Gudrun Marie NILSEN

1893 - 1980  (86 years)

• Name	Gudrun Marie NILSEN
  Born	4 Oct 1893	Bergen, Hordaland, Norway
  Christened	19 Nov 1893	Domkirken, Bergen, Hordaland, Norway
  Gender	Female
  Died	19 Feb 1980	Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA
  Buried	23 Feb 1980	Hills of Rest Memorial Park, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA
  Notes	Baptism record: Year: 1893 Birth: Oct. 4 Baptism: Nov. 19 Name: Gudrun Marie Father’s occupation: bagersvend Father’s given name: Anders Father’s last name: Nilsen Home: Noestetorvet 2b Father’s birth: 1851 Mother’s birth: 1854 Mother’s name: Ingeborg Helgesen Parish: DK Confirmation certificate reads as follows--According to the church book of the Cathedral of Bergen is Gudrun Marie of parents journeyman baker Andreas Nilsen and wife Ingeborg Helgesen born October the 4th 1893 christened November 19th same year confirmed which is hereby attested April 27, 1908 C. Hansteen, Provost, Bergen signed for the Provost Dankert Skagen, Assistant priest. Gudrun listed her maiden name as "Nielsen". Cowpox vaccination certificate reads as follows--Gudrun Marie born in Bergen (to her) parents--baker Anders Nilsen Tysse and Ingeborg Tysse, resident of Bergen, 13 1/4 years old, is by me on the indicated year of 1907, August 14th, vaccinated with cowpox. At the inspection (made by me) between the 7th and 9th day after vaccination, I found all the signs that proved her to have the real cowpox--the (blisters) were undamaged, filled with a clear liquid, depressed in the centre, and surrounded by a red circle (of skin); Gudrun Marie has (therefore) properly had cowpox that will protect her against smallpox, which is hereby certified upon honor and conscience by (signature not legible) Bergen, August 21st, year 1907. 1910 Folketelling Bergen kjøpstad (Navn): Ole Hille; (Fødelsdato): 11.12.1878; (Fødested): Bergen; (Familiestilling): hf; (Sivilstand): g; (Yrke): D/S styrmand; (Navn): Laura Hille; (Fødelsdato): 17.04.1882; (Fødested): Bergen; (Familiestilling): hm; (Sivilstand): g; (Yrke): hustru; (Navn): Erling Hille; (Fødelsdato): 01.06.1905; (Fødested): Bergen; (Familiestilling): s; (Sivilstand): ug; (Yrke): søn; (Navn): Sigrid Hille; (Fødelsdato): 11.12.1907; (Fødested): Bergen; (Familiestilling): d; (Sivilstand): ug; (Yrke): datter; (Navn): Odd Hille; (Fødelsdato): 23.07.1909; (Fødested): Bergen; (Familiestilling): s; (Sivilstand): ug; (Yrke): søn; (Navn): Gudrun Nilsen; (Fødelsdato): 04.10.1893; (Fødested): Bergen; (Familiestilling): tj; (Sivilstand): ug; (Yrke): tjenestepike. Nordnesgate 13, 2den, rent: kr.268 pr aar. From an article clipped from a newspaper (title unknown, date of publication unknown-- "SIMPLE FOR BRIDE TO CHANGE TO NEW NAME" "Marriage means a number of things--but in every case one thing specifically which is the changing of the bride's name. However, a couple from Dell Rapids who obtained a license to wed today nearby slipped one over on this phase of matrimony. Harold D. Nelson took Miss Gudrun Nielsen as his bride. And Miss Nielsen became Mrs. Nelson by a ceremony and the changing of two letters in her maiden name. The proces was very simple. She merely had to remove the "i" and substitute an "o" and her name of yesterday matched her newer name of today." From an article clipped from a newspaper (title unknown, date of publication unknown-- "MY TRIP FROM NORWAY" By Mrs. Gudrun Marie Nelson, Citizenship Class "A few words about my journey from Norway to America. I left Bergen at 11 A.M. December 8, 1921 There was a little fog and rain. However, that did not bother the passengers. I went to my room and got my clothes and parcels put away and about tthat time the S.S. Stavangerfjord was a good distance out in the North Sea going the route north of the Shetland Islands. The next morning about 9 o'clock the ship ran into a hurricane. Every man that belonged to the ship had to go to work, buut what had happened we did not know. We did know there was something radically wrong, because the ship was not making any progress. Then after two days it was going fine. We finally came to St. Johns, Newfoundland. Then we noticed that therthere were three big holes in the front deck and all the railing on one side was broken away. The ship took on 300 tons of coal before leaving St. Johns. We arrived in New York December 20, 1921 Then I had to be on the ship for two days before I went to Ellis Island." Gudrun’s emigration record from “Emigrants from Bergen 1874-1930”: Harbour: Bergen Year: 1921 Month: Des. Day: 2 Given name: Gudrun Marie Father’s Name: