Geisinger, Catherine 1865-1931

GEISINGER, PIERCE, ANSLE, BEASLEY

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 4/20/2016 at 16:50:25

Storm Lake Pilot Tribune - July 16, 1931 - (Written by Rev. Geo. H. Ham) The Grim reaper of death has visited our community by the passing away of Mrs. H.V. Geisinger at the Swallum hospital on Monday noon of this week and we are sad today and mourn at her loss.

She was before her marriage, Kate Pierce. Born near Paw Paw, in Lee county, Illinois February 7, 1865 and died July 13, 1931 being 66 years, 5 months, and 7 days of age.

She grew to young womanhood in Lee county until her parents moved to Bedford, Iowa, and established a farm home there. She remaining in Illinois with her grandparents and teaching school for several years in the county until her marriage with H.V. Geisinger formerly of that same neighborhood, which took place February 5, 1885 and moved to a farm north of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, and later to the farm where they made their home one mile north of Storm Lake in 1903 until the time of her death.

There was born to this union seven children. Four boys and three girls namely: Mrs. Forest May Ansle, now of Westville, Ind.: Glenn Harland of Storm Lake; Chrystal Gem at home; Carroll Edison, deceased in infancy: Lawrence Jay of Storm Lake: Mrs. Charlotte Irene Beasley of Kankakee, IL., and Arlo Wayne at home.

There are six grandchildren that she leaves here: Robert B., Roderick H, and Bonnijane, children of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Geisinger; Harold V, and Archie C, children of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Geisinger; and Rita Mae, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Beasley.

Two sisters and two brothers and also her parents have preceded her in death, while one sister and two brothers survive her.

Mrs. Geisinger was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, having joined the church in Sioux Rapids and transferring her membership with her husband to Storm Lake when removing here. She was interested in all the activities of the church and was a faithful attendant of the Woman's Bible class of which she was a member at the time of her death. From whence she will be missed, "for her seat will be empty." She was a woman of intense living for whatever she did it was with a great earnestness, growing out of her rugged health and hard work for her family, and scarcely ever knew what ill health was until quite recently which seemed to date from the time that she fell and injured herself.

But which she resoluted and resisted most bravely until on last Saturday her family became alarmed at her condition and sought medical advice. There seemed to be no immediate danger after the doctor had made several visits, but on Sunday she suffered pain in the abdomen but rested Sunday night. She came down stairs to breakfast Monday morning, the eating of which distressed her so much that it was thought advisable to remove her to the hospital for an operation, when she passed away in the presence of all her family that were at home with her.

She had already expressed herself as ready and willing to go and requested that there be no undue demonstration at her funeral and that no flowers be at her funeral, preferring that they be given to the poor. Exception to this however has been made in favor of the Women's and Men's Bible classes of the M.E. church of which both Mr. and Mrs. Geisinger were members.

She leaves to mourn her departure a host of friends and neighbors of a wide circle, who sympathize with the family in their heavy loss and sorrow. But we remember her many virtues and also know that "there's a land that is fairer than day."

"And by faith we can see afar,
And the Father waits over the wave,
To prepare us a dwelling place there,
and we further are assured, "That
we shall meet in a sweet bye and bye."

The funeral services were in charge of her pastor, Dr. O.M. Bond, who preached the sermon and was assisted by the Rev. Geo. H. Wareham, an intimate friend of the family who prepared and read the obituary and offered prayer. A short service being held at the home and the regular services held at the M.E. church where a large company of friends and neighbors gathered to express their great sympathy to the family. There were few flowers at the special request of the deceased.

Her remains were laid at rest in the beautiful cemetery of Storm Lake until the dawn of the eternal day when death will have passed away and there shall be no more tears or sorrow. The pall bearers were: A. Tymeson, J. and T. O'Malley, R. Sheffield, H. Prichard, H. Witter. The music at the funeral being given by the Witter quartette. Mrs. Jean Caldwell presiding at the pipe organ.