Larson, Ragnhild 1842 - 1934

LARSON, GUNDERSON, ODEGARD, PAULSON

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/3/2021 at 11:25:06

Clayton County Register, Thur., 01 Nov. 1934.

Mrs. Reier C. Larson, pioneer settler of the Highland settlement, died suddenly at the home of her son, Henry R. Larson, of Highland township, on Wednesday, October 24th, at the advanced age of 92 years, seven months and 11 days. Mrs. Larson was her usual self and was up and about that forenoon, having eaten a hearty breakfast; then about 11 o'clock she went outside to walk around in the yard. Shortly afterwards her folks, looking out, saw her holding on to the gate post in front of the house, then slowly sink to the ground. Rushing to her aid, there was noticed only a couple of gasps, and she was dead. Thus quietly ended a long and useful life, that has played a big part in the building up of her community and church.

Mrs. Ragnhild Larson was born in Egedahl, Norway, April 13, 1842. At the age of 12 years, she came with other members of her family to this country, coming to the old Norwegian settlement known as Koskonong, in Dane County, Wis. At the age of 18 she was united in marriage to Reier C. Larson, who on august 12, 1925, preceded her in death. For three years after her marriage she lived in Wisconsin, and then in 1863 she came to Clayton county and Highland township, Settling on a farm there and there has been her home ever since. After the death of her husband she remained alone for one year, then lived with her son Albert H., for two years and the past six years with her youngest son, Henry R.

To Mr. and Mrs. Reier Larson were born six children, who all live to mourn the death of their kind mother. They are Mrs. Maria Gunderson, Albert H. Larson, Henry R. Larson of Highland, Chris Larson and Mrs. Julia Odegard of New Richland, Minn., and Mrs. Sophia Paulson of Waseca, Minn. Besides the children there are 30 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren, besides many other relatives and friends who mourn her sudden death.

The funeral services were held from the home of her son Henry R. Larson and the Highland Lutheran church of which she was a charter member, with interment in the cemetery adjoining the church on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 28, the pastor, the Rev. G. Gunsten, officiating. The pallbearers were six of her grandchildren.

The large attendance bore ample testimony of the high regard in which this pioneer woman was held by her community where for 71 years she has lived and labored.