Sander Anfinson; and Henrietta “Molly” married Albert Larson, Canoe Ridge,

Asle, John and Ole all moved to Worth Co., IA. They settled near the towns of Kensett, Northwood and Manly, IA. They all married and had families.

(Written by Anna (Forde Nelson) Naley, 1971)

Foss, Hans and Hulda (Hanson)

(Charlotte Wilkins Lee)

Hans J. Foss was born 14 Jun 1870 in Hardanger, Norway. He came with his parents directly to Glenwood via Quebec where his father homesteaded. Hans married Hulda Hanson. They had 5 boys: Alvin, Harris, Clifford, Lester and Max. Hans and Hulda lived on a farm and in Decorah.

Left to right: Hans J. Foss, I. Christina (Foss) Wood, Ruth (Vine) Foss, Hulda (Hanson) Foss and Clifford Foss.

Alvin was born 27 Jun 1893 in Fort Atkinson. He graduated from the Fort Atkinson High School and the Decorah Business College. He was employed as a baker in Decorah until 1940 when he was employed by Sears, Roebuck and Co. as a refrigeration specialist.” (Decorah Newspapers). Alvin bought an A&W Root Beer franchise and operated the business in LaCrosse and El Dorado, KS before moving to Miami, FL in 1958. Alvin was married to Pearl Tosten. They had 3 children: in 1965 Norma DeLong lived in Portland, OR; Allen Foss lived in North Miami, FL; and Donald Foss lived in Circle Pines, MN. Alvin then married Irene Phillips. Alvin died 19 Oct 1978 in Miami. He is buried in the G.A.R. Cemetery at Miami, FL. He was a member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church and the Miami Chamber of Commerce. Harris D. moved to Roseburg, OR. He was married to Donna Baker and had 2 children. Merlyn married Gurie and had one child, Donna. Arlene (Foss) Baker (took her grandparents’ name) had one child, David Marlow. Max was born in 1906 in Springfield Twp. His schooling was in Winneshiek Co. Max served in the military during World War II. Max was married to Viola Heins and had 2 children: Charlotte Savic and Carol Mecus who lived in Milwaukee, Wl in 1978. He was married to Alice Leidahl. and then married Alice Folkedahl 26 Aug 1957. Max worked in the Decorah area, including working for Roverud Construction. He died 1 Oct 1978 and is buried in the Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah. Hans died 26 Apr 1949 and is buried in Phelps Cemetery along with his wife and other members of their family. (See Foss, John; Clifford; and Lester)

Foss, Henry and Lida (Porter)

(Charlotte Wilkins Lee)

Henry J. Foss (12 Jan 1866, Hardanger, Norway) came to the Decorah area with his parents John and Siri Foss. He married Lida Porter (5 Jan 1876-24 Dec 1933) and had 3 daughters; Hazel, Lillian and Mabel.

Hazel Mav (1 Feb 1895-10 Oct 1975) married Carl Johnson (9 Feb 1895-4 Feb 1961). He was born Carl Hjeltness and raised by the Johnsons. When his son LaVerne entered military service Carl had to declare his last name and he chose Johnson. Carl was first a farmer then became a truck driver for the Holsum Bread Co. in Mason City, IA. LaVerne Norman (16 Nov 1919-4 Mar 1992) married Elizabeth Carter. They have 2 children: Stephen and Maribeth. Elizabeth died from Multiple Sclerosis in Feb 1982. LaVerne married Nora Carter, a graduate of the Swedish-American Nursing School in Rockford, IL. LaVerne was diagnosed with the rare disease, cerebellum ataxia in 1982 and died 4 Mar 1992. Elizabeth and LaVerne are buried in Memorial Garden Cemetery, Mason City, IA. Stephen Marc (24 Oct 1946) graduated from the U. of Wisconsin in mechanical engineering. He attended OTS and became an officer in the U.S. Air Force. He retired with the rank of Lt. Col. Stephen married Shirley Swor (10 Feb 1939) and they live in Denver. Shirley has 3 children: Sherry Schroeder (married, 3 children), Debbie Webb (not married) and Crystal Riley (married). Mary Elizabeth “Maribeth” (8 Apr 1949) graduated from Macalester College with a degree in Languages. She was a computer analyst and is presently in control data. Maribeth married Keith Stromberg, a computer consultant. They have one daughter, Jamie (7 Jul 1987). They live in New Brighton, MN.

Left to right: Henry J. Foss, Hazel (Foss) Johnson and Lida (Porter) Foss.

Lillian Mina (13 Mar 1904-20 Aug 1984) was named after her father’s sister, Mina Foss. Lillian married Chester Vernon Brown (7 May 1904-21 Jun 1977). They had two boys: Robert and Donald. Robert Earle (4 Jan 1935) married Carol Ann Urioste. Robert, a graduate of California State Univ., Los Angeles, is a mechanical engineer. He retired from the Department of Water and Power in Los Angeles in 1995. Carol works for the U. of South Cali