Kristen Maeland

Kristen Maeland, born April 26, 1927, son of Hanna and Lars Maeland of Bremnes, Norway, who had nine children, Henrikka, a girl and oldest, Martin, Erik, Mikkel, Hans, Lars, Kristen, Trygve, Harald, all boys. Kristen was baptized June 6, 1927, and confirmed September 21, 1941, in Bremnes, Kyrkje. He attended Gilje Folkeskule and Bremnes Realskule, graduated in June 1946, and received his diploma from Bergens Handelgymnasium, Bergen, Norway in 1948. In 1949 he immigrated to the USA under the sponsorship of his uncle and aunt, Selmer and Severine Hansen, Chapel Farm, Riverdale, NY. He graduated from Robert Morris College, Pittsburg, PA in February 1951, while staying with his aunt and uncle, Christina and Torval Thurston with their children, Tomina, Christina, Caroline and James in Bethel Park, PA. On February 28, 1951 he was inducted into the US Army under the selective service act, and spent the first 6 months with the 101st Airborne Division at Camp Breckenridge, KY and 18 months assigned to the 338th Intelligence Battalion in Fort Meade, MD. He was released from active duty February 27, 1953. On March 9, 1953 he was employed by The Sherwin-Williams Co. at their Pittsburgh location and August 20, 1954 received his Certificate of Naturalization. On December 2, 1955 he married Analee Smith, Daughter of Elizabeth and French Smith of Gay, WV at Kenova Methodist Church by the Reverend W.A. Debar. They have two children, Lars Maeland of Ceredo, WV and Kristina Maeland of Conway, SC. Kristen was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Huntington, WV; a 50 year member of Huntington Masonic Lodge. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite and Shriners and a member of American Legion Post #93 Kenova. Kristen retired from Sherwin-Williams on April 30, 1989 after over 36 years in various positions and states with the last being in Ashland, KY. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until noon on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova. Funeral services will begin at noon with Pastor Jennifer Obermuller officiating. Burial will follow in Dock’s Creek Cemetery, Kenova. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.