Larsen, Iver 1837 - 1905
LARSEN, BOLSTAD
Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 3/25/2013 at 16:52:04
Postville Review, Fri., 1 Sept. 1905.
Iver Larsen, a pioneer merchant and influentual citizen of Decorah, passed away last week Wednesday, his death being due to a stroke of apoplexy. He was 68 years of age.
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Note: Use the Iowa Gravestone Photo Project link to see a photo of his gravestone in Lutheran Cemetery at Decorah.
Submitter is not related.
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Added by Joy Moore March 17, 2019:
Source: Decorah Republican Aug. 31, 1905 P3 C3
IVER LARSEN.
Decorah Loses Another Valued Citizen, and the County a Pioneer Settler.
When the REPUBLICAN went to press last Thursday morning it did not know that one of the pioneer citizens of Winneshiek county had passed to his long rest the evening previous. We refer to the death of Mr. Iver Larsen, which occurred at his home on Water street at ten o’clock on the evening of the 23d inst., just twelve hours after having suffered a second stroke of paralysis.
Mr. Larsen was born Nov. 1, 1837, in Granvin’s parish, Hardanger, Norway. When his parents came to America in 1850 he came with them and for a year they resided at Koshkonong, Wisconsin. In 1851 they moved to Winneshiek county and settled at what was then known as Big Canoe. 1860-61 found Mr. Larsen attending Concordia Seminary, the Lutheran theological school at St. Louis. It was his intention to enter the ministry but he gave this up. He was one of the first pupils to enter Luther College when it was located at Half-Way Creek, Wisconsin. After leaving school at St. Louis he became a clerk in a general store at Lansing. Later he moved to Brownsville, Minn., where he was engaged in general merchandising for a dozen of years, removing to Decorah in 1878.
Of his career since the last date it is only necessary to say it was one of long and honorable service to a large number of patrons, until about two years ago when he decided to retire from business. It was not, however, until the first of the present year that he finally closed out his stock. In all that pertains to enterprise, good citizenship and Christian living Mr. Larsen was a worthy example.
He was married in 1866 to Anna Nilson Bolstad. To them seven children were born, two of whom died in infancy. Four daughters and one son, with the mother, survive.
Mr. Larsen was attacked by paralysis first something like a year ago. For a time it was feared that he would live but a few weeks but be gradually grew better and was able to get out a little each day. Last Wednesday morning he arose as usual and after eating breakfast went to the front room and read for a time. The family were busy in the rear rooms and hearing a noise as of something falling, his oldest daughter, Miss Sarah Larsen, went in and found him lying on the floor as though he had started to go to his bedroom and had fallen. She asked him if he had hurt himself and he said “No.” That was the last intelligible word he uttered
The funeral was held Saturday afternoon. A short private service at the home at two o’clock preceded the public service which was held at the United Lutheran church at 2:30 o’clock, Rev. J. O. Hougen officiated and the church was crowded with old friends and acquaintances who had assembled to pay their final tribute to one whom they had respected and admired as friend and fellow citizen.
Lutheran Decorah Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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