certificate of naturalization on 24 Sep 1919, they were living at 514 Baker Avenue (their home until their deaths). The Solheim family, at that time, included: Gertrude (age 32), Arthur (4), Olga (3) and Melvin (2). A daughter Margit Beata had been born earlier that year (27 Jan 1919), but she died 15 Mar. On 8 Feb 1922 their youngest child, Elmer was born.

Back: Mel, Art and Elmer, Front: Guri, Andrew and Olga Solheim, circa 1942

Arthur Gerhard (b. 26 Feb 1915) married Gertrude Elizabeth Erickson on 3 Jul 1936. They had three children: Robert, Myrna and Eric. Fie died 8 Oct 1983 in Yuma, AZ. Olga Katinka (b. 10 Feb 1916) married Elmer Sonne Monsen on 14 Nov 1942. They had two sons: David and John. Carl Melvin (b. 29 Mar 1917) married Frances Marian Womeldorf on 17 Jan 1943 (divorced 1971). Their children are: Marian, Margit and Charles. Fie died 2 Feb 1983 in Seattle, WA. Alfred Elmer (b. 8 Feb 1922) married Ruth Mary Scott on 18 Dec 1949. Carol is their only child.

Andrew died at his home 6 Aug 1957 after a long illness and Guri died suddenly at her home from heart trouble 7 Mar 1960. The Solheims were all members of Decorah Lutheran Church. Andrew and Guri are buried beside their baby daughter in the Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah.

Solheim, C. Melvin - Family

(Frances M. Jeffers)

The son of Norwegian immigrants Andrew K. and Guri (Lansrud) Solheim, Carl Melvin was born 29 Mar 1917 in Decorah, IA. “Mel" attended the Decorah Public Schools, was in the local CCC Camp and worked on a farm prior to enlisting in the Army in World War II. He was injured in the Japanese attack on Dutch Harbor, Alaska. While on medical leave, he and Frances M. Womeldorf met at a choir party hosted by his brother Art and wife Gertrude (Erickson) Solheim. Mel returned to the guard detachment of Ft. Lewis, WA located near Puyallup and Frances followed six months later. They were married 17 Jan 1943 at Peace Lutheran Church by Rev. Jahr. After his medical discharge, the Solheims returned to Decorah where Mel worked for a time at the Decorah Posten. When an opening came on the police force, Mel was asked to consider a position with them. Taking advantage of the educational benefits offered veterans, Mel completed training at the shoe repair school in Centerville, IA and operated a shop close to the fire department. As a volunteer fireman, he answered calls and drove the fire truck. Later, as one of the local policemen, Mel continued to be a volunteer fireman.

In 1961, the Solheim family moved to Kellogg, ID. Mel worked in the maintenance department of the Kellogg Public Schools and Frances taught 5th grade. In 1953, the family moved to Parkland, WA where Mel again worked on the maintenance crew of Pacific Lutheran University and eventually became “Executive of Housekeepers.” It was from this position that he retired. Mel died at the Veteran’s Hospital in Seattle of cancer in 1983 and was buried in Fir Lane Memorial Park, Tacoma.

After their marriage and return to Decorah in 1943, Frances continued her college education at Luther graduating in 1961. While pursuing her four year degree, Frances taught in rural schools in Winneshiek Co. and 7th and 8th grades at Ossian.

C. Melvin and Frances, Margit, Marian and Charles Solheim.

From Kellogg, ID the family moved to Parkland, WA where she taught 5th and 6th grades and was an elementary school counselor in the Clover Park School District, and was active in the Washington Education Association. The Solheims divorced in 1971. When the Washington State Congressman, Floyd Hicks, asked her to come to Washington, DC to work in his office, Frances resigned her teaching position and moved to Washington, DC. She served as one of his research assistants during 1974. Frances returned to Washington state and on 29 Mar 1975 married Stanley Hardison Jeffers in Riverton Heights Lutheran Church by Rev. Richard Bersie. (See Jeffers biography.)