THE GUNDER CHRISTIANSON FAMILY Gunder Christianson born February 21, 1835 and Eline Evenrud born December 4 1837 were married in Ostre Toten, Norway in 1857. Three children were born in Norway (Tilla) Mrs. Christopher Mahlum. (Mollie) Mrs. Lars Lexvold and Gustav. Seven children were born at St. Peters, Minnesota, Jennie, (Mrs. Carlson), (Thea) Mrs. Ole Ystenes, (Pauline) Mrs. Pete Wood, (Minnie) Mrs. Swenson, (Josie) Mrs. Ador Johnson and Willie. In 1882 they came to Norman County by ox-drawn covered wagon, which took three weeks. They lived in a sod house in the hillside on what was formerly the Peter Hassel farm, Bear Park Township. Two years later they homesteaded two miles further east, where they built a log house, and lived the rest of their lives. They belonged to the Norman Haugus Lutheran Church. In the early days, mail was picked up at Valley, Minnesota later at Rindal, Minnesota until rural delivery was started out of Flaming Minnesota, in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Gunder Christianson had thirty-four grandchildren and thirty-five great grandchildren. Some of their descendants are still members of the Norman Congregation. Hansine Amundson came from Norway at the age of eighteen. Her uncle, Hans Horn, borrowed the money from banker Norman Hanson, Fertile, so she could get here. She worked at the Norman Hanson residence two years to pay for the ticket. She then married Sivert Christianson and they lived on the same Christianson homestead, same one room log house. Years later lean-to's were built on two sides of the log house. There were nine children; Theresa, Selmer (deceased), Henry (deceased), Elvin, Colorado; (Alphina) Mrs. Emil Mahle, Mentor (Minnie), Mrs. Gilbert Erickson, Bejou (Guida) Mrs. Orville Peterson, Winger; (Jeannette) Mrs. Sam Brooks. Ft. Collins, Colorado Roy, San Diego, California. They all lived in the same log house. Theresa married Henry Erickson, also of Bear Park Township. His parents were Ole and Gunhild Erickson; his mother was born in Norway; his father was born in Pennsylvania. They also homesteaded in Bear Park. To this union was born eight children: Daniel, Emil, Odin, John, Bertina. Albert and Henry (deceased), Gilbert, the youngest, is the only living member of the Erickson family. The Henry Erickson family consists of three daughters: (Julianne) Mrs. Edward Urness Cooperstown, North Dakota. a farm wife. (Donna Mae) Mrs. Lester Peterson, Rio Linda. California, a Sears telephone operator, her husband is with Karr parts; (Sheila Faye) Mrs. Donald Peterson, San Diego, California, a dental assistant, her husband is with the San Diego pipeline, and they have two sons: Thomas, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, a management analyst for Farmers Union Central Exchange of St. Paul; and Donovan, Bismarck, North Dakota, is with Motorola Inc. His wife is a social worker. The second dauehter, Donna Mae, was also born in that log house. Elvin, is retired, he has four children. (Alphina), Mrs. Emil Mahle, Mentor, Minnesota, is an antique and jewelry dealer, her husband is retired. They have two children: Duane of San Bernardino, California he's an office supply representative; Alice. M;s. Richard Gunter, Towner, North Dakota. they own Gunter HoneYlnc. (Minnie) Mrs. Gilbert Erickson and her husband of Bejou, Minnesota, are in the dairy business. They have three children: (Mvra Gail) Mrs. Kenneth Kaste of Fertile. Minnesota; and two sons, Marlin and Michael at home. (Guida) Mrs. Orville Peterson, Winger, Minnesota, a housewife. Her husband is the manager of the Winser elevator. They have four children Donald, Lynn, Darrell and Linda. (Jeannette) Mrs. Sam Brooks, Ft. Collins, Colorado, they have nine children. By Mrs. Henry Erickson, Twin Valley Norman County History Book 1976