Coates, Lillian Mae (Gilson) 1879-1969

GILSON, COATES, KLEINOW, JOHNSON, THOMPSON

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 2/21/2003 at 19:28:40

MRS. ARCH BYRON (Lillian Mae Gilson) COATES

Services were held from the Forest Mills United Methodist Church, Sunday, October 19, at 2:00 p.m., for Lillian Mae Coates, with Rev. Curtis H. Webster officiating. Burial was in the Smithfield Cemetery, Franklin Township.

Lillian Mae Coates, daughter of Gus and Mellisia Gilson, was born June 11, 1879 in Allamakee County near Forest Mills, and passed away at the Veteran's Memorial Hospital at Waukon, October 16, 1969.

Mrs. Coates received her education in the rural schools of Allamakee county and grew to womanhood in this vicinity. On August 17, 1897 she was united in marriage to Arch Byron Coates of Postville.

To this union was born five children: Larry, Lawrence and an infant daughter, Juanita, preceded her in death -- Ethel, Mrs. Alfred Kleinow of Prosser, Washington and Betty, Mrs. Edward G. Johnson of Prosser, Washington, survive.

Mr. and Mrs. Coates farmed in Allamakee county for a while and then went to Oklahoma for the land opening and "Homesteaded" there. They returned to Iowa and built a home near the "Old Stone House" where Mrs. Coates lived until her death.

Mrs. Coates was preceded in death by her husband -- she is survived by her daughters, Ethel and Betty and also one sister, Mrs. Edna Thompson, of Frederick, Oklahoma -- fifteen grand children, fifty-two great grandchildren and seven great, great grandchildren.

Lillie was truly a pioneer woman whose experiences taught her devotion and faith which greatly influenced her life. She was a member of the Forest Mills United Methodist church. During her declining years she was cared for by her daughter-in-law, Patricia Coates who made her home with her.

Postville Herald newspaper clipping from my mother's obituary collection.

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Added by Reid R. Johnson, 8/6/2013 - this obit was in the Postville Herald, Wednesday, 22 October 1969