to Decorah in the early 1860’s. Anne had four children from this first marriage: Albert, Peter, Clara and Emma,

Christian sailed to America on the ship Pacific, leaving 28 May 1880. He was 21 years old, Christian was a “skedder” or tailor. After marrying his neighbor’s wife, after his neighbor had passed away, Christian was out cutting trees and had an accident. A tree fell on top of him and he lost a leg because of this accident. This was approximately two years after his marriage. Because of this, Anne’s daughter built them a home on the back of her property in Waukon, IA and they relocated there. Both Christian and Anne died of tuberculosis, he on 3 Feb 1915 and she on 25 Dec 1917. They had one son, Hilman.

Hilman Kirkeby was born in 1890. He married Luella Herman 18 Jun 1914. They were married in the bride's home by Pastor Scarvie. Luella was born 30 Jan 1893 in Allamakee Co. Hilman moved to Drayton, ND and farmed. Hilman and Luella had seven children: Earl, Alan, George, Robert, Warren, Doris and Harold. All of these children served with distinction in World War II, except Robert, who was deferred because of farming. Doris was a WAC. Earl owned a television shop in Drayton. Alan was a farmer near Drayton. George is a retired mail carrier and lives in Shevlin. He provided much information about this family and is a very pleasant man. He loves to hunt and fish, and does so regularly. Robert was a John Deere mechanic in Drayton. Warren lives in East Grand Forks, MN. Doris is an assistant postmaster and Harold has twin sons and is a bartender in Drayton.

Kirkeby, Truman and Eunice (Narveson)

(Eunice Kirkeby)

Truman and Eunice Kirkeby

Eunice Narveson Kirkeby was born in Winneshiek Co. 4 Apr 1914, one of five children of Theodore and Ellen (Erickson) Narveson of Canoe Twp. She had an older sister, Gladys, who lived most of her adult life in Cedar Rapids, IA. Her brother, Harold, and younger sister, Joyce, both died of tuberculosis at the ages of 19 and 22. The Narveson's adopted Ellen’s niece, Glorianne (m. Marion Wicks) after her mother’s death when Glorianne was 13 months old.

Eunice has lived in Winneshiek Co. all her life. She attended rural elementary schools and Decorah High School, graduating in the spring of 1932. A member of the class affectionately referred to it as the "Depression Kids.” It was one of the largest classes graduating thus far. Since her brother died about the time she graduated, she stepped into his shoes to help her parents farm.

During these years, she met Truman Kirkeby and they were married in the Springwater Church 21 Jun 1937, on Truman's 25th birthday.

Arnold Truman Kirkeby was born in Winneshiek Co. 21 Jun 1912, only child of John and Julia (Dahlen) Kirkeby of Glenwood Twp. He spent the first years of his life there until his parents moved northwest of Decorah to an area called “pot hollow." He began school there and his family later bought a farm north of Decorah where he grew to adulthood and began a farming partnership with his father. The Kirkeby’s were concerned about soil conservation and when the opportunity arose to do something about it. John and Truman began meeting with area farmers to discuss new and improved farming methods. Together with a representative from the C.C.C. (Civilian Conservation Corp), they introduced new farming practices to combat erosion and add nutrients to the soil. Limestone was quarried on the Kirkeby land and spread on many of the neighbors' farms.

As a result of allergies which had plagued him all his life, Truman was forced to make the decision to leave farming and make a living some other way. Since he had always held an interest in mechanics and had taught himself welding, it seemed the natural thing to do to expand this profession to a full time job. He had already set up a small shop in the garage and had been repairing farm machinery for themselves as well as for the neighbors. In 1948 he and Eunice and their two daughters, Elene and Cheryl, moved to a 40 acre farm on what is now called the North Winneshiek Road. In fact, their farm was right across the road from the land on which the North Winneshiek School was built. The business they began was and to this day is known as Kirkeby Implement Service. For nearly forty years, Truman and Eunice made their living on this farm. Both were very active in church activities at Hauge Lutheran Church, holding almost every office as well as positions as Sunday School teachers and superintendent. Truman was president of the newly organized Mabel Telephone Co. and held the position for many years, experiencing the thrill of seeing it grow and change from crank to rotary to dial phones and merge with Ridgeway and Burr Oak to form the current cooperative.

Eunice held a part time job in food service at North Winneshiek School for thirteen years. It was an ideal opportunity for her since it provided her with employment without the hassles of transportation. NeeOless to say, she never missed a day due to bad roads. In Apr 1986, Truman suffered a major stroke and although he recovered miraculously from brain surgery, the disease had