Ragnhilde "Rachel" Leiren Gronstal 1860-1922

GRONSTAL, LEIREN, ESPAVIK

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 2/25/2014 at 20:42:44

Mrs. K. Gronstal Passes Away Last Wednesday
Beloved Lady and Old Settler Has Gone to Her Reward – Laid to Rest Saturday
Ragnhilda [Ragnhilde] Leiren was born Jan. 7, 1860, at eliren [Leiren], Sondhordland, Norway. She came to America, to Watkins, Benton county, Iowa, in 883. On Sept. 28, 1883, she was united in marriage to Knut Gronstal in Benton county, Iowa. They took up their residence at Watkins where they lived about a year. They came to Estherville in 1884 where they have since resided. To this union has been born nine children.

For a year past Mrs. Gronstal has been in failing health. Last winter she spent two months in Des Moines under a doctor’s care. She suffered a great deal, but bore her afflictions patiently, trusting in her Lord. To Him she looked for consolation and salvation. She passed away Wednesday night, Nov. 1.

She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, eight sons, Chris, George of Sioux City, Bernt of Des Moines, Knut of Omaha, Neb., Joseph of Dolliver, Laurence, Dewey of Dolliver, and Carl, and a daughter, Wilma.

Funeral services were conducted by her pastor, Rev. S.A. Berge, on Saturday afternoon, from the home at 1:30 and from the Estherville Lutheran church at 2 p.m. Interment was made in the Lutheran [Norwegian] cemetery. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, November 8, 1922)

Mrs. Gronstal Passes Away
Has Resided in Emmet County and The City of Estherville for Many Years
Ragnhilda Leiren was born Jan. 7, 1860 at Leiren, Sonhordland, Norway. She came to America to Watkins, Ia in 1883. On Sept. 23, 1883 she was married to Knut Gronstal in Benton Co., Iowa. They lived about a year at Watkins, Ia., and then came to Estherville where they have since resided. For a year past Mrs. Gronstal has been in ill health. Last winter she spent two months at Des Moines under a doctor’s care. She suffered much but endured it patiently trusting in the Lord and waiting for His release. She passed away Wednesday night Nov. 1. She leaves to mourn her loss her husband and 9 children. Chris, Lawrence, Wilma and Carl of Estherville, George of Sioux City, Brent of Des Moines, Knut of Omaha, Joseph and Dewey of Dolliver. Funeral services were conducted by her pastor, Rev. S.A. Berge on Saturday afternoon from the home at 1:30 p.m. and from the Estherville Lutheran Church at 2 p.m. Interment was made in the Lutheran Cemetery. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, November 8, 1922)

Mrs. Gronstal Died Last Wednesday Night
Funeral Services Conducted Saturday Afternoon
Was Very Popular Lady
Lived in Estherville Many Years
Leaves Large Family to Mourn Loss
The Democrat is called upon this week to chronicle the death of Mrs. Knuet Gronstal, one of the pioneer women of Estherville. She died Wednesday evening after an illness of only a short time. While not in the best of health for a year past, she did not complain until a few weeks before she passed away. Deceased was a kind and tender hearted woman, always ready to help those in need and raised a family of children that any mother could well feel proud. She had been a resident of Estherville for thirty-nine years and was respected by all who knew her. The following obituary has been handed us for publication by her church pastor: [Same as Estherville Enterprise] (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, November 8, 1922)