Otterson Otto Dahl

Notes:

It seems that the way west was often dictated by the lack of opportunities elsewhere--or a family member leads the way. My grandfather Otto followed the construction work to Washington state, and his brother Dumas, during the war. He stayed on in Waitsburg because the Scharfenberg genes produced a 6' 4" son who could play basketball and pitch the baseball. The house they "gave" my grandfather to stay, and not move on, went to my mother until her death; my brother and his wife are living there now. I went to HS in Waitsburg and had the same Latin teacher asmy mom; her initaisl were carved into the lab desk in the Chem lab. She graduated in 1948; I did so in 1968. It was only fitting that she gave the welcome to the alumni association to the class of 1968. As class president I gave the reply. It was simple: "Thanks, Mom!"
Grandpa Otto spent time in Canada, too, before WWI, but found out he could be drafted by the Canadians. He left, along with two brothers and his father, four 640-acre sections near Lake of the Woods on the Canadian side. Otto was born in Minnesota as was my father Shannon Kay. Grandma Ruth and Mom were both born in Estherville Iowa. They ALL headed west during the war. But those tough Norwegian/Irish/German folks from whom I descend left a good legacy for those of us who were born later--hard workers with a real love of life. Ah, makes me proud. Grandson, Shannon Hiatt

Family/Spouse: Scharfenberg Ruth LaVaune. Ruth (daughter of Scharfenberg John Henry and O'Connel Laura Ethel) was born on 30 Oct 1908 in Estherville, Emmet County, IA; died in 1992. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Otterson Marilyn Laura was born on 08 Dec 1930 in Estherville, Emmet County, IA; died on 26 Jun 2003 in Walla Walla, Walla Walla County, WA.
2. Otterson Janet Ruth was born in 1939; died in 1940.