Isabelle O. “Belle” (Nelson) Rawson (1880-1942)

NELSON, RAWSON, PRESTEGAARD, LARSON, SKORTMAN, FARDAL, BROWN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 12/17/2024 at 17:09:51

From Nevada Evening Journal January 23, 1942 (page 3)

Funeral Rites Held at Slater for Mrs. Tom Rawson

Slater, Jan. 23 -- Funeral services for Mrs. Thomas W. Rawson were held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Bethlehem Lutheran church. Rev. E. R. Rorem had charge of the services. The many beautiful floral offerings paid silent tribute to the memory of a departed friend. The flowers were arranged by Mrs. Pete Tometich of Ames and Mrs. Kermit Granseth.

Two duets, "The Lord Is My Shepherd" and "Prayer," were sung by Mrs. M. S. Heggen and Mrs. A. L. Peterson, accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Harold Croft. The pallbearers were Ed Winsett of Madrid, J. J. Carlson, M. S. Heggen, A. L. Peterson, C. A. Larson and Andrew Estrem.

Gifts of money to the missions in her memory were presented by Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Fardal and family of Yankton, S. D. and the Bethlehem Women's Auxiliary society. Burial was made in the Slater cemetery.

Belle Nelson was born in Sheldahl, Ia., Feb. 22, 1880, and passed away in her home in Slater Jan. 19, 1942, at the age of 61 years, 10 months and seven days.

She was the daughter of the late Hon. and Mrs. Oley Nelson. She attended the public schools in Sheldahl and Slater, completing her education at Red Wing, Minn., seminary, and Drake University, Des Moines.

Her marriage to Thomas W. Rawson took place Sept. 3, 1902. Two children blessed this union, Homer Arnold and June Beverly. The latter died at the age of 4 1/2 years. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran church and a charter member of the Bethlehem Women's Auxiliary society.

Mrs. Rawson always took an active part in the work of the church, as well as patriotic and social affairs of the community. Every possible means were tried to restore her to health. She was always patient and cheerful and a devoted wife and mother.

She was preceded in death by her parents, also one brother, George Nelson of Portland, Ore. and one sister, Mrs. Carrie Prestegaard of Lincoln, Nebr.

She is survived by her husband, Thomas W. Rawson of Slater, one son, Homer A. Rawson and wife, Harriet and one granddaughter Sarah Elizabeth of Stratford, Conn.; one brother, Elmer Nelson of Des Moines, and four sisters, Mrs. Elsie Larson of Des Moines, Mrs. Anna Skortman of Slater, Mrs. Mattie Fardal of Yankto, S. D., and Mrs. Beatrice Brown of Portland, Ore., and a large number of relatives and friends.

Among those from a distance attending were Homer A. Rawson of Stratford, Conn., Gustave Prestegaard and daughter Miss Helen of Lincoln, Neb., Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Fardal of Webster City, Mrs. Cecil Olson of Jewell, Dr. and Mrs. C. E. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Larson and Mrs. Elmer Soderland of Madrid, Mrs. Elsie Larson, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Nelson, Mr. and Mrs. John Tometich, Chas. Ross, Mrs. Lola Taft, Mrs. M. Shope, Mr. and Mrs. O. T. Reinertson, all of Des Moines, Mr. and Mrs. Ole Kalsem, Mr. and Mrs. Thor Mason, Mrs. Andrew Wenos and Miss Rose Heggen of Huxley, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Nelson of Cambridge, Mrs. Helen Bates, Judge G. C. Lee and Mrs. H. C. Yeoman of Ames and Mrs. Randolph Peterson of Sheldahl.