A Smörgåsbord of Stories
Summertime brings memories of my time spent in Cass Lake, Minnesota. Both sets of my grandparents lived “up north” in this small community. Otto and Mae [Lydick] Norenberg had a house on the west shore of Cass Lake, technically in Pike Bay Township. Frank and … read more
One of my American immigrant ancestors, George Edward Gentzkow (aka Julius August Emil von Gentzkow), was born of the noblewoman Julie von Gentzkow. She demanded that his baptism record be amended and his lineal decent be properly acknowledged by the church. By this documentation process, … read more
The Boat Store in Minneiska, Minnesota did not sell boats; it was a grocery and a meat market located on the bank of the Mississippi River. J.C. Gentzkow and unidentified man, 1913 J.C., Rodney and Mary Gentzkow, undated Boat Store in the … read more
One year ago, my mother, Marilynn Gentzkow Norenberg (1933-2023) passed from this earthly realm to heaven. During her lifetime, mom helped so many people: students, neighbors, family, friends, and those she happened upon. When she was 82-years old, the Duluth News Tribune printed a story … read more
In 2016, I begged my son to take me on his road trip to Oklahoma where he was to enter the FAA Academy. After we arrived in Oklahoma City, I rented a car and drove west to see where my Grandma Gert was born. All … read more
Edward Gentzkow was born in Minneiska, Wabasha County, Minnesota on January 15th to Julius Gentzkow and Matilda Dittrich. But in which year? Records of his birth list both 1881 and 1882. Which is it? Wabasha County The first record of Edward’s birth is the … read more
Happy Thanksgiving! Today, I’m thankful for my many blessings, like family, friends, fun, and food. On Thanksgiving Day, my family has been known to gobble up non-traditional foods like build-your-own tacos, homemade pizza or movie theater popcorn. But what about turkey? Wild … read more
A year ago, I wrote about Milton and Lottie Rector’s marriage. Today, I present another November Nuptial, this time from North Dakota. Edward “Ed” F. Gentzkow (1881-1948) was the eldest son of Matilda Dittrich and Julius Gentzkow. Ed was born and raised in Minneiska, … read more
Bible Records are a wonderful tool for a family historian. Sometimes an old Bible provides the only records of births, marriages and deaths. Each set of records written in a Bible need to be examined carefully. Were the entries written at the time of the event? … read more
Marilynn Louise Norenberg passed away peacefully on May 16, 2023. She was born January 5, 1933 to Frank and Gert Gentzkow in LaMoure, ND. After graduating from high school, Marilynn completed a one-year teaching certificate at Valley City State Teacher’s College (VCSTC). The next year … read more