Bio: Lauen, Isak and Gurine
Contact: Lori Lauen

Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

----Sources: Written by Lori Lauen (Wife of Isak and Gurine's grandson, Everett Lauen, who passed away 22 Jun 1998)

Lauen, Isak and Gurine

Isak (Isaac) Torkelson Lauen was born 21 Jan 1865 in Eikeland, Hægebostad sogn, Vest-Agder, Norway and baptized same place on 12 Mar 1865. He was the son of Torkel Olson Bakken and Talina Ånensdatter.

Isak came from Norway to Wisconsin about 1890. I am not sure about his location at that time. He went back to Norway and married Gurine Tobiasdatter Hundeland 1 Jul 1898 in Lauen, Hægebostad, Vest-Agder, Norway. Gurine was born 4 Feb 1881 in Hundeland, Hægebostad, Vest-Agder, Norway and baptized same place on 10 Apr 1881. Her parents were Tobias Ånensen Hundeland and Anna Rasmusdatter.

Isak and Gurine immigrated from Norway to Ellis Island, New York leaving Kristiansand, Norway six days after their wedding on 6 Jul 1898. They left Liverpool, England 16 Jul 1898 and arrived at the Barge Office, New York on 25 Jul 1898.

Isak and Gurine bought land at Eidsvold from Melvin and Julia Nye 20 Apr 1899. Their land location was SW ¼ of NE ¼ Section & SE ¼ of NW ¼ Section Section 28 Township 29 North of Range 4 except for 3 acres occupied by the cemetery. I am not sure where they lived from Jul 1898 until Apr 1899 but presume in Eidsvold.

While living in Eidsvold, Isak and Gurine had five children: Lena born Aug 1899, William born 1901, Albert born 10 Jul 1903, Oscar born 1905 and Clarence born 12 Aug 1907. Isak and Gurine sold their land to Martin Tomkowiak 10 May 1909 and moved to Weldon, Saskatchewan, Canada where Isak bought land and took up farming there. They added four more daughters to their family: Gertie born 16 Dec 1909, Mildred born 29 Feb 1912, Agnes born 5 Jul 1914 and Anna born 12 Aug 1916.

Shortly after their last daughter was born they had many sad times hit their home. Isak passed away 20 Mar 1917, Lena passed away 27 May 1919 and William passed away 10 Nov 1921. They had a house fire in 1923 and Oscar passed away 5 Dec 1935. Gurine continued to farm her land and look after her children after the death of Isak. She looked after her grandson as well in her later years.

Gurine passed away 4 Jan 1965 in Parkland Hospital in Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada. The remaining children passed away: Albert 6 Jul 1976, Clarence 12 Aug 1989, Gertie 6 Apr 1987, Mildred 1 Apr 2002, Agnes 26 Jun 1996 and Anna 4 Nov 1999. All of the family are buried at the Weldon Lutheran Cemetery with the exception of William buried at Fort San, Saskatchewan and Clarence buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery close to Kinistino, Saskatchewan.

The house fire resulted in many lost pictures and probably many from Isak and Gurine’s time in Eidsvold. I have only one picture of that time period.

The top photo below is Isak and Gurine Lauen, Lena standing, Isak holding William. Taken about 1902 when Isak and Gurine lived at Eidsvold.

The bottom photo is Gurine Lauen holding grandson Everett Lauen at farm by Weldon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Taken winter of 1947/1948.