Living Stories
Stadum Family Archive
Stadum Family Timeline

The Stadum Family
Across a Century

From Palmer's birth in 1909 to Dean Lloyd in 2025 – major events in the Stadum family history, with Washington DC lobbying, two wars, the Peace Corps, and the archive that ties it all together.

Palmer Stadum
Rodney Stadum
Scott Stadum
Military / Service
Family milestone
Three Generations of Service

The Stadums Answered the Call – Each Generation, Differently

~1942–1945 · Hawaii
Palmer
Stadum
US Navy SeaBees — Stationed in Hawaii

Palmer served in the US Navy SeaBees (Naval Construction Battalion) during World War II, stationed in Hawaii. The SeaBees built military bases across the Pacific. An electrician who helped wire North Dakota farms – now wiring the Pacific theater. Beverly was born nine months after he came home.

Vietnam era
Rodney
Stadum
Vietnam War

Rodney Stadum served during the Vietnam era, carrying the family's tradition of public duty into a far more divisive conflict. He returned to North Dakota carrying those experiences with him.

2003–2005 · Guyana
Scott
Stadum
Peace Corps

Scott served in the Peace Corps in Guyana from 2003 to 2005 – the third generation of Stadum men to give years of their life to something larger than themselves.

Full chronology

Every Major Event, in Order

1900
1900
The marriage of Beverly Stadum — Palmer and Signe's daughter, the social-work historian who later donated the family archive to Rugby Pioneer Village — and her husband Bjorn.
1941
The marriage of Palmer Alvin Stadum and Signe Marie Solberg on June 14, 1941, in York, North Dakota.
1969
The marriage of Rodney John Stadum and Kathy Anne Nienow on December 28, 1969, in Faribault, Minnesota.
1985
The marriage of Rodney John Stadum and Christine Stadum in 1985, beginning a new chapter of family life in Ohio.
1986
In 1986, during a tour of the Norsk Høstfest model railroad exhibition in Minot, Princess Astrid of Norway paused to admire Palmer Stadum's hand-built locomotives.
1994
In 1994, Kathy sold the 9th Street house, closing one chapter of family life and opening another.
1995
The marriage of Amy Cathleen Stadum and Marvin Lloyd on October 5, 1995, in Faribault, Minnesota.
1997
In 1997, Kristin Stadum graduated from Bowling Green State University, capping her BGSU years.
2003
In 2003, Scott Stadum departed for Peace Corps service — the beginning of an era that shaped his work and worldview.
2023
The marriage of Kristin Danielle Stadum and David Reeves in 2023, in Washington, D.C.
2024
The marriage of Delaney Catherine Lloyd and Zach in 2024, beginning a new chapter in the family history.
2024
The marriage of Mason Lloyd and Laura Mowers in 2024, leading to the birth of Dean William Lloyd in 2025.