BREKKE, Ethel Leonora (Torblaa) 1908-2010

BREKKE, ELTHON, TORBLAA

Posted By: Deidre Badker (email)
Date: 2/17/2016 at 07:57:28

Ethel Leonora Torblaa was born May 8, 1908, at Osage, Mitchell, Iowa to Leonard Oscar Torblaa and Emma Emelia Elthon, the first of their three children.

Ethel was baptized on June 28, 1908 at the Rock Creek Lutheran Church at Meroa, Cedar, Mitchell, Iowa. Her baptismal sponsors were: Mrs Siri Hegg; Albert Hegg; Oscar Hegg and Emma Nelson.

As a child her family moved to Grafton, Walsh, North Dakota. She attended St Olaf College and became a teacher.

Ethel married Herbert Jenning Brekke on May 15, 1935 at Grafton, Walsh, North Dakota.

The couple had 4 children: Harlan, Betty Lou, Ruth and Earl.

Found in the 1910 - 1940 censuses living at Grafton, Walsh, North Dakota:
1910: Lionard O Thorblan 29, Emma Thorblan 29, Ethel Thorblan 1.

1920: Leonard Torblas 39, Emma Torblas 39, Ethel Torblas 11, Orlando Torblas 7, Marian Torblas 3 yrs 8 mos.

1925: Leonard O Torblaa 44, Emma E Torblaa 44, Ethel L Torblaa 16, Orlando H Torblaa 12, Marian C Torblaa 8.

1930: Leonard Torblaa 49, Emma Torblaa 49, Ethel Torblaa 21, Orlando Torblaa 17, Marian Torblaa 13.

1940: Herbert Brekkee 31, Ethel Brekkee 31, Harland Brekkee 4, Carl Brekkee 2, Elmer Sebal 25.

Also found in the 1930 census at Faribault, Rice, MN staying with an uncle Jellum and teaching school.

Ethel Brekke died August 19, 2010 at Grafton, Walsh, North Dakota.

Obituary from the Grand Forks Herald:

Ethel L. Brekke, age 102 of Grafton, ND passed away on Thursday, August 19, 2010 at the Lutheran Sunset Home of Grafton.

Ethel L. Torblaa was born May 8, 1908 in Osage, IA the daughter of the late Leonard and Emma (Elthon) Torblaa. She moved with her family to Grafton, ND and graduated from High School in 1926. She attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN and graduated Suma Cum Laude with a double major in Chemistry and Physics in 1930. She taught rural school in Walsh County for five years.

Ethel was united in marriage to Herbert Brekke on June 12, 1935 at the Grafton Lutheran church. The couple lived and farmed near Grafton. He passed away in 1959. Ethel worked as a nurse's aide at the Deaconess and Unity Hospitals in Grafton until 1978 and later worked at the Lutheran Sunset Home in Grafton until retiring in 1988. Ethel was a member of the Grafton Lutheran Church and WELCA, the Grafton Lutheran Quilters, the Unity Hospital Auxiliary, the Sunset Home Auxiliary and Prime Time Senior Citizens.

She is survived by her children: Harlan (Pat) Brekke, Grafton, ND; Betty Lou Davis, Fargo, ND; Ruth (John) Connors, Denver, CO; seven grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren; her sister Marion Lee, Grafton, ND and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Earl, a great grandson and brother Orlando Torblaa.

Funeral services will be Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 10:30 A.M. at the Grafton Lutheran Church. Interment will be at the Grafton Lutheran Cemetery.

There is a memorial for her at Find a Grave #68708652 with her photo.