Maren Serena "Serena" (Westvold) Larson (1881-1939)

WESTVOLD, LARSON, EKELAND

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:13

From Nevada Evening Journal November 14, 1939 (page 6)

Funeral Services at Palestine Church for Mrs. Osmund Larson

Huxley, Nov. 14--Funeral services for Mrs. Osmond Larson were held at the Palestine church at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon following a prayer service at home at 1:30. The services were in charge of her pastor Rev. Jacobson and he was assisted by Rev. Buland of Story City her former pastor, and Rev. Nels Flugum of Villisca. A quartet composed of Weir Birkestrand, jr., Robert, Dorothy and Kathryn Larson sang "My God How Wonderful Thou Art." Rev. Jacobson addressed the large audience and chose for his text the 13th verse in the 14th chapter of Revelation. "And I Heard a Voice from Heaven Saing unto me, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth." Weir Birkestand, jr., sang a solo "Safe In the Arms of Jesus," after which Rev. Buland gave a short sermon using for his text the 27th verse in the 14th chapter of the St. John, "Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you, not as St. John,"Peace I leave with you, Let not yur heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful." Robert Larson sang a solo "Den Store Hvide Flok Vi Se." Rev. Flugum a brother-in-law of the deceased spoke words of comfort to the bereaved and expressed the gratitude of the family to those who had ministered to her in so many ways during her illness. All pastors paid a beautiful tribute to the life of this Christian wife and mother who lived as a humble believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and was so faithful in her services in her home and in church. The mixed quartet sang in conclusion "I Shall See Him Face To Face."

The floral offerings were unusually beautiful and there numerous gifts to the missions given in her memory. Pall bearers were David Birkestrand, Lawrence Ness, Lester Larson, Emil Bernard and Selmer Westvold. Interment was in the Palestine cemetery.

Maren Serena Westvold was born in Haugesund, Norway, July 2, 1881, the oldest daughter of Sjur and Anna Westvold. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith while in Norway. In 1901 together with her brother Severt, she came to America and lived in the Huxley community until her death. On March 17, 1906 she was united in marriage to Osmond L. Larson. This union was blessed with four children, Seward, Lawrence, Anna and Osmond, jr., who all survive her, also two grandchildren. She leaves to cherish her memory, also three brothers Sjur Westvold of Wichita, Kan., Rasmus Westvold of Tule Lake, Calif., Severt Westvold of Ankeny and one sister Mrs. Carrie Eklund* of Kelley besides a host of other relatives and friends. One sister has preceded her in death.*

For several years she had suffered from a heart ailment and passed away at her home Nov. 7, 1939, at the age of 58 years, 4 months and 5 days.

Relativess from a distance who were here for the funeral were Robert and Dorothy Larson of Northfield, Minn., Sjur Westvold of Wichita, Kan., Rev. and Mrs. Nels Flugum of Villisca, Mr. and Mrs. Pete Hammervold of Clarion, Mr. and Mrs. Arhtur Westre, Mrs. Pete Westre, John Knutson, Mrs. Tom Larson, Emma Knutson, Mr. and Mrs. Seward Nervig, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Larson and Mrs. Randy Thompson, all of Eagle Grove.

SUBMITTER'S NOTE: Anna Karina Westvold was married to Hans Ekeland, not "Eklund" as stated.

The sister who predeceased Serena (Westvold) Larson was Brynla M. Westvold who died 13 October 1917 and is buried besided their mother in the Palestine Cemetery, Story County, Iowa.