OBITUARY

The early pioneers are gradually passing on. This week we chronicle[illegible:?] the death of one of the communities respected pioneers, Martin Hanson. In our busy modern age we often forget the struggles and hardships of those who laid the foundations and who first located on the trackless prairies to carve a future for themselves and their families. Many of them builded wisely and left to posterity a community with schools and churches- a heritage of principle, industry, integrity and honesty that is worth more than farms and shops. Martin Hanson was an ideal friend and neighbor. He was never too busy to extend a helping hand. His passing recalled to many friends and neighbors his kind deeds. He is gone, but his influence will linger as long as this who know him live.

Martin J. Hanson was born April 14th, 1846, at Solar, Norway. He was also baptized and confirmed at that place.

At the age of 16 years he immigrated with his uncle to America and settled in Otranto township where he lived until the time of his death.

In 1867 he was united in marriage to Karen Larson who passed away in 1919. To this union were born six children, Bertha who passed away in 1900 and John in 1915, Carrie Olson, Carl, Magnus and Eddie all of this community.

He also leaves 17 grand children and 16 great grand children, two brothers and one sister. John of Plymouth, Iowa; Bernt of Buxton; N. D., Mrs. Maren Severson of Washington.

He was a loving and kind husband and father, friend and neighbor. He reared his family under a Christian influence. He was on of the founders of the St. Ansgar Lutheran church as well as the Mona church, and is the last of the early settler of this community. He had been confined to his bed since Aug. 28th and was a patient sufferer, and confessed his living faith in his Savior and Redeemer, and with full confidence of meeting him, he expressed himself ready to go whenever he was called.

I cannot say and I will not say that
he is dead.
He is just away. With a cheerful
smile, and a wave of the hand,
He has wandered into an unknown
land.

Rev. Langehough officiated at the funeral service which was held at the home at 1:30 P. M. and at the Mona Church, Monday, March 14.

CARD OF THANKS

We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to our many friends, relatives and neighbors for their many acts of kindness received during the long illness and after the death of our beloved father, also for the beautiful floral offerings. Especially do we thank Rev. Langehough for his comforting words, the Dahl quartet, Miss Berg for the solo, and the decorating committee
The Martin Hanson Family