Nielsen Sex: F Position: ug Occupation: Enepike Birth Year: 1893 Age: 28 Birthplace: Bergen Residence: Bergen Destination: Amk Brooklyn N York Ticket: Penge Cause: a (til familie onkel? tante) New Occup: Husarb Remarks: Reisepass Bgs pkm Line: Norske Amk Lj III New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957: Nielsen, Gudrun M. Age: 28 Single Domestic Last Permanent Residence: Bergen, Norway Nearest Relative in Departure Country: Mother: Ingeborg Nielsen, Bergen, Barak 5, E. Wilhelmineborg Destination: New York, Brooklyn Passage paid by herself Joining: Aunt: Lina Pedersen, 1222 67th Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. Birthplace: Bergen Excerpts from an article clipped from a newspaper (title unknown, date of publication unknown-- FIFTEEN GRANTED NATURALIZATION PAPERS BY MEDIN Take Oaths of Allegiance to United States at Circuit Court Hearing "Fifteen residents of Minnehaha county born in European countries cast off allegiance to their native lands and took oaths as American citizens at a naturalization hearing conducted at the courthouse Saturday afternoon by Judge John T. Medin." [article goes on to list Gudrun Marie Nelson, Norway, as one of the recipients] Excerpts from an article clipped from a newspaper (title unknown, date of publication unknown)-- A CITIZENSHIP PARTY "The Citizenship Class and two teachers Mrs. Ina Boyer and Miss Gladys Farason were entertained at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Soren Sorenson by Mrs. Sorenson and Mrs. Gundrum [sp] Nelson, the evening of January 12th. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sorenson and Mrs. Gundrum Nelson attended the Citizenship Class of 1931 We had a lovely time talking and playing cards. Then a most bounteous lunch was served us. We sincerely thank Mr. and Mrs. Sorenson and Mrs. Nelson for their hospitality. We all enjoyed your party." Excerpts from an article clipped from a newspaper (title unknown, date of publication unknown)-- THE CITIZENS IP HEARING "The first citizenship class ended January 13. H. Addelson, Naturalization Examiner from St. Paul, examined the class January 29th. "The Court proceedings were held January 30th. The following people were granted citizenship-- Steve Vogdon, Adolph Swanson, Nels Mortenson, Robert Grocott, Sophie Ellerd, Henry Dolan, Mrs. Mary Cranny, Mrs. Hedwig Haak, Eilif Smevik, Gunda Hilstad, Anna Rosten, Mrs. Gudrun Nelson, and Morris Goldetsky. The other members of the class passed the examination and will get their papers later." A history of the shipping line Den Norske-Amerikalinje and its ship, the Stavangerfjord (the boat that Gudrun and Harold Nelson sailed on to get to the U.S. in 1921) is given in the North Atlantic Seaway, Vol. 4, by N.R.P. Bonsor, published in 1979. The Stavangerfjord, completed in 1918, had a tonnage of 13,156 and was one of the first North Atlantic liners with a cruiser stern. Her passenger complement was 88 first class, 318 second and 820 third. Her maiden voyage was 29 April 1918 from Birkenhead direct to New York. The Stavangerfjord sailed from Oslo on 18 November 1963 for the last time, and in the following year was scrapped at Hong Kong. Ellis Island Records list the following for the Stavangerfjord: “Built by Cammell Laird & Co., Birkenhead, England, 1918. 13,156 gross tons; 553 (bp) feet long; 64 feet wide. Steam quadruple expansion engines, twin screw. Service speed 16 knots. 1,226 passengers (88 first class, 318 second class, 820 third class). Built for Norwegian-American Line, Norwegian flag, in 1918 and named Stavangerfjord. Oslo-New York Service. Laid up 1939-45. Returned service 1945-63. Scrapped on Hong Kong in 1964.” Obituary--Sioux Falls Argus Leader, Feb. 19, 1980; "Gudrun M. Nelson, 86, 1818 E. 3rd, died Tuesday at Sioux Valley Hospital. Gudrun Nielsen was born Oct. 4, 1893, in Bergen, Norway. She married Harold D. Nelson in Garretson, S.D., Dec. 26, 1922. They farmed at Dell Rapids, S.D., before moving to Sioux Falls. Her husband died in 1963. Survivors include her son, Harold, Sioux Falls; three daughters, Mrs. Mildred (Henry) Wyman, Selma, Ore.; Mrs. Lillian (Wesley) Hofstad, Sioux Falls, and Mrs. Alice (James) Lowell, Pipestone, Minn.; 13 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at East Side Lutheran Church. Visitation will be after 7 p.m. Wednesday at the George Boom Funeral Home." George Boom Funeral Home Program-- MRS. GUDRUN M. NELSON 1818 East 3rd St. Sioux Falls, South Dakota Died-- February 19, 1980 Age-- 86 years, 4 months, 15 days SERVICES 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, 