Born: 26 Dec 1862, Trysil, Hedmark, Norway
Married: 26 Dec 1883, Trysil, Hedmark, Norway
Died: 4 Mar 1957, Harwood twp, Cass co, ND
Buried: Osterdalen cemetery, Harwood twp, Cass co, ND
Spouse: Gelinus Gjermundsen Østby
Parents: Kristian Olasson Nygaarden, Vestby
Helene Halvorsdtr, s Grøndalen
Kari Ostby was born on the Grondalen farm, Trysil, Norway on December 26, 1862 to Kristian Olasson and Helene Halvorsdatter. In 1883 Kari married Gelinus Gjermundson Ostby of Trysil. They had two children who were born in Norway — Minnie (1884) and Gertrude (1886).
Kari and Gelinus immigrated in 1888. They started out on the same ship with daughter Gertrude on the Rollo, but since they had purchased their tickets at different times they had to take different ships for part of their journey (Kari on the Aurania from Liverpool and Gelinus on Circassian from Glasgow, Scotland). Kari had little money and sewed for the captain to get food for the balance of her trip. Both Gelinus and Kari arrived in New York on July 23, 1888. A year later, Gelinus’s sister, Inger, brought their daughter Minnie to the United States. Kari’s parents and four of her siblings also immigrated to the United States. Sister Helen was married to Magnus Pedersen Grondahl (he took the name Grondahl when he immigrated); Pernilla married Karl Bryn and they stayed in Norway; Karsten married Caroline Moe and Tina was wed to Ole Davidson.
The Ostbys settled in America near Argusville, North Dakota and about 1898 purchased the Nordby house on the banks of the Sheyenne River. This house by the side of the road was across from the schoolhouse and near the Osterdalen Church. There were forty acres of land with a river running through it. The Holstein cows were pastured on both sides of the river.
Kari and Gelinus raised 7 children with 5 born in North Dakota: George 1889, Harry 1893, Clara 1895, Norman 1898, and Helen 1900.
Kari had a strong Christian faith, was very hospitable, a loving mother, a lover of music, and had a good sense of humor. She was a skilled dressmaker. One of her mottos was “NEVER BE STUCK”.
Kari’s husband, Gelinus, died April 29, 1923 and Kari died March 4, 1957. Both are buried at Osterdalen Lutheran Church Cemetery near Harwood, North Dakota.
— submitted by Ivy Ostby Hjornevik