Laid to Rest

The funeral of the late John Olsen was held at the Lutheran church last Saturday and was largely attended. Rev. Moe, who had charge of the service, spoke in both languages, first using the Norwegian and following immediately with a short sermon in the English. Both messages were full of hope and cheer for the bereft family, and a solemn warning to the many friends of the deceased. The speaker emphasized the brevity of life and the urgent necessity of being prepared not only to live but to die.

The deceased was well known in the community and to many his death was a sudden shock and his familiar face and figure will be greatly missed about our town, for death laid its heavy hand upon him and he is gone. He was endowed with a genial disposition, had many friends and loved to be with them. For years he has not been well but suffered patiently and only his closest friends knew about it. He was born in Norway January 30, 1870, was the son of John and Marie Olsen who came to America in 1873 and located in Chicago where they lived for 4 years.

The family came to Mower County in '77 and here the father was engaged as a carpenter and contractor, which business he followed until his death in 1878. At the age of 11 years John left home and worked on a farm until he was sixteen and then worked four years on the railroad. In 1898 he engaged in the restaurant business and continued about 5 years. For many years he served in the capacity of foreman for the Lyle Culvert Co., at this place and in Minneapolis. He served the people of this village as a member of the Council 5 years. He was single, a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge and a faithful attendant of the Lyle Lutheran church. In every walk of life he proved faithful and loyal.

Interment was made in the Pleasant Hill cemetery where he recently purchased a lot for the family.

The deceased is survived by his aged mother and a sister Miss Sophie.