1980 East Side Lutheran Church Sioux Falls, South Dakota Rev. Lyle Inglebret, Officiating Laureen Hochhalter, Organist Rev. Ray Peterson, Vocalist "One Day At a Time" "How Great Thou Art" CONGREGATIONAL HYMN "Amazing Grace" No. 448 INTERNMENT-- Hills of Rest Memorial Park Sioux Falls, South Dakota PALLBEARERS Brent Helson Lee Hofstad Ken Dunlap Chris Gerry David Dunlap Tom Geraets Jerry Lowell Tim Melham Gudrun Marie Nielsen, daughter of Ingeborg Helgesen and Anders Nielsen, was born Oct. 4, 1893, at Bergen, Norway. As a young lady she migrated to Brooklyn, Kings, New York to seek employment with a relative. While crossing the ocean, she met Harold D. Nelson, her husband-to-be. Within a short time he sent for her and they were married at Garretson S.D. on Dec. 26, 1922. After their marriage, they farmed briefly near Dell Rapids before moving to Sioux Falls. She was a member of the East Side Lutheran Church. Grateful for having shared her life are her son, Harold G. Nelson, Sioux Falls; 3 daughters, Mrs. Henry (Mildred) Wyman, Selma, Ore., Mrs. Wesley (Lillian) Hofstad, Sioux Falls, Mrs. James (Alice) Lowell, Pipestone, MN.; 13 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, on May 29, 1963; by 5 sisters, Helga, Anna, Olga, Agnes, and O'Luffa all in Norway. Friends and relatives are invited to gather with the family at the East Side Lutheran Church Downstairs Fellowship Hall following the committal service." According to a telephone call with Mildred Wyman in July 1994, Gudrun had a great-aunt who lived in Brooklyn. This great-aunt had written and asked someone to come to the U.S. and work for her. Gudrun was the only one adventurous enough to pursue the offer. Gudrun only was in Brooklyn for 6 weeks because Harold sent for her to come out to South Dakota. While in Brooklyn, she lived in Flatbush. Gudrun's immigration record is as follows-- She arrived in New York City on December 20, 1921, on the S.S. Stavangerfjord. She was 28 years old, with her profession listed as "domestic". She was able to read and write Norwegian. Her last permanent residence was Bergen, Norway. Her nationality was "Norway" and her race was "Scandinavian." Her nearest relative in Norway was her mother, Ingeborg Nielsen, who lived in Barak 5, E. Wilhelmineborg, Bergen. Her final destination was listed as Brooklyn, N.Y. She paid her passage herself, she was in possession of $50, and she had never been in the U.S. before. She was going to join an aunt, Lina Pedersen, who lived at 1222 - 67th St., Brooklyn, Kings, New York. It was uncertaain whether or not she was going to return to Norway, it was uncertain whether or not she was going to become a citizen. Her health was good, there were no legal reasons prohibiting her entry, she was 5' 9" tall, fair complexion, with light hair and blue eyes. She had no marks of identification. She was born in Bergen, Norway. Gudrun's birthplace, Bergen, is in the county of Hordaland. George Boom Funeral Home records state that father's name was Anders Nielsen. Also stated Gudrun's social security number-- 503-82-3805 and indicated that cause of death was cardiac arrest. SSDI: #503-82-3805, b. 4 Oct 1893, d. Feb 1980. Issued SD (1973) res. 57103 Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, SD. Death Certificate: Name: Gudrun Marie Nelson Sex: Female Social Security Number: 503-82-3805 Armed Forces: No Date of Death: 02/19/1980 Date of Birth: 10/04/1893 Age: 86 years Place of Death: Sioux Valley Hospital Sioux Falls Minnehaha South Dakota Disposition Information: Method: Burial Cemetery: Hills of Rest Location: Sioux Falls South Dakota Demographic Information: Residence: 1818 E. 3rd - #212 Sioux Falls Minnehaha South Dakota Marital Status: Widowed Place of Birth: Norway Father’s Name: Anders Nielsen Mother’s Name prior to First Marriage: Ingeborg Helgesen Information Information: Informant’s Name: Harold G. Nelson Mailing Address: 941 S. Holt Sioux Falls South Dakota 57103 Funeral Home: George Boom Funeral Home Manner of Death: Natural Causes Cause of Death Part I: Cardiac Arrest, no interval; Acute Cardiac Arrthymia, 5 hours; Acute Myocardial infarction, 5 hours; Part II: (1) ASHD with acute & chronic congestive heart failure (2) senility Autopsy Performed: No. Per daughter, Alice Nelson Lowell, when Gudrun Nelson died, there wasn't anything in her possession that had been her husband's (Harold Nelson). She had thrown away everything. Nursery rhyme using the fingers of the hand that Gudrun taught her grandchildren: Tommeltott (thumb) Slikkepott Langemann Gullbrand og Lille petter spillemann!!
