Ella Apple Blakey 1857-1916

BLAKEY, APPLE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/2/2010 at 22:23:44

Mrs. Blakey Laid At Rest
After Years of Suffering Mrs. Ella Blakey Is Called Home
Passed Away Last Thursday
Funeral Services Were Conducted From Methodist Church, Sunday Morning
On last Thursday evening the sad message was sent forth that the long heroic struggle for life had ended. It had been known for some time that there was no possibility of recovering and Mrs. Blakey had waited patiently for the time to come when she might lay down the burden of the flesh. Mrs. Blakey had not been well for a number of years, but her courage and naturally strong constitution had long withstood the assaults of the dreaded disease. Nearly eight months ago her condition became critical and to her closest friends she whispered her fear that her trouble was cancer. Medical advice was obtained but she slowly grew weaker until it was deemed expedient for her to try treatment at Excelsior Springs, Mo. After some weeks she returned weaker than when she went away.

A visit to the famous Mayo Brothers of Rochester, Minn., brought no relief. The last ray of hope was now extinguished and she was convinced that death was near at hand.

Bravely she faced the future for the consolation of a true and faithful Christian life strengthened her, while the blessed promise of God’s holy word were her comfort and support. Day by day she grew weaker, her soul yearned to depart and be at peace with God. Though she was surely passing down into the valley and the shadow of death, she feared no evil, for God was with her, and beneath her were the everlasting arms.

Mrs. Blakey was a true wife, a good mother, a faithful Christian and a loyal friend. She will be deeply mourned by a large circle of acquaintances and friends.

Ella Apple Blakey was born in Racine county, Wisconsin, May 1, 1857. Died August 17, 1916, age 59 years, 3 months and 16 days. She received her education at Rochester Seminary and taught school five years in Racine county. On November 26, 1879, she was united in marriage to Charles S. Blakey, of Yorkville, Wis. To this union four sons and one daughter were born. Two sons and the daughter survive her. They are, Leonard, a member of the faculty at the Carnegie Institute of Technology; Adam, a student of the medical college of the University of Minnesota, and Dorothy, a student at Bryn Maur College.

In the spring of 1883 the family moved to a farm near Spirit Lake and in 1893 moved to Estherville, where they have resided ever since. At the age of seventeen Mrs. Blakey united with the Methodist Episcopal church at Yorkville, Wis., and has always been an active and consistent member.

The funeral services were held from the Methodist church, Sunday morning at 10:30. Her pastor, the Rev. Frederick F. Case, read for a scripture lesson Mrs. Blakey’s favorite chapter, the 14th chapter of the Gospel according to John, using the 27th verse as the text of the sermon: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you; Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.”

The choir, composed of Mrs. Eldridge, Mrs. Case, Mr. Pickering and Mr. Turner, sang Mrs. Blakey’s favorite hymns, and Mrs. Eldridge san the beautiful solo, “Face to Face.” Miss Beth Woods presided at the organ. The body was laid to rest in the beautiful Oak Hill cemetery amid the suppressed sobs of those who knew and loved her. The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful, testifying to the high esteem in which Mrs. Blakey was held.

We will never forget her of the beautiful life she lived among us.

Do we forget when winter snows lie deep
Above the beds where our beloved sleep.
And we no longer wildly weep – Do we forget?
Because across the widening gulf of years
There comes no loving word to quell our fears;
No watchful hand to brush away our tears – Do we forget?
Do we forget? Nay; in each heart there lies
A secret place where, hid from mental eyes,
Dwells strong and true a love that never dies,
Nor can we forget.

(Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, August 23, 1916)