Mrs. John Toft died at her home near Orum last Tuesday evening of tubular disease of the heart. Mrs. Toft, formerly Ellen Olsen, was only eighteen years and four months old and very much respected by her neighbors. The funeral was a large one, about fifty teams being in line. The remains were laid to rest in the Orum cemetery, Rev. Larson officiating. The Pilot joins the many friends in extending sympathy to the bereaved husband and parents. Their babe only two weeks old will be cared for by her folks.

June 10, 1897- The Pilot- Ellen Olson Toft

ORUM, Nebr. June 9, 1897

Oh, why should death take away our dear ones? This is a question which has pierced most of our hearts. And John Toft felt it in the superlative degree, when on the first day of June he was called out of the field to witness the death of his young and beloved wife. She was sick only about twenty minutes and died from heart trouble. It was an unexpected blow to the whole community and rests heaviest on the shoulders of John, who has the sympathy of all. They had enjoyed the blessed state of matrimony scarcely a year, when the cold hand of death, Tuesday, June 1st, at seven o’clock p.m. was laid on her heart and left him to mourn. She leaves him a little boy, who received the holy baptism on the day of her burial. Poor boy, he shall never feel the true love and care of a mother, but when he grows up he will most likely be told about her. He is at present in good hands staying with his grandma. The funeral took place Thursday at 11 o’clock a.m. She was interred in the St. Paul Ev. Lutheran cemetery and a great number followed her to her last resting place. While Mrs. Toft, formerly Ellen Olsen, grew up among us she appeared to be a most promising young lady. She had many friends who covered her grave with flowers. Oh that our Master might find us prepared if we should be called home in a similar way.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #42963791