Iowa
Old Press
Spencer Reporter
Spencer, Clay co. Iowa
Wednesday, July 6, 1927
Mrs. Anna Fonley was born at Jertdal, Norway Dec. 23, 1845. At
the age of 26 she was united in marriage to Halvor Sigurdson
Fonley, shortly after they came to this county stopping at Rock
Run, Ill., in the year 1871. Here they engaged in farming. Eight
years later they left Illinois and came to Iowa, where they
settled on a farm in Brooke township, Buena Vista county. Her
husband died in 1899. Mrs. Fonley continued to live on the farm
until about six years ago, when she moved to Linn Grove. Here she
resided until her death. About three years ago her health began
to fail, gradually growing worse, until last Saturday her
condition became serious, and she passed away Monday afternoon.
She was eighty-one years, six months and five days of age. They
departed was the mother of twelve children, six of whom preceded
her in death. Those left to mourn her death are Ole, Severt, and
Charles of Linn Grove; Mrs. Fred Eastman, of Greenville, Ingval
of Kimberly, Idaho; and Helmar of Marysville, California. She
also leaves 16 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Relatives from out of town present at the funeral were Mr. and
Mrs. Charley Jacobson, of Sioux Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Roy Sprague
of Albert City; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Risvold, of Rembrandt; Mrs.
Richardson of LeMars; Mrs. Edw. Rupp and Martin Peterson, of
Westbrook, Minn.; Ingval Fonley of Kimberly, Idaho; and Mrs. Fred
Eastman, of Greenville.
[transcribed by L.Z., October 2014]
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Spencer News Herald
Spencer, Clay co. Iowa
July 7, 1927
Mrs. H. S. Fonley, one of the pioneers of this vicinity, passed
away at her home in Linn Grove on Monday of last week. Funeral
services were held from the Lutheran church in Linn grove last
Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev. K. G. Hatlen. A large
number of the friends and relatives were in attendance to pay
their last tribute of respect to the memory of one who truly
deserved tribute most sincere. Mrs. Fonley was a native of Norway
and was well past 81 years of age at the time of her death. She
was married to Halvor S. Fonley in their native land and came
with him to this country shortly after their marriage. They lived
for a short time in Illinois, coming to Iowa shortly after that
and located near Linn Grove. Her husband died suddenly from
accidental injury nearly 28 years ago. He had purchased a large
farm about three miles southwest of Linn Grove where the family
resided but, as in the case of most of the early settlers, this
had not been fully paid for. The widow and her sons kept on with
the job, however, and by good management and diligence the widow
eventually gained independence. About five years ago, she built a
house in town in which she has since resided. She had been
failing for a long time and the end was not unexpected. Her sons,
Ole S., Severt, and Carl O. Fonley of Linn Grove, Ingval of Idaho
and Helmer of California, and one daughter, Mrs. Anna Eastman, of
Greenville, survive her, also several grandchildren. One
daughter, Mrs. Helen Larson and one son, John Fonley, died
several years ago. Ingval Fonley came from his home in Idaho to
attend the funeral but Helmer was unable to come.
[transcribed by L.Z., October 2014]