Jens Ahlman Simonsen and Johanna Marie Thomsen -- 63 years
Brief Overview
Jens Ahlman Simonsen and Johanna Marie Thomsen -- 63 years.
Share this Resource
Resource Categories
Long-term LoversJens Ahlman Nielsen was born in Serridslev sogn in Hjørring County in 1894. Johanne Marie Thomsen in 1897 in Hellevad parish in Dronninglund district, also in Hjørring County. The only known story about their courtship that has come down to the present is that Johanne's mother was quite strict about what Johanna could wear on any given occasion. Johanna always wanted to wear her best dress when she went out with Jens, so she would put it on and then cover it up with the dress that her mother wanted her to wear. She would then remove the uppermost dress when she arrived at a party or dance. ~~ They were married in Hellevad parish on April 23, 1918, and immigrated to the US with their children Egon and Harriet in the summer of 1927. Johanna was ill when the ship docked in New York, and it took some persuading to prevent her from being sent back to Denmark. The family initially settled in Minnesota and thereafter in Avoca, Iowa. During their last years Jens and Johanne resided at the Salem Home in Elk Horn, where they passed away in 1981 and 1983, respectively.
