Packer, Mary Ann (Appelman) 1819 - 1899

PACKER, APPELMAN, LAMM, GIFFORD, CLITT

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:23

Elkader Register, Thur., 21 Dec. 1899.

Mrs. Mary Ann Packer, whose maiden name was Appelman, was born at Mystic River, Connecticut, March 20, 1819, and died Monday morning, Dec. 18th, 1899, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Jos. Lamm, at this place.

Born in a land of plenty and where she, as a child, watched the ebbing and flowing of the tide from her father's front door, she became, as it were, enamored with its boundless horizon and mingled with those who made the ocean their home. It was one of those, Capt. James Packer, she choose and married in the year 18_7. Mr. and Mrs. Packer were among the early pioneers of Iowa, coming west in 1855 and settling in Clayton County. After a residence of five years in the county Capt. Packer resumed his seafaring life. To him the rolling prairies did not equal in interest and splendor the rolling tides of the mighty ocean. He returned to the sea, after some time, and before he could call his family death claimed him. He died at the Marine Hospital, Key West, Florida, and lies buried on the island. He sleeps near the breakers he loved so much to hear.

Since her husband's death Mrs. Packer has braved life alone, living for and with her children, five of whom survive her. They are James and Gustavus Packer, the former living in Di_er, Nebraska, the latter in Sioux City, Iowa; Mrs. G. M. Gifford and Mrs. Jos. Lamm, residing at Elkader, Iowa, and Mrs. Walter Clitt, at North Yakima, Washington. There were two other children, Alexander and Mary Ann, who died in their youth. Mary Ann Packer was one of a family of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters. By her death all have passed to the other shore except one brother, Capt. R. B. Appelman, of Clermont, Iowa.

In all of her long and eventful life her surviving brother, children, and all who knew her, can say that her life was one of great and loving kindness to all with whom she associated. Her beautiful character was reflected in the sweet smile with which she greeted everyone. Her every wish was to see all around her happy, and her advanced age contributed to the care which her kind and loving children who, at any and all times, were ready to extend to her.

Funeral services were held Wednesday morning at the residence of Jos. Lamm, conducted by Rev. Hiram H. Appelman, of Stillwater, Minn., a nephew of the deceased, and the remains taken to Clermont to be laid beside those of a daughter and other relatives. Her work on earth is finished. We should not mourn but rather feel that for her all pain and suffering has ended.