  Person ID	I105	Lowell&Block
  Last Modified	7 May 2017

  
  

  Father	Anders NILSEN TYSE,   b. 2 Apr 1849, Tyse, Stord, Hordaland, Norway ,   d. 29 May 1904, Bergen, Hordaland, Norway  (Age 55 years)
  Mother	Ingeborg Antonette HELGESEN,   b. 26 Apr 1854, Bergen, Hordaland, Norway ,   d. 4 Apr 1937, Bergen, Hordaland, Norway  (Age 82 years)
  Married	24 Feb 1878	Nykirken, Bergen, Hordaland, Norway
  Photos		Helgesen, Ingeborg and daughters. Back Row, standing, left to right: Olga, Oluffa, Helga, and Anna Front Row, seated, left to right: Gudrun, Ingeborg, and Agnes
  		Nilsen, Anders and wife, Ingeborg Helgesen. Children. 1955. From left to right: Helge, Oluffa, Olga, (Andreas, Olga's husband), and Agnes.
  Histories		Correspondence. Lien, Hans. Letter from the City Archives in Bergen, 3 November 1987. Response from the Archives to a letter that Hans Lien had written to them, seeking information about his mother, Olga Edvarda Nilsen. The letter also provided information on the various places where Olga's mother, Ingeborg Antonette lived, until her death on 4 April 1937.
  Family ID	F58	Group Sheet

  
  

  Family	Harold Dreyer NELSON,   b. 10 Sep 1883, Bjørnskinn, Andøy, Nordland, Norway ,   d. 29 May 1963, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA  (Age 79 years)
  Married	26 Dec 1922	Garretson, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA
  Children	+ 1. Mildred Johanna NELSON,   b. 26 May 1923, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA ,   d. 15 Apr 2001, Grants Pass, Josephine, Oregon, USA  (Age 77 years) + 2. Lillian Marie NELSON,   b. 6 Sep 1924, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA ,   d. 21 Nov 2007, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA  (Age 83 years) + 3. Alice Kristine NELSON,   b. 12 Mar 1926, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA ,   d. 23 Nov 1999, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA  (Age 73 years) + 4. Harold Gilbert NELSON,   b. 20 Aug 1927, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA ,   d. 19 Jul 2006, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA  (Age 78 years)
  Photos » Slide Show		Nelson, Harold D. and wife Gudrun.
  		Nelson, Harold D. and Gudrun M. Nilsen. Wedding portrait. The couple married on 26 Dec 1922, in Garretson, South Dakota.
  		Nelson, Harold D. Family. Nelson siblings in their teens.
  		Nelson, Harold D. Family.
  		Nelson, Harold D. Family. Nelson siblings with their cousin, Ingrid Lien Weatherhead. Ingrid's mother, Olga, was Gudrun Nelson's sister.
  		Nelson, Harold D. Family. Christmas at Harold and Gudrun Nelson's home. 1946. L. to R.: Harold G. Nelson, Mildred Nelson Gann, Alice Nelson Lowell, Ray Gann (lying on floor), Barbara Hofstad (held by Ray), Gudrun Nelson holding Eddie Ray Gann, Wes Hofstad (back of couch), Lillian Nelson Hofstad, Harold D. Nelson.
  		Nelson, Gudrun. Children. Taken at 1201 N. Lincoln Ave., Sioux Falls, South Dakota, home of Alice Nelson, Lowell. L to R: Lillian, Harold, Gudrun, Alice, and Mildred.
  		Nelson, Gudrun and Harold D. with their grandson, Jerry Lowell. On the steps of Harold and Gudrun's home at 810 N. French, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
  		Nelson, Harold D. Family. Celebrating Lil's 70th birthday. Left to right: Alice Nelson Lowell, Lillian Nelson Hofstad, Mildred Nelson Gann Wyman, and Harold Nelson.
  		Lowell Family. Christmas 1959(?) Part 1. The extended Lowell family at 1201 N. Lincoln Ave., Sioux Falls, South Dakota. L. to R.: Harold D. Nelson, Gudrun Nelson, Myra Lowell, Gert Lowell, Charles Lowell, George Lowell, John Lowell, Flora Luker.
  		Nelson, Harold D. and wife Gudrun. Christmas 1962 (?) at the Lowells, 1201 N. Lincoln Ave., Sioux Falls, South Dakota. L. to R.: Wes Hofstad, Gudrun Nelson, Sandra Hofstad, Linda Lowell, Harold D. Nelson. This picture may be the last one taken of Harold Nelson, who died May 29 1963.
  		Nelson, Harold D. Children. 1201 N. Lincoln Ave., Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 1965? L. to R.: Lillian Nelson Hofstad, Alice Nelson Lowell, Gudrun Nelson, Harold G. Nelson, Mildred Nelson Gann.
