Farnham, Vera Irene (Cates) 1901-1944

FARNHAM, CATES, KITCH

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 9/25/2010 at 20:03:42

Mrs. Harley W. Farnham, 43, of Waterloo, Iowa and formerly of Monona, died of carcinoma at 5:45 o'clock Thursday morning, December 21, 1944 in St. Francis hospital in Waterloo, Iowa, where she had been a patient for the last three weeks.

Rev. and Mrs. Farnham and their family left Monona in 1943 for Waterloo. Rev. Farnham becoming pastor of Grace Methodist church, Waterloo, after serving the Monona Methodist church for four years. Mrs. Farnham was active in the youth and women's work of her church, was superintendent of the intermediate department of the Sunday School, and was a leader in the Women's Society of Christian Service. At one time the Dubuque counselor on intermediate work, she also taught at summer youth camps.

She was a member of the Waterloo Woman's club, the American Association of University Women, Torch chapter of Cornell College Mortar Board, an honorary scholastic society; and Tau Kappa Alpha, honorary forsenic fraternity.

Born as Vera Irene Cates, Sept. 12, 1901 at Independence, Iowa, the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Kitch) Cates, she was graduated from Independence High School in 1919 and from Cornell College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech in 1923. She taught English and dramatics for two years at Miller, South Dakota High School and two years at Rock Rapids High School.

She was married to Harley W. Farnham at Independence, June 8, 1927. The couple lived at Rock Rapids until 1929, when her husband left his position as principal of the high school to enter business at Independence. In 1932 they moved to McCausland where he began his ministry. In 1936, they left that pastorate for Wyoming and in 1939 they transferred to Monona, Iowa.

Besides her husband, she is survived by a son, Wallace, 16, and twins Charles and Charlotte, 14. Her parents preceded her in death. Services were conducted at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon at Grace Methodist Church by Rev. Earle A. Baker of Cedar Falls and Dr. H.D. Temple of Oelwein. After the services the body was sent to Cedar Rapids for cremation.*

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*Transcriber's note: It is not known if she was buried in Waterloo or another cemetery, possibly in Independence, Iowa

Source: Newspaper clipping, Monona, Iowa newspaper

Contributor: Connie Ellis (from personal papers of mother - not related to Mrs. Farnham)