Friday, September 25, 2009


View Elias Smith, Jr. in a larger map

Map for Elias Smith, Jr.

Otto Birger Traasdahl Comes to America

Otto Birger Traasdahl immigrated to the USA "by way of Canada" beginning March 19, 1913. He sailed from Trondheim to England on the SS Irma (part of the Allan line), and then from England to North America on the Victorian (also part of the Allan line). Information about these two ships is available online: Irma and Victorian.


The Victorian

Also see: http://www.norwayheritage.com/ or http://www.theshipslist.com/ and Norwegian Immigration Records

*Note: According to Norwegian records he left on the Irma (which was part of the Allan line) from Trondheim to Liverpool. From Liverpool he went to Halifax - St. John. He is on the Victorian manifest leaving Halifax, St. John, NB on April 5, 1913. His record states that he was born in Striden, Norway, age 23 years, married and a fisherman. His last permanent address was Trondhjem, Norway. It states that his wife, Anna Trosdal is his nearest relative in the country where he came from and her address is Strandvt (it looks like) 43 Trondhjem. He's never been in the US before and he paid his own passage. He is headed to Lago, Idaho - with $25 - never been arrested or deported or excluded from admission - paid his head tax already - he's 5' 11", fair complextion, fair hair, blue eyes and no distinguishing marks to report. --Renee Pence

Sunday, July 26, 2009






Funeral Services for Ranald Healey Devey were held January 13, 2005

Wednesday, July 22, 2009



TRAASDAHL, OTTO B (1920 U.S. Census)
IDAHO , BANNOCK, GRACE
Age: 30, Male, Race: WHITE, Born: NORW
Series: T625 Roll: 288 Page: 70

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Otto Birger and Anna Pauline Traasdahl


Otto Birger and Anna Pauline Traasdahl with Elin and Osborne Otto.

While helping Rylie prepare a talk about how we can strengthen our families, we were learning about Otto Birger Traasdahl and talking about his picture. I asked Rylie what his name was, she said, "Ogre Hangaber Johnson".

Learn more about Otto and Anna on the Traasdahl Family History website:

Saturday, July 11, 2009



Mary Louise Traasdahl Pence Devey
Grandma cherishes her Norwegian heritage!


Grandma Pence


Death Certificate Otto Birger Traasdahl.

Obituary - Allen Rash

In Loving Memory...
Allen Rash
12/1/57 - 6/28/09

Allen Eugene Rash, 51, of Gilman died Sunday June 28th, 2009 at Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center. A celebration of Al’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, July 3rd at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest in Miller Cemetery at Union. Memorials may be directed to his family. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Al and his family, phone 641-844-1234.

Al was born December 1st, 1957 in Eldora, to parents Clyde and Grace (Smith) Rash. He attended school in Marshalltown.

In September of 1984, Al was united in marriage to Christine Schmidt in Hot Springs Arkansas. The couple made their home in Gilman, where they raised their children Erica and Danny.

Al was a gifted self-employed carpenter, who absolutely loved building things. He also enjoyed softball, having played slow-pitch for many years. Al was also talented in the wood-burning arts, model car building, and hitting 7s on the slot machines. He liked to go fishing and drive golf balls in his backyard.

Al’s early departure from this life will be greatly mourned by all who knew and loved him. Left to cherish Al’s memory, and celebrate his life is his loving wife Chris; his daughter Erica Carter of Joliet, IL; his son Danny Rash of Mankato, MN; his mother Grace Rash; his sisters: Elaine (Paul) Lindaman, Rose (Alex) Pence, Kathy Rash, and Terrie (Noel) Arnold; his brothers Stan “Sam” Rash and Rick (Gina) Rash. In death, Al has rejoined his grandparents, and his father.

Learn more about Allen on the Pence Family History site: https://sites.google.com/site/pencefamilyhistory/families/pence/alex-pence.