ANDERSINE ANDERSEN JOHANSEN
Andersine Andersen, or Sena as she was always called, was born August 2, 1842 in Rojle Mose,
Vejlby, Odense, Denmark. Her mother was Ane Cathrine Hansen, who was born December 2,
1801 in Aulby, Vejlby, Odense, Denmark. Ane Cathrine’s parents were Hans Madsen and Anne
Hansen. Sena’s father was Anders Larsen, who was born April 9, 1806 in Strib, Vejlby, Odense,
Denmark. Ander’s parents were Lars Svendsen and Maren Pedersen.
Sena joined the Mormon Church on October 20, 1858 and came to Utah in 1862 to join her sister
Ane and be taken as the second wife to her husband, Niels Johansen.
They were all sealed in the
Endowment House in Salt Lake City on November 12, 1864.
Sena had nine children:
Nielsena (Sena) born in December
21, 1865,
Ester Fredricka born April 30,
1868,
Kimball born September 24, 1870,
Elizabeth (Eliza) born May 15, 1873,
Moroni born June
19, 1876, Lucinda born May 4, 1879, Wilford born June 4, 1882, Marie born April 4, 1885, and Anna Cathrine (Katie) was born June 16, 1888.
Sena lost one child who contracted diphtheria and
another child who fell down a cellar and was killed.
Another heartbreaking experience was when
Sena’s daughter, Ester Fredricka, gave birth to a baby, Fredrick Mathiasen, on January 26, 1891
and died from complications of childbirth. This was on February 5, 1891, just the day after her
husband, Jacob Mathiasen, was killed in a farming accident. The baby lived just ten months and
died on October 26, 1891.
Sena was treasurer of the Relief Society for many years.
In those days there was no welfare or
social security. When visiting teachers went on their monthly rounds the members donated eggs,
fruit, beans, or anything they had, and this in turn was distributed to the poor. As one can guess,
these good ladies didn’t collect very much. Few people had anything to spare. But Sena’s
grandchildren recall being at her home many times when a needy person would come for some
food and they were never turned away empty-handed. Most of what they were given was from
the limited food supply of their own personal stock. This, however, was not common knowledge.
The Johansens were always charitable people, nothing could equal the goodness of their hearts.
Just before Christmas the family assembled at their house and the food preparation went on for
days. Beef, pork, and lambs were killed and dressed, and finker, head cheese, rolly pulse, cakes,
and puddings were prepared. When it was all ready and assembled into packages, Wilford would
hitch the horses to the bob sleigh and away they all went, singing and delivering goodies to the
needy.
The true spirit of Christmas was taught in the Johansen home, and the children enjoyed
the spirit of sharing what they had with others. What family fun they had!
They were temple workers for many years, working year in and year out. The “Temple Hack” as
it was called, stopped on scheduled days to pick them up.
Niels died August 16, 1921 in Mt.
Pleasant, Utah. He was eighty eight years old.
After Niels died Sena spent most of her time at
either Marie’s or Eliza’s home. She became ill while at Eliza’s home and was taken to Delta,
Utah. She died six days later at Marie’s home on October 11, 1921. She was seventy nine years
old. Niels and his two wives are buried in the Mt. Pleasant City Cemetery.
TRIBUTE TO ANDERSINE JOHANSEN
By the Mt. Pleasant, Utah Relief Society
We have met today my dear sisters to do honor to our beloved Sister Johansen, our retiring
officer, after the terrible siege of sickness she has been of late called to pass through. The Lord
has surely heard her prayers and our prayers as well as the prayers of the Priesthood in her behalf
and has been pleased to restore her to health so much that she is able to meet with us again. Sister
Johansen is one of the few remaining that has come here from a distant land for the Gospel. She
has been tested and tried and proven herself worthy to be thus honored. Only for her failing
health is she now being released of the office of treasurer of the South Ward Relief Society which
has been held by her since April 16, 1904. Prior to that she was a teacher in the district and was
later appointed head teacher in which position she worked zealously. She is still favored of the
Lord to remain with us longer.
In reading the poem it brought to my mind many scenes of early days, as we have lived neighbors
for many years. Yes, since my childhood I have seen her and many of the hardships she has had
to pass through. She has lived in a small home with a large family and endured all the
inconveniences of pioneer life. She has struggled day by day, working at home and in the fields,
and has taken care of the products raised for the benefit of her family. She has spent time
weaving, cording, spinning, knitting, and other industries which were engaged in at that time.
Never did we hear any complaining or trouble, everything seemed to be peaceful and quiet, with
perfect harmony prevailing in her home. She has many times been called to pass through very
trying scenes, burying loved ones, being nearly burned out of her home, and many other
adversities. She is the mother of nine children, four of whom have gone to the Great Beyond to
await her coming. The five remaining are an honor to her name. She and her husband have
strived to live honorable and upright lives and have instilled in the hearts of their children the
Gospel and its principles. They have set an example worthy of emulation. She has not only cared
for her own but has been a mother to the motherless and has watched over and supplied the
necessities of life to many of the aged in distress.
She has been an ardent worker in her calling in the Relief Society and has taken on the
responsibility to help others who were growing aged in the work they were unable to perform.
Cheese making was one of the industries of this organization. The milk was gathered from those
who could spare it and was carried to her home. She was the one who made the cheese and gave
it to those in need. This was of great value to many in those days.
Sena had a large family and not much room but she was patient and long-suffering with her
circumstances. Many today might take a lesson from those like her who have labored and toiled
under such trying circumstances and have been willing to take up the good work and faithfully
perform it. While we do not want to recall the past too vividly, we must remember the many
blessings of the Lord which have been bestowed upon us and be grateful to Him and try to do
honor to the works of righteousness in love and charity to those less fortunate than we. We must
remember we are living in a time when we little know what awaits us, and we must ever be ready
to do what may be required of us by those in authority over us.
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Sister Johansen’s life has been a strenuous one for many years. She has answered the beckoned
call of children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. “Aunt Sena,” as she has been known among
her friends, has given willingly heart and hand to aid and give comfort to those who are sick. She
has administered that love and sympathy so much needed in times of death and sorrow.
In her family, among her friends, and in public, she has ever proved true and faithful in this cause
and the Sisters have much appreciated her good works. We would have liked to acknowledge our
appreciation before now, would she have accepted it. We are now sorry to have to accept Sister
Johansen’s resignation, but for her sake and her family’s we willingly do. We feel to thank her
for her long and untiring efforts in this cause.
While we regret to give you up as a worker, we rejoice to have you still with us and hope the Lord
will bless you with health and sufficient strength to enable you to continue in your own family
and be a strength and stay to them. We realize you need to care for your aged husband who is
still with you.
May you live long and enjoy the blessings you have rightfully earned, and the blessings of
Heaven, which are ever in store for you because of your faithfulness. May this occasion be
remembered by you as an appreciation, and may this rocking chair we present to you, for your
comfort in your declining years, be accepted as a token of the love and esteem we hold for your
good and faithful duties these many years. May we enjoy your presence at our meetings and your
good words of counsel and advice for many years. May you be given health and strength
sufficient to enjoy to live and see many of the eventful things transpiring in this wonderful age of
the world, as you have witnessed much in the past.
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