William Hansen Sr.

M
Life EventDateDescription
MarriageWilliam Hansen Sr. married Viola Marshall.

Child of William Hansen Sr. and Viola Marshall

Viola Marshall

F
Name TypeDateDescription
Married NameHer married name was Hansen.
Life EventDateDescription
MarriageViola Marshall married William Hansen Sr.

Child of Viola Marshall and William Hansen Sr.

Melanie Alicia Charlson

F, b. 29 January 1948, d. 21 October 2014
Father*Eugene Charles Victor Charlson b. 9 Nov 1920, d. 13 Jan 1987
Mother*Katherine Elizabeth McGuire b. 19 Mar 1917, d. 30 Jan 2005
Adoptive fatherArthur Leo Rausch b. 23 Feb 1917, d. 18 Oct 1997
Adoptive motherViolet Virginia Mullen b. 1 Jul 1922, d. 11 Jan 2016
Charts
Ole Johnsen Lykken Descendants Chart
Melanie Rausch 1966 senior portrait St Anthony High School, Long Beach, California
Name TypeDateDescription
Name VariationMelanie Alicia Charlson was also known as Melanie R.
Name Variationcirca 1950As of circa 1950, Melanie Alicia Charlson was also known as Rausch surname of adoptive parents.
Married Name6 May 1978As of 6 May 1978,her married name was Stewart.
Life EventDateDescription
Birth29 January 1948Melanie Alicia Charlson was born on 29 January 1948 at Post Hospital at Fort McPherson, Atlanta, Fulton, Georgia.
She was the daughter of Eugene Charles Victor Charlson and Katherine Elizabeth McGuire.
Death21 October 2014Melanie Alicia Charlson died on 21 October 2014 at age 66 Melanie (Rausch) Stewart died on Oct. 21, 2014.

She was born in Atlanta. Melanie and her younger sister, Natalie, were adopted by Arthur and Violet Rausch, when Melanie was 2, and they were primarily raised in Seattle, Ogden, Utah, and Long Beach, Calif. She described her life growing up as being “idyllic.” She loved and admired her parents and called her brother “the perfect brother.”

She sustained a serious spinal cord injury when she was 19. Although she had to use a wheelchair for the rest of her life and was always in very severe pain, she refused to allow this to “cripple her.” She led an active life and lived life to the fullest. She loved camping, traveling, gardening and most of all, interacting with people. One of her favorite sayings was, “I hurt if I stay in bed, and I hurt if I get up. I may as well enjoy life, even if it does cause me more pain.”

She also frequently reminded people that, “Each day you have to choose to be happy.”

She met her husband, Lynton “Bill” Stewart, in Santa Barbara, Calif. They were married on May, 6, 1978, at St. Mark’s University Parish in Goleta, Calif.

In 1979, Melanie began the first door-to-door transit program for the frail, elderly and physically disabled in Santa Barbara, Calif. She was forced to retire in 1985 due to her physical condition deteriorating, but the program is still functioning. Melanie was also a longtime service consultant to the U.S. Forrest Service on Access for the Disabled and made several films for them.

She did an adoption search in 1991 and located her older half sister, Stephanie Burke. She discovered that she had another half sister, Vallie Liesey, and that her birth mother was still living.

Melanie tutored and mentored numerous children over the years. She had a special affinity for children and teens, and she helped many of them while living in Santa Barbara, Calif., Boise, Idaho, San Marcos, Calif., and in Alvaton. She loved children and wanted to help as many as possible. Her “kids” all became successful in life, and many of them have remained in contact with her.

Melanie leaves behind her husband, Lynton “Bill” Stewart; her mother, Violet M. Rausch; her half sister, Vallie Burke Leisey; her older brother, Arthur L. Rausch Jr; and her sister, Natalie Rausch Davis; numerous nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

A memorial service will be at noon Friday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Cremation has been chosen, and she will be interred at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.
Census DateLocationDescription
1950Richmond, Contra Costa, CaliforniaMelanie Alicia Charlson was listed as a foster daughter in Arthur Leo Rausch's household on the 1950 Census at Richmond, Contra Costa, California.1
DateLocationDescription
Melanie was the biological daughter of Eugene Charles Victor Charlson and Katherine Elizabeth Maguire Burke. Eugene dated Katherine in Baltimore, and she got pregnant with Melanie. She deserted her husband, and their two daughters, and ran off with Eugene, who had been transferred to Fort McPherson, Georgia.

Somewhere along the way, they stopped, and "got married". The only problem was, both of them were married to other people, and neither had gotten a divorce. Melanie was born at the Post Hospital at Fort McPherson. 11 months later, her sister Natalie was born in San Francisco, California.

Eugene deserted Katherine and his 2 daughters in late 1949. Katherine put them up for adoption, and they were adopted by Art and Violet Rausch.

Citations

  1. [S423] U.S. Federal Census 1950 U.S. Federal Census, by Ancestry.com, United States of America, Bureau of the Census; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: Richmond, Contra Costa, California; Roll: 2256; Sheet Number: 10; Enumeration District: 69-124.

