Inger Christensen 1819-1917

CHRISTENSEN, FREDERICKSEN

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/23/2021 at 17:43:28

October 17, 1917 - The Clinton Advertiser page 4

Lost Nation, Ia., Oct. 17--Inger Fredericksen was born July 11, 1819, at Raaby, Denmark. As a child of Christian parents she was baptized and later confirmed in the Lutheran church, the Danish state church. At the age of 5 years she lost her mother through death. In 1843 she was married to Ole Christensen. Twenty-six years later they came to this country, locating immediately in this vicinity. With the exception of one and one-half years spent in Kansas, Clinton county was her home. In 1892 her husband departed this life and Grandma Christensen since then has made her home with her son, Hans P. Christensen, and family on the Christensen farm. Nine years ago they moved to Lost Nation and in that short time, the deceased won a host of friends. She was highly respected and beloved by all, partly on account of her venerable age and partly on account of her loving and considerate disposition. Although she reached a ripe old age, years of ? trouble and ?, she was still hale and hearty and never afflicted with troublesome ailments. Even at the age of 95, she was able to read and it was no surprise to find her reading her devotional books, cherished relics of her home across the seas. The last three years marked a period of general decline, her faculties became weakened and she was more or less dependent upon those about her. She enjoyed the love and care of a devoted son, a sympathetic daughter-in-law as well as that of loving grandchildren. All that love and medical skill could do was here, but she had passed the Biblical allotment of three score years and ten, and the time had come for the corruptible to take on incorruption. Since the 15th of August she was confined to her bed, gradually declining in strength, until on last Friday, the 13th of October, at 2:45 o'clock, she peacefully as in a sleep passed to the Great Beyond. In the pioneer days when churches were scarce and service few, she with her family many a time went to Maquoketa to attend services conducted by a Danish Lutheran minister from Clinton, and as long as her strength permitted, she was a regular attendant at our services, delighting in the hearing and learning of the Word of God, as well as appreciating the bounteous grace offered in the sacraments. She was the mother of four sons. One died at the age of 4; another was laid to rest in 1911, and two, Jens P. and Niels P. of Lost Nation, nine grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren survive her. She reached the ripe old age of 98 years, 3 months and 1 day. Funeral services were held Sunday morning from the Lutheran church, Rev. Vollmer taking for his text Revelation 14-13: "Blessed Are the Dead Who Die in the Lord." The choir, composed of Mrs. Dake, Edna Schultz, Henry Burricheter and Harry Rutenbeck, sang "Rock of Ages." The pallbearers were D. Schultz, L. Hechterman, H. Kegabine, C. Schoff, F. Kuhlman and J. Hunwartzen.