Peter Owenson (1869-1932)

OWENSON, PETERSON, NOSTBAKKEN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 7/13/2024 at 21:08:18

From Story City Herald December 15, 1932 (page 1)

P. Owenson Laid to Rest

Peter Owenson was born on the Gust Tjernagel place two and one-half miles southeast of Randall, Iowa, June 12, 1869, and died at his homestead one mile south of Randall, Dec. 6, 1932. He was 63 years old last June.

When he was nine years old he moved to the old Owenson place, one mile south of Randall. In 1897 be bought the place where he has lived these many years, and where he built up a very fine home.

Nov. 6, 1891, he was united in marriage to Miss Theodora Peterson, the daughter of the well known pioneer family, Mr. and Mrs. Nels Peterson. To this union were born seven children. Three of these have preceded him in death. Those who survive him are: Orville, Lillie (now Mrs. Ole Nostbakken), Clifton and Nomer. These children live near Randall with the exception of Mrs. Nostbakken, who lives at Aneroid, Sask., Canada, and who came home in time to see her father before he died.

Besides his wife and these children ho mourn the departure of their husband and father, he also leaves a bother, Andrew Owenson of Story City; also nine grandchildren.

Mr. Owenson was a well read man and naturally gifted, and for those reasons he was made use of in the community. He served as township trustee, president of the Randall Creamery association for 26 years, and as a member of the Randall school board.

He has been a member of the Randall Lutheran church all his life. In this church he has worshipped all those years. He had willingly been along and support this church and its missions and as far as is known never took the back-seat, but always contributed his share.

Unfortunately for himself and his family he has suffered from a lasting ailment for many years. Some 40 years ago an influenza epidemic was raging in this community and Mr. Owenson was one of the victims, and it left him with an incurable neuralgia in his head. He sought medical help wherever he thought he could find relief but to no avail. No one but himself and his family realized how he suffered. Of course by looking at his drawn face one could easily see the marks of pain.

We know that when a person is continually in pain he not always what he wants to be. He will find it extremely difficult to act as he otherwise would. For this reason such a person is apt to be misjudged and misunderstood. It is indeed a surprise to many how he was able to carry on as well as he did in spite of his sufferings. He tried hard to do his best toward his family and his neighbors, and if he failed at times it was not because he did not want to be otherwise.

Now the suffering is over and we hope that be has attained to the rest which he so much needed.

Mr. Owenson was buried from the Elim church, Randall, Dec. 10, 1932. Interment took place at Mt. Olive cemetery at Randall. A very large audience was present to pay their respect to this husband, father and neighbor. His pastor, Rev. G. O. Paulsrud, officiated, and the choir sang two very appropriate songs. Pall bearers were M. L. Henderson, John Peterson, J. K. Johnson, John Rogee, T. Z. Henryson and Peter Quam.