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Bertha Maria “Mary” Madsen Hansen

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Birth	:	16 Feb 1822 Lynge, Sorø Kommune, Sjælland, Denmark
Death	:	3 Jan 1897 Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Hardin Township Cemetery, McClelland, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.2949982, -95.6513977
Inscription	:	"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
Description	:	DIED. HANSEN. Sr. Bertha Mary Hansen was born February 16, 1822, and died January 3, 1897. The deceased was born in Denmark and on May 7, 1843, was united in marriage with Hans Hansen. She united with the church in 1851, and with her husband came to America in 1857, landing in Florence or at Winter Quarters. They remained here [sic] about three weeks and then repaired to the Iowa side of the river, locating in Pottawattamie County where they have ever since resided. They repudiated the assumptive leadership of Brigham Young and on the advent of the... Read More	DIED. HANSEN. Sr. Bertha Mary Hansen was born February 16, 1822, and died January 3, 1897. The deceased was born in Denmark and on May 7, 1843, was united in marriage with Hans Hansen. She united with the church in 1851, and with her husband came to America in 1857, landing in Florence or at Winter Quarters. They remained here [sic] about three weeks and then repaired to the Iowa side of the river, locating in Pottawattamie County where they have ever since resided. They repudiated the assumptive leadership of Brigham Young and on the advent of the elders of the Reorganization they willingly obeyed. She was privileged to see all her children except one grow to manhood and womanhood, the majority of whom have united with the church. She was quiet and inoffensive and if there lives one who is her enemy we know it not. Funeral services by T.W. Williams. Interment in Hardin Township cemetery, Pottawattamie County, Iowa. SOURCE: The Saints' Herald. VOL 44, February 3, 1897, p. 80 HUSBAND: Hans Hansen m. 7 May 1843 Denmark CHILDREN: 1. Frederick Arthur Hansen m. Elisabeth Bassett m. Mary Jane Wilson 2. Dr. Hans "John Harvey" Hansen m. Anna Elizabeth Turnbow 3. Maria "Mary" Hansen m. Peter Hans Wind 4. Ola "Oliver" Hansen m. Sarah Wilson 5. Erastusina "Sarah" Hansen m. John Priest Carlile 6. Haightina Hansen b. 1856 – d. bef Handcart Trek 7. John "Kennedy Hector" Hansen m. Ida Agnes Jackson 8. Caroline Tena Hansen m. John Thomas Clark 9. Julia E Hansen m. James Peter Christensen (divorced) Mary had a difficult and adventuresome life. Her story is a witness to the integrity and willingness to sacrifice all known comfort for the love of God and family. In 1851, Copenhagen, Denmark, Mary and Hans converted to Mormonism. Along with other new believers, they felt led to move to Zion, which was interpreted at the time as Utah. On April 18, 1857, with five children in tow, they boarded the L.N.Hvidt, a new type of ship called a steamer. Their son, Frederick, recalled that as the ship was leaving the dock its passengers began to sing praises, for they were on their way to live in God's Kingdom. Upon arriving in the United States, they were told about other families trying to get to Utah but who didn't have the funds. Although the Hansens were part of a group that had enough money for wagons and other small comforts on their trek westward, they decided to walk with handcarts in order for the extra money be used to help others. The Hansens were one of the 7th Handcart Company families that trekked by foot across the West to Utah. Due to the extreme conditions, Mary became sickly. Someone must have believed she would probably expire anyway. She was set in the prairie to die, without telling her husband, as the group continued west. Hans found out that evening when the pioneer Saints circled the handcarts and animals for the night. He immediately returned for her and found she was not alone but with a couple other sickly women. All were brought back to camp (Mary lived twenty years more). Mary told her son, Frederick, that she knew his father would come back for her. It was shortly afterwards that the Hansen family left the Company in Winter Quarters, Nebraska, recrossing the Missouri River to settle in Iowa. When the family arrived in what is now Council Bluffs, in 1861, they joined others who had reorganized the believers who had either not joined Brigham Young's leadership or had rejected it by leaving Utah. This church was led by Joseph Smith III, the son of Joseph Smith, Jr.. Hans was ordained an elder within that group. They found consolation there and remained faithful to their God and community. Hans' and Mary's children Frederick, Hans, Maria, Ole, Erastusina and Haightina were born in Denmark. The children were 12, 10, 8, 6, 3 and an infant during the voyage. The remaining children were born in the Council Bluffs area. The couple had over fifty years of companionship when Mary left Hans a widower. FURTHER INFORMATION: 1. 1855 Denmark Census Name: Birthe Marie Madsen Gender: Kvinde (Female) Marital Status: Gift (Married) Age: 33 Birth Date: 1822 Birth Place: Lynge, Sorø Amt Residence Date: 1855 Residence Place: Ishøj, Smørum, København (Kobenhavn), Danmark (Denmark) Relationship: Kone (Wife) Religion: Lutheran Page number: 24 Family Number: 139 Entry Number: A4371 Household Members Age Relationship Hans Hansen, 37 Husfader (Head) Birthe Marie Madsen 33 Kone (Wife) Frederik Hansen, 11 Barn (Child) Hans Hansen, 7 Barn (Child) Maren Hansen, 6 Barn (Child) Ole Hansen, 4 Barn (Child) Sidse Hansen, 1 Barn (Child)

