Erlina married Laura Elisabeth Brown 28 Jan 1956. Erling and Laura had 5 children: Eric, Edward, Ronald, Lawrence and Evan. Erling is now married to Helen Sowder. Erling and Helen live in Dunedin, FL. Alphea Corrine married Ivan Iverson 6 Oct 1956. Alphea taught school in Decorah for a time. They now reside in Superior, Wl. Bettv Jane married David T. Nelson 20 Apr 1957 in Decorah where they continue to reside. They have 4 children: Elise Marie, Andrea, Kathryn and Stephen David.

Rilling, Christian and Mary (Schones)

(Jerald & Sandra Andera)

Christian Rilling was bom in Wurttenberg, Germany on 27 Apr 1848 the son of Adam and Mary (Uhlmer) Rilling. Christian married Mary Schones born 1857 in Winneshiek Co., the daughter of Fritz and Mary (Billen) Schones. Both of her parents were born in Germany. Christian and Mary married in 1875 and had 9 children: Sophia, Philip, John, Christ, Fred, Alfred, Nicholas, Joseph A. and Annie.

Sophia (15 Mar 1876/1877-16 Apr 1952) married John Zima. Philip (25 Dec 1880-7 Dec 1952) never married. John (21 Feb 1883-19 Jul 1944) married Celia Kuhn and had two children: J. Renald and Marie. Christ (Philip C.) (b. Aug 1886) married Rose Kaufka. Fred (b. Aug 1888) married Margaret. Alfred was born Feb 1894. Nicholas (6 Dec 1893-8 Feb 1962) married Lottie McGowan. Joseph A. (20 Jan 1896-11 Aug 1957) married Beatrice Nesvik on 4 Feb 1923. Annie was born Mar of 1899.

Christian and Mary were members of the Catholic church. They resided in Calmar where Christian was a stone mason. Christian died 22 Mar 1917 at his home in Calmar. He was buried 23 Mar 1917 in St. Aloyious Cemetery in Calmar. Mary died 1 Dec 1931. She also is buried in St. Aloyious Cemetery.

Rilling, John and Celia (Kuhn)

(Jerald & Sandra Andera)

Celia and John Rilling

John Rilling was born in Festina, IA 21 Feb 1883. He was the son of Christian and Mary (Shones) Rilling. His father was born 27 Apr 1848 in Wurtenberg, Germany to Adam and Mary (Ulmer) Rilling. Christian married Mary Schones in 1875. Mary was born in 1857 to Fritz and

Margaret (Billen) Schone in Winneshiek Co. Christian made his living as a stone mason. John's brothers and sisters were: Sophia Zima, Philip, Christ (Philip C.), Fred, Alfred, Nickolas “Nick", Joseph A., and Annie.

John married Celia Kuhn who was born 13 Mar 1894. Celia's parents were George J. and Mathilda (Leuenberger) Kuhn. Her father was born 30 Dec 1864 on a farm south of Spillville in Calmar Twp. to John A. and Margratha (Smith) Kuhn. Her mother was born 15 May 1867 in Spillville to Ulrich and Mary (Ess) Leuenberger. Celia had one brother Albert. He was born 23 Sep 1891. Albert lived with his parents until his death 12 Jan 1928 after a long battle with polio.

John and Celia were married 14 Jun 1915 at St. Wenceslaus Church in Spillville, IA. They made their home in Fort Atkinson, IA and had two children, John Renald and Marie Mathilda. Renald (17 Jun 1918) graduated from Fort Atkinson Public School and never married. He lived his whole life in Fort Atkinson and farmed south of Spillville. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and was a wonderful uncle. Renald died 2 May 1976 of lung cancer. He was buried 5 May 1976 in St. John's Cemetery, Fort Atkinson.

Marie graduated from Fort Atkinson Public High School in 1943. She married Bernard Neuzil 1 Jul 1957 and lives in Fort Atkinson. They have 4 children: Donald, Linda, Marilyn Holthaus, and Sandra Andera.

John and Celia were members of St. John’s Catholic Church. They lived in Fort Atkinson and farmed on the family farm south of Spillville.

John died at his home outside of Fort Atkinson on 19 Jun 1944 after suffering several days from a stroke. He was buried 21 Jun 1944 in St. John's Cemetery. Celia died 10 Jun 1988 at her daughter’s home in Fort Atkinson. She was 94 years old and up to a few weeks before her death was still busy making apple pies. She was buried alongside her husband.

Ringstad, Anna Olsdtr (Brandt) Anderson

(Beth Hoven Rotto)

Anna Olsdtr Brandt was born 3 Jun 1810 at Kvissel (Kvil) in West Slidre, Valdres, Norway. She was the 2nd child of Elia Andersdtr and Ole Johnsen Brandt, a sexton and teacher in Slidre, Valdres, Lomen and Ron congregations. Eli and Ole had 11 children. Remarks from an old Brandt family genealogy include examples of the unity and cooperation existing in this large and interesting family. It also states, 'As to the daughters, it may be added that they were, according to the conditions of the times and their environment, exceptionally well informed in all domestic and feminine accomplishments. They were of dark complexion and good-looking and were all happily married."

Anna married Johannes Anderson, a sheriff (lensmand) in Valdres. They resided at Loken, West Slidre. Johannes and Anna had 7 children: Catherine Helene (See her story under Johannes and Catherine Evenson); Ole (served as First Lieutenant, Company D, Third Iowa Infantry Regiment); Edward; Anton (Lieutenant, Company C, 12th Infantry Regiment); Anna Marie (m. Anders Larsen Kittelsby