Granum News Items

1923

Obituary of Ole Granum
Ole Granum was born in Vardahl Norway, April 8, 1841, and died February 7, 1923 at the age of 81 years, 9 months and 28 days. He was the son of Peder and Carrie Granum and the eldest of eleven children. His parents and nine sisters and brothers have preceded him. In 1873 he emigrated to the United States and settled in Holmen Wisconsin. In 1881 he came to South Dakota, where he has since made his home, the last ten years staying at the home of his sister, Mrs. E. Evenson. One brother and one sister are left to mourn his death. The brother coming from Wisconsin to attend the funeral. Services were held in the Lutheran church of this city and burial was in the cemetery of the church.
(Source: Volga Tribune, Feb. 15, 1923, page 5. Provided and transcribed by Robert Beckman)

1927

Petra Evenson obituary

Mrs. Even Evenson's sudden death Monday was the third sudden death in western Brookings county during the past week. Like the other two, Mrs. Evenson was a pioneer in this part of the state. For the last year or so she had not been in the best of health, but only at time was she confined to her bed. Monday morning about nine o'clock, while her husband was in the act or preparing for her to eat, she passed on. Death came quick and easy, there were no indications whatsoever of a struggle.

Petra Granum was born at Vardahl, Norway April 29, 1858, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peder Granum.

In 1878 she came to America with her parents and settled at Halfway Creek, Wisconsin. In 1879 she was married to Even Evenson and the couple moved to Oslo township, Brookings county. South Dakota, a short time later. They lived on the old homestead in Oslo township until five years ago when they moved to Volga.

To this union nine children were born: Selma (Mrs. Sands) of Grand Valley, South Dakota; Blenda (Mrs. Bert Dowden) Arlington, S. D; Alvira (Mrs. Louis Olson) Arlington; Mandala (Mrs. Simon Stumley) of Volga; Myrtle (Mrs. Oscar Hanson) Volga; Palmer, Byron and Jenifer, all of Volga. One daughter, Cora (Mrs. Andrews) died eighteen years ago. Mrs. Andrews two children, Clifford and Alvira, have lived with their grandparents since their mother's death. Clifford, who makes his home at present in Washington is coming to be present at the funeral. Mrs. Evenson also leaves a brother, Oliver Granum of Holman, Wisconsin, who will also be here Friday.

The deceased was a member of the Volga Lutheran church, having joined with her husband when the church was started. She was also a member of the Ladies Aid and other organization of her church. All who knew her held her in the highest esteem. A fine woman who will truly be missed. At the time of her death she was 69 years and two days old.
Funeral Services will be held Friday afternoon of this week at 1:30 at the home and 2:00 o'clock at the church.
(Source: Volga Tribune?, May 1927. Provided and transcribed by Robert Beckman)

1933

Palvin Granum obituary

Relatives here received word last week that Palvin Granum had been struck by a car and that he was seriously injured and in a hospital in Davenport, Iowa. His sisters, Mrs. Andrew Anderson of this city and Mrs. Marvin Frandsen, accompanied by her husband left for Iowa at once. Their brother was still alive and in a semi-conscious state when they arrived, but he was unable to speak, and passed away on Wednesday, September 27. Palvin Granum was born near Volga, January 16, 1883. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church by Rev. Aaberg. He lived here until about 30 years of age, when he went to Minot, N.D. He later moved to Omaha and was married. His wife died some years ago. Mr Granum was struck by an automobile while working on the highway in Davenport, Iowa, and was taken to a hospital in a semi-conscious condition, suffering from a compound fracture of the skull on the left side, which paralyzed the entire left side of his body. He is survived by three brothers, Morris and Selmer Granum of Sioux Falls, Olger of Volga, and two sisters, Mrs. Andrew Anderson of this city and Mrs. Marvin Frandsen of Quinn. The body was brought to Volga, and funeral services were held in the Lutheran church Saturday, conducted by the Rev. B. A. Benson of Brookings, the local pastor, Rev. Karl Kildahl, being ill and unable to leave his home. Interment was in the church cemetery.

(Source: Brookings County Press after Volga Tribune, Oct. 12, 1933. Provided and transcribed by Robert Beckman)

1935

Even Evenson

Even Evenson 80 years, one of the few remaining early pioneers of this county passed away Friday, Aug. 9, 1935, at his home following a lingering illness. Mr. Evenson came to Brookings County in 1878 and with his wife homesteaded three miles south of Volga. Mr. Evenson still owned his original homestead at the time of his death.

Mr. Evenson and his wife, the later preceding him in death in 1927, lived the pioneer life of the prairies and they were builders of the community. Mr. Evenson was the last man who had been one of the charter members of the Lutheran Church here.

Even Evenson was born in Vardal, Norway, October 28, 1854. He came with his parents to America in 1858 settling at Halfway Creek, Wise. In 1878 he was united in marriage to Miss Petra Granum. They came to Oslo Township to make their new home and took up a homestead three miles south of Volga. Here they lived until 1921 when they moved to Volga and lived until the death of Mrs. Evenson in May 1927. The last two years Mr. Evenson became the victim of cancer, and the past year has been confined to his home where he has been cared for by his daughter Mrs. Stumley. Previous to illness Clifford and Alvira Andrews, grandchildren, made their home with him.

He is survived by eight children, Mandla Stumley, Palmer and Byron of Volga, Blenda Dowden, Alvira Olson, Arlington; Myrtle Hanson, LaCrosse, Wisconsin; Selma Sands, Keldron; Jenifer Rice, Everett, Wash.; one daughter Cora (Mrs. Andrews) died 26 years ago. There are 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, 3 brothers, 1 sister surviving.
(Source: Volga Tribune?, August 1935. Provided and transcribed by Robert Beckman)