Karen (Caroline) Rasmussen Justesen

Karen married Lars Alexander Justesen in 1841 in Denmark, and they had three sons born in Denmark.  The youngest died as a child.

Lars and Karen were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in 1852, they joined with other Scandinavian Saints to come to Utah.  They sailed on the ship "Forest Monarch" out of Liverpool, and arrived in New Orleans, then up the Mississippi.  Cholera took the lives of many of the company.  They joined with the John Forsgren Company to cross the plains.  Her two sons, Rasmus and Peter were baptized at the Elk Horn River Crossing.  They finally arrived in Salt Lake City on September 30, 1853.

Most of this company of Scandinavian Saints were sent to settle in Sanpete County.  The Indians were very troublesome and the settlers had to band to gether in Forts for protection.  Caroline lived in Manti, Ephraim, Moroni and finally Spring City.  She died in Ephraim in 1866 and was buried in Spring City.  During the Black Hawk War, Lars was killed by an Indian bullet.  This was 5 April 1868.  He had five wives, Caroline being the first one, and sixteen children.

Children:

Rasmus Larsen, 7 January 1842

Hans Peter, 2 December 1843

Ludvig Larsen, 17 March 1849

(Source: Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude, Volume II F to L, International Society Daughters of Utah Pioneers, P. 1633)