Gena Valen Tweedt, 1898-1939

TWEEDT, VALEN

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/15/2009 at 13:03:15

Gena Malene Valen Tweedt was born Feb. 27, 1898, at the home of her parents Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Valen, six miles northwest of Estherville, Iowa.

She was baptized in the Lutheran church. She received her education in the rural schools and her religious training began in early infancy in her home. At the age of 14 years she was confirmed by Pastor T.J. Severtson, now of Eagle Grove, Ia.

June 30, 1920 she was happily united in holy wedlock to John Tweedt, the ceremony being performed by Pastor T. Hanson, now of Lakefield, Minn.

In the spring of 1921 they made their residence on a farm one mile and a half west of the Palestine church. In the spring of 1925 they moved to the farm which they purchased as their home southeast of the church. Here they lived happily together until death called her home to glory, Friday morning Nov. 17 at the age of 41 years 8 months and 21 days.

Mrs. Tweedt will be remembered as one with a kind and loving personality always concerned about others and not the least of her own family.

God blessed the family with three children, Vernon 18, Marie I5, and Marjorie 10, who, together with their father, mourn the loss of a dear and loving wife and mother. Besides her immediate family she leaves to mourn her departure here three sisters and five brothers, Mrs. Thor Sunde, Miss Alma Valen of Estherville, Miss Ida Valen of Beresford, South Dakota; Gust, Lewis, Henry and Arthur Valen of near here, and Reverend Elmer Valen of Norway, Iowa, besides a host of other relatives and friends. Her parents preceded her in death.

Our loss is her gain. Our memories of her are so sweet words fail us to express it.

Mrs. Tweedt often referred to her confirmation day as one of the big days in her life and later became a true follower and believer in her Lord and Saviour and was faithful until the end when she passed peacefully away. Blessed be her memory. "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21

0 Mother you have left us,
To be with God in glory,
We, too, would live for Jesus,
So when our days are ended
We, too, will be with Jesus
To never, never part.

Funeral Last Monday

Funeral services were .held on Monday, Nov. 20, 1939. A brief service was conducted at the home where a duet entitled: ."Good Bye Here; But Good Morning Up There,” was sung by Mrs. Eddie Anderson and Miss Anna Sheldahl of Sheldahl, Ia. Mr. Anfin Shaw of Estherville, Ia., led in scripture reading and prayer. Mr. Arthur Valen of Estherville sang: “Safe in the Arms of Jesus.”

The service proper was conducted at the Palestine church at 1:30 p. m, Rev. Peder Nordsletten was in charge; he was assisted by Rev. T. Hanson of Lakefield, Minnesota, and Rev. L. A. Mathre of Estherville. The following special numbers were rendered in the church: "Safe in the Arms of Jesus," by Mr. Arthur Valen; Does Jesus Care?” by Mr. Lawrence Sunde of Estherville and "Sometime We'll Understand," by Miss Leora Sheldahl of Elmore, Minn. Rev. and Mrs. Nordsletten sang: "Nearer, Still Nearer."

Interment was made in the Palestine church cemetery, where the Sunde quartette sang "Jesus, Saviour, Pilot Me." Miss Eleanor Carlson was the pianist during the service. Mr. Charles Anderson of the Mahlum and Anderson firm of Estherville directed the funeral.

The funeral of the late Mrs. John Tweedt was unusually large. It was, perhaps the largest in attendance ever held in that church. In loving remembrance of her fine Christian life $39.20 was given by individuals and groups to the St. Olaf radio station at Northfield Minn., to the orphanages .at Beloit, Iowa, and at Beresford; South Dakota; to the Lutheran Bible Institute of Minneapolis, Minn.; to the Old Pastors and Pastors' wives of the Norwegian Lutheran church of America and to the Foreign Missions. In addition to these fine memoriams many pretty floral offerings were given.

The six pallbearers’ three brothers of the departed: Elmer, Arthur and Henry, and three of her brother-in-laws: Roy, Burney, and Edward.

The obituary and poem were composed by John Tweedt and three children.

Source: Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa; December 5, 1939.