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Submitted: 5/5/09 • Approved: 5/6/09 • Last Updated: 8/14/15 • R9366-G9366-S3
Birth: Jan. 28, 1862
Death: Mar. 15, 1928
Estimable Pioneer Woman Laid To Rest
Mrs. M.A. Dieson Expires Suddenly at Her Home March 15th. Many Pay Tribute. Was Community Home and Church Builder. Children Express Gratitude.
Again must be recorded the sudden passing from the life of a pioneer. This time, an estimable woman, Mrs. Martin A. Dieson; a community builder, a home lover, a church worker and true believer in Christ, honored and respected by all. Her departure is irreparable and grievous especially to those who loved her in life and cherish her memory, as was testified by the folks from far and near who filled the large Lutheran Church to overflowing Sunday afternoon to pay their tributes to the deceased and to sympathize with the sorrowing.
Thone Torgeson was born in Tyresdal, Telemarken, Norway, On Jan. 24, 1862, of the parents Hergjus Motvedt Torgeson and Eldri Torvaldlien Torgeson. In 1867 she, together with her parents, came to America and settled on a farm at Mound Prairie, Minnesota.
On September 7, 1881 she was married to Martin A. Dieson at LaCrosse, Wisconsin. They established a home in Houston, Minnesota, where they lived until 1887, and where they three eldest children, Georgina, Alma and Harry were born. In 1887 the family moved to Dell Rapids, S.D., where it has since resided.
Four children were born to them in Dell Rapids, namely, Emma, Bennie, Joseph and Eldri.
One daughter, also born in Dell Rapids, died in infancy.
The husband, Martin A. Dieson, died Dec. 10, 1923.
Mrs. Dieson was in early womanhood confirmed in the Lutheran church, and remained an interested and active member of the church all her life. Next to her home, her largest interest was her church. She has always been an active member of the Ladies' Aid. Other organizations to which she belonged are the W.C.T.U., and the Legion Auxiliary. Just a few days before her death she had returned from a month's trip which included visits at Milaca, Minn., with two sisters, at Minneapolis with daughter, Eldri, at Northfield with her daughter, Mrs. Hegland, and family, and Heron Lake, where she visited Mrs. T.A. Dieson and family.
On Thursday forenoon, March 15, she did a full day's work of cooking and baking in her kitchen. At noon she was taken with a sever heart attach. After two hours of sever suffering, she suddenly breathed her last at 3:30 p.m.
She leaves seven children to mourn a devoted and loving mother – namely Mrs. Martin Hegland of Northfield, Minn.; Alma Dieson of Chicago, Ill.; Harry, Emma and Bennie of Dell Rapids; Joseph of Akron, Ohio, and Eldri of Minneapolis, Minn., and one granddaughter, Anna Tonette Hegland.
She leaves also four sisters and one brother, namely, Mrs. Ingeborg Gryde of Climax, Sask., Canada, Mrs. Signe Homme of Milaca, Minn., Mrs. Ture Gryde of Hoople, N.D., Miss Celia Torgeson, Milaca, Minn., and Mr. Bendick Torgeson of Dell Rapids.
In addition to the children, the out-of-town relatives at the funeral were Miss Celia Torgeson of Milaca, Minn., Miss Georgina M. Dieson of Heron Lake, Minn., and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Hogeson of Minneapolis.
The services took place at 2:10 p.m. at the house and 2:30 at the church. Rev. B.J. Rothnem, president of Augustana Academy and former pastor of the Lutheran church here, delivered the sermon. In the Scripture text and comment, the glory and beauty of the early morning was compared as a fitting symbol to the Christian life that had passed away. And as the first rays of the rising sun bespeaks a new day, so the death of Christ is not the end of a journey, but the gateway for the soul – the threshold to eternal Paradise. What beautiful allegroy! How well adapted to the life of Mrs. Dieson.
Rev. Rothenm also sang a solo, "Ta-enk Naar Engand," a favorite Norwegian hymn. The choir gave two numbers, "God is Calling," and "Abide With Me." A duet, "Hold Thou My Hand," was sung by Miss Florence and Mr. Conrad Paulson.
Rev. A.J. Bringle, local Lutheran pastor, spoke a few words of comfort and appreciation, and called upon Dr. Martin Hegland, who read the following tribute, which we feel certain is a heartfelt appreciation of those left to mourn a loving and devoted mother and father:
Father and Mother
We owe to you an immeasurable debt of gratitude. You gave us life; with unstinting devotion you nurtured us; you brought us to God in Holy Baptism; you provided for us instruction in Christian truth; you gave us ample opportunities for higher education; you held before us compelling standards of integrity and usefulness; you were yourselves inspiring patterns of manhood and womanhood.
We revered you for your godliness; we honored you for your simplicity; we respected you for your sincerity; we loved you for your unselfishness.
With tenderness we shall cherish your memory as a priceless treasure; your memory as a priceless treasure; with faithfulness we shall strive toward the ideals you set before us by your precepts and your lives.
The sons and daughters of Martin A. and Thone Dieson
There was a profusion of flowers in the church; on the rostrum, lining the choir loft, on the pulpit and altar and covering the bier of the departed; Lilies of the Valley, Roses, Carnations and Sweet Peas, in bouquets, wreaths, garlands, and emblems, sent as tribute by relatives, friends and organizations. Al beautifully arranged by Mill Laura Moe, Miss Alma Uline and Mrs. H.G. Krause.
Contributed on 5/5/09 by dellsfig68
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Record #: 9366