I received a copy of an obituary of my Great Grand Mother a while back. The passing of my Great Grand Mother on my grandmothers side was about 1904. If you take the time to read it, and not continue on to the next blog, you'll find the writing and description definitely not like todays Obits.
Obituary from The Grant Oater
Mary Althen Gettman, wife of Peter Gettman, passed away Wednesday morning, August 9th, after a brief, but painful illness. She had been in poor health for several months, but up to within a few hours of her death, no one realized the seriousness of her condition, and her death fell as a crushing blow upon the afflicted husband and children and they are prostrated with grief. She leaves, besides the mourning husband, seven children, four sons, and three daughters. The three oldest being boys, aged 19, 17 and 15. The oldest daughter age 13, and is in feeble health. The youngest child is only 7 years old. The deceased was a woman of noble christian character, and exerted an influence for good in the community where she lived, and was held in high esteem by all who knew her. By gentleness of manner and loving kindness and good will toward all, she has endeared herself to many, and her memory will long linger in many hearts. She was married to Peter Gettman at Iowa Falls, on December 28, 1884, and their married life has been unusually happy.
When in 1895 her husband, on account of ill health, was obliged to retire from ministerial labors in the Evangelical Church, the family moved to this vicinity, where they have since resided on a farm. When it became known that her disease was of a serious nature-(a tumor, which had stealthily destroyed some blood vessels, bringing on hemmorhages, from which she died)-friends and neighbors rushed in and all was done that could be to stay the hand of death, but relentlessly the ties, that bound her to earthly relations were severed. As she felt the end approaching, she took leave one by one, after admonishing them to live Godly lives to meet her in heaven. Soon after, she fell in a stupor from which she never awoke.
She was born July 22, 1861, at Two Rivers, Wis., and came with her parents to Iowa, locating near Iowa Falls, in 1872. The funeral occurred Thursday, and the remains were, by her wish, interred in the cemetery near Swea City. An immense concourse of the people of this community, as well as Swea City and Ledyard, followed the remains to their last resting place. Flowers in great profusion, worked into beautiful designs, were sent by many friends.
Rev. C. C. Pfund, of Des Moines, preached her funeral sermon, and was assisted by Rev. F. Wieversick, of Luverne, and Rev. F. Lantow, of Ledyard.
Her father, Anton Althen, and her only brother, John A Althen of Meservey, Iowa, attended the funeral. Her mother preceded her to the spiritual world, eleven years ago. Thus passes one of the most devoted of wives, and loving mothers, and kindest neighbors that ever lived. Peace to her ashes.
