children: Anna and Paul. Anna Tronnerud married an Ostby and lives in Oslo, Norway. Paul Tronnerud lives in Enger, Norway.

Grunhovd, Steiner and Johanna (Wangsness)

(Rebecca Hanna)

Johanna Wangsness was born 4 May 1868 near Calmar to Bertha Tviedt Wangsness and Hermand Wangsness. Her parents and three children, Marcus, Thuri, and Ole, emigrated to America from Sogn, Norway aboard the Kong Sverre in Jul 1855. Son Ole died at sea. The family first settled in Dane Co, Wl for two years before moving to rural Calmar. After spending about four years in that area, the family moved to Burr Oak Springs in the same county. Children born to Hermand and Bertha in Winneshiek Co were: Ole, Thomas, Maria, Ingeborg, Brita (Bertha), Johanna, and Lena.

Eventually the family pushed further west to Silver Lake Twp, Worth Co, IA in 1875 and settled on a farm south of Emmons, MN. Johanna grew up in this area and lived there until she was married.

On 17 May 1889 she was united in marriage to Steiner Narve (S.N.) Grunhovd by the Rev. TA. Torgerson in the log home at the old Wangsness homestead near Emmons. Their first child, Norris, was born there on 31 Mar 1890.

Two years later, they purchased a farm two miles north of Scarville, IA. Here six children were born: Cora (b. 1 Mar 1893), Helmer (b. 27 Apr 1895), Benart (b. 24 Dec 1897), Elma (b. 3 Jul 1900), Ellen (b. 4 Aug 1905), and George (14 Apr 1913).

The family continued to be active members of the Lime Creek Church, traveling regularly by horse and buggy to services. When the Immanuel Congregation at Scarville was organized in 1901, Johanna and Steiner transferred and became charter members.

Johanna and Steiner celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on 14 May 1939 at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Left to right, back row: Breta (Bertha) Bergan, Johanna Honsey Ingeborg and Thomas Wangness. Second row: Mary Dahl, Grandma Wangsness, Grandpa Wangsness, Ole Wangness. Girl in front is Lena Olson.

Steiner passed away on 24 May 1948, and Johanna on 30 Apr 1953.

(Rebecca Hanna of Decorah is a great-granddaughter of Johanna and Steiner and a granddaughter of Elma Grunhovd Christianson.)

Gulbrandson, Kenneth and Rosalie Ann (Wilkins)

(Charlotte Wilkins Lee)

 

Rosalie (Wilkins) and Ken Gulbrandson

Rosalie Ann Wilkins, born in Decorah, did babysitting and ironing for neighbors while in Jr. High and High School in Decorah. She also worked at Dotseth Bakery. After graduating from Luther College she taught High School biology and physical education. Rosalie married Kenneth Gulbrandson a Luther College graduate. Ken taught history and coached high school football. In WWII Ken served in the U.S. Army and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. Rosalie and Ken are active in the Lutheran Church in Brainerd, MN. One can often find them on the golf course now that they are retired and living in their Gull Lake home. They have 3 children: Nancy, Debra and Barbara.

Nancv Ann in Decorah is a Luther College graduate. She has taught high school physical education, worked in business and is a Special Education teacher. She also graduated from the U. of WY and lives in Laramie, WY Debra Lvnn attended Brainerd, MN Community College and has worked in business. She married Robert (Bob) Johnigan, a media printer in Cheyenne, WY where they make their home. They have one child Jennifer Marie. Barbara Jo is a travel agent in Laramie, WY where she and her husband Glen Alan (Al) Johnson, a railroad conductor, live. His home base is in Laramie. They have 3 children: Cody Shane, Jessica Jo and Nathan Cole. (See: Wilkins, Clarence and Violet.)