LARS AANONSON DIES

Father of Mrs. John Pro Passes to Great Beyond--Funeral Tomorrow

Lars Aanonson, father of Mrs. John Pro, died early Monday morning [7 Nov 1920], following a stroke of paralysis. Two weeks ago Mr. Aanonson had a light stroke and had been ill at the home of his daughter since that time. Sunday evening he had a second stroke, and about twenty minutes before he died he had a third stroke.

Mr. Aanonson, born 18 Jun 1843 in Norway, was 77 years, 4 months and 19 days of age, and had lived at Wallingford and Swan Lake for the past three years. He leaves seven children, some of whom were unable to attend the funeral, besides his wife, who has been ill at the home of Mrs. Pro since last February.

The funeral will be held Thursday at 1 o'clock from the house and burial will be in the cemetery at Wallingford.
(Estherville Democrat, Estherville, Iowa, November 10, 1920, and Emmet County Death Record Book)


Pioneer Settler Passes Away
Lars Aanonson, Well Known in County, Laid to Rest Last Thursday
Dies at Home of Daughter
Was One of the Earliest and Oldest Settlers in the Central Part of Emmet County
Lars Aanonson was born in Christiana District, Norway, the 18th day of June 1843. He came together with his parents to this country in 1853 and settled in Illinois where they lived for two years after which they moved to St. Ansgar, Iowa. They lived at St. Ansgar for a period of eleven years and there Lars Aanonson was confirmed by Rev. Clausen. In 1866 they moved to the homestead on the banks of Swan Lake, Emmet County. The year after, 1867, he was married to Anna J. Bolstad. Their marriage was blessed with eight children, six girls and two boys.

The cause of his death was three successive strokes of paralysis, the first of which came on the 21st day of October.

A wonderful change took place with Mr. Aanonson during the latter part of his life. He was reconciled both to God and man. During the last week he lived, his constant prayer both for him and his dear ones was that they should safely come to the Heaven which Jesus has prepared for all saved sinners. His death came peacefully and quiet as a child going to sleep. His wife and all his children were gathered at his bed side with the exception of one, Mrs. Ingebor Opheim from North Dakota, who had shortly before seen and visited with her parents. Mr. Aanonson was very anxious to hear the Word of God and expressed a strong wish for partaking of Our Lord's supper which I had the opportunity to administer to him.

The funeral was held at his daughter's home, Mrs. John Pro, of Estherville, this mostly done on account of Mrs. Lars Aanonson who is confined to her bed. The funeral services at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Pro was conducted by T. Hansen, assisted by Rev. S.A. Berge of Estherville. Services were also held at the Riverside church, Wallingford, where L. Aanonson was laid to rest. The services at the church were conducted by the pastor, T. Hansen. The choir of the Wallingford Lutheran church sang several beautiful and appropriate songs.

Those to mourn the loss of a dear husband and father are:

Mrs. Anna Aanonson, his wife; Mrs. Ingebor Opheim, Bucyrus, N.D.; Mrs. Marie Pro, Mrs. Ida Stahl, of Estherville; Mrs. Jenny Jones, Minneapolis, Minn.; Mrs. Lena Bergeson, Wallingford; Lewis O. Aanonson, Rose Creek, Minn, and John A. Aanonson of Estherville. One daughter, Anna Martea, died when she was twenty years of age in 1895.There are twenty two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Also one brother, Ole Aanonson.

May our Heavenly Father, who was so kind to him who lately passed away from his dear ones and blotted out all of his sins for Jesus sake, also lead and guide us to our Heavenly Home. – T. Hansen, Pastor (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, November 17, 1920)