Ruth Marie MOE

Other Events and Attributes:

• Minnesota Death Certificate: 2005-MN-014865

Notes:

In the 1935/36 Fergus Falls city directory, she is a high school student living with her parents at 111 W Vernon Avenue. In the 1937/38 Fergus Falls city directory, she has no occupation and lives with her parents at 621 Union Avenue South.

She graduated from Fergus Falls High School in its class of 1937.

Ruth (Moe) Kvernstoen, 86, Fergus Falls, died May 12, 2005, at the Lake Region Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility.

She was born Jan. 13, 1919, in Fergus Falls, arriving in time for the great cyclone of 1919. She married Otto in 1939, and with characteristic optimism, bore 4 children. Her children still struggle to make her optimism warranted. Although a town girl, she adapted well to life on the farm, near Dalton, where she lived until 1979, then moving to Fergus Falls, where she lived at 619 East Summit for 26 years. She worked for 20 years at the Pioneer Home, and made many friends there.

She was a person of many interests, talents, and friends, all three categories too numerous to mention in entirety. Interests included poetry (reading, memorizing, and writing), crochetting, music, her dog Brie, and voracious reading. She liked nothing better than sitting down with a good book and "a little something" to eat. If there are murder mysteries and Racko tournaments in Heaven she will be happy there.

To all her many friends: she would regret leaving without saying goodbye to all of you. She will be greatly missed by many. It is hard to express our loss. Fortunately, we have tears.

She is survived by her children: David Kvernstoen, Kristie (James) Martinka, Constance (Bernard) Adams, Steven Kvernstoen and wife Orapan Footrakoon; grandchildren: Matt and Sara Martinka, and Tina, Kari, and Joel Adams; and sister Nancy (Dwain) Tollefson.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brother Phillip; and her beloved hearing-ear dog, Brie.

Visitation: Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Service: 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Zion-Sarpsborg Free Lutheran Church in Dalton

Clergy: Revs. Steve Carlson and Dennis Norby
Burial: Sarpsborg Cemetery in Dalton
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
 

Ruth married Otto Martin KVERNSTOEN on 1 Jan 1939 in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Otto (son of SAGENG) was born on 8 Aug 1910; died on 20 Dec 1988 in Otter Tail County, Minnesota; was buried in Sarpsborg Cemetery, Tumuli Twp, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Or Phillip James.

According to his gravestone, he was a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in World War I.

In the 1930 census he and his family lived at 329 Washington Avenue in Fergus Falls, just a couple of houses away from that of his mother-in-law and sister-in-law.

In the 1935/36 Fergus Falls city directory, he and Geda E. reside at 111 Vernon Avenue West. No occupation listed. In the 1937/38 Fergus Falls city directory, he and Geda reside at 621 Union Avenue South. He is a timekeeper for the WPA. In the 1939/40 Fergus Falls city directory, he and Geda reside at 211 Channing Avenue West and their telephone number is 456R. Philip is a printer for Whitehead Printing Company. In the 1941/42 Fergus Falls city directory, he and his family live at 608 Bancroft Avenue West. Philip is a clerk for the WPA.

Died:
last residence was Otter Tail County, Minnesota

Phillip married Geda Eletta JOHNSON on 1 Dec 1917. Geda (daughter of Carl Henrik Johannessen (Charles) JOHNSON and Mary Christine Marie BJERTNESS) was born on 16 Jul 1897 in Minnesota; died on 23 Jul 1982 in Otter Tail County, Minnesota; was buried on 28 Jul 1982 in Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Doesn’t seem to be listed in the 1905 state census but she is listed in the 1910 census.

In the 1905 state census she is listed with the household of her aunt and uncle: Theodore and Martha.

One source refers to her as Geda Eletta.

An obit:

Mrs. Geda E. Moe, 85, 116 E. Bancroft, died Friday, July 23, at Lake Region Hospital. Services are scheduled for 10 a .m. Wednesday, July 28, at Zion Lutheran Church with Rev. James Armstrong officiating. Burial will be in Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery.

The daughter of Charles and Mary (Bjertness) Johnson, she was born July 16, 1897, in Fergus Falls. A life member of Zion Lutheran Church, she was baptized and confirmed there. On Dec. 1, 1917, she married Phillip J. Moe. The couple moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, and she resided in Iowa while her husband was stationed in the military service there during World War I. She returned to Fergus Falls when her husband was sent overseas. Also spending a time in Wisconsin, she resided in Fergus Falls most of her life.

Her husband died in September 1978.

She had served as president of the ladies aid at Zion Lutheran Church, had been president and treasurer of the Pioneer Home Sunshine Society and was a member of the World War I Barracks Auxiliary. She was moderator of a local Saturday morning radio program, "The Christian Woman Speaks."

Surviving are a son, Phillip J. Moe Jr., Campbell, Calif.; two daughters, Mrs. Otto (Ruth) Kvernstoen, Fergus Falls, Mrs. Dwain (Nancy) Tollefson, Crookston; 16 grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Visitation is this evening and all day Tuesday at the Olson Funeral Home, continuing at church one hour prior to services Wednesday morning.
 

Paul married Augusta Maud OLSON. Augusta was born on 28 Dec 1867 in Minnesota; died on 19 Nov 1957 in Otter Tail County, Minnesota; was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In the 1920 census, she was a 52 year-old widow living with Robert and her two youngest childen (and a boarder) at 608 Bancroft.

In the 1935/36 Fergus Falls city directory, she is the widow of Paul and lives at 608 Bancroft Avenue W. Same in the 1937/38 Fergus Falls city directory. In the 1939/40 Fergus Falls city directory, her telephone number was 1427W.

Referred to as Marie in her granddaughter Marilynn’s obit.

