March 8, 1917, in Adams Township, and attended the Benas
Memorial School. After their marriage, they moved a house into
Adams and located it just west of the school. Oscar continued
working as a farm laborer. They operated the Fairdale Cafe from
the spring of 1942 until the fall of 1943. That fall, Hazel's
parents, Esther and Tom Kjelaas, moved into Adams, so Hazel
and Oscar moved to the farm, taking over the farming interests;
this farm is the homestead of Hazel's grandparents, Mr. and Mrs.
John Lund. Hazel still manages the farm with the help of her
brother, Earl.
Both Oscar and Hazel have been active in community and
church activities; have held several office positions. Oscar was
custodian and treasurer of the Gustavus Adolphus Church for
many years. The couple purchased a home in Fairdale, N. Dak.,
in the fall of 1973, but continued farming. Hazel has been
employed at the Fairdale Cafe for several years. Oscar passed
away on May 19, 1977, with interment in the Gustavus
Adolphus Cemetery.
Hazel has two brothers, Earl and Vincent. Earl lives on the
homestead of their grandparents and assists with the farming.
Vincent lives in Adams and is employed by the North Dakota
Highway Department. Hazel's mother, Esther, is very active at
the age of eighty-two years. She does considerable baking for
others and takes part in all community affairs. Hazel's father, Tom
Kjelaas, passed away Feb. 16, 1958.
OBERTAND ELSIE OLSON
Elsie, daughter of Thomas and Caroline Grove, was born
July 1 1 , 1905, in Adams Township, Walsh County. She
received her education in a nearby country school, known as the
Brynstad School, and when that was replaced by a new school
building, it became known as the Benas Memorial. As a young
girl, Elsie worked for their neighbors, caring for their small
children besides doing their housework. During the harvest
season, she would often be found in one of the local cook cars
along with another lady, cooking for many men, which would
mean long days and heavy work. But, she didn't stop there; after
her marriage to Obert Olson, on Dec. 16, 1926, she continued
working but this was at the telephone switchboard for Mrs. P. M.
Anderson and Mrs. L. Haroldson.
Obert Olson was born March 15, 1900, son of Charlie and
Julia Elton Olson. Obert and Elsie lived in Adams for some time.
He was employed as a mailcarrier and also as a gas station
manager. Later they moved to Roseau, Minn., where he operated
a gas station and she managed a lunch room. Elsie has been a
hard worker all her life. She thrives best when she can keep busy.
Obert and Elsie had two boys — Orvis Wayne and Floyd
Eugene.
Obert passed away Dec. 30, 1973. Burial service was held
Jan. 3, 1974, at Moe Lutheran Church, Roseau, Minn., with
interment at Malung Cemetery.
Elsie continues to live in Roseau and keeps busy with her
hobbies, gradening, and helping others.
Orvis Wayne, the oldest son of Elsie and Obert Olson, was
born Sept. 7, 1934, and attended schools in Adams and Roseau,
graduating from the Roseau High School. He married Beverly
Lanes Dec. 3 1 , 1957. They had three children — RaNae Lynn,
Terri Lee, and Heidi Ann. Orvis is production manager for
Polaris Textron Company, Roseau, Minn. Orvis enjoys all
outdoor activity, be it hunting, fishing, or hobby farming.
RaNae Lynn, daughter of Orvis and Beverly, was born Aug.
14, 1957, at Roseau, Minn., and graduated from the Roseau
High School. She married Don Omdahl, an employer at Polaris
Textron. They had one child, Jamie Omdahl. ReNae and Don
were divorced. She married Carson Erickson on Sept. 1980.
Terri Lee, daughter of Orvis and Beverly, was born Sept. 15,
1959, at Roseau, Minn., and graduated from the Roseau High
School. She married Scott Baroas on July 1, 1978, and works at
the Polaris Textron, Roseau. Terri enjoys gardening,
homemaking, especially baking.
Heidi Ann, daughter of Orvis and Beverly, was born Oct. 1 1 ,
1965, and attends Roseau High School. Heidi enjoys the
outdoors.
Orvis and Beverly were divorced.
Floyd Eugene, son of Elsie and Obert, was born Dec. 29,
1936, at Adams, N. Dak. He attended the Adams and Roseau
Schools and also the Don Du Lac Service School in Wisconsin.
Floyd married Delores Kjeari. They had a son, Kyle Eugene,
born Sept. 14, 1958, at Roseau, Minn. He is a graduate of
Bemidji High School and is a service man at the Floyd Olson
Marine.
Floyd and Delores were divorced. He married Joanne Berg
on Dec. 29, 1971. Floyd is the owner of the Floyd Olson
Marine.
INGA AND ORVILLE OLSON
Inga Selvina Grove, daughter of Anna and Elmer Grove, was
born Dec. 4, 1914, in Adams Township and received her
elementary education at the Benas Memorial Rural School and
graduated from the Walsh County Agricultural School in May,
1934. She was employed as a sales clerk at local business stores
prior to her marriage to Orville Olson, on January 7, 1951. They
were married at the Adams Lutheran Parsonage by Pastor O. T.
Haugen.
Orville Olson, the son of Manuel and Helga Olson, was born
Aug. 1 1 , 1915, near Stanley, N. Dak., on his father's homestead
where Inga and Orville make their home.
Obert and Elsie Olson
Diversified farming was the beginning for Orville and Inga
but these later years, it has been mainly grain farming. The oil