Kloster, Thorvald 1867-1955

KLOSTER, NIELSEN

Posted By: Linda Mohning (email)
Date: 6/22/2006 at 12:19:09

Thorvald Kloster

Dies Oct.5, 1955

Thorvald Kloster, 87, widely known retired farmer and public office holder and a resident of Fredonia township and the town of Oyens nearly 70 years, died in his home Wednesday afternoon.

Mr. Kloster had been in failing health about three months but was up and about most of the time although suffering occasional sick spells, and became a bed patient at home last Thursday, after which the end was foreseen.

Native of Denmark

Thorvald was born Skodborg, Denmark, December 19, 1867, and as a youth of 19 came alone to this country in 1886 to join brothers and other relatives and friends in this vicinity.

With his relatives he settled in Fredonia township and a number of years ago retired to Oyens, sharing a home with his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. And Mrs. J.A. Kloster in recent years since the death of Mrs. Kloster in 1951.

In Public Life

Mr. Kloster, besides farming in which he was a decided success, he was head of a large and highly esteemed family of 11 children, nine of whom are living.

He devoted many years to public activities and in this respect perhaps was never excelled by anyone in Plymouth county in point of years.

Beginning as a school director in Fredonia township, he served as president of the board, subsequently served as a road supervisor, township trustee and as a member of the Plymouth county board of supervisors for many years. He took an active interest in affairs of Danish Lutheran Church, first for years in Fredonia township and since the edifice was moved into Oyens some years ago.

Mr. Kloster in 1902 organized the Granville-Remsen Telephone Company then operating in the nearby rural areas and was its president. The company was absorbed by the West Iowa Telephone Company and Mr. Kloster joined the new organization and was its president until his death.

Active Past 80

Mr. Kloster, after moving to Oyens, for a long time assisted his son, Jens A., at the latter’s oil station until his age forbade about five years ago.

Survivors

Survivors include the nine children, three brothers and a sister. The sister lives in Denmark.

Services Saturday

Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon. The body is at Moeller funeral home in Remsen, where the wake will be held today (Thursday). The wake will be in the Kloster home in Oyens Friday and services will be there at 1:30 o’clock Saturday, followed by services in Gethsemane church, conducted by its pastor, the Rev. J. Jacobsen.
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[Another Obit that appeared in the newspaper]

Thorwald Kloster

Funeral Saturday

Funeral service for Thorwald Kloster, 87, prominent retired farmer and longtime public servant who died at Oyens October 5, were held at Gethsemane Lutheran church, Oyens, Saturday afternoon, conducted by the Rev. J.E. Jacobsen.

Born at Skodborg, Denmark, December 19, 1867, Mr. Kloster came to this country and directly to Plymouth county in 1886. With his brother Walter he started farming in Fredonia township in 1888. Later they were joined by another brother, Andrew, farming the Tiernay farm east of Oyens.

Mr. Kloster on February 20, 1890, married Sofia Nielsen, also of Oyens.

Mr. Kloster was generally known for his charitable attributes, a kind and helpful neighbor, a devoted husband, father, brother and a highly capable and conscientious public servant.

During his active life he held the offices of school director, road supervisor, township trustee and county supervisor and in his church was deacon and Sunday school supervisor for nearly 40 years.

He was the organizer of the Granville-Alton-Remsen Telephone Co. in 1902. This later was absorbed by the West Iowa Telephone Co. and he served as president until his death.

Survivors:

Mrs. Kloster died in 1951. Also preceding him in death was a daughter, Mrs. Bonde Nielsen, and a son in infancy.

Surviving children are: Jens A., Oyens; Mrs. Axel (Herlig) Petersen, Chicago; Mrs. Hans (Christine) Miller, Remsen; Mrs. Niels (Elise) Petersen and Mrs. Ole (Charlotte) Andersen, Le Mars; Mrs. Frank (Annie) Kunath, Oyens; Mrs. Harry (Edith) Wallinga, Sheldon; Nis N. Kloster, Fredonia township and Niels A. Kloster, Oyens. There are 35 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren, a brother and a sister in Denmark and two brothers in this country.