OBITUARY

Mrs. B. O. Blakestad, better known as Grandma Blakestad, passed away at the home of her son, Louis, Tuesday evening at about 6 o'clock, after a lingering illness of about a year. The deceased was one of the earliest settlers in this part of the country. Her husband came here in 1853 from Wisconsin and looked the wild country over, and then returned to his home near Beloit. The following spring he moved his family here and settled on the old homestead near Cedar river, where he lived until his death. There were few settlers here and there scattered over the prairie in that early day and the Blakestad home became known far and wide for its hospitality to the stranger as well as to neighbors who came on later. It is impossible for those who have later come to locate in this highly developed section of the country and share in the blessings of schools and churches, to appreciate the hardships and trials of those that preceded and first felled the forests and turned over the prairie sod.

Mrs. B. O. Blakestad was born in Norway July 6, 1835. At the age of 5 years she came to America with her parents and located near Beloit, Wis. There she was united in marriage to Mr. Blakestad and in 1854 moved to Mitchell county, Iowa, where she lived until about twelve years ago, when she moved to Lyle to live with her son, Louis. During her declining years she has been made much of by her children and grandchildren, whose company and kindness she always cherished. Her last days were very peaceful and death came to transport her to transport her to a more perfect home beyond. She leaves four sons- Louis, Oliver, and Halvor of this place, and Edward, of Mona, Ark.- and three daughters: Mrs. Gardner, of Kensett, Iowa; Mrs. Erickson, of Gary, N.D.; and Mrs. C.K. Olson, of Holfast, Can. The funeral will be held in the Lutheran church here Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock and interment will be made in Pleasant Hill cemetery.