Ella Johnson Iverson 1866-1932

IVERSON, JOHNSON, ELSENBAST, HERKE, HESTER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/18/2013 at 23:47:11

Funeral of Mrs. Lewis Iverson Held Sunday
Many Friends and Neighbors in Attendance at Last Sad Rites; Interment in Lutheran Cemetery East of Graettinger
Brief mention was made in last week’s Times of the death of Mrs. Lewis Iverson, who passed away at her home on the East side Wednesday afternoon, January 27, 1932. The previous Thursday she was stricken with paralysis and from the first it was realized her condition was serious and that she had little chance for recovery. Members of the family were constantly at her bedside and gave her every loving care and attention. Previous to the stroke she received the Thursday before she passed away she had been ill for several months. Her health had not been the best for the past couple of years and for the last three or four months she was gradually declining.

The funeral was held Sunday afternoon. Services were conducted at the residence, the Rev. T. Hansen, of Lakefield, Minnesota, officiating. Rev. Hansen was pastor at Wallingford for many years before locating at Lakefield. Rev. M. Mandsager, pastor of the First Lutheran church of this city, assisted Rev. Hansen in conducting the funeral. Following the brief services at the home the remains were taken to the First Lutheran church where the last sad rites were held. Many old friends and neighbors of Mrs. Iverson were in attendance at the funeral. Many beautiful flowers were in evidence. These were the gifts of sorrowing friends. The remains were laid to rest in the Lutheran cemetery east of Graettinger. [Note: later moved to High Lake Cemetery] The pall bearers were Lars Solheim, Ole Wicks, Baste Jacobson, Henry DeLawyer, O.T. Osher and Fred Masters.

Rev. Hansen, who conducted the funeral with Rev. Mandsager was an old friend of the Iverson family and it was with feelings of genuine sorrow that he conducted the last sad rites over the remains of his former parishioner.

Ella Johnson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Johnson, was born at Osage, Iowa, June 1, 1866. She was 65 years of age last June. Her parents died when she was a child. Her two brothers died in infancy. She made her home with her uncle at Osage until her marriage. On February 15, 1895, she was united in marriage to Mr. Lewis Iverson, at Osage, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Iverson commenced housekeeping on the old Iverson homestead northeast of town where they made their home until 1924 when they moved to Graettinger. They had a cozy, comfortable home on the East side and enjoyed the well earned rest they so richly deserved.

Mr. and Mrs. Iverson were the parents of four children, three daughters and one son. They are Mrs. Robert Elsenbast, Mrs. Frank Herke, Elmer Iverson and Mrs. Stephen Hester. Besides the husband and the son and daughters there are seven grandchildren to mourn the departure of the deceased. Mrs. Iverson had no immediate relatives, other than cousins, outside the members of her family.

The death of Mrs. Iverson takes from our midst one of the most beloved women in the community. Since her marriage thirty-seven years ago she has been a resident of the Graettinger community. Throughout this long period of time she has always merited the good will, the esteem and the high regard of her neighbors and friends. During the past few years, due to failing health, she has not been as active in community and neighborhood affairs as she was during the years of her health and strength. She was a good neighbor and was always willing to accommodate in any way she could. Mr. and Mrs. Iverson enjoyed company and visitors at their home were always welcome. The hospitality associated with the early days made the Iverson home one of the popular places of the community since pioneer days. Mr. and Mrs. Iverson were the parents of four children and the welfare and happiness of those who were near and dear to them were always given first consideration. Mrs. Iverson was a self-sacrificing, devoted Christian mother. It is hardly necessary to say she will be sadly missed by her devoted partner and her loving, dutiful children. She was a member of the Lutheran faith and throughout life dutifully observed its teachings. She was a good, kind, thoughtful wife, mother, friend and neighbor and the entire community mourns her death. The members of her family will often recall with feelings of tender remembrance the happy years of association, the early training, the kind ministrations of her who tenderly cared for them in infancy and who guided their early footsteps. The Times sympathizes with them in the loss of their dear mother and with Mr. Iverson in the death of his devoted wife. We sincerely hope that Providence will spare them from sorrow for many years to come.

At the request of the family we publish the following poem:

“Dearest mother, we have laid thee
In the peaceful grave’s embrace;
But thy memory will be cherished
‘Til we see thy heavenly face.

“Peaceful be thy silent slumbers;
Peaceful in thy grave so low.
Thou no more will join our numbers,
Thou no more our songs shall know.

“Yet again we hope to meet thee.
When the clay of life is fled;
There in heaven with joy to greet thee;
Where no farewell tear is shed.”

(Graettinger Times, Graettinger, IA, February 4, 1932)