Obit: Vangsness, Bergetta (1840 - 1932)

Contact:  Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: VANGSNESS THORSON ULVESAAGER HUGOBOOM HAUGEN

----Sources: WEEKLY CLARION (Dorchester, Clark Co., WI) 02/19/1932

Vangsness, Bergetta (7 AUG 1840 - 14 FEB 1932)

Friends were saddened to learn of the death of Mrs. Albert Vangsness who passed away at her home at eight o’clock Sunday morning at the age of 91 years, 6 months, 7 days. Death was due to shock and complication which set in after Grandma Vangsness fell to the floor a few weeks ago when she misjudged the distance of a chair. Medical aid was of no avail, save to alleviate the suffering, and she grew steadily weaker until she answered the summons of her Lord.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Little White Church with Rev. L. Thiel officiating. Interment took place in the Memorial Cemetery with Messrs J.E. Allar, M.M. Leslie, Louis and Wm. Wigstadt, A. Sorenson and J. Buehrens acting as pallbearers.

Bergetta Thorson was born Aug. 7, 1840, in Turset, Halingdahl, Norway, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thore Ulvesaager. She grew to womanhood in her native land where, in 1861, she was united in marriage to Bjorn Olson. In 1866 they came to the United States, settling at Mount Sterling in southern Wisconsin, where Mr. Olson passed away in June 1871.

On April 6th, 1875, she was untied in marriage to Albert I. Vangsness of Soldiers Grove, with his father, Rev. O.K. Vangsness performing the ceremony. In 1877 they left Wisconsin on a prairie schooner and followed the westward trail to North Dakota, where they settled at Sibley, the farthest outpost of civilization at that time. In 1890, after living at Sibley and Milnor, they returned to Wisconsin and lived consecutively at Thorp, Stanley, Polley and Cornell. Four years ago they moved to Dorchester where Mr. Vangsness passed away four months ago.

Six children mourn the loss of a loving mother, four sons, O.B. Vangsness, Baltimore, Md.; T.B. Vangsness, Dilke, Sask., Canada; O.C. Vangsness, Sagola, Mich.; and G.A. Vangsness, Villa Park, Ill.; and two daughter, Miss Bertha Vangsness and Mrs. R.W. Hugoboom, both of this village (Dorchester, Clark Co., Wis.). She is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Edjer Haugen of Sask., Canada and ten grandchildren: George Vangsness of New York City, Kenneth Vangsness of Santa Monica, Calif., Dorothy and Gordon Vangsness of Villa Park, Ill., Marjorie, Norbert and Orland Vangsness of Marinette, Wis., and Ardath, Wayne and June Hugoboom of Dorchester, Wis. Besides immediate relatives she leaves an immense host of friends who mourn her departure.

Out of town relatives and friends who attended the funeral sere Mr. nd Mrs. G.A. Vangsness, Gordon and Dorothy, of Villa Park, Ill., O.C. Vangsness of Sagola, Mich., Mr. and Mrs. Walter Fults of Abbotsford, Mrs. Wm. Pierce, Mrs. Florence Bickerstaff, Mrs. Grant Hake, son, C. Hake, and daughter, Mrs. M. Grotte, all of Cornell.

Grandma Vangsness, as she has been called by her many friends, was a sweet, lovable woman who, by her daily life and strength of character, endeared her self to all who knew her. Of old Viking stock, she was a pioneer of the new world, taking all that life held for her with a smile of understanding and supreme trust in her God. In those early days when doctors were scarce it was to Grandma Vangsness folks came for help in time of need, and they were never disappointed. In later life when she withdrew from the more active part of life she surrounded herself with flowers, one of her greatest joys in life. For all her withdrawal from outside affairs, Grandma was never inactive; it wasn’t in her make up to sit down and idle the time away. She busied herself making quilt and pillow tops of intricate designs, crocheting rugs or knitting. Always interested in the spiritual side of life, lived an example of perfect Christian life and was deeply engaged in church work until the past few years during which she has been unable to attend services. Not only will her family miss the tender council and quiet humor of this lovable lady but man others shall greatly feel the loss of such kind and friendly neighbor.