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Alice Marie Finnestad marriage (aka Love in the time of the Spanish Flu)

Alice Marie Finnestad, daughter of Caroline (Quitno) and Ole (Olson) Finnestad Jr. and the granddaughter of  Mari (Iversdatter Nord-Skaar) and Ole (Olson) Finnestad Sr married Walter John Reigard on April 11, 1918 in Houston, Texas.

The DeKalb Daily Chronicle reported the news in their April 19, 1918 edition, page 3, 2nd column toward the bottom of the page.




The True Republican reported a few days later in their April 24, 1918 edition on page 4, the upper portion of columns 3 and 4.




Walter Reigard was the son of Ellen (Christlief) and Frank Reigard.    George Renwick was Walter's stepfather following the death of his father.

I do not have any information on where Walter Reigard may have served in Europe during World War I, but current events remind me of the importance of knowing and understanding history.

When you stop to consider the Spanish Flu was an unknown threat to those serving in the military during the first World War, the risk they encountered from serving during a time of war was exponentially worse due to that virus.    Much like today.     History does repeat itself.

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