Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Walter "Bud" WILLIAMS and Family


Verna and Bud WILLIAMS. Retirement party (May 1986). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.


Bud WILLIAMS family (1988). Front row: Bud and Verna. Back row: Faye and Scott.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Ardella (WILLIAMS) Rehling and Family


Ardella WILLIAMS Rehling Family (c. 1951). Back row: Ida, Ardella holding Dennis Rehling. Seated: Doreen Rehling.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Paul WILLIAMS Children Later Years


Paul WILLIAMS family reunion (1982). Front row: Lillian, Beatrice, Wallace. Back row: Clifford, Clarence, "Bud," Phylis. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.


Paul WILLIAMS family reunion (1988). Front row: Phylis Rehling, Lillian Fossum. Back row: Bud, Clifford, and Wallace WILLIAMS. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Descendants of Paul R. WILLIAMS (1877-1935)


Paul R. WILLIAMS Descendants chart, p. 1. Image courtesy of Williams Family Pages.


Paul R. WILLIAMS Descendants chart, p. 2. Image courtesy of Williams Family Pages.


Paul R. WILLIAMS Descendants chart, p. 3. Image courtesy of Williams Family Pages.


Paul R. WILLIAMS Descendants chart, p. 4. Image courtesy of Williams Family Pages.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Albert WILLIAMS


Albert WILLIAMS (c. 1914). Original image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Information on Albert WILLIAMS and his family will eventually be found in A Huseby Blog.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Johan Wilhelm WILLIAMS (1884-1972)


John W. WILLIAMS (Decorah, IA: Solberg, nd). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Obituary: John W. WILLIAMS


Obituary. John W. WILLIAMS. Decorah Journal (24 Aug 1972), p. 3, col. 5. Image courtesy Verla Williams.

John Williams, Life-Long County Resident, Dies

Funeral services for John W. Williams of Decorah were held Wednesday, Aug. 23 at First Lutheran Church. Mr. Williams, who was a retired stone mason and bricklayer, died August 21 at the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital at the age of 87. He was a life-long resident of Glenwood Township and Decorah.

Pastor Dell C. Olson conducted final rites at the church and the Lutheran Cemetery. Pallbearers were Vincent Williams, Ervin Williams, Merlin Williams, Norris Williams, Carlton Faterlie [sic] and Peter Diederich.

Mrs. Wm. Kuhlman was organist and accompanied the congregation as they sang hymns. Funeral arrangements were made by Olson Fjelstul Funeral Home.

Mr. Williams is survived by three brothers, George, Alfred and Walter, all of Decorah, and three sisters, Mrs. Myrtle Riste, Mrs. Nellie Fagerlie and Mrs. Helmer Spilde, all of Decorah.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Sigvart and Mathilda Williams and five brothers.

John W. Williams was born August 8, 1884 in Glenwood Township where he attended rural schools. He was a member of First Lutheran Church.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Leonard and Olga WILLIAMS


Leonard and Olga (Moen) WILLIAMS (Decorah, IA: Solberg, 1911). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Leonard Williams Family (1914)


Leonard Williams family (1914). Detail of Sigvart Williams' family at 302 E. Broadway, Decorah, IA. From left: Glendon and Milton are seated on Leonard and Olga's laps. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Obituary: Leonard M. WILLIAMS


Obituary. Leonard M. Williams. Decorah Journal (6 Jun 1963). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Leonard Williams Dies; Services To Be Friday

Leonard M. Williams, 76, 509 E. Main St., retired plumber, died June 4, at Smith Memorial Hospital.

Survivors include his wife, the former Miss Olga Moen whom he married March 30, 1911 at Glenwood Lutheran Church; and two sons, Orval of Ossian and Glendon of Cedar Rapids.
Also surviving are three sisters, Mrs. Nellie Fagerlie, Mrs. Alma Spilde and Mrs. Myrtle Riste, all of Decorah; and six brothers, John, Walter, Martin, George, Olaf and Alfred, all of Decorah.
Two sons, Kenneth in 1933 and Milton in 1960, preceded him in death as well as half brothers, Paul and Albert Williams.

Mr. Williams was born June 23, 1886 in Glenwood Township, a son of the late Sigvardt and Mathilda Williams. He attended Glenwood area rural schools and lived in Glenwood Township and Decorah all his life.

He was employed at Peter Johnson and Sons for 49 years. He was a member of First Lutheran Church.

