To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the South Dakota Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in South Dakota, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 1/9/12 • Approved: 1/13/12 • Last Updated: 8/13/15 • R145520-G145519-S3
Ebba
Birth: Aug. 8, 1910
Minnehaha County
South Dakota, USA
Death: Feb. 8, 2005, USA
Ebba was born on August 8,1910 on a farm near Brandon,SD, the daughter of Edwin and Elice (Nelson) Swenson. She graduated from Brandon High School and earned a teaching certificate from Augustana College.
Ebba married Spencer Berdahl on March 12,1932 at Garretson. They lived in Garretson and Sioux Falls before moving to Spencer's family farm in 1937 near Garretson. They farmed until 1955 and then moved to Sioux Falls. Ebba worked at Fantles Department Store for 11 years. She and Spencer purchased a motel at Alexandria, MN in 1966 and operated the business for two years. They lived in Minneapolis until 1973 when they returned to Sioux Falls.
Ebba and Spencer enjoyed wintering in Arizona and had traveled across the United States and Canada with their camper. They loved to go dancing and made it to the Lawrence Welk Orchestra when it was in the area. They
celebrated 70 years of marriage in 2002.
She was a member of Beaver Valley Lutheran Church most of her life and was active with the altar guild, choir, and ladies circle. Ebba enjoyed playing the piano and organ for many years. She had been a member of the PTA when her children were young.
Grateful for having shared in her life is her husband, Spencer; son, Dean (Marilyn) Spencer, Sioux Falls; a daughter, Shirlee (Bill) Engebretson, Minneapolis, Minnesota; 5 grandchildren, Julie, Kathy, Lonnie, Sherry, Spencer; 14 great grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, one brother, and two sisters.
Spencer
Birth: Sep. 15, 1910
Minnehaha County
South Dakota, USA
Death: Apr. 28, 2006, USA
Spencer was born September 15,1910 at Garretson, SD. He grew up on a farm near Garretson and attended country school and Garretson High School. Spencer married Ebba Swenson on March 12,1932. He worked as a mechanic at the Beaver Garage in Garretson and then at Firestone in Sioux Falls. In 1937, he and Ebba moved to the family farm at Garretson and farmed 18 years. Spencer received special recognition from the Sioux Valley Milk Association.
They moved back to Sioux Falls in 1955 and Spencer worked at Metz Bakery handling fleet maintenance duties for 11 years. He also owned and maintained several rental properties in Sioux Falls. In 1966, he and Ebba moved to Alexandria, Minnesota and purchased and operated a motel for two years. They moved to Minneapolis until retiring in 1973 and then came back to Sioux Falls. Spencer kept himself busy into his 80's by doing small engine repair work.
He and Ebba enjoyed wintering in Arizona and had traveled with their camper throughout the United States and Canada. Spencer enjoyed taking Ebba dancing and had danced to the Lawrence Welk Orchestra. He liked fishing at the lake and watching sports. He had a great memory and loved to reminisce about his early years. Spencer was an active member at Beaver Valley Lutheran Church for many years.
Grateful for having shared in his life is a son, Dean (Marilyn) Berdahl, Sioux Falls; a daughter, Shirlee (Bill) Engebretson, Minneapolis, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Spencer (Chris) Engebretson, Julie Mercer and Kathy Ross, all of Minneapolis, Lonnie (Sarah) Berdahl , Sioux Falls and Sherry Berdahl of Minneapolis; 14 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ole and Elizabeth (Bothun) Berdahl, his wife of 73 years, Ebba and three siblings, Louis, Clara and Emma.
Contributed on 1/9/12 by christin2424
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 145520