Jens Skorpen (1850-1939)

SKORPEN, SJURSON, LARSON, ROBINSON, HENDRICKSON, WRIGHT

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 9/20/2024 at 15:46:47

From Story City Herald November 23, 1939 (page 2)

FINAL RITES HELD FOR JENS SKORPEN

Oldest Member of Our Savior's Church Laid to Rest Monday

(Valley City, N. D., Record)
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the Nebo Lutheran church for Jens Skorpen, pioneer resident of Valley City, who passed away early Friday morning, November 10, at his home on Tracy avenue. Constant evidence of the affection and esteem in which Mr. Skorpen and family are held was manifested during his illness of several weeks before his death by a host of neighbors and friends who did all in their power to give comfort and cheer him and to his loved ones.

In memory of a faithful church member, the oldest of Our Savior's Lutheran church at the time of his death, the choir of the church sang the anthem, "Asleep in Jesus, Blessed Sleep." Other hymns dear to the deceased, were sung by Geo. Lien and Rev. R. . Ofstedal Geo. Lien sang "Beautiful Saviour" and "Built on a Rock" and the chorale, "Behold a Host, Array'd in White" was sung by Rev. Ofstedal, who officiated at the service. The sermon text was taken from the first Psalm, under the theme, "The Blessedness of a Christian Life."

Interment was made at the Woodbine cemetery.

[Two paragraphs of lists those who gave memorial gifts are being omitted.]

Out-of-town relatives and friends attending the funeral services were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Robertson and daughter, Jean, Malta, Montana; Mrs. Karen Hendrickson and Eva Marie, Bismarck; Mr. Gilbert O. Teig and daughter, Rebecca Jane, Berup, Minn.; Mrs. Conrad Storten, Borup, Minn.; Miss Samilina Rasmusson, Fargo; Mrs. F. Larson, Hanska, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Miller Helgenson, Jamestown; Ole Omvig, Milo, N. D.

Obituary

Jens Skorpen was born on Skorpen Island, Norway, March 7, 1850, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Halvor Skorpen. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in Norway, to which faith he has always been faithful. When 19 years of age he immigrated to the United States, coming to Clinton, Iowa, later moving to Story City, Iowa where he met Malinda Sjurson. They were united in marriage on February 6, 1878. This union was blessed with eleven children: Halvor, Valley City; Regina, Mrs. Victor Larson, Hanska, Minn.; Thomas, Valley City; Selma, Leahi, Honolulu; Celia, Mrs. Fred Robinson, Malta, Montana; Karen, Mr. Hendrickson, Bismarck; Agnes, Mrs. Wright, Oriska; Joseph, Honolulu; Judith, Valley City; 2 preceded him in death. Besides these children he leaves his wife, Malinda. There are twelve grand children.

At the time of his death he was 89 years, 7 months, and 3 days old. Pallbearers were old friends of the family: Dr. S. O. Kolstoe, R. O. Soroos, Art Bonhus, Melvin Larson, Clarence Hanson, Karl J. Olsen.