Gilbert Ustad

M, b. 14 April 1903, d. 3 January 1988
Father*Mikal Ustad b. 17 Feb 1872, d. 12 Feb 1955
Mother*Inga H. Steve b. 12 Sep 1879, d. 29 Jun 1953
Charts
Ole Johnsen Lykken Descendants Chart
Name TypeDateDescription
Name VariationGilbert Ustad was also known as Bernt.
TypeDateDescription
SOCIALSECUGilbert Ustad obtained US Social Security Card at South Dakota; last residence Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota.
Life EventDateDescription
Birth14 April 1903Gilbert Ustad was born on 14 April 1903 at Emmett, Union, South Dakota.1
He was the son of Mikal Ustad and Inga H. Steve.
Marriage23 August 1939Gilbert Ustad married Mildred Lillian Sylvia Johnson, daughter of Olaf M. Johnson and Anna Wevik, on 23 August 1939 at Union, South Dakota.
Death3 January 1988Gilbert Ustad died on 3 January 1988 at age 84 Gilbert Ustad obituary.
Argus-Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 06 Jan 1998 - Gilbert Ustad obituary

Children of Gilbert Ustad and Mildred Lillian Sylvia Johnson

Citations

  1. [S9] South Dakota, South Dakota Birth Records South Dakota, State File Number: 796512 (unknown file date).

Milton Oliver Ustad

M, b. 18 October 1944, d. 13 July 2024
Father*Gilbert Ustad b. 14 Apr 1903, d. 3 Jan 1988
Mother*Mildred Lillian Sylvia Johnson b. 22 Mar 1914, d. 2 Aug 1997
Charts
Ole Johnsen Lykken Descendants Chart
Milton Oliver Ustad
Life EventDateDescription
Birth18 October 1944Milton Oliver Ustad was born on 18 October 1944.
He was the son of Gilbert Ustad and Mildred Lillian Sylvia Johnson.
Death13 July 2024Milton Oliver Ustad died on 13 July 2024 at age 79 Milton Oliver Ustad was born October 18, 1944 in Beresford, South Dakota to Gilbert and Mildred (Johnson) Ustad. He died July 13, 2024 at the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 79 years.

He was raised on the family farm and attended Star Country School before graduating from Beresford High School in 1962. From 1965-1967 Milt served in the United States Army with the 212th MP Company. While in Vietnam he was a military police dog handler protecting the base at Camp Holloway in Pleiku. When he returned to the States he was stationed at Ft. Carson, CO before being honorably discharged. Milt returned to South Dakota to farm and married Linda Schmid in 1968 where they raised four daughters. Milt obtained his Associate Degree at SECC in Hawarden, IA and attended USD in Vermillion, SD.

He married Peggy Grant in 1988 and they had one daughter. He also worked as a guard at the SD State Penitentiary and as a dairy inspector for the SD Dept. of Agriculture. Milt and Peggy began a small cow herd and grew it into a respected Red Angus herd. He enjoyed watching sports, hunting, trapshooting and playing golf, even getting a hole-in-one.

He had a servant heart. Milt was a member at Skrefsrud Free Lutheran Church, rural Beresford, where he was a trustee, treasurer, vice-president and president. He is past commander of the Beresford VFW Post 2975 and a member of the American Legion Post 72. Milt served on the Emmet Township Board for several years and was instrumental with the Beresford Community Thanksgiving Dinner Committee for 15 years. He was a Union County Commissioner for 17 1/2 years, serving the last 10 1/2 as Chairman before retiring July 1, 2024. Milt was a member of SECOG and the BEDCO board for seven years. He was a life member of the Union County Historic Society and promoted the Red Angus breed wherever he could.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Gilbert and Mildred; a young daughter, Leala Ustad; one sister, Ida Mae Ustad; and brother-in-law, Don Patti.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Ustad of Beresford, SD; four daughters, Lynette Hofer of Tea, SD, Laura Ustad of Sioux Falls, SD, Leann Ustad of Harrisburg, SD and Kirsten (Jake) Bickett of Beresford, SD; 11 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren; his brother, Melvin (Joanne) Ustad of Vermillion, SD; three sisters, Agnes Patti of Takoma Park, MD, Naomi (Tom) Peterson of Emporia, KS, Ruby (Bruce) Plate of Vermillion, SD; brothers-in-law, Dale (Kay) Grant of Vale, SD, Mike (Kristen) Grant of Whitewood, SD, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 5-7PM Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at The Bridges at Beresford Event Center, 601 S 7th Street, Beresford, SD, with a prayer service at 7PM. Funeral services will be 10AM Thursday, July 18th at The Bridges at Beresford Event Center. Burial with military honors will follow at 1PM at the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery, 25965 477th Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD.