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Bertha Maria “Mary” Madsen Hansen's memorial?
Bertha Maria “Mary” Madsen Hansen's memorial is located at: Hardin Township Cemetery, McClelland, Pottawattamie County, USA.
When did Bertha Maria “Mary” Madsen Hansen death?
Bertha Maria “Mary” Madsen Hansen death on 3 Jan 1897 in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Bertha Maria “Mary” Madsen Hansen's memorial?
Latitude: 41.2949982
Longitude: -95.6513977

Family Members:

Spouse

Hans Hansen

(1811 - 1901)

Children

Frederick Hansen

(1844 - 1932)

Maria "Mary" Hansen Wind

(1849 - 1921)

Sarah Erastusina Hansen Carlile

(1854 - 1924)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Hardin Township Cemetery
McClelland, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2949982, -95.6513977

2. Pottawattamie County Home Cemetery
McClelland, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3269400, -95.6691738

3. Saint Paul Lutheran Cemetery
Treynor, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2322000, -95.6380000

4. Downsville Cemetery
Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3502998, -95.7039032

5. Zion Congregational Cemetery
Treynor, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2325090, -95.6079200

6. Fairview Pioneer Cemetery
Treynor, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2812843, -95.5555267

7. Saint Columbanus Cemetery
Weston, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3429440, -95.7435260

8. H G Fisher Cemetery
Underwood, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3838997, -95.6889038

9. Jones - Williams Cemetery
Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3761000, -95.5846000

10. Stoker-Graybill Cemetery
Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2532620, -95.7751770

11. Keg Creek Township Cemetery
Treynor, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1913986, -95.6893997

12. Garner Cemetery
Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2956161, -95.8001709

13. Gregg Cemetery
Weston, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3330000, -95.7931000

14. Hazel Dell Cemetery
Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3489723, -95.7939911

15. Castor Cemetery
Underwood, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4127040, -95.6887490

16. Cedar Lawn Cemetery
Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2694016, -95.8182983

17. Saint Joseph Cemetery
Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2722015, -95.8208008

18. Green Valley Cemetery
Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2743988, -95.8225021

19. Zion Cemetery
Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.1778000, -95.7272000

20. Oak Hill Cemetery
Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2700900, -95.8226400

21. Bikhor Cholim Cemetery
Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2703670, -95.8229350

22. Walnut Hill Cemetery
Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2719002, -95.8255997

23. Clark Cemetery
Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2551610, -95.8223390

24. Ridgewood Cemetery
Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2694016, -95.8272018