Berggren, Anna Peterson (1829-1893)

BERGGREN, PETERSON, DRUG

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

Stratford Courier
August 3, 1893

OBITUARY

Annie Berggren, wife of Rev. J.E. Berggren, was born in Sweden, October 3rd, 1829, and died in Stratford, Iowa, July 26th, 1893. She was married July 17th, 1853, and emigrated to the United States of America in 1856. She was the mother of eight children, all of whom are living and were present at her last hour on earth. One was born in Sweden, five in Illinois and two in Iowa. There were eight grandchildren, one of whom, proceeded her last winter to the heavenly home, there to await the grand family reunion, where there will be no more painful goodbyes. Being the wife of an itinerant minister, she resided in a number of places, having lived seven years in Knox County, Illinois; two years in Mercer County, Illinois; She moved with her family in 1865 to Jefferson County, Iowa, in 1868, to Webster County, moved back to Henry County, Illinois in 1874; again to Hamilton County, Iowa, in 1877, to Polk County, in 1880, to Dayton in 1883, to Galva, Illinois, in 1884, to Sheldahl, Iowa, in 1885, to Des Moines in 1886, to Sheldahl again in 1888, to Stratford in 1892.

She has been a consistent christian from childhood, a tender mother, carefully performing her duties in everything. Her counsels in her last hours to husband and children were heavenward, she longed to go home when all hope to be restored to health seemed in vain, without fear she uttered "safe in the arms of Jesus." Her departure is an irreparable loss to her husband, but without doubt her gain. She has been sickly for over twenty years, in September last it began to be more serious and continued till death.

The funeral services were conducted last Friday at the Swedish M.E. Church by Rev. John Linn, assisted by Rev. Levahn of Stratford and Rev. Berg of Dayton. The remains were interred in the Olson Cemetery to await the Resurrection morn.

Dayton Review
August 3, 1893

OBITUARY

Mrs. Anna, wife of Rev. J.E. Berggren, peacefully departed this life in Stratford, Iowa, Wednesday, July 25, 1893, at 7 o'clock p.m., and was buried in the Olson cemetery July 29.

She was born in Gestrikland, Sweden October 3, 1829, and was married to J.E. Berggren the 17th day of July, 1853, so that the 17th last was the 49th anniversary of their marriage. They have been blessed with eight children three boys and five girls, all of whom are living and were all present to bid her good bye and receive her benediction. She also leaves seven grandchildren and three brothers and three sisters and a weeping husband to mourn her loss. The scene was very touching when she called her children and with a firm but weak voice said, "My boys serve the Lord. My girls meet me in Heaven." Mother Falien let us meet there Husband don't weep, you will soon follow."

The deceased, with her husband and one child emigrated to America in 1856 and stopped in Knox county, Ill., until 1863, when her husband commenced his ministry at Swedonia, Ill., as preacher in charge of the Swedish M.E. church. She followed him from place to place in his work as an itinerant minister, until a few years ago when the infirmities of old age compelled his retirement.

A year ago he built himself a comfortable home in Stratford where three of his children were living, with the hope of spending the remainder of their days in peace and quiet. But her days were days of suffering all the time there, hardly one of them could be called a well one.

The good mother, the good wife has gone, but was ready. When she was asked if she had any fears of death, she answered, "No, safe in the arms of Jesus."

A short service was held at the house, Rev. Berg offering a prayer and Rev. John Linn reading a chapter of scripture, and the American choir singing. At the Swedish M.E. church in Swede Bend, Rev. Levahn led the service in prayer and the Swedish choir sang several pieces, among which was the favorite of mother Berggren, "Rock of Ages Cleft for me."

Rev. John Linn, by request, preached the funeral sermon, taking for text Rom.8-18: "I reckon that the suffering of this present time is not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed to us."

The largest congregation ever gathered at a funeral in Swede Bend were present to pay their last respects to this mother in Israel.

She was buried in the Olson cemetery by the side of her little grandson, Carl Drug, who died last winter.