John B. Rokne, 1871-1910

ROKNE

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 3/13/2009 at 15:58:11

J. B. Rokne Dies

Our citizens were shocked Saturday, April 23, 1910, on hearing of the death of one of our best citizens, J. B. Rokne. Mr. Rokne has apparently always been in good health and looked like a robust man. He was taken sick only about a week before his death. Gradually he became worse until pneumonia set in which ended his life.

The funeral services were held at the Lutheran church of this place on Tuesday noon. Rev. Sande spoke in tender words of his life. The body was laid to rest in the cemetery near Wallingford.

John B. Rokne was born in Emmet county January 10, 1871. He lived with his parents there until in 1893 when he married Carolina Peterson [daughter of Bottolf (William) and Kari Peterson]. To this union four children were born. The oldest, a daughter, died, but three daughters, aged 12, 10 and 7 are living.

They lived near Wallingford until two years ago, when they moved to Graettinger and Mr. Rokne went into the butcher shop. This spring he and his family moved onto J. L. Holland's farm east of town.

Deceased was a man of noble traits of character. He was a good christian man and a gentleman in the highest sense of the word. He was always bright and cheerful and his cheerfulness won for him many staunch friends. He was loveable and always ready to do the very best he could for his family. He will be sadly missed by his wife whose support and standby he was and by his fatherless little girls. He also leaves his parents, three brothers and two sisters to mourn his untimely death. God alone can comfort the heart of the widow and give her strength to bear her sorrow. We extend heartfelt sympathy to the sorrowing ones.

Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: Graettinger Times, Palo Alto County newspaper, reprinted in the Estherville Democrat, May 4, 1910.

Note: Widow Carolina Peterson Rokne later married John Baily of Amery, WI. She died 9 Jan 1946 in Wisconsin.