Carrie (Sjurson Svelland) Larson (1862-1930)

SJURSON, SVELLAND, LARSON, SKORPEN, QUAM, THOMPSON, EIKESKOG

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/23/2024 at 22:07:17

From Story City Herald February 6, 1930 (page 11)

Obituary of Mrs. Sam Larson

Mrs. Sam Larson (nee Carrie Sjurson Svelland) was born near Lisbon, Ill., Oct. 28, 1962, and died at the Lutheran hospital in Des Moines Wednesday, Jan. 22, 1930. She was at her death 67 years and 3 months old.

At the age of 3 years she came to Iowa with her parents and three sisters. The family settled on a farm a few miles west of Randall. Here she grew to womanhood on the virgin prairie.

June 17, 1880, then 18 years old, she was united in marriage to Sam Larson. They settled on Mr. Larson's homestead a quarter of a mile west of Randall. On this homestead Mr. and Mrs. Larson shared the pioneer life together. They were both hard and willing workers, and God blessed their efforts in such a way that they became on of the most prosperous families in the vicinity. But they did not spend all their energies upon gathering worldly goods. As members of the Lutheran church, they loved the church of God, and from their youth they were along in promoting the Christian work at home and abroad.

Mrs. Larson became the mother of six children, who all survive her. They are: Mrs. J. Jacobson, John, Thomas, Alfred, Clarence and Richard Larson, all of Randall.

Beside these children, who today mourn the loss of a dear mother, she also leaves 17 grand children and 3 great grand children, also two sisters, Mrs. Malinda Skorpen, Valley City, N. D., and Mrs. Sarah Quam of Story City. A sister, Mrs. Cilia Thompson (Eikeskog) died 25 years ago. Mr. Larson died Dec. 7, 1927.

Mrs. Larson has for many years been an active member of Elim Lutheran church at Randall and one of its heaviest contributors.

Especially did she take great interest in the work of the ladies aid. In this society she was very active and a great buyer at the annual sales. Her place here will be hard to fill. We thank God for the noble work she performed in this branch of church work.

One thing that gladdened her life was when she saw the interest her children showed in the church and in their soul's salvation. But best of all, as far as she herself was concerned, was her own trust in the atonement of her dear Lord and Savior. She confessed her belief in Him to the very last. When Rev. Paulsrud called on her the afternoon before she passed away, she gathered all the strength she had and in a whispering voice said: "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin."

To those who were near her shortly before she lapsed into unconsciousness, she quoted from Psalm 38, verses 22 and 23, which reads: "Forsake me not, O Lord, O my God, be not far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation." This was her last prayer in life and we are sure that it was heard and that her soul has gone home to God where there is no thorn or Thistle to mound the tender heart.

The funeral service was held Saturday afternoon, at the home at 1:30 and at 2 o'clock at the church, conducted by Rev. G. O. Paulsrud. Three duets were sung, one at the house and two at the church, by Truman Quam and Mrs. Benj. Anderson. Many sorrowing friends and relatives were in attendance at the last sad rites. Many beautiful flowers adorned the casket as expressions of deep sympathy in this hour of sorrow.

Burial was made in the Mount Olive cemetery.