Knutson, Anna Kathrine (Halsnes/Charlson) (1837-1925)

KNUTSON, MELTVEDT, HALSNES, HALSNESS, CHARLSON, NESS, MARCUS, TUNGESVIG

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/15/2024 at 14:10:43

From Story City Herald June 11, 1925 (page 3)

Obituary of Mrs. Knutson

Mrs. Anna Kathrine Knutson (Meltvedt) was born in Lilledal, Etne, Norway, Dec. 16, 1837, and died on her old homestead five miles east and one mile north of Randall, Iowa, June 2nd, 1925, at the age of 87 years, 7 months.

Her parents were Tjeran and Borghild Halsness*. She was the fourth in family of five children. With the rest of her family she came to America in 1856, she being then 19 years old. The first stop was Illinois, where they remained for two years.

She was a member of the third colony that left Illinois for Story and Hamilton counties, Iowa.

The members of the first colony who came in 1856 were: Rasmus Sheldahl with his wife and one child (Mrs. Grove), Erick Sheldahl and wife, Elias Hendrickson and wife, Jonas Duea, with his wife and two children, Julia and Joseph, Rasmus Larson Tungesvig, with his wife and six children, Ole Rasmusson with his wife and one child, Jacob Erickson and wife, Torkel Opstvedt ad family, Lars and John Ness and Hans Peterson.

The members of the second colony, who came in 1857, were: Osmund Henryson and wife, Samuel Holland and family, Knud Egland and family, John Charlson and family, Ole Braland and family, John Bjorka and family, Andrew Christenson and family, Peter Tjernagel and family, Knud Helvig and family.

The members of the third colony came in 1858. Of this colony Mrs. Knutson was a member. Their names were: Paul Thompson and wife, Mons Grove, John Grindem, wife and two children, Knut Tvedt and wife, Lars Henderson, wife and four children, Johannes Mathre and family, Tjeran Halsnes (Mrs. Knutson's father), wife and four children, Baard Beroen, wife and four children, Thor Hill, wife and one child.

This colony left Kendall county, Ill., the first part of May it took six weeks before they reached their destination at Rasmus Sheldahl, Roland, Iowa.

In 1865 the deceased was married to Andrew Knutson. Rev. Amlund read the service. To this union eight children were born. All of these children are living with the exception of Louis Knutson, who died recently.

The children who live to mourn her loss are: Mrs. George Ness, Goodell, Iowa; Mrs. John Marcus, Williams, Iowa; Charlie Knutson, Bricelyn, Minn.; Mrs. Dan Knutson, Des Moines; Mrs. O. Tungesvig, Radcliffe, Iowa; Theodore and Carrie Knutson at home. She also leaves forty-one grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

At her husband's death in 1886 she was left alone with a family of eight children. But this was not all her care; when the estate was settled after her husband's death the creditors received only 68 cents on the dollar. Although Mrs. Knutson was not responsible for the balance of the debt, she paid it all later on.

An item in a local newspaper will throw light upon her good character and her feeling of righteousness, and which is a lesson to us all in righteous living. Thus we read: "Mrs. Andrew Knutson has just filed, through her attorney, Wesley Martin, a most peculiar paper in the office of the County Clerk Sterling, one that reveal a story of heart interest, showing how a widow, after a lapse of many years, has been able to fulfill an ambition to pay in full every debt owed by her husband at the time of his death. She wasn't obliged to do this, but her petition filed in court states that it has been her determination ever since the death of her husband to make payment in full of all his debts."

This bespeaks her determination, will power and righteousness.

Mrs. Knutson was a charter member of the North St. Petri Church. She loved her church and attended it regularly as long as she was able to.

During the last two years of her life, mostly in bed she was drawn closer and closer to her Saviour, whose grace she put her trust in. In this grace she peacefully passed away to her eternal reward on the date mentioned above surrounded by her children.

During the time she was bedfast she had the best of care given her by her daughter Carrie and Her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Louis Knutson. Nothing was spared in order to make her last days as comfortable as possible. She never complained but was always pleasant and satisfied. She often made the remark: "I have it so good."

Blessed be her memory.

Funeral services were held on Thursday afternoon, June 4th, at one o'clock at the home and two o'clock at the North St. Petri church, conducted by Rev. G. O. Paulsrud and Rev. Benson of McCallsburg. Burial took place in cemetery east of Randall [Mamrelund Cemetery.]

*SUBMITTER'S NOTE: The parents of Anna Knutson are buried in Mamrelund Cemetery in Hamilton County, Iowa as Tjeran and Borgilde Charlson.