Ingvald S. Refsell, 1863-1930

REFSELL

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 3/7/2009 at 08:39:42

I. S. REFSELL IS CALLED; PIONEER AT WALLINGFORD

Came to Emmet County With Parents Over Sixty Years Ago --Burial Monday

I. S. Refsell, 66, one of the prominent and pioneer residents of High Lake township passed away at his home last Friday morning, March 6, [1930] at six-thirty.

Mr. Refsell was born Dec. 3, 1863 in Modum, Norway, the youngest of the four sons of Ole and Mary Refsell.

As a little boy, only 2 1-2 years old, Mr. Refsell, with the other members of the family, came to the United States and established their home in Emmet county, casting their lot, as a family, with the early settlers. Estherville as a young village, consisted of a few cottages and the fort (Fort Defiance) which was built as a place of refuge and defense for the early settlers on the Iowa frontier. The Ole Refsell home, where Ingval Refsell was reared, was one of those pioneer homes of this community where honesty, thrift, hospitality, and Godliness were distinguished traits of the place. His early years in this new country were spent in a dug-out on the farm which lies east of Wallingford, and which is now operated by Mr. Martin Refsell.

Mr. Refsell remained at the parental home until he attained manhood and then he purchased the farm on which his son, Ole Refsell and family now reside.

On Dec. 12, 1893, Mr. Refsell was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Nestegard, who survives him and who mourns the loss of a devoted husband. Their wedded life was blessed with four children, namely Ole and Mable, both of Wallingford, and Betty, now Mrs. S. O. Lundy of Estherville, and Alice, Mrs. Jake Amdahl, also of Estherville.

Mr. and Mrs. I. S. Refsell farmed successfully for many years. The traits which Mr. Refsell had acquired as a young man while living with his parents on their farm, he put into his work when he, with his wife, established his own home.

Ten years ago Mr. and Mrs. Refsell moved to Wallingford to live the later years of their lives. As one of the citizens of Wallingford, he lived quietly and honestly taking much interest in the social and religious life of the community.

About a year ago Mr. Refsell suffered a severe nervous breakdown from which it seemed at one time that he would totally collapse. He was then bed-ridden for many weeks at home, and he was also confined to one of the Estherville hospitals for a while. The good care given him proved beneficial, so that by September he felt quite well again. However, around last New Years, he started to become ill again. On Saturday, March 1st he became very suddenly sick and thus his end was rapidly hastened on.

Mr. I. S. Refsell was laid to rest on Monday, March 10, 1930. A brief service was held at the home at 1:30 o'clock while the funeral service proper was conducted at 2 o'clock at the Lutheran church at Wallingford with Rev. Peder Nordsletten officiating. Rev. Nordsletten was ably assisted by two of the former pastors, namely, Rev. G. O. Paulsrud of Randall and Rev. A. Gaard from Cylinder. A quartet composed of Mrs. Otis Jorstad, Miss Evelyn Clemenson, Mr. Milford Wicks and Mr. Roy Gunderson sang three beautiful selections at the church and likewise one a the grave. Miss Lena Gunderson accompanied the singers. Mr. Magnus Wolden played the organ for the congregational singing.

The following served as pall-bearers: Robert and Lloyd Refsell of Worthington, Minn., Ingolf Ness, Martin and Conrad Refsell from Wallingford, and Atty. O. N. Refsell of Estherville.

Immediate survivors, besides his wife and four children, are two brothers, O. O. Refsell of Wallingford and P. O. Refsell of Worthington. There are also four grandchildren.

Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: Estherville Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa; March 12, 1930.