Ove A. Fossum and Janet B. Mestad Fossum

Ove and Janet live in Spring Grove. They are members of Trinity Lutheran Church and Sons of Norway. Ove is a World War II veteran and is a member of the American Legion Post 249 in Spring Grove and the VFW in Mabel, MN. Ove enjoys working on his antique cars and Janet keeps busy with her flower and vegetable gardens and she enjoys her many quilting projects.

Fox, Leslie and Bettie (Noecker) Freidhof

(Bettie Fox)

Bettie Marie Noecker was born at the Spring Grove Hospital to Milo G. and Ida M. (Quandahl) Noecker. Bettie and her twin brother, Billie, were raised from birth on a Canoe Twp. farm that her parents bought in 1949. Bettie and Billie were baptized at home by Pastor Carl Losen and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church, Locust, IA by Pastor Dennis Hefner.

She and Billie attended 3 different one-room school houses. Kindergarten and 1st grade were at Canoe #6. They attended Springwater School on the Locust Road for grades 2-4 and Canoe #4 on the Middle Hesper Road for grades 5-8. They graduated from North Winneshiek High School in May 1968.

After graduation Bettie’s first full time job was at Smith Memorial Hospital in Decorah as a receptionist/book-keeper. During that time Bettie met John J. Freidhof. They were married 24 Mar 1970 at the Navy base in San Diego, CA where John was in basic training. While John served in the Navy Bettie lived with her parents and worked as a typist for an architect firm in Decorah. After John’s discharge they moved to Hudson, IA.

A daughter, Kerri Anne, was born at Allen Hospital, Waterloo, IA. John worked at the Waterloo Goodyear Store. He was transferred to the Goodyear Store in Oelwein where they lived until 1976 when they divorced. Bettie and Kerri moved back to Decorah where Bettie worked for Anundsen's Publishing Co. about 3 1/2 years. During that time she met Leslie Fox from Oelwein, IA.

Bettie and Leslie were married 16 Sep 1979 at Hauge Lutheran Church, rural Decorah. They make their home on the family farm at 5741 T Avenue (Oran Twp.), Oelwein. They purchased the farm from Leslie's father in 1994. Leslie is a full-time farmer and also works full time at Trans-Co. Railway, Inc. in Oelwein. Bettie is a homemaker and helps Leslie farm. Bettie's daughter, Kerri, works and lives in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Frana, Charles and Doris (Best)

(Charles Frana)

Charles Frana, son of Martin and Hattie (Ira) Frana was born at Decorah, IA and raised on a farm five miles north of Calmar. He went to school at St. Wensceslaus, Spillville and Calmar High School followed by four years in the US Air Force. Charles married Doris Best 29 Jul I962.

Doris Best, the daughter of Frank and Emily (Blong) Best was born at the New Hampton Hospital. She was raised on a farm 3 miles west of St. Lucas and went to St. Lukes School in St. Lucas for 12 years.

Charles has been with the Iowa State Bank in Calmar for 35 years. He is also the Mayor of Calmar. Doris worked for Brueckner Drug Store but after the arrival of their son Kenneth 19 Mar 1962 she has been a homemaker and volunteer worker for many events. Kenneth, a graduate of Iowa State University, is a partner in the Train Station Restaurant in Calmar.

Frana, Joseph and Anna (Humpal)

(Charles Frana)

Joseph Frana was born 20 May 1874, died 16 Jan 1934 and was married 5 Nov 1895 to Anna Humpal. Anna Humpal was born 8 Mar 1878, died 17 Aug 1948. Their children are: Adolph, Lydia Ann, Mary, Emma, Joseph, Antonia, Bozena, Martin, Adela and Pauline.

Adolph married Otillia Pecka 23 Sep 1919. Their children are: George, Arthur, Leonard, Martha, Adolph Jr., Ermin, Stanley, Viola, Georgina, Jerome, Marcelline and Julius. Adolph was born 8 Aug 1896 and died 8 Jul 1960. Otillia was born 3 Jun 1901 and died 24 Oct 1987. Lvdia Ann was born 6 Mar 1901 and died 22 Dec 1901. Mary married Joseph Snyder 1 Sep 1925. Their children are: Joseph Jr., Dorothy and Marie. Mary was born 19 Sep 1902 and died 12 May 1988. Joseph was born 2 Jul 1892 and died 4 Mar 1987. Emma married Charles Petrik 23 Oct 1954. Emma was born 6 Sep 1904 and died 8 Nov 1978. Charles was born 17 Jan 1899 and died 26 Sep 1977. Joseph married Louise Shileny 22 Oct 1928. Their children are: Joseph III and Jane. Joseph was born 5 Sep 1907 and died 3 Jan 1973. Louise was born 7 Jun 1909 and died 26 Dec 1988. Antonia married Joseph Hrdlicka 14 Jun 1927. Their children are: Alois, Anna, Robert and James. Antonia was born 8 Oct 1909. Joseph was born 31 Jan 1901 and died 9 Sep 1987. Bozena married John Koudelka 20 Jun 1932. Their children are: Martin, Jane, Dorothy and David. Bozena was born 14 Sep 1912. John was born 25 Jun 1905 and died 11 Jan