1983 Saunders County History - Family Stories

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FAMILY STORIES


school at District #76, Weston High School, and Luther College at Wahoo, NE, where she was chosen Home Coming Queen in 1937. She taught rural schools at Dist. #81 and Dist. #58.

   After his separation from the Naval Reserve, Reuben and Marie moved to Wahoo, NE, where they lived with Reuben's widowed aunt, Frances Ruzicka, where their daughter, Judith Kay, was born in 1947. Reuben worked at the Wahoo Machine Shop during the winter months; in the summer he did custom baling. In the spring of 1948, they moved to the former Ed Elmelund farm, four miles south and two west of Wahoo, where they reside at present.

   Reuben spent eight years as motor grader operator on the roads of Stocking Precinct. He has served as school board member at School District #62, past president and board member of Saunders County Farm Bureau, served as director on the Saunders County Soil Conservation Service, and as a board member of the Lower Platte North Natural Resource District. He is a member of the Wahoo Lodge #99 Knights of Pythias and a board member of the Saunders County Historical Society. He also serves as sub Rural Carrier on Routes one and two out of the Wahoo Postoffice.

   Reuben and Marie are active in the Czech United Presbyterian Church of rural Wahoo. Marie has served 36 years as pianist and organist. She is a member of the Ladies Aid where she has held different offices, also in Sunday School, and is a past Youth Choir Director. Reuben has served as an Elder, offices in Sunday School, Semenec Fund Comm. Both are active in the Mariners where they have held various offices.

   They both enjoy collecting old things and some new. Reuben enjoys his woodworking, eating out, and occasional trips.

   Daughter Judy is married to Donald T. Proett. Reuben and Marie have two grandchildren, Andrew and Elizabeth.

RUDOLPH CAHA

   Rudolph Caha is one of eleven children born to Rudolph and Anna Pallas Caha. His maternal grandparents came from Czechoslovakia when his mother was 12 years old. His paternal grandparents and great-grandmother came from Czechoslovakia in 1875 and settled southwest of Wahoo. Rudy has lived in this same area most of his life.

   Since he was raised on a farm, it was only natural that he would want to farm, which he did for a few years after graduating from Wahoo High School. In the 1940's, he decided he wanted to try something other than farming. He entered the training program of the Nebraska Highway Patrol. He passed their tests and became a State Highway Patrolman. He enjoyed this for a time, but eventually they made him a radioman. Being a boy from the farm, he couldn't tolerate the confinement.

   He entered the trucking and corn shelling business and it was during this time that he met and married his wife, Gladys Stone Dale. She is from Mitchell, NE, spent a few years in David City, Nebr., and has lived in the Wahoo area since 1954. Rudy later adopted her two young sons, Charles and Jerald. A few years later, a daughter, Luann, was born.

   Rudy and Gladys went back to farming in the mid-1950's. Eventually, they built a new house on the farm doing much of the inside work themselves, with the help of other family members. The completion of this home was delayed because of a tornado that ripped through the area on May 22, 1966, leaving extensive damage to their farm.

   Rudy and Gladys are very active in their church, the Czech Presbyterian Church, of which Rudy is a lifelong member. They like to travel and enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren and visiting with good neighbors and friends.

MRS. THOMAS CAHA (ANNA
BEDNAR)

    Mrs. Thomas (Anna) Caha of Roznatin, Moravia was born in 1801 and was perhaps considered one of the oldest immigrants when she came to America. Being a widow and having lost a son, Frank, who disappeared abroad, presumably England, she accompanied her remaining son, Josef, and wife, Mary, with their two year old daughter, Frances, to America in May 1875. Later, in 1877, after having secured a foothold in the New World, Josef sent for his remaining sister in Czechoslovakia, Mary (Caha) Pokorny who came with her husband, Josef, and two sons, John and Frank. They later lived across the road from Josef. Surviving difficult pioneer times in a dugout and the raw prairie in the early carving of what is now Saunders county four miles west and two miles south of Wahoo, she also lived to be one of the oldest immigrants when she died at the age of 91. She is buried at the Czech Presbyterian Cemetery one mile southeast of their homestead.

