Viola Heaton Wickens 1870-1950

WICKENS, HEATON, SOLMONSON, MEEWES, APPLEBAUM, MELWES, APPLEBOWN, SALMONSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/8/2011 at 01:40:47

Mrs. Wickens, Superior, Dies of Heart Attack
Mrs. O. L. Wickens, 80, of Superior, died of heart attack about 11:15 a.m. today at the Wickens farm home near Superior. She had been stricken for some time with heart disease and arthritis but had not been ill at the time of here death.

She was born Aug. 17, 1870 in Illinois, and received her education in that state. Before her marriage, she was a school teacher and also for 15 years was a country correspondent. She was married in 1893 and the Wickens celebrated their golden wedding anniversary Feb. 19, 1943.

The couple at first lived for 15 years on a farm near Sterling, Ill., about 35 years on farms near Estherville and Gruver and for the past several years, on a farm near Superior.

Survivors include her husband, two sons, Clarence at the home farm near Superior, Lester of Idaho Falls; and three daughters, Mrs. Harvey Solmonson of Estherville, Mrs. Lucille Meewes of Dike, and Mrs. D. Applebaum of Akron.

Services have been postponed pending word from relatives living at a distance. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, March 28, 1950)

Superior News
The Community was saddened when it was learned that Mrs. O. L. Wickens had passed away suddenly at her farm home. Although Mrs. Wickens had been suffering from heart trouble and arthritis for several years she was apparently well until she got ill in the night and all medical care was to no avail. She passed away at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Born in 1869
Viola Heater was born one of twelve children August 17, 1869, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Madison Heaton of Montgomery Township, south of Rock Falls, Ill.

She attended and finished the County grade schools. Two years later she enrolled in the Sterling High School from which she graduated in 1889.

The next four years she taught in rural schools and on February 20, 1893 she was married to Owen Lovejoy Wickens in Sterling, Illinois.

Moves to Iowa
After thirteen years the family moved to Galva, Iowa. Here Mrs. Wickens became a faithful member of the Silver Creek Methodist church.

Five years later the family came to Gruver where they lived until 1940 and then they moved to Dickinson County. While at Gruver Mrs. Wickens was affiliated with the first Presbyterian Church where she was active as long as health permitted.

During her lifetime she was news correspondent for the Sterling Daily Gazette and Estherville Enterprise, The Estherville Democrat and the Estherville Daily News.

She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, North Star Chapter 200, order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, Bethel Shrine No. 19 and the Harmony Rebekah Lodge.

She leaves besides her husband, five children, Mrs. Harvey Salmonson, Estherville; Mrs. David Applebaum, Akron, Ohio; Mrs. Russell Melwes, Dike, Iowa, Lester Wicken, Idaho Falls, Idaho and Clarence Wickens of Estherville, Iowa. Also two brothers, Albert Heaton of Anaheim, Calif., and Clinton Heaton of Fergus Falls, Minn.; and nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services Held
Funeral services were held at the Sternborg funeral home at 1:30 and 2:00 at the First Methodist Church with Rev. De Long officiating. The Eastern Star had charge of graveside services. Six members of the Masonic Lodge served as pallbearers.

Among those from out of town who attended services were: Russel Melwes and children of Dike, Mrs. Davis Applebown of Akron, Ohio, and Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Salmonson and family of Emmetsburg. (Spirit Lake Beacon, Spirit Lake, IA, April 13, 1950)