(written by Beda’s grandson, her “Little Charlie”)

Beda Matilda Albertina Ekburg (born Petersson) b. 5/27/1877 – d. 3//1956

Beda was born,  Beda Matilda Petersson Grip, May 27, 1877 in Edshult, Eksjö community of Sweden to Johan August Petersson (b.11/1/1838)  and Karolina Samuels (dotter) Petersson (b. 7/3/1843).  Swedish household records indicate Beda was one of ten children. Beda married Charles George Ekburg on 1 June 1913 in Denison, Texas. 

Beda passed in March of 1956 in Durango, Colorado at the age of 79. She is interred at Greenmount Cemetery, in Durango.

We know that at least three of Beda’s sisters, Augusta Kristina, Hanna Viktoria, and Emma Karolina Sofia emigrated and lived out their lives in the United States of America. 

Emma, the eldest daughter born 02 Nov 1865, was the first sister to immigrate to America in, 1 June 1889.  Augusta Kristina born 18 July 1870 immigrated to America 3 Nov 1893.  Hannah Viktoria born 23 Sept 1883 immigrated to America 23 Nov 1902 and Beda born 27 June 1877 immigrated 1 Nov 1902, less than a month ahead of her sister Hannah.  As far as we know, her six brothers stayed in Sweden. 

Beda’s older sisters Augusta and Emma may have financed Beda’s and Hanna’s passage to the U.S. emigrating to the United States in 1902 landing Denison, Texas where her sister Augusta Petersson/Soderberg and maybe Emma had been living and working. Beda worked in Denison as a domestic for a family named Kingston who owned a drug store.

Sister Hanna Vicktoria married a man named Otto Eastberg and they set up life in the mid-west part of the states starting in Kewanee, Illinois and finally ending up in Dayton, Iowa.  Otto died in May of 1962 at the age of 89.  Hannah followed him in 1968 at the age of 85. Those Swedes are of strong heart.

Sister Augusta married a man named Soderberg and spent her life in Fort Dodge Kansas.  Augusta had at least two twin daughters named Hilda and Helen and another girl named Josephine.

Emma – to date we have little knowledge of her American history, although we have reason to believe she remained in Texas.  The search continues.

Beda was a very devoted Christian, active in the Free Methodist Church in Durango.  She was an active participant in church social events locally and was active on a state level as well and very influential to those around her.

Beda and Charlie born three Children while living in La Plata City:

1. Verner Charles – b. 2/24/16 d.1935 Durango, Colorado
2. Evelyn Matilda – b. 3/29/18 d. 10/14/74 Denver (interred, Durango, Colorado)
3. Edwin Herman – b.5/24/20 d.1/4/89 Durango, Colorado

Beda and Charlie lived at La Plata City until about 1934 when they moved to a new home on Third Ave., in Durango, Colorado.

The Federal government appointed Beda as postmistress for La Plata City,  9th December 1918, a position she performed until the Feds established Hesperus as the official post office and La Plata as a route in the early ’30s.

Some of my very first memories are of Beda; she was not only my grandmother but also my baby sitter while my mother worked as a waitress in Durango. We lived with her for a couple of years in her 3rd Avenue home. Since her husband Charlie had passed just a couple months before my birth, I not only inherited his name but also became her, “Little Charlie”, much to my mom’s chagrin as she would tell me in later years. 

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Link to Beda’s, Denison, Texas connection – text and images. 

All images copyright Ekburg Family Archive.