Torborg "Tilde" Jonsdatter Gjerstad

Final Rites Held For Mrs. Nels Gjerstad

With the passing of Mrs. Nels Gjerstad, who went to be with the Lord on May 22, this vicinity lost one of its fine pioneer women who has probably lived as long or longer on one place than anyone else in Buffalo township. Born on March 17, 1869 at Telemarken, Norway, Tilde, daughter of John and Astrid Tweed came to America with her parents, 5 brothers and 3 sisters when she was eleven years of age. The adventurous family came to the midwest and settled in the vicinity of Joice when all of North Iowa was new and undeveloped.

Here she grew to early womanhood and was confirmed in the Winnebago church by Pastor Dahl. On June 15, 1891, she was united in marriage to Nels Gjerstad, also Norwegian born but who had spent all of his early manhood as a sailor on British ships, making several trips around the world and visiting most of the greatest seaports of those days. Together they came to Buffalo Township, and settled on the "Old Gjerstad Farm" just a mile east of Buffalo Center and here together endured the hardships and hazards of the rugged pioneer living on open prairie land. Here they broke the tough virgin sod, planted their crops, reaped their harvests and established a home in the wilderness of open grass lands that must oft have reminded her husband of the endless seas he had once sailed. Here they raised a family of seven children in the precepts of right living and Christian thinking. Her husband preceded her in death, as also did five of her children—Louise, Nelma, Palmer, Clarence and Laurence. She leaves to mourn her departure two daughters, Mrs. Jeanette Torkelson and Mrs. Josie Jensen, both of Buffalo Center, also one brother, Gullick and one sister, Mrs. Bertina Olson. Also seven grandchildren and a host of freinds.

Mrs. Gjerstad was converted when young and remained ever faithful to her Savior until death, often expressing a desire to depart and be with Jesus. She had been in failing health for several years but able to be up and about until the last. She died at the age of 85 years, 2 months and 5 days.