1984 History of Clayton County, Iowa, pages 746-747

Bernard H. and Leona J. Auer Voss

Bernard Henry Voss b. 3 March 1908 on a farm south of Watson, Sec. 4, Giard Twp., son of five children born to Bernard John and Sophia Satran Voss. Bernard (Ben) attended Cooper Valley rural school and later St. Patrick's Catholic school in Monora. His father died when the children were quite young. The three brothers, Joseph, Bernard H. and Arthur continued to farm with their mother. After the marriage of Joseph and Arthur, Bernard took over the management of the farm.

June 15, 1937, Bernard Henry and Leona Josephine Auer were married at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Monona. Leona Josephine b. 7 Nov. 1910 at Elkader, Ia., daughter of Edward Francis and Gertrude "Josephine" Heck Auer. Leona attended the Boden School in Garnavillo Twp.

After their marriage, Bernard and Leona continued farming with Sophia living with them until the time of her death in 1948. The farm was then purchased by Ben and Leona. This farm purchased by Bernard John Voss in 1901 has been in the Voss family for 83 years.

They are the parents of five children, all raised on the farm. Beatrice Leona b 21 Dec. 1939. She attended grade school at St. Patrick's, Monona, M-F0L High School, and one year Mercy College, Cedar Rapids. For a time she worked in the Clayton Co. Treasurer's Office in Elkader, and was a guide at Spook Cave until she married Lloyd Welsh of Waukon on 6 Sept. 1960. They now reside in Lansing, Ia. Being the mother of 13 children, she is a very busy housekeeper. Lloyd is part owner and along with their eldest daughter, Debbie, operate the Village Farm and Home Store, Lansing.

Bernard Leo b. 30 Jan., 1942; Donald Edward b. 14 Oct. 1943' and Carol Lou b. 10 June 1946 m. Fred Berns -- all have articles in this book.

Robert Francis Voss b. 17 Aug 1947 attended St. Patrick's School, graduated from M-F-L High School, and has a B.S. and M.S. in Agriculture from Wisconsin State University, Platteville, Wis. He has been an AG teacher and FFA instructor at Monticello, Wis., school for the past 15 years. Robert m. 25 June 1970 to Marcia Lynn Belken and are parents of four children.

Bernard and Leona are members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church., Monona, and Leona is an active member of the Rosary Society, especially in Mission work of sewing quilts, robes, layettes and making bandages. They are now living at Watson, Giard Twp., having sold the farm to their son Donald.

A quote from the Vosses: "We think we are very fortunate. We have 27 grandchildren and we think everyone of them are great kids. We enjoy them so much."