OLSEN, Rakel (Rodli) 1835-1910

OLSEN, RODLI, GRANRUD, FIELD

Posted By: Karen L. Robertson (email)
Date: 11/2/2011 at 16:19:53

Mrs. Rev. J. Olsen, nee Rakel Johanne Rodli, was born in Velfjorden, Norway, September 10, 1835. There she grew to womanhood, and shortly before completing her 23rd year she was united in marriage in the Nostwig church to Johan Olsen. The following eight years they resided in Christiania, where Mr. Olsen was attending the university of Norway, and preparing himself for his life work. Upon the completion of his course of study he accepted a call to a professorship in the Swedish Augustana Synod College at Paxton, Ill. and the family emigrated to America. At this college Rev. Olsen had in his classes Rev. Dahl who is now president of the United church, Rev. Eggen, Boe, Brun, and many others who have since been pastors in the Norwegian church. After one year in this College, Rev. Olsen decided to take a pastorate, and from that time until 1873, the family resided in Wisconsin, first at Neenah and after a year at Green Bay which was more centrally located. In 1873, Rev. Olsen accepted a call to St. Ansgar coming here in January 1873 and remaining the active pastor of this church for more than 30 years, and until the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the church in August 1903, and this has been their home ever since.

Eleven children were born to this marriage of whom six survive with their father to mourn the loss of an affectionate wife and a loving and faithful mother. These are: Rev. Sigurd Olsen, pastor of the Norwegian Lutheran Church at Oslo, Minnesota, Miss Helga Olsen, Professor of Music in St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota, Mrs. J. E. Granrud, wife of Professor Granrud of the Minnesota State University, O. Erling Olsen, a banker of Minneapolis, Dr. Rolf J. Olsen, a dentist of St. James, Minn., and Mrs. Peter Field, wife of Professor Field of the Michigan State University of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Rev. and Mrs. Olsen celebrated their golden wedding nearly two years ago, August 15, 1908.

Mrs. Olsen enjoyed good health thru a long and active life, tho during the last years of her life her health was somewhat impaired.

Shortly before last Christmas she commenced to suffer from what it was afterwards found was cancer of the stomach altho the nature of the disease could not be told with certainty for a number of weeks. This terrible disease made rapid progress, tho she was able to be up and around until a few weeks before the end. Death came during the afternoon of May 5th.

The funeral was held Sunday afternoon, May 8, 1910. It opened by a short service at the home at which Rev. L. O. Pederson of Kensett spoke briefly. At the church Rev. M.E. Waldeland the pastor of the church began with the account of her life, following which he preached in the Norwegian Language, following this, Rev. J.A. Urnes of Osage preached in English. Rev. N.C. Brun, an acquaintance of many years then spoke of the noble character of the deceased lady, and how that when the Pres. Dahl, and Rev. Eggen and Rev. Boe, and himself were students at Augustana more than 40 years ago at College that she was a mother to them all. Rev. Brun's address, coming as it did from a life-long acquaintence was especially interesting and impressive.

The funeral was one of the most largely attended that has been held in St. Ansgar for a long time. The floral offerings were very numerous and beautiful, there being especially fine floral pieces from the various ladies societies of the St. Ansgar, Deer Creek and Rock Creek churches, from the Faculty of St. Olaf College of Northfield, Minnesota, and from many parties of private individuals both in and out of town. Her remains were laid to rest in the N.L. Cemetery.

St. Ansgar Enterprise