Even and Petra (Granum) Evenson Family

Granum Family: Vardal, Norway - La Crosse Co., WI - Volga, Brookings, SD

Evenson Family News, 1900-1919

1911

Mrs. Carrie Granum.

Mrs. Carrie[sic] Granum, who for the past 15 years or more has made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Evenson, passed away early last Sunday morning. Her maiden name was Carrie Jacobson and she was born in Norway May 15, 1820, and was almost 91 years of age at the time of her death. About 27 years ago with her husband and family she came to this country and located in Wisconsin, moving to Dakota about 24 years ago, her husband dying shortly after they came here. She was the mother of eleven children, four of whom survive her as follows:

Ole Granum, of Volga; Oliver Granum, of Holmen, Wisconsin; Peter Granum, of Huron, and Mrs. Even Evenson, of Volga township.

While for a number of years the deceased had been in quite feeble health there had been no particular change in her condition up to a few minutes before the time of her death, and she passed away very suddenly.

Funeral services were held at the United Norwegian Lutheran church in this city on Monday afternoon, the Rev. Henrik Voldal officiating. The interment was in the cemetery south of town.

Resolution.

Resolved: That we, the members of the Young People's Society of the United Norwegian Lutheran church, did not in any way sanction or approve of the dance which occurred last week, while the town was veiled in mourning.

Matilda Stumley.
Julia B. Karlstad.
Committee.
(Source: Volga (SD) Tribune, first February issue, 1911, back page. Transcribed by Robert Beckman - contact info available upon request)

1924

SIMON STUMLEY, OF MC INTOSH, S.D. MEETS DEATH BY PECULIAR ACCIDENT

Word was received, the first of the week of the death of Simon Stumley, of McIntosh, S.D., a former resident of this city. Mr. Stumley passed away in the Lincoln hospital at Aberdeen Tuesday morning of this week following an operation on his eye.

From what we can understand Mr. Stumley met with a peculiar accident about a week or two ago when he was making a fence on his farm. When he was about to drive a staple to hold a fence wire the staple flew and struck him in the eye. He was taken to the Aberdeen hospital the next day and shortly after arriving there the eye was removed. Infection set in and his conditon grew worse from that time. The body was shipped to Volga Wednesday and funeral services will be held at the Even Evenson home in this city and at the Lutheran church on Friday afternoon of this week.

Simon A. Stumley was born at Biri, Norway, January 5,1867. He came to the United States at the age of fourteen years, and was confirmed at the Half Way Creek Church in Wisconsin. He lived with his father two and a half miles south of Volga for nearly eleven years, and on June 29, 1899 he married Miss Mandla Evenson daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Even Evenson. To this union three children have been born, who with their mother, survive him. They are, Allen, Margaret, and Lucille and one grandchild.
(Source: Volga Tribune?, 1924? Provided and transcribed by Robert Beckman)

1946

BYRON EVENSON DIES SUDDENLY

PNEUMONIA DEVELOPED AFTER ACCIDENT INJURY CAUSE OF DEATH; SERVICES HELD WEDNESDAY (1946)

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon for Byron Evenson, 52, who passed away at the Volga Hospital Friday, January 11, from an injury which developed into pneumonia. Services were held at the E. P. Evenson home at 1:30 and at the Lutheran Church at 2:00. Rev. Karl Kildahl officiated and interment was made in the family lot at the church cemetery.

Byron Lawrence Evenson was born on the farm of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Even Evenson, Oslo township, on November 21, 1893, and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church of Volga.

He remained on the farm until he entered the service of World War I. Upon his return he resumed farming which he continued to follow.

He leaves to mourn his passing one brother, Palmer of Volga; and six sisters, Mrs. H. P. Bertelsen of Volga, Mrs. Charles Sands of Keldron, S. Dak., Mrs. Bert Dowden of Arlington, S. Dak., Mrs. Louis Olson of Santa Ana. Calif., Mrs. Jenifer Rice of Barton, Fla., and Mrs. Oscar Hanson of La Crosse, Wis., besides numerous relatives and many friends. His father, mother and one sister, Cora, preceded him in death.
(Source: Volga Tribune?, January 1946. Provided and transcribed by Robert Beckman)

1949

Final Rites are held Tuesday for C. Sands

Funeral services for Chas. Sands, pioneer of southern Corson county and resident of the Grand Valley community since the earliest days of settlement, who was fatally injured in a tractor accident on the highway two miles southwest of his farm, were held Tuesday in this city.

