of Bolson’s Feed Co. in Decorah and had previously been employed for 20 years by the Decorah Produce Co.

Edith was a homemaker and worked at the Decorah Produce for a number of years. She also worked in the dietary department at Luther College.

They moved to the Oneota Riverview Care Facility in 1988. Edith died 2 Jul 1991 at age 76. They had been married 54 years and were members of Decorah Lutheran Church. Robert moved to the Aase Haugen Care Facility in 1991 and died on 12 Mar 1992 at age 86. They are buried at the Springwater Cemetery in Canoe Twp. They had 4 children: Harold, Lester, Norman and Carl.

Robert and Edith (Erickson) Hjelmeland 25th Wedding Anniversary, 1961.

Harold Robert (m. Linda Carol McCord in 1960). They live in Kokomo, IN and have 3 children: Katherine, Robert and Robin.

Lester David (m. Aria Mae Lundtvedt in 1959). They live in Winona, MN and have 8 children: Deneice, Diane, Deborah, Darryl, Neil, Chris, Brian and Bradley.

Norman Wavne (m. Patricia Lee Hirt in 1974), They live in Des Moines and have one child: Kristin.

Carl Dean (m. Linda Kay Engen in 1966). They live in Decorah and have 2 children: Ann and Jennifer.

Hjerleid, Hans Casper and Caroline (Hamre)

(Phyllis Leseth)

Hans Hjerleid, an early Decorah banker, was born 18 Dec 1863 on a farm near Taylor, Wl. He was one of 11 children of Norwegian immigrants Syver Hjerleid (b. 21 Sep 1828-d. 1909) and Helene Knutson (b. 7 Feb 1835-d. 1916). Syver and Helene are buried in Wood Lawn Cemetery, Taylor.

Hans attended rural elementary school and high school in Black River Falls, Wl. His interest in commerce led to his enrollment and graduation from Gem City Business College, Quincy, IL. He was first employed as bookkeeper in the Thompson Bros. General Store, Cresco for 4 years and then he accepted a position in the Cresco Union Savings Bank where he remained for 8 years.

He married Caroline Hamre 1 Jan 1889 (b. 9 May 1868 in Canoe Twp.) the daughter of Reier Hamre (b.1826 in Norway-d.13 Aug 1913 in Decorah) and Marit Hande Hjerleid (b.1840 in Norway-d.1880 Winneshiek Co.).

Hans’s extensive financial training prepared him for an important step when in 1897 he became one of the founders of the National Bank of Decorah. For 30 years he was involved in management and seived as cashier much of that time. He was also president or director of several banks in Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota. Locally he shared his expertise with the community when he assisted in organizing the Decorah Farmers Creamery Co., Decorah Co-op Hog Co. and the Decorah Gas Co.

Hans was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge and a charter member of Symra, a literary, social organization formed in 1907 and dedicated to the study of Norwegian history and culture. He placed a high value on education. A granddaughter recalls his favorite greeting to her: “What did you learn in school today?”. He assembled a large collection of National Geographic magazines which were stored in easy-access bookcases in the living room, a treasure-trove of knowledge always available to family members of all ages.

The dining room held Caroline’s pride and joy, a Victrola often “wound up” to play favorite recordings by Enrico Caruso.

Following a merger of the National Bank with Decorah State Bank, Hans began a new career in the 1930's as manager of the Decorah Credit Bureau (now known as the Winneshiek Co. Credit Bureau). He served in that capacity for several years before ill health forced his retirement. However, his interest in education and business transactions in the community remained as keen as ever.

Hans and Caroline had 3 children: Helene, Raymond and Gavin. Helene (b.11 Oct 1889-d.1 Nov 1974) married George Johnson 20 Jun 1916. They had 2 children: Phyllis and Georgann. Phyllis (b. 8 Sep 1917) married Hubert Leseth. Georgann  married Stanley Prager and a second marriage to Jack Tenner.

Raymond (b. 22 May 1892-d. 6 Nov 1971) married Olga Knutson 28 Nov 1940. They had one child: Harold.

Gavin (b. 5 Sep 1894-d. 5 Jan 1942) married Josephine Tofte in 1932. They had 3 children: Homer, Caroline and Sandra. Homer married Renee Welper. Caroline married James Weis. Sandra married Carleton Kittelson.

Hans died 27 Nov 1947 and Caroline died 20 Oct 1952. They are buried in Decorah Lutheran Cemetery.

Hlubek, Adolph and Josephine

(Jeanette Kruse)

The Hlubek family owned and operated the hotel in Fort Atkinson for 62years. Adolph and Josephine Hlubek were immigrants coming to this country as young teenagers from central Czechoslovakia. The family moved to Fort Atkinson from Voss, ND in 1910. They reportedly moved to this area following a priest by the name of Reverend Joseph Gajkousek.