Esther (Smith) Chamberlain - 1895-1969

SMITH, WEBB, CHAMBERLAIN, WALZ

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 6/8/2011 at 21:56:37

SOURCE: Postville, Iowa POSTVILLE HERALD, ca March 25, 1969
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Webb Family Researcher)

Esther Chamberlain, after a brief illness, passed away at the Community Memorial Hospital on Sunday, March 16, 1969. She reached the age of 73 years, six months, and 24 days. Funeral services for Mrs. Leon Chamberlain were held in the Community Presbyterian Church in Postville, Iowa on Tuesday, March 18 at 1:30 p.m. with the Rev. Dick Harberts officiating. Interment was in the Postville Cemetery. Pallbearers were Donald Lamborn, Lloyd Lamborn, Donald Folsom, Dale Brainard, Keith Brainard, and Roger Harris. Schutte Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Esther Rozilla Smith, daughter of Cassius P. and Lucy Augusta (Webb) Smith, was born on August 22, 1895 in Post Township, Allamakee County, Iowa. She spent her entire life in this vicinity. As a child she attended the grade school at the village of Hardin, Iowa and graduated from Postville High School in 1915. She took a short course in Normal Training at Upper Iowa University at Fayette, Iowa and taught four terms in the rural schools.

Esther was united in marriage to Leon Evert Chamberlain on November 15, 1916 at Cresco, Iowa. This union was blessed with five children: Wayne Clinton Chamberlain, Kenneth Howard Chamberlain, Marjorie Eileen Chamberlain, Earl Byron Chamberlain, and Harlan Bruce Chamberlain. They lived on a farm in Franklin Township until retiring in Postville, Iowa in December 1942. She was active in the study and activities of the church. She was a leader in 4-H work; member of the Eastern Star; member of the Post-Franklin Study club; did historical research on the town of Hardin, Iowa; did family genealogy research; did much reading and was knowledgeable in many things -- especially the reading and studying of the Scriptures to keep her faith maturing and active. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1966.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents; 1 brother Leighton Smith; 1 son, Kenneth Chamberlain in infancy; her only daughter, Marjorie Eileen Walz in 1946;and 1 granddaughter, Karen Chamberlain.

She is survived by her husband, Leon; 3 sons: Wayne (Marjorie) Chamberlain of Luana, Iowa, Earl (Zana Mae) Chamberlain of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Harlan (Ramona) Chamberlain; 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren in addition to other relatives and a multitude of friends.