Osmundson 22 Dec 1892. Bertha was the daughter of Orm and Ellen (Adsheim) Osmundson. Bertha was born 17 Oct 1868 near Ossian, IA.

John and Bertha farmed for a few years south of Castalia and then moved to Castalia and operated a restaurant for several years. They later operated a meat market. Later John became the janitor at the Castalia school and worked as a carpenter. John died 27 Apr 1937 and Bertha died 21 Oct 1952. They are buried in Pleasant View Cemetery at Castalia.

John and Bertha had 2 children - George and Earl.

George Orlene was born 14 Sep 1894 at Castalia. He married Stella Cail at Cedar Rapids, IA 4 Apr 1923. They had no children. George worked for the Rock Island Railroad as a station agent at Castalia until called into service in the first World War. He served overseas in France with the 339th Field Artillery Band. After the war he returned to work for the Rock Island Railroad at Cedar Rapids. George died 24 May 1925 and Stella died 13 Jun 1980. They are buried at Cedar Rapids.

Earl Chester Leslie was born 25 Aug 1899 at Castalia. He married Hattie Brandt 10 Jul 1923. Hattie was born 26 Apr 1901 at Castalia. Their children are: Bernice, Irene and George. Earl worked as station agent for the Rock Island Railroad 48 years before retiring 25 Aug 1964. Earl died 13 Mar 1971 and Hattie died 16 Aug 1967. They are buried in Pleasant View Cemetery, Castalia.

Bahr, Vernon and Donna (Haugen)

(Donna Bahr)

Vernon Herbert Bahr was born 7 May 1924 in Appleton, Wl to Herbert G. and Mary (Zimdars) Bahr. He attended rural country schools in Waupaca and Oconto Counties inWI and high schools in Argonne, Wl and lola, Wl, graduating in 1942. He was active in athletics throughout his school years. Following his discharge from the army after World War II Vernon “Bud’’ arrived on Luther’s campus Feb 1947. After graduating in May 1950 he attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and received an

M.S. degree in zoology in 1951. He then returned to Luther where he taught in the biology department.

Donna was born in Nordness, Winneshiek Co., IA 1 Sep 1932 to Thomas E. and Evelyn (Nelson) Haugen. She graduated from Decorah High School in 1950 and was especially active in the music programs. She then enrolled at Luther College, graduating in 1953 as an elementary major. Bud and Donna were married 15 Aug 1953. They lived in Lansing, IA where they taught and Bud also coached boys and girls basketball and baseball. In 1955 they returned to Decorah where Bud taught at Luther and the North Winneshiek and Decorah Public Schools. After leaving teaching he became a sales representative until his retirement. After the children were in school Donna returned to elementary teaching, at North Winneshiek as a music teacher for a few years and then at Decorah where she taught until retiring in 1994.

They had 4 children. Stephen David was born 21 Feb 1954 in Waukon, I A. Jan Marie was born 15 Sep 1955 in Decorah. Michelle Anne was born 16 Jan 1959 and Jacqueline ’Jackie” Patrice was born 12 Aug 1960, both in Davenport, IA.

Steve married Le Ann Wangsness and is a landscape architect in Minneapolis. Steve and Le Ann have 2 sons -Dane Thomas (b. 30 Jan 1983) and Jon Anders (b. 2 May 1986), both born in Minneapolis.

Jan married Erling Larson. She is an M.D. in family practice in Chesapeake, VA. They do not have children.

Michelle married Kevin Ruen. She is an elementary teacher in Brainerd, MN. They have 3 children. Richard "Rick” C. was born 18 Feb 1982 in Topeka, KS. Erica Nichole was born 7 Jun 1985 in Topeka. Michael Andrew was born 7 Nov 1990 in Brainerd.

Jackie married Loren Carlson. She is a large accounts sales executive with AT&T in Minneapolis. They have 2 children. Kaitlin Christine was born 4 Aug 1990. Nathaniel “Nate" Bahr Carlson was born 12 Feb 1993. Both children were born in Minneapolis

All four children graduated from Decorah High School. Steve and Jackie graduated from Iowa State University,

Bio Photo

Back row standing, left to right: Erling and Jan Larson, Jon, Steve, LeAnn and Dane Bahr and Rick Ruen. Front row seated, left to right: Loren, Kaitlin, Jackie and Nate Carlson, Vernon and Donna Bahr, Erica, Michelle and Michael Ruen.

B-3
Complete OCR transcription. See the associated scan to compare with the published information.

Please, contact the County Coordinator to submit additions or corrections.

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this page was last updated on Sunday, 28 March 2021