Conrad Oswald Refsell 1890-1941

REFSELL, JENSEN, NESS

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 6/16/2013 at 15:49:18

C. Refsell Passed Away
Had Beena Patient at the Coleman Hospital Since January 31st
Conrad Refsell, 50, of Wallingford, passed away at the Coleman hospital Tuesday morning at 8:15 after an extended illness. Mr. Refsell underwent an operation last summer for a tumerous growth and seemed to be well on the way to recovery. The growth returned, however, and he was taken to the hospital on January 31st for treatment. His condition gradually became worse until he passed away Tuesday morning.

Mr. Refsell was born in Wallingford in 1890. He received his education in the rural and Wallingford schools and has lived his entire life in this community. He was a member of the Lutheran church and was active in all the meetings and functions of that body. He also took a great interest in the farm and community affairs and was a leader in all the movements that were for the betterment of these groups.

In 1917 Mr. Refsell was united in marriage with Miss Dora Jensen, also of Wallingford. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Refsell, one son having died in infancy.

Besides his widow Mr. Refsell is survived by his daughter, Miss Margaret Refsell, a student in the Graettinger high school, his son, Maurice Refsell, living at home, his father, O.O. Refsell, one sister, Mrs. I.G. Ness and a brother, Martin Refsell, all of Wallingford. He is preceded in death by his son, his mother, and two brothers, Lloyd Refsella nd Maurice Refsell. He was a cousin of O.N. Refsell of Estherville.

Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at the I.G. Ness home and 2:00 in the Wallingford Lutheran church. The Rev. A.K. Gaard of Cylinder, will be in charge of the services. Interment will be in the Wallingford cemetery. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, February 6, 1941)

Obituary
Funeral services of the late Conrad Refsell of Wallingford, who recently passed away, were held Friday afternoon, Feb. 7. The Rev. Hanson conducted a short service at the home of O.O. Refsell at 1;30 p.m. The service at the Wallingford Lutheran church started at 2 p.m. The Rev. Gaard was ably assisted by the Rev. Hanson. A quartet composed of Ernest Skattebo, Allan Hersleff, Glen Groth, and Sherman Gunderson sang at the church and also at the grave. Allan Hersleff sang two solos during the service. Beautiful floral offerings decked the casket and the church. A large number of gifts were given in memory of Mr. Refsell to the various activities of the church.

The following served as pall bearers: Lloyd Olson, Edward Hanson, Louis Rustad, Nels Osher, Oscar Refsell, and Ole Refsell.

Mr. Conrad Osval [Oswald] Refsell was born on the old Refsel Homestead in High Lake township, May 23, 1890, son of O.O. Refsell and his wife, Betsy. He was baptized by J.O. Kasa and confirmed by Rev. Sven Strand at the Riverside church.

On Feb. 21, 1917, Conrad Refsell was joined in marriage to Dora Jensen at the home of her parents in High Lake township. To this union were born three children, Morris Oliver, Raymond Norwood, who preceded his father in death at the age of two years, two weeks, and Margaret Jean.

After several years of farming in this community, they moved to Wallingford in 1925 where they resided for seven years. They then moved back to his farm in High Lake township. Shortly before Conrad’s death, he was taken to the Coleman hospital, where he died.

Early in 1940, his health began to fail and in April he underwent an operation in the Coleman hospital and apparently was on the road to recovery. In September, he began to fail again and gradually grew worse until his death on Feb. 4, 1941, at which time he was 50 years, 8 months and 4 days.

Conrad Refsell leaves to mourn his departure, his widow and two children, his aged father, a brother, Martin, and a sister, Olga. He was preceded in death by his mother and two brothers, Morris, at the age of three, and Lloyd at the age of 41. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, February 10, 1941)