Services Friday

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 7, at 2 p. m. at First Lutheran Church with the Rev. Alvon Nelson in charge. In charge of arrangements will be Steine Funeral Home.

Burial will be in Lutheran Cemetery. The body will lie in state from 12:30 until 2 p. m.

Pallbearers will be Peter Diederick, Stanley Lensing, Jack Collison, Hubert Leseth, Robert Allen and George Johnson.

Miss Galene Nelson will be organist, and Mrs. George Rowland will be soloist. On the floral committee will be Mrs. Hubert Leseth, Mrs. Peter Diederick, Mrs. Roy Teetshorn, Miss Stella Hexom and Miss Lilly Gupp.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Memoriam: Olga (Moen) WILLIAMS


Memoriam. Olga (Moen) WILLIAMS (17 Feb 1973). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Descendants of Leonard Melvin WILLIAMS (1886-1963)


Descendants of Leonard Melvin WILLIAMS (1886-1963). Image courtesy of Williams Family Pages.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Martin and Grace WILLIAMS


Wedding portrait. Martin and Grace (Anderson) WILLIAMS (30 Jun 1923). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Martin WILLIAMS and siblings


Martin WILLIAMS (c. 1910). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.


Martin and Walter WILLIAMS (c. 1910). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.


Martin, Alma, and Walter WILLIAMS (c. 1910). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

WWI Registration Card: Martin WILLIAMS


World War I Registration Card. Martin WILLIAMS (5 Jun 1917). Images courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Obituary: Grace (Anderson) WILLIAMS


Obituary. Grace (Anderson) WILLIAMS (1902-1953). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Rites To Be Held For Mrs. Martin Williams Saturday

Funeral services for Mrs. Martin Williams, 50, will be held Jan. 24, at 1:30 at Steine's funeral home and at 2 p. m. at the First Lutheran church in Decorah. Burial will be in the Lutheran cemetery, Rev. R. A. Ofstedal officiating.

Mrs. Williams died Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 21, at the Decorah hospital. She suffered a stroke January 13.

The pallbearers were Spencer Williams, Gerhard Anderson, Percy and Jesse Wepler, Ervin Williams and Alton Nelson. Members of the floral committee were Mrs. Peter Diederich, Mrs. Robert Koepp and Miss Ardath Nelson.

Mrs. Williams was born August 2, 1902, in Howard county, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ole Anderson. She moved to Decorah in 1923.

On June 30, 1923, she was married at the Lutheran parsonage in Decorah by Rev. I. B. Torrison to Martin Williams, who survives. They were the parents of three children: Merlin G. Williams and Mrs. Jim (Loraine) Steine, both of Decorah; and Mrs. Carl (Gretchen) Leuenberger of Ft. Atkinson.

Besides her husband and children she is survived by five grandchildren: Roy Anderson of Decorah, Robert Anderson of Phoenix, Ariz., and Gordon Anderson, also of Phoenix, Ariz.; and two sisters, Mrs. Gail Schneider who lives in Wisconsin, and Mrs. Max Elder of De Queen, Ark.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Obituary: Martin S. WILLIAMS


Obituary. Martin S. WILLIAMS. Decorah Journal (7 Aug 1969). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Martin S. Williams Funeral Services Are Held Wednesday

Funeral services for Martin S. Williams, 81, of 814 Mechanic St., Decorah were held Wednesday, Aug. 6 at the First Lutheran Church in Decorah with burial in the Lutheran cemetery. Pastor John M. Ness and Pastor George Ulvilden conducted the services.

Mr. Williams died Sunday morning, August 3 at the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital.

Pallbearers were Walter Rooney, James McAndrews, Theodore Swenson, George Harms, Robert Koepp, and Walter Wepler.

Mrs. George Rowland was soloist accompanied at the organ by Mrs. R. A. Haatvedt.

Arrangements were made by Steine's Funeral Home.

Martin Williams was born Nov. 13, 1887 in Glenwood Township, the son of Sigvart and Mathilda Williams.

He attended rural school and business college in Cedar Rapids.


He was an overseas veteran of World War I and was awarded the Purple Heart. Mr. Williams was a charter member of the V.F.W.

He was married in Decorah June 30, 1923 to the former Grace Anderson. His wife preceded him in death.

