Friend, Kathryne (Refle) 1855 - 1914

FRIEND, REFLE, MENGES

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 2/19/2020 at 09:27:32

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 01 Oct. 1914.

The death of Mrs. John Friend occurred very suddenly Tuesday evening of heart failure. Shortly after ten o'clock the fire bell rang and Mrs. Friend walked to the State Bank corner, to see where the fire was located. Finding it a false alarm she started to return home and when nearly there clasped her hand over her heart and started to run. When she reached the door of her home she called to her son Harry and fell into his arms unconscious as the door opened. Medical aid was at once summoned but it was unavailing. The messenger of death had come.

Kathryne Refle was born at Buffalo, New York, December 29th, 1855, and was therefore 58 years and nine months of age at the time of her death. She was the daughter of Michael and Mary Refle and came to this county with her parents when about four years of age. She grew to womanhood here and on October 30th, 1876, was married to John Friend at Clayton. They came to Elkader at once, where Mr. Friend was engaged in the livery business and in running the stage line to Clayton. That same year they built the home on Front Street, where they have lived ever since.

Six children came to their home, Otto, located here; Ray, at Denison, Ia.; Frank, at Chicago; Harry, Mayme and Josephine still at home. She is also survived by her grief stricken husband; one brother, Joseph Refle, of Littleport; one sister, Mrs. Peter Menges, of Arlington; and a little granddaughter, Franque Roselyn Friend, (who has been the sunshine of the recent months of her life), together with a number of nieces and nephews. One brother, John, preceded her to the Great Beyond.

Our community joins in sorrow and sympathy in mourning her sudden death, which came as a shock to us all. Mrs. Friend was one of those precious things of this life, a good woman. She gave of herself and her strength to the utmost to aid her family, to help a neighbor or anyone in sorrow or trouble. Her memory will live in the minds of those who recall her many deeds of kindness.

The funeral services occurred this afternoon at 1:30 p.m., at the house, from which she was taken to the German church where Rev. Franke preached the sermon, the church being crowded with friends and neighbors. Burial was in the East Side cemetery.