Mrs. Thomas Caha
Mrs. Thomas Caha

ERNEST AND GLADYS CAJKA

   Ernest Edward Cajka was born on September 4, 1929 to John and Ludmilla Cajka near Wahoo. He attended District 23 and the Mead Public Schools, graduating in 1947. His brothers were Joseph and Tom.

Ernest Cajka Family, 1979
Ernest Cajka Family, 1979. L. to R.: Laurie, David, Elizabeth, Gladys, Ernest Sr., Julie, Ernest, and John.

   Gladys Masek was born near Prague on February 17, 1930 to William and Mary Masek. Her brothers and sisters were Leonard, Grace, Genevieve, Larry, and Georgianette. When Gladys was two, her parents moved to a farm south of Weston. She attended Dist. 99, where her teacher, Ruby Semenec, taught everyone to play the piano. Gladys graduated in 1946 from Weston High School. After attending UNL for a summer session, she began her first teaching job at Dist. 49 for $125 a month, teaching four pupils. In Dec., 1980, 34 years later, Gladys completed a B.S. Degree in El. Ed. at UNL.

   Ernest and Gladys were married on May 31, 1951 at St. John's Catholic Church, Weston by Fr. Otto Ekhaml. The night before the wedding four to six inches of rain fell over the county. The Wahoo Creek on the west edge of Wahoo was spilling over Highway 92. When the wedding party went to Wahoo to the photographer, they drove through axle-deep water. One of the cars became stalled in the water and had to be towed across. At this very spot a few minutes earlier, a car had been swept off the road and partially submerged in the ditch. That evening, a tornado destroyed the garage and henhouse on their farmyard. The wedding dance was canceled because the dance band was stranded by high water. A day to remember!

   The Cajkas had six children, all born at Fremont. They all attended St. Wenceslaus Church and School and Neumann High, participating in the usual school activities of sports, band, chorus, play, etc. and were active in 4-H clubs for many years.

   David, born Mar. 27, 1952, works at Hormel Packing Plant and lives in Wahoo. Laurie, born Aug. 14, 1953, married Pat Loughney of Red Lodge, Montana. They operate a leather goods shop in Helena, Montana. Elizabeth, born Nov. 19, 1955, resides in Omaha and is doing graduate work at UNO. John, born Nov. 5, 1956, spent 7 years as a U.S. Army air traffic controller at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He earned his pilot's license in April, 1983. Julie, Oct. 14, 1960 resides in Lincoln and works at Lincoln General Hospital. Ernest, the youngest, born August 26, 1962 was a sophomore member of the Neumann High Football team that won the State Class C-1 Championship in 1977. He is a part-time student at UNL and grocery store checker.

   Ernest and Gladys farmed east of Wahoo until October, 1969, when they moved to Wahoo. Gladys returned to teaching and Ernest worked for a time at John Deere Implement. He has been at Valmont Industries for 12 years.

   Ernest is an usher at St. Wenceslaus Church and belongs to the Eagles and Knights of Columbus. Gladys was a 4-H leader for 17 years and is a member of St. Ludmilla's Guild, the P.C.C.W. and the senior choir at church. She is the family stories chairman of the Saunders County History Book. She enjoys working on family histories. For two years, they have corresponded with Ernest's aunt and cousin in Czechoslovakia.

   Not unlike their ancestors who immigrated from Czechoslovakia, the Cajkas have witnessed many events. They were children during the depression, teens during WW II, newlyweds during the Korean War, and parents of teens during the Vietnam War. They watched the development of helicopters, jet planes, television, space travel, and computers. They survived the assassination of a president, rock and roll, anti-establishment movements, mini-skirts and disco music. By Gladys Cajka

JOHN AND LUDMILLA CAJKA

   John Cajka was born on March 30, 1893 in Velka, a small village in the Moravian section of Czechoslovakia. His parents were Jan and Katerina Tomcaly Cajka. When John was 15, he immigrated to the United States to join his older brother, Frank, who was a tailor for a time in Wahoo, and, later, in Omaha. John stayed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for 2 years, working in a factory. He traveled by train to Saunders County, and spent the next few years working for farmers.

