Calendar of Events
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Upcoming Events
Stratford to Host World War I Honor Roll Display
Begins: 5/27/2023
Ends: 6/17/2023
Over Memorial Day weekend, the Swedish Immigrant Museum will host a traveling exhibit from the State Historical Society of Iowa that honors more than 4,000 Iowans who lost their lives during World War I.
The “World War I Honor Roll” opens to the public at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 27, at the Swedish Immigrant Museum, 819 Goldsmith St., in Stratford. Admission is free.
The exhibit features thousands of names and corresponding photos the State Historical Society collected from Iowa families who lost loved ones during the war. The society sent out an initial call, in 1920, and then again in 2017, to shore up the official records during the war’s 100th anniversary.
The traveling exhibit is the result of that research – and a tribute to a generation of Iowans who sacrificed their lives to the cause of freedom.
Among the more than 4,000 lives honored in the display, some of those from local communities include:
Fleur, Edward (Polk): Capt. Edward Fleur of Des Moines was killed in action during a German gas attack on May 27, 1918, and is buried in Des Moines’ Woodland Cemetery. A native of Sweden, he first enlisted in the Iowa National Guard in 1898 and served in the Philippines and on the Mexican border prior to serving in World War I.
Sonksen, Frederick William (Hamilton): Pvt. Frederick William Sonksen of Stratford was killed in action during a German ambush on Oct. 29, 1918, fourteen days before the Armistice was signed. The Stratford American Legion Post #576 was named in his honor. He is buried at the South Marion Cemetery in rural Stratford.
Youngquist, Albin and William (Webster): Pvt. Albin Youngquist of Gowrie died of influenza enroute to France on Oct. 8, 1918. Five days later his brother, Pvt. William Youngquist died of influenza at Camp Dodge. The brothers are buried at Gowrie Township Cemetery.
Gustafson, Charles Leroy (Boone): 1st Lt. Charles Leroy Gustafson of Boone was killed in an airplane accident on Feb. 20, 1919, in France. He was scheduled to earn the rank of Captain and sail home a few days after the crash occurred. He is buried at Linwood Park Cemetery in Boone.
Reynolds, Grace Koli (Hamilton): Red Cross Nurse Grace Reynolds of Ellsworth died of influenza on Oct. 16, 1918, while in training at Mercy Hospital Training School. She is one of at least 28 Iowa women who served and sacrificed their lives. She was buried at Homewood Cemetery in Ellsworth.
Full Schedule
- Saturday and Sunday, May 27-28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Swedish Immigrant Museum, Stratford
- Monday, May 29 from 10 a.m. at the Stratford Memorial Day Service, Stratford Elementary School Gymnasium, Stratford, and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Swedish Immigrant Museum, Stratford
- Saturdays, June 3, 10, and 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Swedish Immigrant Museum, Stratford
For more information contact:
Abby Friedmeyer
City Council Meeting
Begins: 6/19/2023 - 7:00 PM
Ends: 6/19/2023 - 8:00 PM