Dena (Deana or Diene) SANDVOSS was born May 7, 1827, Brunswick, Braunschweig, Niedersachsen, Germany. Dena and Christian were married in December of 1846. The couple resided at Green Bay in Lee County, Iowa, before moving to Tingley, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Christian GERLOFF died at the age of 77 years, 2 months, and 15 days, on March 31, 1896, Tingley, Ringgold County, Iowa. Dena GERLOFF died at the age of 72 years, 10 months, and 11 days, on March 18, 1900. Christian and Dena were interred at Tingley Cemetery.

"Now, on this 15th day of September A.D. 1896. The same being the second day of September 1896, term of said court, this matter coming on for hearing on Motion for the proof and allowance of the instrument purporting to be the last will of said decedent. Find it appearing that due service of hearing had been made; and it appearing that the within instrument presented in court as the last Will of Christian GERLOFF, deceased, late of Ringgold County, State of Iowa, bearing date the 20th day of October, A.D. 1894, was ? the testimony of the subscribing witnesses there to, to wit: William E. ELDER and William TAPP as the last will of said decedent, and it appearing upon due proof that said will was duly executed, and that said decedent was of full age; of sound mind and memory and not under restraint; it is therefore ordered and decreed that said paper purporting to be last Will of said decedent, with the proof thereof be recorded and admitted to probate as the last Will of said decedent.

And it appearing that said decedent had nominated and appointed Charles GERLOFF as executor of his said Will, it is further order[ed] that upon said Charles GERLOFF filing bond in the sum of ______ dollars with securities to be approved by the clerk of this court.

I, Christian GERLOFF of Tingley, Iowa, being of full age, sound mind and memory do hereby make and declare this my last Will and Testament.

It is my will and I hereby direct that all my debts, at my death, be paid from the proceeds of my personal property.

I hereby devise, give and bequeath to my son Chas. GERLOFF the sum of twenty-five (25) dollars. It is my will and hereby direct that said sum be paid out of my personal property to said heir Chas. GERLOFF.

I hereby devise, give and bequeath to my son-in-law William ROMKEE, husband of my daughter Katie ROMKEE, deceased, the sum of twenty-five (25) dollars in ? of the distributive share that would fall to the heirs of my daughter, Katie ROMKEE, deceased. It is my will and I hereby direct that said sum be paid out of personal property to said William ROMKEE of Friend, Arapahoe County, Colorado.

I hereby devise, give and bequeath to my son Henry GERLOFF of Ringgold County, Iowa, heirs and assign the remainder of personal property together with any other personal property that I may acquire prior to my death and I alsp devise, give and bequest to my said son Henry GERLOFF, heirs and assigns the following described real estate situated in Ringgold County, Iowa, to wit: the South East quarter of the North East quarter of section Twenty-seven (27) Township Seventy (70) range Twenty-nine (29) West of 5 P.M. subject to a life estate of my wife Diene GERLOFF.

I hereby devise, give and bequeath to my wife Diene GERLOFF a life estate in the above described real estate to wit: the South East quarter of the North East quarter of Section Twenty-seven (27) Township Seventy (70) Range Twenty-nine (29) West of 5 P.M. in lieu of her dower right her distribution share my estate. Her election to election be made, and notice given within three months after my decease.

I hereby appoint Charles GERLOFF my executor with full power to manage and control my estate and he may sell the real estate if the circumstances of the Henry GERLOFF or Diene GERLOFF should at any time require such disposition to be made of the same.

The said executor is hereby empowered to make contracts for my son Henry GERLOFF who is of a weak mind and not competent to do or manage difficult business. In Witness where of I have set my hand this 20 day of October 1894.

Signed, Christian GERLOFF

The above instrument was at the date thereof signed, published and declared by Christian GERLOFF as his last will and testament in presence of us, who at his request, in his presence and presence of each other, have subscribed our names witnesses thereto."

William ELDER, Tingley, Iowa
William TAPP, Tingley, Iowa

Children of Christian and Dena (SANDVOSS) GERLOFF:
1. Henry GERLOFF
    b. 20 Sep 1848; d. 09 Apr 1915; interment Tingley Cemetery
2. Cahta "Katie" GERLOFF
    b. 04 May 1850, Ft. Madison IA; d. aged 37y 10m, 20 days, 24 Mar 1888; interred Tingley Cemetery
    married 19 Feb 1879 William Ernest Friedrich ROMKEE
      William ROMKEE, b. 22 Dec 1845, Germany; d. 23 Oct 1909, Yuma Co. CO
3. Charles GERLOFF
    b. 28 Mar 1853; d. 18 Aug 1918; interment Tingley Cemetery

William ROMKEE, Sr.	Catha (GERLOFF) ROMKEE	Kate ROMKEE
Edith (ROMKEE) HANSON	Edith (ROMKEE) HANSON	Edith (ROMKEE) HANSON

Edith ROMKEE, daughter of William Ernest and Catha (GERLOFF) ROMKEE, married John HANSON. Edith was born on April 18, 1883, and died March 22, 1958. John was born November 24, 1888, and died September 5, 1964. Edith and John were interred at Tingley Cemetery, Tingley, Ringgold County, Iowa.

John HANSON Farm Tingley, Iowa	Monafay* HANSON 6 months old	John HANSON
John HANSON Tingley, Iowa	John HANSON Edith, Monafay*, John	John HANSON Family Rose, Ella, Edith, John Monafay* in front
John & Edith HANSON McNess Studio, Creston	Monafay* HANSON	Monafay* HANSON Woltz Studio, Des Moines

  * Monafay's name has also been spelled as "Monefay."

Submission and Hanson Family photographs by Dallas Riedesel, April of 2010;
updated February of 2011