John Storeim was born in the Störheim region of Nordfjord and emigrated in 1871 to Albert Lea, Minnesota where he worked on a farm for two years before moving to Minneapolis. “He was quite different in complexion from the typical, blond and blue-eyed Norwegian,” writes Ernest in Family Tree (p. 43). “He had dark brown eyes and jet black hair which were passed on to my mother mother and she, in turn, passed them on to my brother Sigvart.”

In 1874 he married Britha Eline Björlo who had also emigrated to Albert Lea from Störheim about the same time. “I have wondered,” writes Ernest, “if she followed him or if he followed her with matrimony as the objective.” They continued to live in Minneapolis for several years, and had a son, Albert. They then moved to Benson in Swift County where they farmed for three years. It was in Benson that Caroline and Christine were born. Finally, they moved to Ottrey Township in Big Stone County where they had four more children: Oscar, Julius, Arthur, and Ella.

In addition to farming, John became involved in banking and became president of the Ortonville State Bank. The family became charter members of Eidskog Luthern Church, a part of the Lutheran Free Church. Ernest reports Olai as saying that John was a “consistent and sincere” church member.

Ernest reports a family tale passed on by Dena Eikeness, daughter of Sevrin O. Steen’s oldest daughter Marie. “It seems that the S.O. Steens were on the move from Kandiyohi County to Big Stone County and stopped for the night near the Storeim home and farm. Since both familles were from Nordfjord, though from different areas and may have met in Norway, a fine reunion was the result. Hospitality was always generous between emigrants. During that reunion (if it was a reunion), my father Olai stood by the cradle in which my mother [Caroline] was lying. He was past four years and she less than a year old. My father remarked: ‘What a pretty baby.’ The remark takes on special significance since he continued to think so and later married ‘the pretty baby’ who had become ‘a pretty lady.’ ”

Ernest continues: “I recall many enjoyable visits to the Storeim home. For one thing, they had a very fine apple orchard where we spent happy times eating our fill. When I was 5 years of age, I decided that I wanted to go and see these grandparents. My mother evidently didn't think that I meant to go. I took my little red wagon and started out to go the 7 or 8 miles to grandma's house. Consternation arose when I didn't show up at home for dinner. Then my mother remembered what I had said. A telephone call confirmed that I had arrived where I said that I would go. My father came by horse and buggy to get me. I was not disciplined but I was warned that I would be if it happened again.”

John O. Storeim weakened after his wife died on January 23, 1925. He went to live with my parents shortly after. He died there October 5, 1926.