SELMA (NELSON) BERGLOFF

Selma (Nelson) Bergloff gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. December 22, 1906 in Clearwater, Wright County, MN
D. March 22, 1959 in Lake County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: Sveinung “Sam” Nelson born August 24, 1880 in Telemarken, Norway; Sam died December 6, 1936 in Greenwood Township, Clearwater County, MN; buried in United Lutheran Cemetery, Winsor Township, Clearwater County, MN

According to the Findagrave.com webpage, Memorial ID 45274648, Maintained by: Mavon:

“Sam Nelson 1880-1936) – Sam Nelson, Greenwood Township farmer, and a resident of that community for the past 18 years, died at his home Sunday, December 5th at the age of 54 years. He had been failing in health for the past five years.  Funeral services were conducted Wednesday afternoon of last week by Rev. Livingston of Clearbrook at the Bethany church.  Interment was made in the Bethany Cemetery.  Nelson was born in Telemarken, Norway, August 4, 1880 and came to the United States in 1902.  After residing at Bemidji for two years he homesteaded near Leonard and in 1918 bought his presented farm in Greenwood Township.  Surviving are his wife, four daughters, Mrs. Oluf Clemenson of Pengilly, Mrs. Ed Bergloff, Chicago, Gunda and Esther Nelson, of Gonvick, and three sons, Gunvald of Crookston and Nils and Edwin of Gonvick.  One daughter, Mrs. Anton Lindom, passed away in 1930.  Mr. Nelson is also survived by two sisters and three brothers, all of whom with the exception of one brother, reside in Norway.  Ed Nelson lives at St. Vincent.”

  • Mother: Anborg (Oland) Nelson born March 5, 1876 in Homdrom, Norway; Anborg died April 26, 1957 in Clearwater County, MN; buried in United Lutheran Cemetery, Winsor Township, Clearwater County, MN

According to the Findagrave.com webpage, Memorial ID 45273923, Maintained by: Mavon:

“Anborg Nelson 1876-1957 – Funeral services were held for Mrs. Sam Nelson Thursday, May 2, at the United Lutheran Church near Gonvick. Pastor E.M. Berg was in charge of the service.  Burial was made in the church cemetery.  Anborg Oland Nelson was born March 5, 1876, at Telemarken, Norway, a daughter of Bergit and Gjermund Oland.  Educated in Norway, she was a graduate of the Oslo Teachers College.  She was married to Sam Nelson at Gjovedal, Norway.  Surviving are the following children; Bertha Clemenson, Gonvick; Nels Nelson, Gonvick; (Selma) Mrs. Ed Bergloff, Round Lake, Illinois; Gunval Nelson, Seattle, Washington; Mrs. Allen Brue (Gunda) Clearbrook; Mrs. John Allen (Esther) Chicago; and Edwin Nelson, Nashwauk.  Pallbearers at the funeral were Adolph Wagner, Albert Halvorson, Guy Churness, Christ Olson, John Sundal and Matt Berg.”

  • Husband: Gustav Edwin “Cotton Top” Bergloff married on August 5, 1931 in Cook County, IL; Gustav was born March 18, 1903 in Ludvika, Ludivika kommun, Darlanaslän, Sweden; Gustav died January 6, 1991 in Round Lake Beach, Lake County, IL (See section pertaining to Gustav Edwin “Cotton Top” Bergloff buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
  • Children:
    1. Edwin Carl Bergloff born on June 23, 1931 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; Navy Korean Veteran (1951-1953); married Joyce Diane Pittelkow; Edwin died May 30, 1974 in Roanoke, Roanke County, VA; buried in Avon Cemetery, Round Lake, Lake County, IL
    2. Dolores (Bergloff) Thompson born January 3, 1933 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; married Paris “Tom” Thompson
    3. Carol J. (Bergloff) Leber born February 10, 1935 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; married Richard A. “Dick” Leber (1933-2007) on November 14, 1953 in Round Lake, Lake County, IL, son of Edward Leber and Alice (Rubright) Leber; Carol died January 28, 2017

According to the Hamsher Lakeside Funerals and Cremations, Inc, Fox Lake, IL website:

