Caledonia Argus

Posted: 6/9/04

Beulah Solberg

Beulah O. Bearson Solberg died at the Barthell Eastern Star Home in Decorah, IA on Friday, June 4, 2004. Beulah was born September 29, 1904 on a farm near Lanesboro next to the Esltad Lutheran Church to Henry O. and Gena (Nelson) Bearson. She was baptized on Nov. 7, 1904 at the Elstad Church and confirmed in the Lutheran faith on November 24, 1918 at the Whalan Lutheran church.

Her education was in the rural schools and she attended a rural school during the summer to learn the Norwegian language. As a young woman she worked at the Langlie Olson and Fladager Department Store in Lanesboro and the G B Ellestad Jewelry Store. At the department store she was known as the ìNorwegian Girlî as she could assist customers who could only speak Norwegian. This assured her of continual employment throughout the quiet months at the store.

She married Paul L. Solberg of Lanesboro on September 20, 1932 in Rushford. They lived in Lanesboro where Paul worked at the Solberg Meat Market. In 1935 they moved to Harmony after purchasing a restaurant there. When this was sold they purchased a restaurant in Houston and were in business there for forty years.

Beulah served as a dispatcher for many years after retirement. She arranged transportation for senior citizens for their medical appointments. She also was instrumental in the establishment of senior center in Houston where meals were served five days a week. One of her favorite activities was delivering meals on wheels. She became a member of the Houston Presbyterian Church. Beulah has been a resident of the Barthell Eastern Star Home in Decorah for the past two years.

Survivors include her two children: Dagmar (Carrol) Anderson, Decorah, IA and Earl (Joan) Solberg, Grand Rapids, MI; nine grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild; many nieces and nephews; and two sisters-in-law.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Paul, sister, Bjula, an infant sister, four brothers, Oscar, Herman, Bernard and Martin and their wives.

Services are Thursday, June 10, at 11 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lanesboro. Burial is in the Lanesboro Cemetery. Visitation is Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. at Hoff Funeral Homes - Houston Chapel.

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