Child of Milton Oliver Ustad

Allen E. Young

M, b. 27 July 1923, d. 21 June 2000
Charts
Ole Johnsen Lykken Descendants Chart
Name TypeDateDescription
Name VariationAllen E. Young was also known as Alan.
Life EventDateDescription
Birth27 July 1923Allen E. Young was born on 27 July 1923.
Marriage6 July 1946He married Suzanne Lois Wevik, daughter of Ole O. T. Wevik and Anna Christina Hansen, on 6 July 1946 at Union, South Dakota, Suzanne L Wevik and Allen E Young marriage announcement.1
Argus-Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 19 Jul 1946 - Suzanne L Wevik and Allen E Young marriage announcement
Death21 June 2000Allen E. Young died on 21 June 2000 at age 76.

Citations

  1. [S342] South Dakota, South Dakota Marriage Certificates, 1905-1949.

Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

M, b. 30 September 1929, d. 24 May 2021
Father*Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
Mother*Freda Swanstrom
Charts
Ole Johnsen Lykken Descendants Chart
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr
Wendell Holmes 1947 senior portrait Beresford High School, Beresford, Union, SD
Name TypeDateDescription
Name VariationOliver Wendell Holmes Jr. was also known as Wendell.
Life EventDateDescription
Birth30 September 1929Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. was born on 30 September 1929 at Beresford, Union, South Dakota.
He was the son of Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. and Freda Swanstrom.
Marriage15 June 1951Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. married Betty Jane Wevik, daughter of Ole O. T. Wevik and Anna Christina Hansen, on 15 June 1951 at Union, South Dakota, Betty Jane Wevik and Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr engagement and marriage announcements.
Argus-Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 15 Apr 1951 - Betty Jane Wevik and Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr engagement announcement
Argus-Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) 20 Jun 1951 - Betty Jane Wevik and Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr marriage announcement
Death24 May 2021Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. died on 24 May 2021 at age 91 Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Monday evening, May 24, 2021. Wendell was born on September 30, 1929 to parents Oliver and Freda (Swanstrom) Holmes in Beresford, South Dakota. He attended the Beresford area schools and farmed with his father until 1951 when he married Betty Jane Wevik. Later that year he entered the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in Santa Ana, California; Quantico, Virginia, and Cherry Point, North Carolina. He was a graduate of the University of California and Montana State University with degrees in Agricultural Economics. He was employed by the Economic Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture for 38 years. Wendell was active in church work wherever he and Betty lived. Both he and Betty loved to travel and traveled extensively in the United States as well as some foreign travel. Wendell and Betty retired in June of 1992 in Washington, D. C. and moved back to Corvallis, Oregon. In August of 2000 they moved to Omaha, Nebraska to be near their son John and his family. His wife Betty died in Feb 2008. He is survived by his son Dr. John Holmes and daughter-in-law Donna and two grandsons, Jesse David Holmes and Micah John Holmes of Omaha. A celebration of life service will be held on 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 12th at Grace Life Bible Church, 10606 Burt Circle, Omaha, NE.
DateLocationDescription
1947Beresford High School, Beresford, Union, South DakotaOliver Wendell Holmes Jr. graduated in 1947 at Beresford High School, Beresford, Union, South Dakota.
March 2018Omaha, NebraskaHe lived in March 2018 at Omaha, Nebraska.

Curtis L. Saugstad

M, b. 6 January 1928, d. 31 May 2021
Curtis Saugstad 2001
Curtis Saugstad 1946 senior portrait Beresford High School, Beresford, Union, South Dakota
Life EventDateDescription
Birth6 January 1928Curtis L. Saugstad was born on 6 January 1928 at Lincoln, South Dakota.
Death31 May 2021He died on 31 May 2021 at age 93 Curtis L. Saugstad was born June 6, 1928 in Lincoln County, near Beresford, South Dakota, to parents Michael and Agnes (Nelson) Saugstad, the youngest of five children. He was baptized at Romsdal Lutheran Church and confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Beresford. Curtis attended country school and graduated from Beresford High School in 1946; he took an accounting course at Nettleton College in Sioux Falls for one year. Curtis married Carolyn Swanson on July 7, 1951 at Roseni Lutheran Church in rural Beresford.

Curtis served two years in the US Army during the Korean War of which 18 months were spent in Germany. The couple farmed in the Beresford and Alcester area for 41 years and also operated a trucking business for 30 years. They have been residents of Alcester since 2000. He died May 31, 2021 in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 92 years, 11 months and 25 days.

Curtis was a member of Roseni Lutheran Church where he served as deacon and usher for many years. He was a life member of the Alcester VFW Post 6149, served on the Ludwig School Board for several years and the Bethesda Home Board of Directors for six years.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn of Alcester; three sons, Allan (Janine) of Sioux Falls, Eldon (Traci) of Volga and Clifton (Jeanette) of Sioux Falls; seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Elwood and three sisters, Joyce Erickson, Ferne Saugstad and Norma Tegeler. Blessed be his memory.

Funeral services will be 2PM Saturday, June 5, 2021 at Roseni Lutheran Church, rural Beresford, SD. Visitation with the family present will be 5-8PM Friday at Wass Funeral Chapel in Alcester with a prayer service at 7PM.