Doris May Ralston Waechter 1894-1919

WAECHTER, RALSTON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 9/1/2010 at 22:52:57

Death of Mrs. W. Waechter
Passed Away at Home North of Gruver January 15th
Was Victim of Influenza
Valued Correspondent of Vindicator and Republican for Several Years

The community was greatly shocked last Wednesday when the word went forth that Mrs. William Waechter had died of the Flu at her home north of Gruver after an illness of a little over a week.

She was the beloved and elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Ralston of this city and had many friends in Estherville as well as in the community of Gruver.

For several years she was a reporter of the Vindicator and Republican for her neighborhood and was one of many most valued correspondents of this paper, The weekly news budge that she furnished will be greatly missed.

Doris May Ralston was born May 7, 1894, near Dysart, in Tama County, Iowa, and died January 15, 1919, at her home aged 24 years, 8 months and 8 days. She came with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Ralston, to Emmet County when about six years of age. She received most of her education at Blue Island, Illinois, returning to Estherville where she took the last two years of her high school course, graduating in 1912. She then taught school for three years in this community.

On December 2, 1915, she was united in marriage to William Waechter and since their marriage they have resided on the old home place. When just a young girl she united with the Methodist church of Blue Island, Illinois. In October, 1917, her membership was transferred to the Presbyterian church of Gruver, of which she was a member at the time of her death. She has taken an active part in the work of the church rendering valuable assistance with the work of the Sunday School, Ladies League and the music.

There are left to mourn her departure her husband, father and mother, sister Luella, brother, Raymond, other relatives and a host of friends.

She was taken ill with influenza on Monday, January 6th, and a week later it developed in to pneumonia. She passed away on Wednesday afternoon.

The funeral services were held at the home at 1:30 o’clock on Friday. Rev. Nichol of Gruver had charge of the services. The music was furnished by a ladies quartette. The body was laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery at Estherville.

What is death? O, what is death?
‘Tis slumber to the weary;
‘Tis rest to the forlorn;
‘Tis peace amid the storm;
‘Tis the entrance to our home;
‘Tis the passage to that God
Who bids His children come
When their weary course is trod.
Such is death. Yes, such is death!

The entire community wish to extend their sympathy to the husband and parents and loved ones in their hour of sorrow.

Mrs. Waechter was the friend of all who knew her and to know her was to love her. She has left a place in our hearts that cannot be filled. The feeling of her great loss to the community was shown in part by the great abundance of beautiful flowers which surrounded her casket. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, January 22, 1919)