Summary of Life Events here
Info about eldest daughter Margit Vanja (Bengtsson) Steele here
Here are some remembrances from Peggy (Steele) Blackford, granddaughter (barnbarn) of Carl and Agnes Bengtsson …
When I was a girl living in Illinois we would visit Grandma and Grandpa Benson (Bengtsson) often. At least once a month if not more. We were there for most of the big holidays, like Christmas and Easter. At these visits the house was always full of cousins and uncles. Christmas was always a big feast and Swedish smörgåsbord and goodies. All the family and cousins were there. Cousin Phil, Aunt Francis and aunt Lillian lived there till Grandma had strokes and they sold the house. I once remember visiting and the house so full of people I slept on 2 chairs pushed together.
Swedish food was always the main stay. However, as cousin Phil got older grandma Agnes fixed him kid food. I remember having my first bowl of SpaghettiOs there. Grandma Agnes made sill (pickled herring) in a crock in the kitchen. Remember once seeing a pig head in the pot on the stove. Always homemade rolls (cardamom – “kardemummabullar”) and others.
Grandma Agnes always spoke Swedish. Grandpa and Grandma spoke Swedish at home but Grandpa spoke English also. Asked aunt Ginger (Steele) Watson and she said grandma always knew what Ginger was saying so must have learned some English. Aunt Ginger also said they always spoke Swedish when they didn't want anyone to know what they were saying. Where they lived in Minnesota it was a Swedish community and so they didn't need to speak English very often.
Granma's sister Hildur Olson came to live with them. There were relatives that lived on the street behind them. Grandma Agnes' sister was there - that was the only sibling to my knowledge that lived in U.S. Aunts and Uncles though.
Granma and Grandpa had eighth children so money was always tight. At one point in 1947 grandpa Carl went back to Sweden to try and earn more money. Everyone that could work had a job. Mother (Margit Vanja) quit school for a year and got a job. Aunt Francis (grandma's younger sister) and Margit Vanja graduated together because of this.
Grandpa Benson (Bengtsson) had a child in Sweden before he married Agnes. His son is Nils Carlson. Nils was never a taboo topic but not always discussed. Grandpa and Grandma Bengtsson would always say cousin Nils was coming to visit. Yes, Granma Agnes always knew about Nils. Not sure when mother (Margit Vanja) found out she had a half-brother but I believe before mother and daddy (George Steele) were married. I remember uncle Nils visiting us when we lived in Atlanta. There is a picture of Betty (Nils mom) somewhere. Mother visited her in Sweden.
Nils was living at Stormon (family house in Forshaga, Sweden) when he had his 1st stroke. Mother (Margit Vanja), his half-sister, couldn't get ahold of him on the phone and had someone drive her there to check on him. If she hadn't gone he would never have gotten help. Margit Vanja always visited him when she was there in Sweden.
There are pictures of Margit Vanja with Nils, and Hedvic having coffee at Hedvic's apartment. Even some pictures of Uncle Phil, Aunt Judy, Nils and Margit Vanja there at Hedvic's.
Grandpa Carl Bengtsson had stomach pains. He wouldn't go to the Dr because of his religious beliefs. Therefore he died from peritonitis of his appendix. I'm not sure how hard it was on grandma Agnes but it must have been hard. Glad the kids were working and could help with money.
Visiting Sweden is always special to me, knowing family and relatives I grew up with were from there and cousins I grew up with were connected with all the places I have been able to see. Visiting with Peter and Britta and Ann and Maria and Anders and Maria's son Lucas. Visiting Stormon and Forshaga. Seeing where grandma and grandpa were married and where mother was christened and so many other places makes me feel a sense of belonging. I have always been proud of my Swedish heritage.
