Anna [Seablom] Holt, 1854-1927

HAGGLUND, HOLT, HULT, LARSON, LINN PALMQUIST, SPONBERG, OLSON, NORMAN, MORGAN, SEABLOM

Posted By: Pat Ryan White (email)
Date: 6/30/2009 at 07:59:53

Obituary of Mrs. John Holt

Anna Sophia Ulrika Seablom was born May 10, 1854. She, with her parents and seven brothers and sisters, came to America in August 1866, settling in the neighborhood of Fairfield, Iowa. She was confirmed in the old historic church of New Sweden and here she grew to womanhood.

On Mar. 19, 1873, she was married to John Holt, and the following week moved to their farm home one mile west of Swedesburg where this family has continued to reside ever since.

She was the mother of five children, Wesley, Lydia, Alice, Aletha and Alvan, all but one, Alvan, preceded their mother in death. Alice died Nov. 8th 1884, aged 1 1/2 years, Alethea, April 21st, 1901, aged 14 years, Lydia, Dec. 10th 1902, aged 27 years, and Wesley on July 8, 1904, aged 30 years. Alvan alone has been spared to these parents and between him and his mother an unusual affection and understanding has existed, and he with his father today mourn the loss of mother and wife. Besides husband and son she is survived by two sisters, three brothers, the sisters and one brother being present at her funeral.

Upon the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. John Holt in this locality they united with this church; here they have worshipped all these years; here their children have been baptized and confirmed; and here in the church cemetery four of these have been laid to rest and on this New Years day, after a residence of fifty-five years in this community, we lay her body beside those of her loved ones and consign her spirit to the God who gave it.

Mrs. Holt was a home loving woman and as long as strength permitted she worked for the comfort and pleasure of her family.

Hers was an aesthetic nature as is evidenced by her home and its surrounding lawn. Flowers and shrubs gave her great delight, especially after her children were taken from her; she was an omnivorous reader and few were the subjects of the laity with which she was not somewhat acquainted.

In the fall of 1926 her health failed her but it was not until last September that she was obliged to take her bed after suffering a paralytic stroke. From the first she realized that she would never recover her health and patiently bided the time when her tired body would be relieved from this earthly suffering and often she said as did Paul, "Oh death where is they sting? Oh grave where is they victory?"

Funeral services were held from the home and at the church on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 1st, 1928, conducted by Mr. Edward Carlson who has charge of the work during Rev. Elmquist's illness. An octette sang three beautiful selections. The pall bearers were: two Larson brothers, Gust Palmquist, Jim Sponberg, T. N. Olson, A. Norman and A. Morgan, all old valued friends of the family.

Out of town relatives who attended were Miss Seablom of Missouri Valley, Iowa, Mrs. L. Hagglund of Essex, Iowa, both sisters; A. E. Seablom, a brother of the deceased of Omaha, Neb.; Rev. Ralph Hult and Mrs. H. Hult, of Wahoo, Neb., nephew and sister-in-law of Mr. J. Holt, also two nephews, Leland and Roy Linn of Lockridge, Iowa.

In Appreciation.
For any and all kindness shown our wife and mother by neighbors and friends throughout her life and especially during her illness; and for helpfulness and sympathy shown us in our bereavement, we are most heartily grateful.

John Holt,
Alvan Holt

[Clipping from Unnamed publication, dated 1928; Located in the files of the Swedish American Museum, Swedesburg, IA]