  		Nelson, Harold D. and Gudrun. Family. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. L. to R.: Mildred Nelson Gann, Alice Nelson Lowell, Gudrun Nelson, Harold D. Nelson, Lillian Nelson Hofstad, Harold G. Nelson.
  		Lowell, Alice Nelson. Confirmation celebration. Taken at the Nelson residence, 1316 E. 7th Street, Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1941. Back row: Arnie Hofland, Mildred Nelson, Harold Mostrom, Gudrun Nelson (only a small part of her face is visible), Leonard Mostrom, Albert Hofland (only a small part of his face is visible), Mildred Hofland, Maxine Hofland, Harold D. Nelson. Front row: Harold G. Nelson, Bob Hofland, Alice Nelson, Mabel Mostrom, Ida Hofland, and Helen Hofland (with arms crossed).
  		Nelson, Harold Dreyer and Gudrun's four children. Taken approximately 1932. L to R: Harold, Lillian, Alice, and Mildred.
  		Nelson, Harold Dreyer and wife, Gudrun Marie Nilsen. Taken in October 1957 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
  		Nelson, Harold D. and wife Gudrun Nilsen. Christmas at 810 N. French, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
  		Nelson, Harold Dreyer extended family. The extended Nelson clan gathers to welcome cousin Inger Lien on her visit to Sioux Falls, South Dakota in November 2002. Back row, left to right: Jeff Zelhart, Leann Zelhart, Tom Geraets, Matt Geraets, Linda Geraets, Ken Dunlap, Macey Dunlap, Sandy Dunlap, Judy Melham, Barb Hofstad, and Carla Dunlap; Middle row, left to right: Millie Hofland, Betty Nelson, Harold Nelson, Inger Lien, Lil Hofstad, and Wes Hofstad; Front row, left to right: Mitch Block, Amanda Dunlap, Megan Zelhart, Katie Dunlap, Tracy Peltier, and Jerry Lowell.
  		Nelson, Harold D. and wife, Gudrun. Grandchildren. A photograph of a number of the Nelson grandchildren at a party hosted by Sandy Dunlap for Gerald Lowell, who was visiting South Dakota from his home in southern Spain. Top row: Barbara Hofstad, 2nd row from top: Gerald Lowell and Sandy Dunlap. 3rd row from top: Judy Hofstad Melham and Linda Lowell Geraets. Bottom row: Sherilyn Nelson Carmody and Leann Lowell Zelhart. Picture taken on 3 Aug 2015.
  Documents » Slide Show		Marriage. Nelson, Harold D. and Gudrun M. Nielson. Marriage Certificate. Married on 26 December 1922 at Garretson, South Dakota.
  		Marriage. Nelson, Harold D. and Gudrun M. Nielson. Wedding License
  		Marriage. Nelson, Harold and Gudrun Marie Nilsen. Marriage license. Gudrun and Harold were married on 26 Dec 1922.
  Histories		Religion. East Side Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, South Dakota The Harold D. Nelson family attended this church.
  Albums		810 N. French, Sioux Falls, South Dakota (1)
  Last Modified	25 Mar 2018
  Family ID	F35	Group Sheet

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 4 Oct 1893 - Bergen, Hordaland, Norway Christened - 19 Nov 1893 - Domkirken, Bergen, Hordaland, Norway Married - 26 Dec 1922 - Garretson, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA Died - 19 Feb 1980 - Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA Buried - 23 Feb 1980 - Hills of Rest Memorial Park, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha, South Dakota, USA  = Link to Google Maps   = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		Nelson, Gudrun, holding grandson, Jerry Lowell.
  		Nelson, Gudrun Nilson and grandson, Gerald R. Lowell.
  		Lowell, Gerald R. with his grandmother, Gudrun Nelson. Taken downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
  		Nelson, Gudrun Nilsen. First American dress and picture.
  		Geraets, Linda Lowell, Alice Nelson Lowell, Ryan Geraets, and Gudrun Nelson. Four generation picture
  		Nelson, Gudrun with grandsons, Lee Hofstad (left and Jerry Lowell (right). Picture taken at 1201 N. Lincoln Ave., Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
  		Nelson, Gudrun Nilson. At a picnic in West Sioux. At 1201 N. Lincoln Ave., Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Back row: G. James Lowell and Harold G. Nelson. Front row: Mildred Nelson Gann Wyman and Gudrun Nelson.
  		Nelson, Gudrun and her three daughters. Left to right--Mildred Nelson Gann Wyman, Gudrun Nelson, Lillian Nelson Hofstad, and Alice Nelson Lowell.
  		Geraets, Linda Lowell, and her Norwegian grandmother, Gudrun Nelson.
  		Lowell, Gerald R. Visit by penpal Linda Yip. Christmas 1968. L. to R.: Jerry Lowell, Gudrun Nelson, Linda Yip, Linda Lowell. Linda Yip had been a pen pal with Jerry Lowell for many years. She attended McGill University in Montreal and spent the Christmas holidays in Sioux Falls with the extended Lowell family.
