Sarah Tweeten and Carl Gustafson Family
Carl 1877-1961 & Sarah 1885-1973
Sarah Tweeten Gustafson, eldest daughter of Bendick and Olava Hovland Tweeten, was born May 22, 1885, at the family farm in Mount Valley Township, Winnebago County, Iowa. Being the eldest of the family was not always honorable as the family grew to be thirteen children, six girls and seven boys. Sarah started Vatna Rural School and was only able to speak Norwegian and could not understand any English. Her schooling was meager, as she often stayed home to help with the family, as her mother was not well.
She was confirmed by Rev. Dahl at Winnebago Lutheran Church. At the age of 16 years, she left home to work as a hired girl. She later took dressmaking lessons which proved to be very useful when raising a family. In her late teens she was introduced to a “newcomer Swede”, Carl J. Gustafson. They were married April 22, 1907, at the Forest Evangelical Lutheran Church in Forest City. Their attendants were their brothers, John Tweeten and Emil Gustafson. They settled on their 160-acre farm in Mount Valley where they lived until they retired and moved to Lake Mills and later Forest City.
When they were first married they lived in a three-room house, one large room on the main floor and two bedrooms on the second floor. Four children were born in this home, the fourth son, James William, passed away at the age of six months. That same year, their corn crop froze and all their hogs died from cholera. In the fall of 1915, they moved into a new five-bedroom home and one day later a baby Cleo William was born.
Sarah did much cooking, baking gardening, canning, and sewing. She washed clothes by hand on a scrub board. She raised her own baby chicks by “setting” hens. Carl did his own butchering of meat, both pork and beef, that he raised on the farm. Sarah would then either can the meat or make a brine to preserve it. Later lockers in town were rented and after electricity they bought a freezer of their own. Most of the family was gone by that time. There were always hired men and carpenters to cook for in addition to the family. All the buildings on the farm were built during their life time. A sawmill was set up on the farm as there were oak trees that could be sawed down and the rough lumber used for the buildings. The first barn burned in the fall of 1922. It was full of hay intended for the animals’ winter feed. A new barn was built immediately.
Carl was a good provider for his family, but all worked together, everybody had to learn to milk cows as soon as they could carry a pail and hold it while milking. The barn held 36 cows. When you were older you cranked the cream separator. Carl fed the calves and trained the heifers for milking. The family did lots of singing when doing chores and other jobs but one place singing was not allowed was in the barn during milking because of the nervous heifers.
There was no time for social life. On Sundays we went to church and Sunday School. In the afternoon the neighbor kids often got together at our house for entertainment. In the summer it was ball playing and in the winter sledding and skiing. Sarah would pop a large dish pan of popcorn and everyone was invited to come in to get warm and have popcorn. Their home was used for entertaining Ladies’ Aid, 4-H meetings, Farm Bureau and many family gatherings.
Gustaf was the eldest son of Carl and Sarah and the first grandchild of Bendick and Olava Tweeten. Gustaf married Agnes Larson at the home of the bride’s mother. The evening of the wedding it was raining and had rained during the day. The Larson’s lived on a dirt road with clay hills. We were a half-mile away from the house and got stuck on the hill. We had to walk to the house and had to be taken to the back shanty where the bride’s mother furnished us with equipment to clean our shoes before we entered the parlor for the wedding. After their marriage they moved to a farm near Carl and Sarah’s home.
Sarah’s family now included: Gustaf and his wife Agnes, Margaret, Ruth, Cleo, James, Charlotte, Victor, and Clemmit. It took lots of food for that size family. Everything eaten, aside from staples, was raised in the garden. Carl raised potatoes on some peat ground both for selling and eating. Everyone came home and helped pick potatoes. Even the little one could do that.
Eventually all the family was married and all started farming. Carl died on June 13, 1961. Sarah developed diabetes and her health continued to decline. She spent her last years divided between nursing homes, hospitals and her home. She suffered a stroke in May of 1972, and passed away on March 5, 1973, at the Lake Mills Nursing Home. Both Carl and Sarah are buried in Oakland Cemetery in Forest City.
From the Tweeten Family Book, 1989 edited by Vivian Charlson
A. Gustaf B. Gustafson was born January 25, 1908, and married Agnes Larson on May 11, 1929. They farmed in Mt. Valley where Gustaf still lives. Agnes died as a result of a car accident October 19, 1975. They have three children.
a. Shirley Arlene Gustafson Schutter was born July 22, 1930. She married Vernon Schutter, June 19, 1955. They farm near Leland, Iowa. They adopted two children:
(1) Beth Ann Schutter was born November 25, 1964.
(2) William Edward Schutter was born February 20, 1967. He married Rita Jensen, May 25, 1988.
b. Gerald Gilmore Gustafson was born November 21, 1932. He married Harriet Henderson, June 16, 1957. They live at Coryden, Iowa. They have three children:
(1) Jeffery Scott Gustafson was born July 4, 1958. He married Cynthia Clark, June 12, 1979. They have three children:
(a) Nicole Gustafson was born November 11, 1978.
(b) Melanie Gustafson was born May 16, 1980.