Mr. Sands in company with his son, Orel, had been hauling hay during the morning. As they came up a hill on the highway south of the home farm, the load tipped over. After the noon day meal they returned to the scene. Orel drove ahead in his truck and was busy adjusting the trailer when he saw his father backing the tractor to be used in righting the load, up the hill.

Quickly Orel noted that the tractor wheels were perilously close to an embankment sheering off abruptly into an abandoned gravel pit below. He called a warning to his father, then saw him leap from the machine as the tractor started to roll over the bank. Mr. Sands apparently lost his balance as he fell. Orel said it appeared that the tractor hit his father a terrific blow on the head as it swung over the bank and dropped into the pit below. His skull and neck were fractured.

Stunned, Orel ran to his father's side to find him unconscious. With superhuman effort he carried him to the truck and drove home. Neighbors responded quickly to a call and helped as Mr. Sands was transferred to a car for a quick trip to Lemmon. Physicians expressed the belief that he died enroute to the hospital here

News of the passing of Mr. Sands came as a shock to neighbors and friend over a wide area. Few men were better known or held in higher respect. During the summer and fall months he had constructed a new home in Lemmon and it had just been completed. He and Mrs. Sands had planned to move here before Christmas to reside.

Charles Sands was born at English, Ind. Nov. 13, 1878. As a young lad he moved with his parents to Grand Ridge, Ill. He received his education and grew to young manhood in the schools of that state.

When western Corson county was opened to homesteaders in 1910, Mr. Sands followed the trek of the settler and came to settle on a claim near Grand Valley 18 miles south of Keldron.

He was married May 26, 1913 at Volga, S.D., to Miss Selma Evanson [Evenson] of that city who had been his neighbor on a nearby Grand Valley homestead. They returned to Corson county to establish their home.

Surviving relatives include his wife, a daughter, Mrs. John W. Christman of Lemmon, his son Orel, and a grandson, Bobbie John Christman, a brother, H. B. Sands of Sioux City, Iowa, and a sister, Mrs. Clyde Chronister of Dixon, Ill. Another son, Byron, died in 1925 at the age of seven years.
(Source: Lemmon SD newspaper?, ca. Dec. 8-9, 1949. Provided and transcribed by Robert Beckman)

1951

BERT DOWDEN, 6l, DIES MONDAY OF A HEART ATTACK

Funeral services will be held. tomorrow in the Trinity Lutheran church here for Bert Dowden, who very unexpectedly passsd away while at work in Pipestone, Minn. Interment will be in the Arlington cemetery.

Bert had gone to Pipestone Sunday where he was to start work the following morning at the meat counter in a store there. He had started to make a small delivery when he was stricken.

He had lived nearly all of his life in or near Arlington and was a man of a great many friends. His jovial smile will be greatly missed up and down the street.

Pall Bearers will be Alvin Oleson, Clifford Quinn, Guy Abbott, Glen Madson, Pete Holcomb and Ed Bjorklumd.

LIFE SKETCH

Bert Dowden, son of John and Mary Dowden, was born at Coqquad, Neb., September 8, 1889 and passed away May 7, 1951 at Pipestone, Minn.

He had not been in the best of health for the past year. A heart attack suddenly ended his life.

His boyhood days were spent on a farm near Manchester, S.D. In the year 1900 he moved with his parents to a farm near Volga and later was united in marriage to Blenda Evenson, December 14, 1911. Two sons were born to this union, Lawrence, who passed away in infancy, and Duane of Arlington. He continued to farm until 1921 when he established residence in Arlington. Here he became a steadfast member of the Trinity Lutheran Church.

He leaves to mourn his death, his wife and son, two brothers John of Cedar Falls, Iowa and Lloyd of Lake Preston; a sister Mrs. Oliver Gerald of Lake Preston, besides a host of relatives and friends.
(Source: Volga Tribune?, May 1951. Provided and transcribed by Robert Beckman)

1961

E. P. "Pal" Evenson

E. P. "Pal" Evenson died suddenly Tuesday morning at his home in Volga of a heart attack. He had been Volga's dray owner since the end of World War I.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the First Lutheran Church with interment in the Lutheran Cemetery. The Rev. Luther Bergeland will officiate. Pallbearers will be George Martinson, William Lee, Burton Dahl, Hans Edison, Alfred Sween and John Gruseth. There will be military graveside rites.