  		Nelson, Gudrun. Family. Lunch at Laguna Beach, California. Gudrun Nelson treated the G. James Lowell family and the Harold G. Nelson family to a trip to California to visit the Mildred Gann family, in the summer of 1964, the year after Gudrun's husband, Harold D. Nelson died. L. to R.: Gudrun Nelson, Brent Nelson, Jerry Lowell, Betty Nelson, Gary Nelson, Craig Gann.
  		Nelson, Gudrun and family members. An afternoon break at Disneyland, 1964. Gudrun Nelson treated the Lowells and the Nelsons to a trip to California to visit the Ganns, in the summer of 1964, the year after her husband, Harold Nelson, died. L. to R.: Gudrun's daughter, Alice Lowell; Gudrun Nelson, Gudrun's daughter, Mildred Gann; Gudrun's daughter-in-law, Betty Nelson; and Gudrun's grandson, Brent Nelson.
  		Nelson, Gudrun, and Lowell, Alice. Visiting in the dining room at 1201 N. Lincoln Ave., Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
  		Nelson, Gudrun. Birthday Celebration. 1973?
  		Nelson, Gudrun, and granddaughter, Linda Lowell. 1971?
  		Nelson, Gudrun. Three grandmas visiting at 1201 N. Lincoln Ave., Sioux Falls, South Dakota. L. to R.: Grandma Hofland (Ida Hofland), Grandma Nelson (Gudrun Nelson), and Grandma McRoden (Anna McRoden). Grandma Hofland and her family were good friends of the Nelsons in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Anna McRoden's daughter, Betty, was married to Gudrun's son, Harold G. Nelson.
  		Nelson, Gudrun and daughter, Alice Lowell, with family friend, Millie Hofland. L. to R.: Millie Hofland, Gudrun Nelson, Alice Lowell.
  		Nelson, Gudrun. "Hamming" it up for the camera as she feeds granddaughter, Sherilyn Nelson.
  		Lowell, George J. Relaxing after Christmas Dinner. At 1201 N. Lincoln Ave., Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 1960? L. to R.: George J. Lowell, granddaughter Leann Lowell, and Gudrun Nelson, Leann's maternal grandmother.
  		Lowell, Gerald R. With his two grandmothers. L. to R.; Gudrun Nilsen Nelson, Gerald R. Lowell, and Hazel Miller Lowell.
  		Nelson, Gudrun Nilson with her granddaughter Barbara Hofstad.
  		Nelson, Gudrun Marie Last picture taken before Gudrun's death on 19 Feb 1980. Taken about 1979.
  		Nelson, Gudrun Marie. Picture taken for inclusion in the East Side Lutheran Church members directory. Date unknown.
  		Nelson, Gudrun Marie (on right) and Ida Hofland. Date and place unknown. The Nelson and Hofland families lived next door to each other and their respective children continued to be lifelong friends.
  		Nelson, Gudrun Nilsen. Birthday celebration. Location assumed to be the home of Gudrun's daughter, Lillian, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Date is sometime in the early1950s.
  		Nelson, Gudrun Nilsen (left) and Anna Lamach McRoden (right). Taken at East Side Lutheran Church. Believe, but unconfirmed, that the event was Anna McRoden's 80th birthday party celebration which would have occurred in 1978,
  		Nelson, Gudrun Nilsen and first granddaughter, Barbara Ann Hofstad Olson. Taken in the late 1940s. Location not known.
  		Nelson, Gudrun Marie (left) and family friend, Maxine Hofland. Taken at 1316 E. 7th St., Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 1941, during the celebration of the confirmation of Alice Nelson Lowell.
  		Nelson, Gudrun. Family. Laguna Beach, southern California. Gudrun Nelson treated the G. James Lowell family and the Harold G. Nelson family to a trip to California to visit the Ray Gann family, in the summer of 1964, the year after her husband, Harold D. Nelson, died. L. to R.: Jerry Lowell, Leann Lowell, Linda Lowell, Craig Gann, and Gary Nelson.

  
  

  Documents » Slide Show		Birth. Nelson, Gudrun Marie Nilsen. Church record of birth. From Domkirken. Ministerialbok 1888-1903. Fødte og døpte 1893. Scanned and made available by Norway's Digitalarkivet. Top half of page lists boys. Bottom half lists girls. Gudrun appears as the first girl on the page, sequence number 125. Name of columns from left to right: Sequence Number; Birth date; Baptism date; Given name(s); Parents names; Residence; Father's birth year; Mother's birth year; Witnesses at baptism; Legitimate or illegitimate birth; Notes (if needed.)
  		Birth. Nelson, Gudrun. Church certificate affirming birth and baptism. Born 4 Oct 1893 in Bergen, Norway. Original document was in poor condition; Gudrun had attempted to repair it at some stage after arriving in the United States with tape. In November 2015, Gerald Lowell repaired damage to digital copy.
