Christian Helgeson Burtness, pioneer Fillmore county resident, died February 11th at his home in Harmony. He was 84 years old. Funeral services were held in the Elstad church, Rev. N. S. Magelssen conducting the last sad rites. Deceased was born in Hallingdal, Norway, March 1st, 1842. He came to the United States in 1860, first to Rock county, Wisconsin; then to Spring Grove, and from there to Amherst township in this county, where he engaged in farming until 1904. He is survived by his wife and the following six children--Mrs. Theoline Lee of Newhouse; Mrs. Z. E. Russell, and Connie Burtness of St. Cloud; Mrs. H. C. Burtness of Hesper, Iowa; Mrs. E. H. Onstine of Harmony; and Mr. Allen Burtness of Missoula, Montana. There are also 13 grandchildren.

Christen's parents were Helge Pedersen Børtnes and Live Ellingsdatter Majormoen.
Christen married Christie Knudsdatter Ellingson Solum 22 Apr 1868 Houston County Minnesota
Children:
1. Helge b. 01 Feb 1870 Fillmore County Minnesota d. 14 Oct 1946 Houston County Minnesota m. Julia Roseth 12 Oct 1904 Fillmore County Minnesota
2. Theoline b. 02 Aug 1872 Fillmore County Minnesota d. 24 Mar 1939 Houston County Minnesota m. Ole Lee 10 Jan 1893 La Crosse County Wisconsin
3. Live Karoline b. 08 Jun 1876 Fillmore County Minnesota d. 25 May 1862 Harris County Texas m. Zachary Earl Russell 06 Apr 1904 Fillmore County Minnesota
4. Clara Julia b. 07 Apr 1880 Fillmore County Minnesota d. 22 Mar 1970 Fillmore County Minnesota m. Elmer Herbert Onstine 20 Jan 1906 Fillmore County Minnesota
5. Peter Emilius b. 20 Jan 1883 Fillmore County Minnesota d. 27 Jan 1898 Fillmore County Minnesota
6. Cornelius b. 05 Dec 1885 Fillmore County Minnesota d. 15 Sep 1968 Hennepin County Minnesota
7. Allen Charles b. 07 Dec 1889 Fillmore County Minnesota d. 22 Aug 1978 King County Washington m. Inez Lund

Elstad Lutheran Church burial records, p. 236 #3, Christen H. Burtness 84 aar died 11 Febr 1927 buried 14 Febr 1927 at Elstad Hjemstavn: Harmony Note: Alderdomsvaghed.