and Eleanora M. (Novak) Neuzil. Eleanor was born on a farm 3 1/2 miles southwest of Spillville. Melvin and Eleanor were married at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville 26 Sep 1959 and have lived in Spillville ever since.

Eleanor worked for Interstate Power Co. in Calmar, IA, was assistant manager of the Bily Clocks in Spillville, was a 4-H leader and is presently employed by Rockwell International in Decorah. She has been a bookkeeper for St. Wenceslaus Parish in Spillville the last 24 years. Melvin and Eleanor are the parents of 2 daughters, Colleen Ann and Linda Ann.

Colleen Ann graduated from high school and attended the nursing program at Northeast Iowa Technical Institute in Calmar for 2 years. She is presently night supervisor at North Iowa Mercy Hospital in Mason City, IA. On 24 Nov 1984 Colleen married Michael Syverson, son of Elwood and Bonnie Syverson of Decorah. They are the parents of 2 children: Robert Arthur; and Sarah Lenore, both born at the Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, IA.

Linda Ann graduated from South Winneshiek High School in Calmar and is employed at Deco Products Company at Decorah. Linda has one daughter, Nicole Marie Jirak, born  at the Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.

Johnson, Andrew and Ranvei (Quamme)

(Gerald N. Johnson)

Staale (Stoley) Tostenson came to Winneshiek County in 1851 and settled in Springfield Twp, Sec. 14, next to Ole Tostenson (who is sometimes referred to as Ole Tostenson Haugen). They migrated from Dane Co, Wl. Staale was married to Ranvei Larsdtr Quamme (12 Sep 1838). Staale died 28 Mar 1871, leaving four small children: Simon Tobias-7, Anna Maria-6, Betsy (Bedse)-5, and Sigri (Sarah)-2. Stina (Stena) Louise was born in June.

Wedding of John Eli Johnson and Anna Christine Kolseth, June 14, 1911

Simon Tobias (b. 22 Oct 1863) changed his last name to Stevens. Eventually he moved to Rapid City, SD where he is buried. Stena (b. 18 Jun 1871) changed her name to Stena Stevens and may have lived near Mount Vernon, WA as late as the 1960's. Anna Marie was born in 1864.

Bedse (b. 8 Jul 1866) married Henry Gjevre. They had no children. Sigri (b. 24 Mar 1869) married Jacob N. Jacobson at Rev. Koren’s church.

Five years after Staale's death, Ranvei married Andrew Johnson on 22 Feb 1876. Andrew had also homesteaded in Springfield Twp. In Feb 1891 he and Ranvei purchased the homestead of Ole and Anna Tostenson. Ole then took his family to Burlington, WA on a wagon train.

Andrew and Ranvei Johnson had 3 children: Mararethe A, Andresdtr Johnson (b. Aug 1876); Anna Randina Andresdtr Johnson (b. 10 Aug 1878); and John Eli Andreson Johnson (b. 8 Aug 1880).

Andrew, Ranvei, Margrethe and Anna are buried in the Washington Prairie Cemetery.

John Eli attended rural schools and Breckenridge Institute. On 14 Jun 1911 he married Anna Christine Kolseth at the Springfield Lutheran Church. Anna was the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Holstein Kolseth. John and Anna lived on the family farm, then in Decorah from 1920 to 1933. At that time Anna died of a blood clot shortly after childbirth, and John returned to the family farm—Hillcrest Stock Farm—where he raised and sold prize shorthorn cattle. (See Johnson, Ernest Clifford)

Johnson, Bernard and Gladys (Sivesind)

(Sally Leibold)

Bernard Edward Johnson was born 15 May 1915 in Wood, Wl. He was the son of John Ever Johnson (14 Dec 1875-14 Jun 1931) and Albena B. Plachetka (1 Mar 1891-1 Aug 1972). Bernard’s brothers and sisters were Gladys, Floyd, Lucille, Leonard, Melvin, Doris and Camilla. He was inducted into the Army 11 May 1942. On 1 Aug he was sent to England and was in on the invasion of North Africa in Nov. He also served in Sicily and Italy. He was overseas 27 months. From Oct 1944 until he was honorably discharged 5 Aug 1945, he was stationed at Percy Jones Military Hospital in Battle Creek, Ml.

Bernard married Gladys Irene Sivesind 9 Apr 1942. Gladys was born 5 Jul 1915 in Decorah, IA to Hans Martin Sivesind (26 Nov 1871-18 Sep 1959) and Amanda Bramina Halverson (30 May 1879-15 Oct 1954). Gladys's brothers and sisters were Nellie, Benny, Raymond and Lloyd.

Bernard and Gladys had 6 children: John Bernard, Susan Elizabeth, Steven Lloyd, Douglas Craig, Rebecca Ann and Sally Lynn.

John Bernard was born in Decorah. He married Gail Eileen Gathje 19 Apr 1969. They have 2 children: Jennifer Lynn and Michael Alan born. Susan Elizabeth was born  in Decorah. She married Thomas Little 18 Dec 1981.  They have 3 children: Sarah Christine, Rachel Marie and Mark Thomas born . Steven Lloyd was born  in Decorah. He married Barbara Squier 11 Jun 1983.  They have 2 children: Bjorn Mitchell and Emily Leone. Douglas Craig married Barbara Dolley