Gena Nielsen Thomsen, 1865-1950

THOMSEN, NIELSEN

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/6/2009 at 17:12:09

Obituary of Gena Thomsen, Pioneer

Gena Catherine Thomsen was born August 5, 1865, in Helevad, Sonderjylland, Denmark, to Johannes and Ingeborg Nielsen. She was baptized in the Helevad church. One year later she moved with her parents to Rubjerg where she attended school. When she was fifteen years old she was confirmed in Osterlygom Church. She worked thereafter for one family in Strandelhjorn for eight years.

In 1889 she came to the United States with her betrothed, Knud Thomsen, with whom she was united in marriage, October 28, 1889 in New York City. They lived in the state of New York for five years and then moved to Cedar Falls, Iowa, where they farmed for eleven years. In 1905 they moved to Emmet County where they lived near Dolliver for four years. In 1909 they moved to Ringsted where she has lived until the time of her death, December 25, 1950, at the age of 85 years, four months, and 20 days.

She had been a member of the Lutheran Church at Cedar Falls and at Ringsted. She was a member of the Danish Ladies Aid in St. Paul's Church since 1909 and was secretary of the Ad for over 35 years. She was also her Church's correspondent to Lutersk Ugelad from 1930 to 1949.

In addition to many other friends and relatives she leaves to mourn her departure the following seven children: Thomas of Sun Valley, California, Ingeborge Madsen of Ringsted, Marie Andersen of Lake Park, Iowa, John of Rock Island, Illinois, Andrew of Lone Rock, Iowa Fred of Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Eleanor Maxwell of Maxwell, Iowa.

This obituary was written by Gena Thomsen and was used at the burial service in St. Paul's Church, Thursday, December 28. At her own request the text of the sermon at the service was Psalm 84. " My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the couts of the Lord my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God."

Those from out of town who attended the funeral of Mrs. Knud Thomsen last week were: Mrs. Thomas Thomsen and daughter of Sibley, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. John Thomsen of Rock Island, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Thomsen and sons of Grand Forks, N.D.; Mr. and Mrs. Alton Seversen of Brewster, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Maxwell of Maxwell, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Snow of Lake Park; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Andersen of Lake Park, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Rogers and Mrs. L. I. Pottee of Ames; Mr. and Mrs. Harold Andersen and MR. and Mrs. Al H. Johnson of Royal; Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Solmonson and Francis, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Wikens of Estherville; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Abbas of Buffalo Center; MR. and Mrs. Henry Achrader and Mrs. A. D. Newbrough of Lone Rock; Mrs. Andrew Balmer, Harry Balmer, Mr. and Mrs. V. M. Balmer, George Balmer and Mr. and Mrs. Art Balmer of Dolliver; Mrs. L.A. Anderson of Morris, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Rasmussen of Lohrvill; Mr. an Mrs. Paul Kochheiser of Ankeny; Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Rath, all of Lone Rock, and J.F. Qunna of Lone Rock.

Contributed by: Esther Tripp. Source: Written by Gena Thomsen, place of publication unknown.