Saturday, January 19, 2002

This is a transcription of material given to me by my Granpa Ernest Steen.  This article is 
concerning Nils Mikkelson and Anna (Skresfsrud) Staff's oldest daughter – Martha 
Mikkelson(Staff) and her Golden Wedding Anniversary.  Article as written except minor 
corrections.  - kts

Mr. & Mrs. Martinue Mikkelson celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary at the 
Mindoro Lutheran Church on Sunday November 10, 1929.  Dinner was served to over 
200 guests. Rev. Ottersen, Pastor of the Church, spoke fitting words for the occasion. 

Martinue Mikkelson, only child of Thomas Mikkelson and his wife Agnette, Nee Berg, 
was born November 14, 1852 at Nes Hedemarken Norway.  He was baptized February 
23, 1853, confirmed October 6, 1867 by Rev. Borchgrevink.  On April 30th, they made 
their home there and he and his father worked in a sawmill. [sic]  After about 3 years they 
bought a farm about 3 miles south of Mindoro. 

Martha Staff was born January 5, 1861 at Lillehammer, Norway to Nils and Anna 
Staff(Skrefsrud). She with her parents, two sisters and 1 brother came to this country at 
the age of 4 years.  They settled in Lower Lewis Valley and later on a farm near Mindoro.  
She was confirmed by Rev. Frick at Halfway Church.  On November 10, 1879, Martinue 
Mikkelson and Martha Satff were married by Rev. Frick at LaCrosse.  This then moved 
to afore-mentioned farm and lived there til 1920, when they purchase a home one mile 
south of Mindoro. 

The family were members of the Mindoro Lutheran Church where all their children were 
baptized and confirmed.  Mr. Mikkelson passed away June 21, 1933. Funeral services 
were conducted at the house and at the Mindoro Lutheran Church, the rev. Ottersen 
officiating.  He was laid to rest in the Farmington Cemetery.  The pass bearers were all 
neighbors.  Warner Haag, Adolph Jostad, Ben Wald, Nelvin Syverson, Sever Syverson 
and Arnt Johnson.  Leona Mae Mikkelson, Winnifred Mikkelson, Vivian Hanson and 
Helen Olson were flower girls. 

Martha Staff Mikkelson (niece of Lars Skrefsrud) [sic] passed away on her 76th birthday, 
January 5th, 1937.  She taken with flu and pneumonia on Sunday December 27th, and was 
seriously ill ten days.  Son Nelvin living in Michigan arrived in time to be with her at the 
end.  Funeral Services were conducted at the house and at the Mindoro Lutheran Church, 
the Rev. Otersen officiating.  He was laid to rest in the Farmington Cemetery.  Two 
sisters Mrs. Severt Johnson, Mrs. Math Syverson and a brother Ole Staff all of nearby 
Mindoro servive. Pass bearer, all neighbors, were Warren Haag, Tom Moore, Adolph 
Jostad, Ben Wall, Sever Syverson and Arnt Johnson, flower girls were Leona Mae 
Mikkelson, Winnifred Mikkelson, Mrs. John Tracey and Elva Olson.