Hattie Bondhus Johnson 1864-1941

JOHNSON, BONDHUS, OLSON, STROM

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/21/2013 at 15:59:52

Mrs. Hattie Johnson Died Last Week
Funeral services for Mrs. Hattie Johnson, 77, who passed away at 5:08 Saturday [December 13, 1941] morning will be held this (Tuesday) afternoon, at 2:00 at the Wallingford Lutheran church with the Rev. L.G. Haweraker [Hinderaker] officiating. A brief service at the home of her daughter, Mrs. LeRoy Olson, will precede the church services. Burial will be in the High Lake cemetery. The Mahlum and Anderson Funeral Home are in charge of the services.

Mrs. Johnson had been ill for the past five years suffering from a kidney ailment. During her extendd illness she has suffered greatly but had born her pain and suffering with a patience and humility that was most gratifying to those who attended her. She has been making her home with her daughter and family since the death of her husband, Ole Johnson in 1936.

Mrs. Johnson was born in Bundesgud, Norway, Feb. 11, 1864, and came to this country when a young girl. She has been a resident of High Lake community for the past 38 years.

While yet a young lady Mrs. Johnson was confirmed in the Lutheran faith and remained true to the creed of her church throughout her entire life. She had been active in all the church and community affairs as long as her health permitted. She has maintained an interest in these activities through her friends and relatives.

Besides her daughter, Mrs. [Olson, she is survived by the following] children, Mrs. Clarence Strum, Johnnie Johnson and Thomas Johnson, all of the High Lake community. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, December 16, 1941)

Funeral Services Held Last Week For Mrs. Johnson
Funeral Services For Mrs. Ole Johnson Were Held In Wallingford Last Week; Deceased Resided In High Lake Neighborhood
(Contributed)
Funeral services were held from Mrs. Ole Johnson on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 16th, from the Wallingford Lutheran Church, with the Rev. L.G. Hinderaker officiating, assisted by the Rev. T. Hanson, of Lakefield, Minnesota. Besides the many flowers there were also many “In Memoriam” gifts to Missions and other institutions of charity. A mixed quartet sang two numbers and Norman Larson sang a solo. Interment was made in the High Lake cemetery.

Hattie Johnson was born February 11, 1864 of parents Samson Svaleson and Kristi Johanneson in Bondhus, Norway. She was baptized February 21 of that same year and confirmed in the Enes Church, November 23, 1879. She came to America on March 29, 1901, making her home with her brother, John Bondhus, Spirit Lake. There upon she worked at different homes until the time of her marriage to Ole Johnson November 28, 1903, by the Rev. A. H. Gjevre, of Graettinger. They lived on a farm on the south side of High Lake where she since made her home until the time of her passing. Her husband preceded her in death January 12, 1936.

Mrs. Johnson has been sick a great deal of her life. On December 7, 1936 she had a serious operation and from that time she has been bedfast most of the time. During her five years spent in bed, she never complained. God blessed her with much patience. She spent much of her time reading God’s Word and praying, both for herself and others. Her sincere wish was to see more souls saved and she felt sure that that her prayers would be answered, though she might not live to see them answered.
She was always grateful for any kindness shown her. Hers was a home where everyone was always welcome. During the fall months she failed fast and on Saturday, Nov. 6th she was stricken with a hard attack of kidney infection. She suffered much until she went into a coma, the night preceding her death. In spite of her suffering, her last message to all was that of thankfulness and her question to each one was “Will I meet you in Heaven? I am going Home to be with Jesus.” “I hope you’ll all be converted and don’t forget to pray for your children.” She passed away Saturday, December 13th at 5:08 A.M.

Those left to mourn her passing are: her daughter, Selma, now Mrs. LeRoy Olson and one grandson, Leonard Olson; three step children, Johnnie Johnson, Wallingford; Mrs. Charlie Strom, Estherville and Thomas Johnson of Ayrshire and eight grandchildren. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews, both in this country and Norway. When last heard, she had two sisters in Norway. She is preceded in death by her husband, one stepson, Andrew, who died in action during the last World War, Oct. 2, 1918; also her parents in Norway and her only brother, John Bondhus of Graettinger.

At the time of her death she was 77 years, 9 months and 2 days. Blessed be her memory! (Graettinger Times, Graettinger, IA, December 25, 1941)