Ruth Estella Van Vorst

Custer Gerald Stafney was born December 27, 1902 in Grove City, Meeker Co., MN, and died December 13, 1989, in Williston, Williams Co., ND, at age 86. He is the son of Ole Olsen Stafney of Rennebu, Sor-Trondelag, Norway, and Anna Johnsdotter Gronning of Stadsbygd, Sor-Trondelag, Norway.

Ruth Estella Van Vorst was born July 22, 1913, in Vanville Twp., Burke Co., ND, and died June 25, 1993, in Hazen, Mercer Co., ND, at age 79. She is the daughter of Edward John Van Vorst of Minnesota and Hilma Swanson of Sweden.

Custer Gerald Stafney and Ruth Estella Van Vorst were married August 11, 1934 .

Custer Gerald Stafney and Ruth Estella (Van Vorst) Johnson had unknown children:

  1. James Dean Stafney: Born Unknown.
  2. Mary Ellen Stafney: Born Nov. 13, 1948, in Kenmare, ND; Died Feb. 10, 2008, at MedCenter One, Bismarck, ND (age 59). Married June 6, 1980, at the Mohall United Methodist Church, Mohall, ND, to Rev. Steve C. Johnson: Born Unknown.
  3. Carol Jean Stafney: Born Unknown.
  4. John Custer Stafney: Born Unknown. Married to Darlene Margaret Bailey: Born Unknown.

TIMELINE

Olaf H. Stafney was born September 3, 1890 in Grove City, MN and died March 1974 in Noonan, Divide Co., ND.

Jalmer Bernard Stafney, Sr. was born March 23, 1898 in Minnesota and died January 30, 1990 in Woodburn, Marion Co., OR.

The 1895 Minnesota State Census dated June 14, 1895 shows John B. Harris (age 65) born in New York to New York-born parents, who served as a Soldier during the War of the Rebellion, and has lived Minnesota for 30 years and has lived in this district for 18 years is a Farmer living in Roseville Twp., Kandiyohi Co., MN. Living with him is his wife, Sarah A. Harris (age 51) born in New York. Also living there are his five children: George W. Harris (age 31) born in Wisconsin and has lived Minnesota for 30 years and has lived in this district for 18 years, who is At Home; Della Harris (age 18) born in Minnesota; Sadie Harris (age 15) born in Minnesota; Ernest Harris (age 11) born in Minnesota; and John Harris (age 7) born in Minnesota.

The 1895 Minnesota State Census dated June 14, 1895 shows Ole Stafna (age 34) born in Norway to parents of foreign birth and having lived in Minnesota for 7 years and having lived in this district for 1 month is Farming in Litchfield Twp., Meeker Co., MN. Living with him is Annie Stafna (age 30) born in Norway to parents of foreign birth. Also living there are three children, all born in Minnesota to parents of foreign birth: Minnie Stafna (age 6-8/12); Olaf Stafna (age 4-8/12); and Olga Stafna (age 1/12).

John Benjamin Harris died May 17, 1899 in Regal, Stearns Co., MN at age 68.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 2, 1900 shows Sara Harris (age 56) born February 1844 in Canada to Canadian-born parents is a widow living in Roseville Twp., Kandiyohi Co., MN, with ten of the fourteen children born to her still alive. Living with her as head of the household is her unmarried son, George W. Harris (age 36) born August 1863 in Wisconsin of Canadian-born parents, who is a Farmer. Also there are her children: Earnest Harris (age 16) born May 1884; John A. Harris (age 12) born June 1887; and Sadie Harris (age 11) born July 1888. The last three children were born in Minnesota.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 15, 1900 shows William H. Harris (age 36) born October 1863 in Wisconsin to New York and English Canadian-born parents is a Farmer owning his own home free of a mortgage and living in Melrose Twp., Stearns Co., MN. Living with him is his wife of 10 years, Isey Harris (age 31) born September 1868 in Minnesota to Norwegian-born parents, with all five of the children born to her still living. Children living at home, all born in Minnesota to Wisconsin and Minnesota-born parents: Orin F. Harris (age 9) born October 1890; Worin Harris (age 7) born January 1893; Roy Harris (age 5) born August 1894; son, Allison Harris (age 4) born March 1896; and Cyrus Harris (age 1) born March 1899. Also living there is William's unmarried uncle, William A. Harris (age 57) born December 1842 in New York to New York and Connecticut-born parents, who is a Farm Laborer.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 19, 1900 shows O. Stafne (age 39) born June 1860 in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and having emigrated in 1888 and a Naturalized citizen is a Rail Road Worker owning his own home and living in the Village of Grove City Twp., Meeker Co., MN. Living with him is his wife of 12 years, Anna Stafne (age 35) born April 1865 in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and having emigrated in 1888, with 4 of the 6 children born to her still alive. Also living with him are his four children, all born in Minnesota to Norwegian-born parents: Minnie Stafne (age 11) born September 1888; Olof I. Stafne (age 9) born September 1891; Olga A. Stafne (age 4) born October 1895; and Hialmal Stafne (age 2) born March 1898.

