Anna Serine (Charlson Grove) Vangness (1861-1936)

CHARLSON, GROVE, MELLAND, VANGNESS, TWEED

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/16/2024 at 13:59:09

From Story City Herald April 30, 1936 (page 2)

MRS. OSMUND VANGNESS

Mrs. Osmund Vangness (nee Anna Serine Charlson Grove) was born near Norway, Ill., Sept. 1, 1861, and died April 21, 1936, in Story City, Iowa.

She came with her parents, Jacob Charlson Grove, and his wife, Ragnild Melland, to Iowa in the early spring of 1864. After two or three years they bought 40 acres three miles northeast of Story City, where they lived and died. Oscar Vangness lives on the place now.

On Dec. 9, 1886, she was joined in holy matrimony with Osmund Vangness. They moved and built up the old homestead where they lived until they retired a few years ago and moved to Story City. To this union four children were born: Bertha (Mrs. Hans Tweed of Jewell), Jacob Vangness of Story City, the latter tenderly caring for her mother in her last sickness.

Mrs. Vangness had not been strong for the last years of her life, but the last nine months she suffered from the dread disease, cancer.

She leaves to mourn her loss, a devoted husband and the children named above, together with 19 grandchildren and two great grandchildren, and all who knew her were her friends.

Her funeral took place from the St. Petri church, of which she was a life-long member, conducted by her pastor, Rev. W. B. Scarvie. Interment took place on the family lot in Fairview cemetery. Special mention must be made here of the excellent singing of the church choir, and also a selected and very fitting song by a quartet. The pall bearers were oldtime friends and neighbors: Lewis Selvig, Ove Holland, T. C. Carpenter, Ole Thorsbakken, Wier Erickson and L. J. Tjernagel.

Mrs. Vangness was truly a pioneer daughter. She came early enough in these parts, so noted the developments of an endless prairie into a well built-up farm community. She lived here 72 years, in which time these great changes have taken place. The writer of this remembers with pleasure--as if it should have been yesterday--when Anna and other children of families who lied near the timber went out over the prairie on spring and summer evenings to drive the cows home for their milking. A younger brother of Anna was the same age as the writer, but it seemed to devolve on Anna to reprimand and advise us to be nice boys. She was to us a good little mother. Anna, while she had a keen sense of humor, was of a sober and thoughtful mind. She was always at the head of her class in school. She acquired all her education in the old Sheldahl school.

It is pleasant to remember the old friends of school days but it very forcibly reminds us that this is not out abiding place, as one after another answers the final roll call. What difference does it really make, a few days, weeks or even years, when compared to eternity? The main object in life should be to do out duty well and then be prepared to meet our God in eternity. We have reason to believe that Mrs. Osmund Vangness was prepared to die and that she was a sincere Christian.
--An Old Schoolmate.