Obituary: Spring Grove (MN) Herald, 24 October 1946, page 1: "Helge Burtness Buried at Wilmington, Friday, October 18. Helge E. Burtness passed away early Monday morning October 14, 1946 at his home in Wilmington township after an illness of about six months. He had been confined to his bed the past two weeks. Mr. Burtness was born December 3, 1870 and reached the age of nearly 76 years. He was the oldest son of Elling H. and Kristi (Myhre) Burtness, pioneers of Wilmington township. He was baptized and confirmed by Rev. S. Reque, early pastor of Wilmington Lutheran church. On October 16, 1912, he was united in marriage to Julia Selness of Highland township in Winneshiek County, Iowa. Survivors besides his wife, are the following children: Erling and Arthur at home, Einar of St. Paul, and Josephine (Mrs. Robert Hefte) of Caledonia and one grandchild, Robert Burtness. He is also survived by the following brothers and sisters: Sigrid, Theoline, Carl and O.E. Burtness of Caledonia, Edwin Burtness of Wilmington township, Peter Burtness of Cook, Minnesota, and Mrs. Fred Engan of Rio Linda, California. Mr. Burtness was born and raised on the old Burtness homestead, part of which he purchased from his father when a young man, and which he built up to be one of the finest and best farms in Wilmington township, a monument of industry and intelligence. He was always interested and active in the betterment of the community, serving on school, church, and township boards. He was unassuming respected and highly regarded by all with whom he came in contact. Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at the Wilmington Lutheran church. Honorary pallbearers were Ole A. Myhre, Carl A. Myhre, Ole K. Myhre, Martin Myhre, Nels Olsgard, Helge Wold and Ole Morken. Active pallbearers were N.A. Myhre, Gerhard Qualey, Gilbert Buxengard, Olaf Rask, Odin Roble, and Martin Haugstad."