OLSEN, Randi (Bjerkager) 1846-1918

OLSEN, BJERKAGER, WHITAKER, HALVORSON

Posted By: Karen L. Robertson (email)
Date: 10/30/2011 at 19:23:02

Mrs. J.H. Olsen, whose maiden name was Randi Ingebrigtson Bjerkager, was born at Rennebo, Norway, March 19, 1846.

She was baptized and confirmed in her home parish of the Lutheran Church of Norway.

When she immigrated to the United States, she made her home at Janesville, Wis., where she was united in marriage with Mr. J.H. Olsen. Rev. T.M. Eggen, former pastor at Lyle, Minn. was the officiating clergyman.

For some time they made their home at Janesville, Wis. and later at DePere, Wis. In 1876 they moved to St. Ansgar, Iowa, which has since been their home.

Their marriage was blessed with ten children. Irving Olsen and Olaf Olsen died at St. Ansgar in 1890 at the ages of three and eighteen, respectively. They were both stricken with diptheria.

Mrs. Olsen is survived by her sorrowing husband and children: Mrs. Elmer Whitaker; Miss Jennie C. Olsen; Miss Anna R. Olsen; Rolf Olsen; Theodore Olsen; Fritz Olsen; Mrs. K.O. Halvorson and Anton Olsen. She is survived by six grandchildren.

Mrs. Olsen had enjoyed good health nearly all her life. She was feeling exceptionally well the last few days. The shock of her sudden death, caused by acute heart failure, was therefore all the greater and it took her dear ones and her friends some time to realize that she was really not among them any more. She passed away about 11:00 a.m. Monday, February fourth.

The funeral was held at the Norwegian Lutheran Church on Thursday, February 7th, where hosts of friends gathered to pay their last respects to the departed one. Her pastor, Rev. M.E. Waldeland spoke from the twenty-third psalm. The Dahl Bros. Quartette , nephews of the deceased, sang several beautiful selections. "My Mother's Hands" sung by Arthur Dahl, touched the hearts of all and seemed especially fitting for the occasion.

She was laid to rest in the N.L. cemetery amid a profusion of sweet flowers sent by sorrowing relatives and friends.

In the death of Mrs. Olsen the community has lost a good christian woman-no higher tribute can be paid anyone. She was a faithful wife, a devoted mother and a kind and helpful neighbor and friend. She lived man's allotted span of years and more, but her active life made her seem young, and her passing away untimely, especially to those who depended upon her for comfort and advice. While she never neglected any possible duty in her home or to her loved ones, she was ever ready to serve her friends and to lend a helping hand to any worthy cause. Her hands were never idle and her last days were busy in knitting for the boys at the front.

Mrs. Olsen will be greatly missed in church and social circles but especially will she be missed in her home, and it is to her loved ones that the sympathy of all goes out at this time.

St. Ansgar Enterprise