Mary E. Johnson Littell 1858-1917

LITTELL, JOHNSON, KELLER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 10/27/2010 at 22:28:48

Mrs. J. P. Littell Passes Away
End Comes at the Methodist Hospital in the City of Des Moines

A Pioneer Resident of City
Has Been Prominent in Charity and Christian Work Here for Number of Years

The announcement of the death of Mrs. J. P. Littell on last Friday [August 3, 1917] came as a shock to the entire community. It had been known she was in failing health when she was taken to the Methodist Hospital at Des Moines. It was not known, however, she was in as critical condition except possibly by a few close friends of the family.

Mrs. Little has been a long time resident of this city and we believe it can be said with safety, there is no better known or higher esteemed woman in Emmet county. For years past she has given of her time, labor and money to assist those who were in need. Day and night she was called to minister to the wants of the afflicted and her charitable work is known by all, and will be greatly missed during the coming winter. Mrs. Littell was a friend to all – no one was numbered as an enemy by her. She will long be remembered in this city for her noble and untiring labor among the people.

Mary E. Johnson Littell was born on October Nineteenth, 1858, at Westfield, Wisconsin. She is the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Johnson and with her parents she moved to Minnesota when a girl. Forty-one years ago she was united in marriage to J. P. Littell and to this union there were born four children, one of whom died in infancy. Ada, the eldest daughter, passed away at the age of eighteen and there remains to mourn her death, the husband, one son Harry, and daughter Edith, one sister, Mrs. H. P. Keller of St. Paul, and two brothers, Charles and Henry Johnson of Minneapolis.

Mrs. Littell was a very active worker in the Methodist church of this city, and has been an active worker in the church since girlhood. She was Superintendent of the M.E. Sunday School and taught a class in the primary department. She has been, for several years, Superintendent of the Associated Charities and of the Juvenile Court. In fact her life has been a busy one and filled with great good to the people of this community.

The Rev. Frederick F. Case officiated at the funeral services which were held at the Methodist church. The church was packed to its full capacity of loving friends. The floral offerings were beautiful as she deserved who has strewn the pathway of so many of her fellow human beings throughout her life. The remains were laid to rest in the Oakhill cemetery. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, August 8, 1917)

Mrs. J. P. Littell Is Called From Earthly Trials
Passed Away at Methodist Hospital in Des Moines last Friday
Funeral Services Sunday
Death Caused from Heart Trouble – Had Long Illness – Leaves Many Friends

The passing of Mrs. J. P. Littell over that mysterious river of Death, of which the poet writes and the harpist sings, came as a distinct loss to the city of Estherville, and while the end was not unforeseen, by her many friends and loved ones, it came as a surprise, as she was thought to be improving until a few short hours before her death. The end came at the Methodist hospital in Des Moines Friday morning, and she passed over the river to be with loved ones gone before and to reap the reward of life well spent in the service of her Master in whom she placed such implicit confidence.

About four years ago Mrs. Littell developed symptoms of leakage of the heart. Several times since then she has had sinking spells and her life despaired of, but each time she rallied from the attack and got better. A short time ago it was decided to take her to the hospital in Des Moines where she could receive the very best of medical attention and care. She continued to get better and finally left the hospital, going to the Deaconess’ home where she could find the rest and quietude which she desired. She had been there only a short time when she was suddenly attacked again and hurried to the hospital. This time she could not rally from the disease and passed quietly away shortly after the attack. Mr. Littell received a telegram early Friday morning stating that her condition was serious. He left immediately for Des Moines but the end came before he could reach her bedside.

There was never a woman in Estherville who enjoyed more completely the confidence and esteem of her neighbors than Mrs. Littell. Her’s was an active life devoted to the care of the sick and afflicted the poor and the needy, those in need of sympathy and kind words. Into her ears were poured fourth stories of the young girls, the boys the made her their confident and the mothers sought advice from her on many occasions. And through all these activities, she found time to teach her class in the Methodist Sunday school, take charge of the Cradle Roll of that church and act as chairman of the Associated Charities of this city. Her death will leave a vacant place in the ranks of those striving for better conditions in Estherville, that will be hard to fill and next to the immediate family, none will miss her more than the boys and girls of the city. At the time of her death she was Superintendent of the Cradle Roll department of the Methodist Sunday school, superintendent of the Associated Charities, and Juvenile Court officer.

Mary E. Johnson was born in Westfield, Minnesota [Wisconsin], October 19th, 1858, being at the time of her death fifty-eight years, nine months and fifteen days of age. She was the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Johnson. When she was only a small girl she united with the Methodist church and until the time of her death she remained firm in the faith, an active worker in all the circles of the church. Forty-one years ago she was united in marriage to John P. Littell and to this union four children were born, two of whom together with the husband are left to mourn their loss. They are a son, Harry, and a daughter, Edith. She also leaves behind one sister, Mrs. H. P. Keller, of St. Paul, and two brothers, Henry and Charles Johnson, both of Minneapolis. Funeral services were held from the Methodist church Sunday afternoon at three o’clock, Rev. F. F. Case preaching the sermon. Interment was made in the Oak Hill cemetery. The services were attended by a great crowd of neighbors and friends who gathered to pay their last tribute to this grand good woman and whose memory will ever be revered by those who knew and loved her

The sorrowing loved ones have the deepest sympathy of every citizen in the loss of this wife and mother. It is a loss felt, not only in the family circle, but in all the circles working for the betterment of conditions in this same city. The services rendered willingly without thought of her own interests, will ever be a silent tribute to the memory of this good woman and though the sky seems [unreadable] (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, August 8, 1917)