Mabel Josephine Herbrandtson Ruckman 1884-1917

RUCKMAN, HERBRANDTSON, HERBRANDSON, BRINGLE, KRUSE, CRUSE, COON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 8/30/2010 at 23:10:25

The community was shocked and inexpressively saddened on Wednesday morning when the news came that Mrs. Tom Ruckman had passed away at the Anderson hospital in Estherville where she submitted to an operation on Tuesday afternoon. The tidings came like a bolt out of a clear sky, and it seemed almost impossible for her friends and loved ones to realize that she whom they loved was no more. She was a true wife and mother, a kind and loving daughter and sister. Although her time was taken up in the care of her family and aged father, and she was not permitted to do active work in the church and social work of the community she was always pleased to hear of the progress of any good work. She was a member of the Lutheran church and lived a true, consistent life. While she loved her own church and supported it, she was pleased to help the M.E. church here.

Only a few months ago she said to the writer, “I appreciate the privilege of attending your church when I cannot attend my own and we wish to finance the same.” While it is true she will be missed, that the vacant place can never be filled, yet the influence of her womanly life will remain to bless the home she has left and the friends who mourn her passing.

Mabel Josephine Herbrandson was born in Dickinson County in 1884. In the year 1900 she was confirmed at the state line Lutheran church of which she was a consistent member at the time of her death. In August, 1903, she was united in marriage to Tom Ruckman. To this union were born five children who are today left without the care and sympathy of a loving mother. The oldest child, Gladys, is 13 years of age; Florence, Wade and Raymond and little Laurine not quite 2 years. She leave also a husband who is bereaved of a [unreadable] and helpmate and [unreadable] two sisters Mrs. J. A. Bringle of Superior and Mrs. Geo. Cruse of Minot, N.D., four brothers, Elmer, Albert, Olaf and Bendt each residing in Dakota.

Funeral services were held at the M.E. church here Saturday, October 20, at 11 a.m. conducted by Rev. Wood of Superior and Rev. Akre of Estherville, the latter her pastor, preaching the funeral sermon. He repeated the sermon the deceased had heard him preach the Sunday previous. The text found in Matt. 9:2, “Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee.” The body was laid to its last resting place in Oak Hill Cemetery, Estherville.

We mourn her departure, respect her life and memory, and give our sympathy and consolation to the sorrowing in their affliction, but as she has passed from us, may her passing inspire us to higher and holier living. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, October 24, 1917)

Superior
We were both shocked and pained Wednesday morning when word reached us that Mrs. Thomas Ruckman had passed away. She was taken seriously ill Tuesday. Physicians were called and she was taken to the hospital where she underwent an operation. Everything that medical skill, nurses, or kind friends could do was done but to no avail. God called her for his own. Mrs. Ruckman was a member of the Lutheran church, a loving wife and mother, a kind and loving daughter and sister, a kind friend and neighbor, always giving a helping hand in sickness and trouble. She will be greatly missed by her family and neighbors. Mabel Josephine Herbrandtson was born at Superior in 1884 and died in the Estherville hospital October 17, 1917, being thirty-three years old at the time of her death. She was married to Thomas Ruckman in 1900. To this union five children were born: Gladys, Florence, Wadie, Raymond and Lucine, the oldest being thirteen and the youngest nearly two. She leaves to mourn her loss a husband, five children, an aged father for whom she cared, two sisters and four brothers. They are Mrs. George Kruse of Minot, North Dakota, Mrs. Jack Bringle of Superior, Elmer of Minot, N.D., Albert of Rose Prairie, S.D. and Olaf and Brendt of South Dakota. Other friends from away were Mr. and Mrs. Jim Coon and Maurice Bringle of Estherville and Fred Ruckerman of Mitchell, South Dakota.

Funeral services were conducted at the M.E. church by Rev. Akre of the Lutheran church at Estherville. He chose as his text these words: “Be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee.” He spoke words of kindness and praise for the dead and comfort and sympathy for the living pointing them to the one who can cure bruised and broken hearts. In all it was a fine sermon and well rendered. Services were at the church in Superior and the body laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery at Estherville.

Sleep, our dear one, and take thy rest;
While sorrowing friends around thee stand.
We feel thou art with the blessed,
In that far away and happy land.

(Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, October 24, 1917)