Lutheran Church and later joined Good Shepherd Lutheran Church next to her home.

John was confirmed at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in 1963 by Pastor Palmer Russeth. John graduated from Decorah High School in 1965. He participated in track and was a member of the “D" Club. He played the trombone in the concert band, the marching band and the pep band. He attended Luther College for one year. John had two wives, two adopted children and two stepchildren. John lives in California and works for a public utility.

Sydell Smalley on right with her cousins. In back Ransome Bolson holding Erlene Fisher. In front Marlin Bolson and Vernetta Bolson.

Thomas was confirmed at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 3 May 1964. He graduated from Decorah High School in 1966. Both he and John were members of state championship cross country teams. Thomas was on the sophomore basketball squad, participated in track and was a member of the “D” Club. He played cornet in the Junior High Band. Thomas has a daughter, Heidi. Thomas works in construction in Alaska.

Joseph has two sons, Jared and Jordan. (See Joseph and Beverly [Kampman] Sheridan story.)

Sherwin, William and Lydia (Young)

(Lydia (Young) Sherwin)

Clifford "William” Sherwin was born in Pleasant Twp., Winneshiek Co. He was known as “Bill” to his family and friends. His parents were Jacob and Anne (Torgerson) Sherven (original spelling of the name).

In 1925 Bill married Lydia Margaret Young at the Decorah Lutheran Church. Lydia was born in Pleasant Twp. She was the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Barth) Young. Lydia had 4 sisters and 1 brother: Julia Bergsrud (Decorah), Lenna Erickson (Decorah), Amelia Sande (deceased), Clara Solem (deceased) and Roy Young (deceased).

Bill and Lydia first farmed on Lydia’s home place east of Locust. They then moved to a farm 2 miles north of Locust. In 1943 they bought a farm west of Harmony, MN.

Bill and Lydia had 2 sons: Milton and Robert.

Milton is married to Mildred (known as “Millie”) Jech. They had 1 child. Milton and Millie now own and operate his parent’s farm west of Harmony.

Robert is married to Joan Prom. They have 2 children. Robert and his family live in Edina, MN.

Bill died in 1966. In 1970 Lydia moved to Decorah. Since 1992 she has lived at the Aase Haugen Home.

Shimek, Mary (Bily)

(Mary Shimek)

Mary (Bily) Shimek was born 9 May 1904 in Giddes, SD. Her parents were Frank and Mary (Prazak) Bily. When Mary was in her teens the family moved to Spillville, IA.

Mary married Ed Shimek from Calmar. Ed was the son of Frank and Anna (Luzum) Shimek. Mary and Ed farmed on the Shimek family farm for 35 years. Two children were born to the union: Victor (b. on the Robert Bily farm) and Marcella (b. on the Shimek farm near Calmar).

Victor is married to Betty Klimesh. Victor and Betty have 4 daughters. They live in Rochester, MN.

Marcella is married to Lloyd Kovarik. They have a son and a daughter. Marcella and her family live in Spillville.

In addition to being a homemaker, Mary helped on the farm and during the late 1950’s and the 1960’s worked at the Bucheit Produce in Calmar.

Mary enjoys growing flowers. She has always had a large flower garden and lots of houseplants. Mary also enjoys bird watching and during the winter puts out seed to attract the birds. Finally, Mary did a lot of crocheting before her vision failed. She made many beautiful doillies which she has passed on to her children and grandchildren.

Mary is a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville.

Shindelar, Albert and Mary (Frana)

(Helen Zbornik)

After his father retired, Albert Shindelar worked the family farm and supported his parents, John and Barbara (Zavadil) Shindelar, plus his 4 sisters - Mary, Catherina, Anna and Barbara - until they married. In 1884 Albert married Mary Frana, the eldest daughter of Vaclav and Marie (Philipensky) Frana.

Although Albert’s schooling had ended with the 8th grade, his quest for knowledge had no bounds. He purchased books and took correspondence courses in animal husbandry, land conservation, mechanics horticulture and bee keeping. The Shindelars purchased more land, tripled their acreage, increased their herd of cattle and put a dairy into operation. A large orchard was planted and fruit was sold. An apiary consisting of 50 colonies of