DURNO, Josephine Sophia --- 1861-1957

DURNO, MOIR, TULLER, MOTT, HENDERSON, ABBOT

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 12/23/2010 at 19:39:05

Rites Held For Josephine Durno; Pioneer Resident

Funeral services were held Monday, May 6, at 10 a.m. at the Schutte Funeral Home for Miss Josephine Durno, long-time Postville resident. The rites were in charge of the Rev. Walter T. Martin, pastor of the Community Presbyterian Church. Burial was in Postville cemetery.

Josephine Sophia Durno was born on September 23, 1861 on a farm west of Postville. She was the daughter of John and Ann Durno, the granddaughter of William and Jane Durno, of Rockford, Illinois, and of John and Janet Moir, Sr. Her uncle, John Moir, Jr., was a part of the Durno household. Her sisters, Miss Blanch Durno and Mrs. Eva Tuller; a brother Will; and her nephew Ralph Tuller and her niece, Riva, have preceded her in death.

She passed away in the Postville Community Hospital on May 2, 1957, only a day after entering. She had spent the latter part of the winter in the home of her friend, Mrs. Carrie Kelleher, but before January had kept up her own home.

She was remarkable in possessing all her faculties at her advanced age except for a partial loss of hearing. She recognized her friends to the last.

On her birthdays she received calls from a great number of friends, and until she was 95 always served refreshments to all who came.

Her interests centered in home affairs. She possessed unusual skill in fine needle work and took pleasure in things of beauty whether a landscape, a garden, or a perfectly kept household.

For over 50 years she was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Chapter No. 238, of the Shakespeare Club, and of the Ruth guild of the Women's Association of the Presbyterian church. She was the last member here of the Durnos, a name associated with that of the Motts, the Hendersons, the Abbots, and others in the annals of an earlier Postville.

Postville, Iowa newspaper of the time clipping, from Dorothy Schave's obituary collection.