Westrum, Olof O (1868-1950)

WESTRUM, OLSON, BIERSNER, LONG, NEESE, CARLSON, JOHNSON, NYBLOM

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:00

Stratford Courier
June 29, 1950

Obituary
Olof O. Westrum

Olof O. Westrum, son of Olof and Carrie [Nyblom] Westrum, was born in Galva, Ill., Dec. 28, 1868, and passed away June 22, 1950, in the county hospital at Webster City at the age of 81 years, 5 months and 25 days.

He came to Iowa with his parents as a small child and had lived in this state all the rest of his life, retiring from his farm northeast of town in the year 1928. He attended the rural schools in this community and grew to manhood here.

On June 5, 1907, he was united in marriage to Christine Olson of Stratford and to this union eight children were born, four dying in infancy, and his son, Glen, in 1944. Three daughters are left to mourn a kind and loving father. They are Mrs. Allie Biersner of Parkersburg, Mrs. Herman Long of Highview, and Velva at home, and 12 grandchildren. Also two sisters, Mrs. Emily Neese of Stratford and Mrs. Theodore Carlson of Webster City, several nieces and nephews and other relatives.

He was baptized and joined the local Baptist church in 1921, and as long as he was able did much of the carpenter work there.

He was of a quiet, unassuming nature. His family and home were his dearest treasures.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, who passed away April 22, 1942, his granddaughter, Bonnie Long, who passed away at 3 months of age, and 3 brothers and 2 sisters.

We watched him suffer day by day,
It caused us bitter grief
To see him slowly pine away
And could not give relief.
His weary hours and days of pain,
His troubled nights are passed;
And in our aching hearts we know
He has found sweet rest at last.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Stratford Baptist Church, preceded by a brief prayer service in the home. The Rev. Arthur Westerhoff officiated at the services and he used as his sermon topic, "Deathless Death," from John 5:24. Three songs for the services were sung by the Rev. and Mrs. Westerhoff and Norman D. Erickson at the piano. Following the services the remains were laid to rest in the South Marion Cemetery. The pallbearers were nephews of the deceased, namely: Chester Carlson, Elmo Westrum, Clifford Neese, Julius Johnson, Ransom Carlson and Martin Westrum.