 “Carol J. Leber, 81 of Lake Geneva, formerly of Ingleside and Round Lake, passed away Saturday, January 28, 2017.  She was born February 10, 1935, in Chicago, to the late Gustav “Ed” and Selma (nee Nelson) Bergloff.  Carol married the late Richard A. “Dick” Leber, Sr. on November 14, 1953, in Round Lake.  
   Carol was a business owner in Round Lake co-owing (sic) the Sinclair Gas Station and Repair Shop in Round Lake, the R&C Corral Restaurant in McHenry with her husband.  She also worked at National Tea in Fox Lake as a checker and in produce and Thornton’s in Round Lake, and Wilson Liquors in Ingleside all the while plotting her next business endeavor.  For a time, Carol and Dick lived in Birnamwood, WI, where they owned a rustic campground and a restaurant on their property. 
   Survivors include her son, Richard A. “Rick” (Michelle), Jr. of Volo; grandchildren, Lauren Freye (Mike), Kurt Leber, and DeeAnne Leber (fiance, Richard Peter); great-grandson, Branden Leber; siblings, Dolores Thompson of Phoenix, AZ, and Melvin (Grave) Bergloff of Shelbyville, TN; sister-in-law, Joyce Bergloff of Roanoke, VA; 18 nieces and nephews: Pamela Overstreet (Charles), Guy Bergloff (Cheryl), James Bergloff (Susan), Penny Dupre (Jeffery), Debra Camden (Robert), Daniel Thompson, Eydie Abernathy, John Thompson (Allison), Cheryl Ritter (Jeffery), Kenneth Bergloff, Jr. (Gayla), Mary Shelton, Deborah Alanis (Federico), April Wong, Karen Raymond, Melvin Bergloff, Jr., Scott Bergloff (Kelly), Erik Bergloff (Tina) Keith Bergloff (Dawn); 38 great-nieces and nephews, comprising Generation Four; and 17 great-great-nieces and nephews, comprising Generation Five.  
   In addition to her parents and husband, Carol was preceded in death by her siblings, Edwin Bergloff, Jr. (Joyce) and Kennth Bergloff, Sr. (Patricia), sister-in-law Patricia Bergloff (nee Eaton), brother-in-law, Paris “Tom” Thompson; niece, Judy Bergloff; and her nephews, Mark Bergloff, Todd Bergloff, and Michael Bergloff.  
   The visitation will be Thursday, February 2, from 4-8 p.m., at Hamsher Lakeside Funerals and Cremations, 12 N. Pistakee Lake Road, Fox Lake.  The funeral service will be Friday, February 3, at 10 a.m., at the funeral home.
   Interment will following in Windridge Memorial Park, Cary.
   You may leave online condolences for the family at www.HamsherLakeside.com, or call 847-587-2100, for information.”

4. Kenneth Dale Bergloff born January 11, 1938 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; married Patricia M. Eaton (1940-2010), daughter of Stanley F. Eaton (1911-1971) and Kathleen P. (Semerau) Eaton (1913-2009); Kenneth died December 17, 2004; last residence in Round Lake, Lake County, IL; ; Patricia is buried in the Ascension Catholic Cemetery, Libertyville, Lake County, IL

According to the Legacy.com website for Patricia M. Bergloff:

   “Patricia M. Bergloff (nee Eaton), 70, of Round Lake Beach, died unexpectedly March 7.
   She was born March 6, 1940, in Chicago and had been a resident of Round Lake Beach since 1949.  She was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She was a strong, caring person whose greatest joy was spending time with family.
   Patricia leaves her daughter Cheryl (Jeff) Ritter of Menomonie, Wis.; her son, Ken Jr. (Gaela) Bergloff of Genoa City, Wis.; her daughter Mary Shelton of Ingleside; her daughter Debbie (Fred) Alanis of Johnsburg; her daughter April Wong of Grayslake; her grandchildren, Melissa (John) Rist, Beth Martell, Rachel (Brad) Greiner, Meagan, Mark, and Derek Bergloff, Nick Dowell, Adam Shelton, Eli, Noah, Elliot and Zane Alanis, and Olivia and Evan Wong; her great-grandchildren, Jacob Martell, Charlie Trinchetilla and one due in April; her brother, Robert (Carole) Eaton of Antioch; and many nieces and nephews.
   She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ken Bergloff Sr.; two sons, Mark and Michael Bergloff; her brother, Dennis Eaton; and her parents, Stanley and Kathleen Eaton.  Friends of the family visited March 10 at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium in Grayslake.
   The funeral mass will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 11, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 114 N. Lincoln Ave., in Round Lake.
   Interment will follow the mass at Ascension Cemetery in Libertyville.
   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Froedtert Memorial Hospital Transplant Division, 8700 W. Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226.
   For information, call 847-223-8122 or visit www.strangfuneral.org.
   To plant trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.
   Published by Lake County Suburban Life from Mar. 11 to mar. 17, 2010.”

