Anna RIchards 1873-1901

RICHARDS, MADSON

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/28/2018 at 08:22:06

17 January 1901 - West Branch Times

DIED At her home in Iowa City, Jan. 14, Mrs. Frank Richards, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Neal Madson of this place. Funeral was held at West Branch M.E. church Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2 p.m.

31 January 1901 - West Branch Times

Anna E. Richards, daughter of Neal and Minnie Madson was born at Marshalltown, July 9, 1873, died at her home in Iowa City Jan. 14, 1901. She was married to Frank Richards Dec. 20, 1892. Began housekeeping at West Branch, Ia., where they resided until Aug. 20, 1897, when they removed to Iowa City, Ia., where her husband began the study of medicine.

The following year she took up the Pupil Nurse Course. Her health began to fail about April of last year. The most careful medical attention was given her continually with varying and unsatisfactory results. Her vitality being low, the fatal disease made such rapid proress that a more favorable climate was sought in southern Colorado, with the hope of recovery or of prolonging life. The benefit, however, was only transient, and on Jan. 7, she decided to return.

Being now too weak to walk and almost helpless, she despaired of ever reaching home, but by the most carefull watching and the administration of stimulants by her husband, who was her constant and only companion, life was prolonged until she reached a lower altitude, where she seemed to revive and thereafter enjoyed the journey. She lived to reach home Jan. 11, for which she often expressed her thankfullness and appreciation. She continued to decline and in three days the immortal spirit took its flight, leaving a husband, a boy six years and a baby girl four months old to mourn the loss of a devoted wife and loving mother.

Her whole life was a noble example of christian patience and fortitude. From the beginning of her sickness to the morning of her death there was a constant manifestation of patient submission to the Divine will, faithfully hoping that each day might bring renewed strength or some promise of recovery.

She desired to live but was willing to die and only a few hours before her death, while expressing the hopelessness of her condition said, "The parting will be hard but I am ready to go." Thus has been transferred from Earth's nursery to Heaven's gardens, a character exemplifying with peculiar fidelity such qualities as conscientiousness, affection, patience and steadfastness, manifest expressly in the home which was her realm.

Her life was one of remarkable peace however disturbing the outward circumstances, and her soul has entered into her natural element of unruffled and eternal calm. The remains were removed from Iowa City to West Branch for funeral services and burial, resting a short time at the home of the parents. The services in the Methodist church were attended by a large concourse of sympathizing friends. There was an unusual abundance of floral tributes completely enveloping the casket and speaking with mute but eloquent language of flowers the respect and affection of those who knew her.

"You may break, you may shatter the vase if you will, But the scent of the roses will cling round it still."