   On April 19, 1920, John and Ludmilla Styskal were married at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Wahoo. They had a double wedding with Ludmilla's sister, Frances, who married Joeseph Konecky.

   Ludmilla (Millie), born November 2, 1894 near Wahoo, was the daughter of John and Antonia Albert Styskal. Millie spent several years working for different families in Wahoo as a "hired girl." Among those were the Goods and the Frushes.

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   John and Millie had three sons. Joseph of Fremont was born February 24, 1925. He spent four years in the U.S. Navy during WW II. On Oct. 1, 1949, he married Dorothy Anne Maly of Weston. Their children are Linda, Connie, Terri, Barbie, and Mary Jo.

   Ernest, the second son, married Gladys Masek of Weston. They have six children, David, Laurie Loughney, Elizabeth, John, Julie, and Ernest. (See Ernest Cajka Story.)

   The third son, Tom of El Cajon, California, was born on Nov. 15, 1930. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1951-55. He married Carol Kendall of El Cajon. They have 2 daughters, 2 sons, and 6 grandchildren. They are Jeanette Nansel, Debbie Swanson, Tim, and Tom. The grandchildren are Jennifer and Jason Nansel, and Kristie, Tracy, Stacey and Trisha Swanson.

   John learned to speak and read English with his wife's help. He farmed in the Wahoo area all of his life. Millie was well-known for her hospitality, always having kolaches and coffee ready. Her grandchildren remember the hundreds of popsicles, apple strudel, and the Sunday dinners. She also enjoyed crocheting.

   John and Millie were members of the St. Wenceslaus Church. John was a member of the Catholic Workman. Millie was a member of St. Ludmilla's Guild, the Rosary Society, and the P.C.C.W.

   They retired to Wahoo in 1966. John died on August 22, 1967. Millie died on June 22, 1978. They are buried in the St. Francis Cemetery, Wahoo.

ALEXANDER ROSS CAMERON

   A. Ross Cameron was born on a farm near Waverly, Nebraska on October 23, 1882 to Hugh Cameron (a native of Edinbugh, Scotland coming to this country in 1873) and Ida Evans of Ohio (coming to Nebraska with her parents in 1871). They were married in Nebraska in September, 1876. Ross acquired his education in the common school of the state in a one-room school at Pleasant Valley, which was near his home. Ross was engaged in farming with his father, and also had land in Antelope County. Later, he moved to Saunders County, 3½ miles east of Ceresco in Richardland Precinct. Ross was married to Hulda Oberg in Lincoln, Nebraska on September 28, 1904, and to this union were born seven children. Oliver was united in marriage to Mildred Johnson and they had two daughters. Oliver died January 4, 1965. Alta is the wife of Wallace Whitten and they have four daughters. Laverna is the wife of Ralph Burnett and they have two children. Leonard married Alice Messinger and they had two daughters. He was divorced and then married Fern Schreiber and they had one son. Pearl is the wife of Vernon McMullen and they have four children. Donald married Ardith Mook and they had two daughters. Ardith died October 12, 1952, and he then married Wilma Nelson; Clifford married Ruth Grigsby. They had three children and are residing in Portland, Oregon. The rest of the family all reside in Nebraska.

A. Ross Cameron and wife
A. Ross Cameron and wife

   Hulda Oberg's parents were natives of Malmo, Sweden, and they came to Chicago, Illinois six weeks after which Hulda was born on September 20, 1884. They came to Ceresco, Saunders County in 1885. Mr. Oberg built one of the first houses in Ceresco, moved to a farm southeast of there, and later, moved back into town where he had his own blacksmith shop and remained until his death.

