Norris Byron Egeland (1900-1952)

EGELAND, FJELLAND, COLE, THOMPSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:14

Obituary published in the Roland Record, Thursday, February 28, 1952
Transcribed by Dena Gray-Fisher

NORRIS B. EGELAND

Norris Byron Egeland, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Edd N. Egeland, was born on a farm four miles southwest of Roland, on July 18, 1900. Mr. Egeland had been enjoying the usual health as an invalid until Sunday afternoon, February 10, when he was suddenly stricken ill with a hearth ailment. He continued in a weak condition and was taken to the Memorial hospital in Story City on Saturday morning, February 16. He was given the best of medical attention and lingered until Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock, when he was called by death. He had reach the age of 51 years, seven months and two days.

Norris Egeland was baptized and confirmed in the Bergen Lutheran church by Rev. G. Smedal. He has been a faithful and life-long member of the same church even though he was unable to attend services, he was in much prayer for the congregation and pastors. He enjoyed his regular worship services over the radio and considered Pastor A. Halverson, formerly of Forest City, his greatest inspiration.

Mr. Egeland attended high school as long as his health permitted and later in life attended the Boone Biblical college at Boone, for a year in his wheel chair. He was always very alert and studious, and his interest in radio and television gave him ample opportunity for further home study during the past few years.

In early childhood, Norris suffered repeated attacks of arthritis. About the year 1922 it became apparent that his health had failed him to the point of becoming a total invalid. Radio became his hobby, later making it a business, together with TV as of late. He continued actively operating his shop and serviced his last receivers the day before he took seriously ill. He has served the Roland community and neighboring territory in an unlimited capacity his back.

Gaining a taste for radio broadcasting while attending the Boone Bible school, he conceived the idea of using his radio equipment to the glory of God. In the spring of 1936 he began the series of "open air" services broadcast over the lound speaker of his radio receiver to the assembled people in the city park and others listening from their cars and homes. For 11 consecutive years, 1936 to 1948, Norris kept up his witnessing ministry, and hundreds of souls were blessed.

On July 3, 1943, he was united in marriage to Josephine Fjelland of Clark, South Dakota, at his home by Pastor Allen E. Nelson, where he and Mrs. Egeland have made their home for some over eight years.

He leaves to mourn his dear wife, two sisters, Inez (Mrs. Arnold Cole) of Roland, and Burdella (Mrs. C. V. Thompson) of Scarsdale, New York; and three brothers, Sherman of Mason City, Ernie of Roland, and Clarence, who just went out to sea (Pacific) on Saturday morning, February 16, not knowing of his brother's condition. he also leaves to mourn, seven nieces and four nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and mother.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon with prayer service at two o'clock at the home and at 2:30 in Bergen Lutheran church, with Rev. Allen E. Nelson in charge. Reve. Olaf Holen spoke in behalf of Salem Lutheran church. The choir sang, "My god and I," under the direction of Mrs. Cecil Finch; Mrs. Lester Molde sang "Hold Thou My Hand," at the home, and Donald H. Boyd sang "The Great White Throng."

Honorary pall bearers were pastors who had spoken at the open air services, Rev. Olaf Holen, Rev. C. J. Naglestad of Ellsworth, and Rev. C. E. Lookingbill of Nevada. Other pastors were unable to be present.

Pall bearers were Jerry Stubbs, Jim Lorentzen, Joel Cole, Aaron Braathun, Donald Eggland and Obed Hanson.

Mrs. C. V. Thompson of New York was unable to be present at the funeral because of illness in the family, and Clarence Eggland, who is serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, was at sea and unable to be present.

Mrs. Egeland's brother and sister, Theodore A. Fjelland and Miss Laura Fjelland of Clark, S.D., came for the funeral and returned on Tuesday.

Card of Thanks

Heartfelt thanks to all our relatives and friends for their expressions of sympathy and acts of kindness shown us during the illness and death of our dear one, Norris Egeland. Thanks to the Bergen Choir, Mrs. Lester Molde, Donald Boyd, Mrs. R. Erickson, and Mrs. Otto Hanson for the beautiful singing and music at the home and at church; to all who gave memorial gifts and flowers, to the Naomi Circle for serving and to all who brought food, to those who had charge of the flowers, casket bearers and honorary pall bearers, the Roland Community Club, RCA Sidles Company of Des Moines for flowers, Bergen Sunday School staff and children. We want to express our appreciation to the Revs. O. Amdalsrud, G. Smedal and Olaf Holen for prayers, visits and words of comfort the past years. A grateful thank yon to Pastor and Mrs. A. E. nelson for your deep concern and prayers. God bless the memory of our loved one.

Mrs. Norris Egeland, Brothers, Sisters and Families

[Card of Thanks transcribed and contributed by Alan Nicholson]