Cemeteries

One of the lesser-known ministries of First United Methodist is the maintenance of 4 rural cemeteries. First UMC became the caretaker of these cemeteries as a result of the closing of the churches at these locations and transfer of membership to First UMC or other churches.

Vasa Swedish Methodist Cemetery

The Vasa Swedish Methodist congregation was organized in 1860 but land was not purchased for a building until 1883. The church building stood near the road. Services were held until 1939. The building was sold to Mardell and Darwin Bartlett in 1987 and moved 5 miles to their property.

The name seen most often on the markers is Anderson. The first burial was Carrie Anderson in 1860 and the next burial was Arthur M Anderson in 1867. The most recent burial was Roy B Anderson in 1979. Some names besides the usual Nelson, Larson, Peterson, Olson, and Christianson that you'd expect to see are Fjerstad, Hagman, Dahlberg, Estman, Norell, and Sundell. There are 3 veterans buried here but only Floyd Anderson who died in 1926 is legible. Names on early gravestones identified men prominently, but often children under 2 were only listed as baby and women's names were not completed. One stone lists Mrs. Chistina who died in 1927 and next to her is J.A. Norell (presumably her husband).

This cemetery has several interestingly shaped markers. There are 3 pillar type stones topped with an urn. The Sundell family marker is a tall pillar with an open top vessel draped with a towel. The most unusual marker may be a topless tree trunk with vines and broken branches. It marks the grave of Dr. Hans Brynildsen, his wife Helen Rollis Brynildsen, and their children. Dr. Brynildsen was the doctor at the Vasa Children's Home which still stands today. The etching on most stones is on the west side, but a few are marked on the east. Many stones are no longer legible, but might be if a rubbing is done. There was a huge cedar tree on the west side of the cemetery and a huge cottonwood tree that marked the driveway, but they were destroyed in a tornado that hit July 10, 2008.

This cemetery is easy to find. Travel highway #19 west toward Cannon Falls. The location is a short distance west and is visible from the intersection of Cty 51 Blvd and Hwy 19. The cemetery will be on your left.

The congregation was organized in 1868 and a church building was constructed in 1877. The congregation was on a circuit with the Vasa Swedish Methodist congregation. Services were held until the early 1900's. The building was sold in 1924 and was moved to the Herbert Fredrickson farm in rural Goodhue.

There are 50 graves in this cemetery. Two of these are veterans who served in the Civil War. Swan Swanson served as a Sargent in Company E of the 43rd Regular Illinois Volunteer Infantry from 1861-1865. He was born October 10, 1837 and died July 24, 1903. John Swanson was a part of Volunteer Company H of Minnesota and served from 1862-1864. John was born October 21, 1843 and died June 15, 1898. The most recent burial was Mary Ericson, who along with her husband Joyce, was a member of this congregation and then transferred to First UMC. Mary was a member of Ruth Circle and died in 1997.

Alternate directions to the cemetery: If you come on Highway 58 and don't mind driving on gravel, you can turn west onto County 52 Blvd, which becomes 360th St. when it crosses County Rd #6. If you come County #1, west to County #6, south to 360th west, a right turn continuing to 190th Ave south, then a left turn. The cemetery will be on your left about 1/2 mile from 360th.

This cemetery remains from a Norwegian Methodist congregation that was organized in 1858. The congregation met in homes and the school until a building was erected in 1875 near the center of the township. Services were held until the early 1920's. The old gate with the date 1875 remains at the entrance to the cemetery.

The most NE marker is shared by 2 children of H. H. and Mary Knudson. A sheep symbolizes John who died at 3 months and a dove symbolizes Carolina who was 3 years and 3 months old at death. Mrs. Herman Hanson buried 5 children: Anton 1857-1859 (likely the first burial), Hans Anton 1859-1861, Hans Adolf 1862-1863, Marvin Otto 1869-1870, and Cora Wilhelmine 1877-1877.

There are 3 veterans buried here: John Danielson CO B 7 Minnesota Infantry, Hans Danielson 7 Reg CO C Volunteer Infantry, and Amund Larson CO D 2nd Minnesota Infantry.

The last burial was Caroline Knutson born in 1863 and died in 1938.

Names of persons buried are Danielson, Larson, Olson, Nelson, Swan, Ericson, and Knudson which probably was changed to Knutson.

There is a series of 4 rectangular markers: 1 plain, 1 with a closed book on top, 1 with an open book on top, and 1 with an open book and cord with tassel on top. Mary Swan's marker is a tree trunk with an open book on top. Urns top a couple of markers. Other carvings on markers are clasped hands, a crown, gates, and a few a carved with sayings. A newer marker in the shape of a heart is placed between 2 graves and faces N-S rather than the traditional E -W direction.

Location of the cemetery is 1 mile West of County Blvd 2 (formerly County Road 2) on 370th St. It can also be reached 5 miles East of Highway 58 taking a left on 370th Street near Goodhue. (370th is a gravel road.)