My aunt Florence was in Colorado for Thanksgiving and gave this photo to me. Both my grandparents are in this photo, although Florence thinks it was taken before they were married. It appears to be the youth of the Swedish Mission Church in Ceresco, perhaps in about 1921 (Grandpa and Grandma were married in 1923).
Before Grandma passed away, Florence had her identify everyone in the photo. She captured a lot of bonus information, such as married and maiden names, nicknames, and how they’re related to others in the community. What a treasure!
[UPDATE: I re-scanned this photo to get improved resolution.]
Click on the photo to enlarge.
Front row:
Charlie Erickson, Ida Nelson (sister to Harry & Willie), Hilma Anderson (Mrs. Charlie Nelson), Fred Mostrom (Car & Ruth’s dad), Pastor F.O. Gustafson, Adrian Engstrom (Lloyd, Verlie and Norma’s dad), Esther Erickson (never married), Iva Bendz (2nd cousin to Clarinda and Ruth M.), Carl Johnson (“Old Carl”).
Middle row:
Ruth Hanson, Ruth Mostrom, Charinda Hanson, Josie Peterson (friend of Aunt Minnie), Mrs. Charlie Erickson (Joe Nelson’s sister), Elida Swanson (Mr.s Adam Laden, Francis’ mom), Mabel Anderson (Mrs. Arvid Swanson), Esther Johnson (Mrs. Harry Hansen), Effie Nelson (Harry & Willie’s sister), Esther Malmgren, Ida Johnson (Mrs. Einer Holmberg, Merlin’s aunt), Mabel Hanson.
Back row:
Harry Erickson, Lawrence Rudeen, Ivan Anderson (uncle to Wayne & Bud), Joe Nordgren, Arvid Swanson, harry Nelson (Ronnie & Gerry’s dad), Charlie Nelson (Howard’s dad), Fred Anderson (Wayne & Bud’s dad), Willie Nelson (Loraine & Bev’s dad).
Here’s a close-up of Grandpa and Grandma. The photo is not in good focus. I would not have recognized Grandpa without Florence’s identification.
Great job Karen!!!!!! And also Florence! Very good picture.
I looked for my dad, but he was kind of a dude then, working for the UPRR in Salt Lake. He didn’t have long though; married by Pastor Gustafson in 1923, too.