He drove buses for the Decorah Schools for 22 years and has been a substitute driver for North Winneshiek School for about 3 years. At present he is on the U.S. Postal Decorah Area Advisory Council. He also worked for awhile at Standard Battery and Electric in Decorah.

Vernetta brought her mother into the Cline home and is still taking care of her. It is a big responsibility since her mother is almost 98 years old.

Coffeen, Alvaro “Roy” and Ida (Olson)

(Davis Coffeen)

Alvaro Roy Coffeen - “Roy" as he was known to everyone - was born 23 Nov 1889 and died 11 Oct 1970. He was the son of Hiram and Eleanor (Jewel) Coffeen of Decorah. Ray had one brother Hiram and one sister Ruth. He graduated as a chemical engineer from the State University of Iowa in 1912. Contrary to his degree, he went into business as a building and highway contractor. He built several of the buildings at Luther College. Roy’s firm constructed several bridges in Wisconsin, a major drainage structure for the Greater Pittsburgh Airport and bridges in Pennsylvania.

Roy married Ida Esadore Olson, of Decorah, 5 Jan 1916. They had 5 children: Davis (b. 1917), Charles (b. 1918), Hale (1922-1996), Helen and Peter. Davis and Hale received degrees from the State University of Iowa in engineering. Charles received a business degree from Luther, and Helen her BA degree from Luther. Peter received his BA degree from Cornell.

Davis and Charles worked with their father in the bridge building business for several years. Davis subsequently moved to Pennsylvania to operate a bridge building business there. Hale operated a statewide real estate development business in Arizona. The 2 older brothers are now retired. Helen raised a family of 5 children. Peter is in the advertising business in New York City. Davis is currently living in Kentucky and Florida. Charles continues to live in Decorah. Hale lived in Arizona, Helen in Wisconsin and Peter in Connecticut.

Davis, Charles and Hale served in the military during World War II, Davis in the Navy, Charles and Hale in the Army.

Cole, Duane and Wanda (Lensing)

(Duane and Wanda Cole)

Duane Cole was born to Arthur and Ardis (Wilder) Cole of Village Creek near Lansing, IA. He graduated from Waukon High School in 1969. Duane farmed with his father for several years, worked in construction, then as a well driller/pump serviceman and is now working as a custodian at South Winneshiek High School in Calmar.

Wanda was born to Roche and Marian (Reicks) Lensing of rural Calmar. She graduated from South Winneshiek High School in 1973. Wanda worked at the Reminder in Calmar. It later became the Calmar Courier. She was a child care provider in her home for several years and now works at the Decorah Newspapers.

Duane Cole Family

Duane and Wanda were married 16 Aug 1975 at St. Wenceslaus Church in Spillville. They lived near Decorah for 2 years, then built a house 3 1/2 miles north of Calmar on Hwy. 52. They moved there in Mar 1978. They have 4 children: Rochelle, Lindsey, Devin and Amber .

Coleman, Benjamin and Martha (Cox)

(Catherine McLain)

Benjamin Cyrus Coleman was born 25 Sep 1818 (perhaps in Pennsylvania). He married Isobel “Martha" Cox who was born 12 Apr 1820 in Mt. Vernon, OH. The Coxes were originally from Virginia. Benjamin and his family came to Iowa in 1864 in a covered wagon and settled in the southeast corner of Sec. 26, Bluffton Twp. Martha died 21 Feb 1893. Ben died 14 Feb 1911 in Pine River, MN. Both Ben and Martha are buried in the Burr Oak Cemetery, Burr Oak, IA.

Ben and Martha were the parents of Cyrus (19 Jul 1845-1861), Melissa (b. 2 Aug 1846), Mary (b. 19 Nov 1847), Rachel (20 Feb 1849-1 Apr 1942), Fredrick (20 Feb 1849-20 Feb 1850), David (27 Sep 1853-15 Dec 1936) and Sarah Catherine (7 May 1857-1927).

Melissa married Darius McIntyre 23 Apr 1866. They were the parents of Wells and Charles.

Mary married John S. Nipple 1 Mar 1868. They settled in Taneyville, MO.

Rachel married Everett Smalley 15 Feb 1874. They lived in Mabel, MN. Rachel had a number of children, including a daughter, June.

David married Dora Bunt 28 Oct 1883. They were the parents of Ben E., Nellie (m. a Forhan) and Bernice (m. a Young).

Sarah Catherine married John T McMullen 8 Dec 1880. They were the parents of twins John (d. 1907) and Martha (died at age of 2), William Adelbert "Del” (2 Jul 1885-1983), Mary, Sarah Catherine “Kate", Clara Mathilda and Minnie Emmaline (22 Feb 1895-4 Mar 1995).