Martha (Todsvold) Cleveland (1836-1934)

TODSVOLD, CLEVELAND, ERSLAND

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

From Nevada Evening Journal April 25, 1934 (page 6)

Funeral Services for Slater's Oldest Resident

Special to the Journal.
Slater, April 25--Funeral services for Mrs. Martha Cleveland, 98, and one of the oldest pioneers, were held Monday afternoon. Brief services were held at the Jacob Ersland home. Betty Ruth Ersland, a great grandchild sang "Safe in the Arms of Jesus."

At 1:30 o'clock services were held at the Hauges Free church. Her pastor Rev. Knutson had been called away and in his absence, Rev. Elder Evenson of Fertile, Ia., had charge of the services and used as his text Matthew 24:12, 13 and 44. He assisted by Rev. E. Rorem of the Bethlehem church. Mrs. E. C. Rood and Miss Lillian Sydness had charge of the beautiful floral offerings. Misses Hazel and Dora Klonglan sang a duet "Jesus Lover of My Soul." A Norwegian song "Den Store Hvide Flok" was sung by Mrs. M. S. Heggen. The pallbearers were Nels Ersland of Viucent, Knute Ersland of Armstrong, H. O. Paulson of Forest City, Graydon and Carleton Stevens of Pilot Mound and Jerry Ersland of Slater. Burial was made in the Bethlehem cemetery by the side of her husband who died in 1910.

Martha Todsvoll was born in Shold, Norway, January 26, 1836 and died at the home of her daughter Mrs. Jacob Ersland, Apr. 20, 1934, reaching the age of 98 years, 2 months and 26 days. Her parents were William and Marin Todsvold. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Her marriage to Knudt Cleveland took place in 1855 in Shold, Norway. The emigrated to America in 1870 and located at New Sharon where they lived two years. They moved to Sheldahl where they remained till 1879 when they located in Hamilton county where they made their home until 1888 when they returned to Slater and lived here until their death.

Six children were born to this union, five of them William, George, Ole, John and Bertha preceded her in death. Mrs. Jacob Ersland is the only child living. Besides numerous relatives and friends who survive there are 20 grandchildren, 28 greatgrandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. A number of the relatives gave a sum of money in her memory to be sent to the Ebenezer Home at Minneapolis.