Keen, May Estella (Wells) 1876 - 1902

KEEN, WELLS

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 3/12/2021 at 20:49:40

Elkader Register, Thur., 12 June 1902. North McGregor column.

In memory of May Estella, beloved wife of Edward Keen. Born Feb. 3rd, 1876, in North McGregor, and died June 7th, at 4:50 p.m., at her home in this place, after a painful illness of only five days duration.

Deceased was the elder daughter of George D. and Fannie Wells. October 31st, 1894, she was united in marriage to Edward Keen, and to this union were born four sons, three of whom are living.

Pen cannot do justice to the Christian life this young wife and mother lived. Kindly deeds, gentle words, and a smile for all, won all the hearts to her, thus forming friendships enduring for all time. In the spring of 1894, while visiting in Corunna, Mich., she became deeply impressed with the beauties and blessings attending a religious life, and became a follower of Christ, which has been her guidance and strength in her every day life, in her home and among her neighbors. All the beauties of her Christian life were shown during her days of intense pain, bourne with patience and uncomplainingly, even though she realized the hour was near, when she must leave all those near and dear, and cross that silent river and enter the heavenly portals, where there will be no more sorrow and pain. Just before her death she requested the nurse, Miss Moody, to sing those beautiful words, "Asleep in the arms of Jesus," and the tender words so sweetly sung were a balm to the weary sufferer.

"She heard the voice of Jesus say
Come unto me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
Thy head upon my breast."

The funeral services were held at the home, where the remains laid in a bower of floral emblems. Rev. D. C. Dutton dwelt with appropriate tenderness upon her exemplary life taking for his text; Phil. 1:21; "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Burial was in Oakland cemetery beside her little son Clay, where the last resting place was lined with flowers. By her sudden death the husband and little sons have met with a loss that only God can make it easier to bear, though the knowledge that their loss is her eternal gain. The sympathy of all is extended to the bereaved husband and little sons and relatives in this their hour of sorrow.

The pall bearers were Mike Grady, Ernest Lang, M. J. Wells, Ed Burke, C. Langlie and Chas Scrogum.

Friends present from abroad were: Jay Mason, wife and sons, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Chas. Standart and wife, Madison Wis.; Wm. Keen and wife, Mason City, Iowa; Clay Brundage and wife, Dubuque.