Birgitte

Birgitte (Bregetta) Ottesen was the second daughter born to Otte Pedersen and Anne Hansdatte from Denmark. As was the custom, she was given the same name (different spelling) as their first daughter who passed 10 years earlier at the age of 3-months-old. She was called Bregetta by the family. After her father’s death, her family sold their property, packed their possessions, and crossed the Atlantic Ocean to America with a desire to be with other members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Being introduced to a foreign country and a new language created many challenges. However, exhaustive travel conditions, disease, injury, lack of food and medicine, prematurity, and extreme weather were some of the greatest threats to pioneers. While near Atchison, Kansas, 17-year-old Bregetta became violently ill with cholera (a bacterial disease caused from contaminated water) and died.

The company stopped long enough to dig a shallow grave. Her mother wrapped her body tightly in a clean sheet. A short service was held before the saddened company went on their way after pausing for just an hour.