Ole S. Johnson (1857-1929)

JOHNSON, ELLINGSON, OLSON, ANDERSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 4/23/2024 at 13:33:39

From Story City Herald December 5, 1929 (page 2)

OLE S. JOHNSON WAS BORN IN HJELMELAND

Funeral Services Were Held Here and at Old Home in Benton County

Ole S. Johnson was born in Hjelmeland, Norway, March 22, 1857, and departed this life Nov. 16, 1929, at Story City, at the age of 72 years.

He sailed for America in 1875 and stayed a short time with an aunt in Winneshiek county, Iowa. Later he moved to Norway, Iowa, where he was united in marriage to Guri Ellingson March 31, 1883. He bought a farm northeast of Norway, where he lived until December 1915, when they moved to Story City. In the fall of 1924 he suffered a light stroke from which he never fully recovered. The next year he and his wife moved back to Norway, Iowa, where Mrs. Johnson passed away in May, 1926. He then moved back to Story City to live with his youngest daughter, Julia.

He was the father of eleven children, four girls and seven boys. One boy, Larney, 19 years old, preceded him in death May 16, 1917. Those left to mourn are: Mrs. Martin Olson, Mrs. Peter M. Olson, Mrs. Ben Olson, Lewis, John, William, Gilbert and Otis, all living in the Newhall and Norway vicinity; Obed of Cedar Rapids and Julia of Story City. He is also survived by 35 grandchildren, one great grandchild, and one sister, Mrs. H. Anderson of Chicago, Ill.

Mr. Johnson was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, to which he remained loyal to his death. In his passing we lose a kind and loving father, brother and friend.

Funeral services were conducted from the Bethel Lutheran church at Story City by his pastor, Rev. Paulsrud, and assisted by a friend, Rev. Heidal of Radcliffe. The floral offerings were many and beautiful. The Bethel congregation sent a sum of money to the Mission in his memory. An unusually large concourse of relatives and friends were in attendance. The pallbearers were Martin Phillops, John Male, P. N. Skogerboe, Lars Skeie, Torres Nerim and Hacktor Hill. Music was furnished by the choir.

The funeral cortege motored to Norway Tuesday morning, where services were held from the Norway Lutheran church a 2 p.m. by Rev. H. F. Huseth. Songs were rendered by Mrs. Chester Tow and Mrs. Ralph Buchanan. His six sons acted as pallbearers. Interment was made at the Norway cemetery.