SW 26-41-8W4

Bethany Lutheran Cemetery, is located one mile south of Highway 13 and the Village of Amisk on SH 884 on the north-east corner of the intersection.

Due to the efforts of Pastor Olaf Lindgren and Mr.and Mrs. Albin Erickson, a meeting of settlers held in 1910 led to the formation of a Swedish congregation. John Lindgren donated land for a church site and $50 was paid to The Hudson Bay Co. for two acres of land nearby for a cemetery at the present site.

A register of burials was begun in 1913. At that time at least four who were buried on local farms were reinterred in the cemetery. Early burials included the late Andrew Lund and Anna Matilda Johnson.

In 1934 when the church burned, service were first held in Amisk Park Norwegian Lutheran Church and later in Hughenden Anglican Church and Morgan School respectively. Morgan School was later converted to a church and in 1957 became known as Bethany Lutheran. Funeral services were held in Bethany, the music often porvided by members of the Czar and Hughenden community choirs. The cemetery, now considered a community cemetery is maintained by volunteers.

A wrought-iron fence built from memorials and donations marks the property as does a full-grown row of evergreens planted some years ago by Ernest and Oliver Peddicord. In 1965 financed by a community tea, the wrought-iron overhead arch was constructed by blacksmith Frank Smith of Amisk, the lettering designed by Arlene Stromberg Harding. In the summer of 1993 Lilliam Stromquist made a memorial book and guest register which is housed at the cemetery gate in a unique, weatherproff bookstand made and donated by Edwin and Hildgard Lunde.

Cemetery records are now held in the Amisk Village office. Additional information abourt early residents of this district may be found in the Amisk Library.

Submitted by Iris Larson (46858247)