Johannes 'John' Antonsen Herset, 80
Johannes "John" Antonsen Herset, 80, passed away Monday, Jan. 2, 2006, at the Brendan House in Kalispell.
He was born Feb. 17, 1925, at Nesna, Helgeland, Norway, the son of Alf and Margit (Imsteren) Herset. He was raised with a brother and sister at Herset near Norway, where his dad made a living farming and selling fish caught in the ocean fjord. He was educated through the eighth grade, then began working for others doing carpenter work at the age of 15. At this time, Norway became occupied by the Nazis (World War II). Johannes was forced by the Nazis to leave his home to join the work force. His assignment was to build bunkers for the Germans. At great risk, he joined his fellow Norwegians in resistance.
After the war ended, Johannes said good-bye to his family in Norway, and immigrated to America in 1948 at age 24. He lived at Presho, S.D., working on an oil-drilling rig. A few years later, he moved to Rapid City, S.D., where he found his preferred work as a carpenter. He learned English by comparing texts with a Norwegian and English Bible and with lessons from a high-school teacher.
In 1954 Johannes was united in marriage at Zion Lutheran Church in rural Greenbush, Minn., to Ragnhild Isane, who also was a Norwegian immigrant. They began their married life in Rapid City, where he continued doing carpenter work for the company, Corner, Howe and Lee.
Johannes became a naturalized citizen of the United States on July 12, 1954. He was very proud of his American citizenship, and loyal to his chosen country and its government. While in Rapid City, S.D., their four children were born (Allen, Sylvan, Mary-Ann and Frederick). Wanting to relocate to the mountains, Johannes' family moved to Kila, 17 miles west of Kalispell, in 1965.
Johannes worked as a fourth partner with Sunset Builders, constructing many family homes in the Flathead Valley. In later years he did independent remodeling work until his retirement. In 1954 with the help of his sons, Sylvan and Allen, he built an A-frame house on 80 acres of forest land. He lived there for 40 years. He loved to fish for trout in his fish pond.
In his younger years, he enjoyed preparing Christmas trees to cut and sell from the family acreage. Johannes was an active member for many years at Stillwater Free Lutheran Church, until he became the primary caregiver for his wife. He loved his church and the spiritual leadership of various pastors. He served as deacon and trustee on the council. He also helped build the addition to the church in 1980.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Frederick Herset; his brother, Author Herset; and sister, Marie Herset Imsteren.
John is survived by his wife, Ragnhild Herset, of Kalispell; two sons, Sylvan Herset of Kila, and Allen Herset of Kalispell; and a daughter, Mary Ann Rolf, of Valley City, N.D.
Memorial services for John will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at the Stillwater Lutheran Church in Kalispell, with Pastor Tim Bartholomew officiating. There will be no visitation.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for John's family.