Bertha (Rasmusson) Edwinson Fitch (1850-1936)

RASMUSSON, EDWINSON, FITCH, WINDERS, KINSEY, HUDSON, CENTER, NEELEY, OGLIVIE, CRAIN, RHOADES, FLATER, HANSON, NELSON, KETTLESON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 10/18/2010 at 23:06:37

From Nevada Representative April 29, 1936

Final Rites Held Tuesday Afternoon for Mrs. Bertha Fitch

Funeral services for Mrs. Bertha Fitch, 85, who died at her home 1020 Tenth street, Sunday evening were held Tuesday afternoon.

There was a brief prayer service at the home at 1:30 after which the funeral party accompanied the body to Memorial Lutheran church where the funeral rites were conducted by her pastor Dr. J. O. Simon, who paid a warm tribute to the long and faithful life of the venerable woman who for over a third of the century had been a resident of Nevada.

The prayer, the scripture reading and ther sermon was by Dr. Simon, while the songs were by Mrs. N. S. Nutty and Mrs. Albert Madison, who sang, "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Asleep in Jesus."

The bearers of the casket were six grandsons, Ray Winders of Marshalltown, Kennth Kinsey of Nevada, Robert Neeley of Nevada, Howard and Earl Oglivie of Mason City and Harvey Edwinson of Marshalltown.

The floral offerings which covered and surrounded the casket were cared for by Mrs. R. G. Karges and Mrs. John Peterson.

The deceased was born at Ordal, Norway, Europe, September 1, 1850, a daughter of Rasmus and Ingabore Rasmusson. She came to America with her family when a girl of 17 years. They located first at Morris, Illinois, where she was married on December 18, 1868 to Ole Edwinson who had come to America from Stavanger, Norway.

Four years later they came out to Story county and located on a farm south of Roland, where they lived for many years. Later, probably in the early part of the '90s, they moved onto a farm over in Johnson Grove, where the husband met a tragic death in July 1898.

Shortly after that time the widow moved into Nevada and her home has since been here.

It was in 1913 that she was united in marriage to R. J. Fitch and they continued their home on Tenth street until his death in 1934. Mr. Fitch's health failed him several years before his death and he was confined to the home as an invalid until death finally claimed him on Thanksgiving day 1934. Since the death of Mr. Fitch the mother had lived in the home with her two daughters, Mrs. Kinsey and Mrs. Hudson.

Thirteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Edwinson and nine of these children survive them.

The survivors are Edd Edwinson of Ames, Ellen Center of Estherville, Mrs. Isabell Oglivie of Mason City, Mrs. Birdie Crain of St. James, Minn., Mrs. Sivrie Kinsey of Nevada, Mrs. Emma Neely of Knoxville, Mrs. Sena Hudson of Nevada, Mrs. Mabel Winders of Marshalltown and Mrs. Evaline Rhoades of Ames. She also leaves 26 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Those who are dead are Mrs. Minnie Flater, Mrs. Bertha Hanson, Mrs. Julia Nelson and Rasmus Edwinson.

All of the children and many of grandchildren were here for the funeral services some of the daughters having been here during the final weeks of the life of the mother.

The deceased had been taken ill in February and for a time was in a critical condition but apparently had made a splendid recovery and few hours before her sudden death on Sunday she had been up and enjoying a visit with member of the family and her neighbors.

The venerable woman is not only deeply mourned by her children and grandchildren but the close neighbors and especially the little children of the neighborhood, being a woman of really many admirable characteristics. While she was loyal to her church and her friends, her home was where she had her heart and she was greatly devoted to her family.

Mrs. Fitch had been a life long member of the Lutheran church and at the time of her death was an active member of Memorial Lutheran church. She always took a keen interest in her church and as long as breath was hers she was regular in her attendance.

Aside from the children, all of whom were here for the furneral, among the other relatives and friends here from a distance were Mrs. Nellie Kettleson, niece of Mrs. R. J. Fitch of Milford, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Kragness of Worthington, Minn.; Mrs. Frank Stineback and two daughter of Saint James, Minn.; Charles F. Rasing, Saint James, Minn.; Grip Fitch and daughter of Lake Crystal, Minn.

Victor Fitch of Des Moines, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Fitch of Des Moines, Mrs. George Manful of Marshalltown, Mrs. H. W. Butler of Marshalltown, Mrs. Eliase Rasmussen and daughter of Afton, Iowa, Mrs. Milanda Severeide and sons of Roland, Mrs. John Danilson and son of Roland, Miss Helen Gord of Ames and Mrs. Mae Lytell of Ames.