5. Mel “Jack” Bergloff born about 1940; married Grace Konieczka about 1962; Mel died April 14, 2020

According to the Northwest Herald (Woodstock IL) Friday, April 24, 2020, page 8:

“MEL BERGLOFF
   On April 14, 2020, Mel “Jack” Bergloff left our world unexpectedly.  He was married to Grace (Konieczka) Bergloff for 58 years and together they had five amazing children, Karen (Bergloff) Raymond, Mel Bergloff Jr., Scott (Kelly) Bergloff, Erik (Tina) Bergloff and Keith (Dawn) Bergloff.  He was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather and was cherished by his many nieces and nephews.
   Mel’s siblings, Edwin Bergloff, Carol (Bergloff) Leber and Kenneth Bergloff preceded his departure.  His sister, Dolores (Bergloff) Thompson, survives him.
   Mel had a great sense of humor and loved a good prank.  He loved tinkering in his garage or man cave, as it would come to be called, and truly enjoyed hunting down treasures at yard sales.  He loved sports and was a staunch Minnesota Vikings fan.
   He was unforgettable in so many ways, and we will miss him dearly.  We were fortunate to have had our father and husband as long as we did.
   In lieu of flowers, we would like you to keep your memory of him tucked warmly in your hearts.”

  • Siblings:
    • Bergljot Gelline “Bertha” (Nelson) Clemenson January 9, 1902 in Telemashon, Norway; married Olof Marneius Clemenson (1894-1946) on December 24, 1921; Olaf a U.S. Army veteran WW I; last residence in Gonvick, Clearwater County, MN: Bergljot died November 23, 1983 in Saint Louis County, MN; Bergelott and Olaf are buried in United Lutheran Cemetery, Winsor Township, Clearwater County, MN
    • Nels Nelson born October 4, 1903 in Sinclair Township, Clearwater County, MN; last residence Clearbrook, Clearwater County, MN; Nels died April 14, 1987 in Clearwater County, MN; buried in United Lutheran Cemetery, Winsor Township, Clearwater County, MN
    • Thilda S. “Tillie” (Nelson) Lindom born September 16, 1905; married Anton Lindom (1905-1941); Thilda died April 5, 1930; Thilda and Anton are buried in Seljord Lutheran Church Cemetery, Sinclair Township,  Clearbrook, Clearwater County, MN
    • Gunvald Nelson born May 9, 1910; last residence Seattle, King County, WA; Gunvald died February 7, 1989 in Seattle, King County, WA
    • Gunda Eleanora (Nelson) Brue born January 1, 1913 in Sinclair Township, Clearwater County, MN; married Allen Brue (1915-1964); Gunda died February 18, 1995 Clearbrook, Clearwater County, MN; buried in Greenwood Lutheran Cemetery, Leon Township, Clearwater County, MN

According to the Findagrave.com webpage, Memorial ID 35403345, Maintained by: Mavon:

Gunda Brue 1913-1995 – Gunda Brue, 82 of Clearbrook, died Saturday, February 18, 1995, at the Good Samaritan Center in Clearbrook. She was born January 1, 1913, in Sinclair Township, the daughter of Anborg and Sam Nelson.  She attended the Neving country school in Sinclair Township.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.  She married Allen Brue on November 30, 1946, in Gonvick.  They lived in Greenwood Township and farmed there.  He died on December 22, 1964.  She then worked as a nanny in Seattle and in Minneapolis.  She moved back to Clearbrook into the Brookfield Apartments on May 17, 1983 where she lived until entering the Good Samaritan Center in January 1995.  She was a member of the United Lutheran Church in Bemer, the Greenwood Lutheran Church and a present member of the Good Shephard Lutheran WELCA and was a member of the Good Samaritan Center Auxiliary.  Survivors include numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband; four sisters, Tilda Lindom, Bertha Clemenson, Selma Bergloff and Esther Allen; three brother, Neils, Gunvald and Edwin Nelson.  Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 23, at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, in Clearbrook with the Rev. Gary Boen officiating.  Visitation is one hour before the service at the church.  Interment will be at Greenwood Lutheran Cemetery in Clearbrrok under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home, Bagley.”

