Wilhelm Henrick Larsen Fjordbak

W.H.L. Fjordbak of Van Tassell Died November 8

Wilhelm Hendrick Larsen Fjordbak, 59, a resident of this community for the past 28 years, passed away early last Friday morning, November 8, 1940, at the Lusk hospital following several months of illness. He had been in poor health for some time and entered the local hospital for treatment about six weeks previous to his passing.

Mr. Fjordbak was born in Denmark and came to the United States at the age of 22 and later became a citizen of this country. He lived at Irene, South Dakota for many years where he followed the painters' trade. He was united in marriage to Miss Sena Matson at Irene in 1903, the latter preceding him in death on May 17, 1938.

In 1912 Mr. Fjordbak moved to Wyoming, giving up his trade and settled on a homestead near Rawhide Buttes. He continued to reside there until 1928 when he moved to Van Tassell and established a mercantile business. On the 5th of May, 1940, he was united in marriage to Maude R. Hare, who survives his passing.

Mr. Fjordbak was well and favorably known throughout the county. An industrious and thrifty person, he was successful in his business ventures and gave freely of his time and energy to the welfare and betterment of his home communities. In 1939 he returned to his native land to visit relatives and friends, and while in Europe the present war broke out hastening his departure home.

OBITUARY

Wilhelm Hendrick Larsen Fjordbak was born August 27, 1881, at Hals, Denmark, the son of Anna Marie and Martin Fjordbak Larsen, and passed away at Lusk, Wyoming November 8, 1940, aged 59 years, two months and eleven days. At the age of 22 years Mr. Fjordbak came to the United States and first located at Irene, South Dakota where he followed the vocation of a painter, a trade he had mastered in Denmark.

He was united in marriage to Miss Sena Matson, September 5, 1905, who preceded him in death on May 17, 1938. Mr. Fjordbak took an active interest in his adopted land and in 1903 was granted his American citizenship papers. While a resident of Irene, South Dakota he became a member of the Danish Brotherhood and at the time of his passing was the oldest member of the Irene chpater. He was a member of the Woodmen lodge at Van Tassell.

In 1912 his health forced him to abandon the painters' trade and he moved to Wyoming, homesteading in the vicinity of Rawhide Buttes where he continued to make his home until 1928, when he moved to Van Tassell and established a mercantile business. Mr. Fjordbak was always active in the affairs of his community and had served the Van Tassell community as mayor for six years. In July, 1939, he made a trip to Denmark to visit relatives in his native land, his stay being shortened by the present war.

On the 5th day of May, 1949, he was united in marriage to Maude R. Hare, who survives his passing. Others to mourn his death are a brother, A. B. Fjordbak of Centralia, Wash., a sister, Mrs. Hall Jorgensen of Ferndale, Calif., as well as several brothers and sisters and other near relatives living in Denmark.

Funeral services were conducted Monday, November 11, at 2:00 at the church in Van Tassell with Rev. Millard H. Marshall in charge. Pallbearers were Ed Herron, George Hecklebeck, L. D. Seegrist, John Siemsen, Chris Christensen and John Lohr. A trio composed of Mrs. Harvey Zerbe, Miss Haugh and Mr. Pendray sang "Abide With Me," and "Beautiful Garden of Prayer," with Mr. Sawyer pianist. Burial was made in the Van Tassell cemetery.

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