Catherine Wilamina "Katie" Sternborg 1896-1923

STERNBORG

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 2/25/2012 at 00:40:59

Two Families Deprived of Loved Ones
Katie Sternborg and Mrs. Wickersham Called
Invalids for Years
Had Been Residents of This City and Community for Twenty Years
Two families were called upon this week to suffer the loss of dearly beloved ones. The first of the two deaths was that of Miss Catherine Sternborg, affectionately known to her family and friends as Katie.

Miss Sternborg, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sternborg of North Sixth street had been an invalid for about seven years. Hers was an exceptionally beautiful disposition and during all that time she was never known to utter a word of complaint that her lot was different from that of her sisters.

Rev. J.W. LaGrone, pastor of the Methodist church, writes the following obituary of this estimable character:

Catherine Wilamina Sternborg was born in Grundy County, Iowa, Oct. 9, 1896 When a child of six years she came with her parents to Emmet County where they lived on a farm near Huntington for about fourteen years when she became afflicted and underwent an operation since which time she has been an invalid. About seven years ago, some months before her first affliction, the family moved to Estherville and have since made their home on North Sixth street where she has been tenderly cared for and where she has been the center of love and devotion.

During the years 1912 she was soundly converted in a revival meeting held in the Huntington church by Miss Barth. She has since her conversion been a consistent and faithful Christian, a reader of her Bible and a student of her Hymn book. She has through all the long years of her affliction been patient and seemingly happy and satisfied. She thought not so much of her own needs or desires as of the comforts and happiness of the family.

Although an invalid for several years, she had in fact shown much improvement during the last year nd was able to do much for herself until in May when she took the flu which gradually reduced her strength until on Friday evening, July 27th, when she ceased the struggle and peacefully, as if in sleep, passed away at 10:40 o’clock. Thus ended a life which had been robbed of the usual joys and delights of youth.

Yet harps, whose strings are shattered and dumb,
And stained with scalding tears,
May sound all the sweeter in worlds to come,
For having been broken here.

She leaves to mourn her death, her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sternborg; three brothers, Richard, Albert and Fred; three sisters, Edna, Pearl and Ellen. Besides these a large number of friends who feel very keenly her loss and sympathize with the family in this their great sorrow.

Funeral services were held from the Methodist Episicopal church on Monday afternoon, July 30th, at 2:30 o’clock with Rev. J.W.LaGrone, her pastor, in charge. Music was furnished by a quartet of ladies from the church choir and many beautiful floral offerings were brought as an expression of love and respect. The body was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, August 1, 1923)