Olaf and Hanora Amunson

AMUNSON, SEVERSON, CLEMON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/22/2015 at 13:06:14

Monona County History
1982

Olaf and Hanora Amunson, p 90

Olaf Amunson, deceased, a lifetime resident of Soldier Township, Monona county and the Soldier Community, Son of Arnt and Andrine (Severson) Amunson, immigrants of Urskog, Norway, in 1870, who was born on the farm east of Soldier, Section 21 on February 16, 1882 and passed away at the St. Joseph Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa on April 29, 1963. Olaf was baptized and confirmed in the Norwegian Lutheran Country Church, and was a very active member in worship service, as well as upkeep of the church properties. He was united in marriage on September 20, 1906 to Hanora Clemon, daughter of Martin and Adeline (Severson) Clemon at the Soldier South Church. To this union was born, six sons, Merrill, September 29, 1907; Lowell, January 17, 1911; Kermit, September 10, 1914; Clifferd, July 8, 1916; Leo, May 15, 1918; Milton, August 9, 1920 and 4 daughters, Verona, June 7, 1909; Evelyn, December 31, 1912, Elaine, November 28, 1923, Loreen, July 18, 1926.

Olaf was a very honest, hard working farmer and citizen who did his part in all community duties, church duties and faithful to his family. He was raised on the farm with his brothers and sisters Annie, Casper, Matilda, Amelia, and had two brothers who died in childhood, one as his parents were crossing the ocean, therefore being buried at sea and Alfred Wm. who died at the age of four years and was buried at the Soldier Lower Cemetery. In 1899 the Amunson home was hit by a cyclone destroying the farm house, and injuring Olaf and killing his father. He remained on the farm caring for his mother who passed away in 1925.

Olaf and Hanora continued on the 160 acre farm raising their family of ten, baptizing, confirming, and putting them all through High School. Besides grain farming, raising cattle, hogs, and chickens, Olaf owned a grain binder and a threshing machine which he and his sons used in doing custom work for other farmers, this supplementing the income. In World War II, four sons were in the Service, Merrill, Kermit, and Leo in the Army and Milton in the Navy. In 1944, Leo was wounded and died on Biak Island, this was a terrible shock to Olaf and Hanora. They decided to have a farm sale and retire, purchasing a house in Soldier. They rented the farm to their son Lowell and family and in 1948 when Lowell bought a farm of his own, rented to their son Clifferd and family, who bought the farm in 1960. In 1981 the farm, having been owned and operated by the same families for 100 years, was presented the ‘Century Farm Award’ at the Iowa State Fair at Des Moines, Iowa to Clifferd and LeOra Amunson who own the farm now.

Olaf and Hanora were very faithful to each other, and believed in God and in raising their family to be honest, hardworking, God fearing children. This they hoped to pass on to all generations of their families which is at this time; eight children, thirty-five grandchildren, and fifty-six great-grandchildren with two sons, one grandson, and two great-granddaughters deceased.