   Ross was a member of the District 45 Pleasant Hill School Board for several years. All of the children attended and all later graduated from the Ceresco High School. Hulda died after a lingering illness on January 1, 1926. Ross was a successful farmer and felt his success was noteworthy since he was a self-made man and, throughout his life, he depended entirely upon his own efforts. He supported the Republican Party and believed in helping his neighbors, always considering the rights of others. Ross was married a second time to Anna Carlson on March 12, 1936. They remained on the farm until his death on June 30, 1965. The farm was then sold in 1966 as there was no one in the family to take it over. Anna went to be with her son, Floyd Wallen, in Seattle, Washington, until her death on April 13, 1968. Submitted by Alta Whitten

JOHN AND ELLEN CAREY

   Over one hundred years ago, my great-grandparents, John and Ellen Trainor Carey, were pioneer settlers of Saunders County in Pohoco Township.

John and Ellen Carey
John and Ellen Carey

   John's father, Patrick Carey, was born in 1796 in Ireland and immigrated to Utica, New York, in 1827, where he married Catherine Flannigan and where John Carey was born.

   The Carey family moved to Kitley Corners, (now called Toledo), Ontario, Canada, in the 1830's. John married Ellen Trainor in Toledo, Ontario, in 1860. John thought of moving to Nebraska after reading a pamphlet in a barber shop. The title was, "Guide to the New Gold Region, Western Kansas and Nebraska," published in 1859. John didn't feel it was a gold region but remembered the pamphlet when his cousins, the McGuires, moved to Nebraska.

   John and Ellen and their children, Katherine, Daniel, Mary, Patrick James and John Joseph (twin boys had died at birth) left their home by sleigh, then took a steamboat across the St. Lawrence River and a train from Carthage, New York to Chicago, and on to Fremont. They then had the ordeal of crossing the Platte River by ferry, which was so heavily loaded it stuck on a sandbar. But finally they arrived in Saunders County, just outside the Platte Valley and in a more rolling country. Nebraska had been a state for just four years, and the capital was in Omaha.

   John and Helen had $200 in cash and rented 80 acres of land with a one-room house. John bought a yoke of oxen and a cow named Blackie that he said was "one of the most evil-hearted critters he had ever come across."

   Ellen stood in the doorway of the one-room house, looking out at the prairie, feeling totally discouraged and lost. "How foolish I was to think it would be so green. It is simply desolation, there are Indians to be afraid of, there is no one to talk to, there are no trees just a great stretch of prairie."

   Kate and Dan started to school, taught by a Miss Katie Thompson. To those two children, it was wonderful. Nothing could equal it. They listened and absorbed everything she said.

   Crops were good the first two years, and John bought 80 acres of school land. A school was built, known as Carey School. It was across the road, west of the Carey house, and all of the Carey children went to school there. When Kate was seventeen, she taught her first year in the Carey school; and each child taught there for at least one year.

   For John and Ellen, the most important thing for their children was first, religion, then education.

   The family spent many hours planting a grove of trees, mainly cottonwoods, north of the house. It was to become a meeting place for political gatherings and school picnics. William Jennings Bryan spoke there at a political rally. Stripped and nearly destroyed in 1874 by locusts, it came out with leaves thicker than ever the next spring.

   In 1877, a number of Saunders County volunteers, including John Carey, left for the White River Country near the Dakota border to fight the Sioux Indian tribes, memorable because their determined stand caused the tribe to surrender. The men came back to their homes with no casualties.

   The Ehricke, Fouquet, Kinney, Wild, Moore, Harms, Serene, Thompson and Davis families were all near neighbors. While they gave him sage advice, John was able to pass on to them his gay, humorous, generous approach to life. These neighbors became his lifelong friends.

   Four more children were born to John and Ellen in Saunders County: Christopher, Margaret (Maggie), Bridget Josephine (Josie), and Anna.

   John's older brother, Patrick, and his wife, Mary Healy, moved from Canada and bought a farm about six miles from John and Ellen.

   Katherine went to high school in Wahoo and taught for six years. She married William McIlfred. Daniel was one of the early students at Fremont Normal and studied law with Judge Gray. He married Martha Quinn. Mary married John Howard. Patrick married Mary Ebling and began his studies in a lawyer's office in Wahoo.

