us. She did spend the last week of her life with us. My mother was diligent in caring for Grandma.

To me it seemed there was nothing that Grandma could not do. She was small, agile and thought nothing of walking 3 miles to church. Many a time we called to offer her a ride only to find she had started early and arrived at church before us. She also occasionally walked to Hesper, IA, a distance of about 7 miles, to visit. She was always busy, even when she walked she was knitting. My cousin, Verna (Peterson) Dalby has a picture of Grandma’s twin sons, Peter and Ole, both wearing clothing handmade by Grandma. She raised the sheep, washed and carded the wool, spun the yarn and knit or wove their clothing. I never heard her complain about being too busy. Kind hearted, Grandma was even mindful of a neighbor’s hired man when he worked in a field above her house and brought him afternoon lunch of plum sauce and waffles.

When Grandma was asked if she was ever afraid living alone on that isolated farm, she explained “No, I always keep the teakettle boiling on the stove.” For 20 years she lived alone, her only modern convenience was the telephone. A religious person, the open Bible lay on her kitchen table and she read it diligently. When I was confirmed she gave me a gift of $5.00 accompanied with a handwritten note which said in Norwegian “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come.”

Grandma’s diet consisted mainly of milk products along with eggs, bread and meat. In addition, she liked donuts. She had no time for greens. She said if she could have eaten grass, she would have stayed in Norway. I am glad she did not stay there.

The barn on the old homestead is completely gone now and only a shell of the old house remains as a reminder of the home of Mikkel and Johanna Peterson and their family.

Peterson, Oliver and Annie (Sollien)

(Beulah Shindelar)

Oliver Gilbert Peterson was born 13 Mar 1903 in Clayton Co. to Albert C. and Bertha (Engan) Peterson. He had 3 brothers: Henry, Edward and Alvin. In 1929 Oliver married Annie Sollien, the daughter of Styrk and Christina (Juelson) Sollien. Annie was born in Winneshiek Co. 28 Feb 1909, the youngest of 7 children: Johannes, Martina, Gina, Emma, Sever, Ella and Annie.

Oliver received schooling as an auto mechanic and made use of his training as he was able to repair his own motors and machinery. He was also a telephone director and line man in Madison Twp. Oliver enjoyed working with wood, patenting and designing. Annie attended one year of teachers training and made use of her education when raising her family. She sewed all the clothes for the family, even making her own patterns. Oliver and Annie started farming in Highland Twp. and later farmed in Pleasant, Canoe and Madison Twps.

They had 6 children: Beulah, Sylvia, Alton, Lorraine, Carol and Robert. Beulah was born 7 May 1930 in the Spring Grove Hospital. She attended Winneshiek Co.

schools and Decorah High School and graduated from Waukon High School. Beulah married Leonard Moudry in 1951. They farmed in Sumner Twp. Leonard died 31 Dec 1961. In 1967 Beulah married John Alois Shindelar. Beulah had 3 children: Susan Cozette, Grace Belinda and John Oliver. Sylvia attended Winneshiek Co. schools and graduated from Decorah High School. She worked at the Decorah State Bank until she moved to CA in the early 1950's. She married Blaine Roberts. They live in San Jose, CA. Alton attended Winneshiek Co. schools and graduated from Waukon High School. After a stint in the Army he followed his sister to CA. In 1957 he married Eldie Flatland, daughter of Albert and Norma (Engen) Flatland of Winneshiek Co. They have 3 children: Kerry, Mark and Julie. Lorraine attended Winneshiek Co. schools and graduated from Waukon High School. Soon after graduation Lorraine went to CA with her brother Alton. Lorraine married Bill Williams at the Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church in rural Winneshiek Co. This marriage ended in divorce. In 1964 she married Deane Ellickson whose wife had died leaving 3 small children, Suzanne, Sherrie and Debbie, whom Lorraine adopted. Lorraine and Deane had 2 children, Loren and Deanna. Carol attended Winneshiek Co. schools and graduated from Ridgeway High School. After graduation she worked at Anundsen's Publishing in Decorah. In a double wedding with her sister Lorraine and Bill Williams, Carol married Spencer Bolson 10 Feb 1957. Spencer was the son of Stephen and Rebecca (Lovstuen) Bolson and grew up in Decorah. Carol and Spencer have 5 children: Stacy, Gail, Lance, Darin and Annette. Robert David attended country school at Pleasant #7 where Mary Helgeson was his only teacher until March of his 7th grade. He graduated from Cresco High School, attended Luther College for 2 years and was in the United States Air Force. After his discharge he graduated from UNI at Cedar Falls. He taught school a short time and then worked at John Deere in Waterloo, IA. He just recently received the degree of Master of Arts Education in School Counseling.

Peterson, Peter and Johanna (Larson)

(Verna (Peterson) Dalbey)

Peter Mikkel Peterson was born 23 Mar 1871 in Highland Twp., Winneshiek Co. He had a twin brother Ole. Their parents were Mikkel and Johanna (Olson) Peterson.

Peter Mikkel married Johanna Theoline Larson 29 Sep 1904 at the Highland Lutheran Church. Johanna was born 13 Feb 1881. She was the daughter of Nels and Jorund (Kjome) Larson. Johanna was a professional seamstress before she married.

Peter Mikkel and Johanna had 3 children: Myron Willard (1905-1981); Norma Juliett (1907-1944); and Verna Josephine (b. 1913). All the children were born in the house at the Rock Springs Creamery in Highland Twp.

Peter Mikkel owned and operated the Rock Springs Creamery. He died 31 Jan 1917 at the age of 46 of