Mrs. Francis "Elizabeth" (Theisen) May 1835-1895

MAY, THEISEN, HEFFEREN

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 4/14/2020 at 11:55:34

Cascade Pioneer, Published in Cascade, Iowa on Friday, November 15th, 1895

SUDDENLY SUMMONED

~
The Widow of the Late Francis May Died
Wednesday Evening

The death of Mrs. Elizabeth May, widow of the late Francis May, Wednesday evening, was a painful shock to the people of this city, as many were not aware that her illness was of a dangerous character, although for the past two weeks she had been unwell and at one time her condition was very serious. She grew better, and while confined to her bed for the past week, signs of improvement were manifest in her condition. However, Wednesday evening, a sudden and fatal relapse set in and her decline was but a matter of moments. So rapid was the change that her children were hardly cognizant of the dread truth until the finished work of the hand of death convinced them that their loved mother was at rest.

Mrs. May survived her husband just five months and four days, he having died on the 9th day of last June. She was sixty years old and was born in Kalin, Luxemburg, and came to America with the parents at the age of eleven years. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Theisen, and she was married to Francis May at Galena, Illinois, in 1852. In the spring of 1853 she came to Cascade with the husband, and for forty-two years had resided in this city. She was the worthy helpmate of her respected husband and was ever an indulgent and amiable mother to their children. She was a loyal and consistent member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and her closing hours were made peaceful and happy by the sacraments of the church.

Five children survive her- Mrs. John Hefferen, Herman N., Clara, Frank and George. All of whom were at her bedside in the closing moments, except George who is attending school at the University of Iowa.

The funeral took place this morning from the residence on O’Connell Avenue to St. Mary’s Church, from thence to the Catholic Cemetery. Rev. F. X. Feurstein will officiate.