Monkelien, Clarence Elvadore

RATH, VOSS, TOLLEFSRUDE, LUND, PETERSON, HUNT, JOHNSON, KNUDSLIEN, SYNSTELIEN, HANSON, ROSTAD

Posted By: Kara Cayem (email)
Date: 9/13/2023 at 17:25:15

Clarence Elvadore Monkelien was born 14 June 1886 in Grant Township, Pocahontas Co., Iowa he died 6 July 1966 in Storm Lake, Buena Vista Co., IA. His parents were Anton Nils Monkelien (1845-1907) and Julia Ann Necolina Tollefsrude (1852-1928). They were of Norwegian descent. His grandparents were Nils Olsen Munkelien, Maria Kolterud, Hans Christophersen Tollefsrude and Bereth C. Lund.

He was the 8th child out of 12 children born to this union. He was a farmer in section 28 and also had many dairy cattle usually of the Holstein type.

Clarence attended school in Grant Township until the 4th grade and then had to quit to help his parents farm. He had a partner brother that he farmed with. His name was Charles Robert (1888-1906) He died at the age of 17 from appendicitis. Clarence played baseball for Rusk when he was young for fun.

Clarence had 11 siblings.

1. His oldest brother Henry Bernard was born 30 May 1869 in Rock Co., Wisconsin where the family lived before coming to Pocahontas Co.,. He died 24 Aug 1870.

2. Henry Nicolie (1873-1947). He was also born in Rock Co., WI but died in Pocahontas, IA. He married Inga Matilde Knudslien (1884-1972) and they had one daughter Eunice Alberta Monkelien (1911-1970).

3. Ellen Maria or "Molly" Monkelien (1876-1954). She was born and died in Pocahontas, IA. She married John Peterson and they had 6 sons: Earl Roland (1901-1960), Vernon Wilfred (1902-1985), Quentin Francis (1906-1960), Curtis Aggert "Sam" (1908-1978), Myron Lester (1909-1957) and finally Hollis Benjamin (1911-1984).

4. Hannah Aleda (1878-1962) was born in Pocahontas but died in San Diego, CA. She also married a Peterson. She married Oscar Peterson (1870-1951) and they had 6 children also. Myrtle Sophia (1897-1987) , Herbert Leroy (1899-1997) , Clifton W. (1901-1977), Mae Julia (1904-1970), Chester Hanford (1906-1992) and Edward Oscar (1909-1974)

5. Sebert Bernard Monkelien (1880-1975) married Clara Sophia Hanson (1888-1982). He was born and died in Pocahontas Co., IA. They could not have any children but raised a niece after her mother died.

6. Albert Edward Monkelien (1882-1960 was born and died in Pocahontas Co., IA. He married first Augusta Wilhelmina Hanson (1887-19013) . They had two children Wilford Anton "Bill" (1908-1990) and Evelyn Johanna (1911-1982). After Augusta died he married second Gena Marie Johnson and they had 5 children: Robert Gordon "Bob" (1915-2010), Raymond Albert (1917-2001), Mildred Ardyce "Ardie" (1918-2009) Gladys Norma (1920-2009) and Lyla Rose (1923-1983).

7. Nellie May Monkelien (1884-1965) married Andrew Peterson )1872-1963). She was born and died in Pocahontas , IA. She and Andrew had 6 children: Bernice Eldora (1905-1990) , Bessie Lorna (1907-1988), Byron Arnold (1914-1986), Bonalee Neola (1919-1988), Beverly June (1924-1926), and Barbara M. (1927-1982).

8. Clarence met and married Minnie Rath (1893-1963) 4 Sept 1913 in Storm Lake, IA. They were married 40 years before Minnie's early death. They had three daughters.

Leona married Clarence "Dutch" De Young (1896-1962) on 24 Feb 1945. They had no children of their own but Clarence had been married before to Tillie Bertha Hatteberg (1903-1965) . They had two sons Raymond Lewis De Young (1928-2010) and Richard Laurence De Young (1928-2014). Clarence and Tillie were divorced before 1945.

Lauretta married first William Joseph Blackwell "Bill" (1918-1969) 5 July 1941 in Missouri. They lived in Kansas City, KS and had two sons. William Joseph Blackwell " Billy Joe" (1949-2020) and David Monkelien Blackwell (1956-2006). After William Joseph "Bill" died she married second William Monroe Dooley "Bud" (1912-1993) in 1971 also in Missouri.

Charleene Monkelien (1928-2005) and Robert Hughes Kneed(1922-2000) had three daughters Kristin Lynn born 19 Feb 1958. She married Charles Richey in 1979 and they have two sons Nathan and Joshua.

Dr Kara Ann Kneedy was born 15 Oct 1960. She married Dr Maurice Cayem 8 Dec 1984 in West Covina, CA and they also had two sons: Dr Daniel Robert Cayem born 23 Jan 1987 and Timothy Andrew Cayem born 31 July 1991. Daniel was married to Kathryn Bergslien 25 June 2011 and they have three children Grace Taylor born 22 Dec 2016, Robert Andrew born 26 oct 2018 and Joseph Theodore born 17 April 2021 all in Baldwin Park, CA

Laura Marie was born 6 Jan 1963 a few weeks before Minnie, Charleene's mother passed away. She married Arthur Cisneros in 1983 and had Julia Ann Grace Cisneros in 1986. She divorced in 1986 and married Robert Tracy Allen from Lexington NE abt 1990. They had a son Robert Thomas born 27 Feb 1991. Robert Thomas had a son William Robert Allen in 2015.

9. Charles Robert (1888-1906) died young never married

10. John Martin (1890-1958) married first Kistern Otelia Rostad (1890-1919) They had two children before she died: James Marion (1912-1980 and Arline Viola (1915-2009). It was said Kistern died at the dentist having "Swallowed her tongue". It is more likely they over medicated her or did not make sure she was breathing while under anesthetic. Regardless, the result was the same and she died leaving two small children that were raised by Sebert and Julia Tollefsrude. John married next, Edna Elizabeth Johnson (1899-1976) and they had 4 children: Beata Yvonne (1922-1922), Roger Leon (1922-1922) they were twins that were preemie and passed away. Next, Beata Lenore (195-2012) and Hubert Charles (1929-1949). Hubert died of bone cancer at 20 years of age.

11. Lewis Theodore (1892-1964) married Alma Emelia Johnson (1903-1991) they had 4 children: Luther Theodore (1929-), Basil Lewis (1932-2008) , Constance "Connie" (1935-) and Anthony Julian (1942-2015).

12. Bertha Eldora (1894-1985) She married Melville Luther Hunt( 1891-1984) They had one son Roger Melville (1933-).

Clarence lived on the farm in Section 28 almost until he died. He was diagnosed with Leukemia and lived in a nursing home in Albert City and after 2 years passed away in Storm Lake.

Clarence was a quiet, stable force, a good neighbor, loving man and a good person. The only time my mother ever saw his angry was when they came to take the farm during the depression and he got his gun and told the men to get off his land.
I am not sure how they got the taxes paid up but they did and the family farm is still in the family due to Clarence and Minnie's hard work and determination. They lived a difficult but good life.