He is survived by a son, Merlin Williams, Decorah, and two daughters, Mrs. James (Lorraine) Steine, Decorah, and Mrs. Gretchen Leuenberger, LaCrosse.

Other survivors include five grandchildren, three great grandchildren, three sisters, Mrs. Helmer Spilde, Mrs. Nellie Fagerlie and Mrs. Myrtle Riste, all of Decorah, and four brothers, John Williams, Walter Williams, George Williams and Alfred Williams, all of Decorah.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and four brothers.

Mr. Williams had lived in Winneshiek County, North Dakota, since 1923 in Decorah. He was a member of First Lutheran Church.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Descendants of Martin Sigvart WILLIAMS (1887-1969)


Descendants Chart. Martin Sigvart WILLIAMS (1887-1969). Image courtesy of Williams Family Pages.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Walter and Lillie WILLIAMS


Wedding Portrait. Walter and Lillie (Johnson) WILLIAMS (Decorah, IA: Solberg, 1914). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Friday, September 11, 2009

1900 US Federal Census: Walter WEBJØRNSEN and L. Viola JOHNSON


1900 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

This page from the 1900 Census is interesting in that it lists both my grandfather and grandmother as children. Walter's parents, Sigvart and Mathilda, are on the previous page.

Webjornsen, Walther / son / W / M / Feb / 1890 / 10 / S / Iowa / Norway / Norway / Farm laborer
_____ Junetta / daughter / W / F / Sep / 1892 / 7 / S / Iowa / Norway / Norway
_____ Alma / daughter / W / F / Apr / 1894 / 6 / S / Iowa / Norway / Norway
_____ Myrtel / daughter / W / F / Mar / 1896 / 4 / S / Iowa / Norway / Norway
_____ George / son / W / M / Apr / 1899 / 1 / S / Iowa / Norway / Norway


At the bottom of the page is the family of Gustav Johnson, whose daughter, L. Viola, would marry Walter in 1914. By then the Webjørnsen family had changed their surname to Williams.

Johnson, Gustav / Head / W / M / Oct / 1855 / 45 / M / Norway / Norway / Norway / Farmer
_____ Henrietta / wife / W / F / Feb / 1861 / 34 / M / Iowa / Norway / Norway
_____ George / son / W / M / Sep / 1882 / 17 / S / Iowa / Norway / Iowa
_____ Charles / son / W / M / Dec / 1884 / 15/ S / Iowa / Norway / Iowa
_____ Emma / daughter / W / F / Jun / 1887 / 12 / S / Iowa / Norway / Iowa
_____ L. Viola / daughter / W / F / Jun / 1892 / 7 / S / Iowa / Norway / Iowa
_____ Esther / daughter / W / F / Mar / 1894 / 6 / S / Iowa / Norway / Iowa
_____ Anna / daughter / W / F / Feb / 1897 / 3 / S / Iowa / Norway / Iowa



Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Glenwood, Winneshiek, Iowa; Roll: T623_466; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 132.

Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Confirmation Memorial: Walter Didrik SAGNESS


Confirmation Memorial (10 Apr 1904). Walter Didrik SAGNESS. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

1910 US Federal Census: Walter WILLIAMS


Detail of 1910 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Williams, Walter / Hired man / M / W / 20 / S / Iowa / Norway / Norway / English / Laborer / Farm work



Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Frankville, Winneshiek, Iowa; Roll: T624_428; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 0153; Image: 1104; FHL Number: 1374441.

Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Original data: Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Wedding Token: Walter and Lillie WILLIAMS



A Token of our Wedding. Walter and Lillie WILLIAMS (10 May 1914). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Clerk's Certificate As To Marriage Record


Marriage Certificate. Walter and Lillie (Johnson) WILLIAMS. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

CLERK'S CERTIFICATE AS TO MARRIAGE RECORD

STATE OF IOWA, Winneshiek County, ss.

I, Kenneth R. Nesset Clerk of the District Court of the State of Iowa, in and for Winneshiek County, do hereby certify that the marriage records of the said County, of which I am custodian, show that Walter Diderick Williams (Age 21) place of birth Winneshiek County, Iowa and Lillie Viola Johnson (Age 18) place of birth Winneshiek County, Iowa were married by Rev. S.A. Scarvie, Ev. Luth. Pastor at Rural Decorah on the 7th day of May, 1914.

Number of marriages: Groom first; Bride first. Book: 6 Page: 165.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my hand and seal of said court, at Decorah, Iowa, this 17 day of February, 1976.

