moved to Winneshiek Co. and made their home in Pleasant Twp. Hendrick had 2 children with his first wife Kari Olson: Ole and Hendrick. He m/2 Anna Langland and they had 6 children: Knut, Ole, Kari, Sara, Nels and Jakob.

Kermit's grandfather was Knut Hendrickson who married a young Norwegian immigrant by the name of Brita Lie in 1874. Knut and his siblings, Ole, Kari and Sara, changed their names to Hendrickson, but Nels and Jakob kept the Fadness name. Knut and Brita had 9 children: Anna, Henry, Betsy Marie, John, Albert, Herman, Clarence, Edward and Nellie. Anna, Henry, Clarence and Edward never married. Edward died in1918 in France. Betsy Marie married Ed Thorson and moved to ND; John married Theresa Schlitter; Albert (Kermit’s father) married Tilla Otteson; Herman married Josephine Kittleson and Nellie married Henry Nerlie. All of these spent most of their lives in Winneshiek Co.

Albert Hendrickson was educated in the rural schools of Pleasant Twp. and went on to receive further education at the Breckinridge Academy located in Decorah around the turn of the century. Being single and having a spirit of adventure, he moved to Valier, MT to homestead 160 acres of farm land in 1911. During that time he hired out as a carpenter with a large construction firm in Great Falls, MT He acquired valuable experience there and later returned to Decorah to form his own construction company. Besides building many homes in Decorah Albert developed a fine reputation as a barn builder and many of these barns are still being used in 1995.

Albert married Tilla Otteson in 1922 and they had 2 children: Kermit and Betty Anne..

Kermit was educated in the Decorah schools graduating from high school. The next 2 years were spent as a student at Luther College but in 1943 an interruption was caused by the call of the military. As a member of the Army 70th Infantry Division he was involved in the campaigns from Marseilles through the Ardennes and the "Battle of the Bulge". After being honorably discharged from the Army in 1946, he resumed his studies and graduated in 1948.

It should be mentioned that in September of 1940 a business partnership was formed between Kermit and his uncle, Dewey Sampson, thereafter known as the "Men’s Shop". This business continued as a partnership until 1965 when Kermit bought out Dewey’s share and continued the business as a sole proprietorship until 1976 when the business was terminated. For 5 years after graduation Kermit worked full time in the Men’s Shop, but in 1953 pursued a career as a music educator.

In 1950 Kermit married Nora Forde from Montevideo, MN and started a home in Decorah. While teaching brass instrumental music at Luther College part-time, he also taught instrumental and vocal music at Lime Springs (1953-1955) and Calmar (1955-1962).

In 1958 it was no longer feasible to teach part-time and so Kermit became a full-time instrumental music teacher at South Winneshiek Community Schools. Leaving that position in 1962, he became Jr. High band director and took over the orchestra program in the Decorah Community Schools. He remained in the music department at Decorah until his retirement in 1989. Kermit and Nora had 5 children: Steven, Kristin, Loren, Neil and Karl.

Steven s principal trumpet with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. He married Virginia Fixsen in 1973 and they have 2 children: Angela and Brett.

Kristin is involved in the Medical Claims Division of Blue Cross-Blue Shield and lives in Minneapolis, MN.

Loren is a board book official with the Board of Options Exchange in Chicago living in Wheaton, IL. He married Ann Staben in 1984 and they have 2 children: Kirsten and Leah.

Neil is a professional guitarist in the twin cities area and lives in St. Paul, MN. He married Mary Biebl in 1985 and they have 3 children: Eric, Hanna and Henry.

Karl is a carpenter living in Decorah.

Henry, Michael and Lynette (Bender)

(Michael and Lynette Henry)

Michael, Lynette and Anthony Henry.

Lynette Ann (Bender) was born in Decorah, Winneshiek Co.. She was baptized at St. John's in Locust in Jan 1972 and confirmed 3 May 1987 at First Lutheran Church in Decorah. She is the daughter of Dean Leslie and Carol (Berge) Bender.

Dean and Carol were married 12 Jul 1969 at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church. Lynette has one brother Eric Dean who is living in LaCrescent, MN with his wife Erica (Matter). Lynette’s grandparents are Joe and Inez Berge and Walter and Doris Bender all of Decorah. Michael's grandparents are Anthony and Marie Balk and great-grandmother is Agnes Falada all of Decorah.

Lynette graduated from Thomas Roberts High School in May 1990. She was a two-time letterwinner in Tennis and the Senior Flag Corp Captain. After graduation she attended Spencer School of Business and graduated from there in April 1991. She is currently working as a bookkeeper for Casper Plbg. & Htg., Inc. in Decorah.

Lynette married Michael John Henry 18 Dec 1993. Michael is the son of Joseph A.and Marian (Balk) Henry. Michael was born in Fort Benning, GA. His family moved back to IA when he was one month old. Joseph and Marian have 3 children: Michael, Craig and Steven.