Anna Osterhus Wigdahl

OSTERHUS, WIGDAHL, HADLEY

Posted By: Cathy Joynt Labath (email)
Date: 12/10/2006 at 12:58:28

Ruthven Free Press; Ruthven, Palo Alto, IA; Wednesday, February 8, 1939

MRS. L.O. WIGDAHL DIED WEDNESDAY.
Pioneer Pastor's Wife Passes Away February 1st; Funeral Held Saturday.

Funeral services for Mrs. L.O. Wigdahl were held at the Zion Lutheran church in Ruthven last Saturday morning at 10:30 o'clock with the pastor, Rev. T.G. Wicks, officiating. Rev. Wicks was assisted by Rev. S.O. Sande of Fenton and Rev. M.C. Thompson of Emmetsburg.

Rev. Wicks delivered the funeral sermon, using as his text verses one and four of the 23rd Psalm.

Rev. Sande spoke of the work of the pioneer pastors of northwestern Iowa and the work of the wives of these early pastors. He referred to Mrs. Wigdahl as a woman who was intensely interested in church work and also the welfare of the individual.

Rev. Thompson spoke on behalf of the pastors and the pastors' wives of the Estherville circuit.

Rev. O.L.N. Wigdahl, son of the deceased, spoke on behalf of the bereaved family.

A double quartette sang "One Sweetly Solemn Thought" and "Jesus Savior, Pilot Me." Mrs. O.W. Myers sang "Beautiful Words of Life" and Mrs. Fred Grange sang "Behold a Host."

The pallbearers were five sons, Rev. O.L.N. Wigdahl, L.J. Wigdahl, S.A. Wigdahl, L.A. Wigdahl and Harold Wigdahl, and Dr. L.M. Hadley. C.G. Wigdahl, the sixth son, was unable to act as pallbearer on account of illness.

Mrs. Anna Wigdahl, daughter of Lars and Anna Osterhus, was born near Ossian, April 17, 1863, and passed away on Wednesday evening, February 1, 1939, at the age of 75 years, 9 months and 16 days. She was the fourth child of a family of six boys and six girls.

October 7, 1883, she was united in marriage to Rev. L.O. Wigdhal, who at that time was a teacher in a parochial school near Ossian. Later they moved to Clear Lake where her husband was pastor of a congregation for a short time. In 1885, Rev. Wigdahl organized the Zion Lutheran church at Ruthven and became the pastor of this congregation and they located in Ruthven. Rev. Wigdahl continued as pastor of this church until July, 1936, when advancing years compelled him to give up his work as pastor. He passed away on June 18, 1938.

Due to her early religious training and her kindly disposition, Mrs. Wigdahl was well fitted to fill the role of a pastor's wife. She helped her husband with his extensive church work in the various Lutheran congregations of northwest Iowa, and especially with his work in the Zion Lutheran church of Ruthven where he was pastor for more than fifty years. While her many duties as a pastor's wife took up much of her time, she never neglected her duties as mother in her home. With the teachings of the Bible as here guide, she brought up her children to live lives of usefulness and uprightness and was ever ready to sacrifice for their comfort or their welfare. She took much interest in the mission field and was always concerned about the poor and the unfortunate, and during her years of active church work, the doors of her home were always open to those in need of spiritual help. Failing health in recent years compelled her to give up much of her interests outside her home.

The deceased was a devoted wife, a loving mother, a faithful Christian and a willing worker in the church. Her interest in the Bible, her appreciation of good literature, and her liking for wholesome entertainment, and her efforts in helping others to a higher plane of living will make her influence a lasting contribution to the welfare of this community.

Mrs. Wigdahl is survived by six sons, Rev. O.L.N. Wigdahl of Mason City, C.G. Wigdahl of Emmetsburg, L.J. Wigdahl, S.A. Wigdahl, L.A. Wigdahl and Harold Wigdahl of Ruthven, and three daughters, Miss Alma Wigdahl of Flandreau, South Dakota, and Mrs. Belvina Hadley and Miss Lisa Wigdahl of Ruthven. One son, Dr. A.B. Wigdhal, died in 1924 and two sons died in infancy. She is also survived by two brothers, J.E. Osterhus of Ruthven and Jacob Osterhus of West Union, and thirteen grandchildren.

The Lightle Funeral Home of Ruthven had charge of funeral arrangements.