He was a member of the Iowa Reserve Law Officers Association for nearly twenty years, working for the Decorah Police Department and the Winneshiek Co. Sheriff’s Department for parades, football games, dances and when extra help was needed.

He has been a township trustee since the 1950's. In 1959 the trustees of Canoe, Decorah, Glenwood and Pleasant Twps. joined together and organized the Decorah Rural Fire Department, borrowing money to purchase a fire truck and tanker truck. A 1 1/2 mil tax was levied to repay the loan. A monetary agreement was made with the City of Decorah to house the trucks and provide firemen to operate the trucks. The elected township officers in 1959 from those townships were: Canoe Twp. — Leo McConnell, Stanley Vikesland, Clifford Vine and Howard Smith; Decorah Twp. — Clarence Jewell, Albert Womeldorf and Franklin Beard; Glenwood Twp. — Adolph Hagen, Millard Olson and Julian Johnson; Pleasant Twp. — Wallace Nordheim, G.T Haugen, Harry Stoskopf and Lester Amundson.

Smith, Norman and Luann (Gunhus)

(Norman Smith)

Back row: Ed Adrian, Luann Smith, Norm Smith and Tim Bleadorn. Middle row: Matthew Adrian, Debra Smith Adrian, Molly Adrian, Rhonda Smith Bleadorn and Alex Bleadorn. Front row: Michael Adrian and Nathan Bleadorn.

William Smith (1880-1849) and Elizabeth Bess (1807-1879) were the parents of nine children. Their first child William Bess Smith was great-grandfather to Norman Bernard Smith of Decorah, IA. William Bess Smith (b. 20 Apr 1818 in Canada - d. 22 Feb 1916 in Allamakee Co.) married Betsy Clark 20 May 1854. Betsy died 12 Apr 1896. William Bess and Betsy (Clark) Smith’s son Norman Bess Smith (b. 27 Oct 1859) married Gertrude Moyer 2 Aug 1896. Norman Bess and Gertrude (Moyer) Smith’s son, Loren Smith, was born 30 May 1898 and married Florence Mahoney in 1930. Florence died 4 May 1956. Loren and Florence had nine children: Norman Bernard; Mary Gertrude married Vernon Frana; Earl Edward married Eileen Barnes; Darlene Ann ) married Dennis F. Frana; Rita Marie (7 Oct 1937-14 May 1959); Kathryn Elizabeth married Carmen Hovden; Donald Joseph married Joyce C. Schissel; Karen Ellen married Harlon Maynard Dehning; and James Edward (Jul 1947-Jul 1947). (All the above information is from the book "The Smith Kids, A Family History of William Smith and Wife Elizabeth Bess and Descendants” compiled and written by Verna I. Smith Airy and Loren Airy.)

The Smiths were born in Canada or New York and left in the early 1800's. They spent some years in Marengo, IL where William Smith died. The widow, Elizabeth (Bess) Smith and nine children came to Volney, IA in Allamakee Co. Elizabeth married William Fitzgerald.

Norman Bernard Smith married Louise Ann “Luann" Gunhus 30 Dec 1953. Luann was born to Melvin and Grayce (Magnus) Gunhus of Ridgeway, IA. Melvin (8 Feb 1900-25 Jan 1970) was the son of Julius Gunhus (30 Sep 1869-29 Nov 1937) and Ingeborg Gunderson (21 Nov 1871-20 May 1949). Julius and Ingeborg were both immigrants from Norway. Grayce was born 26 Jun 1909 to Carl C. and Louise Tomena (Lundby) Magnus. Louise was born 23 Jan 1882 near Ridgeway, IA and died 24 Sep 1920. Her father was Charles Lundby. Carl was born 25 Mar 1872 in Norway and died 26 Sep 1952. Melvin and Grayce Gunhus had four daughters: Louise Ann “Luann” married Norman B. Smith 30 Dec 1953; Carol Jean married Warren Busse; Linda Kay  married Jerry Souhrada; and Sherry Renee married Lonnie Koster.

Norman and Luann have two daughters: Debra Louise and Rhonda Marie. Debra  married Edwin Adrian 9 Sep 1978. They adopted three Korean children: Michael, Matthew; and Molly. Rhonda  married Timothy Bleadorn 21 Nov 1987. They have two sons: Nathan and Alexander.

Norman Bernard was born in Waukon, IA. He lived in Volney for two years. At the age of four the family moved to Ludlow Twp. where he started school. When in the third grade, the family moved to Glenwood Twp. where he finished eighth grade. He quit high school after six weeks and left home to work on a farm when he was 13 years old. In Jun 1953 he was drafted into the Army and served at Ft. Hood, 1st Armored 13th Tank. He was a Recovery Chief and Assistant Motor Sergeant. He was discharged with the rank of Corporal.

Since then he was the Service Manager at the Ford Garage, then the Chevrolet Garage. In 1971 he became a partner with Bob Usgaard and formed Usgaard and Smith, Inc. They have a retail and wholesale business with lawn and garden and air-cooled engines. The wholesale business has continued to grow throughout northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota. The area is broken