The 1905 Minnesota State Census taken on June 3, 1905 shows Ole Steffni (age 45) born in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and having lived in Minnesota for 17 years and having lived in this district for 2 years is living in the 2nd Ward, City of Hutchinson, Hassan Valley Twp., McLeod Co., MN. Living with him is Hanna Steffni (age 40) born in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and having lived in Minnesota for 17 years and having lived in this district for 2 years. Also living there are five children, all born in Minnesota to Norwegian-born parents: Minnie Steffni (age 17) and having lived in Minnesota for 17 years and having lived in this district for 2 years; Olie Steffni, Jr. (age 15) and having lived in Minnesota for 15 years and having lived in this district for 2 years; Olga Steffni (age 11) and having lived in Minnesota for 11 years and having lived in this district for 2 years; Hjlmer Steffni (age 7) and having lived in Minnesota for 7 years and having lived in this district for 2 years; and Custer Steffni (age 2) and having lived in Minnesota for 7 years and having lived in this district for 2 years.

The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 22, 1910 shows Edward J. Van Vorst (age 28) born in Minnesota to Minnesota-born parents is a General Farm Farmer owning his own farm with a mortgage and living in Twp. 159, Range 91, Burke Co., ND. Living with him is his wife of 3 years, Hilma Van Vorst (age 30) born in Sweden to Swedish-born parents, with both of the children born to her still alive. Also living there are his two children, both born in North Dakota to Minnesota and Swedish-born parents: George Van Vorst (age 2); and Myrle Van Vorst (age 11/12). Several Van Vorst families live nearby.

The 1910 U. S. Census taken on May 9, 1910 shows Ole Stafney (age 49) born in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and having emigrated in 1888 and a Naturalized citizen is a Railroad Section Foreman renting his home and living in the Village of Wayzata, Wayzata Twp., Hennepin Co., MN. Living with him is his wife of 22 years, Anna Stafney (age 45) born in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and first married at age 23 and having emigrated in 1888, with 6 of the 9 children born to her still alive. Also living there are his five unmarried children, all born in Minnesota to Norwegian-born parents: Olaf Stafney (age 19), a Grocery Wagon Teamster; Olga Stafney (age 15); Jalmer Stafney (age 12); Custer Stafney (age 7); and Lowell Stafney (age 2). John Stafney (age 39) and wife live nearby.

The WWI Draft Registration Report shows Edward John Van Vorst (age 38) is a Farmer living at Lastwood Mountrail, Burke Co., ND.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 15, 1920 shows Edward J. Van Vorst (age 41) born in Minnesota to Minnesota-born parents is a Farmer owning his own farm free of a mortgage and living in Vanville Twp., Burke Co., ND. Living with him is his wife, Helma Van Vorst (age 42) born in Sweden to Swedish-born parents and having emigrated in 1879 and becoming a Naturalized citizen in 1905. Also living there are his three children, all born in North Dakota to Minnesota and Swedish-born parents: Meral M. Van Vorst (age 12); Ruth E. Van Vorst (age 6); and Raymond A. Van Vorst (age 1-6/12). Also living there is Edward's unmarried brother, Burt M. Van Vorst (age 30) born in Minnesota to Minnesota-born parents is a General Farm Laborer.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 16, 1920 shows Ole Stafney (age 59) born in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and having emigrated in 1888 and becoming a Naturalized citizen in 1899 is a Railroad Laborer renting his home and living in the Village of Hannaford, Greenfield Twp., Griggs Co., ND. Living with him is his wife, Anne Stafney (age 55) born in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and having emigrated in 1888 and a Naturalized citizen. Also living with him are his three unmarried children, all born in Minnesota to Norwegian-born parents: Custer Stafney (age 17), a Railroad Laborer; Loal Stafney (age 11); and Laurie Stafney (age 8).

