Good-Bye to Gunnild Johnsdatter (1818-1890)

Ed's Day Wednesday

Dear FOLKS,

Over the past several weeks, I have been sharing with you the story left behind by Gunnild Johnsdatter (1818-1890). We were fortunate to have found many records that were generated during her lifetime, these provided us with information to include in a number of articles. Here are the links to these about Gunnild:

• #19 - Gunnild Johnsdatter (1818-1890) -- click here.
• A Young Gunnild Johnsdatter (1818-1890) -- here
• Gunnuld and Gunnild Have a Family -- here
• Gunnild Johnsdatter (1818-1890) leaves Norway for America -- here
• Amanuensis Monday - John G. Paulson family in 1885 Minnesota Census -- here
• Gunnild Johnsdatter's (1818-1890) Trip to America Continues -- here

Gunnild was born in Norway in 1818 and likely thought she would remain there her entire life. She would have no thoughts to do otherwise. But, as we know, life has many twists and turns and at the age of 57 Gunnild would become a widow. As per the custom of the day, upon the death of her husband in 1875, Gunnild immediately became a member of her son John's family.

To reflect for a bit on her husband, Gunnuld Paulsen was born in 02 October 1801 and he died on 11 May 1875. The date for his burial was 19 May and it was likey in the Lunde church yard. As was the custom, his burial place has now been used by another. This left Gunnild a widow and their son John the head of the family that included his mother.

IMAGE: The graveyard along the side of the Parish Church
in Lunde, Telemark, Norway. This 2008 photo was taken
by Edwin Ostrom during an August trip there. 

John continued for another five years to work and provide for his growing family there on the family's Traskjær farm, near Lunde in Telemark, Norway. There would occasionally be letters from his brother Paul and his sister Toline who, at different times, had left Lunde for America. It is likely that these letters told of how they were getting along in Minnesota and of the large acreage they were both able to get through homesteading. Their letters probably included words to encourage John that he too should come to America. These reports and other favorable news from friends who had already left Norway, enventually convinced John that he too should leave Norway and head for America. His mother Gunnild, a member of his family would naturally be included in those plans.

In June 1880, Gunnild would find herself starting a new life in America, leaving Norway behind to new beginnings that included seeing her children Paul and Toline after many years. This happy reunion included meeting many grandchildren for the first time. Paul and Toline would help this family to get settled.

Among the grandchildren Gunnild was able to meet when she arrived in America was (Toline's daughter) Anna Malene Ostrom who was 13 years old. Anne would become my great-grandmother. Another grandchild she would greet after his birth four years later, was Oscar Ostrom, who was born 29 February 1884; he was another of Toline's off-spring. Oscar would become my late cousin Ed's grandfather. 

Settling into life on the plains of the Midwest took place over the next ten years and then on 02 April 1890, Gunnild Johnsdatter passed away near Hankinson, Richland County, North Dakota in Greenview Township (later called Greendale Twp).

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OBITUARY - GUNNILD PAULSEN and CORRECTION

Source: Grant County Herald, Elbow Lake, Minnesota, USA (microfilm)

 As reported April 3, 1890 Tuesday:

   Mrs. Paulsen, mother-in-law of O. O. Ostrom of Pomme de Terre, died on Sunday night at her home in Hankinson, N.D.  Deceased resided in the county for about four years, her husband, Paul Paulsen, dying four years ago and was buried in Elbow Lake township in the cemetery belonging to the Synod Norwegian Lutheran Church.  In accordance with her dying request her remains will find a last resting place beside his.  Funeral services were held yesterday at the church before referred to.

Printed correction to above, April 10, 1890 Tuesday:

   Some errors were made in the item concerning the death of Mrs. Paulsen, in last week's Herald.  Paul G. Paulson was the son and not the husband of deceased and he died three years ago instead of four.  A son, John Paulsen, and family, of Hankinson, N.D., were down to the funeral.  They left for home last Friday morning.

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Within the newspaper article, the name written as O. O. Ostrom was Olaus Ommundsen Ostrom. He was Toline's husband. Olaus is likely mentioned as it was an Elbow Lake paper and local to where he lived. We also learn that Gunnild's son Paul had predeceased her. He had died on 10 June 1887 at his home that was also near Elbow Lake, Grant County, Minnesota. The fours years mentioned would be the timeframe Paul had lived in the Elbow Lake area.

Members of the Paul Paulson family, including his mother Gunnild Johnsdatter have been buried at the West Elbow Lake Lutheran Church Cemetery. When I requested a photo of Gunnild's headstone, I was pleased to receive this image from D. Anderson, a Find-A-Grave volunteer.

IMAGE: Paulson family plot gravemarker (front). Photo
courtesy of D. Anderson, MN Find-A-Grave Volunteer.
Disregard date shown on photo, actually taken 26 June 2011.

Engraving:

Front of Stone - PAULSON - IN MEMORY
Great-Great Grandmother GUNNILD 1820-1889 [sic]
Great Grandfather PAUL 1840-1887
Great Grandmother ANNIE MARIE 1842-1899
Great Unce CARL 1882-1899

Back of Stone - Placed in memory by the grandchildren of Gilbert C. Paulson

In addition to Gunnild Johnsdatter, the marker contains the names of her son Paul Paulson. There is also, Pauls' wife, Annie Marie Knutsen's name. And Paul and Annie's son, Carl Paulson.

IMAGE: Sign identifying the West Elbow Lake Lutheran Church
Cemetery. Photo courtesy of Find A Grave volunteer D. Anderson.
Disregard the date on photo, actually taken 26 June 2011.

It is time for us to say good-bye to Gunnild, while thanking her for leaving us so much information. I also want to include a good-bye to her husband Gunnuld Paulsen. So like many of the others, I will end their stories with "Hvile i fred, bestefar og mormor!" [Rest in peace great-grandfather and great-grandmother!]

I hope you enjoyed today's artcle and I ask that you join me next time as we learn more about those who have gone before us. I hope too that you are having a good week. As I wrote this, I have been able to hear that my neighbors are outside running their lawn mower and string trimmers, maybe I'll go out and tidy around the place too. Whatever you are up to, enjoy!

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Copyright (c) 2018, Darlene M. Steffens