Honoring Ancestors- Bear River City, UT


The bend in the Bear River, where Ane likely had her dug out.

En route to Provo to visit my brother, Devin, the boys and I stopped in Bear River City. This was a much anticipated trip for me. You see, my paternal great-great-great-grandmother, Ane Larsen Andersen, was the first to settle the area.  I like to think I was named after her daughter Kjerstin. Anders is partially named after that Danish line. Ane was an impressive women. Her and her husband were close friends of the King and Queen of Denmark. Her husband died in a riding accident and after learning of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she joined and decided to gather with her fellow saints in Utah. She sold thousands of acres of land in Jaegerspris, outside of Copenhagen in order to pay for her children’s and many other saints’ passages across the ocean to New York. Later, on the trail, when their supplies were depleted, she used her money again to purchase food for the entire company. After arriving in Utah she was sent with others to settle the Bear River area. She, and five of her children, built a dug out in the bend of the Bear River and lived there for the first year before they were able to build a home. She is considered the first settler of Bear River City. The thought of a woman of influence and wealth leaving all to undertake such an arduous life moves me. A cousin of mine visited Jaegerspris where Ane lived, the land is beautiful and she found her self asking “How could you leave all of this?” She heard in her mind “No amount of land was worth more than we were given.” I had very similar feelings as I walked into the cemetery. There was an overwhelming feeling there.  I can’t describe it. I felt it, viscerally. There at the base of those gorgeous mountains were laid many of the stalwart members of my family. Grandmothers and grandfathers who had truly given all to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Immediately, I wished I had brought flowers. Something to symbolize my gratitude. I voiced this wish, to Scotland. In his sweetness he gathered a interesting stick and a pretty feather to lie at Ane’s grave. I added a few nice leaves. It was a humble offering, but a sincere one.



Bear River City is a tiny town. There isn’t a stop light. I didn’t know exactly what I would find there. So I pulled into the only government building around- a small civic center. Immediately upon walking in the side door I saw a large framed map of the original layout of Bear River and there on it was the name of my great-great-grandfather Carl Jensen (husband of Kjerstin). As I walked to the end of the hall there was another large frame housing the pictures of all the mayors of Bear River City and there, the first picture, was the same man, Carl Jensen. I easily found his property. His house has long been torn down, but this gorgeous tree (above) remains, the only tree on the property. I wonder if he saved the tree, or planted the tree. Perhaps the tree was planted after his time, but I like to think it was there. That he kept it pruned, maintaining its stunning shape. Carl headed up the planting of trees all along main street while he was mayor. So it makes since. I love trees. I love pruning. So seeing this tree I felt a real kinship with this man, my great-great-grandfather. I felt his presence there in that beautiful town.

A picture of Anders and I- because it is this Danish line that our names honor.
I knew that all of my grandparents back to my great-great-great-grandmother on my father’s side were buried in Bear River, but somehow I didn’t realize my grandfather was. I was walking alongside the graves in search of my great-great grandmother when I looked up and saw his tombstone and immediate started sobbing. It was so unexpected. My grandfather died when I was ten. I’ve spent a good amount of time coming to know him since his passing, and I feel close to him. It felt good to finally see his grave. I can’t imagine a more beautiful place to be buried. I kept thinking, this is where my father should live. He would love Bear River City. It’s small, quiet, slow, and oh so beautiful.
 I hesitated to write this post. Because this was such a sacred experience for me. But I felt the desire to testify of the overwhelming assurance I felt that these family members are alive. That they are still involved in our lives, and can be even more so if we know them, and allow them.


2 responses to “Honoring Ancestors- Bear River City, UT”

  1. Thank you for posting this Kjirsti. You dont know me, but I come from Ane’s son, Rasmus. I have just recently been interesting in following this line of mine with the desire to visit some of these places myself. You have done a tremendous amount of leg work in helping me and my children know their roots as well. Bless you.
    Allyson Jensen Egbert (Las Vegas) —3rd great grand-daughter of Ane.

    • Allyson,
      Thank you so much for commenting! It’s things like this that help me realize the breadth and depth of family history. Your simple comment suddenly expanded my heart, my family. I felt an immense love for you and a desire to meet you. This is truly a tremendous line. I’ve felt of Ane’s powerful spirit, and I want to be like her! Thank you SO much for commenting and by all means keep in contact!

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