Nelson, Halvor and Berit (Halverson Kjonnas)

(Gail Ode)

Halvor and Berit (Halverson Kjonnas) Nelson family

Halvor Nelson was born 9 Jun 1835 at Vang, Norway. He married Berit Halverson Kjonnas 26 Jul 1862 at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church. Halvor died 2 Apr 1913. Berit was born 9 Oct 1846 at East Telemarken, Norway and died 29 Jul 1936. Berit’s father was Halvor Halverson Kjonnas and her mother was Aslaug Borte of Norway.

Halvor and Berit farmed in Springfield Twp. They were the parents of 14 children: Mary (b. 1863) married Andrew Boe. They had 3 children: Eddie (b. 14 Nov 1892), Selmer (b. 20 Feb 1893) and Agnes (b. 23 Jan 1900). Nels (b. 1864) and his wife lived in Charles City, IA and were parents of Clarence, Walter, Clara and Hattie. Halvor (1865-1938) was never married. Anna married Bert Halverson. They were parents of Herbert, Alma, Hilda, Gladys, Alice and Walter and lived in Kenneth, MN. Gustav (5 May 1870-22 Dec 195_) married Sophie Garden and had one son, Howard. Christian and his wife had 2 children: Ella and Harold. Martin married Nettie Evenson. They were parents of Bernice and Howard and lived in ND. Gunhild died as a child. Christine (15 Dec 1879-1968) married Ed Winger (1872-1915). They had 4 children: Grace, Hazel, Ernest and Lester and lived in Decorah, IA. Clara Matilda (29 Apr 1886-5 Oct 1936) married Paul Ode 20 Jun 1909. They had 6 children: Gustave, Elsie, Henry, Walter, Rudolph and Lester. Another daughter, born with the same name. Gunhild (8 Jan 1882-22 Jun 1963) married Gust Winger. They were parents of Gertrude, Carsten, Helen and Lillian and lived in Decorah. Hilda (20 Jan 1884-1965) lived in LaCrosse, Wl and never married. Oliver (1881-1932) never married. Andrew (1888-1966) married Mabel Hove (7 Apr 1894-1969). They lived in Springfield Twp. and were parents of Mildred, Reuben, Clarence and Curtis.

Nelson, Harland and Corinne (Rye)

(Harland and Corinne Nelson)

Harland Stanley and Corinne Lois (Rye) Nelson, moved to Decorah in 1962 as he was to teach English at Luther College. Two of their children were born in Willimantic, CT: Hilary Mark and Sarah Marie. Catherine Louise was born at Winneshiek Co. Memorial Hospital.

Harland retired as professor of English at Luther College in 1992. He served one year as co-director of the Institute in American Studies for Scandinavian Educators and as director of the Consortium on Agriculture and World Hunger (1980-86). He took several leaves: to serve as Fulbright Professor in 1967-68 at the University of Bergen in Norway and in 1972-73 at the University of Innsbruck in Austria; to write a book in 1978 entitled Charles Dickens for the Twayne English Authors Series; and to be a visiting scholar in 1985 at the Victorian Studies Center in Leicester, England, Harland had previously taught at the universities of MO and CT; at Washington State University while earning a master’s degree, and at the University of MN while earning the Ph.D. degree.

Corinne retired in 1991 from the Luther College staff having served as assistant to the president 1970-72; as co-director of the Institute in American Studies for Scandinavian Educators 1973-74; on the Admissions Office staff 1974-78; and as grants officer in the Advancement Office 1979-1991. For the city of Decorah, she served several terms on both the Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Planning and Zoning Commission. A graduate of the University of MN, she worked in Minneapolis as an editorial assistant in the education and youth departments of The American Lutheran Church and for General Mills Mechanical Division.

Nelson family, 1979

Sarah, Hilary, Catherine, Harland and Corrine.

The Nelson children were baptized and confirmed at Decorah Lutheran Church where their parents have served in various activities, including Hariand's terms on the Luce-Bergeson Committee and Corinne’s year as the first woman president of the congregation. Hilary graduated from Luther College in 1982 with a degree in art, followed by a year’s graduate study at the University of IA. After several years in CA he moved to Madison, Wl where he continues in 1995 to work as a computer graphics artist. In May 1995 he married Ann Kirchmaier of Duluth, MN, a St. Olaf College graduate who is pursuing doctoral studies in oncology at the University of Wl. Sarah earned a B.A. degree from St. Olaf College in 1983 and an M.A. degree from the University of Wl-Madison, both in French. She is assistant professor of French at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME and is working on a dissertation for the Ph.D. degree from the University of Wl. Catherine worked for Graywolf Press in St. Paul following graduation from St. Olaf College in 1986 until her marriage to Michael Mizell in Jul 1990. She earned the M.A. degree in English from