Duff, Rebecca (Peterman) 1858 - 1918

DUFF, PETERMAN, LICKISS

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 11/15/2021 at 11:31:32

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 30 May 1918.

Rebecca Peterman was born on the Peterman homestead, Highland township, August 3rd, 1858, and "fell to sleep" May 20, 1918, aged 59 years, 9 months and 17 days.

Miss Peterman was united in marriage with Andrew M. Duff at Elkader, July 2, 1879, and the young couple went to housekeeping on the farm which still remains the possession of the family.

Into this home six children were born, Mary Belle, Milton T., Willis R., Ralph M., Archie M. and Ruth E., Willis R. died in 1885, and the husband "passed on before" on May 25, 1907. Four brothers and one sister survive, Henry of Highland, Joe of Arlington, Ia., Solomon of Nevada, Ia., John of Atlantic, Ia., and Mrs. Lickiss of Arlington, Ia. W. J. Bryan Duff, an adopted son recently enlisted in the army, and is now at Fort Pickens, Fla.

Mrs. Duff was taken sick on Tuesday of last week on her return from the Highland Goodwill Society, and in spite of the skill of physicians and a trained nurse and the loving care of the home folks, she quietly slipped the earthly cable on Monday night, and anchored in the Heavenly harbor.

About 31 years ago Mrs. Duff united with the Highland church, then known as the Covenanter, or old Reformed Presbyterian. Her loyalty and devotion to her church and to her Lord was one of the prominent characteristics of her life. She was most regular in her attendance upon the church services, a reverent and devout worshipper, and an efficient officer and teacher in the Sunday school. Her religion was a real and vital part of her life. Her knowledge of the Bible was wide and accurate, and her comments in Bible class were always sound and scriptual.

She was treasurer of the Highland Goodwill Society and it was at her suggestion the quilt for the Red Cross society was started.

Mrs. Duff was a woman of strong convictions and sturdy independence, not easily caught by any new fad or innovation, and yet keeping a fairly open mind to the new presentations of truth. Her two great interests in life were her home and church, and both rise up today and call her blessed. Her home speaks volumes for her fidelity and industry, and constancy as a wife and mother and homemaker. Her life work is done, and it has been well done, and she has doubtless received the "Well done, good and faithful Servant" from the Great Master of the Household.

If I were to single out one distinguishing virtue of her character, I would call it loyalty. She was loyal to the core, loyal to her convictions, loyal to her neighbors, loyal to her home, loyal to her church, loyal to her Lord and Saviour. Like a sturdy oak her roots struck deep in the community and church life and her memory is fragrant and precious, and will be increasingly so as the days and years go by.

And now in the Providence of God she has gone from the church militant to the church triumphant, from the earthly home to the Heavenly home, from the Highland of earth to the Highland of God.

We sorrow today, but "not without hope." Our loss is her eternal gain. For to the Christian believer death is gain ! The atoning sacrifice of the Son of God has extracted the sting of death, which is sin, and opened up the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers - To die is gain ! Death will disrobe us of mortality and enrobe us with immortality; we shall not be unclothed says Paul but clothed upon, that death may be swallowed up by life. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. Wherefore my beloved brethren be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as ye know that your labor in not in vain in the Lord.

There is no death ! The stars go down
To rise upon some fairer shore;
And bright in Heaven's jeweled crown
They shine for evermore.

There is no Death ! The leaves may fall,
The flowers may fade and pass away,
They only wait thru wintry hours
The coming of the May.

There is no death ! An angel form
Walks 'er the ear__ with silent tread;
He bears our best loved things away, And then we call them "dead"

Born unto that undying life.
They leave us but to come again,
With joy we welcome them - the same,
Except in sin and pain

And ever near us though unseen,
The immortal spirits tread,
For all the boundless universe
is life - there are no dead.

A very large crowd of neighbors and friends gathered at the home for the brief home service, and again at the Volga Presbyterian church on Thursday afternoon. Rev. Richard Roberts of Coggan, assisted the pastor, Rev. B. F. Pearson, and in his excellent address emphasized the loyalty of Mrs. Duff, to her home, her church and the community. Miss Nettie Duff sang very effectively the solo sang at the funeral services which she sang at the funeral services of Mr. Duff eleven years ago.

The floral decorations were very beautiful, a fitting tribute to a beautiful life. The out of town relatives (there were a few Peterman relatives named, who were from Arlington, Nevada and Atlantic, Iowa, but the first names were to blurred to copy.)

Interment was at Hillcrest.