EIDAHL, Antoinette (nee Swain) 1859-1940

SWAIN, EIDAHL

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 9/6/2009 at 13:41:58

Last Rites Held for Antoinette Eidahl Monday Afternoon

Funeral services were conducted at the Andrew Groth home at 1:30 and at the First Lutheran Church at 2:00 o’clock Monday afternoon for Mrs. Antoinette Eidahl, mother of Mrs. Andrew Groth. The Reverend Olaf A. Langehough was in charge of the services.

Antoinette Swain Eidahl was born October 29, 1859, at Bere, Norway, the daughter of Ole and Ingebor Swain, and was baptized at Javek, Norway. At the age of 13 years she immigrated to this country with her parents, settling at Rock Prairie, Wisconsin. At that place she was confirmed into the Lutheran faith on April 20, 1973, by Pastor J. Muller Eggen, the father of Mrs. M. E. Waldeland.

On July 4, 1877 she was married to Ole C. Eidahl in Rock Prairie, Wisconsin. They moved to the state of Michigan for the first year of their married life, then came to St. Ansgar and lived five years on the Clyde farm north of town. The Eidahls next bought a farm about three miles northwest of St. Ansgar, which was to be their home for more than thirty years.

Mrs. Eidahl was the mother of six children; oscar, who passed away in 1927; Albert who lives on the home farm; Mrs. Andrew Groth of St. Ansgar; Mrs. Albert Hegg of Osage; Mrs. Orval Pembrook of Lyle, Minnesota; Wenzel of Cresco, Iowa.

In 1916 Mr. and Mrs. Eidahl moved to St. Ansgar, retiring from the strenuous life of the farm. Mr. Eidahl passed away in 1925. After moving from the farm, Mrs. Eidahl continued as her advanced age would permit, to give her energies and devotion to her family, her friends and her church. She cherished her many friendships and she was by nature kindly and cheerful.

On Friday, October 18, 1940, near the close of her eightieth years, she was called to her heavenly home. Her passing which came in her sleep, was at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Andrew Groth. She had long been prepared for this last journey.

Mrs. Eidahl was one of the old members of the First Lutheran Church, having joined in 1854. She was devoted to her church and took pride in her Ladies Aid membership, which she continued to the time of her death.

She leaves to mourn her departure from this life, five children, twelve grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Six of Mrs. Eidahl’s grandsons were pallbearers; Alton and Irling Groth, Wendell and Lavon, Duncap, Duane and Milbourn Eidahl.

Interment was in the First Lutheran Cemetery.

[St. Ansgar Enterprise, 1940 – St. Ansgar Museum Collection]