Barebo Engebretsdtr Torset (1848-1940)

Barebo Engebretsdtr Torset was born on 09 Mar 1848 in Endredokken, Skar, Hemsedal, Norway, as the only child of Engebret Asleson Torset and Berget Ingvalsdtr Grondal. Her mother was a widow when she married Barebo’s dad. So, Barebo had four half-siblings as a result of the marriage of Berget Ingalsdtr Grondal and Endre Oddmundson Oygarde. The siblings were Barebo Endresdtr, Ingvar Endreson, Kari Endreson and Oddmund Endreson (who had died before Barebo’s birth).

Barebo Engebretsdtr Torset was baptized on 26 Mar 1848 in Gol Parish. She was confirmed in the Lutheran faith.  Note that her name has been spelled a variety of ways. In various records, she is listed as Barebo, Barbro, Barbo and Barbara. Also note, that her year of birth has been listed differently on different records. 1848 seems most accurate, but as you’ll see later, her tombstone disagrees.

In the spring of 1864, her parents decided to immigrate to America with their three daughters and join their son, Ingvar Endreson, who had immigrated three years earlier. The family settled in Newry Township, Freeborn, Minnesota. Barebo was about 16-years old when she got to Minnesota. There was no public school at the time, so, in order to learn to speak English, she was hired out as a housemaid to an American family.

When she was 22, she married Björn Christianson Rukke, son of Christian Oleson Rukke and Ragnild Bjornsdtr Skolt, on 10 Jul 1870 in Mower, Minnesota, USA.

Björn Christianson Rukke and Barebo Engebretsdtr Torset had the following children:

1. Ragnild Christianson was born on 03 Jun 1871 in Udolpho, Mower, Minnesota. She married Anton A Dalager on 27 May 1893 in Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church, Austin, Mower, Minnesota. She died on 06 Feb 1969 in St. Mark’s Nursing Home, Austin, Mower, Minnesota at age 97.
2. Mary Christianson was born on 30 Oct 1872 in Udolpho, Mower, Minnesota.  She married Andrew Ole Erickson Basness on 16 Jun 1906 in Mower, Minnesota. She died on 10 Apr 1964 in Austin, Mower, Minnesota at age 91.
3. Christian Bennett Christianson was born on 28 Sep 1874 in Udolpho, Mower, Minnesota. He married Bertha H Stemson on 05 Mar 1898 in Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church, Austin, Mower, Minnesota. He died on 01 Jan 1961 in Austin, Mower, Minnesota at age 86.
4. Ingebret B Christianson was born on 31 Oct 1876 in Udolpho, Mower, Minnesota. He married Betsy Egtvedt on 17 Mar 1905 in Austin, Mower, Minnesota. He died on 28 Jul 1968 in Sacred Heart Hospice, Austin, Mower, Minnesota at age 91.
5. Jorgine Caroline Christianson was born on 09 Jun 1879 in Udolpho, Mower, Minnesota. She married Martin Oliver Benson on 13 May 1905 in Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church, Austin, Mower, Minnesota. She died on 27 Jan 1956 in Blooming Prairie, Steele, Minnesota at age 76.
6. Clara Bertina Christianson was born on 27 Apr 1881 in Udolpho, Mower, Minnesota. She died on 02 Jun 1959 in St. Olaf Hospital, Austin, Mower, Minnesota at age 78.
7. Lena Randina Christianson was born on 22 Apr 1883 in Udolpho, Mower, Minnesota. She married George Bennett Benson on 18 Jun 1907 in Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church, Austin, Mower, Minnesota. She died on 27 Jan 1972 in St. Mark’s Lutheran Home, Austin, Mower, Minnesota at age 88.
8. Maline Christianson was born on 28 Feb 1885 in Udolpho, Mower, Minnesota. She died on 19 Nov 1938 in Austin, Mower, Minnesota at age 53.
9. Inga Oline Christianson was born on 25 Feb 1887 in Udolpho, Mower, Minnesota. She died on 07 Jul 1982 in St. Mark’s Lutheran Home, Austin, Mower, Minnesota at age 95.
10. Bennett Marebo Christianson was born on 02 Mar 1889 in Udolpho, Mower, Minnesota.  He married Arthina Kruger on 19 Mar 1919 in Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church, Austin, Mower, Minnesota. He died on 15 Dec 1990 in Prairie Manor Nursing Home, Blooming Prairie, Steele, Minnesota at age 101.

Barebo and Björn bought a farm from his parents. The worked and raised their family in Udolpho Township, Mower, Minnesota. They were active in Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church.

In 1920, Barebo and Björn celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

In 1932, Barebo lost her husband. She moved from the farm in Udolpho Township into the town of Austin to live with her daughters for the last seven years of her life. Barebo Engebretsdtr Torset Christianson died on 31 Jan 1940 in Austin, Mower, Minnesota. She was buried in Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church Cemetery, Austin, Mower, Minnesota.

Where is she in the tree?

How can I learn more?

If you want to learn more, the Christianson book will be of interest.

The Christianson Family