Rasmus Sorensen (1853-1926)

SORENSEN, PETERSON, HANSEN, GUNDER, ANDERSEN, STRINE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:12

From Nevada Evening Journal December 3, 1926 (page 1)

RASMUS SORENSON MOURNED BY MANY

WAS BELOVED AND PIONEER CITIZEN OF STORY COUNTY AND NEVADA

Funeral services for Rasmus Sorenson, 73, who ded at his home on Lincoln way, Tuesday morning, were held Thursday. After a brief service at the home the body was taken to Memorial Lutheran church, where the services were conducted by his former pastor, Rev. Fred Ross Shirck, now of Ottumwa.

The funeral was attended by a large concourse of old neighbors and friends as well as the many children and grand children. The floral offerings were many and beautiful. Music was furnished by a double quartette from the church choir.

The following obituary of the deceased was read by the minister:

Rasmus Sorenson, was born in Sjolland, Denmark, on January 6, 1853, and died November 30, 1926, at 9:15 a. m. after a short illness.

He came to America, in the year 1869, with his parents Lars and Bodil Sorenson, and his sister Sophie, now Mrs. Chris Petersen of Gilbert, Iowa. He was sixteen years of age at this time. His parents located on a farm about five miles northwest of Nevada, where Rasmus resided until about eight years ago, when he and his family moved to Nevada.

Mr. Sorenson was married in 1878 to Christena Larson, who died the following year, leaving her infant daughter Sophie Carrie, now Mrs. M. J. Hanson, to the care of the young father.

In 1887 Rasmus Sorenson was united in marriage to Mary Petersen, who died in 1892. To this uion were born three children, Lars Peter Sorensen, Anna Christena, now Mrs. H. C. Gunder of Seymour, Iowa, and Fred Sorensen, all surviving him.

On March 22, 1894 Mr. Sorensen was united in marriage to Bodil Anderson, who survives him. To this union were born six children, Harry Sorensen, Minnie, now Mrs. O. H. Strine, of Ottumwa, Iowa, Clifford Sorensen, William Sorensen, Mary Sorensen, and Herman Christian Sorensen, all of whom live to mourn their father, except William who died in infancy.

Mr. Sorensen, was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church in Denmark, and has continued in this faith throughout his entire life. On Easter Sunday, April 23, 1916, he and his entire family were united in membership with Memorial Lutheran church of Nevada, Iowa, which church he attended regularly, and where he could always be counted on to do his part.

He early became a naturalized citizen of the United States and took a keen interest in all matters that were good of his country. Always a demoted and loving husband and father, an industrious and earnest citizen a true and loyal friend, and consecrated Christian, he will be mourned not only by his beloved wife and children, but by nineteen grand children and a host of relatives, friends and neighbors.

Rasmus Sorensen has gone to a merited reward beyond; but his life will be ever with us in memory and will be an example to us of Christian living and loyal citizenship.

SUBMITTER'S NOTE: Rasmus Sorensen, son of Lars Sorensen and Bodil Rasmussen, married (1) Christina Larsen on 25 September 1878 in Story County, Iowa. He married (2) Maria Davidsen Petersen 19 June 1887 in Story County, Iowa. He married (3) Bodil Andersen on 22 March 1894 in Story County, Iowa.

The writer has trouble with the "sen" vs. "son" name spellings in this article. The correct spelling of the surname is Sorensen, not Sorenson as stated. Rasmus' sister, Sophia Sorensen, married Chris Peterson, not Petersen as stated. Rasmus' daughter, Sophia Sorensen married Montague John Hansen, not Hanson as stated. Rasmus' first wife was Christina Larsen, not Christena Larson as stated. Rasmus' third wife was Bodil Andersen, not Anderson as stated.