Elna Johannesdotter Johannesson

Biography

Elna Johannesdotter Johannesson was born in Asige, Halland, Sweden on May 24, 1792. She had eight siblings. When Elna was twenty-five, she married Johannes Håkansson. They had five children, one daughter and four sons, but one of their sons died in infancy. Her husband then also passed away in 1831.
Elna was poor, but she taught her children to pray and have faith. Some of her children worked for nearby farmers to help sustain their family. Her youngest son, Anders Johan (later called Andrew), was later able to buy her a small, but nice, home. In 1850, Anders was taught by the missionaries and Elna joined the church along with him and his family. He even paid for her to join them in immigrating to Utah. They emigrated from Sweden in 1859 to join the Saints, sailing on the ship the William Tapscott. They joined a handcart company to journey to Utah, but Elna died along the way in Nebraska at age 67. She was buried near the Platte River.