Martha Christiansdatter Stondahl

Mrs. Martha Stondahl passed away on Wednesday morning, July 22nd at the age of 96 years and 3 weeks. The late Mrs. Stondahl, whose maiden name was Martha Marie Christenson, was born in the district of Sogn, Norway, July 1st, 1829. At the age of 20 years she was united in marriage to Lars Iverson, and about three years later, with two little children, the young couple emigrated to the new world. After eleven weeks on the stormy Atlantic they landed in Quebec, Canada, where they buried the younger child, who had become ill on the voyage.

From Quebec the little family made their way, by boat and emigrant wagon, through countless hardships, to Wisconsin, where a daughter, Hendrikka, was born. Here they remained only a few years. They they crossed the Mississippi River with other Norwegian pioneer families, and built their home on what is now the Ellergodt farm, in Pilot Mound township. Later a small tract of land now known as the Alfred Bothun farm, was purchased. They then bought the farm in Arendahl township, at present owned by P. P. Bradley.

After only a few years' residence in the new home the young woman was left a widow with seven children. In 1872 she married to Rognald K. Stondahl, and the family bought the farm now known as the Andrew Nepstad home, and later the family home in Arendahl township. Here Mr. Stondahl died in the year, 1884, leaving her with three little children. Through many hardships and losses the mother and family passed but always with that spirit of perseverance and faith which has been so marked among the Norwegian pioneers of the middle west.

Mrs. Stondahl was the mother of sixteen children of whom only six survive, Mrs. Andrew Lodahl, Whalan; Mrs. C. Peterson, St. Paul; Mrs Ole Anderson, Jessie, North Dakota; Mrs. L. O. Benson, Lanesboro; Mrs. M. L. Anderson, Turner, Montana; and R. J. Stondahl, on the old homestead. This aged woman numbered among her descendants members of three generations. --- seventy-six grandchildren, eighty-nine great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. A sister, Mrs. Brita Hoium, nearly 100 years old, also survives.

In the spring of 1920, R. J. Stondahl moved to the farm, and since then Mrs. Stondahl's home has been with him. Her dearest desire had been to die where she had spent more than half a century of her life, and this wish was granted.

The funeral was held on Monday afternoon at the home and the North Prairie church.