These stories can also be heard on Sunday mornings around 10 am on WILD 102’s “Look Back in Time” program. Each week’s radio story will be posted here on our website.
Weekly radio stories are researched, compiled, and read by Sheila Winstead, RCHS Board Member.
October 27, 2024
The Habstritt family that originally moved to Roseau had lived in Spooner earlier. The huge fire that
spread through that area in 1910 left them out of work and home, and by 1911 Henry Clay Habstritt
(usually referred to as H. C.) and his brother Harry Habstritt had come here to live. H. C. had sold real
estate earlier in Edmonton, Alberta, and continued to do that when he moved to Roseau, and his ads
were in the newspapers for many years. He later started a seed cleaning business, which he passed on to
his son Charlie, who passed it on to his sons Chuck, Jim, and Scott.
H. C. had been married in Spooner to Adelaide Hobde. His brother Harry was married to Malena Oie,
daughter of Sven and Serine Oie. Sadly for the brothers, both of their wives died in the year 1934.
Harry’s wife Malena died first, and I’ll read this notice of her death from the Roseau Times-Region
published in September 6, 1934.
“Friends here were grieved, Tuesday evening to hear the news that Mrs. Harry Habstritt had passed away
at the Oakland Park hospital at Thief River Falls that evening at 5:30 o’clock. While death was not
unexpected, her going nevertheless cast a gloom over the community, for she was liked and possessed
many admirable qualities that endeared her to those with whom she came in contact. To the bereaved
husband, daughter, and the sorrowing relatives, the larger circle of friends join us in extending a
sympathizing hand.
The funeral services will be held tomorrow, Friday. A short service will be held at the home of Mr. and
Mrs. S. T. Holdahl at 2 o’clock, followed by service in the English Lutheran church at 2:30. Burial will be
made in Hope cemetery. Rev. C. B. Nervig, assisted by Rev. J. T. Quanbeck, will conduct the services and
commit the body to its last resting place.
Mrs. Habstritt was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Oie, and her maiden name was Malena Elizabeth.
She was born at Ross, September 2, 1899. She was joined in wedlock to Harry Habstritt on July 12, 1926,
and to this union was born two children. One died in infancy and Betty Marie is two years old. Besides
her husband and little daughter, she is survived by her mother, Mrs. Serina Oie and four brothers and
four sisters, namely: Evan S. Oie, Daisy, Washington; Gustav Oie, Duluth; Oscar Oie, Warroad; Elmer Oie,
Mrs. S. T. Holdahl and Mrs. Sigurd Brude, Roseau; Mrs. Olaf Hildahl, Greenbush, and Mrs. Helen Goines,
Oakland, California.
Mrs. Habstritt has lived in this community all of her life. She’s affiliated with the English Lutheran
congregation and has been a member of the Legion Auxiliary.”
Only 2-1/2 months later, Henry’s wife’s death was announced in this article, published November 22,
1934, in the Times-Region:
“Death called at the H. C. Habstritt home Sunday noon and left a pall of sorrow over the home and the
community. Mrs. Habstritt passed away at that hour. She had been troubled with heart ailment over a
period of years and at times had severe spells of illness. This fall she was taken ill while attending the
funeral of Mrs. Knochenmus and for a time her recovery was not expected. She rallied, however, and was
able to be up and about. Saturday evening, she joined the family at supper, but later on she became ill
and at three o’clock in the morning she became unconscious. She entered her last sleep peacefully.
Funeral services will be held this afternoon at the home at 2 o’clock and in the English Lutheran church at
2:30 o’clock. Rev. Wilson of International Falls will conduct the service at the home and will commit the
body to the grave in Hope cemetery. Rev. C. B. Nervig will deliver the funeral sermon at the church
service.
Four sons, Arnold, Charles, Dale and Stanley Habstritt, and John Billberg and Lyle Hegland will carry the
remains to the last resting place.
Adelaide Augusta was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Hobde. She was born in Nelson, Wisconsin,
January 27, 1889. At sixteen years of age she came to Baudette and lived with an aunt. Two years later,
on April 20 th , 1907, she was united in marriage to Henry Clay Habstritt at Winnipeg. They settled at
Spooner, where they lived until after the big fire in 1910, which wiped out their home. Their two oldest
children, Gladys Eileen and Arnold Eugene, were born there. After the fire the family moved to Seattle,
Washington, spending part of the winter there and part in Vancouver, B. C.
The following spring in April the family came to Roseau and this has since been the family home.
Besides the many friends, she is survived by the following members of her family: Her husband and the
following sons and daughters: Arnold of Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Eileen Langenbahn, Charles, Stanley,
Dale, Douglas and Corrine, and one grandson, LeVaun Clay Langenbahn, all of Roseau.
Mrs. Habstritt was an untiring worker, and into whatever she undertook she gave of her every ounce of
energy. This undoubtedly shortened a life that just reached middle age. Mrs. Habstritt was associated
with the English Lutheran Ladies’ Aid and was at the time of her death president of one of its groups. She
was an active Eastern Star member and was a Past Worthy Matron of the organization.
To the family is extended the condolence of sympathizing friends in the loss of the wife and mother.”
Harry lived 28 years after Malena, remarried, died in 1962 and is buried in Whittier, California. Henry
lived 22 years after Adelaide, died in 1956 and is buried beside his wife in the Hope Cemetery in Roseau.
Thank you to 
for letting us share our county’s history with your listeners by donating air time, studio time, and production staff every week.