Iverson. Kaisawas born in Bogen, Varmland, Sweden 5 Dec 1857 and arrived via riverboat at Lansing, IA in the early 1800’s. Peter was born in Voss, Norway 15 Mar 1833. He emigrated to America and to Northeast Iowa approximately 1848. Peter spent 30 years in the gold fields in Colorado. When he returned from CO he met Kaisa. They were married 12 Nov 1880 by the Justice of Peace in Waukon, IA. Peter purchased a tract of land in Waterloo Twp. in 1879; it was here that Olaf was born. (This farm is now the Tahigwa Girl Scout Camp.) Peter died 17 Oct 1898 and Kaisa died 25 Nov 1939. They are buried at the Iowa River Cemetery.

Olaf married Elma Josephine Tweet 4 Apr 1917, daughter of Ole and Annie (Iverson) Tweet of Bryant, SD. Elma was born 30 Jun 1896.

Elma’s mother, Annie, was born in Voss, Norway on 24 Nov 1859 and emigrated to America when she was 4 years old. Ole O. Tweet was born 9 Jul 1858 in America. Ole and Annie were married in 1886 and settled on a farm near Bryant, SD. Ole died 9 Jul 1909 and Annie died 9 Mar 1937. They are buried at the Pleasant Cemetery near Bryant, SD.

Olaf and Elma farmed in Winneshiek Co. until 1936 when they bought the Stephen Iverson farm on the Iowa River in Hanover Twp., Allamakee Co. (near the Iverson bridge). They were the third generation of Iversons to live in the original log cabin. They were the parents of 8 children.

Harriet Emma born 5 Oct 1917, died at birth. Orville Palmer born 27 Mar 1919 married Bernice Nelson on 24 Jan 1959, daughter of Ole and Margaret (Osmundson) Nelson of Hanover Twp. (b. 21 Mar 1924). Orville farmed the home farm until his death 21 Aug 1978. He was buried in the Iowa River Cemetery. They had 3 children: Baby boy (b. 27 Dec 1959-buried in Iowa River Cemetery); Mary Kim (married Tom Brown) and Carol, both live in Phoenix, AZ.

Bio Photo

Olaf and Elma Iverson

Merton Arvid married Marcella Evelyn Gilbertson , on 18 Jun 1948, daughter of Paul and Luella (Johnson) Gilbertson of Waukon. He owned and operated Iverson Window & Awning in Decorah for 35 years. They are parents of 3 children: Larry Edmond, OK; Marilyn (m. Kevin Klooster), Parkersburg, IA and Randy Decorah. Eleanor Orris Jeanette married Clifford Ellingson (b. 10 May 1922) on 17 Jun 1946. He is the son of Anton and Ida (Hanson) Ellingson. Clifford sold insurance for Bankers Life (now Principal) in the Decorah area for 43 years. Clifford died suddenly 21 Oct 1990 and is buried in Iowa River Cemetery. They had 5 children: Joyce lives in Charles City, IA; Julie,  (m. Ron Moore) lives in Springfield, VA; Janie (m. John Smith) lives in Vienna, VA; Jeffrey  Decorah; Jean Battles Fairfax,VA; Twins, a boy and a girl, both died at birth; Florence Eileen (m. Cornell Thomas Schrandt) the son of Theodore and Magdalene (Giesing) Schrandt of Festina, IA on 6 Jun 1951. They farmed near Waterville and are parents of 2 children: Kathy (- m. Kenneth Pilgrim). She died 26 Mar 1988; Thomas Olaf (b. 13 Feb 1955) Indianola, IA; Cornell Thomas (d. 1 Jun 1992) and is buried in Iowa River Cemetery. Florence married a second time to Elvin Ranzenberger on 22 Apr 1994. Baby Boy Iverson (b.1934-d. at birth).

Elma died 23 Dec 1967 and Olaf died 3 May 1968. They are buried in the Iowa River Cemetery.

I-13
Partial OCR transcription, some sensitive personal information such as birth dates of people that maybe living is not included. See the associated scan to compare with the published information.

Please, contact the County Coordinator to submit additions or corrections.

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this page was last updated on Sunday, 28 March 2021