Ida May (Kelly) Leas

KELLY, LEWIS, LEAS, WATKINS, EMERSON

Posted By: Connie L. Ellis (email)
Date: 12/3/2010 at 20:22:04

SOURCE: Copy of the Cottonwood, Minnesota newspaper August 1920
Contributor: Connie L. Ellis (Related - Kelly researcher)

Former Rossville, Iowa Lady Passes away

Last Friday morning, August 13, 1920, about 4:30 o'clock, Mrs. John Leas answered the call of her Master and passed quietly from this world to the Great Beyond fully prepared to meet her God. The funeral was held Monday forenoon, August 16 from the Presbyterian church, Rev. James Watt of Brooten, Minnesota conducting the service and the remains were laid to rest in the Cottonwood cemetery.

Although a great sufferer for eight years past, Mrs. Leas never lost her sunny, jovial disposition and was ever able to look on the bright side of life. Thus she won a lasting friendship with all those who knew her, as was manifested in the large number who came to pay their last respects to a departed friend and in the large number of extremely beautiful floral tributes brought as an offering to one who had so many times in life strewn flowers along life's pathway for them. She was of a retiring disposition and averse to show and notoriety, prefering to do aims solely for the good she might do. She was active in church and Sunday School work, ever willing to do her part whatever it might be. In her demise the community loses a most esteemable lady, and the husband and daughter a dutiful and loving wife and mother.

Ida May Kelly was born near Rossville, Iowa on July 12, 1866 to John Ora Kelly and Jane W. Lewis. In early womanhood she found her home in the Presbyterian Church of Rossville, Iowa. In 1886 she was married to John H. Leas who with her assistance rendered aid to the Master's service until they took up their abode at Windom, Minnesota. Here she united with the Presbyterian church, taking an active part in missions, and retaining her membership there until moving to Cottonwood, Minnesota in 1903, when, with her husband, she united with the Presbyterian church by letter, retaining her membership until called by her Master home.

For many years she took an active part in church work, being zealous in the cause she loved. She gave willingly her service to the Sabbath School work until her sickness prevented any further work. She contracted diptheria, closely followed by cancer, causing her to suffer greatly for eight years. During this time she bore her affliction and was waiting her call from the Master.

Relatives from afar attending the funeral were: Mrs. Isaac Watkins and Mr. and Mrs. Ora B. Kelly of Rossville, Iowa; George A. Leas, Monona, Iowa; William L. Leas, Little Falls, Minnesota; Mr. and Mrs. J.S. Leas, Sauk Rapids,Minnesota and Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Emerson of Ash Creek, Minnesota.