WALDELAND, Ole, Reverend 1829-1903

WALDELAND

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 10/22/2009 at 11:05:02

#1 of 2 items:

Sudden Death of Reverend O. Waldeland

Reverend O. Waldeland died at the home of his son, Reverend M.E. Waldeland last night at about half-past ten o’clock. Yesterday was Reverend Waldeland’s 74th birthday and he was enjoying his usual good health and was up town several times during the day.

Shortly after he retired last night, he was seized with a spell of coughing which called the family to his room, when it was observed that blood was coming from his mouth. His son hurried for Dr. Culmsee and then he returned home with all possible haste, only to find that his father had passed away while he was gone.

His sudden death is a terrible shock to the family and their many friends.

The funeral will be held at the N.L. Church next Sunday at 11 o'clock

[St. Ansgar Enterprise, 1903 – from St. Ansgar Musuem Collections]

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#2 of 2 items:

Obituary

Ole Waldeland was born at the Waldeland homestead in Warhaug Sogn, Haa Prestegjaeld, Christiansand Stift, Norway, March 31, 1829. His parents were Lars Ericksen and Kjersti Olsdatter Waldeland. His father was a personal friend of Hans Nilsen Hauge. He was confirmed in his home parish in the year 1844.

At the age of 15 he was given a temporary position as teacher in his home parish. At the age of 17 his appointment was made permanent. This position he held till 1850 when he entered the Holdt Seminary, from which he graduated in 1852. The next five years he taught in the public schools. The Following three years he taught at the state institution for the deaf and dumb at Christiansand.

From 1860-1861 he was employed by the London Bible Society as their colporteur (distributing agent.) In the year 1861 he accepted a permanent appointment as emissary for the foreign mission society of Norway, which position he held till the spring of 1866.

At this time Reverend H.A. Stub, of the Norwegian Synod of America, was sent to Norway to secure pastors for several newly organized congregations. On the recommendation of Bishop Von Der Lippe he called Emissary Waldeland as pastor for five congrations in Trempeauleau County, Wisconsin.

He at once went to America and he preached his trail sermon at Chicago on July 4, 1866. President Preus, Dr. F.A. Schmidt, Prof. L. Larson and Reverends Hjorth, Ottesen, Koren, Juul and Krohn were present as an examining board. On the following day occurred the formal examination, at which he was found competent to fill the office of a pastor. July 11 he was ordained by Reverend Koren, and at once assumed charge of his call. Besides serving these five congregations, he organized eight mission congregations. This made his charge cover an area of 2500 square miles. After three years’ service here he accepted a call from the Norway, Clermont and Marion congregations, Clayton County, Iowa, in the fall of 1869, and served them continuously for 21 years.

The following five years he served three of his former congregations in Wisconsin. During the years 1895-1902 he served as the emissary of the “Zion Society for Israel.” In this capacity he traveled 57,787 miles and collected $17,287 for this mission.

Reverend O. Waldeland was also an author. Of his writings may be mentioned “the Israel Mission.” Mission Hymns” and “The Jews and the Jewish Mission.”

The last two years he lived with his son at Fertile, Iowa and at St. Ansgar, Iowa, where he died on his 74th birthday, March 31, 1903. On this day he was unusually active and lively.

On his 11th year the sickeness of an older brother helped him to seek and find salvation in Jesus Christ. Ever after he lived in fellowship with his Saviour, a fellowship that grew more and more intimate as the years passed by.

Shortly after retiring Tuesday night, his wife noticed that he was not well and in response to her inquiry he said that it was so difficult to breathe.

She immediately arose and lit the lamp, and as she realized the seriousness of his condition, she immediately called her son and his wife.

A blood vessel had burst in his lungs.

His son said: “You believe in Jesus, Papa.” He looked up, answered yes, and nodded. Before the doctor came a few minutes later, he had gone to his Heavenly home.

The funeral service was held Sunday morning, April 5th from the Norwegian Lutheran Church. Ten pastors took active part in the services. The church was beautifully decorated for the occasion.

The services opened with a prayer by Reverend L.O. Pederson. The altar services were conducted by Reverends Brun, Boe, Siljan, and Urnes. Then followed the sermon by Reverend Dr. Bockman, president of the Theological Seminary of the United Church. After an opening prayer he read a biography of the deceased. He then preached an impressive sermon on 1 Cor. 15, 54-57. Dr. F.A. Schmidt extended the greetings of sympathy and condolence from the faculty of the United Church Seminary as well as that of the United Church. Reverend J. Muller-Eggen, who was unable to attend on account of sickness, sent a letter expressing his regrets and tendering his sympathy with Mrs. Waldeland and his son-in-law, Reverend M.E. Waldeland and family, Reverend J. Olson then extended words of thanks and condolence, in behalf of the Boards of Mission of his former congregation and of the local congregation. Reverend J.C. Roseland preached a sermon on John 12:26 in which he pictured the glorious reward of the servants of the Lord. Reverend Skyberg extended thanks in behalf of the family of the deceased.

Reverend O. Waldeland was buried at the Norwegian Lutheran Cemetery at St. Ansgar, Iowa. The pall bearers were Reverends Pederson, Brun, Boe, Urnes, Roseland and Siljan.

(St. Ansgar Enterprise, 1903 – from St. Ansgar Museum Collections )