    • Esther Alvina (Nelson) Allen born April 15, 1915 in Gonvick, Sinclair Township, Clearwater County, MN; married John Allen in 1955 (?-1977); Esther died January 11, 1991 in Olympia Fields, Cook County, IL; buried in United Lutheran Cemetery, Winsor Township, Clearwater County, MN
    • Edwin Carl Wilhelm Nelson born February 20, 1917 in Clearwater County, MN; Army Air Corps. Veteran WW II (1942-1945); Edwin died May 27, 1991 in Itasca County, MN; buried in Itasca Calvary Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Itasca County, MN

Additional Information:

According to the 1910 U.S. Census for Sinclair Township, Clearwater County, MN the household members were:

“Sam Nelson, head, age 29, married once for 8 years, born in Norway, parents born in Norway, immigrated in 1902, occupation: farmer – general farm; Anborg Nelson, wife, age 33, married once for 8 years, 4 children born, 4 children living, born in Norway, parents born in Norway; Bertha Nelson, daughter, age 8, single, born in Norway; Nels Nelson, son, age 6, single, born in Minnesota; Tilda Nelson, daughter, age 4, single, born in Minnesota; Selma Nelson, daughter, age 3, single, born in Minnesota.”

According to the 1920 U.S. Census for Windsor Township, Clearwater County, MN the household members were:

“Sam Nelson, head, age 39, married, immigrated in 1902, naturalized in 1910, born in Norway, parents born in Norway, occupation: farmer – general farm; Anborg Nelson, wife, age 42, married, immigrated in 1902, naturalized in 1910, born in Norway, parents born in Norway; Bertha C. Nelson, daughter, age 18, single, immigrated in 1902, born in Norway; Nils Nelson, son, age 16, single, born in Minnesota, Tillie S. Nelson, daughter, age 12, single, born in Minnesota; Selma Nelson, Daughter, age 12, single, born in Minnesota; Gundvald Nelson, son, age 9, single, born in Minnesota; Gunda E. Nelson, daughter, age 7, single, born in Minnesota; Esther E. Nelson, daughter, age 4 9/12, single, born in Minnesota; Edwin C. Nelson, son, age 2 10/12, single, born in Minnesota.”

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for Bovey Village, Itasca County, MN the household members were:

“Olaf Clemenson, head, age 36, married at age 27, born in North Dakota, parents born in Norway, occupation: car repairer – iron mind; Bertha Clemenson, wife, age 28, married at age 19, born in Norway, parents born in Norway, immigrated in 1902; Irene Clemenson, daughter, age 7, single, born in Minnesota; Maves Clemenson, daughter, age 6, single, born in Minnesota; Ferol Clemenson, daughter, age 1 6/12, single, born in Minnesota; Felice Clemenson, daughter, age 0/12, single, born in Minnesota; Selma Nelson, sister in law, age 23, single, born in Minnesota, occupation: servant – private family; Nels Nelson, bro in law, age 26, single, born in Minnesota, occupation: pitman – iron mine.”

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Round Lake Beach Village, Avon Township, Lake County, IL living on Partridge Court the household members were:

“Gustaf Bergloff, head, age 37, married, highest grade completed: 7, born in Sweden, lived in Chicago, IL in 1935, occupation: machinist – can company; Selma Bergloff, wife, age 33, married, highest grade completed: H-4, born in Minnesota, lived in Chicago, IL in 1935, Edwin Bergloff, son, age 8, single, highest grade completed: 2, born in Illinois; Dolores Bergloff, daughter, age 7, single, highest grade completed: 1, born in Illinois; Carrol Bergloff, daughter, age 5, single, born in Illinois; Kenneth Bergloff, son, age 2, single, born in Illinois”

According to the 1950 U.S. Census for Round Lake Beach, Avon Township, Lake County, IL living at 91 Partridge Rd, the household members were:

“Gustav E. Bergloff, head, age 47, married, born in Sweden, Occupation: Machinist automic screw – Our Board Motors; Selma Bergloff, wife, age 43, married, born in Minnesota; Edwin C. Bergloff, son, age 18, never married, born in Illinois, Occupation: Jeep Driver – Out Board Motors; Delores E. Bergloff, daughter, age 17, never married, born in Illinois; Carol J. Bergloff, daughter, age 15, never married, born in Illinois; Kenneth D. Bergloff, son, age 23, never married, born in Illinois; Melvin A. Bergloff, son, age 9, never married, born in Illinois”