Kristi Sunday Natterstad 1863-1937

NATTERSTAD, SUNDAY

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 2/4/2012 at 21:52:31

Mrs. Tom Natterstad, whose maiden name was Kristi Sunday, was born on March 19, 1863 in Eanes, Mauranger, near Bergen, Norway. She was baptized and likewise confirmed in the Lutheran faith and later on in life married in the same church. She became wedded to Mr. Tom Natterstad, who lived in a neighboring community, on May 9, 1891.

Believing that America could offer them more opportunities in a material way than Norway was doing, Mr. and Mrs. Natterstad in the spring of 1892 – the year following their marriage – left the Old Country and perated [departed?] for the United States of America. Their destination was LaSalle county, Illinois. At different places in the vicinity of Ottawa, in said county, the Natterstads lived nine years. Then in Altoona, near Des Moines, Iowa. In that community Mr. Natterstad farmed some rented land for eight years.

From Altoona the family moved to Forest City, Iowa, where Mr. Natterstad purchased 80 acres of land in that community. He with his family, moved to the vicinity of Fallow, southwest of Graettinger after having lived there but one and one-half years.

In 1915 Mr. Natterstad purchased the 120 acre farm west of Wallingford, where one of his sons, Sam Natterstad, with his family has his home. Although this farm was purchased in 1915, Mr. and Mrs. Natterstad and sons did not move to this place until two years later.

After having farmed this farm for five years Mr. and Mrs. Natterstad moved to Wallingford 15 years ago; here they built that home where they have resided since and where Mrs. Natterstad slept away on last Tuesday morning at 3 o’clock. When death claimed her on Aug. 3, 1937 she was 74 years four months and fifteen days old. She died from heart failure.

She leaves to mourn her departure, her beloved husband, Tom Natterstad and her three endeared sons, Sam, Martin and Omer and also three grandchildren and one brother residing in Norway.

The funeral was held on Thursday afternoon, Aug. 3, 1937. A brief service was held at the home at 1:30 o’clock. The service proper was conducted one half hour later at the Riverside church near Wallingford. The Rev. Peter Nordsletten was in charge; he was assisted by the Rev. T. Hanson, of Lakefield who spoke in the American language and used Hebrews 4:9 as his text. The local pastor spoke in the Norwegian tongue and based his talk on Romans 8:19-23. A mixed octette, accompanied by Miss Lena Gunderson, sang three songs during the service and likewise at the grave.

Mrs. Natterstad was laid to rest in the cemetery near the church. Many friends from many places were present as well as a large number from Wallingford community wherein she had resided. They had learned to respect her as a God fearing woman. The many floral offerings, as well as memoriams in the form of money, bespoke of the high esteem in which the departed was held.

The following men served as the casket bearers: Ole Egeland, Gus Gilbert, I.G. Ness, E.E. Ellefson, Sam Gunderson and Albert Christopher. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, August 10, 1937)