ginia Beach, VA. Roger retired from International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) in 1989. He is now employed with Social Services in the field of mental retardation at Easton, MD.

DeVonne attended Decorah High School and then Luther College, graduating in 1955. She taught elementary school for 37 years, retiring in 1995. DeVonne married Gerald E. Hatch of Austin, MN on 22 Sep 1962 at Hauge Lutheran Church. Gerald retired in 1994 after 32 years as a Junior High school teacher. DeVonne and Gerald have 1 son, Tadd Everett, born at Oskaloosa, IA. Tadd and Karen Heitzman were married 4 Nov 1995 at Cedar Rapids, IA. DeVonne plans to enjoy traveling, playing golf and doing volunteer work in her retirement years.

Peter Ingvald Peterson and Lottie Julia Langaas Peterson wedding,
January 19, 1921.

Joel (or “Sonny”) attended Decorah High School and then Luther College, graduating in 1959. Joel worked as a salesman and building consultant for many years and continues as a salesman at Broadway Equipment Company, Minneapolis, MN. Joel married Rosemary Pung of St. Martin, MN 21 Jan 1967 at the Church of the Incarnation, Minneapolis. Joel and Rosemary have 3 children: Todd Peter; Timothy Allen and Terri Lynn. Timothy married Alisa Blowers of Marshall, MNon 17 Apr 1993. They have a daughter, Hailey Alaire.

Peter and Lottie farmed in Canoe Twp. For several years they rented a farm on what is now the North Winneshiek Road. Lottie taught school for several years after she was married. She often took her baby daughter, Adrienne, with her to school. In the late 1920’s they bought a farm which is now part of the Seed Savers Exchange. The farmhouse has been restored to the original log cabin that was built by the Corson family. Three of Peter and Lottie’s 4 children were born in this farmhouse. For the next 30 years they farmed this land and raised their family.

In 1957 Peter and Lottie retired from farming and moved to Decorah. Living in town did not agree with them. After a year they bought the hillside place less than a mile south of Hauge Lutheran Church. Peter did some farming on this small acreage and picked up odd jobs, as well as working for the Bolson Feed Company and Luther College. Lottie worked at Holt Dairy and the Luther College Food Service until retiring in the early 1970’s.

Peter and Lottie were long time members of Hauge Lutheran Church.

Peter died 28 Jun 1974. Lottie continued to live in her country home. She participated in all the activities of Hauge Lutheran Church and for several years took personal responsibility for its upkeep. She enjoyed tending her garden and lawn, playing cards and doing needlework. In 1989 Lottie sold her country home and moved to a duplex on Mechanic Street in Decorah. She continued to lead a very active life until Mar 1995 when she suffered a paralyzing stroke. Lottie passed away 23 Jul 1995.

Peterson - Usgaard - Ustgard -Lovoen

(Helen Hougen)

Peder Henningsen Aas (b. 23 Jul 1825) and Ingeborg Larsdtr (b. 1 Aug 1827) were married in the Tydalen Church in Norway on 3 Jun 1849. They came to America in 1869 and settled in Allamakee Co., IA at West Paint Creek. All of their children were born in Norway except Isaac. In Norway the family’s last name was originally Lovoen. However, it was changed to Ustgard and when the family moved to America, it became Usgaard. All the children of Peder and Ingeborg used the Usgaard name except Isaac, Einar and Ole. They chose the name Peterson. Peder is buried in the West Paint Creek Cemetery and Ingeborg in the East Paint Creek Cemetery.

Einar Peterson and Ingeborg Peterson

Peder and Ingeborg's children were: Joseph Usaaard (4 Sep 1849-1936) is buried in Hesper. Einar Peterson (28 Jan 1851-19 Apr 1935) is buried in Hesper. (See Einar and Ingeborg Peterson story) Anna Usaaard Larsen (b. 11 Apr 1852) is buried in West Paint Creek Cemetery. Henning Usaaard (b. 18 Dec 1853) died at the age of 20 in northern Minnesota. Lars Usgaard (b. 31 Jul 1855) is buried in Hesper. Inaebrigt (b. 14 Apr 1857) is buried in Canada. Ole Peterson (b. 9 Apr 1859-1930) is buried in Fosston, MN. Peder Usaaard (b. 19 Jul 1861-30 Nov 1861). Peder Usaaard (30 Sep 1862-8 Jul 1941) is buried in Decorah. Rebekka Usgaard Larson (b. 23 Aug 1864) is buried in Fisher, MN. Anders Usaaard (b. 18 Jan 1867) is buried in Hesper. Erik Usaaard (b. 15 Aug 1868)