   John Joseph attended Fremont Normal and married Martha Carraher. When John graduated, he was offered a teaching position at Fremont Normal and taught English and business administration for several years. During this time, he wrote a book, Plain Facts in English Grammar, which was used extensively in Nebraska schools.

   John and Martha moved to Petersburg, Nebraska, where he engaged in banking and newspaper publishing. They had four children: Patrick, Flavian, Miriam and Madonna. Patrick married Katherine Brady, and they had three daughters: Ann, Helen and Mary. Helen married Duane Krause, M.D., who began practicing medicine in Fremont in 1973 and consulting at Saunders County Hospital, Wahoo, in 1982. They have four sons: Timothy, Michael, Paul and Thomas.

   Christopher, after teaching several years, returned to the farm and married Julia McManamann. Margaret completed her education at a Lincoln convent and married Eugene Boyle. Their grandson Mike Boyle, is now mayor of Omaha. Bridget (Josie) taught school several years and also worked in the Fremont office of Judge Briggs and then went to nursing school. Josie was the last member of the family to die. She died in Fremont on September 9, 1955.

   Anna taught in the Fremont city schools for several years. She married Frank Carraher and moved to Petersburg. She did considerable writing of both poetry and short stories. She contributed regularly to several magazines. The Yearbook of the Nebraska Federation of Women's Clubs carried some of her poems for several years. Her grandson, Rev. Frank Lordemann, was associate pastor at St. Patrick's Church in Fremont in the 1970's.

   John and Ellen retired from farming in 1900 and moved to 830 North Union in Fremont. John died on October 19, 1903, as a result of injuries from the kick of a horse in a barn at his home. The October 23, 1903, issue of the Fremont Tribune reported that "The Carey family has long enjoyed the greatest measure of respect and esteem in Saunders County.

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The deceased was noted for his generous impulses and his readiness to be of service to his fellows, and these traits are likewise possessed by his wife and children."

   Ellen Trainor Carey died in Fremont on January 17, 1909. The January 20, 1909, Fremont Tribune stated that, "Mrs. Carey was known to her many friends as a woman of the kindest and outspoken charity. During her residence in Saunders County and Fremont, the sick and needy seldom escaped her attention. This, combined with a lovable disposition, made her popular with her friends and revered by her children."

   My data is from a history compiled by M.C. Jones. Historical dates and data are from History of Nebraska by the late Addison Sheldon of the Nebraska State Historical Society, and the Fremont Tribune. By Helen Carey Krause

CARLSON

   Although none of the four children or seventeen grandchildren of our parents, Louis and Edla (Anderson) Carlson, now resides in Saunders County, the name itself brings nostalgia and fond memories, for, counting our grandchildren's generation, seven generations of our family have had roots there.

   Louis Eric Carlson, the namesake of his paternal grandfather, was the first born of eight children to Charles and Katie (Thomsen) Carlson. He was born in 1895 on a farm near Valparaiso and had a Valparaiso address all of his eighty-three years. Both paternal and maternal grandparents were Scandinavian immigrants to Saunders County: Louis and Emma (Westergren) Carlson from Sweden, who originally settled in Iowa before coming to Nebraska with their five children; and Laust and Metta (Jensen-Hattens) Thomsen who came from Varde, Denmark with their family, and Metta's father, Nels Jensen. Charles and Katie Carlson met and married in Valparaiso and celebrated their seventieth wedding anniversary in 1974 with many of their relatives present. Grandma Katie would have been delighted to know that her two youngest great, great-granddaughters share her name: Katie Meyer of Minneapolis and Kate Hunzeker of Lincoln.

   Edla Marie Anderson was born in Colon, Nebraska in 1896, the daughter of John (Bask) Anderson and Sophis (Ollson) Anderson who married in Mead in 1886 after coming from Upsala and Varmland, Sweden, respectively. They reared their family of six in the Mead area and family farm is now owned and farmed by a grandson, Kenneth Anderson. They had sixty-one years of marriage together. Sophia's mother, Anna Ollson, and her sister also came to Saunders County, as did John's brother who resided in the Ceresco area many years.

