Paidar, LaVerne (Steele)

(Harriet Steele Fayne)

John Paidar and his wife LaVerne (Steele) Paidar

LaVerne Steele was born in Glenwood Twp, Winneshiek Co. to Harold R. and Amanda (Stegen) Steele. When she was little toys were scarce so in summer LaVerne Delores, her sister Juanita and their friends would make mud pies and decorate them with weed seeds and flower petals. LaVerne liked to crochet and embroider as pastime activities. She graduated from Decorah High School and then worked for an insurance company and later for Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids. She married John Paidar of Mechanicsville.

They built their home in Mechanicsville where they raised 3 children: Pamela, a graduate nurse; Valerie who graduated from Luther College and has her master's degree in English and design; and Dan who earned a degree in forestry and works in the Cedar Rapis area. LaVerne continues to be active in her church and community. She has learned to rosemal.

Palmer, Clair and Viola (Tieskotter)

(Gerald N. Johnson)

David Edward Palmer

David Clair Palmer was born in Elkader, IA16 Dec 1914 to Henry Raymond and Florence Elizabeth (Schroeder) Palmer. Florence was the daughter of Edward Heinrich and Mary Elizabeth (Clair) Schroeder of Postville, IA. Henry was the son of Ransford Burdette and Amelia (Knee) Palmer. Henry and Florence were married in Garnavillo, IA 9 Dec 1913. David, who used the name Clair most of his life, had 2 brothers and 2 sisters: Edward Burdette (b. 14 Mar 1916), Nina Florence (b. 17 Dec 1917), Mary Ellen (d. at age 3 months) and Ransford Burdette (b. 17 May 1924).

Clair married Viola Louise Tieskotter, daughter of William Bernard and Katherine Elizabeth (Busch) Tieskotter, on 15 Jun 1938. Clair and Viola had 9 children: Mary Ellen: Sharon, Daryl, Linda, Lois, James, Harlan, Kevin and David. Mary Ellen married Paul Joseph Farley of Waukon, IA 1 Jun 1957; Sharon Kav married Roman Hageman of St. Lucas, IA 2 Jan 1960; Daryl Clair married Dorothy Olive Parker of East Olympia, WA 25 Jun 1966; Linda Lou married Ronald Eugene Spry of South Bend, IN 30 Apr 1966 and later married Gerald Newhouse Johnson of Decorah 2 Jul 1983: Lois Jean married Richard John Matter of Decorah 24 Mar 1966; James Allen married Alice Marie Linderbaum of Castalia, IA 10 Mar 1973; Harlan Richard  married Diane Kay Foltz of Burr Oak, IA 27 May 1975; Kevin William married Shirley Ann Martin of East Olympia, WA 18 Nov 1978; and David Edward (29 Mar 1962-1 Oct 1978) died in an autombile accident.

Back row: Kevin William, Harlan Richard, Daryl Clair,Louis Jean Matter,
Mary Ellen Farley and James Allen.
Front row: Sharon Kay Hageman, Viola Palmer, David Clair and Linda (Spry) Johnson.

Clair worked as a farm laborer, worked for the WPA in 1940 and 1941, cut trees for the REA, worked for Texaco Oil Company, and worked as a home delivery man for Decorah Creamery (later owned by Wisconsin Dairies) for 12 years. After his father Henry passed away in 1957 the family farmed the home farm in Pleasant Twp. until 1973. During that period Clair sold seed corn for Funks G and received many sales awards.

Viola worked for Ronnie’s Cafe and the Springer Hotel Restaurant. In 1973 she and Clair purchased the cafe at 113 East Water Street in Decorah and renamed it Vi's Cafe. The restaurant served breakfast and lunch, opening at 6 A.M. and closing at 4 PM. It was well-known for its home cooked meals and home-made baked goods. The restaurant featured a cafeteria style serving counter,