MRS. CAROLINA BERG 1838 - 1933

BERG, ECKSTROM, LUNDELL, STOLT, SAMUELSON

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 5/4/2024 at 13:02:17

Mrs. Carolina Berg one of the oldest pioneer residents of this locality has gone to her heavenly reward, passing away at her home in Wheeler township, Friday evening, October 13, 1933, at the ripe old age of 95 years, 6 months and 23 days.

For her advanced age, Mrs. Berg had been in unusual good health up to her passing when she suffered from a slight stroke which gradually ended her life upon earth.

Mrs. Carolina Sofia Berg nee, Ekstrom, was born March 21, 1838 at Linkoping, Ostergothland, Sweden. In the year 1864 she was united in marriage to Charles F. Berg. They sailed from Sweden in 1869 when they first settled at La Porte, Indiana. A year later they moved to Moingone, Boone, county, Iowa, where they resided for about eight years coming to Wheeler township, Sac County, Iowa in 1878 and which has since been her home, making her a resident of Wheeler township for more than 55 years. Her husband preceded her in death in the year 1916. They were among the early settlers here and suffered many hardships. They labored hard and patiently to make a home for their family, desiring to give their children the comforts and conveniences that they were denied.

Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Berg continued to reside on their homestead with her youngest son Martin with her. He has given his mother the most tender and loving care that loving hands can do for only a mother. His mother was always first in his thoughts. little things and deeds that made her delightful and happy, he always did for her. The other children and grandchildren who reside in this locality went often to Grandmother Berg to help wait on her and to have a cheerful visit. Many are the testimonies of what delight it was to visit her, so congenial and cheerful and jovial with her many friends. She was so alert and active up to the very last. She kept up her correspondence with her children from a distance until past ninety. She enjoyed long letters and kept in touch with local and general news through the papers. She was a constant reader of her denominational paper, "The Augustana" having been a faithful and active member of the Bethel Lutheran church since 1879. She lived a beautiful Christian life as her many friends bear testimony to. She was a liberal contributor to religious and missionary causes as well as was her desire to always help those about her in need. She was a charter member of the Bethel Ladies Aid and although she was not able to attend of her late years, she always remembered her contributions. The memory and deeds of so devout a Christian will live long with her near and dear ones and throughout the community.

Brief services were held from the home Wednesday afternoon and from the Bethel Lutheran church at 2:00 o'clock. Rev. Palmer Nestander of Alta assisted by the Bethel Pastor, Rev Erland Borg, conducted the services. Owing to the fact that Rev. Borg is just recovering from a severe illness. The church was filed with friends who came to pay their last respect to such a beloved woman as did also the many beautiful flowers bespeak in their silence. Reuben Lindskoog sang a solo in Swedish. A vocal duet to Mrs. Joe Filjegren of Harcourt and Mrs. Clara Farley of Boone, and a vocal duet by Bayard Lundell and Herbert Reed.

Six children survive their mother, Amanda, Mrs. P. G. Lundell, Mathilda, Mrs. S. Stolt, Chas. O. and Martin all of Kiron. Edward H. of Coeur D'Alene, Idaho and Annie, Mrs. S. Samuelson of Lemmon, South Dakota one son and one daughter died when quite young. She leaves 33 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. She was borne to her last resting place by six grand sons, Jennings and Frank Berg, George, Martin, Edmund and Harold Lundell. The grandchildren sang a hymn at her grave, Interment was made beside her husband in the Bethel cemetery. All the children were present at the funeral.

Those from a distance attending the funeral were, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Liljegren and son Kenyon of Harcourt, Mrs. Clara Farley of Boone, Mr. and Mrs. H. Benson, and Mrs. Arvid Larson and daughter of Marathon, and Ernest Ekstrom of Sioux City.

From Glenn Gustafson