Harry Andersen Family

ANDERSEN, OLLGAARD, WINGATE, NORBY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/22/2015 at 12:54:37

Monona County History
1982

Harry Andersen Family, p 90 -91

Harry was born Sept. 20, 1916 to Nels Peter and Lena Marie Ollgaard Andersen at the home farm in Jordan Township, section 10 and 11. He was active in athletics and music in high school, graduating in 1933. Farmed with his Dad, later renting and then bought the farm.

On Feb. 25, 1950 he was united in marriage to Vivian Lucille Norby, daughter of Ole G. and Ada Wingate Norby. She was born at their farm home in Spring Valley township, moving into Soldier when five years old, graduating from Soldier High School in 1934, attending Waldorf College, graduating in 1936. She taught primary grades at Callender, Iowa. During the war years she joined ‘Rosie the Riveter’ at the Bomber plant, Omaha. In view of the death of her brother during the war and the shortage of teachers, Vivian came back to her folks and returned to teaching.

Harry and Vivian have been active in church and community affairs. Harry has been on the county board of directors of Extension Service, Farm Bureau, A.S.C., F.H.A., and the original board of Western Iowa Feeder Calf Association. Vivian was organist, SLCW Pres., 4-H leader, Sunday School teacher, Co. Farm Bureau Women’s Chairman, and Sec’y of Co. Farm Bureau Board.

Their children are Thomas Herbert, born June 14, 1951, Kathryn LeAnn, May 12, 1953, Dwight Richard (Dick), Dec. 20, 1956. All attended Soldier grade school and graduated from East Monona. All were baptized and confirmed in Soldier Lutheran Church, and attended Dana College, Blair, Nebraska.

Tom joined his Dad on the farm, later Dick joined them, now the boys have taken over the operation. Dick now lives on a farm in section 23, Center Township (Carl Wasmund farm). Dick is an avid sports fan.

Tom married Lisa Aronson, April 4, 1981. She is the third daughter of Lloyd and Carol Torgerson Aronson of Ute. Her birth date is May 10, 1961. She is a graduated of Charter Oak-Ute High School and Steward School of Hair Styling, operates her own beauty shop in Ute. They live on their own farm in Section 19, St. Clair Township.

The highlight of Kathryn’s 4-H years was demonstrating making lefse with Debbie Swenson at the State Fair, they called it ‘Lefty’s Lefse’ since they are both left-handed. Kathryn graduated from Dana College with a degree in Art Education in 1975, taught at Sheldon, Iowa before going to Minneapolis to teach. She married Paul Alan Kalmoe, son of Irvin and Audrey Hollenbeck Kalmoe, May 20, 1978. Since December 1980 they have operated a Super Valu store in Emmetsburg, Iowa.

The home farm has been in the Andersen family since 1900. Harry was born here and has lived here ever since. It has been his aim in life to improve the farm so it will be in better condition than when he began farming. We have fought to save the family farm as it is the foundation of American life.