Gonyo Family History 

Oral history suggests Gonyo family members were with both Pierre de la Verendrye and later his sons as they traveled from Minnesota to the Missouri River.  Indications are that they crossed the river through Hughes and Stanley counties.  The sons' party went as far as the Black Hills as best I could determine.  This was all fascinating research for me.  I have accumulated a hard-earned collection of writings, documents, and artifacts.

Regarding family heritage, I could confidently say that I am at least a 10th generation Dakota Territorial resident.  On Mother's side of family paper documentation is in both Norway and SD.  I am a 5th generation Norweigen - American and let's just say, minimum 10th generation Gonyo.  Louis Gonyo on the Madison  monument was killed in the Civil War.  Oral history suggests, he was at least a 5th generation Gonyo, but this is all conjecture and enjoyment on my part.

Personal Life

Born Dec 25,1935  Christmas Day.  Parents: Stearl Francis Gonyo and Gudrun M Peterson Gonyo. 

Lived in the rural area Baltic, SD.  Actual birth took place at (then) Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls. No birthing problems.  There had been heavy snow storms that winter.  After deciding to go to Sioux Falls for the birth, father set up a mental game plan to attempt to get there.  There were snow drifts 10 feet high in places and wind was still blowing although not as vicious as it had been the previous day and night.  Father determined to go "light weight" transportation via one horse sleigh.  The first attempt was too difficult for a single horse so he used the "team" with the tongue atttached clear up at the top of the withers.  Purpose of "high tongue" was to lift the front sleigh up so it would glide easier over the rough horse tracks over the enormous snow drifts.  Father, mother and bundled up little daughter Roxanna made their way about two miles to Ole and Anna Eggen farm on the main trail north of Soux Falls.  Anna took little Roxanna for warm safe keeping at the Eggen homestead.  Anna gave encouragement to the beautiful young 100% Norweigian mother.  Ole offered to use his automobile for the hospital trip but the 29 year old well experienced Stearl Gonyo envisioned trouble in attempting to make it via automobile. Automobiles were cold, clumsy, awkward and ready to break down any time.  Automobiles were near worthless going through snow at any rate - father and mother said.  They had a trouble free trip all the way to the hospital.  The team was in top physical condition and enjoyed an easy 15 mile outing in the cold weather. 

As a child I attended five different primary schools in the rural vicinity of Sioux Falls.  My parents were tenant farmers moving to different farms as the need arose.  Most enjoyable times were at the Delbridge farm and at a farm located just west of Sioux Falls - Sherman Park.  My childhood was exciting, although stressful during the War.

All four years, I went to Washington HIgh School in Sioux Falls.  This was a dream come true for me, as I had been told high school would be "too tough" for a dumb kid with no money.  High school days were just fabulous.

 Following the progress of the war from 1939 to VJ day 1945 was very exciting, yet often a fearful chapter of my life.  There was a time, I thought we were beat. Every generation of the Gonyo family had served in military events since the Revolutionary War.  I developed a full passion for becoming an officer in the military.  After high school, I went through 3 years ROTC college, at summer training a complete physical exam failed me and rejected me from military service.  I did not realize at the time that I probably could have gotten into the military via voluntarily signing up for the 2 year draft.

Instead, I proceded to both medical school (USD) and veterinary school (Iowa State U). I was rather dead broke.  It was a constant struggle to save enough money during school breaks to survive through the other periods.