Since Truman suffered from asthma and other allergies, his farming activities became rather limited and he finally decided to move to a small farm where he could build and operate a repair shop. John and Julia sold their farm and bought a smaller one.

The farm they bought was located only a mile from Truman's. The large cookstove that Julia needed and didn’t want to leave at their old farm, fit in the basement, so all was well. The stove was used for making lots of lefse, heating water, canning fruits and vegetables and making lye soap.

The new farm wasn’t exactly a retirement home for them. The house was quite large and the lawn expansive. John planted a large garden and potato patch. Although he rented most of the land out, he still put up loose hay with the help of family and neighbors. He milked a few cows and raised some pigs. John loved to fish. Julia would pack a picnic lunch for him and he'd spend the afternoon at a favorite fishing hole.

As they grew older, John decided that Julia was working too hard, so he began to make plans to purchase a smaller house, move it to Truman's farm and remodel it. The large stove was left behind and John bought her an electric lefse grill. She cooked and baked and entertained, but she said she could never make decent lefse on that grill, they were too small. John enjoyed the years they spent in the little house on Truman and Eunice's farm. He gardened, fished, fixed fences, and helped a little in the repair shop. He enjoyed visiting with the customers.

John died of a heart attack 2 Aug 1966 at their home. He was 83 years old. Julia continued to live in their small house for several years until her health failed and she moved to Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel, MN. She died 15 Jun 1973 at the age of 88. Both she and John were buried in the Hauge Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Kjerland, Olav and Ingebjorg (Kollanes)

(Susan Jacobsen & Hazel Forde Ottney)

Olav Aslakson Kjerland was born 1824, Granvin, Norway (located on the Hardanger Fjord) He was the son of Aslak Aslakson N. Vassenden, Kjerland (1797-1859) and Kari Olavsdtr Kjerland (1800-1876). The name Kjerland means beloved land.

In 1859 Olav married Ingebjorg Larsdtr Kollanes (b. 1831), the daughter of Lars Arneson (b. 1794) and Ingerid Olavsdtr Kollanes (b. 1812). Kollanes means a point of land surrounded by water. A daughter, Kristi, was born to Olav and Ingebjorg in Norway. In 1860 Olav, Ingebjorg and Kristi emigrated to the United States and settled in Pleasant Twp, Winneshiek Co. Ingebjorg's parents and brother Havard had immigrated in 1859. Her brothers -Lars, Olav and Mikkel - and sister Randi also immigrated in 1860. Ingebjorg's parents, Lars and Ingrid Kollanes, both died in 1862 - only 3 years after arriving in th United States. They are buried in the Pioneer Cemetery south of Hesper. Some people know it as the “Salveson Cemetery". Its location is denoted by a single commemoratory marker in the middle of a field. After arriving in America,

Olav and Ingebjorg Americanized their names and became Ole and Isabel. They had five more children: Larsina (b. 7 Sep 1860); Olai (b. 24 Jun 1866); Carolina Sussana (b. 23 Mar 1869); Louis (b. 6 Mar 1871); and Julia (b. 5 Aug 1874). The last record of Kristi is in the 1870 census where she is listed as "Christina".

Larsina (Lucy) married Bottolf H. (Butler) Forde in 1896. They farmed on the first place south of Sattre in Pleasant Twp. Larsina and Butler had a set of twins who only lived a day and a son Helmer B. Helmer was serving in the Army at Camp Dodge, Des Moines, IA when he died during the flu epidemic of 1918. Bottolf died 1928; Larsina died 1937. Both are buried at the Big Canoe Cemetery.

[In this paragraph, information enclosed in []'s was submitted by Judy Thovson on Feb. 20, 2018.] Olai married Minnie G. Hanson - a widow with 2 sons (Claude and Melvin Hanson). Olai and Minnie had 7 children: Selmer Orlander (5 Apr 1901-13 Jan 1907): Lawrence [Laurence] Sylvester (31 Mar 1905-15 Jan 1907) : [Ingvold m. Emma Zein]; Lloyd (m. a Rude); Julia (m. [Elmer Tollefson then married] Emmett Earl); Gloria [Glora] (first m. Lester Foss, then m. Emmett Earl); and Myron (1916-1978), never married, lived at the Winneshiek Co. Farm.; Olai died 1943. Minnie died 28 Dec 1962. Olai, Minnie and their sons Selmer, Lawrence [Laurence] and Myron are all buried at the Canoe Ridge Cemetery.

Carolina (Lena) married John Theodore Ottney (b. 22 Mar 1868). They had 7 children: Bennie Christopher (b. 1898, buried Big Canoe Cemetery); Sidney Arthur (b. 5 Apr 1901-Jul 1901); Sander Olander (1902-1984); twins-