Born: 17 Mar 1873, Strandebarm, Hordaland, Norway
Married: 1907, Holmes City twp, Douglas Co, MN
Died: 28 Mar 1943, Douglas co, MN
Buried: Trysil-Bethesda cemetery, Holmes City, Douglas Co, MN
Spouse: Alberta O. Sogaarden
Parents: Arne Olsen Berge
Cecelia Hansdtr Brekke
Newspaper Obituary: Park Region Echo, April 8, 1943, page 5 col 5
REV A A REECE
Andrew A Reece was born in Strandebarm, Hardanger, Norway, March 17,
1873, son of Arne Olsen Rise and Cecelia Brekke Rise. He emigrated to
America in 1892. After working as a farm hand here for about two years,
he gave his time to study. He acquired diplomas from the Northern
Indiana Normal School; Pleasant View Luther College, St Olaf College and
the United Lutheran Church Seminary. He also did post graduate work at
the Universities of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Except for teaching one
year at St Olaf College, he was active in the Ministry of the Norwegian
Lutheran Church of America until a few years ago, when failing health
caused him to retire. He served congregations at Clarkston, Wash;
Billings and Butte, Mont; Madelia and Alberta, Minn, and Hemet, Calif.
He was highly respected and loved by his parishioners who appreciated
his Christian leadership and sincere admonitions. His concern for the
sick and lonely was outstanding.
During his last illness he received a great number of letters of
thanks from old and young who testified that through his service and
guidance they had found the way that leads to Eternal Glory.
In 1907, he was united in marriage to Alberta Sogaarden of Farwell,
Minn. To this union were born four children, Oliver, Agnes, Leif and
Marcus. Agnes and Leif have preceded their father in death. Surviving
are his wife and two sons, Oliver and Marcus, both at home. They deeply
mourn the departure of a very kind and considerate husband and father.
He also leaves two sisters, Anna (Mrs P Marek) of Aurora, Ill, and
Synevea (Mrs J Bunker) of San Francisco, Calif, besides other relatives
and friends who mourn his passing.
He passed away peacefully March 28, at 1:15 pm at the age of 70 years
11 days. He died in the faith he had lived and preached. He longed to
go home to be with his Lord and Saviour. His last words spoken here
were, “Jesus is coming soon” and “Good-bye.”
Funeral services were held Friday afternoon, April 2, at the Anderson
Chapel, Alexandria, with the Rev E S Solheim of Eagle Bend officiating,
and giving the funeral sermon. Other pastors participating were the Rev
C E Hansen, Alexandria; the Rev C A Olsen, Chokio; the Rev E S Belgum,
Appleton; and the Rev N C Renslo, Alberta. The following message from
Dr J A Aasgaard, president of the Norwegian Church of America was read:
“My sincere sympathy to the family of Pastor Reece who passed away. He
was a faithful and loyal servant of our Lord and Saviour and many will
remember his kind and understanding help.”
Two solos were sung, “When I Shall See Him Face to Face,” by Mrs Floyd
E Anderson, and “Behold the Host Arrayed in White,” by the Rev C E
Hansen, Mrs Arthur Tangen accompanying. The hymns, “I Know of a Sleep
in Jesus’ Name,” and “Oh Happy Day When We Shall Stand,” were sung.
Besides the beautiful floral offerings, memorial bequests made
amounted to over $200.
Relatives and friends from a distance attending were: Mrs Frank
Marek, Aurora, Ill, Mrs H O Helseth, Mr and Mrs O Finstad, Wm Schaleben
and son, Lee, Mr and Mrs Orlando Femrite, all of Minneapolis; Odella
Solheim, Harmony, the Rev and Mrs E S Belgum, Mrs Edward Erickson,
Harold and Hannah, Appleton; the Rev and Mrs C A Olson, A J Nelson,
Thos Johnson, Chokio; the Rev and Mrs N C Renslo, Mr and Mrs Ed
Thompson, Mr and Mrs Adolph Bruer, Mr and Mrs Chas Bruer, Alberta. Mrs
J Bunker of San Francisco, Calif, a sister of the deceased, was unable
to attend.
Pallbearers were: Stanley Femrite, Murville Femrite, Robert W
Anderson, Harry Soberg, Carnie Anderson and Floyd E Anderson. Interment
was in Bethesda Cemetery in South Holmes City. A solo “Asleep in
Jesus,” was sung at the grave by the Rev C A Olsom.
Blessed be the Rev A A Reece’s memory!