Monday, October 28, 2013
Haldis Sofie Burkhart Kramer –
She was born Haldis Sofie Edvardsen July 28, 1910 in Gaasoeya, in Vesteraalen, Nordland, Norway. Her parents were: father, Marcelius Johan Edvardsen, a fisherman and mother, Mathilde Pauline Anker Fredriksdatter, a housewife. She grew up on this small island in northern Norway and married Trygve Gerhard Johannessen (b. Jul 16, 1907 – Mar. 19, 1981) in 1929. They moved to Klo in Vesteraalen, Nordland, Norway, where they had 7 children. 3 sons and 4 daughters. (1. Georg Marcelius (1929) 2. Olav Einar (1933) 3. Gudmund Magnor (1934) 4. Ellinor Sofie (1936-2010) 5. Olga Bjorg (1939) 6. Turid Harriet (1940) 7. Gerd Ragnhild.(1948)). After WWII they moved their family to Bergen, Norway and in 1957 immigrated to the USA. All their 7 children immigrated as well to the USA during the 1950’s. Haldis and her husband became US citizens in 1963 and resided in Azusa, California until 1968. She worked as a seamstress in California. They moved to Warrenton, Oregon in 1968. She worked a short time at the canneries in Astoria, Oregon. In the late 1970’s they built a home in Shelton, Washington, where Trygve Gerhard Johannessen died in 1981.
After Haldis lost her husband, she moved to Norway in 1983, where she met her second husband, Haakon Fosse (b. 1913 – d. 2005). They were married in 1983 and lived in Lillehammer, Norway until 1993 when they moved and built a new home in Leirvik, Norway. Haldis and Haakon enjoyed traveling. They would take long trips to the USA together. They drove across the lower 48 states (east to west) and spent months aboard at a time. Haakon died in Hemnesberget, Norway in 2005. Haldis sold their home and moved back to Shelton, Washington in 2006. She lived at Alpine Way Assisted Living where she met her third husband, Clyde Burkhart (b. unknown – d. 2009). They were married in March 2007. She was 96 years old at the time. They were only married for a short time when Clyde passed away. Haldis and Clyde also enjoyed travelling, eating out and fishing trips. They were often in Oregon visiting family. In November 2010, Haldis married her fourth husband, Richard Kramer (b. unknown – d. 2012). She was now over 100 years old and going strong! Richard died not long after they were married. She lived alone then at the Alpine Way Assisted Living until she died on October 15, 2013.
She was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and studied the bible daily. She enjoyed traveling, sewing, cooking and baking. She had 7 children, 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, 15 great-great-grandchildren.
There are many happy memories of our days spent at Grandmother’s house in Azusa, California and in Warrenton, Oregon. We enjoyed many family gatherings, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas or just spending a special weekend alone with her.
She had a long life and was blessed in many ways, both with many husbands, children, and their children’s children, but also with the fact that she was loved by many. She will be missed. Thank you for many wonderful memories Grandmother. Rest in Peace!
Your loving granddaughter Anita and grandson Stig.
