MOTLAND, Martha (Maakestad) 1863-1937

MOTLAND, MAAKESTAD, BRATRUD, BIRKEDAL, NELSON

Posted By: Steve Norby (email)
Date: 12/12/2010 at 12:15:12

Mrs. Martha Motland was born in Cedar Township, Mitchell County, Iowa on April 26, 1863. She was the eldest daughter of Ole Johnson and Kjersti Nelson Maakestad who were pioneers of the Rock Creek community.

Martha was baptized and confirmed in the Rock Creek Lutheran Church and has always loved her spiritual mother. On March 31, 1889 she was married to Peder I. Motland and together they made their home in the Rock Creek community until the time of her death. Nine children were born to this union, of whom five survive. Twins, Ingvald and Osvald, Milton Palmer, and Nina, a twin, died in infancy.

For several years the deceased acted as assistant to her father who had charge of the Meroa Post Office in their home. After his death, she held the position of Postmistress for a short time.

Martha was educated in the Cedar Valley and St. Ansgar Seminaries. She taught school several terms in the rural schools and also in the parochial school of her church.

Mrs. Motland passed away at her home on September 13, 1937 at the age of 74 years. The cause of her death was cancer.

She is survived by her husband Peter and five children: Mrs. Peder (Sara) Birkedal, of Osage; Milton of Boston, Mass.; Mrs. Milton (Clara) Bratrud of Philadelphia, Penna.; Ingolf and Alida, at home, as well as six grandchildren. There are also three sisters and one brother who survive her: Mrs. Hans (Oline) Odden and Mrs. Harald (Ingeborg) Klemesrud, both of Osage, and Mrs. Theodore P. (Anna) Fagre of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, and Syver J. Maakestad of Osage.

Mrs. Motland had always enjoyed good health until about two years ago. She had always been an active and faithful member of the Rock Creek Lutheran church and also a charter member of the Ladies Aid Society. Shortly before her death she was active in helping to compile the history of the Ladies Aid. Her interest in bringing the gospel of salvation to the benighted heathen world continued until the end and her family, in compliance with her last wishes, honors her memory by giving a large sum of money to further mission work.

Funeral services were held September 16, 1937 with the Rev. O. C. Myhre in charge. A short service held at the home included a song in Norwegian by Mrs. Myhre. At the church the Rev. Myhre gave a funeral ceremony, with greetings on behalf of the family brought by the Revs. Milton Bratrud and Norval Maakestad. Interment was made in the Rock Creek cemetery.