Torris H. Opstvedt

OPSTVEDT, KNUTSON, ERSLAND, JOHNSON, CHELSVIG

Posted By: Alan Nicholson (email)
Date: 3/3/2010 at 19:21:14

Roland Record, Wednesday, January 25, 1933

Called by Death

Ole Gabrielson and T. H. Opstvedt DIed During Past Week

Two more of the old residents of the community have died during the past week. Ole Gabrieldson died at the University Hospital in Iowa City Friday and T. H. Opstvedt died at his home north of Roland yesterday morning.

Mr. Opstvedt had been failing in health the past two years and gradually became weaker until his death at nine o'clock yesterday forenoon. He was 76 years old and had been a resident of this community since he was one year old. The funeral will be held at the Opstvedt residence at 1:30 and at Bergen church at 2:00 o'clock Friday afternoon.

[continues with obituary of Ole Gabrielson]

Roland Record, Wednesday, February 1, 1933

Obituary of T. H. Opstvedt

Torris H. Opstvedt was born at Lisbon, Ill., August 3, 1856, the son of Halvor and Inger Opstvedt. He died at his home near Roland January 24, 1933, at the age of 76 years, 5 months and 21 days.

He came to this community with his parents when he was less than a year old. They were part of the caravan of emigrants who traveled over the prairies in covered wagons, arriving here in 1857. The Opstvedt family lived several places in this community before they settled on the farm two and a half miles north of Roland, where Mr. Opstvedt had now lived for half a century. He was one of the oldest residents of the community, having lived here for over 75 years.

The deceased was married to Betsey Opstvedt October 10, 1886, and three children were born to this union, Mrs. Tom Knutson of Jewell, Henry and Sjur Opstvedt of this place. His wife died October 15, 1892.

He was again married on April 10, 1895, to Jane Ersland and six children were born to this union, Andrew, Eli, Mrs. Otis Johnson, Elmer, Leonard and Mrs. Tommy Chelsvig.

He is survived by his wife and the nine children, also 13 grandchildren, and one brother, S. H. Opstvedt.

The funeral was held at the Opstvedt home and in Bergen church Friday afternoon, Rev. M. O. Sumstad officiating. Interment was made in the Roland cemetery. His six sons were the pall bearers, Henry, Sjur, Andrew, Eli, Elmer and Leonard Opstvedt.

Among those from a distance in attendance at the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Tom Knutson and daughters Beatrice and Clarice, Mr. and Mrs. Verne Templer, Mr. and Mrs. Severt Ullestad and son, and Mrs. Inez Peterson of Jewell, Mrs. John Kallestad and sons Leonard and Obed of Belmond, Mrs. A. M. Sorenson of Rochester, Minn., Miss Lillian Anfinson of Des Moines, Mrs. B. J. Anfinson of Huxley, and Mrs. Clarence Ryg of Slater.