Sarah (Sonneva) Iverson

"Sarah Smesrud was Sonneva in her native country of Norway, but changed her name to Sarah in America so that she would have a more American sounding name. She was born on Feb. 21, 1838 in Nord Aurdal, Valdres, Norway, the oldest daughter of Ole Erickson Smesrud and Ingeborg Boe Smesrud. She worked on the farm in Norway until she decided to come to America. She married Ole Iverson in Norway and he left for America before she did. Her brother Ole left Norway when she did. they had a very bad crossing and were on the ocean for 9 weeks.

When Sarah and Ole reached Martinville, Wisconsin Ole went to work for his brother-in-law Ole Iverson. Sarah and her husband went farming in the area. They farmed until they retired.

thee were 12 children born to the Iversons: Tolena (Mrs. Knute Anderson), Juia (Mrs. Eugen Coyer), Oliver (married to christine Berg), martin (married to Anna Peterson), Mary (Twin of Martin) (Mrs. Knudt Berg), Ida (Mrs. harry Biddick), Anna (Mrs. James Knudtson, Truman (married to Della Smith), Henry (married to Christine Gunderson), Almon (married to Nettie biddick), Clara (Mrs. John Demo), and Dona (Mrs. Francis Reed).

She died Nov. 21, 1912. She was 74 years old. Her obituary reads "She was a woman warm in her friendship, honest in her convictions. She was a member of Lurtheran church. She knew her God and was very familiar with His Word, a woman of rare energy and industry. it may be said of her as one of old 'she looked well to her household and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessd'".

Her funeral was from the Methodist Church in Livingston, Wis. she is buried in the Rock Church Cemetery, Livingston, Wis.