Clair Olvin Fossum 1922-1934

FOSSUM, JACOBSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 5/15/2013 at 00:47:40

Claire Fossum Passes Away
Dies at Hospital in Rochester

Claire Fossum, 12, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Fossum of Estherville died at 5:30 a.m. today in Rochester where he was taken Monday morning to receive care for a tumor on the brain. He underwent an operation last night.

The boy, who was in the sixth grade in school, is survived by his parents and one brother, Edward.

Funeral services will be in Estherville but arrangements have not been completed. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, July 14, 1934)

Claire Fossom Dies Saturday
Services at Lutheran Church Today
Estherville was saddened Saturday when word was received that Claire Fossum, 11 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Fossum had passed away at Rochester following an operation for a tumor on the brain. The boy had been in failing health for the past two years but the seriousness of his condition was not apparent until a few weeks ago. He was taken to Rochester, Wednesday and submitted to the operation on Friday morning. While he seemed to withstand the shock satisfactorily there was little hope held for his recovery and he passed away at 5:30 a.m. Saturday.

Claire was born in Estherville on Nov. 6, 1922 and had spent his entire life here. He was in the sixth grade at school. He is survived by his parents and one older brother Edward.

Funeral services were held this afternoon at two o’clock from the home and at two thirty from the Estherville Lutheran church. Interment was made in the Wallingford cemetery. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, July 17, 1934)

Clair Fossum Died Saturday Morning at Rochester, Minn.
Clair Ovin Fossum, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Fossum was born November 6, 1922, at Estherville, Iowa. At the age of five weeks he was baptized into fellowship with the triune God, by Rev. S.A. Berge at the Lutheran Church and has been a faithful attendant at the Sunday School at that church from the time he was four years old until his death. He finished the 6th grade in the Estherville Public Schools last June.

Clair was never a strong child, but his trouble was not thought serious, but during the past year he seemed to be growing more delicate, and two weeks ago when he had been taken through the local clinic it was first discovered how serious his condition was.

Clair seemed to realize his situation for when his parents talked to him about going to Rochester he was content to go and to have anything done that might help him to become well and strong. Monday, July 9th, his parents took him to Rochester and patiently and bravely he went through the Mayo clinic, seemingly happy to do so. It was decided that his only hope was an operation of a very serious nature, it being discovered that his illness was due to a tumor on the brain. He was operated on by Dr. Adson, Friday, July 13, at 9:00 o’clock at St. Mary’s hospital. He rallied quickly and during the afternoon he was able to recognize his parents and other relatives and he conversed in his usual good natured way. At five o’clock in the afternoon he grew worse and at 5:30 the following morning he passed away quietly at the age of 11 years, 8 months and 8 days.

Clair had a sweet loving disposition, and was always kind and considerate of every one with whom he came in contact, whether they were young or old. He loved to be at home and was always willing to do what he could to brighten the life of those about him and it seemed that he tried especially to keep from doing anything that might hurt anyone. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. His childlike faith expressed by himself when he knew that he might not get well again, “Jesus will make me a good home” leaves a comforting memory. He leaves to mourn his early departure, his father and mother, his brother, Edward, and his aged grandfather, Lars Jacobson, and a host of relatives and friends.

The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock at the home and 2:30 at the Estherville Lutheran church. Rev. L.A. Mathre preached the sermon and officiated at the interment at the Wallingford Lutheran cemetery. A quartette composed of Benora Shaw, Luella Shaw, Lloyd Handeland and Everett Shaw sang “Have Thine Own Way Lord” and “Be Safe in the Arms of Jesus” and his Sunday School Class, Josephine Handeland, teacher, sang, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” Rev. Peder Nordsletten, of Wallingford, was also present and spoke a few well chosen words of comfort. The class served as an honorary escort and the pall bearers were Edgar Nau, Kenneth Thompson, Sewell Mathre, Carl Tendal, Orville Paulson and Robert Tredway. There were many and beautiful floral tributes and $30.00 was given as memorial wreaths to the Orphan’s Homes. The funeral was attended by a host of friends that crowded both the church auditorium and the basement which had been provided with loud speakers. The member of the Little Symphony orchestra attended in a body as did also the American Legion Auxillary of which Mrs. Fossum is a member, and many members of the city band, of which both Mr. Fossum and Edward are members and many of the members of the American Legion. The Legion members helped usher and furnish cars. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, July 18, 1934)