Albert died 20 Mar 1920 and is buried at the Hillside Cemetery, Kerkhoven. In 1925 Josephine came to Decorah to join her daughters Violet and Daisy in selling embroidery work and millinery. She lived with her daughter Violet. She was an active member of Decorah Lutheran Church and in the community. Josephine died 12 Dec 1967 and is buried at the Hillside Cemetery in Kerkhoven beside her husband.

Amundson, Lester and Marcella (Naley)

(Marcella (Naley) Amundson)

Lester and Marcy Amundson and children: Sandra Kaye, Loren Eugene and Marilyn Jean.

Lester Eugene Amundson was born in 1926 at Decorah, the son of Albert and Ella (Helgeson) Amundson. Albert was born in 1868 at Decorah, the son of Tobias and Gjertina (Jenson) Amundson. He attended Valders Business School in Decorah. Albert’s daughter Ellen remembers her father as “a wonderful, understanding husband and father. People have always admired how we eight children were so closely knit as a family.” Albert farmed all of his life.

Albert and Ella Amundson, parents of Lester E. Amundson.

Albert first married Anna Traaen (1874-1914). They had 5 children: Gida, Thea, Theodore Alvin, James M. and

Alfred M. Amundson. After Anna’s death, Albert married Ella Gertrude Helgeson in 1915. Ella was born in 1894. Her parents were Peter and Nellie Marie (Bagne) Helgeson. Albert and Ella had 4 children: Goodwin Norman, Ellen Amanda, Thelma Orletta and Lester Eugene.

Ella is remembered as a very good cook and a wonderful mother.Albert died in 1947. Ella died in 1960 in Washington, DC. Both are buried at the Big Canoe Lutheran Church.

Lester married Marcella Naley 19 Nov 1948 at the Big Canoe Lutheran Church. Marcella Victoria Naley was born 12 Jul 1926 on a farm south of Kenneth, MN. Her parents were Alfred and Anna (Forde Nelson) Naley. Marcella attended the high school in Adrian, MN until her junior year (1943). Alfred and Anna then moved to a farm a couple of miles east of Big Canoe Lutheran Church. (Alfred and Anna both were originally from Winneshiek Co.) Marcella went to stay with her Aunt Emma (her father’s sister) in Oak Knoll, MN so she could finish high school in Hopkins, MN. The farm her parents bought - AnnaThorson's, greatgrandmother of Marcella (Naley) Amundson - was about 15 miles from Decorah and there was no school bus service from the farm to Decorah. Marcella graduated from Hopkins High School in 1944.

Lester and Marcella farmed on the Amundson family farm (the first place west of the Big Canoe Lutheran Church). They were the fourth generation of Amundsons on the farm. They raised beef, hogs, corn, oats and hay. Their son, Loren, now farms this land. The Amundson farm is now a Century Farm. Lester and Marcella had 3 children: Sandra Kaye, Loren Eugene and Marilyn Jean.

Lester died 5 Feb 1983.

Amundson, Violet

(Marcella Iverson)

Violet was born 1 Apr 1900 at Kerkhoven, MN (twin of Daisy Brandt), the daughter of Albert Andreason Bakkum Amundson and Josephine ‘Josie’’ Sophia Johnson. She attended the local schools in Kerkhoven and was confirmed at the Kerkhoven Lutheran Church by Rev. E.R. Wicks in 1916, the first class to be confirmed in English.

After Violet's father purchased a millinery store from Mrs. Skoge, which he moved into his jewelry and optical store, Violet worked there for some time. Later she worked at Bradshaw’s in Minneapolis where they made "pattern hats”—very exclusive—one of a kind hats. Later she was sent to Mason City, IA to manage the millinery depart-