Burgess, Lydia (Arnold) died 1917

BURGESS, ARNOLD, MORRISON, CAMPBELL, GREGG, HANCOCK

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 10/1/2021 at 23:50:32

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 05 July 1917. Monona column.

IN MEMORIAM.

Lydia Arnold Burgess passed away at the home of her adopted daughter, Mrs. W. H. Morrison, of Miami, Arizona, Friday, June 22nd, at 6:00 o'clock p.m. She had just passed her seventy-sixth birthday.

Lydia Arnold was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, but moved with her parents to Sheboygan county, Wis., while she was still a little child. There she was married to W. H. Burgess in 1857. Later they moved to Niellsville, Wis., where they made their home for many years before coming to Monona. Mr. Burgess' death occurred in Monona March 23, 1910.

During the last five years Mrs. Burgess has lived with her daughter, Mrs. Harriet Campbell, of Garner, Iowa. For more than three years she was a constant sufferer from a form of spinal trouble which finally caused death. Last fall she was taken to Arizona in the hope the warmer climate might benefit her but she gradually failed until death came as a welcome release.

During all the months of her illness no one ever heard her utter a word of complaint. Her cheerfulness and sweetness of spirit were a blessing and a benediction to all who met her. Though lying upon a bed of pain, she seldom seemed to think of her own suffering, but her thought was ever of those who ministered unto her, and of all of whom she heard, who were in sickness or trouble. She took a lively interest in the life of the day, both in the local community and in the nation, up to the very last.

Mrs. Burgess gave her life in the service of others. She was a veritable "Good Samaritan," whose neighbor was anyone who needed her love or service and her one sorrow during the months of her illness was that she must be waited upon rather than wait upon others. She was a great lover and friend of children and young people, a devoted Christian who will long be remembered for her good works and her great spirit.

One brother, Samuel Arnold, of Monona, Iowa; two sisters, Mrs. Martha Gregg, of Monona, and Mrs. Adeline Hancock, of Conlee, Wash.; one son, Frank Burgess, of Bruce, Wis.; one daughter, Mrs. Harriet Campbell, of Garner, Iowa, and an adopted daughter, Mrs. W. H. Morrison, of Miami, Arizona, are the members of the immediate family who survive her.

Mrs. Burgess planned the details of her funeral, choosing the participants, selecting the text and the songs. Miss Margaret Killen rendered two sweet solos in accordance with her request. Services were held in Miami, Arizona, Sunday afternoon, June 24th, at 3:00 o'clock p.m., after which the body was shipped to Monona for burial beside the husband. Funeral services were held in the Methodist Episcopal church in Monona, Thursday afternoon, June 28th, at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. Clyde E. Baker pronounced the funeral oration from the text chosen. Interment followed in the Monona cemetery.