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A Family Conversation Remembering Carl Bengtsson
Reflections from Alice Benson Fitch and Bret Blackford
In July 2025, cousins Alice Benson Fitch (granddaughter of Carl and Agnes Bengtsson through Robert Philip) and
Michael Bret Blackford (great-grandson through their daughter Margaret Vanja) exchanged a meaningful
email conversation reflecting on the life and legacy of their shared ancestor, Carl Bengtsson (1879–1948).
Their reflections were honest and heartfelt—acknowledging both the admirable and difficult aspects of Carl's story.
The conversation is shared here for future generations to better understand the complexities of our family’s history.
Carl’s Early Life and First Family in Sweden
Before emigrating, Carl had a son, Nils Carlson, born out of wedlock in Sweden. Although the name of Nils’s mother is unknown,
Carl married Agnes Andersdotter soon after Nils’s birth and before the couple left Sweden for America. Carl never seemed to fully
reconcile with Nils. Nils Carlson eventually joined the family in the U.S. around 1929, at about age 21, but the emotional distance remained (as
is evidenced by a letter he wrote to Agnes at the death of his
father Carl).
Agnes’s mother, Sofia Olsson, died in the 1918–1919 flu epidemic—an event that left a deep mark on the family.
Family memory and letters sent from Sofia in Sweden to her daughter Agnes in America
(see here) hold that Sofia always hoped to see her daughter again,
but the reunion never happened.
Carl’s Religious Awakening
Alice recalled that Carl underwent a spiritual transformation after meeting a Christian in Lake City, Minnesota. He became deeply committed to his faith,
even to the point of placing his wedding ring in the church offering plate (which Agnes reportedly made him retrieve).
His newfound faith and committment to his Assemblies of God church brought structure but also strictness to the home—banning dancing, movies, and even playing instruments.
Agnes remained more moderate, holding to her Lutheran roots and exhibiting a gentler parenting style.
Carl returned to Sweden only once, in 1947, shortly before his death. Agnes did not join him.
Hardship and Resilience During the Great Depression
The Great Depression challenged the family greatly. Carl built the family home and took out a $500 mortgage—part of which was used to install indoor plumbing with
the remainder used to buy a piano.
Daughters Margaret Vanja and Franny left school early to work and help support the family. Agnes cooked, gardened, and did laundry
using a wringer washer in the kitchen—raising her children with skill and perseverance.
The Children of Carl and Agnes
Carl and Agnes raised nine children between 1906 and 1922. Their lives reflected the challenges of the times—from early deaths due to illness,
to resilience in the face of hardship. Many went by their middle names. A detailed family tree can be viewed
here.
| Name |
Birth – Death |
Age at Death |
Notes |
| Margaret Vanja |
1906–2004 |
98 |
Left school to work; later married George Steele. Great-grandmother of Bret. |
| Hedvig Francis ("Franny") | 1907–2001 | 94 | Had a son (Philip) out of wedlock; worked at JCPenney. |
| Eric Birger | 1909–1953 | 44 | Died of leukemia. |
| Florence Sigrid | 1912–1934 | 21 | Died of tuberculosis. |
| Holger Carl ("Carl") | 1913–1979 | 66 | Died of heart attack. |
| Henry Albert | 1915–1971 | 56 | Died of a brain tumor. |
| Harold Ejnar | 1917–1973 | 55 | Died of complications related to alcoholism. |
| Robert Philip | 1919–2016 (est.) | 97 | Youngest son; lived nearly 98 years. Father of Alice. |
| Lillian Isabell | 1922–2009 | 83 | Died of heart failure; had carotid surgery. |
Closing Reflections
Bret and Alice’s correspondence reveals the value of preserving family stories, even when they are imperfect or incomplete.
They recognize Carl’s flaws—particularly in his early years—but also his growth, faith, and the steadiness of Agnes as a mother and matriarch.
Their exchange is a reminder that family legacy is complex and that understanding it requires both grace and honesty.
Prepared from a July 2025 email exchange and family records. For more photos and resources, visit the
Bengtsson Family Archive.
