Martha (Paulson/Paulsdatter) Romsa (1832-1918)

PAULSON, PAULSDATTER, ROMSA, SCOTT, MOLAND, ANFINSON, NELSON, SIMONSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/3/2023 at 21:41:54

From The Slater News August 7, 1918 (page 2)

AGED WOMAN IS LAID TO REST

Mrs. Martha Romsa Was Born in Norway and Reached An Age of Over 86 Years.

Mrs. Martha H. Romsa was born at Olen, Norway, April 4, 1832. The early years of her long life were spent in the community of her birth, where she resided till she reached the age of 23 years, when she came to America, landing with others at Lisbon, Illinois. There she lived five years, when the "farther west" spirit took hold of the Norwegian settlers near Lisbon and she was among the many others that formed a colony for a settlement in Iowa, where they landed in 1860, taking up their residence in what is now Palestine township. With her husband, Torkel Romsa, whom she had been married to before leaving Norway, she affiliated herself with the Palestine congregation. Four children were born to this union. They were Mrs. Julia Scott, Mrs. Paul Romsa, Mrs. Anna Moland and Mrs. Josephine Anfinson. After a two years' residence in Iowa came the death of her husband as the result of an accident. Most of them men folks having gone to war, much of the work of the neighborhood fell upon the shoulders of Mr. Romsa and it was while thus employed, falling trees for wood, that he accidentally cut himself in the leg with an axe. He persisted in working, with the result that the infection and blood poison set in and his death followed, leaving the widow with four children to provide for. She mastered the situation and with the help came through the multiplied duties. She again married, her second husband being Hemming Romsa. To this union were born four children. They were daughters, Mrs. Martha Nelson and Mrs. Bertha Simonson and sons, Jacob and Martin. They continued to make Palestine township their home, prospered and did well. In 1903 her second husband was called by death, leaving her ample competence with which to meet her wants the balance of her life. Beside their children, she is mourned by a stepson, Albert Romsa, of Estherville, Iowa, to whom she was always as kind and considerate as if he was her own child. She is also mourned by thirty-one grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. Eleven of her grandchildren are now in the army.

Deceased was a loving mother, who always tried to be of service to everybody. Her exemplary Christian life and devotion to duty was always the source of pleasure and strength o her life's pathway. During her last days she manifested more than ever her faith in her Saviour and answered th last summons very peacefully.