1974. They have two girls: Sarah and Kathryn Johanna. Sarah loves horseback riding and Katie plays cello. They live in Tucson, AZ. Dean Alan  graduated from Decorah High School in 1967 and Iowa State University, Ames. Dean married Cynthia Le Cowell on 7 Mar 1970. They have two children: Jennifer, a graduate of Decorah High School and the University of Northern Iowa, married Robert Friedman on 30 Dec 1994, and Daniel Jacob graduated from Decorah High School and is attending Iowa State University. Dean and Cynthia built a house on property that was part of the Johnson family farm by Siewers Spring south of Decorah.

Walter died from cancer 26 Jul 1985 after a short illness. Eleanor lives on the home they built on the Middle Calmar Road.

Wood, Christina and daughter Ruth Mildred

(Charlotte Wilkins Lee)

Ingeborg Christina Foss, born in Hardanger, Norway 14 Dec 1872 was about 4 months old when she emigrated to America with her parents, John and Siri Foss. Christina grew up on the Foss homestead in Glenwood Twp. When her brother Arne took over the farm after their father had an accident, Christina moved to Decorah and lived with her sister Anna and husband Tollif Vick while she learned the trade of seamstress. Christina was very creative—while living with the Vicks, she built a fish pond for their home at 507 Mechanic Street.

Ruth Mildred Wood

Christina married Ezra A. Wood and had one child, Ruth Mildred, born 31 Jul 1897. Christina kept house for the Claiborne Day family, the first settlers in Decorah. Daughter Ruth enjoyed living with her mother in the Day house at 308 John Street.

Ruth graduated from the Latin Course at Decorah High School in 1916. After finishing the teachers’ training course at Iowa State Teachers College, Cedar Falls, Ruth taught elementary school. Christina moved with Ruth to Charles

Christina (Foss) Wood

City where Ruth taught for a time. Christina would make items for Ruth to use with her classes. Ruth retired from the Alta Vista school after 36 years of teaching. The New Hampton Tribune wrote: “Miss Wood joined the teaching staff here after the school reorganization; she helped restore lost dignity and discipline. Her sincerity, hard work and ability soon became evident and gained admiration and commendation for her. Parents and pupils alike saw in her an embodiment of those qualities requisite of a good teacher...” Ruth received many letters from her former students thanking her for all she had done for them.

Christina died 8 Jun 1954 and Ruth died 27 Jun 1983. Both are buried in Riverside Cemetery, Charles City, IA.