   Edla received her teacher's certificate in 1914 and came to Valparaiso to teach in the Rose Hill district rural school. She met Louis, then, for his brothers and sisters attended the school -- the same school where their own four children subsequently attended and where their eldest daughter also taught. Memories are all that remain of Rose Hill for the district was consolidated in the Fifties, and the site is now a farm field.

   In 1940, the Louis Carlsons bought an acreage on the outskirts of Valparaiso, and that is the bit of Saunders County our children hold most dear. The visits to Grandpa's house with hay bales to climb, apples to pick, eggs to gather, a trap for skeet shooting, a tractor to help drive, and overall, an abundant love to give a real sense of belonging were highlights to all. To us and our children -- Jack and Arlene (Carlson) Chaplin, Stephen, Annette Lindstrom, Wanda Meyer, Paul and Peter; Clarence and Lois (Carlson) Lefler, Anita Tashchian, Meriel Mellor, Janet Richman, John, James and Amy; Eugene and Ilah (Carlson) Harmony, Paul, and Ruth Hunzeker; and Vaughn and Joanne (Wilson) Carlson, Mark, Melanie, Nicholas, and Craig -- Saunders County is special. Written by Arlene Chaplin and submitted by the 4 children of Louis anal Edla Carlson

C.J. AND SOPHIA CARLSON

   Carl Jacob Carlson was born in Ostergötland, Sweden, in 1830. In 1851, he married Sophie Lundgren who was born in 1827 in Ostergötland, Sweden. They came to America in 1868, living one year in Illinois before homesteading 2 miles south and 1 mile east of present-day Mead. Mr. Carlson farmed and also worked for the town government for a time.

   Mrs. Carlson played an important part in the community, that of a mid-wife. She found there was a need for someone who could help the settler mothers at the time of childbirth, so she sent to Chicago for books and materials and assumed this responsibility. She proved herself to be a real help and comfort, and served many pioneer families without asking payment.

   C.J. and Sophia had 6 children, all born in Östergötland, Sweden. Two children died in infancy and the other children were Carl Edoff, Matilda, Amanda, and Charlotte. Carl married Augusta Falk and had 3 sons -- Paul, Joel and Enoch. After Augusta's death he married Selma Anderson, and they had 5 children -- Dena (Johnson), Judith (Polson), Hiram, Esther (Anderson), and Luke. Matilda married Victor Anderson and they had 12 children -- Ellen (Johnson), Oscar, Carl, Joseph, David Vikner, Philip, Hulda, Godfrey, twins Hilda and Lily, Ruth, and Esther. Amanda married Christian Magley and they had 10 children -- Julius, Ruth (Johnson), Joshua (Joe), Esther (Christensen), Phoebe (Whitney), Aaron, Ruby (Richards), Seth, Florence (Bergstrom) and Frances (Christensen). After Mr. Magley's death, Amanda married Lewis E. Lund. Charlotte married Carl Berg. They had 6 children: Emma (Paulson), Harry, Ellen (Josephson), Edward, Laura (Guyer), and Elmer.

   Mr. Carlson died in 1912 and Mrs. Carlson in 1922. Submitted by Genevieve Hilfiker

CONRAD CARLSON

   The parents of Conrad Carlson, Jon Fredrik Karlson and Stena Jacobson Karlson lived in Varmland, Sweden. Hilda, Conrad and Hedvig were born here. Jobs were scarce, so Jon Fredrick took his family to Slemestad, Norway, where he had found employment at a cement factory. The family increased in number, with the birth of Oscar, Cecil, Helga, Anna, Dagne, Frieda and Alf.

Conrad and Lillie Carlson, 1927
Conrad and Lillie Carlson, 1927

   At 14 years of age, Conrad and Hilda, 16, left their family, friends and homeland, for the "Land of Opportunity", the U.S. of America. They came to an aunt and uncle, Frank and Mary Edvall, who were farming in the Colon area. Later, Oscar, Helga (Mrs. Tom Berg), and Frieda (Mrs. Otto Akerson) also came to this area.

