Underbakke, Dale and Eleanor (Bergey)

(Dale Underbakke)

Dale Underbakke, the son of the late Louie and Violet Underbakke, is a life long resident of Winneshiek Co. Dale attended school in Canton, MN. He graduated in 1951 and immediately started farming in Burr Oak Twp. where he still resides and farms. In 1954, Dale married Eleanor Bergey from rural Harmony, MN. They lived on the old Ward farm west of Burr Oak until 1963. The Underbakkes then purchased the former Elmer Butler farm and lived there from 1963 to 1982. At that time, they moved to the former Barney Graham farm where they still reside and farm. Dale is also employed at Featherlite in Cresco, IA.

Dale and Eleanor have six children: Beth, Eugene, Richard, Steve, Craig and Becky.

Beth and Gary Crawford live in Decorah. The Crawfords both teach in Decorah. They have two children, Brad and Tricia.

Eugene and Donna (Hageman) Underbakke live in Cresco, IA. Eugene works at Donaldson’s in Cresco and they own Gena's Pizza and Chicken in Cresco. They have three children: Lyndee (married to Ben Johnston), Rachael and Lars.

Dale Underbakkes 60th birthday party
Front row, left to right: Beth Crawford, Eleanor Underbakke, Dale Underbakke and Becky Brink.
Second row: Richard Underbakke, Craig Underbakke, Steve Underbakke, Gene Underbakke.

Richard and Joan (Nierling) Underbakke live in Ankeny, IA. Richard teaches at Des Moines Area Community College. Joan is also employed at Des Moines Area Community College. They have four daughters: Kerri, Amanda, Nicole and Briana. Kerri is married to Kevin Holst. They have a son, Cole.

Steve and Sandra (McCabe) Underbakke live in Burr Oak. Steve works at Valley Cheese Co. in Spring Valley, MN. Sandra works at the Fillmore Co. Courthouse in Preston, MN. They have two children, Brandon and Brooke.

Craig lives near Burr Oak. He and his father, Dale, operate farms and Craig also works for another farmer.

Becky and Alan Brink live near Waukon, IA. Alan is employed with Lifetime Gutter in Waukon and Becky works part-time for Waukon Dental Clinic. They have two daughters, Shelby and Samantha.

Dale and Eleanor are active members of the Burr Oak United Methodist Church. Their children and grandchildren are a very important part of their lives in Winneshiek Co.

Underbakke, Louie and Violet (Ward)

(Opal Underbakke)

Lars Underbakke (11 Nov 1859-3 May 1932) arrived in the United States from Suldal, Norway in April 1884. His finance, Maria Tjelemene (13 Mar 1864-25 Apr 1945) arrived in the United States from Sand, Norway on 18 Aug 1885. They were married in West Union, IA 12 Sep 1885. Louie L. Underbakke (4 Nov 1896-12 Jan 1975) was born in Ossian, IA to this union.

Emery Mann Wilbur (21 Dec 1844-8 Jun 1928) moved to Winneshiek Co. from Canada. He married Rosetta Kinney (9 Mar 1864-4 May 1904), a lifetime Winneshiek Co. resident. Rosetta (Kinney) Wilbur became very sick. Shortly before she died, she and her husband arranged with their friends, Fred and Jennie Ward, to adopt their 5 year old daughter, Violet (3 Oct 1898-30 May 1992).

Fred C. Ward (10 Dec 1859-13 Apr 1930) and Jennie E. (Weldon) Ward (30 Jul 1867-5 Mar 1954) were both born and lived all their lives in Winneshiek Co. They adopted Violet when she was 5 years old. Violet then moved to the Ward farm 2 miles west of Burr Oak to live with her new adoptive parents.

Louie Underbakke and Violet Ward were married 20 Jun 1918 at the Ward farm. Violet descended the stairs and they were married in the living room under an archway covered with mock orange blooms. The decorations were red, white and pink peonies and Violet’s bouquet was of red roses and baby’s breath. In 1968 Louie and Violet also celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on this farm with family and friends.

After Louie and Violet were married, they moved to the Ward farm and lived there the rest of their lives. Violet continued to live on the farm for several years after Louie’s death and then moved to an apartment in Decorah.

Louie and Violet had 6 children all born in the farmhouse on their farm: Maynard Ward (b. 1 May 1919), Opal Marie, twins Robert Arden and Roberta Arlis, Dale Tjelemene  and Shyrlee Darlene .

Underbakke, Opal

(Opal Underbakke)

Opal Underbakke was born on the Underbakke/Ward farm two miles west of Burr Oak on County Road A18 where she lived with her parents, Louie and Violet Underbakke, until 1946. Opal then left the farm to finish college to start her teaching career. She spent 17 years in Winneshiek Co. between the years 1956-1990. She