Oliver O. Refsell, 1854-1943

REFSELL

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 3/7/2009 at 08:46:44

O. O. REFSELL

Funeral services were held for Oliver O. Refsell from the Wallingford Lutheran church Friday Oct. 15 [1943], with the Rev. L. G. Hinderaker officiating. [Mr. Refsell died Oct. 10] Visiting speakers also took part in the service, the Rev. T. Hanson of Lakefield, Magnus Wolden of Estherville, and Lloyd Refsell, student at Luther Theological Seminary, who spoke in behalf of the family. Mrs. Sherman Gunderson and Alfred Ness sang solos.

Oliver O. Refsell was born Oct. 8, 1854, in Norway. He was only 12 years old when he was brought to the United States by his parents from Modum, Norway. The family home was established in High Lake township, Emmet county, Ia. He worked with his father on the farm until he was 35 years old and then purchased the homestead property.

Mr. Refsell was united in marriage July 18, 1889 to Miss Betsy Olson, also a native of Norway. [Oliver was 34 and Betsy was 25.] Four sons and one daughter were born. Mrs. Refsell and three sons preceded him in death. The sons were Morris, Lloyd and Conrad.

He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. I. G. Ness, and one son, Martin Refsell, both of Wallingford; two daughters-in-law, Mrs. Helen Refsell of Robbinsdale, Minn., and Mrs. Dora Refsell of Wallingford; 15 grandchildren and one great grandchild, besides a large number of relatives and friends.

Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Sources: Estherville Daily News, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, October 20, 1943; Emmet County Death and Marriage Records.