Nels Norem (1840-1932)

NOREM, THOMPSON, LARSON, LEKNESS, NOREM, LOGAN, OLSON

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 3/11/2010 at 22:10:57

The Roland Record, Roland, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, September 28, 1932.

OLD PIONEER PASSED AWAY

NELS NOREM REACHED AGE OF OVER NINETY-TWO YEARS

Nels Norem, one of the oldest persons living in this vicinity, died Saturday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Lena Thompson, north of McCallsburg. He had been failing in health for some time and had been confined to his bed for several weeks. He was over 92 years of age at the time of his death and had lived in the vicinity of Roland and McCallsburg since 1874, a period of 58 years.

Mr. Norem was a familiar figure in the early history of Roland. Work was just being started on the old Bergen Lutheran church when he arrived here in 1874, and he was one of those who assisted in its construction, being a stone mason by trade. He took part in much of the building activity of the town, being especially adept at building wells, and many of the old open wells were constructed by him in the old days.

Nels Norem was born March 31, 1840 in Etne, Norway, and died September 24, 1932, at the age of 92 years, 4 months and 23 days. He was a son of Ole and Martha Norem.

He was united in marriage to Martha Larson on June 12, 1869. To this union six children were born of whom two have died, Mrs. Martha Lekness and Mrs. Anna Thompson. Those surviving are Mrs. Lena Thompson of McCallsburg, Ole Norem of Cumberland, Wis., and Mrs. Inger Thompson and Mrs. Hannah Logan of Marshalltown. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. His wife died February 18, 1901.

The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at one o'clock at the Thompson home and at 2:00 o'clock in Bergen church in Roland, Rev. M. O. Sumstad officiating. Interment was made in the Roland cemetery. The pall bearers were grandchildren of the deceased, Sigward, Norris, Eddie and Harry Thompson and Harry Olson of Marshalltown, and Norris Thompson of Maxwell.

He came to America in the spring in 1874 and lived in Roland until 1901, since which time he hs lived with his daughter.