Advent Calendar: Maren Sofie Olsen

Maren Sofie Hansen nee Olsen

Born 1855, died 1923, aged 67
Lived in: Slots-Bjergby, Denmark; Fjenneslev, Denmark; Alsted-Flinterup, Denmark
Married: Rasmus Hansen
Children:
Herman Hansen
Marin Hansine Marie Hansen
Julie Oline Hansen
Hans Kristian Hansen
Johanne Kristen Hansen
Ole Hansen

Maren Sofie Olsen was the only child born to Ole Larsen and Birthe Marie Schrøder. When the rush to America came in the mid 1800s, her father made his way to America. He never sent for his wife and her child, so Maren was farmed out to earn her own keep as a child, which was a common practice in those days. In 1881, she married widower Rasmus Hansen, and together they settled down on his farm Stubbegaarden which was located in the center of the island of Zeland in Denmark. In 1895, Rasmus fell ill and died, leaving her with six young children to raise on a small farm. The children did their best to help out, with the two eldest taking the heaviest load, and her third child, Oline, helping out with better off families who lived in the area. Soon Oline and Hans made their way to America, following in their grandfather's footsteps, though they did return a few times to see their mother before her death in 1923.