Birth: 26 Dec 1873 in ,,,Denmark
Death: 17 Oct 1913 in Santiago,Sherburne Co.,Minnesota
Burial: Danish Cemetery,Becker,Sherburne Co.,Minnesota,USA

Note: The biography is a work in progress. Please contribute or correct any mistakes. Thanks, Martha-Lisa Mode Flinsch
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Her sister "Nora" always said that she was called "Marie" in Denmark. Most people called her "Mary" in the United States. "Mary" immigrated from Denmark to MN, USA with her parents. She married Jens Christian "Chris" Petersen on October 20, 1893 in MN and had a son named Harry Petersen. It is thought that she knew "Chris" while living in Denmark.

According to cencus records she could speak English and also read and write (presumably English). She was probably bilingual in Danish and English and could probably read and write in both.

She died fairly young at the age of 39 possibly from a heart condition.

Sherburne County Courthouse, Deaths, Book E, Page 50. #84,
Inger Marie Petersen, Female, White, Married, born 12-26-1873, died 10-18-1913, age 39 yrs 9 mos 23 dys, farmer's wife, birthplace Denmark, parents Jens Hansen & Maren Sophia. Cause, Falic Syncopse caused by pleural effusion. filed 11-2-13 Santiago Twp, Sherburne Co. MN.

Mary's son Harry was about the same age as Mary's three youngest siblings. So he formed a bond with his little Aunt Fanny and his first Son, Mary's first Grandson Vernon Petersen was born at Fanny's house. Many years later, Fanny's youngest son Charles J. Mode, joined Vernon at Freedom Village in PA where they exchanged family stories and enjoyed family bonds.
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Condensed from Verna Harris's story of her mother "Anna" Hansen and the Hansen family:
Ane "Anna" Hansen Christianson Daughter of Jens Hansen
Verna Marian Christianson Harris Grandaughter of Jens Hansen

... She ["Anna" Hansen"] was 16 years old when they came to the new land, so she remembered it well. It must have been a nearly impossible hardship for mother Maren [Maren Sophie Jeppesen Hansen Wife of Jens Hansen] to get ready a family of 11 [nine children, 2 parents] for moving. And she was to leave her homeland and her own family behind. Mama said they lived in a long low house, and Maren's mother, Grandmother Jeppsen lived in a couple rooms at one end. She was blind and all the children loved her. They quarreled with each other about taking a bowl of soup that their mother had made for her. For the chance to go over to sweep her floor or do little chores for her. Mama often got to go because she was older. I have wondered who cared for her after the family left.

If it were a hardship for grandmother Maren. It must have been a most challenging task for grandpa Jens, who had to have a sale, keep and pack the most necessary clothing, tools, and household goods for 12 people, one a small baby. He bought 11 tickets so I assume the baby was carried on. Aunt Fanny [Fanny Emilie Hansen Mode Daughter of Jens Hansen] was the baby. I suppose that they boarded a liner in Copenhagen, and it was large, a 5-deck ship.

Mama talked about the trip over durinq our Cando winters, and I wish now that I had asked more questions. They had a space on the third deck with their trunks and belongings packed around them. Her mother had brought two large kettles along and each day made a large pot of soup or stew. Grandpa could buy supplies at the ship's store, and there was a huge coal range that the passengers could use. I'm sure that they had to carry their own water and dispose of their waste which went overboard in those days. People couldn't keep very clean, and Mama said the smells were almost overwhelming. They were even worse when they went by the 4th deck stairs and bilge area. They were not supposed to go up on deck. But Mama said they did sneak up for a breath of fresh air when they could. Their crossing was not too rough, but most of the passengers got motion sickness anyway. It lasted over two weeks and then they were quarantined at Ellis Inland for three days. That was as bad or worse than the voyage, Mama said.
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Mary was the oldest. She was 18 when they came to America. She went to Becker to work and soon married another Dane. He was Christian Petersen and they had one son, our cousin Harry Petersen. Mary died when she was quite young and Harry was raised by his father. I believe they spoke Danish and kept to the old ways. He lived close to his uncles and was about their age so was always friendly with them. He and Jens married sisters. Harry was a mechanic, worked for Henry Ford and Co. in St. Paul, and later had his own garage and repair shop near Litchfield. He had four children.
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