TOLLEFSON, Clara Olivia 1872-1933

TOLLEFSON, LANE, CHASE, LARSON GROTH

Posted By: Karen L. Robertson (email)
Date: 11/1/2012 at 19:59:47

MRS. TOLLEFSON DIES ON SUNDAY

DIES FOLLOWING EMERGENCY OPERATION LAST SUNDAY; FUNERAL THURSDAY

Last rites for Mrs. C.T. Tollefson, who died at Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, Sunday afternoon, March 5th, following an emergency operation, will be conducted at the home Thursday afternoon at 1:45 o'clock and at the First Lutheran Church at 2:00 o'clock with Rev. Olaf A. Langehough officiating.

Mrs. Tollefson, who had been in ill health for a long time, underwent an operation for the removal of the gall bladder Monday, February 17th. It was reported that she was improving rapidly following the operation, but complications resulted and her condition became serious last Saturday. An operation was resorted to Sunday morning and she died at 2:40 o'clock Sunday afternoon.

In the old Family Bible which lay on the center table in the parlor of the humble Lane home, we find in old fashioned script this line: "Clara Olivia was born July 17, 1872, at St. Ansgar, Mitchell County, Iowa." Her parents, Mary L. Nelson Lane and Hans K. Lane, came to the St. Ansgar community in early days. Clara Olivia was baptized into the Norwegian Lutheran Church by Rev. Clausen, the first pastor. She grew up to girlhood in a time when frugality and industry were outstanding virtues and religion was the controlling order of life. She was confirmed by Rev. J. Olsen and remained a faithful member of the church to the last.

Her education was secured in the public schools and the St. Ansgar Seminary; at the age of 18 she began teaching and taught in both Mitchell and Humboldt counties.

On October 9th, 1895, she was united in marriage to Carl Thomas Tollefson. The ceremony was performed at the old Lane homestead by the Rev. Sigurd Olsen. To this union five children were born; Helga Mae, wife of Leland Larson of Independence, Iowa; Thelma Lurley, a teacher in the high schools of Twin Falls, Idaho; Clarice Valborg, wife of James Chase, of Hastings, Neb.; Thomas Jr., who died in infancey, and June Alice a sophomore in high school.

Clara Olivia Tollefson's entire life was spent in the St. Ansgar community. It has been one devoted to her home, family, church and friends. Giving to her was one of the greatest pleasures of living-life meant service to her.

For some time, she had been in failing health, but with her usual fortitude and cheerfulness she bore her suffering in silence. No one realized her true condition. On February 27th, she was operated upon at the Northwestrn Hopital of Minneapolis by Dr. Jones, who called her his "Sunshine Lady." She seemed to rally but complicaions developed and an emergency operation was performed.

Mrs. J.M. Chase, a daughter and two children, came Monday from their home in Hastings, Nebraska, and Mr. and Mrs. Leland Larson of Independence, another daughter, arrived here Sunday evening. Miss Thelma Tollefson of Twin Falls, Idaho, is expected her today.

Besides her husband, daughters, sons in law, three grandson, Jimmy, Tommy and Jerry Chase, she leaves to mourn her going, two brothers, Karl O. and Louis J. Lane, two sisters, Mrs. Nellie Groth and Miss Emma L. Lane, and a host of relatives and friends who loved her.

St. Ansgar Enterprise

First Lutheran Church Records
Burial at First Lutheran Cemetery, St. Ansgar, IA