years she had the mobility of living on the ground floor. She could eat in the dining room, sit in the lounge with the other tenants, go to the beauty salon. She had her own bathroom and could have her own furniture in her room. She could even get outside to sit in the lawn. And she could be taken out in the car and couid go along to the annual family reunion, an event which she looked forward to all year long.

Mabel was a much loved member of her family. She was a special favorite to the George Kjome family. Her special favorite was John who shared her birthday. Mabel passed away at the Aase Haugen Home 4 Feb 1978. She is buried next to her parents and grandparents at the Lutheran Cemetery.

Kjome, Michael and Karin (Skeide)

(Mildred Kjome)

Michael "Mike” was born in Decorah, to George and Agnes (Polley) Kjome. During his youth he was a member of the Decorah Kilties and later played in the school marching band. He also participated in school sports. Following graduation from Decorah High School in 1954, he entered Luther College. In 1956 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he competed in an All U.S. Military Swimming competition, placing third in the breaststroke. He later joined the Navy Reserves so that he could continue to fly. He often buzzed Luther during his weekend Navy exercises. From 1959 to 1962 he worked in research for 3M in Minneapolis and for the Trane Co. in LaCrosse, Wl.

Mike returned to Luther in 1962 and graduated in 1964 with a degree in Chemistry and Physical Education. During summers he life-guarded and taught swimming at the Decorah Swimming Pool. He started the first Decorah Swim Team. He taught science and coached football, wrestling, and track at Riceville, IA for a year, then taught and coached at Pine Island. MN for 3 years. In June 1967, Mike went to Vietnam as Chief of Civilian Training for Pacific Architects and Engineers. He traveled to all U.S. installations. On 1 Feb 1968. during the TET Offensive, he was captured by the Viet Cong at his company offices at An Nhon village outside Saigon. During the 5 years Mike was missing, the U.S. Government was unwilling to give the family any information concerning his situation. In May 1972, John Kjome met an escaped POW who had known Mike in a POW camp in 1969 and who gave Mike credit for helping him escape. He told of how Mike had helped the other POWs keep up hope. Mike had great spiritual resources which kept him alive in spite of lack of food, clothing, and medical care, and the boredom of confinement. He had always been a great reader and now his memory served him well. Mike had always loved Christmas and he made his own little celebration for himself and his fellow prisoners. He saved every little scrap of paper, metal, plastic, and wood, and made tiny presents. His Christmas star was made from a toothpaste tube and two bamboo strips. By his cunning he got the presents delivered. He sang hymns and carols and the others soon joined in.

His captivity in South Vietnam and Cambodia lasted 5 years and 12 days, until 12 Feb 1973. Mike returned to Decorah to a hero’s welcome. People lined the streets from the airport to his home on North Street. He was honored by Luther College for providing us all with a role model by his example of Christian faith, intense courage and personal integrity. During his first year of freedom, Mike traveled extensively in the United States and in Europe. On his first trip to Norway he met Karin Skeide. The next spring they were married and returned to the United States. Mike taught for a year in Melrose, Wl. That summer they adopted 4 year old Wendy from Chile. Mike accepted a teaching and coaching position with the Department of Defense Schools in West Berlin, Germany. Their daughter, Reidun was born during their second year in Berlin.

Michael H. Kjome

They returned to Decorah for a year where Mike taught at North Winneshiek, then they returned to Germany, this time to Wurzburg.

In February 1981, Mike was diagnosed with cancer, presumably caused by exposure to Agent Orange. The family moved to Karin’s hometown, Florvaag, Norway. He made annual trips to Decorah and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Mike’s courage and faith sustained him in his struggle against cancer for nearly five years. He died 8 Nov 1985 and is buried at Strusshavn Cemetery on Askoy in Norway. His family continues to live at Florvaag.