Olava Torgerson

  General Notes:

Mrs. Vebjorn (Olava) Sondreal, resident of this community since territorial days. Mrs. Sondreal was born at Ringerike, Norway, Jan. 25, 1867, and came to the United States in 1870 with her parents (Thor T. and Margit). After a brief residence in Iowa, they came to Hatton, then Dakota Territory. She was married to Mr. Sondreal in 1884 and they farmed northwest of Hatton for 44 years before retiring. Mr. Sondreal preceded her in death.

She leaves seven sons, George, Arthur, Knute, Bernhard and Ingebrit of Northwood, Martin of Hatton and William of Fargo; three daughters, Mrs. Peter Dahl and Mrs. Oscar Gaardsrud, both of Northwood, and Mrs. Beata Hjelmen of Grand Forks; an adopted daughter, Guri Langager of Northwood; 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Three sons, Engebrit, Gilbert and Thor, and a daughter, Mrs. Ole Langager, preceded her in death.

Hatton Free Press, Feb. 3, 1955
Thor V. Sondreal 1884-1916
Gilbert V. Sondreal 1888-1916
Engebrit b.?
Martin V. Sondreal 1888-1964
Guri 1891-
Margit Sondreal Dahl 1893-1987
Beata 1896-1876
Knute V. Sondreal 1898-1978
George V. Sondreal 1900-1959
Olga 1902-1997
William Oscar Sondreal 1904-1986
Bernard V. Sondreal 1906-1980
Engebret V. Sondreal 1909-1999
Arthur V. Sondreal 1912-1984

Two Brothers Drown in Goose River

Thor and Gilbert Sondreal Lost Their Lives While Bathing in the Goose River Last Saturday Evening

The Goose River claimed its first victims of the season last Saturday evening when Thor and Gilbert Sondreal were drowned when bathing near their home west from the city. The two boys had come in from work and just finished filling some barrels with water which they were hauling to water the stock. After finishing their job of filling the water barrels they were going in swimming and Thor, the oldest of the brothers, was the first to get in and it seems as though as soon as he struck the water he was taken with a cramp and commenced to sink. He called for help and his brother Gilbert jumped in to help him. He however was unable to do anything to assist him and they both went down. Word was sent to this city and to the neighbors and there was soon plenty of help there to search for the bodies. The body of Thor was found at about 11 o'clock on Saturday evening, and was taken to the Olson, Hegg Undertaking rooms in this city. The search was continued all night for the other body but that was not found until the next afternoon.

Thor the oldest of the boys was 31 years of age and Gilbert was 28. They were sons of Vebjorn Mikkelson Sondreal and were both young men of excellent habits. The funeral services were held from the Goose River church and was attended by one of the largest crowds that ever gathered at the church. The church could not begin to accommodate the crowd so the windows were all opened and the automobiles and carriages were lined up on the outside so the people could hear the services. The services were in charge of Rev. Eikeland of the church and he was assisted by Rev. Tjornhom of this city and by Rev. Hovland of Bethel church. - Hatton Free Press, July 13, 1916

Olava married Vebjørn Mikkels. Søndreaal, son of Mikkel Vebjørns. Sindrol and Guri Embrikksdtr. Settungsgard, in 1884 in North Dakota, USA. (Vebjørn Mikkels. Søndreaal was born on 27 Oct 1850 in Sindrol, Hol, died on 27 Nov 1928 in Grand Forks, North Dakota and was buried in Goose River Lutheran, Hatton, Steele County, ND.)