Jonas Amdahl 1875-1961

AMDAHL, AMDAL, PETERSON, SCHROECK, MASON, OWEN, KALLICOTT

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 8/13/2011 at 14:32:51

Longtime City Resident Dies at Age of 85
Jonas Amdal, 85, who had lived in Estherville since arriving here in 1892 from Norway, died yesterday at 3:43 p.m. at Holy Family Hospital after having been hospitalized about a week. Mr. Amdal had been in poor health for many years prior to his death. His death occurred just three weeks to the exact time of day after the death of his oldest son, Selmer Amdal of Everett, Wash., whose body was brought here for burial.

Born July 7, 1875 at Haugesund, Norway, he was the son of Sakrias and Sigre Amdal. He attended school in Norway and at the early age of 15 applied for and received work on a fishing vessel. That same year he arrived in the United States and came directly to Estherville where he continued to live through the years.

Upon arrival in Estherville Mr. Amdal began work on the B.C.R. & N. Railroad, now known as the Rock Island. He worked for the railroad a total of 44 years, 30 of which he was wrecking crew foreman. He retired in 1938 because of ill health.

May 1, 1897, Mr. Amdal was married to Julia Peterson here in Estherville. They became the parents of 12 children, six of whom survive their father’s death. They are: two sons, J. M. Amdal of Tacoma, Wash., Gilbert L. Amdahl, Estherville, and four daughters, Mrs. Roland (Gladys) Schroeck, Mrs. Mabel Mason and Hazel Amdal, all of Estherville; and Mrs. Fred (Lena) Owen of Guthrie Center. Also surviving Mr. Amdal’s death are 18 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. One sister, Mrs. Serena Kallicott, lives in Everett, Wash.

Mr. Amdal was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church while still a boy in Norway and after settling in Estherville he became a member of the Estherville Lutheran Church.

Funeral services are to be Monday with a family service at 11:30 a.m. at the Estherville Lutheran Church followed by a 2 p.m. service, the Rev. Edward Ulseth officiating. Interment is to be in the East Side Cemetery.

Pallbearers are to be Martin Berge, Pete Aanonson, Orville Paulson, Kenneth Paulson, P. G. Paulson and Noah Rugtiv.

Friends may call at Sandin-Fuhrman Funeral Home from today until 10 a.m. Monday at which time the body will be taken to the church to lie in state. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, January 7, 1961)