Olson, Brita/Britha (Knudsdatter/Knudson) (1842-1929)

KNUDSON, KNUDSDATTER, JOHNSON, OLSON, HANSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 4/21/2024 at 12:31:39

From Story City Herald May 30, 1929 (page 2)

BRITA OLSON DIED AT EIGHTY SIX

Brit Knudson was born at Yttre-Oppedal, Sogn, Norway, on August 10, 1842. Her parents were Knud Johnson and Ingeborg Olson. She was instructed in the Lutheran faith in her motherland and was confirmed in the Brekke church in Sogn in 1858.

Early in the spring of 1872 she in company with a considerable number of friends and relatives, sailed from Bergen, Norway, coming to Hamilton county, Iowa.

Brita was united in marriage to Gregorius Hanson. They established their pioneer home on the naked prairie of Clear Lake township just north of the present Tom Quam home until 1886, when her husband died. This left Brita with a flock of six children, the oldest about 13 years. Having no special means of support, the family home had to be abandoned and temporary homes found at various places. After a short while however a small home was established in Stanhope. By work of her own hands and that of the children, assisted by kind friends, this little home was maintained for a number of years.

On April 30, 1894, Brita married Hans Olson. For a number of years Mr. and Mrs. Olson lived on the farm near Lake Center. About twenty years ago they retired from the strenuous farm life and moved into their home in Stanhope to spend the evening of the long toilsome day in restful quiet and tranquility.

Less than a year ago Hans Olson died. It was a hard blow to a frail, feeble and wornout old heart. Then in April this year Brita was again to experience the bitterness of sorrow in the death of her oldest son Hans. Feebleness of health has been her lot for a long time. However, only the last years has she been mostly confined to her bed and quite helpless. She died last Thursday morning, May 23, at the age of 86 years, 9 months, 13 days.

Those who are left to mourn her are three sons, Iver, Gill and Ole, all of Stanhope, and one daughter, Belle, also of Stanhope; also 13 grand children and 6 great grand children.

The funeral was held at the Lutheran church Sunday, at 2:30 and burial was made in the Lake Center cemetery. The pallbearers were Gasper Hanson, Herman Nelson, Leonard Egland, Theodore Satre, Virgil Hanson and Bernard Hanson.