Peter Viggo Jensen was
born January 16, 1894 at
Nysted, Nebraska. He died
peacefully at his home in
Newell, Iowa, January 8,
1983. He was the son of Jens
Christian Jensen and Anna
Marie Jensen. He was baptized
and confirmed in the
Lutheran Church at Nysted,
Nebr. Viggo was the fourth of
twelve children: Sophia, Edward,
Ella, Viggo, Lydia,
Einer, Godfrey, Thora, Ingeborg,
Rose, Hilda and Axel.
The family ties were very
close. Six have preceded him
in death. He received his
early education in Nysted and
attended the Danish Folk
School there.
In 1918 Viggo, a brother
and a sister, pioneered to
Sheridan County in Western
Nebraska, with bare necessities.
Eighteen horses, two
cows and a minimum of
machinery was loaded on two
railroad cars. Reaching Antiock,
Nebr., some thirty-five
miles from his prairie farm,
they journeyed across country
by horse and wagon to his
new adventure. By breaking
the sod and building a small
home he started his life's
work. This was soon to end,
as he was called to serve his
country in the army of
W.W.I.
Fulfillment came once again
as he was discharged and
returned to the soil he loved.
He chose his bride, Dora
Thuesen of Newell, Iowa,
whom he met at the Nysted
Folk School. They were
united in marriage February
8, 1922 at Nain Lutheran
Church, Newell, Iowa. This
union was blessed with four
children: Vigil, Darrell, Merlyn
and Eula. The family has
many treasured memories
from the years they lived in
the Hay Springs, Nebr.
vicinity.
Through the hardships of
the depression and drought,
Viggo never lost his faith in
God or lay down his shovel.
Defeat was not accepted by
Viggo, even to the last hour.
He was encouraged by a niece
to put in writing the
experiences of this early life
on the prairie. This collection
he named "Go West, Young
Man, Go West." These memories
were shared with author
Norma Shirck in the writing
of her book titled, "Water For
a Thirsty Land."
Viggo brought his family to
Newell, Iowa in 1937 and continued
farming until his
retirement in 1959. He and
Dora had the privilege of -
observing their 60th wedding
anniversary in 1982. He was
active in many school, civic
and church affiliations. He
will be sorely missed by his
family and friends.
(Buena Vista Journal, 1-20-1983)