Oline Olson Edwinson, 1845-1928

EDWINSON, OLSON

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 7/11/2009 at 09:17:36

Mrs. Oline Martina Edwinson

Mrs. Oline Martina Edwinson was born at Ballestad, Norway, February 7, 1845, to her parents Aanon and Sorina Olson. After her mother's death she came with her father to America at the age of four years. She came to this country in a sailing vessel which took six weeks in crossing the Atlantic ocean. They settled near the town of Perry, Wis., where her father married again but when Mrs. Edwinson was thirteen years old her step-mother died, leaving her with two little sisters, one two years old and the other an infant. Though only thirteen years old the duty and responsibility of a mother was placed upon her to take care of the home with the father and children. In 1859 she was confirmed by pastor Brodal. The family with several others moved by ox teams and covered wagons to Emmet County, Iowa, in 1863. There they took a homestead south of Ryan Lake where they lived until her father's death. In 1870 she was married to Mandrup Edwinson. This union was blessed with two children. They lived on her father’s homestead on the north side of Immanuel church until Mr. Edwinson passed away December 2nd, 1912. After her husband's death she moved to the home of her only living child, Mrs. L. S. Berge where she stayed until the time of her departure November 18, 1928. She was at the time of her death eighty-three years, nine months, one week and four days old. The last year she has been failing very much in health. Both her sisters have gone before her and her youngest child passed away at the age of two years. Those left to mourn the loss of a dear mother and grandmother are: Mrs. L. H. Berge and grandchildren, Mrs. Lloyd Gardner, Sylvia, Sylvester and Malvina Berge. Mrs. Edwinson was since childhood a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and a faithful and devoted Christian. Many are the guests that she has fed and cared for at her table, whenever a meeting was held at the church Mrs. Edwinson would invite the speaker or someone home with her so that this home became a Bethany to many tired and weary soul. Our prayer and sure hope is that she has now received a full reward of her kind deeds in the heavenly home above.

Funeral services were held at the Berge home and at the Immanuel Lutheran church. Mr. Charlie Anderson acted as funeral director and Rev. T. Hanson conducting the funeral services. The pastor spoke over one of the Psalms at the home and at the church used this text from the second chapter of Luke: "Now latest thou thine servant depart In peace for mine eyes hath seen the salvation which thou hast prepared for all people." The choir sang three beautiful numbers at the church and one number at the cemetery. A great host of relatives and friends had gathered to pay the last respect to their dear relative and friend, Mrs. Edwinson. The casket was laden with floral wreaths and bouquets given by dear ones and friends. Mrs. Edwinson always loved flowers, so it was surely becoming to have the beautiful flowers at her funeral. Not very many are blessed with such a loving, and sympathetic heart as were Mrs. Edwinson, therefore there were so many that missed her so much, and regretted that she had left us here below. But what is our loss is her gain. May the Heavenly father comfort and bring peace into the hearts of those left that mourns the loss of a dear mother, grandmother and friend. Would to God that many of us could live a life in childlike faith and love both to God and man like Grandma Edwinson. Rev. S. Strand, a former pastor of Mrs. Edwinson assisted at the funeral and spoke words of honor to the deceased and to the sorrowing family. May God bless the memory of Grandma to us all and create a longing in us for meeting her in heaven above.

In memory of her mother, Mrs. L. S. Berge gives ten dollars to the mission work of Rev. A. E. Gunderson at Sudan, Africa, and the grandchildren give a gift of twenty dollars to the same mission. Also Miss Serena Berg and Mrs. T. O. Berg send three dollars to the same mission. May God bless them for this donation.

T. Hansen, Pastor.

SHE'S ONLY GONE BEFORE!
She's free from sorrow, care and pain
Safe on the, other shore.
She's safe with Jesus ever more,
Just on the other side.
She'll bid us welcome, some glad day
When comes the eventide
We'll note the vacant chair.
We'll miss the cheery smiling face.
The tender loving care.
She can't return, but God is good,
And some glad day we pray.
We'll meet together, once again
No more good byes to say.

Source: Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa; November 28, 1928.