J. C. Albert (Dane) Mathiasen 1892 - 1987

MATHIASEN, HANSEN, NIELSEN

Posted By: Viv Reeves (email)
Date: 2/18/2014 at 13:37:40

Onawa Democrat, Onawa, (Monona), Iowa, 18 Jun 1987:

J. C. ALBERT (DANE) MATHIASEN

J. C. Albert (Dane) Mathiasen, longtime Onawa resident, died on Thursday, June 11, 1987, at Burgess Memorial Hospital. Death came at the age of 94 years, 9 months and 5 days.

He was born in Hjorring, Denmark, on September 6, 1892, to Anders Christian Mathiasen and Meta Martina Hansen Mathiasen. He was the youngest of seven children. He immigrated to the United States in the summer of 1911 on the ship the Lusitania and then came by train to Turin, Iowa, to the home of his brother, Chris Mathiasen, who was a blacksmith. The next day the family moved to Onawa. Albert worked as a painter and paper hanger in the Monona County area. He had learned his trade in school in Denmark and was still doing this work into his eighties. During World War I he volunteered and served in the U. S. Navy and was a mechanic for aircraft. After World War I, he became an automobile mechanic and he followed this occupation for many years, working for Monona County Ford Company in Onawa.

On March 22, 1919, he was united in marriage with Margaret M. Nielsen of Turin and they made their home in Onawa for 68 years. Margaret preceded him in death on March 13, 1987.

Albert, known as “Dane” by his many friends, was a member of the Onawa Fire Department for 15 years (1921- 1936), a charter member of the David McNeill American Legion Post #129, and member of the Onawa Congregational United Church of Christ. In December 1980, he was presented the American Legion Diamond Jubilee Certificate for 62 years of continuous membership. He loved his church and gave many hours of service, especially in painting. At one time the congregation honored him with a small gavel engraved “The Master Painter”.

He was greatly loved by his family and is survived by his daughter, Mr. O. H. (Virginia M.) Johnson of Bradenton, Fla.; his son, Vernon A. Mathiasen of Walnut Creek, Calif.; 5 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; nieces and cousins. Although he lived a long and full life, his children, grandchildren and other members of the family will miss him and always cherish him in their hearts.

Services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 15, 1987, at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Onawa with Rev. Donald Stoll officiating. Mrs. Jack Jordan, the organist, accompanied Mrs. Donald Stoll in the selection “The Lord’s Prayer”.

Bearers were Wilbur Phipps, George King, Harold Hausman, Floyd Dausel, Roger McCandless and Harvey Hansen.

Interment was in the Onawa Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites by David McNeill American Legion Post #129, Onawa, Iowa, Orval Caldwell, Commander.

Arrangements were by the Pearson Funeral Home, Onawa, Iowa.