Palmer Ernest Evenson was born in Oslo Township, rural Volga, on Aug. 28, 1888, to Even and Petra Evenson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He was graduated from Volga High School in 1906 and farmed until entering military service in World War I. He served 14 months in France.

Upon his discharge he purchased the dray business in Volga in partnership with the late Martin Thompson. He operated this until the time of his death.

On Sept. 29, 1924, he was united in marriage with Lovina Snider of Volga.

Mr. Evenson was a charter member of the Burrows-Young post of the American Legion.

Surviving are the widow; one daughter, Mrs. Ralph Evenson (Beulah); three grandchildren; six sisters, Mrs. Mandla Bertelsen and Mrs. Blenda Dowden of Volga, Mrs. Selma Sands of Lemmon, Mrs. Louis Olson of Arlington, Mrs. Jenifer Rice of Barstow, Fla., Mrs. Myrtle Hanson of West La Crosse, Wis. His parents, a sister and a brother preceded him in death.
(Source: Volga Tribune?, March 1961. Provided and transcribed by Robert Beckman)

1962

BLENDA DOWDEN FUNERAL SERVlCES HELD FRIDAY

Funeral services were held Friday afternoon, December 21,1962 at the Trinity Lutheran church in Arlington at two o'clock for Blenda Dowden who passed away at the Volga hospital Dec. 18. Pastor Oliver Pederson officiated at the services. Mrs. Martin Jensen was soloist and Robert Kallesen, organist. Pall bearers were Clifford Ayres, Oliver Gunderson, Martin Kjellsen, Otto Kjellsen, Glenn Madson and Guy Abbott. Interment was in the Arlington cemetery.

LIFE SKETCH

Blenda Evenson Dowden, daughter of Even and Petra Evenson was born Nov. 26, 1886 at Volga, S. D. She passed away Dec. 18, 1962 at the Volga hospital after a long lingering illness of nearly nine years. Her childhood days were spent on the farm southwest of Volga. Here she was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.

On Dec. l4, 1911 she was united in marriage to Bert Dowden. Two children were born to the union, Lawrence who passed away in infancy and Duane of Freeman, S. D. They farmed near Hetland and Volga until 1921 when they established residence in Arlington.

She leaves to mourn her death one son, Duane, and four grandchildren, Shari, Duane Jr., Bradley, and Gloria Jean; five sisters, Mrs. Mandla Bertelson, Volga; Mrs. Selma Sands, Lemmon, S.D.; Mrs. Louis Olson (Alvira), Arlington; Mrs. Jenifer Rice, Bartow, Fla.; and Mrs. Myrtle Hanson, LaCrosse, Wis. Her husband and two brothers and a sister preceded her in death.

She was an active member in church and community affairs and her home was one of hospitality and friendship
(Source: Volga Tribune?, December 1962. Provided and transcribed by Robert Beckman)

1966

Mrs. Mandla Bertelsen

Mrs. Mandla Bertelsen, 87 died at the Lake Preston hospital Tuesday. Funeral services will be held at 2 P.M. Friday in the First Lutheran Church with the Rev. Arthur Schmitt officiating. Interment will be made in the church cemetery. Dwayne Karlstad, William Meyer, Soren Bertelsen, Reuben Granum, Gerrit Den Otter and Dale Rausch will be pall bearers.

Mandla Evenson was born June 29, l879 at Holman, Wisc., to Mr. and Mrs. Even Evenson. At the age of three she moved with her parents to a farm southwest of Volga. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.

In l897 she was united in marriage to Simon Stumley. The family moved from Volga to a homestead near Lemmon, S. Dak. Mr. Stumley died in 1924. Mrs. Stumley returned to the Volga community after the death of her husband.

She was married to Hans Bertelsen in 1941 and continued to make Volga her home.

