Rasmussen, Bertha Severson 1866-1943

SEVERSON, RASMUSSEN, TORVESTAD, BUCKELS

Posted By: Colleen Ossman (email)
Date: 3/28/2008 at 16:35:01

Bertha Jergina Severson was born in Kvansa, Hardanger, Norway on November 15, 1866, and passed away at her home in Story City, September 10, 1943, at the age of 76 years, 9 months, and 26 days. She came to America in 1893, to Grinnell, Iowa, where she lived until her marriage. In 1899 she was united in marriage to Andrew O Rasmussen, coming to Hamilton county and being married in the Elim Lutheran church by Rev. O. S. Heidahl. Mrs. Rasmussen has lived in and around Randall since her marriage, with the exception of eight years that she has lived in Story City. Besides her husband she is survived by two foster daughters, Anna (Mrs. J. Torvestad) of Gaston, Ore., and Olava (Mrs. Lloyd Buckels) of Jewell. Her parents, two brothers and one sister preceded her in death, besides two grandchildren, Pearl Cathryn Torvestad and Janett Joan Buckels. Mrs. Rasmussen was a kind, loving companion and mother, taking into her home two children who were motherless, and fulfilled the place of Mother and Home. Her home was always open to everyone and especially to the "homeless". Her friendly greeting and nice smile will be greatly missed by all those who knew her. She was a devoted Christian woman, believing deeply in prayer, her prayer mainly for the salvation of souls.

Mrs. Rasmussen was a member of the Elim Lutheran Church of Randall for forty years, and since living in Story City she transferred her membership to Bethel Lutheran church, and being an active member of her church, taking part wherever and whenever she could.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, at 1:30 at the residence and at 2 o'clock in the Bethel church. The Revs. A. J. Bringle, G. O. Paulsrud and J. O. Gisselquist spoke, and a duet was sung by Orville Olson and Mrs. Bertle Stensland and also a solo by Rev. G. O. Paulsrud.

The pall bearers were: John Okland, John Hougen, A. J. Henryson, John Severaid, J. T. Heggen and Orville Anderson. Interment was made in the Mt Olive cemetery in Randall.

Among those from a distance at the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. Orville Pederson and Paul, Mr. and Mrs. Paron Pederson and Anna Pederson of Grinnell; J. J. Finley and Cathryn and Mrs. Vern Connan of Marshalltown; Mrs. Ludvig Nelson and Leonard and Mr. and Mrs. Perry Peterson of Ellsworth; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Buckels, Mr. and Mrs. Claude O'Connor, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hassebrock, Mrs. P. M. Peterson and Glenn, Mrs. Dean Peterson and Mr. and Mrs. Halvor Iverson, all of Jewell; Mr. and Mrs. Helmer Satre and Sonja, Mrs. Homer Brinton, Mrs. M. A. Hill, Mrs. G. O. Fardal, Mrs. Bloyd Iverson and Mrs. I. B. Iverson all of Stanhope; and many from their old home community near Randall.