Bertha (Olson) Mathre (1849-1913)

OLSON, MATHRE, HOOPER, SCOTT, SMITH, AMLUND

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/6/2024 at 09:33:27

From Story City Herald August 14, 1913 (page 1)

A RUSTY NAIL CAUSES DEATH

MRS. LARS LARSON MATHRE MEETS WITH FATAL ACCIDENT LAST WEEK

Mrs. Lars Larson Mathre (known also as L. J. Mathre) died at her home east of town at a little past midnight last Thursday night, the cause of death being tetanus, of lockjaw, which followed the accidental stepping on a nail a few days before.

She ran a nail into her foot on Tuesday and immediately applied some liniment she had on hand, and thought no more about it. The wound seemed to heal up quickly, but on Thursday morning lockjaw set. Medical aid was summoned, but without giving relief and she died at 12:15 the same evening.

Mrs. Lars Larson Mathre was born in Norway Feb. 3, 1849. Her parents were Rasmus Olson and wife Sara, nee Quam. Her parents moved to America when she was one year old; and she was but six years old when her mother died.

At the age of 16 she was confirmed by Rev. Amlund and three years later she was married to Lars Larson Mathre who for forty-five years has been her faithful companion and partaker in her joys and sorrows.

Her marriage was blessed with eleven children, three boys having preceded her to the life beyond.

Mrs. Mathre was greatly devoted to her family, and had a genial nature which made friends of all who knew her.

The surviving children are: Mrs. J. H. Hooper of Des Moines, Mrs. J. C. Scott of Portland, Org., Anna Mathre of Sioux Falls, S. D., Bertha Mathre of Des Moines, Lewis Mathre, Mrs. C. J. Smith, Mrs. G. H. Amlund, and Minnie Mathre of this place.

The funeral services were held in the Immanuel church Monday afternoon. Rev. M. N. Knutson spoke in Norwegian and Rev. Solum in English. An unusually large congregation of people attested the high esteem in which the deceased was held.