Surviving are a son, Alan Stumley of Napa, Calif., a daughter, Mrs. Charles Schmidt (Margaret) of Puyallup, Wash., three sisters, Mrs. Charles Sands (Selma), Lemmon, S.D.; Mrs. Louis Olson (Alvira), Arlington, S.D.; and Mrs. Sylvester Rice,. (Jenifer), Lakeland, Florida; 12 grandchlldren and several great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her two husbands, Simon Stumley and Hans Bertelsen, a daughter Lucille, a grandson, Robert Stumley, her parents, two brothers, and three sisters.
(Source: Volga Tribune?, August 1966. Provided and transcribed by Robert Beckman)

1979

Lovina C. Evenson

Lovina C. Evenson, 86, died Sunday evening at Brookview Manor, Brookings, where she had lived for the past six years.

Funeral services were at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the First Lutheran Church with the Rev. James Hulberg officiating. Burial was in First Lutheran Church Cemetery. Eidsness Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Lovina C. Snider was born July 24,1892, in Volga to Edward and Anna (Jepsen) Snider. She grew up in Volga and graduated from Volga High School. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Until her marriage to Palmer E. Evenson Sept. 29, 1924, in Volga, she worked as a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell in Volga. Mr. Evenson died in 1961.

Mrs. Evenson was a member of the First Lutheran Church and the ALCW and was a charter member of the Volga chapter of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Ralph (Beulah) Pederson of Volga and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and three brothers.
(Source: Volga Tribune?, January 1979. Provided and transcribed by Robert Beckman)

1981

Selma H. Sands

Selma H. Sands, 98, pioneer of the Grand Valley community in Corson County, and longtime Lemmon resident died at Five Counties Hospital in Lemmon the morning of Sept. 1. She had been hospitalized the past three weeks, and until that time had maintained her own home in Lemmon.

Funeral services will be conducted at Calvary Lutheran Church on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 2 p.m. with Rev. John Langehough officiating. Special music will be provided by Mrs. Dale Aspengren, organist and Bob Christman and Eldon Jensen, soloists. Casketbearers will be Bill and Todd Sands, Kenneth Bartell, Bob and Chuck Christman and Reed Resner. All friends will be considered honorary pallbearers, with interment to be made in the family lot in Greenhill Cemetery. A memorial has been established.

She was born on June 6, 1883 to Even and Petra Evenson in their sod shanty near Volga, SD. She grew to young womanhood in that area and received her education there. As a young woman, she worked for the telephone company there as well as in the state of Washington. In 1911, she homesteaded in Rolling Green Township, Corson Co., being one of the first women to homestead alone in this area. It was there she met fellow homesteader Charles Sands, whom she married on May 26, 1913 at Volga. They farmed and ranched and operated the Grand Valley Post Office and Store. In 1933, the post office was closed, and they continued to operate the store for a few more years.

She was instrumental in starting the first school, church and in forming many activities in the Grand Valley community. Sands died in Dec. of 1949 while they were in the process of moving to Lemmon. She has lived in Lemmon since that time, actively participating in Calvary Lutheran Church and the Calvary Lutheran Church Women's organization. She made quilts for all in her family, loved to crochet and her Hardanger embroidery and lefse baking skills were enjoyed by many.

She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. John W. 'Blenda' Christman of Lemmon; one son, Orel Sands of rural Keldron; nine grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Jenifer Rice of Lakeland, Fl, and Mrs. Louis (Alvira) Olson of Arlington, SD. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Byron at age seven, four sisters and two brothers.
(Source: , September 1981. Provided and transcribed by Robert Beckman)

1985

Jenifer Rice

Memorial services were held recently at the Lakeland Florida Lutheran Church for Jenifer Rice. Mrs. Rice, 88, died March 26. Graveside services were held in Everett, Wash., March 30.

Jenifer Rice was born Oct. 14, 1896, the daughter of Even and Petra (Granum) Evenson, on a farm southwest of Volga. She was Baptized and Confirmed in the Lutheran faith.

Jenifer was a nurse at the Volga Hospital for several years. Followlng her marriage to Sylvester Rice, she lived in Everett, Wash. Mr. Rice died in 1941. Mrs. Rice moved to Bartow, Florida where she was superintendent of nursing until her retirement when she made her home with her niece, Mrs. E. G.Wilkinson of Lakeland, Fla.

Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Alvira Olson of Arlington, S.D.
(Source: Volga Tribune?, March 1985. Provided and transcribed by Robert Beckman)

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Last modified: Date: 6 September 2006