Fonley, Anna (Mrs. Halvor S.) 1845-1927

FONLEY

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 10/19/2014 at 19:27:05

Anna Fonley
December 23, 1845 - June 27, 1927

Spencer Reporter
Wednesday, July 6, 1927

Mrs. Anna Fonley was born at Jertdal, Norway Dec. 23, 1845. At the age of 26 she was united in marriage to Halvor Sigurdson Fonley, shortly after they came to this county stopping at Rock Run, Ill., in the year 1871. Here they engaged in farming. Eight years later they left Illinois and came to Iowa, where they settled on a farm in Brooke township, Buena Vista county. Her husband died in 1899. Mrs. Fonley continued to live on the farm until about six years ago, when she moved to Linn Grove. Here she resided until her death. About three years ago her health began to fail, gradually growing worse, until last Saturday her condition became serious, and she passed away Monday afternoon. She was eighty-one years, six months and five days of age. They departed was the mother of twelve children, six of whom preceded her in death. Those left to mourn her death are Ole, Severt, and Charles of Linn Grove; Mrs. Fred Eastman, of Greenville, Ingval of Kimberly, Idaho; and Helmar of Marysville, California. She also leaves 16 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Relatives from out of town present at the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Charley Jacobson, of Sioux Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Sprague of Albert City; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Risvold, of Rembrandt; Mrs. Richardson of LeMars; Mrs. Edw. Rupp and Martin Peterson, of Westbrook, Minn.; Ingval Fonley of Kimberly, Idaho; and Mrs. Fred Eastman, of Greenville.
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Spencer News Herald
July 7, 1927

Mrs. H. S. Fonley, one of the pioneers of this vicinity, passed away at her home in Linn Grove on Monday of last week. Funeral services were held from the Lutheran church in Linn grove last Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev. K. G. Hatlen. A large number of the friends and relatives were in attendance to pay their last tribute of respect to the memory of one who truly deserved tribute most sincere. Mrs. Fonley was a native of Norway and was well past 81 years of age at the time of her death. She was married to Halvor S. Fonley in their native land and came with him to this country shortly after their marriage. They lived for a short time in Illinois, coming to Iowa shortly after that and located near Linn Grove. Her husband died suddenly from accidental injury nearly 28 years ago. He had purchased a large farm about three miles southwest of Linn Grove where the family resided but, as in the case of most of the early settlers, this had not been fully paid for. The widow and her sons kept on with the job, however, and by good management and diligence the widow eventually gained independence. About five years ago, she built a house in town in which she has since resided. She had been failing for a long time and the end was not unexpected. Her sons, Ole S., Severt, and Carl O. Fonley of Linn Grove, Ingval of Idaho and Helmer of California, and one daughter, Mrs. Anna Eastman, of Greenville, survive her, also several grandchildren. One daughter, Mrs. Helen Larson and one son, John Fonley, died several years ago. Ingval Fonley came from his home in Idaho to attend the funeral but Helmer was unable to come.
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Transcriber Note: Her date of death was Monday, June 27, 1927.