Winneshiek County at the Older lowans Legislature in Des Moines. For a number of years he was a director of the Porter House Museum, and served as President. A long time member of the Decorah Chapter of Lions, he was honored with a lifetime membership in 1988. In 1991 the Lions Clubs International Foundation awarded him the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellowship in recognition of his commitment to serving the world community. In 1985 the Decorah Jaycees awarded him their Distinguished Service citation for his services to the community. As a member of the Decorah Grand Lodge of the Masons for over fifty years, he was Grand Master four times. He was an active member of the Decorah Congregational United Church of Christ for 60 years, serving in many capacities. He belonged to the Oneota Stamp Club, the American Legion and the V.F.W. As the oldest World War I veteran in Winneshiek Co. he looked forward to being asked to ride in the parade commemorating Memorial Day, and joining the services on the courthouse steps.

Kenneth Reeves died 30 Jul 1995 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, MN. He was preceded in death in 1994 by his wife of 71 years, Fannie Axtell. He was one of the oldest members of the community and was known by many who had worked with him, were taught by him, and served along with him in the countless activities he felt were important in serving others.

Mr. Reeves treasured his many friends. The waves and calls from the parade floats, the many times a former student would come and shake his hand, reminding him he had been their teacher (faces now etched with age prevented him from remembering all of them), his memories of his travels, his beloved quotations which he fastidiously copied by the hundreds, kept him eagerly looking forward to living in three centuries.

Reeves, Robert and Donice (DeBolt)

(Robert A. Reeves)

Robert Axtell Reeves was born at Waverly, IA, the son and first child of Kenneth Reeves and Fannie Axtell. With his parents he lived in Waverly, Stratford, and Buck Creek in IA, then accompanied them and his younger brother, Gordon, to Kavaja, Albania. Returning to the United States in 1931 after all but his mother had contracted malaria, they lived in Madison, Wl, then returned to Waverly, IA, where he began his formal education. He attended fifth grade in Plymouth, IA. They moved to Decorah, Winneshiek Co. in 1935 where he entered the 6th grade. Robert graduated from Decorah High School 7 May 1942, five months after Pearl Harbor.

Reeves was employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation from Jul 1942 until he retired as a Special Agent 12 Jan 1979, with two interruptions. From Oct 1943 to Feb 1946 he was in the U.S. Army, stationed for a year in St. Louis, MO in the Military Police Force, the balance of his service time as an army engineer in the Phillippines and Japan. From Sep 1946 to Apr 1951 he attended the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, where he graduated with a degree in political science.

On 22 Oct 1948 Reeves married Donice Arlene DeBolt a fellow student at the State University of Iowa. They have 2 children: Marc D. Reeves, head of the Conservation Department of the New York Public Library, and Kimberly A. Reeves, a free-lance violinist in New York City.

During his service with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Reeves was assigned to offices in Washington, D.C., Kansas City, MO, Pittsburgh, PA, Monterey, CA and was assigned to Chicago, IL where he was living at the time of his retirement 12 Jan 1979. He now resides with his family in Winnetka, IL, a suburb of Chicago.

Refsal, Harley and Norma (Boots)

(Harley & Norma Refsal)

Carl, Martin, Norma and Harley Refsal.

Harley and Norma were married 8 Jun 1974 in Lyster Lutheran Church near Nelson, Wl. Harley's ( Morris, MN) parents were Carl Arthur “Art” and Clara Brekke Refsal (both deceased). He grew up on a farm near Hoffman, MN. Norma’s (Wabasha, MN) parents are Kenneth and Julie Boots. The Boots family lived in Wabasha until Kenneth’s retirement in 1977 when Kenneth and Julie moved to rural Dorchester, IA.

After graduating from Hoffman High School, Harley studied at Augsburg College (1963-67), the University of Oslo, Norway (1967-68), and Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul (1968-72). Upon graduation he came to Luther College as Associate Campus Pastor and Head Resident of Dieseth Hall. In 1973 he also began teaching Norwegian, a position he has held ever since.

Norma graduated from Wabasha High School - then received her nursing degree from Fairview Hospital School of Nursing, Minneapolis, in 1970. Upon graduation she traveled to Madang, New Guinea, where she worked at Yagam Hospital in 1970-71 under the auspices of World Brotherhood Exchange. Norma moved to Decorah in 1973 when she began working at the Luther College Health Service, a position she continues to hold.

During 1975-76 Harley and Norma served as directors of Luther College's study program in Nottingham, England. Their son Carl was born in Nottingham. Their son Martin was born in Decorah.

The 1988-89 school year the Refsal family lived in Rauland, Telemark, where Harley was enrolled in a program of Folk Art Studies at Telemark College. Both Carl and Martin attended local schools, and the entire family