Stan graduated from John Rogers High School, Spokane, WA Jan 1944. He went immediately into the Army. His training was first in Radio Communications and then prior to D Day he was transferred to Demolitions. After serving with the 303rd Combat Engineers of the 78th Division, European Theater in WW II, Stan earned a B.A. Degree in Education from Washington State University and Eastern Washington University, graduating in 1950. Stan began teaching in the Central Valley (Spokane) School District. In 1957 he graduated with a Masters Degree in Education and worked in Central Valley for 14 more years as an Elementary School Principal.

Stanley H. and Frances M. (Womeldorf) Jeffers

On 29 Aug 1946 Stan married Carolyn Lou Curtis of Spokane. They had 3 children: Jill,  Paul  and David.

In 1966 Stan was elected President-Elect and then President of the 63,000 member Washington Education Association. At the end of his term in 1968 he became Executive Director of the Edmonds (WA) Education Association. Four years later he was appointed Director of Field Services for the WEA. As a Field Service Director he first developed teacher training programs, and later was assigned to organizing bargaining units. He finished out his 18 year career doing grievances and arbitrations for school personnel in trouble.

Frances Marian was born in Decorah, IA the daughter of Fred and Frieda (Josvanger) Womeldorf, descendants of Iowa pioneers. Stan and Fran were married 29 Mar 1975, Riverton Heights, King Co., WA. Fran pursued her education at St. Olaf and Luther College, graduating in 1941 and doing graduate studies at PLU, Tacoma, WA.

When Stan and Fran married, Fran retired from teaching to accompany Stan on his travels and pursue other activities such as genealogy, quilting, Infant Foster Care, rug hooking and gardening. Stan retired from his role as Director of Field Services in Sep 1985. For several years he developed and conducted Pre-Retirement workshops for school employees who were contemplating retirement. At retirement the Jeffers moved from Spokane to Port Orchard, WA (across Puget Sound from Seattle). Stan also learned to do income taxes for low income and elderly through the AARP-TCE Program.

In 1991 the Jeffers left Port Orchard and moved to Decorah. Stan served 3 years on Decorah Lutheran Church Council, does volunteer work preparing IRS returns for the elderly and is serving his 4th year as the first president of the Decorah Genealogy Association.

Fran has held offices in Decorah Travel Club, Minowa Rug Hookers Guild and IA Retired School Personnel Association. She is the Editor of the Decorah Area Diggers, the newsletter of the Decorah Genealogy Association.

Jenkins, Thomas A. and Jean (Jennison)

(Thomas A. Jenkins)

Tom and Jean met in Ames, IA where Tom was attending Iowa State College and Jean was teaching at Roosevelt Elementary School in Ames. They were married at the Ames First United Methodist Church 20 Dec 1958.

Tom is the son of the late Arthur and Gladys (Schrum) Jenkins of Knoxville, IA. Jean is the daughter of the late Lloyd Jennison and still living Margaret (Benson) Jennison of Riceville, IA.

After college graduation in Jun 1959 Tom accepted employment with the Iowa State Highway Commission. The job took Tom and Jean to Des Moines, Marshalltown and to Decorah, IA in Mar 1965. Tom was the Decorah Resident Construction Engineer for the IA Department of Transportation until his retirement in Jan 1993.

Jean attended IA State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. A former school teacher in Grafton, Riceville, Jefferson and Ames, IA, Jean was a stay-at-home mom until entering real estate sales with the A & J Agency in 1982.

The children of Tom and Jean are: John, born in Des Moines, IA ; Margaret, born in Des Moines; Shirley, born in Marshalltown; and Ruth, born in Decorah. All attended Decorah public schools, kindergarten through 12th grade, going on to attend state universities.

The Jenkins built their home in 1970 at 503 Pinecrest Drive on a portion of the former Rosa farm and still reside there.

The family worships at the First United Methodist Church in Decorah.

Jirak, Melvin and Eleanor (Neuzil)

(Melvin and Eleanor Jirak)

Melvin William Jirak, born near Ft. Atkinson, IA, is the son of William W. and Emma E. (Novak) Jirak. Melvin worked at the Spillville Feed Mill and Camcar in Decorah and is now retired. Melvin has been a long time member of the Spillville, IA town council and is presently serving as Mayor-pro-tem. Melvin was the Spillville town Santa Claus for over 20 years.

Melvin married Eleanor J. Neuzil, daughter of John F.