Kneeskern, Lyle and Norma (Hangartner)

(Lyle Kneeskern)

Lyle Kneeskern, son of Robert and Mabel (Young) Kneeskern, attended the Castalia School and then graduated from Postville High School in 1955. At that time he was inducted into the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma until 1957. He married Norma Hangartner 5 Jun 1960 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Luana, IA.

Norma, daughter of Lynn and Margaret Krambeer Hangartner, was born at Luana. She attended school in Luana and graduated with the class of 1956. After their marriage, Lyle and Norma became residents of Castalia. They are members of Zion Lutheran Church in Castalia.

After his discharge from the service, Lyle began in the profession of his father, which was raising minks. Later they became dairy farmers and raised calves for dairy calf replacement. Norma is now manager of Interior Furniture and Floor Covering in Postville. Lyle is Investment Representative at Citizen State Bank in Postville. They have two sons: Dan and Larry.

Dan married Lisa Coonradt 7 Sep 1985. They have two sons: Bradley Lynn and Andrew Michael . Dan is Vice President and Branch Manager of Homeland Savings Bank in Urbandale, IA. They live in Urbandale.

Larry married Laura Donovan 28 May 1995 in California. Larry is National Account Executive for Dell Computer Corp. They live in Los Gatos, CA.

Kneeskern, Robert and Mabel (Young)

(Lyle Kneeskern)

Robert Kneeskern, son of Fred and Estella (Beadle) Kneeskern, was born 9 Jul 1914 in Winneshiek Co. Fred Kneeskern was the son of John H. Kneeskern anjd Estella was the daughter of Robert and Nancy (Kneeskern) Beadle. Fred was born in 1888 in WinneshiekiSb. Estella was born 8 Dec 1884. Before her marriage, she was teaching music in the Austin, MN area. They farmed near Castalia, IA on the “home place" owned by Fred’s father, until they moved to Ridgeway where they farmed until retirement. They were the parents of Robert, Ralph (b. 21 Aug 1919) and Rosalie.

Fred died 1 Apr 1955. Estella died 13 Apr 1966. They are buried in Pleasant View Cemetery at Castalia.

Robert attended rural school near his home in Bloomfield Twp and graduated from Castalia High School. He was interested in raising animals and started by raising rabbits on the home farm.

Later he turned to raising mink at the time when it was a good investment. He became financially successful in this occupation.

Robert married Mabel Young of Wadena, IA 22 Apr 1936. Mabel was born 31 Dec 1917. They lived in the Castalia area where they bought a farm and purchased a good grade of dairy cattle.

After retirement they spent their winters in Florida and owned a summer home along the Mississippi River in Guttenberg, IA. They now make their home in Monona, IA.

Their children are Lyle and Roberta, who married Robert Burns and later married Peter Prew. She and her husband live in Prairie du Chien, Wl. Their grandchildren are: Dan and Larry Kneeskern, and Monty, Dennis, Kent, Craig, Jody and Jamey Burns.

Knoke, Clarence Victor and Mildred (Feltis)

(George Knoke)

Clarence and Mildred Knoke

Clarence Victor Knoke was born in Winneshiek Co, IA 21 Apr 1894, the son of Henry Fredrick and Caroline (Barth) Knoke. Henry Fredrick was born 16 Mar 1869 in Logan, Ontario, Canada and Caroline was born 4 Apr 1867 in Mitchell, Ontario.

Clarence had 5 brothers and sisters: Laura Anna, Edwin Roger, Ernest Walter, Lillie Pearl and Delbert Henry.

Clarence married Mildred Melissa Feltis 2 Jan 1918 at the Lutheran Parsonage in Decorah, IA. Mildred was born 29 Oct 1896 at Burr Oak, IA, the daughter of Willard Henry Feltis (one of twin boys) and Caroline Bowman. Willard was born 19 Nov 1843 at Russeltown, Quebec, Canada, and Caroline was born 19 Oct 1855 at Davenport, ND. Willard and Caroline were married 27 Jan 1886 at Davenport. Their children were: Samuel Ernest, Wyman Edward, Willard Henry (m. Erma Jones), Sarah Ellen (m. William Joseph Casey), William Lysander (m. Ethel Keune), Mary Ann “Mayme" (m, Eliza King), Mildred Melissa (m. Clarence Knoke), Luella Mary (m. William Mailey), and George Albert (m. Nettie Jones).

Mildred was a cook and housekeeper for her brother, Wyman, while he proved up a homestead near Peerless, MT Mildred didn’t wear makeup or fancy clothes but she was an excellent cook and baker, especially raised doughnuts.

Clarence and Mildred had 3 children: Victor Clarence (b. 28 Jul 1920 and died the same day).

George Henry  married Lila Ehrie 14 Jan 1946. Lila was born to Jergen and Marvel (Vick) Ehrie. George and Lila have 3 children: Janice Elaine, Ronald Dean and Terry Glenn.