Johannes married Synneve Pedersdtr Dybevik 21 May 1875 at the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Winneshiek Co. Synneve was born 28 Jan 1852 near Fresvik, Sogn, Norway to Peder Johnson Dybevik (1814-1889) and Gjori Botaldsdtr Ottergjeld (1818-1916). Synneve came to America with her parents, 2 brothers and 3 sisters in 1861. They stopped first in Deerfield, Wl for a short time before traveling to the Sogn settlement southeast of Decorah. Sometime later Synneve’s family moved to Saudi, a Norwegian settlement south of Lawler, IA. Synneve remained in Decorah and did housework for some of the prominent families of that time until she married Johannes.

Johannes and Synneve Moen on their wedding day, May 21, 1875.

Johannes’s father bought 160 acres in Glenwood Twp. in Apr 1866. They built a log house first and then the barn. Both buildings are still standing as this is being written. Johannes bought the farm from his father in Apr 1876 a year after he and Synneve were married.

Johannes and Synneve were the parents of 9 children: Gustine (1876-1911); John (16 Nov 1877-26 Jan 1967); Albert (8 Nov 1879-24 Jul 1965); Minnie (Dec 1882-1938); Selma (Mar 1884-1917); Andrew (Sep 1886-1917); Carl (15 Mar 1889-6 Jun 1980); William (24 Aug 1891-16 Apr 1957); and August (29 Aug 1895-27 Oct 1944).

Johannes died 25 Aug 1916. Quoting a paragraph from his obituary in the Decorah Posten “He was a quiet, unassuming man who was always ready to help where there was need. He was interested in everything concerning the church and belonged to the United Norwegian Lutheran Church. He often served as a delegate in addition to performing many other duties connected with the parish."

Synneve died 25 Nov 1933. Charlotte Jacobson, one of her oldest grandchildren, wrote “So many things come to mind when I think of Grandma. I remember how we children thought her place was the most magical place; we always had to take a trip to see the cave and the spring. Then it was to go to the ‘spring house’ for the best water in the world! It seemed always that Grandma shared in our excitement and that she was always happy to see and feed her grandchildren. I remember the good homemade bread and sugar cookies that were on hand.”

Their son Carl told the story about Johannes’s friend B. Anundsen (the founder of the Decorah Posten) sending a case of beer along with Johannes when he was in town. The beer would be put in the cold spring water and Mr. Anundsen would bring some friends out on Sunday afternoon to enjoy some good cold beer.

Grandma Synneve would always knit mittens for her grandchildren at Christmas time and would often tell about going to school in Norway. She had lived on the side of the Sognefjord and went by boat to Leikanger on Monday mornings to attend school. After school on Friday she would return home by boat.

Moen, John and Christina (Lotvedt)

(LaVonne Moen Bjergum)

John 0. Moen was born in Military Twp., Winneshiek Co., IA 22 Apr 1875 to Ole and Bergit (Kittleson) Moen. Ole was born in Norway. John’s brothers and sisters were: George (21 Dec 1870-1960); Charles (9 Feb 1872-18 Apr 1950); Peter (14 Sep 1873-Jul 1953); Johan Johan” (22 Apr 1875-5 Feb 1964); Andrew (27 Oct 1876-27 Apr 1947; Ole (b. 23 Sep 1878); Johannas John” (26 Oct 1880-10 Nov 1954); Jena “Regina" (31 Mar 1883-16 Mar 1901); Agnes (18 Jun 1885-15 Aug 1885); Berten “Bert” (17 Jun 1887-2 Jun 1986); Clara Amelia (10 Jun 1889-7 Dec 1977); Gurena (17 Jul 1891 or 1892-19 Oct 1961); and Julius (27 Oct 1896-12 Jan 1988).

John married Anna Christina Lotvedt who was born 25 Sep 1879 in Military Twp., Winneshiek Co. to Aaste and Christian Lotvedt. Christian was born in 1840 in Hjelmeland, Norway and came to America in 1862. Aaste Kaase was born in Heddal, Norway 14 Apr 1840 and emigrated with her parents to America at age 21. Christian and Aaste were married 21 May or 6 Jun 1864. Aaste’s brothers and sisters were: Serina Elisabeth (22 Jan 1865); Ole (22 Sep 1866); Agathe (30 Dec 1868); Agathe (30 Oct 1870); Karine (3 Dec 1872-24 Dec 1872); Karoline (7 Dec 1873); Tilla Nalia (19 Mar 1876); Anne Kristine; Syvert Kornelius (6 Jul 1883); and Kristine Amalia (4 Aug 1888).

John and Anna were married 24 Feb 1898 at Stavanger Lutheran Church. They had 11 children: Amy Beatrice (b. 29 Oct 1898) Agnes Charlotte (b. 23 Jan 1900); Gladys Olive (12 Dec 1902-1 Jun 1972); Elmer Ernest (20 Dec 1904-15 Jun 1980); Lillian Stella (30 Apr 1906-18 Sep 1990); Geneva Alvina (b. 24 Jun 1908); Wilhelm Francis (b. 7 Oct 1910); Leo Orlando (26 Oct 1912); Angeline (b. 27 Oct 1914) Marcella Esther (b. 9 Jun 1919); and Walter Kenneth (b. 27 Jan 1921).

Amy was born in Military Twp. She married Harvey Buddenberg 9 Jan 1920 at Koren’s Parsonage near Washington Prairie Church. Harvey was born 27 Oct 1896 and died 31 Aug 1961. Amy and Harvey had 3 children: Ronald (30 Dec 1921-20 May 1993); Margaret; and Audrey. Agnes was born in Military Twp. She married Edwin F. Ginapp (19 Jun 1900-22 Feb 1987) 22 Dec 1920 at Evangelical Lutheran Church, Castalia, IA. Agnes and Edwin had 2 children. Iva Nell Darlene; and Judith Ann.