Thompson, Rebecca M (Baggeson), 20 Dec 1857 - 13 Mar 1944

BAGGESON, THOMPSON

Posted By: Wayne K Steffensen (email)
Date: 7/7/2008 at 16:27:58

Obituary Notice - Winnebago-Hancock Summit Newspaper, Forest City, Winnebago County, Iowa, dated Mar 23, 1944

Mrs. Rebecca M. Baggeson-Thompson was born in Bergen, Norway, December 20, 1857, and passed away at her home in Forest City, Iowa, March 13, 1944, at the age of 86 years, 2 months, and 22 days, following a stroke. Previous to this last illness of two weeks, she had enjoyed excellent health. During her last illness she enjoyed visiting with her children, who were all at her bedside, and daily she gained in strength until it seemed she would completely recover, when she had another stroke from which she never awakened.

She came to America at the age of 4 four years with her parents, sister and brother and settled in Chicago. There she lived until her marriage to T.I. Thompson September 29, 1881. Shortly afterwards they moved to a farm in Story County, Iowa, where they resided three years. In 1884 they moved to Winnebago County, Iowa, where they had purchased a farm six miles west of Forest City. This place, which they named "The Forest City View Stock Farm" became the family home for thirty-five years, and from time to time they made additions to their original acres, until they had one of the most outstanding farms in this territory. The beautiful spacious house they had built became the community meeting place for young people's social events and gospel team meetings for many years. They also organized the first rural school in that community, using the second story of their old house before the new one was built, until such time as a new schoolhouse could be erected in 1894, across the road from their home. This schoolhouse, which still stands, also became know as a community center in connection with the Young People's League of the Norweigian Methodist church of Forest City, with noted speakers and singers from far distant places taking part with the gospel teams.

Mrs. Thompson was a faithful member of the Methodist Church of Forest City for nearly 60 years, she and her husband having joined the Norweigian Methodist church in 1885. In 1911 she transferred her membership to the new American Methodist Church, where all her children were attending and of which church she was member until her death. In 1919 she and her husband purchased a house on Secor Avenue into which they moved and where she lived until her death.

She was preceded in death by her husband Thomas Isaac Thompson in April 1937, and by four children, Fred, who died at the age of twelve years, Johnnie at nine months, Elmer and Ida in infancy. Also by a sister Mrs. Christ Christoffer, and a brother Simon Baggeson, of Chicago.

She leaves to mourn her departure the following children: Harry and Walter of Forest City, Arthur of Britt, Frank of Charles City, Mabel (Mrs Raynard Bowman) of Richland Center, Wisconsin, Lillian (Mrs Henry Levison) of Forest City, also 20 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, a number of nieces and nephews, and one sister-in-law, Mrs Gertrude Boman, of Forest City.

To know her was to love her. Always helpful through unassuming, she had a courage that carried her through all the trials and hardships of life, and they were many in the early settlement of the county back in the '80s. She will be greatly missed for her motherly love and devotion to her loved ones, for her guidance, prayers and comfort to them. She had a great love of music and enjoyed singing. Before leaving Chicago she attended Moody's Church where she was a soloist in the choir as well as a soloist with Sankey & Bliss.

Funeral services were held Thursday, March 16, at the Olson Funeral Home at 1:30 and at the Methodist Church at 2: p.m., Rev. C.H. Petersen officiating. The pallbearers were six of her grandsons, Orville Thompson, Terry Thompson, Lawrence Thompson, Max Thompson, Garland Thompson, and Leroy Thompson. A ladies sextette, Mesdames C. H. Petersen, C. G. Webb, W. R. Drewes, Ben Hall, Misses Helen Dunn and Charlotte Bridge, sand two numbers, her favorites, "Shall We Gather at the River", and "Nearer, My God, To Thee", with two of her nieces at the organ and piano, Mrs. Harold Baker, and Miss Thora Boman. Interment was at Oakwood Cemetery.

Among those from out of town who attended the services were: Mr. and Mrs. George Sherman of Chicago; Mrs. and Mrs. Raynard Bowen of Richland Center, Wisconsin; Elaine Thompson of Des Moines; Mr. and Mrs. Fran Thompson, Bonnie, Mar, Max and Franklin Thompson of Charles City; Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Thompson and Dorothy of Britt; Mrs. William Olson of Clear Lake.