Bennedikte L. Nilson was born 20 Apr 1850 in Norway. She came to the United States about 1856 with her family and lived in Story County, Iowa. She was the daughter of Jacob Nilson (8 May 1816-9 Sep 1893) and his wife, Laurense Jacobea Bjornsdatter Hviding Nilson (7 Mar 1819-8 Mar 1893).

Bennedikte was the fourth born of their twelve children. Her siblings were: Nils Laurits 29 Jul 1844-18 Jul 1896, Bendix 24 Dec 1845-9 Nov 1896, Greta Regina May 1847-ca 1935 (Johannes Emil Johnson 19 Jan 1862-13 Nov 1888), Tobina Margaret 15 Mar 1853-1926 (Martin Olson 2 Oct 1848-19 Sep 1914), Charoline 13 Nov 1856-25 May 1893 (___________Morrisen), Bertha T. 19 Nov 1858-7 Apr 1941 (Jens B. Krogstad 5 Sep 1858-1913), Peder E. ca 1860-24 Jan 1924, Nikolai 1 Feb 1862-unknown (Christine_________ 1866-unknown), Christina 11 Jul 1852-23 Oct 1919 (John Anderson), Johanna -Dec 1875(John J. Holm 19 Sep 1846-5 Nov 1926) and Jacob Nilsen 21 Dec 1855-ca 1918 (Anna Emilie Olivie Spelkevig).

She married Peter H. Kolnes (Cole) in Story County, Iowa about 1877. By 1885 they lived and farmed in Lee Township. After a few years of farming they moved into the Village of Perley. Peter sometimes could be very demanding with his hired men, so it is said his wife would go into the fields with extra food for them.

Peter and Bennedikte were the parents of five children, three of whom survived infancy. The three who became adults were: Helmer Jacobius 5 Oct 1884-14 Jul 1937 (Clara Millie Wecker 16 Aug 1890-8 Jul 1949), Selma Laurense 1 Jan 1889-25 Jul 1955 and Jacobia Leonora Oct 1891-8 Nov 1929.

Benedikte passed away 19 Mar 1905 at the age of 54. Funeral services for her were held in the Bethania Lutheran Church, rural Perley on 22 Mar 1905 with burial in the church cemetery.