Helen Irene Deming 1915-1916

DEMING, NICHOLS

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 8/28/2010 at 00:01:41

Helen Irene Deming

Just four months to a day after the light of this world was unfolded to the eyes of Helen Irene Deming [October 16, 1915] , daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Deming, the same Deity recalled the precious light and life that had proven of so much happiness and joy to the young parents, and the cold, inanimate form and fond memories were all that remained to the sorrow-stricken parents. Mrs. Deming and mother, Mrs. G. A. Nichols, had been in Omaha consulting a specialist regarding the babe’s condition, and were on the return trip home.

The child was afflicted some two months ago with pressure on the brain, and Mr. and Mrs. Deming took the sufferer to Iowa City for treatment, but secured no beneficial results, and the trip to Omaha was planned with the hope of a cure, but nothing could be done. It was thought that the return home could be accomplished before death would interfere, but the ravages of disease were more than the little patient could endure, and her baby fingers relaxed their hold upon earthly things just as the train left Sioux City, last Wednesday evening.

Funeral services were conducted at the home Friday [February 16, 1916] afternoon, at 1:30 o’clock by Revs. Hock and Catlin, after which interment was made in Oak Hill cemetery. The Enterprise joins a host of friends of the bereaved young parents in their deep affliction that has overtaken them. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, February 23, 1916)

Baby Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Deming Dies
Mrs. W. E. Deming and little baby daughter and Mrs. G. A. Nichols went to Omaha Saturday to consult a specialist about its affliction. After careful examination and microscopical examination the case was pronounced hopeless on Tuesday, and this morning the heartbroken mother and grandmother left for home with the dying babe in hopes of reaching home before the angel of death overtook them, but it was too late and when leaving Sioux City the little soul left its frail body and returned to the God that gave it.

Mr. Deming went to Sibley and will return this evening with his wife and Mrs. Nichols and the body of the little daughter, grief stricken and overwhelmed with sorrow. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, February 16, 1916)

Baby Helen Irene Deming
The funeral of the little baby daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Deming was held from the home of its grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Nichols, Friday afternoon at one thirty o’clock, conducted by Rev. Scolley Hock of the Grace Episcopal church, assisted by Rev. Catlin of the Federated Baptist church. Interment was made in the family lot in Oak Hill cemetery near her great grandmother Nichols.

Many beautiful bouquets and floral pieces were sent by sympathetic friends, mute but lovely tributes of respect to heart-broken parents and relatives.

At the time of her death the baby girl was just four months old. Her short life had been a hard struggle from birth but nothing was left undone to save its sweet life that in so brief a space had entwined her heart strings with those of her mother and grandmother. Its birth was a benediction, its death seemed unbearable.

The Best
Mother, I see you with your nursery light
Leading your babies, all in white,
To their sweet rest.
Christ, the Good Shepherd, carried mine tonight,
And that is best.

I cannot help tears when I see them twine
Their fingers in yours and their bright curls shine
On your warm breast.
But the Savior’s is purer than yours or mine,
He can love best.

You tremble each hour because your arms
Are weak, your heart is wrung with alarms,
And sore oppressed,
My darling is safe, out of reach of harm,
And that is best.

You know over yours may hang even now
Pain and disease, whose fulfilling slow,
Naught can arrest.
Mine in God’s garden runs to and fro,
And that is best.

You know that yours, your feeblest one
And dearest, may live long years alone,
Unloved, unblest.
Mine entered spotless on eternal rest.
Oh!, How much the best.

My grief is selfish, I cannot see
Always why I should stricken be
More than the rest.
But I know that, as well s for them for me,
God did the best. – Contributed
(Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, February 23, 1916)

Note: Irene's grandfather, George A. Nicols, was the editor of the Vindicator & Republican.