Lars L. Tesdell (1857-1942)

TESDELL, TESDAHL, MALAND, WALDEN, SHELDAHL, RAYNES, NELSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/2/2023 at 18:59:24

From The Slater News February 12, 1942 (page 1)

L. L. Tesdell Rites Tuesday Afternoon

L. L. Tesdell long-time resident of the community west of Cambridge, passed away at 1:05 p. m., Saturday, Feb 7. In failing health for some time he became much worse Friday and continued to fail till death claimed his Saturday. All the members of the family were at his bedside as the end came.

Burial took place Tuesday afternoon. There were brief services at the home conducted by his pastor, Rev. H. E. Jacobson, in the Norwegian language. The services at the Palestine church began at 2:00 and were in charge of the pastor. A quartet, composed of Mrs. Jacobson, Miss Gladys Rullestad, Burton Tesdell and Walter Christopher, sang, "In the Sweet Bye and Bye," an old favorite of the deceased. After reading the obituary Rev Jacobson addressed the sorrowing relatives and friends taking he text from St. John 8:51, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man keep My saying, he shall never see death." Concluding the services the quartet sang "God Be With You Till We Meet Again."

There were many offerings to the missions, the Beloit Orphan Home and other worthy causes in memory of the deceased, totaling some over $30.00. Some beautiful floral tributes were given in his memory.

Burial was made in the family lot in the Palestine cemetery, the final rites being conducted in the Norwegian language. The pallbearers were Oliver Johnson, Ernest Nelson, Osmond Larson, Andrew Freeland, Oliver Swandahl and Wier Birkestrand.

OBITUARY.

Lars L. Tesdell, son of Martha and Lars Tesdahl, was born on the Tesdahl homestead Sept. 9, 1857. He died Feb. 7, 1942 at the age of 84 years, 4 months and 28 days.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Palestine church of which he was a life-long member. Blessed with Christian parents he was trained in the tenets of Christian religion form early childhood and was ever faithful to the teachings of the Lutheran church. He was a regular attendant at church services as long as health permitted and at the time of his death was the oldest, life-long member of the Palestine congregation.

He grew to manhood in the community of his birth where he lived all his life. He was married to Anna Maland Oct. 4, 1882. Six children were born to them, two of whom died in infancy. The older four survive him and were present at the funeral.

Lars will be remembered as a quiet, reserved man to whom the home and family was everything. He loved flowers and the Tesdell garden often yielded and abundance of flowers which often found their way into sick rooms to add cheer and sunshine.

Besides a loving wife he is mourned by their four children--Joseph of Moorton, N. D., Rufus of Walnut Grove, Minn., and Mathilda and Leonard at home. Surviving him are also four sisters--Mrs. Carl Walden of Perley, Minn., Mrs. Isabelle Sheldahl of Huxley and Mrs. Martha Raynes and Mrs. Carrie Nelson of Ames. Also a grandson and other relatives. His parents died many years ago. Preceding him were also two sisters and two brothers, Anna and Helen and Oliver and Andrew.