  		Death. Nelson, Gudrun Marie. Death Certificate.
  		Death. Nelson, Gudrun Marie. Funeral Memorial Tribute.
  		Death. Nelson, Gudrun Marie. Memorial Card.

  
  

  Headstones

  Nelson, Harold D. and Gudrun Nielson

  
  

  Histories » Slide Show		Correspondence. Lien, Hans. Letter dated February 20, 1980, to sister Ingrid Lien Weatherhead. Hans Lien wrote to thank sister Ingrid and her husband Kingsley for letting Hans and his wife Eva know that Ingrid and Hans' aunt, Gudrun Marie Nelson, had passed away.
  		Correspondence. Lien, Hans. Letter of Sympathy to Mildred Wyman on the death of her mother, Gudrun Nelson. Written from Gudrun's nephew, Hans Lien, to Gudrun's daughter, Mildred Wyman.
  		Correspondence. Lowell, Gerald R. Postcard of the Yuryev Monastery to Gudrun Nelson. Sent from the Soviet Union in January 1968, while Gerald was on a month-long study trip. Message: Dear Grandma, This is a beautiful ancient monastery which we visited this morning in Novgorod, one-time capital of U.S.S.R. [Ed. note: Novgorod was never the capital of the U.S.S.R.] Quite different looking, however, in the wintertime, with snow everywhere. Has been very cold or "ochen kholodno" as a Russian would say. Am enjoying the tour very much. The rest of the students are great and very friendly--it's like we were all brothers & sisters nearly. We're at Leningrad tonite--tomorrow we take the train to Kiev, where hopefully it won't be quite so cold. Until later, love, Jerry.
  		Correspondence. Lowell, Gerald. Postcard to Gudrun Nelson. Sent while Gerald was on a month-long study trip to the Soviet Union in January 1968. Depicted on the front are fireworks over the Kremlin. Message: Hi Grandma! Am now in Moscow really enjoying myself but attempting not to get homesick for U.S.A. and home. Have seen so many things that it is impossible to comprehend them all. Have taken about 250 pictures so far. Hope they turn out. It's so gloomy here the sun never seems to shine. This is the Kremlin--the "White House" and capital of the Soviet Union. Till later, Love, Jerry
  		Correspondence. Lowell, Gerald. Postcard to Gudrun Nelson. Sent while Gerald was on a one-month study trip to the U.S.S.R. This postcard was sent from Paris and depicts Le Sacré-Coeur. Message: Dear Grandma, I'm in Paris in a little corner restaurant. It's just unbelievable. There is so much to see and do that I could stay here all year. This church is so huge you could get lost and never find your way out. We climbed to the top Took plenty of pixs. We leave in an hour for Russia. Go through Germany, Poland, before arriving. It will be fun on the train because we'll be able to see the countryside. Must sign off cause we gotta go. Will write letter later. Am having fun and feeling fine. Hope you are feeling fine. Love, Jerry
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun. Birthday greetings from her oldest sister, Helga Marie Michaelsen. Translation: Dear Gudrun, Congratulations on your birthday October 4. Hope you are all well. We are fine. Randolf is well now and is working. We have had rain now for three weeks, so we are hoping that it will soon be nice weather. Ingrid has departed now, so I hope you will get to see her. That would be nice. Greetings, Helga, Randolf.
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun. Christmas present thank you note to niece, Ingrid Weatherhead.
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun. Thank you letter to niece, Ingrid Weatherhead Written on 2 January 1978 as Gudrun was listening to the Rose Bowl game on the radio, thanking Ingrid for her Christmas gift and stating that she had received a "very pretty card" from Hans [Gudrun's nephew and Ingrid's brother] and his wife.
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun. Letter from Myrtle E. Newport, 22 May 1931 Thank-you letter for gift given to Myrtle Newport, one of the teachers who worked with the Nelson "girls".
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun. Letter from Principal of Benjamin Franklin Grade School, Dec. 6, 1933 Letter from Principal Ella M. Royhl, thanking Gudrun for the amount of work that she had done on Dec. 5 for the school's "At Home" day for parents. Ms. Royhl also wants to provide assistance in paying for the refreshments that Gudrun provided.
  		Correspondence. Presthaug, Else Maria. Postcard to Gudrun Nilsen. Translation: Miss Gudrun Nilsen; Mrs. Smith; 2081 Schennectady Avenue; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Haga, April 2, 1922; Sending you thousand thanks for the card that you sent. It was nice that you have not forgotten us either. I see from that card that you are having a good time, that's good, yes, that was nice to hear. I wish you could send us a picture so that we can see you now that you have become completely Americanized, from what I have heard. Please say hello to Aunt Lina from all of us. You are greeted from Lars, Jannikke, Else. Send us a card back. Greetings, Else
  		Heirlooms. Lowell, Gerald R. Bible presented to him on his confirmation by his maternal grandmother, Gudrun Nelson. Jerry was confirmed at First Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on October 4, 1964, Gudrun's birthday. Jerry also used this Bible when he took the required Bible course for freshmen at Gustavus Adolphus College, in Fall 1967.