Birth:
in Hanska according to her son Robert’s death certificate

Other Events and Attributes:

• MN Death Cert Checked: Y
• Minnesota Death Certificate: 1916-MN-010235
• Occupation: Butcher
• Confirmation: 6 Oct 1867, Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway

Notes:

Known in the U.S. as Charles Henry Johnson.

Shown in the 1865 Norwegian census as Charl Henrik Johannessen, the only child still living with his parents, born in 1851.

Married and had 12 children, 7 of whom died before he did.

Noted in the Remarks column of his birth entry: “Att. Levanger 25.0.”

In the 1895 Minnesota census he is Chas Johnson, 44, butcher. He had been a resident of Minnesota for 20 years and 1 month and a resident of “this enumeration district” for 5 years and 2 months.

In the 1900 census he is Charles H. Johnson, 48 (b. Dec 1851), living with his wife and family at 323 Bismark Avenue in Fergus Falls. He was a butcher. He had come to the U.S. in 1872.

In the 1902 Fergus Falls city directory, he, as Charles H Johnson, works for his brother and, with wife Mary, resides at 323 Bismarck Avenue E.

In the 1905 state census he is Charles S. Johnson, 53, a laborer living at 323 Bismark Avenue East with his wife and family. The family consists of Mrs. Mattie, 42, Constance, 13, Julia L, 11, and Ruth 4. Charles S. had been in Minnesota for 25 years and in this enumeration district for 14.

Charles Johnson, 58, is still living in Fergus Falls with his wife and family in the 1910 census. That Charles married his wife in about 1881 and came to this country in 1872. The children at home were four daughters: Constance, 17, Judith, 15, Gyda, 12, and Ruth, 9.

He died from chronic nephritis. The informant for his death certificate was his daughter Constance Johnson. His residence at death was 323 Bismark in Fergus Falls.

Carl married Mary Christine Marie BJERTNESS on 17 Mar 1881 in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Mary (daughter of John BJERTNESS and Louisa) was born on 24 May 1862 in Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway; died on 5 Jul 1935 in Otter Tail County, Minnesota; was buried on 8 Jul 1935 in Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• MN Death Cert Checked: Y
• Minnesota Death Certificate: 1935-MN-011299

Notes:

In the 1900 census she had had 9 children, 6 still living. She came to the U.S. in 1880. In the 1910 census, as Marie, she had had 12 children, 6 still living. She had come to the U.S. in 1863.

In the 1920 census, she is probably the Marie Johnson living with her daughter Judy and some woman named Ella at 323 somewhere (probably Washington Avenue, see below) in Fergus Falls. Judy is a clerk in a dry goods store.

In the 1930 census, she and her daughter Judith L. and granddaughter Edith are living in Fergus Falls at 323 Washington Avenue.

In the 1935/36 Fergus Falls city directory, she is listed as Mrs. Mary C. Johnson, died July 5, 1935, age 74.

The informant for her death certificate was Mrs. Elias Pederson who was probably her daughter Judith. Mary’s residence at the time of her death was 323 Washington Avenue. Mary died of uterine cancer.

Birth:
other sources say 1863

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Selveier med Jord, Inderst, Strandsitter
• Confirmation: 25 Sep 1823, Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway

Notes:

Occupation shown as “Rid jæg u k” in source 95 for Anne’s birth. This suggests that he may have been a soldier.

Shown in the 1865 Norwegian census as living in or on the Maritvoldvald domicile in Verdal with his wife and son Charl Henrik. He is shown as “Selveier med Jord.”

In the listings of his children’s births in Digitalarkivet, his residence is shown variously as Ør, Østvoldvald, Øhr, Maritvoldvald Øren, Øren, and Maritvoldvaldet.

He was a strandsitter, “a person who rents a house on a larger farm near or at the coastline.” At his death he was a husmann on Borgenvald and his last name was Maritvoldvald.

Kari Yamane calls him Johannes Hansen Borgen.

Birth:
On Borgenvald according to his entry in the Death Register for Verdal 1801-1922. Birth record in parish registry says born on Borgen.

Died:
Maritvoldvald husmann

Johannes married Gürü Halvorsdatter NESS on 30 Nov 1832 in Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway. Gürü (daughter of Halvor Olsen NESS and Anne Gundbjørnsdatter FÅREN) was born on 21 Jun 1808 in Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway; was christened on 26 Jun 1808 in Stiklestad, Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway; died after 1875. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: “Kvinne” in Oleanna’s birth entry in Digitalarkivit

Notes:

Among the baptism sponsors listed for her were Guru Olsdatter Leerfald and Biret Olsdatter Ness, her aunts. Her name was entered in her birth record as Gürü.

The November 30, 1832, date is the marriage date shown in Olianna’s birth record. It is also the marriage date shown in the Verdal church book. Other sources suggest March 1, 1833.

Shown in the 1865 Norwegian census as Gurru and having been born in 1809.

Shown in the 1875 Norwegian census as the widow Guru Halvorsdatter, b. 1809 in Vinne, Verdalen, “Svigermoder” and “for 2 Maal Jord”, living with Martinus and Olianna on Maritvoldvald.

Their first child was born out of wedlock.

None of the children remained in Verdal; four of them emigrated to the U.S.

In the listings of her children’s births in Digitalarkivet, her residence is shown variously as Folloe, Østvoldvald, Øhr, Maritvoldvald Øren, Øren, and Maritvoldvaldet.

A Guru Haldorsdatter, age 56, died in Verdal/Stiklestad on 30 Apr 1877. Farm name illegible.

Kari Yamane calls her Guru Halvordatter Folloe or Ness.

Notes:

Married:
As Johannes Hansen Øren and Guru Halvorsdatter Folloe.

John married Louisa. Louisa was born in Verdal, Nord-Trøndelag, Norway. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]