Gee, Hannah Mary 1852-1938

GEE, BALL, BEAL, SHONKWILER

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 4/20/2016 at 16:28:19

Storm Lake Register - December 27, 1938 - Funeral services for Hannah Gee, beloved resident of Storm Lake, was held Friday afternoon from the Methodist church. Rev M.P. Arrasmith, was in charge of the service. He used as his text "Blessed Are They Who Die In the Lord." The obituary was read by Ralph Sheffield. The vested choir sang "Faith of Our Fathers." Bearers were: George and Henry Saathoff, Ross Shannon, Robert Gring, Robert Fulton of Spencer, and Charles Christensen. The body was placed in the Storm Lake mausoleum.

Those from out of town who attended the services were - Mr and Mrs. J.E. Gee of Olivia, Minn.; Mr and Mrs. Oliver Shankwiler, Estherville; Harold W. Gee, Blooming Prairie, Minn.; Mr and Mrs. Lloyd B. Gee, Marathon; Mrs. Sarah Cooper and Stewart Cooper, Sheldon; Mr. and Mrs. George H. Ebner of Tonica, Illinois; and Mrs. Frank John of Galva.

Hannah Mary Ball, daughter of William and Maria Coultas Ball, was born in Southport, England, June 21, 1852, and passed from this life to the life beyond Dec. 21, 1938 at the age of 86 years and 6 months. At the age of 14 years she came from England with her mother and two sisters, settling near Lostant, Illinois, to which place her father and two half brothers had preceded them a few years previously. Here she spent her girlhood days.

She was married to William Gee on Feb 5, 1874. To this union three children were born George C. of Truesdale; Catherine S. of Storm Lake; and Joseph C of Olivia, Minn., all of whom survive. Mr and Mrs. Gee lived at Tonica, Illinois until 1898, when they moved to Storm Lake, locating on a farm four miles east of town, which they called "Buenadale Farm." Here they lived and labored, together until Mr Gee's death in 1927, and where Mrs. Gee has continued to reside until her passing.

At the early age of 10 years, Mrs. Gee commenced teaching a Sunday school class of boys, sons of local Southport fishermen, and at about that time joined the Wesleyan Methodist church there. Following her arrival in Tonica, Illinois, she taught a class of girls, and upon locating in Storm Lake, continued in the work, which she so greatly enjoyed, as a teacher of a class of boys in the First M.E. church Sunday school.

Mrs. Gee was a faithful member and worker in the Storm Lake Methodist church, and a liberal contributor to all worthy causes. She was also a member of the W.C.T.U., and of the Home and Foreign Missionary societies. Her interest in Foreign Missions was due largely to the influence of her grandfather, who was at one time a missionary to the West Indies. Her strong Christian character and wise counsel was ever a source of inspiration, and was instrumental in leading many souls into the Kingdom of her Lord and Master.

Mrs. Gee's education began in a private girls' school in England, and was continued in the district schools in this country. She was a graduate of the Chautauqua Course, receiving her diploma therefrom. She was a writer of considerable literary ability contributing articles to the Northwestern Christian Advocate, the Youth's Companion, and several leading farm papers. Her pen name was "Kendall Perry."

She is the last of her immediate family to answer the summons. Besides the three children, George, Joseph, and Catherine, she leaves to mourn her loss six grandchildren: Mrs. Marion Beal and Harold Gee, both of Blooming Prairie, Minn.; Elizabeth Beal of Milan, Minn.; Lloyd Gee, of Marathon; Vera Shonkwiler, of Terrill; and Dorothy Gee, of Fresno, Cal.; five great grandchildren, several other relatives and a multitude of friends.