Dora (Olson) Jorstad

JORSTAD, OLSON, BILLINGS, LANTZ, BLAIR, SUNDEEN

Posted By: Tamara Jorstad (email)
Date: 2/13/2002 at 21:21:29

Last Rites for Dora Olson Jorstad in McCallsburg

Services for Dora Olson Jorstad were held in First Lutheran church, Compton, Calif., Rev. W. Lange officiating. Mrs. Jorstad had attended services in this church since she went out west.

The last rites were conducted Tuesday, December 31 in McCallsburg. A short devotional service was held at her home at 1:30 and at 2:00 at the Bethany Lutheran church, McCallsburg, her church for many years. Rev. H. N. Bakke was in charge, and delivered the message based on the 23rd Psalm. Mrs. John Helland presided at the piano. Mrs. F. Nail and Mrs. Lloyd Ellingson sang two duets: "The Garden of Prayer" and "Lead Kindly Light". The audience closed the service by singing "O Happy Day When We Shall Stand."

A number of gifts were received, in her memory, for the church building fund, missions and other worthy causes. The floral gifts were numerous and beautiful.

Serving as pall bearers were Weston Olson, Warren Olson, Reuben Olson, Obed Olson, Maynard Olson and Malmin Olson. The remains were laid to rest beside those of her husband, in the Warren Township cemetery. The Bethany Ladies' Aid society served lunch to the near relatives and to those from a distance.

Was Born in Norway

Dora Olson Jorstad was born near Stavanger, Norway, April 1, 1873, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. W. Olson. In 1882 the family immigrated to the United States and settled near Seneca, Ill. They moved to Iowa in 1893.

On February 18, 1897 she was married to Frederick Jorstad of Seneca, Ill. They resided in that state until 1900 when they moved to a farm southwest of McCallsburg. This was her home continuously until December 1945 when she went to California to be with her daughter. It was here that she passed away on Christmas morning after a brief illness. She suffered a stroke on Dec. 8 from which she was apparently recovering.

However on Dec. 25, she was again stricken and the end came at 7:20 a.m. Mrs. Jorstad leaves to mourn her loss four daughters and three sons, Mrs. Harry Billings, Mrs. Melvin Lantz and Mrs. Wayne Blair of Compton, Calif., Miss Lillian Jorstad of Phoenix, Ariz., Otis, Myron and Jesse Jorstad of McCallsburg. She is survived by one sister, Mrs. Charles Sundion of Boone, and two brothers, Andrew and Morgan Olson, of McCallsburg. She leaves also nine grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband who died in 1938, and one son who died in infancy.

Mrs. Jorstad had long been a member of the Bethany Lutheran church in McCallsburg and was a charter member of the Ladies' Aid society of the same church. She has been missed, and will be missed, by all who knew her well.