Charles Schara and Wilhelmine Sass were married 15 Oct 1878 by Pastor Blessin of Eldorado, IA, They settled on the Sass farm in Bloomfield Twp, Winneshiek Co. where they became pillars of the community and the Lutheran church.

Many German immigrants came to the Sass farm and were helped to get a start in this country. The Sass family had two daughters: Wilhelmine (b. 23 Jun 1859) married Charles Schara and Fredericka (b. 1 Dec 1861) married Carl Meyer. Both daughters were born in Mecklenberg/ Schwerine, Germany. They came to America by sailboat with their parents. They arrived in New York after 29 days at sea and surviving a small pox epidemic on board the ship.

Charles and Wilhelmine (Sass) Schara had 10 children: John (stillborn 1879). William (1 May 1881-27 Jan 1974) married Amelia Wichman 3 Jan 1902 at Postville. William and Amelia were the parents of a daughter Edna who married Frank Kopecky who lived in Milwaukee and a son Clifford who lived in California. Bertha (26 Apr 1884-Apr 1899). Carolina "Lena" (23 May 1886-1 Jun 1977) married (1) Eugene Perry and had one son, Vernon and (2) Louis Kamp and had a daughter, Viola and two sons, Vernon and Louis. Fred (19 Apr 1889-2 Mar 1967) married Jennie Schroeder on 10 Jan 1910. Fred and Jennie had 6 children: Harlan, Ray, Verla (Strien), Kenneth, Charles and La Vern (Jack) who died in 1948 from a brain tumor. The Schara family all were very musical. They played at many house parties and barn dances throughout the years. In their home was a room where there were many musical Instruments. The family could all play any instrument without having had lessons. Fred and Jennie Schara celebrated their 50th anniversary on 10 Jan 1960. Louise (b. 12 Oct 1891) lived 30 minutes. Elsie (25 Jun 1893-30 Oct 1894). Anna (b. 16 Aug 1895) married Leonard Casten. Herman (5 Jan 1898-27 May 1971). Albert (2 Jun 1903-27 Sep 1979).

Charles Schara died at his home in Castalia 23 Jul 1920. Wilhelmine died 5 Nov 1917.

Schara, Ray and Verla (Schweinefus)

(Ray Schara)

Ray Schara, the son of Fred Schara and Jennie (Schroeder) Schara, was born 23 Mar 1915 near Clermont Junction in Fayette Co. Later the family moved to a farm in Bloomfield Twp. Ray attended rural school near his home through the eighth grade. He began farming as a hired man for other farmers in the area for about five years. From 1934 to 1936, he worked in the grocery store in Postville. In 1937, Ray married Lila Van Wey. They had a son, Claude. On 21 Jan 1941, he married Verla Cleora Schweinefus at the West Clermont Lutheran Church in Fayette Co. Verla was the daughter of William and Olivia (Hegland) Schweinefus and was born 19 Jul 1919 near Castalia. They were married 53 years and had a good life together. They farmed for about 10 years. In 1948, they moved to Castalia and operated a Skelly Oil jobbers business for 20 years. In 1968, they moved to Postville, where Ray was employed by the Hall Roberts Co. for many years.

Ray and Verla were the parents of two daughters: Sharon Rae  married Thomas Waters. They have two sons, Greg and Richard. They live in Grand Coulee, WA. Sandra Kav  married David Madsen. They have two daughters, Laura and Amy. They live in Nashville, TN.

Ray’s son, Claude Gilbert, died of a sudden heart attack when he was 51 years old.

Verla died in Postville 25 Feb 1995. She is buried in the Postville Cemetery. Ray continues to live in Postville.

Schell, H. Donald and Florabelle (Lings)

(Florabelle Schell)

Front row, left to right: Florabelle (Belle), Don, Janet. Back row, left to right: James, Carrie, Joseph, Sam, Elizabeth and John. Carrie is Joe's wife and Sam is their child. Elizabeth is John's wife.

Harry Donald Schell was born in Council Bluffs, IA on 8 May 1918, the son of Harry Downs Senior and Phyllis (Brandt) Senior. His father was born 10 Oct 1892 and his mother was born 18 Oct 1896, both in Council Bluffs. They were married 24 Aug 1915 in Council Bluffs.

Don’s father died 1 May 1925 and his mother married Gustav E. Schell 21 Oct 1926. He was adopted by his stepfather and took his name. Don had one sister, Dorothy Jean (Senior) Park, and one brother, Robert Earl Schell.

Don married Florabelle Ungs who was born 22 Nov 1917 in Charles City, IA. She is the daughter of John Peter Ungs and Mary (Wuchter) Ungs. Her father was born 23 Apr 1888 in Caledonia, MN and her mother was born 4 Oct 1886 in Dyersville, IA. John and Mary were married 8 Aug 1916 in Dyersville. Florabelle has a twin sister, Florence (Ungs) Notton Hotka. Don and Florabelle were married 11 Oct 1943 at Charles City. They have four children: John, James, Janet and Joseph.

John, the oldest son of Don and Florabelle, was born in Decorah, IA. He attended St. Benedict's School in Decorah. He is a graduate of Catholic University, Washington, DC. John was married to Elizabeth Strubel Panyon 19 Oct 1991. They live in Arlington, VA.

James, the second child, was born in Decorah. He attended school at St. Benedict’s. He is a graduate of a two-year course at the University of Mary