Bessie Janet (Iverson) Grundahl (1908-1938)

IVERSON, GRUNDAHL

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/14/2019 at 15:22:04

From Nevada Evening Journal June 6, 1938 (page 4)

Funeral Service Held at Huxley for Wife of Pastor

Huxley, June 6--Funeral services for Mrs. Kermit Grundahl of Robinson, Kansas, were held at Palestine church Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock following a prayer service at the Iverson home at 1:30.

The church was filled to capacity when relatives and friends were called together so unexpectedly to pay their last tribute of respect to a dear one who had passed away so suddenly.

The services were in charge of Rev. P. Buland, who had served as her pastor during her youth and until the time she left her home. He was assisted by other ministers in the circuit.

Walter Christopher sang a solo, "Sometime We'll Understand," after which Rev Rorem of Salter had scripture reading and prayer. The choir sang "Safe In th Arms of Jesus," and Rev. Buland delivered the main sermon, choosing his text from the 3rd verse in the 31st chapter of Jeremiah. As the one who had instructed her in the principals of the Christian religion, and had observed her eagerness to live right and serve God, Rev. Buland paid a beautiful tribute to the young wife and mother who had passed on to her reward.

Rev Astrup Larson of Ames, who was present at the services in Robinson Monday afternoon then addressed the audience and spoke words of comfort to the bereaved family. He based his text on the 13th verse in the 14th chapter of Revelation. Rev. N. Flugum of Villisca, a friend of the family, also spoke from the pulpit and his text was found in the 7th chapter of Revelation. The choir sang "There Is a Home Eternal" after which Rev. S. T. Nelson of Story City and Rev Atrum Rogness of Ames, who were both classmates of Rev. Grundahl, spoke briefly. All pastors brought forth the beauty of a consecrated, earnest, Christian life and the faithfulness with which she served in the lifework for which she was so well fitted.

Mrs. Arnold Nass and Mrs. Seward Larson sang a duet "God Will Take Care of You." A telegram of sympathy from Dr. Assgard of Minneapolis was read by Rev. Buland, also a letter Rev. Grundahl had written in which he wished God's blessing on all who had in any way helped during his hour of trial.

The floral offerings were unusually beautiful and there were numerous gifts to the missions in her memory by the family, relatives and friends, as well as all the organizations in the Upper Wolf congregation and the Palestine church.

The pallbearers were Gerhard and George Lande, Osmond Sheldahl, Oley Hauge, Raymond and Bennie Grundahl. The remains were laid to rest in the Palestine cemetery.

The following obituary was read:

Bessie Janet Iverson was born Aug. 12, 1908 of the parents Andrew J. and Anna Iverson at the Iverson homestead near Huxley. She was baptized into the Christian faith in the Palestine church by Rev. A. Stefueland. In this faith she was duly instructed both in the home and church, and was able on her confirmation day to give a faithful avowal of her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. She was confirmed by Rev. Buland at Palestine church Nov. 12, 1922.

She attended the public school at Huxley and Alleman through the grades and high school completing her work in Alleman high school and was valedictorian of the class of 1926. In the fall she entered St. Olaf college, Northfield, Minn. While there she was known as a diligent student and loved by all with whom she came in contact. She was first of the Delta Iota and later the Alpha Delta sorority. She was a member of the society and college debate team, winning thereby her Pi Kappa Delta Debate Key. She graduated from St. Olaf college in 1930 and spent the year 1930-31 at the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis and the following year she spent at home and taught vacation bible school during the summer.

On August 30, 1932, she was united in marriage to Kermit C. Grundahl at the Iverson home. A few days later they went to Perry, Wisconsin, where he was ordained as minister on Sept. 4, 1932 and on Sept. 26 he was installed as minister in the Upper Wolf Lutheran church near Robinson, Kansas. Here she labored faithfully side by side with her husband teaching bible class, helping with Luther league, Ladies Aid society and choir. She was always ready to help even if it meant a personal sacrifice. She served as circuit president of the W.M.F. in their circuit from 1933 to 1937.

Into their happy home as born on March 4, 1937, a little son, Gordon Gene and on May 19, 1938 another son Allan Andreen. In the course of her recovery from the birth of her second son, a blood clot was formed and God saw fit to remove her from this home and work into eternal glory.

Everything that medical skill and human hands could do for her, was done but she passed peacefully away at the Horton hospital May 28, 1938, at the age of 29 years, 9 months and 16 days.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Rev. K. C. Grundahl, two small children, her parents Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Iverson of Huxley, one sister Margaret at hoe and many relatives and friends.