Anna Carlson 1876-1908

CARLSON, KOTAS, HESSLINGH

Posted By: Georgea Clinton (email)
Date: 4/12/2011 at 14:45:07

July 1908 - Carroll Times - Mrs. Albert Carlson of southeastern Grant Township met with a serious accident Monday while seeking to re-kindle a fire in the kitchen stove and using kerosene to hasten the operation. Gas formed, causing an explosion that threw the burning oil over her and the clothes were virtually burned from her body before the blaze could be put out. She was badly burned and is suffering excruciating pains. It is hoped that no serious results will follow.

July 16, 1908 - Carroll Times - The death of Mrs. Albert Carlson of southern Grant township occurred on Monday, July 6th, 1908 at 9:30 p.m. The burns sustained by her a week prior to this would, possibly not have proved fatal had the skin been destroyed over a smaller surface. The absorbent power becoming too limited, the system retains the poison otherwise thrown off and death is inevitable.

The sufferer bore her great pains heroically and strove for the sake of her loved ones to overcome the effect of her injuries by will power and live, but in vain. She could but commend them to divine mercy and render up her gentle spirit to the Author of life and death.

Anna Kotas was born at the paternal homestead west of Glidden, July 6th, 1876. She was therefore just 32 years old on the day of her death. She was married to Albert Carlson, November 12, 1901, who with their little daughter aged five, survives her. There also survive her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Kotas, her brothers Jerry, Adolph, Ernest and Joseph Kotas and the following sisters: Carrie Kotas, Bertha (Mrs. Henry Hesslingh) and Lottie and Emma Kotas. The funeral was conducted from the Presbyterian church, Glidden, on Wednesday afternoon, July 8th, Dr. Booth officiating. Interment took place at West Lawn cemetery.

There were present at the funeral from a distance, her sister Carrie and brother, Ernest Kotas, Tripp, S.D.; Mesdames Anthony and Joseph Sevory and Miss Blanche Brush, cousins, Cedar Rapids, Ia., John Carlson and niece of Clarion, Iowa, Mr, and Mrs. Mickle Schupitar and Mrs. Dozark, relatives, Vail, Iowa.

Friends have again gathered about a bier where rested all that was left on earth of a tender, loving and beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister. Tears have fallen from eyes that perhaps paid this tribute of sympathy for the first time. The woe of the distracted husband, the anguish of the motherless little one, the grief and sorrow of parents, sisters and brothers over this silent form, melts the stoutest heart. Human speech fails to express the words of solace we would like to pour into those troubled souls. Their burden seems too great for human endurance. And yet, grief and suffering come into human life from the same hand that bestows joy and gladness. His inscrutable decrees call the infant from the mother's breast, youth and maiden in the glow of life, man in his strength and those who have reached the fullness of their years, all travel to "that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns." Human mind cannot ascend to look beyond the heights, we can but weep in silence and gaze through tears at the impenetrable wall rising before us the warp and woof of mystery and death. From the lips of the Great Master alone can solace come to those who are bent with the burden of their woe. Like music floating down the dim valley, His message, as the dove of the Deluge, will bring peace and calm that shall abide with them forever.

All those who so kindly assisted us during the illness and after the death of our beloved one, Mrs. Albert Carlson, are assured of our fullest appreciation. May a Higher Power bestow the reward which is beyond our ability to give. The Relatives.