1.OtisM.Severson, born 13 Jun 1887 in Lake Preston, Kingsbury County, South Dakota; died 07 Jun 1952 in Kingsbury County, South Dakota. He was the son of 2. BertiniusBjornessonSeverson and 3. EllaCSeverson. He married (1) LenaBjordal 14 Dec 1909 in Erwin, Kingsbury County, South Dakota. She was born 02 Jan 1889 in Kingsbury County, South Dakota, and died 15 Mar 1919 in Custer, Custer County, South Dakota. She was the daughter of Ole Olson Bjordal and Randi Lassesdatter Brekke. He married (2) MaryJ.Hughes Aft. 1935. She was born 1874 in Illinois, and died Aft. 1952.
Notes for Otis M. Severson:
The World War I Draft Registration card from 1917-18 on file states (on question 9) that Otis is married with 3 children under the age of 12. He goes on to claim exemption (on question 12) due to "Home Dependent". He lists himself as medium height with medium build, blue eyes with light colored hair. It is signed by Otis on June 5, 1917.
1930 Hartland Township, Kingsbury County, South Dakota census (April 22) lists Frances (17) and Roy (14) back living with their father Otis Severson. It also states that Otis owns their home and it is valued at $1000. His occupation is listed as Merchant.
No birth record is on file for Otis. In order to prove his age for Social Security, Otis had to find two individuals who remembered his birth. (Loel Paulson 6/2006)
Otis had a heart attack while out in the field. He fell off the back of a tracker and they figure he was dead before he hit the ground. (Loel Paulson 6/2002)
From the Lake Preston Times, Lake Preston, SD, June 12, 1952, Page 3, Column 4
Column heading: 'Erwin by Mrs. Fred Jones'
"The community was saddened last Saturday forenoon when it had learned that Otis Severson had suffered a heart attack and died immediately. Surviving are his wife and two daughters. Services were held Wednesday afternoon."
From the Lake Preston Times, Lake Preston, SD, June 19, 1952, Page 8, Column 2
Column heading: 'Erwin by Mrs. Fred Jones'
"Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Gear* and daughters of Faribault, Minn., were here for the funeral of Otis Severson. They were guests over night Tuesday in the Fred Jones home."
*C. E. Gear is Cloris Everet Gear, husband to Vera Jane Jones. Vera is the youngest child and Fred Jones the oldest child from Mary Hughes Jones' first marriage. Late in life, Mary married Otis Severson, thus the Jones children were in town to support their mother after the death of her second husband (Otis).
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More About Otis M. Severson:
Burial: 1952, East Bethany Cemetery, Kingsbury County, South Dakota
Cause of Death: heart attack
Confirmation: 08 Mar 1903, North Preston Ev. Lutheran Merrighed (?), Kingsbury County, South Dakota
Notes for Lena Bjordal:
According to Lena's death certificate, the doctor began treating Lena on February 11, 1919. She spent 34 days at the sanatorium until her death at 11:00 p.m. March 15, 1919. Transit Permit No. 66767 dated March 18, 1919 lists her death at 4:00 a.m. on March 16, 1919. Both records list her former or usual residence as Gettsburg, SD, and her age as 28. The residence and age are incorrect. Lena was a resident of Kingsbury County and 30 years of age. The Transit Permit requests permissions to remove Lena Severson from Custer County to Lake Preston, Kingsbury County for burial. Her body is to be accompanied by Otis Severson.
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More About Lena Bjordal:
Baptism: 24 Jan 1889
Burial: 1919, East Bethany Cemetery, Kingsbury County, South Dakota
Cause of Death: Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Medical Information: Lena died while in a TB Sanitarium in Sanator, Custer County, South Dakota
Marriage Notes for Otis Severson and Lena Bjordal:
Their marriage record lists Otis Severson, 22, Bachelor and Lena Bjordal, 20, Maiden, both from Lake Preston, Kingsbury County. Marriage solemnized in Erwin by Minister O. E, Hofstad on December 14, 1909.
Two Bjordahl sisters married two Severson brothers: Lena and her sister Clara married Otis and his brother Benny. The 1910 Erwin, Kingsbury County, South Dakota census taken on April 21st lists Otis and Lena (married) living with Bennie and Clara and their daughter Gladys. In the Occupation column, Bennie is listed as employed at a hardware store and Otis is listed as (what looks like) well drill.
Clara and Benny's daughter Lila B. (Snook) and Lena and Otis' daughter Frances L. (Paulson) held a high resemblance to one another -- looked like twins.
More About Otis Severson and Lena Bjordal:
Marriage: 14 Dec 1909, Erwin, Kingsbury County, South Dakota