   Conrad and Esther Olson of Wahoo were married in 1916. To this union, a son, Cecil, was born, Feb. 24, 1917. Esther died on Cecil's 2nd birthday, in a severe flu epidemic which swept the country after W.W. I.

   In July of 1922, Conrad purchased 80 acres from Charlie Davis, for $16,000. This farm is 3 miles east and 1½ north of Colon. Dad was always grateful to Mr. Davis, who offered him the opportunity to delay payments on the land during the depression years.

   On January 26, 1927, Con married Lillie Magnuson, daughter of Gust and Hilda (Helgren) Magnuson, of Loma, Ne. Two of Lillie's sisters are living in Saunders Co., Minnie Noble in Wahoo and Mable Nelson in Valparaiso. Ethyl lives in Bellevue and Myrtle in Albany, California. A sister, Hattie, and two brothers, Will and Charles, are deceased. On October 30, 1927, a daughter, LaVerne, was born. On Easter Sunday morning in 1935, Lillie died, leaving Con to again assume the duties of both father and mother.

   During W.W. II, Cecil served in Co. K, 7th Inf., which took part in the invasion of N. Africa and Sicily. He died on the battlefield at Salerno, Italy.

   In 1954, Oscar and Conrad enjoyed a visit with their family in Norway, where Conrad met his youngest brother, Alf, for the first time. Their sister, Anna, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, was also there to greet them. In the spring of 1959, Oscar and Conrad were laid to rest in the Marietta Presbyterian Cemetery.

   In 1948, LaVerne and Leslie Hilgenkamp from Arlington, were married in the Marietta Presbyterian church by Rev. J.M. Brown. They are residing on this same farm. A son, Dan, was born in 1951. He is living and working in Oklahoma City, as an engineer for Demco, Inc. David was born in 1955. He lives in Fremont, and farms with his dad. They also have a farrow to finish operation. Submitted by La Verne Hilgenkamp

KENNETH A. CARLSON FAMILY

   Kenneth was born Feb. 27, 1922 at Swedeburg, Nebraska to Edgar and Minnie Carlson. Charlie Edgar Carlson was the son of Andrew and Elna Carlson and Minnie (Wilhelmina Sabina) was the daughter of Andrew and Sophie Anderson, all of the Swedeburg and Wahoo area.

   Kenneth had one sister, Mrs. Glen (Phyllis) Nelson, who was killed in an auto accident in 1951.

   Kenneth attended grade school in District #48, east of Swedeburg. He attended High School in Ceresco. The Swedeburg Covenant Church has been the church home for the Carlson and Anderson families since its beginning. Kenneth's father passed away in 1937, and his mother passed away in 1978.

   In 1962, Kenneth was marred to Marian Anderson of Lowry, Minn. They have three sons, Larry, Kevin and Brian, and two daughters, Sharon and Lori. They all attend the Wahoo Public Schools, except Larry, who is a student at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

   Kenneth and Marian and family live on a farm west of Swedeburg. Kenneth has been a mail carrier in Wahoo since 1959.

   Marian was born in 1932 at Farwell, Minn. Her parents were Oscar and Annie Anderson who have both passed away. A brother, Leonard Anderson, is living in the Swedeburg area.

MRS. VICTOR CARLSON FAMILY

   Rose Kudrna Carlson was the oldest child of Joe and Anna Kudrna, born in July, 1900 at Wahoo. Her father came from Moravia, Czechoslovakia at the age of seven. Her mother was Anna Tejral. Rose had eight brothers and sisters. Her parents and two brothers are deceased. Brothers are Frank of Hay Springs, Ed of Leshara, and Lloyd of Leigh, Nebraska. The sisters are Mae Thulin of Fremont, Lillian Carlson of Yutan, and Sylvia Ross of Seattle, Washington.

   Rose married Victor Carlson of Omaha in August, 1920. His mother was Anna Erickson Carlson. His father was Carl Carlson. Both came from Uppsala, Sweden. Victor had one brother, Elmer, who is deceased. Victor was born and raised in Omaha, but became a farmer, first living at

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