Holmberg, Edvard G. and Elin Victoria (Tornblom)

(Laurie Worcester)

The document stated that “saloon, cabin and steerage aliens must be completely manifested”. TheSS Mauretania sailed from Liverpool to NY Members of the Holmberg and Tornblom families were leaving Granesberg, Sweden for a new life in Waterloo, IA. The sailing roster included: Per E. Holmberg (age 55), his wife Johanna K Holmberg (age 64), Ernest A. Tornblom (age 25), his wife Selma (age 26), Elin Tornblom (age 20) and Edvard G. Holmberg (age 26).

Edvard G. “Ed” Holmberg was born 9 Sep 1881 and on 12 Oct 1892 Elin Victoria Tornblom was also born in Sweden. They were married on 3 Nov 1913 in Waterloo. In 1919 they moved to Decorah and lived at 918 Pleasant Ave. The house was known as the Ben Bear home. Ed was co-owner and later owner of the Holmberg and Erickson Meat Market.

Ed died 15 Aug 1980 at the Decorah hospital and Elin died 27 Dec 1984 at the Aase Haugen Home.

Edvard and Elin had 3 children: Ralph, Mildred and Dorothy. Ralph Edward (b. 22 Mar 1914 - m. Gertrude "Tudy" Elsel on 14 Nov 1937). She was born 16 Apr 1916. They worked at his fathers's meat market and later purchased it. Ralph served in the Seabees. They live in Decorah. Mildred (b. 18 Aug 1917 - m. Roger Gillman on 2 Nov 1938). Roger, a Decorah native, was born 24 Apr 1915. Mildred received training as a hairdresser and worked as a beautician and also at the meat market. She died 11 Nov 1978. Roger served in the U.S. Army and was a long-time mail carrier for the Decorah Post Office. He died 15 Feb 1965. They had 3 children: Jay Edward, Lynn Thomas and Erik Ralph. Jay Edward received his BA while he was stationed in Nebraska. He married Marlene Mendolia on 5 Dec 1964 in Ft. Worth, TX.  They have 4 children: Brian, Scott, Glen and Susan. Brian ( m. Dana Roberts); Scott ; Glen ; Susan. Lynn Thomas “Tom”  received his BA from Duke University and MA from Stanford. He married Dulcinea “Dulcy” Mears in 1966. They divorced. Tom then married Jane Comelli in CA. Erik Ralph received his BS from Duke University and MAfrom University of AZ. He married Diane Greaber 2 Jan 1982 in Tucson, AZ. Diane has her BA from the University of AZ and MA from Arizona. They have 2 children: Elizabeth Jayne and Edward John. They live in Gilbert, AZ.

Dorothy (b. 13 Dec 1919 - m. Russel Laurie Worcester on 17 Aug 1952) at the First Lutheran Church in Decorah. Russel was born 8 Feb 1920. Dorothy was a graduate of the University of Iowa and a long-time English and Speech teacher in the Decorah Community School District. She died 29 Oct 1994 and Russel died 16 Jan 1975. They were divorced. They had 2 children: Laurie and Mark. Laurie received her BA from Luther and MA from Winona State University, MN. Mark Russel  graduated from Upper Iowa University, Fayette, with honors. They live in Decorah.

Holm, Richard “Dick” and June Esther (Jacobson)

(June E. Holm)

Richard Earl Holm (6 Feb 1922-1 Jan 1980) was born on “Goose Island", Decorah at the home of his parents Arthur Edwin (16 Sep 1900-5 Aug 1983) and Marie ‘Mary’ Alice Gillman (21 Nov 1901 -3 Jul 1994) Holm.

Art was employed by the Decorah Public Opinion Newspaper more than 50 years and Mary worked on Mondays and Wednesdays which were paper days.

On 19 Mar 1922 Dick was baptized into the death of our Lord Jesus Christ by Rev. I.B. Torrison. He received the rite of Confirmation at Decorah Lutheran Church on 21 Jun 1936 given by Rev. O. Glesne.

Important in his care were maternal grandpa, Thomas Gillman (1855-18 Mar 1934) and Lucy McMullen Gillman (19 Feb 1869-23 Jan I960) combined with his paternal grandpa, Hans H. Holm (1870-1911) and grandma Henrikka Gunderson Holm (1872-1942). All lived on the same block. Hans was a baker and Tom was a carpenter.

School began at West Side (1 -6) across the river, then East Side (7-8) gaining admittance to high school 27 May 1937.

June, Kristi, Karen and Dick.

The river was a choice place of entertainment for Dick though not to his mother's liking. It was a place to explore, to swim and dare the swinging bridge. This experience eventually led to life guard duty at the Decorah Municipal Swimming Pool. In the wintertime along with his sister Frances, cousins and friends, the mill race was the height of excitement for skating fun and competitions. Football was a favorite sport in high school and as full-back he helped bring about many victories.

Dick graduated in 1941 as WWII overtook the nation. He and several buddies climbed into an old jalopy and headed for California. Work was plentiful in defense plants, shipyards or U.S. enlistment. Dick was exempt from service. Returning to Decorah he held various jobs until he was