HANSON, Gumbjor 1850-1924

HANSON, RAUK, CERNEY, ASHER, VISTE, BLAKESTAD, BORSHEIM, HALVORSON, BLOMQUIST

Posted By: Karen L. Robertson (email)
Date: 1/14/2011 at 16:59:49

Mrs. Gumbjor Rauk Hanson was born in Dane county, Wisconsin on February 1, 1850 and at the age of four years she came with her parents, Knut O. Rauk and Mette Rauk, to Mower county, Minnesota, where they located near Austin. They remained there only two years and then moved to Mitchell county, locating on a farm four miles north of St. Ansgar where she spent her girlhood days.

On September 29, 1868, she was united in marriage to Stengrim Hanson. They located on his farm five miles north of St. Ansgar where they resided until the year 1903 when they moved to St. Ansgar. Her husband preceded her to his final home on February 8, 1914. In 1917 she moved to Osage and the following year built a beautiful home where she spent the remainder of her earthly life.

She was taken suddenly ill on April 28 and, in spite of all that loving hands and human skill could do, she gradually failed until called to her Heavenly home at nine o'clock on the evening of June 13, when she slept peacefully away at the age of 74 years, 3 months and 22 days.

In her wedlock, ten children were born, of whom the following survive her; Mrs. J.L. Cerney of Lyle, Minn.; Mrs. W.L. Asher of Clarksville, Iowa; Mrs. Henry Viste of Spokane, Wash.; Mrs. Otto Blakestad of Otranto, Iowa; Mrs. H.T. Borsheim of Charles City, Iowa; Mrs. Herman Halvorson of Osage, Iowa; Louis O. Hanson of Austin, Minn.; and Mrs. E.R. Blomquist of Osage, Iowa. She is also survived by one sister and two brothers as well as nineteen grandchildren and one great grandchild.

She was baptized, confirmed and married by Rev. C.L. Clausen, who also baptized her first child. She remained a loyal and faithful member of the Lutheran church and never failed to make use of every opportunity to do what lay in her power to further the Lord's Kingdom here on earth. She was one of the three organizers of Ladies' Aid No.2 of the St. Ansgar Lutheran church and also took a great deal of pride in beautifying the church bulding, and among many other things which she did in this respect she presented to the church the cross which is now a part of the alter.

In the passing away of this beloved one, the church and community lose another member of a large family who have done much for these institutions. Her father was the main contractor who built the now well known stone church at St. Ansgar, and after the lapse of just sixty years this wonderful church still stands as a monument to the skill and genius of that old settler and pioneer, Knut O. Rauk; and our departed one also had the distinction of being one of the first to be married in the church which her father had built so well.

Thus, her life is intimately connected with the history of this old church and this community; and her quiet and beautiful life will long be remembered by all who knew her.

She was always thoughful of others and anxious to help those in need. Her greatest interest lay in the mission work of the church, and she was ever ready to give both time and money to that worthy cause. Upon her removal to Osage she became a member of the Osage Lutheran church and there continued her regualr attendance at church services and other church activities as much as her advanced years would permit.

Her children will always cherish the memory of a loving and kind mother who did all in her power to help them and bring them up as Christian men and women.

Funeral services were held from the home in Osage at 12:30 p.m. and from the Lutheran church at St. Ansgar at 2:00 on Monday. Her former pastor, Rev. M.E. Waldeland, conducted the services. Interment was made at the Lutheran cemetery here.

[ St. Ansgar Enterprise ]

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NOTE: A similar or identical obituary appeared in the Mitchell Co. Press, Wednesday, June 18, 1924.