Mary (Heider) Killeen 1873-1909

KILLEEN, HEIDER

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 6/5/2010 at 21:17:00

The Carroll Times
Carroll, Iowa
30 Dec 1909
Page 5

Death of a Fond Young Mother

On Christmas eve, Dec. 24, 1909, at 10:20 o'clock, the angels came to one home as sombre messengers of Death. Though these silent winged escorts brought a message of peace, a call to eternal happiness to one member of that home, forever banishing from her face the lines of pain, to others their errand brought the deepest woe God has destined man to bear on earth.

Mrs. Mary Killeen, wife of Edward Killeen, was called to her eternal reward while the commemoration of the Savior's first coming moved the hearts of young and old to rejoicing at the thought of man's redemption. No human heart can be otherwise than plunged in deepest woe at the parting from one so loving, so kind, devoted and true as the wife of our friend, the bereaved young husband. Though we know that no time in all the blessed year, could be chosen by any one of us for leaving this life, like the natal day of Him Who made it possible that man may be saved, yet, what a a Christmas for the living!

Departed, Mary Heider, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Heider, was born at Plattsmouth, Neb., Sept. 20, 1873. During her infancy her parents removed to Mendota, Ill., and about twenty-one years ago they came to Carroll county, living in Arcadia and in Washington townships. Mr. and Mrs. Killeen were married at Arcadia, Iowa, October 19, 1897, and they made their home near there ever since. Their happy union was blessed with two daughters, Irene aged 11, and Ellen aged 10, who are the broken hearted husband's only solace in his nameless woe. There also survive her parents aforesaid, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Heider, Sr., and the following brothers and sisters, all of whom were at her bedside before she died, but one: Edward Heider, Milwaukee, Wis., Will of Carroll, Oscar and Louis of Halbur, Joe of Gregory, S. D., Emma, Mrs. John V. Hamilton, Sioux City, Iowa, and Laura, of Carroll.

The ailment which insidiously did its deathly work was uraemic poisoning, due to kidney trouble, which, though she never was very strong, only appeared in an alarming form a little over two weeks ago. All that the best medical skill and tender nursing could do was done to save the life so cherished and dear to the loved ones who hastened to her side. She of all was most calm and collected. She was fully conscious and after receiving the consolations of the Catholic church, bade all her dear ones an affectionate farewell, then prepared with true Christian resignation for the journey to that other life where tearful dear ones could not follow her, though life here was overspread with the pall that blotted out all happiness and love of life.

The funeral took place from St. John's Catholic church Tuesday morning, Father J. A. Schulte, officiating. The attendance was unusually large, for there was no woman more esteemed and generally liked than Mrs. Killeen. Besides the parents, brothers and sisters and families, all of whom were present, but Ed Heider, whom illness in the family prevented, there were the following relatives and friends from a distance: Chris Reck, Omaha, Neb., John Heider and family, Carroll, Iowa, Nick Neu and Nick Backes and families, Chas. Hamilton, John Grelch and Mrs. Richard Wolfe of the same place and Matt Walsh of Boone.

A white mound in "God's acre," holds all that made life worth living to those whom we seek vainly to assist in resuming alone the pilgrimage down the eternal valley of life. While all that made life worth living seems forever vanished, a tender merciful Father bids them to take up anew life's duties. The path He has designed we should follow, will lead to a land fairer than this. Come day He will lift the veil that now hides eternity. Voices we now deem forever hushed, shall greet us after we too shall cross the valley of silence. This assurance shall lead us like a star on life's wave. Tears shall blossom into flowers of peace, and the heart shall find solace on the bright mountain of prayer.