from "​Double Cousins" by Ralph Hammersborg, A Norwegian Family Chronicle, produced in 1996

Ralph Hammersborg had asked his Mother’s cousins to write about their lives. The cousins stories are taken from "Double Cousins by Ralph Hammersborg, A Norwegian Family Chronicle, produced in 1996.” Birth dates of living relatives have been removed from the original text.

1901- Alfred Susag
born August 7, 1901, died at age 85 on February 2, 1987.

Written in 1996

Alfred Susag, born August 7, 1901, near Pelican Rapids, Minnesota to David and Julianna Susag, the fifth child of eight. On November 3, 1934, he married Leona Adelis Damschen (born October 29, 1907) in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. They were married at the pastor's home in Pelican Rapids. Ragna Susag and Arnold Johnson were their attendants. His first vehicle was a Pierce-Arrow, later he bought a 1927 Ford pickup that he had until 1953 when he bought a car.

Alfred and Leona lived near Dunvilla, northeast of Pelican Rapids, on a farm owned by Leona's father. They were members of the Zion Lutheran Church near where they lived. Three of their four children were born here. Arlys Lavonne born on August 25, 1935, Mary Alice born in 1938, and David Jay born in 1941.

In 1941 Alfred bought a 160-acre farm with no buildings about 8 1/2 miles east of Pelican Rapids on Highway 108 in Lida township. They rented a place about a half a mile west of the farm until Alfred could clear some land and get the logs cut into lumber to build a house and barn. These were partly finished when they moved there in 1943. A son, Glen Alfred was born in 1942 before moving to the farm.

Alfred cleared several acres to plant field corn and have a large garden to feed his family. He had a few dairy cows and the milk was shipped to the Dent, Minnesota creamery. In the early '60s the dairy was turned over to the oldest son, David. Then in the mid-'60s, they had an auction sale. Leona went to work for the Good Samaritan home in 1966, taking care of the dining room and doing the dishes, later becoming the cook. She worked for six years there. In the mid-'70s they sold their farm and moved to a mobile home south of Hawley, Minnesota next to their son, David. They joined the Gran Lutheran Church south of where they lived.

In August 1981 Alfred celebrated his 80th birthday with family and friends in the basement of the Gran Lutheran Church. In September 1982 Alfred had a stroke disabling him to the point that he had to leave his home and live at the Moorhead State Health Care Center East of Moorhead, Minnesota. In 1983 Leona move to a senior apartment building (Haug Estates in Dilworth, Minnesota to be closer to her husband. She rented the mobile home south of Hawley for 2 years before selling it. In August 1984 Alfred and Leona celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Gran Lutheran Church with family and friends. One of their attendants was able to attend. Arnold Johnson from McMinnville, Oregon.

On February 2, 1987, Alfred passed away at the Health Care Center. He is buried in the cemetery at Zion Lutheran Church near where his parents are buried. Leona continued to live in Dilworth and joined the Dilworth Lutheran Church. She became ill toward the end of 1993 and couldn't live by herself any longer. She moved to the Hawley Manor in Hawley, Minnesota where she now resides. There are 12 grandchildren and by July 1995 there are 18 great-grandchildren.

Arlys married Frances Carter Elliott on January 20, 1955.
Mary married Robert Smedberg on September 12, 1959.
David married Lois Haugen on August 7, 1965.
Glen married Karen Hansen on February 14, 1965.

Susag Family (home) - Kinstories (home) - Johnson Family - Flatau Family - Beckman Family
Granquist Family - Anderson Family - Stout Family - Walker Family - Peterson Family - Morris Family - Cauble Family