Ella Nelson Olson 1855-1950

OLSON, NELSON, HANSON, BERKLAND, HOLMES

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 8/29/2013 at 23:15:27

Mrs. Ella Olson
Mrs. Ella Olson who died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. O.A. Berkland Tuesday evening, Jan. 31, 1950 was born in Sogar, Norway, June 13, 1855. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in Norway and continued active in her church, being one of the pioneers in the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran congregation.

She was 94 years, seven months, and eighteen days old at the time of her death.

At the age of 15 years, she came to America with her parents, three sisters and a brother in 1870. They settled at Anoka, Minn. Here she was united in marriage to Andrew Olson on Dec. 27, 1877, the Rev. J. Waage officiating. After a stay of only two months in Anoka. Mr. and Mrs. Olson moved to Austin, Minn., where Mr. Olson had worked four years previously. From Austin the Olsons with their two children, Anna and Lewis, moved into Emmet county and settled on the east edge of High Lake township and lived there for four years. In 1886, the Olsons moved to a farm they had purchased in Jack Creek township and here they lived for more than 50 years.

They had the privilege to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary Dec. 27, 1938. After Mr. Olson’s death, Mrs. Olson had made her home with her daughters. First she spent four years with Mr. and Mrs. Ed Holmes and then the last five years with Mr. and Mrs. O.A. Berkland where she was at the time of her death. She is survived by her children: Mrs. Olni Berkland, (Annie, Ringsted; Lewis Olson of Lilly, S.D.; Mrs. Edward Holmes, (Carrie) Ringsted; Ole Olson of Walnut Grove, Minn.; James Olson of Lemmon, S.D.; Andrew Olson of Ringsted; Martin Olson of Armstrong.

She is also survived by 38 grandchildren, 82 great grandchildren and three great, great grandchildren.

Besides her parents, brothers and sisters and husband, four of her children have preceded her in death: Mrs. Amos Hanson who passed away in 1933; Christine [Christena} who passed away in infancy; Johnnie who died while enroute home shortly after the close of World War I and another sister [daughter] Christina [Christena], who died in Iowa City while taking a course in nurses training.

Services were in the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran church with the Rev. C.B. Gunderson in charge. Music was provided by a men’s quartet and a women’s duet. Pastors Hinderaker of Estherville and Gilbertson of Cylinder assisted.

She was buried in the High Lake cemetery beside her husband. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, February 25, 1950)