died on the way to America and was buried at sea. Isaac Peterson (5 Jan 1871-25 Aug 1956).

Petrak, Anton and Barbara (Kruchek)

((Beverly Petrak)

Anton Petrak family Anton, wife Barbara (Kruchek),
daughter, Rosalia and son, Frank.

Anton Petrak and Barbara Krucek/Kruchek were married on 9 Jan 1878 in St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Spillville, Winneshiek Co., IA. Anton was born in Bohemia 20 Jun 1852, to a lady named Maria. Maria was born in 1826 and was living with her son and daughter-in-law in Protivin, Howard Co., IA in 1880. Anton's blacksmith shop was in Protivin in 1880. He came to America with older members of the Petrak family in about 1867, sending for his mother after he was settled.

Anton became an American citizen at the Winneshiek Co. Courthouse, 18 Oct 1876. He was one of the Czech founders of Holy Trinity Church in Protivin in 1878.

Barbara (Kruchek) Petrak was the oldest daughter of Tomas and Maria Kruchek. Barbara was born in Winneshiek Co., near Spillville, in 1858. She grew up on a farm in Sec. 24 and was a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville. When Barbara and Anton Petrak were married, Barbara’s older sister, Anna and her husband Anton Pecinovsky, gave testimony as witnesses.

Daughter Rosalia was born in Protivin 27 Dec 1879. The Petrak family moved to Brule Co., SD where son Frank was born 16 Oct 1883 near Kimball. Barbara died 18 Jul 1889 in South Dakota at age 32.

After Barbara’s death, Anton married Anna Slepicka 8 Dec 1889 in St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Kimball. Anna, born 12 Aug 1866 in Bohemia, was the daughter of Joseph Slepicka. Joseph farmed in Calmar Twp. Her sister, Marie (b. 26 Mar 1849 in Pisek, Bohemia) married Mathas/Mike Stepan.

Pfister, George and Anna (Cunningham)

(George Pfister)

George Alwin Pfister was born 22 Feb 1915 on the farm purchased by his grandfather George Adam Pfister around 1870. The farm is located 11 miles north of Decorah (Sec. 31, Highland Twp.). At one time the farm had an orchard of over 100 apple trees. George is the son of Alwin and Carolina Pfister. Alwin was born on the same farm 27 Feb 1879 and Carolina was born 24 Apr 1883 on a farm near Harmony, MN. They were married 25 Jun 1903 at Big Springs, MN. George’s brothers and sisters were Walter, Elsie, Lester, Luella, Norman and Gordon. George graduated from Decorah High School in 1932 and Luther College in 1936 with a major in mathematics and minors in physics, music and education. George taught high school from 1936 to 1941. He taught algebra, geometry, general math, general science, physics, biology, and vocal and instrumental music. In March 1941 George was drafted into the service. He served overseas in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines January 1942 to August 1945. George was discharged from the service as a First Lieutenant in the Transportation Corps.

Anna Cunningham Pfister was born 25 Jun 1918 in Pennsylvania. She is the daughter of Merle William and Anne (Lennox) Cunningham. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and her mother in Scotland. Anna’s brothers and sisters were Margaret, Kathryn, William, Marion and George. Anna graduated from Lewistown, PA high school in 1935 and from St. Luke’s and Children's Hospital School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA in February 1940. Anna joined the American Red Cross in 1942 and was assigned to the 117th Station Hospital, Papua, New Guinea in 1943. George and Anna met in Brisbane, Australia and were married in the First Presbyterian Church in Brisbane 14 Jun 1944.

Anna and George Pfister

Back row: Gerald Hall, Dean Lamp, Eric Lamp,
Lynne Pfister Lamp, Adam Pfister, Jeannine Pfister and Philip Pfister.
Second row: Janet Pfister Hall and Daniel Lamp.
First row: Katherine Hall, Elizabeth Hall, Anna, George, Karoline Pfister and Paul Pfister.

George and Anna have 4 children: Karoline, Philip, Janet and B. Lynne. Karoline was born in Decorah. She graduated from Luther College in 1967. Karoline taught French and Art for a number of years and was named teacher of the year. She received her masters degree from Carthage College, Kenosha, Wl and is now a counselor at the public schools in Waukegan, IL. Philip was born in Decorah. He attended Iowa State University for a year and a half and then en