BRANNON, Kate I. (Quirk) 1859-1901
BRANNON, QUIRK, CASEY, DILLON
Posted By: Bruce Kuennen (email)
Date: 10/22/2018 at 22:13:42
Obituary
BRANNON - At her home in this city on Wednesda7, January 9, 1901 occurred the death of Mrs. P. H. Brannon, aged 41 years.
Kate I. Quirk was born in Delaware county, Iowa April 15, 1859, where her girlhood days were spent. She attended the country school and later entered the Visitation academy at Dubuque. Having completed her studies at the convent, she took up the work of an instructor at a school in Jones county. February 26, 1889 she was united in marriage with P. H. Brannon. The marriage ceremony performed in the Catholic church at Sand Springs. The young couple began life in favorable circumstances as the union was consumated by love, health, and youth.
They began their married life at Ft Atkinson where Mr Brannon was principal of the city schools. Here they resided until the close of the school year when they purchased a farm near Lawler where they lived until in December 1892, when they removed to New Hampton.
A year ago they purchased the beautiful home on south Locust street where they were surrounded by every comfort and luxury and were a happy, ideal Christian family. The shadow of the wife's ailment was ever present, but the spiritual side of her nature was ever striving to gain ascendancy over her physical, and her great courage and bravery often hid intense suffering from her friends.
In November last she was taken to a hospital in Chicago where a surgical operation was submitted to with a hope of obtaining the desired relief, but on her return home was again stricken. The disease was pronounced senema or impoverishment of the blood. The best medical aid was summoned, a trained nurse was in constant attendance, and loving hands were unsparing in devotion, but the Lord who doeth all things for the best had willed a separation and on Wednesday at 1:30 1 p. m , fortified by the Last rites of the Catholic church and surrounded by relatives and friends whom she loved and who worshipped her, she was freed from the earthly shell that bound her and fell peacefully to sleep.
No one that loved her could wish her back. She lay in her casket as if sweetly sleeping, a look of ineffable piety upon her face, and we who looked upon that calm, radiant face could not doubt but that the heavenly father had carried her home.
Mrs. Brannon was the mother of two children. A little son was born in August, 1893, but lived only three months, and a daughter, Bina, who is left to mourn her mother's death. Besides her husband and little daughter, she is survived by three brothers and three sisters, Rev M. J Quirk of Hawarden; John, of Mitchell, S Dak, Robert, of Dubuque, Mrs. Gus Casey, of Mason City; Mrs. James Dillon of this city, and Miss Nellie Quirk. of Dubuque. All were with their sister when she died.
The death of this noble woman has not only caused sorrow in her house but has cast a gloom over the community. Every act of her life was that of a Christian, and her family and social relations were true, faithful and genuine. Her noble character and Christian life has left an imprint upon the lives of her associates and friends. She was generous, unselfish and thoughtful for others comforts, full or tender pity and unbounded in charity. She was ever ready to lend the helpful hand to those in doubt and perplexity, was a loyal friend, faithful to the end. She leaves behind her a legacy of good deeds and the example of a beautiful Christean character.
The funeral was held from St. Joseph's church Friday morning at nine o'clock. Requiem high Mass was celebrated by Rev M. J. Quirk, brother of the deceased, who also officiated at the grave, assisted by Rev Father Malloy of Sumner,and Rev. R Slattery of this city. The church was filled with friends who had come to pay a last tribute to the dead. During the mass Mrs W J Nugent sang "One Sweetly, Solemn Thought" and at the close Mrs. W. E. Fox sang "Resignation" Both solos were faultlessly rendered The funeral sermon was delivered by Rev Father Malloy and was a beautiful and touching tribute to the dead and had a marked effect on he large congregation present.
The mayor and members of the city council attended the funeral in a body. The floral offerings were many and beautiful. John Foley. John Tooley, James Casey, W. J. Kennedy, M. C. Howard and C. N. Husting acted as pall bearers. The remains were interred in St. Joseph's cemetery. The Many friends of Mr. Brannon and family extend their heartfelt sympathy. These generous words and deeds are like, the opiates that temporarily allay the pain as after amputation. There is only one abiding consolation in the face of death and that consolation lies in the hope of immortality. Therein the perfect confidence that God knows best; that he has acted wisely, and though we may not know his purpose, we implicitly believe that the temporary affliction is an eternal favor.
Source: New Hampton Tribune, January 15, 1901, accessed at New Hampton Public Library Digital Archives
New Hampton Public Library Digital Archives
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