Martha Clarissa (Kalsem) Racek (1896-1972)

KALSEM, RACEK, LEE, SCHONHORST, HALVERSON, DUELAND

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 11/5/2023 at 15:17:23

From Nevada Journal July 10, 1972 (page 7)

DEATHS

Mrs. Val Racek

Funeral services for Mrs. Val Racek were held on Tuesday, June 30, 1972 at 2 p.m. at the Fjeldberg Lutheran Church in Huxley.

Pastor H.E. Jacobson based his meditation on I John 5:10-13. Pastor Ernest Thompson brought words of comfort to the family. Pastor Dale Halverson, Fessenden, N.D. nephew of Mrs. Racek, expressed thanks from the family.

Organist was Mrs. Milo Veland. The congregation sang "I Love To Tell The Story" and "Jesus Loves Me."

Pallbearers were Phillip Lee, Dale Halverson, Wayne Halverson, Kenneth Sandven, Carroll Racek, Frank Roznos. Interment was in Fjeldberg Cemetery.

Martha Clarissa Kalsem was born in Story County, Ia. February 18, 1896. Her parents were Severt and Randa Caroline (Carrie) Kalsem. She was baptized and confirmed at Fjeldberg Lutheran Church of which she has been a faithful member of all her life.

She attended high school in Huxley and graduated at Ladler Lutheran Seminary at Red Wing, Minn. in 1916. She was a teacher in parochial and Sunday Schools for many years. She will be remembered by many as their beloved Sunday School teacher.

On Dec. 26, 1893, she was united in marriage to Val Racek. To this union two daughters were born, Ruth, Mrs. Jacob Lee of rural Huxley and Mary Anne, Mrs. Donald Schonhorst of rural Slater.

They lived on a farm west of town until they moved into Huxley 15 years ago.

For the past few years, she has been in failing health. Her life came to a tragic end when she was struck by a freight train while walking on the railroad track west of town early in the morning of Wednesday June 28 at the age of 74 years, 4 months and 10 days.

She is survived by her husband, Val; her daughters, Ruth and Mary Anne and their husbands Jacob Lee and Donald Schonhorst; seven grandchildren, Nancy, Phillip, Donny and Paul Lee; Mary Carole, Roger and Rosemary Schonhorst; one brother, Joe Kalsem, Tomahawk, Wisc., one sister, Mrs. R. J. Halverson of Delavan, Minn. and a host of relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Mabel, Mrs. H. G. Dueland. The noon meal was served at the church by the T.N.L. Club, neighbors and friends. Hannah and Rachel Circles served lunch following services.