Wilbur died suddenly 16 May 1976. He suffered a fatal heart attack while Madelyn was driving him to the hospital in Decorah. With Wilbur's death, Madelyn lost her best friend. The family buried him in the Norwegian Methodist Cemetery near the farm he loved so much.

Madelyn finished raising her children on the farm. She then sold the farm to her son, David, and moved to Decorah in Jun 1987. Madelyn has many interests. She keeps busy with various jobs and volunteer work. She is especially active at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church. Madelyn also enjoys traveling. She has been to Europe 4 times and has visited every State except 5. An especially memorable trip was the 2 weeks she spent at the shrine in Medjugorje, Croatia at Easter. The most beautiful Christmas, Midnight Mass Madelyn ever attended was in St. Peter’s in Rome with Pope John Paul II as celebrant.

Woldt, Gotthilf and Julie (Meyer)

(Phyllis Green)

Gotthilf and Julie Woldt family

Gotthilf (meaning God's help) Woldt was born in 1825 in Pomerania, Prussia to Gottlieb (meaning God’s love) and Ernestine (Jaeger) Woldt. In 1839 he and his family left with 5 boat loads of Prussians, seeking religious freedom. The Woldt family found this freedom on a farm in Decorah Twp. near the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church.

Gotthilf became a citizen of the United States in 1859. He married Frederika Gramke. They lived in Washington Co., Wl. Their 6 children died in infancy and Frederika died shortly after that. It was said they had a bone disease.

In 1867 at age 41 Gotthilf married Julie Meyer (b. 1833 in Prussia). She became a citizen in 1859. Soon after their marriage Julie and Gotthilf moved to Decorah where they lived for 10 years. Then they moved to a farm in Decorah Twp. where they raised their family.

Julie and Gotthilf had 6 children: Henry, Lydia, Anna, Bertha, Clara and Julius. Henry married Bertha Asselen in 1912. At that time men and women were segregated during church services at Washington Prairie Church. Bertha told Rev. Koren that she would not attend his church if she couldn't sit with her husband. The change was made and families sat together at Washington Prairie. Henry and Bertha had one daughter Gretchen. Henry was a farmer in Decorah Twp. After Henry and Bertha retired they moved to Decorah. Henry helped build the stone wall around the Porter House on Broadway. Lydia (1871-1947) married Fred Foltz, son of John and Bertha Foltz, in 1893. They farmed on the Foltz homestead in Hesper Twp. for 48 years. Their children were: Henry, Hilda, Pearl, Fred, Earl, Esther and Stella. Anna (b. 1874) married Henry Lomen. They had no children. They farmed in Decorah Twp. Bertha Louise Sarah (b. 1875) went to Milwaukee to learn tailoring and dressmaking trades. She had shops in Minneapolis and in Decorah. She became the second wife of Andrew Istad. They were farmers and moved to 816 River Street in Decorah when Andrew became a State Representative. Bertha and Andrew had one daughter Emma (m. Steve Baker). Clara fb. 1879) became the first wife of Andrew Istad. They had one daughter Elizabeth (m. George Turner). Clara died shortly after Elizabeth was born. Julius (b. 1881) married Mary Buerkie in 1903. They had one daughter Sadie (m. Elmer Thorson). After Mary’s death Julius married Tresa Odden. After Tresa’s death he married Julie Gullickson. Julius was a farmer, sold cars and pianos, was a peddler and a nurse’s aide. He also operated a secondhand store in Decorah.

Julie and Gotthilf are buried in Phelps Cemetery as is Henry. Julius and Lydia are buried at the Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah. Anna was laid to rest in the Washington Prairie Cemetery. Clara and Bertha were both buried at the Union Prairie Cemetery.

The Woldt ancestors crossed the Atlantic Ocean in search of freedom, rich soil, the chance to worship as they wished, to have peace and to find help-mates. They found all of these blessings and more in Winneshiek Co.

Wolfe, Joseph and Anna (Giesing)

(Gladys (Hedges) Wolfe)

Joseph and Anna (Giesing) Wolfe farmed in Military Twp. near Festina, IA. His parents were Christian and Mary (Krysan) Wolfe.

Christian was a Civil War veteran who came to the Festina area about 1866 from Springfield, IL. He bought 3 different parcels of land before he settled on the farm Joseph farmed. In about 1892 Christian added a "e” to the Wolf name. Anna’s parents were Theodore and Elizabeth (Moellers) Giesing.

Joseph and Anna had 5 sons and 3 daughters: Blanche A., Zeno Joseph, Joseph Benjamin, Alexander Arthur, Genevieve Bertha, Helen Marie, George Christian and Norbert Paul. Blanche (b. 9 Sep 1917) graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School. She helped her mother at home until she married Rudolph Schuler. Later in life she worked at a greenhouse. Blanche and Rudolph’s children were Judy, Karen, Paul and David. They lived in Woodstock, IL. Blanche died 12 Feb 1978; Rudy some years later. Zeno - see separate story. Joseph (b. 26 Jun 1921) worked on the family farms and for neighbors after graduating from St. Mary’s Catholic School. In Mar 1943 he was inducted into the Army Air Force and became a pilot with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Joseph was killed in