Alfred George Kvammen was born 19 Sep 1907 near Osakis, MN, the son of Rev. Mads and Karen (Nyhus) Kvammen. Alfred graduated from Decorah High School in 1925. He taught grammar school for a year, then entered Luther College. Money was scarce and Alfred’s education at Luther was prolonged because he had to work to help pay his tuition. One of his jobs was at the Luther College Farm where he helped with milking the cows plus cultivating and harvesting the crops. He graduated from Luther in 1931.

Alfred, Mark and Ethel Kvammen

After graduation, Alfred taught high school and coached basketball and football in New Effington, SD. His teaching and coaching career continued at Peever and Summit. SD where he taught 13 years. Next he taught and coached basketball and football at Waukon High School, Waukon, IA for 5 years. He also assisted with coaching football at Luther for awhile. For his outstanding accomplishments in sports while a student and later as a coach, Alfred was inducted into the Luther College Hall of Fame 9 Oct 1976. Alfred then left coaching and worked for the Iowa State Highway Dept. He retired in 1972 and then worked part-time for the Maintenance Dept, at Luther 14 years. He retired a second time at age 79.

In 1934, Alfred married Eleanor Bisek at Britton, SD. Eleanor was born 16 Apr 1912 to Pete and Mary (Trousil) Bisek. Peter and Mary were born near Lowery, MN. Peter was born 18 Mar 1880 and died 27 Mar 1957. Mary was born 15 Feb 1880 and died in 1940. Eleanor’s brothers and sisters were: Robert, Christine and Hattie who married an Eskritt.

Alfred and Eleanor had 2 sons: Gary Lou and Alfred Bob LeRoy. Both were born in New Effington, SD. Eleanor died in 1960 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN. of cancer.

On 20 Aug 1961 Alfred married Ethel (Sandbeck) Shattuck at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon. Ethel was born 17 Jui 1922 on a farm near Waukon to Melvin H. and Clara (Scholl) Sandbeck. Ethel was employed as Deputy County Treasurer of Allamakee Co when she met and married Alfred. After moving to Decorah, Ethel was employed at the Security Bank and Trust for 2 years and then at the Decorah State Bank for 22 Years. She retired in 1985 as loan officer.

Ethel married Robert Shattuck in 1943. They had 3 children: Sherry Kay (Shattuck) Digre, Linda Lou, and Gregory Robert. Ethel and Robert divorced in 1957.

Alfred and Ethel had one son, Mark Kevin. Mark was born in Decorah. He graduated from Decorah High School and received his B.A. Degree from Luther College in 1992. He lives in Minneapolis, MN and is employed as an independent contractor for Sky and Highway Transportation Co.

Alfred and Ethel are members of Decorah Lutheran Church. The worship of the Lord Jesus Christ is a very vital part of their lives. Alfred was a member of the Luren Singers for many years and Ethel was a member of the Luren Auxiliary. They feel fortunate to have been associated with that fine group and to have had the opportunity to accompany them in many travels, including two concert tours of Norway where acquaintances and re-ac-quaintances were made among their many relatives there.

Kvammen, Alfred L. “Bob” and Judy (Donaldson)

(Alfred G. Kvammen)

Alfred LeRoy “Bob” Kvammen was born  at New Effington, SD, the son of Alfred G. and Eleanor (Bisek) Kvammen. Bob graduated from Decorah High School. After serving in the U.S. Army (some of the time on foreign soil), he attended Luther College, Decorah, IA. In 1963, Bob moved to Ridgecrest, CA where he, in partnership with his brother Gary, owned Ridgecrest Honda, a Motorcycle Shop. Bob later bought out his brother's interest in the shop. In addition, he had other business interests in the Ridgecrest area.

Judy and Bob Kvammen

Bob married Judy Donaldson of Ridgecrest 27 Dec 1963 in Las Vegas, NV.  She was a secretary at the China Lake Weapons Center for a number of years. Bob and Judy returned to Decorah in 1975. In 1977 Bob purchased the Chrysler Auto Dealership from Glenn Rilling. He operated the auto dealership for several years and then sold it to Carol Lens-