Bertha (Olson) Mathre (1849-1913)

MATHRE, LARSON, OLSON, QUAM, HOOPER, SCOTT, SMITH, AMLUND

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 7/26/2020 at 08:29:52

From The Roland Record, Roland, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, August 14, 1913.

RUSTY NAIL CAUSES DEATH

Mrs. L. Mathre, Living West of Roland, Receives a Would From a Rusty Nail Which Produces Lockjaw

Mrs. L. Mathre aged 60 years died at her home, three miles west of town last Thursday night. While performing her daily routine of duties she had the misfortune of stepping on a rusty nail. The usual precautionary measures were taken and would was apparently healing nicely when symptoms of a serious nature manifested themselves. The best medical assistance was rushed to her bedside, but to no avail and she passed away in the throes of the dreaded lockjaw.

The funeral services were conducted from the Immanual church of Story City last Monday afternoon.

Rev. Knudtson and Rev. Solum were the officiating pastors. Interment took place in the Story City cemetery.

From the Story City Herald, Story City, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, August 15, 1913.

A RUSTY NAIL CAUSES DEATH

MRS. LARS LARSON MATHRE MEETS WITH FATAL ACCIDENT LAST WEEK

Mrs. Lars Larson Mathre (known also as L. J. Mathre) died at her ho me east of town at a little past midnight last Thursday night, the cause of death being tetanus, or lockjaw, which followed the accidental stepping on a nail a few days before.

She ran a nail into her foot on Tuesday and immediately applied some liniment she had on hand, and thought no more about it. The would seemed to heal up quickly, but on Thursday morning lockjaw set. Medical aid was summoned, but without giving relief and she died at 12:15 the same evening.

Mrs. Lars Larson Mathre was born in Norway Feb. 3, 1849. Her p parents were Rasmus Olson and wife Sara, nee Quam. Her parents moved to America when she was one year old; and she was but six years old when her mother died.

At the age of 16 she was confirmed by Rev. Amlund and three years later she was married to Lars Larson Mathre who for forty-five years has been her faithful companion and partaker in her joys and sorrows.

Her marriage was blessed with eleven children, three boys having preceded her to the life beyond.

Mrs. Mathre was greatly devoted to her family, and had a genial nature which made friends of all who knew her.

The surviving children are: Mrs. J. H. Hooper of Des Moines, Mrs. J. C. Scott of Portland, Org., Anna Mathre of Sioux Falls, S. D., Bertha Mathre of Des Moines, Lewis Mathre, Mrs. C. J. Smith, Mrs. G. H. Amlund, and Minnie Mathre of this place.

Transcriber note: The grave marker for Bertha Mathre reads: Mother Bertha (MATHRE) 1849-1913.

The funeral services were held in the Immanuel church Monday afternoon. Rev. M. N. Knutson spoke in Norwegian and Rev. Solum in English. An unusually large congregation of people attested the high esteem in which the deceased was held.