Josephine "Josie" Olson (1882-1939)

OLSON, EIGAREN, KOLTVET, GORD, ELLEFLOD

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/14/2023 at 17:37:21

From The Slater News August 17, 1939 (page 1)

Josie Olson Passes Away

At the Story County home near Nevada at 5:30 o'clock last Saturday evening occurred the death of Miss Josephine Olson, better known as Josie Olson, a former Slater woman. She had been ailing for several weeks and her passing on had been anticipated.

Funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon. There were brief services at the Riis funeral home at 1:30 and at the Bethlehem church at 2:00. There were sermons by Rev. Buland and Rev. Rorem. Both took their texts from St. Mathew. Each minister voiced the sympathetic feeling which was shared by both relatives and friends present.

Appropriate singing added further to the beauty of the brief services. Miss Margaret Fritz sang, "I'm a Pilgrim and I'm a Stranger" and Mrs. A. L. Peterson, "God Understands." Homer Lewis presided at the organ.

There were some lovely floral remembrances. Also gifts to the missions in remembrance of the deceased. Burial was in the Palestine cemetery where all the members of the Olson family are now resting.

OBITUARY.

Josephine Olson, the daughter of Samuel and Barbro Olson (Eigaren) of southeast of the Palestine church, was born on Feb. 27, 1882. She grew to womanhood in that community. When her folks moved to Slater she accompanied them and had lived here till her last sister, Jane, died at the county home where she had received every care.

The pallbearers were as follows: Seren Johnson, Earl Raynes, John Thorson, Randall Thompson, Joseph Olson and Mart Thompson.

Josie was the last member of a family of eight children and came from one of the finest families in the settlement. Her father, commonly known as Soren Olson, served in the civil war in which he lost an arm, which handicapped him the rest of his life. In spite of this handicap he worked hard and prospered, and contributed freely to the church and all worthy causes.

Of the eight children, two boys and a girl died in infancy. Lars died while in the twenties. Anna, Mrs. Nels Koltvet, followed; then Julia, Mrs. Jessie Gord; then the mother Mrs. Barbro; then Jane, Mrs. Faltin Elleflod.

Josie suffered with brain fever while a child. The disease retarded her mental development, handicapping her the rest of her life. While deficient she was able to appreciate her folks as well as her friends. Her nearest relative is Shirley Gord of Ames, a nephew.