Alice Regina Trustem 1910 - 2002

TRUSTEM

Posted By: Jerry E. Hill (email)
Date: 1/21/2003 at 18:37:42

Alice Regina (Hanson)Trustem was born on the Hanson family farm in rural Northwood, Iowa on March 12, 1910. She was the daughter of Amund (Amos) and Mary (Orpen) Hanson. She was delivered into this world by her mother and father as there was no mid-wife or attendent. She was the second of six children. Her heritage was that of being descended from Norwegian Pioneers who arrived and settled in Worth County, Iowa in the early 1850's. Her mother, Mary Hanson, died in the 1918 world wide flu epidemic when Alice was only eight years old. She then lived with her Grandma Anna Orpen and various other aunts and uncles. She returned home in her teens to help care for her father and two of her brothers, Hank and Reuben. During this time she also worked as a house keeper for various families.
Alice was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Bristol Lutheran Church in rural Joice, Iowa. She received her instruction for confirmation in the Norwegian language at Bristol Lutheran Church. Alice remained a lifelong member and supported Bristol until the church closed in the fall of 1984. She then joined Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills, Iowa where she remained a member until the time of her death.
Alice's formal education was received at Brookfield #3 township school. She attended through the 8th grade and then briefly attended Northwood High School.
Alice married Edward Kolbjornson Trustem on October 4, 1934 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Her husband Ed was an immigrant from Gol, Hallingdal, Norway who served in the Royal Norwegian Army with Crown Prince (later King) Olaf of Norway. Alice and Ed were blessed with two children, Kermit Arlen and Rose Ann Marie. Together they farmed on various locations in Worth County until they purchased the Hanson Family Farm (homestead) from her father in 1947. Ed, a carpenter by trade built a new house and they remained farming there until 1969, when the farm was sold to her relative and his wife, Ernest and Erma Hanson. Ed and Alice built a new house in Northwood and lived there from 1969 - 1977. Following sixteen years of employment with Deluxe (now Fleetguard) in Lake Mills, Alice retired and they built a new house at 703 Milton Avenue, Lake Mills in order to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren.
Alice enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, flowers (especially yellow roses), embroidering, making jams and jellies, reading, traveling and watching comedies on television. She loved dancing to a good Waltz or Polka. She was in the process of reading her entire Bible at the time of her death and was approaching its completion.
In March 2001, Alice was honored when she was crowned Queen of "A Night In Old Ireland... a medieval feaste" play and dinner in LeRoy, Minnesota. She was the last Queen crowned in their last performance. She was deeply touched and honored.
Alice looked forward to visits from her family, friends and ministers. She loved her family and friends deeply and was loved deeply by them.
On Thursday, January 10, 2002 in the early morning hours, the Lord's Angel was revealed to her coming to take her home to her Savior. Alice departed this life and passed into eternity at 5:24 a.m. on Friday, January 11, 2002 with her family at her bedside during Pastor Roger Dykstra's reading of the 23rd Psalm.
She is survived by her son, Kermit Trustem; her daughter, Rose Ann and her husband Dennis Hill all of Lake Mills, Iowa; five grandchildren; Mr. Jerry Edward Hill of Lake Mills, Iowa; Attorney Jeffrey Hill and his wife Kim of Austin Texas; Mrs. Audra and her husband Christopher Stambaugh of Rolling Stone, Minnesota; Jennifer Trustem and Laura Trustem both of McKinleyville, California; three great-grand children Elizabeth and Joshua Hill of Austin, Texas and Alicyn Rose Stambaugh (born on January 19, 2002 (8 days following Alice's death)). Alice is also survived by one sister Mrs. Ernest (Eleanor) Gensrich of Hatton, North Dakota; and one sister-in-law Mrs. Reuben (Edna) Hanson of Northwood, Iowa; along with many nieces, nephews, and relatives in the United States of America, Canada and Norway.
Alice was preceded in death by her parents Amund and Mary Hanson; her husband Edward; three brothers, Henry (Hank) Hanson, Reuben Hanson, and Milton Aarback; one sister Lillian Stumo and one grandson, Erik Russell Trustem (who died in infancy).
Alice was a kind and loving person. Her abscence will be felt by all whom she loved and who loved her. She is safe in the hands of the Lord forever.
Alice was 91 years, 9 months and 30 days old when she passed away. Her funeral service was held at Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills on Monday, January 14, 2002 at 1:30 pm. The Clergy were Reverand Roger Dykstra and Reverend Kevin Mackey. Her hymns were "Ave Maria," "Little Brown Church," "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art." Pallbearers were Jerry Edward Hill (Grandson), Jeffrey Dean Hill (Grandson), Audra Dea Stambaugh (Granddaughter), Jennifer Lynn Trustem (Granddaughter) Laura Marie Trustem (Granddaughter), Kim Ann Hill (Granddaughter in-law), Christopher William Stambaugh (Grandson in-law), Richard Dean Aarback (nephew) and Gary Alan Sanden (cousin). Honorary Pallbearers were Lane Ballandby (cousin), John Stumo (nephew), Karen Boettcher (niece) and Elizabeth Reichl (niece). Interment was at Bristol Lutheran Church Cemetary in rural Joice, Iowa.
Written by her Grandson, Jerry E. Hill