Kenneth R. Nesset
Clerk of the District Court
By Becky Ohlert, Deputy.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Walter and Lillie WILLIAMS 50th Wedding Anniversary


50th wedding anniversary portrait. Walter and Lillie WILLIAMS (Decorah: Willis Wangsness, c. 1964). Image courtesy of Vincent Williams.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Obituary and Memorial: Walter D. WILLIAMS (1890-1976)


Obituary. Walter Didrik WILLIAMS. Decorah Public Opinion (17 Feb 1976). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Last Rites For Walter Williams Held Monday

Funeral services for Walter D. Williams, 86, of Decorah were held Monday, Feb. 16 at First Lutheran Church.

Mr. Williams, who was a lifelong resident of Winneshiek County and Decorah, died February 13 at the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital. He had farmed in the county, had operated the telephone switchboard at Nasset and also was a painter, in business with his brothers.

Pastor Paul Christenson conducted final rites. Burial was in the Lutheran Cemetery with the following pallbearers: Harley Fagerlie, Leon Williams, Peter Diederich, Arnold Hexom, Fred Rosenthal and Chester Hill. William Kuhlman was organist and accompanied Mark Williams, who was soloist, and the congregation as they sang hymns. Funeral arrangements were made by Steine Funeral Home.

Mr. Williams is survived by his wife, the former Lillie Johnson; three sons, Spencer Williams of Mason City, Lyle Williams, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Vincent Williams of Decorah; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; two brothers, George and Alfred Williams, both of Decorah, and three sisters, Mrs. Helmer Spilde, Mrs. Nellie Fagerlie and Mrs. Myrtle Riste, all of Decorah.

Walter Williams was born February 3, 1890 in Glenwood Township, the son of Sigvart and Mathilda Williams. He attended rural schools and was married May 7, 1914 in Glenwood Lutheran Church.

Mr. Williams was a member of First Lutheran Church.


Memorial (cover). Walter D. Williams (16 Feb 1976). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.


Memorial (inside). Walter D. Williams (16 Feb 1976). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Obituary and Memorial: Lillie (Johnson) WILLIAMS (1892-1982)


Obituary. Lillie Viola (Johnson) WILLIAMS. Decorah Public Opinion (4 Jan 1983). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Last Rites for Lillie Williams held

Lillie V. Williams died Wednesday, Dec. 29 at the Beverly Manor Care Center in Iowa City at the age of 90. Mrs. Williams was born in Glenwood Township and had lived all of her life in the Decorah area except for the past two years when she made her home in Iowa City.

Funeral services were held Monday, Jan. 3 at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church with the Rev. Paul H. Christenson officiating. Burial was in the Lutheran Cemetery. Pallbearers were Carleton Fagerlie, Maynard Folstad, Leonard Miller, Fred J. Rosenthal, Willis Wangsness and Leon Williams. The organist was William Kuhlman and the soloist was Mark Williams. Arrangements were made by Steine Funeral Home.

Mrs. Williams, the former Lillie Johnson, was born June 13, 1892 to Gustav and Henrietta (Sander) Johnson. She attended rural schools and also Breckenridge College. She married Walter Williams Nov. 7, 1914 at the Glenwood Lutheran Church. Her husband died Feb. 13, 1976.

She is survived by three sons, Lyle Williams of Salt Lake City, Utah, Spencer Williams of Mason City and Dr. Vincent Williams of Iowa City; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren and one brother, William Johnson of Decorah.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and four sisters.

Mrs. Williams was a member of the Lutheran Church and had served in many capacities. She was a deaconess, had taught Wednesday church school and was active in the work of her church circle.


Memorial. Lillie Viola (Johnson) Williams (3 Jan 1983). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Gravestone: Walter and Lillie WILLIAMS


Walter D. and Lillie V. WILLIAMS gravestone. Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah, IA. Image courtesy of Vincent Williams.


Closeup of Walter D. and Lillie V. WILLIAMS gravestone. Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah, IA. Image courtesy of Vincent Williams.


Walter D. and Lillie V. WILLIAMS gravestone. Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah, IA (24 Jul 2021). Image courtesy of Mark D. Williams.


Walter D. and Lillie V. WILLIAMS gravestone reverse. Lutheran Cemetery, Decorah, IA (29 Jul 2022). Image courtesy of Mark D. Williams.