Kittel Olson (1824-1902)

OLSON, OLSEN, GLOSIMODT, ROE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/30/2024 at 12:12:08

From Story City Herald August 8, 1902 (page 7)

Kittle Olsen.

This community was sadly grieved Monday, when it was announced that Kittle Olsen, an aged and respected citizen, had peacefully passed from this life to the life beyond during the afternoon. Although old and a degree feeble, yet no one realized that his end was so near. He began to sink Sunday evening, and although he revived once or twice to a certain extent, he seemed to realize that his time was short and told those about him that he was ready to go. Thus his death, like his life, was tranquil and he faced the great Judge of all men as he had faced every duty in life--fearlessly. Funeral services were held at one o'clock, Wednesday, in St. Petri church conducted by Rev. Vangness, and the remain afterward laid to rest by the side of his beloved wife and daughter in the local cemetery.

Kettle Olsen was born in Silfjord, Upper Thelemarken, Norway, June 16, 1824, and was therefore at the time of his death 78 years, 1 month and 18 days old. He emigrated to the United States in 1852, locating in Chicago, Ill., which city contained to be his residence until the spring of 1865 where he located in Story County upon his farm just east of town. in 1894 he moved to Story City.

He was a carpenter and joiner by occupation, and while in Chicago worked in the ship-yards there and also for seven years in the shops of The Pitts Threshing Machine Co.

Ill health of his children while in Chicago, compelled him to move to Iowa. Six of his children had preceded him to the better world. His wife died five years ago. He now leaves surviving him a son, O. K. Olsen of Andover, S. Dak. and four grandchildren, Hannah, Grace, Martin and Charles Roe.

An older brother, Olaf Glosimodt, was a sculptor of considerable note in Germany and Scandinavia. This brother died about two years ago in Copenhagen, Denmark, which city had been his home for many years.

Kettle Olsen was a good man. Strength and gentleness were blended with rare harmony in his character. He lived up to the highest ideals of manhood, quietly and unselfishly. He was faithful to every duty and true in every relation of life. Truly it can be said of him, "He fought a good fight."