Lund, Minnie E (1872-1932)

LUND, PETERSON, SANDAHL, BARNES, JOHNSON

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:02

Stratford Courier
September 1932

Minnie E. Lund was born Feb. 1, 1872, on her father's farm in the center of Marion township, Hamilton county. She died Sept. 13, 1932 at 1 o'clock a.m. at her home here at the age of 60 years, 7 months 12 days.

Her father, Nels J. Lund, and her mother, Caroline Sophia [Johnson] Lund, were born in Sweden and were among the pioneers of the county, arriving at the former Olof Ferlen farm Aug. 8, 1866. They lived in what is known as Swede Bend for a short time and later moved to the Lund homestead where deceased was born. Her father and mother were among the group of early settlers who built the present Baptist church, which was then located in the Swede Bend community. Her father, a carpenter, among others, devoted his time, without pay, in the erection of the church and at times filled the pulpit in the absence for the regular minister. As a recognition of his services a clock was presented to her father by the early members which yet stands on a shelf in the late deceased's home as a reminder of those pioneer days.

Minnie Lund attended this church when a child in company with her parents and other members of the family and early joined it and has ever since been a devoted and steadfast member, devoting much of her means and energy in the upbuilding and maintenance of the church.

She was educated in the rural schools in Marion township and for a short time attended high school in Stratford and at Highland Park College, Des Moines. She began to teach before the age of 18, which profession she followed until the year 1924 when on account of poor health she was compelled to ask for a release from the school board at Lake View, where she had taught for a number of years. In all her work she gave of herself the best she had, and it is said that her intense interest and unwavering toil and energy for the children who came under her tutoring did much toward the early breaking down of her health. She unselfishly gave all that was in her.

She never recovered entirely from this illness and although she suffered much during the years that followed she never failed to extend the helping hand and to administer kindness unto her neighbors and friends. She still continued with all her energy toward the uplift of humanity and in assisting the church until she was called to the Great Beyond, which came to her in quiet and peaceful relief.

She leaves to mourn her death as her nearest relatives: three brothers, David Lund of Stratford, Oscar J. Lund and his family of Webster City; Embert Peterson, a nephew, of Stratford, and the following cousins: Hanna Peterson, Ontario; Taylor and Albert Lund, Laurens, Emma Sandahl, Leonard Lund and Alma Barnes, of Des Moines, and Gilbert Lund of California, besides a large circle of other relatives and friends.

A brother, Spencer Lund, died Sept. 16, 1908, and another brother, William Lund, died Jan. 19, 1878. Two sisters have preceded her in death, Alice Lund on Jan. 18, 1878 and Mrs. Anna Peterson in 1894.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at the Baptist church. However, the church was not nearly large enough to accommodate the scores who came to pay their last respects to the departed one and less than one third of them could get into the building for it is estimated that close to six hundred were at the service.

The Rev. A.E. Appelquist, pastor of the church, preached a fitting sermon from the text found in the 8th verse of the 14th chapter of Mark: "She hath done what she could." He was assisted in the service by a former pastor, Dr. C.G. Bengtson of Pomeroy, who spoke of deceased's faithfulness and zeal for the church when he was pastor here.

Misses Anna Lindblom and Vernice Johnson sang two duets: "The City Four Square," and "The Lights of Home." The Rev. Appelquist, at the request of the deceased, sang "The Golden Bells."

There were many beautiful floral pieces and bouquets and these were in charge of Mrs. Albert Hubner, Mrs. Marvin Westrum, Miss Bernice Young, Mrs. Marvin Snyder of Stanhope and Mrs. Orrie Muench of Boxholm.

The pallbearers were Andie Holt, Albert Hubner, Julius Johnson, Wallace Young, Marvin Westrum and Sidney Westrum.

At the South Marion Cemetery the committal service was in charge of the Rev. Appelquist. Mrs. Ella Naslund, Mrs. Oscar Borg, Misses Anna Lindblom and Vernice Johnson sang "Safe in the Arms of Jesus."