From the Owatonna, Minnesota Journal-Chronicle, April 2, 1909:


Pass Away Together

Mr. and Mrs. Nels Nelson of Havana
Joined in Death as in Life -- Pass Away on Sunday

A rather remarkable and not altogether sad event took place in Havana township Sunday when Mr. and Mrs. Nels Nelson, old settlers and highly esteemed residents of that township, passed away on the same day. Mrs. Nelson, who was eighty-one years old, died Sunday morning at nine o'clock, and she was followed within a few hours, at midnight, by her life's partner, who was eighty. The feebleness of old age and the troubles incident thereto were the cause in both cases. While they were loved old people and are deeply mourned by relatives and neighbors, it is realized that it was a beautiful ending of their long life together that they should pass away united in death as in life.

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were both natives of Norway and came to this country at an early day. They have been residents of Havana township, near Lysne post office, for many years. Mr. Nelson has taken care of the Norwegian Lutheran Church in that vicinity for years past, and has tolled the bell for countless funerals. They are survived by five daughters, who are Mrs. James [Hannah] Anderson and Mrs. John L. [Bertha] Johnson of Amery, Wisconsin; Mrs. C.N. [Olena] Hillestad of Havana, Mrs. Andrew [Bell] Anderson of Aurora, and Miss Randa Nelson of this city.

Mr. Nelson was born near [Lærdal], Norway, May 30, 1830, and Mrs. Nelson at the same place March 16, 1829, her maiden name being Gertrude Johnson. They were married in 1852, and came to America in 1861. They first settled in Crawford County, Wisconsin, then in 1864 moved to Goodhue County, this state, and a year later to Havana township in this county.

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The birthdate of March 31, 1829 comes from Norwegian parish records.

There were two more daughters in this family who died as children: Ingeborg, born April 4, 1860 in Norway, and Gjertina, born 1869 in Steele County.