Mary Lena Arbogast Barnhart 1862-1941

BARNHART, ARBOGAST, ARBAGAST, BESAW, FREDERICK, WEIR, HUSKAMP

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/5/2013 at 11:05:30

Mrs. S.C. Barnhart
A short mention was made in last week’s Times of the death of Mrs. S.C. Barnhart, 79, who passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Harley Frederick, near Cylinder, Wednesday, September 3, at five p.m. Mrs. Barnhart had been ill for several months and was taken to the home of her daughter where she was given the best of nursing and medical care. The immediate cause of her death was a heart attack.

The remains were brought to the Barnhart home in Graettinger where friends called up to the time of the funeral services which were held Saturday afternoon. Short services were conducted at the home at 1:30 and at the Methodist church, Graettinger, at 2:00. The pastor, the Rev. Wm. G. Bohl officiated. Many old neighbors and friends were in attendance at the funeral services. Banks of beautiful flowers adorned the casket at the home, at the church and at the grave. At the services at the church Mrs. Olene Jacobson and Miss Doris Henningsen sang “Rock of Ages,” “What A Friend We Have in Jesus,” and “No Night There.” Mrs. Robert Vasey, Jr., was the accompanist. Interment was in the High Lake cemetery. The pallbearers were Irwin and Robert Huskamp and Clarence Arbagast of Fenton; Richard Arbagast, Watertown, South Dakota; and Francis Weir, Graettinger.

Mary Lena Arbagast was born at Grafton, Illinois, April 3, 1862. Her girlhood years were spent at that place and on October 20, 1881, she was united in marriage to Mr. Samuel Charles Barnhart at Grafton. The young couple made their home at Grafton until 1905 when they moved to Iowa and located on a farm near Ringsted. The family moved to Graettinger in 1916 and for the past 25 years have made their home in this city and vicinity. In 1931 Mr. and Mrs. Barnhart celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

Mr. and Mrs. Barnhart were the parents of seven children, six of whom are living. They are Mrs. Ed Besaw, Wallingford; Claude H. Barnhart, Backus, Minnesota; Walter and Charles, of More, Minnesota; Mrs. Harley Frederick, Cylinder; and Mrs. Charles Weir, Graettinger. All the children were present at the funeral. One son, Louis, died in infancy. There are 19 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. One sister, Mrs. Wm. Huskamp, resides at Fenton. There are four brothers, Louis Arbagast, Watertown, South Dakota; Charles and Ed Arbagast, Grove City, Minnesota; and John Arbagast, Fenton.

Graettinger friends of Mrs. Barnhart as well as members of the family mourn the departure of this splendid Christian wife and mother. Mrs. Barnhart truly lived to a ripe old age to enjoy the companionship of her husband and their children and their grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as the pleasant association of friends. Mrs. Barnhart was not only a devoted wife and mother and a sincere Christian woman but she was a neighbor and friend who was loved by all. She was blessed with a cheerful, pleasant disposition and all who knew her were her friends. Death, regardless of age is sad and the sympathy of the community goes out to the aged partner of nearly 60 years of married life who feels so keenly the sad hour of parting. The devoted children, all of who are honored and respected members of society, many of whom are now grandparents themselves, feel a great loss in the death of their mother. Grandchildren and great grandchildren likewise have suffered a loss. Friend mourn sincerely for one who, despite her years, was active and mingled with them until stricken by her last illness. This splendid Christian wife and mother whose life was truly an inspiration to all who knew her, has been called to her heavenly home. The Times extends heartfelt sympathy to Mr. Barnhart, to the sons and daughters and to the many other relatives in the sorrow they have been called upon to bear. (Graettinger Times, Graettinger, IA, September 11, 1941)