OLE LOMMEN (March 20, 1824-1896)
Ole Lommen remained on the Lommen gard in Norway. He was described as a dependable, highly respected man and active in his community. He had five children. He died at the age of 72 years.
GULBRAND LOMMEN (August 23, 1826-December 19, 1900)
Gulbrand Lommen attended Asker Seminar in Norway but came to America with his parents in 1851. He was County Treasurer of Winneshiek County for two terms; also Vice Consul (Norwegian-Swedish) for Iowa. For many years he was “Kirke Sanger” in Decorah and also a member of the Church Council of the Synod (1857-1870). He was one of the original incorporators and trustees of Luther College. He married Elizabeth Brandt, a sister of the pioneer pastor Reverend Nils Brandt. Gulbrand had no children, but had three stepsons, one of whom was Judge Gulbrand Lommen, the “Reindeer King” of Alaska. His granddaughter, Lucille Lommen, was appointed secretary to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. in 1944. She is the first woman ever to hold that position.
Knut Throndsen Lommen was graduated from Asker Seminar, Norway in 1848. He taught for some years in Norway and then came to America. He was assistant editor of “Emigranten,” Madison, Wisconsin (1864-66) and “Skandinaven,” Chicago, 1866. He taught Religion, German, Latin and Greek at Luther College. He edited “For Hjemmet,” (1876-1887). He wrote the Norwegian “Leseboger” which were used as textbooks in teaching Norwegian for many years. He translated Altenberg’s “Testamente” from German to Norwegian. He wrote poetry for papers and magazines and some were published in a book called “Orkenblomsten.” He also wrote a book called “Bibel og Geologi.” He was ill for many years. He lived and died in Decorah, Iowa.
BARBRO LOMMEN HALVORSON (August 31, 1833-1863)
Barbro Lommen Halvorson was married to Ole Halvorson and lived on a farm just south of Ossian, Iowa. She had two daughters, Ingeborg and Thora.
KARI LOMMEN JOHNSON (March, 1839-December, 1917)
Kari Lommen Johnson was married to George Johnson who had a general store in Yorkville, Illinois. They had no children.
SYNNEVA LOMMEN (December, 1840-November, 1926)
Synneva Lommen attended Upper Iowa University at Fayette, Iowa. She taught school for some years, at one time teaching in a granary on the Kaasa (Rogness) farm near Ossian, Iowa. Later she made her home with the Johnsons in Yorkville. At that time, she did dressmaking. She moved to Decorah to take care of her brother Knut when he became ill. She remained there the rest of her life.
OLE T. LOMMEN (January 5, 1844-July 14, 1930) (Grandfather)
Ole Lommen was active both in the church and other community work. In 1882 he was elected County Supervisor. He also served for several years as president of the Norwegian Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He was also well known as an auctioneer in his community. He died at the age of 86 years in 1930. His wife died October 7, 1939 at the age of 81 years.