Edward O. and Marthea Stai

Edward Olson Stai was born on September 20, 1850 in Stai Osterdalen, Norway.  Marthea Hanson Stai was born on January 29, 1857 at Ringebu Gulbrandsdalen, Norway.  The couple was married in Norway on May 3, 1878 and emigrated to the United States in 1880 settling first in Minnesota and thence homesteading in Sverdrup Township.  They had two children born to them: 

Ole Henry Stai who married Adelia Freer, daughter of a pioneer Griggs County couple, who now resides in Eugene, Oregon upon Ole's death in 1946

and Anna Beata Stai Swingen who married Henry H. Swingen.  Anna died in 1973.

The Stais had a fierce pride in the soil - in the land.  They were charter members of Union Lutheran Church where interment was held for Mr. Stai after his death on September 21, 1938 at the age of 88 years and for Mrs. Stai after her death on October 13, 1939.

The stories they related relative to fighting prairie fires to save the crops and hay, even leaving church to do so, point out the price that was paid by the pioneers to hold the land.  The Stais with their neighbors did exemplify the Griggs County pioneer spirit.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 page 159