OBITUARY: Svend Larson Berge

Birth: May 31, 1831, Norway
Death: September 19, 1915, Vernon, Dodge County, Minnesota

Svend L. Berge, one of the early settlers of Vernon twnsp., passed quietly away at 3 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 19th 1915, after an illness of only a few days, resulting from old age.
Svend L. Berge, was born in Ulvik, Hardinger, Norway, May 31, 1931. He came to America in 1855, settling at Kaskeland, WI, where he remained until 1858 when he came to Vernon twnshp, this county and state. The following year, 1859, he returned to WI and was married to Dorthe Qvale, both returning to Vernon after their marriage. Mr. Berge, father of 10 children, 7 living: Gurina (Mrs. Severt Exe); Marie (Mrs. John Heltne); Dorthea (Mrs. Andrew Dahle) of Mpls; Lewis, Edwin and Olena (Mrs. L. E. Haukom) and Ida (Mrs. Henry Eastlee). His wife died January 2, 1905, at the age of 65 years.
At the time of his death, Mr. Berge had reached the ripe old age of 84 years, 3 months, and 18 days, and during the long life of usefulness, left many close friends to mourn his death. He was one of the first settlers of Vernon township and endured the privations of the early settler without complaint, always ready to assist in every good cause to further the development in the community in which he lived. He helped organize the West Saint Olaf church, and was one of the first trustees of that organization. He remained a steadfast Christian and active member of that church till death. Since the death of Dorthe, he has made his home with dtr. Mrs. J. C. Heltne.
All his children were present at the deathbed and funeral, which was held Thursday afternoon at West Saint Olaf church. The church was filled mourners to pay their last tribute. Rev. J. A. Thorson, who has been his pastor for over 40 years officiated at the funeral.
(Svend & Dorthe wed: 5 July 1859 in the town of Christiana, Wisconsin.)

Burial: West Saint Olaf Cemetery, Vernon, Dodge County, Minnesota
Plot: 378 VN 2 sec. N