Gunder Swen Wike (1844-1929)

WIKE, NELSON, AURLAND, ANDERSON, LARSON, MILLER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 4/19/2024 at 13:24:04

From Story City Herald February 21, 1929 (page 3)

GUNDER WIKE WAS BORN IN YEAR 1944

Local Citizen Reached High Old Age of Eighty-Five

Gunder Wike was born at Vike, Valestrand, Norway, January 18, 1844, and died at Story City Feb. 4, 1929, at the age of 85 years.

He came from Norway to Grinnell, Iowa in 1866. Shortly after coming to this country he was married to Miss Bronhilde Nelson Aurland from Sjold, Norway.

In 1870 the family moved to Hamilton county where they purchased a farm 7 miles northwest of Story City. On this farm they lived for 30 years, until they moved to Story City in 1908, where they have lived the last 20 years.

Mr. Wike was the father of 11 children. His first wife and six children have preceded him in death.

In 1915 he was married the second time to Miss Bertha Anderson, Valestrand, Norway, who had proven a good helpmate to him in his old age.

Mr. Wike was for many years a member of the Clear Lake church; since coming to Story City he has been a member of the Bethel church.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife and five children: Marcus W. of Story City, Anton of Ames, Sigvald W. of Gilbert, Mrs. Ingeborg Larson of Pingree, N. Dak., and Mrs. Ellen Miller of Story City. Also 19 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren; besides three sisters in Norway and a brother, John Wike of Eagle Grove.

He was buried from the Bethel church Feb. 7th, where his pastor, Rev. G. O. Paulsrud, officiated, and laid to rest in the Story City cemetery.