(c) Rebecca Lynn Gustafson was born October 21, 1982.
(2) Jon David Gustafson was born December 19, 1959 and he passed away suddenly November 8, 1977.
(3) Carl Alan Gustafson was born January 30, 1963.
(4) Greg William Gustafson was born June 15, 1966.
c. Carroll Arden Gustafson was born August 13, 1941. He married Karen Bartleson, August 25, 1963. He is a veterinarian and lives in Forest City. They have two children:
(1) Kristen Ann Gustafson was born October 6, 1966. She married Brian Rafferty, September 6, 1989.
(2) Eric Arthur Gustafson (adopted) was born November 16, 1970.
B. Margaret Jannette Gustafson Nyhus was born June 8, 1909. She married Harry Nyhus, April 22, 1932. They farmed and are now retired on their home farm near Leland, Iowa. They have two children:
a. Marlys Heldigard Nyhus Heller was born February 25, 1933. She married Bernard Heller, March 1, 1953. They live inMankato. They have three adopted children:
(1) Angela Sue Heller was born July 30, 1960.
(2) Robert Dean Heller was born July 11, 1962.
(3) Sara Ann Heller Gemlo was born February 19, 1964. She married John Gemlo, June 15, 1985.
b. Harvey Gene Nyhus was born June 25, 1938. He married Constance Nilssen, February 8, 1959. They farm the Harry Nyhus home place and live there. They have three children:
(1) Harlan Gene Nyhus was born December 12, 1960. He married Deborah Christianson, December 7, 1985. They have three children:
(a) Sara Lynn Nyhus was born February 20, 1982.
(b) Heidi Lynn Nyhus, twin, born June 19, 1990.
(c) Holden Gene Nyhus, twin, born June 19, 1990.
(c) Ann Marie Nyhus was born January 23, 1962.
(d) Thomas Alan Nyhus was born July 21, 1967.
C. Ruth Overa Gustafson Olson was born June 13, 1912. She married Kenneth Olson, January 3, 1932. They farmed in Ellington Township, Hancock County, and later built a new home on a farm near Forest City. Kenneth passed away March 17, 1973, of a heart attack. Ruth lived there until
recently when she moved into Forest City. They have three daughters:
a. Janice Synnoma Olson Kluver was born February 7, 1933, in rural Forest City. She married Morris Kluver November 20, 1951. They farm and Janice works at Winnebago. The have three children:
(1) James Craig Kluver was born May 22, 1952, in Forest City. He married Kimberly Posivio, May 1, 1976. They have two children:
(a) Lee Aaron Kluver was born June 30, 1983.
(b) Seth Patrick Kluver was born June 16, 1988.
(2) Kent Allen Kluver was born September 14, 1955, in Forest City, Iowa. He married Paula Kirschbaum on April 29, 1977. They have two children:
(a) Bradley Allen Kluver was born August 29, 1977, at Britt, Iowa.
(b) Kellie Marie Kluver was born July 16, 1982, at Forest City, Iowa.
(3) Lynn Robert Kluver was born March 4, 1963, at Britt, Iowa.
b. Yvonne Rae Olson Rippentrop was born February 4, 1937, in Forest City. She married Roger Rippentrop, June 28, 1959. They farm near Britt. onne teaches in Titonka Elementary School. Roger was killed in a tractor accident July 21, 1989. They have three children:
(1) Brian Lee Rippentrop was born October 20, 1960, at Britt, Iowa.
(2) Debra Kay Rippentrop Fasbender was born December 17, 1962. She married Allen Fasbender, October 3, 1987. They have one child:
(a) Hilary Ann Fasbender was born May 1, 1988.
(3) Paula Sue Rippentrop was born October 17, 1964, at Britt, Ia.
c. Marcia Jolaine Olson Milbrandt was born March 25, 1946. She married James Barton, July 13, 1968. They have one son and were divorced in 1977. Marcia married Irvin Milbrandt, May 24, 1980. and Irvin a farmer. They live near Elmore, Minnesota. Irvin has one daughter by a previous marriage and he and Marcia have one daughter. Marcia is a substitute teacher. Their children are:
(1) Sara Sue Milbrandt was born May 29, 1973.
(2) Keith Alan Barton was born July 10, 1974.
(3) Ruth Ann Milbrandt was born January 25, 1983.
D. James William Gustafson was born June 23, 1914, and passed away November 1914.
E. Cleo William Gustafson was born October 18, 1915. He married Helen Nyhus, November 26, 1939. They own and farm in Mt. Valley. Helen passed away July 16, 1987, at Rochester, Minnesota. They have two daughters:
a. Jane Ellen Gustafson Benson was born December 9, 1950, Forest City. She married James Benson, June 2, 1974. Jane is a teacher in the Forest City Schools and James is a teacher and carpenter. They have two daughters:
(1) Jana Jane Benson was born July 1, 1981.
(2) Jaralyn Jane Benson was born March 25, 1984.
b. Kathleen Ann Gustafson Fick was born December 29, 1951. She married Lowell Fick, November 23, 1974. They have three children:
(1) Jason William Fick was born October 14, 1977, at LaVern, Minnesota.
