Edith A. Hutchcroft 1879 - 1919

HUTCHCROFT, BLAKE

Posted By: Deb (email)
Date: 3/29/2013 at 12:43:05

Ref: Mediapolis New Era, Mediapolis, IA -- Edith A. Hutchcroft was born in Des Moines County, IA, August 28, 1879 and died at her home, April 30, 1919, aged 39 years, 8 months and 2 days.

She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Hutchcroft, both of whom have preceded her to the life beyond. Her brothers and sisters are: Mrs. Lewis Myers, Kellerton, IA; Lewis Hutchcroft, Danville, IA; Mrs. W. J. Breuer, Mediapolis, IA; Frank Hutchcroft, Mediapolis, IA; Mrs. J. C. Dodds, Washington, IA; Mrs. O. L. Asby, Kingston, IA.

She was a resident of Des Moines County all her life and the three farm homes which became her residences were only a short distance apart.

The farm home of her parents two miles north of Mediapolis was her birthplace. Here helping in the busy home life and attending country school and Mediapolis High School; energetic, noble minded and devout and taking part in all best things, she grew to womanhood.

She was married February 6, 1901, at the home of her parents, to John W. Blake, Rev. H. N. Smith officiating. They made their new home two miles east of Northfield on the farm where her husband was born and grew to manhood. When they had lived there four years they purchased their present farm home one and a half miles northeast of Mediapolis where they have resided for fourteen years.

She and her husband had happily lived, planned and worked together to make their new home and to have the largest and noblest life advantages for their family and for helpfulness in the world. But the disappointments wrought by her sickness were bravely and nobly borne by herself, her husband and her children. She had been in poor health for the past two years and confined to her bed the last three months.

In her sickness she had every assistance possible from physicians, her many loved ones and kind friends. In her suffering she did not complain, was patient and trustful, prayerful and thoughtful, thinking more of others than of herself and looked on the bright side.

She united with the church at the age of sixteen, having been in Sunday School from early childhood. She grew up in a Christian home, as also had her husband and they made their home a Christian home.

They transferred their church membership from Northfield to Mediapolis in 1905 and she took part in the church, as she was able.

She would live to have had her life spared for her husband and children's sake, but was resigned and ready to go if it was God's will.

She wrote a beautiful letter to her children, "in care of Papa", telling them of her love for them and what she wished them to be in life and to come to her in heaven.

With loved ones all about her she passed peacefully to the life beyond, as if falling into restful sleep about 9 o'clock Wednesday morning.

In accordance with the plans she had made in detail for her funeral and burial, the services were held at the Methodist Church in Mediapolis Friday afternoon, May 2, at 2 o'clock, in charge of the pastor, Rev. J. E. Newsome and Rev. B. G. Hankins of Winfield, preaching the service. As she had chosen, the text was 2nd Cor., 5:1 and the scripture read Romans, 8th chapter.

Mrs. Lloyd Kelly and Miss Ella Graham sang, "God Will Take Care of You" and "Does Jesus Care" as she had chosen.

The pall bearers were: Thomas Drinkall, Paul Lischer, Fred Eland, Fred Feldman, John S. Miller and Frank Davis.

Interment was made in the Kossuth Cemetery.