while Eric and Mari lived in Calmar: Carl (b. 24 Apr 1884), Caroline (b. 19 Dec 1885), Emil (b. 11 Oct 1887), Ida (b.16 Nov 1889), Martin (b. 26 Oct 1891) and Clarence (b. 17 Oct 1894).

After living in Calmar for 14 years, Eric bought an 80 acre farm in Springfield Twp. from his brother Martin Borseth and moved his family there. He continued to work in Calmar to earn money to buy cattle while Mari and their oldest son, Edmund, ran the farm.

Two more children were born after Eric and Mari moved to the farm. They were Louis (b. 18 Aug 1897) and Gertrude (b. 7 Jan 1900).

The Borseth’s house burned in March 1902. They built a temporary shanty (partially of logs; partially of lumber) to live in until a new house was built. While the shanty was being built, Clarence stayed with his sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Jens Moe. The other children stayed with neighbors, Ole and Sophia (Estrem) Tollefson. Ole and Sophia had just been married.

In 1907 Eric bought a 160 acre farm from Ole Lomen. His son Emil remained on the original farm and Eric and Mari moved to the new farm. Mari died 26 Oct 1920. Eric rented his farm to his sons. He sold 40 acres to his daughter and son-in-law, Gertrude and Simon Stevens. They built a new house and Eric lived with them until he died 17 Apr 1932.

The following is a brief history of each of Eric and Mari’s children:

Mary married Jens Moe (b. 1 Jan 1871) in Feb 1899 at the Washington Prairie Church parsonage. They had 8 children: Myrtle, Jesley, Bertrum, Melvin, Selmer, Earl, Ethel and Lloyd. Mary and Jens farmed near Waukon, IA. Jens died 17 Jun 1939; Mary died 18 Apr 1943. Edmund married Ora Steele (b. 27 Jul 1880). They farmed in Glenwood Twp. In addition, Edmund did road work and Ora taught country school. They had 6 children: Mildred, Leona, Durward, Viola, Norma and Melvin. Ora died 18 Sep 1927; Edmund 2 Jun 1937. Carl married Ida Erickson (b. 28 Sep 1891). They farmed in Springfield Twp. Carl and Ida had 7 children: Sadie, Aria, Norman, Clifford, Merle, Stanley and Donald (6 Nov 1932-15 Nov 1932). Ida died 1 Jun 1944; Carl 19 Feb 1952. Caroline married Martin Haga (b. 6 Oct 1868). She had 5 step-children: Carl, Anna, Gena, Ralph and Marie. Caroline and Martin also raised Barbara, the daughter of Caroline’s brother Martin and his wife Ella. They farmed in Madison Twp. for a number of years and then moved to Decorah where Martin worked for the Horace Brickner Feed Store. Caroline was known as a great lefse maker. Martin died 18 Sep 1942; Caroline died 25 May 1979. Emil married Annie Benson (b. Nov 1883) from Cresco. They had 7 children: Elmer (1915-1915), Emmett, Alice (d. 1921 at age of 2), Agnes (d. 1923 at age of 2), twins Melvin and Marvin (d. 1935 at age of 9) and Irene. Emil and Annie farmed for his father for 3 years. He then moved to Cresco where he owned and operated a battery business. Annie died 14 Jan 1939. Emil then married Rosanna Borseth (b. 3 Jan 1899). Emil died 24 Sep 1961; Rosanna 23 Apr 1990. Ida married Even Peterson (b. 13 Dec 1871 in Madison Twp.). They had 7 children: Ruth, Esther, Elvin, Ove,

Inez, Lillian and Arlene. Ida and Even farmed in Madison Twp. They later moved to Decorah. Ida also was a great lefse maker. Even died 17 Apr 1940; Ida 26 Oct 1964. Martin married Ella Stevens (b. 21 Feb 1897, Glenwood Twp.). They had 6 children: Mahlon, Edwin, Thelma, Kenneth, Barbara and Russell. Martin and Ella farmed for a number of years and then moved to Decorah where Martin worked as a mechanic. Ella died 20 Aug 1941; Martin 8 Jan 1972. Clarence married Christina Myran (b. 31 Jul 1895, Madison Twp.). They had 5 children: Martha, Edith, Robert, Cicil and Clair. Clarence and Christina farmed in Madison Twp, Clarence died 14 Apr 1974. Christina presently is a resident of the Aase Haugen Home; she celebrated her 100th birthday 31 Jul 1995. Louis married Ella Anderson (b. 1 Jul 1900, Waukon). They had 6 children: Louis (ran a gas station in Waukon); Cecil (1920-1920); Marian (2 Jul 1922-7 Jan 1953); Robert (14 May 1924-16 Jun 1967); Lavon (2 Jun 1930-8 Jul 1948); Bette (b. 22 Mar 1928) and Gary (b. 4 Aug 1943). Louis died 4 Sep 1971. Louis died 4 Sep 1971 and Ella died 10 Nov 1955. Gertrude (or Gjertrude) married Simon Stevens (b. 29 Nov 1890, Glenwood Twp.). Simon worked for the A.R. Coffeen Construction Co. as a carpenter. They raised 2 sons of Gertrude’s brother, Martin: Kenneth (7 Jun 1928-17 Sep 1969) and Russell (12 Aug 1939-29 Jun 1969). Gertrude died 13 May 1988 at the Aase Haugen Home, Decorah.

Borseth, Ole Engebritson

(Fay (Borseth) Ward)

The following are the children of Ole Engebritson Borsethaug of Trondheim, Norway: Engebrit (b. 1849), Eric (b. 20 Jan 1855), Martin (b. 15 Mar 1861), Dorde (b. 10 Sep 1865), Ole (27 Dec 1868), Ingeborg and Christian (14 Jul 1875). Ole’s children who came to America changed the name to Borseth.

Engebrit married Hannah Schmedling of Trondheim. They remained in Norway. Engebrit died 19 Feb 1919. Eric - see separate story. Martin (or Martinus) married Anna Olsdtr. Ronning. Their children were: Ida, Oscar, Adolph, Emma, Iver, John, Olena and Olaf. Dorde married Asle Hagen (b. 28 Sep 1858). They came to America 15 Apr 1884. Their children were: Gust, Edward, Emil, Marie, Dena, Ida, Emma, Adolph and Ernest. Asle died 5 Dec 1920; Dorde 14 Nov 1948. Ole married Aaget (Spurley) Thompson. Aaget had 8 children by her first marriage and she and Ole had 2 more - Olaf and Eda. Ole died in 1960. Christian married Olga Victoria Wamstad (b. 22 Mar 1890). Their children were: Cora, Roy, Mildred, Edna, Hayward and Nina. Christian died in 1943; Olga in 1962.

Borseth, Robert and Ruth (Jerdee)

(Ruth Borseth)

Ruth Carolyn Jerdee, of Hayward, MN, came to Luther as a freshman in the fall of 1951. Robert Alden Borseth was drafted into the U.S. Marines in Sep 1951.

Ruth, the oldest child and daughter of John and Elvina (Trae) Jerdee, was born  at Naeve Hospital