Kowis, Ilene: - Ilene (Mittlestadt) Kowis was born on the family farm northeast of Killdeer, North Dakota November 27, 1936. She is the daughter of Johnny and Rose Mittlestadt. Ilene graduated from Killdeer High School in 1954. She married Robert Kowis in 1955 and went on to have seven children, 19 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, and one (so far) great-great grandchild. Ilene started writing poetry and song lyrics after her marriage and continues today. She resides in Hettinger, North Dakota.