Edward John Van Vorst died June 10, 1921 in Burke Co., ND at age 41.

The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 16, 1930 shows Hilma Van Vorst (age 40) born in Sweden to Swedish-born parents and having emigrated in 1885 and a Naturalized citizen is a widow owning her own home worth $1,000 and is living on Second Avenue East, 3rd Ward, City of Kenmare, Ward Co., ND. Living with her are her two unmarried daughters, both born in North Dakota to Minnesota and Swedish-born parents: Merle M. Van Vorst (age 20), a Telephone Operator; and Ruth S. Van Vorst (age 16).

The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 11, 1930 shows Ole Stafney (age 69) born in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and first married at age 28 and having emigrated in 1888 and a Naturalized citizen is a Section Foreman for the Great Northern Rail Road renting his home for $15/month and living in Mabel Twp., Griggs Co., ND. Living with him is his wife, Anna Stafney (age 64) born in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and first married at age 23 and having emigrated in 1888 and a Naturalized citizen. Also living there are his three unmarried children, both born in North Dakota to Norwegian-born parents: Custer Stafney (age 26), a Signal Man for the Great Northern Rail Road; Lowel Stafney (age 21); and Lorie Stafney (age 15).

Bert M. Van Vorst was born March 31, 1891 in Minnesota and died October 6, 1950 in Ward Co., ND at age 50.

Hilma (Swanson) Van Vorst died January 8, 1995 in Renville Co., ND at age 80.

Mary Johnson

Wednesday, 13 February 2008

Mary (Stafney) Johnson, 59, Mandan, died Feb. 10, 2008, at MedCenter One Bismarck. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008, at McCabe United Methodist Church, Bismarck. Rev Jim Moos and Rev. Heather Bodwell will officiate. Visitation is 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 13, at Perry Funeral Home and continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Mary Ellen Stafney was born Nov. 13, 1948, in Kenmare, the youngest daughter of C.G. and Ruth (Van Vorst) Stafney. She was raised in Mohall, and graduated from Mohall High School in 1966. She attended University of North Dakota and graduated from the University of Oregon, Eugene, with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught school in Mohall and worked for the ASCS office in Mohall. On June 6, 1980, she married Rev. Steve C. Johnson at the Mohall United Methodist Church. Even though they had been born in the opposite corners of the state, both of them had been baptized by the same pastor, Rev. Ralph Rowe. Mary and Steve served parishes in Mohall, Williston, Hazen, Valley City, and Mandan, along with other churches that were linked to these larger churches.Mary will be remembered for her exceptional musical ability. Her main ministry was leading the children in Sunday School songs. Mary brought joy to hundreds of children. She was active in church choirs, United Methodist Women, PTA, and Bible study. Mary was diagnosed with AML on July 17, 2007. At the time of her death she was the church secretary at Bismarck United Church of Christ. Mary often commented on how much she loved her job and the people she worked with. Survivors include her husband, Rev. Steve C. Johnson, Mandan; children: Christopher, Minneapolis; Pamela, Grand Forks; and Randy, Mandan; two brothers, Jim Stafney, Riverside Calif., and John (Darlene) Stafney, Sartell, Minn.; and one sister, Carol Stafney, Riverside, Calif. She was preceded in death by her parents, Custer and Ruth Stafney. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Mary’s name. Arrangements are being made by Perry Funeral Home, Mandan.