  		Newspaper Articles. Nelson, Gudrun Marie. Various news clippings re. her U.S.A. citizenship. These clippings had been cut from the newspaper, most likely the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, by Gudrun Nelson. They had been kept by Gudrun in an envelop along with several pieces of correspondence and two official documents: a) Gudrun's cowpox certification, and b) her birth certificate. These items were clearly of great importance to her and were the only items of this nature that she retained. Her citizenship was granted on January 30, 1931.
  		Newspaper Articles. Nelson,Gudrun M. Curious name change after wedding. This newspaper clipping (unknown source and unknown date) has been included because of the spelling issues involved. While in Norway, Gudrun's surname was spelled "Nilsen" on various church records. When she emigrated to the United States, she began to use a surname spelling of "Nielsen."
  		Newspaper Articles. Nelson, Gudrun. Atlantic crossing on her way to the U.S. The article on the left was written by Gudrun as part of her "Americanization" classes in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, describing her crossing and the hurricane that they encountered. The article on the right, from the New York Times, describes in detail the dangerous circumstances that almost sunk the ship.
  		Immigration. ALL NATIONS; AMERICANIZATION SCHOOL PAPER; SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA; CHRISTMAS NUMBER 1931 A small pamphlet published by the Americanization School. The school offerred Day and Night School. It provided a class in citizenship, emphasizing history, government, and current news. The Day School, in addition to its citizenship class, also offered programs in Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced English. Gudrun Nelson attended the Citizenship Class before she received her citizenship papers. She wrote an article on page 7 that discussed her journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
  		Immigration. Nelson, Gudrun Nilsen. Cowpox vaccination certificate Translation: Cowpox vaccination certificate Gudrun Marie born in Bergen, parents: Baker Anders Nilsen Tysse and Ingebørg Tysse, resident of Bergen; 13 1/4 years old, is by me on the indicated year of 1907, August 14th, vaccinated with cowpox. At the inspection (made by me) between the 7th and 9th day after vaccination, I found all the signs that proved her to have the real cowpox: the (blisters) were undamaged, filled with a clear liquid, depressed in the centre, and surrounded by a red circle (of skin); Gudrun Marie has (therefore) properly had cowpox that will protect her against smallpox, which is hereby certified upon honor and conscience by [signature not legible] Bergen, August 21st, year 1907
  		Correspondence. Wyman, Mildred to nephew Gerald Lowell. 11 Feb 1980. Written from Sioux Falls, South Dakota to wish Jerry a happy birthday and to provide an update on his grandmother and Mildred's mother, Gudrun Nelson. Gudrun passed away nine days later.
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun to grandson Gerald Lowell. 15 Dec 1975. Christmas greetings and thank you for krumkake and fishballs.
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun to grandson Gerald Lowell. 28 Oct 1977. Thank you note for the telephone call made by Jerry on Gudrun's birthday.
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun to grandson Gerald Lowell. 24 Oct 1974. Second and final page of letter missing. Letter contained newspaper clipping regarding the engagement of Jill Steele, one of Jerry's high school friends.
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun to grandson, Gerald Lowell. 13 Oct 1976. Thank you note from Gudrun, thanking Jerry for the dress and the telephone call received from him for her birthday.
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun to grandson Gerald Lowell. 12 Oct 1973. Thank you card for letter and telephone call that Gudrun received from Jerry on her birthday.
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun to grandson Gerald Lowell. 30 Sep 1975. Thank you note for letter and plant received from Jerry by his grandmother, Gudrun.
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun to grandson Gerald Lowell. 10 Sep 1973.
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun to grandson Gerald Lowell. 31 July 1974. General letter.
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun to grandson Gerald Lowell. 9 Jul 1973. General letter on a variety of topics.
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun to grandson Gerald Lowell. 24 Jun 1974. Thank you note for the two dresses sent by Jerry to his grandmother, Gudrun.
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun to grandson Gerald Lowell. 5 May 1975. General letter about a variety of topics.
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun to grandson Gerald Lowell. 3 May 1977. Thank you card for telephone call made by Jerry to his grandma.
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun to grandson Gerald Lowell. 22 Feb 1975. General letter on a variety of topics.
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun to grandson Gerald Lowell. 21 Feb 1978. Apology note for Gudrun not being able to hear Jerry on a phone call that he had made earlier.
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun to grandson Gerald Lowell. 1 Aug 1979. Christmas thank you note for presents sent by Jerry to his grandmother, Gudrun.
  		Correspondence. Nelson, Gudrun to grandson, Gerald R. Lowell. 25 April 1974. Second page of letter missing.