Elvera Victoria Mortenson 1921-1934

MORTENSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/12/2012 at 00:04:03

Rare Disease Causes Death
Alvera (Elvera] Mortenson, 13, Dies After Brief Illness
Alvera Mortenson, 13 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vic Mortenson, died yesterday afternoon at 3:45 at the Coleman hospital from a rare disease known as purpura. Alvera who was a freshman at the high school was able to attend to her school duties on Monday of last week but took sick the following day and was rushed to the hospital Wednesday noon by Dr. E.E. Lashbrook, after he diagnosed her illness as purpura. She was given several blood transfusions but they gave her only temporary relief.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday afternoon at 1:30 at the home and at 2 o’clock at the Estherville Lutheran church. Burial will be in East Side cemetery.

Alvera was the oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Mortenson and had she lived she would have been 14 years old in February. She had lived practically all her life in Estherville and her education was obtained in the local schools. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, December 11, 1934)

Elvira [Elvera] Mortenson Dies Monday [December 10, 1934] From Rare Blood Disease
Elvira Victoria Mortenson was born February 7th, 1921, at Estherville, the eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Mortenson. As a child she received Christian baptism and was received into membership with the Estherville Lutheran church December 18, 1932. She was a freshman in high school and a member of this year’s confirmation class.

Elvira was ill less than a week. Being too ill to stay in school a week ago Tuesday morning, a medical examination showed that she was suffering from the rare and usually fatal disease, purpura hemorrhagica. Blood transfusions were resorted to but they were unavailing in staying the hand of death. Realizing that she would not recover she spoke to her father about her funeral and requested the prayers her pastor and others for her. She cheerfully confessed her faith in Christ, her Saviour. Only a few hours before her death she sang the old favorite, “Jesus Loves Me.” Besides her parents she leaves the following little brothers and sisters, Laurine, Kenneth, Dorothy, Keith and Kermit. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, December 12, 1934)