(2) Allison Jody Fick was born December 18, 1979, at LaVern, Minnesota.
(3) Jaromey David Fick was born August 15, 1982, at LaVern, Minnesota.
F. James Stanford Gustafson was born December 18, 1917. He married Orva Amundson, May 5, 1940. They live in Lake Mills. James likes to drive Winnebago’s for delivery, Orva goes with on some trips. They have farmed and remodeled old houses and own. They celebrated their 50th anniversary on May 6, 1990. They have three daughters:
a. Jarnora Loy Gustafson Velasquez was born October 6, 1941. She married Paul Velasquez. She is divorced. They have four children:
(1) Valerie Ann Velasquez was born March 6, 1963. She married Jorge Caldron, December 28, 1985. They have one son:
(a) Alexander Nicholis Caldron was born June 21, 1988.
(b.) Ronald James Velasquez was born January 6, 1966. He married Kristy Gurgena, September 5, 1987.
(c.) Robert Brian Velasquez was born March 28, 1967.
(d.) Stephanie Loy Velasquez was born May 23, 1968.
b. Virgean Inall Gustafson Reines was born May 29, 1943. She married Carroll Reines, June 24, 1967. They have four children:
(1) Carrie Jean Reines was born January 4, 1969, at Albert Lea, Minnesota.
(2) Chris Ann Reines was born April 21, 1973, at Albert Lea, Minnesota.
(3) Caryn Jo Reines was born January 14, 1975, at Albert Lea, Minnesota.
(4) Carlyn Beth Reines was born July 12, 1979, at Mason City, Iowa.
c. Eileen Ranae Gustafson Swanson Mestnik was born September 9, 1947. She married Robert Swanson, January 26, 1971. They have two children. She was divorced and married Gerald Mestnik, April 14, 1984.
(1) Bradly James Swanson was born August 16, 1973, at St. Paul, Minnesota.
(2) Amy Ranae Swanson was born July 2, 1976, at St. Paul, Minnesota.
G. Charlotte Synnoma Gustafson Nelson was born April 13, 1920. She married Wendell (Jack) Nelson in 1940. They farmed east of Forest City until Jack passed away of a heart attack, May 28, 1978. Charlotte lives in Forest City and for many years was church secretary at Immanuel Lutheran in Forest City. They have four children:
a. Gary Wendell Nelson was born December 15, 1940, at Forest City and is single.
b. Sheryl Diann Nelson Bultena was born November 17, 1941, at Forest City. She married John Bultena, September 1, 1963. They have two children:
(1) Jodie Diann Bultena Grantsen was born August 8, 1964, Orange County California. She married Erik Frantsen, May 25, 1988.
(2) Ann Christine Bultena was born October 5, 1968, in Orange County, California.
c. Ruth Ann Nelson Haugen was born January 14, 1947, at Forest City. She married Jan Haugen, December 29, 1968. They have three children:
(1) Ginny Christine Haugen was born September 8, 1971, at Blair, Nebraska.
(2) Merea Diann Haugen was born May 8, 1975, at Harlan, Iowa.
(3) Christopher James Haugen was born May 15, 1978, at Burlington, Iowa.
d. Martha Christine Nelson Hatteberg was born January 12, 1954, at Forest City. She married Randy Hatteberg, September 1, 1979. They have two children:
(1) Rachael Christine Hatteberg was born April 4, 1983, at Denver, Colorado.
(2) Anthony Nelson Hatteberg was born March 28, 1990, at Hickory, North Carolina.
H. Victor Truman Gustafson was born June 1, 1921, at home near Forest City. He married Marjorie Hanson, April 16, 1949. They farm near Schaefer, Minnesota. They have three children:
a. Richard Craig Gustafson was born December 12, 1943, in Forest City. He married Carol Berg, August 8, 1964. They have two children:
(1) Craig Andrew Gustafson was born December 2, 1969, in St. Croix, Wisconsin.
(2) Christopher Jon Gustafson was born April 26, 1971, in St. Croix, Wisconsin.
b. Stephen Carl Gustafson was born March 19, 1950, at Forest City. He married Jane Twombly, June 24, 1972. They have two children:
(1) Joseph Andrew Gustafson was born March 4, 1982, at Edina, Minnesota.
(2) Shiela Marie Gustafson was born November 24, 1984, at Edina, Minnesota.
c. Roger Allen Gustafson was born June 29, 1952, at Forest City. He married Gail Spreiter, September 22, 1979. They have one son:
(1) Chad Allen Gustafson was born August 24, 1982, at Osceola, Wisconsin.
I. Clemmit Vern Gustafson was born May 20, 1924, at home near Forest City. He was in the Navy during World War II. He married Elaine Riessen, October 7, 1960. She had two children by her first marriage. Clemmit and Elaine have one daughter. They live near Walcott, Iowa.
a. Rebecca Riessen Day was born July 15, 1953, at Davenport, Iowa. She married Robert Day, September 17, 1977.
b. Gregory Riessen was born December 21, 1956, at Davenport, Iowa.
c. Carol Gustafson Foster was born April 7, 1961, at Boone, Iowa. She married Steven Foster, June 20, 1981.