John O. Iverson, Aged 81, Laid to Rest Monday
John O. Iverson, old and respected resident of Crow River township, passed away Thursday, March 28, at the farm home east of Georgeville where he had lived for the past 56 years. Mr. Iverson who would have reached the age of 81 years on April 3, had been in failing health for several months but bore his suffering with uncomplaining. Christian fortitude until death came peacefully last Thursday evening.
Funeral services were held on Monday, April 1, with Rev. Edward Struxness officiating. Services were held at the Johnson Funeral Parlors in Belgrade at one o’clock, and at two o’clock at the Crow River Lutheran church, where the deceased had been a faithful attendant for so many years. Interment was made in the Crow River cemetery, beside the remains of his wife, who preceded him in death in the year 1927.
The pallbearers were six grandsons, namely: Maurice Johnson, Clarence and Harry Johnson, John Siebenthal, and Manford and Clarence Christopherson.
Rev. Ivar Sandberg of Barrett, Minn. and Rev. Thorvald Thorson of Chicago, friends of the family for many years, brought personal messages of sympathy and spoke briefly at the funeral services. Among others from a distance who were in attendance were: Mr. and Mrs. Carl Kobberdahl of Grand Forks, N.D.; Mrs. Anton Christopherson and Conrad Christopherson of Minneapolis, and Mrs. and Mrs. Haldore Corneliuson and Mr. and Mrs. Simon Simonson of Sedan.
John O. Iverson was born April 3, 1859 at Meløy, Helgeland, Norway, where he grew to young manhood and took unto himself his beloved wife Marit Isaksdatter. One son was born to them and died in infancy while Mr. and Mrs. Iverson lived in Norway. In 1882 Mr. and Mrs. Iverson came to America and in 1884 they purchased the farm east of Georgeville, where the family has since resided.
Mourning the death of their beloved father are three daughters and five sons: Irene (Mrs. Andrew Opstedahl) of Overly, N.D.; Gusta (Mrs. V.A. Siebenthal) and Marie (Mrs. H.J. Christopherson) of St. Paul; Martin O. Johnson of Belgrade; Peter I. Johnson, who resides on the home place, and Edwin O. Johnson of the Georgeville community; and John A. and Melvin O. Johnson of St. Paul. There are also 29 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Peace be to the memory of another old pioneer who lived a long and useful life, and whose many good deeds will long be remembered by his loved ones.”--Belgrade Tribune, Minn., 1940. (Note: Norway church records give his date of birth of March 27, 1859)