Harry Rathbun Bachelder was born on the family farm south of Castalia, IA 9 Mar 1913 to Ward and Marne (Hunter) Bachelder. He had a sister Genevieve (m. Roy Schultz) and two half-siblings: Ralph Rathbun and Helen (Rathbun) West. Harry attended Castalia School and was baptized and confirmed in 1954 at Zion Lutheran Church, Castalia. On 12 Sep 1945 he married Arlette Mae Svendsen at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. To this union 4 children were born: Lyle, Dale, Leon and Terrie. All the children were born at the Smith Memorial Hospital in Decorah.

Arlette was born in Winneshiek Co. near Castalia 25 Feb 1929 to John and Anna (Mikkleson) Svendsen. She was one of 10 children: John (died in infancy), Art, Norman, Rueben, John, Esther, Lillie (Zweibohmer), Mildred (Breitsprecher) and Ellen (Thompson). Arlette attended Bloomfield School #8, was baptised at Stavanger Lutheran Church and confirmed at Zion Lutheran on 18 Apr 1943.

Harry and Arlette lived on the Samuel Hunter farm with Harry's mother and father until Ward and Marne moved to Castalia in 1956. They farmed and Harry hauled milk and was a substitute rural mail carrier. They also had a mink ranch for 21 years. In 1965 Harry had a serious heart attack. He retired and in 1969 they moved to Castalia and lived in the house where Ward and Marne had lived. They began collecting antique cars around 1965 and continued until 1972. They collected antiques and went to auctions. Both enjoyed helping make syrup and pancakes at Walden Pond in rural Castalia.

Harry died of a heart attack 15 Jan 1985 at Community Memorial Hospital in Postville. Arlette was known for her "green thumb". Her yard and spectacular geraniums were enjoyed by many. She was custodian at Zion Lutheran Church until 1991. Arlette enjoyed going to dances with her friends. She died of cancer 27 Oct 1991 at Winneshiek Co. Memorial Hospital. They are buried at Pleasant View Cemetery near Castalia.

Lyle John was born 18 Feb 1946. He attended Zion Lutheran Church and was confirmed in 1960. He attended Castalia School until the end of 6th grade, transferred to Postville and graduated in 1964. Lyle married Linda Stortz in 1966 and was divorced at a later date. They had 2 sons, Joel and Todd. Lyle worked for John Deere Co. in Minneapolis for 9 years and worked in the car business about 10 years, 5 years for Freeway Ford in Bloomington and 5 years for McCarthy Oldsmobile in Richfield, MN. He is currently living in Decorah and is a salesman at Decorah Auto Center, Inc. Lyle enjoys tennis, chess and biking.

Dale Lee was born 27 Mar 1949. He attended Zion Lutheran Church and was confirmed in 1967. He attended Castalia School until the end of 5th grade, finished at Postville and graduated in 1967. He married Paulette DeNucci in 1969 and divorced at a later date. They had 2 daughters: Kimberly Lynn (b. 2 Mar 1970) and Vicki Marie (b. 13 Dec 1971). He is currently married to Pamela (Callus) Bolden and lives in Maple Grove, MN. He works at Forward Technology in Plymouth. Dale has a grandson,

Michael Patrick (b. 27 July 1991) and 2 step-sons, Tony and Josh.

Leon Curtis was born 8 Dec 1950. He attended Zion Lutheran Church and was confirmed in 1965. He attended Castalia School until 2nd grade, transferred to Postville and graduated in 1969. He attended NIACC in Mason City for 2 years and then started working for Allamakee-Clayton Electric Co-op. (REC). In 1975 he married Sherry (Kolaas) Chapman. He had a step-son, Kamon Shane Chapman (b. 29 May 1972) who died in 1993 in a car accident. Leon and Sherry have 2 sons - Kelly Jon (b. 17 Nov 1976) and Korey Lee (b. 14 Jul 1980). They currently live in Decorah and own Decorah Auto Center and Postville Ford-Mercury. Leon enjoys snow-mobiling, boating and spending weekends at the river. Sherry enjoys reading, needle-work, and does volunteer work at the Hospital Gift Shop and with the WCMH Foundation Board.

Terrie Lynne was born 9 Jun 1957. She attended school at Postville and graduated in 1975. Terrie attended Zion Lutheran Church and was confirmed in 1971. She married Doyle Allen 17 Sep 1975 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville. They have a son Jonathon Ward (b. 8 Mar 1982). Terrie is employed at the U.S. Post Office in Postville and Doyle works for Allamakee-Clayton Elelctric Co-op. (REC). They enjoy collecting antiques, working on their house and camping. Terrie enjoys reading and cross-stich. Doyle is a pilot and is currently building an ultra-light. He hunts and enjoys woodcarving.

Bachelder, John and Bertha (Osmundson)

(Bernice Koenig)

John and Bertha Bachelder Granddaughter Bernice Bachelder

John Phillip Bachelder was born 22 Oct 1871 on a farm south of Castalia, IA, the son of George Washington and Cynthia (Barto) Bachelder. He married Bertha A.