Gold Star Mother ~ in recognition of Andrew Marion Arney"

Hilga Augusta Johnson was born in Stockholm, Sweden December 27, 1883. She was the oldest of twelve (12) children born to Hans Johnson Seborg and Matilda Larson. In 1889 at the age of 5 1/2 years she immigrated to the United States with her parents and three (3) of her siblings.

From Sweden the family settled in Herington, Dickenson, Kansas and lived there until about 1903.

Between 1903 and 1905 Hilga lived with her family in the Fruita Precinct of Grand Junction, Mesa, Colorado. While here Hilga met Clarence Marion Arney. They were married August 22, 1904 in Grand Junction. The couple moved to Prosser, Benton, Washington in the fall of 1905 to homestead in the Rattlesnake Hills.

To this union were born eleven (11) children, nine (9) of whom lived to adulthood. Eight (8) of their children were born in the Rattlesnake. Those children are: Elizabeth Marion, Agnes Virginia, Clarence Paul, Grace Louise, Martha Matilda, Doris Ellen, Andrew Marion, and Kenneth Robert.

In 1922 Hilga and the family moved to Hemlock, Tillamook County, Oregon trading their property in the Rattlesnake for Hemlock dairy farm property. During their time in Hemlock, three (3) more children were born; William Johnson, Roy Glenn and Leonard.

In 1930 the family moved to property on Case Road northwest of Woodburn. In 1932 they moved to property closer to Woodburn on Crosby Road. In 1935 they moved and settled on the property that would be called the Arney Home Place, Route one (1) just west of Woodburn proper.

Her interests and activities included photography, quilting, crocheting and activities with her church. She taught her girls and involved her boys in the preservation of food and the creation of clothing as needed to sustain the family. She cultivated and maintained contact with her and her husband's siblings, children and grandchildren throughout her life. Her family was very important to her.

Hilga lived on the farm until shortly before her death January 27, 1972. She was a member of the Woodburn Christian Church always instilling in her children the faith, shown by example, that sustained her throughout her life. At her time of death seven (7) of her children survived her. Sons Clarence of Thousand Oaks, Calif., Roy of Woodburn and Kenneth of Baker; daughters Agnes Fletcher of Tillamook, Grace Thompson and Doris Hughes, both of Seattle, Wash., Martha Thun of Eugene. She was also survived by two brothers, Clarence Seborg of Spring Valley, Calif., and Ray Seborg of Madison, Wis.; nineteen (19) grandchildren and twenty-seven (27) great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services were held Tuesday, Feb 1 at Ringo-Cornwell Colonial Chapel. Interment was in Belle Passi Cemetery, Woodburn.