and his grandfather was Hans Helgeson. Gjermund's brothers and sisters were: Johan, Clara, Mabel, Helmer, Thomas and Lila. Johan died in infancy.

Clara Knudsvig (b. 13 May 1892 - m. Hartvick Knudsvig 8 Jun 1915). She died 7 Jun 1978. Both are buried at Stavanger Lutheran Church, Ossian, IA. They had no children.

Mabel (b. 30 Jun 1896 - m. Mike Newton). She married a second time to Helmer Finholt. She died in 1949. They had no children.

Helmer joined the family 14 Aug 1898 and married Eloise Erickson. He died 2 Sep 1952. They had 2 children.

Thomas (b. 14 Oct 1900- m. Evelyn Nelson 3 Jun 1931). They had 5 children. Thomas passed away on 29 Aug 1988 and is buried in the Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah.

Lila (b. 22 Mar 1903- m. E. W. McClary). She died 30 Jan 1979. They had no children.

Marie’s parents were Ole and Agnetta Rustad. Her brothers and sisters were: Mable, Abe and Lizzie. Marie grew up to be a wonderful cook and excellent seamstress. You could describe a dress to her and she would take a newspaper, cut a pattern out, and in a few hours you would have your dress.

Haugen family photo Lila, Clara, Thomas, Emma, Gjermund, Mable and Helmer Haugen.

Gjermund and Marie were married 3 Jul 1920. They raised their family on what is now the Marcellus Broghammerfarm located near the Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church of which they were life members. They had 5 children: Arlyne, Curtis, Geraldine, Marilyn and Kathryn. Their five children are still alive in 1995.

Arlyne Evelyn (m. Charles Alvin Seaton  at Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church. She is a very multi-talented person. She used to do hair at Mable’s Hair Salon in Decorah and is proficient at any type of needle work. Arlyne is also an excellent interior decorator. They have 2 children: Gladys and Charlyne. Gladys married Gary Peterson and run Peterson’s Photography in Spring Valley, MN. Arlyne now makes her home in Spring Valley near Gladys. Charlyne Marie married David Langley 7 May 1966. They have 4 children: Brent Regan, Tevia Marie, Megan Kathleen and Charles David.

Curtis Orville Truman helped on the farm and worked for Brickner Feed Store for many years. He helped plant trees in the Canoe Ridge Cemetery.

Geraldine “Gerry" Mae (m. Curtis Merle Solem 12 Aug 1951). They farmed and Gerry taught in several country schools. They had one child: Randy Scott. He married Linda Sue Swanson 12 Nov 1977. They have 4 children: David Scott, Sarah Marie, Daniel Paul and Matthew Alan.

Back row: Mable, Abe and Lizzie. Front row: Ole Rustad, Marie and Agnetta.

Marilyn JoAnn (m. Charles John Istad 23 Apr 1949) in Eugene, OR. They moved back to Decorah and ran the Whippy Dip for several years. They have 3 children: Linda Kay, Julie Ann and Jan Marie. Linda married Tom Brandt 10 Jun 1972. They have 2 children: Tova Karissa and Kristen Alicia. Linda is a first-rate nurse and a delightful pianist. Julie Ann married Henry William Stroeve 28 Apr 1979. They have 2 children: Charles Luke Trevor and Andrew Jacob. Jan Marie married Owen Sindler 5 May 1991. She is a wonderful interior decorator. They have one child: Isak Istad.

Kathrvn Darlene, the last child to join the Haugen family, married Kenneth Stephen Bigalk of Harmony, MN 18 Nov 1956. They farm west of Harmony on Hwy. 44 (Old Bristol Blacktop). They have 4 children: Kim Louise, Tammy Sue (deceased), Terry Allen and Todd Darin. Terry married Janice Marie Sobolik of Cresco 5 Jun 1991. They have one child: Ryan. Todd married Callene Kay Zutz 27 Jun 1992. They have 2 children: Alexander Todd and Cody Michael.

Haugen, Merlin and Vernell (Stephens)

(Merlin Haugen)

Merlin Norden Haugen, born at Decorah, IA son of Theodore N. and Alma (Twenge) Haugen, lived with his parents until 1934. He accompanied them to Lime Springs, IA and then to Cresco, IA. Following his mother’s death in 1938, Merlin returned to Decorah to complete his high school education. He made his home with his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Tosten (Mary) Twenge. In 1943 he moved back with his father who had returned to Decorah and married Grace Flaskerud Naley.

Merlin contracted poliomyelitis as an infant and alopecia universalis during his sophomore year of high school. Following graduation from Decorah High School in 1943 he embarked on a lifelong career as a newspaper printer