OBITUARY: Randi Ingebrigtson Bjerkager Olson, 1846-1918, Mitchell Co., Iowa

[Mitchell County Press-February 13, 1918]




                         Obtuary-Mrs. J.H. Olson

Mrs. J. H. Olson, whose maiden name was Randi Ingebrigtson Bjerkager, was
born at Rennebo, Norway, March 19, 1846.  She was baptized and confirmed
in her home parish of the Lutheran church of Norway.

When she immigrated to the United States, she made her home at Janesville,
Wis., where she was united in marriage with Mr. J. H. Olsen, Rev. J. M.
Eggen, former pastor at Lyle, Minn., was the officiating clergyman.

For some time they made their home at Janesville, Wis., and later at DePere,
Wis.  In 1876 they moved to St. Ansgar, Iowa, which has since been their
home.

Their marriage was blessed with ten children.  Irving Olsen and Olaf Olsen
died at St. Ansgar in 1890 at the ages of 3 and 18 respectively.  They were
both stricken with diptheria.

Mrs. Olsen is survived by her sorrowing husband and children: Mrs. Elmer
Whitaker, Miss Jennie Olsen; Theodore Olsen; Fritz Olsen; Mrs. K. O.
Halvorson and Anton Olsen.  She is survived by six grandchildren.

Mrs. Olsen had enjoyed good health nearly all her life.  She was feeling
exceptionally well the last few days.  The shock of her sudden death,
caused by acute heart failure, was therefore all the greater and it took
her dear ones and her friends some time to realize that she was really not
among them any more.  She passed away about 11 a..m. Monday February 4.

The funeral was held at the Norwegian Lutheran church Thursday February 7,
where hosts of friends gathered to pay their last respect to the departed
one.  Her pastor, Rev. M. E. Waldeland spoke from the text, "Yea though
I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with
me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me".   The Dahl brothers quartet,
nephews of the deceased, sang several beautiful selections. "My Mother's
Hands" sung by Arthur Dahl, touched the hearts of all and seemed especially
to those who depended upon her for comfort and advice.

While she never neglected any possible duty in her home or to her loved
ones, she was ever ready to serve her friends and to lend a helping hand
to any worthy cause.  Her hands were never idle and her last days were
busy in knitting for the boys at the front.

Mrs. Olsen will be greatly missed in church and social circles but especially
will she be missed in her home, and it to her loved ones that the sympathy
of all goes out at this time.



              Submitted to IaGenWeb by Marilyn O'Connor, Aug. 2005
                        Copyright 2005 - M. O'Connor