In the records in Norway Dorthea is recorded as Dordi. The Norwegian records also say that Dorthea was born on the Anmarkrud farm in Nord Aurdal, Valdres, Norway. Dorthea came to America on the ship "Galathea", it left Bergen, Norway on June 6th or 7th, 1865 and landed in Quebec, Canada on July 18, 1865. According to a journal kept by another passenger on the ship, they left Bergen and went out to sea and did not see land again until July 10th when they came close to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Dorthea was a midwife. It is said she delivered up to 500 babies. The last baby she delivered was her daughter, Dena's youngest child, Mildred Skarpness Wendt on 10-25-1928. Dorthea also helped care for many people who were ailing. An interesting fact is that both Dorthea and her sister Ida were midwives.
Obituary, Pope County Tribune, Oct. 2, 1941: Mrs. Dorthea Clauson, one of Pope county's earliest settlers, and a resident of the couty for 70 years, died at her home in Gilchrist township, at 8:20 PM Saturday, Sept. 13th. She had been confined to bed for the last seven months but started failing the most the very last week. It was complications of old age.
Dorthea Anderson was born in North Aurdahl, Valdris, Norway, on Nov. 1, 1857, daughter of Nils and Raghild Anderson and was 83 years, 10 months and 3 days old at the time of her death.
She immigrated to this country with her folks at the age of 7 years; in the year of 1864 and first came to Dane county, Wis., where they lived for 7 years. Then they moved to our state, Minnesota, homesteading in Langhei for ? years, after that made their home on a farm near Simon Lake which they bought, and there is where she lived the rest of her life. She was baptized in Norway by Rev. Brodahl. She attended the rural schools in Minnesota, and was confirmed up at Lake Johanna by Rev. Rekve. Dorthea Anderson was united in marriage to Knute Clauson of Pope county at Glenwood, Minnesota, the 26th of December, 1879. And nine children were born to this union. Her husband preceded her in death January 13, 1930. Mr. and Mrs. Clauson celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversay in the Rolling Forks Church parlors in the year of 1929. Mrs. Clauson was an active member of the Ladies Aid, until her health began to fail. She was also a mid-wife, and took care of more that 280 confinement cases, thru her life and was always willing to help sick people of any kind. Mrs. Dorthea Clauson is survived by seven children, namely: Mrs. Albert (Rosie) Nelson and Nils Clauson at home; Mrs. H.J. (Anne) Lee, Sunburg; Mrs. Oluf (Mary) Hanson, Brooten; Mrs. John (Dina) Skarpness, Murdock; Andrew Clauson, Brooten; Alfred Clauson of Brooten. Two of her sons preceded her in death, Claus in 1929 and Nils who died in infancy. Her parents, two brothers and two sisters preceded her in death. She is survived by 27 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Sept. 17th from the home at 1 o'clock and at the Rolling Forks Church at 2 o'clock. Rev. Rohne officiated. Burial was made in the Rolling Forks cemetery. Among those who attended from a distance were: Mrs. Anne Knutson, Mr. Russell Knutson, and Donna Gates from Starbuck; Mr. and Mrs. T. Lage, Mr. and Mrs. Christ Nelson and Mr. and Mrs. Lageson of Brooten. Have patience and endure; This unhappiness will one day be beneficial. Blessed be her final rest.
From the Baptised in Aurdal records: Født: 01.11.1857 Døypt: 01.01.1858 Barn førenavn: Daortea Far førenavn: Nils Farfars førenavn: Anders Gard: Anmarkrud Mor førenavn: Ragnild Morfars førenavn: Lage