William Johnson 1857-1932

JOHNSON, OLDSDOTTER, BREKKE, ANDERSON, KRANTZ, BIXBY, GUGE, NELSON, VASSER, DENNISON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 10/2/2013 at 00:05:00

Obituary
William Johnson (Botolf Brekke) was born August 14, 1857, at Balesbrand, Norway. When he was 9 months old, his parents, Hans and Carrie Johnson emigrated to America. They settled in Columbus, Wis., and some 8 years later came to Emmet County, Iowa. They acquired a farm north east of Wallingford, part of which came into the possession of the deceased. Mr. Johnson was confirmed after the usual instruction in the Luther faith by the pioneer pastor, Hivard Hande. April 20, 1891, he was married to Syneve Oldsdotter. To this union was born 12 children, all of whom survive except a son who died in infancy.

In 1915 they moved to Estherville and have resided here since. Mr. Johnson has been in poor health for several years. He was bedfast for the greater part of a year but regained strength sufficiently so that the last year or more he has been able to be up and around in the house. The last week he became ill again, and suffered much pain at times. The end came Saturday [December 10, 1932] morning at 3 o’clock. He was then 75 years, 3 months and 20 days old. Besides his sorrowing wife he leaves the following children: Mrs. Carrie Anderson of Tacoma, Washington; Mrs. Lena Krantz, Mrs. Etta Bixby, Hans Johnson, Mrs. Louise Guge, Mrs. Selma Nelson and Miss Jennie Johnson of Estherville, and Mrs. Olen Vasser of Omaha, Nebr.; ole Johnson of Swea City, and William Johnson of Pipestone, and Mrs. Amanda Dennison of Norwalk, Col. There are 25 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

The funeral was held Tuesday at 1:15 from the home on North 2nd Street and at 1:30 at the Sternborg Funeral Home. Burial was made at the Wallingford Cemetery. Pall bearers were the three sons, Hans, Ole and William, and the sons-in-law, John Bixby, Karl Guge and Alfred Nelson. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, December 14, 1932)