Torres N. "Thomas" Sydnes (1850-1937)

SYDNES, BIRKESTRAND, JOHNSON, ERSLAND, TESDELL, BENSHOOF, WEE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/22/2022 at 20:40:04

From Nevada Evening Journal June 5, 1937 (page 3)

Special to the Journal:
Huxley, June 5--Funeral services for T. N. Sydness were held on Tuesday afternoon with a short prayer service at the home at 1:30 p. m. and at Lincoln Lutheran church at 2:00. Services were in charge of Rev. J. Loland of Slater and assisted by Rev. Peder Buland of Huxley. At the church Rev. Loland spoke in the English language and chose as his text Heb. 4:1-2-11. Rev. Buland spoke in the Norwegian language and used as his text Ps. 42.1-3.

Mrs. Loland sang a solo "Flee as a Bird" and Rev. and Mrs. Loland sang a Norwegian duet "Hvor finder Mit hjerte sit Saligste Ro." N. T. Sydnes, son of the deceased, read a Norwegian song which his father had copied shortly before his death. Miss Esther Sydnes of Slater presided at the piano. There were many floral tributes and a sum of money was sent to the missions in his memory by the children and other relatives. A large crowd was present, the church being filled to capacity.

Tores Nilsen Sydnes was born November 12, 1850 at Sonnes in Synhorland, Norway. There he was baptized and grew to young manhood. He received his elementary training in the public schools of Norway. There he was also instructed in the christian religion and at the age of 16 renewed his baptismal covenant in confirmation.

In the same year he was confirmed, 1866, Mr. Sydnes accompanied his parents, a sister and a brother to America. They settled in Polk county where he lived with his parents until 1870, when he was united in marriage to Anna Birkestrand. They located on a farm west of Huxley where they lived for many years, and farming came to be his livlihood, except for one year when he taught parochial school. Their home was blessed with six children of whom four are living.

His wife died in 1886. He married again in 1889, his second wife being Martha Johnson of Huxley. To this union three children were born of whom all are living. His second wife also preceded him in death For many years Mr. Sydnes was a member of the Lincoln church in Huxley and Slater which he served in several capacities--as secretary, Sunday school superintendent, trustee and other ways. He was a highly respected citizen, gifted in many ways and made many friends.

When he retired from farming he moved to Huxley where he had since lived. He was in his usual health until Friday, May 28, when he suffered a stroke which resulted in his death the following day May 29, reaching the age of 86 years, 6 months and 17 days. He is survived by seven children as follows Mrs. Nels Erslan, Des Moines, Mrs. Ann Tesdall [should be Tesdell], Fargo, N. D., Mrs. Celia Benshoff [should be Benshoof], Boone; Mrs. Matilda Wee and Nels of near Huxley, and Wier and John of Huxley. He is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and a host of friends. All his brothers and sisters preceded him in death.