We Believe
Sermons
History
Directions
School
Links
Photos

1. The Cemetery Committee of the congregation will assist families in securing lots and will record this data in the cemetery records.

2. The congregation encourages families and friends to donate to the maintenance and care of the cemetery.

3. In order to assist in maintaining the beauty of the cemetery, no interment shall be made without the use of a concrete or steel or copper vault.

4. No trees or shrubs shall be planted without consent of the Cemetery Committee. Any flowers that are planted should be planted only next to head stones. Glass containers or cans are prohibited on graves. No copings will be permitted around the graves. Any wreaths or flowers will be removed upon deterioration or when, in the judgment of the caretaker, they have served their purpose.

5. No permanent stone or structure shall be placed in the cemetery without consulting with a Cemetery Committee member as to location.

6. The congregation shall not be held responsible for the execution of any order given by telephone or for any error occurring from the lack of receipt of precise and proper written instructions pertaining to the funeral service or interment. Reasonable precaution will be taken to protect lot owners and the property of lot owners within the cemetery from loss or damage, but the congregation distinctly disclaims all responsibility for loss or damage from causes beyond its reasonable control whether the damage be direct or indirect. The congregation shall incur no liability whatsoever except for its willful acts or malfeasance.

7. These rules and regulations may be changed or modified at any time by the congregation without notice to the lot owners.

Adopted by the Center Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1976, and recorded at Winnebago County Courthouse, Forest City, Iowa.

Signed by Chairman of the Cemetery Committee, Center Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The following history of the cemetery was written by the Rev. Theodore A. Aaberg in 1968 for Center's fiftieth anniversary:

The cemetery alongside the Center church is rather unique. It began as a burial ground before either North Prairie or Center church were built. Later, when the North Prairie church was erected, the congregation began a cemetery there. When the Center congregation was organized in 1918, a half acre of land was purchased from the Jensen farm, right alongside of this old cemetery. An informal arrangement was worked out with North Prairie whereby Center congregation would take care of the upkeep of the cemetery and would then have the right to use the cemetery, which contained much vacant space. This arrangement was formalized in 1939, and prevails today. North Prairie is the legal owner of the approximately one acre of ground which lies just west of the Center church building. There apparently are a number of unmarked graves in the older section of the cemetery.