KARl (Sigdestad) GROVE

 

 

Kari Sigdeatad wes born October 4, 1854 in Oppstryn, Nordfjord, Norway, her parents being Snkarias and Synneve Sigdestad. She vas baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Kari emigrated with her parents and family to Montevideo MN arriving in the spring of l88l. The same year on Dec 21, 1881, she was united in marriage to John Grove and made their home on a farm near Wells, MN.for four years  (She had become engaged to John Grove while still in Norway but did not marry until they arrived in US)

 

The spring of 1885 they decided to cast their lot into the family and with their scant belongings in covered wagon, their des­tination was Dakota Territory where land was open to homesteaders. They located a suitable farm in Lynn Twp near Mrs. Grove’s parents where all the hardships of early pioneers were endured.

 

The Groves were blessed with nine children; four died in in— fancy. The living are

Inga - Mrs. Ole Johnson

Selma - Mrs. Rasmus Egge

Lena - Mrs. Lars Sandvik

Clara, — Mrs. Larson

Selmer (deceased)

 

Mr. and Mrs. Grove were prominent among pioneer builders. They were charter members of Bergen Lutheran Church. Mrs. Geove was the first Ladies Aid President, a distinction she held for six years. At that time Aids were an all day affair; often the Ladies walked for miles to the neighbors who entertained with smaller children trailing along. As the ladies walked along some would be knitting on sox or mittens as no time could be wasted. The day was a busy one as they sewed garments, stitched quilts, knitted and crocheted articles for the summer auction, the proceeds of which were donations to missions or local activities.

 

For 30 years the Groves lived on their homestead which they had labored to establish, there were years of toil and struggle which all pioneers experienced. But their perspective to build for permanence never failed and soon their huts and equipment were replaced by modern ones, a great tribute to their fortitude.

 

Mrs. Grove was widowed on July 12, 1911 and four years later moved to Bristol SD to spend her remaining days.

 

September 12, 1935 at the age of 80 years, 11 months, 8 days, Mrs. Grove passed away at her home in Bristol after a short illness where she had been cared for by her daughters. Burial was at  Bergen Church, the place she helped build and organize and remained dear to her last days.

Contributed by a neice

Mrs. Bert Flakoll, Pristol SD