Christena Olson, 1899-1918

OLSON, HANSON, BIRKELAND, HOLM

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 8/29/2013 at 22:16:29

Christine [Christena] Olson Died in Iowa City December 4
Popular Young Girl Gives Her Life in Service of Others – Leaves Many Friends
This city was shocked to hear of the death of Miss Christine Olson at Iowa City last week. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Olson, who live near Wallingford. Christine was well known in this city having attended school here for a number of years and graduated with last year’s class. She was the president of her class at the time of graduation, active in all the high school circles, loved and respected by all her associates. Her death cast a shadow of gloom over the entire city when it became known that she was dead.

When the call came for girls to enlist in the student nurses training corps, Christine was one of the first to offer herself. She was sent to Iowa City and it was while attending to her duties that she contracted influenza which later developed into pneumonia and resulted in her death. She gave her life in the service of others. No higher tribute can be paid to her memory than this.

She was a young lady of nineteen years, bright and sunny of disposition and numbered her friends by her acquaintances. It is hard to realize that she is gone. Her mother was called to Iowa City when it was known she was seriously ill and was with her at the end. The body was accompanied to this city by the mother and Miss Virgie Bond, another student nurse who was with her through her last illness. Fuenral services were held last Saturday afternoon and were of a private nature. The grief stricken parents and friends have the sympathy of all Estherville in their great loss. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, December 11, 1918)

Obituary of Christine Olson
Christine Olson was born Dec. 30th, 1899, in High Lake township near Gruver. Died at the University Hospital, Iowa city, Dec. 4th, 11:30 p.m. The cause of her death was Influenza which developed into pneumonia. Her mother, Mrs. A. Olson, was called by telegram to her sick bed and stayed with her until she passed away.

Christine Olson was a graduate of Estherville High School June 16th, 1918. She was elected president of her class and the flag of honor which has been seven times across the continent was presented to her. The flag was also waving at her grave. She was the first one of her class to pass to the Home beyond. The funeral took place on Saturday, 2:00 p.m. Services were held at High Lake cemetery and a host of friends and relatives accompanied Christine to her last resting place. Her parents, three sisters and four brothers were present, the only two of the family that could not be here were John and Andrew, both in France. The four brothers present were the pallbearers. Beautiful wreaths and flowers decorated her coffin and the grave. Rev. T. Hanson of Gruver conducted the services and gave the main address, Prof. Strand of Wallingford, a former pastor of the Olson family, gave also a fine address.

To mourn the loss of a dear and beloved daughter and sister, are –

Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Olson, Gruver; sisters, Mrs. A.R. Hanson, Gruver; Mrs. Marie Birkeland, Ringsted; Mrs. Carrie Holm, Colorado; Brothers, Lewis Olson, Lemmon, S.D.; Jens Olson, Lemmon, S.D.; Martin Olson, Fenton, Iowa; John Olson in France; Andrew Olson in France. Both brothers left in February for the camp and since last spring they have been in France at the front and also “over the top.” A little sister who died in infancy, the namesake of Christine is buried at the same cemetery and a beautiful evergreen tree which the father planted many years ago stands over the graves of the two sisters who now sleep side by side. “Peace be with them.” – Estherville Enterprise (Graettinger Times, Graettinger, IA, December 19, 1918)