Kaasa, Tosten

(Sharon Paulsen and Janet Hagen)

Tosten Kaasa, one of the earliest pioneers of Winneshiek Co, was also known as John Johnson or Thorsten Johnson Kaasa. A native of Souvde, Telemark, Norway, Kaasa reportedly served as captain aboard the "clipper” ships that carried goods from New York to the California Gold Coast before coming to the Iowa Territory around 1847. After a brief stay in the Dover Twp, Fayette Co, area (near present Eldorado, IA), Kaasa settled on land in southern Military Twp, Winneshiek Co, and resided there until early 1880. His farmstead was located adjacent to the present site of the Stavanger Lutheran Church, south of Ossian, IA, which was built on land deeded to the early congregation by Kaasa. In 1852 Kaasa was granted his American Citizenship and also married his second wife, Guri (Gurid) Evenson, the daughter of his friend and neighbor, Nils Evenson. Their first child, Anne Marie Kaasa was born the following year. Other known children of this marriage were: Ingeborg (b. 1854); Nels (b. 1856); Jonas (b. 1859); Even (b. 1862); John (1864-1866); Inger Johanna (b. 1867); and John Guriness (1870-1871) .

Guri Evenson Kaasa Johnson died in 1870 as a result of complications during delivery of baby John Guriness. She is buried at Stavanger Cemetery near the southeast corner of the present church building. Baby John survived only a short while and is buried with his mother.

Kaasa also had one known son born in Norway from his first marriage, John (b. 1840). John Johnson Jr. fought in the Civil War and died from pneumonia while serving his country.

On 28 Sep 1871 widower Thorsten Johnson Kaasa married 27 year old, Marit (Margaret) Pedersdtr Lindalen. To this union 3 surviving children are known: Peter (b.1872) ; John Christian (b. 1874); and Christina (b. 1879).

Early in 1880, Kaasa sold his homestead to Albert Olson Galland for $3,185, and with his large family sought the opportunities of the new frontier - Nebraska. Kaasa lived out his days on the Nebraska Plains much as he had in Iowa, as a successful farmer, a respected church and community leader, and beloved family patriarch.

Marit Kaasa died 4 Oct 1881. Kaasa married his 4th known wife, Katherine. She also preceded him in death on 2 May 1886.

On 26 Oct 1905, at the age of 89, Thorsten Johnson Kaasa was laid to rest in South Branch Cemetery, Newmans Grove, NE, but the legacy of the man and his early Iowa heritage were not to be forgotten. His daughter Inger, married George B. Olson, son of Allamakee Co pioneer, Peir (Peder) Olson and returned to the Olson family farm near Waukon, IA to raise a large family. The Nebraska Kaasa's frequently returned to Iowa to visit their original “Vesterheim” and maintain family ties.

As one of the original settlers of northeast Iowa, Tosten Kaasa, with many others, laid the foundation of the Midwestern culture, honoring family life, civic duty, religious leadership and moral integrity. He endured hardships and loss barely imaginable today, and yet kept his faith and courage to the end. It is with great pleasure and high esteem that we remember him.

Kallevang, Durwin and Marilyn (Vine)

(Marilyn Kallevang)

Durwin and Marilyn Kallevang family picture taken in December 1990 at Christmas time and to celebrate

Durwin’s 70th birthday on January 2, 1991. Front row: Jeanellen holding Jonathan, Marilyn and Greta.

Middle row: Britta, Gary and Tyler. Back row: Robert Nihles Jr., Joyce Nihles, Durwin, Steve and Linda.

Durwin Jens Kallevang was born in Glenwood Twp, Decorah, IA , the son of John and Nicolina Ingebrigtson Kallevang.

His father was born 8 Dec 1879 in Glenwood Twp. His mother was born 17 Jun 1888 on a farm near Fertile, MN. They were married 22 Apr 1914 in Fertile. Durwin has one sister, Thelma Elizabeth (Kallevang) Buntenbach.

Durwin married Marilyn Joyce Vine 29 Aug 1948 in Decorah. Marilyn was born  in Canoe Twp, the daughter of Theodore Julius Vine and Myrtle (Sharp) Vine. Her father was born 4 Jul 1895 in Madison Twp and her mother was born 21 Dec 1903 in Canoe Twp. They were married 10 Feb 1926 in Decorah. Marilyn has six brothers: Harlan, Carleton, Eldon, Alvin, Darrell and Robert.

Durwin and Marilyn have 3 children. Gary was born  in Highland Twp. He attended rural schools in Bluffton and Burr OakTwps, Decorah High School, North Winneshiek High School, Luther College, University of Iowa and American College, Washington, D.C. He was married to Beth Nesheim of Des Moines 26 Apr 1972 in Decorah. Their daughter, Britta Anne, was born in Kansas City, MO. Gary married Jeanellen Knight of Bethesda, MD 22 Jun 1985 in Bellevue, NE. A son, Jonathan Knight, was born Dallas, TX. Gary is a lawyer with Internal Revenue Service in Washington, DC. He served in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1973, most of the time in Germany. They reside in Rockville, MD.

Steven was born in Highland Twp. He attended rural schools in Bluffton and Burr OakTwps, North Winneshiek Junior High, North Winneshiek High School.