Emma Josephine Oftedahl

Emma Josephine Oftedahl, the daughter of Thomas and Julia (Thostenson) Austin, was born December 12, 1899, in York Township, Fillmore County, Minnesota, and was baptized at the Saetersdal Lutheran Church of Chester, Iowa. In 1914, she confirmed her faith at Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church before Rev. Ole Lokensgaard.

During her childhood, her parents brought her to Hanley Falls where they were engaged in farming.

On February 17, 1920, she was united in marriage to Sidney Oftedahl, also of Hanley Falls. They started life together on a farm in Cooperstown, North Dakota, where they resided three years before returning to the Hanley Falls community where they farmed.

The Oftedahls were blessed with four children, one of whom died in infancy. Eleanor is Mrs. Mel Amundson, and Eugene and Glenn.

Upon the death of her husband in 1960, Mrs. Oftedahl moved to Hanley Falls where she resided until she entered the hospital. She passed away Easter Sunday morning, April 14, 1963, at the Granite Falls Hospital, where she had been a patient for nine weeks. Her health had been failing the past five years. She reached the age of 63 years.

Besides her three children, she is survived by nine grandchildren; three brothers: Elmer, Ted of Albert Lea, and Arthur; four sisters: Mrs. Carl Johnson, Mrs. Anton Amundson, Mrs. Enelius Elverhov and Elvera Austin.

Besides her husband and one son, Mrs. Oftedahl was preceded in death by her parents.