Palmer, Mildred 1885 - 1921

PALMER

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:25

Elkader Register, Thur., 10 Feb. 1921. Volga City Views column.

A memoir of Mildred Palmer, laid to rest yesterday. Mildred Palmer was born at Arlington, Iowa, January 26, 1885, and (next several words obscured) at the home of her parents in Hawkeye, Iowa, in the early hours of Sunday morning, January 23, 1921. She was but a babe when the family removed to this place, and here she has grown up from childhood almost constantly among the friends of her early life, with the exception of six years when her father was an official of the county and resided in West Union.

She lacked but a few months of graduation in high school, but feebleness of body prevented the consumanation of plans in this direction, as it frustrates so many other ambitions and it seemed to be a part of her heritage to be thwarted in the purposes which she was wont to pursue with remarkable energy and zeal. She studied oratory at Upper Iowa University and in the interpretation of the beautiful and enriching thoughts of our literature she had great ability and with trained aptitudes of mind and voice she was wont graciously to serve the pleasures of her friends, and many public gatherings were enlivened by her presence and renditions. There was great disparity between the zest of her ambition and the physical feebleness from which she was scarcely ever exempt. One of the purposes she cherished ardently was to be of service to children and she wished for strength and might contribute to and be gladdened by some marked development in them.

She had been violently sick for about twelve weeks but an examination at Iowa City disclosed that this final illness was the result of a condition of long standing. She has for the last two years been interested in Christian Science and those most conversant with her in the home have felt that the moods and attitudes engendered by its tenets upheld and sustained her. She was baptized in the Episcopal church at Anamosa some fifteen years ago and frequently visited friends in that city. During those visits she was cheered by the assurance that her readings had brought help to the inmates of the penitentiary.

She had long been an invalid and rendered other than her disposition prompted her to be, by physical conditions of feebleness and inability. The body could not always respond to the incitement of the mind. Many remedial measures were assiduously sought by her parents, such as travel amid the mild and benign conditions of the Pacific coast, but they were always in a great part fruitless. Her sickness was relieved by the patient and loving attendance and ministrations of her brother, Russell, and she notably and gratefully appreciated the soothing presence of her parents and was moved to gratitude by the profusion of flowers sent her by devoted friends. The funeral service simple in character, was conducted from the family residence Wednesday Jan. 26, at 2:00 p.m. Dr. D. M. Parker of Fayette conducted the prayer service and prepared and read a memoir. Rev. M. L. Hill delivered the sermon. Mrs. N. O. Bevins rendered a solo accompanied by Mrs. N. A. Hull. The pallbearers were: H. F. Jacobs, H. H. Sorg, E. R. Burkhart, H. P. Clark, N. O. Bevins, C. A. Munson, honorary bearer, F. J. Campbell; worthy patron of the Eastern Star chapter, of which the deceased was a member. It will not escape your notice that her burial was upon the anniversary of her birthday. Her grandmother resides at San Jose, California, at the age of ninety-one and the maternal grandmother at Volga City, Iowa, aged eighty-one years. She is survived by her parents and three brothers, Chesley of Kansas City, Mo.; Kingsley of Boxholm; and Russell of Hawkeye. - Hawkeye Beacon.