OBIT
provided by the Swea City Library- MARTIN BERHOW DIES AFTER LONG ILLNESS; SERVICES HELD WEDNESDAY IN TABERNACLE Martin Berhow, 71, died Saturday at his home in Swea City following a lengthy illness since suffering a stroke. Funeral services were held Wednesday at the Swea City Gospel Tabernacle with rev. H Crouch officiating. Music at the service was furnished by Mrs. Crouch, who sang, "I Won't Have To Cross Jordon Alone" and a duet number by Mrs. Crouch and Walter Peterson, who sang "sunrise" Burial was made in the Harriet township cemetery with six sons serving as pallbearers. They included Arnold, Adolph, Emmet, Caryl, Donald and Arva Berhow. Martin Berhow was born in Hamilton, Iowa on Aug. 12, 1879, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Berhow. He came to Emmet county with his parents at an early age and spent most of his youth in that vicinity. He was united in marriage to Lena Espe on Sept. 12, 1900, at Clarion and the couple would have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in two weeks. The Berhows farmed for many years in the Swea City neighborhood and approximately 10 years ago moved to town where he has been employed at the Swea City Produce company. He was an active and faithful member of the Gospel Tabernacle since 1930 and a member of the Board of Elders for a number of years. Fifteen children were born to the couple, two proceeding their father in death, Martin Leo dying in infancy and Mrs. Viola Airhart, who died in 1946. Surviving are his wife, Lena, seven daughters, Mrs. Wilfred Barslou, Boy River, MN; Mrs. Louis Roalson, Fairmont, MN; Mrs. Lawrence Brandt, Elmore, MN; Mrs. Harvey Christensen, Esterville; Mrs. Henry Johnson, Lakota; Mrs. Walter Cassem, Fairmont, MN; and Mrs. Arden Cassem, Grand Meadow, MN; six sons, Arnold, Onamia, MN; Emmet, LeRoy, MN; Donald, Grand Meadow and Arva, Fairmont, MN. Fifty-three grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends also survive.