Thayer Ryder 1902-1918

RYDER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 8/28/2012 at 23:17:11

A Tribute
Thayer Ryder, son of Mr. and Mrs. S.E. Ryder, was born in Chicago, Ill., Jan. 28th, 1902, and died after a brief illness in Estherville, Iowa, February 26, 1918, aged sixteen years and one month. The family came to Iowa about four years ago and lived in Gruver until about one year ago when they moved to Estherville. Thayer was a member of the Freshman class in the High school of our city. Along with his parents he united with the Methodist church in Estherville, in May, 1917. He was a member of the Presbyterian Sunday school and of the Boy Scouts. To this organization he was greatly attached. He was a good faithful Christian boy and was loved by those who knew him.

The last hymn played by him on the piano at home before he took his bed was the hymn entitled “Saved.’ He loved this hymn so well. How true is was that the Master said to him, “Come unto Me and I’ll lead you home, to live with Me eternally, saved by his power divine, saved to new life sublime.” On the last night of life even in his delirium he was repeating the Lord’s prayer.

On account of the infectiousness of the disease with which he died it was impossible to hold funeral services before burial. He was buried in Seneca, Ill., and on Sabbath, March 17th, memorial services were held in the Methodist church in Estherville. The Boy Scouts attended in a body as did also his class in the High school. Brief remarks were made by Prof. F.H. Sunderlin of the City schools and a memorial sermon was preached by the pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, March 20, 1918)