the old log house. She had a daughter Carmion Gareis born in 1909 who gave birth to Janat Rog  the mother of Elizabeth “Liz" and grandmother of Sophia and Ida.

Rohm, Arnold and Dolores (Brooks)

(Arnold & Dolores Rohm)

Arnold Melvin Rohm was born 26 Aug 1918 in Decorah, IA to Ole and Thorbjorg (Skaftedal) Rohm. (See Ole and Thorbjorg Rohm family history). Arnold’s brother and sisters are his twin Anna (m. Leonard Iverson), Martha (m. Charles Rosendahl) and Martha’s twin Marvin (m. Ruth Anderson). He had 2 half-sisters, Mabel (m. Oliver Eittreim) and Esther (m. Harry Barrett) and has one half-brother Erling (m. Marie Kastner). 'Arnie" was confirmed in 1932 at Decorah Lutheran Church by Pastor Glesne and graduated from Decorah High School in 1936. He played violin in the orchestra. During his school years he had paper routes and worked in Peterson's Grocery Store (located at the present location of the Security Bank). After graduation he worked at Piggly Wiggly and Grangaard’s groceries until Sep 1942 when he entered the army.

He served in the army during World War II in the 24th Div., 34th Inf. Bn., for 38 months. He trained first at Oahu, HI 10 months, next in Australia and then was in on the invasion of New Guinea, Biakand Leyte, Luzon, Mindora and Mindanao, the Philippine Islands.

Following his discharge Arnie was married to Dolores Mae Brooks 9 Dec 1945 by Pastor Axel Sheveland. Dolores was born to William Herbert and Gladys Ruby (Huffman) Brooks in Allamakee Co., IA. (See their family history). Dolores attended grade schools in Luana and Waukon, IA and entered 4th grade in Decorah when the family moved to Decorah from Waukon. She graduated from Decorah High School in 1942. She was confirmed in the Decorah Methodist Church by Rev. Arthur Kindred. Dolores had 4 brothers and sisters: Delmar (m. Marcella Thayer and Sarah Duff), Dorothy (m. Ralph Nelson), William (m. Dorothy Vick Brown) and Joyce (m. James Whalen).

After Dolores’ graduation she worked at Grangaard’s grocery and then took a 3 months course at Western Union School in Indianapolis, IN. For the next 3 years she was a Western Union operator at Ft. Madison, IA and Alton, IL, After her marriage she worked over 20 years at the Agricultural Stabilization & Conservation Office in Decorah, 5 years at Camcar and since 1982 has worked 2 days a week at Lynch Law Office.

Arnie worked at Bolson’s Poultry Farm and then farmed about 15 years. He owned and operated the Hobby Shop about 10 years. He worked at Coast to Coast and then at Luther College in the Book Store and in maintenance for 14 years. He retired from Luther College and then worked part time in the Gift Shop at Vesterheim Museum for several years and has now fully retired.

Arnie and Dolores have many interests and hobbies. Arnie belongs to the Stamp Club, Coin Club and Master Gardeners Club and has been rosemaling for many years. He raises African violets and enjoys sharing them with others. He enjoys playing the guitar and singing for different groups. He has belonged to the Luren Singing Society since 1967 and he and Dolores have made 2 Luren concert trips to Norway in 1973 and 1983. On the 1973 trip they were fortunate to visit with Arnie’s Uncle Ivar Skaftedal. This was the first time they had met. (Ivar died between Arnie’s 2 trips.) Before his marriage Arnie played the horn in the City Band and he played the violin in the Luther College Messiah. Both Arnie and Dolores are very interested in genealogy and gardening, especially flowers. They are members of the Decorah Genealogy Association and are lifetime members of Vesterheim Museum. They have been bird watchers over 30 years and have belonged to 2 Audubon Societies in Decorah since their beginnings. They have been delivering Meals on Wheels for 15 years and do volunteer work at the Vesterheim Museum.

Dolores and Arnold Rohm

Arnie and Dolores are active members of Decorah Lutheran Church. Both have served on church council. Arnie served on the Board of Deacons and both have taught Sunday School in early years. Dolores belongs to a circle and Arnie sings in the church choir.

Arnie and Dolores celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary 10 Dec 1995 at Decorah Lutheran.

Rohm, Erling and Marie (Kastner)

(Virginia ‘Jeanie” Wilkins)

Erling Spencer Rohm was born in Decorah, IA 6 Sep 1912 the son of Ole Helgeson and Minda (Amundsen) Rohm. Ole Rommetveit was born in Norway 7 Oct 1872 the son of Helge and Martha Rommetveit. He came to America in Apr 1892. Ole shortened the name Rommetveit to Rohm because people had a hard time pronouncing and spelling it. Ole spoke often of how his mother prayed for the people on the fishing boats of Norway. Ole enjoyed fishing, hunting, growing flowers and attending Norske Selskap, a group of people of Norwegian heritage who met regularly in Decorah. Ole worked on the railroad, performed custodial duties in the Decorah post