Adelia Lunschen

LUNSCHEN, THIESEN

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 10/23/2016 at 09:18:51

31 March 1911 - The Lowden News

Mrs. Adelia Lunschen, a lady well known near Sunbury where she was born and raised, committed suicide by hanging on Sunday morning at the White sanitarium at Freeport, Ill., where she was taking treatment. Mrs. Lunschen's end is a sad one. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Thiesen, prominent and well-to-do people who for many years owned and occupied a farm at Sunbury. Here the deceased was born and reared and had a large circle of friends, won by her kindly disposition and sunny temper. A few years ago she was united in marriage with Ben Lunschen, a prominent young farmer. The happy young couple resided on the groom's father's farm, west of Tipton for a year or two and then went to South Dakota to reside. Almost a year ago the husband died by his own hand and the young wife never recovered from the shock. At first she tried to bear up bravely but the sorrow was too great and her reason became affected. For several months she was kept at a sanitarium at Des Moines but received but little benefit and was finally brought to the home of her mother at Davenport. Still hopeful of relief, she was sent to the White sanitarium at Freeport, Ill., some four or five weeks ago and seemed to be improving. She was allowed to take walks out doors and had even made one trip down town. On the Saturday before her death she expressed pleasure at her progress and wondered whether she would not be well enough to return home some time the next week. On Sunday she received a letter from home and seemed more than usually cheerful. Shortly after 10 o'clock her nurse left her for the purpose of getting her a warm drink. She was only gone a few minutes and when she returned she found Mrs. Lunschen upon her knees as if in prayer. A closer investigation showed that the patient had attempted suicide during her absence. She had tied one end of the sheet about her neck and the other to the top of the bed post and threw herself forward producing strangulation. The slip knot was loosened and medical aid summoned and everything done to bring the unfortunate woman back to life, but to no avail. The end had come and there was no recall.

It was a case of a mental breakdown, caused by the sudden death of her husband from which she was not able to rally.

She leaves a little son, mother and four sisters and two brothers to mourn her passing. --Conservative